Chapter 674: The Great Rebellion, The Beginning of the War (2)
"The people can follow it, but they cannot know it. The truth in between is not just talk."
On the hillside that day, Zuo Duanyou, who had been silent, finally spoke. At his age, he had seen too many people and things. Even when Ning Yi shouted the words "Survival of the fittest by natural selection"
None of them were moved. Only in his last few joking words, I felt a strange aura.
Ning Yi, who was sitting there, raised his head, his eyes as calm as a deep pool, and looked at the old man. The mountain wind blew by, and although there were hundreds of people standing around, it was still peaceful at this moment. Ning Yi's words sounded gently.
"My wife's family is a cloth merchant. Since ancient times, people have learned to weave cloth. At first, they simply twisted it by hand. This process lasted for hundreds or thousands of years, and spinning wheels and spindles appeared. Later, there were
Spinning wheels. Starting from the early years of the Wu Dynasty, the imperial court focused on commerce, and small workshops began to appear to improve looms. Over the past two hundred years, the efficiency of looms has increased by more than five times compared to the early years of the Wu Dynasty. During this period, the productivity of each household
The craftsmanship is different. My wife improved the loom and improved the efficiency, which was about 20% faster than the average weavers and cloth merchants. Later, I worked in the capital to improve the loom, which took more than a year.
The efficiency of the looms today is about ten times that of the early years of the Wu Dynasty. Of course, we are in the mountains and we no longer sell cloth for the time being."
Zuo Duanyou and Li Pin frowned, saw Ning Yi clasping his hands, and continued talking.
"Observe the movement of all things and study the principles of heaven and earth. There is a hydraulic workshop by the river at the foot of the mountain. It can be connected to the loom. If the manpower is fast enough, the efficiency will be doubled. Of course, the hydraulic workshop already exists, and the cost is not low. Maintenance
And repair is a problem. I built several blast furnaces in the mountains to study steel. Under high temperatures, steel becomes more flexible. Using such steel in workshops can reduce the loss of the workshops. We are looking for better lubrication methods.
, but at the limit, with the same manpower and the same time, the production of cloth can be increased to thirty to fifty times that of the early Wu Dynasty."
"We have studied the hot air balloon, which is the big sky lantern in the sky. With it in the sky, overlooking the whole scene, the way of fighting will change. I am best at using gunpowder. You have seen it buried in the ground. In a few years, I
The improvement in the use of gunpowder exceeds the accumulation of the previous two hundred years of the Wu Dynasty. Firearms cannot yet replace bows and arrows, but there may be a breakthrough in three to five years."
"So, manpower is limited but material resources are infinite. Is Li Heng really a member of the Mohist family?" Zuo Duanyou said.
Ning Yi shook his head: "No, I just want to talk about this first. Mr. Zuo, you said that the people can follow it but cannot make it known. This is not just talk. Let me tell you this." He said: "I agree with it very much.
.”
"This is the truth left by our ancestors, and it is in line with the principles of heaven and earth." Ning Yi said, "Some people understand that the people can make it, follow it, and cannot make it, and know it. These are all the delusions of poor scholars. They really think of themselves as
It's happened. There is no reason for a fool to speak. If the world allows all people to speak, the world will collapse faster. Zuo Gong, you think so."
Zuo Duanyou said nothing. But this is the ultimate principle of heaven and earth.
"Smart people rule stupid people, and there is no respect for human relationships. Only natural principles. When encountering things, smart people know how to analyze, how to find the rules, and how to find a way out. Foolish people are at a loss. How can they be allowed to say anything?
event?"
"In ancient times, there were hundreds of schools of thought contending, and naturally there were people who sympathized with all people, including Confucians, who taught the world, hoping that one day all people would understand reason and everyone would be a gentleman. We call ourselves literati, so what do we mean by literati?"
"Since Cangjie created writing, he has recorded in writing the lifelong understanding and wisdom of each generation and passed them on to future generations. Therefore, human children do not need to explore from scratch. The wisdom of their ancestors can be passed down and accumulated from generation to generation, and human beings can then stand up
In the forest of all things, literati are the ones who pass on wisdom, but can wisdom be spread throughout the world? For thousands of years, it has not been possible."
"There are not enough books, children have poor qualifications, and transmitting wisdom is far more complicated than transmitting words. Therefore, wise people hold power and assist the emperor in governing. Those who cannot pass on wisdom cultivate the land, work, and serve people. This is the world.
The embodiment of order. They only need to follow it. If they can't be used, kill them! If you really want to know, how much trouble will it take in the world! A Taiyuan city, whether to defend or not, whether to fight, how to defend, how to fight, the court
The princes have been watching for a lifetime and still can’t figure out how to let the common people know about it. This rule is in line with the law of heaven!"
Ning Yi's words were as cold as stone. After saying this, he fell silent, and when he spoke again, his words softened again.
"For thousands of years, people have found many ways, and this is the only feasible way. Over these thousands of years, Confucianism and many people in power have set rules. Within these rules, ordinary people, whether they know it or not,
Whether you do it or not do it, you can't change the overall situation. Once the rules are set, it will determine whether they are innocent or not when Bianliang City is destroyed. Innocent is just a term and has no meaning. Zuo Gong, Brother Li
, this is the rule set by the thing you agree with. If you mess it up, you are pitying them, saying how innocent they are, how cold-blooded I am, and how cruel the enemy is. If I die with you, will I no longer be cold-blooded?
?”
"I am not here to accuse you two. I never want to accuse Confucianism. Accusations are meaningless. We often say that there is a price for doing wrong things. Zhou Zhe can pay the price with his life. Confucianism is just a concept and can only be used if it is useful.
It can be divided into whether it is useful or not. But Confucianism...is a circle..."
As he muttered his words, his voice gradually became lower. Li Pin thought he was helpless, but saw Ning Yi pick up a branch and slowly draw a circle on the ground.
"Confucianism is a circle." He said, "Our knowledge emphasizes the seamless integration of heaven, earth, and all things. In this circle, everyone who studies Confucianism has been looking for the reason why all things are orderly. Since the pre-Qin period, the people have still had a martial spirit.
By the time of the Han Dynasty, any state in the Han Dynasty could be destroyed by force alone. It could wipe out the people in the surrounding grasslands ten times. The martial spirit gradually died down in the Tang Dynasty. When Confucianism developed into the Wu Dynasty, the people became more obedient.
This circle is less likely to cause problems and can ensure the long-term peace and stability of the imperial court. There are Confucian principles in several books written by Zuo Gong, Brother Li, and Qin Xiang."
He looked at the two of them: "The principles stated in his book can determine the order of all things. The kings and teachers of heaven and earth, the kings, ministers, and sons can be clearly understood. After you read this book thoroughly, you will know how the circle should be."
Go and draw. Anyone who reads these books will know where they should be in this life. It attracts people's desires and leads to natural principles. In this round frame, this is your treasure."
"Xiang Qin is really a genius." The books were still on the table. Ning Yi pushed the two books forward, "Then there is only one question."
"If there are always only internal problems and everyone lives a safe and happy life, it would be good if we don't ask about it." The mountain breeze stopped for a moment, and Ning Yi shook his head: "But this circle cannot solve the problem of external aggression.
.The more orderly everything becomes, the more castrated and bloodless the people become. Of course, it will deal with it in another way. Foreigners invade and occupy the Central Plains, and then find that only Confucianism can rule this country.
Most stable, they began to learn Confucianism and began to castrate their own blood. To a certain extent, the Han people resisted and regained the country. After regaining the country, they began to castrate themselves again, waiting for the next foreign invasion. In this way, the kings rotated and the orthodoxy lasted forever.
, this is the foreseeable future.”
"...What do you want to say?" Li Pin looked at Na Yuan and asked in a low voice.
"Where has your original intention of inheriting wisdom gone?" Ning Yi asked. "Everyone is a gentleman, and it cannot be achieved for a while, but what is the possibility? The Confucianism in your hands is exquisite. However, in order to seek order in the world, you have begun
Castrating the blood of the people and returning to the beginning...is Confucianism on the wrong track?"
This was just a simple question, which simply sounded on the hillside. There was silence for a moment, and Zuo Duanyou said: "You are talking about unsolvable things."
Ning Yi picked up the branch, pointed it in the circle, and drew a long line out: "Early this morning, news came back from outside the mountain. Nine thousand troops from Xiaocanghe came out of the mountain yesterday. After successively defeating thousands of Xixia troops, they arrived in Yanzhou.
Outside the city, we faced off against 19,000 Xixia soldiers led by Ji Lasaile, defeated them head-on, and killed 4,000 of them. According to the original plan, at this time, the army had already gathered under Yanzhou City and began to attack the city!"
"What?" Zuo Duanyou and Li Pin were horrified.
…
Huge and strange balloons floated in the sky. The sky was bright, but the atmosphere in the city was so solemn that the thunder of war could be faintly heard.
On the north side of Yanzhou City, a ragged, hunchbacked man was walking on a street under martial law carrying his burden. When he approached the corner of the opposite road, a small group of Xixia soldiers came on patrol and drew their swords and said something.
The hunchback had already stepped forward, with dull sword lights coming out from both sides of his body and throwing himself into the crowd. More figures jumped out from nearby.
Outside the city, two thousand Qingqi were circling towards the north gate at high speed...
…
"I didn't tell them much..." Ning Yi was talking on the hillside. "They have pressure and life and death threats. The most important thing is that they are fighting for their own survival. When they can fight for themselves
At that time, their lives were so magnificent, don't you two feel touched? There are not only gentlemen who study in the world who can live like this."
"Brother Li, you say you pity the innocent people in the world, but your pity is meaningless in the face of the world. Your pity is empty. The world cannot get anything from your pity. What I mean by worrying about the suffering of all people is that I
I am worried that they cannot fight for themselves. I am worried that they cannot wake up and live. I am worried that they are ignorant. I am worried that when they are slaughtered, they are like pigs and dogs but cannot die heroically. I am worried about their souls when they die.
pale."
His eyes were serious and he paused for a moment. Li Pin didn't speak, and Zuo Duanyou didn't speak either. Not long after, Ning Yi's voice rang again.
"Under my improvements, the efficiency of the Wang family's papermaking and printing workshops has increased by more than five times compared to two years ago. As long as we explore the principles of heaven and earth, there is still a lot of room for improvement in its efficiency. As I said before, these
The improvement of efficiency is because businessmen pursue profit, and profit-seeking leads to greed, greed, and wanting to be lazy, so people will look at these principles and think of many ways. In Confucianism, they think it is a clever trick, and laziness is not a good thing. But the so-called
The most basic point in educating all people is that you must first let all people have books to read."
Li Pin's eyes widened: "You want to encourage greed!?"
"Greed is good. To develop the study of things, it cannot be promoted by just three or two Confucian scholars thinking in their spare time. It must mobilize the wisdom of everyone. There is still a long way to go before everyone in the world can read. However,
It’s not that there is no hope.”
Ning Yi didn't blink. He stretched out his branches and modified the line that drew a circle on the ground, "But Confucianism is round, and Wu Dynasty is round. Wu Dynasty's business continued to develop, and merchants will seek status. Similarly, I want to
In order for craftsmen to seek breakthroughs in their skills, craftsmen also need status. But this circle must be orderly, and no major changes will be allowed. If the Wu Dynasty and Confucianism continue to develop, this road will be blocked for the sake of order, but I want to
Let this way out."
"Fang La said during the rebellion that the law is equal. There is no superiority or inferiority. And I will give the same status to everyone in the world. China is the China of the Chinese people. Everyone has the responsibility to protect the land and defend it. Everyone has the responsibility to protect the land.
Equality of rights. From now on, there will be no difference between scholars, farmers, industry and commerce."
"...I will smash this Confucianism."
Ning Yi's eyes were calm and his words were always calm. However, the wind blew and the abyss began to appear.
"You..." The old man's voice was like thunder.
"Treasonous and unethical——"
…
Yanzhou City.
The sound of war has begun to shake the city walls. At the north gate, the shocking fighting is expanding.
An elite team of more than a hundred people emerged from the city and began to assault the city gate's defense line. A large number of Xixia soldiers surrounded them from nearby. Outside the city, two thousand light cavalry dismounted at the same time. Dragging machine springs, hooks, and assembled ladders,
Towards the city wall, the fierce fighting continued for a while. The soldiers covered in blood opened the city gate through a gap from the inside and pushed it open with all their strength.
In the alleyway inside the city gate, countless Xixia soldiers surged in. Outside the city, wooden boxes briefly set up a pontoon bridge, and Black Flag Army soldiers holding swords, shields, and spears rushed in one after another, shouting hysterically.
, someone pushed the door open. Someone rushed over, expanding the whirlpool of fighting!
Near the east gate, in the silent military formation, Qu Qing pulled out a steel sword. He wrapped the red scarf behind the handle around his wrist, bit one end with his teeth, and tightened it. Behind him, many people were fighting with him.
Do the same action.
"get ready--"
People shout.
In the north of the city, soldiers surged into the city gate...
…
Zuo Duanyou's voice still echoed on the hillside, and Ning Yi stood up calmly. His eyes had become cold.
"I said, I have no prejudice against Confucianism. I go my own way. The mantle of Lao Qin has been given to you. You can go your own way, to cultivate, to change, to pass on, whatever can be done, as long as it can be solved
The problem at hand.”
"If you can deal with the Jurchens and me, maybe you have allowed Confucianism to accommodate blood and make people live like human beings, and I will be very happy. If you can't, I will build a new era on the ruins of Confucianism.
I will always pay tribute to you. If we can't do it, then let the Jurchens step through this world."
On the small hillside, an oppressive and cold atmosphere filled the air. This complicated matter did not make people feel impassioned, especially for the two Confucian people. The old man was originally angry, but by this time, he was no longer angry.
.Li Pin's eyes were puzzled, including "Why have you become so extreme?" However, many years ago, he had never understood Ning Yi.
At that time, the sky was shining brightly, the wind was blowing, the clouds were calming, the Xiaocang River's dilemma was still unresolved, and new good news was yet to come. In this small place, a crazy person said crazy words. In a short period of time, his words
There are too many things, and they are also stated in a straightforward manner, which is even difficult to digest. At the same time, in Yanzhou City in the northwest, soldiers carrying the black star flag have rushed into the city, holding weapons and fighting hard.
In this world, their fight is so lonely, and they are hated by everyone in the world.
And if we look forward in the long history of history, they also declared war on everyone in the world at this moment.
When Ning Yi walked outside, Zuo Duanyou said from behind: "If you really plan to do this, soon you will be the enemy of Confucian scholars all over the world."
"Do you know what's interesting?" Ning Yi turned back, "If you want to defeat me, you must at least become like me."
He walked out of the shield formation and glanced at the hundreds of people gathered nearby: "Those who can escape from the Xiaocang River will not be hunted down." These hundreds of people were already thinking of committing suicide. At this time, some of them
After being stunned for a moment, Li Pin reacted and shouted from behind: "Don't fall into the trap——"
Ning Yi walked out of the crowd and waved:
"--kill!"
Ants hold mud, butterflies flutter; elk drink water, wolves chase; tigers roar in the mountains and forests, and people walk around the world. In this vast land, which has lasted for thousands of years, some lives will shine... (To be continued.)
ps: This chapter is supposed to be the introduction to the entire second half. I laid the groundwork for a long time, thinking that writing such a thing would be impassioned, but when I really stepped into Ning Yi's shoes and really deduced these words, I found that it swept up,
It's actually a huge fatigue. I'm afraid no one can treat it with a mentality that is not calm, objective or trembling. There should be more things to say, but some of them are not included. Well, that's it.