Zheng Xuan listened carefully to what Guo Jia said, then raised his hand to stroke his beard and replied slowly, "Minister over the Masses Guo's words are wrong."
Guo Jia raised his eyebrows and said, "Sir, please give me some advice."
Zheng Xuan said, "Confucianism is the foundation of the country. Since Duke of Zhou made rituals and made music, Confucius deleted Six Classics. This way has been passed down for thousands of years and is the foundation of Huaxia."
"It teaches benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness, so that all people can know their integrity and understand human ethics, so that the country can have long-term peace and stability."
"If Confucianism is abandoned, like a building without a foundation, how can we build a country?"
After Zheng Xuan finished speaking, Guo Jia said immediately, "Although the public statement is good, today's world is not comparable to the past."
"In the past, when Emperor Gaozu and Emperors Wen and Jing were around, I, Great Han, advocated Huang-Lao Learning and governed by doing nothing; however, Huang-Lao Learning was more than capable of governing the country, but insufficient to strengthen it. Therefore, after Emperor Wu came to the throne, he deposed all schools of thought and only respected Confucianism, forcing me, Great Han."
"It can be seen that a strong country should adapt to local conditions and conform to the general trend, rather than being static."
"Your Majesty is wise and wants to enrich the country and strengthen the army in order to make progress. If you stick to the ancient Confucianism and advocate empty talk instead of committing to the development of agriculture, water conservancy, and equipment, how can you defend yourself against the enemy? How can you prosper Han Dynasty?"
Guo Jia does not address Zheng Xuan's problems head-on.
Instead, the example of Great Han abandoning Huang-Lao Learning and using Confucianism is cited to demonstrate the importance of New Learning.
Zheng Xuan looked calm and said, "Farming, mulberry, water conservancy, and equipment are important tasks, but these are all insignificant. Confucianism The foundation lies in rectifying people's hearts and respecting customs. If people are righteous, the country will be governed, and if customs are pure, the world will be peaceful."
"If everyone has a heart of benevolence and righteousness, is there any reason why the country should not be strong? And the way to govern a country is to rule by virtue, not to convince people by force. If the country is governed by virtue, the people's hearts will return to it. This is the strategy for long-term peace and stability."
"Minister over the Masses Guo, public reforms to strengthen the country and carry forward New Learning's theory are beneficial to strengthening the country, but the foundation of Confucianism cannot be abolished."
"In the past, Duke Huan of Qi and the nine princes united to rule the world and achieved hegemony. How could it be just by Guan Zhong's reforms?"
"What matters more is the Confucian School great righteousness of 'respecting the king and rejecting the barbarians'! This great righteousness can make the princes of the world return to their hearts, and Qi State can command the heroes! If you abandon etiquette, justice and morality, and only rely on force and power, how can you conquer the masses?"
Guo Jia frowned deeply, thinking silently.
Seeing this, Zheng Xuan continued, "Qin governed the country with Legalist School and severe punishments. In a short period of time, the country became rich and powerful, swept Six States, and unified the world."
"But Qin abandoned Confucian School'Benevolent Governance' thinking, imposed excessive taxes and heavy taxes, imposed countless Corvées, and made the people miserable. In the end, Chen Sheng and Wu Guang rose up, and Qin Dynasty II died."
"It can be seen that without the benevolence and justice advocated by Confucianism as the cornerstone, even if a country rises with strong force and technology, it will not last long."
"Look at Rule of Wen and Jing again." Zheng Xuan's eyes were bright and his tone was serious, "Minister over the Masses Guo said that Emperor Xiaowu abandoned Huang-Lao Learning and switched to Confucianism to govern the country, which made Great Han strong, but this is not the case."
"During the reigns of the two emperors Emperor Xiaowen and Emperor Xiaojing, although Huang-Lao Learning was highly respected, he was light on corvee and paid little in taxes, and rested with the people, at the same time he also educated the people with Confucianism's ideas of moral governance."
"Because of this, the people were able to recuperate, the social atmosphere was simple, and the country gradually prospered. This is the connotation of Confucianism, supplemented by appropriate policies to govern the country."
"But Minister over the Masses Guo insists on abandoning Confucianism and promoting New Learning. It is really an act of abandoning the basics and chasing the weak. If we only focus on technological development and ignore the moral education of the people, and the people's hearts are unstable, how can we have a peaceful and prosperous age?"
Chapter 509 Zhuge Liang scolding Wang Lang! Ancestors is not lawful!
Although Guo Jia took the lead and attacked fiercely, Zheng Xuan was still great Confucian who was well-read in poetry and well versed in ancient and modern times. He quickly found loopholes in Guo Jia's words and counterattacked, turning the situation around again.
"Minister over the Masses Guo only saw the surface of Confucianism, but did not penetrate its essence."
After Zheng Xuan finished talking, he continued, "I have studied Confucianism for decades, and I have a rough understanding of Confucianism."
"Confucius spoke of fulfilling benevolence, Mencius said that the words "righteousness" and "benevolence and righteousness" are the foundation of my Confucian School. Three Bonds and Five Constant Virtues, etiquette, law, honor and disgrace, all come from this."
"I, Huanghuang Huaxia, have been based on Confucianism since Spring and Autumn period to the present, which has brought people together, loyalty and filial piety."
"I do not deny that there are villains who use Confucianism to seek personal gain. However, Confucianism is not at fault. Sage's words and Sage's doctrine are also not at fault."
"Minister over the Masses Guo helped Your Majesty in times of crisis, and Yuan Minister of Works personally helped Patricide Impartiality in the Face of Family. Isn't that the best interpretation of the word loyalty and filial piety?"
Guo Jia is speechless, let alone unable to refute.
Because this is their disadvantage.
Great Han Ruling the country with Confucianism, Confucianism and Legalism It is good to have various disadvantages, but the positive impact is greater, so he has just been avoiding the important and taking the easy.
And speaking from the bottom of his heart, he did not completely deny Confucianism and Legalism's philosophy of governing the country. He just wanted to use New Learning to develop technology and select talents.
But unfortunately, this Old and New Learning Dispute is related to the ownership of Path of Promotion, so it will only end if one of the parties wins.
"Okay! The teacher is really great!"
Under the debate table, Cui Yan saw that Zheng Xuan had the upper hand, and couldn't help but cheer in a low voice, feeling very excited.
The other Great Aristocratic Families Clan Heads also smiled.
His remarks directly left Guo Jia speechless. He truly deserves to be the No. 1 great Confucian in the world.
This debate has been settled.
But at this moment, an untimely voice sounded, "Mr. Zheng said that Minister over the Masses Guo only saw the appearance of Confucianism, but is it not the case with Mr. Zheng?"
Everyone looked behind Guo Jia.
I saw Pang Tong stand up, smile slightly and then cup his hands and say, "Junior Pang Tong, come and defend Zheng for the second time!"
The first debate has just ended.
Obviously Guo Jia has not argued with Zheng Xuan.
So this second game will be played by Pang Tong.
Everyone in the audience had strange expressions on their faces when they saw this. Pang Tong's sharp teeth and sharp tongue were already shown before the debate began. He is definitely a difficult character to deal with.
Seeing this, Hua Xin couldn't sit still. He wanted to stand up and defend himself, but seeing that Zheng Xuan didn't move, he had to endure it.
Zheng Xuan looked at Pang Tong with a deep look and asked, "My little friend said that I only saw the surface. How do you interpret this?"
Pang Tong smiled and said, "Mr. Zheng is right, Confucianism and Legalism does have various benefits. This is undeniable, and Minister over the Masses Guo has not denied it either."
"Minister over the Masses Guo's point of view is also very clear. Confucianism and Legalism is good, but it is no longer suitable for today's current situation, let alone the development needs of my Great Han."
"We know this very well, but Mr. Zheng only sees the good side of Confucianism and Legalism, but cannot see the fact that Confucianism and Legalism cannot make Great Han rich and powerful."
"How does a country become rich? Why is it strong? If the people have enough food and clothing, State Treasury will be rich, and the army will be well-armed, and Iron Cavalry will be strong!"
"However, Confucianism and Legalism cannot satisfy these two points."
Pang Tong stood up and walked around on the debate stage with a calm expression. Then he looked at Zheng Xuan and told a story.
"When I was studying abroad, I overheard a conversation between a farmer doing farm work and a scholar."
"The farmer was miserable with the farm work and complained endlessly. After hearing this, the scholar comforted him with the words of the sage, saying that the sage said: Heaven has entrusted this man with a great responsibility, and he must work hard on his mind and body."
"Does Mr. Zheng know how the farmer responded?"
Pang Tong asked Zheng Xuan with a smile.
Zheng Xuan slowly shook his head.
Pang Tong laughed, "The farmer said: Sage, he likes nonsense the most. Do you want him to try this for the rest of his life?"
"The scholar was speechless and finally hid his face and left."
"I wonder how Mr. Zheng would answer the farmer's question if he were the scholar?"
Zheng Xuan lowered his eyes and remained silent.
Because this problem has no solution.
No matter how much reason you give to the farmer, no matter how much you comfort him, it can't ease the farmer's hard work.
Pang Tong's angle to break the situation is very tricky. He doesn't talk about the disadvantages of Confucianism and Legalism. He just tells the objective facts, but it makes people unable to answer.
You say Confucianism is good and Sage is wonderful, but can these be used as food? Can they be used as weapons? Can they resist the enemy?
And this is also the most fatal problem of Confucianism.
"At that time, the world was in chaos, decline of the Han Dynasty, Confucianism, but the world was still trapped in red tape. Those rotten scholars and wise men were only trying to find chapters and excerpts from the scriptures, which was of no use in Age of Chaos."
"In the end, it was only thanks to Your Majesty's brilliance and prowess, the generals' bravery in killing the enemy, and Court Officials's frequent strategies that we defeated all powerful enemies and brought peace to the world."
"Therefore, if you want to make me Great Han rich and strong, Confucianism and Legalism can only be a supplement. Only by vigorously developing New Learning, improving weapons, building water conservancy, innovating farming, and strengthening national strength can all nations come to the DPRK!"
Pang Tong may have an ugly face, but when he said these words he was impassioned and extremely inspiring.
"Well said!"
Lü Bu in the audience was so excited that he couldn't help slamming the table and cheering loudly.
He didn't expect that this boy looked ugly, but his words were so pleasant, which almost touched his heart.
Chen Gong glared at Lü Bu, but didn't say anything.
Because he also agreed with what Pang Tong said in his heart.
Pang Tong's breakthrough was a masterful one. No wonder Son of Heaven was selected to participate in this debate.
Even Lü Bu, the big boss, was moved, not to mention other scholars in the audience. Many scholars who supported Confucianism and Legalism couldn't help but fall into deep thought after listening to Pang Tong's debate.
Hua Xin looked very ugly. He wanted to go up and refute Pang Tong, but he couldn't find any point to refute.
Wang Lang saw that Hua Xin was motionless and Zheng Xuan was alone and helpless, so he took the initiative to stand up and said, "You are such a clever talker, but you made such a treasonous statement!"
"Confucianism has been passed down for thousands of years and is the root of our Huaxia civilization. All etiquette, justice and integrity come from this. Duke of Zhou makes rituals and music, and Confucius travels around to preach, which makes me, Huaxia, different from the barbarians!"
"Now you are talking nonsense, saying that Sage's teachings are useless. Where do you put the sage? Where do you put Former Emperors of Every Era?"
"Three Bonds and Five Constant Virtues, loyalty, filial piety, etiquette and justice all come from Confucianism and Legalism. I, Great Han, govern the country with filial piety. According to you, is this all wrong?"
"You are so brave!"
Wang Lang's words are really confusing, forcing the subject to change, and putting a big hat on Pang Tong.
Great Han Rules the country with filial piety. Your opposition to Confucianism and Legalism is to oppose this concept set by Former Emperor. What do you mean?
Do you dare to say that Former Emperor is wrong?
Pang Tong frowned when he heard this, and his face darkened. Wang Lang's method was too shameless, and he couldn't refute it for a while.
But at this time Zhuge Liang suddenly stood up.
I saw him looking directly at Wang Lang: "Lord Wang should not confuse the public and misinterpret at will!"
"When did Shiyuan say that Sage's teachings are useless? Liang respects Duke of Zhou, Confucius and other ancestors, and also knows the importance of Confucianism to Huaxia. But today, you take it out of context and try to use words to shackle the road to reform!"
"Duke of Zhou made rituals and music in order to conform to the world's sentiments at that time; Confucius traveled around preaching in order to save Age of Chaos."
"But now times are changing and the situation is very different. Shouldn't we learn the essence from Sage's thoughts and adapt flexibly instead of sticking to dogma?"
"As for your mention of Three Bonds and Five Constant Virtues, loyalty, filial piety, etiquette and justice, we advocate New Learning, not to abandon these moral principles, but to strive to use fair and strict laws to enable people to truly practice etiquette and justice, and to ensure that loyalty and filial piety can survive!"