Chapter 128: Farming and work-study
He Xi had more than just these two sets of books with him. The reason is simple. He Xi has always attached great importance to several academies in Liaodong.
If you have time, proofread these textbooks. Because of the boat ride. It is normal to have more books and less books. I brought a few more sets.
He Xi asked someone to put the box on the ground and said: "There are many fallacies in these collections, and my knowledge cannot tolerate any errors. Don't read these collections. If you really want to read them, just read this one. This is What I have compiled includes achievements of many other people besides myself. You can just use them to learn from."
Upon seeing this, Zhang Zongde immediately knelt down and said, "Thank you, sir."
He Xi said: "You're welcome, get up."
Immediately, a guard came forward and helped Zhang Zongde up.
He Xi said: "I heard that you are studying in farming?"
Zhang Zongde said: "Exactly."
He Xi said: "In my opinion, farming and studying are not as good as work-study. Because farming will not allow you to make any progress in knowledge. But work-study cannot be understood. There are great ways in the world, and each is assigned its own path. As for the world and all things, studying is to understand its principles. . When it comes to reading about the principles of nature and people’s minds, the topic is too big. Many people are confused and overwhelmed. Moreover, among scholars, there are also different qualifications. Some people may not be able to understand the principles of heaven in their lifetime. Let alone make a difference. But as a human being Children and grandchildren still have to bear some responsibilities. They always have to make a living. Of course, farming and studying can make a living. But the question is, what about those people who don’t have land at home? Will they stop studying?"
Zhang Zongde thought to himself: "Of course I won't read it anymore."
Reading also costs money. If my family doesn’t have any financial resources, it’s natural not to go to school. But Zhang Zongde couldn't say this, because it was seriously politically incorrect. After all, Confucianism pays attention to educating the world. It always encourages people to study, and does not prevent people from studying.
There are many stories about the deeds of the great Confucians, how they encouraged people to study, and how they encouraged people to learn. No one has ever said that people should not read under any circumstances.
Of course, the reality is before us. In reality, there are too many people who want to study but cannot. Just talking depends on your identity. King Yan can say these words, but Zhang Zongde cannot. Wouldn't it be like slapping He Xi in the face in public?
Who knows how open-minded He Xi is?
Zhang Zongde said: "What do you mean, sir, work-study?"
He Xi said: "Exactly. The way of the world and the way of craftsmen may seem complicated, but the truth behind it is very simple. With the art of Taoism, you can do many things that you can't imagine. Scholars can also make a living by doing this. . And it should not be compared with ordinary craftsmen. Of course, after making a living, you should raise a family and provide children with children. This is the way to organize the family. After the family is organized, you can go one step further. Think about it, think about it. "
These words. He Xi said this to Zhang Zongde.
But He Xi didn't just say it to Zhang Zongde.
It was a set of theories that He Xi had established over the years to compete with the scholar-bureaucrats.
During He Xi's actual research work, he discovered a problem. That is, many people have given many definitions to the Industrial Revolution. However, He Xi discovered that the technology required by the industrial revolution did not require any theoretical guidance, but a group of craftsmen with creative thinking.
Even the mechanical design of the steam engine itself is not that complicated compared to the more sophisticated machinery in ancient China.
The only industrialization requirement. It is a machine used for production, not a work of art. In terms of cost failure rate, it is a bit difficult.
But when craftsmen were generally discriminated against in ancient times, how to create a group of craftsmen with creative thinking was a big problem.
He Xi thought about it a lot and came up with a work-study theory based on the heirloom of farming and studying. With the blessing of scientific knowledge, it is natural for scholars to work better than ordinary craftsmen. What's more, He Xi also gave me textbooks from the Polytechnic College.
It contains the hard work of many great craftsmen, although some undisclosed secrets are not written in it. But many of the craftsmanship here represent the highest peak of Ming Dynasty craftsmanship. Don’t talk about Liaodong. Even many craftsmen in Jiangnan don’t know.
After all, information dissemination time these days has always been calculated on an annual basis.
It was normal for a new technology to spread from China to Europe for centuries.
Zhang Zongde naturally didn't know the purpose of He Xi's words, but He Xi presented the book and said these words, which moved Zhang Zongde extremely. On the one hand, Zhang Zongde knew that studying was not easy, and the textbooks of the major universities in Liaodong were rarely circulated outside. It can't be bought. What's more important is He Xi's admonishment. It can be regarded as giving Zhang Zongde a new backer.
There will be a big change in Zhang Zongde's current situation.
Don't say anything else. After today, none of the hundreds of households here dared to speak loudly to Zhang Zongde.
Zhang Zongde said: "The ordinary people will definitely remember the adults' lessons and start working and studying to inherit the family from today."
He Xi said: "Just do it well. I hope you can stand in front of me in the future and talk about today's matter."
Not everyone can see He Xi. If Zhang Zongde wanted to see He Xi again, it would be impossible for him to meet by chance again. He must have made special contributions to certain things, and had identity and status before he could meet He Xi.
Zhang Zongde naturally understood, bowed deeply and said: "The common people will do their best."
He Xi said: "Don't call yourself a commoner, call yourself a student."
Zhang Zongde immediately said: "Students pay homage to Master He."
Zhang Zongde didn't dare to call him "teacher". To call him "teacher" was to establish the relationship between master and disciple. It seems that the relationship factor is too high. It's too much of a climb. But calling him Master He is much better. This is what a disciple can call himself. Outsiders can also be called.
He Xi did not refuse.
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This is just a small episode in He Xi's trip with King Yan.
However, Zhang Zongde did not see He Xi's intention. King Yan could see it.
What the scholar-bureaucrats win over is the landlord class. After all, farming and reading are passed down from generation to generation. The so-called farming and reading, first of all, have land, and secondly, the farming and reading families like Zhang Zongde who actually work in the fields themselves are actually the most and least. The reason why it is said the most is because now Zhu Yuanzhang has equalized the world. It can be said that the Hongwu period was the most even era in the Ming Dynasty. Because of this, many scholars really read from yeoman farmers. But even so, the number is the largest, but the achievements are not high.
After all, scholars also pay attention to family studies.
By the middle and late Ming Dynasty, the number of scholars at that time was getting smaller and smaller, and the threshold for poor families was getting higher and higher. The threshold for farming and studying is also getting higher and higher.
At least scholars seldom go to the fields.
The work-study program does not require land and is a real way to win over the students at the lowest level.
King Yan may not have class divisions in his heart, but he is still aware of this social reality.
King Yan said: "Brother He, are you playing a big game of chess with these two words: work study?"
He Xi said: "Your Highness, do you think I did something wrong?"
King Yan said: "My father has long disliked those people, otherwise I wouldn't have let you do this. Give me a copy of your textbook and I'll take a good look at it when I go back."
When He Xi heard what King Yan said, he just saw that He Xi was carrying out Zhu Yuanzhang's idea. There was a sigh in my heart. Zhu Yuanzhang is really useful as a backer. King Yan didn't have much prejudice against work-study and He Xi's theory, but He Xi might not know how much support he had.
After all, King Yan studied in Dabentang and was considered Song Lian's son. Having received orthodox Confucian academic education, King Yan may not like it. It is one thing. Whether he has learned it is another matter.
Even if King Yan doesn't like it, Zhu Yuanzhang has strict requirements for his children. King Yan's work on this must be passable.
Some things are subtle. I was taught some things when I was a child. Even though it was extremely painful to learn at the time, the impact is still there. Just like now, even though the political lessons back then were very difficult to memorize, when they grow up, many people’s perspectives and thoughts on things are not influenced by those back then. What is the impact of learning content?
The same goes for King Yan.
He Xi said: "That's natural. I'll give it to you when we get back on the boat."
He Xi then thought: "I should not only build more universities, but also publish a book that is easy to spread. But this is also a big problem."
Confucianism is deeply rooted throughout the Ming Dynasty and throughout China. If He Xi wants to spread quickly, he must base this theoretical framework on Confucian theory. It should also be simple and easy to understand. This requires a high level of knowledge. It is also a big project.
He Xi felt that she might not have it.
