It was early summer in April, and the room was not particularly hot. Facing Zhao Jun's gaze, the Su Shi brothers' palms were sweating.
It's not that I feel pressured and sweat profusely.
In fact, Zhao Jun had a friendly look, an elegant face, and a slight smile, which made people feel an indescribable sense of intimacy and did not make people feel oppressive at all.
But the Su Shi brothers were still very nervous, not the kind of nervousness that comes from seeing an important person, but the excitement that comes from seeing an object of admiration.
It’s like if many people in later generations traveled back to the Republic of China, they would have to crawl all the way to Yan’an.
If he could meet the teacher and Wu Hao, he would probably be as excited as Su Shi.
Today, Zhao Jun is a legend.
His prestige among the people was very high. During the more than ten years he was in power, the people of the Song Dynasty could not be said to be wealthy, but they could be said to have no worries about food and drink.
In ancient times, being able to feed the people was already a great achievement, especially in years of famine. The imperial court was able to deliver relief food to every victim in a timely manner, so that no one would starve to death.
When encountering a particularly severe disaster, Zhao Jun would personally go to the scene to guard it, giving the people an extremely strong sense of security.
The ancient people were simple to some extent.
They have their own petty-peasant cunning, they can lie, act like scoundrels, and are more prone to feudal superstitions. They follow the crowd and rarely have independent thinking.
But at the same time, they also have their own simplicity.
They will believe in and love whoever provides them with enough food and warm clothes, and are willing to sacrifice their lives for the person who provides them with enough food and warm clothes.
This is an unchanging truth since ancient times.
And Zhao Jun did just that.
Care about the lives of ordinary people and actively seek their welfare.
This shows his prestige among the people.
Now I have seen this legendary figure with my own eyes.
For the Su Shi brothers, it was naturally full of excitement and tension.
certainly.
It would be even better if he could meet Mr. Lu Xun, whom he admired more.
"Mingyun, you came back at the perfect time this time."
Zhao Jun smiled and said, "The country is now thriving and rising. Talents are needed in all aspects. If you don't come back, it will be a loss to the country."
"Thank you for your concern, Master."
Su Xun said quickly, "I was at home in mourning for my father, wasting my time, but the magistrate was still thinking of me. I will never forget it."
Zhao Jun waved his hand and said, "Observing mourning for your father is the right thing to do. Filial piety is a traditional Chinese virtue."
"only."
He added with a grave expression, "I've traveled extensively, personally speaking to the people, and I've discovered that many people are unfit to be parents. Infanticide is rampant in Jiangnan, and some even sacrifice their children to cults. This is truly despicable. I'd like to hear your opinion on this."
Su Xun was a clever man. After a moment's reflection, he realized that Zhao Jun must be trying to come up with something new, so he said, "I personally believe that filial piety can be divided into the most sincere and the foolish. In the most sincere filial piety, parents love their children, and children also respect and love their parents. This is the true joy of family. If parents are vicious, abuse their children, or even sell their children, why should children be filial to their parents?"
"good."
Zhao Jun nodded and said, "The Records of the Grand Historian records that Shun's father, stepmother, and her half-brother Xiang all attempted to harm him, yet he remained unwaveringly filial to his parents and loving to his brother. This story was likely fabricated by Sima Qian, as the Han Dynasty ruled the country with filial piety. However, this also gave rise to many stories of foolish filial piety, such as "Lying on the Ice to Catch Carp," "Lao Lai Entertaining His Parents," and "Guo Ju Burying His Son."
"In my opinion, these are all problematic. They regard 'sickness' as fun' and 'taking indifference as a moral code, slandering the ancients and corrupting future generations.' Does it mean that for the sake of one's parents, one must kill one's son?"
He shook his head and said, "Propaganda like this is full of the hypocrisy and cruelty of feudal filial piety. In my opinion, true filial piety is definitely not like this."
Su Xun followed up on his words, saying, "There's a saying among the people: 'If you give birth to a child but don't raise him, you can repay him by cutting off a finger; if you give birth and raise him, you can repay him by cutting off your head; if you don't give birth but raise him, you have nothing to repay him; if you don't give birth and raise him, you can never repay him even after a hundred generations." This is the true meaning of filial piety."
"Um."
Zhao Jun looked at him with satisfaction and said, "Mingyun seems to have never given up his studies at home over the years."
Su Xun hurriedly said, "It was all taught by the Dean. Back then, the Dean said that we should look beyond the surface and see the essence of things. I have studied the scriptures over the years, and under the guidance of this sentence, I have also understood many truths."
"very good."
Zhao Jun smiled and said to Su Huan, "It seems Mingyun has indeed been reading poetry and classics these years and hasn't fallen behind in his studies."
Su Huan smiled and said, "Mingyun has always loved learning. While mourning for his father, he should also increase his knowledge."
"Um."
Zhao Jun pondered and said, "In fact, I have been thinking about whether to completely abolish Confucianism in recent years."
As soon as these words came out, Su Huan and Su Xun's faces changed suddenly, and even the young Su Shi and Su Zhe took a breath of cold air in their hearts.
But they didn't say anything, and they heard Zhao Jun continue: "The reason I think so is because Confucianism is mainly based on thought and talks about behavioral codes."
"Confucius, in his time, proposed certain rules that people should follow, such as benevolence, righteousness, etiquette, restraining one's desires, and a hierarchy of rulers, ministers, fathers, and sons in accordance with etiquette."
"His ideas were about political systems and moral norms. It was precisely because he emphasized loyalty to the emperor, patriotism, and adherence to order that he was admired by successive rulers and gradually promoted and strengthened."
"But more than a thousand years have passed since the Spring and Autumn Period, and times are changing. Confucius's teachings were advanced in his time, but in our time, they have become feudal ethics that restrict people's thoughts and actions."
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