Confucian self-cultivation: Scholars start from Daqin

Chapter 52 Confucianism, Law, and Taoism

Zhuangzi's scolding of Confucianism is not only that!

When it came to the article "Long Box", Zhuangzi's article became more intense, and even put forward the saying that "sages will never die, and robbers will never stop".

The example cited in the article is "Tian Shi replaces Qi", that is, Tian Chengzi killed Qi Jun and stole his country.

Tian Chengzi is "Tian Heng". His ancestor was "Chen Wan", the prince of Chen State who was "San Ke" like Song State. After the fall of Chen State, Chen Wan fled to Qi State. Served as a scholar-bureaucrat, and waited until Tian Heng's time, Tian Heng rebelled and rebelled, expelled Qi Jun and stole Qi State.

What is incredible is that the people of the world and other princes, including the Confucian saints, have since recognized Tian Heng as the king of Qi.

People who steal something as trivial as a hook will be executed. However, Tian Heng, who has stolen the entire country, has justifiably become a vassal.

Zhuangzi satirizes Confucianism in the text: (Confucian) sages warn us that we must not covet ill-gotten gains, so those who steal such worthless things as belts must be punished (the hooker punishes); but the sage also says Therefore, anyone who succeeds in "stealing the country" can use these high-sounding principles as an excuse to establish and maintain what he has stolen.

In other words, the sage is protecting and protecting these "big thieves". Therefore, the sage will not die, and the thieves will continue.

In contrast to "Ranqiu", which attacks the benevolence and righteousness and respected saints advertised by Confucianism, in "Robber Zhi" and "Fisher Father", Zhuangzi directly began to attack Confucius, the originator of Confucianism.

Among them, "Rooting Zhi" is based on "Zhan Zhi", the younger brother of "Liu Xia Ji" - the younger brother of "Liu Xiahui" who "sitting in his arms (wrapping a frozen beauty in his arms to keep him warm)" The protagonist, through the dialogue between Zhan Zhi and Confucius, made a series of attacks on Confucius, attacking Confucius and his thoughts as "smart and false", accusing the latter of "eating without farming, clothing without weaving, shaking lips and tongue , good at making right and wrong."

Immediately, he criticized Confucius for using Zhou Wenwang and Zhou Wuwang's strategy of governing the country (that is, referring to Zhou Li) to control public opinion in the world, and he wanted to use your ideas to preach to future generations. It is used to confuse the princes of the world, and they want to use this method to pursue high officials and rich salary. If you want to say that there is no greater thief than you-why the world doesn't call you Robber Qiu, but instead calls me Robber Zhi?

Then he satirizes Confucius's boastful talk but without any achievements. Not only can he not settle down, but even his disciples have no good ending.

At that time, Confucius was expelled from the state of Lu twice, all his footprints were cut off in the state of Wei, he was cornered in the state of Qi, and he was besieged between the states of Chen and Cai, so he could not live in the world. "Want to kill the usurper Wei Jun but failed, and he was chopped into meat paste on the east gate of Wei State.

……

Gao Jing briefly described the four works of Zhuangzi.

After Yan Lingji heard it, she blurted out: "Confucianism is really hypocritical!"

Mei Sanniang also nodded in agreement, and echoed: "That's right!"

Gao Jing's face turned dark, and he said angrily, "Have you considered my feelings when you said this in front of me, a little Confucian uncle?"

Although Mei Sanniang has a fiery personality, she can't help but blush at this moment.

On the contrary, Yan Lingji was used to lawlessness, and after following Gao Jing for a while, knowing his character, she said confidently: "But Zhuangzi is right!"

"There is no right or wrong in this world!"

Gao Jing said helplessly: "The people of the world under the rule of the ancient sages were uncivilized, so people can live in harmony with each other, and humans and animals can also live in harmony, but in today's world, people's hearts are treacherous and changeable!

Those who have tasted delicious food may never be able to swallow pickled vegetables and cold porridge again; those who have tasted power may find it difficult to give up power... In this case, does Zhuangzi's formula still apply?

How about everyone push the house down, burn the clothes, waste the land, and live the life of a beast naked, okay? "

Yan Lingji thought about the scene for a while, and her beautiful face suddenly became bitter.

Mei Sanniang also shook her head and refused.

Only then was Gao Jing satisfied, and said: "In the past, when Bole trained horses, the rest of the horse herd did not submit because the horse king was rebellious. At that time, two people offered advice to Bo Le, and one said that he would kill the horse king in front of the horses. If you die, the horses will be afraid and obediently obey. Another person said that as long as the horse king is forced to put on shackles, the horse king and the horses will obey after a long time...

If it were you, which way would you choose?Or, like Zhuangzi, just let Mawang go? "

Dianqing, who had been listening silently, said, "If it were me, I would choose to let Mawang go."

Gao Jing looked at him and said, "Then the armies of other countries have horse-drawn chariots, but you have no horses. Can you defeat the armies of other countries? Can you protect your own citizens?"

Dianqing was silent.

"Killing the horse king to make other horses fear is the legalist way, taming the horse king is the Confucian way, letting go of the horse king is the Taoist way."

Gao Jing sighed, and said: "The legalist approach can quickly achieve results, so in this chaotic world where countries are fighting, legalism is the way to strengthen the country.

Confucian taming, although it takes a long time to wear off the unruly horns of the king of horses, is more deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. If there is no internal war, it will be easier to unite the hearts of the people.

Only the Taoist approach is not advisable!Without a horse, how can we travel?How to drive and pull goods?How to pull the chariot to the battlefield? "

Dianqing: "..."

Mei Sanniang: "..."

Yan Lingji said unwillingly: "Then I can only choose Confucianism! It seems that Taoism is not very good!"

You can fall pretty quickly with this stupid thing!

Gao Jing glanced at her and said, "That's not true. Taoism's "government by doing nothing" and "inner sage and outer king" are quite suitable for governing the country."

Mei Sanniang was stunned: "Isn't "inner sage and outer king" not Confucian? The head of Confucianism seems to respect this..."

Gao Jing was a little embarrassed, and raised his neck and said: "Confucianism is eager to learn... Although "inner sage and outer king" was proposed by Zhuangzi, if you learn Confucianism, it is Confucianism!"

Yan Lingji curled her lips: "Confucianism is really hypocritical!"

Gao Jing: "...".

Chapter 53 Seven Kingdoms and Four Empress Dowagers

Gao Jing lived here in Dianqing, teaching Yan Lingji how to read, telling some allusions and the like from time to time.

Because his language is straightforward, and he doesn't make any mystical quotations, or anything, even Mei Sanniang is quite interesting.

So Mei Sanniang ran here more and more frequently.

When Mei Sanniang came, Dianqing didn't say anything, but he was happy in his heart.

So even though Wushuanggui's "armor-piercing skill" was still inaccessible, Dianqing still taught it patiently.

I even secretly hope that such days will be longer.

Of course, Gao Jing didn't live here all the time. He would go back to the town from time to time to ask Confucian disciples about news from other countries.

Confucian disciples are spread all over the world, and they are well-informed. Gao Jing's identity makes it easy for him to get all kinds of news.

There is really a feeling of "Confucian scholars can know the affairs of the world without going out".

And the news of "Gao Jing, the little Confucian master, commenting on the four sons of the Seven Kingdoms" is the headline of this period.

Mei Sanniang leaked Gao Jing's words intentionally or unintentionally, and the Confucian disciples wisely spread those words throughout the Seven Kingdoms...

Mei Sanniang wants to make a posthumous name for Lord Xinling, and Confucianism wants to use Gao Jing's evaluation to increase its influence, and both sides are getting what they need.

Some collaborations were even reached!

such as……

On this day, Mei Sanniang came again, and asked immediately, "Mr. Gao, last time you judged the fourth son, can you judge the others?"

Gao Jing was stunned for a moment, and asked in confusion, "Others? Who?"

Mei Sanniang said a little awkwardly: "Anyone is fine."

Yan Lingji asked curiously from the side: "Is there anything about women?"

Gao Jing thought for a while and said, "Then let's talk about the Four Queen Mothers of the Seven Kingdoms."

Mei Sanniang and Yan Lingji immediately became interested and looked at him with great interest.

Dianqing was still the same, cutting wood with a knife.

Gao Jingdao: "The first one is the late Queen Mother of Qin, Mi Bazi, Queen Mother Xuan of Qin, who has been in power for 41 years, suppressing the king of Qin from daring to take charge, and ensuring that Qin is not chaotic and gradually becoming stronger.

And even though she had two sons with King Yiqu, for Qin, she personally killed King Yiqu and her two children, and helped Qin annex Yiqu. It can be said that she is worthy of the name of Queen Mother of Qin! "

Mei Sanniang nodded, and said, "He deserves the title of First Empress Dowager!"

Gao Jing continued: "The second is Queen Han Huanhui of South Korea. South Korea has been weak for a long time. When King Han Huanhui cut off nearly [-] cities in Qin, including Shangdang, the wild king sealed Dacheng. marrow.

However, King Huanhui of Han, King Anli of Han, Queen Mother Han wandered between Qin Zhaowei and Qin Zhaowei, and erected the torso of South Korea with the body of a weak woman. Do you think they deserve the title of Queen Mother of the Seven Kingdoms? "

Yan Lingji was the first to taunt: "People in South Korea are all cowardly and soft-hearted, and a majestic country can only rely on a woman to hold its chest up!"

She has hated South Korea for a long time!

Mei Sanniang asked while remembering, "What about the third one?"

Gao Jingdao: "Queen Zhao Huiwen, who is now the Queen Mother of Zhao Guo, used to go up to the tower to mend clothes and cook for the soldiers in the Handan War, and now she is the Queen Mother of Zhao Guo. He died, the civil servant Lin Xiangru was old, even Lord Pingyuan fell ill, and the only person available in the entire Zhao Kingdom was the eighty-year-old Lian Po.

But even in such a situation, the Queen Mother Zhao also wanted to go to the front to support the old general Lian Po. At the same time, she dared to use the young Li Mu as the general to guard the Yanmen Pass. Outside the Yanmen Pass, there are more than a hundred people's heads in the capital, and no one dares to go out to pee at night... So I think the Queen Mother Zhao can also be the Queen Mother of the Seven Kingdoms. "

Dian Qing said: "King Zhao is stupid, he has a general and he doesn't use it, he listened to the slander, forced the old queen to come out to defend the rear for the general, and humiliated King Zhao Wuling."

As a general, there is no general who does not admire a king like King Zhao Wuling, even if he made a lot of stupid tricks in his later years.

Mei Sanniang asked, "What about the last one?"

Gao Jingdao: "The last one is the current queen mother and queen of Qi."

Mei Sanniang was taken aback: "The queen?"

Gao Jing said solemnly: "How long has it been since Tian Dan was restored to the state of Qi? Have you ever experienced wars, and have you ever imposed taxes and corvees? Linzi City has a population of nearly one million, and it is the largest city in the Seven Kingdoms. Walking shoulder to shoulder, whose credit is this, Qi Wangjian or the queen?"

Mei Sanniang thought thoughtfully, and said: "But I heard that the Queen's virtue is not good... When King Qi Xiang was working as a servant in her house, she married King Qi Xiang without a matchmaker, and her father was so angry that her father never saw her. ..."

"It can only be said that Taishi Chou put too much emphasis on etiquette and ignored the original intention of Confucianism."

Gao Jing sighed, and said: "Of course, the queen is also at fault, and she hasn't gone back to offer a stick of incense to her old father so far... Even Confucianists dare not stop a daughter who sincerely pays homage to her father."

……

More than half a month later, Gao Jing came to the town again to get news, only to find that the "Four Empress Dowagers of the Seven Kingdoms" he criticized had been widely circulated.

Especially in Xiaoshengxianzhuang, Xunzi personally said that if the king and queen sincerely paid homage to their father, if Confucianism dared to stop him, he would come out and beat people in person.

Then Xiaoshengxianzhuang received a lot of rewards from Qi State... Qi Wangjian went to pay homage to his grandfather in person after taking the place of his mother's king.

At this point, Gao Jing discovered the "deal" between Mei Sanniang and the Confucian disciples in the town...

But Gao Jing didn't care about these, he was more interested in the news on his hands.

Qin Wang Yingzheng crowned himself in Yongcheng, and Qin Guochang Xin Hou Lao Ai rebelled in Xianyang... Very interesting!

It is clear that King Qin was in Yongcheng, but Lao Ai rebelled in Xianyang... King Qin and ministers of the Qin State were both in Yongcheng, so why did he attack Xianyang?

Which is worth pondering ah!

In addition, Qin general Fan Wuqi was disadvantaged in guarding Xianyang, and defected from Qin State, and other countries dared not accept it. Instead, a luthier named Gao Jianli came to help and lured Fan Wuqi to Yan State, recommending him to Yan Crown Prince Dan.

Now Qin Guo sent a net to hunt down Gao Jianli.

It is rumored that the luthier Kuang Xiu and Gao Jianli are bosom friends, so Qin Jun arrested Kuang Xiu in Wuguan, intending to lure Gao Jianli into a trap.