lcionline Chapter 350: Establishing Imperial College and Developing Education
Chapter 350: Establishing Imperial College and Developing Education
"Your Majesty, a strong nation is built on strong youth. We must attach importance to education. Having more outstanding talents is the foundation of a strong nation. Otherwise, no matter how strong the military is, it will be weak inside, like a rootless duckweed. Only a strong nation can be truly strong.
We cultivate all kinds of talents who help us govern the country and create better things, so that our Dayan can prosper.
In the past, schools in various places were all private schools and family schools. Each civil and military family cherished their own skills and no one was willing to teach their strengths and abilities to others.
Once a family is destroyed, it means the destruction of a technology or discipline.
We gather together outstanding talents, train them free of charge by the imperial court, teach everyone without discrimination and teach students in accordance with their aptitude. Only in this way can we inherit and develop.
Whether it's literature or politics, military affairs or physics, we must invite the most professional people to teach and train."
Yan Fuyao pondered for a moment, nodded and said,
"You are right. Talent is the foundation of a strong country. I agree."
"But what are you talking about physics and mathematics?"
“Mathematics is just counting rods, but it is more than that. Mathematics is a profound and mysterious subject.
As for physics, look at this."
Shen Changgong handed the telescope to Yan Fuyao.
"what is this?"
"We can't see it from here, let's go up and see it from a higher place."
Shen Changgong smiled and pulled Yan Fuyao and walked outside.
"You all come here too."
he said to the others.
Everyone walked out of the imperial study and came to a three-story pavilion in the palace, from where they could see outside the palace.
The empress brought the telescope to her eyes and looked at the scene in the distance, feeling as if it was very close.
"It's amazing! I can even see clearly what the people outside the palace look like. What is this thing called?"
"telescope."
"Telescope, yes, it's a really useful tool for detecting the enemy. We must not let it fall into the hands of the enemy."
After Yan Fuyao finished reading it, Shen Changgong let Gongsun Wan'er and Tang Xinyi read it in turn. After they had fully enjoyed the novelty, they finally gave it to Wen Lu.
Wen Lu took it with great trepidation, tried to look around, and then praised it endlessly.
Shen Changgong said,
"This is based on the principles of physics. As long as you know how light is refracted through a concave mirror, you can all create this thing."
"Can we build it too?"
Tang Xinyi said in surprise.
"Yes, these are not magical artifacts, they are all made by humans. As long as we understand the principles, we can develop more good things.
Including our divine thunder, artillery, firearms, and so on, all are created using the knowledge of physics. Now, do you understand how important this subject is?"
"It's indeed important, but are you sure you want to give such an important thing to everyone without distinction?"
Yan Fuyao asked with some concern.
"Talent is the foundation. The manufacture of gunpowder and artillery can't be taught casually, but other physics knowledge can be taught."
"Well, then this subject is really important."
Everyone walked downstairs, and Shen Changgong called Wen Lu to his side.
"Wenlu, I see that you don't have any official position right now, so why don't I let you manage this Imperial College?
I, the king, will personally serve as the supreme leader of this Imperial College and will strictly supervise the education, food and accommodation, teaching staff, the quality and ability of the college, etc. I must put an end to corruption, abuse of power, and unqualified people.
As for you, I see that you also come from a poor family. I also know that it is not easy for poor people to study, so I attach great importance to education. You should become the dean of the Imperial College."
Wen Lu blinked and asked,
"Your Majesty, I am the dean, what about you?"
"Ah, I'm the principal."
Shen Changgong said,
“The principal is the eldest, the dean is the second, but I have to fight on the battlefield and definitely don’t have time to manage it, so I’ll leave it to you.
You are responsible for the liberal arts, including literature, governance, law, agriculture, etc. The scholars you train in the future who become officials will all be your disciples.
This prince is responsible for science, mathematics, physics, military affairs, etc., and cultivating talents in all aspects.
I will also send my free generals to teach, and the military talents I train will be able to serve as officers in the army. I will be their principal, and they will all be my students."
Having said that, Shen Changgong was stunned for a moment, and suddenly felt that it was a bit unlucky.
Wen Lu was deeply moved and said,
"I bow to you, Your Highness. As a humble scholar, I thank you for your generosity."
Wen Lu bowed deeply, tears welling up in his eyes.
Shen Changgong said,
“Although you, as the dean, are not an official position in the imperial court and have no real power, and can only manage the academy, you do have an imperial salary and a rank.
Moreover, the scholars you teach in the future will all be your students, and your influence among the civil servants will be very great.
This is the most noble person in the world, you must avoid forming cliques or factions for personal gain."
Shen Changgong also knew that it was not good for civil officials to have too much power, but this was an inevitable trend of historical development.
Progress must be made step by step. If you take too big a step, you may end up hurting yourself.
"Your Majesty, I will follow your instructions. I will also be your student in the future and am willing to study science with you."
"Well, it's okay to learn in your spare time. It's always good to have many skills.
If you have nothing else to do, go down and choose a location first. It has to be in the inner city because it will house a lot of people, so the area can’t be small. If you see a suitable place, tell me and I will arrange it for you.”
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will take my leave."
Wen Lu left with great joy. After leaving the palace, he immediately took a carriage and traveled around the city, looking for a suitable place to build an academy.
Shen Changgong and Yan Fuyao walked back to the imperial study hand in hand.
Tang Xinyi followed quietly and was pulled over by Shen Changgong, who held her with his other hand.
Gongsun Wan'er was very lively. She held the telescope and looked left and right, finding it very fun.
Shen Changgong did not do anything else that would lead to sexual pleasure in broad daylight. He just asked Tu Queling to accompany him and sit in an ordinary study in the imperial palace. He ground paper and began to write teaching materials.
He couldn't remember anything too advanced, but he still remembered elementary school math and junior high school physics.
He only writes things that are useful.
Anyway, there was nothing to do now, and he even wanted to write down Sun Tzu's Art of War from memory, but when he thought about it carefully, he seemed unable to recite it.
No normal modern person would memorize Sun Tzu's Art of War. At most, they would just know some of the knowledge in it.
Someone who could travel back in time and memorize 300 Tang poems, lyrics, and songs, and be proficient in them, and could recite Sun Tzu's Art of War by heart, and could recite The Goddess of Luo River and The Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng at will, must be a genius.
It must not be a human!
Shen Changgong began to work behind closed doors. Wen Lu searched for an address for two days and finally found a royal garden with rockery and lakes. It had beautiful scenery, a large area, many buildings, and a large open space for expansion.
He tried to find Shen Changgong, thinking that Shen Changgong would not agree, after all, it was a royal garden. Unexpectedly, Shen Changgong approved it directly.