The Ming Dynasty started with saving the eldest grandson

Chapter 151 He still has to thank us
"Ye Yunliu is Mr. Ye's most proud descendant. How can you let him become your disciple?"

Chen Jingke couldn't believe his ears.

Fang Xiaoru was very satisfied with the effect and said, "Of course it's because I have the ability to teach him well."

This is true. As a student of Song Lian, his articles are first-rate.

If he wants to accept disciples, those who want to be his disciples can go around the Qinhuai River.

But Ye Dui was a great scholar as famous as Song Lian, and he was also famous for his writing.

How could he let his descendants worship others as their teachers?

Chen Jingke said suspiciously: "Tell me honestly, did you do something big?"

Fang Xiaoru said proudly: "I have written several articles in the past few months, expounding the history of changes in doctrine and thought."

"It mainly talks about how the environment affects the doctrine, and how the doctrine promotes the development of the times..."

"I'm going to talk about all the hundreds of schools. So far I've only talked about the origins of the four schools of Taoism, Confucianism, France and Mohism."

Chen Jingke was shocked. Is this Fang Xiaoru going to defy heaven?
This is to sort out the thoughts of Chinese civilization.

Once completed, it will have a huge impact on the academic world and will completely break the sacred halo of the sages.

But this is not to pull the sages off the altar, but to engrave them on real monuments.

For Chinese civilization, this will be an unparalleled feast.

He couldn't help but praise: "This is really a great achievement. Congratulations to Brother Fang for finding his own way."

Fang Xiaoru shook his head and said: "No, I am still far away from the Tao. These are just some discoveries on the way to seek the Tao."

Seeing how he was neither arrogant nor discouraged, Chen Jingke couldn't help but feel happy for him.

After several twists and turns, he finally settled down.

If this continues, he will surely shine brightly.

No wonder Ye Dui sent Ye Yunliu to study with him.

Although Ye Dui was a great Confucian, his Confucian attainments were not the most outstanding among all his knowledge.

What he is best at is history, followed by astronomy and geography.

So he won't have any prejudice against Fang Xiaoru.

We can better understand what Fang Xiaoru’s articles mean.

That's why he asked his great-grandson to become his teacher.

But then Chen Jingke said doubtfully: "Such a great work should be famous all over the world. Why have I never heard of it?"

These articles can be called deviant. It is hard to say how many people will agree with them, but they will definitely attract Confucian scholars to attack them.

But why has he never heard of it?
Fang Xiaoru smiled and said, "I would also like to thank Jing Ke. The story you told me inspired me deeply."

"There is no need to attack anyone, and there is no need to deliberately promote it. Those who agree with me will naturally take the initiative to learn."

"So my article was not made public and was only circulated in a small area."

"I also told them not to spread the news for the time being."

Chen Jingke considered it carefully and said: "The aroma of wine is also afraid of the deep alley, so it would be good to do some publicity."

"Diogenes' knowledge became widely known only through the propaganda of his followers."

Fang Xiaoru said: "I know, but I need to use the Hanlin Academy's collection of books to help me sort out what I have learned."

"If the article spreads, I will not be able to gain a foothold here, and I will no longer be able to browse the collection of books here."

"So now is not the time to fall out with them."

Chen Jingke smiled and said: "I see, Brother Fang is so calculating."

Fang Xiaoru also laughed together. If the people in the Hanlin Academy knew about his plan, his expression would be very exciting.

After laughing, he said seriously: "Jing Ke, I still have no idea how to find my own way."

"I know that I have a lot of troubles. I invite you here today. Firstly, I want to reminisce about the past. Secondly, I want to ask you if there is anything you can do to help me understand the truth."

Chen Jingke did not answer directly. He thought for a long time before saying:

"The Tao is not in the book."

Fang Xiaoru was overjoyed and said, "I knew Jing Ke would have a good way to teach me. Come quickly."

Chen Jingke said: "What is written in the book is the way of the past, the way of the predecessors..."

"But it doesn't mean that the sages' teachings are wrong, it's just that they don't adapt to the current era..."

“Where did the Tao we follow first come from?”

"It was the sages who realized the Tao suitable for the time based on the environment at that time, and promoted the development of the times."

"People in the new era, based on the teachings of the sages, have innovated and summed up a way that is more suitable for the new era."

"It can be said that each generation is stepping on the shoulders of its predecessors and moving forward."

"Different people are in different environments, and the Tao they summarize is also different."

"So there was a hundred schools of thought contending..."

"In Taoist terms, nothing is born, everything is born one, life is two, two is three, three is all things..."

Fang Xiaoru nodded repeatedly. Similar principles were also explained in his article.

Naturally, he understood it and took it seriously.

But Chen Jingke actually used it in this way, and the Taoist theory of transformation of all things still made his eyes shine.

The Tao Te Ching is indeed all-encompassing, and you need to study it carefully in the future.

Chen Jingke continued: "So, if you want to find your own way, you must meet two conditions."

"First, understand the ways of the sages, and second, have a deep understanding of the current environment."

"Brother Fang already possesses the former, but what is lacking now is the latter."

Fang Xiaoru was as if enlightened and said in surprise: "Yes, why didn't I think of that? I'm so confused."

"Thank you Jing Ke for the tip."

"It's just that the authorities confuse the onlookers." Chen Jingke said modestly and then said:
"Everyone observes the environment from a different angle and gets different results. This is also the reason why Baijia was born."

"Brother Fang, do you know how to ensure that your Tao meets most people's expectations and is accepted by most people?"

This is very important. The only true outstanding schools of thought among the hundreds of schools are the five schools of Taoism, Confucianism, Law, Mohism, and Soldiers. Other schools of thought are too one-sided.

The one-sided result is that he is reduced to a supporting role.

Fang Xiaoru naturally does not want his future career to be a supporting role.

He stood up and saluted Chen Jingke solemnly: "Please teach me, dear brother."

In Chen Jingke's mind, he couldn't help but think of a line, 'He still has to thank us.'

With a calm expression on his face, he accepted the gift calmly and then said:
"This involves the view of history. What view of history you hold determines your thoughts."

Fang Xiaoru looked confused: "View of history?"

Chen Jingke considered it carefully and said, "It's what concept you use to view human history."

"Some people divide the view of history into two categories, the materialist view and the ideal view..."

"Materialism believes that matter exists independently and affects spirit and will..."

"The ideal view is the other way around. It believes that spirit and will exist independently, and matter is only the external manifestation of spirit."

Seeing that Fang Xiaoru was confused, Chen Jingke was also a little confused. He was just a student of medicine, not philosophy.

It was really hard to explain for a while.

After thinking about it, I decided to use a better explanation:

"Um...this is too complicated. I can't explain it to you right now."

"You only need to know that both Buddhism and Taoism are biased toward idealism, and so is Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism."

"And the history of academic development you are writing is biased towards materialism."

Fang Xiaoru suddenly realized: "That's it, I understand." "Most people believe that ideas promote the development of the times and affect the environment."

"So they admire the ancients and believe that the laws of their ancestors cannot be abolished."

“I think it’s the environment that affects thinking and promotes the development of the times.”

"I believe we should follow the example of the ancients and keep pace with the times."

"It turns out that it can be divided like this: materialism and philosophy."

"If this division is good, from now on we, Fang Xiaoru, will be a supporter of materialism."

Chen Jingke secretly wiped his sweat. He didn't know whether Fang Xiaoru's statement was correct.

It's embarrassing. If I had known it earlier, I wouldn't have said anything materialistic.

Afraid that he would ask further questions, he quickly changed the subject and said:

"There is another way to divide historical views, the people's view of history and the heroic view of history."

"The people's view of history is to regard the people as the promoters of history, and it is the people who created all this."

"The heroic view of history is to regard a certain person as the promoter of history. It is the hero who created all this."

This is easier to understand. Fang Xiaoru nodded repeatedly and then asked:

"I wonder which view of history you have?"

Chen Jingke said: "I am naturally a staunch supporter of the people's view of history, but I do not deny the guiding role played by heroes."

Fang Xiaoru was not surprised. If Chen Jingke had a heroic outlook, he would be surprised.

"Our Chinese history books appear to be histories of emperors and generals."

"But if you look closely, you will find that they are all revolving around the word 'people'."

"To calm the people, educate the people, and herd the people; water can carry the boat, water can overturn the boat...all of which are talking about the affairs of all peoples."

"Emperors, generals, and ministers all come from the people..."

"The people's heart is the will of Heaven, public opinion is God's will, and heroes just act in accordance with public opinion."

"As the saying goes, those who win the hearts and minds of the people win the world. Only those who win the hearts and minds of the people can become true heroes."

Fang Xiaoru's expression changed drastically: "Jing Ke, be careful what you say."

Chen Jingke naturally knew why he was so nervous. Zhu Yuanzhang was not a generous person.

Again, there are some words that Zhu Chongba can hear but Zhu Yuanzhang cannot.

Just because of the saying "the people are more important than the king, the country is second", I want to kick Mencius out of the Confucian Temple.

If his words spread, it will definitely cause a commotion.

If Zhu Yuanzhang is angered, it will be impossible to kill him.

The power of kings granted by heaven is an iron law that no one can touch.

Chen Jingke naturally knew this. He was not an iron-headed boy, and he had no interest in dancing on the tip of a knife.

Before deciding to abandon the people's view of history, I had already prepared an escape route for myself.

I saw him smiling and saying: "Brother Fang, don't be surprised, just listen to what I have to say."

"As I said just now, I do not deny the guiding role played by heroes."

"The power of the people is infinite, but it is also loose, like a plate of loose sand."

"That's why the majority of the people will be enslaved and exploited by a small number of powerful people."

"This requires a hero to stand up, lead them and protect their interests."

"Lao Tzu said: The way of heaven is to make up for the deficiency when there is excess."

"The way of man is not like that. The loss is not enough but the reward is more than enough."

"Who can have more than enough to serve the world, only the Taoist."

It’s human nature for everyone to want to make themselves richer, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

But the desires are hard to satisfy. After having enough food and clothing, they still want to wear gold and silver, eat delicacies from the mountains and seas, marry three wives and four concubines, have a fortune of hundreds of millions, and enslave others.

In order to achieve this goal, they will go to great lengths to exploit and engage in wealth acquisitions.

The rich are getting richer and the poor are being exploited and getting poorer.

However, everyone has the desire to survive.

When the poor really can't survive, they will take up arms and kill all the rich to take back everything.

Then everything returns to chaos and a new cycle of reincarnation begins.

If we don't want to usher in a great destruction, we need a person to exercise the power of heaven.

Suppress wealth mergers, provide people with the most basic living security, and give them the opportunity to change their destiny.

Who will play the role of Heaven and exercise its power?

Emperor.

Only the emperor, who holds the most power in the world, has the ability to exercise power on behalf of heaven.

The emperor must also find ways to curb wealth mergers and let the people survive.

Otherwise, he will be the first to fall when the great destruction comes.

Therefore, if a hero wants to enjoy a high status and keep his position, he must comply with public opinion.

If the emperor is gone, in whose hands will the power of heaven fall?
Ordinary people?

No, it will only fall into the hands of the rich.

But will the rich harm their own interests and protect the people?
No, they are acting humanely and will only intensify their efforts to exploit the people.

If the people do not want to be exploited and starve to death, they must support the emperor.

Because only the emperor can lead them to fight against the powerful officials and gentry.

"The emperor is actually a part of the people, and his interests are consistent with those of the people."

"So all dynasties have been looking for ways to restrain land annexation and protect the interests of the people."

"The imperial court collects taxes and uses the taxes to provide relief to the people who cannot survive..."

"All of this is to make up for the shortcomings by overdoing the damage. It is an exercise of power on behalf of heaven."

Chen Jingke finished speaking in one breath before letting out a long sigh.

This is actually nonsense. As the biggest exploiter, how can the emperor's interests be consistent with those of the people?
But what can he do in the imperial society?
Shouting down the emperor and realizing peace and harmony?
That is courting death.

He could only ensure the status of imperial power while promoting the people's view of history.

He believed that Zhu Yuanzhang, who was born as a commoner, would be happy to accept this theory.

This will make everything he does more reasonable and legal.

As for other things, we’ll talk about it later depending on the situation.

The meal must be eaten one bite at a time, and the work must be done bit by bit.

And also give some trust to future generations.

The foundation has been laid, and when the time comes, future generations will naturally stand up and cheer.

After hearing this, Fang Xiaoru showed an expression of relief on his face.

"Wonderful, Jing Ke's thoughts really amaze me."

Chen Jingke said modestly: "Brother Fang, thank you very much. I hope these words can be useful to you."

Fang Xiaoru said affirmatively: "It's useful, it's really useful. I already know where my path is."

"When I finish sorting out my knowledge, I will leave the capital and go deep into the people."

"Take a look at what the lives of the people of the Ming Dynasty were really like."

“Understand what they’re thinking and what they need.”

(End of this chapter)