Ming Zuo

Chapter 309 The Great Master is Lectured
There are many people in Fushe, among whom there are many learned and talented people.

Many people's attainments outside of Confucianism are enough to shine through in history.

But the problem is that these people's erudition is just learning by the way, and it is not regarded as their main job.

The main business of Fushe Scholars is still the research and study of Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism.

As one of the leaders of Fushe, Zhang Cai's "absolute fame and emphasis on practical learning" had a great influence on the members of the society.

But it is worth noting that Zhang Cai's "emphasis on practical learning" and the practice understood by later generations are not the same concept at all.

Looking at Zhang Cai's proposition with the thinking of future generations, I naturally feel that it is very appropriate and correct.But the times are different, and the meanings are very different.

This requires understanding the difference.

For example, Zhang Cai once said, "If you don't have fame, you don't have money."

The economy here obviously refers to the income problems of those who do not gain fame, rather than the value and behaviors produced by production and commerce as understood by later generations.

Therefore, Zhang Cai's "emphasis on practical learning" cannot stand scrutiny.

The "emphasis on practical learning" advocated and followed by Fushe is nothing more than going back to ancient Chinese classics to complete a re-understanding of Confucian classics.

But Confucianism is inherently a pure ideological theory, lacking the connection with actual production and life, no matter how to "emphasize practical learning", it will hardly be of any help to the national economy and people's livelihood.

Does thought matter?

Of course it matters.

However, ideological achievements must be based on material foundations.

Without the construction of a strong material civilization, spiritual civilization will not blossom and bear fruit.

The weakness and development of China in the field of cultural propaganda in later generations is the best proof.

In the field of international public opinion, many people can feel that China is very passive.

Is it because the Chinese don’t understand propaganda?
Is it because the Chinese don't work hard in propaganda?

Obviously not.

The fundamental reason is that the channels and tools of propaganda are not in the hands of the Chinese.

Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, and INS are tools, and similarly, these are the real material basis.

Similarly, in the second decade of the [-]st century, China's external propaganda and public opinion achievements are far better than before.

Why is this?

This is because the improvement of comprehensive national strength has provided huge help for public opinion and cultural propaganda.

Only by understanding this can we discover the shortcomings of Confucianism.

In the long feudal history, Confucianism combined with the landlord class, relying on the wealth and power held by the landlord class, became a prominent school, unrivaled.

However, in the stage of rapid development of the commodity economy at the end of Ming Dynasty, the emerging class was bound to attack the old class and civilization in the process of rising and developing.

Confucianism has no way to explain these new phenomena, so naturally it is on the verge of collapse.

Under the normal historical process, the revival of Confucianism in the late Ming Dynasty was actually just a reflection of Confucianism.

Because the core idea of ​​Neo Confucianism obviously hinders the development of commodity economy.

But history has played a joke on China. The great changes have been harvested by the ethnic minorities outside the Great Wall, and it has also allowed Neo Confucianism, which was about to decline, to find a new place to live, and completed the suppression and comeback of new ideas.

There is certainly a historical joke in this, but there are also reasons why the new ideas are not perfect.

If there is no Zuo Menggeng, only relying on Liu Zongzhou, Huang Zongxi, Gu Yanwu and others, it will be the same as the original history, and it will take decades of effort to find out some cognition.

But every word of the traversers can provide these thinkers with inspiration to break through the barriers.

Liu Zongzhou, Huang Zongxi and others broke away from the scope of Confucianism and stopped wandering in the original small circle, so they naturally saw more.

Huang Zongxi even put forward the concept of pragmatism in the debate.

Whether a knowledge is useful or not depends not on who it is inherited from, but on whom it is applied to.

The knowledge that benefits the country and the people is the real knowledge.

In this era of famine everywhere, the knowledge of being able to feed and clothe the people is obviously greater than empty talk such as heavenly principles, human desires, qi, and sex.

However, Huang Zongxi's remarks were still based on the guise of Confucianism, so Zhang Cai and others could not find a flaw at all, but were all defeated.

For example, Confucianism is the way of heaven and the way of heaven is Confucianism.

Although Huang Zongxi's "the way of heaven is Confucianism" obviously lowered the status of Confucianism, no one dared to raise the significance, whether Zhang Cai or others.

Because once questioned, where are the sages such as Yao, Shun, Yu, King Wen, Jiang Shang, Duke Zhou, and Lao Tzu?

If Zhang Cai and others dare to say that only Confucianism is the way of heaven, then Huang Zongxi will inevitably use "Book of Changes" as an argument.

Even if Zhang Cai and others argue strongly that "Book of Changes" is a Confucian classic.

But there is no doubt that Taoism also respects the "Book of Changes".Is Taoism also the way of heaven?
If Taoism is a crooked way, then what is the difference between Confucius learning from Lao Tzu?

This is the logical debate relationship in the field of thought.

Playing this, Zhang Cai and others didn't figure it out.

Although everyone in Nanjing already attached great importance to Liu Zongzhou, they still did not expect that this debate would be so one-sided.

Before they even challenged Liu Zongzhou, they were defeated one by one by Liu Zongzhou's disciples.

Knowing that what Huang Zongxi said has already transcended the scope of Confucian classics, Zhang Cai and others still have nothing to do.

Because Huang Zongxi occupies a higher commanding height --- Heaven and Earth Avenue.

You say that Confucianism is the way of heaven, isn’t the movement of heaven and earth and the well-being of all people not the way of heaven?
No scholar dares to deny this, unless he wants to cut himself off from the world.

Of course, not everyone was discouraged, Chen Zilong was an accident.

At the beginning, he agreed with Liu Zongzhou's theory very much, and opposed the propositions of Zhang Cai and others.Today on this boat, after listening to Huang Zongxi's long speeches, I really benefited a lot, but I also had a lot of puzzles.

"Brother Taichong, what you say is practical is Tao, but how can I apply Confucian classics and righteousness? My little brother is stupid, and I have been studying hard for many years. I am confused and regret it all my life."

Many people looked sideways at it.

Good guy, you actually came to study at the scene of the debate.

But many people also feel the same about Chen Zilong's confusion.

This is also a very real problem.

Although Liu Zongzhou, Huang Zongxi and others have been committed to transcending Confucianism and establishing a new ideological system, most people in this era have been influenced by Confucianism.Even Liu Zongzhou and others can't achieve complete detachment.

In this way, if they want to promote pragmatism, they must solve the problem of practical application of Confucian classics.

Some, if not all, must be addressed.

Chen Zilong's question made many people frown.Including Huang Zongxi, they didn't know where to start.

This is another subject, and a rather difficult one.With Huang Zongxi's quality and cultivation, it is obvious that he can't reach this level.

Ever since he appeared on the stage, he has always been unfavorable, making Huang Zongxi the focus of all the stars.Being stumped at this time made him feel a little embarrassed.

Just as he was about to act stubbornly, suddenly a sense of vigilance rose in his heart, which made him calm down, and sincerely said to Chen Zilong: "Brother Ren Zhong, forgive me, my practice is still shallow, I know what is happening and I don't know why, so I can't explain it to you."

All the people present looked at the calm Huang Zongxi in surprise, with admiration.

Ask yourself, if it were them, how could they still maintain such modesty and prudence when they had such a big limelight on such an occasion?
Especially in the middle of a debate, one step back is likely to step back step by step, and not many people would consider themselves short at this critical moment.

But Huang Zongxi did just that, and he didn't have to try his best.

Knowing is knowing, not knowing is not knowing, this is knowing!
This is what all scholars have learned, even by heart.

But how many people can do it?

"What Taichong said, you know what it is, but you don't know why it is. This statement has already expressed the true meaning of practicality..."

There was a commotion among the crowd, eagerly looking somewhere.

At the beginning of the debate, Liu Zongzhou, the quiet protagonist who was about to be forgotten by others, made a move.

Everyone knows that when he makes a move, he must be extraordinary.

Chen Zilong bowed solemnly.

"Please sir explain."

Liu Zongzhou smiled slightly, not humble.As the so-called morality lies, it is imperative.

He raised his voice and picked up the scriptures.

"Zigong asked about benevolence. The Master said: 'If a worker wants to do a good job, he must first sharpen his tools. Living in a state, he is a sage who serves as a doctor, and a benevolent friend who is a friend of his scholars.' Presumably what the kings said to the sage, You must keep the five things in mind, dare not or forget them. There are many people who practice them.”

Everyone responded one after another with a pious attitude.

"The Analects of Confucius" is the basis for admission, and there is no one who does not read through it.Everyone will never forget this passage.

Seeing that Liu Zongzhou started with such a simple knowledge, everyone was surprised, and they also had a deep understanding of the depth of his skills.

The more profound truths can be explained with simple content, the more demeanor a great master should have.

(End of this chapter)