Red Chamber: Bring Xue Baochai home at the beginning

Chapter 334 New Learning and Mind Learning

Knowing that Liu Zheng was visiting, Feng Yibo, who was in the sage's time, instantly guessed his purpose of coming here.

In addition to apologizing, he must also have some thoughts on what he said a few days ago.

So before he came to meet, he specially brought the "Physics" textbook he edited.

"Brother Haoran, to tell you the truth, I have been working on the four words 'investigating things to gain knowledge' for the past two years, and I have gained some experience. It just so happens that you are here, and you can help me rectify one or two things."

Seeing that Liu Zheng was turning over the "Physics" textbook, Feng Yibo stopped talking.

Smiling without saying a word, he waited for him to finish reading.

Liu Zheng opened Feng Yibo's masterpiece with full anticipation, but the more he read it, the more confused he became.

Because the content inside had nothing to do with the commentary he thought about!

What is this writing?
What does it have to do with science?
Liu Zheng looked at it with question marks all over his face.

But looking at it, it turned into an exclamation mark again.

I saw what was written in it, the three states of water, the propagation of sound, the refraction and reflection of light, buoyancy and gravity, two iron balls falling together, fixed pulley and movable pulley, etc.

These new and unfamiliar knowledge made him feel like he had opened the door to a new world.

Most importantly, he also noticed the research methods inside.

how to say?

It is different from other people's Neo Confucianism research, which only derives from the words of sages.

In addition to the title of this book, it is related to gewuzhizhi.

The rest seems to be of another system.

Especially this research method, Liu Zheng had never heard of it.

Each article first proposes a proposition, makes a conjecture, and then uses experiments to verify it.

Finally, draw conclusions based on the experimental results.

The whole process is simple, yet rigorous and scary.

I thought it had nothing to do with Neo Confucianism, but after understanding the benefits of this method.

An idea popped up in Liu Zheng's mind.

Could it be that this is the knowledge of things?

He looked at Feng Yibo with some confusion, swallowed, and asked:

"Yibo, your method of studying things and extending knowledge comes from the Mohists?"

Yang Mingxin was already curious. Hearing this, he hurriedly snatched the book and read it from the sidelines.

Feng Yibo was slightly surprised when he heard this, but he quickly smiled and said:

"There are some references in the method, but the core is definitely the Gewu of Neo Confucianism."

The theory of Mohism was prominent among a hundred schools of thought.

Mencius once said: The words of the world do not belong to Yang, but to Mo.

Unfortunately, Mencius also criticized these two schools:
The Yang family is for me, it is no king; the Mo family loves both, it is no father; no father and no king, it is a beast.

Obviously, the two schools are not compatible with Confucianism.

Since the Han Dynasty when Confucianism was the only one, both schools have disappeared.

In addition to the Mohists' knight-errant ethos, there are only a handful of real Mohists.

In fact, the core of Mohist thought is also "benevolence".

Compared with the "benevolence" of Confucianism and Mencius, Mohism seems too idealized.

This is also an important reason why Mencius criticized Mohism.

But it is undeniable that Mohism's research on epistemology, logic, geometry, optics, mechanics, etc., was much earlier than the rise of science in later generations.

It can be said that it is the ancestor of science.

Feng Yibo didn't think of the Mo family, and when Liu Zheng mentioned it, his heart moved, and he didn't deny it.

But he didn't dwell on it too much, instead he said:

"Brother Haoran said he wanted to join, but he also wanted to clean up the academic atmosphere. How about explaining his sincerity on the basis of studying things?"

"Sincerely?"

Liu Zheng couldn't help being taken aback when he heard this.

He originally thought that Feng Yibo wanted to invite him to engage in "Learning Things" together!

Unexpectedly, let him skip this link and go directly to the next step?
"Yes, don't you want to sweep the world away?"

Feng Yibo nodded with a smile.

Although he took out the "Physics" textbook, he didn't want Liu Zheng to study physics.

That would be too much of a waste of the other party's character and talent.

The physical knowledge he brought from his previous life was enough for enlightenment.

And Liu Zheng has been studying Neo-Confucianism for half his life. It would be a waste of talent to start studying Physics now.

To be the No. [-] scholar, one must have a sufficient understanding of the classics.

But the usefulness of these understandings to basic science is almost zero.

Instead of letting him learn from scratch, it is better to use his knowledge to engage in ideology.

What's more, the original intention of the other party is to sweep away the atmosphere of the world.

It just corresponds to the four words "sincerity and sincerity" behind Gewu Zhizhi.

"but I……"

Originally, Liu Zheng was very confident in his abilities.

But after reading the "Physics" textbook, he asked himself:
Do you really understand philosophy?

"I think! Sincerity is the most suitable topic for you!"

Seeing him hesitating, Feng Yibo comforted him.

"There is no end to gewuzhizhi, and I'm just a preliminary glimpse, and sincerity is also endless, but it's exactly what you want to clear up the world's turbidity. Power, maybe they will play a role in promoting each other.”

After speaking, seeing Liu Zheng's still hesitant face, Feng Yibo decided to remind him again.

"By the way, I actually have some ideas about sincerity, but I haven't had time to go deep into it. If you don't have an idea, you can try to expand around the four words 'integration of knowledge and action'."

"The unity of knowledge and action..."

These four words exploded in Liu Zheng's mind like thunder.

Combining the classics and annotations he read these days, countless ideas emerged one after another.

At this time, Feng Yibo continued:
"Everyone knows the six artists of the gentleman, but there are not many who combine knowledge and action."

Although Yangming's philosophy of mind is advanced and profound, Wang Yangming skipped investigating things and extending knowledge.

In the end, his theory was biased toward idealism.

It is said that Wang Yangming sat in front of the bamboo for seven days in the beginning, wanting to "observe things to learn".

The result was not researched.

So he skipped this stage and started directly to study sincerity.

Finally, it absorbed the theory of Lu Jiuyuan in the Song Dynasty and came up with such idealistic things as "mind is reason".

Sometimes Feng Yibo would think, what a pity Wang Yangming's bamboo.

If he had planted an apple tree, he would have been smashed again within seven days.

Wouldn't there be nothing like Newton?
The reason why Feng Yibo brought a "Physics" textbook was actually because he didn't want what Liu Zheng produced to be too idealistic.

Now that the other party has seen his method of investigating things, he must not be as idealistic as Yangming Xinxue, right?
"Actually, many words of the sage have already been explained very clearly, but most people just talk but don't practice, they are all lip service."

Seeing that Liu Zheng's eyes were shining brightly, Feng Yibo continued to instill his thoughts in him.

I hope it can guide him to develop in the direction he wants.

"In this regard, my suggestion is to be more extreme."

"extreme?"

"As the saying goes: Those who don't know don't commit crimes, but those who commit crimes knowingly will be punished with a higher crime."

"Then we focus on the unity of knowledge and action, and we can say: those who know but do not act, and who know the law and break the law, should be punished with a higher level of crime."

"Since you have learned the principles of a sage and don't practice them, you are not worthy of being a disciple of a sage. You can only play tricks, but you are less than righteous. Arguing about false words, and making good by following the wrong can all be punished by a gentleman!"

Confucius killed Shaozhengmao with the "Punishment of a Gentleman".

According to Xunzi's records, Confucius said that people have evil five:

"The first is to have a clear mind but to be dangerous; the second is to be steadfast in action; the third is to argue with falsehood; the fourth is to remember ugliness and gain wisdom; the fifth is to be sympathetic to others. Free from the punishment of a gentleman, but Shaozhengmao has both."

That is to say, if these five villains occupy one place, they can be punished with the punishment of a gentleman.

Debating what is false, and pursuing what is not, is to say that the speech is false and still be eloquent, knowing that it is wrong but still covering it up.

You have learned the teachings of the sages, but you still don't practice them, and you find all kinds of excuses to cover them up.

Isn't that just arguing about falsehoods and making things right?

If this doesn't kill you, who will you kill?
When Feng Yibo said this, Liu Zheng's eyes lit up immediately.

He understands that "heavy punishments should be used in troubled times"
Although it is not a troubled time now, but the atmosphere of reading is chaotic, the reason is the same.

If this "Punishment of a Gentleman" is brought up, some troubles may arise.

But it can also serve as a deterrent.

"However, if it is said that it cannot be practiced, then don't we also have the 'integration of knowledge and action'?"

Hearing Liu Zheng's words, Feng Yibo was speechless for a moment.

To be honest, this is Liu Zheng.

If it were him, he would definitely find a way to kill a few people who deserved to be killed.

To prove that he "unifies knowledge and action".

In this way, won't the effect come out immediately?

But Feng Yibo knew that Liu Zheng couldn't be taught this.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but look at Yang Mingxin.

Unexpectedly, Yang Mingxin's eyes were shining, and he was still studying the "Physics" textbook.

Didn't listen to what they said at all.

"Ugh!"

Feng Yibo sighed softly, and could only say:
"In any case, let's get the theory out first, at least let people understand that we should work towards the direction of 'integration of knowledge and action'."

After a pause, he added:
"What's more, even if there are some disputes, it doesn't matter, it will be easier to attract others' attention."

Black red is also a kind of red.

What's more, this set of theories also comes from the words of the sages.

It's okay if you want to refute, but you have to find a way to crack it from the sage classics.

Then the two had a heated discussion on the four words "unity of knowledge and action".

Finally, Yang Mingxin gulped down the "Physics" textbook.

When he raised his head and was excited to ask Feng Yibo some questions.

But I found that the two were discussing Neo-Confucianism...

what's the situation?
Yang Mingxin was a little confused at once, and said hesitantly:

"that……"

As soon as he made a sound, the two of them remembered that there was another person in the hall, and immediately focused their gazes.

This made Yang Mingxin a little embarrassed, but he couldn't help being curious, and asked:
"Yibo, is everything written in this book true? For example, if two iron balls with different weights are dropped from a high place, can they really land at the same time?"

Hearing this, the two couldn't help but look at each other.

When Feng Yibo was asked, he couldn't help smiling and said:
"It's guaranteed to be fake! Since Brother Xinmin is interested, why don't you do some experiments yourself?"

"experiment?"

Yang Mingxin was taken aback.

Then, as if thinking of something, he hurriedly opened the title page of the "Physics" textbook.

Pointing to the title page, he asked:
"As it is said above, practice is the only criterion for testing truth?"

After all, it is also the second place in the list, and you can remember the general idea just by looking at it.

Seeing this, Feng Yibo naturally smiled and nodded:
"That's right! The four words 'searching things to gain knowledge' are the same in my understanding! The key to studying things is practice, and only practice can produce true knowledge."

Yang Mingxin nodded in a daze, and said with emotion:
"Today is really not in vain! Just this one sentence, I have benefited a lot!"

Although the content in it has nothing to do with Neo Confucianism, this sentence alone is worth a thousand words.

"Practical learning" has a long history and is also a branch of Confucianism.

What he pays attention to is "respecting the real and overthrowing the fictitious, and being practical in the world".

It can be said that it is all righteousness.

It is not as good as the phrase "true knowledge comes from practice", which is more "real".

After sighing, Yang Mingxin thought of something again, and asked:
"By the way, what are you guys talking about? Just now I heard Haoran say that a gentleman should be careful about his independence?"

He originally thought that the two were discussing "Physics", but just when he looked up, he heard them discussing "Gentlemen should be cautious about independence".

This made Yang Mingxin feel a little strange.

Liu Zheng nodded when he heard the words, and said with a smile:

"That's right, we're discussing how to be sincere, how to unite knowledge and action, and those who are sincere, don't deceive yourself..."

The latter paragraph is also from "University", which talks about what a gentleman should do.

Obviously, the two people have already discussed the code of conduct of a gentleman from "unity of knowledge and action".

But in the classics, there are too many sayings about the gentleman.

The two were still limited to the university article, but with Zhu Xi's comments, they still discussed for a long time.

I will do this too!

When Yang Mingxin heard this, he immediately became interested.
Afterwards, the first and third members of the same department discussed "gentlemen" in the hall.

It was getting late, Feng Yibo stayed with the two of them for dinner in the mansion.

When it was time to leave, the three of them were still unsatisfied, and they made an appointment to continue discussing next time in Xiumu.

After sending the two of them out the door, Feng Yibo was about to turn around.

At this time, Yang Mingxin suddenly left Liu Zheng and came back alone.

"Yibo, I..."

Seeing that he hesitated, Feng Yibo guessed it.

He pointed to the hall and said with a smile:
"Come on, let's talk over there."

After all the servants in the hall were dismissed, Yang Mingxin said with a wry smile:
"Speaking of which, I have to apologize to you once."

"It's a pity! I won't be fooled again this time!"

Feng Yibo responded with a smile, and said:

"Everyone is unavoidable. Brother Xinmin, you can just say it directly. As for how to deal with it, that is my business."

Yang Ming said in the news that he was relieved.

At that moment, he no longer hesitated, and said directly:

"Prince Zhongshun wants to see you, he said he is different from others, you should see him."

Feng Yibo was somewhat surprised by the relationship between Yang Mingxin and Prince Zhongshun.

Yang Mingxin is in the court, so he can barely be regarded as a new party.

His cousin, Admiral Yang, is considered to be in the same line as the founder of the country.

Unexpectedly, he secretly had something to do with Prince Zhongshun?

However, it seems that he is almost the same?

Feng Yibo was only surprised for a moment, then said angrily:

"He is indeed different from others! Others want money, and the upstarts have already shared so much, why does he still see me?"

He actually understood that Prince Zhongshun wanted to discuss with him how to deal with it.

But Feng Yibo felt that now he could delay it a little longer.

The new situation has not yet emerged, so naturally it is not the time to discuss it.

"I don't know about that. If Haoran hadn't come to me just in time and asked me to be a witness to make amends, I actually didn't want to participate in this matter."

Yang Mingxin shook his head, expressed his position, and said frankly:

"As for whether to go or not, it's up to you. I'm just a messenger."

Although he looked calm, his heart was very complicated.

It started with the death of Zhen Yingjia in the prison of the Ministry of Criminal Justice.

Yang Mingxin suspected that the relationship between Feng Yibo and Prince Zhongshun was absolutely extraordinary.

Now Feng Yibo has passed the terms of the peace negotiation, giving the upstart massive benefits.

This further confirmed his conjecture.

In addition, this time he spread the words in the middle.

Yang Mingxin can basically be 100% sure that he was behind the murder of Zhen Yingjia.

It was Feng Yuan in front of him!
"Well, I see."

Feng Yibo knew what he said.

He pondered for a while, and exhorted:

"If he comes to you again, you can help me tell him, let's talk about it after a while! There are too many people staring at me recently, and it will affect the whole body. If I see him first, I am afraid that some people will jump the wall in a hurry. .”

After a pause, he was afraid that he might jump over the wall first because of his temperament of being loyal to the prince, so he explained:
"Now that a balance has been reached with great difficulty, the beneficiary should be able to delay for a while. If it is not a last resort, I will definitely see no one."

Yang Mingxin nodded frequently, and responded:

"Okay, I've written it all down!"

Seeing this, Feng Yibo smiled, cupped his hands and said:
"That's all, hard work, brother Xinmin."

"Then I'll go first."

Yang Mingxin also cupped his hands, and hesitated again:
"I……"

He seemed to want to say something, but hesitated for a moment, but only said:
"Forget it, let's talk about it later!"

After speaking, he turned and left the hall.

Feng Yibo thought that he wanted to ask about the physics experiment.

I didn't think too much about it.

After Yang Mingxin's figure disappeared, he murmured:
"Prince Zhongshun wants to tell me that people like Admiral Yang, who were originally from the founding line of the country, have already joined them?"

He frowned first, then smiled and said:

"It's kind of interesting."

(End of this chapter)