If culture is strong, the country will be prosperous; if military power is strong, the country will be strong.
In other words, talents are the foundation of a country.
If talents wither away too quickly, no matter how powerful the country is, it will be of no use.
After all, no matter how big the family fortune is, it can't compete with the repeated disasters of a few prodigal sons.
Therefore, the amount of talent is enough to shake the foundation of a country.
In the period before the emergence of the imperial examination system, talent selection was nothing more than recommendation.
After the emergence of the imperial examination system and the prototype of the imperial examination system, civilian talents had the opportunity to enter the court.
But for the common people, the cost of training an official is much higher than the cost of training a farmer.
Besides, if people have enough food and clothing, how can they still have the time and money to train their sons to read and write?
Even if they are trained to live frugally and not eat or drink, how many people can actually reach official positions?
And among these people who hold official positions, how many of them can recoup their original investment?
All in all, it ends with just one sentence.
Effort and reward are not directly proportional.
The losses often outweigh the rewards.
And how many people would do this kind of thing, knowing that the effort and reward are completely out of proportion?
It is also because of this that the previous law emerged that only aristocratic landlords could produce talented people.
And because of this law, aristocratic families dominated the court, and even the monarchs of some dynasties became the playthings of aristocratic families.
Similarly, the cultivation and utilization of talents was a hurdle that was not overcome until the end of the feudal era.
But today, Li Chengqian is about to attack the biggest prison of this era.
He just wants to break through this cage and break the laws of this era.
Let every household have the opportunity to produce talents.
If you say you don't have enough to eat and don't want to spend more money to educate your son, that's fine.
As long as your son goes to school, I will help you raise him.
You said you don’t have money for your son to study, okay.
As long as your son is not a fool or a paralytic, If he comes to school, I won't charge a penny.
If his grades are good, I will even give you money.
Li Chengqian couldn't believe that people in this world wouldn't be tempted by such a good thing.
Changsun Wuji obviously didn't understand what Li Chengqian did at first.
But after hearing what Li Chengqian said, he suddenly realized.
That's why he told Li Chengqian that he would always support Li Chengqian.
And having his support is enough.
At least you can have a few people in the court to speak for you, and that'll be fine.
After all, Li Chengqian is no longer the demon king he was before. He is the prince of the Tang Dynasty, and he has more and more things to worry about.
Whether it is the face of the royal family, the face of his maternal family, or his own face, he needs to pay attention to it.
Therefore, he must find a group of supporters to support him.
Naturally, the support of the matrilineal family must be obtained first.
…
The next day.
Li Chengqian originally planned to take the edict given to him by Li Shimin and go outside Chang'an City to choose a location to build the college for his college plan.
But fate is not as good as man, and before leaving the house, Li Shimin came to the door.
After entering the room, Li Shimin's first words were: "Let's go to the prison with me."
"Heavenly prison?"
Li Chengqian asked with a puzzled face: "Why are you going to Tianlao?"
"Come with me to see him."
Li Shimin also sighed and said: "I don't really dare to go, and I don't really want to go either."
Hearing this, Li Chengqian also understood.
He immediately said: "Okay, then I will go with you."
Who else could Li Shimin visit?
It must be Li Ke.
rebels
The generals in the army were all brought back to Chang'an City by Li Chengqian.
And these days, those rebels are also being judged.
As for those who have not been tried, they are naturally locked up in prisons.
As the leader of the rebels, Li Ke, although he is a prince, is not immune.
After all, this rebellion exploded under the leadership of this guy, and so many people died because of him.
Therefore, even if Li Shimin wanted to show favoritism, he had to carefully consider the reactions of the people.
After all, the Tang Dynasty has already experienced a rebellion.
Li Shimin did not want to cause his second large-scale disturbance in a short period of time.
However, Li Ke is also Li Shimin's son after all.
Even if this guy is not his legitimate son, but based on what outsiders say he is the son who is most like Li Shimin, can Li Shimin still love him less?
It's just that some of the love is not shown on the surface.
Inside the prison.
After being apart for many days, Li Chengqian and Li Shimin met their half-brother and their biological son.
But at this time, where does Li Ke still have the demeanor of the former King of Shu?
Not to mention his unkempt appearance, all his clothes were in tatters.
Naturally, these were not ordered by Li Chengqian, but were beaten by the angry people when they entered the city.
Seeing Li Ke in such a state, Li Shimin would be lying if he said he didn't feel sorry for him.
He first asked someone to wash Li Ke, and then asked someone to bring clean clothes for Li Ke to change into.
Only then did people bring Li Ke to him.
The father and son sat opposite each other, Li Shimin sat alone, while Li Chengqian and Li Ke faced Li Shimin and guarded a corner.
Looking at these scenes, I thought of the different situations of my two sons.
Li Shimin couldn't help but sigh.
He said directly to Li Ke: "You kid, you have been the one who makes me worry the most since I was a child."
"But who I never thought you could do such a heinous thing."
Li Shimin sighed again: "Father, let me ask you, do you regret it?"
"The child knows the crime, but the child has no regrets."
Li Ke didn't look at Li Shimin either, just minding his own business and holding the tea bowl in front of him.
After hearing these words, the tenderness that had just arisen in Li Shimin's heart disappeared in an instant.
He made such a big mistake and still said he had no regrets.
Does this kid really want to die that much?
Li Shimin took a deep breath and said: "If you were not my son, I really want you to be pushed out and executed by Ling Chi."
"yes."
"I am my father's son."
"So, I can survive until now."
"However, in all these years, my father has never looked at the child once?"
Li Kezhi raised his head and met Li Shimin's eyes, his eyes full of resentment.
"No matter what the child does, the father will never see it."
"Because in the eyes of my father, there is always only the eldest brother."
"My eldest brother can memorize the Four Books and Five Classics, and so can my children."
"My eldest brother can go into battle and kill the enemy single-handedly, and so can my children."
"My eldest brother can lead troops into battle and defeat powerful enemies. Children can still do the same."
He turned his head and glanced at Li Chengqian who said nothing, and couldn't help but laugh.
It's just that this smile is full of sadness.
"Today, I also want to ask my father a question."
"How can I be inferior to my elder brother? Why am I being treated so coldly by my father..."
"Could it be that only the eldest brother is the father's son and that the father is proud, am I not the same?"
Li Ke bit his lip tightly and smiled again.
Compared to the previous bleakness, this time there were actually tears in his eyes.
"I don't want to rebel, but I don't want to live in his shadow anymore..."