Chapter 48 Sejong Chapter 49 The emperor dies late and the prince dies early
Chapter 2173 Sejong Chapter 49 The emperor dies late and the prince dies early
In the early summer of the 19th year of Jianlong's reign, in Xiyuan, Luoyang, after a grand opening ceremony, the new school of the Han Empire University of Political Science and Law was officially declared completed and put into use.
After nearly twenty years of exploration, experimentation, and adjustment, the Imperial University of Political Science and Law has completely integrated the thoughts and ideas of various schools of thought, becoming a palace of learning where a hundred flowers bloom, and is the undoubted number one academic institution in the empire.
In the past twenty years, the University Hall has provided more than 30,000 bureaucrats to government agencies at all levels of the empire, and the success rate is not low. The outstanding ones from the earlier batches have become the backbone of the empire's ruling class.
By the 17th year of Jianlong's reign, there was already a long list of "celebrities" who graduated from the university and took the scientific examinations to become officials, such as: Bao Zheng, Fu Bi, Han Qi, Ouyang Xiu, Wen Yanbo
By the 18th year of Jianlong's reign, the number of students enrolled in the University Hall had exceeded 5,000. However, the previous college, with its small space and outdated facilities, could no longer meet the needs of various teaching activities. Therefore, the construction of the new school was promoted by the emperor.
Put it on the agenda early.
The location of the new school is also very special. It is located in the beautiful royal garden of Xiyuan. Liu Wenji was not as obsessed with hunting as Kang Zong, and he also used Xiyuan sparingly. Therefore, after more than 20 years, Liu Wenji
, the ecological environment of Xiyuan has been greatly restored.
What's even more special is that the new school was rebuilt and restored on the site of the unfinished "Crystal Palace" in the late Kangzong period. With this foundation, you can imagine how magnificent the new campus of the Imperial University is.
Spectacular. The construction project took a year and cost more than 2 million yuan. As we rushed to meet the construction deadline, the sound of chiseling continued day and night.
Although it costs a lot of money, it is fully worthy of being a school that cultivates the elite of the empire and the cornerstone of its rule. It fully shows the importance of the emperor and the court. At the same time, the more or less positive comments in public opinion are better than the emperor spending national finances and taxes to overhaul.
It is much better to enjoy the palaces and temples for personal enjoyment.
Xuanguang Pavilion is the central building of the new school. It is a place for paying tribute to sages and holding large-scale college activities. The pavilion stands on the water. Outside the pavilion is the open Jinlong Lake. Four water corridors are spread out steadily, connecting the embankment and the pavilion platform.
, there are four man-made sandbanks in the lake, which are widely planted with green trees and flowers. At the turn of spring and summer, they are extremely beautiful.
By the Jinlong Lake, which was filled with the water of Yiluo, Liu Wenji, who has half a head of white hair, just like his imperial grandfather, is leaning on a simple bamboo stick, along the willow bank of the carved railing, facing the rising sun in the sky, slowly
Forward.
After being silent for a long time, he stopped, raised his hands to cover his eyes, looked at the sky, and held the railing to look at the top of Xuanguang Pavilion shining under the scorching sun. Liu Wenji said sadly: "The country is like the sun, the pavilion is full of treasures, but I am getting old."
The king was accompanied by two ministers, in addition to his close ministers, Du Yan, a bachelor of the cabinet, minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and Cai Qi, president of the university. Du Yan was the only minister of the Kangzong Dynasty after Du You, the famous prime minister of the Tang Dynasty.
The Jinshi who passed the scientific examination were born like many famous officials from the common people who have made great achievements in the Han Empire for decades. Du Yan's childhood experience was also very difficult and ups and downs. Although some luck was inevitable, this was also the reason why they achieved success in their studies.
Very important factor.
After twenty-eight years as an official, from the capital to the local areas, he held various positions, made numerous political achievements, and was praised by everyone. Up to now, Du Yan has become a first-class talent in the imperial court, known for his integrity and ability, and is also a "preparatory minister"
.
It was also an unspoken rule formed during the Jianlong Dynasty. When a minister has "cabinet bachelor" on his head, it is not far away to become the prime minister. And Du Yan is in the Ministry of Personnel, in charge of the selection of officials. His next step
, most likely the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Tong Ping Zhang Shi. After all, the old husband Zhang Jian was indeed old, and the emperor had to prepare for the next ten years.
As for Cai Qi, he was a famous minister and scholar who was deeply imprinted with Liu Wenji's era. Although the number one scholar in the second year of Duan Gong was different from many talented people of his generation in terms of official ability, especially compared with Fan Zhongyan, he was
In terms of scholarship and education, he worked hard and achieved many achievements.
Therefore, at the age of less than fifty, he not only participated in the compilation of the big book "Cefu Yuangui", but was also one of the chief editors of "National History". At the age of forty-five, he was put into the university hall by Liu Wenji
To rise to the position of principal, this is from a second-grade position, to the top of the world's top universities.
Of course, when Liu Wenji promoted Cai Qi and entrusted him with important tasks, he not only valued his talent in scholarship and education, but more importantly, his "cleanliness and purity".
Select, train, and grow ministers.
In fact, by the middle and late periods of Liu Wenji's reign, more and more "new talents", whether concubines or concubines, had grown into the cornerstone of the empire and played an increasingly important role in the operation of the empire's rule.
Among them, the most famous one is Fan Zhongyan. Liu Wenji personally praised him as a talent that helped the world. Fan Zhongyan and other late-minded talents who emerged during the Jianlong period were also one of Liu Wenji's most important sources of confidence as a powerful emperor.
"Your Majesty, the Spring and Autumn Period is at its peak." Seeing the emperor grow old in his old age, Cai Qi couldn't help but offer words of comfort.
However, Liu Wenji did not need the comfort of others. He waved his hand to interrupt Cai Qi, and then said in a serious tone with complicated emotions: "The imperial court spent people's money to build this academic resort, and there was no shortage of criticism. The school.
It has been repaired for you. I want to see the actual results, and I must give more to me and the court to train some talents!"
"Yes! I obey!" Hearing this, Du Yan and Cai Qi looked at each other and then bowed.
"Go and summon all the scholars on campus to the Guangwen Hall and tell them that I have something to say!" Liu Wenji paused and then ordered.
"It is a great blessing for students to hear the holy teachings in person. They will go there with joy and want to see through it." Upon hearing this, Cai Qi's face lit up with joy and said: "I will do it immediately!"
"Shichang, you can come with me, I don't need to wait here!" Liu Wenji waved to Du Yan.
"Yes! Rong Chen resigns!"
Then he opened the screen of his entourage, leaving him alone. Under the shade of a tree, with weak willows swaying in the wind, Liu Wenji leaned lightly on the edge of the stone railing, with a twilight face, his old eyes were blurred, looking at the sparkling Jinlong Lake, his mouth
He murmured in a low voice:
"Third brother, third brother, your 'Crystal Palace' has not yet been completed, but a majestic and majestic university hall that has been passed down for centuries has risen from the ground. I am also correcting your mistakes and atone for your mistakes. You should thank me.
elder brother……"
The Guangwen Hall is one of the main academic halls of the University Hall. It is the place where academic activities, meetings and examinations are held on weekdays. When the news of the emperor’s speech spread, the whole University Hall was excited, and all the teachers and students were excited.
, swarmed in.
Not to mention other aspects, today's emperor Liu Wenji's status in the minds of scholars all over the world is higher than that of previous emperors. The real rise of the common class and civil servant group happened to explode during the Jianlong era.
The students in the university are either the elite or the elite of the world. They are also the reserve force of the empire's ruling class. For them, the emperor has a "fatal" temptation.
The bustling Guangwen Hall quickly calmed down and returned to solemnity with the arrival of the holy bow. Liu Wenji walked slowly to the front of the stage, looked down at the eager students, and accepted their worship.
Originally, Liu Wenji had prepared a long speech to say for the scene. However, when he was so "close" to the students, he decided to say something more practical:
"Everyone present here is an elite of the Han Dynasty. Each one of them can tell a remarkable story. In the end, they are all Gongsheng and Tongsheng carefully selected from various states. The best of the best are selected and have outstanding qualifications.
I and the imperial court have high hopes for you, hoping that you can become the pillars and pillars of the Han Dynasty. The future of the country, the stability of the country, and the happiness of the people ultimately depend on you to maintain and consolidate it. I see you today,
I am full of vitality, and I am full of emotion, I just feel that there is hope for the imperial court!
In the past twenty years, more than 30,000 students have graduated from the university. Most of them have achieved academic success and have exerted their talents and functions in various states of the empire. Some have become invisible to everyone, and some have become pillars of the country. At the same time,
There are also quite a number of people who have fallen into depravity in the big dye vat of the officialdom, in the world of right and wrong, fame and fortune, and the indifference of flies and dogs.
I hope you can take the latter as a warning. The imperial court spent huge sums of money to build such a magnificent and magnificent school, which is more beautiful and colorful than many palaces and pavilions in Ziwei City. I only hope that you can concentrate on studying and learn something.
Success, success is useful, it can serve the country, contribute to the country, benefit the world, and benefit the people.
I still remember that when I was studying at the feet of our ancestors when I was young, I heard such words: Establish a heart for the heaven and earth, and establish a destiny for the people. To carry forward the unique knowledge of the past saints and create peace for all generations!
The ancestor's knowledge and magnanimity are as good as those of the Three Emperors and Five Emperors. For decades, I have silently kept these words in mind and used them to encourage and spur me. However, how can the height of the ancestor be beyond my reach?
I have treasured this statement for fifty years. Today, when I see an opportunity, I will give it to all the students who will be outstanding in the future. I hope you will use this to encourage yourself! I hope that when he is in a high position and judges important events, he will not forget the original intention of studying hard now."
After Liu Wenji said these words, the Guangwen Hall was quiet for a long time, and then, under the leadership of Cai Qi, he worshiped and said yes. Even the old master was impressed by the birth of "Four Sentences of Hengqu" and muttered to himself, glowing with radiance.
, not to mention those young students, almost everyone is full of excitement and enthusiasm. It is hard to imagine that in the current social environment and cultural atmosphere, there will be students who would express these four words from the emperor himself.
His words of encouragement remained indifferent.
Just after Liu Wenji finished his inspection of the university hall with emotion, on his way back to the palace, he received a piece of news, a piece of unfortunate news. For Luoyang, it was a piece of bad news that shocked the government and the public, and was very likely to profoundly affect the Han Dynasty.
The future of empire.
The imperial crown prince, Liu Jili, who had been the prince for twenty years, passed away in the Hongde Hall of the East Palace!
——————
The death of Prince Liu Jili was a sudden death, probably due to a heart problem. For a long time, Prince Liu Jili had been a respectful, filial, humble and courteous person who was tolerant to others and measured in his dealings. However, under his humble and peaceful appearance, he was actually full of kindness.
Worried, full of stress, and even depressed for a time.
On the one hand, Liu Jili's depression came from his imperial father, Kang Zong and Yin Jian. Liu Wenji attached great importance to the education and training of all princes, and always paid attention to their studies and performance. As the prince and heir to the empire, he naturally received the most attention.
, and the emperor's strict restraint and excessive attention will inevitably bring him tremendous pressure and strong discomfort.
On the other hand, it stems from the expectations inside and outside the palace, as well as the challenges from the brothers, especially the challenge from the younger brother Liu Jiying who has the support of the Yang family. The battle for the right to inherit the throne has been a major drama within the palace since ancient times.
The cycle repeats without interruption, and with the royal family structure of the Jianlong Dynasty, the formation of a tendency to seize the direct descendants is inevitable, especially as Liu Jiying grows older.
As for Liu Jili, even with Liu Wenji's careful training and many years of influence from King Zhao during his lifetime, he was soft-tempered and even a bit cowardly. This was the only thing Liu Wenji didn't like about the kind-faced and ruthless Liu Wenji.
But other than that, I am quite satisfied with this prince Liu Wenji. He is humble, polite, and responsible. I don't expect him to pioneer, but he should be a qualified and established leader, and I also believe that he can abide by his own policies and ideas.
At the same time, Liu Jili also had a good reputation among the powerful bureaucrats, civil and military officials, and they could not help but like a prince who was gentle, polite, and lenient towards others.
Therefore, after Liu Jili turned thirty-five (the fifteenth year of Jianlong), Liu Wenji allowed him to truly participate in the handling of major political affairs and further cultivate his practical ability.
This was also a decision by Liu Wenji to completely express his attitude towards the heir to the empire. He almost bluntly told those restless people in and outside the palace that the prince's status was unshakable, and his will was even more unshakable.
In this context, even though he was the weakest prince in the history of the Han Empire, Liu Jili's position as prince was still difficult to shake. Inertia was strong, and the various systems formed by the empire in the past ninety years were mature and complete.
Many traditional conservative forces supported and consolidated Liu Jili's position, and this "conservatism" and "stubbornness" also included Liu Wenji himself.
However, if Liu Jili himself did not "live up to his ambition" and died in his prime, then the situation would be different. The loss of the crown prince is an earth-shattering event in any era, any country, and any system. After all, the country's foundation has been shaken.
Liu Jili's sudden death not only made countless people who thought him well lament and sigh, but also broke the established arrangements of Emperor Liu Wenji and the expectations of many ministers. As the emperor was getting old and unable to bear the state affairs, it also aroused the dissatisfaction of many people with lofty ideals.
worry.
In fact, during the period of Liu Jili's funeral, many people inside and outside the palace were already ready to make a move. As soon as the mourning period was over, a new round of battle for the legitimate heir would begin in Luoyang City without delay.
There are only two most competitive ones, one is Liu Jiying, Duke of Suiyang, who was born to Empress Yang, and Liu Weizhen, the eldest son of Prince Zhangde Liu Jili.
During the peak years of the Han Empire, Liu Wenji never imagined that in the later stages of his rule, the biggest challenge he would face would be the selection of heirs.
