The Ming Dynasty started with saving the eldest grandson

Chapter 256 The mission given by history

"And this is also my lifelong pursuit."

Chen Jingke's voice was not loud, but in the ears of Zhu Yuanzhang and the three of them, it was so deafening.

Zhu Yuanzhang was a little distracted for a moment.

A conversation emerged in Zhu Biao's mind involuntarily.

At first he asked Chen Jingke about his ideals.

Chen Jingke answered him this way: Cultivate oneself, manage one's family, govern the country, and bring peace to the world.

He didn't believe it at the time.

I just thought that Chen Jingke was young and had not yet found his true pursuit, so he took the sage's words as his own pursuit.

This kind of thing is very common, and he has gone through this stage himself.

"According to the study of barbarian tribes, we can know that the earliest grouping was based on family units."

Chen Jingke said: "If you want to explain this problem, you must first understand what a country is and how it is formed."

Zhu Yuanzhang stopped talking and just listened.

"The tribe gathered everyone's efforts to develop and slowly began to grow, which also promoted the development of productivity."

"By observing and studying the conditions of these primitive tribes, we can learn how our ancestors survived and help deduce how our system was formed."

"There are no metal tools, only tools sharpened from stone."

"I believe that a country is a political organization formed by groups living in a region."

Chen Jingke continued: "Without advanced tools, the power of individual human beings is fragile."

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly realized: "We are still wondering what there is to study about these barbarian tribes. It turns out that your purpose is here."

He wanted to know what more advanced theories Chen Jingke could put forward besides the theory of natural imperial power and contract.

There are many explanations for the state in previous lives, one of which is: the state is a tool of class rule.

Zhu Biao thought for a moment and nodded slowly: "So it turns out that the reasons for the birth of the country are more complicated, and the development of productivity is only one of the factors."

Chen Jingke said: "That's right. First, let's talk about what a country is."

"Only by joining together can we drive away the beasts against nature and survive in the harsh environment."

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but sigh: "Jing Ke is a true gentleman."

Zhu Biao asked: "When you told the story about Dayu's flood control before, didn't you mean that when productive forces developed to a certain stage, a country was born?"

Chen Jingke smiled bitterly and said: "These are all final comments. I can't guarantee whether they can be consistent."

Since we are going to draw a big pie, we must not say it so nakedly, otherwise what is the meaning of this pie?
Therefore, he decided to explain it from another angle and make the cake look better.

"It cannot resist the attacks of raptors and ferocious beasts, let alone cope with natural disasters."

Chen Jingke did not dwell on this issue anymore, but said seriously:
"Just now we have talked about the responsibilities that the court should shoulder, but we have not yet said why it should shoulder this responsibility and who gave it this responsibility."

Chen Jingke naturally did not dare to deny this explanation, but now it was time to paint the cake for the emperor.

"This is very similar to the living conditions of our ancestors described in history books."

It is a tool invented by the ruling class to rule the ruled class.

"I can't weave, so I can only make clothes from leaves and animal skins."

"So why did this group form a nation? What motivated them to do so?"

"But the power of the family is still too fragile, and slowly different families began to group together to form larger groups."

Now I know that it was not an imitation, but the real thing.

"I once proposed that the imperial court record the customs and customs of various vassal states and tribes. This is the purpose."

Chen Jingke replied: "Yes, the development of productive forces provided the material foundation for the birth of the country."

The policies proposed are all detrimental to the country and the people, and they have never sought any personal gain for themselves.

Looking back on what Chen Jingke has done since I met him, he is not greedy for money, not obsessed with power, not lustful, and not seeking fame.

"This group can be called a tribe."

"There are many primitive tribes around the Ming Dynasty, and their productivity is very low."

"But with the development of productive forces, will a country be formed? Not necessarily."

"My answer is, the natural environment and internal competition."

At this point, he paused for a moment until all three of them nodded to express their understanding before continuing:

Zhu Yuanzhang also nodded slightly: "Our Ming Dynasty will also produce a saint."

Zhu Biao nodded and asked: "I have been thinking about this problem just now, but I have no clue. I wonder what Jing Ke has to say?"

Zhu Biao praised: "At least now you have done it, far ahead of others."

Zhu Xiongying has silently picked up his pen.

"Tell us quickly what you have researched."

"The development of productivity, in turn, further promoted the tribe's strength."

"However, the enemy that humans face is not only nature, but also humans themselves."

"Wars broke out between tribes for various reasons."

"In order to cope with the more brutal competition among the same kind, tribes began to form alliances, and the era of tribal alliances came."

"As the competition becomes increasingly fierce, the tribal alliances are becoming closer and closer."

"In order to achieve ultimate victory, they began to explore more advanced systems, and the country was born."

"Compared to the tribes, the country is much more advanced in terms of system."

"The most fundamental reason is that the country can better mobilize the power of the group."

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and said: "This is contrary to the inference that Dayu controlled the floods and established the Xia Dynasty."

Zhu Biao shook his head and explained: "No, it is not contradictory. The two just confirm each other."

"Whether it is to cope with similar competition or to control major floods, it shows that the country is the result of human beings holding together to stay warm when facing difficulties."

Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "That's true. We didn't think enough about it. You continue."

Chen Jingke then continued: "After explaining the reason for the birth of the country, then where does the responsibility of the imperial court come from, this problem will be easily solved."

"Let's go back to the tribal era again..."

"The formation of tribes did solve the problem of survival, but a question also arises, what is the meaning of tribes' existence?"

"To put it bluntly, what is everyone's need for the tribe, and how can the tribe meet everyone's needs?"

"The organizational form at that time was very loose, and not all power was in the hands of tribal leaders. Tribal members had great freedom."

"If the tribe cannot solve these problems and protect the interests of its members, members will leave and join other tribes."

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but nodded and said: "The individual's requirement must be to survive, and the tribe must meet this requirement."

Chen Jingke said: "Yes, it is to survive, and living can be divided into two aspects."

"On the one hand, it is the need for security, and on the other hand, it is material satisfaction."

"In His Highness's words, the country is peaceful and the people are safe."

"So, when the tribe was born, it naturally shouldered the important task of 'promoting peace and prosperity for the country and the people'."

"When the country is born, this responsibility will naturally be handed over to its hands."

"Considering the tribe as a living entity, if it wants to continue to exist, it must find a way to make the country peaceful and the people peaceful."

"If it can't do that, members will abandon it and join other tribes."

"When all members are lost, it will cease to exist." Zhu Yuanzhang said thoughtfully: "Is it a natural responsibility..."

Zhu Biao nodded first, and then asked another question:
"How do you explain the issue of death penalty raised by Xiongying just now?"

"Whether it's contract theory or grouping together to keep warm, the people cannot give anyone the power to execute themselves."

Chen Jingke explained: "That's why Tai Suncai said that the contract theory is too one-sided and the formation of the national system is more complicated."

"I think that in addition to the part of the power granted by the people, the country also borrows part of the power from customs and habits."

"Before the law came into existence, how to resolve conflicts if they existed?"

"There are generally two methods. One is the fist theory. Whoever has the bigger fist is right."

"There is another type called homomorphic revenge, where you take revenge on others for hurting you."

“In our common saying, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”

"If someone blinds one of his eyes, he will blind another person's eye."

"If you owe a debt, you must repay it; if you kill someone, you must pay with your life."

"This most primitive custom was widely accepted by people at the time, and everyone thought it was the best solution."

"Later, this custom was inherited by the tribe and slowly formed a law."

The three of them nodded again, it made sense, and it made sense.

Chen Jingke continued: "But homomorphic revenge is too extreme."

"If someone hurts someone unintentionally, then he should be punished in the same way. Isn't it too unfair?"

"And the people who were harmed couldn't get any compensation, and in the end both people became victims."

"If two people are seriously injured and lose the ability to work, it will become a burden on both families."

"It will also cause great social hazards."

"So is there a better way to solve this problem?"

"Later there were more humane laws. If you accidentally hurt someone, you can make up for the other person's loss through monetary compensation."

"This is good for everyone..."

Zhu Biao nodded repeatedly and said: "It makes sense. Even now, laws are made based on customs and morals."

Chen Jingke replied: "So, systems are not created out of thin air. They are often established a long time ago."

"The knowledge of hundreds of schools of thought was not something that the sages came up with just by tapping their foreheads."

"It's about them summarizing previous experiences and lessons and making improvements based on the current situation."

"Confucianism is the best among them. It has inherited many shining points of Chinese civilization."

"And on this basis, we proposed the ultimate ideal of a world of great harmony."

"A world of great harmony can be seen as the embodiment of the responsibilities shouldered by the country."

"In the past, people only knew that the imperial court had responsibilities."

"But what exactly is this responsibility? To what extent is it considered qualified? There is no standard."

"Nobody knows what to do."

"Now Confucianism tells the world that this responsibility is to build a world of great harmony."

The three nodded again. After this analysis, they finally had a deeper understanding of the country.

We have a clearer idea of ​​how to govern the country.

Chen Jingke was very happy when he saw that they had listened.

This cake was painted for Zhu Yuanzhang's three ancestors and grandsons, and why not for himself.

Compared to the cold answer of 'the state is a tool of the ruling class', he prefers the pie he drew.

He undoubtedly offended any sage, but now is the Ming Dynasty, and the power of interpretation is in his hands.

He can paint this cake however he wants.

As for whether future generations agree or not, it doesn’t matter.

He tried hard and that was enough.

As he started talking, he couldn't help but say a few more words:
"Many people criticize the world of Datong, thinking it is a fantasy, a lie, and impossible to realize."

“This argument has persisted.”

"For example, some people say that Boyi and Shuqi don't eat Zhousu, but no one imitates them?"

"What's the use of establishing a moral standard of loneliness?"

Zhu Biao immediately thought of the book "Salt and Iron Theory". This argument was used by Sang Hongyang to refute literary virtue.

You guys praise the ancient sages every day, but it’s useless, and you haven’t seen the country change for the better.

"I can only say that people who hold this argument are denying the truth, goodness and beauty of human society."

"The moral standard of loneliness is like a ruler, telling people what is good and what is bad."

“Without these moral standards, it’s like humans have lost their sense of smell and don’t know what is fragrant and what is smelly.”

"When you get hungry, instead of going to the kitchen, you smell the smell and go to the toilet."

Well... the three of them were a little speechless. This metaphor is really disgusting.

"We don't necessarily have to imitate the saints, but we must know that their actions are noble and worthy of praise."

“Behavior contrary to his is less worthy of boasting.”

"We don't require people to learn from him, as long as they don't go in the opposite direction."

"Confucianism has the same effect. Its ideas are not necessarily the best."

"But at least it sets a set of standards so people know what to do."

"Similarly, the world of Datong is the same."

"Although this ultimate ideal is difficult to achieve, it is better to have a standard than no standard."

The three nodded again, at least for them this logic was established.

The important task shouldered by the imperial court is to lead the common people towards a world of great harmony.

Chen Jingke paused for a moment and continued: "But Confucianism also has shortcomings, it is too idealistic."

“They proposed an idealized world but didn’t know how to achieve it.”

"When they talk about the truth, they are clear and logical. If you ask them about the solution, you will only recall the rule of the ancient kings."

"Therefore, Confucianism is only suitable to be used as a yardstick and to set a standard for people."

"How to achieve this standard requires consulting law, military and other experts, and we need to be down-to-earth and step by step."

Zhu Biao's heart moved and he said: "The Han family has its own system, which is based on the overlord's way."

This is a famous saying by Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty. In one sentence, the essence of the Han family system is explained.

He also said another famous saying: The one who destroys our Han family and the world is the prince.

Even though he knew that Liu Shi was useless, he still made him the crown prince because of his relationship with Xu Pingjun.

As expected, the Western Han Dynasty, starting from Liu Shi, moved rapidly towards the direction of subjugation.

Chen Jingke finally concluded: "So, it doesn't matter what kind of doctrine or system the country adopts."

"What matters is whether we can lead Ming Dynasty to the world of great harmony."

"This is a natural responsibility for the country and a task given to it by history."

(End of this chapter)