Chapter 409 Is Reading Useless?
The people of Chongqing are kind, hardworking, and also love to argue and debate.
If you say something bad about me, I won't talk to you for three days.
But the people of Dayu were also united in their hatred of the enemy.
When it came to defending their homeland and protecting themselves from the Hu people, the people of Dayu had only one thought in mind.
Who gave you permission to do this? This is outrageous and disgraceful to our ancestors.
Even if I am just an ordinary citizen, I will protect the safety of Da Yu.
In just one day, the people all went to the military headquarters to file complaints.
There are suspected Northern Hu spies in the capital; we must be on high alert.
They said they were going to file a complaint, but the people of Dayu were quite well-mannered.
You say you're busy, and they just stand there looking at you expectantly, pitifully waiting in a corner for you to stop talking.
Upon seeing this, the officers of the Military Command could not say much and could only write down their demands.
The people speak very directly.
"Sir, please take a look. Those scholars are jumping around, saying bad things about the craftsmen who make fire bombs. Are they trying to sabotage things? Don't they want the Great Yu to make good fire bombs?"
"Sir, I feel that there are many ill-intentioned people in the capital now. They are always slandering those craftsmen and those new fire-starting devices. I find it very suspicious. Shouldn't we arrest a few and interrogate them?"
"Sir, I think those people are spies, or they're from the Northern Hu."
"Yes! I also think those people are spies."
We should all be celebrating, but they're dragging us down. Isn't this boosting their morale while diminishing our own?
"Sir, I have so much to say. Let me have a sip of water first, and then I'll tell you slowly..."
......
In just three days, public opinion in Beijing underwent a complete reversal.
Those candidates who originally wanted to cause trouble, those who were eager to kneel at the palace gates for their own benefit, all shrank back.
The people's mouths are too sharp.
Now, anyone who dares to say a bad word about those craftsmen will be drowned in the spittle of the people.
However, this also made Emperor Xiao Wu a little worried.
In any case, the main force in the imperial court was still those scholars who had passed the imperial examinations.
If things get too out of hand, it can still have some negative impact.
Emperor Xiao Wu thought for a while, then watched the Empress play with the twins for a while before quietly arriving at the Duke of Dingguo's residence.
When he arrived, Shangguan Jin was watching Shen Qingyue prepare Shen Qingrui's luggage for their continued journey to the North.
Seeing that Emperor Xiao Wu had arrived quietly, Shangguan Jin quickly went to greet him.
"Your Majesty can summon whomever you want to see; why do you have to make the trip yourself?"
"It's hot, so it's best not to go out in the sun," Shangguan Jin said with a smile.
Emperor Xiao Wu, however, came over to help Shangguan Jin as before.
"Aunt, there were few memorials today, and I finished reviewing them early. I have nothing to do in the palace."
I was just thinking of coming to see you.
"It's precisely because of the scorching sun that I didn't want you to make the trip," Emperor Xiao Wu said with a smile.
Shen Qingyue smiled and served Emperor Xiaowu a cup of tea before saying, "Your Majesty, is there something you need?"
Could it be that it's because those scholars caused trouble and ended up being criticized by the public?
Emperor Xiao Wu smiled in response.
"Your cousin knows about this too?"
"How could I not know? It's spread throughout all the major teahouses in the capital."
Those scholars are said to have a dignified appearance, but in reality, they are all incompetent fools.
He was only thinking about getting promoted and making money, and didn't care about the greater Yu region.
"Such a person has wasted all their education," Shen Qingyue laughed.
Emperor Xiao Wu sighed.
His original intention was to teach those scholars a lesson.
Who knew the common people were so capable, they scolded those troublesome scholars so badly they couldn't even lift their heads!
Scholars and candidates for the imperial examinations also have their own tempers.
While being criticized by the public for what they could possibly do, quite a few people actually began to reflect on their actions.
Yes, what can they do?
Does studying only lead to becoming a high-ranking official and bringing glory to one's ancestors?
Farmers can cultivate the land, craftsmen can do manual labor, and merchants can make money. What else can they do?
Many scholars and candidates were truly frustrated...
Shangguan Jin also thought of these things.
Those scholars... to put it bluntly, it's because the court of Dayu has protected them too well.
"Is Your Majesty also worried that the scholars will be affected, thus impacting the development of Dayu?" Shangguan Jin asked.
Emperor Xiao Wu nodded.
"I... am still a little worried."
After thinking about it, Shangguan Jin still offered some advice.
"Actually... it would be a good thing if scholars could think this way."
This at least shows that they are willing to think about some issues.
Or rather, they thought about something, realizing that they were truly useless scholars.
Once you've thought about it, things will be easier.
In fact, reading is not just about recognizing more words, but about learning something from reading.
Some people learn how to be an official from books, while others learn how to lead troops and fight battles.
Some people learned farming skills from books, and some even learned how to make money and become craftsmen.
Reading is not just for the sake of reading.
Regardless of which dynasty they came from, or what achievements they made.
All I want to do is write it down.
So that future generations can remember it, and so that they can learn from it.
Books contain knowledge that everyone wants to learn.
Learning by doing and applying knowledge in practice—that is the essence of reading.
Furthermore, who stipulated that only members of the aristocratic class could study, and that others were not allowed to study?
Merchants who don't read or write, how can they understand the account books?
How can craftsmen who are illiterate understand those complicated blueprints?
Your Majesty, everyone has done nothing wrong.
It's just that there's one less guide.
"No matter what social class a person is, reading is the best choice," Shangguan Jin said earnestly.
Emperor Xiao Wu remained silent for a while before nodding heavily.
"Yes! Reading... has never been just for the sake of reading."
"Aunt! Thank you for your teachings!" Emperor Xiao Wu bowed deeply to Shangguan Jin.
Shangguan Jin quickly stepped aside to avoid it.
Emperor Xiao Wu dined at the Duke of Dingguo's residence.
After returning to the palace after dinner, Emperor Xiao Wu went straight to the Hall of Diligent Governance.
The next morning, when Emperor Xiao Wu went to court, the first thing he did was to have Hu Zhouquan read out an imperial edict.
Shen Qingrui, the third son of the Duke of Dingguo, was appointed Marquis of Zhenbian.
This imperial edict terrified everyone.
The Duke of Dingguo's mansion is already overflowing with imperial favor, boasting princesses, county princesses, and dukes, and now a marquis has joined them...
this......
"Your Majesty..." someone wanted to object.
"This is an imperial edict!" Emperor Xiao Wu said only four words in a calm tone.
No one dared to speak.
Forget it, I won't say anymore. The world belongs to the emperor, and Young Master Shen is the emperor's cousin. Let them bestow titles upon him as they please!
"Do you, my ministers, think that Shen Qingrui is not worthy of this title?" Emperor Xiaowu suddenly asked.
Everyone paused, suddenly at a loss for words.
Unworthy
He's from a prestigious family and has made great contributions to the research of fire and thunder; if he's not worthy, then who is?
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