Huai State welcomed Mohism very much. Although Wang Pu believed that many Mohist ideas could not be realized, this did not prevent him from admiring Mohism.
You must know that in addition to these ideas, the Mohists were also craftsmen, mathematicians, and astronomers with extremely strong practical skills. The method of modifying instruments is extremely exquisite, and the craftsmen and supervisors of Huai State are not as good as him.
Those improved equipment are very good. Various farm tools, spinning wheels, etc. are much easier to use than before. It is said that the Mohists also creatively produced various city defense equipment. These things can almost change the trend of a war.
With such a great talent, Wang Pu could bear it even if these Mohists scolded him in person. Moreover, although this Mohist theory is a bit naive, the world often needs these idealists.
Without these idealists, the world would be a worse place.
Although Wang Pu felt that many of their ideas could not be realized, it did not prevent Wang Pu from respecting them and thinking that Mozi was a great sage.
...
The Mo family came to Huai State, led by Mozi. Everyone wore brown short collars, straw sandals, and long swords on their waists. They move with orders and prohibitions, just like an army.
If they had not brought Wang Pu's edict, these people would have been regarded as enemies when they entered the city, and then launched an attack.
When this group of Mohists came to the academy, many Confucian disciples in the academy were stunned.
"Who are you, and why do you come to the Academy dressed like this?"
"Does the academy have regulations on what clothes those who come to the academy must wear?"
The man was slightly startled and said, "No."
These Mohist disciples didn't say anything and passed directly by him and entered the main hall of the Academy.
At this time, in the main hall, it was a Confucian scholar who was expounding Confucian doctrines.
"If the world is to be governed, etiquette and music must be maintained, and those who violate etiquette and music must be severely punished. Farmers will go to farm, soldiers will go to fight, and craftsmen will go to work, so that everyone can perform their duties..."
When these Mohists came to the academy and heard the rhetoric of the Confucian scholars, they immediately frowned.
"Peasants farm, craftsmen work, soldiers fight, and the food and goods produced are provided for you to enjoy. Do soldiers fight for your king's selfish desires?"
"Look at the current wars that occur all over the world. People are displaced and don't have enough to eat. Is it because they don't work hard in farming? Is it because the craftsmen don't have enough clothes to cover their bodies? Is it because they don't work hard?"
"Those princes and nobles only care about their own enjoyment, but have they ever considered the common people? They are all extravagant and enjoy themselves wantonly. Do you think such people deserve to rule the world?"
"How can they compare with those holy kings in ancient times? Is this the ritual and music that you maintain?"
The Mohist's words immediately disparaged the Confucian scholars' remarks as useless. However, after listening to his remarks, other scholars of the school also felt that his remarks were not unreasonable, and some even applauded loudly, which was entirely because of their appreciation. The excitement is nothing too big.
The Confucian disciples who came back to their senses were immediately furious and yelled: "Who are you? You can speak so shamelessly, tell me your name!"
"The Mohists, the birds are slipping away!"
Qin Huali said loudly. Although Qin Huali was dressed in simple clothes, he looked very powerful and no one dared to underestimate him.
"Mo's family? Are you here to debate with my Confucian family?"
"I naturally have to debate with you when I come to this academy!"
Hearing this, the academy hall suddenly became excited. You must know that every school debate is a feast. The surrounding scribes also immediately began to prepare to record the remarks of both parties.
Confucian scholars are not afraid of debates. On the contrary, among the schools, only Legalists can barely outdo Confucians.
Since the vast majority of Legalist scholars have gone to serve in various countries, there are only three or two big cats and kittens left among the Legalist scholars in the academy. How can they still be the opponents of Confucian scholars?
Now that they heard that the Mohists were coming to debate with them, these Confucian disciples were full of confidence.
It's a pity that what they met was a Mohist who was well prepared. The ideas of Confucianism have been spread throughout the world in the past few decades.
Next, these ink writers are very familiar with them, and their advantages and disadvantages are also clear. And almost no one has heard the Mohist's remarks. How can Confucianism be an opponent in such a debate?
In a debate, Mohists often hit the point with their words. The Confucian disciples were so refuted that they had no power to resist and almost covered their faces and ran away.
The other schools of thought were dumbfounded when they saw this scene. Where did this Mohist school of thought come from? It was so powerful!
The Confucianists were defeated in the first debate. If the secretary hadn't noticed that something was wrong and stopped the debate early to give the Confucian students some time to adjust, the scene would have been even more ugly.
For the next five days, Confucian students and Mohists debated five times in a row, and lost in all five. In the end, even several Confucian students in the debate began to doubt what they had learned.
"Except for adding some etiquette and music to show the majesty of the king, what benefit does your so-called Confucianism bring to the people? It's just a name-seeking person!"
"Your Confucianism emphasizes filial piety, which means that people should observe filial piety for three years, wear sackcloth and mourning, cry day and night, endure hunger, and not eat meat. After three years, a good person will have almost half a life left. This is what is called filial piety? Then I think you might as well follow me and continue to fulfill your filial piety."
"The people are in poverty. They work all day long and observe filial piety for three years. Do you want their family to starve to death?"
"Your so-called three years of filial piety is just for showing off to others. It makes others think you are a filial son and wins people's hearts, which is a bigger goal!"
"For the sake of so-called filial piety, you promote rich burials, but do you know the suffering of those ordinary people? A rich burial means that all family wealth will be dispersed."
"What you ask for is nothing more than a false name."
"The so-called gentleman is not worthy of his reputation after his death, and he is a person who deceives the world and steals his reputation."
"Nowadays, the Huai Kingdom is at its peak, and the princes are afraid of it. Does the Huai Kingdom respect and honor the rich burials? The Huai Dukes in past dynasties passed away with only a piece of jade. Bamboo slips recorded their lives. Only those with high merits would have tripod inscriptions carved on them."
"You like to be extravagant, and it is common to have rich burials, but you call it filial piety. How ridiculous!"
After five consecutive days of debate, the Confucian students suffered a huge defeat and were almost completely scolded by the Mohists. A large part of the reason for this is that Confucianism is an aristocratic doctrine and is not grounded.
Just like a rich burial, even a wealthy family cannot afford it. There are also those complicated sacrificial rituals. Who else except the nobles would use them?
On the contrary, the Mohist family stood in the position of the grassroots people. If they had to observe mourning for three years, the whole family would starve to death, and they would really be a unified family.
In the Huaiguo Academy, Mohist pressed the Confucian students to the ground one by one and rubbed them back and forth, making a great noise. In Mozi's view, this set of Confucian theories is just a hypocritical mask for the rulers and a shackles to imprison the people. They use a seemingly reasonable set of rituals and music to allow the nobles to suck the blood of the common people.
Confucianism seeks fame, values etiquette, and pays attention to the order of hierarchy, while Mozi values practicality. After all, in this war-torn era, Mozi wants to create a world with enough food and clothing for the people.
