Chapter 114 Mo Zhai
The Mohist school came to Luo State like an army, nearly three hundred people, rushing into the academy.
Mozi was taken by Luo Huaichen to see Luo Chang, while the rest of the Mohists attended the lecture in the academy.
To the students in the academy, the Mohist attire was very strange; it was not what a scholar should wear.
A large number of Legalist scholars served in government, and in fact, Confucian scholars also served in government. The monarch just did not accept the kingly way. Confucian scholars also had people who were proficient in various skills. For example, Duanmu Zi in the past was very proficient in the art of diplomacy and was known for his sharp words.
The Mohists who came with Mozi sat upright in the academy, ready to listen to what the Confucian scholars had to say. The Confucian scholars did not know that these Mohists were coming for them, so they began to explain their understanding of the classics according to the normal procedure.
So the Mohists kept frowning, and then they couldn't stand it anymore, so Yang Sheng said loudly: "Now there are frequent wars between countries in the world, and the poor people don't even have a place to stand.
Yet here you are emphasizing all that useless red tape.
When the ancient sage king Dayu was controlling floods, he wore straw sandals and a straw raincoat, and eventually became the common ruler of the world.
When a person dies, it is like an oil lamp being extinguished. What is the use of even the most elaborate funeral?
It would be better to leave these riches to the living.
Do Confucian scholars believe that people who are extravagant and wasteful should rule the world?
Then you should find a monarch like Jie and Zhou, rebuild the wine pool and meat forest, and mobilize all the people in the world to build a high star-picking tower. I believe that this will bring peace to the world."
All the Confucian scholars were stunned by the sudden remarks of these Mohists. Even those people from schools that usually did not get along with the Confucian scholars were stunned on the spot.
Good job.
Where did these people come from? They speak so sharply.
Yang Sheng's map cannon naturally angered the Confucian scholars, and they shouted loudly: "You rebellious bastard, tell me your name."
"Yang Sheng!"
His voice was so powerful that when the scholars saw Yang Sheng's extraordinary demeanor, they guessed what he was thinking and whispered, "This man must have come here specifically to debate with us.
Please be careful, all debates will be recorded.”
At every corner of the palace, there were many women taking notes silently, while others began to record. The Confucian scholars had been in the academy for hundreds of years, so they naturally knew everything.
Although they were on guard in their hearts, the Confucian scholars remained fearless. They had the support of the great tree of the kingly way of the Luo State and the birth of the sage Confucius. Now, in the world, only the Confucian scholars had the most complete theoretical system.
The Legalists almost never lost a debate, and even the Legalists were no match for the Confucians when it came to verbal attacks. So the Legalists changed the battlefield and decided not to engage in verbal attacks with the Confucians, but to crush the Confucians with real practical results.
But this time the Confucianists made a mistake. The Mohists had the strongest logic of the era and an even more powerful debate system, and they had specialized in studying this subject.
Moreover, Mozi was born into a Confucian family and was too familiar with Confucian doctrines. The Mohists specifically attacked the weakest points of Confucian doctrines and made breakthroughs in the points that were least in line with current reality. With these three approaches all at once, it would be strange if they could still lose.
In just one day, the Mohists had silenced the Confucian disciples. If it were not for the royal family of Luo State who came to their aid by using theories other than Confucianism, these Confucian scholars would have been unable to stay.
For three consecutive days, the result was exactly the same: Confucianism was repeatedly hung up and hammered.
This stunned the people of other schools. "Where did these people come from? They are so talented that they can refute Confucianism without any merit."
This is certainly not the true level of Confucianism. Mohism does not abide by martial ethics and practices sneak attacks, but the results are shocking.
Yang Sheng's eyes were very calm. He didn't care about the glares and praises from the people around him. He laughed loudly and said, "Master, you are right. Confucianism is a useless doctrine that cannot withstand a single blow."
The Confucian scholars in the academy have calmed down, "Mojia Yangsheng, you are indeed a talented person, with unparalleled eloquence.
But Confucianism is the way of the Su Wang, and Ming Gong wrote the classics. Could these two saints also make mistakes?"
Confucian scholars have realized that these people who call themselves Mohists have a very deep understanding of Confucian classics, so they can always hit the nail on the head.
Those key issues were issues that puzzled the Confucians themselves and needed to be resolved urgently. Now that they were raised by the Mohists, they naturally could not defeat them.
However, Confucianism, which has completed the sorting out of the Taoist tradition, has immense confidence in its own theories. Confucianism emphasizes self-discipline and restoration of rituals. Confucian scholars have always believed that their own great way was inherited from the Su Wang. It is normal for theories to have problems, and they just need to be corrected.
Yang Sheng naturally knew that these two saints would definitely be mentioned by Confucian scholars, especially Su Wang, who was the saint most respected by Confucius.
Hearing what the Confucian scholar said, Yang Sheng sneered: "The great way of the Su Wang? Are all Confucian scholars so arrogant?
The Great Way of the King of Su is inclusive of all things. Could it be something as inconvenient as Confucianism?
King Su talked about filial piety, but he never told you that you had to mourn for three years, cry day and night, wear hemp and mourning clothes, and go hungry. By the time the mourning period was over, your human form would be almost destroyed. You live in the State of Luo, don't you see that Marquis Luo has never mourned like this?
Su Wang attaches great importance to worshiping and burying ancestors, but Su Wang first emphasizes the importance of life, that is, the living must live well before they can properly worship their ancestors.
A large amount of wealth was buried underground. If it were an ordinary person's home, a funeral would use up all the family's wealth. Is this right?
King Su was the most sacred person in history, knowing everything about heaven and earth. The thing he was buried with was only the golden box that he had presented to King Wu in the past.
In later generations, princes and nobles were fond of luxury, so the custom of lavish burials took shape, and it could even be attributed to King Su.
You misinterpret the Way of the Su Wang and are still gloating over it. How ridiculous it is!"
Every word and every sentence was like a needle piercing the scholar's heart.
What the Mohists opposed most was the complicated rituals and sacrifices of Confucianism, believing that this was a huge waste of social resources.
The Zhou rituals formulated by King Su were indeed very complicated, but that was to establish a new system for the Zhou Dynasty, and not many grand ceremonies were held afterwards.
While the Mohist school was gaining popularity by rubbing against the Confucian school, Mozi went with Luo Huaichen to meet Luo Chang.
In the storage room.
Looking at this ordinary person in front of me, I suddenly wondered if my ancestors had the same feelings as I do now when they faced Lao Tzu and Confucius.
Mozi raised his eyes and looked around. Countless bamboo slips were piled up densely here. His mood was also very complicated.
Luo Chang had already read Mozi's books and was now listening to Mozi talk about his doctrines, including the practices of Mozi's disciples.
As he listened, Luo Chang clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Love all and do not attack, this is the teaching of the saints, how can anyone not be fascinated by it?
Perhaps it was because of their spirit of universal love that the royal family of Luo State was able to live in harmony for hundreds of years.
If it can be used among the various countries in the Xia Dynasty, our ancestor King Su's wish for world peace would be realized.
How many people in the various countries can compare with your noble character?
The Mohists are all righteous men who deserve generous rewards. I should respectfully address you as my son to show my respect for you."
Luo Chang believed from the bottom of his heart that the moral character of the Mohists was so great that even the royal family of Luo State could not achieve such extreme altruism.
But there is another meaning implied in these words. Our ancestor King Su could only hope for universal peace and harmony. Can you make it happen?
Of course Mozi could understand what Luo Chang meant, so he frowned slightly. In fact, he had expected this because Luo Huaichen had the same attitude.
Luo Chang continued, "Mozi, you want to stabilize the world by stopping the war. This is rare. There has been a war between Wei and Qin. There will definitely be another war between Qin and Wei. How do you want to stop this war?"
Mozi said: "The Mohists have enough weapons to defend the city. If Qin and Wei cannot break through each other's city, the monarch will think about the gains and losses of the war, and the war will stop."
This is indeed true. Just like the State of Qin, if it could not break through Hangu Pass, it would not have declared a war on the State of Wei.
Luo Chang laughed and said, “Mozi, your idea can only prevent a sudden war.
Let me tell you a story that happened in the State of Chu.
In the State of Chu, there was a man who liked to persuade people to make peace. One day, he saw two people arguing, so he stepped forward to persuade them, and eventually the two people reconciled.
He was very proud of himself. One day, he met two people who were arguing again. He imitated the attitude from last time and tried to persuade them to make peace. However, he did not expect that he would be beaten up by the two people.
Why is this happening?
Because the first time the two people just had a slight quarrel due to misunderstanding, but this time they were fighting over the ownership of the land.
Some quarrels were unimportant matters, but the amount of land was a matter of life and death for both families, so he failed.
If you can stop the war, it means that this war was unnecessary.
But if one day, the conflict between the two countries has become so serious that it is irreconcilable, what should you do?
In this world, if you want to realize your ideal of loving all and not attacking others, it will probably be even more difficult than it was for Confucius in the past."
Luo Chang only talked about universal love and non-aggression, because these two were impossible. He still hoped to persuade Mozi that there were more important things he needed to do in the world.
But this is exactly the core of Mohism. If these two are lost, what is the difference between Mohism and those schools that exist for political interests?
In response to Luo Chang's persuasion, Mo Di simply said, "The Mandate of Zhou should have been fulfilled long ago. If Luo State had not been holding on, would the emperor in the capital have been able to enjoy the freedom he has now?
All the Luo Hous of all generations were descendants of King Su, so they must have known these principles, but they still did what they knew was impossible.
Although I oppose Confucianism, Confucius is a true sage with a purity that ordinary people do not possess. Perhaps this is why I once studied Confucianism. "
Luo Chang admired Mo Di more and more, "You are truly a saint. I am just a mortal, and I dared to think of changing your will."
Unexpectedly, Mo Di shook his head and said, "Those who can accomplish things are saints, just like the Su Wang, who never fails and never makes mistakes. I hope to find what I want in the treasury room."
Luo Chang left, Luo Huaichen walked in, and knelt beside Mo Di. The two were silent.
…
In the 21st year of Duke Yu’s reign, Duke Yu discussed Taoism with Mozi.
And stop.
Question: What is Mohism?
The Duke said: Mohism is wise and a saint! - "Luogong Chunqiu·Shengxue"
In fact, although Mohism is the main opponent of Confucianism, the theories of the two schools do not conflict that much.
It is such a pity that Mohism disappeared, but it was destined to disappear, so I will preserve it in my book. And I don’t know if you have noticed that Luo School and Mohism are very similar.
(End of this chapter)
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