noveltune Chapter 5497 Loyalty to the Truth
Chapter 5497 Loyalty to the Truth
Chapter 5497 Loyalty to the Truth
Fang Jun took a sip of tea and said solemnly, "My son is not targeting Confucianism, but rather its dominance."
Later generations have had mixed opinions about Confucianism. Its contributions to Chinese culture are undeniable, but the harm it caused to China by its dominant position is also undeniable.
Confucianism has long existed as the mainstream ideology of Chinese civilization, making significant contributions to shaping national character, maintaining social order, and passing on cultural classics.
However, once any ideology becomes dominant and loses checks and balances and criticism, its negative effects can be very obvious.
Fang Xuanling was very puzzled: "What if one school of thought is dominant? It is precisely because Confucianism is the sole state ideology that the people's hearts are stable and the country is secure. If a hundred schools of thought contend, wouldn't that just repeat the chaos and division of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods?"
Fang Junze said: "A sword has two edges, and qi is divided into yin and yang. When things reach their limit, they will reach their end; when things reach their extreme, they will reverse. While academic division is certainly very harmful, the dominance of one school of thought will also bring endless troubles."
He understood his father's concerns and incomprehension. At present, Confucianism was still in a stage of vigorous development, seemingly ambitious and illuminating the world. But things are constantly evolving, and if Confucianism were allowed to develop so recklessly and irresistibly, it would eventually lead to the point of poisoning China.
"Ideas should collide and be inclusive. When an idea is unrestrained and becomes dominant, it will inevitably become a weapon to maintain its own interests."
Although other schools of thought were not completely banned after the Han Dynasty, the originally active schools of thought such as Legalism, Mohism, Taoism, and the School of Names were marginalized, and their rational elements, such as the institutional design of Legalism and the logic and technology of Mohism, could not enter the mainstream.
The academic environment has degenerated from "a hundred schools of thought contending" to "annotating and interpreting the classics".
The imperial examination system used Confucian classics as the sole examination sphere, causing scholars to devote their entire lives to textual exegesis and the elucidation of philosophical principles. This resulted in a severe lag in the systematic development of logic, epistemology, and natural sciences in ancient China.
This monopoly of thought directly leads to the homogenization of ideas and scholarship, completely stifling creativity and critical thinking.
The reason why Confucianism flourished in its early days was because it had a critical tradition of "following the Way, not the ruler" and "the people are more important than the ruler." However, after "exclusively honoring Confucianism," Confucianism began to monopolize the political system, using all the development of thought and scholarship to consolidate its monopoly rule, until it absolutized the "Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues" into the universal law and the "natural principle" of the world, and pushed "loyalty to the ruler" to the highest position.
When the Confucian idea that "the ruler commands the subject to die and the subject has no choice but to die" becomes a universal belief, it has already become utterly corrupt.
What is particularly serious is that the Confucianism's political rigidity and the strengthening of autocracy have caused the imperial power to lose its effective checks and balances, and the so-called "interaction between Heaven and man" is nothing but self-deception.
In the past, Confucian officials often advised the emperor on the basis of "divine mandate" and "disasters and anomalies," but when the emperor used the Confucian concept of loyalty and filial piety to strengthen centralized power, this check and balance became increasingly ineffective.
The "exclusive veneration of Confucianism" began with Dong Zhongshu, but it originally preserved the path of the "Tang-Wu Revolution". However, after Confucianism became the dominant school of thought, it lost the environment for institutional evolution through internal theoretical reform. The one-sided promotion and emphasis on the so-called "righteousness between ruler and subject" led to the extreme corruption of the dynasty, which could only be overthrown by peasant uprisings.
The "rites" advocated by Confucianism originally had a harmonious and orderly aspect, but when one school of thought became dominant, it turned into a rigid hierarchical constraint.
The traditional social hierarchy of "scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants" was rigidly defined for a long time, making it extremely difficult to transcend. In particular, Confucianism's emphasis on righteousness over profit and its praise of the abstract while disparaging the concrete resulted in merchants being relegated to the bottom of society for an extended period. This not only hindered the development of a commodity economy but also prevented China from developing an independent urban class and a robust commercial and industrial civilization.
Fang Xuanling subconsciously drank his tea, his brows furrowed in confusion.
In his view, Confucianism was absolutely good. It could help one's own moral cultivation, serve as the legal basis for governing the world, and unify public opinion and stabilize people's hearts... How could such a terrible consequence as his son described have occurred?
Fang Jun put down his teacup and began to speak eloquently: "The mainstream Confucian thought regards technology as a 'minor skill,' 'the Way is above tools,' and even categorizes all technology as 'strange skills and frivolous crafts,' believing that a gentleman should 'seek the Way, not food.' This is a grave mistake! In recent years, Father should have seen that the application of many new technologies has led to a rapid increase in national strength in a short period of time, resulting in a powerful military and benefits for the people. How could this be as 'inauspicious' as advocated by Confucianism? To this day, Confucianism has been 'dominant' for hundreds of years, and a fixed class has long been formed. This means that Confucianism abhors all 'variables,' and only by remaining unchanged can it continue to enjoy the benefits of rule. However, the emergence and application of every new technology means variable."
Did Confucianism not know that new technologies could potentially trigger massive social changes?
They know all too well.
Because they know this, they do their utmost to suppress the research and application of new technologies, classifying them as "strange skills and tricks," and slandering and disdaining them in every way.
They want to ensure the solidification of social systems and social classes in order to secure their own vested interests.
Any "innovation" or "change" is unacceptable to them. Occasionally, someone tries to break the "shackles" and attempt to redistribute interests, which inevitably leads to extremely fierce resistance.
The core of all the problems lies not in Confucianism itself, but in the "dominance of one school of thought".
Confucius and Mencius were full of wisdom and critical spirit, but when Confucianism was chosen by the dynasty, institutionalized, and all competitors were eliminated, it transformed from a "living philosophy" into a rigid ideology.
Its greatest harm is that it creates a low-level involution: the smartest minds are devoted to annotating scriptures, writing formulaic essays, and trying to figure out the emperor's intentions, instead of exploring nature, improving technology, and designing systems.
All social resources are used to maintain an "ultra-stable structure," and any innovation, whether in terms of ideas, technology, or institutions, is regarded as dangerous and stifled.
The most direct consequences of this are clearer to everyone in the world than Fang Jun, whose vision can penetrate thousands of years.
He wanted to make a meaningful attempt in an era when Confucianism was not yet completely solidified or corrupted.
Fang Xuanling still had a furrowed brow. Although he might not agree with his son's worries and concerns, he understood his son's thoughts.
"The world is bustling with activity, all for profit; the world is in turmoil, all for gain. You are not only going to cause a major upheaval, but also to make an enemy of the entire Confucian school of thought. This is truly... far too dangerous."
Did they really think that having countless generals and a strong army meant they could rest easy?
A scholar may kill without using a knife.
To challenge an entire interest group single-handedly is tantamount to throwing an egg against a rock.
Fang Jun laughed and said, "How could my son be so unwise? He is merely stirring up a topic to generate controversy and discussion. My son will never personally get involved. The theoretical system of Confucianism, which has been formed over hundreds of years, is already self-consistent and cannot be shaken by the rhetoric of some people. My son is just waiting for the fleet to return from its voyage to use reality to shatter those ridiculous and shameful remarks, because facts speak louder than words."
Fang Xuanling asked, "How can you be so sure that the earth is round?"
Fang Jun didn't explain further: "Please wait and see, Father."
"I don't need to participate either?"
Once the controversy takes hold, not only will Fang Jun become the target of public criticism, but the entire Fang family will also be affected. Fang Xuanling will always have to step forward to support his son; he can't possibly "sacrifice his own family for the greater good," can he?
Fang Jun reassured him, "Father, you don't need to do anything. Just stand by and watch. You can even put the greater good before family."
Fang Xuanling shook his head: "Although I am not entirely sure that the earth is round, I deeply agree with what you said about the dangers of Confucianism becoming too dominant. Although I have to consider my family and cannot go against the majority opinion or engage in a debate with the Confucian scholars, I also cannot do something that would be righteous enough to kill my own family."
In this era where "family members should cover for each other," "putting righteousness before family" is not a good thing.
"My father is wise; he only needs to continue reading, writing biographies, and enjoying the pleasures of nature."
Fang Xuanling looked worried and nodded silently.
*****
As expected, Fang Jun's claims that "the earth is round" and "the heavens are round and the earth is square" quickly spread from within the Taiji Palace, immediately sparking a wave of criticism from both the court and the public, and causing an uproar.
Those with keen minds immediately saw the hidden danger that could bring Confucianism to its demise. In their shock and anger, how could they sit idly by? First, Confucian scholars in the marketplace stirred up a commotion and public opinion. Then, the great Confucian scholars in the court joined in, accusing Fang Jun of "bringing disaster to the country and the people" and "preaching heresies," leaving no room for scathing criticism.
Within a few days, the Censorate received thousands of impeachment memorials. Although Liu Xiangdao had secretly allied with Fang Jun, he dared not block the channels of communication. Moreover, Confucianism was the foundation of his position. Therefore, he transported the memorials from various censors in the Censorate into the palace in a large cart.
In an instant, Fang Jun was like a rat crossing the street, hated by everyone...
……
In the Political Hall.
Ma Zhou arrived at the yamen early in the morning to handle official business, and then rushed to the political affairs hall to prepare for the meeting. He also took a short rest, sitting by the window of a duty room drinking tea. Outside the window, there was a light rain and lush trees, but he was frowning and worried.
This meeting was chaired by His Majesty, and the topic was naturally the "theory of a round earth" that had been making headlines and causing a great uproar these past two days.
It was less a discussion of theories and more a "crusade" against Fang Jun...
Before he had even finished his cup of tea, he saw a man in the distance carrying an oil-paper umbrella, wearing a purple robe, a fish-shaped pouch, and official boots, walking leisurely across the wet ground.
Upon reaching the window, the oil-paper umbrella was folded up, and the person under the umbrella looked into the duty room. Their eyes met, and the man raised his thick, dark eyebrows slightly, revealing a bright smile. He had a tall and straight figure and white teeth, and stepped into the duty room.
Ma Zhou watched as Fang Jun entered the duty room, placed the oil-paper umbrella behind the door, and sat down in front of him. He poured a cup of tea and pushed it in front of Fang Jun, sighing, "What exactly are you trying to do now? Aren't you afraid of being killed as a 'traitor'?"
Fang Jun smiled, took the teacup, sipped it, and then said calmly, "I am loyal to His Majesty, loyal to the country, but even more loyal to the truth."