Chapter 21: The Problem with Confucianism

Facing Du Ruhui’s sudden inquiry, the entire Government Affairs Hall fell into a sudden silence.

Every gaze turned toward Li Tai. If looks could turn into swords, Li Tai would likely have been torn to pieces by now.

"All the funds have naturally been invested in the Agricultural Academy," Li Tai replied calmly in the face of such questioning. "This year, the Agricultural Academy recruited displaced people to reclaim land and also took in eight hundred students. Their food, clothing, and daily expenses have been covered by the profits from the boiling water bathhouses and the duck farms. This winter, as scholars gather in Chang’an for the imperial examinations, I intend to recruit some of them to teach these students. To make the Agricultural Academy appealing to these scholars, I have no choice but to offer a higher monthly stipend and provide them with more writing supplies."

To Li Tai, there was nothing to hide. Every cent he earned was spent with clear purpose. If they wanted to audit him, they could look as closely as they pleased; he had no fear, for he was truly getting things done.

Hearing Li Tai’s confident response, those present could sense the sincerity in his words. Even Du Ruhui did not pursue the matter of money any further, as they all heard the confidence in Li Tai's tone.

Instead, Li Shimin, upon hearing Li Tai’s words, asked, "The Agricultural Academy is ready to start classes? You actually intend to recruit scholars from the Chang’an imperial examinations!?"

Li Tai felt a bit helpless at Li Shimin’s words and clarified: "Father, I do not want a group of peasants who only know how to farm; I want a group of agricultural experts who can research and propagate agricultural knowledge. If they are illiterate, how can they write books and establish doctrines to spread agricultural science?"

"You even intend to write books and establish doctrines!" Li Shimin burst into laughter upon hearing this. "Then you must work hard; I am waiting for you to write those books!"

The surrounding high-ranking officials could not help but chuckle. They felt the boldness of the Prince of Yue, yet they also held a hint of expectation. They wanted to see if the grand promises Li Tai made would eventually come to pass.

"Father, stop laughing!" Li Tai pouted. "The agricultural experts who emerge from my academy will surely become pillars of the nation. Now, there is an opportunity before you—would you like to contribute to the strength of these future pillars?"

"Fine, fine, tell me, how should I contribute?" Li Shimin asked.

Seeing Li Shimin’s attitude, Li Tai did not hesitate to ask for personnel: "The Agricultural Academy is divided into six disciplines: Literature, Mathematics, Agriculture, Medicine, Mohism, and Music. I have already found instructors for the Literature and Music departments, but the Mathematics, Agriculture, Medicine, and Mohism departments remain leaderless. Could I ask you to appoint heads for the Mathematics and Medical departments from the Grand Astrological Bureau and the Imperial Medical Bureau?"

To be honest, Li Tai’s thinking was simple. Having established such an academy, as long as Li Shimin was of sound mind, he would certainly try to plant a few people inside. This was not due to any suspicion toward him, but rather a normal emperor’s way of protecting and limiting a favorite son. If no one were sent, Li Tai would actually have to worry about whether he had been abandoned by Li Shimin.

Rather than complicating the situation—since he didn't feel his intelligence was high enough for complex schemes—he preferred to simplify things. He planned to take the path of accumulating strength steadily and using the overwhelming power of increased productivity to prevail. He wasn't good at conspiracies, so he would make his work transparent. With Li Shimin as his umbrella, no one would believe that building such an academy could change anything. But once everyone saw the power this academy could generate, Li Tai would have matured his wings. The strength produced by this academy would then become his greatest political foundation.

Since the academy needed people, even if Li Shimin hadn't summoned him, Li Tai would have found an opportunity to plead poverty and let Li Shimin plant his people. In this era, those capable of being spies were talents; after all, even the greatest organizations were often built on the backs of double agents. While others were just slacking off in their jobs, the double agents were the ones truly working with dedication. As long as he didn't commit treason, once he continued the glory of the Zhenguan era, these double agents would become his loyal followers.

"Mohism?" Fang Xuanling asked thoughtfully, "Why not call it the Craftsman Department?"

"Without knowledge, one is merely a craftsman!" Li Tai replied. "As for the Mohists, do they not advocate for impartial love, clear aspirations, and the promotion of the worthy?"

"Does the Prince of Yue wish to revive the Hundred Schools of Thought?" Fang Xuanling asked.

Li Tai shook his head. "Kong Yingda once asked me: 'Who was the fall of the Great Han due to?'"

The officials present were slightly stunned. Even Li Shimin’s hand tightened at the mention of this. That was when he had just ascended the throne and signed the Treaty of Weishui, only to have the great Confucian scholar Kong Yingda angered to the point of fainting by his son, Li Tai. To quell the situation quickly, he had allowed Li Tai to establish his own household and sent Yan Qinli for private instruction. He had not expected Li Tai to still hold onto this matter.

"I answered that ever since the Great Han abolished the Hundred Schools and honored only Confucianism, all the problems that led to its collapse were inevitably Confucian problems. And today, I still hold that answer!"

Li Tai looked around at them, as if there were no turning back. "Fang Gong asked if I want to revive the Hundred Schools. My answer is: if the powerful Great Han encountered problems that Confucianism could not solve, what about our Great Tang? Might we also encounter problems one day that Confucianism cannot solve? Therefore, I wish to use the Hundred Schools as a reference to find these problems and solve them!"

The officials’ gazes toward Li Tai shifted. In Li Shimin’s eyes, there was only pride and gratification. But the ministers were filled with astonishment—was this something an eight-year-old child should be thinking about?

Du Ruhui stepped forward to pull everyone back to reality. "Your Majesty, I impeach the Prince of Yue for putting private interests before the public. Court officials are the pillars of the nation; how can they abandon their ranks and positions to serve as department heads for an academy that doesn't even exist yet? To treat them so lightly—where does that leave the dignity of the court?"

Li Tai bowed respectfully. "I was wrong, and I thank Du Gong for his correction. I meant no disrespect to the court officials."

Du Ruhui nodded, satisfied, and continued, "Your Highness, building an agricultural academy is a noble endeavor, but court officials have their duties. However, my younger brother, Du Chuke, has long admired the works of the Mohists and is currently living in seclusion on Mount Song. He holds no office and would be perfectly suited to lead the Mohist department."

The ministers in the hall watched as Du Ruhui recommended his own brother and returned to his seat as if he hadn't just been scolding Li Tai. They wondered how someone could be so shameless. Yet, Du Ruhui’s actions were decisive. He felt that given Li Tai’s ambition and wisdom, he needed guidance, or he would become a threat to the Crown Prince, Li Chengqian. By placing Du Chuke at Li Tai’s side, he could curb any foolish behavior.

Li Shimin looked at Du Ruhui, realizing that when it came to major issues, Du Ruhui’s judgment was as sharp as ever.

"Qingque, you may return first. I will provide the heads for the Agriculture, Medicine, and Mathematics departments in a few days," Li Shimin said.

Li Tai nodded and took his leave. He had achieved his two goals: bringing the Zheng family’s textile industry under his system without interference, and successfully securing personnel from Li Shimin.

As for the Agricultural Academy, it was still just a spark. Whether it would be blown out by the wind or ignite a wildfire was for history to decide. For now, with the winter approaching, the ministers' attention turned toward the Grand Court Assembly and the upcoming imperial examinations. As for Li Tai’s academy, they would send someone to keep an eye on it—but that was merely out of respect for the Prince of Yue. After all, what could one academy possibly do to change the world?