The implementation of vernacular literature, Yi Zhizhi has long had this idea, the implementation of new learning, many subjects and science and technology concepts, theories, methods and other language descriptions, classical Chinese is obviously not suitable, vernacular Chinese is more simple to understand and more accurate, new school teaching, he is also a strong advocate of vernacular Chinese.

Although he had the idea of promoting the vernacular language for a long time, he had been hesitant to implement it publicly, and he knew very well that there must be great resistance to the public implementation of the vernacular language, and the implementation of the vernacular language itself had no small drawbacks, but after careful and repeated weighing, he still felt that it was necessary to implement it.

Zhao Liewen knew the relationship between Xinxue and vernacular Chinese, and immediately said cheerfully: "Cheng, students first throw bricks and lead jade, and write articles to promote the use of vernacular Chinese, but to lead the atmosphere, the final shopkeeper will ....... it." ”

"The big shopkeeper thinks carefully." Wei Yuan, who was supported by Lin Meilian, appeared at the door trembling with a cane.

"Why did the gentleman come here?" Yi Zhi was a little surprised, and slowly greeted him.

Wei Yuan's body bones did not improve significantly, looking still weak, after Zhao Liewen and Lin Meilian sat down in the room supported by the two, he said slowly: "The prudence of implementing the vernacular text, the vernacular is simple and easy to understand, once it is vigorously promoted, it may occupy the magpie's nest and suppress the classical Chinese, so that the ancient books that have been circulated for thousands of years will lose their correct understanding, and the books will not be burned but self-immolated, which is no less than the burning of books and Confucianism." ”

Yi Zhizhi nodded and said: "Mr. is far-reaching, what he said is extremely true, the implementation of vernacular literature has advantages and disadvantages, vernacular language is a spoken language, with significant characteristics of the times, changeable, can not inherit culture for a long time, inherit history, but it is simple and easy to understand, conducive to universal education, conducive to cultural dissemination, and conducive to the implementation of new learning." ”

After a pause, he said slowly: "The implementation of vernacular literature is not to oppose classical Chinese, the two can be equally emphasized, the new school will not abandon Confucianism and Chinese studies, but will also open a history major, cultivate specialized talents to study history, and moreover, it can also organize manpower to annotate the correct interpretation of all ancient books in vernacular, and will not make the traditional national culture break down." ”

Hearing this, Wei Yuanden put his mind at ease, since the other party can deeply realize the disadvantages of implementing the vernacular, he doesn't need to worry too much, today he came for the imperial examination, although he is recuperating, but he still reads the newspaper every day, and groaned slightly, he said: "The lord doesn't want to abolish the imperial examination, right?" ”

Is this what it is for? Yi Zhisuff was afraid that he would bother, so he hurriedly said: "Sir, don't worry, just abolish the Bagu Wen, not the imperial examination." ”

Wei Yuan obviously didn't believe this, sighed lightly, and said: "The imperial examination for thousands of years, all dynasties and dynasties have been worshiped like Guigao, as far as the system is concerned, there is no one who can stand out from the right, even if there is an accumulation, it cannot be abandoned, abolish the eight shares, add new learning, there is no choice, abolish the imperial examination, it is absolutely not feasible, the lord should be cautious and cautious." ”

"Sir, need not worry." Yi Zhishu slowed down his speech, and said in a sincere tone: "The implementation of new learning still has to borrow the fame of the imperial examination, Yuan Qi categorically will not lightly abolish the imperial examination and abolish Confucianism, although Yuan Qi admires Western learning, but will not deny Chinese civilization, will not ****."

There are huge differences between the East and the West in terms of politics, economy, culture, ideology, historical traditions, social structure, national psychological character, etc., and those that are suitable for Western countries may not be suitable for us in China.

In my opinion, there is no best system, only the most suitable system, must be suitable for the national conditions of the country to be considered a good system, Yuanqi's purpose is to learn from the middle school for the body, Western learning for use, learn from each other's strengths, blend Chinese and Western, and try to find a development path that conforms to the national conditions, conforms to the trend of the times, and has its own characteristics. ”

Middle school is the body, Western learning is for use! Wei Yuan showed a pleased smile on his face, "The lord is far-sighted and has extraordinary knowledge, and it is really not something that an idle person can guess about." ”

"Sir, don't bother, you must follow the doctor's instructions and recuperate." Yi Zhizhi got up with a smile, "In the future, there will be more places to rely on and rely on Mr." ”

Lin Meilian hurriedly helped Wei Yuan to get up, pursed her lips and chuckled: "Sir, it's the right thing to take care of your body right now." ”

Zhao Liewen has the habit of keeping a diary, and his memory is also amazing, he will record his words and deeds in his diary, and today's words of Yi Zhizhi and Wei Yuan, he has a feeling of truth and falsehood, and it is difficult to figure out how to figure it out, send Wei Yuan away, turn back to the study, and he said straightforwardly: "All along, what Yuan Qi preaches and advocates is the Western Enlightenment thought, human rights, equality, freedom, legal system, balance of rights, etc., which is completely contrary to Confucianism, if you don't abolish Confucianism.......?" ”

"Confucianism is one of the cores of Chinese civilization, why should it be abolished?" Yi Zhishu asked rhetorically: "Benevolence, righteousness, courtesy, wisdom, faithfulness, loyalty, filial piety, piety, moderation, forgiveness, courage, letting, these core ideas of Confucianism are not all useless, wouldn't it be better to remove the dross and keep its essence?" ”

Is this to make Confucianism useful for it? Zhao Liewen's heart moved, and he said tentatively: "The big shopkeeper plans to adopt the monarchical constitutional system? Is it a Manchu constitution? Or is it a constitution of the Han monarch? ”

Manchu constitutional? Han Jun constitutional? Yi Zhizhi smiled contentedly, took out the jade cigarette holder, and said: "Huifu seems to be pondering, so you might as well talk about it, what are the advantages and disadvantages of the Manchu monarchy constitution and the Han monarch's constitution?" ”

"Students are just fools." Zhao Liewen said humbly, and then said: "The advantage of the Manchu monarchy constitution is peace, and there is no need to break out into war, but the students are worried that they will not be able to completely implement the monarchical constitution.

With the open-mindedness of the great treasurer, he can definitely emulate England and create a powerful empire, if you want to say that the disadvantages are ......., you must go to war with the Qing court, and then ....... ”

"Is there anything that Huifu doesn't dare to say?" With the implementation of new learning, the popularization of education, the wisdom of the people, coupled with the propagation of democracy, freedom, equality, human rights, the legal system and other ideas, these ideas will inevitably be deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. ”

Speaking of this, his voice was low, and there was no smile on his face, "If the Qing court itself is the Han monarch, it is not impossible to establish a constitution, but if Yuanqi replaces him, I will reign over the world, and then implement a constitutional monarchy, even if I am enlightened and wise, I am afraid that I will fall into the fate of two generations and die, unless, I return to the old road of autocracy." ”

After a pause, he took a puff of his cigarette, and then said in a deep voice: "Huifu has never thought about it, our Chinese autocratic feudal dynasty has lasted for three thousand years, and the deep, long, fierce, and miserable oppression suffered by the people from the autocratic imperial power is shocking and rare in the world.

As the saying goes, the deeper the oppression, the more fierce the resistance, once the ideology of democracy, freedom, and equality is rampant, the tide of opposition to autocracy will inevitably be unstoppable. ”

Zhao Liewen was dumbfounded when he heard this, and looked at him speechless for a long time, no wonder Yuan Qi didn't rebel, it turned out that he didn't want to be the emperor at all! If you think about it, this is indeed insightful, but it is rare to be able to see it so thoroughly!

For being an emperor, Yi Zhicontent really saw it thoroughly, when Yuan Shikai's strength was restored, he only became an emperor for less than three months, if he overthrew the Qing court and established a new dynasty, how many generations could the imperial system last? Unless it is to continue to practice authoritarian dictatorship, but that is also a point of no return! As for a 'hypocrite' like England, what's the point?

Coming back to his senses, Zhao Liewen glanced at him, since it is not a constitutional monarchy, then there is only a republic, is it a hypocrisy republic? Or is it a monarchless republic? After thinking about it, he didn't dare to ask more, and he estimated that Yi Zhixin might not have made up his mind.

In the next few days, Zhao Liewen and several returned international students published several articles in the newspaper one after another, calling for the consistency of the language, promoting universal education, developing people's wisdom, advocating vernacular language, and clearly proposing that the newspaper should use vernacular language to let more people understand and care about current affairs.

As if in response to this appeal, the major newspapers in the southeastern provinces published more than a dozen articles in the vernacular refuting the opposition to Xinxue.

The newspapers of the north and the south, which were originally clearly divided into camps, became chaotic, and the controversy of Xinxue was still clearly divided into camps, but the controversy of vernacular literature was that there was no distinction between north and south, and there were many opponents and few supporters, and many famous Confucian scholars in the southeast also unceremoniously wrote articles against the promotion of vernacular literature.

Although there are many opponents, the number of vernacular articles published in the newspapers of the southeastern provinces has increased significantly, from the initial few to a dozen articles per newspaper, even fools can see that something is wrong, it is obvious that Yuan Qi supports the vernacular literature behind his back, and the opposition in the southeast has gradually become scarce, but there are only a few supporters who openly write articles.

At the time of the controversy between the newspapers in the north and the south, Prince Gong Yixun, Prince Hui Mianyu, Prince Yi Zaiyuan, Wang Yitong of Alcohol County, Minister of Military Aircraft Su Shun and Wen Xiang, and Zeng Guofan, the servant of the Ministry of Officials, arrived in Shanghai in a low-key manner, and directly lived in a small but very exquisite garden not far from the Zhenhai Mansion - Tangxiang Garden.

The arrival of this group of people, Yi Zhizhi naturally knew it, but he didn't know it, three princes, one county king, two military aircraft, such a luxurious lineup, it could not be a special thing for Xinxue, he was sure that it was definitely for the reform of the law, and he didn't need to make up for it.

The first to visit were three old acquaintances, Mianyu, Su Shun, and Zeng Guofan, after reading the post, Zhao Wenlie chuckled and said: "With such a luxurious lineup, it seems that the imperial court is determined to change the law this time, and today it should be a ...... who has come to send benefits." ”

"It is no longer appropriate to delay the implementation of the new school, and the government and the opposition are waiting for the reaction of the imperial court." Yi Zhishu raised his chin slightly as he spoke, "Huifu went to greet him, they came in a slight suit, and it is not appropriate to make a noise." ”

After a while, the three of Mianyu slowly walked into the courtyard, and Yi Zhizhi stepped forward with a spring breeze on his face and smiled: "The three of them are here, and it is inconvenient for me to come out to greet them, so I won't blame them." ”

"How dare you blame, thank you for your understanding." Mianyu smiled and said with a smile, he came to Shanghai again to see Yi Zhi, he was full of joy, the last time he was rewarded for meritorious deeds, he and Monk Lingqin got the biggest color, and the iron hat that he had been looking forward to for many years of hereditary recklessness was finally put on.

After greeting the three of them one by one, Yi Zhizhi reached out and invited the three of them into the house, and after sitting down, he smiled and said: "Just one to implement the new school, it will not be so laborious." ”

Zeng Guofan continued: "Xiaguan is indeed here for Xinxue this time. After a pause, he continued: "Looking at the newly established universities in Guangzhou and Shanghai, the scale is not small, there are as many as three or four hundred graduates who have obtained degrees in a year, and if two or three universities are established in one province, there will be more than 1,000 a year. ”

Speaking of this, he looked at Yi Zhicontent, "Now the Qing Dynasty lacks talents who are familiar with current affairs and new learning, and the imperial court is also willing to vigorously encourage new learning, but the famous weapons of the imperial court, only rare can be noble, and only rigorous can show dignity, if it is overflowing, it will not move people's hearts."

If the corresponding meritorious name is given, within ten years, the lifting of children will be flooded, not only will the imperial court have no taxes to collect, but the original children will also be angry. Can two provinces build a university? The acquisition of a degree also increases the difficulty ....... ”

Two provinces to build a university? Yi Zhifen couldn't help laughing, "The third university is already being built in Guangzhou and Shanghai, and universities in Jiangning, Hangzhou, Fuzhou, Nanchang, Wuchang, Anqing and other places have also broken ground, which is still because of the current limited teachers, but with the graduation of a class of college graduates, with the return of overseas students, universities in various provinces will increase their ..... accordingly." ”

As he spoke, he slowly stretched out three fingers, "Yuanqi plans to build at least two or three universities in a province, so as to meet the demand for new talents." ”

Su Shun opened his mouth and said: "Brother Guocheng should also be considerate of the difficulties of the imperial court. ”

"It is indeed not a blessing for the imperial court that the fame is too indiscriminate, but it is not conducive to the implementation of new learning." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "You can make a compromise, the imperial court gives 100 quotas to universities in various provinces every year, and those who are interested in fame will compete for this 100 quotas after obtaining a degree." ”

"That's a good idea!" Mianyu stroked his palm and praised: "Killing two birds with one stone, it is not only conducive to the implementation of new learning, but also to avoid excessive fame." ”

Zeng Guofan breathed a sigh of relief, he really didn't expect Yi Zhishu to be so easy to speak, it seems that the court was vain before, Yuan Qi was really just to promote the new learning, he immediately said sincerely: "Zhenhai Gong's method is very good." ”

"The provincial imperial examination is only 100 in three years, but the new school is 100 in a year, and it is an internal competition." Su Shun said with a smile: "In this way, everyone will inevitably sharpen their heads and learn to drill in the new one, but is this hundred moves a little more?" How about fifty a year? There are 15 quotas in three years, which will not affect the implementation of the new school. ”

Yi Zhicontent looked indifferent, "Cultivating new talents is not to let them become officials, but to enrich emerging all walks of life, whether it is a hundred or fifty, as long as the new learning has great attraction and is conducive to the implementation of new learning." ”