The Prosperous Era of Longwan

Although Xinxue officials have emerged very strongly in recent years, most officials in the DPRK still believe in Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism and regard themselves as disciples of Neo-Confucianism.

Therefore, it stands to reason that the Neo-Confucian school should dominate the court of the Ming Dynasty and form an overwhelming advantage over the theory of mind.

It's just that the reality is very skinny. Not to mention other things, there are currently three ministers in the cabinet, two of whom seem to have deep spiritual imprints.

Zhang Juzheng, the chief assistant, as Xu Jie's disciple, should he consider the teacher's attitude?

In the fifth year of Longqing, when Xue Xuan became a priest, Xu Jie expressed his attitude and supported Wang Yangming to also join the sacrifice.

Therefore, in the opinion of the ministers in the DPRK, it should not be difficult for this matter to pass Zhang Juzheng's level.

And what about Wei Guangde, the second assistant?

Wei Guangde was from Jiujiang, Jiangxi, and Jiujiang is right next to Lushan Mountain. Wei Guangde also claimed that he went to Bailu Academy to study in his early years.

He didn't say what he learned, but everyone would also be thinking about it.

White Deer Academy is not a place that talks too much about academic principles, but more about mental studies.

The two ministers who have the most say in the cabinet may both be biased towards Xinxue, which naturally makes the Neo-Confucianists a bit wary of them, fearing that they will offend them and affect their own future.

Therefore, although there were a lot of discussions in the outer court, no one brought the matter to the table.

Wei Guangde didn't know what Zhang Juzheng was thinking at this time. He knew about the controversy outside about worshiping, but he thought it had nothing to do with him, so he naturally wouldn't interfere.

Relatively speaking, Wei Guangde is more practical. Whether it is Neo-Confucianism or psychology, he will use it if it is beneficial to him, so he will not regard himself as anyone's disciple.

If we really want to count him as a disciple, he is actually a disciple of Neo-Confucianism and definitely not a disciple of Xinxue.

Zhang Juzheng is actually the same type of person as him, including Xu Jie.

Although Xu Jie often considers himself a disciple of Xin Xue, he rarely says so in public. He is also a practical egoist. If it is beneficial to him, he will say that he also believes in Xin Xue, but he would never say this in ordinary times.

At the very least, Zhang Juzheng, the current chief assistant, understands this, because although Xu Jie prefers Xin Xue, he never taught him about Xin Xue.

When the discussion was almost over, Lu Tiaoyang stood up and said goodbye, smiling: "It's almost time. Today, I will take the first step."

After saying that, Lu Tiaoyang said goodbye to them.

Wei Guangde stood up, returned the courtesy immediately, and then planned to say goodbye to Zhang Juzheng, but Zhang Juzheng, who was smiling, shook his head gently at him.

Although he didn't know why, Wei Guangde still sensed Zhang Juzheng's intention to ask him to stay again, so he did not say goodbye, but watched Lu Tiaoyang walk out of the duty room, and then sat back down.

"Shandai, do you know about the controversy outside regarding worship?"

There was no one else in the room, Zhang Juzheng said bluntly.

"Know a thing or two."

Wei Guangde nodded slightly and replied.

"It's said outside that you and I are both disciples of mind science, and we should support Mr. Yangming's worship."

Zhang Juzheng said calmly.

After Wei Guangde heard this, a faint smile appeared on his lips. He was indeed noncommittal and just lowered his head.

Later generations spoke highly of Wang Yangming, and he knew it.

However, in this era, holding high the banner of Xinxue involves taking huge risks.

In the world, there are the most scholars who believe in Neo-Confucianism. If you hold high the banner of Xinxue, you will probably become the target of public criticism.

Even if the current high-level officials of the Ming Dynasty may be somewhat partial to Xin Xue, it does not mean that they will publicly stand up for Xin Xue.

This is why Xu Jie often said that he was a disciple of Xin Xue in private, but he never said so in public.

What everyone heard was nothing more than market rumors, and it would not be wrong to say that it was just rumors.

Wei Guangde knew clearly that of course he was not a disciple of mind science. To be honest, he used to be a materialist warrior, but after time travel, his belief was not firm anymore.

Moreover, with the progress of reform, the Chinese people have become more or less philistine, so it is actually difficult for Wei Guangde to say what the situation is now.

"I wonder what Shandai thinks about this?"

Seeing that Wei Guangde didn't speak, Zhang Juzheng simply asked directly.

"Did the cabinet discuss this matter during the fifth year of Longqing's reign?"

Wei Guangde was silent for a moment before asking.

In the fifth year of Longqing's reign, the imperial court not only sent Xue Xuan to the Confucius Temple, but also reversed Wang Yangming's verdict. Emperor Longqing restored the title and hereditary status of Xin Xin Count, posthumously awarded Xin Xin Marquis, and gave him a posthumous title of Marquis of Xin Xin. Wang Yangming decided to give him the posthumous title of "Wencheng".

At this time, Wang Yangming had been dead for decades.

In other words, during the Jiajing Dynasty, Wang Yangming was condemned after his death and the hereditary inheritance of the new earldom was terminated, so he did not receive the treatment he deserved.

What Wei Guangde asked was of course what the court said back then. He was not in the court at that time, but still in his hometown of Dingyou.

"The main thing that happened at the beginning was that Xue Xuan was sent to the Confucius Temple to worship, and only later did someone mention the issue of Wang Yangming.

You may also be able to guess that Gao Suqing fully supported Xue Xuan’s consecration, but for Wang Yangming”

Speaking of this, Zhang Juzheng paused for a moment before continuing: "His attitude was unclear at first. Later, when word spread between the government and the public, everyone also talked about it, and finally some officials who had become official officials also came forward.

In the end, Wang Yangming only reversed the verdict and did not send them to the Confucius Temple to worship. "

"Because of Mr. Xu Ge?"

Wei Guangde asked tentatively.

Zhang Juzheng lowered his head noncommittally. Apparently Wei Guangde guessed the truth of the matter.

Because Xu Jie Shangshu requested that Wang Yangming be sent to the Confucius Temple to worship, he obviously touched Gao Gong's inverse scale, and then Wang Yangming was sacrificed.

However, Wei Guangde also guessed that it was probably for compensation, so he posthumously awarded his title from Xinjian Bo to Xinjian Marquis.

Well, giving posthumous gifts to the dead seems to be just that.

Although later generations put Wang Yangming on the altar, in fact, when he was alive, his fate was also rough.

The controversy about Wang Yangming was heated even when he was still alive.

After all, the influence of the psychology he founded was so great that in a short period of time it developed into a school that could compete with Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism, which made the old scholars of Neo-Confucianism very dissatisfied and regarded it as a scourge.

When he had just passed away, Gui E, a close minister of the emperor, reported to Emperor Jiajing, enumerating Wang Yangming's "crimes" and directly convicting Wang Shouren of leaving his post without permission.

In fact, Wang Shouren did leave Guangdong without waiting for the emperor's order. At that time, he was the censor of Zuodu, the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi and the governor of Guangxi to quell the rebellion in Guangxi.

After the rebellion was over, Wang Shouren's lung disease worsened, so he begged the imperial court to return to his hometown. He recommended Lin Fu, the governor of Xunyang, to replace him, and returned without waiting for the imperial court's approval.

In November of the seventh year of Jiajing's reign, he died of illness in a boat at Qinglong Port in Dayu County, Nan'an Prefecture, Jiangxi Province. He died on the journey before he could get back to his hometown.

Gui E's impeachment was somewhat inhumane.

However, it was the time of the Dali debate, so the Xinxue disciples could only join forces with the Neo-Confucian disciples to attack him, impeach him, and finally remove him from office.

Another major crime in Gui E's impeachment memorial is that he deviated from Zhu Xi's theory of studying things to achieve knowledge and did his own thing.

Gui E regarded Yangming's Xinxue as a "heretical theory" and proposed that Xinxue be banned in order to rectify people's hearts.

The emperor despised the existence of such people. This struck a chord with Emperor Jiajing. After a brief court discussion, he immediately issued an order that Wang Yangming's descendants were not allowed to continue to inherit the position of earl. At the same time, there was no such thing as the death of an old minister. The posthumous title.

Although Wang Yangming was not directly said to be guilty, the fact that Wang Yangming did not award a reward after quelling the rebellion already speaks for itself.

There is no credit, and there is still punishment.

In fact, the young and frivolous Emperor Jiajing didn't know Wang Yangming well. He only knew about Wang Yangming through those around him.

However, at this time, none of the people around him, including those in the Dali Council, seemed to be speaking out for Wang Yangming. They might even have made slanderous remarks in private because they were worried about the emperor's recall.

The previous Yang Tinghe was hostile to Xinxue, so he blocked Emperor Jiajing from recalling Wang Yangming.

And his successor may have similar thoughts or concerns.

After all, it would be mediocre not to be envied by others.

Among the successor chief ministers of the cabinet was Yang Yiqing. He should have had a good relationship with the Wang family and should speak for him.

However, at this time, Wang Yangming remained neutral in the Dali debate and did not choose to take a stand. As a result, both factions were offended.

The worst thing should be Emperor Jiajing. Because of his neutral attitude, he was considered to be biased towards the opposition, so it was entirely possible to bear him a grudge.

This is why after Wang Yangming put down the rebellion, the court not only did not release him, but instead convicted him in a court meeting.

It can be seen that maintaining neutrality seems safe, but most of the time it offends everyone, which is really not advisable.

"What do you mean, uncle?"

When Wei Guangde saw Zhang Juzheng bowing his head, he had no choice but to ask.

"Haha, Shandai should understand the study of the mind. I wonder what his attitude is towards the study of the mind?"

Zhang Juzheng raised his head and asked with a wry smile.

Neither of them was willing to take a stand first, and both were testing each other.

In fact, Wei Guangde had nothing to worry about in this value room, but he was really curious about what Zhang Juzheng was thinking.

"I have read a lot of articles on Xinxue, and they are very inspiring for people to do things in life."

Wei Guangde said calmly.

"That's it?"

Zhang Juzheng felt a little unconvinced and continued to ask.

"Uncle, do you think that because I went to Bailudong Academy in my early years, I should be a member of the Xinxue sect? Haha, my teacher is a serious Neo-Confucian sect, how could I betray the sect?"

Wei Guangde shook his head slightly and smiled, "But in my heart, there is actually no barrier between Neo-Confucianism and Psychology. I only want to be honest in my actions.

For matters that should be handled by Neo-Confucianism, Neo-Confucianism is naturally the first choice. As for matters that are inconvenient to handle with Neo-Confucianism, you can study it with your heart.

Hehe, Shandai doesn’t think it’s necessary to distinguish between what you learn and what you learn, as long as it’s easy to use. "

"Haha. A good loan is a matter of impartiality, and a gentleman does it right."

Zhang Juzheng laughed out loud when he heard Wei Guangde's words and said.

"The Doctrine of the Mean, haha, who knows what the Doctrine of the Doctrine meant by the Doctrine of the Mean? It's just everyone's own judgment.

Shandai is more inclined to the meaning of mediocre use, which means to remember the neutrality and use. "

Wei Guangde smiled and answered.

Now that Wei Guangde has shown that he is not a disciple of Xinxue, it is Zhang Juzheng's turn.

"Hey, Shandai, sometimes you and I have similar thoughts. In fact, my teacher thinks the same way.

Both psychology and Neo-Confucianism have their own strengths and weaknesses, and the right way is to learn from each other's strengths. There is no need to dwell on the differences between the two. "

Zhang Juzheng sighed.

"That's what uncle and eldest brother mean"

Wei Guangde thought he had guessed Zhang Juzheng's attitude. It was Gao Gong who opposed sending Wang Yangming to the Confucius Temple. So Zhang Juzheng should oppose Gao Gong's decision and support sending Wang Yangming to the Confucius Temple.

However, Wei Guangde heard Zhang Juzheng's explanation, which made him sigh secretly. Zhang Juzheng was still very shrewd.

"I plan to release the news secretly and oppose this matter."

Zhang Juzheng directly told Wei Guangde his thoughts. He did not support sending Wang Yangming to the Confucius Temple.

Wei Guangde just narrowed his eyes slightly when he heard it, but still stared at Zhang Juzheng.

The reason why Zhang Juzheng did this was really strange.

After looking at Wei Guangde, Zhang Juzheng explained: "The reason for my opposition is that in order to promote this school, people who study the mind like to give lectures everywhere too much, and they also recruit disciples and call on disciples to advocate peace with each other.

If it continues like this, the momentum will be very large, but it will be disadvantageous to the court."

Wei Guangde did not respond. Of course, he knew what was going on.

Zhang Juzheng said that the followers of the School of Mind spread the School of Mind everywhere, which was already polite. In their lectures, they praised the School of Mind and belittled the School of Principle, and inevitably praised and criticized the current politics.

At the beginning of the transition from Longwan to Wanli, these lecturers attacked the court, believing that Zhang Juzheng joined forces with the inner court to force Gao Gong away, and that it was a palace coup without gunpowder.

It was strange that Zhang Juzheng could have a good face for the followers of the School of Mind.

And now, when he, Zhang Juzheng, was in power, those people, in order to package themselves, inevitably belittled him again in addition to giving lectures.

It would be fine if they had something to say, but from what Zhang Juzheng learned, most of them were empty words, and they didn't understand the situation at all, but just blamed his "faults", which made Zhang Juzheng very uncomfortable.

Now they also want to raise their status by letting Wang Yangming enter the Confucius Temple. How could Zhang Juzheng agree?

In fact, the Ming government has always opposed scholars to form associations and speak out. There were strict regulations in the early Ming Dynasty, but they were relaxed later, but the rules did not change.

Generally speaking, when the political situation is clear, the public opinion of students is relatively quiet and the mood is relatively mild;

When powerful officials are in power, villains are rampant, people are superficial, the political situation is turbulent, and the world is in chaos, the public opinion of students will suddenly rise and be extremely active.

Even if the court strictly prohibits it, students still break the school rules, stand up, discuss the current situation, and make generous arguments. This is particularly prominent in the late Ming Dynasty.

When scholars form associations and organizations, they become the literati that political power cannot control.

They organize activities to pay attention to the court's movements, and even vent political dissatisfaction, becoming the backbone of opposing the court's decisions.

In view of the fact that the literati in the late Ming Dynasty were too arrogant, the Qing court rulers learned lessons and strictly prohibited the association of scholars and officials, free lectures, and private academies.

After listening to Zhang Juzheng's reasons for opposition, Wei Guangde only thought for a moment and came to the same attitude as him.

Perhaps, if Wang Yangming had not been sent to Confucius Temple to be worshipped in the middle of Wanli period, folk associations would not have been so unscrupulous, and even the Donglin Party might not have been formed.

You know, the Donglin Party actually took the academy as its root, and used lectures to attract the attention of scholars and gain support.