Three Kingdoms: Prince of the Great Wei, Prime Minister Cao - Chapter 22

Chapter 22: Blocking One’s Path to Achievement is Like Killing One’s Parents, No End Until Death! The Power of Commoner Scholars!

Cao Cao followed Cao Ju’s gaze and looked down.

Seeing the two “New Books of Mencius” quietly placed before him…

Combined with his son’s earlier statement about needing “a sufficient number of scholars throughout the realm,” he immediately understood Cao Ju’s intention:

To use the printing press and improved paper-making techniques to cultivate more scholars.

Instantly, a spark of inspiration lit up in Cao Cao’s mind.

Promote education!

Only by vigorously promoting education using these two technologies could it be possible to quickly nurture many scholars, thereby countering the aristocratic families that currently held the monopoly over knowledge.

Cao Ju, looking at his father Cao Cao, whose face was now enlightened, could tell that his father had grasped the idea…

He chuckled and said, “Father, you’ve also figured it out!”

“Indeed, it’s about establishing educational institutions.”

“While it might be challenging for others to establish academies for knowledge dissemination, for you, who possesses the technology of movable type printing and improved paper-making, it’s not difficult.”

“Even in terms of constructing these academies.”

“You could even issue orders for the stationed armies in various commanderies to contribute labor during the construction.”

“As for the lack of teaching staff for these institutions.”

A sinister smile appeared on Cao Ju’s face.

“You’re saying.”

“If you promise to provide renowned scholars and notable figures from various regions with free paper, and if you print and preserve their works on Confucianism and other subjects using the movable type printing technique, in exchange for them spreading knowledge and teachings in the newly established academies, would they be willing?”

“Hehe, in my opinion,”

“Not only can this gain fame through education and teaching, but it also offers the opportunity to obtain free paper and have their works printed. There wouldn’t be many who could heartlessly refuse.”

“Besides that.”

“Even the erudite individuals within the aristocratic families, along with talented yet neglected scholars from humble backgrounds, could be enticed by this offer to help you cultivate scholars in these academies.”

“If it goes like this.”

“No need for twenty or thirty years, only ten years!”

“After ten years.”

“When enough scholars are emerging across the realm due to your initiatives, if you then issue orders to implement the civil service examination system.”

Cao Ju placed the flowerpot back in its original position, clenching his fist tightly.

“Even if the aristocratic families realize it and attempt to block your implementation.”

“It will be too late!”

“They won’t be able to stop this prevailing trend.”

“Because blocking one’s path to achievement for scholars, it’s like killing their parents.”

“It can indeed be described as an unrelenting pursuit.”

“In the face of fame, fortune, and social advancement, they won’t care about your aristocratic background, family status, or grand heritage.”

Of course, there’s a sentence Cao Ju didn’t say.

That was, if everything evolves as he described earlier, in the end, the aristocratic families would have to face an era of transformation led by the ruling class under Cao Cao’s command and the alliance between countless commoner scholars representing the lower class intellectuals.

Could a spark start a prairie fire?

No, damn, it’s exactly Cao Cao standing on the high ground, commanding countless ambitious commoner scholars who refused to accept mediocrity, carrying explosive charges on their backs, and launching an unyielding assault on the aristocratic families.

In this process, the lower-class scholars sandwiched between the commoner scholars and the aristocratic families might not choose to stand aside. They might join in challenging the aristocratic families.

Thinking of that scene, Cao Ju felt a sense of pity for the aristocratic families. At that time, the aristocratic families would only have two choices.

First, either resist to the death and be swept away by the tide of change.

Second, assimilate into the imperial examination system and join it.

At the same time, watched their influence gradually diminish as they were gradually boiled like frogs in the warm water of the imperial examination system. There had never been a third choice. If there had to be one, they could try rebelling, raise an army, and see if Wei’s military might be effective!

On the main seat, listening to Cao Ju’s insightful and brilliant presentation, Cao Cao couldn’t help but slap his knee.

“Hahaha!”

“What my child has said truly resonates with me.”

“I shall eat three large bowls for dinner tonight.”

With joy, Cao Cao’s gaze inadvertently fell upon the “Cao Family Covered Rice” placed on the table in front of him, causing his mouth to twitch involuntarily. Unfazed, Cao Cao picked up his chopsticks, lifted the lidded bowl, and quietly gathered the scattered rice on the table. Silently, he put it back into the bowl.