Chapter 676: Clearly Not the Mark of an Enlightened Monarch
But it is clear that this Prince is not one who recognizes heroes in their early stages and longs for talented individuals, as he completely fails to understand the resounding importance of this issue and how it addresses current affairs.
The Scholars across the land have suffered from this for a long time.
If it could be resolved, the hearts of scholars throughout the land could be easily won.
However, he only cares about chatting and laughing with the Dingbei Marquis, truly wasting his clever and handsome face.
The elder brother from Black Wind Village couldn’t help but shake his head silently.
Throughout history, there are often great horses, but not always a Bo Le to recognize them.
Since Prince Qi cannot be relied upon, there’s no need to show mercy to the subordinates of the Dingbei Marquis, who is closely tied to both the Former Crown Prince and Prince Qi.
He didn’t listen carefully to Mr. Songshan’s strategies, merely raised his hand slightly and gestured backward.
The person behind him trembled slightly before retreating.
At this time, Mr. Songshan was methodically unraveling the matters a Scholar could undertake and speak about at the county, prefect, or academy levels.
"By carefully studying the sanctioned treaties, one would know not to violate prohibitions, such as insulting officials, and when reporting to officials through formal kneeling without agitation or compliance, it won’t breach regulations;
expressing dissidence or rallying crowds is banned, but assembling according to government requirements without private agreements for unrest is not prohibited.
Matters affecting state interests or abuse of public resources are banned, whereas discussing educational institutions or matters concerning oneself or one’s relatives, friends, and teachers is not forbidden..."
The scholars nodded continuously.
He then further illustrated how a Scholar, in the hamlet, village, county, prefect, and government, could speak to attract the attention of the various officials.
"...As a Scholar, though you cannot directly present memorials to the government office and the court, you can join other scholars, or in association with gentry, to submit detailed reports to county or prefectural officials, outlining the pros and cons of local affairs. These are the things the court allows scholars to speak about.
Moreover, Scholars can participate in the township wine ceremonies, evaluating local worthies, which affects whether they can enter the Ancestral Hall.
Not to mention selecting honorable guests, local worthies, and chaste women, compiling local history—all these are duties of Scholars. Do you still think Scholars cannot speak?"
The Scholars replied, "So that’s how it is; we were narrow-minded."
Mr. Songshan nodded, "I’ve heard that the Scholars of Wudi are keen on public discourse. When they see corruption in the government, they jointly initiate discourse, which the government often adopts. Isn’t this a method too?"
The Scholars looked around and asked, "Are there any Scholars from the Wudi area present?"
After a long while, someone in the crowd responded in a low voice, "Yes, fellow students like to stand up for what is right, though I haven’t done so myself. Additionally, some older Scholars, repeatedly failing to pass exams, have been in and out of government, managing lawsuits and becoming nearly like litigation brokers."
The Scholars were taken aback.
Clearly, there are Scholars everywhere who frequent government offices, engaging in lawsuits for profit, sometimes taking from both plaintiffs and defendants, and colluding with officials.
But doesn’t this imply that Scholars can, in fact, speak?
Prince Qi suddenly spoke: "I’ve heard that in Fujian, a Scholar once posted a declaration on the Governor Mansion’s gate at night, seeking justice for the local Imperial Censor. Eventually, the Governor reviewed the case, thus exonerating the Censor, not to mention others making ballads and prose to satirize officials.
It’s often said that Scholars cannot speak. Where is it that they can’t speak if they wish to?
They complain about a lack of channels for expression, yet they desire a direct path to the throne, to showcase their talents in discourse.
However, since the founding of this dynasty, I’m afraid the Scholars number in the hundreds of thousands. If each presented petitions to the court, who knows if the cabinet could even finish reading them."
Which Scholar doesn’t think they have talent and virtue?
It’s said that Scholars know of the world without leaving their door.
If they could directly submit memorials to the court, countless grand plans for governance might flood in all year round, truly indescribable.
The face of the elder brother from Black Wind Village looked somewhat unpleasant, as he felt these words mocked his desire for fame.
Indeed, there is no semblance of an enlightened ruler.
Then, Marquis Gu laughed: "The Scholars at the Northern Border have been of significant help to my efforts. The Northern Border isn’t like the Capital City, densely populated, and the Yelv people excel at cavalry raids, attacking and plundering across the border with swift movements, which they adore.
Fortunately, the Scholars there have organized local militias to initially resist and alert us with beacon signals. When the Marquis returned to the Capital City, he even sought commendations for these Scholars. There are indeed many things Scholars can accomplish."
The scholars appeared both surprised and curious, asking, "Are the Scholars at the Northern Border truly so formidable?"
Marquis Gu laughed: "The rise and fall of the country is the responsibility of every man, especially the Scholars who have studied the classics, isn’t it? For those of you who haven’t lived on the border, had you grown up there, you’d naturally act as such."
The Scholars wholeheartedly agreed with this statement.
If they had grown up on the border, they naturally wouldn’t remain indifferent to foreign invaders and would certainly assist the Dingbei Marquis in repelling them.
The elder brother from Black Wind Village’s expression turned even more unpleasant.
The Scholars at the Northern Border were helping to repel invaders, while he had become a rebel.
However, he wasn’t just any ordinary rebel!
He was enforcing justice on behalf of Heaven, rebelling against traitorous and corrupt officials, not the court.
What choice did they have, holding such grand aspirations but finding no avenue to serve the nation, except to think of ways to negotiate for enlistment into the court?
At this moment, Mr. Songshan stretched his neck and sighed: "The Grand Ancestor actually also felt that Scholars should primarily focus on academics, becoming proficient in governance before serving the court. After all, allowing Scholars to speak rashly easily fosters arrogance, leading to defiance against local academic superiors.
Moreover, above Scholars are those who have both passed as Advanced Scholars and scholars, with Advanced Scholars possessing deeper knowledge and insight. If Scholars engage in rash discussions, it would not only be unhelpful to state affairs but could also disrupt the court."
The elder brother from Black Wind Village thought to himself, it’s because the court holds such views that individuals like him find no path to serve the nation.
Truly so pedantic and outdated.
Immediately, he displayed a scornful expression on his face.
Seeing the Scholars lost in contemplation and silence, Mr. Songshan continued: "The Grand Ancestor also issued an order stating that if a Scholar has achieved academic excellence, deeply understands governance, excels in any classics, and is over thirty and wishes to serve, they may present their understanding of the royal way, discuss governance reforms, compose written works, submit these to their educational superior, who will evaluate their work. If they fully grasp the principles, they will endorse their names, collectively present them to the supervisory officer, and then personally escort them to the Capital for reporting and further examination. If they possess true talent and learning, they will be immediately recruited without needing to pass the Advanced Scholar exams."
In other words, if a Scholar over the age of thirty truly has talent, their school officials will evaluate them, and upon verification, their documents will be submitted tier by tier to the capital. After an interview, if they truly have the capability, they will be directly recruited, transforming from a commoner to an official, allowing them to submit memorials directly to the court.
The Scholars showed a bitter smile.
Honestly, this might be even more challenging than passing the Advanced Scholar examination.
The elder brother from Black Wind Village was about to argue for a moment when suddenly, Prince Qi said, "I have an idea that might resolve your predicaments."
Everyone perked up their ears to listen.
Prince Qi said, "Since Mr. Songshan mentioned that you can collectively submit proposals, why don’t you jointly present this matter, adding further propositions beyond what Mr. Songshan has previously mentioned, and if truly suitable, the court will naturally adopt them."
Lin Ziqi’s heart was stirred upon hearing this.