The Ming Dynasty started with saving the eldest grandson

Chapter 480 Datong in Li Shanchang's Eyes
If we were to say who was most deeply touched by the article "What is Datong", it would be none other than Li Shanchang.

I read the newspaper over and over again and didn't even eat.

The servant quickly told Li Qi about this and asked him to come over and persuade them.

Li Qi was naturally concerned about his old father's health, so he came over with lunch and asked knowingly:

"Dad, what are you looking at so intently that you don't even need to eat."

Li Shanchang praised: "Chen Jingke did a great job on this article. He is indeed the best at planning."

Li Qi was stunned for a moment, and quickly looked at the newspaper. It was indeed Chen Jingke's article. He couldn't help but wonder:
"I can understand why you praise his extraordinary insights or even belittle his articles."

"You praised him for his ability to plan... Where did that come from?"

Li Shanchang pointed to the newspaper and said, "What you saw was the article, but what I saw was beyond the article."

Li Qi asked curiously: "Besides the article?"

Li Shanchang probably couldn't help but speak out, so he put down the newspaper and said:

"Everyone knows that Chen Jingke is very ambitious and always does things one step at a time."

Li Qi nodded slightly. Almost all the top management knew this.

This is also the reason why few people are willing to be an enemy of Chen Jingke.

Because you don't know when he will set up a trap and trap you in it.

Li Shanchang continued: "In the beginning, he still needed to lobby the emperor and his ministers and gain their approval to promote certain things."

"Later, the situation changed, and things pushed things forward."

"He just needs to insert a new ring at the critical moment."

Seeing Li Qi's confused face, he thought for a moment and said:
"It's like rolling a snowball. At the beginning, he needs to get the snowball rolling and push it forward."

"As the snowball rolls, new snow will be added, and the snowball will get bigger."

“When the snowball is big enough, it starts to move by its own momentum.”

Li Qi showed an understanding expression, and then raised another question:
"But when the snowball is big enough, it will escape his control, right?"

Li Shanchang said: "This is inevitable. Once the general trend is formed, it cannot be changed by individuals."

“That’s what makes him so terrifying.”

"He knows which direction the snowball will roll and he throws snow in its path ahead of time."

"So far, nothing has gone wrong. Snowball has been moving forward according to his plan."

Li Qi nodded. He knew this, but...

“What does this have to do with this article?”

Li Shanchang affirmed: "Yes, all plans, no matter how brilliant, will eventually have a conclusion."

"All his plans were condensed into this article, or in other words, 'The Great Harmony World'."

Li Qi looked puzzled again. He had also read the article, so how come he didn't notice these things?

Li Shanchang couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. His son didn't inherit any of his abilities.

However, it is gratifying that the second son, Li Fang, is doing well with Qin Wang Zhu Chong, and it is said that he has made great progress.

Even so, Li Shanchang still liked Li Qi the most.

Nothing else, just filial piety.

Li Qi was also talented. He presided over the diversion of the Yellow River and later went to Shaanxi to preside over the afforestation of mountains. He did a very good job.

If it weren't for the fact that his father has always been at the center, he would have been in the court long ago.

Now that he had officially retired from the cabinet, Li Qi was recalled to serve in the central government.

Li Shanchang only sighed a little, and then began to analyze his findings for his son:
"Just imagine, if Chen Jingke had proposed the 'Great Harmony Thought' ten years ago, what would have happened?"

Li Qi replied: "I'm afraid he will be seen as arrogant and the emperor will distance himself from him."

Li Shanchang said: "It's not a fear, but a necessity."

"He spent more than ten years proving his ability, and then he came up with the Great Harmony World and won the support of the royal family."

"Even though scholars are unanimously condemning it now, once Datong World is published, they will all buy it and interpret it obediently."

Li Qi obviously disagreed and said, "Your speculation is too far-fetched. It seems that everything he did before was for the purpose of publishing this book."

Li Shanchang paused and said, "I didn't make it clear. Of course, everything he did was not just for publishing this book."

"Instead, he had already begun planning for the publication of this book more than a decade ago."

Li Qi questioned: "How did you know this?"

Li Shanchang said: "There are two most obvious points."

"First, he conquered Buddhism and Taoism a long time ago, otherwise Buddhism and Taoism would not stand on his side today."

Li Qi frowned and said, "This... He subjugated Buddhism and Taoism, wasn't it to restrict religion and let the two religions teach the four barbarians?"

Li Shanchang said: "That is just killing two birds with one stone. There are many ways to suppress and drive Buddhism."

"Simply suppressing and forcing people to do so can also achieve the above goals."

"Why did he choose to strike first, then surrender, and then cooperate?"

"If he had not chosen to suppress them and then cooperate with them, Buddhism and Taoism would have gained real benefits."

"Why would the two families come out to help him today?"

Li Qi had to admit that it was true.

Buddhism and Taoism were indeed severely suppressed at that time.

However, in a series of subsequent collaborations, the influence of the two religions has expanded several times, and the scope of influence has even extended overseas.

Now Buddhism and Taoism support him, not because of power oppression, but because they can get benefits by following him.

If there is no win-win situation later, the two religions will not only not help him, but will also add insult to injury.

"But...what if it's just a coincidence?"

Li Shanchang asked back: "Then what does Fang Xiaoru say?"

Li Qi was suddenly speechless.

It is said that Chen Jingke is good at playing chess, but many people still don’t understand Fang Xiaoru’s move until now.

Mainly, this move has never been necessary.

As for helping Chen Jingke to argue with the corrupt scholars before... anyone else can do the same.

Even those verbal battles don’t really matter.

Because the emperor has decided to use his policy.

However, Chen Jingke spent a lot of effort on this move.

Apart from anything else, he guided Fang Xiaoru to realize materialism and cultivated a great master.

This kind of investment is unprecedented.

But now, everyone finally understands the purpose of this move.

Although I haven’t seen the full picture of “Great Harmony World” yet, I can get a glimpse of it just from this article in the newspaper.

This book is bound to be more materialistic.

Thanks to Fang Xiaoru's previous promotion, everyone had a certain understanding of materialistic thought.

Most people have already accepted the fact that materialism exists.

Now that "Great Harmony World" has been published, it is easier for everyone to accept it.

It is also easier to interpret relevant content.

Just imagine, if it weren't for Fang Xiaoru's materialistic thoughts, what would have been the consequences if he had rashly proposed the idea of ​​a world of great harmony?
It is very likely that no one can understand it, let alone interpret it.

Li Shanchang also felt hungry at this moment. He touched the bowl of noodles on the table and found it was neither cold nor hot, just the right temperature.

So he picked up the bowl, grabbed a piece of garlic, and started eating it.

After finishing the noodles in one go, he wiped his mouth, looked at his son who was in deep thought, and said:
"If these two things still can't convince you."

"Then there should be no controversy about the sudden abolition of Neo-Confucianism by the Emperor Emeritus last year." Li Qi sighed, "I believe it. The Marquis of Anping's plan is really linked together."

Then he said incredulously: "We have been preparing for this for more than ten years. Can people really see that far?"

Li Shanchang also sighed: "He is born with knowledge, that's what I mean."

"Compared to his knowledge and talent, his patience is also admirable."

"If it were anyone else, who could have endured for more than ten years without revealing anything? I can't do it anyway."

Li Qi naturally knew what his own father's temper was like. He really never knew what it meant to hide his shortcomings.

He still lacks tolerance for others and will never allow anyone to suppress him.

If he had mastered some profound knowledge, he would have shown it off long ago.

Not to mention my own father, even for myself, it is impossible not to show any trace for more than ten years.

Chen Jingke really did it and never revealed any of his thoughts in front of outsiders.

Even if he was questioned or looked down upon, even if others talked about profound theories in front of him, he would remain silent.

This kind of mentality and endurance is so strong.

Li Shanchang picked up the newspaper again, pointed to a certain part of the content, and said:
"You see, he did not deny Neo-Confucianism, nor did he deny any school of thought."

“The teachings of the ancient sages were highly praised.”

Many previous schools of thought would deny the ideas of others in order to prove that their own knowledge was superior.

Let alone anything else, just the interpretation of the "Analects of Confucius" is so crazy.

Everyone claims that they have grasped the sage's meaning, and that other people's interpretations are a distortion of the sage.

Li Qi thought about it and realized that it was true. He couldn't help but praise:
"The Marquis of Anping has a heart that no one else can compare to."

Li Shanchang shook his head and said, "He is indeed broad-minded, but I think the bigger reason why he is so generous is that his intention is different from that of his predecessors."

Li Qi looked puzzled.

Li Shanchang explained: "The ancients wrote books and biographies, all of which pretended to interpret the meaning of the saints."

"There is only one right opinion of a saint. If I don't deny others, doesn't that mean I am wrong?"

"So, they have to deny other schools of thought to prove that they are right."

"Chen Jingke is different. He used materialism to sort out the development of Chinese thought into a single thread."

“A line that has been passed down from ancient times to the present day, and has been constantly innovating from generation to generation.”

“All new ideas are no longer simply about understanding the meaning of the saints.”

"Instead, it is his own thought that was developed by combining the current situation with the ideas of his predecessors."

“All schools of thought have their own shining points.”

"There is no right or wrong, only whether it meets the needs of the times."

"Chen Jingke's Great Harmony Thought is the result of absorbing the essence of many predecessors' thoughts."

“It is the inevitable result of the development of Chinese civilization to this day and the most suitable thought for the current era.”

“That’s what he really meant.”

Li Qi couldn't help but be shocked. What confidence and courage this showed.

No wonder he has achieved what he has today.

At this point, Li Shanchang suddenly chuckled and said, "And Chen Jingke has another hidden purpose for doing this."

"Neo-Confucianism is abolished not because it is bad, but because it is no longer applicable in the current era."

"What do you call this? This is the final conclusion. He is sending the science of reason to its end."

Li Qi strongly disagreed with what his father said.

With Chen Jingke's broad mind, he would not do such a petty thing.

From this we can also see that there is a big gap between my father and Chen Jingke in terms of broad-mindedness.

But after all, he is my father, and he is so old, there is no need to expose his shortcomings.

So he changed the subject and said, "The Marquis of Anping has praised Neo-Confucianism a lot, but it's a pity that Neo-Confucianists don't seem to appreciate it."

“Most of those who have criticized him recently are these people.”

The abolition of Neo-Confucianism is not a matter of one day or one night. At present, it has just been driven out of the court.

It is still the mainstream among the people.

Moreover, the followers of Neo-Confucianism have not given up hope and are still looking for opportunities to revive.

When Chen Jingke published his theory of Great Harmony this time, they were the most fierce in their criticism.

To paraphrase a saying, the barefoot are not afraid of those who wear shoes.

Now science is the one that is barefoot.

Li Shanchang said disdainfully: "It's just a dying struggle."

"Chen Jingke spent more than a decade proving how much benefit his ideas could bring to the Ming Dynasty and the world."

"As the biggest beneficiary, the imperial court will definitely stand on his side."

"The nobles naturally stand on his side."

"Plus, the people who have benefited from the new policies in recent years..."

"Science can do nothing but talk."

Li Qi nodded. Everyone could see that the royal family supported Chen Jingke.

The nobles were the biggest beneficiaries besides the royal family.

Apart from anything else, just one big fiefdom, all the nobles had to stand on his side.

Because the legal and ritual basis of the great feudal system came from Chen Jingke's thoughts.

To deny him is to deny the great feudal system.

Whoever dares to do this will be fought to the death by the nobles.

What's more, Chen Jingke was not alone. The materialists were his natural allies, and people in the mathematics circle were also his supporters.

As long as his own thoughts do not have major problems and can withstand the criticism of other schools of thought, he will inevitably stand out.

Thinking of this, he suddenly said with regret:

“In fact, I used to think that the Legalists could do something.”

"With your current status in the Legalist family, maybe our family can also produce a 'son'."

Li Shanchang laughed dumbly: "You really think highly of your father."

"Although I think highly of myself, I know my own limitations."

Li Qi said, "Didn't you receive instruction from Marquis Anping and have some ideas about Legalism?"

Li Shanchang explained: "That is not Legalist thought, it should be called legal system thought."

"Chen Jingke wants to use my influence to promote legal thinking."

“However, many of the ideas of the Legalists can indeed be applied to legal thought.”

"We both get what we need."

Chen Jingke promoted the idea of ​​legal system, and Li Shanchang was awarded the title of the founder of "legal thought".

"And Chen Jingke doesn't like the Legalists."

Li Qi asked in confusion: "Why?"

Li Shanchang sighed: "Although you are my son, you have not learned the Legalist thought."

“The ideal world of the Legalists is one where people are not treated as human beings.”

Li Qi was shocked. How could the Legalists be like this?

Then why could it help the Qin State unify the world?
(End of this chapter)