Three Kingdoms

  Chapter 1103 On Politics

  Cai Yong is already in his early sixties. Normally speaking, the life expectancy of people in the Han Dynasty is about forty or fifty years old. Therefore, people of Cai Yong's age were already very old in the Han Dynasty. This old man with a bright head felt very puzzled and disturbed by Fei Qian's approach of getting closer to Zuo Ci during this period of time, so he specially asked Fei Qian to explain.

   It's not that Cai Yong has any intention of defending Confucianism, but that he doesn't want Fei Qian to be influenced by the so-called crooked ways and do some things that shouldn't be done.

   "And for what? And for what?"

  Cai Yong invited Fei Qian to drink tea, and the two of them sat blankly watching the swaying of the bamboo forest for a while, and after a while, Cai Yong came out with such endless sentences.

  Fei Qian put down his tea bowl, was silent for a while, and said, "Confucianism is not Confucianism, Dao is not Dao, this is a big disadvantage..."

  Cai Yong frowned and said, "According to your wishes, what should Confucians and Taoists do?"

   Fei Qian said: "Confucianism should go up to the meaning of the sky, and go down to explain the things of the earth. If you are greedy for power and reverse black and white, wouldn't it be a retreat from the south to the north, and lose the foundation of Confucianism?"

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

  Since the Han Dynasty, Confucianism absorbed too many things. An arm was sewn into the east side, and a leg was stuffed into the west side. Finally, it became a superhuman abomination.

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

   What does the future look like?

  No one knows.

   How to deal with the old and how to welcome the new, almost a hundred schools of thought have their own opinions. But Taoism and Confucianism were the only ones that could survive in the Han Dynasty. Mohism had basically disappeared, and Legalism was also wiped out 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 no distinction between teaching and learning, such as Confucius teaching Gongsun. But now, the despicable people pretend to be Confucian names and preach benevolence, but they are not scholars. If you don’t teach it, don’t say anything unless you have a high rank, dare to ask the master, what is the original intention of Confucianism?”

  Cai Yong remained silent and sighed.

  Strictly speaking, in the Han Dynasty, the merits of Confucianism outweighed their demerits.

Because in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States period, as well as in the era before it, all knowledge was only passed on among the upper class, that is, among the ancient nobles, and not among ordinary people. Confucius was the first to stand up, not only It changed the model of "learning from officials", and even declared that there is no distinction between education, regardless of national boundaries and Huayi, as long as they are willing to learn, they can enroll and receive education.

Confucius' disciples came from different countries such as Lu, Qi, Jin, Song, Chen, Cai, Qin, and Chu. This not only broke the national boundaries at that time, but also broke the distinction between Yi and Xia at that time. Gongsun Long and Qin Shang of the state of Chu, and so on. Moreover, Confucius wanted to live in the "Nine Barbarians" to teach, which shows how much impact and promotion Confucius' actions had on the education system at that time...

Some of Confucius' disciples came from the noble class, such as Nanguan Jingshu, Sima Niu, and Meng Yizi, but more of them came from commoner families, such as Yan Hui, Zeng Shen, Min Ziqian, Zhonggong, Zilu, Zizhang, Zixia, Gong Yechang, Zigong and so on.

  From this point of view, at the beginning, Confucianism was good and a force to promote the development of the entire society. However, as time went by, and in the Han Dynasty, Confucianism gradually changed its flavor.

   Of course Cai Yong knew this.

During the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, although there was a so-called "dismissing all schools of thought and respecting only Confucianism", Confucian scholars had not yet fully controlled the imperial court, military and financial and other important positions, and still used such scholars as Zhang Tang, Yang Ke, Sang Hongyang, and Shangguan Jie. A legalist child who has practiced business for decades. Yan Yi, a famous Confucian who was in charge of the Da Nong Order at the time, was executed because he opposed the "declaration of suing"; Di Shan, a Confucian scholar who opposed fighting 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 and special care from other laws, Taoism, and soldiers.

   But then Confucianism became dissatisfied with this state, and began to extend its hand longer, asking for more.

Power is a special thing, and it seems to be the innate belief of Chinese people. It is the kind of absolute power that is superior to others. Ethics are built on it, and it becomes an extremely violent and **** aggregate.

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

  At that time, he was still a prince, and Liu Shi, who would become Emperor Hanyuan in the future, once advised his father Liu Xun, Emperor Xuandi of the Han Dynasty: "Your Majesty's punishment is too deep, and 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 taught by virtue and use the Zhou government? And the vulgar Confucianism is out of date, so the past is not the present, which makes people dazzled by the name and reality. If you don’t know what to keep, what’s the point of appointing!”

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

   It is strange to say, but when Confucianism is advocated on a large scale in everything, 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 practiced Confucianism to rule the country. As a result, the country not only failed to prosper, but was soon destroyed.

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

   Further on, in the early Tang Dynasty, the Jiupin system was abolished, the Confucian school was weakened, and the country became strong again.

In the Song Dynasty, fearing that the yellow robes would reappear, the suppression of warriors reached a new level. The Confucian school took this opportunity to make a comeback. The legalists and military strategists were weakened. reform, restrain the development of commercial economy and trade, and attempt to return to the ancient small-scale peasant economy. In the Southern Song Dynasty, Confucianism was strengthened even more, and then there was no more...

  The demise of the Song Dynasty can be said to be a classic case of the failure of Confucianism to rule the country. The same is true for the Ming Dynasty. The Confucian school is strengthened again, so...

  As for the Qing Dynasty, in order to cater to the rulers, Confucianism was even more distorted and out of human form.

  Maybe it's all a coincidence.

  Of course Confucianism is among them, and there are also many passionate people, but there are too many groveling, too much water is too cold, too many outstanding people who can do nothing for the sake of power, after all, they have created all this.

  In the bamboo forest, there is a gentle breeze, which should be a clean and relaxing place, but Cai Yong's current mood does not feel that there is anything to relax at all...

   "I know what you mean..." Cai Yong said halfway, then shook his head, and sighed, "Confucian scholars fight for power... just to survive..."

In fact, what Cai Yong said is not wrong. In the early Han Dynasty, when Confucianism had just gained a high reputation and monopolized power in the fields of thought, culture, and education, because Confucianism was extremely afraid of this kind of influence in the field of people's thinking The autocratic power in China will be quickly lost, and they are afraid that there will be a comeback of a legalist regime similar to the "tyrannical Qin" that killed them in the past, so Confucian scholars and Confucians attack Legalism very violently, even at the expense of this kind of struggle. Covering other schools of thought...

   Those in later generations clamoring to follow other people's path at every turn, leaving others nowhere to go, must have been in line with the Confucian concept at this time in the Han Dynasty.

"In this way, you can kill with pen and ink?" Fei Qian said, "This trick was also taught by Confucius?" Confucius didn't use pen and ink. of.

  Cai Yong is more inclined to the study of ancient Chinese classics, so Fei Qian is outspoken. Different from Jinwen Confucian classics who always blend various schools of Tao, Dharma, Yin-Yang, etc. 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 question three times, developed Confucianism with the thought of yin and yang, five elements, and the unity of man and nature, and transformed Confucianism into a theological theory system with a strong mysterious color, which already combines Taoism and Legalism , Yin-Yang family, etc., and then he became his family. This kind of academic goal and academic method that focuses on theory and argumentation actually created the academic style and attitude of the Jinwen Confucianism School, and Confucianism became more and more mystified and religious.

   This is exactly what Cai Yong can't understand.

Cai Yong can allow the development of Jinwen Confucianism, and he does not object to some interpretations of Jinwen Confucianism, but he always discusses it with his heart, and just pulls out a sentence and says that it contains the subtle words of Confucius, and then goes on to study it word by word , Such an academic attitude makes Cai Yong very disapproving.

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

  There are not a few Confucian scholars who do this.

The most famous is Sima Qian, who scolded Shang Yang in the "Historical Records" as "he is a mean man... He was notorious in Qin, and he was a husband..." Not only that, but he also spared no effort to discredit Qin Shihuang, directly putting Qin Shihuang insulted and became non-human beasts, beasts, demons and tyrants. "The first emperor was a man, and his nature was violent and self-serving." ..."

Sima Qian is like this, and other Confucian believers, including Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty Liu Che who gave them exclusive control over education and culture, sneered at them and insulted them. Confucian scholars have the right to formulate educational and cultural policies, but they do not have the ability to interfere in politics at all, so they are just holding grudges.

   "...So, Confucian, how will you deal with it?" Cai Yong said.

"It's just going back to the source. Confucianism is more prosperous than teaching, and it is better than teaching. The world's knowledge is like a vast sea of ​​stars, and there is no end. If you give up infinite knowledge and seek the glory of the past, you are not Confucianism." Fei Qian cupped his hands and said, "If Confucianism reaches this point, It is for generations to come, and there will be no worries forever!"

  No matter what dynasty or generation it is, purely academic intellectuals are always highly respected. As long as they don't participate in political competition, they can't wait to hold them high and set them as the benchmark of the world. Whether it is an emperor or a powerful person, no one will say anything if you kill a hundred or a thousand political competitors, but as long as you kill a scholar who purely studies Nongsang, everyone will immediately betray you, even the closest relatives. People will regard him as short-sighted and incompetent, and it is not worth investing in him.

   Cai Yong laughed out loud when he heard the words, until tears came out, then he shook his head and said, "Easier said than done? Well, let you try it..."

Cai Yong doesn't believe that Fei Qian can succeed, but it doesn't matter much, because now Pingyang is already a fief owned by Fei Qian. So Fei Qian has some whimsical ideas, and if he wants to try it out, just give it a try.

   And Cai Yong also believes that true Confucianism should focus on learning, as for official positions, they are all floating clouds...

  However, Cai Yong thinks that the possibility of promoting it to the whole day is not great.

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

"However, Mr. Huang can't be used much..." Cai Yong withdrew his smile, looked at Fei Qian seriously, and said earnestly, "Mr. Huang emphasizes alchemy and uses prophecy to confuse people's hearts and create chaos...the way of peace is Lessons learned from the past, we must guard against it..."

   Regarding the development of the Confucian Church, to be honest, although old man Cai Yong Cai is also interested, it is not the most important thing. The important thing is that Cai Yong was worried that Fei Qian would be brainwashed by Zuo Ci, bewitched by the so-called gods, ghosts, immortality and so on, so when he heard that Fei Qian was going to reuse Zuo Ci, he hurriedly sent Fei Qian to Zuo Ci. sneak call...

   Naturally, Cai Yong said these words very seriously.

  Taoist Huang-Lao theory, like Confucianism, has fallen into power. From the Warring States period to the early Western Han Dynasty, Huang Lao of Taoism was originally a study of world management, but as time went on, it gradually became the so-called "natural way of longevity". Primitive Taoism was formed by mixing alchemy such as offering sacrifices to ghosts and gods, prophecy and talismans, and treating the Yellow Emperor and Lao Tzu as gods.

Fei Qian nodded, and said: "Taoist people are good at ghosts and gods now, so it's okay to be good at ghosts and gods... My disciple has ordered Zuo Zhenren to recruit Taoists, and he will go to Yinshan to preach in a few days, and use the **** of China to overwhelm the ghosts of Hu people...Three It lasts for a month, and the after effects..."

Cai Yong looked at Fei Qian, saw that it didn't seem like perfunctory words, and it didn't mean that Zuo Ci and others entered the political circle and preached to the barbarians, it wasn't a big deal, so he clicked After a moment of silence, he said again: "That's fine too... Listen to your wishes, if you don't want to use Confucianism, you don't want to use Taoism... Could it be that you want to use soldiers and law?"

Since Fei Qian was not bewitched by Zuo Ci, Cai Yong was relieved, but looking at Fei Qian's attitude, it seemed that he didn't want Confucian scholars to take power, and he didn't want people like Huang Lao. However, the soldiers and legalists also proved that there are relatively serious disadvantages. If Fei Qian has such an idea, Cai Yong also feels that he needs to correct Fei Qian.

Unexpectedly, I heard Fei Qian say: "A military strategist is naturally superior in attacking and plundering land, but it is useless to govern the civil affairs... Legalists are most useful if they understand laws and clear rules. However, it is also easy to fall into a tyrannical regime and cannot be flexibly adapted. It can be used for a while but not for a lifetime..."

"This...you don't use Confucianism, you don't use Taoism, and you don't use the art of war...this..." Cai Yong was completely confused, and looked at Fei Qian and asked, "This...to govern agriculture and mulberry, you need subordinate officials. How can such personnel come from? Come here? You should know that most of the rich and right in the countryside are also Confucianists..."

  (end of this chapter)