Chang Kaishen felt a little disappointed with this trip. He actually wanted to ask for advice on some imperial tactics, but Zhou Hexuan persuaded him to engage in democratic constitutionalism.
Damn constitutional democracy!
This word appears so frequently that Chang Kaishen's ears are almost buzzing. It has not stopped from the end of last year to now. Zhou Hexuan's words just now hit Chang Kaishen in the foot. He is indeed playing power.
Use "bandit suppression" to divert people's attention from demanding constitutional government.
But to be honest, Chang Kaishen has recognized the legalist thought of governing the country from the bottom of his heart. Especially the use of law, technique, and momentum. This is an ability that a leader must possess. Shit is the foundation, law is the link, and technique is the driving force.
The three complement each other and promote each other. If there is a problem in any one aspect, it will affect the other two.
Chang Kaishen suddenly had an idea in his mind: By studying Confucianism, one can become a gentleman, and by studying Dharma, one can become an emperor!
Now I heard Zhou Hexuan say that Taoism's Huang-Lao theory went a step further. He asked curiously: "Hasn't Taoism always emphasized tranquility and inaction, retreat from the world and practice?"
Zhou Hexuan explained: "The chairman of the committee is talking about the Lao-Zhuang School. Taoism is mainly divided into three schools, namely the Lao-Zhuang School, the Yang-Zhu School and the Huang-Lao School. Maybe my summary is a little inaccurate, but generally it is like this: Lao-Zhuang School, Yang-Zhu School and Huang-Lao School.
Zhuang's theory belongs to anarchism, Yang Zhu's theory belongs to liberalism, and Huang-Lao's theory focuses on governing as a king."
"Specializes on how to govern as a king? Please explain it carefully." Chang Kaishen became somewhat interested.
Zhou Hexuan continued: "The 'Huang' in Huang-Lao's studies is Huangdi, and 'Lao' is Laozi. Why bring Huangdi into it? Because it talks about the study of emperors. Huang-Lao's studies arose in Qi State,
Qi State founded the world's first government-run school, called "Jixia Academy". The core knowledge of this school is Huang-Lao's school, so Huang-Lao School is also called Jixia School. It is precisely because Qi State pursues Huang-Lao School that
Only by learning can we quickly strengthen our national strength."
Chang Kaishen nodded subconsciously and asked Zhou Hexuan to continue.
Zhou Hexuan said: "Huang Lao's school is actually no longer a pure Taoist theory, it should be called miscellaneous studies. Its core concept is Taoist thought, but it completely integrates Legalist theory and draws on Confucianism, Mohism, military and agricultural science.
, name, yin and yang, vertical and horizontal, etc. are the strengths of each school. For example, the famous "Lu Shi Chun Qiu" is an important work of the Huang-Lao school. And another Taoist Huang-Lao school work "He Guanzi" is even considered by scholars of the past dynasties.
Art of War. Let’s put it this way: since the Han and Tang dynasties, every prosperous generation in China has actually applied Huang Lao’s teachings.”
"Huang-Lao's studies also incorporate Confucianism?" Chang Kaishen asked in surprise.
Zhou Hexuan nodded and said: "Yes, one of the propositions of Huang-Lao's school is 'the simultaneous use of punishment and morality', which is compatible with the legalist and Confucian governance concepts."
Chang Kaishen asked strangely: "Doesn't that mean that Huang Lao's teachings have been used by all Chinese dynasties?"
"That's right," Zhou Hexuan said with a smile, "the so-called foreign Confucianism and internal law are ultimately the learning of Huang and Lao."
Chang Kaishen asked again: "What's the matter with respecting Confucianism alone?"
Zhou Hexuan explained: "Dong Zhongshu's exclusive emphasis on Confucianism is another combination of Confucianism and Huang-Lao's studies, which absorbs a lot of Huang-Lao's thoughts. For example, the root of Huang-Lao's studies is 'governing by doing nothing', this kind of
"Inaction" does not mean letting things go, but being quiet and inactive under the premise of establishing the ruling order. The king's inaction is based on the officials' actions, that is, "the king is at ease and the ministers are at work", which is a bit like the British constitutional monarchy. But it is just like that, because
The decision-making power is still in the hands of the monarch. When Dong Zhongshu only respected Confucianism, he perfectly integrated the core of Huang-Lao's theory of "governing by doing nothing" into his Confucian system to explain the way of governing the country, the way of monarchs and ministers, and the way of kings and ministers.
King's political skills, such as selecting talents, appointing officials according to their talents, this is a typical study of Huang and Lao, and it developed into the imperial examination system in later generations."
Chang Kaishen continued to nod and listen to the academic lecture obediently.
Zhou Hexuan continued: "Let's talk about the relationship between punishment and morality. Dong Zhongshu's explanation of punishment and morality mainly continues Confucius and Mencius' benevolent governance and virtuous governance. But in the fundamental theory of punishment and morality, he borrows the Yin-Yang theory of punishment and morality from the Huang-Lao School.
This is very important, as it has been the fundamental criterion for the formulation and implementation of Chinese laws for more than two thousand years."
Chang Kaishen finally understood: "In other words, our current Confucianism is actually Huang Lao's theory, which draws on the strengths of various schools of thought, and Dong Zhongshu integrated Huang Lao's theory into New Confucianism, which is similar to the era of Confucius and Mencius.
Very different."
"That's true," Zhou Hexuan nodded, "but after Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism, Confucianism once again transformed, eliminating and suppressing many of the ideas of Huang and Lao's studies. Therefore, by the Ming and Qing dynasties, Chinese people's thoughts gradually tended to be restricted, so that
It was surpassed by Western civilization. Because a very important theory of Huang-Lao's school is "following the way of heaven", where "heaven's way" refers to the laws of nature and society. Huang-lao's school does not advocate abiding by the laws of the ancestors, but advocates following the changes of society.
Develop corresponding rules.”
Chang Kaishen was a loyal supporter of Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism. He felt a little uncomfortable when he heard this, but he still asked patiently: "How to use Huang-Lao's learning to govern today's China?"
Zhou Hexuan smiled and said: "I won't talk about quietness and inaction, the monarch is at ease and the ministers are at work, because the current situation in China is not suitable. The Huanglao sect's quietness and inaction is based on a stable ruling order. Let's talk about the law first.
Governing the country, lenient punishments and simplifying administration, resting with the people, and governing the country according to law, Chairman, can you do it?"
Chang Kaishen said: "The laws of the Republic of China are becoming more and more perfect, and of course it can be done."
"The law is the law, but what's the use of just enacting it?" Zhou Hexuan laughed, "Take last year's disaster relief as an example. The commissioner who collaborated with the British to embezzle relief food is still at large. Can this also be called governing the country according to law?"
Chang Kaishen looked unhappy and said: "I also hate corrupt officials, but when the water is clear, there will be no fish. There is no solution."
"What about lenient punishments, simpler administration, and rest for the people?" Zhou Hexuan said, "As long as these two points can be achieved, China's national strength will surely advance by leaps and bounds within ten years."
Chang Kaishen said: "The country is troubled internally and externally. How can we rest with the people? To quell the chaos and defend the enemy requires money and food, and disturbing the people is a last resort. Just tell me how to use Huang Lao's teachings. I can only stabilize the situation first.
, can we do what you said."
Zhou Hexuan smiled and said: "It's very simple. Huang-Lao's school has two important ideas, which are called following the Tao according to nature, and guarding the female and using the male."
"What's the explanation?" Chang Kaishen asked.
"Yintian follows the law and follows the trend. Give the majority of the people what they desire most," Zhou Hexuan said. "Even if you can't give it to them, you must let them see hope. For example, why is German fascism developing so smoothly now?
?Because Hitler complied with public opinion, most Germans want revenge, want to revitalize the economy, and want to rejuvenate the nation. But Chairman, you are pursuing fascism in China. This will not work. It is inconsistent with what the vast majority of Chinese people pursue.
Same."
Chang Kaishen said: "The biggest public opinion in China now is democratic constitutionalism. How can I give it to them?"
Zhou Hexuan smiled and said: "Even if you can't give it, you must at least act like you are going to give it. For example, formulate a step to first allow democratic parties to participate in politics, but only participate in political power without decision-making power. I think most democrats will still be happy.
, because they see hope."
Chang Kaishen nodded and said: "That's a way. What about keeping the female and using the male?"
Zhou Hexuan said: "Keeping the female and using the male is a specific form of power. To put it bluntly, it is the change of the virtual and the real. The monarch should be virtual and have no sense of existence, but he is everywhere. Just like God, invisible and intangible, but above everyone's head
Everyone has a sky. If there are problems in the governance process, it must be the officials who have done something bad, and the officials must be punished severely. The supreme ruler is always right. Once outstanding achievements are achieved, it is the credit of the supreme ruler, and those who made the merit will be given to them.
The rulers will enjoy the greatest fame if they deserve the benefits they deserve."
Chang Kaishen didn't say anything, and he naturally understood in his heart that he was playing this trick very smoothly, but he didn't expect it to be Huang Lao's learning.
Zhou Hexuan said: "There is another explanation for guarding females and using males, which is to formulate strategies and implement them vigorously and resolutely. Generally speaking, it means to strengthen and improve the execution ability of public servants without disturbing the people as much as possible. This is very subtle and requires a lot of skill.
political ability.”
The more Chang Kaishen listened, the more satisfied he became. As the boss, he became a monk on the way, and all abilities and methods were learned by himself. They were not as systematic as what Zhou Hexuan said. He immediately smiled and said: "Mr. Zhou, please tell me more about Mr. Huang."
The application of learned methods, skills, momentum, advantage and force."
Zhou Hexuan talked nonsense based on his own understanding. Until it got dark, Chang Kaishen still listened with interest, almost without taking notes on the spot.
Zhou Hexuan naturally brought in private goods, such as advising Chang Kaishen to let the democratic parties participate in politics. Although it was just a fake democracy, it at least had some restrictions. Kuomintang officials could not be as unscrupulous in corruption and bending the law as before.