As emperor, Zhu Yunying was not only handling state affairs, but also constantly learning and improving himself.
Even though he was a time traveler with 'long-term vision', Zhu Yunying was self-aware and knew that he still had many shortcomings. He was never arrogant or complacent.
The scholars of the Hanlin Academy were very excited. His Majesty had previously mentioned the well-field system, which was a dream and an opportunity for many scholars who admired antiquity. If the world could be governed according to the rites of Zhou, there would surely be a world in harmony.
Clearly, many scholars believe that the ancient sages were right, and that their views remain valid today.
As for why rulers throughout history did not adopt this approach, they might have felt that the previous emperors were not wise enough, or that scholars were striving for universal harmony, while those emperors lacked such ambition.
In short, the sages of the past were definitely right, and their views on governing the world are effective strategies for governing the world in all directions!
He couldn't let them bring in their own ideas; Zhu Yunying only needed these learned scholars to tell him about the well-field system, not their personal insights.
The prestigious Hanlin Academy consisted mainly of scholars, many of whom lacked practical administrative skills. Simply put, they were primarily theoretical experts who hadn't accomplished much in real-world practice, so their idealism was understandable.
The Hanlin Academy of today is not much different from that of the previous dynasty. Basically, it started in the Tang Dynasty and was a court institution that housed talents in literature, classics, divination, medicine, Buddhism, Taoism, calligraphy, painting, and chess. They accompanied the emperor on his outings and entertainments and were collectively known as the Hanlin Academy.
However, after the late Tang Dynasty, it evolved into an important institution specifically for drafting confidential edicts, and in the Song Dynasty, it began to become a formal official position and was integrated with the imperial examination system.
The Hanlin Academy of the Ming Dynasty was not yet a place for cultivating talent and preserving future leaders. Its responsibilities included compiling books and histories, drafting imperial edicts, serving as tutors to members of the royal family, and acting as examiners for the imperial examinations. The saying "No one can enter the Grand Secretariat without being a member of the Hanlin Academy" did not exist. After all, the Grand Secretariat at that time was merely the emperor's "junior secretary" and did not have much power.
However, it is worth mentioning that it was a gathering of the elite among intellectuals, who enjoyed a superior social status.
Zhu Yunying did not blame these people. Some Hanlin scholars just needed to endure a bit more or be given some time to hone their skills before being released to serve as officials. These were all top performers in the imperial examinations and were quite capable.
"Find some records of salt and iron systems from past dynasties," Zhu Yunying said, squinting as he reclined on the couch. "Since the Han Dynasty, a Hanlin Academy scholar has come to lecture me on the classics every day."
For those studying in the Hanlin Academy, this was naturally an opportunity. If they excelled in reading and lecturing on the classics, or had the chance to offer excellent advice when His Majesty inquired about their situation, they might win the Emperor's favor and rise to the rank of important minister.
We must go back and work harder, only in this way can we better seize the opportunity. This is a relatively rare opportunity for many noble scholars who have been working hard in the Hanlin Academy.
The salt and iron monopoly, which began in the Spring and Autumn Period, was not merely intended to restrict industrial and commercial development. Its primary purpose was to increase fiscal revenue through the monopolistic control of salt and iron.
Although the early Han dynasty also employed a policy of non-interference, allowing for recuperation and development, and opening up the market to private enterprises, while adopting a laissez-faire approach to salt and iron, which enabled merchants in these sectors to become as wealthy as royalty, the salt and iron monopoly remained a crucial source of revenue for the imperial court for the vast majority of the time.
In fact, salt tax revenue was the second largest source of revenue for the imperial court after land tax, so it was perfectly normal for the court to attach great importance to it.
After finishing his studies, Zhu Yunying returned to the palace and naturally heard that Fu Youde and the others had been taken away by the old man to harvest rice. Zhu Yunying just smiled slightly, but he still wanted to be lazy; he didn't want to harvest rice, bending over was just too tiring.
Shuangquan took small, quick steps to Old Zhu and said, "Your Majesty, the Emperor Emeritus has returned to the Chunhe Palace."
"We knew that little rascal was lazy!" Old Zhu snorted coldly, saying irritably, "He was quite diligent when he was young, but he's become lazier and lazier as he grows up. We gave him the position, and now he's too lazy to even pretend. He's a real scoundrel!"
Shuangquan kept his head down and remained silent. Zhu Hui and the other princes could only think to themselves: "The emperor's nephew is so unfilial. Father should just make him abdicate. Your son is truly filial!"
"Don't be like your father, he knows we're all right!" Old Zhu picked up little Zhu, who was playing with rice, and said softly, "This is food, something that can sustain life, you can't play with it! Yin'er has been tired all day, let's take you for a bath and get some food."
Little Zhu hugged Old Zhu's neck and said in a childish voice, "Great-grandfather, Daddy takes a bath too. Daddy is the most tired!"
"Alright, alright, let's have him come over and take a bath together." Old Zhu spoke softly to Little Zhu, but then turned sternly to his other sons, "If you can't even finish harvesting the grain from this small plot of land today, none of you are leaving the palace. You'd better finish harvesting it tonight, and you can get out of here when you've finished!"
Shuangquan quickly brought over the miniature horse, and Lao Zhu happily picked up Little Zhu and placed him on its back. Seeing Little Zhu gripping the saddle, Lao Zhu cheerfully led the way, while Shuangquan and the others naturally flanked Little Zhu on either side, afraid he might fall off.
Zhu Yunying was in a good mood upon returning to the Eastern Palace. He said to Xu Miaoqing, "Father's birthday is coming up in a few days. As his daughter-in-law, you should take it seriously."
Xu Miaoqing naturally knew this and confidently assured him, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will obey the decree and will not make any mistakes."
Although the Great Zhu is no longer here, his birthday and death anniversaries are still important events and cannot be taken lightly. This includes the birthdays and death anniversaries of Zhu Yunying's mother, Lady Chang, and Empress Ma; these are all significant matters, and Xu Miaoqing must handle them properly.
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