I run a training class in Shu Han

Chapter 16 Reviving the Imperial Academy

Liu Shan's words, "They are all loyal ministers," defined the positions and actions of both sides and gave them a warning: you ministers should do your duty and not harbor any ulterior motives.

The power I give you today, I can take back tomorrow.

Therefore, it's time to put an end to the matter of increasing troops, establishing a prefecture, and setting up a new state.

Although Li Yan had been immersed in the court for many years, he still couldn't see clearly that Liu Shan in front of him was no longer the Liu Shan of yesterday.

"Your Majesty, I have devoted myself wholeheartedly to fulfilling the late Emperor's last wish: to restore the Han Dynasty. I will seize the time to train the navy, and within three years I will have trained an elite navy to seize Jingzhou and Xiangyang in one fell swoop."

Wow, you've got some nerve!

Is building a navy free?

Three more years, how much money will be needed?

Liu Shan inwardly rolled his eyes at Li Yan.

Back then, when Guan Yu trained his navy in Jiangxia, he used Liu Qi's resources to train an elite force in a short period of time.

Now the Han Dynasty only has one province left, and there are no natural barriers by water. Even if it trains a navy, it will be no match for Sun Quan.

Rather than throwing money and grain into the water and hearing the splash, it would be better to invest in infantry and cavalry, launch an expedition from Hanzhong, and march north to conquer the Central Plains.

Also, my training courses still need money.

"The fire at Xiaoting has blocked the eastward route of our Han Dynasty. Even if my father were alive, he could only station his troops at Yong'an to deter Eastern Wu from advancing westward with his remaining power."

"Li Duhu was deeply trusted by the Emperor. Before his death, the Emperor ordered Li Duhu to guard Yong'an because, apart from the Emperor, only you, Li Duhu, could make Eastern Wu feel fear."

While Liu Shan's words appeared to be a compliment to Li Yan, they actually meant that he had firmly pinned Li Yan down in Yong'an, preventing him from even thinking about establishing his own state.

"As for increasing troop numbers and strengthening defenses..."

Liu Shan changed the subject, passing the conversation to Zhuge Liang.

"Your Majesty, last night I discussed with the officials of the Prime Minister's Office and we believe that forming an alliance with Eastern Wu can alleviate the pressure on Yong'an and allow the people of Yizhou to recuperate."

"As for defense, I believe that Protector Li's city defense strategy is excellent. With the alliance with Eastern Wu secured, the border is stable, and Protector Li can mobilize the forces of Yong'an to strengthen the city's defenses. Of course, the court will also allocate funds to support this effort, so there is no need to worry."

Hmph, the amount of support the imperial court provides is entirely up to you, Zhuge Xiangfu. In the end, I still have to rely on myself.

Li Yan knew that although Zhuge Liang had agreed to allocate funds, the court's revenue for the next few years would be used to repair post-war losses, promote agriculture, close the borders to allow the people to rest, and recruit new troops. Where would there be any surplus money or grain to support the effort?

However, Liu Shan and Zhuge Liang worked together to thwart Li Yan's attempt to exploit the situation.

In this way, the Dongzhou faction's demands for increased troops, funds, and provisions, as well as the establishment of a state and government, were cleverly thwarted at today's court assembly.

Just as the court session was about to end, a civil official stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, your subject Yang Hong has a memorial to present."

The ministers were all taken aback and looked at each other in bewilderment.

They did not expect that today's morning court session would take such an unexpected turn.

"Granted, please speak, my dear minister."

"In my opinion, the world is in great chaos, with warlords fighting and carving up the land, and the people are suffering. Cao Pi has deposed the Han dynasty and established himself as emperor, disregarding the laws of Heaven. Now that Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, you should establish the Imperial Academy and appoint wise teachers to nurture the scholars of the world."

The establishment of the Imperial Academy dates back to the Western Zhou Dynasty, but the Mingtang and the Imperial Academy were mixed up and not distinguished. Various activities such as administration, sacrifice, and study were mixed together, and it lacked professionalism.

It wasn't until the reign of Emperor Wu of Han that the court adopted Dong Zhongshu's three strategies on the relationship between Heaven and Man, and established the Imperial Academy in the capital, Chang'an.

"Establish the Imperial Academy, appoint renowned teachers, and nurture scholars from all over the world" was the slogan put forward at that time.

At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Imperial Academy was attacked by eunuchs, and with the chaos of the world, scholars were scattered, and classics were destroyed and began to fall into disrepair.

Shu Han considered itself the legitimate successor of the Han dynasty, and establishing the Imperial Academy was an important cultural symbol to demonstrate its inheritance of the Han dynasty. Therefore, it was only natural for Yang Hong to propose it at this time.

However, at this time, Yizhou was weak after the war. In addition to restoring people's livelihood and strengthening the military, it also had to appease the southern regions and had no extra energy to establish the Imperial Academy.

"Ji Xiu, while establishing the Imperial Academy is beneficial to the country, the priority right now should be recuperation and development. Let's postpone this matter for now," Li Yan said casually.

My request for Your Majesty to send reinforcements to Yong'an was rejected, and you still want to establish the Imperial Academy? How is that possible?

The decline of the Imperial Academy was largely due to the constant warfare in the country. What the people needed were ministers who could govern the country well, rather than those who discussed Confucian scholarship and education.

Cao Cao once said that in times of chaos, only the talented are promoted. Therefore, in times of chaos, the Imperial Academy was merely a symbol to demonstrate the legitimacy of the regime and its civil administration.

"Governor Li, our Han Dynasty is currently suffering from a shortage of talent. Establishing the Imperial Academy is equally important as it can cultivate capable ministers and renowned scholars for the country."

Li Yan's lips curled up, and he let out a soft chuckle.

To cultivate capable ministers and renowned scholars?

They're just a bunch of bookworms who only know how to do academic research; what use are they in a chaotic world?

But he couldn't say it in public.

In the imperial court, there were many such famous scholars who held high positions, including the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers.

Although they hold nominal positions without real power, scholars are known for their sharp tongues, so it's best not to offend them if possible.

"It's not that I disagree, but the current chaos of war has led to a severe lack of renowned scholars and classic texts, which is misleading students. Moreover, many students in the Imperial Academy are there to avoid labor and military service, not to study sincerely, thus wasting food."

What Li Yan said is true.

During times of war, population is the most important resource.

Students of the Imperial Academy had the privilege of being exempt from taxes and corvée labor.

Many people enrolled in the Imperial Academy to avoid military service or forced labor, merely filling in the ranks without real talent.

Seeing that Li Yan disagreed, Liu Shan turned his attention to Zhuge Liang.

"Your Majesty, I believe that Prefect Yang's request is reasonable. However, it is also a fact that the country is currently weak. Therefore, I have a compromise proposal: the Imperial Academy should focus on the study of national affairs, aiming to cultivate urgently needed talents for governing the country, rather than those who can only talk big and play with words."

Zhuge Liang's words were very insightful.

He agreed to establish the Imperial Academy, but vehemently criticized those who only wrote poems in their youth, studied classics until their hair turned white, and talked eloquently but had no practical policies to benefit the country.

More importantly, the scholars who were criticized were not allowed to come out and refute them.

Anyone who jumps out proves themselves to be incompetent.

"The Prime Minister's insightful opinion is that Yang Hong's proposal to establish the Imperial Academy is precisely for the purpose of cultivating practical talents for the country."

Yang Hong held the memorial in both hands and bowed respectfully.

Huangmen Shilang Dong Yun respectfully took the memorial and, at Liu Shan's prompting, read it aloud.

"Marquis of Guannei, Prefect of Shu Commandery, and General of Loyalty and Integrity, Yang Hong, submitted a memorial stating: 'Your Majesty, born of sagacious virtue, governs all nations, yet has encountered unforeseen calamities. First, Dong Zhuo ravaged the capital region, then Cao Cao held the Emperor hostage to command the disobedient, and the empire lost its order. The pure and virtuous customs of the Han Dynasty were truly due to the rise of the Imperial Academy. Today, the empire is not yet stable, rites and music have collapsed, education has not been thorough, and scholars are still unfamiliar with the ways of the world. I dare to request the restoration of the Imperial Academy, to govern the fundamentals with talent, and to glorify Your Majesty's benevolence...'"

"The foundation of a nation lies in the hearts of its people. To win the hearts of the people, education is essential. Establish the Imperial Academy, gather capable ministers who have brought peace to the world and renowned generals who have fought in battles to teach, so that students can learn the art of governing the world and securing peace, and serve the court..."

"Entry into the Imperial Academy is not based on background; anyone who passes the interview can be admitted. After graduation, the Prime Minister's Office will administer a unified examination, employing only those with talent and strictly prohibiting favoritism and corruption..."

"The details are attached below. Your humble servant is filled with trepidation and respectfully submits this report."

At first, none of the officials noticed anything amiss, until the phrase "entry into the Imperial Academy is unrelated to one's background" was mentioned. Everyone's ears perked up instantly, eager to know what the matters discussed in Yang Hong's memorial were.

They had a vague feeling that this matter was definitely not simple.

This time, Yang Hong might just flip the table.