Self-denial and restoration of propriety are regarded as benevolence. This is actually one of the central ideas of Confucius or Confucianism.
"Kenji Fuli", the initial meaning of "Ke" should be to obey, and "Ji Ze" is the word "tong", which is the discipline of ordinary laws and regulations.
Taken together, the meaning of this sentence should be to abide by the laws and regulations and improve one's own etiquette.
If we put it in the words of future generations, it would be to abide by the law, strive to improve one's own moral cultivation, and be a quality, civilized, and positive citizen of the new era. The whole society will work together to build a harmonious society (benevolence).
Take a look, does it look like?
Confucianism has influenced the Chinese people for thousands of years, whether it is spurned, admired, or viewed correctly. It has penetrated into the blood of every Chinese person and is everywhere.
Confucius said this thousands of years ago, and people thousands of years later are also striving towards this goal.
As for the later interpretation of self-denial as restraint of desires in the heart, and restoration of rites as restoration of ethics, they were obviously serving Neo-Confucianism.
In fact, in Zhang Zhao's view, when later generations criticized Confucius for wanting to restore Zhou rituals, they did not fully understand his spirit.
In other words, at that time, Confucius had no other reference except Zhou Rites.
From the perspective of later generations, etiquette can be interpreted as the order of civilization, and benevolence is what later generations often call a harmonious society.
The core focus of Confucianism is actually order, an order that shapes a civilized society. It is not conservative and has nothing to do with cannibalism.
Confucianism is like the stick in the hand of the old man selling candied haws, and what it represents is the order of the candied haws.
The candied haws on this stick does not have to be hawthorn. It can be orange, pear, apple, banana, cantaloupe, or even durian and mangosteen, but it cannot be kebabs.
Just like Mohism, Legalism, Yin-Yang, etc., these various schools of thought only respect Confucianism. This does not mean that they should disappear completely, but that their way of expression must be suitable for the order of Confucianism and abide by this rule.
This is Zhang Zhao’s first sentiment that he summed up based on his twenty-odd years of life experience in modern society during the first half of his life, as well as the more than ten years since he came to this era.
In fact, this crazy era with no order above and below is very similar to the Warring States period when the world was in chaos after the Emperor Zhou lost all his prestige, except that the warriors were even crazier.
Zhang Zhao discussed this issue with Fan Zhi, He Ning and Zhang Xichong.
Since the decline of the Tang Dynasty, the order in the world has disappeared, and all classes have lost their "rituals".
To solve the problems of soldiers and generals being easily violated, warriors not knowing what the law is, etc., we can only start from the aspect of etiquette.
The so-called withdrawal of military power and financial power can only treat the symptoms but not the root cause. In many cases, it cannot even cure the symptoms.
The lessons of Zhu Wen, Zhu Youzhen, Li Cunxu, Li Conghou, and Li Congke are right in front of you.
Therefore, the only way to truly curb the swords wielded by the soldiers is from the two aspects of morality and the rule of law.
This is not because Zhang Zhao wants to make the civilized nobles and the military weak, but he wants to raise the banner of Confucius' self-restraint and return to rituals, pretending to restore Zhou rituals (order).
In fact, only by changing the moral trend of the world and supplementing it with laws can we completely solve the social trends such as the subjugation of the subordinates and the contempt for culture and education since the late Tang Dynasty.
As the war gradually calmed down, Zhang Zhao dealt with the Khitan prisoners and summoned An Shenqi, Fu Yanqing, Gao Xingzhou and others to appease them.
While talking about this issue with Zhang Xichong, He Ning, Fan Zhi and others.
He Ning, who personally wrote a note to persuade Zhang Zhao to come back from the front line, suppressed her excitement.
He could feel that Zhang Zhao was different from the new dynasty established by Li Siyuan and Shi Jingtang, and even far surpassed Zhu Wen and Li Cunxu.
Because there is a big difference between Zhang Zhao and them, that is, Zhang Zhao has a clearer understanding of the role of Confucianism.
Zhang Zhao did not just solve the problem by crudely reducing military power like Zhu Wen and Li Cunxu, but solved the problem at its root.
He Ning now even truly believes that Zhang Zhao is indeed the reincarnation of Emperor Taizong Wen of the Great Dynasty, because he is not the emperor of Tianzong Ying, so he cannot understand the root of this problem at all.
Thinking of this, he cupped his hands and paid homage to Zhang Zhao, but his first suggestion was to ask Zhang Zhao to change his title.
"Since your Majesty is determined to resolve these hundreds of years of chaos, he cannot use the title of King Yong.
Yong is a small country. Yong is like a bound bird, unable to reach the sky, and is not worthy of the title of a great dynasty."
The word Yong, in the earliest oracle bone inscriptions, is a bird with rings at its feet.
Shuowen Jiezi says that this is a bird called Yongqu, so He Ning here said that the character Yong represents a bound bird.
Zhang Zhao has actually thought about this issue. Emperor Yong did not sound very good to him.
And judging from the previous king titles, it was rare to have Yong, so it was obviously not a meaningful king title.
"Then judging from Zhongshu, if I want to ascend to the throne again? What should I be called?"
He Ning did not speak, but glanced at Zhang Xichong. This was a great success in persuading Jin. He could not say everything by himself.
And among the three, Zhang Xichong is actually the most respected.
Because Zhang Xichong can be said to be the first high-ranking official from the Central Plains to join Zhang Zhao, and he also served as the right minister of the Liang Kingdom for several years. His own surname is Zhang. Zhang Zhao has always treated him with the courtesy of uncle, and he is highly respected.
"The king wants to use etiquette to eliminate the violent energy of hundreds of years, which is in line with the sage's words of self-denial and restoration of etiquette as benevolence.
Today's army marches eastward from the land of the Emperor of Zhou to destroy the tyrannical people, which is similar to the Emperor of Zhou's rebellious army marching eastward.
The Zhang family also comes from the surname Ji, and has the same clan as the Emperor of Zhou, so it is the right time to continue the Zhou title.
Yan Zongbing also agreed with the ministers' opinions. Therefore, the ministers believed that the king should ascend the throne as King of Zhou, open the Tiance Mansion, and act on behalf of the Emperor of Zhou.
Luoyang is the capital of the Emperor of Zhou. Your Majesty can issue an edict from the Emperor in Luoyang, ordering all the countries in the world to kill the Khitans together. Let the leaders of all countries send troops, money and food to the Central Plains, and then order all the states and counties in the world to kill the Khitans."
"This..." Zhang Zhao hesitated, "Can all countries in the world obey the edict of someone?"
What Zhang Xichong and others asked him to issue was an edict, which was different from the previous edicts. This was because he regarded himself as the Emperor of Zhou and treated all countries in the world as vassals!
Zhang Xichong smiled lightly, "Maybe one or two loyal ministers will come, but the rest of Meng, Shu, and Wu and Tang will definitely not come.
But what the king wants is to issue an edict in the name of the Emperor of China, and he doesn’t care if they come."
This is the dual hegemony of geography, history and culture! You cannot accept it.
Now Henan is the Central Plains, which represents orthodoxy. Whoever occupies this place will be the Emperor of China.
Guo Tiance also interjected next to Zhang Zhao and said: "I believe that Liu Zhiyuan of Taiyuan must also be paying attention to the outcome of the Yanshi War. If he knew that the Khitan army was wiped out, he would probably move from Hedong to occupy Hebei and seize the great cause.
Why don't you, Your Majesty, issue an edict in the name of the Emperor of Zhou right now, ordering Liu Zhi to march to the Far East and expel the Khitans, causing them to lose their righteousness?"
Huh? Guo Tiance’s trick is quite useful.
Looking at it now, it has been more than six months since Zhang Zhao sent out troops. He has just experienced a bloody battle and his troops are exhausted.
If Liu Zhiyuan was by his side, he could take advantage of the victory, but since he was far away in Hedong, he would be out of reach.
Anyway, Liu Zhiyuan will definitely go eastward to seize the land in Hebei. It is better to order him to go eastward directly. This way, he can take the great righteousness into his hands first. When the land in Henan is settled, he will order Liu Zhiyuan to move the town.
Even in the Tang and Jin dynasties, no one could control both Hedong and Hebei.
At that time, an edict was issued, ordering Liu Zhiyuan to move to the town of Ye and stay there. If he did not move, there would be reason to attack.
"However, the East and West Zhou Dynasties have enjoyed a kingdom of eight hundred years, and there are many emperors. If someone establishes the country as a Zhou Dynasty, it will not be easy to solve just the posthumous title!
Moreover, most of the civil and military forces in the country came from Yongliang, and using Zhou as their title may hurt the morale of the soldiers and generals."
This is a small concern of Zhang Zhao. For example, he is very satisfied with the posthumous title Wen, but there is already King Wen of Zhou!
Fan Zhi shook his head and advised: "Dongxi and Zhou are themselves emperors, and they have not been called emperors, so it doesn't matter!
Your Majesty, you can also make a rule that King Liang of this dynasty will not grant titles to anyone else, but only to the crown prince. This way of honoring Liang will surely satisfy the soldiers."
Zhang Zhao then felt relieved. Since Fan Zhi, a Confucianist, didn't hinder him, it wouldn't hinder him.
But at this time, Zhang Zhao began to wonder if he should just go one step further.
"Now that everything has been agreed upon, and he is still called the Emperor of Zhou, is there some lack of orders?"
They are all grasshoppers on a rope. Facing the ministers around him, King Zhang is not reserved at all!
Zhang Xichong said seriously: "Your Majesty has only half succeeded in expelling the barbarians. He has to enter the Kaifeng Mansion in Tokyo, seal the coffin between Jin Gaozu and Shi Chonggui, and issue an edict to recover the land in Hebei. Only then will it be complete.
Therefore, it is more appropriate to re-enter the position of emperor in Kaifeng Mansion, Tokyo."
Guo Tiance also agreed: "Youyu Lin Wei and others are still on the front line, and their support is indispensable."
Zhang Zhao was right when he thought about it. Li Cunhui and others were still on the front line. They should be able to get some of the credit for persuading them to advance.
So he waved his hand with satisfaction. If that's the case, let's go to Tokyo.
In 945 AD, on October 15th, the auspicious day of the zodiac, Zhang Zhao worshiped Tang Gaozong Li Zhi of the Tang Dynasty, Wuzhou Emperor Wu Zhao, Later Tang Zhuangzong Li Cunxu, and Mingzong Li Siyuan, and he ascended the throne as King of Zhou, taking the name of Emperor Zhou.
He was ordered to conduct state affairs and take authority over Tiance Mansion.
The next day, Zhang Zhaoban issued an edict to Meng Shu, Wu Tang, Qian Yue, Ma Chu, Nan Han, Nan Ping, Tong Hai Hai and Jing Hai Hai.
They were asked to send armored soldiers to provide food and grass, and to raise troops into the Central Plains.
He also ordered all the states and counties to kill all the Khitans sent by Yelu De. He also ordered the prince of Beiping County, Hedong Jiedu Envoy, and Liu Zhiyuan to stay in Beijing to raise troops to cut off the Khitan people's way back north and recover the states and counties in Hebei.
On the third day, Zhang Zhao issued another edict, asking everyone in the world to discuss the topic of "restraining oneself and restoring propriety as benevolence."
Anyone who thinks he or she has unique insights, no matter which country he is from, can use Zhang Zhao's temple bank to pay travel expenses and go to Tokyo to express his thoughts and opinions.
On the fourth day, Zhang Zhao issued the last edict, claiming that he would recover the sixteen states of Yanyun.
Therefore, the world's warriors are elected, and those who are skilled in fists, feet, guns, sticks, bows and horses can go to Kaifeng Mansion in Tokyo to take the assessment. After passing the test, they can enter the newly established left and right Jinwu Guards and become the emperor's forbidden army.
On October 20, after issuing the edict, Zhang Zhao set off from Luoyang to Kaifeng Mansion in Tokyo.
In the south, after receiving Zhang Zhao's edict, the old king of Ma Chu, Ma Xifan, was afraid of the military might of the Southern Tang Dynasty and wanted to befriend Zhang Zhao, so he sent his brother Ma Xi'e to bring gold, jewelry, jade, curios and fifty soldiers.
Go north to meet you.
King Qian Zuo of Wuyue also had a fight with Wu and Tang over Wang Min, and because he had always submitted to the Central Plains dynasty, he also sent people to carry tributes and deliberately used Wu and Tang to go north to pay homage.
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－
That point of view on Confucianism is just my superficial understanding, and it is bound to be full of mistakes. You can correct it, but remember not to make personal attacks!
This chapter has been completed!