It was the first time that Li Jie saw such a frustrated expression on Lao Zhu's face, but it was normal to think about it. Even if Lao Zhu was wise and powerful and had extraordinary energy, he was a mortal after all, and could not escape the law of birth, old age, sickness and death. Now his aging body may be able to temporarily suppress those scholars, but if he is gone, his children and grandchildren will not have the ability.

Thinking of this, Li Jie couldn't help but sigh. After thinking for a while, he suddenly looked up and said, "Student!"

"Scholarship?" Lao Zhu was stunned when he heard this strange word, then thought about it carefully, and then slapped the table and said, "This name is so wonderful. In ancient times, there were clans who shared the world with the emperor. After the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the clans slowly eliminated the clans with the imperial examination system, but gradually formed the current clans. These people were in high positions and monopolized their knowledge, and they said that they were clans that were more appropriate!"

"Your Majesty is wise. Although there are some differences between academic lords and scholars, it is essentially a monopoly on political, literary and other resources. Moreover, academic lords are no longer inherited in the form of family, which makes the vitality of academic lords even more tenacious. Unless Your Majesty slaughtered all scholars in the world, it is impossible to destroy them!"

"That's true!" Lao Zhu couldn't help but look depressed when he heard this. Sometimes he really wanted to kill all scholars in the world, but this was impossible. After all, scholars have firmly tied themselves to the country. No matter how domineering and strong Lao Zhu is, he would not dare to really do anything to scholars unless he doesn't want this country.

"Your Majesty, it is indeed difficult to eliminate the academic sect, but there is not no other way to weaken their power!" Li Jie suddenly spoke at this time.

In fact, the so-called academic clans are nothing more than those Confucian disciples. It is undeniable that Confucianism does have a positive side, but Confucianism has monopolized the officialdom of the Central Plains for more than a thousand years, but has caused many bad effects. Now it is time to change.

"Oh? What can you say quickly!" Lao Zhu immediately asked when he heard Li Jie's words. He could feel that he had not had much time, and during his last period, he also wanted to do something for his children and grandchildren.

"Your Majesty, since the Han Dynasty respected Confucianism alone, Confucian disciples began to enter the officialdom and formed a strict set of employment standards, excluding all other people from the officialdom. No matter how the dynasties change, they will not have a great impact on them. However, as time goes by, the Confucian employment standards have formed serious problems. I think this set of specifications must be reformed now!" Li Jie said to Lao Zhu very seriously.

Lao Zhu was also shocked when he heard Li Jie's words. He never expected that Li Jie's ambition was even greater than he thought, and he actually wanted to dig the roots of Confucianism. If people outside knew about this, Li Jie would probably face the situation of being invincible throughout the world.

Thinking of this, Lao Zhu immediately said seriously: "Li Jie, do you know what you are talking about?"

"I know what I am saying and the seriousness of this matter, so I only dare to say these words to Your Majesty!" Li Jie said with a serious expression. He had never even said these words, and he usually only dared to think about them in his heart. However, now that Old Zhu has seen the predicament of the Ming Dynasty, Li Jie would say these things to him.

Lao Zhu also had a serious expression. After a moment, he spoke: "What you said makes sense, but Confucianism has monopolized the officialdom for so many years and has long built the officialdom like an iron barrel. How can you break this situation?"

"I will definitely not be able to break this situation by relying on me alone, but if you nod your Majesty, I will be somewhat sure, and I have already thought of strategies for both internal and external!" When Li Jie said the last, a smug smile appeared on his face.

"Both internal and external aspects? Tell me quickly!" Lao Zhu saw that Li Jie seemed to be a little confident, and immediately asked with an interesting expression.

"The inside of the academic vassal is not a monolithic part. For example, in this imperial examination, we can see that the academic vassals in Jiangnan are strong and far from comparable to scholars from other places. However, it is precisely because of this that the academic vassals in Jiangnan will definitely be rejected by scholars from other places. I think I can do some work from them!" Li Jie said in the end with a sinister smile.

"Tell me more!" Old Zhu's eyes lit up and said again.

"During this imperial examination, Liu Sanwu and others, as examiners, were obviously inclined to the Jiangnan examination. Then, the next imperial examination, the examiners could select officials from the north, and add some officials from Huguang, Sichuan, Guangzhou and other places. They felt resentful to the scholars in Jiangnan. Therefore, the next imperial examination, the ranking of scholars in Jiangnan will definitely be very ugly. At that time, the Jiangnan examination will definitely cause trouble. As long as your Majesty grasps the balance, it will be easy to make a profit."

"Of course, this is just a means that cannot be put on the table. After all, even if the academic valence in Jiangnan is suppressed, there will be a rise in other places. Therefore, these methods can only treat the symptoms but not the root cause."

Li Jie paused and then said: "The fundamental reason for shaking the academic sect is actually to break their monopoly on their right to study, so the best way is to popularize education. If everyone can read, then the academic sect in the world will have no means to monopolize knowledge, and in this way, they will completely lose their foundation."

"Popular education? But the court has been doing this, but it is easy to say, but it is difficult to do." Lao Zhu frowned again at the end. County schools and government schools in various places have been open, and there are even officials who specialize in education. However, education is not an easy task. Sometimes it is very invested but not much profit.

"The education that Your Majesty mentioned is not compared with the education that I mentioned. If children across the country were allowed to learn some classics, history, and collections, even if the court paid money, the final effect would probably be limited, and it would not be as good as those of some famous Confucian disciples. After all, they have been passed down for many years and have long studied Confucian classics. It is impossible for ordinary people to compare with them."

Li Jie suddenly paused when he said this, then he narrowed his eyes and smiled, "But if we don't teach these Confucian classics, such as teaching some practical knowledge, will each Confucian scholar have any advantages?"
Chapter completed!