Chapter 319 Who controls the ups and downs (Part 2)
"Haha..." Zhang Dun smiled and said, "That's okay."
"It seems that in the past few months, you have been to Jiangdong to learn new things from Jiefu." Chen Ke smiled lightly.
"That's right." Zhang Dun nodded and said, "In fact, in the past two years in my hometown, although I was studying behind closed doors, I couldn't help but hear what was going on outside the window. In the south, Wang Jiefu's teachings were very popular." He paused and said, "At that time, I concentrated on studying.
I had no time to distract myself from my studies. As soon as the imperial examination was over, I rushed to Jiangning Mansion and listened to Wang Jiefu's lectures for two months. I suddenly felt that it was better than what I had read in twenty years."
"The evaluation is so high?" Chen Ke laughed.
"Since the Tang and Five Dynasties, politics and religion have been weakened, Confucianism has declined, rituals have collapsed, music has collapsed, the way of saints has been completely abolished, and all the articles of the previous kings have been swept away!" Zhang Dun said seriously: "The new learning of princes can clarify the meaning of the scriptures and rectify people's hearts.
, Ji Sheji, Kuang Dao Ye!"
Chen Ke picked up shredded bamboo shoots with chopsticks and chewed them carefully. As an intellectual in the Song Dynasty and a second-generation man, he could see clearly that Confucianism had been in decline since the decline of the Han Dynasty. Under the impact of Buddhist and Taoist ideas in the Jin, Sui and Tang Dynasties,
There is even the danger of extinction. But hundreds of years of history have proven that Buddhism and Taoism cannot maintain unity and centralization of power. Therefore, these hundreds of years have also been the most chaotic period in history, with the fastest changing dynasties...
Although there is a prosperous Tang Dynasty in it, to be honest, the history of the prosperous Tang Dynasty is a history of various challenges to imperial power, which just shows the incompetence of Buddhist and Taoist thought.
By the time of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, warlords were fighting in a melee, and the law of the jungle and the strong had reached an extreme level. 'The emperor of this world will only have strong soldiers and strong horses.' Society seems to have returned to the jungle age.
By chance, Taizu of the Song Dynasty seized the power of the Later Zhou Dynasty from the hands of orphans and widowers. He saw that if this situation could not be changed and an ethical order could not be established, the Song Dynasty would soon be replaced by powerful ministers. Therefore, as soon as the country was established, he devoted a lot of energy to
It was used to consolidate internal rule. One of the most important steps was to promote Confucianism as the state religion. It was hoped that Confucianism's thoughts of unification and loyalty to the emperor could maintain the country of Tianshui for thousands of years.
However, Han Confucianism was already riddled with flaws, and for hundreds of years, no outstanding figure was able to remedy the situation. How could it shoulder its historical responsibilities even if it was untenable?
Fortunately, the imperial examinations in the Song Dynasty only tested Confucianism, turning all scholars into Confucian scholars. In the process of studying Confucian classics, Confucian scholars would naturally think about and improve these doctrines. They soon abandoned Han Confucian pseudoscience and just shabby
It is easy to establish something new, but it is difficult to establish something new. From the time when Confucianism was promoted by Zhao Er to the present Jiazi, various theories have emerged one after another, but there is still no theory that has won widespread recognition.
If a society lacks common values and ideals and lacks the moral power to unite people's hearts, it will inevitably have confused thoughts and inconsistent people, and the country will not be strong. All kinds of disadvantages will arise from this. Therefore, the entire scholar-bureaucrat class is eagerly hoping that someone can establish a new theory and give Confucianism a new perspective.
We can make effective arguments based on the system of ethics and morality. Only when it proves that Confucianism is tenable will people truly believe in it. Only then can it play a role in calming people's hearts and revitalizing ethics!
Obviously, whoever can establish a widely recognized theory will become a living saint. At that time, a wave of his sleeves will set off strong winds in the sky. A slight cough will attract the attention of people all over the world.
Listen. By that time, your words will be like fairy words, and even the emperor will have to listen. Your opinions will be the thoughts of millions of people, and the whole world will change according to your thoughts!
How many Confucian scholars are competing to bow down when the position of saint is vacant? Over the years, countless great Confucian scholars have spent their entire lives lecturing on the classics in order to promote their own doctrines as prominent schools and aspire to the position of saint.
Although no one has succeeded yet, Zhou Dunyi's Lian Xue, Shao Yong's Xiang Mathematics, Wang Anshi's Xin Xue, Zhang Zai's Guan Xue, Er Cheng's Luo Xue, and Sima Guang's Shuo Xue are already at the forefront.
Among these six schools, there is no doubt that the Taoist school composed of Lian Xue, Guan Xue, and Luo Xue, which are closely related to each other, has the most widespread followers. But at present, it is Wang Anshi's new school that has the greatest influence, the highest voice, and the most dazzling influence.
In the past ten years or so, Wang Anshi has been writing books and giving lectures almost every day, and has already attracted many disciples and believers. Although he has always been isolated in a corner, his teachings and reputation have spread all over the world, and no one in the Manchu Dynasty has lost him. After reading his articles, many people are his staunch supporters, which is why he has received so many extraordinary recommendations and promotions. Therefore, his unkempt appearance and unkindness will be regarded by people as his extraordinary performance. This is The causal relationship cannot be reversed.
This is what Wang Anshi gained after repeatedly refusing court appointments and working in the local area for more than ten years...Why is Wang Anshi's new learning so popular? It's because he touches the pulse of the times, not just by talking about it, but by exploring the subtleties in the classics of the ancient kings. It provides ideological guidance and theoretical basis for the reform of real society. Everyone knows that the Song Dynasty is sick and needs reform, otherwise there will be big problems. However, after the failure of the Qingli New Deal, the entire society fell into confusion and stagnation, and a person was needed. Pointing the direction, Wang Anshi came into being and was naturally unstoppable!
The year before last, he finally completed his theoretical preparations, and confidently submitted the "Book of Ten Thousand Words" to the court, actively advocated reform, and put forward a complete plan. Although the "Book of Ten Thousand Words" was not published by the officials, it still Through various channels, it is known to the world.
Those in the government and the public who were dissatisfied with the current situation of the country and hoped for reform were all attracted by this "Book of Ten Thousand Words". The "detailed and feasible" plan made people believe that he was the architect of the Song Dynasty's reforms and the person who could reform them. The only candidate for success.
This sentiment gradually brewed. Since last year, calls for Wang Anshi to return to Beijing have become louder and louder. Even when Chen Keyuan was in Dali, he received letters from Wang Shao and others asking him to write a letter to support Wang Anshi.
Unexpectedly, just after returning to Beijing, Zhang Dun would come as a lobbyist again. This shows how far Wang Anshi's influence has reached.
"After going in circles for a long time, what do you want to say?" Chen Ke finally laughed and said: "Recommend the prince to join the court? I am a small sixth-rank official, but I don't have that ability."
"Don't rush to push it out yet." Zhang Dun lowered his voice and said, "Listen to what I have to say."
Chen Ke nodded and heard Zhang Dun say: "Actually, when I came to Beijing this time, I shouldn't have looked for you, but for Liu Nehan." Liu Chang is now a Hanlin bachelor, and he is also Zhao Zongshi's teacher.
"Zihou..." Chen Ke frowned slightly and said, "Are you already so involved?"
"You don't have to sacrifice your life to do great things. If you are sure of it, you should do it with all your strength." Zhang Dun said nonchalantly: "Zhong Fang, there is no doubt that the future hope of the Song Dynasty lies in Wang Jiefu!" He picked up the wine glass and said slightly passionately: "Jiefu is a sage in the world! But he is aloof and stubborn, and his status is not high. He is in urgent need of the help of capable people to achieve great things. I am willing to help him to create a new world for the Song Dynasty!"
Chen Ke had no choice but to pick up the wine glass and drink with him.
"Does this mean you agreed to help with this?" Zhang Dun said with bright eyes.
"If I don't agree, will you go find Liu Chang and then go to Zhao Zongshi's door for help?" Chen Ke said with a half-smile but not a smile.
"Yes." Zhang Dun nodded and said: "This is our original idea, but firstly, you and I are close friends. Secondly, I feel unhappy with them. Thirdly, I think they will not pay attention to the prince, so I make my own decision.
, I came to you first to see if the person behind you has this idea... and the courage."
"..." The relationship between Chen Ke and Zhao Zongji is already inseparable, and people in the world have long regarded them as one. Covering up in front of a smart man like Zhang Zihou will alienate each other's relationship. But this case
The incident happened so suddenly that he was completely unprepared... Although this seemed to be the support he and Zhao Zongji were looking for, they had to think through the possible consequences before they could give an answer.
Thinking of this, he looked at Zhang Dun honestly and said slowly: "I can't make any decision for him, so I need to ask him what he means."
"I want to know your attitude now." Zhang Dun is like a sword, the light of the sword alone can hurt people.
"Zihou, the Song Dynasty has fallen into a quagmire, and it really can't be done without reform." Chen Ke nodded lightly and said: "Zihou, but I don't know where to start with Wang Jiefu's innovative move?"
Zhang Dun was overjoyed and said in a deep voice, "Wang Jiefu said that there is only one way to revive the Song Dynasty: to imitate Yao and Shun and follow the way of the forefathers."
"What is the 'Way of the First Kings'?" Chen Ke asked.
"The way of Yao and Shun was simple but not troublesome, essential but not difficult, easy but not difficult. It can be summarized in six words: 'Change the laws and change the customs.'" Zhang Dun's voice is like a golden stone.
"What's the method to change? What's the custom?" Chen Ke asked.
"Change the court's outdated and useless methods to change the court's stubborn customs." Zhang Dun said in a deep voice.
"Easier said than done?" Chen Ke sighed softly.
"It all depends on human effort!" Zhang Dun's voice became lower and lower, but his words became more and more bold: "We all believe that if you want to succeed, you must have a wise king and wise ministers. If you only have wise ministers, if you don't have a wise king, even if you are poor, you will not succeed.
Kui, Ji, and Qi's wise men will accomplish nothing!" After a pause, he lowered his voice and said: "Therefore, I came here this time to boldly choose a king for the prince!"
"There was only one king in the Song Dynasty, and that was the current official family." Chen Ke already knew that Zhang Dun was not telling the truth. He must have had a relationship with Wang Anshi for a long time, instead of only knowing him for two months as he said.
"Today's officials are too conservative and cowardly to do anything, and they are no longer dedicated to their ministers." Zhang Dun said disdainfully: "Our eyes are set on the future, on the next person... (To be continued)
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