Quick Travel to the Clouds

Chapter 710 Talent for Governing the Country 9

On the day King Huiwen of Zhao passed away, the city of Handan was shrouded in solemn mourning music. Zhao Dan, dressed in plain clothes, knelt before the coffin, watching his father embark on his final journey.

In the imperial court, the officials bowed their heads and shouted "Long live the new king!" The sound echoed in the hall, but it could not hide the heaviness in Zhao Dan's heart.

He knew that from this day forward, he would bear a heavy burden on his shoulders and would no longer be the carefree young master he once was.

Empress Dowager Zhao sat on the phoenix throne, her face as cold as frost.

Although she knew that her son had always respected Yun Chu, the conservative officials in the court had long regarded Yun Chu as a thorn in their side.

The idea of ​​"investigating things to acquire knowledge" was denounced as "heretical"; the argument that "natural disasters are not divine punishment" was even accused of "blasphemy".

At the beginning of her regency, Empress Dowager Zhao summoned her ministers to discuss matters.

“Although Yun Chu is talented, his doctrines are perverse and may disrupt the foundation of the nation.” An elderly minister with white hair was the first to raise the issue. “The Rites of Zhou says, ‘Reverence Heaven and follow the ancestors.’ How can one falsely claim that ‘natural disasters are not divine punishment’? If such heresies are allowed to spread, they will surely lead to the disunity of the people!”

Empress Dowager Zhao nodded slightly: "Although Yun Chu has made contributions to the fight against drought and epidemic, his doctrines are indeed contrary to the way of the sages. In order to avoid criticism from the court and the public, Yun Chu shall not enter the palace from this day forward, nor shall he set up a school to teach students in Handan City."

When the news reached Yun Chu's residence, she was explaining the "lever principle" to several students. Upon hearing the news, she remained calm and only sighed softly: "Water flows around stones and falls off cliffs, eventually reaching the sea."

“Sir, this…” one of the disciples said indignantly.

Yun Chu waved her hand to stop her: "It's alright. Knowledge is like a seed; there is still a vast world outside Handan City."

The next day, Yun Chu quietly left Handan and went into seclusion in a small courtyard on the outskirts of the city.

She did not stop spreading the study of "investigating things," but instead placed even greater emphasis on its practical application.

In the fields, she guided farmers to improve their tools; beside the village wells, she demonstrated how to use the lever principle to lift water; in the village schools, she turned profound astronomical and calendrical knowledge into popular songs.

"Sir, why don't you return to Handan?" a student who followed him asked.

Yun Chu gazed at the distant mountains: "Governing a country is like controlling water; one must adhere to principles while also being flexible and adaptable. Taking a step back now is precisely for the sake of taking a step forward in the future."

During Empress Dowager Zhao's regency, conservative forces held sway in the court. The "Academy for Investigating Things" was ordered to close, "Agricultural Songs" were listed as banned books, and even the method of making the "Dragon Bone Waterwheel" was strictly prohibited from being disseminated.

In the imperial court, the practice of "setting up altars to pray for rain" re-emerged, and the saying of "offering sacrifices to heaven to ward off disasters" became prevalent.

However, the demand for the study of "investigating things" among the people has not disappeared.

Farmers secretly copied the "Agricultural Calendar," doctors secretly studied the methods of disease prevention and control taught by Yun Chu, and craftsmen continued to quietly improve various tools.

The seeds of knowledge have taken root and sprouted among the people.

A year passed in the blink of an eye. Empress Dowager Zhao fell seriously ill and, on her deathbed, summoned Zhao Dan.

"My son," Empress Dowager Zhao said weakly, "during my regency, there may have been things I did wrong. Yun Chu is indeed a man of great talent. You...you should make good use of him."

Zhao Dan knelt before the bed, his eyes brimming with tears: "Mother, rest assured, I will remember your teachings."

After the sudden death of Queen Dowager Zhao, Zhao Dan officially assumed power and became King Xiaocheng of Zhao.

After the coronation ceremony, King Xiaocheng of Zhao immediately summoned his ministers to discuss matters.

"I wish to reopen the 'Academy for Investigating Things' and invite Mr. Yun Chu to serve as an official in the court. What do you all think?"

The court immediately erupted in discussion. An old minister stepped forward: "Your Majesty, Yun Chu's theories are eccentric. If you give him an important position, it may damage Your Majesty's authority and dignity."

Another minister chimed in: "Exactly. His argument that 'natural disasters are not divine punishment' is utterly treasonous!"

King Xiaocheng of Zhao remained unmoved: "The Book of Documents says, 'The people are the foundation of the state; when the foundation is firm, the state is at peace.' What Master Yunchu taught us are all techniques that benefit the people. Last year, there was a severe drought. If it weren't for the people secretly using 'dragon bone waterwheels,' countless people would have lost their entire harvest. How can we abandon such a talent who is capable of governing the world and putting it to practical use?"

He looked around at his ministers and said, “I remember that when the late king was alive, he said that ‘Dan’er has already grasped the essence of governing the country.’ This essence is precisely the six words ‘understanding principles, being pragmatic, and benefiting the people.’ Master Yun Chu’s learning is exactly in line with this principle.”

A young official boldly suggested, "Your Majesty is wise! When I was serving in the local government, I personally witnessed how the agricultural techniques taught by Master Yun Chu increased yields by 30%. Such practical knowledge far surpasses empty talk of benevolence and righteousness."

King Xiaocheng of Zhao nodded: "Issue my decree that Mr. Yun Chu be invited to the palace immediately."

When Yun first entered the court, the officials all turned their attention to him. Some were disdainful, some were curious, and many more were uneasy.

After all, this "heretic" scholar, who was once forbidden from entering the palace, is now about to stand at the center of power.

King Xiaocheng of Zhao personally descended the steps to greet him: "Sir, how have you been?"

Yun Chu bowed and said, "This humble subject, Yun Chu, greets Your Majesty."

"Please rise, sir." King Xiaocheng of Zhao helped Yun Chu up. "I remember you once said, 'Knowledge is like water, and thought is like a channel. Only with a channel to draw water can fertile fields be irrigated.' Now, I am willing to dig a channel for you, sir. I wonder if you would be willing to help me irrigate the fertile fields of Zhao?"

A hint of emotion flashed in Yun Chu's eyes: "Your Majesty is wise, this humble subject is willing to serve you like a dog or a horse."

An uproar erupted in the court. An elderly minister stepped forward, trembling, and said, "Your Majesty, Yun Chu is but a commoner woman; how can she be entrusted with such an important task?"

King Xiaocheng of Zhao said solemnly, “The Analects says, ‘Promote the upright and dismiss the crooked, and the people will submit.’ Although Ms. Yun Chu is a woman and has no official rank, her talent and insight far surpass those of many learned men in the court. I have made up my mind to appoint Ms. Yun Chu as Grand Tutor and put her in charge of the ‘Academy of Natural Sciences’ to be responsible for cultivating talents for governing the country.”

These words caused a stir in the imperial court. The position of Grand Tutor had always been held by highly respected senior officials, and it was now being granted to a commoner woman who had been denounced as "unorthodox"—a truly rare occurrence.

King Xiaocheng of Zhao continued, "From this day forward, the 'Academy for Investigating Things' will be established in the palace, standing alongside the 'Imperial Academy.' Anyone who aspires to investigate things and acquire knowledge may enroll. I will personally oversee the affairs of the 'Academy for Investigating Things,' and will personally teach at least once a month."

Yun Chu bowed deeply: "Your Majesty trusts me so much, I will do my utmost to live up to your expectations."

After the court session, King Xiaocheng of Zhao summoned Yun Chu alone.

"Sir, I know this move will inevitably draw criticism, but the way to govern a country lies in 'understanding principles, being pragmatic, and benefiting the people.' Do you have any specific strategies?"

Yun Chu calmly replied, “Your Majesty, I propose three measures: First, establish four departments in the ‘Academy of Natural Sciences’: ‘Agriculture,’ ‘Medicine,’ ‘Water Conservancy,’ and ‘Astronomy’ to cultivate practical talents; second, compile ‘A New Compilation of Natural Sciences’ to transform profound knowledge into easy-to-understand teaching materials; third, establish the Natural Sciences Award to reward those with innovative inventions.”

King Xiaocheng of Zhao was overjoyed: "Excellent! What you say is exactly what I thought."

Several months later, the "Academy for Investigating Things" officially opened. Yun Chu personally taught the classes, imparting all the knowledge he had accumulated over the years. He no longer deliberately avoided Confucian classics, but instead integrated "investigating things to acquire knowledge" with "the way of the Great Learning".

“The Great Learning says, ‘The extension of knowledge lies in the investigation of things,’” Yun Chu said in class. “What is ‘investigation of things’? It is not only about thoroughly investigating the physical principles, but also about understanding their principles and applying them. For example, the ‘dragon-bone waterwheel’ not only conforms to the principle of levers, but also relieves the people’s suffering. This is the true meaning of ‘investigation of things to extend knowledge’.”

The students nodded in agreement. One student asked, "Sir, what if someone still condemns 'investigating things' as 'heretical'?"

Yun Chu smiled and said, “The Doctrine of the Mean says, ‘To reach the vast and to exhaust the subtle.’ ‘Investigating things’ is not about going against the established doctrines, but about better practicing the way of the sages. If we can use the method of ‘investigating things’ to make the people well-fed and clothed, and to make the country prosperous and peaceful, how can it be considered ‘going against the established doctrines’?”

The achievements of the "Academy of Physics" quickly became apparent. Agricultural science students improved farming tools, leading to increased grain production; medical science students developed new drugs that effectively controlled epidemics; and water conservancy students designed irrigation systems that solved drought problems in many areas.

Opposition within the court gradually diminished, and even some veteran officials who had initially opposed the study of "investigating things" began to acknowledge its value.

One day, King Xiaocheng of Zhao inspected the "Academy of Natural History" and saw students practicing measuring land and using simple leveling instruments to correct field ridges; another group of students were observing celestial phenomena and recording changes in the seasons.

He turned to Yun Chu and said, “Sir, I have ordered the nationwide promotion of ‘Academies for Investigating Things’ and have incorporated ‘Investigating Things’ into the imperial examinations. This is the beginning of the ‘New Strategies for Investigating Things.’ What do you think, sir?”

Yun Chu nodded with satisfaction: "Your Majesty is wise. The tree of knowledge will eventually grow into a towering tree."

King Xiaocheng of Zhao looked into the distance, his eyes shining with determination: "Sir, I remember you once said: 'Water flows around stones and falls over cliffs, eventually reaching the sea.' Now, the water of 'Gewu' is flowing endlessly across the land of Zhao."

In the distance, the newly constructed irrigation canal meanders like a silver ribbon, while from the "Gewuyuan" (Institute of Natural History) comes the clear voice of schoolchildren reciting: "The course of Heaven is constant; it does not exist for Yao, nor does it perish for Jie..."

King Xiaocheng of Zhao turned to Yun Chu and said, “Sir, I have drafted the ‘New Strategy for Investigating Things,’ which I plan to implement throughout the country. This strategy is based on ‘understanding principles, being pragmatic, and benefiting the people,’ integrating scientific knowledge into the governance of the country.”

"Good." Yun Chu nodded with satisfaction. "The tree of knowledge will eventually grow into a towering tree."

King Xiaocheng of Zhao gazed into the distance, his eyes gleaming with unwavering determination. He knew that the road ahead was still fraught with difficulties, but as long as he adhered to the principle of "investigating things to acquire knowledge," he would ultimately benefit the people and revitalize the state of Zhao.

The seed planted in that thatched-roof schoolhouse has blossomed and borne fruit in Handan, nurturing an even brighter future.