The three great scholars in China in the late Ming Dynasty were Huang Zongxi, Sun Qifeng and Li Yong.
Li Yong is a special one because he has no teacher.
After his father died in the war, his widowed mother raised him to live a hard life. Every time he was sent to a private school to study, he was rejected because of lack of money. When he was nine years old, Li Yong finally entered a private school, but he was sent home after only 20 days. .
Li Yong helped his mother cut firewood and sell it for money, and also helped his mother spin and weave. In his spare time, his mother taught him how to read and write.
He was malnourished and looked like a vegetable, so he was called "Li Cai".
There was a wealthy family in the county who had a large collection of books. After hearing about Li Yong's deeds, he was allowed to browse the books at will. He was young, self-taught, and wrote "Twenty-One Historical Corrections". Later, he burned the book. Because this was not the true lineage of Confucianism, he devoted himself to studying Neo-Confucianism in the Song and Ming dynasties, and eventually became a great master of "Guan Xue".
In this time and space, Li Yong's circumstances were slightly better.
When the Datong Army recaptured Shaanxi, Li Yong had already passed the age for free study. However, the local primary school principal still allowed him to observe, but he could not participate in the final exam.
Without any academic qualifications, Li Yong attended elementary school classes and borrowed books to study by himself in middle school. Because the government divided the fields between mother and son, he had to study by himself while plowing the fields. It was so difficult, but he had already mastered "Spring and Autumn Period". After reading "Historical Records" and "Zi Zhi Tong Jian", he was hired by a wealthy family to be a tutor to tutor their children in mathematics and physics.
Moreover, Li Yong was still studying Neo-Confucianism in Song and Ming Dynasties by himself, inheriting the line of Guan Xue that was improved in the late Ming Dynasty.
Wang Zhiliang, the president of Jinling University, heard about Li Yong's diligent study when he returned to his hometown to visit relatives, so he recruited him to take a personal examination of his knowledge.
Li Yong answered fluently, and Wang Zhiliang was interested in talents, so he asked him to attend Jinling University. Wang Zhiliang paid for all the expenses, but he did not have a high school diploma, so he could not take the formal examination.
Li Yong did not want to go to Nanjing because his widowed mother was at home. His mother tied a noose on the beam and threatened to commit suicide. Li Yong finally went to Jinling University.
Now, having finished his college courses, he first found a job as a tabloid editor, and then applied to be the librarian of the "Golden House".
The Golden House is a public library funded by the royal family.
When Li Yong was managing books, he could easily point out the location of any book. No matter what questions the guests who borrowed books asked, he could quickly answer them, and he gradually accumulated a lot of fame.
To find teachers for the prince, not all famous scholars must be selected, but a few young people must be selected.
Wang Zhiliang recommended Li Yong, but his qualifications were too low and he was not qualified to be a teacher at all. It was okay to be an official of the East Palace under the exception.
Unexpectedly, after the emperor heard about Li Yong's deeds, he actually asked him to examine him personally.
Li Yong is only 25 years old this year. He was guided to walk in the Forbidden City calmly and without squinting. The majestic temples did not affect his mind at all.
In a large hall, Li Yong saw the emperor. He knelt down and knelt down and worshiped: "Little citizen Li Yong, please pay homage to my emperor!"
Zhao Han put down his brush and said: "In the new dynasty etiquette, there is no need to kneel on non-important occasions. You can get up."
Li Yong knelt straight and cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, my father died early, and it is not easy for my mother to raise the little people. The little people have tried many times to study, but they have been rejected by the private schools. When the Datong Army arrived, we settled down and divided the fields with the people. He and his mother also received fertile land. Although the common people were over the age, the Datong imperial court allowed them to attend the reading in the primary school. Granting land and receiving education, these two things are nothing more than the gift of renewal. This kneeling, this Knocking does not mean that the people are kneeling down to the emperor, but they are actually kneeling down to thank the benefactor!"
"That's it?" Zhao Han felt that it was not enough.
Li Yong went on to say: "A man with a solid warehouse knows etiquette, and a man with enough food and clothing knows integrity. If we want to rectify the hearts of the people in the world, we should not only let the people of the world read good books, but also let the people of the world have enough food and warm clothes. The people are almost freezing.
If they are dying of hunger, but they are allowed to observe propriety and know their shame, is this not the most ridiculous thing in the world? Therefore, it is righteous to let everyone in the world study; it is pragmatic to let everyone in the world have food and clothing. The two are indispensable.
"
Zhao Han asked: "The Confucian scholars of Hanlin Academy look down on the practical scholars of Qintian Academy. What is your opinion on this?"
Li Yong replied: "Confucian scholars who look down on practical studies only understand false Confucian studies. Confucian studies are the foundation and practical studies are for use. If there is no practical study but only Confucian studies, it is like a person who only has a head but no hands and feet. Similarly, there is only practical study.
"If you don't know the classics, you are like a burly fool."
The classics here generally refer to Chinese philosophical thought.
Zhao Han was very satisfied with this young man and finally expressed his attitude: "President Wang of Jinling University recommends you to be the Zuo Chunfang Sijian. This official position is too low. It can only be from the ninth grade, which is inconsistent with your talents. But you have no academic qualifications.
If your reputation is too high and it will inevitably attract criticism, just become Seikiro of Zuo Chunfang."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After all, Li Yong was only 25 years old. He was quite excited to be suddenly recognized by the emperor, but his face remained calm.
Kiyoshiro was only an eighth-rank junior official, responsible for inspecting and reporting offending officials in the East Palace. He also reviewed the official correspondence of the East Palace and corrected any violations, errors or omissions in the official documents.
Zhao Han added: "The prince is studying in the Wenhua Palace, and you can follow him around."
Li Yong finally couldn't be calm anymore. He looked at the emperor in surprise. He was asking himself to be a close minister of the prince.
The three most important Confucian scholars in the late Ming Dynasty, Huang Zongxi and Li Yong, were both thrown to the crown prince by Zhao Han. Although Huang Zongxi was not an official of the East Palace, he also served as one of the keynote speakers of the East Palace.
There is still one Sun Qifeng, and Zhao Han does not intend to use it.
Sun Qifeng was living in seclusion in Henan at this time and had been recommended by many officials. However, this person was too deeply involved with the Donglin Party and majored in Lu Wang's psychology. Although he also tried to integrate psychology and Neo-Confucianism and advocated practical management of the world, Zhao
Mr. Han felt that it was not to his liking. This gentleman should continue to be his Northern Confucian master among the people.
Throughout the northern region, Sun Qifeng has been hailed as the greatest Confucian.
By the way, Sun Qifeng is also a village chief and primary school principal.
He originally lived in North Zhili, but his land was occupied by the Tatars, so he had to flee to Henan with his tribe. Many disciples followed him to settle in Henan. Scholars in Henan also came to him to study. Sun Qifeng called on him
Students reclaimed wasteland and formed a brand new village amidst the chaos of war.
The young boy who first studied with Sun Qifeng got two Jinshi exams in the first imperial examination of the new Datong Dynasty.
Li Yong steadily left the Forbidden City. Not far out of the city gate, he stumbled and almost fell. He was so happy that he forgot to look at his feet, tripped on something foreign and lost his balance.
"Be upright, be honest, and don't be surprised by favor or disgrace!"
Li Yong clenched his fists, thinking silently in his heart, but he couldn't help but smile on his face.