Chapter 2 Chapter 2 The Origin of the Academy

Existing historical data confirm that the earliest use of the name of the academy was the government of the Tang Dynasty.Yuan Mei, a scholar of the Qing Dynasty, clearly pointed out in the book "Suiyuan Essays": "The name of the academy originated in the time of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty. Lizheng Academy and Jixian Academy were both built in the provincial dynasty. They are places for writing books, not for scholars to study. That’s why.” Yuan Mei’s statement has become the most authoritative conclusion recognized by academy researchers.This statement affirms two points: first, the earliest use of the name of the academy was Lizheng Academy and Jixian Academy founded by Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty; It is not the place where scholars study, it is the library of the government palace, not the educational institution for cultivating talents.

Lizheng Academy, also known as Lizhengxiu Academy, also known as Lizhengdian Academy.According to the "Old Tang Book·Records of Officials", Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty wrote four books under the east corridor of Qianyuan Hall in the fifth year of Kaiyuan (717 A.D.) to fill the internal treasury, and set up four school officials. "New Book of Tang Baiguan Zhi" stated: In the sixth year of Kaiyuan (718 A.D.), the Qianyuan Hall was renamed Li Zhengxiu Academy, and a school inspector was specially set up, and the book officer was changed to Li Zheng Hall Zhishi.In the eleventh year of Kaiyuan (723 A.D.), an academy was established outside Guangshunmen.In the twelfth year of Kaiyuan, Lizheng Academy was also set up outside Mingfu Gate in the eastern capital.That is to say, from the fifth year of Kaiyuan to the twelfth year of Kaiyuan (717-724 A.D.), Emperor Xuanzong of Tang successively disposed of Lizheng Academy in Qianyuan Hall, outside Guangshun Gate, and outside Mingfu Gate. School books.

Jixian Academy, also known as Jixian Palace Academy.According to the "Old Book of Tang Xuanzong Benji": In the summer of the thirteenth year of Kaiyuan (725 A.D.), Jixian Hall was changed to Jixian Hall, and Lizheng Academy was changed to Jixian Hall Academy.Subsequently, the Lizheng Academy outside the Guangshun Gate of the Daming Palace and the Mingfu Gate in the Eastern Capital were also changed to Jixian Academy. The basic functions of Lizheng Academy and Jixian Academy are to compile and proofread books.Its motivation and purpose are to show the spirit and merits of the rulers of the Tang Dynasty advocating Confucianism and asking questions, and also to show the determination and good deeds of the rulers of the Tang Dynasty to inherit and carry forward the historical tradition and learn from the past.

At first, the minister of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty, named Confucian Chu Wuliang, believed that the old books in the inner library had been hidden in the palace since Emperor Gaozong of Tang Dynasty.This suggestion won the approval of Emperor Xuanzong, so he ordered the erection in front of the Qianyuan Hall in the eastern capital, a large search and writing, and a wide selection of different editions from all over the world for publication and proofreading.After several years of hard work, the four scriptures were completed.Xuanzong was very happy and ordered Chu Wuliang to continue his previous work in Lizheng Hall.

One day, Xuanzong summoned Zhang Shuo, officials of ceremonies, and scholars to give a banquet in Jixian Hall.Xuanzong said to Zhang: "Today, I, Qing and other sages are having a banquet here. It is appropriate to change the Jixian Hall to the Jixian Hall."Then Lizheng Academy was changed to Jixiandian Academy, and Zhang Shuo was appointed to preside over the affairs of the academy.Obviously, Jixian Hall obviously has the meaning of Taoism and Taoism, and changing it to Jixian Hall shows the spirit of advocating Confucianism. Once, Lu Jian, a member of Zhongshushe, pointed out that the employment of bachelors in Jixiandian Academy was improper, and the salary was too high and the consumption was too heavy, which was not beneficial to the country. He advocated the dismissal of all the bachelors.After Zhang Shuo heard it, he publicly refuted it, pointing out: Since ancient times, after the success of emperors, they often have the loss of arrogance and complacency.Some have a great view of the pond, believe in Buddhism and Taoism;Today, the emperor adores Confucianism, lectures on the scriptures himself, hires many virtuous scholars, and establishes Lizheng Academy as a place of ritual and music for the emperor. The cost is very small, but the benefits are great.Lu Jian's words are really unreasonable.Xuanzong learned that he was convinced that what Zhang said was justified.As a result, Lu Jian was no longer reused.

Since Emperor Wudi of the Western Han Dynasty, respecting Confucianism alone has become the general strategy of governing the country followed by the feudal rulers of all dynasties.Collecting and arranging scriptures became an important measure for the rulers to respect Confucius and Confucianism, and it was also an important symbol for the rulers to show off their merits.Collecting, collecting, publishing, and arranging scriptures became a major event of the imperial court, forming a long historical tradition.Tang Xuanzong created Lizheng Academy and Jixian Academy just to show his determination to inherit and carry forward the historical tradition and enhance the power of his rule. "Old Tang Books Zhiguanzhi" has listed in detail the collection and collation of books in the past dynasties to prove that Tang Xuanzong's establishment of Lizheng Academy and Jixian Academy is to inherit the historical tradition since the Han and Wei Dynasties, and also shows that Lizheng Academy, Jixian Academy Xian Academy was developed from the Secretary Supervisor, Wende Hall, Wenlin Library, Qilin Pavilion and other official book collection institutions since the Han and Wei Dynasties, and has similar functions.

However, the functions of Lizheng Academy and Jixian Academy in the Tang Dynasty were expanded compared with the collection and proofreading institutions of the previous dynasties, adding the functions of consultation, consulting, reading, and lectures.Through "publishing ancient and modern scriptures to identify the great classics of the state", "prepare consultants to deal with them"; discovering "the legacy of the world's books and the stagnation of virtuous talents", it is requested to solicit. At that time, if the writing is feasible for the generation, it should be compared with its talent and its academics to apply for it."According to the "Jixiandian Academy Note" in "New Book of Tang·Baiguan Zhi", Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty "selected senior Confucian scholars, and read them every day to question the doubts of historical records."University scholar Hou Xingguo and others once lectured on "Book of Changes", "Laozi", etc.After the lecture, Xuanzong often gave wine and banquets, and the bachelors drank with Xuanzong Yan for joy.

Several poems about rewards for monarchs and ministers are preserved in "Quan Tang Poetry", which can help us judge the exact time and part of the activities of the academy.One of the poems written by Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty is "The Two Ministers of the Spring Festival Banquet and the Lizheng Lizhengdian Bachelor's Exploration of Fengzi".There is also a song called "Jixian Academy Cheng Sends Zhang Shuo Shang Jixian Bachelor Gives a Banquet to Get Precious Words", the first few lines of which are: