The Four Sentences of Hengqu were too grand.
Although people like Zhuo Zifang were deeply impressed at the time, countless others still harbored doubts about the aspirations of Liang Xiao, who was relatively unknown, considering him merely boastful.
Only now did they deeply realize that Liang Xiao was truly worthy of those four sentences!
However, the Four Sentences of Hengqu belonged to past pronouncements. As Taixue students after the reform of the Imperial Academy, they hoped Liang Xiao would leave them some teachings as well, a form of satisfaction.
Liang Xiao pondered for a moment, then sighed, "Actually, what I want to say and what I should say is all in the books."
Under the questioning gazes of everyone, Liang Xiao publicly ordered Xuan paper to be laid out, and with vigorous strokes, he wrote a sentence.
[The human heart is precarious, the Dao heart is subtle. Be diligent and one, and hold to the mean.]
Liang Xiao then explained.
"The human heart is unpredictable, and the Dao heart is subtly just. We must sincerely maintain the diligent and unified Dao, not easily changing our ideals and goals, so that the human heart and the Dao heart harmonize, and we act with moderation."
"These sixteen characters of heart transmission originate from the 'Book of Documents: Great Yu's Counsel,' stemming from the abdication of Yao, Shun, and Yu. When Yao abdicated to Shun, and Shun abdicated to Yu, the heavy responsibility of the empire and its people was entrusted to them, which is precisely the torch of ancient and modern civilization. We scholars must not be lacking in uprightness."
Everyone suddenly understood, all were shocked. Recovering their senses, they bowed and thanked Liang Xiao one after another.
"We will remember this for a lifetime!"
Zhuo Zifang sighed with emotion, "Liang Xiao is right. The Four Sentences of Hengqu are enough to guide all scholars in the world. But that is ambition. These sixteen characters of heart transmission focus on cultivating oneself with uprightness, and they are a perfect match!"
Everyone marveled.
Zhuo Zifang, however, felt a great deal of emotion.
Back then, Liang Xiao had criticized the "imperial examinations" of the Great Gan Dynasty as mere formalities in front of him, and he had even felt disappointed, thinking it was just an excuse for Liang Xiao's reluctance to study the Four Books and Five Classics.
Later, Liang Xiao's actions made him believe that he was merely carefree and unrestrained, but in reality, he possessed strategic foresight.
And now, he understood more profoundly that Liang Xiao did not look down upon the Four Books and Five Classics. On the contrary, he understood their beneficial content more thoroughly than the average person!
Zhang Yang and others couldn't help but feel ashamed, "We finally understand the profoundness of this saying..."
Liang Xiao explained, "The meaning of education is not to make people memorize content and doctrines. Rather, it is that even if they forget what they have learned in the future, their subsequent actions will be deeply influenced by their education. Your Excellencies, you serve the nation and the people with one heart and one mind, which is evident for all to see, perfectly embodying these sixteen characters of heart transmission."
Everyone's minds were further enlightened, and they were deeply impressed.
Even Zhuo Zifang stroked his beard and laughed heartily, "Well said! Even after forgetting everything learned, what remains is still the practice of what was learned in the past. This is the true meaning of education!"
Zhuo Zifang immediately ordered these sixteen characters to be framed and later carved into a stone tablet.
While the Taixue students were gathered, Liang Xiao also announced to the public, "The court has decided to establish more schools in various regions in the future, similar to private tutoring schools but on a larger scale. The position of principal will be crucial, equivalent to a ninth-rank official. Existing private tutoring schools in various regions will be incorporated into these schools, and the income of teachers and staff will only increase, not decrease, as encouragement."
As soon as he finished speaking, the entire venue erupted in cheers.
This meant that they too would have the opportunity to teach in various regions in the future, and even the chance to become principals!
Not all scholars aspired to official careers; some only wished to pursue scholarship and education.
Liang Xiao finally felt relieved.
He and Zhuo Zifang no longer needed to select talents from various regions, as the great aristocratic families had vanished.
As long as they ensured that more and more people received an education, and then improved the imperial examination system, gradually eliminated its shortcomings, and the imperial power firmly controlled the military power, the aristocratic families would have no chance to make a comeback!
Liang Xiao's lecture at the Imperial Academy spread throughout the capital, deeply moving the common people. More and more people began to buy books and educate their children.
Although the Great Gan Dynasty had currently fostered a martial spirit, the notion of "all professions are inferior, only scholarship is noble" had always been deeply ingrained.
The establishment of more schools in various regions meant that more scholars would have opportunities for official positions.
Even if their children couldn't become officials in the future, being a teacher and supporting their family would be acceptable.
At the very least, their children would be literate, more sensible and intelligent than their own generation. With continuous effort from generation to generation, there would be opportunities for social mobility!
Of course, this did not mean that serving in the army had lost its appeal.
There was the risk of casualties in the army, but there were also opportunities for great achievements and faster promotions.
Moreover, killing enemies in battle made it easier to receive rewards.
The northern generals who followed Liang Xiao in defeating the barbarians, beheading over five hundred thousand, even those who received the least rewards were enough to ensure their families lived without worry for several years!
Not counting Liang Xiao's group of high-ranking generals, among the soldiers alone, some fought bravely and rose to the ranks of captains and generals, receiving rewards of over a hundred taels, which would make them prominent figures in their hometowns.
Even with universal education, those with exceptional talents would still be a minority. The vast majority of people would live ordinary but stable lives.
The Great Gan Dynasty did not continue to adhere to the policy of favoring civil over military matters because of the promotion of education.
Returning to the Ministry of Personnel, Liang Xiao reminded Zhuo Zifang, "The Third Prince of the Great Liang Kingdom is coming to the capital as a guest. We should send someone to notify Nie Yuan and have him confirm whether this person is the leader of the Spring Rejuvenation Cult."
Because such a matter was too sensational, Liang Xiao had not told Qin Feng. After all, without a real identification, relying solely on a portrait was just speculation.
Zhuo Zifang's expression turned solemn, and he immediately sent someone to Yan Province to notify Nie Yuan.
If the Spring Rejuvenation Cult had truly infiltrated the Great Liang, the Great Gan Kingdom would need to consider dispatching sufficient shadow guards to protect Liang Xiao and his entourage.
"What is the intention of the Great Liang Emperor? I have pondered it from last year to this year and cannot fathom it," Zhuo Zifang sighed.
The Great Liang Emperor Mu Cheng had already promised that the Great Gan Kingdom could send an army of ten thousand men to accompany him, but the condition was that Xiao Qing promised that the army would not conquer territories or even pillage the people in the Great Liang, but only be responsible for protecting Liang Xiao.
Everything Mu Cheng had done to facilitate Liang Xiao's mission to the Great Liang seemed absurd and incomprehensible to the world, even completely inconsistent with his image as a wise ruler.
This was essentially gambling the entire country to welcome an uncertain factor.
However, Mu Cheng remained steadfast, even making all officials sign a letter of commitment, guaranteeing that they would never harm Liang Xiao. If Liang Xiao were to die, they would surrender to the Great Gan along with him.
Liang Xiao remained silent for a moment, then smiled, "There must be a shocking secret. At least he has done his utmost to cover his tracks; he would never harm me. Harming me could be a blow to the Great Gan Kingdom, but it would be a devastating blow to the Great Liang Kingdom."
Seeing Liang Xiao's assurance, Zhuo Zifang was completely at ease, "Let's prepare well. We will depart in June and should reach Jiangnan around August. Crossing the Heng River will lead us to Great Liang."
Liang Xiao smiled, "Commander Zhuo, why don't you tell me what my father did well in the Great Liang Kingdom back then? I suspect that the Northern King's Seal that the Great Liang Emperor gave me is also connected to my father."
Meanwhile, in the Great Liang Kingdom, the departure of seven princes to the capital of the Great Gan caused great displeasure among the major aristocratic families.
However, another matter was also causing the officials and subjects of Great Liang to be on edge.
"Your Majesty, at Liang Xiao's suggestion, the Great Gan Kingdom is accumulating large quantities of grain, rather than all rice. This move is peculiar!"