noveltune Chapter 5499 weighing the pros and cons
Chapter 5499 weighing the pros and cons
Chapter 5499 weighing the pros and cons
"Slow to speak but quick to act" can be understood as either bowing one's head and admitting defeat, or as disdaining to debate.
What about "being quick to act"?
"Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth."
I had heard this statement from Fang Jun before and thought it made some sense, but in the current context, it is truly thought-provoking.
Everyone present was one of the most intelligent people in the world; who could not understand this principle?
However, knowing is easy, doing is hard, and summarizing such a profound truth into a single sentence is even more difficult.
What is most alarming is what if "practice" actually proves that the so-called "interaction between heaven and man" and "divine right of kings" in the Confucian doctrines are all fictitious or even absurd and fabricated? How would that end?
How can the status of Confucianism be maintained?
How can the prestige of sages be preserved?
Fang Jun surveyed the scene, as if the verbal attacks and accusations from just moments before were nothing more than a gentle breeze, leaving no trace. He smiled and said, "The truth of the universe is there; no one can conceal it, no one can forge it. It just awaits our pioneering spirit and unwavering perseverance to discover it little by little. Even a tiny, insignificant discovery is far better than all this spittle flying and accusations..."
He tapped the table with his knuckles, making a "clanging" sound to attract everyone's attention, and then said calmly, "I have never thought of trying to change anything, but you should also understand that the world is always changing imperceptibly through constant discovery. The truth of heaven and earth and the rules of the universe are there, and someone will always discover them. You should be glad that we discovered those things first, rather than our enemies."
"Benevolence and righteousness" will not become powerful ships and cannons, nor will "morality" become gold, silver, and money. When the Confucian school, which dominates the world, completely ossifies people's thinking in order to monopolize its ruling position, and only knows how to follow the rules and engage in crazy involution, ignoring those truths and rules, it will eventually pay the price for such stubborn rule.
His sharp gaze swept across everyone's faces as he slowly said, "Instead of attacking and impeaching me now, you should think carefully about what to do if the truth you believe in is overturned by the rules of the universe one day."
When later generations mention Confucianism, they generally describe it as "rigid," "stubborn," and "conservative," unable to escape the impression that it is unambitious and inflexible.
That's not actually the case.
On a personal level, Confucianism pursues "excelling in learning leads to officialdom" and "self-cultivation" to achieve the ultimate goal of becoming a "gentleman." Its ultimate ideal is "governing the country and bringing peace to the world."
Whether it's "being the first to worry about the world's troubles" or "everyone has a responsibility for the rise and fall of the nation," both are actively taking on social responsibility, so how could they be considered unambitious?
The Confucian concept of "principle and expediency" refers to the interplay between "change" and "unchanging principles."
The unchanging principle is the "principle," which embodies benevolence, righteousness, loyalty, and trustworthiness.
"Change" is "power," which means to weigh the importance of things.
Mencius said, "Men and women should not touch each other, which is a matter of propriety; but if a sister-in-law is drowning, one should help her with one's hand, which is a matter of expediency." We should not only adhere to the "principle" of "men and women should not touch each other," but also know how to adapt to changing circumstances. We should not be rigid and inflexible.
Confucius said, "One may study together, but not necessarily walk the same path; one may walk the same path, but not necessarily stand together; one may stand together, but not necessarily be able to adapt to circumstances." He regarded the ability to "adapt" as the highest realm of life. He also said, "A gentleman is not a vessel," opposing the notion that people are like tools with fixed functions and inflexible abilities.
When did Confucianism begin to be seen as "stubborn" and "conservative"?
As a result, the "Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues" were constantly reinforced by the rulers and Confucianism, to the point that ideas such as "preserve heavenly principles and eliminate human desires" were proposed and popularized, completely binding themselves with the rulers, monopolizing education and the imperial examination, and forming an interest group in a stable environment, rejecting all "renewal" and "change".
Therefore, it is people who are "conservative" and "rigid," not Confucianism, much less Confucianism itself.
Before Confucianism has formed an "ironclad rule," if a crack is pried open in its heart and the light of brilliant civilization shines in, it may nurture magnificent flowers.
Everyone, including Li Chengqian, fell silent.
Is there anyone who can stop Fang Jun from setting sail to explore whether the earth is round?
No one can do it.
Besides, even if Fang Jun were stopped, what difference would it make?
If the earth is truly round, then sooner or later someone will discover it, thus completely destroying and burying the Confucian theories of "interaction between heaven and man" and "divine right of kings."
It's like burying your head in the sand; as long as I can't see that the earth is round, as long as the "interaction between heaven and man" still works, I won't care what the future holds.
Or should we start preparing now to calmly deal with such an earth-shattering impact?
……
An attack on Fang Jun ultimately ended in silence, and the group of prime ministers left with solemn expressions.
Fang Jun walked out of the Hall of State Affairs, opened his oil-paper umbrella, and walked side by side with Li Ji.
A light drizzle enveloped the entire Taiji Palace, washing the glazed tiles on the rooftops clean. The red walls, black tiles, bamboo, and flowering trees had lost some of their former grandeur and imposing presence, gaining instead a gentle and refined elegance amidst the misty rain.
As in the painting.
Li Ji also held an umbrella, and as he walked, the rain splashed up from the bluestone pavement, wetting his clothes, but he didn't care at all.
"Your words and actions today have taken me by surprise."
"I have disappointed the Duke of Ying."
Why am I disappointed?
"Isn't Duke Ying waiting for me to be unyielding and indomitable, to crash headfirst into the wall and bleed profusely? It would be best if I made an enemy of all the Confucian scholars in the world, so that you could reap the benefits."
"Hehe," Li Ji chuckled, raising his hand to pat Fang Jun's arm: "You underestimate me."
He looked up at the imposing palaces and towering buildings under the drizzle and said softly, "The choice between advantages and disadvantages is not static. What was an advantage yesterday may become a disadvantage today, and what is a disadvantage today may become an advantage tomorrow. The way people act is to abandon disadvantages and choose advantages."
Fang Jun walked slowly, raising an eyebrow: "Does Lord Ying believe that what I have done is in your best interest?"
Li Ji shook his head: "No, but what you did was a disservice to those people."
It's not just that some people do things that harm others for their own benefit; sometimes, people do things that harm others without benefiting themselves at all...
Fang Jun understood Li Ji's meaning: not only was the "investigation of things" in opposition to Confucianism, but the army was also outside the Confucian system.
This era was dominated by so-called "scholar-generals," who served as generals when in battle and prime ministers when at home, capable of conquering the world on horseback and bringing peace to the land with their pens.
However, since he was a "general," his own interests had already diverged from, or even opposed, those of Confucianism.
Since the Sui and Tang dynasties, the distinction between civil and military affairs has been quite clear.
Confucianism would not allow a Minister of the Left, who had risen through military merit, to remain in the position of chief minister for long. Li Ji needed this position to protect his status and interests, so the divide between Li Ji and Confucianism was irreconcilable.
Who wouldn't want to see Confucianism become the dominant school of thought?
I'm afraid it's either Fang Jun or the entire military...
The rain intensified, and water droplets dripped in strings from the edge of the umbrella. Fang Jun smiled and said, "So, in this case, we're fighting side by side this time?"
Li Ji sighed, "It's just helping each other out; it hardly counts as fighting side by side."
A broken mirror is hard to mend, and spilled water is hard to recover.
Since Li Ji completely switched sides to His Majesty's camp, the foundation for cooperation between the two has vanished. Even if they can temporarily unite for a common interest, they no longer trust each other.
If there's no trust between them, what kind of cooperation is that?
We must both help and be wary.
The two walked side by side.
After taking a few steps, Fang Jun said softly, "We are at a turning point in the great river of history. The river flows like a mighty current, surging and turbulent, and no one can go against the tide."
Li Ji raised an eyebrow: "So confident? Confucianism has been passed down for thousands of years and is deeply rooted in people's hearts. How difficult it would be to overthrow it."
Hearing footsteps behind him, Fang Jun turned around and saw Wang De walking quickly towards him. He stopped and glanced at Li Ji, saying, "I'm not just talking about Confucianism."
Li Ji remained silent.
Wang De arrived quickly, his clothes already half-soaked from not having used an umbrella. He first bowed in greeting, then said, "His Majesty has ordered this old servant to invite the Grand Commandant to an audience."
Li Ji nodded, returned the greeting, and walked out of the palace.
Fang Jun then accompanied Wang De to the Wude Hall.
As Fang Jun passed through the Zuoyanming Gate, he turned his head to look at the majestic bell tower standing in the drizzle. He continued walking north along the passageway west of the Ministry of Personnel and the Historian's Office. When he reached a secluded spot, he asked softly, "I wonder what His Majesty has summoned me for?"
Wang De lowered his head slightly and whispered, "His Majesty was furious after returning from the Hall of State Affairs. He smashed a teacup and then ordered me to intercept the Grand Commandant before he left the palace and take him to the Imperial Study for an audience."
Fang Jun gave a soft "hmm" and said no more.
Entering through the Wude Gate, turn left in front of the Wude Hall and proceed directly to the study.
Without announcing his presence, Fang Jun entered directly.
It was a rainy day, and the Imperial Study was dimly lit without any candles. When Fang Jun entered, he saw Li Chengqian had changed into a set of casual clothes and was kneeling on a mat by the window, drinking tea and admiring the scenery of the courtyard outside.
They looked relaxed and at peace.
But it's hard to say whether this is the calm before the storm...
"Your humble servant pays his respects to Your Majesty."
"No need for formalities, Erlang. Come and sit down, have a cup of tea with me, and have a chat."
Fang Jun replied respectfully, "Yes, sir."
She walked over with light steps, lifted her clothes, and knelt down.
I think His Majesty's ability to control his anger has improved...
Li Chengqian poured tea from the teapot, and Fang Jun quickly accepted it with both hands.
The white porcelain teacup is translucent and the tea soup is orange-yellow like amber.
Li Chengqian pointed to the teacup in front of him: "Compared to Longjing tea, I prefer the mellow and smooth taste of this tea, with its rich aroma. Tea, like people, should be gentle, simple, mellow, and elegant. Do you agree, Erlang?"
Fang Jun held the teacup in both hands and smiled, “If it weren’t for the green color, fragrant aroma, sweet taste, and beautiful shape of Longjing tea, how could it complement the mellow, rustic, and elegant flavor of black tea? What Your Majesty doesn’t know is that although these two types of tea seem to be completely different, the tea trees are actually not that different. The tea trees used for black tea can be used to make Longjing tea, and the tea trees used for Longjing tea can also be used to make black tea… It’s just that the processing methods are different.”
The tree species are not much different; the difference lies in the geographical location.
The same applies to people.
The only difference is their stance.