svetikya Chapter 57 Yuan Wenchun's Angry
Chapter 57 Yuan Wenchun's Angry
Furthermore, the idea that the ruler is less important than the people remains only in theory.
Li Shimin often talked about this idea, but that was because he was the emperor himself.
But since ancient times, which minister has ever advised the emperor in this way?
Those famous advisors who left their mark on history all advised the emperors from the perspective of maintaining stability in the country, urging them to be diligent in governing and to care for the people.
No one dared to tell the emperor that the people were more important than him, that he should recognize his own position, and that he should wholeheartedly serve the people.
Sima Qian once commented that Confucianism was "broad in scope but lacking in essentials".
This means that its theoretical system is vast but lacks focus and key points.
To put it bluntly, it's all empty rhetoric and grandiose. Many of the theories sound plausible, but they don't teach people how to implement them.
Wang You and Sheng Changbai were discussing these things when they were moved by what they had to say.
Culture can easily influence a person's thoughts.
He read Confucian books from a young age, and regardless of his original intentions, he was influenced by Confucian thought over time.
But the more this happened, the more confused he became.
Wang You was also aware that there were problems with later interpretations of Confucianism.
Those so-called great Confucian scholars, when expounding their theories, deliberately cater to the needs of those in power.
As a result, Confucianism became increasingly feudal, rather than Confucianism being inherently feudal.
But setting aside the interpretations made to pander to those in power, and understanding the Confucianism itself, it still appears pretentious and empty, something even the sages who proposed these ideas couldn't achieve.
After pondering for a long time, Sheng Changbai said, "The words of sages are merely their views on certain matters, and the moral requirements therein are not based on their own morality."
Or rather, that was a goal they set for themselves.
Since it is a goal, it is normal that even sages themselves could not achieve it.
But it is precisely because no one can reach it that future generations will always have a goal to strive for.
The reason you think the words of sages are too unfounded is because the sages themselves did not live up to them.
However, the sages themselves did not claim to be saints; rather, it was later generations who bestowed upon them the title of saint based on their knowledge, thoughts, and morality.
Although they did not reach that level, no one since has been able to surpass them.
After thinking for a long time, Wang You smiled and said, "Cousin is right. I was just being too stubborn."
"It's good that you understand."
Sheng Changbai smiled and said, "The words of sages need not be taken as gospel, nor should we overcomplicate them. As long as they enable us to distinguish right from wrong and provide a unified moral standard, that's sufficient."
This statement is actually quite treasonous. Ever since the Han Dynasty promoted Confucianism as the sole ideology, Confucianism has held a dominant position.
Most scholars regard Confucianism as the guiding principle and do not tolerate any questioning of it.
Few people know that even after the suppression of other schools of thought, the governance of the country by successive dynasties was always based on Confucianism on the outside and Legalism on the inside.
Other ideas haven't reached the point of being heretical; they still have fertile ground to exist.
The true period when Confucianism became dominant was during the Song Dynasty.
The Song Dynasty was a golden age of literature, and civil officials and the emperor formed a system of co-governance with the scholar-officials, bringing the Confucian concept of "ruling by doing nothing" to life.
The so-called "rule by doing nothing" originally meant that if the emperor knew how to use people well, he could bring peace to the country without having to spend much effort.
However, by the Song Dynasty, due to the deliberate misinterpretation by literati, the meaning of "ruling by doing nothing" had basically become that the emperor did not need to manage anything, but could make the country well-governed by handing over power to his ministers.
It was precisely because of this misinterpretation that intellectuals completely dominated power and thought in the world.
In order to maintain their status, intellectuals will naturally defend this distorted ideology.
Even those civil officials who made a name for themselves in history were more or less influenced by this ideology.
Even if they have ideals and ambitions, they can't break out of this circle.
Wei Zheng once proposed "using both civil and military means to govern by doing nothing."
The meaning is simple: by selecting virtuous and talented individuals and making good use of both civil and military officials, one can achieve a policy of governance without lifting a finger.
However, both Fan Zhongyan and Wang Anshi overlooked this point during their reforms.
It's not that they're not smart enough, nor that they're selfish.
Rather, it is the education they received from childhood that dictates this.
Sheng Changbai was not affected by what he learned and maintained his clear understanding.
No wonder he eventually rose to the rank of prime minister.
"A single conversation with you is worth more than ten years of study. My cousin's few words have enlightened me." Wang You stood up and bowed to Sheng Changbai.
"My cousin is being modest."
Sheng Changbai quickly stood up to return the greeting and said with a smile, "Some of your views have also greatly inspired me. It's a matter of mutual progress."
It was a very pleasant chat with Sheng Changbai. Although he looked mature, he was not rigid at all.
Unlike some moral guardians who regard Confucianism as inviolable, he is not only well-versed in Confucian classics, but also has some understanding of the philosophies of Taoism, Legalism, and Military Strategy.
It even touches upon Buddhist thought.
Many people have a misconception that Buddhism is a foreign ideology.
In fact, although Buddhism originated from abroad, its ideas were perfected by combining other Chinese philosophies, and are fundamentally different from those of India.
After Buddhist thought was introduced to China, it had a great influence on various schools of thought.
Although Sheng Changbai was primarily a Confucianist, he did not reject other schools of thought.
Instead, they would use various schools of thought to elaborate on Confucianism.
…………
The ship hired by the Yuan family slowly docked at the pier. Yuan Wenchun and his wife did not disembark, but instead sent someone to inform the Sheng family.
Upon learning that the Yuan family's ship had arrived, Sheng Hong immediately instructed Sheng Wei to take Sheng Changbai to make contact with the Yuan family.
Upon learning this, Wang You suggested going to join in the fun.
After arriving at the Yangzhou wharf by car, Yuan Wenchun came out to greet them after someone was sent to inform them.
"Yuan Wenchun of the Yuan family greets the venerable elders of the Sheng family!" Yuan Wenchun smiled and bowed.
"You're too kind, my dear nephew."
Sheng Wei first introduced himself, then introduced Sheng Changbai and Wang You, and then asked to see Zhongqin Earl to discuss the betrothal process.
Yuan Wenchun did not mention her father's future, but invited Sheng Wei and the others to board the ship.
Upon entering the cabin, Yuan Wenchun invited the group to sit down before saying apologetically, "My father and mother were supposed to come on their own, but something came up and my father couldn't get away, so he sent me to Yangzhou to present the betrothal gifts on behalf of my brother."
Sheng Wei, true to his businessman nature, was initially taken aback upon hearing this, but then anger flashed in his eyes as he questioned, "Even if Earl Zhongqin was delayed by something and couldn't come, does the Yuan family have no one else? Sending a junior like you to propose marriage, where is the proper etiquette?"
Although Yuan Wenchun was angry, he could not show it. He smiled apologetically and said, "It's just that an elder in my family has passed away, and other elders are also unable to attend. Please forgive my rudeness."
Upon hearing this, Sheng Wei's expression softened somewhat, and he sighed, "It's not that the Sheng family is heartless, but the whole of Yangzhou knows that the Earl of Zhongqin is coming to Yangzhou to propose marriage, and everyone is waiting to meet the nobleman from Bianjing."
Now that the Earl of Zhongqin is not coming, the Sheng family losing face is a minor matter; what's more serious is damaging the Earl of Zhongqin's reputation.
Upon hearing this, Yuan Wenchun stood up abruptly and said angrily, "My father only said that if he had time, he would personally come to propose marriage, but your Sheng family is publicizing it so widely. Don't you think that's going a bit too far?"