Li Ran heard what his father said, but stood aside, unable to speak.
Li Er continued:
"So, my son is like everyone else who only clings to the 'form' of rituals and music, but ignores their 'quality'! What's more, the virtue of the king is also impermanent. As the saying goes, 'There are ten days in the sky, and people have ten hearts. Virtue'. Being bold in killing is a masculine virtue, and being gentle and generous is a feminine virtue. However, the strong are easy to break, and the soft are not. How can this truth be explained clearly by the world in a few words? "
Li Er's words made Li Ran not know how to respond for a while. He always felt that something was wrong, but he couldn't explain it.
At this time, Confucius and Li Er couldn't help but look at each other.
Confucius had always admired venerable people like Li Er the most, and he had already heard others talk about him, so he had been fascinated by him for a long time.
However, now that he heard such nonsense, he was a little confused. It feels very different from what I thought.
but. Faintly, I felt that what he said did have some truth, and it was impossible to refute.
After all, Chang Hong was the same generation as Li Er. The two were the closest colleagues before, so they were relatively familiar with each other.
Seeing that Li Ran and Confucius seemed to have too many things to say, or that they didn't dare to say anything, he immediately spoke to Li Er:
"The Duke of Zhou founded Zhou Li and maintained the Zhou sect for hundreds of years. Although the world is becoming increasingly difficult, it is at least a constraint..."
"Brother Chang Hong, I think you are still the same age as me, but why are you still unaware of the variables in this world?"
Chang Hong couldn't help but smile bitterly:
"Haha, it can be said that the nature is hard to change, right? Hey... However, Hong still thinks that the Zhou family has declined so much today, and it is really our fault."
After hearing this, Li Er finally put down the boring letter he had put down:
"Haha, Brother Chang Hong, I think you are also a person who has read a lot of history books. You might as well imagine that before Duke Zhou established Zhou Li, our ancestors of the Xia Dynasty, Li Xia and Shang Dynasties, were really immoral? Really? Is it true that there are no saints? If so, how can there be such saints as 'Yao, Shun, and Yu'? And Xia, Jie, and Shang Zhou all brought their own defeat, and is it really because of their ignorance of virtue?"
"Besides, you are all talking about the rule of the sage king. However, the Duke of Zhou established rituals and music, and divided the princes of the world. What he did was to make the princes become the order guards of the Zhou Dynasty and stabilize the world. At that time, the reason why the world could be quickly stabilized is this They are all the result of enfeoffment! However, when time passed and the time came to Liyou, the world was in great turmoil and internal troubles abounded. Therefore, Marquis Shen led the dogs and soldiers to bring trouble to the Zhou Dynasty and caused the collapse of heaven! Isn't this also the disadvantage of enfeoffment?!"
"Xia began with the rule of Yu, and was divided into Jie, so there was Shang. When the world was unified under Shang Tang, it fell apart under Zhou. These are all destined to be divided and united, how can it be done by human power? But now the Zhou Dynasty Isn't decline inevitable? Everyone, have you understood the profound meaning of this? "
When Li Ran heard this, he hesitated for a moment.
"Then according to father's wishes, is it the way of heaven for the world to collapse and become unified?"
"Haha, this is obvious! Therefore, a wise man should comply with the destiny instead of going against it!"
Li Ran was stunned, and there was a moment of reflection in his heart. I think that since time traveling, he has actually been pursuing the "perfect system" in his mind.
He also tried hard to revive the prosperity of the Zhou Dynasty, bring peace to the world, and make the government harmonious, but in the end, it was all in vain.
So did he really only see the surface? But failed to see through the essence?
In fact, he is not completely ignorant of this theory of separation and combination.
After all, all the subsequent dynasties he knew were true to this principle.
Therefore, as a person of later generations, he should obviously be able to see more thoroughly.
However, when Li Ran was really involved in it and saw the chaotic situation now, Li Ran seemed to be trapped in it and unable to take care of himself.
Confucius finally couldn't bear it anymore. He had been eager to try and argue with Li Er:
"Mr. Li's words are wrong! The world has its own destiny. However, Qiu believes that the exact number cannot be guessed by human beings. The Duke of Zhou made rites and music, and his merits were outstanding. He saved eight wastes, and our dynasty was able to continue. To this day, everything is tied to it. Without rituals and music, how could my Zhou Dynasty have been able to maintain it for so long? Moreover, our dynasty has gone through many ups and downs, and the reason why we were able to turn danger into peace in the end is all due to rituals and music. How can we say that it is? Are the rituals and music I use to pay homage to Duke Zhou useless?"
"So, Qiu believes that the system of rituals and music is actually the foundation of the world! The reason why rituals and music have collapsed now is just because people's hearts are old and the original rules have been broken, which led to the current situation."
"As the saying goes, 'If you straighten the wrong, you can straighten the wrong.' Qiu believes that as long as we uphold the right path, the system of ritual and music will naturally flourish again." (Zhi...zhi: hold straight. Use tools to correct the crooked things, and the crooked things can be corrected.)
When Li Er heard this, he couldn't help laughing and shook his head:
"Hahaha!... Zhongni, you are really just a little Confucian. You only think you understand the principles of heaven. In fact, what you have learned now is just a superficial knowledge! Do you think you can help the world? You are really pedantic. Arrogant!”
When Confucius heard this, his face turned red.
"Everyone knows that Mr. Li is proficient in Zhou Rites, but why is he so dismissive of Zhou Rites?"
When Li Er heard this, he couldn't help but sigh, as if he felt helpless that the two of them were not in harmony with each other:
"Hey...it's not that I despise rituals and music. The existence of rituals and music is also in line with the destiny of heaven. It's just that today is different from the past. As the saying goes, 'Things grow old when they grow strong'. The birth and death of all things have their own laws. Born by the Tao, it will naturally perish by the Tao. Things that are not suitable for the times will die sooner or later. Therefore, the world only wants it to develop and grow, and only hopes that its Tao system can last for eternity, but does not understand the ebb and flow of destiny. Isn't it very stupid? ?"
(Things become old when they are strong. This is called immorality. The immorality has already existed.)
"So, Zhongni, as I just said, you are only aware of the benefits of rituals and music, but do not know their disadvantages. You only stick to their forms and not practice them! If you continue like this, you will only keep yourself in the same place in the future. , I’m just at a loss as to what to do! Doesn’t Zhongni hear that Shen Sheng died following the etiquette, while Chong Er did nothing and the world was in great order?”
After hearing this, Confucius fell into deep thought again...
Later, I heard Li Er say calmly:
"Zhongni! I see that you are a capable person, that's why I'm telling you this! In fact, I know exactly who you are. You are a commoner, so how can you come here to discuss etiquette? Joy? 'Stop the coffin to invite fame', 'Wear filial piety and become an official', 'Return from the Ji family', 'The great righteousness of the emperor and his ministers', if you look at the Zhou rites, is there anything in you that is not deviant?"
"If Zhong Ni is really so rigid, I'm afraid he can't take himself seriously, right?"
Confucius was speechless by Li Er and didn't know how to refute.
At the same time, there is also some guilt. Because what Li Er said is indeed true one by one.
And Li Ran couldn't help asking at this time:
"Father, please forgive my child's ignorance. If what my father said is the cycle of heavenly principles, and the rise and fall of all things, then why would my father still acquiesce in allowing Guan Cong to cause trouble to the Chu country? If King Ling of Chu had not been deceived by Guan Cong, he said It’s uncertain and we won’t make any rash advances. If we let it develop, maybe the Chu Kingdom really has the blessing of destiny, and we don’t know?”
When Li Er heard this, Li Ran's question clearly had the feeling of "repaying the other person with his own way."
Yes, since you always insist on "governing by doing nothing", why do you want to cause trouble to Chu State?
In response to this question, Li Er couldn't help stroking his goatee and replied slowly:
"Haha, although the way of heaven is permanent, it is not without its benefits. King Chu Ling has exclusive power. If it is allowed to develop, the harm will be far greater than that of those high officials in the Central Plains! Nowadays, those high officials are all These are people who are arrogant and arrogant. But as far as Li Shu is concerned, he still has some concerns and does not dare to bully the people too much! But King Chu Ling is different. If he really succeeds, then everyone in the world will probably want to Deeply afflicted!"
——
Chapter 497_I’m going out to the west
Following the previous question, Li Er continued to speak slowly:
"What's more, the decline of Chu was also destiny. King Ling of Chu resorted to military violence, and the common people of Li suffered greatly from it. In this case, how could Chu's hegemony last long? Therefore, even if he never does anything, his defeat is inevitable! Therefore, the way of heaven and earth is also constant, and if people live in it, they can also live in the male and guard the female, which is the pattern of the world."
Chang Hong frowned at this time, but said somewhat reproachfully:
"Dan, although many of your ideas are considered to be self-consistent, they are actually hard for everyone to agree with! If you really follow God's will and consider the people of the world, I definitely shouldn't have such negative thoughts!"
When Li Er heard this, he couldn't help but sneered and said:
"The best is like water, and holding on to one's humbleness does not mean that you are not born in the world, but that you move with the times! Brother Chang Hong, this obsession in your heart is even higher than that of my son. And this obsession will probably be given to me in the future. You are causing disaster!"
Chang Hong smiled calmly:
"In order to keep the thoughts in his heart, why should Chang Hong be afraid even if he dies? It will just turn into a pool of green blood! That's okay!"
Li Er also smiled when he heard this:
"Haha, you...well..."
Confucius took a deep breath. Although he respected Li Er, but now they had different opinions and he was ashamed by Li Er's words just now.
He shouldn’t mention it again, but there are some words that he still doesn’t like saying:
"Old sir, you just said that the world's power will eventually converge. But now that the world's princes are in danger, and the ministers and officials from various countries are rising up, aren't they also converging? Like the Jin State, which created the Six Ministers At that time, there were still clans such as the Xian clan, the Que clan, and the Luan clan. But what about now? The only six remaining clans continue to scheming there, and I am afraid that there will be fewer and fewer big clans in the future."
"And these aristocratic families, such as the Ji family of Lu State, have already become a 'state within a state'. And these ministers and officials have already become de facto 'kings'."
"Qiu is not a talented person. He once served as a minor official under the Ji family. Qiu is well aware of the Ji family's cruelty to the people! Therefore, Qiu believes that under the rule of these high officials, they have already become authoritarian in nature. , looking at Li Shu, isn’t it a catastrophe?”
"There is a saying in "Poetry": 'Carrying the twigs with the twigs will plow the land.' Since Mr. Li cares about the people in the world, Qiu believes that he should be like an old farmer in the fields and use his own strength to eradicate these fields. The evil weeds take nutrients from the stubborn weeds! And in this way, the orthodoxy can continue!" (Zai Qian...Ze Ze: Pull out the weeds and remove the tree roots, and those cultivated fields will look so moist)
Li Ran heard this and echoed:
"What Zhongni said is true. I think that obeying God's will does not mean doing nothing. Rather, it should be like an old farmer, carefully protecting the orthodoxy. If you do nothing, then you will definitely become a dominant family in the future. Just like The Chu State before was like that! Or it was like the Lu State! Since we can still distinguish between good and false, we can't let the stubborn grass spread like this and terrorize the world again!"
"You two actually sing in harmony!"
Li Ran bowed and said:
"Father, I mean no offense..."
Li Er only waved his hand:
"It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter... what I said is already clear. Since you still can't understand it clearly, it seems that the time has not come yet. In this case, everything is in vain. It's just... Brother Chang Hong, for the sake of brother You, I’m afraid, are not among this list. Brother, you have been stubborn all your life, so this is what you want!”
Chang Hong couldn't help but smile knowingly:
"It's true. We've been fighting for the rest of our lives, and we can't even try to convince anyone else."
Li Er then looked at Li Ran:
"You and Zhongni are still relatively new to the world. Perhaps you don't understand the principle of 'good is evil and evil is good'. It doesn't matter, my father will be leaving soon. Anyway, you are now the master of the host pavilion. According to the 'Tao Ji' ’ According to the rules, you will become the chief strategist of each vassal state."
When Li Ran heard this, he was extremely confused:
"Master of the Host Pavilion?"
As for the "Master of the Host Pavilion", Guan Cong had actually said before that once Li Ran entered the Zhou Dynasty, he would inherit this position. However, all this happened too suddenly. Why did he suddenly become the master of the host pavilion?
At this time, Li Er continued to say:
"Actually, the Taishi of the Zhou Dynasty is the master of the East Pavilion. After my father left the Zhou Dynasty, this position has been vacant to this day. My father, Yu Zongzhou, was temporarily in charge of all the ministries and had no time to go east. I originally wanted Chang Hong to take this position. , but Brother Chang Hong is too involved in the world, and he sticks to righteousness and does not know how to adapt."
"Brother Chang Hong, in my opinion, why don't you just go west out of Hangu with me?! You can live your life here."
When Chang Hong heard this, he smiled slightly, waved his hand and shook his head:
"As my uncle said, Hong has been too deeply involved in the world and can't get out! I'm afraid there will never be such comfort again."
Li Er nodded helplessly and said no more.
"As a father, I always know what my son does, and I always think of ways to adapt to it. This is appropriate. And with my son's current status and knowledge, it is worthy of such a big responsibility! My son can also take advantage of this opportunity to do a good job. Just wait and see what’s going on in the world today! As for what decision to make in the future, it’s up to you to consider it yourself!”
Li Ran asked hurriedly:
"Father! If the child is in trouble in the future and comes to you, how will he find him?"
"Haha, if there is a chance, we will see you again..."
At this moment, a child walked into the collection room again. He came straight to Li Er and whispered in his ear:
"Pavilion Master, Qing Niu is waiting outside."
When Li Er heard this, he immediately stood up:
"The time has come, it's time to hit the road!"
Chang Hong, Li Ran, and Kong Qiu all followed Li Er, and they all left the collection room, only to see a green cow leisurely eating weeds next to it in the corridor.
You know, this is the inner palace of the palace. Being able to get such privileges and let animals come in shows Li Er's influence in this Zhou Dynasty.
Li Er jumped on the green bull's back, sat sideways, and faced Li Ran and others:
"This old man is going west, and I will probably never set foot in the Central Plains again. The road ahead is bleak, so let's say goodbye!"
Li Ran took a step forward, quite reluctantly.
"Now that the Zhou Dynasty has undergone such a change, it is the time when all kinds of wastes are being made. What's more, the collection room has also been completely lost. Why doesn't my father want to stay in the Zhou Dynasty to take charge of the overall situation? Even if he does nothing, at least he can compile books and classics here. It’s all right, right?”
When Li Er heard this, he sighed again:
"The future of the world lies in the west and not in the east. No matter how chaotic the states of the Zhou Dynasty are, it will only increase internal strife. Now in the western border of China, another state has emerged not long ago. This state is vast, extremely powerful, and large. He has the intention of plundering China from the east. Now, the people of Qin are converging with Rong and Di, preparing to jointly resist their invasion. And if Qin loses, all the Xia will be in danger!"
"So this time I go west for my father, this is the place I should go for my father! Let my son decide the matters here by himself! ... The way of heaven is constant, even a wise man can do nothing..."
When Li Ran heard this, he was slightly startled, and began to make calculations in his mind.
Who is the powerful foreign country that Li Er mentioned? Or Persia? Or Yuezhi? Or maybe it's just a simple Qiang Rong?
But no matter who it is, there is no doubt that Qin State will be struggling to cope with it for quite some time in the future. Perhaps, this is also the reason why the Qin State did not rise up to dominate the world until more than two hundred years later?
"What the Qin State is doing now is to ensure that our Chinese lineage is not lost. This is the great road! And I, Daoji, come from China, so I cannot stand by and watch. I have to assist Qin. As for the matter of the Eastern Road, It was the same when there was no owner, but now that he has his owner, what kind of trouble can happen?"
"Uncle! Although you and I are colleagues, after all, I am a few years older than you. Now I want to ask you one last question, are you willing to go with me?"
"Thank you Brother Dan for your kindness. Chang Hong thinks it's not necessary. After all, Chang Hong also has his own responsibilities!"
Li Er shook his head helplessly.
"It's just that I'm afraid... Well, whatever, in that case, I'll take my leave now!"
After Li Er said this, he rode the green bull and left straight away.
Li Ran was reluctant to leave, said goodbye to Chang Hong, and followed Li Er all the way, and Confucius followed closely.
(End of chapter)
