The Sage of Confucianism and Taoism

Chapter 2453: Self-denial and return to propriety, the world will be benevolent

Jing Jun looked nervous, like a student facing a surprise exam. He thought for a moment, coughed slightly, and said slowly: "Confucius believed that if you use administrative means to guide the people and use criminal law to govern and rectify the people, then the people will only be temporarily exempted." for sin Having no sense of shame does not mean that you do not want to commit crimes. But if you use morality to guide the people and use ethics to rectify the people, then the people will not only have a sense of shame, but will not only take the initiative not to commit crimes, but will also obey the rulers because of morality and ethics. people."

"Good." Fang Yun nodded lightly.

Jing Jun couldn't help but smile and raised his chin slightly, feeling proud that he could be praised by Fang Yun.

The Queen Mother saw this scene with her peripheral vision and frowned slightly.

Some officials noticed Jing Jun's reaction and sighed inwardly. Even if he is the king of a country, he still has to bow his head in front of Fang Yun. Even though this little king knows that Fang Yun wants to control the government and the public, he still can't hide his admiration and envy for Fang Yun in his heart. , he couldn't help but feel proud when he was praised by Fang Yun.

All the officials were helpless, not only the king, but even if he was praised by Fang Yun once, he would be elated.

After all, Fang Yun is the number one person among the saints.

Wuhou's chariot turned slightly, allowing Fang Yun to face Jun Jing and the ministers sideways.

Fang Yun said: "Confucius Sheng said something, and your Majesty is also familiar with this truth. Presumably your colleagues will not object to Confucius Sheng's words, right?"

Some officials rolled their eyes inwardly. Fang Yun's words were too straightforward, just like fishing with a straight hook. No matter how stupid the officials were, they would not object to Confucius' words.

There was silence in Jinluan Hall.

Fang Yun sighed and said: "I have been an official in Jingguo for many years. I have been personally involved in government affairs. I started from a prefecture and served as governor of two states. I am well aware of the sufferings of the people. I have been thinking about it these years, and Jingguo's laws are constantly changing." With the country’s prosperity and increasing number of scholars, why do some people still commit crimes? Why do some people still suffer from poverty? Why?”

The officials listened attentively. Regardless of their stance, they all wanted to hear Fang Yun's views on governing the country.

Fang Yun continued: "For this reason, the truth has been looking for various reasons. Is it because the law is not strict, is it because people's hearts are unpredictable, is it the incompetence of officials, or is it destiny? In order to solve this problem, the truth is even written on paper one by one List every reason, so that you can "set up thousands of questions and break them one by one."

Everyone was moved when they heard this.

Some people are secretly happy and grateful at the same time. This is the learning method of a great Confucian Xusheng. He first sets up thousands of questions, thinks hard, and solves them one by one. It seems ordinary, but it is also the most effective method. If you really encounter difficulties , you can learn this method.

"Even so, the original phase was helpless. The original phase has been studied throughout the past and present, but why can't it solve even a very common problem? So, the original phase traced back to the source and found a solution from the classics of the saints. In the end, the original phase re-read " "The Analects of Confucius", I found that all the truths are in the book. In fact, Confucius has already given the answer. No administrative means or punishment is needed, only morality and ethics can solve all the problems! What a detour!”

Fang Yun looked distressed.

However, all the officials were stunned.

What I said earlier makes sense, and can even be considered emotional and penetrating, but why did I reach an extremely absurd conclusion in the end?

What does it mean that criminal law and administration are useless? If so, what should Legalists do? What do you want officials to do? The human race has long been in chaos.

What does Fang Yun mean?

The officials were a little confused.

The Legalist officials looked wary, and even the old gentlemen in the Ministry of Rites, who had always adhered to the past, could not agree with Fang Yun's remarks that he only respected ethics.

Fang Yongyong said in a heavy tone: "Let me ask you, do the people of Jingguo have any complaints against us officials?"

When no one answered, Cao De'an said: "Back to Prime Minister Zuo, since ancient times, people's resentment has never stopped. Even the people who have nothing in Kongcheng still have some resentment towards Kongcheng officials."

Fang Yun said: "That's right. So, why do people have grievances? I can't figure it out, but Confucius gave the answer long ago. Confucius said: If you act for profit, you will be resentful! Colleagues, Confucius How correct it is to say that a person only does things for profit If something happens, others will be resentful! Officials only do things for profit and do not care about the people and do not follow benevolence, justice and ethics. How can the people not be resentful if they don't know what to do? As Confucius said, 'the people are at a loss'. Your Majesty, please repeat this sentence in full.”

Jing Jun coughed lightly and said in a clear voice: "If the name is not right, then the words will not go smoothly; if the words are not right, the things will not be done; if the things are not done, then the rituals and music will not be popular; if the rituals and music are not popular, the punishment will not be successful; the punishment will not be successful." In the middle, the people will be at a loss.”

Fang Yun nodded, and then said to the ministers: "Confucius has made it clear, how to judge the success or failure of the means of governing the country? We must use rituals and music as the standard! If rituals and music are not popular, no matter how perfect the laws are, they will not be able to Governing the people.”

Lin Shouyan, a scholar from Lidian University, nodded slightly.

Sheng Boyuan, the Minister of Civil Affairs, opened his mouth, but finally closed it.

He is the Minister of Rites and a disciple of Confucianism. He has studied the holy way of rites deeply. When Fang Yun is about to develop the rites, if he speaks out against it, it will not only affect his holy way, but also offend the rites hall. This is something he absolutely does not want to see. of.

What's more, Fang Yun started every sentence with the words of Confucius. Although his explanation was different from some great Confucian scholars' annotations, Fang Yun was a great Confucian scholar in the four realms and was qualified and capable of interpreting the Analects. Sheng Boyuan was only a university scholar and did not dare to interpret the classics of the saints at will. If he opposed Fang Yun and Fang Yun deliberately put pressure on him, at the least, his literary courage would be shaken, and at the worst, it would bring disaster to the palace.

Some officials noticed Sheng Boyuan's embarrassment and finally realized an important problem. Fang Yun and the royal officials seemed to be fighting fairly, but in fact, Fang Yun used the classics of the saints and literary status as weapons, and none of the officials who opposed Fang Yun was a great Confucian scholar, and none of them could interpret the classics.

This means that whatever Fang Yun said was what it was, and they had no qualifications and ability to refute it!

Some officials thought of this and their faces turned purple.

Fang Yun's behavior was even more excessive than adults bullying babies.

Babies can at least cry when they are bullied by adults, but these officials dare not even breathe.

Who dares to say Fang Yun is young? Who dares to say that Fang Yun is not experienced in political struggles?

The officials deeply realized that this was destined to be an unfair battle.

Cao De'an shook his head gently. This was not a court struggle at all. It was simply a fair crushing.

Fang Yun then said: "We all know that the highest realm of Confucianism is benevolence. You will not object to this, right?"

Some officials almost rolled their eyes. Fang Yun was simply too much. Benevolence is of course the highest realm of Confucianism. It is impossible for anyone to object. Fang Yun said this to strengthen his own correctness and constantly attack those who want to oppose him.

"Confucius said that self-restraint and restoration of rituals are benevolence! As a scholar, since I have taken on the position of left prime minister, I should inherit the will of Confucius and let the world return to benevolence! The first step to return to benevolence is to promote rituals and eliminate accumulated malpractices!"

Fang Yun's words were loud and clear.