Chapter 36: Imperial College (Part 2)

Reading was a privilege in ancient times. Although ordinary people had a lot of things to study, the proportion of rich people was much less than that of nobles and rich people. The Zhou Li promoted the "Punishment cannot be punished, and etiquette cannot be submissive to common people" was even more a shackle. The Tang Dynasty was able to set up four schools and recruit children of common people to enroll in school. It was a great progress in the history of Chinese education and was of great significance. It cultivated many talents for the Tang Dynasty and contributed to the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty.

"Brother Gao, are you fanning again? Have you made the point? You have been fanning for a few days." A rather sarcastic voice came.

There was a pavilion in the open space, and several students were sitting around the pavilion, discussing the issue, and the atmosphere was very warm. There was a student who was about eighteen or nineteen years old and was suffocating his right hand, frowning and thinking about the problem: "Brother Liao is wrong, everything has to be cleared. Think about it, when raising the fire, use a fan to blow it with his mouth, and the fire will burn even more vigorously. What is the principle?"

"Brother Gao, what's the point? This is something everyone knows, so there's no need to think about it." Another student poured cold water on him.

"Brother Gao, we know you. If it were someone who didn't know you, they would definitely treat you as a madman. Sit down quickly and stop tossing, let's recite poems." A student pulled him down.

Zheng Wanru looked funny, as if she was watching a monkey jumping around.

Chen Wanrong heard it and was happy in his heart. Although the question raised by this student named Gao was ordinary, it was a chemistry problem. In the Tang Dynasty, in the Imperial College, someone asked such a question. It would be impossible to ask Chen Wanrong not to be surprised: "Who is he?"

Although Zheng Wanru didn't understand what Chen Wanrong was meant, he still replied: "Gao Jian, except for the famous madman, Imperial College, Islamic State Council, do some inexplicable things if I don't study hard all day long."

Chen Wanrong said that the mysterious things in his mouth must be natural science matters, so he asked with interest: "What are the things?"

"Mr. Chen, I didn't tell you that there is nothing that Gao Jian did that is not a joke." Zheng Wanru defamed first, and then said about Gao Jian's affairs: "When he saw a fan of the fire, the fire was burning strongly, he would ask what was the reason? When he saw the meat and rice were broken, he would ask what was the reason? He thought about these strange things all day long. He wouldn't want to have a bright future, he would be crazy." He shook his head and felt sorry for Gao Jian.

Zheng Qing knew Chen Wanrong very well and knew that he would not ask for it for no reason. When she touched Zheng Wanru, "Brother, don't talk nonsense. Some things seem unreasonable. Just think about it carefully, it makes sense. Brother Chen, aren't you saying what the high school student said makes sense?"

"It's not just reasonable, it's very reasonable!" Chen Wanrong exclaimed loudly.

The students in the pavilion heard this and looked at Chen Wanrong with contempt, as if they were looking at a madman. No wonder, not to mention that in the Tang Dynasty without chemistry, even in modern society, if someone asked this question, they might even be looked at.

Gao Jian looked at Chen Wanrong, clasped his fists and said, "My brother, the name of Gao's surname."

"Mr. Gao has said that, what Chen Wanrong is going to say." Chen Wanrong introduced himself and explained to him without waiting for him to ask: "Your question is actually very simple. If you use your hand to blow it, you will feel a burst of chill. We call it wind. There is something in the wind called oxygen. The combustion of firewood requires oxygen. Whether you blow or fan, it is for one purpose, which speeds up the flow of oxygen and makes it come into contact with firewood faster, so that the fire will be very ignited."

To describe air as wind is easy to understand.

Those students were originally a joke, but the more they listened, the more they felt it made sense. They suddenly felt the teasing. After listening to Chen Wanrong quietly, Gao Jian seemed to have picked up a treasure, his eyes widened. After thinking about it, he asked: "Mr. Chen, Gao Jian suddenly realized it. It's just that Gao Jian was ignorant. What is oxygen?"

For modern people, oxygen does not need explanation. For Gao Jian, the Tang Dynasty, it must be explained. Chen Wanrong thought for a brief moment: "Simply put, oxygen is an ingredient in the wind. Wind is like a bowl of rice, with rice, vegetables, oil, and salt in the bowl, which makes us taste fragrant. And oxygen is like any of the oil, salt and rice. Without oxygen, the fire will not burn well."

This metaphor is vivid and simple and easy to understand. Although these people in front of you are Tang people who have no knowledge of chemistry, they still understand it, with the expression "So that's it" written on their faces.

Gao Jian was the most excited and hurriedly invited him: "Mr. Chen, please sit down, let's talk slowly. I have some questions and want to ask experts like Mr. Chen for advice."

Looking at his joyful feelings, Chen Wanrong couldn't refuse: "I'm so serious, but I'm so serious, I dare not ask for advice. If I know, I will definitely tell you everything and say everything."

Several students made room and asked Chen Wanrong and the others to sit down. Gao Jian sat down, clasped his fists and said, "Mr. Chen, what is the reason for ghost fire?"

Everyone knows that the so-called ghost fire is spontaneous combustion of white phosphorus, which is not a problem for us modern people. It comes from the mouth of Gao Jian, the Tang Dynasty. It is not surprising that Chen Wanrong did not answer the questions, but asked: "Why did you ask this question?"

Gao Jian's face was shining with a gloomy smile and said, "Mr. Chen doesn't know that it is actually not a ghost fire, it is a white thing burning. I was braver and cated at the mass grave outside the city for a few nights. When the ghost fire came out, I grabbed it in my hand and looked at it. It was a white thing."

Ghost Fire is quite terrifying in modern times. Gao Jian actually dared to go to the mass grave and even grabbed ghost fire with his hands. This is not a courageous way to understand, but it is simply awesome. Those students, Chen Zairong, Zheng Wanru, and Zheng Qing were all screaming in surprise.

Anyone will be proud of this kind of thing. Gao Jian's eyebrows are flying, his tone is much higher, and he smiled and said, "Actually, there is nothing to be afraid of in this ghost fire. He holds it in his hand and then puts it out for a while. He dips it in his hand and sways like this, and then it will ignite again. I was thinking that the ghost hand ghost fire that the alchemist said is probably this kind of thing."

The ghost hand ghost fire used by the alchemist to deceive people is to apply some white phosphorus on the hand, shake it again, and use the principle of friction to generate heat, so that the temperature of the white phosphorus will rise, reaching the ignition point of forty degrees, and then it will be ignited.

Gao Jian, the Tang Dynasty, had such rich associations. Chen Wanrong was surprised: "Mr. Gao is right, ghost fire is this kind of thing. This thing has a name called white phosphorus. If you want to find white phosphorus, go to the graveyard, which is more. The burning of white phosphorus will not be as hot as the burning of firewood. Only alchemists dare to use it to deceive people."

The reason why white phosphorus is more common in graveyards is that the human body contains phosphorus. After the corpse rots, the phosphorus will condense again and float in the air. Especially when the temperature is high in summer, it will spontaneously ignite. This is the reason why ghost fires often appear in graveyards.

Chen Wanrong not only confirmed Gao Jian's guess, but also said something refreshing to him. It felt like a sudden enlightenment. Gao Jian was extremely excited and danced with rituals: "Brother Chen, I have never heard of you, I have never heard of you, it is quite fresh, and it is reasonable. I am really lucky to meet you in my life." I no longer call Mr. Chen, but change my words to Brother Chen, because of the closer distance.

Chen Wanrong praised him for his happy heart and accepted his brotherhood, and said with a smile: "Brother Gao is too much, this is just my opinion, and it is not attracted to Brother Gao's eyes."

"You can't hear such a clever truth in your life. Brother Chen is such a humble gentleman." Gao Jian praised Chen Wanrong.

Chen Wanrong smiled and shook his head, asking a very concerned question: "Brother Gao, you are so concerned about these issues, aren't you afraid of giving jokes and looking down on them?"

In Chen Wanrong's impression, the Tang Dynasty still educated poetry and books. The purpose of its education was to train officials for the court. Gao Jian focused on "miscellaneous studies" and would probably not have a place to stand in the Imperial College.

Zheng Wanru laughed and Dai Gaojian replied: "Mr. Chen doesn't know anything. Imperial College is not as good as it is. If you have any questions, you can ask them. If you have any ideas, you will not be laughed at. However, like Brother Gao, there are only one person in the Imperial College, although there are thousands of people in the Imperial College. Although we secretly called him a madman, we made fun of him when we met, we didn't mean to look down on him. This is his hobby after all."

The students agreed in unison: "Yes, Brother Zheng is right. In the Imperial College, you are not devoted to poetry and books. You can also learn miscellaneous studies. As long as you are interested in investigating things, you can also learn."

The highest institution of learning in the Tang Dynasty actually encouraged students to engage in "extracurricular learning". Chen Wanrong never thought that it was impossible and brimmed with high-fives and said, "It's really rare! Are you not afraid of losing your future?"

"What's wrong, Brother Chen? Are you worried about me too?" Gao Jian chuckled and didn't care: "As long as you don't take the blame for your homework, it doesn't matter no matter how much miscellaneous you learn."

The Imperial College of the Tang Dynasty did not stipulate the teaching content and course purpose setting, and would not conduct cramming education. Instead, it had great flexibility, giving students great selectivity, and students could take the course according to their hobbies.

The Confucian classics are divided into three categories: large, medium and small. The great classics are "Book of Rites", "Zuo Zhuan of the Spring and Autumn Period", the middle classics are "Book of Songs", "Zhou Li", "Yi Li", and the small classics are "Zhou Yi", "Shangshu", "Spring and Autumn Gongyang Zhuan", and "Spring and Autumn Guliang Zhuan". Students can choose to study according to standards and according to their preferences. If they choose the "two sutras", they must be one big sutra and one middle sutra or small sutra; if they choose the "three sutras", they must choose one sutra for large, medium and small sutra; if they choose the "five sutras", they must practice the great sutras, and the rest must be selected at least one sutra to study.

The Book of Filial Piety and the Analects of Confucius are compulsory courses. Whether it is classics, calligraphy, or mathematics, as long as you are a student in the Imperial College, you must learn it, without any questions.

Giving students enough autonomy is not to let them go, but to have very strict regulations. There are years of study of classics, and the Analects of Confucius and the Book of Filial Piety is one year.

At the same time, there is also a very strict assessment system and reward and punishment system. The Tang Dynasty's examination was divided into ten-day exams, annual exams, and graduation exams. The ten-day exam is a test of ten days, mainly testing the knowledge taught within ten days, similar to our current small tests. Three points are knowledgeable, two points are passing, and one point fails, and one point fails, and one point fails. The annual exam is to evaluate the knowledge learned within one year. If you study the classics, you will take the ten meanings of the classics. Eight points are the best, six points are the medium, and five points are the lowest. The inferior level is the failure, and you must re-edit (that is, repeat the grade). If you still fail the re-editing exam and still fails the tutoring, you will be embarrassed to have to drop out of school.

The graduation exam is given by a doctorate, and the Imperial College Supervisor personally invigilator. Those who pass the exam can take the provincial examination or the Ministry of Rites, and they have the opportunity to pass the exam. Once they pass the exam, they will be the "branch of the imperial court". If you don't intend to be an official career and want to be a scholar, those who pass the exam can still study again. Students from four subjects can enter the Imperial College, and the Imperial College can enter the Imperial College.

The management method of the Imperial College in the Tang Dynasty was very similar to that of modern universities, which was amazing. Of course, Chen Wanrong didn't know about this and was just worried about Gao Jian.

During the reign of Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty, Confucian education was extremely important, and Confucianism was prosperous for a while. After Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wu Zetian, Confucianism gradually declined, and there was a situation where "students no longer care about the classics", which weakened the influence of Confucianism to a certain extent and laid the foundation for the prosperity of miscellaneous studies and investigations, so that more and more scholars were involved in miscellaneous studies.

Chen Wanrong really didn't expect that the Tang Dynasty would have such pragmatic education, which was better than the specialized "eight-legged essay" in the Ming and Qing dynasties. His enlightened academic style has cultivated many pragmatic talents, perhaps this is an important problem for the Tang Dynasty to be able to be strong.

When he loved Gao Jian from the bottom of his heart, Chen Wanrong teased while sighing: "Are you afraid that you can't chew too much and can make people laugh?"

Gao Jian didn't care and said with a smile: "Brother Chen doesn't know anything. Even if there is something wrong with the doctoral teaching, you can raise it. There is no need to use the doctoral theory as the basis. The doctor not only does not blame him, but also encourages him. If I do not give jokes, the knowledgeable will only teach me."

The doctors in the Tang Dynasty were mainly responsible for teaching students' knowledge, which was equivalent to professors in modern universities. However, their influence was much greater than that of professors. They could meet the emperor, and if necessary, the emperor would summon them to discuss national affairs. It can be said that the doctoral students are the authority of the Imperial College and are highly respected. Students can correct their mistakes. This style of academic style is only better than that of modern universities. Chen Wanrong once again praised: "I really didn't expect it!"

Scholars in the Ming and Qing dynasties attacked each other whenever they had disagreements, saying that "the way is different and they do not plan for each other" and deducted their opponents.

The big hats such as "not following the way of the saints" and "not paying attention to the theory of the saints" even caused party struggles and harmed the country and the people. The Tang Dynasty's academic style was so good that it would not be possible if Chen Wanrong did not sigh.

"Brother Chen is here for the first time. We have to linger. I have a lot of confusion to ask you for advice." Gao Jian is really a good student and is ready to stick to Chen Wanrong.

He likes natural science, so it’s okay to explain it to him, but now it’s not possible. Chen Zairong has to deal with this matter first. Chen Wanrong smiled and declined, “I feel my feelings for Brother Gao’s kindness, but my brother is going to report it. Time is not waiting for anyone, so I will say goodbye first.”

"But are you here to take the exam?" Gao Jian's eyes were very bright, and he was very surprised when he stared at Chen Zairong.

Chen Zairong smiled and said, "That's right. I'm just here. It's still unknown whether I can enter the Imperial College. I'm not as talented as Brother Gao."

Gao Jian smiled and shook his head: "Brother Chen has won the award. This year's trial is different from previous years. Not to mention anything else, just this condition, not many of our Imperial College's number one person meets it. It's already this way Brother Chen can recommend it, it's rare!" His thumb was raised high.

The students echoed, "Yes! Brother Chen, you have to work hard. If you choose the prince, you will have a bright future." They are not stupid people, they can see the benefits and risks clearly, and their eyes are full of admiration, and they are eager to take the exam by themselves.

"Brother Gao, brothers, we will say goodbye." Chen Wanrong stood up and said goodbye.

Gao Jian hurriedly stopped him and said, "Brother Chen, Jingyiting is far away from here, I will lead you the way. By the way, I would like to ask you for advice, and please don't dislike me."

Jingyiting is the place where the Imperial College Jijiu works, which is equivalent to the office of the dean of the modern higher college.

Chen Wanrong could not refuse him, so he had to say, "If Brother Gao doesn't think I'm stupid, we can talk to each other."

"Thank you, Brother Chen!" Gao Jian was overjoyed.

The students stood up and gave them to me, said some blessings and said goodbye.

Under the leadership of Zheng Wanru and Gao Jian, the group walked in. Gao Jian was very excited and said unhappy to Chen Wanrong to introduce the Imperial College to Chen Wanrong, pointing to the rows of school halls and saying, "This is the Luxing Hall, Chengxin Hall, Chongzhi Hall, Xiudao Hall, Zhengyi Hall, and Guangye Hall. They are places where students listen to lectures, collectively known as the Six Halls."

Zheng Wanru looked at the window and saw that it was empty inside. Then she opened the door to Chen Wanrong to see. Chen Wanrong saw that a huge house could accommodate two or three hundred people to listen to the lecture. The tables and chairs were complete, neatly arranged, rowed vertically, and rowed horizontally. More importantly, they were spotless and very clean.

"What a great place to learn!" Chen Wanrong was a little envious.

Gao Jian smiled and said, "It's late now, and the students are doing their own things. If they come early, the sound of reading aloud is intoxicating."

Zheng Wanru closed the door and pointed to a long row of school houses in front and introduced: "This is the Four Schools. The Four Schools have the largest number of students in the Imperial College. Now there are more than a thousand people, and the area is also occupied by the largest."

The four schools have been expanded several times, and at its peak, there were 1,300 four schools of good students, which was a brilliant achievement in the history of Chinese education.

Gao Jian pointed to a courtyard in front and raised the tone of Gao: "Brother Chen, this was the place where Emperor Taizong of Tang gave lectures. When Emperor Taizong visited the Imperial College, he taught the "Spring and Autumn Annals" here. The students of the Imperial College were surrounded by water and said it was a prosperous moment. Now, it has been changed to Chongwen Pavilion, and all the books in the world are collected here. If one can understand the eleven, it will be a generalist."
Chapter completed!