The literary giants of the late Ming Dynasty began by copying books

Chapter 290 "On the Nation-State"

Although it is impossible for a person of the same ethnic group to know most other people of the same ethnic group, he naturally believes that he and other people of the same ethnic group are the same people, and treats them as equals to himself in his consciousness.

For example, a Chinese hard worker in the West will not have any deep feelings when watching the stories of Western natives' hard work. However, when watching Ming Dynasty operas, even if the stage is the story of a prince and grandson whose status is quite different from his own, he will also feel There will be a feeling of substitution.

This is called nationalism, and it is something hidden deep in everyone's heart. Regardless of race, gender, or religious belief, everyone has a national identity.

The original book "Imagined Communities" was written by a European. Although it is quite successful in analyzing democracy, it still cannot avoid Eurocentric ideas.

The reasons for the formation of nationalism analyzed by the author Benedict Anderson are applicable to Europe and Southeast Asia where national concepts have only emerged in modern times, but are not applicable to the Arab and Chinese regions where national concepts have existed long before the advent of the capitalist era. suitable.

Moreover, the original book is a sociological work, using a wise eye as precise as a scalpel to deconstruct the ideological forms of all strata of society, and various political systems are analyzed. This attitude is obviously too advanced at this time.

Therefore, Wang Wenlong only used part of the framework of "Imagined Communities" when writing, focusing on what national thought is, emphasizing that everyone in the world has national thought, and replacing many examples in the book with Chinese history books example of.

Wang Wenlong stood at the 30th anniversary of Wanli and knew that the world would move towards nationalism in the next at least four hundred years:

Which ethnic group has stronger nationalist ideas, appeared earlier, and has more people who can sacrifice their lives and blood for the interests of the nation, the ethnic group will be more united, and all members of the ethnic group will be more united in the cruel competition in the world's forest of nations. can benefit.

"There are wealthy people among the Western natives. Even though their wealth is huge and their wealth rivals that of their country, they are still regarded as slaves in the eyes of Europeans. Is this not judging people based on their clan?"

"Ah... I guess I suffered some cold weather in the past two days and I feel a little weak." Pan Xiu took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his head, but his words were quite unconfident.

Wang Wenlong nodded magnanimously: "Okay, you go see a doctor earlier and get some rest before you come back to work."

"However, as mentioned above, the idea of ​​nationalism exists in the minds of everyone in the world. Just like hunger and thirst, no one can escape it. Even if you sacrifice your life, you cannot change your face, nor can you wash away the blood of your parents. Although they are called Japanese Chinese and honorary Europeans, in the eyes of these people, they cannot be the same as the Japanese and Europeans... If you are in danger and want to sacrifice your life to lure the tiger, and see a person of the same race in front of you, you must first If we kick out these people who have taken refuge, why ask..."

Therefore, unlike the calm and objective analysis in the original book, Wang Wenlong decisively adopted a praising attitude towards nationalism.

Wang Wenlong nodded and said: "If you feel uncomfortable, you can go see a doctor. There is no need to work in such a hurry."

Finally, Wang Wenlong also talked about the recent incident of Fujianese immigrants who helped Japanese pirates attack the Ming Dynasty’s army:

"Those who live overseas all the time, whether in Japan or in the West, Chinese people all know that they gather in one place. Why? People of the same race benefit from each other and protect each other. If there is no threat from other races, how can we settle here?"

After reading this, Pan Xiu felt shocked in her heart, and even felt a little ashamed. It was a kind of fear that was pointed out in her heart.

He directly analyzes the benefits of strong nationalism during the rise of various ethnic minorities.

The Xiongnu, Khitan, Xianbei, Jurchen, and Mongolia all rose rapidly because of a group of outstanding people who were dedicated to their own people and united sincerely to unite the strength of their own nation.

And those large ethnic groups that are loosely divided and disintegrated can only be reduced to the bottom of the ethnic forest.

"It's ridiculous that people in the Ming Dynasty don't have relations with outsiders, so they don't see ethnic strife. They only see their own interests. The southerners fight against the northerners, the easters against the westers, and even after going to sea, they think it's okay to surrender to the Japanese pirates and harm their compatriots. "

"Since the Age of Discovery, the essence of world competition is competition among nations. The European people crossed the sea and invaded South America, killed the indigenous men and plundered their women as wives and concubines for the purpose of assimilation; when they went to the West, they established colonies and used the indigenous people as slaves. This is because after ethnic division, one ethnic group enslaves another ethnic group.”

He simply felt that the book was talking about himself.

"I...students are really feeling a little uncomfortable, otherwise I wouldn't have come in the afternoon..." Pan Xiu said.

At this time, Wang Wenlong came over with a smile: "Bo Feng, I have to work for you today, let's go and eat first." He looked at Pan Xiu's pale face and asked curiously: "Why are you sweating so much?"

"Mr. Jianyang, can I take this manuscript home and sort it out?"

Wang Wenlong said: "What's the harm?"

"Thank you, sir." Pan Xiu took the manuscript and returned home in the middle of the morning. After returning home, he closed the door, quickly took out Wang Wenlong's manuscript and continued reading. Pan Xiu was very interested in "On the Nation-State", but she was afraid that others would notice if her face looked strange when she was reading in the editorial office, so she only dared to read it secretly at home.

After reading one chapter of the manuscript, Pan Xiu's face became more and more solemn.

As Wang Wenlong said in his book, most people in the Ming Dynasty in this era had not interacted with people of other ethnic groups, and had no personal experience of ethnic conflicts, so naturally they did not have too obvious national thoughts.

But once there is a conflict, this kind of thinking will be quickly aroused. For example, after the Manchus entered the customs, the Han people really felt that the Manchus treated them differently and were cruelly oppressed according to their ethnic groups. National thoughts would arise instantly, and they would be so intense that ordinary people would Dare to take a knife to resist the Manchus.

As a descendant of Western Chinese businessmen, Pan Xiu already had a deep feeling for nationalism.

In the past, Pan Xiu could only vaguely feel these nationalist thoughts, but could not express them verbally. Now when he saw Wang Wenlong's summary, he instantly felt that it made sense.

Pan Xiu couldn't help but secretly sigh: "Wang Wenlong is indeed a first-class celebrity, and he can write this so-called nationalism so profoundly and truly."

While he was reading, he heard the door of his room ringing three times, and then after a few breaths, there were three more rhythmic ringings.

Pan Xiu's face changed, knowing that this was the secret code agreed between Li Jin and him. He quickly put away the manuscript on the table, walked to the courtyard and opened the corner door, and saw Li Jin standing in front of his house wearing a Confucian scholar's clothes.

After leading Li Jin into the house, Pan Xiu asked the servant to go out after serving tea.

Li Jin then asked: "Has Wang Jianyang done anything unusual recently?"

Pan Xiu replied: "He has been writing "On the Nation-State" recently and has no external contacts. He doesn't seem to remember much about what was said at the wine table that day."

Li Jin said with a serious face: "The company took the news you sent back last time very seriously."

Pan Xiu nodded and said, "I can guess that what Wang Wenlong said is indeed terrifying."

"You have to be more careful," Li Jin said. "I am here to warn you. The company wants you to work patiently around Wang Wenlong. If he is just writing some books, you don't need to disturb him. Always be vigilant. The key is It is to find out the secret of the organization behind Wang Wenlong."

Pan Xiu nodded and suddenly asked: "Is the company looking for golden apples in the West?"

Li Jindao: "This matter is not only concerned by Representative Wei Malang, but also by the company's senior management. It is an extremely core secret. Don't ask more about the specific situation."

Pan Xiu thought about the text she had just read, and suddenly felt that what she was doing was just like what Wang Wenlong said in the book, which was to contribute to the rise of other nations and suppress her own nation.

And as Wang Wenlong said in his book, the inherent characteristic of nationalism is that it identifies with everyone in the nation.

If the Dutch can rise, Pan Xiu may be able to gain recognition and benefit among the several big Dutch people who know and appreciate Pan Xiu.

But for more Dutch people, they have no idea who Pan Xiu is, and it is impossible to think highly of him.

According to Wang Wenlong's analysis, national ideology will always exist until world unity is realized.

Seeing Li Jin getting up and about to leave, Pan Xiu couldn't help but said: "If there are golden apples in the Luzon Islands, do they have to be given to the Dutch? If they Europeans really relied on golden apples, they would realize that America had gained a great fortune. , if you get this second golden apple in your hand, won’t you be able to dominate the world from now on?”

"Mr. Li, can they really be of the same mind as us?"

"Why did you say that?" Li Jin glanced at Pan Xiu in surprise. Seeing Pan Xiu's concerned expression, Li Jin said seriously: "Your father and I both worked with the Dutch in our early years. I also know the situation of your family. , it’s hard for your family to manage such an industry, don’t think too much. If this matter is as important as what Wang Wenlong said, then it is not something we can care about, and I will not ask more questions when I go back. Bo Feng, what else do you have? Don’t bring up your thoughts in the future, and be sure to keep your mouth shut in front of the Dutch.”

"Yes, I understand..." Pan Xiu hesitated.

(End of this chapter)