flstandardbreds Chapter 1030 "Yunmeng Dialogue" (Part 2)
Chapter 1030 "Yunmeng Dialogue" (Part 2)
The aroma of tea still lingers in the pavilion as the emperor and his ministers sit facing each other.
After Xu Jiezi accepted Li Checheng's invitation and agreed to come out of seclusion, the relationship between the two underwent a subtle change.
Previously, the two were from completely different backgrounds. Although they admired each other, they ultimately had no relationship.
Now that Wang Yuanshan has become a contact and a relationship between ruler and subject has been established, there is less testing and more frankness in planning important matters together.
Xu Jiezi sat down again, stroked his long beard, and the light of wisdom flowed endlessly in his double pupils.
After a moment's thought, he said, "Since Your Majesty has decided to reform, I will humbly present some of my humble thoughts to Your Majesty."
“After studying the teachings of my late master, observing the changes of the past and present, and considering the realities of this world, I have come up with five essential principles.”
Li Che's spirits lifted, and he leaned forward slightly.
I knew this old man had a lot of knowledge; how could a wise man who has lived for over a hundred years not have any insights into politics?
Li Che hadn't expected that the old man was so knowledgeable.
He immediately became like the most attentive student, respectfully asking, "Please speak, sir; I am all ears!"
Xu Jiezi extended his first finger, his aged finger with distinct knuckles: "The first is, 'To clarify the order of Chinese and barbarians, and to determine strategies for distant and near places.'"
"This is the essence of the diplomatic stratification I just mentioned, but we need to go a step further and establish a special office to perform its duties."
“In addition to bestowing titles and intervening in the internal affairs of vassal states, envoys can be dispatched regularly to educate, impart skills, and observe the people’s conditions, so as to subtly influence and deepen the control over them.”
"For tributary states, special departments were set up to manage trade meticulously, improve their tax revenue, and expand their exchanges, so that their merchants and common people would consider it an honor and a benefit to have a good trade."
"In this way, foreign nations will not fear our military might, but will admire our civilization, rely on our wealth, and submit to our virtuous governance. Foreign threats can be gradually eliminated, and foreign benefits can increase daily."
Li Che nodded. Xu Jiezi's thinking was very comprehensive, and it was already an executable system design.
Fortunately, I have no shortage of diplomatic talent, so this matter can be implemented immediately upon my return to Beijing.
Xu Jiezi extended his second finger: "Secondly, it is said, 'Break the shackles of gates and open the way between superiors and inferiors.'"
"Your Majesty's civil service examination system has opened a glimmer of hope, but it needs to be supported by appropriate policies."
"First, there is the 'Decree on the Division of Inheritance' mentioned earlier, which uses the law to break its economic foundation; second, there is the 'Decree on the Popularization of Official Schools in Prefectures and Counties,' which gradually liberates the right to study from the monopoly of aristocratic families; third, there is the 'Practical Talent Selection and Examination Method,' which sets up practical subjects such as mathematics, physics, law, agriculture and industry in addition to the classics in the imperial examinations, and selects officials separately."
“Children from poor families, lacking family traditions of learning, can gradually rise to prominence.”
“If this continues, the imperial court will have a wide source of talent, and the situation where aristocratic families dominate will collapse on its own.”
"Alright!" Li Che couldn't help but exclaim softly.
This policy coincided with his own ideas, which was what Xu Jiezi had been referring to as 'mixing in sand'.
Xu Jiezi extended his third finger, his tone becoming even more solemn: "Thirdly, 'Establish the system of community granaries to stabilize the hearts of the people.'"
"Food is the most important thing for the people. Stable grain prices ensure peace in the country. Your Majesty may order all prefectures and counties to purchase grain at a fair price and store it in good years, and release it at a fair price in bad years to stabilize grain prices."
“Going a step further, we can emulate the concept of ‘cooperatives’ in the book of our late teacher and encourage the establishment of charitable granaries and community granaries in the villages, so that people can help each other and the imperial court can supervise and support them.”
"At the same time, we will vigorously promote farming, select the best grain varieties, ensure full granaries, and keep the people at ease. Even if some villains try to incite unrest, it will be difficult to shake our resolve."
This is a strategy to solidify the foundation of the nation, and Li Che deeply agrees.
The saying goes, "Without agriculture, there is no stability." Any reform needs a stable grassroots level as its support.
Xu Jiezi extended his fourth finger: "The fourth is, 'Promote the study of things and accumulate strength to strengthen the nation.'"
"Your Majesty, I request that you establish a separate 'Academy of Physics' in addition to the Fengguo University, dedicated to the study of mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering and other disciplines."
"I can take the lead in organizing the classics of my late master, selecting the basic and practical content, and translating it into modern Chinese to cultivate the first batch of seeds."
"Once it blossoms and bears fruit, it can be used to make more powerful firearms, more efficient agricultural tools, and faster vehicles and ships."
Li Che was thrilled; this was exactly what he had been dreaming of.
The treasure trove of knowledge left by Wang Yuanshan must be put to good use, and Xu Jiezi is the most suitable person to lead it.
Xu Jiezi slowly extended his last finger, his eyes blazing: "Fifth, 'Reform the military strategy and reduce the financial burden.'"
"Your Majesty established the nation with a strong military, but now that the world is at peace, maintaining a large standing army consumes countless amounts of money and resources. This is not a sustainable solution."
"We can try a system that combines 'military households' and 'elite troops'. In stable inland areas, we can select land and grant it to military households. They can cultivate the land in peacetime, train during the off-season, and be conscripted in wartime. This can greatly reduce the cost of maintaining the army for the court."
"As for key border areas and strategic points, elite professional troops were retained, equipped with firearms, and dedicated to defense and conquest."
"At the same time, we will reduce the number of old and weak soldiers, consolidate the military units, and increase their pay. This will make the elite troops even more elite and the weak soldiers civilians. With this shift in power, the military strength may not necessarily decrease, but the pressure on the national treasury can be greatly relieved."
"The money and grain saved can be used for the aforementioned policies."
Li Che still had some reservations about this strategy.
Li Che had his own ideas about the military. He believed that true soldiers should be full-time and professional.
The military farming system had its limitations; it was problematic to expect someone who used farming tools to also use weapons.
But Li Che did not immediately express his objection; he simply nodded slightly.
After recounting his five strategies, Xu Jiezi picked up his slightly cooled tea, took a sip, and said nothing more.
These five strategies are the essence of governance condensed from the lifelong contemplation of a wise centenarian who was well-versed in both ancient and modern knowledge.
From diplomacy to domestic affairs, from destroying the old to establishing the new, from people's livelihood to military preparedness, from the present to the future... each step is progressive and interconnected, forming a complete blueprint for a strong nation.
Later historians referred to this pavilion debate as the "Five Strategies of Yunmeng," regarding it as a crucial turning point in the Daqing Dynasty's shift from military prowess to civil administration, and from strength to prosperity.
After a long silence, Li Che let out a long breath: "What you said today, sir, is every word a gem, every sentence a remedy!"
"These are not five strategies, but rather five pillars supporting the heavens of my Great Qing! I... on behalf of all the people of the world, thank you, sir!"
This expression of gratitude was sincere and heartfelt, as weighty as Mount Tai.
After Li Che finished speaking, Xu Jiezi said slowly, "Your Majesty is too kind. These five strategies are merely the framework. The flesh and blood to be filled in still require Your Majesty and the officials of the court to carefully consider and plan them slowly."
"I will remember your teachings, sir!" Li Che's eyes shone brightly, and he immediately called out, "A-Qiang!"
Hu Qiang, who had been waiting not far from the pavilion, quickly stepped forward: "Your subordinate is here!"
"By imperial decree, half of the men shall remain here to keep watch, while the other half shall immediately assist the gentleman in organizing the books and items that need to be carried. They must be extremely careful and ensure that nothing is damaged."
"We will set off back to Beijing tomorrow!"
"The last general takes command!"
Upon receiving the order, the night watchmen at the foot of the mountain immediately sprang into action.
Meanwhile, Lin Qingyuan, who had been standing outside the pavilion, was puzzled by the emperor's respectful bow to his master.
Seeing that the emperor's guards were about to make their move, and that his master seemed to be leaving as well, he could no longer restrain himself.
Taking advantage of the moment when Xu Jiezi stepped out of the pavilion, he quickly stepped forward and blocked Xu Jiezi's path.
"Master! You...you're going to leave Yunmeng Mountain with His Majesty?!"
In his heart, his master, Xu Jiezi, was the pillar of Yunmeng Mountain, a transcendent hermit who had never left the mountain for an extended period of time in the past hundred years.
Now, are we really going to go down the mountain and get involved in that corrupt officialdom?
Xu Jiezi looked at his most prized disciple, whose face showed genuine astonishment and worry.
He couldn't help but raise his hand and gently pat Lin Qingyuan's shoulder.
“Qingyuan,” Xu Jiezi’s voice was gentle and calm, “I do indeed need to accompany His Majesty down the mountain.”
"Why?" Lin Qingyuan asked anxiously. "Master, you often taught us that the Yunmeng Mountain lineage values transcendence and emphasizes inheritance."
"The mountains are quiet and peaceful, perfect for studying the profound knowledge of your sect. The imperial court is rife with infighting and unpredictable people. Why bother getting involved in such a murky place?"
"Your Majesty is wise and virtuous. Although I am not talented, I will do my best to assist you. If anything happens to you, Master, please..."
“Foolish child.” Xu Jiezi interrupted him, a complicated smile on his face. “His Majesty did not force me to come; it was my own choice.”
He looked up, his gaze passing over Lin Qingyuan, and towards the clouds and mist flowing through the valley: "Qingyuan, do you know why the sages left behind this vast ocean of knowledge?"
Lin Qingyuan was taken aback, and subconsciously replied, "Naturally, it's so that the Yunmeng Mountain lineage can inherit wisdom and glimpse the ultimate principles of heaven and earth..."
"Yes and no." Xu Jiezi slowly shook his head, his double pupils flashing with an unprecedented light. "Inheriting wisdom is the process, while exploring the ultimate truth is the means."
"But the ultimate goal, as my master clearly stated in the letter, is to 'transform the wisdom of the other world into the blessings of this world.'"
He withdrew his gaze and stared into Lin Qingyuan's eyes: "I have been studying the classics of my master in these mountains for a hundred years. I often feel as if I am sitting on a treasure mountain, but I can only occasionally throw out a few pebbles outside the mountain to save a few people and get them out of trouble."
"The teachings of our late master are like the bright moon in the sky. Their light should have illuminated the earth and benefited all living beings, but because of our conservatism and cowardice, they have been locked in this secluded valley and covered in dust for a hundred years."
His tone gradually became more impassioned: "Now, Your Majesty is determined to reform, has the world at heart, and cares about all the people."
"What's even more remarkable is that His Majesty has a very deep connection with the late Master and can truly understand and value these kinds of knowledge."
"This is a perfect combination of favorable timing, location, and popular support!"
“My descent from the mountain is not to uphold the duty of a subject to Your Majesty, nor is it for my own personal gain.”
"I descended the mountain to cast these lights locked within its walls to the places in the world that need them most; to ensure that my late master's legacy is not just empty talk; and so that the millions of people in the world may be freed from famine, ignorance, and war, and live with greater dignity!"
"This is the best way to continue the legacy of Yunmeng Mountain!"
A mountain breeze blew, stirring Xu Jiezi's snow-white beard and robes.
He stood there, no longer just Guiguzi of Yunmeng Mountain, but also a preacher.
Li Che, watching from afar, took in all of this.
He said nothing, but stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the mountain peaks shrouded in mist.
The wind in Yunmeng Mountain seemed to carry a different feel than before, rushing towards the vast world outside the mountain.