Chapter 172: The details are perfect and the past is the future

This is the consensus of Confucian scholars.

Debate is not about right or wrong; it only considers the level of knowledge.

The level of knowledge is not used to convince others, but to gain the trust of the world.

The purpose of gaining the world's trust was not to expand the personal interests of the Zhu emperors or to assert imperial power.

Rather, it was to introduce Song and Ming Neo-Confucianism into the practical discussion of philosophy in a natural way - of course it was a natural thing, otherwise Zhu Yijun would not have been able to use the discourse system within the scope of Taoism to describe the future of Taoism.

Therefore, it doesn’t matter whether you win or lose against the masters of psychology and rationalism.

What is important is the level of knowledge Zhu Yijun demonstrated in front of the audience and the extent of the subsequent fermentation.

Because of this, Wang Shizhen, the world's number one marketer, accurately grasped the emperor's needs.

The core of today's literary gathering is the "Classics Section", which is invitation-only. The four sections of poetry, prose, essays and storytelling focus on volume and all comers are welcome.

At the same time, he specially ordered people to copy out the brilliant speeches and poems from various departments and circulate them everywhere.

On the one hand, it provides a platform for discussion and increases its popularity; on the other hand, it attracts interested scholars to come and watch and listen, thus creating a buzz.

As a result, the outside of the Confucian Society was now packed with scholars who came to join in the fun.

If it weren't for the ferocious looking Jinyiwei guarding everywhere, these eagerly waiting scholars would have already put their heads in through the windows.

"Um... Your Majesty's words are even more obscure than Lord Xue's. I don't quite understand what he said. Is there any learned gentleman who can explain it to me?"

"The old master who can fully understand these words is probably inside. Asking questions here is like asking a blind man."

"That's not the way to say it. I can understand it, but I'm afraid I'm not capable of explaining it thoroughly."

"Don't hide your incompetence, don't hide your incompetence, tell me quickly."

Debating is different from writing a book. In order to ensure the level of the debate, the viewpoints are always highly condensed.

It is absolutely impossible to explain the scope of the law of nature here and sort out the connotation of practice there.

This in fact forms a threshold.

If the emperor had not made a special review, the scholars who had only learned poetry and couplets would probably not even understand the origin and context of Taoism.

People watching in this kind of atmosphere are anxious but at a loss as to what to do, so naturally they want to learn from each other.

I said I could understand that person before, but I couldn't resist the enthusiasm of the crowd and had to express a few words: "First of all, I have to know the word."

"If Zhu Xi's "investigating things to gain knowledge" is passive and dependent on the outside world, then the word your majesty mentioned is about initiative, which is what your majesty said, reflecting people's spontaneity."

"At the same time, it is different from the prince's conscience. Knowledge is not divided into internal and external. One can rely on knowledge to become a sage internally, or one can rely on knowledge to become a king externally."

"As for how the innate knowledge is manifested, Your Majesty has said before that the reason why humans are superior to all things is that they can distinguish between themselves and the secular world. This natural 'distinction' is the manifestation of 'knowledge'. Therefore, knowledge is the first innate knowledge. Without knowledge, humans are not even worthy of being called humans."

Speaking of it.

Immediately, a scholar asked: "How does the statement of the layman Chang Wei compare with that of the previous masters?"

When you want to compare status, you cannot call him Your Majesty.

Of course, this was because the Jinyiwei were guarding not far away, otherwise there were many people who would have called Wanli "child" in private.

The man who spoke earlier hesitated for a moment, glanced at the Jinyiwei, and lowered his voice and said, "The word 'knowledge' is the orthodoxy of the School of Mind, and it has developed on the basis of Li Gong's theory. Its direction is completely opposite to Longxi Gong's theory, and it is similar to Xue Gong and Li Gong's eclecticism."

“It is neither the purity of seeking within nor the extreme of seeking without. It takes the path of combining the inside and the outside.”

"Probably... Of course, this is just my personal opinion."

"Probably, they are more sophisticated than the theories of Yuan Gong and Xue Gong, and are on par with those of Wang Gong and Li Gong."

Unfortunately, stacking armor is of no use.

He had just finished speaking.

Someone immediately refuted: "No, brother. I think that Lord Chang Wei's theory is far superior to Lord Yuan and Lord Li; it is on par with Lord Xue; and it is far inferior to Lord Wang."

The person who spoke first immediately shut up: "If you say so, then it is."

Seeing that he was not convinced, the man who started to refute him quickly took advantage of the situation and attacked him: "Your Majesty seems to have deliberately used a lot of words to take care of the scholars who are not familiar with Taoism, but in my opinion, it is just a patchwork of Neo-Confucianism and Psychology, which is not much different from what Xue Gong did."

"That sentence, the content of human consciousness established by thinking does not appear in the form of thought at first, but in the form of emotion, intuition, and representation."

"Isn't it just a paraphrase of the prince's words 'There is no good or evil in the nature of the mind, and there is good and evil in the movement of the mind'?"

When there are many people listening, arguments are inevitable.

He said that the emperor was taking care of the two theories for their own benefit, but in fact, he was saying that the emperor just changed the skin of the two theories and patched them up a little.

At this point, someone else interrupted again: "Everyone has their own understanding of what is good and what is bad, and I don't force it, but you said this sentence is a paraphrase, which obviously means you didn't understand it at all."

"This sentence is a further statement of cognition, aiming to bring out the 'Kung Fu' that originates from cognition."

When a group of people are chatting, Brother Dong is often the most popular.

Someone immediately asked, "Kung Fu?"

The man who had just spoken nodded: "Or function, tool, these are the original words of Mr. Chang Wei."

"The form of cognition should also have the 'tools' that are most commonly used for cognition."

"This is a discussion of the layman's desire to transform his innate ability to understand the cause and effect of things into an acquired ability."

Without waiting for anyone to ask, he pondered for a moment and then organized his words again: "One of the skills is to understand the cause and effect of all things, including moral cause and effect."

"Gentlemen, do you know that the new school outside Donghua Gate is teaching a course called logic?"

Obviously, the scholars didn't care about this.

Most of them shook their heads in unison.

The man was helpless and didn't know where to start.

He thought for a moment and said, "For example, I slept late yesterday to prepare for the literary conference, so I am not in a good mood today."

"The correctness of this statement is self-evident and can be applied anywhere in the world."

Everyone nodded, this was just nonsense.

The man shook his head. "But in the logic class, I was asked to discuss the cause and effect relationship between sleeping late and having a bad mental state, and to provide evidence."

Someone immediately rolled his eyes: "Xiang Wuning, you have nothing better to do than to ask for this kind of evidence. Who doesn't have a bad mood after sleeping late?"

The man nodded immediately: "That's exactly what I mean! Common and repeatable phenomena seem to serve as evidence of a certain stage in their opinion."

This statement makes the logic seem not so outrageous.

However, some people still shook their heads and said, "It's tiring to bring the legal system into your conversation."

The man immediately corrected himself, "Of course it is tiring, but this is not the way the law is, it is a more stringent doctrine."

“For example, I use the words of the sage, ‘Isn’t it a pleasure to learn and practice what you have learned?’ to teach my students.”

"So in order to ensure the correctness of this sentence, we need to prove a premise, that is, all the words of the saints are correct."

"Otherwise, it is just the 'view' of a saint, not the 'correct truth'"

As soon as the words came out.

Everyone's eyes immediately became clear.

Most people kept their mouths shut.

Only a few people who loved to watch the fun hid in the crowd and asked, "So, Your Majesty, is this the cause and effect of all things?"

Everyone couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

Cause and effect, cause and effect, it is not difficult to understand, especially for the outstanding people like them.

Outsiders think that they cannot see cause and effect, but in fact they have not seen the correctness inherent in Confucianism.

For example, why can the words of saints be quoted without restraint?
Because one of the correct things inherent in Confucianism is that saints are always right.

This kind of correctness is not rational and logical, but it is universally recognized and repeatable. In practice, it can also serve as a major premise for a certain stage.

At this time, the audience seemed to have tasted the flavor.

Is the emperor... challenging these built-in correctnesses? Or even attempting to re-examine them?
The man who spoke first hesitated for a moment, then slowly said, "To know the cause and effect of all things is to be born out of cognition. It is the form, skill, and tool of cognition. It is true what Chang Weigong said."

"However, whether the specific form and skills are like logic, it still needs to be carefully studied after Chang Weigong writes a book."

Everyone outside the venue fell silent.

Naturally, everyone understood this statement tacitly.

After all, although the people present were not qualified to enter and take a seat, their basic deductive ability was still not bad.

After listening to the two examples given by that person just now, I immediately realized how well the so-called logic fits in with the cause and effect of all things.

I'm afraid that the new institution, apart from selecting clerks as everyone has speculated, will also have its own purpose.

It is also the Taoist practice of the emperor!
But the problem is...if we really want to put the cause and effect of all things under the sun, how many things can withstand the kind of questioning that this person gave?
If we have to delve into why poor sleep affects our mental state, how many more insignificant things do we have to delve into?
To even investigate whether saints are right or wrong, how is that any different from overturning the existing morality in the world and rebuilding it from scratch?
Let's take a step back and say, what is the cause and effect of your throne? Do you want to be subject to the cause and effect scrutiny of the world?

No one dared to think too deeply and could only remain silent - after all, there really was a Confucian master sitting on the throne.

After a moment's thought, the debate inside had already reached a heated level.

Wang Shimao hurried out holding two pieces of paper with the words he had recorded on them and posted them outside the venue, then hurried back.

The crowd was still very organized and did not rush forward.

One person stepped forward first and recited loudly, reviewing the situation in the venue.

"… and practice debate."

"Mr. Fangshan asked, how does knowledge go from the world to the future?"

"Chang Weigong replied that the form of cognition lies in realizing cause and effect, and the way to realize cause and effect lies in practice. These two are the bridge between the innate and the acquired, which is also Kung Fu."

"Yu Chun asked, 'Is practice the practice of the heart, or the practice of behavior? Is it the study of the heart? Is it the study of principles?'"

"Chang Weigong replied, 'All practices, both internal and external, originate from cognition, studying external things, examining oneself, and then embracing the world. This is the worldview.'"

"Master Zhuo Wu asked, 'How can we correct the wrongs by practicing the inner sageliness and outer kingliness?'"

"Chang Weigong replied, 'Distinguish cause and effect, be correct and universal, and correct the wrongs without going through the process.'"

"Mr. Longxi asked, "Human power has its limits, and cause and effect are suspended. What then?"

"Chang Weigong replied, 'Those who clearly understand cause and effect belong to the mundane world; those who suspend cause and effect belong to metaphysical philosophical thinking.'"

"The Duke of Yanzhou asked, 'My life is limited, how can I exhaust the cause and effect of all things?'"

"Chang Weigong replied, those who understand cause and effect clearly will be passed down for hundreds of generations, not just repeated from generation to generation. This is the subtraction method on the path to sainthood, the transmission of knowledge."

"Mr. Yanzhou asked again, knowledge circulates, it is not necessarily true, just like the words of the saints, many are tampered with and misunderstood. Changwei layman does not have a standard for doing things indiscriminately, I do not accept it." "Everyone was shocked and asked, why?"

"The Duke of Yanzhou replied, 'The Book of Rites contains many errors. Let me test it for you.'"

It ended abruptly.

Everyone was shocked, just like everyone else in the museum.

……

"The story of rotten grass turning into fireflies...was something Your Majesty had prepared in advance, right?"

Li Maonian looked at Wang Shizhen talking below in astonishment and panic.

This is not questioning the emperor's doctrine.

This is clearly an attempt to undermine the correctness of the saints' classics in the process of their dissemination, just to promote the emperor's epistemological "skills"!
He looked at his daughter who was looking very radiant beside him, waiting for the answer.

Unfortunately, the answer did not come as expected, and Li Baiyang seemed to have not heard it.

As family members of cadres, it was inconvenient for the female members of the family to show up in public downstairs. With the emperor's permission, this family of relatives was allowed to look down from the second floor. It was certainly not good to look down on the emperor. However, the fault was definitely not the emperor's, nor the harem's. It was Wang Shizhen's lack of consideration when starting the construction, for which he was fined one month's salary.

Seeing that his daughter was still in a trance, Li Maonian could not help but cough lightly.

Li Baiyang felt helpless. He couldn't escape even if he pretended to be a god, so he had to give face to his father.

She turned her head and looked at Li Maonian, and said seriously: "Father, I am the concubine chosen by His Majesty, you shouldn't ask like this."

Although the emperor had never mentioned such a thing to her, the answer was not important at this time. What was important was her attitude.

Li Maonian was at a standstill.

At this time, Li Chunfang finally laughed, with a kind face, and changed the subject lightly: "The old man has long said that your Majesty must be a hero of the time. I didn't lie to you, did I?"

Even though he had anticipated the emperor's talent, he never imagined that the emperor would have such achievements in classics.

He looked calm on the surface, but he was frightened several times in his heart.

Li Baiyang showed a shy look: "My father, you have a keen eye. Your Majesty is indeed a first-class hero in the world."

Li Chunfang was relieved to see that her granddaughter did not show any regret about being sent to the palace.

Her own granddaughter knew that she hated fools the most and only yearned for heroes - Li Chunfang didn't know that in later generations, this was called loving wisdom.

He lifted the thin blanket and slowly stood up.

Li Chunfang walked between his granddaughter and son, looked at Wang Shizhen who was talking eloquently below, and said, "I was originally going to go down and take charge, thinking that I would go to the palace to see the saints after the meeting, but I didn't expect that Wang Shizhen would directly invite me up."

"I guess your majesty has given you some instructions?"

Li Chunfang is a good guy in the cabinet and a kind father-in-law at home.

Li Baiyang couldn't help but show admiration on his face, and said softly: "Father, His Majesty did have something for me to tell you."

Li Chunfang nodded and said with a smile, "We are one family and we should not have different opinions. Let's finish our conversation."

Li Baiyang recalled for a moment: "Your Majesty said that just like the Tongzhengsi newspaper can only be circulated in northern Zhili, his theory, even with a lot of preparation, is inevitably limited by the region."

"Now, the Wang Sect of Central Zhejiang, the Wang Sect of South Central China, and the Wang Sect of Taizhou are all circulated with South Zhili as their core..."

Li Chunfang suddenly realized.

He said bluntly: "Your Majesty wants me to spread his doctrine in Nanzhili?"

Li Baiyang nodded: "It's more than just a theory."

"After today's literary gathering, he will allow Wang Gong, Yuan Gong and others to start a newspaper under the guidance of the Tongzhengsi, and Nanzhili will be reviewed by my father."

Li Chunfang glanced at her granddaughter.

What a great “guidance” and what a great “review”! Even the granddaughter’s weird way of speaking is exactly the same as the emperor who was explaining just now.

He didn't agree immediately.

Instead, there was a long silence.

A long time passed.

He then looked at his granddaughter: "How did your majesty arrange the Li family?"

The word "arrange" is a euphemism.

But Li Baiyang naturally understood what her grandfather meant. She pondered for a moment and said slowly, "Your Majesty will give me the golden book and golden treasure."

Li Chunfang nodded slightly.

This means that she will only be given the title of noble concubine.

Li Baiyang looked at his father again: "Your Majesty said that my father's branch must be separated from the Li family in Xinghua County and moved to the capital."

Li Maonian was startled and looked at Li Chunfang with some fear.

Seeing this, Li Chunfang's eyes flashed with joy, and he explained to his son: "This is the trust of His Majesty."

He looked at his granddaughter again: "What about the title?"

It is common practice to confer titles on relatives by marriage, but during the current emperor's term of office, things are not stable.

Just like the Jiajing period that Li Chunfang experienced.

After Sejong ascended the throne, he said, "The number of titles and ranks has increased day by day, and there is no order in the titles and ranks, which are passed down from generation to generation. The salary and rice have increased year by year, and the state finances have become more and more depleted." He ordered that "Wei, Ding, Pengcheng, and Hui'an shall continue to be ennobled as before, and the rest shall be terminated. This shall be recorded in the order."

With just one sentence, the titles of dozens of foreign relatives were stripped - just like what the current emperor did to the royal family of Huguang. The difference is that the latter was more ruthless and it was simply made a custom.

Therefore, he had to inquire about the titles of Li Chunfang's family in advance, for fear that his granddaughter would not be liked by the emperor and would be treated harshly.

Li Baiyang shook his head: "Your Majesty didn't say."

Xiao Zhu didn't say it of course, but Empress Dowager Chen did, the title of earl was hereditary.

However, Xiao Li didn't want to tell Li Chunfang at this time.

Upon hearing this, Li Chunfang closed his eyes and fell into deep thought.

Time passed bit by bit, and the discussion on the stage downstairs continued.

Li Chunfang slowly opened her eyes and looked at her granddaughter: "Okay."

Very brief reply.

Li Baiyang smiled heartily.

At this time, the debate downstairs was coming to an end.

Because the emperor stood up and left his seat.

Li Chunfang bowed to his granddaughter and said, "I will take my leave now."

The king is the king and the ministers are the ministers, and the harem is also ruled by women.

Li Maonian bowed to his daughter somewhat awkwardly.

Li Baiyang wanted to stop this private etiquette, but then he remembered the emperor's usual affectation. In the end, he had to wait until the two of them finished the ceremony before he said, "Father and grandfather, please take care of yourselves. I heard from His Majesty that it is getting colder everywhere this year."

After some greetings, Li Chunfang left with her son.

……

Zhu Yijun ended today's performance in public with a dry mouth.

Under the complicated gazes of the crowd, he stood up and left.

Of course, the people who came here must be in order when they leave.

Jiang Keqian put the arrow suit into his sleeve and stood respectfully behind the emperor, not knowing what to say.

Zhu Yijun listened for a moment before nodding with relief.

Then he pushed the door open, walked into the room, and smiled at Li Baiyang: "Concubine Li is so quick to come back home. I also want to see Lord Li."

Li Baiyang bowed respectfully: "My father and grandfather left on their own initiative when they saw Your Majesty leave the table."

Zhu Yijun was really thirsty.

He helped Li Baiyang up, and drank the remaining half cup of tea in front of him, and then he let out a long sigh: "Let's go home."

After saying that, Zhu Yijun turned around and motioned Li Baiyang to follow.

A group of eunuchs had already been waiting outside. Li Baiyang walked up to the emperor and said, "It seems that I have come here for nothing today. I wonder how the debate went for your majesty today. Are you satisfied?"

Zhu Yijun subconsciously touched his chin and pouted: "I don't know, let's wait for the reaction to fly for a while."

The group left the guild hall.

Naturally, there were no strangers outside the museum, and people gathered around to watch the monkeys.

After all, when the emperor travels, the place has to be cleared in advance.

When Zhu Yijun walked to the gate of the villa, Wang Shizhen appeared again.

He was seen holding a scroll of painting in his hand and holding up the hem of his robe, trotting all the way to the emperor.

"Your Majesty, this is a painting that Qian Gu painted for today's literary gathering. As it may accidentally reveal your Majesty's face, I have thought about it and decided not to take the risk of collecting it, so I have the audacity to present it to your Majesty."

Zhu Yijun praised secretly.

As expected of a member of the Literary Alliance, he has even prepared the surrounding areas, making it foolproof.

As he took it, he instructed Zheng Zongxue, "Give it to the Hanlin Academy for copying later, and have the Tongzhengsi make a copy for publication."

After saying this, Zhu Yijun opened the scroll.

What comes into view is a conference venue.

Outside the venue, colorful little people gathered around, whispering.

Inside the venue, there were ninety-nine eighty-one people, young and old, sitting on the floor, looking fascinated.

The seven people on the stage seemed to be arguing with each other.

The perspective is very far, but the writing is particularly clear.

The person who is most clearly described, apart from Wang Shizhen who is sitting next to him, is a young man wearing a Yanbian suit.

He stands in the middle, his face almost sacred, and he is full of vigor and vitality.

On one side is Qian Gu's seal and a large pun title.

It is called "Wanli Lundao Tu".

(End of this chapter)