In the entire Daxia, the only person who truly understands what Fu Xiaoguan thinks and does is Yan Beixi!
Even Yu Wenyun, Dong Shulan and the others did not know about the ideal things that Fu Xiaoguan had in the past, was now gradually realizing, and might do in the future.
"Your Majesty, if you carefully consider all of your current policies, you will find that they are all aimed at enlightening the people, such as the massive construction of schools, the mandatory implementation of nine years of compulsory education, and the changes in textbooks to revitalize agriculture and commerce, etc."
"He once said that human needs have five levels, and only when people reach the third level...that is, the need for belonging and love, can they lift their heads and gaze at the higher sky."
"Now, the people of Daxia have reached this level, and Your Majesty is pushing them to the next level - the need for respect!"
"He said this is an extremely important level. Only those at this level will pursue their own power and dare to say no to any behavior that undermines their personal power!"
At this point, Qin Bingzhong interrupted Yan Beixi and asked with some concern, "Isn't this just encouraging the people to despise power? Or even question the imperial authority? If so, wouldn't the world be in chaos?"
"I had the same doubts at first, but now it seems that's not the case. Think about it, brother. If all the officials of the Great Xia court could truly serve the people, make them prosperous, and provide them with both spiritual and material prosperity... who would rebel?"
"No one will rebel! Once the people have awakened to this wisdom, they will oversee government at all levels. In this way, all officials will be under the supervision of the people. Who would dare to embezzle? Who would dare to violate the law?"
"As Your Majesty said, if power isn't caged, it will devour people! What is this cage? I didn't understand it before, but now I do. It is the supervision of the people of the world! It is the fundamental constitutional rights granted to the people of the world, which allow them to wield the law as a weapon to defend freedom, dignity, wealth, and happiness!"
"Only when power is placed under the supervision of all the people will it retract its claws and serve Daxia and its people wholeheartedly and sincerely!"
After saying these words, Yan Beixi was a little excited, so much so that his old face turned red.
After hearing these words, Qin Bingzhong's eyes widened, but he suddenly understood the meaning of them - power is a tiger, and the people's eyes and the thoughts that dare to fight are the woven cage.
In this way, all government offices at all levels, even the imperial power, will be under the supervision of the people.
If the tiger escapes from the cage, the people of Daxia have the right to beat it to death!
"Your Majesty...you are so bold!"
This is a revolution against the imperial power that has existed for thousands of years!
Whether it is theology or other schools of thought, all thoughts ultimately serve the imperial power and the ruling class.
These academic works were regarded as classics and became the standard for people's daily behavior, but they also became what Fu Xiaoguan called the ideological cage.
He intended to break it.
But he didn't use overly radical means.
His policies are like the silent spring rain that moistens everything, subtly influencing the people of the world.
If things continue like this, the people of Daxia will one day understand the Neo-Confucian code and take up the weapon of the constitution. What will Daxia look like by then?
No one knows, but everyone is worried. Fu Xiaoguan isn't a god; he can't live forever. Will his successor be able to implement his philosophy of governance? Will he tolerate any questioning or infringement of his imperial authority?
If there is a conflict between imperial power and the people, civil unrest will inevitably occur in Daxia, unless the influence of imperial power is reduced and a new power institution that is fundamentally supervised by the people is established.
How will he do it?
…
…
"Old White, Sanda, this time when we go out to sea, I want to find a good place..."
On the Guanyun, Fu Xiaoguan held a glass of wine and stared at the sea in a daze for a while.
"Is Daxia not good?" He Sandao asked curiously.
"Daxia is good, but Daxia with me is not good."
"What do you mean?" Bai Yulian asked with a frown, feeling strange in her heart.
"The officials and the people of Daxia all believe that as long as I'm in Daxia, everything will go smoothly! I'm not a god! What if I die? Will Daxia collapse? Will the government stop functioning? Will the people stop living?"
Fu Xiaoguan drank a glass of wine, and a warm feeling rose in his heart. He raised his eyebrows and said, "This time we are away for a year or two. I just want to see if the government can implement the new five-year plan and continue the basic national policy of Daxia without me."
"If you can, then next... Liu Jin, what are you standing there for? Pour the wine!"
"If they can, it means our officials have self-discipline. If they can't... this is a serious problem. We need to reform the government and re-evaluate these officials."
"But I'm not too worried. After all, I'm familiar with those key officials."
Bai Yulian also picked up the wine glass and took a sip. He looked up at Fu Xiaoguan and asked, "Do you really want to leave?"
Fu Xiaoguan nodded. "People have to live for themselves for a while. You know me. I don't want to be an emperor. I just want to be a small landlord!"
Fu Xiaoguan lay down on the chair, looking at the blue sky, and said with a smile: "Just like we used to do in Xishan, sleeping until we wake up naturally, counting money until our hands cramp, how wonderful is that?"
"You're running away!"
"No, I really think so, I have always thought so!"
"Aren't you afraid that Daxia will be in chaos?"
"...If there's chaos, it means the emperor and the government are incompetent. By the way," Fu Xiaoguan sat up and looked at Bai Yulian, "after we go back, the Ministry of National Defense's original gun ban must be lifted!"
"Isn't this just getting more chaotic?" Bai Yulian's eyes widened, but Fu Xiaoguan laughed. "We have to give the people a choice to defend their rights!"
"They can take up arms, of course, and they can also have a fair dialogue with the authorities. But this fairness... must be based on the premise that both sides are equally powerful. This matter is settled, and no further discussion is allowed."
Bai Yulian didn't say anything. He Sandao asked curiously, "Boss, what you mean is... that you don't want to be an emperor and continue to be a landlord?"
"yes!"
"Hehe," He Sandao smiled coyly, "Where are you going to be a local landlord? Can I follow you?"
"You don't want to be the commander anymore?"
"If you were the emperor, I would be the emperor. If you don't even want to be the emperor, I'll just be a useless army commander! I might as well go and farm with you!"
Fu Xiaoguan thought about it seriously. He Sandao was a rather unruly guy. Apart from Bai Yulian and Zhuo Bieli, no one in the court could subdue him. If that day really came, it would be better to take him along.
"No regrets?"
"I'm just a small landlord in Linzi. I don't regret it at all!"
At this moment, Liu Jin suddenly pointed and shouted, "Your Majesty, land! Land!"
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