Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Imperial University of Peking

Ever since the construction of the University City began, Zhu Youxiao had been preparing for the recruitment of students. As this matter fell under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Rites, he summoned the members of the Grand Secretariat, along with Xu Guangqi, Minister of Revenue, and Sun Shenxing, Minister of Rites.

After the exchange of greetings and everyone was seated, Zhu Youxiao spoke: "I have an idea that I wish to discuss with you, my ministers, regarding the reform of the imperial examination system. I feel that our current system produces too few jinshi, which hinders the court's ability to govern the various regions of the empire effectively."

Upon hearing this, Sun Shenxing was displeased. He rose and said, "Your Majesty, the imperial examinations are held every three years, producing nearly three hundred jinshi each time. This is already a significant number. Things are valued for their scarcity; if too many jinshi are produced, people will come to regard the title as meaningless."

Zhu Youxiao smiled: "Does Minister Sun truly believe that a little over one hundred men per year can effectively govern the entire nation?"

Sun Shenxing replied, "I believe that one hundred men a year is quite sufficient to manage the country."

Zhu Youxiao ignored him and turned to Xu Guangqi: "Minister Xu, how many counties does our nation currently possess?"

Xu Guangqi stood up and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, our dynasty currently consists of two capitals and thirteen provincial administration commissions, comprising one hundred and forty prefectures, one hundred and ninety-three sub-prefectures, and one thousand one hundred and eighty-three counties."

"And what is the approximate number of official positions typically held by jinshi?"

Xu Guangqi answered, "According to the Ministry of Revenue’s records, there are approximately five thousand eight hundred and sixty such positions."

Zhu Youxiao turned back to Sun Shenxing: "Minister Sun, if we calculate that a single jinshi serves for thirty years, that only accounts for three thousand jinshi over three decades. Do you still think this is sufficient?"

Sun Shenxing countered, "The positions Your Majesty asked Minister Xu about are those generally held by jinshi, but in reality, many of these posts are filled by juren. Juren can serve as substitute officials, so there is no need to increase the quota for jinshi."

Zhu Youxiao said, "Juren serve based on their own initiative, registering with the Ministry of Personnel to await vacancies. Are juren necessarily inferior to jinshi in their service? I recall that Grand Guardian Hai was a juren."

Fang Congzhe stepped forward: "Your Majesty is quite right. Hai Gangfeng was indeed a juren by origin, eventually rising to the position of Right Vice Censor-in-Chief. Among the common people, he is revered as 'Hai the Blue Sky,' and he serves as a model for us all."

Hai Gangfeng was Hai Rui, a man of legendary integrity, and upon hearing this, the others echoed Fang Congzhe’s sentiment.

Sun Shenxing remained silent. Zhu Youxiao continued, "If juren can serve as officials, what of the minor clerks at the lower levels? Could they not be selected from the shengyuan?"

Sun Shenxing loudly objected, "Your Majesty, since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, we have held the jinshi in the highest esteem. It is acceptable for a few juren to serve as officials, but if shengyuan are to become clerks, where will their dignity remain? I beg Your Majesty to let the shengyuan follow the prescribed path of the imperial examinations."

In this era, jinshi were undoubtedly at the pinnacle of the hierarchy. While juren were better off than they had been in the Song Dynasty—holding the qualification to serve as officials despite a more limited career path compared to jinshi—they still harbored a natural sense of inferiority. It was not uncommon in the Ming Dynasty for a juren official to be unable to control his jinshi subordinates, though usually, the jinshi held the superior rank.

Zhu Youxiao asked Xu Guangqi again: "How many juren are there every three years? And how many of them go directly into office?"

Xu Guangqi replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, there are about a thousand juren, but most aspire to sit for the jinshi examination again. Fewer than one in ten goes directly into office."

Zhu Youxiao remarked, "You see, Minister Sun? With fewer than four hundred entering office every three years, the numbers are clearly insufficient. More importantly, I have received reports from the Eastern Depot stating that in various localities, it is often the minor clerks who inflict the most harm upon the people. There is a common saying: 'Even if an official is as clear as water, it is hard to escape the clerk who is as slippery as oil.' I wonder if you ministers have heard this?"

The ministers lowered their heads in silence. Zhu Youxiao continued, "I have decided to allow shengyuan to serve as clerks. After all, they have studied the teachings of the sages; surely, the instances of them harming the populace will be fewer."

Fang Congzhe interjected, "Your Majesty, shengyuan spend their time reading at home and have never dealt with the practical affairs of a county. How could they possibly be a match for those long-standing, cunning clerks?"

Ye Xianggao and Xu Guangqi also saw this as a problem. Zhu Youxiao said, "Naturally, I would not send them to serve as clerks immediately; they must undergo training first. I have built the Capital Academy at the Wanggong Factory to teach practical skills and cultivate talent."

Sun Shenxing asked, "Your Majesty intends for the shengyuan to learn practical skills, but what of the books of the sages?"

Zhu Youxiao was becoming annoyed. Everyone in the hall had risen through the ranks as jinshi and knew perfectly well that the imperial examination was merely a stepping stone. If shengyuan were to become clerks, they obviously needed to learn useful things. Did they expect to use the words of the sages to deal with slippery old clerks and troublesome, cunning people? Was this not a question with an obvious answer?

Zhu Youxiao said sternly, "I believe that one must engage with the world to achieve practical results. Are we to spend our time arguing over ethereal, useless matters? Learning practical knowledge to promote the welfare of the people under heaven—that is the true path."

Sun Shenxing urged anxiously, "Your Majesty, this does not accord with the Great Way of the Sages!" The other ministers wore complex expressions, carefully contemplating the Emperor’s words.

Zhu Youxiao retorted angrily, "What is the Great Way of the Sages? Confucianism was originally a philosophy of engagement with the world. When the sages founded Confucianism, it was to reform the collapse of ritual and music during the Spring and Autumn period. Will arguing here all day change anything? We must take action! Is this not the very meaning of 'engaging with the world to achieve practical results'?"

Sun Shenxing knelt down in haste: "Your Majesty, I spoke out of turn. I beg for Your Majesty’s punishment."

Zhu Youxiao said, "Rise. It is acceptable to debate differing opinions, but we must debate based on facts and practical matters, not by slapping labels on one another."

At this, Ye Xianggao stood up and said, "Your Majesty’s words on engaging with the world are like the ringing of a great bell; they will surely revitalize our Great Ming. Allow me to offer congratulations for the world, for our ancestors, for the people, and for Your Majesty!" With that, he bowed deeply.

The other high officials followed suit, bowing and chanting, "Allow us to offer congratulations for the world, for our ancestors, for the people, and for Your Majesty!"

Zhu Youxiao was unaware that while the concept of "engaging with the world to achieve practical results" would later be championed by Gu Yanwu—who was currently but a young boy—this perspective, which opposed the impractical and hollow studies of the Neo-Confucianists, would have a profound impact on later generations. Hearing it now from their teenage Emperor, the ministers were naturally stunned.

Zhu Youxiao smiled: "Everyone, rise. Let us now discuss how to transition the shengyuan into minor clerks. My proposal is to establish specialized schools where shengyuan may voluntarily enroll. After a period of study and passing an examination, those who qualify will be appointed to local clerical posts. Do you have any other views? Let us discuss them together."

Fang Congzhe asked, "Your Majesty, will the shengyuan study only in the capital? And will they bear the expenses themselves, or will the court provide a subsidy?"

Zhu Youxiao replied, "A school has been specifically established at the Wanggong Factory in the capital, which I call the University City. The current students are all studying there. As for expenses, the court will cover them for the first year—including travel, books, food, and lodging. However, if they fail to qualify after one year, they will bear all subsequent costs themselves."