While focusing on economic construction, Emperor Chongzhen did not forget spiritual construction.
When the imperial edict announced the completion of the Ming Dynasty Imperial Academy, he was in Yingtian Mansion at the time. After receiving the report, he immediately rushed back to the capital.
In the past, not many people actually paid attention to the Ming Royal Academy. Except for the time when Yan Shenggong wanted to move his family to America, it was involved in the Ming Royal Academy and was discussed for a while, but it was like a stone sinking into the sea, and no one paid attention to it.
The newly built Imperial Academy of Ming Dynasty is not located in the Forbidden City, or even in the capital, but in the suburbs outside the city. It was rebuilt from the original Imperial Village and covers an extremely large area.
No matter how well built it is, who will pay attention to it if it is built outside the city? If it were built in the Forbidden City, it would definitely attract attention.
But no one expected that after the Ming Dynasty Royal Academy was completed, Emperor Chongzhen, who was busy with everything, actually put down everything at hand and rushed back to the capital from Yingtian Mansion. Not only did he also bring in all the civil and military officials, including the Supervisor of Ceremonies and the Cabinet, to prepare for The Ming Royal Academy was unveiled.
Hearing such a grand ceremony, any fool would know that this Ming Royal Academy is definitely of a very high standard. As a result, the people in the capital rushed out of the city to watch the excitement. While reading, I also inquired about the Ming Royal Academy.
"What exactly is this Ming Royal Academy? Why did the emperor bring all the civil and military officials to unveil it?"
"Yeah, I thought this was at most similar to the medical school below the Imperial College! This formation is really scary!"
"How is this possible! When Duke Yansheng left, the emperor had already said that the sacred learning of Confucius and Mencius would be moved to the Ming Dynasty Royal Academy. How can it be compared with the medical school!"
"So, then this formation can be justified. But why do I think the emperor shouldn't be so grand?"
"Yes, things are different now than in the past. Look at how many types of imperial examinations there are now, and it's not just the studies of Confucius and Mencius!"
"..."
Although they witnessed the huge opening formation, they also probably discussed the reason for such high-profile. However, there is still something I can't figure out.
For example, the emperor vigorously promoted new learning, and the original dominance of Confucius and Mencius no longer existed. Also, why should the Ming Dynasty Royal Academy be built outside the city? This level is obviously too low. How can it be as good as the one in the Forbidden City?
All these doubts have made the Ming Royal Academy a hot topic.
However, they didn't discuss it for long before there was more news about the Ming Royal Academy.
"Did you know? Big news, I really didn't expect it!"
"Mr. Liu, you are no longer interesting. You are so mysterious that you really deserve a beating!"
"It's true, this way, I really want to use vulgar words!"
"Okay, okay, the news I just heard about the Ming Royal Academy is absolutely huge news!"
Upon hearing this, everyone in the teahouse stopped talking and looked over. Because they knew that this was definitely something new happening to the emperor.
Someone who knew Mr. Liu asked the waiter to serve Mr. Liu good tea while urging him to speak faster.
Mr. Liu enjoyed the feeling of being in the spotlight and told them, "The latest news is that the Emperor himself is responsible for the wine offering at the Imperial Academy of the Ming Dynasty!"
"Wow..." Upon hearing this, the teahouse suddenly exclaimed. If the emperor personally serves as the sacrificial wine, it must be a higher level than the Imperial College!
"Mr. Liu, do you know what is going on in the Ming Royal Academy?"
"Yes, I'm willing to bet that this Ming Dynasty Royal Academy is definitely more than just the study of Confucius and Mencius!"
"I'm sure, you don't have to say it!"
"..."
After listening to their discussion, Mr. Liu stretched out his hand to signal. Suddenly, there was silence in the teahouse, and then he said: "There is also news that there will be small courtyards in the Ming Dynasty Royal Academy. The leader is not called a sacrificial wine. Dean."
This news was basically expected by everyone, and the titles of dean and mountain chief were not uncommon. Therefore, everyone's focus is on what kind of small courtyard there is. Everyone was waiting, urging Mr. Liu to speak quickly.
However, Mr. Liu did not do what they expected, because the waiter had just served the best Longjing tea. He took a sip calmly, and when he saw everyone showing signs of anger, he said to them: "Da Ming Royal Academy" Within it, it is divided into Confucius Academy, Mengsheng Academy, Gewu Academy, Alchemy Academy, Medical Sage Academy, Mathematics Academy, Liberal Arts Academy, Architecture Academy, etc..."
After hearing this, some people couldn't help but started talking.
"It's not difficult to understand the Confucian Saint Academy and the Meng Saint Academy, and we have already guessed it. But why are there the Gewu Academy, the Alchemy Academy, the Medical Saint Academy, and the Mathematics Academy?"
"I understand. The reason why the Emperor is so solemn is that the drunkard's intention is not to drink. I'm afraid it is to promote new learning, right?"
"That's right. Aren't the studies of objects, alchemy, medicine, and mathematics all vigorously promoted by the emperor? But what's going on with the School of Liberal Arts and the School of Architecture? Can these be compared with the Tao of Confucius and Mencius?"
"..."
In the confusion of these people, Mr. Liu laughed and said: "You don't understand this! These things are actually the things of various schools of thought. Didn't the studies of Confucius and Mencius at that time also come together? Is that it? Now it’s just a different name!”
After hearing what he said, some people felt that it made sense and immediately cited examples such as Mohism.
Mr. Liu drank tea for a while and then interrupted: "Actually, there are some differences. For example, architecture, according to the information I heard, includes shipbuilding and railway repair. This was not the case in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. No!"
Enjoying the convenience brought by new technology, the people of Ming Dynasty at this time were no longer resistant to new learning and even welcomed it. When they heard this, they all praised.
Only a few Confucian scholars complained about this, and they felt that the learning of Confucius and Mencius had been devalued a lot. However, there were only a few of them, and they did not dare to start a war of words, otherwise they would be drowned!
Mr. Liu talked for a while and then started drinking tea again. This was the tea he had exchanged for the news. After telling the news at once, there would be no follow-up to the tea.
After they discussed for a while, he continued: "Do you feel that the Ming Royal Academy still lacks something? Do you feel that it is not worthy enough for the emperor to lead all the civil and military officials to unveil it? This is all ahead of the Ancestral Temple. , Martyrs’ Shrine! Also, what is the relationship between this and the Imperial College, have you ever thought about it?”
Some of the tea guests did have such doubts. After hearing this, even those who were not doubtful became doubtful. So, they all asked him to speak quickly.
As a result, Mr. Liu sighed and said that he really didn't want to drink this tea.
After hearing this, everyone laughed and cursed, and then someone called the waiter to serve tea. Mr. Liu bowed his head and then said with a smile: "As you know, all the deans in the Imperial Academy of the Ming Dynasty have titles, and they hold the title of Grandmaster."
Hearing this, the teahouse suddenly fell silent. After a while, someone finally exclaimed: "No wonder, this is much higher than the Imperial Academy. Grandmaster, it's just one level short of reaching the top of the new school title."
Although the imperial court did not state it explicitly, among the people, the titles later promulgated by Emperor Chongzhen were called new academic titles. The title of Grand Master is only one level lower than Grand Master.
In addition, from the fact that the prince invented steam engines, armored battleships, etc., but he could only obtain the title of "grandmaster", it can be seen that this title is not so easy to obtain.
Thinking of this, someone immediately asked: "Do you have any candidates for the deans of the Ming Royal Academy?"
"Yes, I don't know who is so lucky that he can directly obtain the title of Grandmaster?"
"..."
Everyone was curious and asked questions one after another.
After hearing this, Mr. Liu showed a mysterious look on his face, pointed in the direction of the Forbidden City and said: "It's not confirmed yet, it's being discussed in court!"
"What? You mean Ting Tui? Did I hear you correctly?"
"I also heard it was Ting Tui. I almost thought I heard it wrong just now!"
"..."
It’s no wonder that they have disappeared over the years. However, it was common in the past.
The so-called court recommendation means that when the court encounters major political affairs, or when civil and military ministers are vacant, the emperor must order a meeting of the courtiers to discuss the matter together. These court officials are generally the six ministers, the capital censor, the six subjects, the general affairs envoy, the minister of Dali, and the censor in charge. This shows how high the level is.
It stands to reason that this system is a good one. However, it could not withstand the cliques of officials in the late Ming Dynasty for personal gain, and eventually this system was useless. So much so that the original Emperor Chongzhen used lots instead. Later, after Emperor Chongzhen traveled through time, he decided everything he wanted and had the final say directly. Therefore, the Chongzhen Dynasty has not had a court recommendation for a long time.
Seeing them like this, Mr. Liu chuckled and said: "Yes, it's Ting Tui. The emperor asked them to nominate the deans of each college. The top three who have the most knowledge in the college and get the most votes will be handed over to His Majesty. Holy Judgment."
At this point, he saw that others were about to speak, so he added: "In addition, the position of dean cannot be held concurrently. If you fail to get results in the assessment every five years, you have to replace him."
After taking a sip of tea, seeing that they were still in shock, he added: "The number one scholar, the second best student in each subject, and the third best student must enter the corresponding academy of the Ming Dynasty Royal Academy to study for three years, and then they can become officials in the court."
After he finished speaking, he said with a smile: "How about it, these news are worth drinking this tea, right?"
Hearing what he said, the tea guests ignored him and just talked about the Ming Royal Academy.
At this time, they finally understood why the emperor had to personally lead all the civil and military officials to unveil the ceremony. This specification was indeed possible. The Imperial College is a place of teaching, while the Ming Royal Academy is a place of learning. There is no comparison at all.
But there was one thing they couldn't figure out. Logically speaking, with such a high standard, it is qualified to be placed directly in the Forbidden City, right? But why set it outside the city?
