The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 473 Reshaping
There was a major change in thought in the Wei and Jin dynasties. The main reason for the change was that the theories that Confucian scholars had believed in in the past could no longer support the real society.

Society was in turmoil, and what the Confucian scholars had insisted on in the past was of no use.

Confucian scholars began to embark on the path of metaphysics, using metaphysics to explain current social phenomena.

This caused social division and the collapse of etiquette and law. Even though the situation in the world was eased, it still could not reverse the decadent and dissolute thoughts.

Wang Su in history worked hard in this area.

He forcibly combined metaphysics with Confucianism, which to a certain extent eased the ideological division and appeased scholars of different types.

In this era, there were actually many strong people living, but they were not well-known in later generations.

The reason why Wang Su was posthumously honored hundreds of years later was because of his contributions to classics.

At this moment, the situation in the world has changed again. What Cao Mao hopes is to change the minds of the scholars and appease the Confucian scholars whose original beliefs have collapsed.

Wang Su combined metaphysics with Confucianism, just as he had done in history.

It was used to appease the collapsed scholars and to find a basis for many policies of the court.

The greatest effect of his linking the three dynasties of the Spring and Autumn Period with the Nine Praises of Taixuan was not to save face for the scholars, but to restore their collapsed beliefs.

Those Han scholars who think that benevolence, righteousness and morality cannot save the world should not collapse. The reason why they cannot save the world is because three generations have changed. Your idea is correct, but it is not suitable for the current world.

Those Wei scholars who think that tranquility and inaction can save the world should not collapse. His Majesty does not use you because of the change of three generations. Your ideas are correct, but they are not suitable for the current world.

Cao Mao was truly convinced at this moment.

Cao Mao believed that he was quite accomplished in Confucian classics, but he definitely could not create a new school of thought like Wang Su did, appease everyone just right, and find an explanation for current policies.

Cao Mao praised it highly.

Wang Su chuckled and said, "Your Majesty, I am merely commenting on the teachings of our predecessors. I dare not take any credit for them."

Cao Mao couldn't help laughing. He took Wang Su's hand and said to Guo Ze, who was not far away, "Propagate my decree. Reward the prince with fine clothes and a carriage, increase his fief, improve the standard of his food and housing, and from now on, when he visits me, he no longer needs to use his name. I will also confer the title of marquis on his descendants!"

At this moment, even Wang Su was stunned.

He was so frightened that he quickly stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I don't deserve this reward. I hope Your Majesty will take it back!"

"The prince deserves this reward!"

"I have never been a proponent of rewarding a person's family for his merits, but for you, I am willing to make an exception. What you are doing now is not only beneficial to the present, but also a great theory that can be passed down to future generations!"

Cao Mao was not lying. In history, Wang Su had to constantly compromise in order to make his ideas conform to the interests of the government, but he could not damage the reputation of his own family. Both his ideas and the degree of integration were greatly restricted. However, this problem did not exist with Cao Mao.

When Wang Su died, the Sima family had not yet started to change dynasties. He had to ensure that his ideas would not become an obstacle to his family's marriage, so his theory had great flaws.

When he combined metaphysics with Confucianism, he did not consider too much political content. It was more ideological and was only used to appease, but lacked content about governance and development. But at this moment, Lao Wang finally used all his abilities.

Cao Mao felt that his theory could help stabilize people's thoughts for a long time.

There will no longer be a situation where ideology collapses and scholars collectively give up.

Even for the current Wei Dynasty, the impact is probably extremely far-reaching and significant.

Wang Su thought the emperor would be very happy, but he didn't expect the emperor to take it so seriously.

Just now, he was looking forward to this scene, but now he felt a little flattered.

Cao Mao smiled and asked him to sit down. He then said, "In today's prosperous world, how can we achieve a peaceful and prosperous world? This is what we need the help of a great man like you."

"Teacher, I understand a lot more about what you just said. Perhaps it's because of the people? The reason the Later Han Dynasty declined and fell was because its ruler was immoral, its ministers were disloyal, and the people were living in poverty. In short, the people's poverty was the ultimate result. The ruler's immorality and the ministers' disloyalty were merely the causes of the people's suffering."

"Therefore, whenever the people begin to struggle to survive, it's the time for a generation to change. Only by ensuring the people's livelihoods, benefiting the country, practicing benevolent governance, and prioritizing the people can we quickly enter a peaceful era. This is the experience of generations past, isn't it?"

Wang Su was even more shocked.

He knew that the emperor was extremely talented in classics, but he didn't expect that his reaction would be so quick.

Wang Su smiled and said, "That's right. Since ancient times, people have argued about what constitutes benevolent government. Confucius said in his teachings: Only government that benefits the people can be called benevolent."

Wang Su said that it didn't matter whether this sentence was there or not, he could make it up later.

He continued, "Your Majesty currently uses strict laws and harsh punishments, yet the world is gradually moving towards peace. Why is this? Because these policies, compared to the past indulgences, benefit the people. They allow the people to live a good life, which is naturally benevolent governance."

Wang Su was a master of ancient and modern literature, Confucianism, Taoism and law. Later, he was enshrined in a Confucian temple. What later generations praised most was his erudition and strong accumulation of knowledge.

He immediately began to quote Mencius's articles.

Wang Su became more and more excited as he spoke.

Because he suddenly realized that if he added the idea of people-orientedness, he could now block Zheng Xiaotong's door.

In the past, Wang Su had always been refuting Zheng Xuan's theories.

However, Wang Su found it difficult to refute the fact that the king was sacred. He could neither admit it nor oppose it.

If he acknowledged the king's sanctity, how could he usurp the throne through marriage? If he denied it, what would he do if his grandson took the throne?

This also became a weakness of Wang Su. When debating with Zheng Xue's disciples, they often used this to attack him. But now, Wang Su suddenly found that he had found a treasure to defeat the enemy!

You say the king is sacred? Nai Gong said that the three generations of the dynasty put the people first. This is what the current king said himself. Come, let's see who is more convincing!

Wang Su couldn't sit still anymore.

Wang Su did not take this report as an opportunity to show off. He immediately talked about his other ideas again.

He truly put the emperor in the position of Zhong Yu and others, the kind who could have academic exchanges with him on an equal footing.

The two men discussed for a long time before Cao Mao talked about the issue of promotion.

"If this is to be spread, the Ministry of Industry must come."

Cao Mao asked Guo Ze to call Du Yu over.

When Du Yu arrived, Cao Mao and Wang Su were looking at him with smiles.

This made Du Yu a little confused.

Du Yu has been very busy recently. The Ministry of Industry has a lot to do. Scientific research and promotion are actually only part of their responsibilities. Large projects in various places are their foundation.

If the provincial governors wanted to undertake any major project, they had to report it to the Ministry of Works first and could only proceed after obtaining approval.

But in the Wei Dynasty today, there are only three places where projects are being carried out with full force.

The first one is Jiangbei. After Wang Ji occupied this place, he began to show his farming maniac attributes, building fortifications and carrying out large-scale agricultural projects, water conservancy, reclamation and the like.

The other two places are Hebei and Qingxu.

Du Yu even felt that His Majesty must be informed of this matter.

"Your Majesty, your ... servant Du Yu pays respects to you!"

Cao Mao smiled and asked him to sit aside.

"Yuan Kai, speaking of which, the prince sent me his masterpiece today. After reading it, I felt that my mind was suddenly enlightened, so I wanted you to take a look as well."

Du Yu finally came to his senses. Cao Mao found the book "Confucius' Teachings" and handed it to Du Yu.

When Du Yu just got the book, he frowned immediately.

He immediately flipped through the book, and after a while, there was astonishment in his eyes again.

After looking a little further, he shuddered all over.

After reading for a long time, Du Yu looked as if he had suddenly realized something. He wanted to continue flipping through the book, but Cao Mao snatched it back.

"Do you still want to watch the whole thing here?"

Du Yu smiled wryly and explained, "Your Majesty, I am fascinated by what I see."

Then he stood up solemnly and bowed to Wang Su.

"Thank you, Mr. Situ. I was troubled before, but after reading half a volume today, I have suddenly seen the light."

Cao Mao looked at Wang Su with a smile, and he nodded.

If this book can convince Du Yu, then there will basically be no problem.

Wang Su did not simply write a book. The most important thing is his annotations. He re-annotated Taixuan and even the other Five Classics. This is the most difficult thing.

It is to distort the saint's meaning into what he wants.

This is not something that ordinary people can do. The last person to do this was Zheng Xuan, and the second person to do this was Wang Su.

Wang Su had just started and had not completed it.

Cao Mao looked at Du Yu and said, "I want to promote this book all day long. You can start printing now."

Cao Mao gave many instructions. He wanted to print countless copies of these things and then have them spread throughout all places in the Wei Dynasty so that the scholars could be influenced by them and give up their wrong paths.

After listening to what Cao Mao said, Du Yu shook his head.

"Your Majesty, no."

"Um???"

Du Yu said seriously, "If the method of acquiring knowledge is too simple, it will not attract attention. If Your Majesty wants to promote this idea, it is not a good idea to do so with such fanfare. The scholars will think that Your Majesty is using this to deal with them. Once they have resistance in their hearts, it will be difficult for them to accept it."

Cao Mao frowned, "What should we do then?"

"Your Majesty, this is very simple."

"Just ask Pei Gong to do it."

(End of this chapter)