SWDnovel Chapter 141 Education as the Foundation of the Year's Plan
Chapter 141 Education as the Foundation of the Year's Plan
Chapter 141 Education is the Foundation of a Century-Long Plan
Chapter 140 "Chief Wang, what are you up to? Just a few days ago you were depositing silver in the bank, trying to drag me down with you. And now you're here to apologize? You've changed your tune far too quickly."
Chen Ying was well aware that Wang Wende hadn't genuinely admitted defeat. The problem was, continuing the fight wouldn't benefit them, unless they wanted their families destroyed. Of course, Chen Ying didn't intend to exterminate them, because his current strength was still weak, lacking the resources of the Huizhou merchants. Even though he knew the Huizhou merchants were smuggling with the Jurchens, he didn't have the authority to completely eliminate them.
Developing industrial technology requires time, investment, and a large pool of qualified teachers to cultivate talent. Currently, Chen Ying faces a severe shortage of talent.
Wang Wende blushed and said in a low voice, "Sir, I know I was wrong. I beg you to show mercy and give the Huizhou merchants a way out."
Chen Ying laughed and said, "As I have said, I do not want to be enemies with the Huizhou merchants. It is better for everyone to make money in harmony than anything else. From now on, business in Da Ning must be conducted according to my rules. Anyone who dares to break the rules will not be let off lightly by me."
Wang Wende and Cheng Jiashi exchanged a glance and said in unison, "We, your humble servants, will obey your orders."
Chen Ying nodded and sat down again: "Alright, sit down. I happen to have some matters I'd like to discuss with you."
Wang Wende and Cheng Shi exchanged a glance, both relieved. Chen Boying hadn't turned hostile, which meant there was still room for discussion.
"Please speak, sir."
Wang Wende sat down respectfully, adopting an extremely humble posture.
Chen Ying leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest, and said slowly, "I wish to build an academy in Yongming City."
"Academy?"
Wang Wende was taken aback: "If Your Excellency wants to establish a school, I will absolutely support you with all my might. For Your Excellency's academy, I can donate 200,000 taels of silver, and our Huizhou Merchants Association can donate at least 2 million taels of silver."
Almost instantly, Wang Wende understood. Since he couldn't win, he might as well join them. The Donglin Party had already been dealt a terrible blow by Wei Zhongxian; the Six Gentlemen had been imprisoned one after another, and their release was unlikely. Thirty-two key officials had also been dismissed or imprisoned. Although the Huizhou merchants were the financial backers of the Donglin Party, their support was based on profit. If the profit was large enough, they could easily switch sides and support the eunuch faction.
Historically, after the sixth year of the Tianqi reign, the Donglin Party was almost completely wiped out by Wei Zhongxian. This was also directly related to the defection of Huizhou merchants. Without money and funds, why would they follow you?
Chen Ying smiled and said, "Chief Wang, Mr. Cheng, this academy of mine is different from Donglin Academy. Our academy does not train talents for the imperial examinations; instead, it specializes in training business talents such as craftsmen, accountants, and shopkeepers!"
Chen Ying stood up, walked to the map of Daning hanging on the wall, and pointed to the location of Yongming City: "Here, I plan to build the Daning Lanxiang Science and Technology Academy, with an initial planned area of 6,000 mu (approximately 400 hectares) —"
Cheng Jiashi and Wang Wende were instantly stunned. A 6,000-mu academy was more than ten times larger than Donglin Academy. They were also shocked by Chen Ying's grand gesture.
"Lanxiang Vocational College does not teach the Four Books and Five Classics, nor does it teach the Eight-Legged Essay. It only teaches practical skills, such as how blacksmiths make steel and iron, how to cast, and how to make molds. It teaches carpenters how to improve production efficiency and how to make utensils in the style of our Ming Dynasty. In addition, there are mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, surveying, and shipbuilding. Students are recruited from all over the country. As long as you are willing to learn, there is no distinction between rich and poor, and no tuition is charged."
Wang Wende and Cheng Shi were both good-looking. No tuition fees? And they even provide technical training? How much money would that cost?
Chen Ying noticed their confusion and smiled, "Of course, running a school costs money. I will provide the land, the management, and a portion of the teachers. The rest will require the help of you Huizhou merchants."
Wang Wende asked cautiously, "How much does Your Excellency need?"
"Two million taels." Chen Ying held up two fingers.
Wang Wende gasped. Two million taels—thankfully, they hadn't asked for an exorbitant amount.
Chen Ying continued, "The money isn't free. After the academy is built, you Hui merchants can recruit outstanding students to work in the shops. Hui merchants have the right to use the new technologies developed by the academy, and they have the right to hire the craftsmen trained by the academy. The money you contribute will be considered as shares, and you will receive dividends every year."
Wang Wende quickly did the math. Two million taels of silver, if deposited in a bank, would only yield a hundred thousand taels in interest per year. But if invested in the academy, the craftsmen trained would become the future talents of the Huizhou merchants; the technologies developed would become their powerful tools. This deal was definitely worthwhile.
"My lord," Wang Wende stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "On behalf of the Huizhou merchants, I agree."
Chen Ying smiled: "Alright. However, I have one more condition."
"Please speak, sir."
"The academy's faculty cannot rely solely on artisans teaching; they also need a certain level of cultural knowledge, requiring the ability to read, write, and draw. Jiangcai is renowned for its literary talent, but only a limited number can succeed on the narrow bridge of the imperial examinations. There are still countless scholars who have persevered through the examinations, whether they are Xiucai or Juren. You must provide at least 150 teachers who can teach basic cultural knowledge; you cannot send people just to make up the numbers!"
Chen Ying looked at Cheng Jiashi and said, "Chairman Wang, Mr. Cheng, you know many people. Could you help me invite my teacher from Europe and Jiangnan?"
"One hundred and fifty scholars are not easy to recruit!"
Cheng Jiashi pondered for a moment, then nodded: "I will do my best."
Two million taels of silver was the Huizhou merchants' pledge of allegiance, and of course, so were the 150 teachers—resources that Chen Ying did not possess.
To Chen Ying's surprise, there was an unexpected bonus. Xu Guangqi, having heard that Chen Ying wanted to establish a university, came to him and said, "Lord Chen, I have a favor to ask."
"Please speak, Lord Xu."
"I would like to establish a Western Studies Institute within this academy. I would invite several missionaries to teach astronomy, calendar systems, mathematics, and geometry. Not missionary work, but teaching."
Chen Ying laughed and said, "Lord Xu, are you trying to bring Western knowledge to the Ming Dynasty?"
Xu Guangqi said solemnly, "In my opinion, knowledge knows no borders. What Europeans understand, the people of Ming should also understand. Only by understanding can we use it; only by using it can we become strong."
Chen Ying nodded: "Lord Xu is right. However, I also have a condition."
"Please speak, sir."
"Missionaries may teach at colleges, but they cannot force students to convert. Faith is a private matter and cannot be forced. I respect everyone's faith, but colleges are places for learning, not for missionary work."
Xu Guangqi was overjoyed: "On behalf of the missionaries, I thank you, sir!"
Chen Ying waved his hand and said, "Furthermore, I grant them permission to build a church in Yongming City. It's not for missionary work, but to settle the Europeans who have come to the Great Ming. They are far from home and need a spiritual anchor. Once the church is built, they will have a sense of belonging and will be able to work for the Great Ming with peace of mind."
Chen Ying wasn't worried about those pastors leading the people of the Ming Dynasty astray. These pastors were currently funded, while the people of the Ming Dynasty were struggling to even have enough to eat; how could they have the mind to believe in religion? It wouldn't be too late to talk about faith once they were well-fed, clothed, and wealthy. Besides, faith starts with an egg; faith stops when the egg is gone. What the people believe or don't believe depends on how well they live, not on what the foreigners say.
Chen Ying put forward some specific requirements: Lanxiang Vocational College should establish departments of ironwork, woodwork, chemical engineering, and surveying.
Shipbuilding Department; the program lasts three years, with the first year focusing on basic knowledge, the second year on specialized skills, and the third year on internships. After graduation, students are assigned jobs by the college, with priority given to those from the Daning Army, Chen Family, Daning Military Command, and Huizhou merchants.
P.S.: I haven't finished writing yet. I'll check back later. If there's no next chapter before 1:30, then it's over.