Controlling mountains and rivers since the Warring States Period

Chapter 63: Ming Gui
There is a special saying among Mohists:

They are "Tianzhi" and "Minggui".

Mozi believed that God has his will. He not only determines the changes of the four seasons, cold and heat in the universe, but also controls the politics of the human world.

Because God loves all people living between heaven and earth, if the monarch goes against God's will, he will be punished.

If you follow God's will, you will be rewarded by God.

Therefore, Mozi's emphasis on "respecting heaven and serving ghosts" is very different from the Confucianism of "respecting ghosts and gods but keeping them at a distance" and the Taoism of "following the laws of nature".

Maybe,

The original intention of Mozi in proposing this theory was to restrain the princes who increasingly ignored rites and laws and implemented harsh policies, and to use ghosts and gods to persuade nobles and common people to love all and not attack.

It is also possible.

This is because the belief in ghosts and gods is still popular today, and therefore one should follow people's will to promote one's own doctrine.

But the cause of all this,

With the death of Mozi, there is no way to know the truth.

The disciples of Mohism followed the rules and theories set by their teacher, and also dispersed and practiced their own principles.

"...The news about Guanhe Hebo has been spread by so many people, so there must be a basis for it!"

"If we can really see ghosts and gods, then the argument between Sui Chaozi and others can be put to an end!"

Hearing this, Sui Chao, who was also kneeling in one place and discussing with his fellow disciples, smiled.

As a disciple of Mohism, Suichao once had a debate with a Confucian disciple named Yuelan about whether ghosts and gods exist in the world.

Yue Lan said, "How can the wisdom of ghosts and gods be compared with that of saints?"

"Whether a society is in order or in chaos is determined by humans. What does it have to do with ghosts and gods?"

"I have not seen gods and ghosts bestow blessings when the country is stable, nor have I seen gods and ghosts bring disasters when the country is in turmoil."

"Without seeing it with your own eyes, can we prove that ghosts and gods exist in this world just based on hearsay and inference?"

Sui Chao said, "The saints are born between heaven and earth, and have nothing to offer to the human world."

"The ghosts and gods use the changes of the four seasons and eight solar terms to nourish mankind, and use the regulation of clouds and rain to nourish and nourish all things. This is something only ghosts and gods can do. How can you say that ghosts and gods are not wiser than saints?"

Yue Lan said, "The growth of all things is a natural phenomenon. How can you say that it is caused by ghosts and gods?"

"If there are no ghosts and gods in spring, will the grass and trees not grow? If there are no ghosts and gods in autumn, will the crops not be harvested?"

Sui Chao still insisted, "It is because of ghosts and gods that there is the alternation of spring and autumn!"

"Otherwise, why would a river that had always been a trickle suddenly overflow? Why would a field that had always been fertile suddenly stop growing crops?"

The two argued for a long time but could not reach a conclusion.

then,

Confucian Yue Lan drew his sword, "I cannot convince you with reason, I hope to fight with you to prove my firmness in my opinion."

Sui Chao stood up, took off his simple shirt, revealing his strong arms, "That's exactly what I meant!"

Come!
war!
At last,
Because the disciples of both Confucianism and Mohism were very strong in martial virtues, even though both sides hoped to destroy the opponent's great virtues, in the end no winner was determined.

It is a pity to follow the nest.

"If I really saw a ghost, I will definitely find Yue Lan again and give this scholar a good beating!"

Suichao sighed.

"In that case, let's set off now!"

Xianglishi Zhimo and others made a decision and started to set off from Yangyi to Gaolang, hoping to meet the wise man Gongzi Chao.

The mayor of Yangyi didn't care about their departure.

Under the deliberate blockade of the State of Zhao, many of the wealthy families and villagers in Yangyi had already fled the city in order to avoid possible war.

Now the departure of Xiangli Zhimo could no longer cause any ripples in the city lord's heart.

let's go!

When you guys are almost gone,
I will offer the city to Zhao.
Continue to be my benefactor in Zhao State!

The city lord was drinking fine wine in his mansion, and he had already planned a retreat for his future in his mind.

……

Xiangli's ink moved all the way south.

When they were almost reaching Niecheng, some savages from Gaolang saw them.

The savage took the initiative to come forward and say hello.

"Where are you from?"

"We come from Yangyi in the north." Xiang Liqin pointed in the direction they came from and said to them.

The savage scratched his head, not knowing where Yangyi was.

This is not a big problem.

He just asked, "I see you look like you are educated people. Can you read?"

"Will do."

Although Mozi once taught his disciples that "reading is only for measuring the right and wrong of things", this does not mean that Mozi's disciples do not value learning.

In the current situation of Mohism, the three factions accuse each other of being heretics, and they believe that they are the "true Mohists". Without reading books and learning the art of language, it is difficult to win a debate with the other party.

Moreover, how many people in this world have the wisdom as profound as Mozi, enough to see through the truth of everything?
Xiang Liqin did not dare to be so arrogant, so he piled many bamboo slips on the carriage he carried with him.

The savage then said "Oh" and walked around their group again.

"You look like you can fight!"

Many of Mohist apprentices followed Mozi's teachings and were good at making artifacts.

In particular, Xiangli Qin was a student of Qin Huali, and looked very similar to his teacher.

His face was dark, his hands and feet were covered with calluses, and he had a calm personality. Even though he was nearly fifty years old, he was still very strong.

"I just hang out outside all year round to protect myself!"

Xiang Liqin smiled, his hand remaining on the sword at his waist.

Although the other party's eyes and words did not reveal any malice, Xiang Liqin always felt that this savage was a little strange.

"This is not good!" The savage sighed and looked very regretful.

Then, ignoring the bewildered looks of the Mohists, he ran away and disappeared.

"What a weirdo!"

"Could it be that even if there were wise men in a place like Gaolang, they would not be able to educate them?"

A disciple whispered.

Xiang Liqin said, "People in the countryside have no foundation for learning, so it is understandable that they occasionally show confusion and stupidity."

"We should follow Mozi's teachings, stay with them, and pass on the principle of universal love to them, which will naturally enlighten their wisdom."

"Okay, let's keep moving forward!"

Putting aside the recent accident, they moved forward again.

As a result, not long after they walked, the savage who had disappeared before appeared again, bringing many companions with him.

They made "Oh oh oh" sounds together and surrounded Xiangli's Mo with hoes, shovels and spades in their hands.

Xiang Liqin immediately drew his sword and looked at the other party vigilantly and fiercely.

"What do you want to do?"

Could it be a gangster?

Xiang Liqin had also traveled to many places, and in such a turbulent time, naturally many similar things happened.

"We would like to invite you to offer sacrifices to He Bo!"

As a result, just when Xianglishi Zhimo was about to fight with the other party, the savage he had seen before came out.

"They want us to be human sacrifices!"

Xiang Liqin's disciple exclaimed, and then anger appeared on his face.

The Mohists emphasized "understanding ghosts" and naturally understood many ways of worship.

Human sacrifice,

It's not that uncommon nowadays.

But Mozi also taught that we should cherish our own and other people's lives. So even though they worshipped ghosts and gods, Mohists did not like human sacrifice.

"no!"

"I want you to recite an article for He Bo!"

The wild man explained, "Our previous sacrifices were not sincere enough, and we did not understand the likes and dislikes of the ghosts and gods, so we never received the approval of He Bo."

"But the wise man, Gongzi Chao, was able to see He Bo because he was studying by the Guan River."

"Therefore, we hope that you can help us perform the sacrifice and please Habaek!"

"what?"

Do ghosts and gods like to listen to people reading?

Is there such a thing in the world?
Even though Xiangli Zhimo had traveled around the world and seen many beautiful scenery, he had never heard of such an example.

　Thanks to book friends nuwa, Luan'er, 20230429160929784, 201707270907605, Zhitouque, Mars Pipishe, Time Drift, Seventeen-year-old Happy Wind Man, Zhutian Dazun Wu Wudi, Shoudeyunkai for their monthly tickets! (*︶*)
　　There is also a reward from book friend Zhu Tian Da Zun Wu Wu Di! *^◎^*
　　
　
(End of this chapter)