Chapter 238 For This Country, for This Nation

"I heard that your army has set up a school to train officials, and it teaches general affairs and miscellaneous studies, but does not take Confucian classics as its foundation. I wonder if this is true?"

"This governor is the one who initiated the initiative."

"Therefore, Shilin denounced it."

Chen Ming's answer just now was full of pride, and Qin Dacheng's answer now is also forceful.

"A scholar is a gentry."

"Gentlemen belong to the world."

"Although there are eight banners in the current dynasty, the eight banners are all trapped in the capital and key places in the world. Except for a few places, those who are in charge of the laws and regulations in the world are all gentry."

Of course, the literati could not completely overlap with the gentry class, but the middle- and upper-class figures who had the right to speak in the literati completely overlapped with the gentry class. Therefore, it is not an exaggeration to say that "a scholar is a gentry".

This gentry is a complete combination of the literati class and the landlord class. They have financial foundation and prestige. They are like enhanced versions of elected local councilors in later Western political systems, controlling local real power and public opinion.

"The noble army has rural officials who compete with the big families for power and profit, which is especially disgusting for the gentry."

"The gentry is disgusted, that is, the world is disgusted. Although your army has abolished the per capita silver, only one of the fifteen per mu, and there are no other miscellaneous taxes, which is of great benefit to the people's livelihood, but the people still hate it." Qin Dacheng is the number one scholar, really He is really full of ink and has his own opinions on some things. He simply did not think that the policies of the Fuhan Army could be truly understood by the general public, because not one of a hundred ordinary people could recognize a hundred characters. The newspapers of the Fuhan Army could only be read among the gentry and wealthy people. It was circulated among the people, and the news never reached the people below. The Fuhan Army could still perform some dramas and storytelling in its own territory, but these things were impossible outside its control area.

"Today's noble army is criticized by the scholars and hated by the gentry. How can it achieve great things?" The Fuhan army was very sharp against the bannermen, but no matter how sharp it was, Qin Dacheng and the others would not really feel the same way, and they would have to fight against the Fuhan army for it. The Han army was at odds with each other. But the Fu Han army treated the civilians well and treated the gentry and landlords harshly, which was stepping on their tail.

Chen Ming raised his eyebrows, Qin Dacheng's words were quite rude. And..., "Shilin? Gentry? Does Mr. Qin value them too much?"

"When the Manchus entered the country, the scholar-gentry also opposed their rule. Didn't they still kneel before the sword?" Chen Ming recalled his disdain when he saw the allusion 'the water is too cold' in his previous life, and saw 'itchy scalp' I was completely speechless for a moment, and then my impression of the Donglin Party group completely turned 180°. My impression of the character of the scholars in the late Ming Dynasty and even Confucianism was completely ruined.

Later, after reading more and more various materials and comments, and learning about the complex relationship between the Donglin Party and the big landlords and businessmen in the south of the Yangtze River, Chen Ming became even more dismissive of the Donglin Party, which he had a fond impression of when he was a child. Some people say that "the Ming Dynasty fell in Donglin." This may be a bit too much. The Zhu family and even the entire world of scholars and merchants have unshirkable responsibilities. However, if we say that the Donglin Party had a major role in the Ming Dynasty's defeat, It will definitely not be bad.

"The Governor's words are wrong. The Qing Dynasty was a foreign race that came to dominate the Central Plains and dominated the world. During this period, there were many killings. The common people suffered for them. God took pity on them and the redeemed students did not dare to say anything. However, this murderer was by no means a great man. The Qing Dynasty was the focus of stabilizing the country. The Qing Dynasty worshiped Confucianism and Confucianism, and used Han law to govern the world. It did not follow the old practices of the Mongol and Yuan Dynasties. This was the first great achievement of the Qing Dynasty in breaking the shackles of "Hu Wu's Hundred Years' Luck."

When the Manchus took control of the Central Plains, they quickly colluded with the Han bureaucrats and gentry in the interior. As long as officials from various places surrendered to the Qing Dynasty, they could stay in their original posts, and scientific examinations soon began. Of course, Qin Dacheng's words describe this process in a very literary way, and he also quotes from classics.

Chen Ming waved his hand and interrupted him: "To put it bluntly, the Manchu Qing Dynasty retained the original bureaucrats of the Ming Dynasty, quickly combined the two, and soon opened up subjects to obtain scholars, and passed The selection of officials through scientific examinations also opened the way for the majority of Han scholars to enter officialdom, and was supported by most Han scholars.

Han landlords could become officials through imperial examinations, donations, etc., which enabled the gentry landlord class and the literati class to resume their old careers and form a community of interests with the Qing government. This is more conducive to their own interests than Li Zicheng killing officials and robbing big households. The Manchu Qing Dynasty also adopted these measures, which to a certain extent alleviated the conflict between itself and the Han gentry class, won the cooperative forces of the Han nationality, and expanded the Manchu Qing Dynasty's own ruling base.

In the eyes of many scholars and gentry, the current Fuhan Army is deviant and rebellious. To a certain extent, it is the King Li Chuang of that year. "

The sarcasm and sharp words on Chen Ming's lips made Qin Dacheng unable to speak for a while, and his face turned slightly red. "The governor clearly sees it." But among the scholars in Jiangnan, many people indeed regard the Fuhan Army as the second king Li Chuang.

The cadre schools of the Fuhan Army emphasized general affairs and miscellaneous studies, legal cases, and even "strange and obscene techniques", but neglected Confucian classics; in the official system, township officials were reinstated to compete with aristocratic families for rural rights and people's rights; The two most fundamental points deeply offended the vast majority of the Han gentry class. It is not unreasonable for Jiangnan scholars and a large number of landowners to regard the Fuhan Army as the second best to King Li Chuang.

In the final analysis, people are selfish animals. Like their ancestors, these people made decisions to safeguard their vital interests when faced with national justice and their own vital interests. Just like the aristocratic families in the Three Kingdoms, Jin and Southern and Northern Dynasties, the interests of the country were not as important as the interests of the family. Now, the interests of the country are not as important as the interests of the family. The Jiangnan Shilin gentry just made the same decision as their ancestors, but it was easier and less burdensome.

Because now the Manchu Qing Dynasty is the orthodox, and the Fuhan Army is the rebel.

Chen Ming waved his hand and stopped discussing this topic. It was pointless. It was impossible for the Chinese Han landlord class in the middle of the Qianlong period to fall out with the Manchus and stand up against the Manchus. The national righteousness and the distinction between Huayi and Huayi are all bullshit to the Han landlord class at this time. The shaving and changing of clothes when the Manchus entered the customs has completely broken the backbone of the Han people and shattered the integrity of the nation. Now even if the Fuhan Army has light grain and low taxes and uses money to buy them off, the township officials set up on the other side of the Fuhan Army are also eroding the foundation of their family's existence.

The impact of the latter on the gentry and landowners is likely to be greater than the former's concession to them, which makes the gentry feel more threatened.

In terms of interests, they and the Manchus were truly one country. What is the "anti-Qing and restoration of Han" by the Fuhan Army? To eat or to drink? Does it weigh real money?

"Let's change the topic and talk about the difference between being an official and being an official. Mr. Qin is a top scholar and has been an official for a few days. Mr. Qin thinks that there is a difference between studying and being an official..." Chen Ming gestured. Gesture, "Is it a direct and necessary connection?"

"Every official now is just a county magistrate, and each of them has to bring three or four senior masters before he can take office. From money and food, punishment names, to official documents to superiors, and even receptions and gifts to superiors, there must be senior masters. To be responsible for one's counterpart is to be called a fool. Does Mr. Qin think it is beneficial to the people?"

Chen Ming has a thorough understanding of officials in this era. He also spent a few days in the yamen. He is really disgusted with the officials and official system of this era. In the original Lushan County Government, whether it was Yue Wenhai or Chang Rui, they all relied too much on the master's staff to handle government affairs and hear cases. "Mr. Qin passed the imperial examination and was appointed to the Hanlin Academy in Beijing to compile and supervise the history of the country. He did not go down to the prefectures and counties as officials to take charge of government. But I think Mr. Qin who I just mentioned will be familiar to him. "

Chen Ming's questions were sharp and presented the truth, which Qin Dacheng could not deny. Jiaxing is not far from Shaoxing, and the latter's prosperous master trade spread throughout China before the Ming Dynasty. Of course Qin Dacheng knew these things.

"This is a malady of officialdom."

"It's also a method used by the Manchus to win over people, isn't it?" Chen Ming said viciously.

During the Tang and Song Dynasties in China, those who passed the Jinshi examination did not necessarily get an official position. They also had to pass the official examination: body, speech, writing, and judgment. Four factors were used to select candidates. Body refers to the great physical appearance; Yan refers to correct rhetoric; Shu refers to the beauty of calligraphy; Judgment refers to excellence in arts and sciences. If any of the four are acceptable, the selected one will be awarded the official title. This standard is indeed too strict. At least there is no need to be too obsessed with the appearance and calligraphy, Chen Ming personally thinks. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, not only were the previous rules gone, but the official position of Jinshi was also raised to the red line of seventh-rank county magistrate. How embarrassing.

Moreover, the Manchu and Qing Dynasties also had ‘big challenges’. This is the rule set by Qianlong. In the 17th year of the system, those who failed in the four subjects (three subjects were changed in the fifth year of Jiaqing) were selected by the Ministry of Personnel according to their descriptions. The first class was for county magistrates, and the second class was for teaching positions. Held once every six years, it is intended to give scholars with a Juren background a wider way out, and it is called the Great Challenge. It's really good at winning the hearts of Shilin people.

"This is a great kindness from the emperor. The governor dislikes Confucianism and dislikes the imperial examination. Do you want to abolish Confucianism and abolish the imperial examination?" Qin Dacheng insisted on the bottom line and kept silent to Chen Ming's questions. Instead, he launched a counterattack.

Chen Ming chuckled, Manqing, no, including Zhu Ming, who among those officials can be separated from the master's staff? Without the master's staff under him, even those capable officials and famous ministers who have left their names in history will immediately become unable to do anything. This is the general climate. Except of course Hai Rui. This guy, whose wife only bought two kilograms of meat for her birthday, cannot afford to hire a master.

Qin Dacheng could not refute, but Qin Dacheng, who could not refute, was determined not to watch Chen Ming put the label of "incompetent" on the head of the scholar, because that was tantamount to putting a shit basin on the head of Confucian classics. Qin Dacheng's counterattacks followed one after another.

"Why did Mr. Qin say this? I am very dissatisfied with the incompetent officials now, and I am still unclear about whether there is a necessary connection between the Four Books and Five Classics and being an official. However, I have never thought about abolishing the imperial examination."

Didn't the rabbits in the previous life take the "scientific examination"? The civil service examination is essentially the same. It's just that the level and specifications have been reduced a lot.

Even the British Empire, which dominated the modern world in time and space, also introduced examinations into their official system. Therefore, you will never fall behind in exams, only the content of the exam will fall behind.

The conversation between Chen Ming and Qin Dacheng lasted for an hour. The second half of the conversation was spent by Qin Dacheng quoting scriptures and talking about the importance of Confucianism to the whole world and the achievements of Confucianism. For Chen Ming, the entire Han culture has been passed down to this day. The Confucian concept of the unity of heaven and man, the connection between heaven and man, the unity of knowledge and action, and even the three cardinal principles and five constant principles, etc., he cannot deny the importance of it, because he denies these , which is tantamount to denying the current Chinese culture and civilization.

Ask the common people today, those poor peasants who can't read a single word, they regard the Three Bonds and Five Constant Virtues as the truth. The husband is the God in front of his wife, and the father is the God in front of his son and daughter. This is the folk custom in China. Chen Ming must first admit all this if he wants to change it.

Because the evolution of one or two thousand years has completely integrated Chinese traditional culture with Confucianism, and made the traditional Chinese universal values ​​the most direct expression of Confucianism.

Denying Confucianism of this era is denying the traditional Chinese culture and universal values ​​of this era.

Chen Ming's ideal is still a long way to go, full of ups and downs. And the most important thing is that Chen Ming does not want to completely deny the contribution of Confucianism to China. Some traditional Chinese culture and universal values ​​represented by Confucianism itself still need to be inherited. He just wants to cut off the cynic part, but this is almost impossible. Because the current Confucianism is cynicism.

Therefore, Chen Ming decided to separate Confucianism from the officialdom, so as to cut off the root of cynicism. To put it bluntly: Chen Ming wants to change Confucianism from a combination of official and Confucianism to a pure academic discipline. Even if it becomes a representative of Chinese national studies, Chinese thought and Chinese culture, Chen Ming will not care. But this is very difficult.

Chen Ming wants to take back the right of "education" from Confucianism. What he wants is a Western-style education that faces the whole society as an outlet. The outlet of the school is the vast society, not the Confucian education that is purely for becoming an official.

In the future China, various talents and large numbers of talents needed for social development must be quickly cultivated through the school system. Rather than the traditional Chinese "master-apprentice" education.

The reform experience of the Qing Dynasty has told Chen Ming: If a society has set up many new schools, but due to the existence of traditional imperial examinations, the new schools will definitely not be run well. No matter how the government treats the students of the new schools and how much subsidies they give, the students in them are still in Cao's camp and their hearts are in Han. Because the traditional imperial examination has been implemented for more than a thousand years, and because the official-oriented system is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people in China. As long as the traditional imperial examination system still exists, students will be fascinated by it. Only by taking the imperial examination can scholars take the right path, be respected by others, and obtain a higher social status.

Therefore, facing this series of problems, Chen Ming must start with Confucianism. The core "official Confucianism" is divided into two, and the imperial examination system is gradually transformed into the civil service examination of later generations.

Hundreds of thousands of scholars across the country select six or seven thousand juren, and then select three hundred jinshi from the six or seven thousand juren. This imperial examination is of course dazzling, and the jinshi is a seventh-rank official as soon as they come out. But if the target of the imperial examination selection changes from county magistrates to small officials, from the central government to the provincial government, from three hundred people to three thousand, or even more, will it still be so attractive?

Chen Ming watched Qin Dacheng retreating in dismay, and he no longer had the mood to chat with such Jiangnan celebrities. These people grew up under the influence and environment of spineless cynics. China at this time was not greatly impacted by foreign colonial forces, and their hearts were still filled with the complacency and pride of the empire. It was difficult to convince them with just a few words.

But Chen Ming could proudly tell anyone: his every word and action, every decision he made, was for this country, for this nation, not for his own selfish interests.