The Ming Dynasty started with saving the eldest grandson

Chapter 172 It’s really hard to like

Knowing that Chen Jingke was going to see Fang Xiaoru again, Zhu Xiongying insisted on going with him.

"Without me, Fang Xiaoru would not have awakened, and you would not have known each other."

"Speaking of which, I am also his great benefactor."

"I hid in the next door the last time we met. This time I have to meet you in person no matter what."

Chen Jingke said, "It's inconvenient to say something if you go."

Zhu Xiongying squinted and said, "What's the matter? Do you still want to discuss the rebellion?"

Chen Jingke was speechless: "Okay, okay, go, go, go."

"We've even punished you for rebelling. If you don't let me go, I don't know what charges you'll be charged with."

Zhu Xiongying said proudly: "Wouldn't it be over if I said this earlier?"

In desperation, Chen Jingke could only take him to see Fang Xiaoru.

The meeting place has not changed, it is still the same restaurant, and even the private room has not changed.

When they arrived, Fang Xiaoru had been waiting for a long time.

Seeing Zhu Xiongying also coming, he was very surprised and quickly stood up and said:

"See too..."

Zhu Xiongying interrupted: "What's wrong, Tai, you didn't even call me when you were having a private gathering. It's so uninteresting."

Fang Xiaoru immediately understood what he meant and didn't want to reveal his identity.

He took advantage of the situation and changed his words: "Master Zhu, long time no see."

Zhu Xiongying smiled and said: "It's rare that Mr. Fang still remembers me and doesn't blame me in his heart, right?"

Fang Xiaoru knew that he was talking about the first time the two met, and chuckled:

"Why, I would also like to thank Mr. Zhu for waking up the dreamer with just one word."

"Otherwise, I don't know how long I will be wandering astray."

Zhu Xiongying also said with emotion: "It's fate, it was the first time Jing Ke and I left the palace, and we met you."

"What's even more coincidental is that Jing Ke just told me about the history of China's territorial changes, and then he used it all on you."

"After I finished saying those words, I actually had nothing left to say."

Chen Jingke thought to himself, not only that, you even used the moral kidnapping you just learned.

The little thing I taught you was used on him.

"That's true. I was still thinking about it at the time, and I didn't know whether Brother Fang was lucky or unlucky."

Fang Xiaoru looked away a long time ago and said with a smile:

"I see, this is naturally my blessing."

"Without Mr. Zhu and Jing Ke, where would I be today?"

"On the other hand, Mr. Zhu is really smart if he can learn and use it flexibly."

As for Chen Jingke giving lectures to Taisun, he had already guessed it, so he didn't find it strange.

With a better start, the atmosphere gradually became harmonious and the three of them began to talk freely.

Mainly talking about some things in the Hanlin Academy.

Fang Xiaoru had a fierce reputation among Confucian scholars.

He was simply afraid of everyone, and everyone who saw him would run away.

The series of articles he wrote on the history of academic evolution have also been circulated.

Surprisingly, there wasn't much backlash.

Everyone acted as if they hadn't seen it and never mentioned it.

Chen Jingke joked: "There are advantages to having a bad reputation. Those Confucian scholars were slapped in the face and they didn't dare to refute."

Fang Xiaoru said very disdainfully: "They are just a bunch of rotten scholars. They talk about benevolence, righteousness and morality, but in their hearts they are just like flies and dogs."

“The longer I interact with them, the more I feel their hypocrisy.”

Chen Jingke smiled and said: "Morality is first used to restrain oneself, but it is a pity that they only learned moral kidnapping."

"It's up to Brother Fang to teach them how to behave."

Not all Confucians are corrupt; there are also many pragmatic people.

Many people are not bad at accepting new things.

Fang Xiaoru's academic evolution history gradually spread and was recognized by many people.

Recently, he has published two more articles, which have gained considerable popularity in small circles.

But obviously, he was not satisfied with this.

Chen Jingke said: "I have read A Brief History of China. It is very good. Your Majesty is also very satisfied. This is all thanks to Brother Fang."

Fang Xiaoru was not modest at all, but said disdainfully:

"It's just staring at a few rotten scholars, it's nothing."

"You can probably guess the reason why I invited you out this time, right?"

Chen Jingke nodded and said, "I guessed it, but I didn't expect you to be in such a hurry to set off."

"I thought you would finish writing the history of academic changes before leaving."

Fang Xiaoru pointed to his head and said, "All the knowledge is recorded here. You can write the article slowly."

“It will be difficult to learn anything new if you stay in the Hanlin Academy any longer, so it’s better to just leave.”

Chen Jingke praised: "From now on, the sea and the sky are vast for you to fly, which is really enviable."

Fang Xiaoru shook his head and said, "The one who is truly enviable is you, Jing Ke."

"If you are knowledgeable about heaven and man at a young age, and can be appreciated by a wise king, you will definitely become a famous minister in the future."

Zhu Xiongying straightened his chest subconsciously. Fang Xiaoru is still very discerning. Can you tell that I am a wise king?

Chen Jingke thought about it and did not refute. He just said, "Everyone's path is different. You are walking the path of sages."

"If you succeed in the future, you will definitely have a place in the Confucian Temple."

Fang Xiaoru was not as humble as ordinary Confucian scholars, but said expectantly:

"I hope there will be a day like this."

Chen Jingke asked again: "Where is your apprentice? It's not convenient to take him with you when traveling around the world."

Fang Xiaoru said: "I will go to Zhejiang first and send him home."

"Now is the time for him to lay the foundation. It is much better to learn from Ye Simei than to follow me everywhere."

The main reason is that Ye Yunliu is still young and running around is too dangerous.

If nothing else, just being acclimatized can kill someone.

Taking him with you will not only delay his foundation, but also easily kill him.

After chatting for a while, the two began to chat about academic matters.

Mainly Fang Xiaoru elaborated his thoughts, and Chen Jingke made some suggestions.

Zhu Xiongying also wanted to express some opinions, but soon found to his dismay that he couldn't get a word in at all.

Many times he couldn't understand the way the two thought, let alone what they wanted to achieve.

Only then did he clearly realize the gap between himself and real academic experts.

This was a big blow to him.

But it also woke him up.

He is a little clever, so he can rely on the knowledge Chen Jingke taught him to take advantage of him.

But if you really want to be honest, you have no power to fight back.

My initially impetuous heart gradually calmed down.

Stop thinking about how to shock others, and just listen quietly.

Chen Jingke and Fang Xiaoru had been quietly observing him and saw him go from eager to try, to a little depressed, to finally calm.

I knew that his character had grown, and everyone secretly approved of it.

Children can be taught.

After that, the two concentrated on discussing academic issues. Fang Xiaoru's advantage was his profound foundation in Confucianism, and Chen Jingke's advantage was his broad knowledge.

Both of them are good at what they do, and both feel that they have gained a lot.

The one who gained the most was Fang Xiaoru. Although Chen Jingke rarely answered his questions directly, he could always give him guidance.

Let him know where to look for answers.

This made him happier than telling him the answer directly.

"Jing Ke, do I know where my path is?"

Chen Jingke was very surprised and asked, "Where is the road?"

Fang Xiaoru said with an excited tone: "Materialism, I want to reinterpret Confucianism based on materialism."

Materialism? Chen Jingke was stunned for a moment. An unexpected answer, but within reason.

"This road is not easy to walk. Just getting everyone to accept materialism is not an easy task."

Fang Xiaoru said: "It is difficult to walk, but it is not as difficult as imagined."

"The ancients had similar thoughts for a long time. For example, Xunzi said, 'Heaven and earth are united to create all things, and Yin and Yang are connected to change.'"

"Fan Zhen of the Southern Dynasty even proposed, 'If the form exists, the spirit will exist; if the form disappears, the spirit will disappear.'"

"There are many similar ideas. As long as the logic is rounded and self-consistent, everyone in the world can actually accept it."

"Confucianism is very inclusive, and it is through its mediation that Buddhism and Taoism can integrate with each other and become interdependent."

"Confucians can accept at the same time that form, spirit, and the universe are my heart."

"So, I think the difficulty is not to get everyone to accept materialism, but how to get Cheng and Zhu disciples to accept the New Confucianism formed under materialism."

Chen Jingke pondered for a moment and said, "What you said does make sense, but I feel that this kind of inclusiveness is not unique to Confucianism."

"It's the characteristics of Chinese civilization itself."

"Because Chinese civilization was originally formed by absorbing and integrating many civilizations."

“This kind of inclusiveness is ingrained in our bones.”

So the religions they believe in are all polytheistic.

So we worship God whenever we meet.

That’s why we can be born in a world where a hundred schools of thought contend.

So we ancients could say, 'The sky is like a chicken's rooster, and the earth is like a chicken's rooster,' without worrying about being burned to death by fire.

You can believe in Legalism, Taoism, Buddhism... and it will not be considered a heresy.

Even if you go to promote your knowledge, no one will treat you like an enemy.

At most, it will isolate you and prevent you from being an official.

This kind of inclusiveness is so unusual in all civilizations.

"You are writing the history of academic changes. You should know that all schools of thought are very inclusive."

“When it comes to inclusiveness, Taoism stands out the most.”

"For more than seventy years in the early Han Dynasty, Huang and Lao's teachings were practiced, which emphasized governing by doing nothing."

"Taoism has not relied on this status to suppress any school of thought."

"The Tang Dynasty respected Taoism, and Huang Lao's school was regarded as the most prominent school, and it also did not suppress other schools of thought."

"Well, the struggle between Taoism and Buddhism is not included here. This matter involves the dispute between Han and Hu and religion. It is no longer a purely academic dispute."

"On the contrary, Confucianism did not do well on this point."

"After receiving the approval of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, he immediately shouted the words to depose hundreds of schools of thought and only respect Confucianism."

"Although Confucianism was the sole focus, it did help China achieve ideological unification."

"But the hegemony of Confucianism is also clearly revealed."

"During the Song Dynasty, Confucianism cooperated with the imperial court and completely trampled the military strategists under their feet."

"Taoism is half-attached to Confucianism and half-converted into Taoism, so it can continue."

"Legalism has even disappeared. The Confucianism and Legalism are all a matter of the Han and Tang Dynasties."

"Since the Song Dynasty, Confucian ethics has become more important than anything else."

“Even the formulation of laws must give priority to Confucian ethics and morals.”

"If Confucianism can always lead Chinese civilization to be strong and prosperous, just like the Han Dynasty, that's fine."

"But Song Confucianism's virtue is really unpopular."

"The one who sings the number one song outside Donghua Gate is a good boy."

"Haha... I'm afraid Han Qi will never imagine that these words will nail him to the pillar of shame sooner or later."

"After a hundred years of decline, those Confucian scholars still regard the learning of Song Confucianism as the standard. It is really sad and ridiculous."

This was the first time for Zhu Xiongying to hear Chen Jingke complain so much.

I was a little surprised, but also found it interesting. I listened with great interest.

Fang Xiaoru smiled bitterly. He was also a disciple of Confucianism, so he naturally felt uncomfortable hearing others belittle Confucianism in this way.

But he really didn't know how to refute.

Although Chen Jingke's statement is a bit one-sided and denies the contribution made by the real Confucian scholar.

Yes, from a consequentialist perspective, this is indeed the case.

Running wildly on the road of outer saint and inner king.

Well, before, there was only the term inner sage and outer king, which was first proposed by Taoists.

Later it was used as a doctrine by Confucianism.

"Outer sage and inner king" was proposed by Chen Jingke, a term specifically used to disparage Song Confucianism.

The popular explanation is to strike hard at home and be submissive to others.

Fang Xiaoru and Chen Jingke are familiar with each other, so they naturally know this word.

Precisely because he knew it, he had no way to refute and could only beg for mercy:

"Jing Ke, show mercy."

Chen Jingke sighed, shook his head and said, "Forget it, why am I telling you this? I don't blame you."

"Well, at least I don't blame you now. You were no different from those Song Confucians back then."

Fang Xiaoru said dumbfounded: "Yes, yes, thanks to Jing Ke for waking me up."

"If I can achieve anything, it's all due to you."

Chen Jingke said seriously: "You are already very clear about the problems Confucianism is currently facing."

"I hope you can find a new path and lead Confucianism astray."

Fang Xiaoru said solemnly: "Don't worry, I won't let you down."

"If I get nothing from this trip, I will never return to Beijing."

Feeling his determination, Chen Jingke felt a little more hopeful.

After thinking about it, I decided to give some more guidance to prevent him from going too far:

"You already have an idea about the future path, so I won't say anything more to avoid affecting you."

"But I hope that while you understand your own way, you will be slightly distracted to think about two words."

It's definitely not easy for Chen Jingke to pay so much attention to it.

Fang Xiaoru immediately became energetic and asked:

"What two words."

Chen Jingke said: "Human rights and exploitation."

Fang Xiaoru asked doubtfully: "Human rights? Exploitation?"

Chen Jingke said seriously: "Yes, human rights are the most basic rights of human beings."

"I hope that during your travels, based on what you see with your own eyes, you will think carefully about the most basic rights that a human being should have."

"As for exploitation, that's literally what it means."

"You can also carefully understand the meaning of this word during your travels."

Fang Xiaoru said solemnly: "I understand, and I will definitely think carefully about the meaning of these two words."

"I hope I can get an answer that satisfies you."

Zhu Xiongying on the side also silently remembered these two words in his heart.

Chen Jingke explained so solemnly that these two words are definitely not simple.

Naturally, he also wanted to know what the meaning was.

Then, Chen Jingke took out the one hundred guan of treasure notes and told Fang Xiaoru clearly that this was given by the emperor.

Fang Xiaoru, who originally wanted to refuse, changed his mind and kept it when he heard that it was given by the emperor.

He also expressed that the emperor's kindness was so great that he would definitely live up to His Majesty's high expectations.

After that, the three of them chatted for a while and then separated.

Chen Jingke looked at Fang Xiaoru's leaving figure and remained silent for a long time.

After planning for so long, I hope he can bear satisfactory fruits.

However, Fang Xiaoru is just a link in all his plans. If he succeeds, he will be the best. If he fails, it will not affect the overall situation.

What’s next?

Oh, by the way, after being indifferent for so long, it’s time to rebuild the arithmetic circle.

This is related to his subsequent big plan and cannot be missed.

(End of this chapter)