Chapter 341: Mohist rule, scientists' tricks
【Wu County Magistrate came to Yewang and ordered the Yewang garrison to arrest Shan, Guo and others and execute them according to the law. He also quickly recruited local yamen runners and established a government office...】
[Since he established all government offices in Yewang County, he clarified the duties of officials and established new policies. He studied classics every day in his office, inspected government affairs every seven days, and often exchanged letters with County Magistrate Cui of Yangcheng County, County Magistrate Tang of Fushu County, and County Magistrate Zhou of Yumo County.]
Putting down the memorial in his hand that recorded the official affairs of Yewang County, Ying Chengjiao picked up the memorials from Yangcheng, Fushu and Yumo counties.
The administration of the three counties is very similar to that of Yewang, and it is almost impossible to find many references to them.
Under the rule of the four men, the county was not overly restricted. Officials did not compete with the people for profit, allowing the people to be self-sufficient and do their own thing.
After the four of them had passed the initial busy stage, they implemented a hands-off policy, touring the counties under their jurisdiction and reading and drinking tea in the mansion.
As long as their subordinates did not come to them to make demands, and as long as they did not find out that the officials were covering up for each other, the people dared not speak out. The four of them lived in seclusion, like a dragon that could not be seen from head to tail, with a very low sense of existence.
"As expected, they are the Four Elders of Shangshan who could make Emperor Gaozu of Han change his mind."
Ying Chengjiao was full of praise and carefully studied the policies of the four people, drawing nourishment from them.
"Your Majesty, do you think that the four words 'rule by inaction' are the best?"
After returning from Yiyang, the scientist who wanted Ying Chengjiao to fulfill his promise spoke frankly.
He was still wearing a black linen robe, without any jade accessories on his body, and his face was dark.
"To have the ability but not to do anything, euphemistically calling it ruling by inaction, is actually just like your Majesty, just being lazy."
Ying Chengjiao did not respond to the scientists' words, saying that there was no need for such an argument.
No matter whether the cat is black or white, a cat that can catch mice is a good cat. There is no need to argue about right or wrong.
The vast majority of debates are just for the sake of debate, arguing to make others accept one's own point of view, rather than really exploring the true meaning.
"Perhaps."
Ying Chengjiao nodded.
If you want others to listen to you, you should first listen to them and express your agreement appropriately.
"You came to me today to govern the land of Han?"
Upon hearing this, the scientist could not hide his excitement and said:
"Your Majesty once promised that if I could govern Yiyang well, he would let me govern Han. Now it is time for Your Majesty to fulfill his promise. Your Majesty, please go to Yiyang and observe the rule of the Mohist school!"
"Okay, if you really manage well, I will give you this position."
Ying Chengjiao agreed very readily, so readily that it made the scientists feel a little unreal.
Mozi's lifelong wish was fulfilled so easily... The scientist was deeply skeptical. He was not surprised at anything his sovereign did.
"Your Majesty, are you thinking of becoming a scoundrel and then regretting it?"
"You just said that I like to rule by doing nothing. If you do a good job, it will be much easier for Han Di to let you rule me. Let's go to your Yiyang and take a look. I really want to know what it's like to be in power."
Whether in the past life or this life, the Mohist school has never truly been in power.
Ying Chengjiao put on a bamboo hat to avoid being discovered by someone with ulterior motives.
Nowadays, Korea is a mixed crowd, and many people recognize Ying Chengjiao's face.
The scientist was given another one. Without this face, Ying Chengjiao would not be able to continue his incognito visit.
With a little curiosity, Ying Chengjiao and the scientists rode two fast horses and quickly went to Yiyang.
Ying Chengjiao didn't know the current situation in Yi Yang.
He is lazy.
He trusted the scientists, so he would not find himself an extra county government job.
The scientist is so confident, it seems that he is very satisfied with the governance of Yi Yang. The Mohist school is really capable of governing... Ying Chengjiao cracked his whip and felt that he really should take a good look at the various schools of thought.
Just like Taoism, governing by inaction is to follow the natural order of heaven, not to ignore everything. The premise of the Four Haos of Shangshan governing by inaction and not intervening in things is that they have established a good framework for the county and established policies to let people's livelihood rest.
They let go only after they were sure that the county would develop in a good direction.
This is very different from Ying Chengjiao's impression of Taoist disciples who abandoned wisdom and lived in seclusion from the world.
Ying Chengjiao was somewhat looking forward to what kind of surprises Mohism would bring him after Taoism.
Running all the way, no words.
The moment he stepped into Yi Yang County, Ying Chengjiao felt something strange.
Most people, as far as I could see, were wearing linen clothes, the same cheap clothes that the scientists wore. Moreover, their clothes were all very similar, all black in color, with narrow sleeves and a samurai-like design.
There is a smile on everyone's face and light in everyone's eyes.
The smile is real, and the light is real too.
The people here are not only happy, but also not confused. They seem to have clear plans for the future and are full of expectations for the world.
How was this possible in such a feudal society... Ying Chengjiao glanced at the scientist sideways, a little surprised - the scientist did what he wanted to do but couldn't do.
He originally thought that in this era, it was impossible to successfully arm one's mind.
People kept coming in and out of the city gate, and the flow of people was almost as large as that of Xinzheng County.
Ying Chengjiao was slightly surprised and observed carefully.
It was discovered that most of the people leaving the city were dressed rather gorgeously, carrying large and small bags, riding in horse-drawn carriages and ox-drawn carts, accompanied by servants, and all had gloomy looks on their faces.
Most of the people who entered the city were in rags, skinny, and walked unsteadily. Many of them had to lean on sticks for support, and their eyes were evasive and they dared not look directly at others.
Ying Chengjiao asked the scientists to wait where they were, and rode his horse forward, stopping in front of a carriage pulled by two white horses.
He dismounted and straightened his clothes.
I introduced myself as I heard that the Mohist master had issued a decree to recruit talents on behalf of Chang'an Jun, so I came from Handan to Yiyang County where the Mohist master was working, hoping to get an official position. I don't know why so many people are not in the position? What happened in Yiyang?
Ying Chengjiao was wearing the finest Shu brocade today, an outer coat woven by skilled craftsmen, with a black base and a white tiger with hanging eyes embroidered on it with white thread.
Even in the richest land of Qi, these clothes were among the most expensive.
The discerning driver judged from Ying Chengjiao's conversation and the tall and fine horse he was riding that he was either rich or noble.
Therefore, even though Ying Chengjiao was wearing a bamboo hat and not showing his true face, he did not say anything bad. Instead, he quietly explained the situation to the people in the car through the curtain.
Ying Chengjiao waited patiently.
Seeing that the coachman hadn't stopped talking yet, the curtain was lifted from the inside, and a fat face poked out. The eyes, which seemed unusually small due to the fat, glanced at Ying Chengjiao, and his expression became a little more intimate.
"Just arrived in Yiyang?"
"Exactly."
Ying Chengjiao nodded, took out a gold coin from his bosom and handed it to the driver.
The driver looked at the hat in surprise and took it with both hands. Although he already knew that Ying Chengjiao was of extraordinary status, it was the first time for the driver to see someone so generous as to give gold right away.
The fat man verified the authenticity of the gold, and the smile on his face became more sincere. Ying Chengjiao said at the right time:
"May I ask, brother, is the order to recruit talents issued by the Mohist master on behalf of Chang'an Jun true or false?"
The fat man put the gold in his arms.
"Of course it is true."
"Is Yiyang ruled by a Mohist master?"
“This is also true.”
Ying Chengjiao's hat moved slightly, and there was obvious confusion in his voice.
"I heard that the Mohist master is the best in the world. Since the Mohist master is in power here, why did you leave? I came here from Handan just because of the Mohist master's reputation."
The fat man was silent for a moment, then said:
"To the poor, the great master is indeed as you said, the best in the world. He works with the peasants every day, planting in the fields and picking fruits from the trees. He lives in the same shabby room as the poor and eats the same food as the poor. Under the great master's management, no one in Yiyang starves to death.
"But for you and me, the kindness of the great man is of no benefit to us. My house is large enough for a hundred poor people to live in, and the value of the food I eat every day is enough to cover the poor people's monthly rations. I don't need the great man to help me.
"Your Excellency's gift is one gold coin, which shows that your wealth is far greater than mine. Yiyang County is not suitable for you and me to live in. If you trust me, you can follow me to Nanyang. With your ability, you will surely get what you want."
The bamboo hat swayed from side to side.
"I came here because I was attracted by the reputation of the Mohist master. I trust him and I only want to work under him. Thank you for your kindness, brother."
Ying Chengjiao led the horse and made way for the carriage.
The driver lightly lifted the reins and drove the carriage slowly forward, heading out of Yiyang City.
When the horse and carriage passed each other, the fat man who had retreated into the carriage stuck his head out again and threw something at Ying Chengjiao.
Ying Chengjiao took it in his hand. He didn't need to look at it. He knew it was the gold coin he had just thrown out just by the feel of it.
"My name is Chen Wang, and I am waiting for you in Nanyang."
"If you go to Nanyang, you should pay me a visit."
Ying Chengjiao jumped onto the horse.
"You and I will meet again."
Chen Wang smiled and retreated back into the car.
We will definitely meet again, are you so sure? Is he from the Yin-Yang family, or the Shi family... Ying Chengjiao thought silently.
Ever since seeing Guiguzi summoning rain and reading the "Corpse Son" he left behind, Ying Chengjiao felt a little stressed whenever he heard words like "inevitable" and "certain".
After taking another look at the dozen or so carriages heading out of the city in the distance, Ying Chengjiao rode his horse towards Yiyang City.
When the scientists saw it, they immediately followed.
He stopped several carriages along the way and spent four gold coins. He got answers similar to Chen Wang's from the owners of these carriages who were about to leave Yiyang.
Ying Chengjiao was therefore certain that something must have gone wrong in Yi Yang, but he was very curious about how this problem came about.
Because those who left Yi Yang were not forced to do so, but did so voluntarily, and those who left generally had a good opinion of the scientists.
Why can't a county that is satisfied with its rulers retain its people? Is it simply because the welfare is not provided?
But just as Chen Wang said, his mansion was big enough for a hundred poor people, and the daily value of was enough for a poor person to eat for more than a month.
Why would he, who was so rich, care about the shabby rooms and food that the scientists gave to the poor? Ying Chengjiao was puzzled.
Away from the city gate, along the way, Ying Chengjiao saw people climbing on roofs to repair houses, or people selling chickens and ducks in front of them, and they all had smiles on their faces.
This smile touched Ying Chengjiao deeply, but it also made him even more confused.
This smile is a smile of faith, a smile of realizing one's own value.
What is wrong with this county that can make people smile like this?
Cult?
This thought flashed through Ying Chengjiao's mind, and he quickly shook his head.
On this point, he trusts scientists more than he trusts himself.
It is impossible that the great leader of the Mohist school was a cult leader who wanted people to kill and burn, who shouted that those who believed in him would be invulnerable to swords and guns, and who wanted his followers to burn themselves to death in order to ascend to heaven.
After walking around half of Yi Yang County, Ying Chengjiao followed the scientist back to his residence.
When he saw the county magistrate's mansion for the first time, Ying Chengjiao was a little bit unbelievable and questioned the scientist.
"Why is your county magistrate's mansion so shabby?"
Scientists are justified.
"It's enough to be able to live there and handle government affairs."
Ying Chengjiao was speechless.
How could the county magistrate's mansion in front of him be called a mansion? If the scientist hadn't led him here, he would have definitely thought that this simple and shabby house with a single wooden door was inhabited by a poor person.
The scientist's county magistrate's mansion is not as good as a single house in Wu Shi's county magistrate's mansion.
"How can you convince the people if you live here and run a government in a place like this?"
“I live in the same house as the people, why can’t I convince them?”
Ying Chengjiao slapped his head, sighed, and said:
"That doesn't make sense. Let's go inside first. I think I understand where the problem lies."
I don’t think there is any problem. The situation in Yiyang is very good now… the scientist thought to himself.
After entering the house, the scientists reported to Ying Chengjiao all the policies issued in Yi Yang and what had been done, along with the papers recording the information.
The initial situation in Yiyang was even more chaotic than that in Yewang, because it was the first county town to shout out "Are kings, princes, generals, and ministers all born of different races?"
There was only one Shan in Yewang, but there were seven in Yiyang.
These seven people divided Yiyang into seven parts, each occupying a piece of land, and they did not interfere with each other. If it were not for the small scale, they could almost be said to be independent.
After the scientists arrived in Yi Yang and understood the situation, they started to call for help.
Wu Shi still needs to find the lieutenant of Yewang County. However, as a scientist and a great figure of Mohism, he doesn't even need to find the lieutenant of Yiyang County, because there are too many disciples of Mohism who can fight and kill.
Just one night later, the martial arts disciples of the Mohist school - who were once known as Chu Mo for a while - killed all seven people and hung their heads on the city wall for public display.
Those followers who should be killed should be killed, and those who should be buried should be buried. Everything should be done according to the law.
Wu Shi later pardoned the criminals who were not sentenced to death, but the scientists did not do so.
He publicly tried these seven people, who could not be called members of a regime but only of a group, and killed them all amid the hatred of the people of Yiyang.
The Mohist school attaches the most importance to public opinion.
The next step according to normal procedures should be to set up a government office and recruit officials.
The Scientist Government was established, but the official, the scientist, made a wave of outrageous moves that Ying Chengjiao could understand but was still shocked by.
As long as they are disciples of Mohism, they are all officials. There is no need to recruit officials specifically.
"Then this doesn't mean that Mohism has the final say? The people don't object?"
Ying Chengjiao blurted out.
Then the scientist looked at Ying Chengjiao as if he were an idiot and said:
"Most of the people in Yiyang have joined the Mohist School. They are all my disciples."
