LRAB Chapter 95 Wang Anshi
Chapter 95 Wang Anshi
Chapter 95 Wang Anshi
Mei Yaochen looked somewhat embarrassed upon hearing this, as that was indeed what he thought.
He had no political ambitions; his mind was entirely focused on his studies.
Even saints have selfish desires, and he certainly did too.
In life, all that matters is fame and fortune.
He doesn't care about profit; all he cares about is fame.
He wasn't sure if Wang You would achieve great things in the future, but what if he did?
"Shutong, please stop teasing Shengyu."
Hai Wenqing looked at Mei Yaochen and shook his head, saying, "It's not appropriate to go to the Imperial Academy now."
Although Mei Yaochen was employed at the Imperial Academy, he was still aware of the political situation in the court and quickly understood Hai Wenqing's meaning.
"Does Baekhyun know what the Emperor's attitude is?" Mei Yaochen asked.
"The Emperor has not summoned me to discuss this matter. To be honest, I don't know what the Emperor is thinking either," Hai Wenqing said, shaking his head slightly.
"My lords."
Sitting at the end, watching the man in his thirties with a somewhat wooden expression stand up, cup his hands and say, "To establish a heart for heaven and earth, to establish a destiny for the people, to continue the lost learning of the past sages, and to usher in an era of peace for all generations."
These mere twenty-two characters encapsulate what we, as students, strive for throughout our lives.
In my early years, I traveled with my father to various places while he was serving as an official, and I witnessed the suffering of the people. In recent years, while serving in local positions, what I have seen and heard has become even more severe.
The Song Dynasty has reached a point where change is imperative; if it does not seek change, it risks national demise.
"Jiefu, be careful what you say!"
Hai Wenqing frowned and said, "I invited everyone here today to observe the ceremony, not to discuss politics."
Not many people know the name Jie Fu, but if you mention his real name, many people will know it even today.
Because this person's name is Wang Anshi.
When Wang Anshi participated in the imperial examination, he was ranked first by the examiners, but because his examination essay contained the line "children and their friends," he displeased the officials and missed the chance to become the top scholar.
After passing the imperial examination, Wang Anshi was appointed as a judge in Huainan. After completing his term, due to his outstanding political achievements, he was given the opportunity to take the imperial examination in the capital and enter the Imperial Academy.
The Imperial Academy and the Hanlin Academy were somewhat similar; both were places for training and preparing future officials.
If one were to spend a few years in the Imperial Academy and then be sent to a local area, one's future would be limitless.
But Wang Anshi gave up this opportunity.
It was these two incidents that made him very famous.
Later, Wang Anshi resigned from his official post and returned to his hometown because his grandmother was getting old.
Last year, Ouyang Xiu recommended Wang Anshi to come to the capital to serve as an advisor, but Wang Anshi refused.
Ouyang Xiu then recommended Wang Anshi as the judge of the imperial pastures, citing Wang's need for a salary to support his family.
Not wanting to disappoint Hai Wenqing, Wang Anshi, who had only recently arrived in the capital, was invited by him to attend the ceremony.
Hai Wenqing actually admired Wang Anshi's talent, but Wang Anshi's performance at this time disappointed him.
Wang Anshi couldn't possibly be unaware of the current situation in the court, yet he still brought up such a sensitive topic as reform at this crucial moment.
Ouyang Xiu was also a supporter of the New Policies in his early years, and the fact that the group of friends became friends naturally shows that they all supported the reforms.
In normal times, if Wang Anshi had brought up the topic of reform, Wang Anshi would not have avoided the topic; on the contrary, he would have been very pleased.
The officials who supported the reform back then are either dead or old, and the reformists desperately need the addition of fresh blood like Wang Anshi.
However, Wang Anshi's inflexibility greatly diminished Hai Wenqing's impression of him.
"Alright, alright, judging by the time, Ziqian should be here soon."
Seeing that the atmosphere was getting a bit awkward, Ouyang Xiu quickly tried to smooth things over, saying to his student Zeng Gong, "Don't just stand there, go sit next to Jie Fu and keep him company."
In fact, Wang Anshi's ability to gain Ouyang Xiu's favor was thanks to Zeng Gong.
Although Zeng Gong is still young, he has been a big fan of Wang Anshi's writings for several years.
Then he recommended Wang Anshi's article to Ouyang Xiu.
It was because of his recommendation that Wang Anshi came to Ouyang Xiu's attention.
"Yes."
Zeng Gong came to Wang Anshi's side and pulled him to sit down.
"You know the current situation in the court; now is not the time for reform," Zeng Gong said in a low voice.
"I know."
Wang Anshi nodded and said, "I am not proposing reforms now, but rather preparing to formulate new laws in response to the long-standing problems in the court and based on what I have seen and heard over the years."
"You're going to draft new laws?" Zeng Gong exclaimed in surprise, "Have you considered the consequences of doing so?"
The reformists actually still had some influence in the court. Officials such as Ouyang Xiu and Hai Wenqing, as well as Fu Xiangong and other officials, all supported the reforms.
However, the reforms they supported were the new laws formulated by Fan Da Xiang Gong and Fu Xiang Gong back then.
But Wang Anshi's words just now were tantamount to rejecting the new law formulated by Fan Da Xiang Gong and others, and wanting to formulate a new set of laws.
This approach would not only alienate the conservative faction in the court, but even the reformists would not support it.
If a new law is really to be drafted, wouldn't that mean the Qingli New Policy failed because there was a problem with the new law?
Otherwise, why would the reformists abandon the new law of that year and draft a new one?
Since even the reformists believe that the original law was problematic, it will be even more difficult to reform and change the law.
After all, no one can be sure that the newly drafted law will be without problems.
In essence, the reform was a struggle of ideas.
Rather than both sides seeking a solution to the problem.
The struggle between ideas is more brutal than other struggles. There is no right or wrong, it is completely either/or.
Therefore, reformers cannot negate themselves, otherwise they have already lost.
"I understand."
Wang Anshi said, "But it is precisely because I understand this that I am doing this. The new laws formulated by Prime Minister Fan are very good, but since they have failed, it means they are not feasible."
Even if forced to push through another reform, it would most likely still fail.
If we want to succeed, we have to change our strategy.
Zeng Gong was unable to refute Wang Anshi's words for a moment, as Wang Anshi's argument also made a lot of sense.
If the new law was perfect, why did it fail in such a short time?
The fact that the resistance was too great was not the reason for the failure of the new law.
Before the reforms, the issue of resistance was itself a factor to be considered.
"You'd better not bring this up. I'll sound out the teacher's opinion later," Zeng Gong whispered.
"Thank you, Zigu!" Wang Anshi said gratefully.
He knew that he was now insignificant and needed some support in the court.
Otherwise, even if he enacts a new law, it will not be of much significance.
Just then, a servant came to report that the Wang family father and son had arrived.
Hai Wenqing immediately sent his son Haining to greet him.
A short while later, Haining led Wang Min and his son Wang You in.
The father and son personally carried the tuition fees and entered the hall. Wang Min led Wang You to bow and said, "Greetings, Scholar Hai. From now on, I will trouble you to teach my son. You may scold or beat him as you please."
"Hehe, then I'll accept him as my student."
Hai Wenqing smiled slightly and had someone accept the tuition fee.
"You'er, quickly kneel down and pay your respects," Wang Min said.
Upon hearing this, Wang You lifted up his trousers and knelt down.
"Teacher, please accept my three bows!"
After saying that, he kowtowed three times.
"Alright, the ceremony is complete. Get up now," Ouyang Xiu said with a smile.