History of the Great Zhou Dynasty

Chapter 144 Guan Zhong·The Rule of Law ([-])
Feng Yun smiled slightly and asked Zou Yan to continue reading.

I continued to watch Gaotao's punishment.

Gaotao not only created the five punishments, but also the five religions - fatherly righteousness, motherly kindness, brothers and friends, brotherly respect, and son's filial piety.

This is to understand the five punishments and to annihilate the five teachings.

And he has a strong emphasis on the people--providing peace to the people will benefit them, and the people will cherish them.

In addition, there is the attitude of judicial impartiality.

These are all places where Feng Yun nodded and praised.

And then—

"The order of heaven is polite."

“Destiny is virtuous.”

"God punishes the sin."

Feng Yun frowned slightly.

"Who is it today? It's just the person in power."

No matter how we value the people, no matter how many punishments and five religions are implemented, no matter how fair the judiciary is.

But as long as another "Heaven" is placed on top of it, it will no longer have its own identity, and everything will be empty talk. Those in power can use the name of Heaven to conquer the people below at will.

Feng Yun shook his head.

"Rituals are determined by people, virtues are established by people, and crimes are judged by people. This is the fairness of people, rather than being decided by heaven."

"But people are different, just like yellow clay and clouds. What they think and say are all very different. Perhaps this is the difficulty in the whole world where people can conquer nature."

God, it’s a matter of words.

People, each argue.

Feng Yun thought that the people in power who represented the sky were all divided. Even simple tribes needed patriarchs to formulate rules, let alone the people of the entire world.

"This is the origin of Tian, ​​a character that most people have to believe in."

……

After thinking about the destiny of punishment, in the blink of an eye, it was already noon.

Feng Yun is ready to eat.

But I heard footsteps coming from outside.

I saw the old gentleman from yesterday writing a silk book and sitting eagerly on his knees at the low table opposite Feng Yun.

"Master Feng, yesterday I heard about your decision on Baiyue's lack of punishment and the current situation of Baiyue. I thought hard all night..."

Feng Yun saw that the old gentleman's hair was messy and his eyes were black and blue, which showed that he had stayed up all night, but his eyes were bright, he was not aware of the excitement, and he felt that he was searching for a way out.

"Mr. Feng, take a quick look. Is this punishment likely to cure Baiyuehu?"

The old gentleman spread the silk book in front of Feng Yun and let Feng Yun look at it.

Zou Yan on the side muttered: "Master Yun hasn't eaten yet."

The old gentleman looked ashamed.

Feng Yun said, "When it comes to Taoism, one lives by eating literature. If one doesn't eat corn, he won't feel lacking."

Hearing this, the old gentleman saluted.

Feng Yun returned the gift and picked up the criminal code written on the silk book.

The remarks were orderly, and detailed class punishments were formulated according to the categories of people of the tribe, officials of the ten tribes, big families in the tribe, clansmen, armored generals, craftsmen, hunting...

In response, Feng Yun frowned slightly.

He denied it.

"No such thing."

The old gentleman was slightly angry.

"Fengjun just said no after reading a few words. What do you mean?"

Feng Yun pushed the silk book to the old gentleman.

"It's just a copy of the punishments in "Zhou Rites" to classify people in Baiyue. Different people have different methods. It's far from the ancient Gaotao."

"This..." The old gentleman was speechless.

Feng Yun continued: "I told the old gentleman that Baiyue's matter is almost the same as that of Gaotao."

"During the Gao Tao period, could the punishment be different for the people below?"

"His Gao Tao was fair and had a reputation for great virtue, but the old gentleman erased this virtue of justice with his first words."

Feng Yun shook his head.

But the old gentleman was still mumbling.

"The great virtue...justice...could it be that the king also...hiss!"

As if he had an epiphany, the old gentleman was stunned on the spot.

When Feng Yun saw this, he stood up and put his hand to his lips, making a gesture of silence.

Then he waved his hand and led Zou Yan out of the palace.

"Master Yun, who is he?"

Feng Yun didn't squint his eyes and walked towards the side hall where he was eating.

"A seeker, I just talked with him about the punishment of Gaotao."

"Oh..." Zou Yan felt that it was more than that.

He looked back and saw the old gentleman thinking hard through the window.

"Huh!" The cold wind was biting.

"After eating, come with me to visit Tongcheng..."

"promise…"

After eating, Feng Yun did not let Manwa escort him, but only took Zou Yan with him to the streets of Tongcheng.

On the streets, few people were idle. Only in the guesthouses near Yi Chuan were the original traveling merchants and people traveling far away.

The guest house provided food and accommodation, which existed in the Shang Dynasty and continued in the Zhou Dynasty.

At this time, in the guest house, many people from other countries were drinking wine around the fire and talking about affairs in various countries.

Feng Yun was wearing a curved train and a tiger-skin cloak. He was handsome in color. It was special to come here, attracting the whole room to look at him.

Sitting next to a separate stove with Zou Yan, he asked the head of the guest house for some warm wine and side dishes, and then slowly listened to the sounds around him.

However, after Feng Yun came, he mostly chatted with him.

only...

"Have you heard that the Yangyue Kingdom has stationed troops to the west of Penglize? Now the Han Kingdom and the Baiyue Kingdom have formed an alliance to defend Yangyue from being attacked."

"Yang Yue?"

"If we want to fight, we won't hit Tongguo. There is Yingfangguo in front of us!"

Seeing Feng Yun just sitting and warming himself by the fire, these people found it boring and continued to talk about the strange things they had encountered.

However, after someone made the announcement in advance, everyone in the hall was distracted.

"Hey, why can't you beat Tongguo?"

"Look, didn't Mr. Feng come to Tongguo yesterday? I see, he just came to discuss Yang Yue."

"If I tell you, if Lord Feng goes to Yingfang, Yingfang will definitely agree to form an alliance. At that time, among the Penglize countries that are close to Yangyue, only Tong will not form an alliance. At that time, there will be no war with Tong. who?"

The man whispered softly, and then said: "I was in the Yingfang Kingdom before. Because of the Yangyue incident, the king of the Yingfang Kingdom was preparing to send envoys to Tong and Han to form an alliance directly."

"But, Lord Feng now holds the seal of the two countries and is passing through Tong Kingdom to go to the British side. At this time, the British monarch is eagerly looking forward to it..."

After the man finished speaking, he glanced at Feng Yun.

"When I was in the British side, I also heard that the Han Kingdom was targeting Peng Lize's Kingdom because Jingchu to the west was targeting them... If I could meet Feng Jun, I would definitely tell him the news and see what he thought. , how can we resist Yang Yue..."

Feng Yun was surprised.

Is Jing Chu targeting Yang Yue?

Feng Yun was currently living in the Palace of Classics, so it was difficult to meet and discuss him closely. Even the guards around him were guarded by people from the Tong Kingdom.

When he went out, he could be followed by many armored soldiers and secret guards.

Compared with Han Jun, this Tong Jun is extremely vigilant.

In this way, the most direct is the most confusing way.

Feng Yun motioned to Zou Yan.

"Go and buy some more warm wine, and we'll take it back to Manwa and the others to try."

Zou Yan stood up when he heard the sound, but then asked: "How much do you want Master Yun to buy?"

Feng Yun looked at the craftsman who conveyed the message to him.

"Just buy them all and let the dormitory leader transport them back in a small car."

When Na Xizuo heard the words, his eyes moved slightly and he understood what Feng Yun meant.

Feng Yun's heroic spirit attracted everyone to watch.

But when Feng Yun turned around, none of these people dared to look.

Literati!

Feng Yun also had no reservations and used his literary style to avoid trouble. "Long time no see... Master Feng..." Feng Yun saw that Zou Yan had bought some warm wine and was about to get up and leave when he heard this voice.

When I went to look, I saw a man dressed as a businessman and took a closer look.

Guan Zhong, Guan Yiwu?

"Master, peace." Guan Zhong came from the accommodation behind the guest house hall to the front hall to eat. As he approached, he felt a sense of culture.

When he got closer, he discovered that Feng Yun was intimidating the surroundings, which were extremely quiet.

He was excited and respectfully stepped forward.

"I heard that Master has come to Tongguo, but I don't want to see him at the guesthouse. I am also planning to go to Yichuan to have a look."

According to Yi Chuan, the place where dignitaries and dignitaries live is not suitable for common people like them without noble status.

Feng Yun met an acquaintance and motioned to Zou Yan to stay for a while.

Zou Yan curled his lips.

Master?

He can only call him Master Yun.

Sitting down angrily, Zou Yan looked at Guan Zhong carefully...

I made an evaluation in my heart: mediocre, full of rusticity, humble and unambitious, very thick-skinned, trying to get the master to be my master, hum.

Here, Feng Yun chuckled, invited Guan Zhong to sit down, and said, "I don't live in Yi Chuan, and I won't be able to see you even if I leave."

Guan Zhong sat down respectfully and behaved as a disciple.

But then, Guan Zhong was slightly angry.

"Master, why did you come to the guest house, but the guard at the post station was rude?"

Guan Zhong thought Feng Yun would live in a guest house now, so he was angry.

Feng Yun said hurriedly: "No, now I am temporarily staying in the palace of classics."

At this time, Guan Zhong was stunned.

"Palace of Classics?"

The Palace of Classics is an important place in a country, and even the clan members in the country are not allowed to see it. How can it be allowed to be lived in by people from other countries?

"The name of Master resounds throughout Peng Lize, and is respected by all countries."

Guan Zhong sighed in admiration.

Feng Yun smiled and shook his head.

"Fame is just a matter of courtesy, but what is the reality? Every country has its own rules of conduct. Wherever I go, I will do things according to the rules of each country. I will not overstep my bounds or act arrogantly. Otherwise, fame will not stop me from doing anything. .”

After hearing this, Guan Zhong said yes.

Feng Yun glanced at Guan Zhong.

Said: "Yiwu is doing business in Tongguo?"

After hearing Feng Yun's inquiry, Guan Zhong hurriedly said: "Back to Master, Yiwu heard about Master's teachings when I was in the court. If you want to know the needs of the people, you must follow the people's actions."

"So we follow the people's journey, explore their needs, put the people first, and find ways to strengthen the country."

People-oriented thinking?

Yes, but not the benevolent people.

Guan Zhong discussed with Feng Jun in the court, if a country suddenly loses etiquette, what will happen to the country? Will it grow barbarically like the Yue country?

It can be seen that Guan Zhongzhi's thoughts are not restless and have a hint of domineering.

Therefore, Guan Zhong’s way is the law!
Regulations, the rule of law, the way to value the people and strengthen the country, this is the way Guan Zhong wants to find.

Feng Yun understood.

At this time, Guan Zhong also knew his Tao, and he was accumulating people-based skills for his Tao.

"What are the people?" Feng Yun asked.

Guan Zhong was slightly stunned, but he quickly sat down and answered with the courtesy of a disciple.

I saw that his whole body was full of literary energy, and he already had the attitude of a second-rate scholar.

The cultural energy turned into mist and enveloped all around.

When the people marching around heard Guan Zhong's voice, they couldn't help but respect Guan Zhong and immersed themselves in Guan Zhong's way.

Zou Yan frowned, his little gentleness kept resisting.

"What Master said in the court before, under the king, are all the people, gave Yiwu great inspiration!"

"There are four categories of people - scholars, workers, merchants, and farmers. They are like the stones on a city wall. They all have their place and perform their duties. They are the foundation of the country. Only one stone and one base can a country have. If the people are strong, the country will be strong. Also strong."

Feng Yun glanced around. Those who had fallen into Guan Zhongwen's way hesitated slightly when they saw that Zou Yan was not willing to give up.

He also asked: “What is people-centered, and how can we build a strong country based on people-centeredness?”

Guan Zhong thought for a while and then replied: "The people are the basis, and there is something to do for the people. If this continues, generations will be stable. As time goes by, the plan will be deeper and the income will be richer."

"And the country can gain the surplus from its people and use the surplus to support its army. It can strengthen its army and strengthen the country's prestige. The country will not have to worry about foreign countries."

"Taking the people as the national policy, if this continues, the country will never stop. Each profession and profession will continue, and the country will slowly accumulate and become more and more wealthy. This is the way to strengthen the country."

"..."

Guan Zhong kept talking and seemed to have endless answers.

The more Feng Yun listened, the more tangled his eyes became.

After answering, Guan Zhong's literary spirit became more and more exciting, and he seemed to be approaching the first-class level.

Feng Yun saw this and closed his eyes slightly. He didn't want to change others, but...

Just hear a roar in the sky.

Guan Zhong's back tightened, and the literary energy that was about to break through was stagnant.

The people around him who were trapped in Guan Zhongwen's way woke up one after another.

Zou Yan panted heavily, moved further away from Guan Zhong, and moved closer to Feng Yun.

"People are not objects!"

Guan Zhong was frightened when he heard Feng Yun's voice, but he straightened his back - he thought his way was right!

Feng Yun stared at Guan Zhong closely, his literary aura was faint, but he instantly suppressed Guan Zhong's people-oriented approach.

"Yiwu, your people's foundation is for the people or for the country. How do you govern the country?"

Guan Zhong was speechless. He didn't understand what Feng Yun said.

For the people and the country?

He never thought about it...or in other words, he subconsciously did it for the country.

Feng Yun sighed slightly. In Guan Zhong's remarks, he looked at the world in a way——

After scholars, all are scholars.

After craftsman, everyone is craftsman.

After merchants, all are merchants.

After farmers, all are farmers.

The society is stable, the country is prosperous, the people are safe, and the order is orderly. However, this all depends on the people being divided into four categories. These four categories are not allowed to engage in other professions. For life after life, the people at the bottom will never get ahead.

As society changed, scholars found that they could continue to be scholars even if they had no talent or virtue, so they began to be extravagant and chaotic.

Farmers are also hasty in the fields, because they only need enough to eat, and extra farming will not bring them big changes.

And the craftsman's skills are becoming more and more dull...

Merchants’ enthusiasm for business is also sluggish…

With the death of the ruler, it was discovered that in a country that only specializes in one profession, a second ruler cannot be born... There is no successor, and the entire country disappears overnight...

As Guan Zhong said, the people are the stone of the city wall.

The stones of the city wall are broken and can be replaced, but the defenders of the city are dead. Which stone in this long city wall can be turned into a person to arrange the replacement of the old and new of the entire city wall?

Without the command of the city defenders, over time, the entire city wall will only collapse?

This is what Feng Yun said, people are not objects.

But, obviously, Guan Zhong did not understand.

Instead, Guan Zhong felt a little resentful towards Feng Yun because of this obstruction.

Feng Yun said softly: "Yi Wu, your way is not rule by etiquette, nor rule by virtue... but rule by law."

"It's a ridiculous method, but it's too eager for quick success!"

"The establishment of law is to govern the people, and the rule of the people ensures national security."

"But, you must first regard the people as the people... consider the life, old age, illness, death, and emotions of the people, instead of blindly restricting them to the people and treating the people as your farm tools, traveling merchants' carriages, The burden of work, the bamboo slips of the noble family."

Guan Zhong hesitated, feeling the literary spirit in his heart that wanted to break through. He gritted his teeth and retorted: "Fengjun, when governing a country, do you want it to be stable or turbulent?"

"The laws of Yi and Wu can make a country stable and its people stable. What's wrong with that?"

“If a country has lots of wealth, people from far away will come; if the land is developed, the people will stay; if the warehouses are strong, they will know etiquette; if they have enough food and clothing, they will know honor and disgrace… The methods of Yi and Wu can make the people rich and the country stable. Isn’t this a good method? "

This is where Feng Yun gets confused.

Guan Zhong's method is wonderful and can enrich and strengthen a country and its people.

But as time goes by, the exclusive power of the king destroys the people's morale, and the successor is unable to make a breakthrough. The death of a country breaks out in an instant; this is a training machine, not a people-oriented one...

(End of this chapter)