Therefore, he did not feel offended at all by Shen Yichen's words. On the contrary, seeing such a "lively" scene when he left the palace was not a big deal, and it was really a worthwhile trip.

"The Zhuang Yuan Gong's move is a bit too bold, I'm afraid it won't end well."

Although Wang Zhen was born as a scholar, as a eunuch now, he no longer had the persistence in Confucianism and philosophy that he had when he was young.

He also didn't feel much about Shen Yichen's remarks. He simply felt that this guy was too flamboyant. If it didn't end with dignity today, I'm afraid there would be a lot of impeachment memorials in the future.

Now Wang Zhen has invested money in Shen Yichen. If his frivolous behavior in giving lectures today affects his career development, it will be a big loss.

"If you confiscate your ability, it means it can't be reused. It's good to try it out."

An emperor is an emperor after all. No matter how close Zhu Qizhen showed to Shen Yichen before, when the real test comes, Shen Yichen will be ruthlessly abandoned if he cannot show his ability and value.

Shen Yichen listened to the attacking comments from all around, and felt sad in his heart. Nowadays, the Ming Dynasty's "exclusive respect for Neo-Confucianism" no longer tolerates any other views and dissent.

He suddenly understood why Li Zhi, the great master of the late Ming Dynasty, chose to commit suicide in prison after arrogantly challenging feudal etiquette all his life.

Perhaps for Li Zhi at that time, he was unable to change the situation, and he was too embarrassed to return to his hometown. He did not want to warn future generations, so he could only leave his name in death!

Li Zhi failed to fight the world alone, but Shen Yichen has not yet, and he does not allow himself to fail!

As a change maker, you should have the determination to do it if you know it is impossible!

"What is a heretical theory? Everything I say can be found in the words of the sages."

"Wei Hongru, are you questioning the sage's words?"

Shen Yichen had already anticipated this scene from the moment he decided to express his views.

It's one thing to have courage, but it's another thing to kill someone. He doesn't want to die before he sets off.

The foundation of Neo-Confucianism in the Ming Dynasty lies in the Thoughts of Confucius and Mencius and Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism. If you want to defeat them, you cannot rely on passion and spirit. Only magic can defeat magic!

"It's just enough to confuse the public with your evil words. How dare you slander me and question the words of a saint?"

Wei Congwen was so angry that if he couldn't beat Shen Yichen because of his old age, he might have pounced on him on the spot.

"Yeah?"

Shen Yichen smiled faintly, and then found out the source of his previous opinion in Confucianism.

And it’s specific to which page and paragraph of which book, the evidence is conclusive!

After listening to what Shen Yichen said, some students still didn't believe it, so they opened the books they brought with them to verify, and they found the same words from the saint.

It's just that when viewed individually, these saintly words seem to be far from what Shen Yichen said, and when combined together they have a different meaning.

But the essence cannot be changed no matter what, the sages Confucius and Mencius did say it!

In fact, it is not surprising that this situation occurs. The Yongjia School's "Song Gong Xue" is originally a branch of Confucianism, and it also quotes the words of sages.

It's just that in the environment of the Southern Song Dynasty, Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism was not defeated, and it was gradually forgotten later.

Now it was Wei Congwen's turn to be dumbfounded. Hundreds of years had passed since the Southern Song Dynasty. The Yongjia school of meritocracy had long been abandoned by Ming literati, and they would not learn their theories.

Even for some literati, knowing that such a school of thought exists is considered knowledgeable. Who would seriously study their academic claims?

When the book comes to use, Wei Congwen may not have thought that a great Neo-Confucian scholar would fail in such a place.

Seeing that Wei Congwen couldn't say a word for a long time, another lecturer, He Rui, the director of the Imperial College, stood up and said: "The so-called theory of merit is nothing more than the theory of utilitarianism. Seeing gain and forgetting one's righteousness!"

The theory of meritorious service emphasizes the unity of justice and benefit, which is most despised by Neo-Confucianism. In their concept, as long as it talks about benefits, it tarnishes the purity of morality. No matter whether the benefits are legitimate or illegal.

To use the words of later generations to describe it, it is pure diode thinking.

"I dare to ask He Siye, did the official say anything about utilitarianism?"

Shen Yichen did use some theories of the Yongjia School, but he did not borrow them entirely, at least not yet.

On the contrary, He Rui, the director of the Imperial College, subconsciously brought Shen Yichen into the identity of the Yongjia School, and directly used the righteousness and benefit viewpoints in "Song Gong Xue" to counterattack.

After hearing this rhetorical question, he was a little confused. Shen Yichen indeed never mentioned the word utilitarian.

Seeing that the other party was speechless, Shen Yichen shook his head and added a famous saying by Ye Shi, the founder of Yongjia School: "If there is no utilitarianism, then morality is useless."

Translated: If there is no utility, then there is no stage for claiming to be a moral gentleman.

Shen Yichen has a clever pun in this sentence. In addition to the original meaning, it also implies that he did not mention utilitarianism, so He Rui has no stage to take advantage of it.

"You are worthy of being awarded the Three-Yuan Rank by me. This kind of knowledge is admirable!"

Seeing that Shen Yichen actually silenced the two great scholars of the time, Zhu Qizhen couldn't help but praise him. His academic skills were indeed unexpectedly strong.

The emperor opened his mouth to set the tone, which meant that the outcome of the lecture debate had been decided. The courtiers and Imperial College students present were all shocked.

It is simply unimaginable that two Confucian clan members were defeated at the hands of an eighteen-year-old young man.

Is the talent of the Six Yuan leader so terrifying?

"Your Majesty, this son..."

He Rui wanted to argue with his arguments, and even wanted Zhu Qi to punish Shen Yichen for his monstrous words that deceived the public.

As a result, as soon as he opened his mouth, he saw Wang Zhen looking at him with a cold look in his eyes, and was instantly frightened by what he said next.

"I didn't expect to see such wonderful academic discussions while inspecting the Imperial Academy. Shen Aiqing is really talented."

Compared with the empty theories of Taoists, the concept of emperors is naturally much more pragmatic, so Zhu Qizhen agrees more with Shen Yichen's views, and it can even be said that he appreciates them.

Confucianism started from the time when Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty only respected Confucianism. For the emperor, it was just a tool of rule. There is no need for rhetoric in the court. Ministers who can do practical things are the talents we need!

"Thank you for your compliment, Your Majesty. I feel ashamed to deserve it."

"I wonder if there is any source for Shen Aiqing's theory?"

Although Shen Yichen's proposition is very similar to the theory of work, it is similar in form but not in spirit, especially the dialectical truth behind it, which is a completely new idea.

Precisely because it is too novel, people still don’t understand what it represents, and they can’t even find a point of attack to refute it.

"It has no origin, it's just what I think in my heart."

When Shen Yichen's words came out, there was a cry of exclamation among the students of the Imperial College.

Some people had speculated before that whether this was Shen Yichen's original theory of establishing a sect, but now the dust has settled.

"Is Duke Zhuangyuan's knowledge so amazing? He came up with his own school of thought at the age of eighteen?"

"The founding of the sect was the work of the great Confucian master. Wouldn't the Zhuangyuan Gong have to be crowned with the title of master in the future?"

"Three Yuan and Six Songs are destined to be extraordinary, but no one could have imagined that it would reach such a peak."

"Shen Zhuangyuan is what I have hoped for all my life, so I should learn from it!"

Not to mention this group of young people, even Ming Yingzong Zhu Qizhen was so surprised that he couldn't open his mouth from ear to ear.

He also did not expect that an ordinary lecture at the Imperial College would witness the founding of a sect.

"Zhen is a national scholar. Shen Aiqing will accompany you later. I still have some questions I would like to ask."

When the word "ask for advice" came out, all the ministers and ministers present, who had been relatively stable at first, changed their expressions upon hearing this.

For someone like Shen Yichen who was brought in temporarily to give lectures, if you want to say that he has the title of Imperial Master, he is indeed a bit wet.

More importantly, there is no end to this story, and it is impossible to continue to show off in front of the emperor and receive substantial awards.

Now that the emperor asked him to accompany the emperor and asked him for advice, it was equivalent to officially recognizing Shen Yichen's title of "Emperor's Master".

If he could win the emperor's approval with this theory, the benefits would be unimaginable.

As an eighteen-year-old imperial master, being ranked among the three Dukes may not be Shen Yichen's limit. Can Duke Cheng Guo really achieve the grand feat of two Dukes in one discipline like Wei Guogong?

"My lord, thank you Lord for your kindness!"

Shen Yichen thanked Zhu Qizhen with a trembling tone.

The reason why he was so excited was not that he was favored by the emperor in the eyes of outsiders, but that he had the benefit of rising to prominence.

But Shen Yichen saw a glimmer of hope and was able to pass on his ideas to Zhu Qizhen and change the Ming Dynasty from top to bottom!
Chapter completed!