Chapter 230: Education and Movable Type Printing
“The embassy? Did Liu Yun tell you he wants to come back?”
Jin Sui could only explain, “This child is practicing wildly over there without guidance and has become a bit obsessed. He needs to come back to be corrected, otherwise, your fine general will turn into a fool.”
Gu Changxiao looked at Jin Sui very seriously, thinking she was going to say something important, but instead, she blurted out, “That child Liu Yun isn’t smart to begin with!”
Jin Sui was extremely speechless, really wanting to say, “Like master, like soldier!” In a way, Liu Yun’s stubbornness was the same as Gu Changxiao’s.
“I’m afraid he’ll hate me later. Can you just transfer him back?”
Although Gu Changxiao didn’t know why Jin Sui was afraid of Liu Yun hating her, he still issued an edict as requested, sending a general from the Northwest to replace Liu Yun. Liu Yun then immediately rushed back to the border city.
The edict traveled slowly. Jin Sui calculated that by the time Liu Yun received it and rushed back, it would be next spring. How could she tell Liu Yun that there was no such thing as immortal arts, and the Qiankun Pouch couldn’t be cultivated through practice? It was truly worrying!
Thinking of another worrying person, she asked, “When will Hei Hu be back? Baozhu is about to give birth.”
Gu Changxiao was also unsure about this. “The last time I heard of Hei Hu’s whereabouts, he had already led his troops to Suiye City. Even if he turned back, it would be next summer. If he doesn’t turn back, it might be the year after next.”
Jin Sui thought about the map and gasped. If Hei Hu was truly determined to chase the Hu people to the end, he would have to chase them through the Thirty-Six Countries of the Western Regions and possibly even reach Tianzhu.
Hei Hu’s stubbornness couldn’t be blamed on Gu Changxiao. In fact, Hei Hu was a soldier she had trained. Alright, both of us and Gu Changxiao are equally bad at training soldiers, like Wolong and Fengchu.
Only Han Xing was the most reassuring.
As the days grew busy, it was the twelfth lunar month. On Laba Festival, Jin Sui led all the female students from the academy to the refugee camp to cook Laba porridge. All the common people received a portion of porridge per person.
Grandpa Ling, along with all the Taoist priests from the Taoist temple, set up sheds in the suburbs to boil medicinal tea and dispense medicine. Due to the excessive number of people queuing, the Black Feather Camp even came to maintain order.
Upon hearing this, Jin Sui also rushed to see. To her surprise, she found Yan Shiyi and a group of rich young masters among the queue. She was immediately furious. If it weren’t for the crowd, she would have wanted to go up and kick Yan Shiyi.
She called him out of the queue, “Why are you causing trouble here?”
Yan Shiyi was even angrier than her, “Why did you interrupt my queue? How am I causing trouble? I’m queuing up for medicine like everyone else, I didn’t cut in line!”
Jin Sui thought about it and agreed, but she still found it strange, “I mean, why are you queuing up for a bowl of medicinal tea? You can just ask my grandpa for some anytime.”
Yan Shiyi said proudly, “You, his own granddaughter, don’t know! Taoist Master Ling said that the medicinal tea on Laba Festival is very special. Drinking it today will make you immune to all illnesses.”
Jin Sui: …Grandpa, you’re trying too hard to promote the Taoist temple!
However, when she looked at the raw materials Grandpa was using, she found that they were indeed good medicinal materials, some of which were very expensive to sell. Grandpa was willing to use them for dispensing medicine.
He also brewed them according to the prescription, for treating lung heat, common cold, gastrointestinal issues, headaches, and fevers…
The imperial physicians from the Imperial Academy of Medicine secretly came to observe. The prescriptions were all invaluable remedies, and the medicinal materials were precious and high-quality. They also admired Taoist Master Ling’s generosity.
Jin Sui also discovered a prescription that contained penicillin. She hurried to her grandpa, “You’re giving this to the common people indiscriminately!”
Grandpa said angrily, “How is it indiscriminate? I’m giving it based on the illness. You don’t understand. Some people don’t believe in medicine but trust Taoist priests and monks. It’s better for them to take it from me than to seek out evil cults and demonic monks!
I’m not charging any money. I’m both treating illnesses and promoting the Taoist temple. What’s wrong with that?”
Jin Sui thought about it. After the capital relocation, people from all walks of life in Chang’an flocked to the border city. The imperial court had made great efforts to combat the deception of evil cults and demonic monks.
Rather than letting the common people seek out evil cult beliefs, it was better to give them the faith of righteous Taoist temples and Buddhist temples.
She felt she needed to discuss this issue properly with Gu Changxiao. Gu Changxiao didn’t quite agree with monks from Chang’an building temples in the border city, but the common people couldn’t grasp these issues. Instead of suppressing them entirely, it was better to relax some restrictions.
However, unlike in Chang’an, the industries and farmlands under the Taoist temples and Buddhist temples in our border city would still have to pay taxes.
Furthermore, if we don’t want the populace to become ignorant, we must increase educational efforts. While universal literacy is too difficult, at least half of the current generation of children should receive education, and the next generation should all be educated.
If the policy of “the people can be made to follow, but not to know” continues, then evil cults and demonic monks will never be eradicated.
Soon, Gu Changxiao arrived with several officials. Seeing how the common people revered Taoist Master Ling, Gu Changxiao was deeply moved, just like Jin Sui.
When Jin Sui mentioned the issue of universal education for ordinary people, some officials thought she was daydreaming. They believed that people should each fulfill their roles: farmers should farm, fishermen should fish, and salt workers should produce salt.
If everyone went to study, who would do these jobs? Moreover, studying takes many years. If the young and strong laborers stopped working to study for the imperial examinations, the entire world would be filled with scholars, and the empire would be ruined!
Jin Sui was speechless, “Who said studying must lead to participating in the imperial examinations? Studying is for understanding principles and broadening one’s intellect, not necessarily for becoming an official!”
The officials still thought she was too naive and then said, “Miss Ling wants all children in the world to start reading. But studying requires teachers, ink, paper, and inkstones. Where do we get so many teachers?
Where can ordinary people afford ink, paper, and inkstones? Where are there so many books?”
Jin Sui suddenly asked, “Where is this official from?”
The official proudly replied, “The Liu family of Yangzhou.”
Jin Sui said “oh” and ignored him. As expected, he was from a gentry family, which was why he looked down on her words and thought it was useless for commoners to study.
This was the arrogance ingrained in the gentry clans, believing scholars were superior and it was their privilege. Commoners were as insignificant as grass, and those from humble backgrounds were not worthy of books.
Seeing Jin Sui remain silent, he thought he had convinced her and became even more smug. However, he greatly admired Grandpa Ling’s actions, believing they were beneficial for educating the populace.
Only Gu Changxiao knew that he hadn’t convinced Jin Sui; instead, he had ignited her defiance.
Indeed, for the next few days, Gu Changxiao sent people to deliver messages to Jin Sui, but the replies were always that Miss Ling was in her study and not to be disturbed.
After waiting for three days, Jin Sui still hadn’t replied. Gu Changxiao couldn’t wait any longer and rode to the academy after the morning court.
Hearing Chen Yunniang say that Jin Sui had her meals delivered to the door for the past three days and hadn’t left her room, Gu Changxiao knocked on the door and called out, “Sui Sui, it’s me.”
Jin Sui excitedly opened the door, “It’s done!”
She saw that her hair bun was askew, her long hair tied with a ribbon, her hands and face smudged with ink, and her apron also had ink stains.
Gu Changxiao and Chen Yunniang looked into her room. There was nothing unusual. They couldn’t help but ask curiously, “What’s done?”
Jin Sui pulled Gu Changxiao and Chen Yunniang into the room and brought out a basket of things to show them.
“Watch me perform a magic trick. See, what is this?”
Gu Changxiao picked up a small, square piece from the basket. The material seemed to be fired clay, with the character ‘person’ carved on it.
He didn’t answer, watching Jin Sui pick out dozens of characters from these clay pieces, arrange them in a specially made box, cover them with white paper, brush them with ink, remove the paper, dry them, and hand them to the two.
“Man’s nature at birth is good; natures are close, habits drift apart…”
“What is this?”
Chen Yunniang saw the primer and smiled, “Our academy should also prepare a batch of primer books for when the students increase in the spring.”
Gu Changxiao, however, saw through Jin Sui’s intention at a glance. He was as excited as the first time he saw the fish fire, looking at the small character molds and printing tools like treasures.
“Sui Sui plans to print books?”
Jin Sui smiled and said, “Isn’t it much more convenient than your woodblock printing? Movable type printing, the character molds are used and discarded, and can be combined freely. You can print any book you want.
With this kind of printing, hehe, we will never lack primer books again!
Let the gentry keep their books and let them gather dust! Books will no longer be as expensive as gold, but affordable for ordinary people!
If I say I want all children in the world to start their education, then I will definitely achieve it! If there are not enough books, I will print them! If there are not enough teachers, I will train them! If there is not enough ink, paper, and inkstones, I will produce them!
Hmph, when more children from humble backgrounds rise up, let’s see how these gentry children can still be so arrogant!”
Gu Changxiao had the same doubt as that official, “But Sui Sui, if all children in the world are to study, what about other industries?”
Jin Sui chuckled, “You think so too? I’ve already said, let them study, but not necessarily participate in the imperial examinations to become officials?
My plan is this: the imperial court will establish public elementary schools in every town. Children who reach the age of seven must enter school for their initial education. The first three years will be compulsory education, meaning tuition is completely free.
However, after three years of initial education, they will enter middle school. Whether they choose to study or learn a skill will depend on the choice of the student and their parents. Currently, the imperial treasury is not abundant, and there are still several difficult battles to fight.
When the imperial treasury is abundant and financial resources are sufficient in the future, we will extend the three years of compulsory education to five years. Furthermore, our subjects will not be limited to just Confucianism, as in the gentry schools today.
We will teach Confucianism, mathematics, investigation of things, and political thought. His Majesty has also realized that compared to literary scholars, we are more in need of talented individuals in crafts, mathematics, and investigation of things. These need to be cultivated from a young age.”
Gu Changxiao pondered for a long time, “I understand Sui Sui’s intentions. Sui Sui is far-sighted, stronger than those officials, and even stronger than me!”
Jin Sui waved her hand, “Don’t flatter me like that. Don’t think I haven’t noticed that the officials also know the importance of education.
However, for their own benefit and the benefit of the gentry, they don’t want the common people to study!
After all, if common people study, they will benefit the imperial court, while if they study, their families will benefit, and the imperial court will be secondary.”
Gu Changxiao then said, “Movable type printing should not be made public for now. Let the military industry take charge and print books at the base. If the officials know about it, some of them will definitely try to stop it or secretly sabotage it.
And elementary schools cannot be promoted nationwide all at once. Let’s start with the border city and the Sixteen Prefectures of Yandi.”
Jin Sui suggested, “Has Your Majesty considered why many Licentiates and Provincial Graduates are unwilling to be teachers and insist on taking the Imperial Examination?”
“Because being a teacher does not bring them the honor and rewards they expect, or the imperial court should incorporate teachers into the civil service system.
The imperial court will initiate formal teacher assessments. After obtaining qualifications, they can teach in public schools and receive a salary and title from the imperial court.
Although not officials, they will still be civil servants of the imperial court. In this way, don’t you think many Licentiates and Provincial Graduates who have little hope of passing the Imperial Examination will be willing to become teachers?”
Gu Changxiao’s eyes lit up. This would solve the problem of insufficient teachers and provide another path for those Licentiates and Provincial Graduates who had been teaching for many years.
Sui Sui also has unique insights into governance! Gu Changxiao knew it wasn’t the time to praise his wife, so he immediately said:
“After we get married, I will hold a special examination. Besides this session of the Imperial Examination, I will also take the opportunity to propose a civil servant examination. Anyone with academic achievements can participate.
We cannot solely propose a teacher qualification exam, as this will alert the officials and lead to their opposition.
We can incorporate many professions into the civil service. After passing the exam, candidates can choose positions based on their qualifications. In this way, if any official opposes it, they will be cursed by scholars all over the world.”
Now it was Jin Sui’s turn to praise Gu Changxiao, “Your Majesty thinks more comprehensively than I do!
In this way, by the time they realize our true intentions, it will be too late. If they want to oppose the establishment of public schools and universal education, they will be making enemies of the entire world.”
Gu Changxiao was now worried, “However, this will mean the imperial court will have to support more civil servants.”
Jin Sui quickly said, “Your Majesty, rest assured. Once the sea merchants are opened up and the imperial treasury is abundant, the imperial court will not lack money to support civil servants.”
“However, we must define the positions of civil servants from the source, so that there are no idle positions or redundant staff, and no useless people are nurtured.
Besides universal education, we can recruit civil servants for the policy of poverty alleviation for all, and assign them to poor and backward regions to help the local areas become prosperous.”
Chen Yunniang had already quietly withdrawn, bringing them tea and dim sum. The charcoal stove was burning brightly. The topic of conversation between His Majesty and the Empress was clearly not something she could listen to.
Jin Sui then made another suggestion, “I think Your Majesty can issue two decrees when holding the special examination next spring: one is land measurement. I have seen records that our dynasty last measured land at the time of its founding, and it hasn’t been measured for many years.
The other is a national census. This population includes not only registered citizens but also refugees and slaves. If any gentry family is found to be harboring slaves, they will be severely punished.”
Gu Changxiao agreed. He thought it was ridiculous that an emperor didn’t know the exact amount of land and population in his country!
Especially during the time of the Former Emperor, the gentry greatly expanded, encroaching on forests and farmland, and secretly harboring tenant farmers and slaves. Although he cracked down on the expansion of gentry clans and implemented land reform after ascending the throne,
it was difficult to ensure proper execution in remote prefecture cities. He immediately decided to establish an Imperial Commissioner team to conduct land measurement and population census in various prefectures and counties, strictly enforcing them.
Next year is destined to be a year of extreme internal competition among the imperial court officials. The idleness of Chang’an will be a thing of the past. The Emperor and Empress will show them their limits. The Great Xia is in a state of renewal, with so many tasks to attend to, the imperial court will not support any idle person!
After Laba Festival, the New Year is approaching. Now, not only the Ministry of Rites but also Grandpa Ling have warned the two not to meet again before marriage, as it is too inauspicious.
