After entering August, the temperature dropped significantly.√∟
Chang'an is no longer so hot.
Even at noon, there was a gentle breeze blowing.
The footsteps of autumn are getting closer and closer.
The most obvious change was that Changle Palace, one of the two palaces in Chang'an City, became noisy again.
The Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager who went to Ganquan Palace to escape the summer returned to their core positions of power.
Every day, countless ministers and nobles tried their best to squeeze into Changle Palace and appear in front of the Empress Dowager.
At the same time, the return of the Empress Dowager dealt a heavy blow to the Confucian faction.
Originally, the Confucian school wanted to make a big splash in this year's examinations, strive to defeat Huang Laoxue, who was in power, and become a prominent school - at least to let people see the power of Confucianism.
In the beginning, Confucian's plan went very smoothly indeed.
Among all the reference scholars, the Confucian factions together accounted for nearly 60%!
In other words, the total references from other schools such as Legalism, Huang Lao, Mohism, etc. are not as many as those from Confucianism.
There are many people, there is strength!
As long as there are no political flaws in the end, Confucianism will undoubtedly become the biggest winner in this examination!
You can better show your muscles in front of the world, and at the same time, gain the attention of more nobles and important ministers.
only……
It just happened that there was a political flaw!
Lu Ru, the shit-stirring stick, fully inherited the shit-stirring spirit of their predecessors.
Turned a good situation into a mess!
It took nearly fifty years for the Gongyang School and the Yanshi School to reverse their image. They were destroyed overnight by the Lu and Confucian scholars!
On the surface, in the fight, the emperor was giving each other 50 blows!
That is to say, the rangers who killed people were killed, and the troublemakers of Lu Ru's group were severely punished.
But in fact……
The current Confucian factions would really rather the emperor let those murderous knights go!
Because, first of all, putting dignified scholars together with a group of illiterate people is a loss of value.
That’s all!
If you don’t have face, you don’t have face!
However, Guanzhong, which was transformed by the Qin people, has a tradition of keeping brothers outside the wall to resist their insults.
No matter what kind of pig brains you have inside yourself, Guanzhong people have nothing to say when facing outsiders, roll up your sleeves and have a fight first!
Not to mention the Rangers, a group with complex composition and profound backgrounds!
The rangers in Guanzhong have a strange symbiotic relationship with the landowners, merchants and nobles in Guanzhong.
Many rangers are actually black gloves for some big shots, used to do dirty things that they are not suitable to do.
The emperor chopped off the heads of three knights, exiled a dozen of them, and imprisoned seven or eight of them.
The knights did not dare to hate the emperor, so they had no choice but to target the Confucians who caused trouble.
In the eyes of the rangers in Guanzhong, the brothers who died were all killed by Confucianism!
They don't care. Your Gongyang sect is actually similar to the Lu Ru sect except for the books they read, but in fact, their thoughts and behaviors are completely different.
What's even more troublesome is that even the people in Guanzhong feel that this incident is a provocation by the Lu people against the Guanzhong people...
And the rangers have various channels to establish relationships with those carnivores.
Most of the meat eaters in the imperial court were Guanzhong people who were born and raised in Si. Although most of the noble ministers were immigrants, they all made their homes in Guanzhong.
So...after this series of wonderful chemical reactions...
When Empress Dowager Dou returned to Chang'an from Ganquan Palace, she learned about this matter within two days.
When it comes to dissatisfaction and hostility towards Confucianism, Empress Dowager Dou is definitely the most extreme of all the empress dowagers in the Han Dynasty!
The old lady is old, her eyes are blind, and her mind is as small as the eye of a needle.
Yuan Gusheng's offense to her last year has always been deeply grudged in her heart.
She was even more disgusted with Lu Ru's arrogance and arrogance.
Think about it, if you are a devout religious believer and firmly believe in your beliefs, but there happens to be another guy who crazily attacks your beliefs in front of you, and even claims that his beliefs are ten thousand superior to yours.
times.
What will happen to you?
I'm afraid it's too easy to slap this hateful guy out of the house!
But what if you are a big shot in a country?
Hanging this guy up as a streetlight is already considered a mercy.
It just so happened that Yuan Gu was so eager to die that he did this kind of thing.
It would be strange if this could make Empress Dowager Dou feel comfortable!
What's even worse for the Confucians is that most of them don't know about this, so Yuan Gusheng's name is prominently among the lobbying team organized by the Confucians.
Then, this matter was brought to the attention of Empress Dowager Dou by someone who was interested.
After Empress Dowager Dou learned about this news, she compared it with the news about Lu Ru's trouble that she had just learned, and she immediately set Thunder Bluff on fire.
Immediately, he called Liu Che over and gave him a lesson.
If it was just like this, Liu Che was just pretending to give Confucianists some painless punishment, then this matter would probably be over.
But the problem is that when the results of the second round of the examination were announced, the matter immediately inevitably slipped into a situation that the Confucianists absolutely did not want to see: in the second round of the examination of scholars with a total of 3,000 people
Among the reference population, the total number of Confucian sects is more than 1,800.
The results of the second round were announced. Among the 1,500 scholars who advanced, Confucianists accounted for almost 900!
Now I've stung a hornet's nest.
In the first round of examinations, you Confucianists accounted for the majority, so forget it!
After all, few of the children of the aristocratic group are willing to go to the grassroots to endure hardships. Everyone hopes to be an official in the Jiuqing Yamen in Chang'an or some comfortable department.
But, your appearance is too ugly, right?
Do you still want to take half of the spots in the second round?
My uncle can bear it, but my aunt can't!
You have to know that more than 80% of the current nobles and ministers of the Han Dynasty are supporters of Huang Laoxue!
Conflicting interests and different political opinions immediately caused the entire aristocratic class to target Confucianism and launch a fierce bombardment.
In the middle of the court, besides Huang Laoxue, there was another major faction: the Legalists. When they saw that the Confucianists were really coming, they would swallow up most of the official positions in the examination.
The giants of Legalism can’t sit still anymore!
In a dispute over orthodoxy, line, or ideology, no one will be polite, let alone talk about gentlemanly conduct.
As a result, anti-Confucian public opinion quickly took shape among the government and the public.
And it's coming fiercely.
In Liu Che's mind, it was almost comparable to the time when various factions united to suppress Confucianism after the Jianyuan New Deal was abolished.
For a time, all kinds of black materials and 'reactionary remarks' about Confucianism were flying all over Chang'an.
Decades ago, even hundreds of years ago, the scandals and dirty things that Confucianism did were exposed.
Among them, the Mohist family contributed nearly 70% of the DPS output!
There is a saying that goes, the people who know you best are not your friends, but your enemies!
As a prominent school during the Warring States Period, Mohism was alongside Legalism and Confucianism. How could it be that its reputation was in vain?
Although the Mohist family has declined, its inheritance has not been interrupted!
If nothing else, you can find a lot of Confucian black material in a copy of "Mozi".
Some even directly dig into some of the not-so-good things Confucius did back then, and even directly attack the hypocrisy of Confucius himself who said one thing and did the other thing behind his back.
There are pictures, truth, facts. There are examples, and even time, place and people.
Even if these are all fabricated, it is not that easy for Confucians to clear their names!
Because the witness of these things is named Mo Zhai!
What's even more troublesome is that these things were compared one by one with the actions of Confucius's disciples and grandsons later, and then everyone said "Oh" and showed the same expression.
That’s all!
Who doesn’t have a dark history?
Disputes involving orthodoxy and discrediting each other's opponents are the norm.
In the past, Confucians could either act coldly and say, "We as Confucianists have our own reasons, and these remarks are groundless and cannot be trusted," or they could simply ignore them.
They don't even need to wash the floor.
Because, as long as it does not evolve into a national discussion, these issues cannot cause any harm to Confucianism!
But this time, the Confucians were outraged. This time, even if they wanted to clean up the land, no one was willing to listen.
This is just like the public intellectuals on the Internet in later generations. If you want to refute rumors, you have to make these guys willing to listen to you!
The Confucian giants were at a loss in the face of this fierce public opinion, and they had no idea how to deal with it.
However, as long as they are not idiots, everyone will understand: If this continues, Confucianism, let alone its rise, will soon face a situation where everyone is shouting for a fight!
Now, there are already signs of this happening.
In both the government and the public, some people were arrogantly taking advantage of some of Emperor Gao's remarks about Confucianism. Some even more impatient people even revealed Lu Ru's misdeeds of standing on Xiang Yu's side and stubbornly resisting Master Wang!
If this matter continues to ferment, Confucianism's fifty years of efforts will become in vain.
Even the orthodox tradition is at risk of being cut off!
Qin Shihuang once committed the crime of burning books and humiliating Confucian scholars!
Regardless of which faction the Confucians are, they are absolutely unwilling to face the iron fist of state violence again!
Therefore, Yan Yi was regarded as hope by the Confucianists...
The current situation of Confucianism has truly reached a critical moment.
If we can no longer win the protection and wings of the Emperor, those forces that are still testing the situation will definitely attack him in groups.
By that time, the best outcome for Confucianism may be just like that of Mohism.
Even if he becomes a second famous master, is devoured by others, and becomes a branch of Legalism or Huang-Lao School, there is no way of knowing!
When it came to the survival of his own orthodoxy, Yan Yi did not dare to neglect and immediately went to the palace to ask for an audience with the emperor.
When Yan Yi asked to see him, Liu Che was playing with Chen Ajiao in the Qingliang Hall.
Chen Ajiao, the future queen who has been decided, no, has been confirmed, now does not look like a queen at all, she is playing in Liu Che's palace innocently.
Liu Che still felt pity and sympathy for this cousin and future queen.
Therefore, he is extremely tolerant and doting on her.
This tolerance and love are not fake, but an expression of true love. Therefore, in the eyes of others, the emperor indeed cherishes the future queen to the utmost.
Donggong is very satisfied with this!
After playing around with Chen Ajiao for a while, Liu Che got the news of Yan Yi's appearance.
"Let him come in!" Liu Che picked up Chen Ajiao and walked to the dragon couch to sit down.
The date of his wedding to Chen Ajiao has been decided, and it will be on the sixth day of next month. Zong Zheng said that this day is very good.
But Liu Che still felt awkward in his heart!
Marrying a loli who is less than twelve years old is simply a crime!
Therefore, Liu Che has been a little upset recently.
However, this kind of thing, for Liu Che's identity, is at most similar to a general idea: Smoking is harmful to health, but I still worry about smoking.
What Liu Che is really concerned about is the recent situation of Confucianism.
To be honest, Liu Che has no sympathy at all for the Confucian situation!
Those who kill will always be killed!
When it comes to monopolizing the right to speak, Confucians are the real masters!
Apart from other things, it is the first time in human history that they can force a philosophical and political ideological sect like Huang Laoxue into a religion that pretends to be gods and ghosts.
Even the highly practical Legalists had to put on a layer of Confucianism to deceive people!
And their internal quarrels are even more jaw-dropping.
The Niu-Li party struggle, the old and new party struggle, the Zhejiang Party, the Jin Party, and the Donglin Party. In the history of China, the political lower limit has been constantly refreshed. Those who educate the people on what it means to sacrifice the country and the nation for political struggle are the disciples and grandchildren of these guys.
Therefore, seeing the Confucian siege, Liu Che felt quite secretly happy.
However, as the emperor, Liu Che could not influence the country's policies and strategies because of his personal feelings.
In that case, what is the difference between him and the Niu-Li Party, the old and new parties, and the Donglin Party, which he is most ashamed of?
Moreover, to be fair, Confucianism's position in China's political landscape is still very important.
In terms of local administration, popularization of education, and advancement of civilization, Confucianism's role is irreplaceable.
Therefore, Liu Che actually decided to let the Confucians survive this siege.
Otherwise, why do you think the public opinion of the government and the public has not yet shown its intention to drive out Confucianism?
If it weren't for him, the emperor, to suppress it, those speculators would have been ready to take action, okay?
But it is impossible for Confucians to pass the test without paying some price.
The aristocratic and honorable class of the Huang Lao School joined forces with the Legalists, as well as the support of the East Palace and the tendency of local public opinion in Guanzhong. They wanted to settle all this. To be honest, it was not the fault of Liu Che who was the emperor and who firmly controlled the military power. Instead, other
People, I'm afraid what I have to consider at this moment is to add insult to injury and conform to public opinion.
Even so, if he wanted to calmly appease the dissatisfaction and opinions from all sides, Liu Che could not directly protect Confucianism with a wave of his hand.
……………………
"Your Majesty..." As soon as Yan Yi entered the palace, he immediately knelt down and started crying: "Your Majesty, please save the Confucian sect!"
In Yan Yi's opinion, the situation of Confucianism has indeed become extremely bad.
Just the East Palace is like a big mountain, pressing on top of all the Confucian factions.
Rumors from the East Palace revealed that the Empress Dowager's ill will toward Confucianism was clear.
It is said that even the emperor was reprimanded by the empress dowager for this.
As for public opinion between the government and the public, it is even more unfavorable to Confucianism!
The knights made full use of their relationship network and carried out all kinds of indiscriminate blackmail against Confucianism throughout Guanzhong.
However, the Mohist family also presented real materials, examples and stories one by one, which were so vivid that it made people feel like they were there.
During the period of the Chu-Han struggle for hegemony, Confucianism put its butt on Xiang Yu's side, which became a stain that Confucianism itself could not explain clearly.
After all, among all the schools of thought, only Confucianism once fought openly against the Emperor Gao...
Huang Laoxue and the Legalists took the opportunity to add insult to injury and made matters worse.
At this moment, Confucianism as a whole does not have the domineering power of Xiaozhu, who dominates the public opinion of both the government and the public.
Although they are large in number, they do not have much influence in the north, especially in Guanzhong, and they have almost no influence on the army and upper-class nobles.
Under such a situation, many factions of Confucianism have clearly realized that the entire Confucian thought and positioning needs to be adjusted again!
This is not too difficult for Confucians.
From Confucius to the present, in fact, the Confucian ideological system has completely changed its appearance.
Not to mention Confucius, even Zixia and Mencius might not recognize him when he climbed out of the grave.
Therefore, after this blow, the smart people within Confucianism quickly began to evaluate their own thoughts and policies, and many began to make adjustments to better suit the needs of the nobility and upper-class rulers in the Guanzhong area.
This is the same as Dong Zhongshu observing Xiaozhu’s thoughts, immediately modifying his own system, and giving him a big gift package of ‘celestial induction’.
This is the result of Confucianism evolving over hundreds of years.
Natural selection, survival of the fittest.
Not only species, but also thoughts.
Not to mention, it is the Chinese dynasty that came later. If the founder of the Chinese dynasty rises from his grave one day, do you think he can still recognize the Chinese dynasty in the new century?
Even Taizong might have the urge to go to Jinggangshan again and overthrow the reactionaries...
Little did Liu Che know that Confucianism had already begun preparations for self-innovation and self-evolution.
But he knew that Confucianism must change.
Not only Confucianism, but also Future, Huang-Laoxue, Legalism, Mohism and even farmers need to change themselves to adapt to the development of the future era.
The world is always moving forward.
It may have been very advanced last year, but by next year it may be in disrepair.
Liu Che hoped that the intellectual circles of the Han Dynasty could always maintain vitality.
Therefore, he hopes that a hundred schools of thought can contend.
Otherwise, based on his own preferences, he would definitely support the Legalists with all his strength, and the examinations would be tilted towards the Legalists.
After all, both Huang Lao and Confucianism have their own ideas and little actions.
But Legalism doesn’t have that.
Legalists will only listen to the emperor, even if the emperor is an idiot, a tyrant, and the orders he gives are full of mistakes, which may lead to turmoil in the world.
For a reborn time traveler like Liu Che who has foresight, Legalism is naturally the best choice.
But in that case, Liu Che knew very well that at best, his achievements would be that of Qin Shihuang, who would die and end his reign. (To be continued, please search Piao Tian Literature, the novel is better and updated faster!