As a salted fish, I was forced to become the teacher of all ages

The highest pursuit of Confucianism is great harmony in the world, that is, "the old will die, the strong will be useful, the young will be strong, and the widows, widows, lonely, disabled and sick will all be supported..." .

However, after these few sentences in the middle were taken out, it was exactly the same as Xishan’s situation—it has to be said that this was another thing that broke the three views of this group of scholars: for more than 1000 years, so many sages, so many Huamanlou has managed to do things that no Confucian disciples could do. How can this make me feel like a disciple of a sage?

So this group of people actually wanted to ask Hua ManLou for a long time, but they didn't show their faces very much, and now the candid words of this move made everyone suddenly feel that they were suddenly enlightened: Yes, choose what is good Or just follow it?

I have to say that some Confucian skills are really good, no matter what they do, they can find some reasons, even surrender can find excuses, such as 'a good bird chooses a tree to live in', such as 'a gentleman does not stand on a dangerous wall Under 'Ah, anyway, they have a point.

So what's the point of losing face and asking for advice now?

526. What the hell did I just say?

Strictly speaking, today's test is more like a product launch.

After Zhao Ren asked some samples to be brought to the scene, he showed these samples to the people who came to watch and explained their uses, and finally came the stage of horse-drawn carriage competition.

The craftsmen quickly understood the function of the bearing and felt that this thing had great potential. When the group of scholars arrived, they even deliberately began to praise Zhao Ren's whimsical idea, exaggerating louder and louder, just in terms of words what...

"This thing is good, wow!"

"Well, it's really good, very... very powerful!"

"Even if Lu Ban was alive, it would be difficult to create something so ghostly... howling like ghosts and howling like wolves!"

"That's right, it would take a lot... people who can do it for many days can make it!"

"Not only that, this is not something that humans can create!"

Zhao Ren: ...

Of course Hua Manlou was also there. He couldn't help laughing wildly after hearing the compliments from these people, and then he waved his hands and said, "Okay, okay, you should go home and read more before coming out to praise others. It's terrible to be uneducated." !"

Everyone couldn't help feeling ashamed, for fear that the group of scholars would laugh at them, but after some people looked over embarrassingly, they found that this group of people just stood silently aside, without any intention of laughing.

The press conference went smoothly, and Hua Manlou also answered some questions about friction, to help the group of craftsmen who became more and more curious.

During this period, the group of scholars just stood by and watched without saying a word.

In the eyes of everyone, their actions seemed a bit provocative and disdainful, so the atmosphere on the side of the craftsmen gradually became a little cloudy: What's the matter, the reality is thrown in the face, and you still refuse to recognize uncle Are you teaching knowledge?

Seeing this, Hua Manlou couldn't help sighing, and he planned to chat with this group of scholars—although in his opinion, arguing with a group of people who are stubborn and only accept death is a bit irrational, but if you leave it alone, the matter It will become more and more troublesome.

"What do you have..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Hua Manlou was stunned, because the group of scholars saluted him in unison when he approached—a standard disciple salute.

It has been more than a year and almost two years since I came to Xishan, and Hua Manlou was treated with such respect by this group of people only when he went to Pingwo, so he was stunned before he said blankly: "You are..."

After the leader took the lead, he straightened up and said respectfully: "Uncle, there are some things that the students don't understand clearly, please ask Uncle to clarify."

Hua Manlou was taken aback again: "Dispelling the confusion?"

Huamanlou's first reaction was that this group of people was going to start something evil again. After all, this group of people is very rebellious. If there is a real debate, he himself may not be the general of the others--students have sharp teeth He is sharp-tongued, and talks about things in a way that cites classics and classics, but Uncle Hua is pragmatic, how can he argue with others?

and so……

In the end, should these craftsmen teach them about physics, or should they go to Emperor Guangxing to complain about it?

And just when Hua Manlou was thinking about all these things, the Juzi said: "Uncle, do you think that the great unity of the world can be realized?"

"...What the hell?" Hua Manlou was almost overwhelmed by this question—isn't it about physics today?How do you get into philosophy?

That Juzi said seriously: "Uncle, there is a saying in the Book of Rites: the way of the great way, the world is for the public, choose the virtuous and capable, preach the faith and repair the harmony..."

Hua Manlou also came to his senses when he heard this: "Oh, that's it, men have a share, women have a return, thieves are not happy, and the road does not pick up things?"

"Uh... yes."

If you ask Huamanlou the question, he may not know anything about it, but can you ask about this...

"Do you think it can be achieved?" Hua Manlou thought that this group of people was going to dig a hole for him, so he couldn't help smiling mockingly.

Whether it is Western utopia or later Lao Ma’s thoughts, they all have great similarities with the Great Harmony in general, so he can’t say anything about the other questions, but this question...

Hehe, do you really think that Marxism-Leninism was learned in vain?

"If it was in the past, the students felt that it might never be realized, but now after seeing the situation of Xishan, the students feel that it may not be impossible." The child looked at Huamanlou and said seriously: "The current situation of Xishan is just right. It’s the end of the old age, the usefulness of the strong, the strengths of the young, and even the situation of not picking up lost things on the road, and not closing the door at night, so the students want to ask the uncle, whether this great harmony can be realized?”

Hua Manlou was overjoyed when he heard the words: "You guys think this Xishan is a bit like Datong society, that's why you came to ask me this?"

"Exactly."

"Then have you ever thought about why Xishan did this?"

"Thinking about it." The child said calmly: "Before, the students and others thought that it should be the contribution of uncle's enlightenment, but after thinking about it later, they always felt that it was wrong, as if it had something to do with what Xishan was doing, so I waited Just fell into confusion."

It has to be said that if one wants to achieve great harmony in the world according to Confucianism, then everyone must abide by the etiquette-the so-called selection of talents and abilities is what they are talking about, so they have advocated enlightenment for thousands of years, thinking that As long as the virtuous and educated properly, the society will become better and better, and finally a Datong society will be realized.

However, what makes this group of scholars unbelievable is that this group of people in Xishan may not even be able to recite a few words of the Analects, but why can they become better and better?

Hua Manlou nodded and smiled, "Yes, Xishan's situation is indeed related to what Xishan did, but what is Xishan doing?"

The child opened his mouth, not knowing how to answer.

Hua Manlou didn't let him guess too much, and said directly: "The warehouse knows the etiquette, and the food and clothing know the honor and disgrace, have you heard this saying?"

"I've heard that this sentence comes from "Guanzi Herdsmen." Another candidate said: "But uncle, there are still rich and unkind people, and there are quite a few, so even so, it can't explain what happened in Xishan, right?"

Hua Manlou sighed, "I completely misunderstood the meaning, can the wealth of a few people represent the whole society?"

"This……"

"Let me tell you, apart from the improvement of productivity, any talk of social progress can only be imagined." Hua Manlou said without caring about their faces: "No matter how good your talk about the Great Harmony of the World is, no matter how idealized it is, but even If the most basic requirements of human existence cannot be met, what kind of etiquette, honor and disgrace are you talking about?"

A group of scholars were confused by what they heard, as if they had grasped something, but they didn't seem to understand at all. After looking at each other for a while, someone asked awkwardly: "Uncle, what is...productivity?"

Without even thinking about it, Hua Manlou said, "Productivity is the ability to transform nature formed by the combination of people with the ability to work and the means of production..."

When talking about this, Hua Manlou was startled: What the hell?What the hell did I just say?What the hell am I talking about Marxism-Leninism with a group of Confucian disciples?

527. Someone Finally Enlightened!

Hua Manlou's words made this group of candidates who boasted of outstanding talents fall into confusion.

What is the means of production?What is called transforming nature?

A few people instinctively wanted to fight, but firstly, they didn't understand what Huamanlou said at all, and secondly, they really saw the situation in Xishan, so they closed their mouths as soon as they opened their mouths. .

The leader was in a daze for a while, and then said: "Uncle, can you...can you make it a little easier to understand?"

God is so pitiful, a group of geniuses who claim to be extremely talented and hope to be nominated for the gold list are collectively confused by Huamanlou...

"It's just...how should I put it?" Hua Manlou smiled wryly, and said bravely, "Okay, aside from other things, what do you think all the widows, widows, lonely, disabled and sick can rely on to support themselves?"

"This……"

This is a very simple question, but a group of candidates have been asked.

"The Analects of Confucius Liren" has a saying: A gentleman is a metaphor for righteousness, and a villain is a metaphor for profit.

The meaning of this sentence itself is not that a gentleman ignores profit, but refers to the difference between the value orientations of a gentleman and a villain, that is, a gentleman must distinguish right from wrong in matters, and a villain must consider his interests in matters.

However, too much emphasis on righteousness has caused confusion in many people's values. They regard righteousness and profit as opposites, and feel that they cannot have both. This leads to the idea that a gentleman regards money as dung, and the pursuit of profit is meaningless. So many scholars are even ashamed to talk about money...

Therefore, when Hua Manlou asked about the prerequisites for the question of "everyone has something to support", the worldview of this group of scholars collapsed again: Yes, if there is no money, will the widows, widows, lonely, and sick be raised by the Northwest Wind?

The way of thinking is so terrible, if many seemingly very simple problems are not studied deeply or no one clarifies them, then everyone will show the attitude of "well, this is reasonable", but if the problems are spread out, the vast majority Normal people will find it incredible: Why did I think that way?

"You all understand, right?" Hua Manlou didn't let them continue to entangle, but continued to push the question further: "It's not that there are no old people without widows or disabled people in Xishan, so how do they survive? Maybe you don’t know it, or even ignore the problem subconsciously, but the fact is that every month Xishan allocates a sum of money to hire people to solve all the problems in their lives, including but not limited to food, clothing, housing and transportation.”

"In addition, the children in Xishan are all going to study in the school, and all their books, pens and ink, and even the desks, chairs and benches they consume are all paid by Xishan, and even their teachers are hired by Xishan. "Hua Manlou said calmly: "In the final analysis, is there any place in your so-called Great Harmony that doesn't cost money?"

"But...but, if it is according to what uncle said," said one weakly, "if the imperial court allocates funds, wouldn't it be easy to achieve great harmony in the world?"

Hua Manlou looked at him, smiled and said: "That's the truth, but guess how much these things cost? Not to mention, how much money Xishan spends on the education of the elderly and children, Do you understand?"

"This……"

"I can tell you very clearly, there are many, and many are beyond your imagination." Hua Manlou said lightly: "But how big is Xishan? How big is the whole Great Zhao? Not to mention Great Zhao, it is the widow of the capital. If the old people are taken care of in the way of Xishan, and the children go to school according to the specifications of Xishan, then the annual financial revenue of the imperial court will not be able to make ends meet. Even if the imperial court insists on doing this, who will give the salaries of the officials? Where does the money come from? What about the salaries and food for the soldiers guarding the frontier?"

Another question asked weakly: "Then... then according to what the uncle said, all problems can be solved with enough money? But...but..."

"You haven't seen the core of the problem." Hua Manlou waved his hand and said, "How much is enough money? Is a mountain of silver enough? And you have said it yourself, some people become rich and unkind when they have money. How about a problem like this?"

"What does Uncle mean..."

"Alas." Hua Manlou sighed: "I'm just asking you, why the imperial court can't support the widows and orphans, and can't let children go to school for free, but Xishan can do it?"

"This... Could it be the productivity that Uncle just mentioned?" A child's eyes lit up.

"A child can be taught." Hua Manlou praised: "Is Xishan rich? It can be said to be very rich, but no matter how rich you are, there will be a day of sitting and eating. But where is Xishan rich, and why Xishan spends so much money is not a problem, what do you think? ever?"

"Is... Can you make more and better ironware?"

After staying in Xishan for almost two years, this group of candidates naturally knows what Xishan relies on to make a fortune.

"So, making more and better ironware increases productivity." Hua Manlou looked at the man and said, "You have also seen how long it takes for a traditional blacksmith to make a hoe? But how long does it take for Xishan to make a hoe? And the hoes made by Xishan are better than traditional ones, which is a typical performance of improving productivity."

"But Uncle, I heard that after Xishan's ironware was sold, because it was more useful and cheaper, some blacksmiths in other places lost their business and made their lives difficult. What's the explanation for this?" Another question asked a question.

Hua Manlou glanced at him, and said: "That's right. But have you ever thought about it? For example, the whole world needs 1 hoes. It used to take [-] people to cast it. Now it needs [-] hoes, but Now only a thousand or even a hundred people are needed to cast it, so can the extra people do other things?"

"The increase in productivity will create more value, and at the same time, it will also free a large group of people from their original jobs to do other things to create more value. This is another feature of increased productivity." Hua Manlou Explained, "That's what you're talking about about blacksmiths out of business, they've got to make a living whether they want to or not, don't they?"

"This...it is." That Juzi nodded: "One must live."

Hua Manlou said again: "So from an individual point of view, maybe their life will be more difficult, but from the perspective of the whole society, can they create more value?"

All the judges thought about it and nodded, but another one asked: "But... what's the use of this?"

This time, there is no need for Hua Manlou to answer. The person beside him said anxiously: "Are you stupid? Ordinary farmers know that more labor in the family can yield more harvests. Can the extra harvest be able to support more people?" Is it gone?"

After hearing this, Hua Manlou felt relieved: Someone finally realized it!

528. The Origin of the Master of All Times

The whole afternoon, when Zhao Ren took the test, Hua Manlou was answering these questions.

Or how to put it, the biggest cheat of the traverser is knowledge?

What Hua Manlou said, I guess any high school student in his previous life could say it better than him, and maybe some talented people could write a book about it—don’t underestimate the high school students these days, Some guys pull out bigger than adults.

And there is no doubt that Marxism-Leninism is reasonable, and the orthodox Confucian disciples are also reasonable, so as long as they are reasonable, then everyone can have a good chat.

So when this group of candidates understood what productivity is and why it should be improved, things became simple: they actually argued for themselves.

Some people propose that after productivity increases, there will still be people who engage in conspiracies, and some people will steal for their own selfish desires, but some people immediately retort that this is a matter of education. If more money can be invested in education, then such people will Gradually decreased; some people asked whether the liberation of productivity would leave some people with nothing to do, and then went to commit crimes, but immediately some people said that the liberation of productivity is the norm, which means that society will not need so much labor in the future , even if there are one or two people committing crimes, but in the long run, things are still developing in a good direction...

It has to be said that the advancement of civilization is inseparable from high-level intellectuals. Although this group of people in front of them seems very unreliable, and they can't even complete the tasks given by Emperor Guangxing, but the so-called specialization in art, their specialties It's not about doing hard work, but about brainstorming, summarizing, finding the essence of the problem, and even asking other questions at different levels and in different fields.

For example, not long after, a scholar raised such a question: "After the increase in productivity, what should the liberated people do if they go to work as merchants? I have heard before that some blacksmiths in the capital saw benefits. However, I bought a large number of Xishan ironware to sell in other places, and the price is much higher than that in the capital..."

The mainstream view at this time is to despise merchants, because everyone thinks that merchants pursue profit but do not work hard, and they can do anything as long as it is profitable.So they may become the group of people who hinder the development of productivity.

So immediately someone said: "How about banning these merchants from buying and selling?"

Huamanlou couldn't help laughing when he heard the words, but before he could speak, he said humanely: "Why do I think it's not a bad thing to let these people sell the things of Xishan? Let's talk about the price first. The prices of hoes and shovels are actually It’s not high, even if merchants sell it to the south of the Yangtze River, the price will not be unacceptable to the common people, otherwise no one will buy it..."

Another person said: "Exactly. In addition, don't you guys think that the optimization of farm tools is also a way to increase productivity? We all know that the ironware produced in Xishan is easy to use, and if it is easy to use, it means that it can make the work smoother. Do more things in the same amount of time? In this way, the same person can do more things and plant more fields in the same amount of time with the same effort. Isn’t this a proper increase in productivity? "

"Hiss... Really?" Another person said: "In other words, as long as more people use the ironware produced in Xishan, it will increase the grain output of Dazhao in a disguised form?"

"There seems to be nothing wrong?"

"From this point of view, the role of merchants is also there, but the fact that they don't work is open to question..."

"No, no, if there are no merchants, who would transport the ironware from Xishan to other places for sale? It takes a lot of effort and time to transfer these ironware, and they will even be exploited by unscrupulous local officials occasionally, so it can't be said that they don't work hard. It can be said that they are working in a different way..."

Hua Manlou on the side couldn't help but look at this group of people with admiration: Tsk tsk, have you learned to look at things dialectically?

At this time, another person said: "Everyone, the so-called cheap grain hurts the farmers. If the increase in grain production leads to a drop in the price of grain, and the people can't survive, isn't it putting the cart before the horse?"

Hua Manlou was stunned again: My good fellow, how could it involve the field of economics?

"No, no, the so-called scarcity is the most precious thing. It is true that the price is low when there is a lot of food, but who the common people think there is too much food? Is it better to have food in hand than to starve to death in a time of famine?" A disciple said to himself. : "What's more, grain can also be used to make wine. Selling wine can make money faster than selling grain, right?"

Hua Manlou felt like clapping his hands when he heard this: Talent!