Chapter 258: The Four Saints Discuss

Taoism After Qin Lisheng came to power, he began to preach the doctrine of Mohism.

There are almost no people who really listen seriously.

It’s not that the audience looks down on Mohism, it’s simply because Mohism has existed for a long time, and the Ten Principles of Mohism have not changed at all until now, so why does anyone need to repeat them over and over again?

Even if the great master of Mohism were to tell the story himself, he would not be able to come up with anything new, and our ears would be callused from hearing it so many times.

Some people even say that Qin Lisheng is the most relaxed leader of the Mohist school. He does not need to lead the Mohists to fight anyone to death, nor does he need to make any changes to the Ten Virtues of Mohism. Any other dog can take the position.

Such jealous words are not without their audience.

But, this is just an appetizer.

Let's talk about it. There is no need to be so angry on the first day, especially since Emperor Xia is coming to visit. If someone gets pushed to the edge and gets out, it won't look good.

For the first time, everyone talked about their own ideas, how their ideas can be developed in reality, and their expectations for the future.

In short, it is about painting a pie in the sky and seeing whose pie is more realistic and more delicious, and able to conquer the audience.

Only after clearly expressing one's own ideas will it be easier for others to understand and criticize them. Now is the stage of "preaching".

The real debate is not today.

After Qin Lisheng brought out the Ten Principles of Mohism and spoke about them again, he stepped down from the stage and went to the audience seats, sitting next to Wang Mang.

No one found fault with him when he took the stage, as they all did it to give face to Emperor Xia. Anyway, this discussion would last until the spring ploughing time next year, which was several months. Everything could be sorted out in that time, so there was no need to rush.

"Now, please invite Mozi's disciple, martial arts master, Xun Ke, to tell everyone about his philosophy. If anyone objects, please raise your hand."

Another summons.

After Qin Li won, Xun Ke came next.

Xun Ke was not at all stage fright. He was over 40 years old and looked very calm. He was no longer the little boy who was helpless in the face of everything. He had strong self-confidence and a bright look in his eyes.

"I said that human nature is evil, and then I talked about etiquette and law."

After taking office, Xun Ke put forward his core ideas without any nonsense.

Moreover, the theory of human nature being evil comes first, and the rest comes later.

It shows that all judgments are formed based on this.

Xun Ke said: "The stars rotate, the sun and the moon shine, the four seasons change, yin and yang transform, wind and rain prevail, all things are born in harmony, and grow in nourishment. We can't see the work, but we can see its effect. This is what we call God. We all know how it is, but no one knows its formlessness. This is what we call Heaven."

Anyone who doesn't have some skills won't understand what this sentence means.

Heaven is nature, without reason, will, good or evil. Heaven is natural, not a personal God. He called the subtle functions of yin and yang, wind and rain, God, and the natural world composed of these functions Heaven. The creation of the universe was not created by God, but the result of the movement of all things themselves.

Xun Ke added: "The course of the heavens is constant. It does not exist for man, nor does it destroy man. If we respond to it with order, it will be auspicious; if we respond to it with disorder, it will be disastrous. Therefore, the heavens can create life, but cannot distinguish things; the earth can carry man, but cannot rule him. The heavens have their time, the earth has its talent, and man has his rule."

The laws of nature will not change because of human emotions or will, and are completely indifferent to the distinction between good and evil in people. There is no connection between the two, and whether it is good or bad depends entirely on personal efforts.

Here, there is already a huge conflict with the Mohist Minggui.

But this is not the end. Xun Ke continued, "Human beings are born with a love of profit, a hatred of evil, the desire of the ears and eyes, and a love of sex. Following human nature and human emotions will inevitably lead to contention, violation of the law of chaos and violence."

People's natural pursuit of material things is in conflict with morality itself. Xun Ke believed that the natural disposition itself is evil. Therefore, if it is allowed to develop, it will cause people to fight with each other, kill each other, and lead to social chaos. This is the theory of human nature being evil.

"The nature of man is evil, and those who are good are false. Zong Ming and Mo Zi have the same nature, and the nature of a gentleman and a villain is the same. With rites and righteousness, and laws and regulations, people on the road can be benevolent."

The nature of human beings is the same. Emperor Zongming and Mo Qiu are both human beings. Why are there such big differences? It is because human efforts, acquired environment and experience have played a decisive role in their transformation.

The theory of human nature being evil does not mean that everyone should be an evil person, but because human nature is evil, we need etiquette and education to improve this, so that everyone can eventually become benevolent.

"I say that one who respects rituals and honors the virtuous will be a king, and one who values ​​laws and loves the people will be a hegemon. The principles of governance are rituals and punishments. A gentleman cultivates himself and the people are at peace. Rituals can determine relationships, and laws can determine roles. Therefore, if rituals are applied to one's own conduct, and righteousness is applied to the country, the government will be clear. If one can use rituals to control others and his reputation will be clear, and the world will be willing to follow the laws, then the work of a king will be complete."

Xun Ke believed that the way to govern a country must be to apply both propriety and law, and to unify the king and the hegemon. Propriety and righteousness are the spirit of legislation. If people love propriety and righteousness, their behavior will naturally be legal, and even without punishment, the people will naturally do good. How can the country not be governed? In this regard, why did he propose the "theory of human nature being evil" and what was the basis for his theory of human nature being evil? He even gave an example of Emperor Zong Ming and Mo Qiu, and finally gave his own solution.

It can be said that it perfectly demonstrates its own ideas.

Although many people looked unhappy, they could not say that he was talking nonsense. Even if they wanted to refute, they had to have reasons and evidence.

At least in Xun Ke's own ideas, everything is self-consistent and logical, and quite mature and complete.

He has found a solution to the difficult problem that Gu Dan left him, and has also put forward his own solution for people around the world to judge.

After saying this, Xun Ke also walked down and returned to his seat in the audience.

"Next, please invite the martial arts master who has traveled to various countries, Yang Zhu, to talk about his philosophy. If anyone objects, please raise your hand."

After being summoned again, Yang Zhu took the stage.

He was wearing a Taoist robe and looked quite old, but he was in good spirits and had a kind, non-aggressive look. He did not rush to talk about his own ideas, but instead gave a brief comment on what Xun Ke had said first.

"I also agree with Xun Ke's theory of human nature being evil. Human nature is evil, and this is the law of nature!"

Yang Zhu said: "In ancient times, if a person sacrificed even a hair to benefit the world, he would not do so; if the whole world served him, he would not take it. If everyone does not sacrifice even a hair and does not benefit the world, the world will be in order. If one is good at governing the outside world, things may not be in order; if one is good at governing the inside world, things may not be in chaos. If you govern the outside world, your method can be temporarily implemented in one country, but it is not in line with people's hearts; if I govern the inside world, I can apply it to the whole world."

If everyone governs their own affairs and values ​​themselves, and does not invade or harm each other, and everyone respects and loves themselves, then everyone will be at peace, and the world will be governed? "In terms of life and death, everyone is like this. People are different in wisdom and stupidity, poverty and humbleness, but after death, everyone returns to rotten bones. Emperor Zong Ming and Mozi are no different. Life has its time, and valuing oneself comes first. Life is hard to come by, but death is easy. Life seeks its joy, and death returns to dust. Therefore, it is precious to keep myself alive.

Indulge yourself for a while, but do not lose the joy of the youth; act according to your heart, but do not go against what nature likes; travel according to your heart, but do not go against what things like; do not be proud of temporary praise or criticism, and do not seek glory after death; do not envy longevity, fame, position, or wealth, then you will not be afraid of ghosts, people, power, or profit.

Follow the nature of nature, and enjoy the things that nourish your health. Don't go against fate and envy your longevity, or accumulate things and burden your body. A rich house, beautiful clothes, delicious food and beautiful things are all what people want. This is the way to preserve your nature and authenticity, and the art of valuing yourself over material things!"

Yang Zhu spoke eloquently and directly borrowed some of Xun Ke's ideas.

When he said that one should value oneself, he did not mean to harm others at the expense of oneself. Rather, he meant to neither harm others to benefit oneself nor harm oneself to benefit others. If everyone did this, there would be no Emperor Zong Ming and no Mo Qiu, and where would the conflicts come from?

Compared with Xun Ke's entire set of combined punches, Yang Zhu simply started from human nature and pointed out his own ideas.

While he was speaking, many people in the audience covered their ears to show their contempt.

Some people were already cursing in low voices.

However, Yang Zhu didn't care at all. He walked off the stage with a smile, very gracefully.

As soon as he stepped down, the official who presided over the discussion came up and said, "Now, please invite Zou Dan to talk about his ideas. If anyone objects, please raise your hand."

Zou Dan came to the stage. Excluding Qin Lisheng, who was the first one to come on stage, he was the third one to come on stage.

This is enough to show that his ideas have been recognized by some people.

"I agree with Brother Xun's view on the world, but it needs to be more specific."

When he came to the stage, Zou Dan actually imitated Yang Zhu and supported Xun Ke first.

The difference is that Yang Zhu agreed with the theory of human nature being evil, while Zou Dan agreed with Xun Ke's understanding of heaven and earth.

"The four directions and the up and down are called 'Yu', and the past and the present are called 'Zhou'."

A long time ago, our ancestors already had some understanding of the place where they lived, and they also gave an explanation for the larger places that they had not yet touched. Together, they form the two words "yu" and "zhou".

Yu means space and Zhou means time.

Zou Dan was Qing Pingzi's apprentice. Born as an alchemist, he deeply understood how important it was to attract attention with one's mouth. This was why he was the first to put forward the concept of the universe itself.

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"In the universe, all things are divided into yin and yang. They are considered good and evil, advantages and disadvantages, gains and losses, good and bad. They all exist in between, unfolding and forming themselves. Nothing is outside of them. Yin and yang have names and are invisible."

Zou Dan said: "Yin and Yang evolve, and the Five Elements are born. The Five Elements are: one is water, two is fire, three is wood, four is gold, and five is earth. These Five Elements illuminate everything in the world and are inseparable."

He breaks everything down into three levels.

The first is the universe, which includes everything in all directions, from ancient times to the present.

In the universe, yin and yang coordinate everything. The unity of opposites that correspond to each other and complement each other all come from these two. That is, all things carry yin and embrace yang, and the interaction of yin and yang is the universe.

The universe is a concept, and yin and yang are the expression of the concept itself.

Yin and Yang then evolved into the more specific Five Elements, and eventually became the real world that people could truly see and feel.

But his words were so grand that many listeners in the audience, although they were sure that he had not missed a word, could not understand them even after blinking their eyes.

Offstage, Gu Dan looked at Qing Pingzi beside him. In the twenty-fifth year of the Xia Dynasty, Qing Pingzi returned again. "Did you teach him this?"

"No."

Qingpingzi shrugged slightly and said innocently, "I haven't been back for so many years. Don't blame the master for the disciple's affairs. This is his own thinking. At best, I gave him some insignificant inspiration."

"It sounds like that's the case."

Gu Dan listened for a while and commented.

"That's not true. If you apply the knowledge of immortals to the real world, you will know more than ordinary people and it will be more correct."

Qingpingzi said confidently.

In fact, the Yin and Yang and the Five Elements mentioned by Zou Dan are not something very new.

One of the hurdles that the Grandmaster needs to face is called the interaction of the five elements. How could he not have any knowledge of this aspect? It's just that Zou Dan connected all these things and summarized them into one.

The knowledge of the immortal way, which exists at a higher level, is connected and consistent with the phenomena in the mortal world.

"By the way, it's been so long, why hasn't the immortal come back yet?"

The two of them were chatting as if no one was around, but in fact they were communicating in secret so only they could hear each other, so they were not worried about being noticed by outsiders.

"Maybe something happened to the immortal?"

Speaking of this, Qingpingzi seemed a little depressed. This was also one of the main reasons why he came back this time, just to ask Gu Dan for help.

He is already very old!

When Gu Dan first came into this world, he had been a popular figure around Emperor Zong Ming for ten years.

From the 22nd year of the reign of Emperor Zongming to the 25th year of the reign of Emperor Xia, a full 46 years had passed! He was now approaching 100 years old.

According to the Grand Master's life span of 120 years, Qingpingzi can only live for another 20 years at most, and that's assuming he can live to the end of his life.

Even if the immortals return, it will take time to practice. It is impossible for them to expect to break through the realm and prolong their life when they are about to die, right? In this way, they will have to wait for another ten years, and this is still a conservative estimate.

In other words, if the immortal doesn't come back within ten years, Qingpingzi will die of old age.

This time when he returned to the Xia Dynasty, he begged Gu Dan to give him some Qingmu Liquid to ensure that he would not live to see his death.

Time will not spare anyone. It can allow a child who was once powerless to stand on the stage today and express his ideas, but it can also make a guy who was once at the peak of his career face the embarrassment of his approaching lifespan.

If there is no improvement, there is only death.

Everyone dies since ancient times. If there is no hope, it would be fine, but the stars have clearly fallen from the sky at night, and there is a message. If this cannot be waited for, Qingpingzi will not be willing at all.

The most terrifying thing is not having hope, but seeing hope but not being able to grasp it.

"misfortune."

While muttering these two words, Gu Dan looked towards the stage.

One after another, talented and virtuous people whom he had never even heard of before came up and expressed their ideas.

Times have changed, and things are very different.

The Grand Master is only a part of the mortal world and cannot see all the changes.

Where did this change come from? Gu Dan, in the power of time, accumulated strength, waiting to witness the change with his own eyes.

(End of this chapter)