Chapter 64: School Opening

The New Year passed quickly, and on the fifth day of the first lunar month, the Emperor and officials of the Tang Dynasty officially went to work.

In the Liangyi Hall, Li Er and Li Chengqian, father and son, were discussing something.

"Chengqian, I have said long ago that I still need to consider whether you want to open a so-called school!" Li Er said.

The Tang Dynasty has its own education system. If a school is established as Li Chengqian described, it will inevitably cause chaos in the existing education system.

It is inevitable that there will be some chaos. At present, the Tang Dynasty is preparing for the Eastern Expedition, and he does not want to see any mistakes at this juncture!

"Father! I have told you many times that opening a school will bring all benefits and no harm! The Tang Dynasty will only become more prosperous!" Li Chengqian said. As early as the 17th year of Zhenguan, he had proposed to Li Er many times to open a school.

But Li Er had been playing tricks on him, and kept asking him to wait. This time, he had to make Li Er agree to open a school no matter what.

Now, being able to read and write is basically in the hands of the aristocratic families, who run private schools in the form of families and disciples.

The students who are taught are all disciples and disciples within their families, while it is difficult for children from poor families to study.

Cultural knowledge is in the hands of the aristocratic families, so the so-called gentry is formed. Over time, the gentry will sooner or later become a hidden danger to the court. They hold high positions and block the path of advancement for children from poor families.

In order to suppress or even replace the gentry well, more children from poor families must be able to have a path to advancement.

The imperial examination system is the best example. After thousands of years of imperial examination system, the gentry eventually went extinct, largely because the children of poor

families got a way to get promoted. The gentry disappeared from the historical stage at the end of the Tang Dynasty. If the gentry was eliminated at the beginning of the Tang Dynasty, more people would have to be able to read.

As long as they can read, they can open up the wisdom of more people.

As a time traveler, Li Chengqian knows the importance of opening up wisdom!

If you want more people to read, you must set up schools, starting from elementary school, and set up elementary schools, middle schools, and universities!

Li Chengqian plans to open public schools in the Tang Dynasty so that more people can come to school to study.

"I know what you said, but if you want to build schools all over the Tang Dynasty at once, the local fiscal revenue can't support such a huge teaching problem." Li Er said.

Li Er also understood that in order to balance and eliminate the gentry, it is necessary to allow poor children to get a way to advance, but the problem is where to get so much money to build schools.

The Tang Dynasty's finances are spending every day, and there are many places where money needs to be used. There is no way to draw out a part of the budget to build schools.

"You don't have to worry about this, Father! As long as you agree to give me the right to run a school, I can solve the financial issues myself!"

"Besides, I will not open schools in the entire Tang Dynasty at once, but as an experimental point around Chang'an. When the time comes, if it is possible, I will promote it to the whole country." Li Chengqian said.

Money is not a big problem. Li Chengqian already has the idea of ​​making money in his mind. Now the most urgent thing is whether he can get the right to run a public school from Li Er.

Only with Li Er's approval can he let the Ministry of Works build a school for him. Otherwise, there is really no way to let the people in the Ministry of Works do the work.

Li Er thought about it and still did not agree to Li Chengqian. He said, "Don't worry about this matter. Let me discuss it with Wuji and others. You go back and write a memorial first."

"Father! Opportunities are rare! If the Tang Dynasty wants to be more prosperous, we must establish schools so that more people can master knowledge and do better for the Tang Dynasty. To enrich the country and strengthen the army, we must start from childhood!" Li Chengqian urged Li Er.

Seeing that Li Er was still hesitant, Li Chengqian continued, "Father, just give me a few years and I can test whether this method is feasible."

"I can also guarantee that I will never touch a penny from the Tang Dynasty's treasury. Please grant me your approval!"

"Well, let's do it this time. I have to say this: I won't ask about your school, and you can't take a penny from the treasury." Li Er finally compromised. It was rare that the prince was so enthusiastic, so let him try.

Only after experiencing failure can he recognize the facts. It is better not to dampen his enthusiasm now.

"Thank you, Father! I can take care of the money. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave!" Li Chengqian was overjoyed and bowed.

Li Er said, "Don't worry. I want to ask you, have you thought about where to experiment with your so-called school?"

"These, I have already thought about it! Establish a university in Chang'an and Luoyang, a middle school in the state, and a primary school in the county." Li Chengqian said.

"Your idea is not bad! Tell me your opinion, what do you plan to do specifically?" Li Er asked.

"I plan to let all the children aged five and above go to primary school together, and set up preschool classes in primary schools to enlighten these children."

"Then, they will be promoted from preschool to become primary school students. After six years of systematic education, they can go to middle school..." Li Chengqian told Li Er about the general situation of further education.

In ancient times, children entered school between the ages of 8 and 15, and there was no clear dividing line, which led to different levels of knowledge.

The students' quality varied!

Therefore, Li Chengqian's first step was to unify the age of going to school so that everyone could

start from the same starting line. As for whether they can achieve success in learning, it depends on their talent and hard work.

As for the standard of further study, it can be achieved through examinations, screening out some poor students, so that more outstanding students can have room for development.

After talking about the school system, we have to talk about the content subjects taught in the school, in addition to the regular subjects such as Confucian classics such as the Four Books and the Five Classics.

The school will also teach students the skills to make a living, so that students can find a way to make a living in the future.

This will be more beneficial to the rule of the empire, the people will live and work in peace and contentment, and the Tang Dynasty will naturally prosper.

"Your methods are not bad! You can give it a try. Have you chosen which county to set up middle schools and elementary schools?" Li Er asked after listening to Li Chengqian's explanation.

"I've already thought about this! Let's set up schools in the prefectures and counties where the Zhechong Prefecture is located, which is convenient for management." Li Chengqian said.

After talking about the teaching issue, the next thing is to choose a site to build the school. Li Chengqian had already thought about it. Setting up schools in the prefectures and counties where the Zhechong Prefecture is located, which is convenient for him to directly manage these schools in the future.

"Since you have already thought of everything, I will not say anything! You can do it yourself!" Li Er said.

"Thank you, father! I will take my leave!" Li Chengqian took a few steps back and turned to leave the Liangyi Hall.