"There are three people in a family: grandfather, father, and son. Grandfather is the authority. All three believe that grandfather is the most correct. This is called formal correctness."
"But Grandpa isn't omnipotent. When faced with new problems, he might be wrong."
"At this point, the grandson actually knew the answer to the question because he had learned about it in class."
"We call this practical correctness. If a grandson expresses a different opinion and is then beaten by his grandfather, then correctness becomes incorrect."
"Grandfather's authority has been weakened, and his grandson is afraid to seek the right answers..."
Chen Yunxuan came up with the answer: "So, the correct thing became incorrect."
"That's right, but if the grandfather believes in his grandson's answer and encourages him to have the courage to try..." Lin Tongxi explained.
"Then formal correctness and practical correctness become one and become completely correct." Chen Yunxuan continued to answer.
Lin Tongxi nodded, and then applied this logic to the problem: "The monarch is correct in form, and the people are correct in practice."
"Yunxuan, do you think you are omniscient and omnipotent? Can you completely ignore your personal likes and dislikes and devote yourself to benefiting the people?" Lin Tongxi suddenly asked.
"...No, but I will try my best." Chen Yunxuan answered truthfully.
"What about your descendants?" Lin Tongxi continued to ask.
"I will work hard to train them and enable them to benefit the people." Chen Yunxuan replied.
"Countless wise kings thought so, but unfortunately their descendants did not live up to their expectations, especially Taizu of the Sheng Dynasty and the second-generation emperor." Lin Tongxi sighed, then took a sip of tea to give Chen Yunxuan time to think.
"...That does make sense. So, Tongxi, what are your thoughts?" Chen Yunxuan thought for a long time, and feeling that the other party was keeping him in suspense, he let him speak up.
Lin Tongxi coughed and then explained: "If you want the monarch's throne to never be overthrown, then the answer is very simple, that is to make the monarch become a commoner!"
"Let the people believe that the monarch is on their side and maintain 'formal correctness'."
"But 'formal correctness' is not so easy to maintain, because monarchs make mistakes all the time."
"A monarch is a human being, and even a powerful ruler like Emperor Sheng Taizu can make mistakes."
"But some things cannot be wrong. By having the monarch do only the right things and not make mistakes, he can maintain his authority and make the people believe that the monarch represents them."
"As for those matters where mistakes are easy to make, let the ministers do them."
"Of course, ministers can make mistakes. Let's break it down a little further—allowing ministers to have both formal correctness and practical correctness."
"The former is in charge of the general direction, such as the Jinshi Pavilion we set up earlier, and the latter is responsible for execution, such as the Deacon's Office."
“When the latter makes a mistake, the former corrects it.”
“The latter is responsible for implementation, striving to avoid mistakes and achieving an organic unity of formal and practical correctness.”
Chen Yunxuan nodded, then asked one last question: "I understand the principle, but how do I implement it?"
Lin Tongxi took another sip of tea and put forward his idea: "Establish a system of co-governance between the monarch and the people!"
The so-called system of co-governance between the monarch and the people is actually based on the constitutional monarchy.
The only difference is that constitutional monarchy places more emphasis on legislation. The monarch still has power, but it is limited by legislation.
The system of co-governance between the monarch and the people is slightly different. It emphasizes co-governance more. The monarch unites the people from the highest perspective and governs the world together with the people.
"Co-governance by the monarch and the people? How should it be constructed?" Chen Yunxuan expressed his confusion about this unfamiliar term.
Lin Tongxi then drew a picture of heaven, earth, and man.
"Except Yunxuan, everyone should have heard of 'Three Talents'."
"The ruler is the sky, the people are the earth, and the ministers are the people."
"The emperor is responsible for the correct form, which is heaven's will."
“The people are responsible for what is actually right, the foundation.”
"Ministers are responsible for the unity of the two, that is, manpower."
“The monarch delegates all matters prone to error to his ministers and the people, delegating authority to his subjects and leaving only the responsibility of representing state authority.”
"If the people believe that the monarch represents them, they will not overthrow the monarch."
"Even if he is overthrown, it will only be a 'clearance of the imperial court'."
"As long as the monarch is in power, the world will not be in chaos."
"As long as the people are around, the ministers in power will not dare to actively seek to usurp the throne."
"With ministers present, policies can be implemented, the people can be benefited, and the monarch's authority can be maintained."
Gu Qingli understood Lin Tongxi's meaning and summarized it from a metaphysical perspective: "This is called the harmony of water and fire, creating a good land. It sounds like a good system indeed."
When the fire is too strong, the land will become dry and cracked, which means that the monarch will exercise tyranny.
If there is too much water, the land will become wet and heavy, which means that the monarch will be marginalized.
Being too dry or too wet is not conducive to growing crops, which means that people cannot live and work in peace.
Chen Yunxuan nodded, finally understanding why Lin Tongxi explained so much.
The reason he went through so much trouble was simply because he was worried that if he directly said "authorization", it would arouse Chen Yunxuan's suspicion.
But today's Chen Yunxuan is no longer the Chen Yunxuan of the past. Compared with power, he cares more about the people.
You must know that today's monarch may become a displaced commoner tomorrow!
[Chen Yunxuan further comprehended the Great Dao, his mind and character increased by 10, reaching 100, unlocking the talents of "The World is for All" and "Unwavering"]
[The world serves the public: When a civil rights system is adopted, every action of Chen Yunxuan is likely to win the hearts of the people]
Unwavering: Chen Yunxuan firmly believes in the scenario described by Lin Tongxi and will firmly defend the civil rights system.
"Brother Tongxi, I am willing to work with you to build this world of shared governance!" Chen Yunxuan stretched out his hand.
Lin Tongxi finally breathed a sigh of relief and shook the other person's hand: "Comrade, let us work together to build a lasting foundation for the people to live without worries!"
In the answer sheet of history, facing the vicious cycle of the rise and fall of dynasties, Chen Yunxuan and Lin Tongxi were the first to try to answer the question.
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