Southern Ming: A boy soldier at the beginning, supporting the world

Chapter 35 Taizhou School
After Wang Yangming's death, the School of Mind spread widely and split into many factions, which can be simply described as left and right.

The Taizhou School is a representative of the left wing. It has the greatest influence and the longest spread among all schools. It is a prominent school in the late Ming Dynasty. It opposes the restriction of human nature and advocates that "there are saints everywhere in the streets" and "the people's daily life is the Tao", which has a very obvious popular color.

The founder was Wang Gen, who was born into a salt-making family and made his living by boiling salt for generations. Later, he studied under Wang Yangming and became his favorite disciple. His doctrines were simple and easy to understand, and were easy to inspire ordinary people, peddlers and hawkers. His followers ranged from officials to ordinary people. Representative figures included Li Zhi, Xu Guangqi, Zhao Zhenji, Yuan Hongdao, Tang Xianzu and others.

To exaggerate a little, the Taizhou School can be called the first ideological enlightenment school in my country.

Cen Danchu was well aware of the value of the Taizhou School and said to Qu Shisi:
"Mr. Yangming said, 'We should judge right and wrong based on our own opinion, not based on Confucius' opinion.' Wang Xinzhai (Wang Gen) believed that 'everyone on the street is a saint' and 'the people's daily life is the Tao'.

"The sage once said, 'The people are the most important, the country is second, and the king is the least important.' The ancients regarded the world as the master and the king as the guest. All those who worked for the world, such as Yao and Shun, did so for the sake of the world, not for their own selfishness.

"I dare to say that what the emperor thinks is right may not be right, and what the emperor thinks is wrong may not be wrong. The order and chaos of the world do not depend on the rise and fall of a family, but on the happiness and sorrow of the people. The Taizhou School attaches great importance to the people, just like fighting dragons and snakes with bare hands. I yearn for it."

At this point, Danchu paused to observe the teacher's reaction. If some corrupt scholars had heard this, they would have probably scolded Danchu for being a traitor.

Qu Shisi was also a disciple of the School of Mind and a Catholic. He was open-minded and was not surprised by Danchu's words. Instead, he nodded repeatedly.

Danchu was encouraged and said, "The Ming Dynasty is a powerful country with a hundred times more troops, population and land than the Qing Dynasty, but it has suffered successive defeats and is confined to a corner of the southwest. Why? Because it has lost the support of the people.

"Even if the people of the world were exhausted, there would be nothing left to support the royal family. Most of the land in a province belongs to the royal family, and most of the taxes in a province go to the royal family. When bandits besieged the city, the princes were stingy and unwilling to give money and food, so the soldiers were unwilling to serve, and the people were unwilling to follow.

"The military households, artisan households, miners, furnace workers, etc. are all like slaves, without food or clothing. The court is unjust, and the people abandon it. Therefore, the military households flee, the artisans slack off, and the miners revolt.

"There are also bad policies such as eunuchs, which are difficult to reverse. Even with the diligence of Weizong and Shaozong, they cannot change the situation.

"When people discuss the defeat of the Ming army, they all think that the Qing invaders are good at riding and shooting, and their troops are strong. In fact, this is just a blind man touching an elephant, and seeing the leopard through a tube. The people are in distress and have no food or clothing. This is the main reason why the bandits have grown stronger and the Tartar invaders have entered the pass."

Qu Shisi looked heavy and solemn, with his brows furrowed. Seeing Danchu paused, hesitating to speak, he nodded and said, "Zhuoru's words are thought-provoking, and I am also inspired. Please continue."

Danchu took a sip of tea and said, "Now, the Ming Dynasty is confined to a corner of Guangxi, with a dragon swimming in shallow water and many military leaders. It has reached a critical moment of life and death. If the overall situation really collapses, not only will the country be destroyed, but the world will also be destroyed.

"If we want to turn the tide and turn the tide, we have to win the hearts of the people and care for the common people. The tenants and slaves in Jiangnan have been in turmoil because of the excessive exploitation of the government. Commander He's additional voluntary salaries in Huguang have also caused civil unrest..."

At this point, Cen Danchu could not continue. If he continued, he would have to talk about "equal distribution of land and exemption of taxes", which Qu Shisi did not dare to believe or agree with no matter what.

Fortunately, he was very quick to change his mind and said, "We must be considerate of the people's strength and make them settle down to farming and have something to eat. To do this, we must abolish the salary increase, collect refugees, and organize military farms. Therefore, I also want to learn from the Taizhou School and learn from it how to save the people."

Qu Shisi felt relieved, a smile returned to his face, and he said:

"Zhuoru is a real talent for the country. I am honored to have you as my student. I am not very talented and learned, but by chance, I was ordered to stay in Guilin. In fact, I have no skills to comfort the people. I feel guilty for failing the emperor and the people." "I was very inspired by Zhuoru's words today. The ancients said that whoever wins the hearts of the people wins the world. We call on the people with loyalty and righteousness, sympathize with the people's strength, and win the hearts of the people. The Ming Dynasty will have hope for revival."

Returning to the issue of the Taizhou School, Qu Shisi said: "The Taizhou School advocated conscience, claiming that 'each generation is better than the previous one', encouraging followers to be spontaneous and free-spirited, despise orthodox teachings, and promote self-expression, which made them feared by the court.

"However, our Ming Dynasty has a prosperous culture, absorbing the strengths of many, and many meritorious officials and royal family members believe in the School of Mind. The Tartars are barbarians, and they came to power in an illegitimate way. They strongly promote Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism and use all means to suppress the School of Mind.

"I heard that the north has begun to burn and ban books on the School of Mind, destroy academies, and prohibit lectures. As a teacher, I don't manage my family property, but I like to collect books. There are several famous works of the Taizhou School in my mansion. The Complete Works of Wang Xinzhai, the Collection of Chutan, and the Four Books are all introductory books. Zhuoru might as well take them and study them."

"Thanks for the teacher's advice."

To end this chaotic world, it is not enough to rely on military power alone, but also to have a program and a proposition. The Taizhou School of Mind is a doctrine that can be used as a reference.

At the second watch, Qu Shisi finally finished his official duties and prepared to go to bed.

Shao helped him take off his robe and said, "This afternoon, Hui'er saw Zhuoru and seemed to like her. But Zhuoru's family is too poor and he is a warrior. I feel sorry for Hui'er."

Qu Shisi had a daughter in his middle age, named Qu Xuanhui, nicknamed Huier. He doted on her and always kept her by his side.

Both husband and wife are Christians, open-minded, and did not bind Hui'er's feet. In addition, the chaotic political situation in recent years delayed her lifelong event. Now, Hui'er is 18 years old and still can't find a husband.

Shaw has always been worried about this, and would be somewhat reluctant to let her marry Cen Danchu.

Qu Shisi disagreed and said, "A hero should not be judged by his origin. Our great ancestor was born in a commoner family. Zhuoru is a man of both literary and military talents, and has great ambitions. It is not wrong for Huier to marry him.

"I asked Earl Xinxing today. Zhuoru has no engagement, his family background is clean, and his father died for his country. Earl Xinxing can decide his marriage. In my opinion, Hui'er is not young anymore, so let's pick a good day this year and let them get married.

"It's a chaotic world now, so there's no need to be too particular. The less etiquette you can save, the better. If Zhuoru didn't have parents, he might cherish Hui'er even more. We old couple can finally put our minds at ease."

Shao also laughed and said, "Zhuoru is a good kid. But he is a military commander who often rides on horses and fights. I am really worried that something bad will happen to him. I think he is very proud and will not give up easily.

"We are old now. If something happens in the future, it doesn't matter if we die for the country. Zhuoru is young. If he refuses to surrender in the future, then... "

"Alas!" Qu Shisi sighed and said, "If a man is loyal to his country and can die without surrendering, his name will be passed down through the ages. What's there to regret?"

Shaw's eyes turned red and he turned his back to wipe away his tears.

(End of this chapter)