A group of Ministry of Works officials shook their heads in unison, looking as dumbfounded as geese.
"He actually said that recognizing characters is recognizing characters, and composing poetry is composing poetry. His prince only taught them to recognize characters but not to compose poetry... This is outrageous! A student who can recognize thousands of characters is like a shop assistant. I almost went to ask Prince Heng how he educates people..."
Xia Li took a breath and continued, "Starting ten years ago, Prince Heng established various schools in Dayuan. Children who turned six were required to attend these schools, and their parents were severely punished for violating this rule. However... besides teaching children to recognize characters, the schools offered all sorts of miscellaneous subjects..."
Xia Li pointed to Liao Lei, who was busy in the crowd, and sighed, "This kid claims that he is not talented enough and did not pass the entrance exam for the naval academy for high-ranking officials. He can only study at the technical school. He studies for half a day and spends the other half of the day working in the workshop with the old craftsmen, doing accounting, and managing people. By the time he finishes his three-year term, he will be a capable person who can work on his own."
“Your Excellency, this method of educating people is truly unacceptable. In educating people, morality and etiquette should come first. As for managing accounts and people…” An official from the Ministry of Works stopped midway through his sentence when he saw Xia Li’s face darken.
"You've been in the Ministry of Works for so long, let me ask you... Can reciting poems, composing couplets, and practicing morality and etiquette dredge waterways? Can they build roads and bridges? After you pass the imperial examinations, don't you first have to go to the local areas to learn practical skills? The technical schools for high-ranking officials are specifically designed to train people who can do practical work."
"This humble official knows his mistake..."
"His Highness Prince Heng calls them... 'practical talents.' Do you know how many 'practical talents' like Liao Lei are there in Dayuan?"
The bunch of silly geese shook their heads in unison once again.
"There are thousands of people..."
Xia Li emphasized as he repeated, "Every year, thousands of 'Liao Lei's' join Heng Wang's ranks, at his beck and call."
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