Chapter 346: Parents’ wishes are filial piety in human nature
Nanyang.
Ying Chengjiao walked around the street and then went to the Nanyang County Magistrate's Mansion.
There is nothing much to see in Nanyang.
Among the many cities managed by the Hundred Schools of Thought, the cities managed by Confucianism were not as developed as those managed by Taoism, but they were not as degraded as those managed by the Wushu of Chu State.
Confucianism advocates moderation.
There are many policies promulgated by Confucianism:
When parents pass away, children observe mourning for three years.
When meeting elders, one should be polite and respectful.
Those with high moral standards are role models and are supported and respected by the government.
Those who perform heroic acts will be rewarded, and the government will publicly announce the distribution.
…
If we take out one of these policies alone, we cannot understand their meaning, and they do not seem to be of much help to the situation.
But when these policies were issued and implemented together, they produced a combined effect - the cities managed by Confucianism slowly developed.
Those who do evil are despised.
Those who do good are respected.
The city managed by Confucianism is the most polite and has the most rules.
Ying Chengjiao, who hated too many rules, did not think this was a good thing, but he did not interfere with the development of the situation because of his own likes and dislikes.
Because of etiquette, these cities were freed from ignorance.
The changes in people's lives and the development of the city are moving in a good direction.
These are much more important than Ying Chengjiao’s own will.
In Korea, where the ruling class had just been overthrown and the people were still not able to get enough food and clothing, Confucianism, which attached great importance to etiquette, generally could not gain a firm foothold.
There is one key point that must be mentioned about the reason why Confucianism was able to gain a foothold in Han: Confucianism borrowed the momentum of Ying Chengjiao.
When the Confucian leader Fu Sheng was appointed as the county magistrate in Nanyang, the first place he went to was not the county magistrate's office, but the Daqin Academy.
The first item issued was not a government decree, but a call for the people of Nanyang to read and learn the Confucian classic - the annotated version of "The Analects of Confucius" by Ying Chengjiao.
Chang'an Jun Ying Chengjiao has a high reputation in Han. As the owner of the Lu Chamber of Commerce who led a group of Han people to overthrow the rule of the aristocracy, the people of Han have a much higher degree of recognition of the three words "Chang'an Jun" than the First Emperor who is right in front of them.
Thanks to the five words "Ying Chengjiao's annotations", "The Analects of Confucius" was briefly sought after by the people of Nanyang, and the Daqin School in Nanyang was overcrowded for a time.
Regardless of its intentions, from a fact perspective, Confucianism was the first of the Hundred Schools of Thought to enlighten the general public and enable them to read and write.
Education is an extremely important part of Confucian rule.
Confucius said: There is no distinction in teaching.
Relying on the Xinzheng County Magistrate's Order obtained from Qiang, Ying Chengjiao was led by Confucian disciples into the county magistrate's mansion.
The person who led him was very respectful, and kept talking about the beauty of Chang'an Jun, saying that he was truly a saint. He talked from the gate of the county magistrate's mansion to the door of the main room, from the corner of the house to the hallway of the house.
A few months ago, because of the "speech" in the court, many Confucian scholars hated Ying Chengjiao so much that they gnashed their teeth and wished that this boy who made up stories about classics would die.
As of today, there has been a two-level reversal.
Those who cursed the boy to death in the past are the same group of Confucian disciples who are now praising Chang'an Jun as a sage.
"Your Excellency has come here with the county governor's order. What is the important matter?"
Fu Sheng, who was specifically requested by Ying Chengjiao to meet him in person, stepped into the room, bowed and saluted deeply.
There was a callus on his lips, and his back was straight after the salute. Being a young man, his face was full of vigor and complacency.
"You look much better than when you were in Xianyang."
Ying Chengjiao said with a smile, without keeping the audience in suspense by saying anything like "guess who I am". He raised his hand to take off his hat, revealing his true face.
Fu Sheng felt that the voice sounded familiar, and from Ying Chengjiao's words he judged that it should be someone he knew, so he was searching for the name in his mind to match it to the person.
Seeing the person wearing the hat taking it off, I stopped thinking about it and just waited for the answer.
When he saw Ying Chengjiao's appearance, he was suddenly startled and said in a lost voice:
"Changan-kun?!"
Fortunately, Fu Sheng was very polite and closed the door after entering. Although the noise was a bit loud, it would not be known to everyone in the county magistrate's mansion.
"There's no need to make such a fuss."
Ying Chengjiao indirectly confirmed Fu Sheng's guess.
Fu Sheng was about to perform the salute again - the previous etiquette was for the county governor's envoy, not for the king. Confucian etiquette is diverse, and different etiquette is performed for different people.
"No need for the empty formalities, you know my character."
Fu Sheng bowed solemnly, his head almost hitting his toes as he bent down, and then he said:
"Fusheng pays homage to Lord Chang'an and thanks Lord Chang'an for his kindness to Confucianism."
Ying Chengjiao accepted the salute without avoiding it.
"I don't need to thank you for your kindness."
"I am a boy, not a saint."
"Now, it's time for you Confucians to repay me."
Fu Sheng's shocked expression immediately became solemn and he raised one hand.
"Changan Jun, please speak."
Ying Chengjiao smiled and said:
"I want Confucianism to abolish etiquette."
"I want Confucianism without aristocracy."
"I want Confucianism to teach the world."
These three sentences made Fu Sheng's face change twice.
Of these three requirements, only the last one is consistent with the Confucian position, and the first two are seriously inconsistent with Confucian ideas. To be precise, it is subverting traditional Confucianism.
Confucianism is an aristocratic doctrine. Confucianism, which is dedicated to reviving the Zhou rituals, is essentially still using the system of family rule to govern.
Like Mohism, Confucianism also advocates loving others.
But unlike the Mohist universal love, the Confucian love is discriminatory.
You should love your family more than your friends.
Love your friends more than you love strangers.
Confucian morality is above the law.
If parents break the law and their children do not report it to the authorities, they will be punished. However, if they report it to the authorities, they will also be punished. And the punishment for the latter is much greater than the former.
Confucianism does not have the four words "sacrifice one's relatives for the sake of justice", but only the two words "unfilial piety".
This is the method used by Confucianism to govern the country, ritual governance.
The same is true between the ruler and his subjects - the ruler treats his subjects with courtesy, and the subjects serve the ruler with loyalty.
The king should treat his subjects with courtesy, and the subjects should repay the king with absolute loyalty.
These rules and regulations of etiquette have become a cage that binds the people, forcing them to learn how to be better ruled from an early age.
Of course, from another perspective, these rituals maintain social stability. Social stability, as the main body of human life, ensures the lives of most people. This cage not only has a restraining effect, but also protects.
"Please forgive me, Lord Chang'an..."
Fu Sheng refused with a sullen look on his face. Ying Chengjiao did not wait for him to finish and said:
"If it was Chunyu Yue instead of you, Fusheng, who was here today, I would not have come. I thought you would agree to my request."
The water was a little cold when he got it, but it was steaming hot when he first brought it up, and Ying Chengqiu took a sip.
"Wu Shi, Tang Bing... these people are your old friends. The cities they govern are developing much faster than Nanyang. Do you know why?"
Fu Sheng remained silent and did not answer.
"It seems that he knows."
Ying Chengjiao crossed his hands and rested his chin on them.
"I can understand why the common people should be enrolled in the Great Qin Academy and taught according to their age."
"I can understand that the people should serve their parents and set up people of high moral character as role models ."
"What I don't understand is that when parents pass away, one has to observe mourning for three years and not do anything else during those three years. Why is that?"
Fusheng lowered his head slightly.
"This is what Confucius said in the Analects, about..."
Ying Chengjiao knocked hard on the table, interrupting Fu Sheng's words with a dull sound.
"I know the source, you don't need me to tell you."
"I want you to explain to me now why this is so."
Fu Sheng followed closely and said:
"After a child is born, it takes three years for him to leave his parents' arms. These three years are the most tiring and difficult time for parents."
“Therefore, after parents pass away, children should observe mourning for three years to repay their parents for their kindness in raising them.”
"The Zhou Dynasty practiced mourning for one's parents for three years."
After a pause, seeing that Chang'an Jun was still looking at him, Fu Sheng said:
"The more the people value filial piety, the more they will know propriety, righteousness, integrity and shame. Only when the world values propriety can there be peace and prosperity."
Ying Chengjiao high-fived and smiled.
"color."
"You finally told the truth, even though it was only half a sentence, it is still precious."
"This peace is not your peace, nor is it the peace of the people. It is the peace of those in power."
"This prosperous age is not your prosperous age, nor is it the prosperous age of the common people, but the prosperous age of the nobles."
The cup served was filled with hot water instead of tea.
If Fu Sheng hadn't been negligent, it would have been because the county magistrate's office only had hot water as its highest standard, and not the turbid tea soup that only the nobility could enjoy.
As the magistrate of Nanyang County, Fusheng did not enjoy the things that a superior should enjoy.
Fu Sheng looked at Ying Chengjiao and asked:
"Isn't Lord Chang'an a superior? Isn't he a noble?"
"I am naturally a superior and a noble."
"If that's the case, why should we reflect on ourselves?"
“Because I’m unhappy.”
Facing Fu Sheng's puzzled look, Ying Chengjiao smiled and said:
"Filial piety is a virtue, and respecting teachers and treating others with sincerity is also a good thing. These are all very good."
"These wonderful things should be promoted, but they should not be used as tools to control others. This makes me feel very uncomfortable and want to rebel."
rebel?
Fu Sheng was so shocked that he lost his balance and took a half step back, his face showing fear mixed with confusion.
From the attitude of the First Emperor during the Wax Festival, even Fusheng, who was not good at dealing with the ways of the world, could tell that the Second Emperor of Qin might not be the Crown Prince Ying Fusu, but the Chang'an Jun in front of him.
Moreover, after the wax sacrifice, rumors of "one son establishing two kings" and "Chang'an Jun giving up the throne to Your Majesty" also spread among the ministers, and they sounded very plausible.
Fu Sheng didn't believe it at first, but when he saw that the First Emperor showed no signs of stopping it and that the old ministers told the same story about the past with almost no deviation, he became skeptical.
Why would such a person, the most noble person in the world who was born into a royal family, had the hope of ascending the throne, and even gave up the throne, have such a rebellious thought - I am rebelling against myself?
Such an idea could only be thought of by a great scholar who came from a humble background, read a lot, and understood the essence of Confucianism - such as Fu Sheng himself.
If you have not experienced suffering, you cannot understand suffering.
Ying Chengjiao stood up from his seat and walked around the table which was made of just a piece of inferior wood.
"Parents love their children. This love is not mixed with utilitarianism and does not seek rewards. However, Confucianism insists on defining this love. It defines that if you do not observe three years of mourning for your parents, it is considered unfilial etiquette."
This was not set by Confucianism, it was set by the Zhou Dynasty... Fusheng spoke in his heart.
Although he didn't say it out loud, there was something strange on his face, and Ying Chengjiao saw it at a glance.
"Zai Wo, Confucius's disciple, asked Confucius: 'Three years of mourning for the death of one's parents is too long. One year will be enough.'"
Confucius replied: "It has been less than three years since your parents passed away, and you are eating fine rice and wearing brocade clothes. Do you feel at ease?"
"Zaiwo said: 'Peace of mind.'"
"Confucius said: 'If you feel at ease, then do it. During the period of mourning, a gentleman does not feel the sweetness of delicious food, does not feel happy when listening to music, and does not feel comfortable when living at home. Now that you feel at ease, then do it.'"
"This is recorded in the Analects. Is my interpretation not a misunderstanding?"
Fusheng smiled and bowed slightly.
"What Chang'an Jun said is exactly the true meaning."
Ying Chengjiao nodded with satisfaction.
"very good.
"Would deceased parents want to see their children suffer for three years, without being able to eat refined rice or silk? No."
"They went through the hardest three years before their children turned three and did not give up on them. They did not do so in order to make their children suffer for three years after their death."
"It is the Confucians, Confucius, the superiors, and the aristocrats who make their children suffer for three years!"
"I hope that this will make people all over the world bend their knees, bow their bodies, and learn to obey!"
Hearing such outrageous words, Fu Sheng still kept smiling and did not refute.
Ying Chengjiao waited quietly for Fusheng to refute, but before he opened his mouth, he looked deeply at Fusheng, who was still able to laugh.
I was right. How could Fu Sheng, a great scholar who was well versed in Confucian classics and the commentator of the Book of Documents, not know the inner meaning of Confucianism?
"Promoting filial piety should not go against humanity. When my father was alive, he often laughed because of me."
"I helped my father solve his problems and served him. After my father passed away, I did not observe the three-year mourning period. In your opinion, am I a filial or unfilial person?"
Fu Sheng smiled and said:
"King Zhuangxiang was committed to the unification of the Qin Dynasty. He was more concerned with state affairs than family affairs. During his reign, there were many factions in the court."
"I was born in Xianyang and heard many rumors about Chang'an Jun. If Chang'an Jun is really popular, he can integrate the power of Qin. No one will disobey my father in handling government affairs. He can find the First Emperor and solve the problem of King Zhuangxiang. He can give up the throne to his elder brother and fulfill my father's wish to unify the world."
"State affairs, family affairs, big matters, small matters, Chang'an Jun handles them all for my father. In terms of filial piety, there is no one in the world who is more filial than Chang'an Jun."
Ying Chengjiao walked up to Fusheng, pinched Fusheng's face, and carefully observed the skin color at the root.
"Are you really Fu Sheng? Aren't you Zhou Qingchen wearing a human skin mask?"
This flattery is really loud.
Ying Chengjiao raised his arms high, stretched himself, and yawned with his hands covering his mouth.
"It seems that Mr. and I have reached a consensus."
"You should show filial piety to your parents while they are still alive. Sitting in silence for three years after they die is not showing filial piety to your parents, but to those in higher positions."
"The dead are gone, and the living are like this. This is what our parents wish for, and this is filial piety in the human world."
"There are many of these in Confucian etiquette, so just get rid of them. The Taoists are busy building new homes, while you are just a bunch of people mourning in front of the graves. How can you compare with the Taoists?"
Fu Sheng, a great scholar who was obsessed with classics and indifferent to worldly affairs, clasped his hands.
"only."
good.
He said in his heart.
