Chapter 31: The Difference Between Confucianism and Mohism
"Humph!" Zhou Zhenhai snorted coldly and rolled his eyes at Xi Xingchen, meaning that I am too lazy to pay attention to you.
What is a Mohist? It is love, it is giving, it is great love that treats everyone equally without asking for anything in return.
Therefore, in Zhou Zhenhai's heart, there is no comparison with Confucianism, which "cultivates literary and military skills and is as good as the emperor" because the realm is different.
But in Xi Xingchen's view, this is precisely the real reason why Mohism has been suppressed by Confucianism for thousands of years.
Just think about choosing sides. The Mohists only talk about giving without expecting anything in return, while the Confucians try their best to seek their own interests.
As long as there is no problem with IQ, individuals will choose which side to stand on. After all, it is impossible to require everyone to be a saint.
Besides, even if you are a saint, you still have to eat the fireworks of the world.
Although you eat the fireworks in the world, don't forget that the fireworks in the world are also divided into three, six or nine grades.
You can't force yourself to eat carrots and cabbage even though you obviously like meat! How can we be holy if we go against our true intentions?
If this doesn't explain the problem, then Buddhism prohibits the seven emotions and six desires, talks about universal salvation for all living beings, and advocates the emptiness of the four elements. Isn't it enough to say that you give without expecting anything in return?
But don’t forget, there are also Bodhisattvas and Arhats in Buddhism.
If there is a distinction between top and bottom, there will be uneven distribution of interests; if there is uneven distribution of interests, it will be impossible to achieve absolute mutual unity and friendship.
Therefore, the millennium pursuit of the Mohists is destined to be a flower in the mirror, the moon in the water, a beautiful illusion, which will never be realized.
Of course, none of this could be explained explicitly to Zhou Zhenhai and others, so when Xi Xingchen saw that Zhou Zhenhai was ignoring him, he decided to change his explanation.
Considering that Zhou Zhenhai likes to talk about state affairs and talk about big principles with others, Xi Xingchen decided to do what he liked and just talked about it in a big way.
"In the whole world, everything is the king's land; on the shore of the land, there is nothing but the king's ministers. This sentence actually talks about the two interests that the emperor cares about most - imperial power and national taxes."
Sure enough, Xi Xingchen saw Zhou Zhenhai raising his chin proudly, but his ears twitched twice. Apparently Xi Xingchen's topic had attracted his attention.
Xi Xingchen did not criticize, and continued: "These two big cakes are the inverse scales of any emperor, and they are absolutely not allowed to be touched by others. Whoever touches them will step on thunder, and it can range from death to death, and in severe cases, the nine tribes will be killed. .”
"Agree!" Wen Gaoming raised his hand in agreement.
"But is that true? Of course not!" Xi Xingchen asked and answered himself.
"In fact, these two big cakes have been moved by others, and they have been moved for granted. They have broken mountains and rivers, and changed dynasties."
"Stop!" Seeing Xi Xingchen's eloquent talk, Wen Gaoming couldn't help but interrupt, "I just want to know, who dared to touch the emperor's things because of his heart and courage?"
Wen Gaoming's question really touched the hearts of the elders of the Moh family.
In order to save their old face, no one of the elders of the Mo family dared to ask Xi Xingchen who the guy who dared to make trouble on Tai Sui's head was. Why? Because people want face and trees want bark. People who are hundreds of years old in total are being talked about by a young man in his twenties. How can they be embarrassed if word spreads?
Among the nine elders, the one who can show off his ignorance on his face is Wen Gaoming, who does not know what "face" is, so this glorious task naturally falls on Wen Gaoming.
The elders of the Mo family suddenly realized that after knowing Wen Gaoming for so many years, it was the first time they discovered that this guy's bitchy mouth was finally of some use.
The mystery was about to be revealed. The elders all looked at Xi Xingchen. Even Zhou Zhenhai, who pretended to be aloof, temporarily lowered his proud chin and acted like he was listening.
Xi Xingchen tried his best and made all the preparations just for this moment. He stopped using tricks and revealed the answer to the mystery: "Strictly speaking, this guy who dares to stir up trouble on the emperor is a group. It has a The name that scholars all over the world dream of getting - 'official gentry'."
When Xi Xingchen said the word "official and gentry", Wen Gaoming had a "sure" expression on his face. He didn't know whether this guy really understood or was pretending to understand.
"The two words "officials and gentry" can actually be understood separately: officials, that is, officials, are people who work for the court; gentry, that is, gentry, in addition to scholars with a good reputation, there are also retired bureaucrats and landlords who own large amounts of land. Wait." Xi Xingchen said.
"In general, these two types of people are the elite of society, and they are also a special group carefully created for scholars based on Confucianism and using various rules that favor scholars."
Zhou Zhenhai closed his eyes and thought for a while, his face changed slightly, and he suddenly asked: "What about the rules of tilt, for example?"
"For example, the privileges of scholars!" Xi Xingchen replied.
"Be more specific." So Zhou Zhenhai felt that Xi Xingchen's words were too general and asked again.
"Take Dai Andong for example. If he could succeed in high school, he would not be in the predicament of being controlled by Yao Guoping." Xi Xingchen said.
"How can you see that?" At this time, Zhou Zhenhai was already sitting upright, and it was obvious that he had put Xi Xingchen at a level where he could discuss matters with him. "Juren only has the qualifications to be an official, but he is not yet an official. Even if he is lucky enough to become an official in the future, the official will not be much bigger, and he will not be as big as a county magistrate. In the eyes of a true superior, Juren is a Money is worthless, it’s like an ant that can be crushed to death at any time with your fingers.”
Xi Xingchen's face showed embarrassment: "This is not something that can be explained clearly in a few words."
"We have plenty of time!" Zhou Zhenhai had obviously forgotten that he was interrogating Xi Xingchen.
Xi Xingchen looked at Yuan Xingbang, who nodded and motioned for him to continue.
Xi Xingchen felt ecstatic when he saw this. As the chief judge of this court trial and the chief of the Discipline Hall, Yuan Xingbang allowed him to talk about things that had nothing to do with the case, which meant that his previous statements were beginning to pay off.
This is a good start, but when something is really done, it often comes at the last minute.
Xi Xingchen knew that with Nan Mo's support in his case, coupled with the prestige of his master and Xi Mo's overall view, saving his life should not be a problem. But in order to truly convince the three branches of the Mo family and avoid any grudges in everyone's hearts, Dong Mo's attitude is extremely important.
To change Dong Mo's attitude, it is not enough to defend the case itself. We must go beyond the case itself and gain their ideological approval.
In order to break through Dongmo's ideological fortress, Xi Xingchen decided to launch another surprise attack.
"From ancient times to the present, who has helped the emperor manage the country? It is a Confucian scholar!" Xi Xingchen started to ask and answer questions again.
Zhou Zhenhai hesitated for a moment and nodded.
"Who is formulating the country's rules and regulations? It's the Confucian scholars!" Xi Xingchen said again.
Zhou Zhenhai nodded again.
