This kind of debate between hearsay and pen must mostly be based on evidence. Arguments without evidence will only appear pale and powerless in court, and even if they are spoken out, people will oppose them.

The fact is that when the Qin Dynasty followed the Legalists, it completely wiped out the Confucians and achieved great success. However, the Confucians never did so, not because they didn't want to, but because they couldn't.

From this point of view, Legalism is obviously superior to Confucianism.

Wang Anshi stroked his beard and smiled. In fact, his reforms were mostly based on Legalist thought, supplemented by Confucianism. Because his goal was to achieve the goal of enriching the country and strengthening the military in a short period of time, Legalism was the only shortcut.

But he also knew that if the people lived very poorly, the country could not be prosperous.

He was happy, but Sima Guang was of course very depressed. I invited you here to talk about litigation, why are you talking about the dispute between Confucianism and Legalism?

If we start arguing about this issue, there will be no end to it. Besides, talking about Confucianism and Legalism at this moment is also very dangerous.

Erbi, take it easy.

Yan Fu, a great scholar, was extremely anxious when he saw that all the students were stumped by the questions. He could not help but take a step out of the room, but was stopped by Wen Yanbo. "Brother Yan, if you speak, you will lose."

Yan Fu was startled, smiled with shame, and stepped back.

...

...

You are a great scholar, and you go to argue with Zhang Fei about academic matters. No matter you win or lose, it at least proves that Zhang Fei is at the same level as you, Yan Fu, so he is certainly qualified to be your teacher.

Just then, a young man stood up in the first row and said, "Legalism is stubborn and self-willed, and it cannot tolerate other schools of thought. Confucianism is open-minded and broad-minded, so it combines the strengths of all schools. I wonder which one you think is better?"

Yan Fu heaved a sigh of relief when he heard this. He was just about to say this, and couldn't help asking, "Who is this boy?"

Sima Guang took a look and said, "It seems to be Shangguan Ning's second son, Shangguan Jun."

"Oh... So he is the son of Shangguan Chengshu. No wonder, no wonder." Yan Fu nodded slightly with relief, and looked at Zhang Fei again to see how he would refute.

“The sea embraces all rivers, and is great because it is tolerant, and it incorporates the strengths of all schools.”

Zhang Fei read it once, nodded slightly, and said with a smile: "It sounds a bit impressive. Then according to you, Confucianism must also have the strengths of Legalism. If so, what exactly do you mean?"

Shangguan Jun replied: "It is undeniable that after Li Kui's reform, the laws of all subsequent dynasties were all based on his "Law Classics". Later, it was reformed by Confucianism, advocating cautious and less punishment, and injecting benevolence, thus further improving the law."

Zhang Fei nodded and asked, "The Song Dynasty Criminal Code is also related to the Legalists."

Shangguan Jun nodded and said, "Of course."

Zhang Fei couldn't help but glance around, "What do you think?"

Almost everyone nodded in agreement.

After seeing this, Zhang Fei couldn't help but sigh deeply.

Cai Jing asked, "Why did the teacher sigh?"

Zhang Fei said with a sad face: "Because I am sad and upset, I want to cry."

You are competing for knowledge, not for a literary competition to win a marriage partner. You are competing to cause yourself sadness and grief. This...!

Not to mention the students, even the scholars outside the school were confused.

Are you sad because you lost?

Shangguan Jun asked again: "Why is the teacher so sad and upset?"

Zhang Fei looked at them sadly, "I have always believed that you are all gifted children. Although you are not proficient in law, you are at least familiar with it. With just a little guidance, you can graduate. I am also very relaxed. That is why I just said that you should not regard this as a class, but an academic exchange.

I never thought that your level of legal studies is only at the level of a toddler. If I teach you until you graduate, I am afraid that my temples will be gray. I have been fooled by Sima Xueshi. I don’t know if it is too late to resign now.”

Sima Guang's face darkened when he heard this, and he muttered in a low voice: "What nonsense is this kid talking about?"

Zhao Xu also didn't understand. What the students said made sense and there was nothing wrong with it. He couldn't help but look at Wang Anshi, "Sir, do you know the reason?"

Wang Anshi shook his head slightly, also looking confused.

For him, it's probably not much different.

This is common sense and there is nothing wrong with it.

All the students present were filled with anger, bulging their eyes and glaring at Zhang Fei.

What is the toddler level?

You little idiot, who are you humiliating?

Shangguan Jun clasped his fists and gritted his teeth, saying, "I hope the teacher can point out my mistakes."

"Stop! You're not wrong, you're ignorant."

Zhang Fei said excitedly: "Who the hell told you that this law has anything to do with the Legalists? You can't even tell the difference between the law and the Legalists. How dare you come to our country's academy to take this law class? Go home and study elementary school as soon as possible."

He suddenly started talking nonsense, leaving all the students present at a loss for words.

This person is really good at slandering others.

Where has the humble and kind teacher Zhang gone?

Ye Zuqia opened his eyes wide and asked, "The law has nothing to do with the Legalists?"

Zhang Fei rolled his eyes and said, "Of course, the two have nothing to do with each other. This is a question of common sense. Was there no law before the Law Classic? Was there no law before the Legalists? Do I need to explain this to you?"

Shangguan Jun retorted: "You are making a specious argument. Confucianism was born out of Zhou Li. How can you say that Confucianism has nothing to do with Zhou Li? The Book of Laws was written by Li Kui, and Li Kui was a member of the Legalists. How can it be that he has nothing to do with the Legalists?"

Everyone was getting angry, and the teacher stopped yelling and started to argue directly.

"It's really a rotten tree that can't be withered!"

Zhang Fei shook his head and sighed, "Zhou Li and Confucianism are mother and son. Without Zhou Li, there would be no Confucianism. However, Legalism and law are two completely different things and must not be confused. Otherwise, it will cause big problems. If you can't even understand this, even if you become an official, you will probably be a mediocre official. If you don't harm the country and the people, even if God blesses you."

Before the students could show anything, a group of ministers at the door all looked embarrassed.

Because they didn't know what Zhang Fei was talking about.

Shangguan Jun asked, "We would like to hear the details."

"Forget it, forget it, I'm here anyway, let's finish this lesson first!"

Zhang Fei complained to himself and then took the charcoal pencil and wrote on the word "法".

“......!”

No one answered.

"Forget it, this is the last lesson anyway."

Zhang Fei shrugged and said, "Legalism and legal system, the difference between these two words is a world of difference! The Qin Dynasty fell because of this. They confused Legalism with legal system. This is a bloody lesson, but you still use it as a bright color, paint it on your clothes, and feel complacent. It's really pathetic."

After these words were spoken, everyone was confused.

There are many different opinions about the reasons for the demise of the Qin Dynasty. Most of them have been thoroughly explored and there is nothing to say. However, no one has ever said that the Qin Dynasty fell because it did not understand the Legalist system.

This is so novel.

Zhao Xu couldn't help but walk straight in, and like a student, he looked at Zhang Fei with confusion and expectation.

The students present completely ignored the emperor's presence, frowned in thought, but still did not understand the meaning of these words.

Cai Bian asked: "Where did you get this from?"

Zhang Fei couldn't help but laugh bitterly, "Don't you understand this?"

All the students' faces turned red.

Is this simple?

It sounds so mysterious to us!

Are we too stupid?

Ye Zushi certainly didn't think he was stupid, so he said, "You are being mysterious, how can we know?"

"No matter how stupid I am, I won't be so stupid as to use common sense to play tricks."

Zhang Fei chuckled twice and knocked heavily on the wooden board with his hand. "Legalism is a kind of thought, a concept of governing a country. The ultimate goal of Legalism is to enrich the country and strengthen the army. What it wants to protect is the interests of the country and the interests of the monarch. Is it true or not?"

Ye Zuqia nodded and said, "That's right, so the Legalists use laws to achieve their goals."

"That's it."

Zhang Fei smiled and nodded, saying: "What is law? If you look through the Song Dynasty Criminal Code, you can see that the law is to protect the legitimate rights and interests of individuals. Individuals.

These are two completely different concepts. The Qin Dynasty did not figure this out. They used Legalism to replace law. Remember, it was a replacement. The two have nothing to do with each other.

The result was that all Qin people lost their legitimate personal rights and interests, and the only things left in the Qin State were national interests and the interests of the monarch.

Yes, the Qin Dynasty followed the Legalists, but in fact, there were no laws in the Qin Dynasty. What do you think is the connection between the two?"

Hearing this, everyone opened their eyes wide.

There were no laws in the Qin Dynasty.

this......!

This is simply incredible.

Anyone who is familiar with history would not dare to say that the Qin State had no laws.

"Don't look at me like that, this is the truth."

Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Have you studied the Qin laws? Which of the laws was formulated with the purpose of protecting the legitimate rights and interests of individuals? Think about the comments on the laws of the Song Dynasty. What they discussed was fairness, justice, and the legitimate rights and interests of individuals.

For example, is the pardon of the crime for the benefit of the monarch? Is it for the benefit of the country? None of these are true. This law is to protect the rights of the perpetrator and the victim, which are all personal rights. "

Cai Bian said thoughtfully: "The legitimate rights and interests of individuals also belong to the interests of the country and the monarch."

"That's correct."

Zhang Fei smiled and said, "In fact, there was an old gentleman who had pointed out the drawbacks of the Qin Dynasty before its demise. Unfortunately, the Qin Dynasty did not listen. If it had listened, the outcome of the Qin Dynasty might have been different. Do you know who this old gentleman was?"

Cai Bian hesitated for a moment and replied, "Xunzi."

Zhang Fei asked again: "Which sentence?"

“Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it.”

"Absolutely."

Zhang Fei smiled and nodded, "National interests and monarch interests are based on the legitimate rights and interests of individuals. The Qin State is putting the cart before the horse. It completely replaces personal interests with national interests and monarch interests. It is inevitable that it will perish.

In fact, many ideas in Confucianism are aimed at correcting this point. Why do those ministers persuade the monarch to govern the country with benevolence? What is benevolent governance? Isn't it to defend the legitimate rights and interests of the people and not let the people starve to death or die of exhaustion?

This is the true meaning of the law. You haven't even figured this out, yet you come to my class. Sima is really looking down on you. Forget it, let's stop here. I won't take the class anymore. It's meaningless."

Chief Justice of the Northern Song Dynasty