"Is there only one school like this in Fengzhou?" After walking out of the academy named "Zhihe", Emperor Liu couldn't help but look back and asked Feng Guang.
"Your Majesty, there are few people in Fengzhou, and most of the people are tired of studying. They are focused on food, clothing, and warmth, and are unwilling to send their children to school. When I established this school, I also persuaded and exempted the tuition fees, so that there are more than thirty students of school age. ." Feng Guang explained.
As he spoke, there was some emotion on his face: "Even so, after reaching the age of 10, many people have refused to support studying and would rather the students go home to help with farming and animal husbandry. Although I am angry that I will not argue, it is not convenient for me to issue administrative orders. Forcibly..."
"Not to mention Saibei, even in the Central Plains, for an ordinary family, a 10-year-old child can take on a lot of housework!" Emperor Liu said softly after hearing his description.
Feng Guang sighed and nodded in response: "I also understand that in Fengzhou, for the people, food, clothing and survival are the most important things, so I can't bear to blame him!"
Listening to the conversation between Emperor Liu and Feng Guang, Li Ye, who was following on the other side, suddenly spoke: "I think it is not a pity for the people of Guizhou to give up their studies!"
The moment he opened his mouth, he immediately attracted everyone's attention. Emperor Liu looked at him and chuckled: "Uncle, what's your opinion?"
"Don't dare to talk about high opinions!" Li Ye bowed his hands and said calmly: "As the old saying goes, people who live in warehouses know etiquette, and people who have enough food and clothing know honor and disgrace. I think that etiquette, morality, and knowledge are important to the local border people. I'm afraid it's not as attractive as a cow or a sheep.
If people don’t have the desire to learn, why force it? The school has been built and its doors are open. If those who have far-sightedness seek instruction, how can they satisfy their thirst even if they are poor? If you don’t have ambition, what’s the point of giving up your studies? "
Having said that, Li Ye glanced at Emperor Liu cautiously. After all, Emperor Liu had always had a very positive attitude when it came to studying.
But seeing his expressionless face, Li Ye could not help but murmur in his heart, but he continued: "On the other hand, the more these common people know, the more they think, and the more confused their hearts become, so it is better not to teach them. Moreover, most of them are afraid that they will never be able to leave Fengzhou, or even leave the villages and towns. As long as they behave as they should and abide by the law, then both the officials and the people will be safe... "
Those who heard Li Ye's words had different expressions, and they were all surprised by Li Guojiu's words. Emperor Liu also looked at him deeply. Although it was just a view on education, it also reflected Li Ye's political thoughts and governance concepts. This was completely looking at things from the perspective of the ruling and privileged classes. .
"My uncle's words are contrary to the idea that saints teach without distinction!" Emperor Liu had not said anything, but Zhao Kuangyin spoke, obviously disapproving of Li Ye's words.
Hearing this, Li Ye glanced at Zhao Kuangyin and smiled faintly: "It's just high-minded talk! This has never been realized in hundreds of thousands of years!"
"The imperial court promotes teaching and encourages scholarship, which not only benefits the people, but also cultivates talents for the imperial court so that it can select talents in the future!" Zhao Kuangyin said.
Li Ye still responded lightly: "There are enough officials in the Han Dynasty now. Where can we find so many positions to satisfy thousands of scholars? There are only more than a hundred scholars in each subject, so there are so many scholars competing for this number. There are only a few opportunities, and hope is slim. Rather than this, it is better to let them farm and pay taxes with peace of mind..."
At this point, Li Ye glanced at Emperor Liu again and continued: "Your Majesty promotes education and raises scholars for the benefit of the country, but it should also be targeted, and it should be opposed to the unrealistic 'education without distinction'" In comparison, teaching students in accordance with their aptitude is more effective in cultivating talents and can also save a lot of costs! Only those who are truly ambitious and capable scholars should be supported by the imperial court..."
"If these old masters in the court heard what my uncle said, there might be a riot!" Listening to the argument between the two in silence, Emperor Liu finally spoke and said to Li Ye.
From Emperor Liu's words and expressions, it was difficult to understand the holy meaning, so Li Ye continued to express his views: "It's just a corrupt Confucian view! Thinking that you can help the world at the same time, in fact, if you manage the government, the government will collapse, and if you govern the people, the people will be in chaos... ..."
Noticing Li Ye's contemptuous tone and demeanor, Emperor Liu finally raised his hand to stop him: "Okay!"
"Yes!" Li Ye, who had been paying attention to Emperor Liu's reaction, immediately handed over his hand again without saying a word.
Emperor Liu did not have any further discussion on this matter. In fact, Li Ye's views were in line with Emperor Liu's ideas to a certain extent, or in other words, they catered to Emperor Liu's ideas. Emperor Liu, of course, hoped that the people of the Han Dynasty would be obedient and good people. As he said, they should behave themselves and pay taxes honestly. Apart from that, they should not have other thoughts and ideas...
To put it simply, a group of ignorant people is more convenient for the court to rule.
Of course, Emperor Liu was not that narrow-minded, and he would not introduce any policies to restrict thoughts. In recent years, the relationship between the officials and the people of the Han Dynasty was still very dynamic in all aspects.
From Li Ye's standpoint, he had the right and reason to propose such educational concepts, but Emperor Liu needed to consider more and more comprehensively. At all times, the word balance is implemented in his thoughts and actions.
The solidification of classes will gradually form over time, and Emperor Liu has no confidence to stop it. He can only suppress it while he is still alive, and try to maintain a relative fairness for the world.
However, if we implement the education system and formulate learning and teaching policies according to Li Ye's ideas, it will simply accelerate the solidification of classes.
"Which gentleman is there in Zhihe Academy?" Emperor Liu suppressed some thoughts in his mind and deliberately changed the subject and asked Feng Guang.
Feng Guangdao: "I and the officials from the prefecture and government offices also take turns coming to teach during their leisure time!"
"As the governor, you really do everything yourself!" Emperor Liu smiled, suddenly thought of something, and asked directly: "If I didn't remember, there is a great scholar in Fengzhou, why not use it?"
"Huh?" Feng Guang was slightly surprised and didn't react for a moment. After thinking about it, his eyes brightened and he said tentatively: "Your Majesty is referring to Xu Xuan?"
"Who else?" Emperor Liu said calmly.
Facing Emperor Liu's gaze, Feng Guang explained: "Your Majesty, Xu Xuan is a criminal after being convicted of a crime. How can I invite him to serve as an official scholar?"
Looking at Feng Guang, Emperor Liu said in a joking tone: "The exiled person is under your jurisdiction. How to use it is also a local matter. You didn't hear those rumors and feel that this person has offended me, so Don’t dare to use him!”
Emperor Liu's words made Feng Guang so frightened that he didn't know how to respond. He could only bow in fear and said: "I am scared!"
"Where is Xu Xuan?" Emperor Liu asked directly without embarrassing him.
"Those serving the sentence of exile are generally arranged to work as slaves under various officials, working to atone for their sins and receive food rations. I think Xu Xuan is a scholar and cannot do heavy work, so he has been herding sheep at the foot of Muna Mountain these years!"
"Let Xu Xuan herd sheep, you can't imagine it! Writing books is his strength. He can herd sheep, can he?" Emperor Liu suddenly shook his head.
Hearing this, Feng Guang hesitated for a moment, but saw that Emperor Liu did not seem to show any disgust towards Xu Xuan, but instead cared closely for him, so he said: "There are more than a hundred herdsmen on the other side of Mou Na Mountain. The surrounding herdsmen have no regard for Xu Xuan. It helps, and I can turn in the sheepskin in full every year..."
