Chapter 223: The poor family’s mansion, the clouds are moving in all directions!
“There are a number of scholars in this world, and there are hundreds of schools of thought, Confucianism and Taoism, each with its own strengths and weaknesses, and now a fixed pattern has been formed.”

“If Jia Cong wants to intervene in Confucianism at this time, it is impossible for him to win over too many scholars from the Hundred Schools of Thought.”

“We can only find another way.”

“Before the Tang Dynasty, there were aristocratic families that controlled the world. After the war, the aristocratic families were no longer as prosperous as before, but the academic cliques emerged instead.”

“The gentry and their power monopolized academic studies, making it difficult for poor scholars to study.”

“Originally, I was still wondering why Jia Cong was willing to build a library in Shenjing City for poor students to borrow books for free.”

“Looking back now, I am actually too narrow-minded, far inferior to Jia Cong.”

“Speaking of which, only Jia Cong dares to do this, and only Jia Cong can do it!”

Emperor Shunde sighed.

From the earliest system of selecting filial and honest officials, the nine-rank system, to today’s imperial examination system.

Emperors of all dynasties have tried to break the monopoly of the academic class.

But the results have been minimal. After all, those so-called “farming and reading” and “poetry and etiquette” aristocratic families are not fools.

Even if there are scholars from poor families who come forward, they will soon join various interest groups and become a part of them.

If we really support the poor on a large scale, there will definitely be a huge backlash, and if we are not careful, it will lead to the disaster of changing the dynasty.

But it doesn’t matter to Jia Cong.

Not to mention the powerful forces under Jia Cong.

Even if it really backfires.

The situation with the Kong family has always been one of life and death, and a fight is bound to happen sooner or later.

“If this was really done by Jia Cong!”

“In the history books of later generations, my status will surpass that of the Qin Emperor and Han Emperor!”

As he spoke, Emperor Shunde showed an uncontrollable excitement on his face.

Most emperors also have the ambition to leave their names in history.

However, Jia Cong relied on planning and a few words to tie up the interests and pull the royal family onto his chariot again.

……

The following period of time was just as Jia Cong had expected.

The news that Dongli Academy was about to be established immediately caused an uproar in the capital area.

Jia Cong’s position in the hearts of scholars in the Shenjing City is absolutely irreplaceable.

Especially among scholars from poor families.

There are five libraries and thousands of books, all of which are available for students to read free of charge.

I don’t know how many poor students have benefited from this.

This amount of books is more than what the ordinary gentry and landlords have.

Today, the library is becoming more and more famous, and even many students from other places come to Beijing specifically to study.

In addition, when the White Tiger broke through the realm before, it activated the principles of Confucianism and Taoism, and a large number of students benefited from it.

Otherwise, he would have attacked and killed the great scholar of the Kong family at the Beijing dock last time.

There will definitely not be any disturbance among the officials in the capital.

……

Cheng Mansion
“A small red clay stove, and new wine brewed by green ants!”

“Brother Cheng is so elegant!”

The Chen family was originally a merchant family, running six shops in the city and a hundred acres of fertile land outside the city.

Such strength was originally insignificant in the Shenjing City.

It was not until the Mid-Autumn Festival that Mr. Cheng’s second son, Cheng Junxian, suddenly made a breakthrough.

After breaking through the great Confucianism by using the Confucian and Taoist rules triggered by the White Tiger Breaking Through.

The Cheng family’s status rose rapidly.

It has already caught the attention of the powerful people in Beijing.

The original small courtyard with one entrance was changed into a large courtyard with three entrances.

Today, Cheng Junxian was drinking wine and appreciating the snow in the backyard when he saw two middle-aged scholars led by the housekeeper coming to the backyard.

They were the other two people who broke through together with the Great Confucian on the day when the White Tiger broke through.

Tang Shanzhi, Cui Jialiang!
Because it was the same opportunity, the breakthrough happened on the same day.

With similar abilities, the three became close friends in a very short time.

The three new great scholars have formed a group and have a certain status among the powerful people in the Shenjing City.

“Brother Tang, Brother Cui, I knew you two would come today!”

“Look, the wine is already hot, why don’t you take a seat quickly?”

Cheng Junxian stood up and motioned for the two to sit down.

“Brother Cheng, Marquis Jing’an is planning to set up the Dongli Academy outside the city!” “Brother Cui and I are planning to teach at the academy.”

After three rounds of drinks, Tang Shanzhi explained his purpose.

Chen Junxian frowned when he heard this.

“Brothers, please think carefully. The establishment of the academy this time is not ordinary. Marquis Jing’an has always taken care of poor students.”

“The five free open libraries in Shenjing City have already stirred up the bottom line of many noble families.”

……

“Brother Cheng has a wealthy family and is supported by his father and brother, but Brother Cui and I come from humble backgrounds.”

“When I was studying, my father sold his old ox to send me to a private school.”

“I was the last in the private school and was always bullied by the rich kids.”

“Today, anyone with a discerning eye can see that the Marquis of Jing’an’s academy is going to open up the door to scholars from poor families.”

“When the academy grows stronger…”

Upon hearing this, Tang Shanzhi stood up suddenly.

The tone was indignant.

“Hahaha!”

“Brother Tang, what are you talking about? I am just worried about your families.”

“Merchants are lowly, what is the difference between me and you two brothers?”

“My old father is supported by my elder brother.”

“As scholars, we should sacrifice our lives for justice and dare to be the first in the world!”

“Today, Marquis Jing’an is willing to promote the poor scholars in the world. We will naturally help if we can. Only in this way can we live up to Mr. Hu’s kindness in guiding us that day.”

Cheng Junxian stood up and said with a big laugh.

This is what is called the spirit of a scholar. The remaining two were also full of high spirits.

“Okay, let’s have a drink today.”

“Tomorrow we will go to the Marquis’ Mansion to register, the three of us brothers.”

“Today we will do something big together!”

……

This scene not only happened in Cheng Mansion.

Apart from the capital area, Shintoism flourished in Shandong and Jiangnan.

The news spread at a rapid speed.

Great scholars give lectures and students receive subsidies after admission.

Even the lowest level of ten taels of silver per year is enough to support a family of five and keep them well fed and clothed.

Plus the five libraries in Shenjing City that are free and open to the public.

It’s okay for ordinary people.

However, anyone with insight can see that this academy is aimed at students from poor families.

For a time, all the poor scholars who considered themselves to have some talent for Confucianism and Taoism began to collect money and prepare to go to Beijing.

Several great scholars who had retired to seclusion and were nearing the end of their lives also openly announced that they would come out of seclusion and go to Beijing.

Even if it was just for those two great Confucian cultural treasures and a place in school without taking an entrance exam ten years later.

We must also leave a legacy for future generations.

Everything in this world has its share of people who agree with it and naturally there will be people who disagree with it.

Corresponding to the scholars from poor families were the gentry and nobles who were said to have “passed down poetry and rituals from generation to generation”.

In the past, in the imperial examinations, the ratio of poor families to gentry was 3:7, with gentry accounting for the majority.

Then, generation after generation, they intermarried with each other based on geographical ties.

A complex network of relationships has been formed both inside and outside the government.

If Jia Cong really did it.

It’s hard to say what will happen after that.

Even if it is just a possible sign, many people can’t sit still.

After all, that was the work of Marquis Jing’an, who had made great military achievements.

For a time, many noble families were secretly acting strangely, and the frequency of their mutual correspondence increased dramatically.

Just waiting for someone to take the lead and make a trial move.

……

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(End of this chapter)