Liu Yu was in a heavy mood, so his tone became cold.
He expressed his own opinion and perspective, "Of the remaining 20% of officials, half are children of wealthy families who have just started their own businesses. After several generations of hard work, their families have accumulated money and finally have the financial resources to raise a scholar. The family structure is gradually taking shape."
Less than 10% of officials truly came from humble backgrounds, relying on their own intelligence and talent to forge their way to the top. However, even if these unconnected individuals entered the imperial court, they would rarely be given important positions, leading to a lifetime of mediocrity. Fortunately, the situation at the local level was somewhat better than at the imperial court.
Gu Jiu understood his thoughts, "So you want to change the status quo through education?"
Liu Yu was silent for a moment. "I don't know if I can change the current situation, but at least I can provide more opportunities for poor children and give them more choices. If I can discover a few talented people in the process, it will be worth it!"
Gu Jiu reminded him, "You have to admit that the children of officials are indeed superior to the children of poor families in terms of knowledge."
"Son, of course you understand this. The reason why children of officials are given priority over children from poor families is because they have an advantage in their background."
"You can't deny that the children of officials studied just as hard. No one won the imperial examination easily, fighting their way through the vast competition. Everyone gave their all. You can't deny their talent and hard work just because they enjoyed more educational resources. When looking at things, you must avoid bias."
"I understand what you mean, mother. I have no prejudice against the children of officials. After all, I enjoy the best resources in the world. I just want to give poor children more opportunities."
Gu Jiu nodded approvingly. "You started learning at the age of three, studying late into the night every day. In addition to completing the homework assigned by the teacher, you also read a lot of books, complete extra homework, and learn martial arts. Your efforts have always been seen by your mother.
Students across the world study diligently, and you never slacked off for a single day. Countless children of officials and officials study as diligently as you do. To ensure the longevity of your family's prosperity, every generation must strive hard. Otherwise, you'll be overtaken by rising stars and fall into poverty.
While you create opportunities for children from less privileged backgrounds, you can't completely shut out the children of officials. You should be well aware of the Shanhe Academy's approach to education. Among its students are children from wealthy families, poor families, officials, and even the sons of noble families. The academy treats them all equally, and everything is based on merit.
Any selection method has a degree of unfairness. Judging by performance also has its unfairness, but it is currently the fairest selection method. Opportunities are available to everyone, and each one must earn them based on their own abilities.
Liu Yu frowned, seeming to have different ideas.
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "You mean to say that the starting line is different, and given the same opportunities, poor disciples can't stand out, right?"
Liu Yu nodded, "My son believes that we should give poor children more opportunities."
Gu Jiu took a sip of tea and said solemnly, "Free school is an opportunity for poor children. Whether they can seize this opportunity and whether they will be qualified to compete with the children of officials on the same starting line in the future depends entirely on themselves.
"I've said so much to you, but it all comes down to one thing: don't interfere too much. After creating the conditions for this impoverished child's education, you shouldn't continue to interfere with the rest. Let them develop and adjust on their own. Don't underestimate the wisdom of the masses."
Liu Yu frowned and thought deeply.
"Does the Queen Mother think that your son's ideas about education are overreaching?"
Gu Jiu didn't deny it. "From your words, I sense you want to take on too much. I've always been against this way of doing things. Facts have proven that this approach ultimately leads to the demise of the leader and the collapse of the government. From the very beginning, you didn't give others room to develop. When you leave, how can you expect others to continue your ideas?" "My Queen Mother is always willing to give those around her opportunities to gain experience. Is it because I trust them?"
"Knowing people and assigning them to the right positions is a skill you must learn. Throughout the world, there are tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of employees. I can't possibly know everyone, nor can I build trust with everyone. What should I do? All I have to do is delegate authority and allow capable people to take charge."
Liu Yu took a deep breath and said, "Thank you for your guidance, mother. Today's conversation with you has made me realize that I still have many shortcomings."
Gu Jiu said, "Your shortcoming is that you have no experience in civil affairs, have never led a team, and have never handled specific government affairs. Experience can make up for your shortcomings."
Liu Yu immediately said, "So my son wants to find a place to open a free school and gain some experience."
Gu Jiu shook his head slightly. "You want to understand the people's livelihood and gain experience. I have a small suggestion."
"Please teach me, mother."
"Si Hai Meat and Vegetable Shop, do you know what it does?"
"My son has a general understanding."
"Are you willing to go to Sihai Meat and Vegetable Shop for training? Visiting villages and towns every day, going directly into the countryside, will give you a direct understanding of the hardships of people's lives. If you still insist on running a school, I will not stop you."
Liu Yu hesitated, "Is it in the capital?"
Gu Jiu shook his head. "Of course not the capital. Lingnan, Southwest, Northwest, you can choose from these three places. The time is tentatively set at six months to a year. Are you willing?"
After considering it, Liu Yu nodded heavily, "My son is willing. He wants to choose Southwest."
"It just so happens that your uncle is also training there. You can go to his place for a meal if you have the chance."
Gu Jiu was very happy.
Then she continued, "Before you leave the capital, you must first arrange your marriage. It's been so many days since the garden party, and I haven't asked you yet if you have any young ladies in your sight."
Liu Yu was a little embarrassed, "Can we wait until my son comes back from training before discussing marriage?"
Gu Jiu shook his head, "That won't work. By the time you return from your training, most of the marriageable-age ladies in the capital will have already been married or engaged. By then, even if you want to choose, they won't be happy."
Liu Yu lowered his head and smiled, "Okay, my son is willing to arrange a marriage."
"Oh? So, you already have a girl you like? Tell me quickly, which girl has caught your eye."
Gu Jiu's face was filled with excitement. Rather than being concerned about her son's marriage, it would be more accurate to say she was gossiping about his love life.
Liu Yu took out the list of ladies.
With the skill of the Shaofu painter, the appearance and characteristics of each lady were almost faithfully presented in the album.
What the person looks like, whether he is beautiful or ugly, fat or thin, is clear at a glance.
He took the picture album and kept flipping through it...
Gu Jiu's heart was in turmoil.
If she remembered correctly, most of the girls at the front of the album were from important officials and nobles.
Most of the girls in the back are from official families.
He flipped through the book, and when he was two-thirds through, Liu Yu paused, pointed at the girl in the album, and said, "Son thinks she's pretty good."
Who is this she?
Gu Jiu looked at the album.
Huh?
"Doesn't the Queen Mother agree?"
Gu Jiu shook his head repeatedly, his tone full of surprise, "You actually fell in love with the granddaughter of Sun Zhuangyuan?"
"My son only knew that she was a girl from the Sun family, but he didn't know that she was actually Mr. Sun's granddaughter." Liu Yu himself was also surprised.
Gu Jiu laughed, "I've seen this girl before, she's quite a nice girl. I didn't expect you to like her."
"She's well-read and elegant, but not pedantic or whining. She's a girl with a lot of ideas. My son thinks she's great."
Gu Jiu gossiped, "How do you know she's not pedantic? Have you spoken to her?"
Liu Yu pointed to his ear and said, "My son was touched when he heard her talking to others."
oh!
This is rare!
Gu Jiu picked up the album and looked at the portrait carefully. "She's a good-looking girl, and the age is right. Did you choose her because her last name is Sun? Have you ever considered that the Crown Princess of Prince Renxuan and the biological mother of the King of Chu are also from the Sun family, and from the eldest branch of the Sun family. This Miss Sun is the granddaughter of Sun Zhuangyuan, and is considered to be from the third branch of the Sun family. You know that the first and third branches of the Sun family have always been competing openly and secretly."
Liu Yu nodded. "I've heard a bit about the internal conflicts within the Sun family. I did choose her because her last name is Sun. But I also have a good impression of her. If I didn't, I wouldn't have chosen her even if her last name was Sun."
Gu Jiu understood, "Besides her, is there anyone else?"
Liu Yu shook his head, "She's the only one."
"You should know that the Sun family is a first-class aristocratic family in the world. They have been wealthy for hundreds of years and have served no fewer than ten emperors. This means that if you marry a girl from the Sun family, you will certainly gain their support, but you will also be dragged down by them. If one day the Sun family becomes too powerful to be eliminated and becomes a hindrance to the imperial power, what will you do?"
Liu Yu frowned, "My son intends to talk to the emperor. If my son marries a girl from the Sun family, the older generation of the Sun family will have to withdraw from the court. The Sun family can only have a maximum of two generations serving in the court at the same time."
"This method is not enough. Your father and I can limit the expansion of the Sun family. What about you? What effective methods do you have to limit the expansion of the Sun family? It is already a large family with tens of thousands of people and a great reputation. Its position in the literary world is as solid as a rock. There are always ways to extend its tentacles into various fields."
"Please teach me, mother!" Liu Yu pleaded solemnly.
Gu Jiu tapped the table lightly. "The only effective way to restrict the Sun family is to split them up. Split a large, tightly knit family into countless small clans, each with their own worship."
Liu Yu was shocked, "Forcing the Sun family to split up?"
Gu Jiu nodded heavily. "Whether it's the Northern Sun Family or the Southern Zhou Family, your father and I share the same view. We cannot tolerate their continued expansion. They must be restricted."
Liu Yu said with certainty: "The Sun family will not agree. They would rather give up this marriage."
"So the key is still Sun Zhuangyuan!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
