History of the Great Zhou Dynasty

Chapter 143 Tongguo·The Punishment of the Saint (Four Thousand)
The guards are coming, but they hear——

rumbling...

The carriage came quickly, driven by a middle-aged man.

He looks honored and enjoyed, and doesn't look like someone who can handle a horse himself.

He should be a scholar-official.

Feng Yun stood under the city gate and noticed something unusual at a glance.

"Who is this from Tongguo?"

"It's Tong Dazai." The armor soldier on the side answered truthfully.

He nodded, but felt more and more weird.

Because this carriage is a five-horse chariot, and is used by princes, how can it be allowed to drive away?

Could it be that it was Tongjun in the car?

"Master Feng!" Dazai, who was over middle-aged, hurriedly stopped his horse.

"Ouch..." He hurriedly got out of the car and bumped a few times before he came to Feng Yun and bowed slightly.

"Mr. Feng, it's been snowing all the way. I'm afraid I'm going to be very uncomfortable. Please, please!"

The Grand Prime Minister invited Feng Yun to ride in the car.

However, Feng Yun knew the etiquette and reminded Dazai tactfully: "Although the five-horse chariot is stable, it can only tolerate the virtue of the monarch."

After hearing this, Dazai realized that he was driving a five-horse chariot.

"Oh, I was in Tong Palace just now, discussing national policy with the king, and then I fell into a trance. It was Yu's fault!"

"Feng Yun is considerate and can only let Feng Jun take the original car temporarily, and then I will go."

In response, Feng Yun nodded.

"No problem, let Da Zai make the decision for the time being."

Feng Yun got on the car and followed Da Zaiyu's five-horse car, slowly heading to the interior of Tongcheng.

"Isn't this the way to Yi Chuan?" In the carriage, Zou Yan lowered the curtain and said to Feng Yun.

"Master Yun, do you want to go directly to Tong Palace?"

Hearing this, Feng Yun put down his detailed information on Tongguo.

Shaking his head slightly.

"The Tong Kingdom is located between the Han Kingdom and the British. Although there are areas bordering Yangyue, they are in the minority. If Yangyue really invades the East, he will not attack them first."

"There is no danger but no rush."

It can be seen from the appearance of Dazai that even the chariot driver has made a mistake. This is already a violation of etiquette. How can you say that it is not urgent?

"Let's see, Tong Guo will not make things difficult for us."

When Feng Yun pays homage to the two prime ministers, Tong Jun will soon know that in such a country that respects etiquette and only treats each other with courtesy, how dare he detain them.

Zou Yan came from Qi State, and Feng Yun made some suggestions, and he knew this at this time.

"Master Yun, how can we... how can we borrow food?" Zou Yan whispered.

Feng Yun smiled.

"We are adjacent to the country of Han. Although we are allies, we are also wary. It is inconvenient to ask for help. However, the country of Tong is not a neighbor. We can directly ask for help."

"Ah, can Tongguo agree?" Zou Yan didn't understand. If he spoke directly, it would be a deal on the surface. Begging for mercy between countries would only add to the laughter.

And what is there in Baiyue Country that Tong Country values?
In this regard, Feng Yun looked at Tong Guo's intelligence and was slightly distressed.

"Sending troops to promote Guangdong is an excuse, but it cannot be used more than once."

Feng Yun pondered.

"Tong Guojun pursued literary education and achieved first-class literary status with his own efforts. It was rumored that Tong Jun wanted to imitate his ancestors and compile Gaotao's punishment and establish a new punishment in order to break through the innate... Unfortunately, it has been many years now, and there is no news that there is any Different, afraid that most of them will fail.”

"Those who seek the Tao will die if they hear the Tao in the morning. Even the king of a country will inevitably follow the Tao."

Zou Yan still doesn't understand.

Feng Yun then said bluntly: "Yan, if you want to become the Taoist, you must first practice the Tao. If you can't, how can you achieve the Tao?"

"This Lord Tong wants to compile Gaotao's punishment, but after compiling it, he still needs to practice it in one place before he can achieve enlightenment."

"There are no many punishments in the Baiyue Land, so it is a good place to implement new punishments. This may satisfy Mr. Tong."

"Ah?" Zou Yan was dumbfounded. Let the kings of other countries decide the punishment of one country?

"This this……"

Moreover, the kings of other countries must be allowed to exchange food for this opportunity.

Isn’t this just trying your best to help others and then giving them a lot of money and food...

Zou Yan looked at Feng Yun, feeling a little afraid for some reason.

"Master Yun, you are really amazing."

Zou Yan thought, if Mr. Tong really hears the news, Xi Ke will die, and it is really possible for him to agree to Feng Yun's condition.

After all, if Tongjun uses Tongguo to implement the new punishment he created, he will encounter great obstacles.

And it is unknown whether the new punishment will bring disaster or benefit to Tongguo.

If a country is willing to experiment with it, how could Mr. Tong not be happy!

As for Baiyue...it is a place with no punishment. Even the national policies are all new. When new punishments come, they can adapt and improve little by little.

"Master Yun, is this also your method of "Viewing the World"?" After sorting out the context, Zou Yan looked at Feng Yun expectantly with bright eyes.

Feng Yun nodded.

"Observing the world, one can know the big trends, change the small trends, follow the trend, or go against the trend...it all depends on the observer's way of dealing with the world and his ability to control the world."

"I also know a lot about the power of Tong Country. Now I am just following the trend. While helping Tong Jun, I will also benefit Baiyue."

The more Zou Yan listened, the more he wanted to learn the method of "Observing the World".

But Feng Yun's method of observing the world is still new, and Feng Yun also remembers what he encounters. If Zou Yan wants to observe it, he can only realize it from what Feng Yun did and said on his way to governing the country.

He sighed slightly.

But recalling Feng Yun's words in my mind, I still gained a lot.

Feng Yun saw it and smiled slightly.

The method of observing the world is a method that ordinary people can learn.

The way to live in the world is style, and everyone is different.

The method of governing the world is ability...

These are not big principles. The truth depends on self-realization.

Such self-realization will allow viewers to have their own thinking and not be trapped in Feng Yun's style of life.

……

"Here we are, Mr. Feng."

Dazai stopped the carriage and got off personally to welcome Feng Yun.

"Palace of Classics?"

Feng Yun was surprised.

Why did Dazai not take him to Yi Chuan or Tong Palace, but brought him to the Palace of Classics?
Seeing Feng Yun's doubts, Da Zai said: "Tong Jun is busy now and is temporarily unable to come to see Feng Jun in person. I have specially sent Yu to welcome Feng Yun to recuperate."

"Fengjun is a gentleman of letters. He implements national policies in Baiyue, but he does not rely on the fate of a country. Instead, he uses national policies as an innate talent. His literary spirit hangs high in the sky, and his brilliance never fades. Our Tong country's post is simple and crude, how can we entertain people?" How about you, Mr. Feng?"

"Then the king specially ordered the Palace of Classics to be tidied up for Lord Feng to live in."

"Only a place like the Palace of Classical Records of a Country can allow Lord Feng to stay!"

Dazai's compliments made even Feng Yun feel a little embarrassed.

"Da Zai is so praised that he can rest by the roadside and in the mountains. This post is better than the roadside shelter from the wind or the mountain shelter from the rain. It is already a better resting place."

"Oh, Mr. Feng is humble." Dazai bowed.

Feng Yun also returned the gift and could only follow Da Zai to the palace of classics.

As for behind.

"Yan, let's settle Manwa and the others."

"No." Zou Yan replied loudly.

Tongguo Classics Palace is a large palace. The palace is full of bamboo slips and silk books, and there are no other scholars to guard it.

Only outside the palace, there were many armored soldiers patrolling.

The Dazai sent Feng Yun to the main hall of the Palace of Classics and said: "There is a newly built soft cave in the palace for Feng Jun to rest."

"If Mr. Feng wants to read the book in the palace, just go ahead and read it."

Dazai took a few steps back.

"I have something important to do. I won't disturb Lord Feng's rest for the time being... If Lord Feng has something to do, he can inform the soldiers outside the door at any time." " Lord Feng's attendant, Yu has already arranged for someone to stay in the palace behind the palace of classics. Don't worry, Lord Feng. …”

After saying that, Dazai slowly retreated and disappeared outside the wall of the Snow Palace.

"Ugh?"

Feng Yun frowned slightly.

This arrangement is strange.

but……

"I am very interested in Gao Tao's punishment."

Feng Yun stepped into the Palace of Classics, and the fragrance of bamboo slips and ink that hit his face made his eyes move slightly.

On one side, there is a sofa and a desk, surrounded by some blank bamboo slips and silk books.

Feng Yun entered the bookshelf and slowly searched...

"What book are you looking for, Mr. Feng?"

An old voice came from behind.

Feng Yun listened and looked back.

He saw an old man dressed in mysterious clothes. He looked majestic, but his eyes were elegant and scholarly.

"Good morning sir, I am looking for Gao Tao's punishment."

"Oh?" The old gentleman returned the greeting slightly.

But he was surprised by Feng Yun.

"Why are you looking for Gao Tao's punishment? There is not much nutrition in it, it is just a means of torture."

The old gentleman seemed to be shameless, but he stared at Feng Yun closely, as if asking for something to say.

Feng Yun smiled and shook his head.

"No, Gao Tao's punishment is a punishment for virtue. Apart from punishment, it is often seen that people have a great heart."

"Punishment, correction of mistakes, is to warn the world so as not to make the same mistakes again. Making mistakes again and again is to stop evil. How can it be something that tortures people?"

Hearing this, the old gentleman smiled warmly.

"It is extremely, extremely, punishing to stop evil, this is the heart of great virtue!"

"It's a pity that everyone in the world has made mistakes. They are afraid of punishment and have little desire to correct their mistakes... But we are all human beings, which makes punishment a torturous thing."

"Alas!" The old gentleman sighed and shook his head.

"Go check out the ones on the left."

"However, punishment has gone through Gao Tao, Xia Yu, Shang Tang, and Zhou Dynasty, and it has become irreversible. Especially the punishment of Zhou rites is based on etiquette and morality, and the most important thing is to have a great heart!"

The old gentleman looked sad and sighed again and again.

"Master Feng should stop reading this book, and go read something else... I heard that Master Feng is governing the country in Baiyue and taking national policies into the innate world. There are a lot of books in the Tongguo Classics Palace to help!"

The old gentleman said, staring at Feng Yun closely.

Feng Yun heard the sound.

"Punishment rules are also the foundation of governing the country. How can we not observe them?" Feng Yun responded: "In the case of Baiyue, there is a lack of heavy punishment rules."

After finishing speaking, Feng Yun looked at the old gentleman.

A hint of surprise flashed in the old gentleman's eyes, and Feng Yun could see it clearly.

"Thank you, old sir, for telling me, otherwise Yun would have had to look for some time."

Turning around, Feng Yun went to pick up Gao Tao's Punishment from the shelf, went to the soft desk, and watched slowly, turning a deaf ear to the outside world.

Even the old gentleman came to Feng Yun's side and read the same book without paying any attention to it.

……

After reading, Feng Yun put down the bamboo slips.

"Fengjun, what do you think of Gao Tao's punishment?"

Feng Yun just put it down and wanted to change a book, so the old gentleman asked.

Feng Yun is also happy to discuss Taoism.

So he said: "Gaotao has five punishments: whipping is the official punishment, beating is the teaching punishment, gold is the redemption punishment, pardon is the punishment for failure, and beheading is the punishment for thieves."

"In order to forgive the police officer and hope that he will show his shame, the end of the five punishments will be exile for the most serious crime."

Among the punishments of Gaotao, the biggest punishment was the punishment of exile. Of course, the punishment of evil thieves who refused to change despite repeated admonitions was also one of them.

But there are too few of them. It is said that when Dayu was controlling the floods, the three seedlings caused chaos and hindered the flood control. Dayu punished them by moving south in a manifold.

After that, Sanmiao was in trouble again, so he was executed as a thief.

However, Sanmiao had long since disappeared and turned into countless tribes, and Xia Yu's country was also destroyed. This record can only be seen in the Gaotao torture.

"Yes." The old gentleman nodded, but asked again.

"How does Mr. Feng think the current punishment in Dazhou compares with it?"

Feng Yun had learned about the punishment of Zhou rites when he was in the court.

"Nine Punishments of the Great Zhou Dynasty - Mo, Xi, Ji, Gong, Dapi, Liu, Redemption, Whip, Pu..."

"There is not much difference with Gaotao's punishment, but the details have changed too much..."

"The reason why it is said that the punishments in "Zhou Rites" are closest to Gaotao's punishments and have the heart of great virtue is because before the Zhou Dynasty, the only five punishments in the Shang Dynasty were Mo, Jie, Ji, Gong, and Dapi, and only in the Zhou Dynasty did they add the latter Among the four punishments, atonement and exile are the key, which are the places where the great virtue can be reflected."

Feng Yun stopped, but what he said was in the Great Zhou Dynasty, but it was a conspiracy.

This is because the punishments of Gaotao were for the entire tribe and state, while the punishments of "Zhou Rites" were different for monarchs, princes, scholar-bureaucrats, common people, and slaves.

The heart of great virtue has class distinctions.

This is the immorality of Zhou Rites - people are different, and laws are different!

No matter how a person is born, he will be the same in the Zhou rites. There is no place for advancement. A person cannot transcend the lineage throughout his life.

And the difference in law...everyone living in the Great Zhou Dynasty can feel it.

This is also the place where Feng Yun comes from later generations and cannot accept the "Zhou Rites" the most.

But he knew that under the current national conditions of the Zhou Dynasty, the existence of classes was inevitable.

And even if it were not the era of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the existence of classes was still necessary.

but!
He knew that it was necessary to restrict classes...

Just like in Baiyue, he created class privileges such as the Monuments of the Grand Duke and the Grand Duke, because the existence of the Grand Duke and the Grand Duke could govern the country, settle the people of Baiyue, and make the entire country run.

But on top of privileges, there are also rules and restrictions. If the public, big or small, dares to act recklessly, does not want to make progress, and choleras the country, then strict law enforcement must be implemented to curb their growth and eliminate the scourge.

This is the punishment Feng Yun wants.

Rather than a punishment that is unparalleled in punishment!

But such punishments are not considered in both the "Nine Punishments" of "Zhou Rites" and the punishments of Gaotao.

……

"What a great virtue." On the side, the old man sighed: "Gaotao's punishment is such a great virtue. Today's "Nine Punishments" also has a heart, which makes me..."

"That's it."

He looked at Feng Yun's expression carefully, pushed away Gaotao Zhixing in his hand, stood up and went to find a book on governing the country to read, and then handed Feng Yun another book.

"Lord Feng, don't look at Gao Tao's punishment. Look at this strategy for governing the country. It will be of great use to you."

Feng Yun saw it and refused to accept it.

"Old sir, our time in Baiyue is similar to that of Gaotao. There is no punishment in the country and punishments can be made at will. However, the strategy of governing the country also requires a stable country."

heard...

There was joy in the old gentleman's eyes, but he didn't know how to speak.

Then Feng Yun said: "Let's take a look at Gaotao's punishment first. If we can find a suitable place for Baiyue, we can establish a punishment code for Baiyue."

"Alas... That's right. A country should indeed have a criminal code to warn its citizens!"

The old gentleman threw away the book on governing the country and, like Feng Yun, picked up a book on Gaotao's Punishment and continued to read.

After each viewing, he would communicate with Feng Yun and confirm each other.

During this time, Feng Yun also told the old gentleman about the approximate punishment Baiyue would need.

It wasn't until dark that the two of them said goodbye.

The next morning, early in the morning—

Zou Yan was sitting on his knees at the desk reading, but his mind was absent-minded, looking left and right.

"Master Yun...Why hasn't Lord Tong summoned you yet?"

(End of this chapter)