Do you know: I, a commoner prime minister

Chapter 19 Test Passed

"When the Great Way prevails, the world belongs to all!"

Hai Simian retorted, "Scholars should cultivate themselves, manage their families, govern the state, and bring peace to the world. How can they only care about personal gain? If the imperial court intends to abolish hereditary titles, my Hai family will be the first to support it!"

"I believe what Ziqin said, but ultimately there are more selfish people in the world."

Zhou An said, "That's why the words of the sages have been passed down through the ages. If everyone could be selfless and devoted to the public good, wouldn't the words of the sages seem superfluous?"

"And what about Wilder?"

Although Hai Simian was somewhat naive, he also had his own ability to discern and knew that what Zhou An said was true.

But he didn't want to discuss these things with Zhou An; he wanted to know Zhou An's attitude towards the reform.

Instead of answering, Zhou An asked, "Ziqin, the other day I heard Hai Xuezheng speak, and many scholars are now discussing the Emperor's intention to carry out reforms again. I wonder if there are more people supporting or opposing the reforms?"

"Naturally, there are more people who support the reform!" Hai Simian replied without hesitation.

Zhou An pursed his lips and continued, "But I've heard that when Grand Chancellor Fan was ordered by the Emperor to preside over the new policies, he had many supporters among the people, but the majority of those in the court opposed him. Ziqin, have you considered why?"

Hai Siqian replied, "Naturally, it's because it affects their interests!"

Zhou An nodded and said, "That's true. But if the officials in the court who oppose it were decades younger and still studying at the academy, they would support the reform just the same!"

"Because it doesn't affect their interests, they naturally support it."

Hai Simian said impatiently, "What exactly are you trying to say?"

"Not only that, but more importantly, this falls under the category of political correctness!"

Zhou An said, "To be more precise, reform is a solution that most people agree on and that can solve long-standing problems, provided there are no vested interests involved!"

Many of the problems plaguing the imperial court have existed since the beginning of the dynasty. To solve them, the ancestral rules must be changed, and reforms are necessary.

Even ordinary people who have never been to school can understand this principle.

Scholars couldn't possibly be unaware of this, so they had to support the reforms.

But they only talk the talk; they don't take any real action, so it doesn't have any impact!

When Fan Daxiang presided over the new laws, most scholars in the country supported them, but this did not change the fact that the new laws were suspended after only two years of implementation.

Empty talk harms the country, while hard work builds it. Only those in positions of power are qualified to govern; this is my belief!

After pondering for a long time, Hai Simei said solemnly, "Huai De's words are thought-provoking, and I have learned a great deal!"

As he spoke, he cupped his hands and bowed to Zhou An.

Thinking it over carefully, no matter how much he shouted his support for the reform, his words wouldn't reach the court, and he wouldn't change anything.

This is no different from those who shout about reforming the country but do nothing.

Only those who stand in the imperial court and can voice their opinions before the emperor and his officials will be qualified to participate in the reforms.

"Ziqin, you flatter me!"

Zhou An quickly supported Hai Siqin's arm and smiled, "These are just some of my shallow opinions!"

"This is not a superficial view."

Hai Simian shook his head and said, "Now I understand what Grandfather meant that day!"

"I wonder what Hai Xuezheng said?" Zhou An asked curiously.

Hai Simian recounted to Zhou An what his grandfather had said after Zhou An left that day.

"At the time, I was somewhat dismissive and even belittled Huay De."

Hai Simian blushed and said, "Only now do I understand that my grandfather was saying I wasn't composed enough."

"Ha ha!"

Zhou An laughed and said, "Ziqin, there's no need to take it to heart. It's normal to have prejudices when we first meet and don't know each other well!"

Seeing that Zhou An really didn't care at all, Hai Simian felt even more embarrassed.

Seeing this, Zhou An changed the subject and started chatting with Hai Simian.

Because of their previous conversation, the two had become much closer and chatted less with less restraint.

Through casual conversation, Zhou An learned that Hai Xiuyuan had an older brother, but he had passed away almost ten years ago.

Currently, the head of the Hai family is the eldest son of the main branch, who is now serving as a scholar in the Hanlin Academy.

Besides, many members of the Hai family served as officials in the imperial court, though most of them held low-ranking positions.

This is normal. Although the Hai family is a family of upright officials, the imperial court would not allow many members of the Hai family to hold important positions.

If that were the case, wouldn't we be no different from the powerful clans of the past?

……

The following afternoon, Haisi Mian came to find Zhou An after school.

"Congratulations, Huaide!"

Haisi smiled and said, "Starting tomorrow, we'll be classmates!"

Seeing Hai Simian's smiling face, Zhou An had already guessed what was going on, and wasn't too surprised by his question. Instead, he asked, "Can I go to class tomorrow?"

"That's right, I'll pick you up tomorrow morning."

Hai Simian said, "However, Jinling Academy does not allow students to bring pageboys; you have to rely on yourself for everything."

There are quite a few students at the academy, and if no one brings along a page, the number of students will be too large.

"I am able to study at the academy thanks to Master Hai. I had intended to visit him to express my gratitude, but it seems I will have to wait until my day off!" Zhou An said apologetically.

"Haha, Grandfather said you should just focus on your studies and don't worry about anything else!"

Haisi said gently, "It's still early, I'll go with you to buy books, and then we'll go to Wangjiang Tower to celebrate!"

"Okay!" Zhou An said with a smile.

The two went out and found a bookstore to buy common books such as the Four Books and Five Classics.

These are the books we usually study in class. Jinling Academy also has a library with many books that cannot be bought in the study, and even some rare and unique classics.

Hai Simian said that the Hai family also has a large collection of books, and Zhou An can borrow them if needed.

Zhou An almost forgot about this. The Hai family had five members who had served in the Hanlin Academy, which was also responsible for managing the imperial library. It was probably no family in the world with a larger collection of books than the Hai family.

After buying the books, the two went to Wangjiang Tower. This time, they didn't rush to leave after the meal.

Hai Simian led Zhou An to the viewing platform.

"Look, Huaide!" Haisi said, turning around and pointing to the wall.

Upon hearing this, Zhou An turned around and saw that many poems were engraved on the wall.

"If you can compose a poem while enjoying the view, the restaurant will copy it down for your guests. If you can get praise from all the guests who visit Wangjiang Tower in the following month, it can be engraved on this wall!"

Hai Simian said, "It's been almost thirty years since the last time someone left a poem on the wall. Do you know who the last person was?"

"Who?"

Zhou An's interest was piqued upon hearing this.

"It is the retired Prime Minister Xiong."

Hai Simian said, "Xiong Xiangong was from Jiangning Prefecture. When he came to Jinling to participate in the imperial examination, he composed a poem while viewing the scenery here. Everyone who saw it praised it and said that Xiong Xiangong would surely pass the imperial examination with flying colors."

Later, not only did Master Xiong achieve the top rank in the provincial examination, but he also ranked second in the metropolitan examination and was appointed as the second-highest scorer in the palace examination!

Speaking of Master Xiong, Hai Simian's face was full of admiration.

Zhou An was also somewhat surprised, knowing that during the provincial examinations, a large number of scholars would gather in Jinling.

As the premier restaurant in Nanjing, Wangjianglou would inevitably attract scholars to try its cuisine.

At that time, it was much harder to receive everyone's praise than usual.

"Could it be that Brother Hai wishes to try leaving a poem on this river-viewing wall?"

Just then, a voice came, and Fei Guang walked over with several young masters, including Kang He.