Chapter 1103: Political Discussion


    ?? Cai Yong is already in his early sixties. Normally, the life span of people in the Han Dynasty is about forty or fifty years old. Therefore, people of Cai Yong''s age are already long-lived in the Han Dynasty. This bright-headed old man felt very confused and a little uneasy about Fei Qian''s approach of getting closer to Zuo Ci during this period, so he specially asked Fei Qian to explain.


    ? It’s not that Cai Yong has much intention to defend Confucianism, but he doesn’t want Fei Qian to be influenced by the so-called evil ways and do something he shouldn’t do.


    “And for what? And why?”


    ??Cai Yong invited Fei Qian to drink tea, and the two of them sat blankly for a while and watched the swaying of the bamboo forest. After a while, Cai Yong came up with these two sentences that had no beginning or end.


    Fei Qian put down the tea bowl, was silent for a while, and said: "Confucianism is not Confucianism, and Taoism is not Taoism. This is a big disadvantage..."


    Cai Yong frowned and said: "According to your opinion, what should Confucianism and Taoism do?"


    Fei Qian said: "Confucianism should focus on the heavens and explain the things of the earth. If you are greedy for power and confuse right and wrong, wouldn''t it mean that you are retreating south and north and losing the foundation of Confucianism?"


    Confucianism was originally just a religion of knowledge, but it became a religion of power in the Han Dynasty. This has to be said to be an irony of Confucius, or a special inheritance.


    Since the Han Dynasty, Confucianism has absorbed too many things. An arm was sewed in from the east and a leg from the west, and it finally became an abomination with three heads and six arms.


    ? ? During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the Zhou Dynasty in China declined, and the princes became powerful. The "Zhou Rites" that maintained the feudal patriarchal hierarchy were greatly damaged. The princes competed for hegemony, and the society was in turmoil. At this time, in order to find a way out after the fall of the Zhou Dynasty, intellectuals stepped onto the historical stage one after another and put forward their own ideas and solutions, which formed the contention of a hundred schools of thought.


    What does the future look like?


    ?No one knows.


    How to treat the old and how to welcome the new? Almost a hundred schools of thought have opinions. But among the ones that survived in the Han Dynasty, only Taoism and Confucianism were left. Mohism had basically disappeared, Legalism was also wiped out by Confucianism, and the remaining sects were insignificant, and some were simply annexed by Confucianism. Already…


    “The foundation of Confucianism?” Cai Yong stroked his beard.


    "Exactly." Fei Qian replied, "The meaning of Confucianism lies in teaching. There is teaching without distinction, just like Confucius teaching Gongsun. But now, despicable people pretend to be Confucian and preach benevolence, but they are not scholars. If you don''t teach, you won''t say anything unless you are of high rank. I dare to ask the master, what is the original intention of Confucianism?"


    ??Cai Yong remained silent and sighed.


    Strictly speaking, during the Han Dynasty, Confucianism’s merits outweighed its faults.


    Because in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, as well as in the eras before it, all knowledge was only passed down among the upper class, that is, among the ancient nobles, and was not passed on to ordinary people. Confucius was the first to stand up, not only It changed the model of "learning from officials" and even claimed that there is no distinction between education and no distinction between national boundaries and Chinese and foreign countries. As long as they are interested in learning, they can enroll in school and receive education.


    Confucius''s disciples came from different countries such as Lu, Qi, Jin, Song, Chen, Cai, Qin, Chu, etc. This not only broke the national boundaries at that time, but also broke the distinction between Yi and Xia at that time. For example, they were regarded as "barbarians" by the Central Plains people. Gongsun Long, Qin Shang and so on. Moreover, Confucius also wanted to teach in the "Nine Barbarians", which shows how much impact and promotion Confucius'' actions had on the education system at that time...


    Some of Confucius''s disciples came from the aristocratic class, such as Nanguan Jingshu, Sima Niu, and Meng Yizi, but more of them came from civilian families, such as Yan Hui, Zeng Shen, Min Ziqian, Zhong Gong, Zi Lu, Zizhang, Zixia, Gong Ye Chang, Zigong and so on.


    From this point of view, Confucianism was for good in the beginning and was a force that promoted the development of the entire society. However, as time went by and by the Han Dynasty, Confucianism slowly changed its flavor.


    Cai Yong certainly knew this.


    During the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, although there was a saying of "deposing hundreds of schools of thought and respecting Confucianism alone", Confucian scholars had not yet fully controlled important positions such as the imperial court, military finance, etc., and they still mostly used scholars such as Zhang Tang, Yang Ke, Sang Hongyang, and Shangguan Jie. A disciple of Legalism who has practiced the art of Shang for decades. The famous Confucian scholar Yan Yi, who was serving as a minister of agricultural affairs at the time, was executed for opposing the "Complaint Order"; Confucian scholar Di Shan, who opposed war with the Huns and advocated peace talks, was sent to the front line by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty and was beaten to death by the Huns...


    It can be said that during the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Confucianism was just a tool, and there was no big difference or special care from other laws, Taoism, military and so on.


    But later on, Confucianism became dissatisfied with this situation and began to stretch its hands longer, asking for more.


    Power is a special thing, and it seems to be an innate belief of the Chinese people. It is the kind of absolute power that is superior to others, the kind of power that a shepherd has over the sheep, the power that the butcher has over the livestock, all moral and Ethics are all built on it, and it becomes an extremely violent and **** collection.


    Confucianism was too attached to such power, so Confucianism quickly transformed from an original academic sect into a pet lying at the feet of the emperor, showing its claws to all other sects who dared to approach the throne.


    Liu Xi, who was still the prince at the time and would become Emperor Yuan of Han Dynasty, once advised his father Liu Xun, Emperor Xuan of Han Dynasty, when he was young: "Your Majesty''s punishment is too harsh, it is better to use Confucian scholars."


    Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty scolded angrily: "The Han family has its own system, which is based on the overlord''s way. How can it be purely based on moral education and use Zhou''s government? Moreover, vulgar Confucianism is not up to date. It seems that it is ancient but not modern, which makes people dazzle in name and reality. If you don’t know what you are guarding, there is no point in appointing someone!”


    And this Liu Shi is the historical supporting role of the famous Wang Zhaojun...


    It is strange to say, but when Confucianism is promoted on a large scale, and then Confucianism develops strongly, it corresponds to the decline of the dynasty...


    ??During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the State of Lu implemented Confucianism to rule the country. As a result, the country not only failed to become strong, but was quickly destroyed.


    Before Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty, Confucianism was not practiced, but Huang-Lao theory was practiced, and the country gradually developed. During the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Liu Che adopted the method of strengthening centralization in order to deal with the Xiongnu. At this time, Confucianism provided the ideological and theoretical basis for action for Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Then Confucianism gradually flourished, and with it the rise of the Confucian gentry group representing the feudal big landowner class. , the Han Dynasty also gradually declined, until the current chaos...


    Later, in the early Tang Dynasty, the nine-grade system was abolished, the Confucian school was weakened, and the country became strong again.


    In the Song Dynasty, because they were worried about the recurrence of the yellow robe, the suppression of warriors reached a new height. Confucianism took this opportunity to make a comeback. Legalists and military strategists were weakened. The country was extremely weak externally, but internally it tried its best to safeguard the monarchy, suppress the poor, and ignore society. Reform, inhibiting the development of commercial economy and trade, and trying to return to the ancient small peasant economy. In the Southern Song Dynasty, Confucianism was even strengthened, and then nothing happened...


    ??The demise of the Song Dynasty can be said to be a classic case of the failure of Confucian state-building. The same was true for the Ming Dynasty. The Confucian school was strengthened again, so...


    As for the Qing Dynasty, in order to cater to the rulers, Confucianism was even more distorted and transformed into a human form. Maybe it''s all a coincidence.


    Of course, Confucianism also has many passionate people, but too much groveling, too much water is too cold, and too many outstanding people who are willing to risk everything for power have created all this.


    In the bamboo forest, with the gentle breeze, it should have been a clean and relaxing place. However, Cai Yong''s current mood does not feel like there is anything relaxing at all...


    "I know what you mean..." Cai Yong said halfway, then shook his head and sighed, "Confucian scholars fight for power...but for a way out..."


    In fact, what Cai Yong said is not wrong. In the early Han Dynasty, when Confucianism had just gained an exclusive reputation and monopoly power in the fields of thought, culture and education, Confucianism was extremely afraid of this kind of influence in people''s ideological field. The arbitrary power in the country would be lost quickly, and they were afraid that a Legalist regime would come back similar to the "violent Qin" that killed them back then. Therefore, the Confucian scholars attacked Legalist ideas quite fiercely, and even did not hesitate to fight against them. Covering other schools of thought…


    ?Those in later generations who constantly clamored to follow other people''s paths and leave others with no way to go must have been in line with the concepts of Confucian scholars at this time in the Han Dynasty.


    "So you can kill people with pen and ink?" Fei Qian said, "This kind of trick was also taught by Confucius?" Confucius did not use pen and ink. He only used his mouth at most. Using pen and ink to kill people was derived and developed by subsequent Confucian scholars. of.


    Cai Yong is a person who is more inclined to ancient classics, so Fei Qian also speaks out. Unlike Jinwen Jingxue, who always mixes various Tao, Dharma, Yin and Yang, etc. schools of thought for their own use, Cai Yong pays more attention to the inheritance and development of the original flavor.


    Just like Dong Zhongshu, he responded to Emperor Wu''s policy questions three times, used the ideas of yin and yang, five elements, and the unity of nature and man to develop Confucianism, transforming Confucianism into a theological theoretical system with a strong mysterious color, which already combined Taoism and Legalism , Yin Yang family, etc., and then his family''s reputation will be achieved. This kind of academic goal and method that focuses on theoretical proof actually created the academic style and attitude of the Jinwen Jing school, and Confucianism became more mystical and religious.


    This is precisely what Cai Yong cannot understand.


    Cai Yong could allow the development of Jinwen Jingxue, and he did not object to some interpretations of Jinwen Jingxue, but he always discussed it with his heart, saying that it contained the subtle meaning of Confucius in a random sentence, and then going on to study it word by word. , this kind of academic attitude disapproved of Cai Yong.


    So when Fei Qian said that Confucian scholars nowadays like to use pen and ink to kill people, Cai Yong was speechless.


    There are not a few Confucian scholars who do this.


    The most famous one is Sima Qian, who cursed Shang Yang in "Historical Records" as "a mean man with a talent... He was notorious in Qin, and he had a husband...". Not only that, he also spared no effort to smear Qin Shihuang, directly Qin Shihuang insulted him and turned him into a beast, a beast, a demon and a tyrant that was not a human being. "The First Emperor was a man, and his nature was ruthless and self-indulgent." …”


    Sima Qian was like this, and other Confucian believers also scorned and insulted Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty Liu Che who gave them exclusive control over education and culture. They often used "Qin Emperor and Han Wu" to humiliate and vilify him. It was simply because Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty gave them these Confucian students have the right to formulate educational and cultural policies, but they are not given the ability to intervene in politics at all, so they are just holding a grudge.


    "...How will you deal with Confucian people?" Cai Yong said.


    "It''s just to go back to the origin. Confucianism thrives in teaching, so it is good at teaching. The world''s knowledge is like the vast sea of ????stars, inexhaustible. It is not a Confucian to give up endless knowledge and seek glory that passes the eyes." Fei Qiangong cupped his hands and said, "If you are a Confucian, you will be here. That means peace of mind for generations to come!”


    No matter which generation you belong to, you will always have great respect for purely academic intellectuals. As long as they do not participate in political competition, you can''t wait to hold them up high and set them as a benchmark for the world. No matter whether it is an emperor or a powerful person, no one will say anything if he kills a hundred or a thousand political competitors. But as long as he kills a scholar who purely studies agriculture and mulberry, everyone will immediately become deserted, even the closest ones. People will regard him as a short-sighted and incompetent person who is not worth investing in him anymore.


    Hearing this, Cai Yong laughed so hard that he burst into tears. Then he shook his head and said, "How easy is it? Well, let you try it..."


    Cai Yong didn''t believe that Fei Qian could succeed, but it didn''t matter much, because Pingyang was now Fei Qian''s fiefdom. In other words, as long as the emperor didn''t say anything, Fei Qian''s words would be the biggest in Pingyang. So Fei Qian has some wonderful ideas and if he wants to try them, just give them a try.


    ??Moreover, Cai Yong also believed that true Confucianism should focus on learning, and as for official positions and so on, it is just a cloud...


    But if it is to be extended to the whole world, Cai Yong thinks it is not very possible.


    A person who has mastered power and tasted sweetness is not so easy to let go.


    "However, Mr. Huang cannot be of great use..." Cai Yong stopped smiling, looked at Fei Qian seriously, and said with sincerity, " Mr. Huang emphasizes alchemy and uses prophecies to confuse people''s hearts and stir up noise into chaos... The way to peace is We should learn from the past and take precautions..."


    To be honest, Cai Yongcai is also interested in how the Confucian Church will develop, but it is not the most important thing. The important thing is that Cai Yong was worried that Fei Qian had been brainwashed by Zuo Ci and was bewitched by the so-called gods, ghosts, immortality, etc. So when he heard that Fei Qian was going to reuse Zuo Ci, he hurriedly sent Fei Qian to Zuo Ci. Hidden call...


    ??Of course Cai Yong said these words very seriously.


    The Taoist Huang-Lao philosophy, like Confucianism, also degenerated in power. From the Warring States Period to the early Western Han Dynasty, Huang Lao, a Taoist, was originally a scholar of world affairs. However, as time went by, it gradually became the so-called "natural way of immortality." Prayers for ghosts and gods, prophecies and talismans were mixed together, and Huangdi and Laozi were regarded as gods, forming primitive Taoism.


    Fei Qian nodded and said: "Taoists are now good at ghosts and gods, so they are good at ghosts and gods... My disciple has ordered Zuo Zhenren to recruit Taoist priests, and he will soon go to Yinshan to preach, and use the gods of China to overthrow the ghosts of the barbarians... Three It will last for a month, and we will wait and see the effects..."


    Cai Yong looked at Fei Qian and saw that his words were not perfunctory. Moreover, this did not mean that Zuo Ci and others entered the political circle and preached to the barbarians. This was not a big deal, so he nodded. After a moment of silence, he then said: "That''s fine... I listen to your wishes. If you want to use Confucianism or Taoism... could you be a person who wants to use military force and law?"


    Since Fei Qian was not seduced by Zuo Ci, Cai Yong was relieved. However, looking at Fei Qian''s attitude, it seemed that he did not want Confucian scholars to take power and did not use Huang Lao''s people, so only military strategists and lawmen were left. However, military strategists and legalists also proved to have relatively big drawbacks. If Fei Qian had such thoughts, Cai Yong also felt that he needed to correct Fei Qian.


    Unexpectedly, he heard Fei Qian say: "A military man is naturally good at conquering and plundering the land, but he is useless for managing civil affairs... Legalists are most useful when they have clear laws and clear rules, and are well versed in everything. However, it is also easy to fall into harsh government and cannot be flexible. It can be used for a while but not for a lifetime..."


    "This...you don''t need Confucianism, Taoism, or military skills...this..." Cai Yong was completely confused. He looked at Fei Qian and asked, "this...to manage the agriculture and mulberry fields, one must be subordinate to the officials. Where can such a person come from?" Coming here? It should be noted that most of the wealthy people in the countryside are Confucian..."


    (End of this chapter)