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“Your Highness, you misunderstand me. I did not mean that,” Pang Yukun said as they walked through the corridors of Bowen Academy. His face showed deep thought, and he seemed hesitant to speak.
Seeing this, Xiao Ming said, “Just say what’s on your mind. Since when did you become so cautious? You used to be straightforward as the imperial censor.”
Pang Yukun gave a bitter smile. “Your Highness, this matter involves the Kong family. I dare not speak lightly. After all, I follow the Legalist school of thought. If I spoke openly, it might seem like I’m opposing Confucianism.”
Xiao Ming had never asked Pang which philosophy he followed. Hearing this, he was a little surprised. “No wonder you have not been fully trusted at court. That must be one reason.”
“Exactly. Legalism is harsh and rigid, easy to break—this is my shortcoming,” Pang Yukun admitted.
Xiao Ming smiled but suddenly remembered something. “Wait, if you follow Legalism, how did you take the imperial exams?”
Pang Yukun chuckled bitterly. “I’m ashamed to say it, but to enter the court, I had to swallow my pride and study the classics hard. But deep inside, I still value Legalist teachings, because I believe only Legalism can restore our fractured nation.”
“I see.” Xiao Ming, coming from the modern era, treated Legalism and Confucianism equally. He had no extreme views, as he was a pragmatist.
He was willing to use whatever was helpful for development, but if any ideology hindered progress, he would take it seriously.
Changing the subject back, Xiao Ming asked, “So why did you mention the Kong family of Qufu?”
“This political reform apparently has stirred the Kong family in Qufu. And Your Highness’ many actions in the fief have drawn criticism. When I saw the Medical Academy today, I just remembered and mentioned it,” Pang Yukun explained carefully.
“Hmph. I don’t rule this fiefdom by relying on scholars and officials. Even if the Kong family talks nonsense, what of it?” Xiao Ming said calmly.
Prince Xuan had sent him information about the Kong family in Qufu, confirming what Pang said: Xiao Ming had been criticized there, especially for valuing commerce and practical skills over the Four Books and Five Classics, supposedly violating Confucian principles.
But in Xiao Ming’s eyes, the real reason the Confucian scholars disliked him was that since taking over Qingzhou, he had never gone to visit the Kong family in Qufu.
Even the previous emperor, Xiao Wenxuan, had personally gone to Qufu to pay respects, showing how important the Kong family was to Confucian scholars.
If even an emperor did that, then Xiao Ming, a lesser fief lord, ignoring the Kong family and refusing to appoint their followers naturally displeased them.
Pang Yukun said cautiously, “Your Highness is right. But because of this reform, many official positions are vacant. From what I hear, the Kong family seems very interested, and their followers are eager to try.”
“You mean they want to ask me for government posts?” Xiao Ming asked.
“Probably, but perhaps more than that.”
“Oh?” Xiao Ming frowned.
He had been trying to avoid conflicts with the Kong family because his base was still fragile. Confucianism was the orthodox belief in Great Yu Empire. Although he wanted to break that stereotype, he dared not act rashly for now.
After all, the Three Teachings and Nine Schools were the social foundation in Great Yu Empire. The Three Teachings referred to Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. Confucianism was not just a philosophy but a government-centered faith.
The people and officials of the empire were Confucian believers. In fact, Confucianism was the official religion for generations. Confucian learning as a philosophy, the Confucian class as a social stratum, and Confucianism as faith all supported each other, shaping the era.
Because of this, the Kong family in Qufu had never been affected by war and were revered by every dynasty.
Since becoming Xiao Ming’s top official, Pang Yukun had worried a lot. He had a personal agenda—to promote Legalist thought to Xiao Ming. He believed Confucianism could no longer lead Great Yu to revival and that Legalism should be advocated.
He hadn’t brought this up before because he feared Xiao Ming saw Confucianism as the state orthodoxy like others. But now that Xiao Ming had made the Supervisory Court independent and clarified judicial authority, Pang sensed Xiao Ming might have his own ideas, so he finally dared to speak.
And Xiao Ming’s tone convinced Pang that he truly was a unique lord.
“Your Highness, they probably want you to follow Confucian teachings and withdraw some orders that don’t align with Confucianism. I think Confucianism has merits and faults. Its merit lies in the responsibility of managing family, country, and world; the noble pursuit of ‘hearing the Way in the morning, willing to die by evening.’ Its fault is in being overly pedantic, suppressing human spirit and thought. I dare suggest establishing a School of Law in Bowen Academy to revive the old era of ‘Hundred Schools of Thought’,” Pang said.
Though he didn’t say it outright, it was clear he wanted Xiao Ming to balance Confucianism’s influence in government with other philosophies.
Now Xiao Ming finally understood why Pang had not resisted his bold reforms, but instead helped promote them. Pang was simply a Legalist disguised under a Confucian exterior.
He knew Pang’s proposal for a Law School was also a sign of the coming crisis. But it fit Xiao Ming’s own thinking, so he said, “Chief Minister Pang is right. A Hundred Schools of Thought will show Qingzhou’s strength and uniqueness. In that case, I approve your plan to establish the Law School, independent from the Public Administration Academy.”
Pang Yukun was overjoyed. “Your Highness is truly benevolent and wise. Thank you for your grace.”
“Don’t thank me yet. Since I agree to establish the Law School, when Confucians attack me, you’d better not hide and run,” Xiao Ming said. His approval was to counterbalance the Confucian dominance.
In truth, what Xiao Ming hoped most was to see Confucianism used by him to promote a new Confucianism, completely changing the millennia-old national mindset.
But Confucianism was the foundation of Great Yu Empire. He only controlled the small territory of Qingzhou, so he couldn’t reform the entire Confucian class yet.
Thus, for now, he had to create a Hundred Schools of Thought to balance Confucian power within his fief—just like medicine, where the cure cannot be too harsh.