The debate in the imperial court was in full swing, and the neo-Confucianism was also wantonly promoted. Originally, these two things were unrelated. Although they were both major events, no one connected them.
However, when some officials began to promote the neo-Confucianism and wantonly called for it, things changed in an instant.
At first, it was fine. It was just some low-level officials, but as the scale expanded, countless people's eyeballs fell to the ground.
When the imperial censors and the officials of the six departments began to write letters and praised the neo-Confucianism, the trend was stirred up.
These people were originally officials of the imperial court, so when they opened fire, the power was naturally extraordinary.
Within a few days, the clear and pure officials also came forward. Many people also began to promote the neo-Confucianism and advocate for a clean source. Most of these people were disciples of the School of Mind, so it was not difficult for them to change their sect.
The masters of the School of Mind from all over the country also began to speak out and prepared to enter the capital to participate in this grand event.
In short, it was a mess, and it directly caught everyone off guard.
Things changed too quickly, and there was no time for people to react. For a moment, the entire capital was like a storm was brewing.
In the Cabinet Duty Room.
Several Cabinet Scholars gathered together again. In addition to the Prime Minister Shen Shixing, the Second Assistant Minister Yu Youding, and Fang Fengshi, the newly promoted Cabinet Scholar Ceng Shengwu was also present.
Wang Xijue had not returned from Shanxi yet, so he had avoided the storms in the capital.
Shen Shixing glanced at the three people and said, "Everyone, the capital has been very noisy recently. I wonder what you think of this neo-Confucianism?"
Obviously, things had gotten to this point, and the Cabinet had to have an attitude.
Whether the neo-Confucianism was supported or trampled on, the Cabinet had to say something.
If it was supported, then it had to be wantonly encouraged and publicized, and it had to be implemented and reflected in the imperial examinations and among the officials.
If it was trampled on, then it had to be beaten into a heretical theory.
Not to mention expelling and arresting people, it was probably close. At the very least, it had to be suggested to the Emperor.
After hearing Shen Shixing's words, the few of them didn't say anything. They were not stupid. At this point, things had basically become clear.
The neo-Confucianism was clearly promoted by the Emperor. Even a fool could see that.
Li Zhi had been in the capital for quite a few years now. In name, Lu Shenxing was pushing for the civil service, but in reality, that wasn't the case.
Li Zhi had also participated in the restructuring of Daxing County. Without the emperor's approval and promotion, how could a small Li Zhi have such power? Since Li Zhi was the leader of the New Confucianism, it was enough to prove that the emperor was promoting this matter.
Based on this conclusion, it would be easy to make an inference. The whole thing was probably driven by the emperor.
From the Law and Discipline Department to the Law of Daming, everything was the Emperor's handiwork.
Knowing this, the official could only make two choices. One was to support the emperor, and the other was to oppose the emperor.
Of course, there was nothing to say about those who agreed. They advocated for the New Confucianism, advocated for the equality of the four peoples, and revised the Law of Daming.
If they didn't agree, then they could just oppose it. They could write a petition against it and reprimand the New Confucianism.
As for the consequences, it was needless to say.
Those who agreed would have a meteoric rise, and those who disagreed would go home and take care of their children. Looking at the Emperor's attitude, it seemed that he would not compromise.
In addition, the Emperor's actions had become more and more overbearing in the past two years. It was likely that he would be ruthless this time.
At this time, Ceng Shengwu spoke first, "I have some ideas."
To Ceng Shengwu, he was one of the emperor's closest officials. Compared to Shen Shixing and Yu Youding, he was closer. Although he had been promoted by Zhang Juzheng, the one who had truly promoted him to a high position was the emperor.
"This neo-Confucianism does have some merit."
Ceng Shengwu didn't look at the other people and said directly, "Time changes. This sentence also makes sense."
"The reason why the Han dynasty was strong and prosperous was that Emperor Wu of Han dismissed the hundred schools of thought and respected Confucianism alone."
"If the hundred schools of thought were not dismissed and Confucianism was respected alone, how could the Han dynasty be strong?
How could they sweep the Xiongnu and chase them north? "
"When Minister Zhang was alive, he had already opened the chapter of the Daming reform, but it was not thorough and could only be regarded as a pioneer.
The current Emperor is wise and farsighted, far surpassing Emperor Wu of Han. The Daming reform is the beginning of the golden age of the Daming dynasty. "
"Prince Wuling of Zhao wore a Hu style of horsemanship and archery. The Qi had Guan Zhong's reform, and the Qin had Shang Yang's reform. When the Han dynasty arrived, the hundred schools of thought and respected Confucianism alone, making the Han dynasty strong and prosperous. From this, it can be seen that reform is the way to enrich the country and strengthen the army."
Ceng Shengwu's words caused the others to nod in satisfaction.
'Look, the other hundred schools of thought are still not enough. It's up to us Confucians. We Confucian disciples should be proud.
In any case, the hundred schools of thought have already been crushed by the Confucians and disappeared. We can say whatever we want. '
"As for the New Confucianism, it's actually not a New Confucianism. It's a Confucianism that respects the ancients. Xun Zi was also a sage of the Confucian Sect!"
Ceng Shengwu's words hit the hearts of the other officials.
'How can the New Confucianism do? Do you want us officials to echo the likes of Li Zhi?
How can we do that? Where can we put our faces? '
'The Ancient Confucian Sect is different. Anyone can do it. With their strength, reputation, and old friends, they will definitely be able to promote themselves as a role model for the Ancient Confucian Sect.'
Li Zhi was still going to play with the mud. With this point, they would be able to set an example for others.
Ceng Shengwu's words gave them a way out. 'The Han dynasty is strong because it abolished the hundred schools of thought and respected Confucianism alone. If the Daming wants to be as strong as the Han dynasty, then we should respect Confucianism even more.'
'However, we shouldn't learn from the Confucians of the Song dynasty. We should learn from the Confucians of the Han dynasty and learn from Dong Zhongshu.'
Ceng Shengwu's words didn't say everything clearly. He only made an opening, but everyone understood what he meant.
Shen Shixing stroked his beard and nodded in satisfaction. "Isn't this the root of the problem?
"Elder Ceng's words are correct. We, the Daming, should learn from the strong Han dynasty and not the weak Song dynasty."
"The Song Confucianism is decadent and ignorant. It is weak and should be abandoned."
At this point, Shen Shixing cupped his fists and said, "I, the Daming Emperor, far surpassed Emperor Wu of Han, but I, the Daming, am not as strong as the Han dynasty. Why?"
"Because the Song Confucianism is decadent and weak, not as strong as the Han dynasty's."
"We should clean up the roots, learn from the Han dynasty's Confucianism, and abandon the Song dynasty's Confucianism."
Shen Shixing's words made the eyes of the four people present brighten. It was really a good idea.
In this way, it would be enough to suppress Li Zhi's so-called New Confucianism. Your New Confucianism is still under the banner of the study of the mind. In the end, it is still the Song dynasty's Confucianism.
The Song dynasty's Confucianism is not good. If the Song dynasty's Confucianism is strong, then why is the Song dynasty so weak?
You have to learn from the Han dynasty's Confucianism and take back the right to speak.
As for the Han dynasty's Confucianism, it is just a little girl. They can dress up however they want.
After taking back the right to speak, with the strength of these people, can't they take out the ideas that the Emperor wants?
Li Zhi should stay to the side. They are the mainstream. They don't believe that the Emperor only uses Li Zhi.
If it doesn't work, they can take Li Zhi's ideas and put them on the Han dynasty's Confucianism.
In the Han dynasty, there were many Confucian schools, and they fought fiercely against the Hundred Schools.
After absorbing a lot of Confucian schools from the Hundred Schools, they could find the source.
In this way, the ancient books and records of the sages had a source, and things would be much easier.
In addition, with the Grand Scholar's promotion, the officials would not have any psychological burden if they turned against them.
Compared to Li Zhi, these people had too much of an advantage, and they were not comparable at all.
At that time, the four of them would be listed in the history books, and they might even get the title of the Four Scholars of Resurgence.
If the Emperor agreed, the subordinates would flatter them. It was a good deal without any risk.
Look at Dong Zhongshu. We should follow the example of the sages. This is the right way.
As for what we have learned before, we can just abandon it. The so-called study of the mind and the Confucianism are still the Song dynasty's Confucianism. We should respect the ancient Confucianism, learn from the Han dynasty's Confucianism, and throw the Song dynasty's Confucianism into the garbage heap.
Having said that, Shen Shixing didn't say anything. He just looked at the other three quietly.
Yu Youding had been following Shen Shixing closely, so he said with a smile, "What Minister Shen said is right. We should start the tradition of respecting the ancient Confucianism for the Daming, and sweep away the decadent Song dynasty's Confucianism."
"With the Emperor on the throne, how can we stay stagnant? We should start the tradition of reviving the Song dynasty's Confucianism."
Fang Fengshi sat there, feeling that he had learned a lot. For the first time since he entered the cabinet, he realized that he was not good enough. Compared to Shen Shixing, he was far inferior.
No wonder Shen Shixing's position in the cabinet was so stable, and he was deeply favored by the Emperor. He really lived up to his reputation!
"I also think what Minister Shen said is right. Minister Shen should start the tradition of respecting the ancient Confucianism, and it is indeed Daming's Confucianism.
In the future, your name will be recorded in the history books, and you will be a famous minister of resurgence for the Daming, "Ceng Shengwu flattered him.
At this time, Fang Fengshi felt that if he didn't say something, he would be too unsociable.
"Minister Shen is right. Minister Shen should be remembered by the future generations for starting the tradition of respecting the ancient Confucianism. We are willing to follow Minister Shen's lead, and for the people, for the Daming, not for the Emperor." Fang Fengshi also threw his pride aside.
Shen Shixing nodded with satisfaction while stroking his beard, "If that's the case, let's submit the memorial together!"
"In addition, please contact your students, old friends, and classmates to wave the flag and cheer for us. Only then can we succeed!"
"Don't worry, Minister Shen. We will do our best!"
In June, the weather became hotter, and there was more rain, which made Zhu Yijun heave a sigh of relief.
Rain was a very important thing for an agricultural country.
Hearing the rumbling thunder, Zhu Yijun was in a good mood. Standing by the window of the main hall and feeling the cool breeze blowing in, Zhu Yijun felt refreshed.
"Your Majesty, it's going to rain. You should close the window!"
Zhang Jing stood behind Zhu Yijun and said respectfully, "Wind and rain are harmful to the body. It'll be bad if you catch a cold."
Taking a glance at Zhang Jing, Zhu Yijun nodded, "Alright, close it!"
As the window was closed, the thunder quieted down a little. Soon, the rain began to fall, making pitter-patter sounds as it hit the eaves.
While Zhu Yijun was in a good mood, it wasn't the same in the outside world.
These days, with the rise of the New Confucianism, the storm in the capital grew.
Although Confucianism and School of Heart were slow to react, they eventually reacted. Confucianism began to fight back, denouncing the New Confucianism as heresy. Not only did they attack it wantonly, they even organized officials to write impeachment letters.
The School of Heart was divided into two factions, one supporting the New Confucianism, and the other opposing it.
The three factions were locked in a chaotic battle. Lectures and debates were held one after another, and there were even a few brawls.
However, the central government remained silent, making people not know what to do.
Among them, there were also many who wanted to make their presence known, causing a lot of messy things to happen.
The New Confucianism was weak. After all, there were few people and they were young. In addition, Li Zhi's reputation wasn't high enough. Although Zhu Yijun's people were secretly encouraging them, they still fell into a decline.
If it weren't for Zhu Yijun's people supporting them, the New Confucianism would probably have been suppressed.
Zhu Yijun was waiting. He was waiting for the reaction of the central government. If the central government didn't respond, no matter how the people below shouted, it was useless.
Under such circumstances, the memorials from the four Cabinet Scholars finally entered the palace.
"Let's see what you have to say!" Zhu Yijun picked up the memorials in front of him with a gloomy expression.
Outside the window, the storm was still raging. Zhu Yijun was also waiting for this moment to come.
The first memorial came from the Cabinet Minister, Shen Shixing. When he opened the memorial, the title of the memorial was written: Please clean up the roots!
The memorial detailed the chaos of academic thinking, wantonly attacked the chaos of academic thinking, and asked the court to clean up the roots.
Later, Shen Shixing wantonly attacked the Confucians of the Song Dynasty. He used the Confucians of the Song Dynasty as a starting point, pinning the label of the Song Dynasty's weakness on the heads of the Song Dynasty.
Because the Confucians of the Song Dynasty were incompetent, the Song Dynasty was weak, causing the mountains and rivers to fall into enemy hands. The Northern Land fell into the hands of the Song Dynasty. This was the greatest humiliation of the Central Plains after the Eastern Jin Dynasty crossed the Five Barbarians.
Then, he fiercely flattered Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, saying that he supported the world with both hands and reestablished the sun, moon, and sky of the Han Dynasty.
Later, he listed the strength of the Han Dynasty. He attributed Emperor Wu of Han's sweeping of the world to the dismissal of the hundred schools of thought and the supremacy of Confucianism.
Then, he came to the conclusion that the Song Dynasty was weak because the Confucians of the Song Dynasty were corrupt and weak. The Han Dynasty was strong because the Confucians of the Han Dynasty were tyrannical. Finally, he came to the conclusion that one should revere the ancients and learn from the Confucians of the Han Dynasty.
Zhu Yijun looked at Shen Shixing's memorial and was speechless for a long time. To be honest, he was shocked by Shen Shixing.
As a mediator, Zhu Yijun's position in Shen Shixing was that he was obedient and stable. He could help him stabilize the court.
However, Shen Shixing's performance this time was completely beyond Zhu Yijun's expectations.
Originally, Zhu Yijun planned to let Shen Shixing and the others support the New Confucianism. He didn't expect Shen Shixing to give him a surprise!
It wasn't that this was bad, but it was too good.
From this memorial, Zhu Yijun saw Shen Shixing's position. He respected the ancients and advocated the Confucians of the Han Dynasty.
Thus, Zhu Yijun thought of a very famous movement in Europe, and that was the Renaissance.
Although it was under the banner of reviving classical culture, it was actually promoting a new culture.
No matter what, Zhu Yijun didn't expect the good old Shen Shixing to come up with such a big move.
Was Shen Shixing's idea good? Of course it was good. It was better than Zhu Yijun's New Confucianism. It directly swept the Song Dynasty's Confucianism into the trash. What Neo-Confucianism? It was all rotten Confucianism.