After seeing Wanyan Qingjue, Zuo Wenhuai and his companions left the barracks and boarded a carriage that charged by the station to enter the city. Before the sun set, they entered Chengdu.
The four Huaxia soldiers with him all had the surname Zuo. They were children who had entered the Huaxia army under Zuo Duanyou's arrangement. Although the Zuo Clan was divided into the main family and branch families, those who could survive until now in the high-intensity war of the Hua Xia Army were all talents who could take charge of their own affairs.
"Before I came, I asked around. Uncle might have come to summon us back."
"We've been in the Huaxia army for so many years. Our family has settled down. Why should we go back?"
"You can't say that. Third Grandpa sent us here because he wanted us to go back."
"Go back where? The Wu dynasty? It's so rotten. There's no hope. "
"Wenhuai, what do you think?"
"I think … it's better to listen to Uncle Quan's words first."
The spacious chariot entered the city. Under the setting sun, the Zuo descendants gathered together to discuss some topics they were concerned about. When it was almost dark, they met Zuo Xiuquan and two of the Zuo brothers who had arrived earlier in the garden of the guest house.
They greeted Zuo Xiuquan and greeted each other before taking their seats in the dining hall of the guest house. Since the Zuo clan had paid, the dishes were more sumptuous than usual, but not too extravagant. After taking their seats, Zuo Xiuquan asked everyone about their positions in the army and the details of the battles they had participated in. He also remembered the Zuo descendants who had sacrificed themselves in the war.
"… Third Uncle sent you to the Huaxia army. There have been all sorts of discussions in the clan. Fortunately, I'm glad to see you all in good spirits today. The children from back then have all grown up. Third Uncle's soul in heaven can be comforted. Come, for your Third Grandpa … let's toast him. "
After reminiscing about the old days, Zuo Xiuquan's eyes welled up with tears when he mentioned Zuo Duanyou. He and the others paid tribute to the far-sighted old man.
Zuo Xiuquan then told everyone about the Zuo clan's current situation.
When the Wu dynasty was still intact, the Zuo family's roots were in the Central Plains. When the Jurchen moved south and the Central Plains were in turmoil, the Zuo family followed the Jianshuo court south. During the ten years of the Jianshuo Dynasty's prosperity, the Zuo Family had deep relationships with various parties and had many connections in the court. However, they didn't engage in economic expansion like the others. Instead, they used knowledge as a foundation and provided information and knowledge to the various large families. In the eyes of many, he was just keeping a low profile.
Of course, on the other hand, after the Battle of Little Canghe, the Chinese Army moved to the southwest and restarted their business. The Zuo family played an important role in this process. When the news of Ning Yi's death spread, the Huaxia Army had just arrived at Liang Mountain and its foundation was still unstable. It was the Zuo family who acted as the middleman. On one hand, they helped the Huaxia Army sell a large number of firearms to the outside world. On the other hand, they transported a lot of food from the outside world into the mountain to support the Huaxia Army's recovery.
Of course, this kind of behavior was inevitably criticized at the beginning. However, the Zuo family's long-term support and low profile kept some people's tongues at bay. When the Huaxia Army started doing business with the outside world, the Zuo family became one of the most important middlemen between the Huaxia Army and the outside world. Their service was good, the fees were not high, and the moral integrity of the scholars was guaranteed. This caused the Zuo family's importance in the Wu dynasty to rise. As long as the forces secretly chose to do business with the Huaxia Army, even if they didn't have a good impression of the Huaxia Army, they were willing to maintain a good relationship with the Zuo family no matter what. As for the public criticism of the Zuo family, it was swept away and disappeared without a trace.
When the Jurchen Army went south for the fourth time, Xi Yin originally considered wiping out the Zuo family in the area of Longxing (present-day Nanchang in Jiangxi). However, the Zuo family was prepared and escaped in advance. Instead, the nearby warlords such as Yu Gusheng and Li Tou He surrendered to the Jurchen Army. Of course, as the Battle of Changsha progressed, several warlord forces were greatly affected, and the Zuo family returned to Longxing.
At this time, although the Zuo family did not have many troops under their command, due to their long-standing neutral attitude, all parties had to give them face. Even the people in the "small court" who were plotting rebellion in Lin 'an were not willing to easily offend Zuo Jiyun, who was likely to be closer to the young Emperor of Fuzhou.
In this way, even under the background of the Huaxia Army's great victory over the Jurchen Western Army, only the Zuo family did not need to bow and scrape in front of the Huaxia Army. This was because under extremely difficult circumstances, they were already considered an equal ally of the Huaxia Army. It could even be said that in the early days of the Liangshan War in the southwest, they were a force that the Huaxia Army owed a debt of gratitude. This was the dividend that Zuo Duanyou had exchanged for a desperate bet in the last moments of his life.
After the Jurchen Army conquered Jiangnan, countless people fled. Naturally, some members of the Zuo family also died in such chaos. Zuo Xiuquan roughly explained the situation, and then began to discuss business with the younger generation.
"… Third Uncle once had a certain judgment about the Jurchen Army's southward march this time. He said that the Jurchen Army's southward march was inevitable, and that the Wu dynasty was likely to be unable to resist this attack, but it was impossible for the Jurchen Army to destroy the Wu dynasty or take control of Jiangnan … Of course, even in such a situation, the family should not be in charge of the army, and should not be directly involved in military affairs. This is also your Third Uncle's advice. "
Zuo Xiuquan looked at the people around the table, and then said, "Unless the Zuo family's military training is better than the Huaxia Army, and unless they can train an army like the Huaxia Army, no army can be relied on. If it's time to leave, it's time to escape. If it's time to escape, it's time to escape. Perhaps the chances of survival will be a little higher. "
"Third Uncle is wise and farsighted." Zuo Wenhuai nodded at the table.
"But your Third Uncle can't say for sure what will happen next." Zuo Xiuquan looked at the people and smiled. "This is also one of the reasons why I came to the southwest this time."
"Do you want us to go back?"
"I've discussed this matter with Mr. Ning, and he has nodded." After saying this, Zuo Xiuquan lightly tapped his fingers on the table. "Moreover, we're not going back to Longxing, nor back to the Zuo family — of course, we still have to go back — but mainly, we're going back to the Wu dynasty."
After he said this, the room quieted down. Everyone was thinking about this matter. Zuo Xiuquan smiled. "Of course, we will also do our best to consider your views."
"There's no hope for the Wu dynasty." The young man sitting next to Zuo Wenhuai said.
"The future will definitely belong to the Huaxia Army. We just defeated the Female Zhenren. This is only the first step. In the future, the Huaxia Army will conquer Jiangnan, the Central Plains, and the Jin Kingdom. Uncle Quan, how can we not be there? I don't want to go. "
"Yes, Uncle Quan, only the Huaxia Army can save this world. Why should we go to the Wu dynasty?"
The three people at the table expressed their views one after another. The others, like Zuo Wenhuai, quietly pursed their lips. Zuo Xiuquan listened to them with a smile. "That's why we still have to consider your views. However, I have my own views on this matter. Your Third Grandpa also had his own views in the past. We have time today. Do you want to listen to them? "
Zuo Wenhuai said, "Uncle Quan, please speak frankly."
Zuo Xiuquan nodded. "First of all, there's the new court in Fuzhou. You should have heard about it. The new emperor is very bold and is different from the previous emperors. He's making bold and decisive reforms. It's very interesting. Maybe he can find a better path. Moreover, the new emperor was once Mr. Ning's disciple. If you can go there, there's definitely a lot to talk about. "
He said this with a smile. Most people didn't think much of it. However, they had been in the Huaxia Army for a long time, so no one was in a hurry to express their views. Zuo Xiuquan's gaze swept across the crowd and he nodded approvingly.
"Secondly, there's a group of people in Fuzhou led by Li Pin. They're doing something called Neo-Confucianism. Although they haven't achieved too amazing results yet, they were approved by your Third Grandpa in the past. He feels that it's very likely that he'll do something. Even if he can't turn the tide in the end, he can at least leave a seed or indirectly influence the Huaxia Army in the future. Therefore, they need a group of people to go there. A group of people who understand the Huaxia Army's thinking will be more suitable. In fact, only you can go. "
At this point, someone finally answered with a smile, "They need us, but we don't have to go."
Zuo Xiuquan nodded. "Of course, these two points may seem trivial at first glance, but they're nothing compared to what I'm going to say next. This is also what your Third Grandpa wanted to ask you before he died … "
He said, "Is Confucianism really that bad?"
This question was simple and direct. The hall was silent for a while. Everyone looked at each other, but no one spoke for a while. After all, such a question could be answered in a simple or complicated way. However, no matter how they answered, it seemed a bit superficial at this moment.
"There's no need to answer." Zuo Xiuquan tapped his fingers on the table. "These are the words your Third Grandpa left behind before he died. They are also some of the ideas he wanted to tell everyone. Everyone knows that your Third Grandpa went to the Little Blue River and had many debates with Mister Ning. In the end, no one was able to convince the other. In the end, Mister Ning used facts to speak for himself when it came to war — and he could only give facts. However, your Third Grandpa left behind some ideas for matters other than war …
"I know what the Huaxia Army's attitude toward Confucianism is. Of course, I also know what you all think of it after staying in the Huaxia Army for so long. Even if it's not heinous beyond redemption, it's at least inappropriate. However, there is one thing that you must pay attention to. From the very beginning, when it came to exterminating Confucianism, Mister Ning's attitude was very firm. He also proposed the four people, the study of things, and the overthrow of reason and law. They were very reasonable, but in reality, he never did anything very radical.
"… In fact, he didn't say that Confucianism was heinous beyond redemption. He always welcomed Confucian disciples to criticize the Huaxia Army, and he always welcomed true scholars to come to the Southwest to discuss with everyone. He also always admitted that there were some good things in Confucianism. You have always been in the Huaxia Army on this matter. Don't you think so? "
Someone nodded. "After all, although Confucianism has many problems and has reached a dead end … there are indeed good things in it."
Zuo Xiuquan pointed at him. "However, with his current prestige, he could say that Confucianism is heinous beyond redemption. You all feel that this is very reasonable because Mister Ning deliberately maintained a sense of propriety. However, in officialdom and the Imperial Court, there is a saying that 'to correct an injustice, you must first correct it.' But Mister Ning did not do this. This sense of propriety is thought-provoking. Of course, you all have the opportunity to meet Mister Ning. I think you can ask him the reason for this, but it might not be much different from what I said today. "
Everyone looked at him. Zuo Xiuquan smiled slightly. "There is nothing in this world that can be accomplished overnight. There is no innovation that can be so thorough that it doesn't need a foundation. The four people are very good, and the study of things is also good. Reason and law may be a problem, but even if it is a problem, it has been planted in the minds of the people of this world for thousands of years. If one day you say that it is not good, can you throw it away?
"It is precisely because he thought of these things that Mister Ning's subsequent actions became calmer and not more and more urgent. There are many details that can be discussed, but your Third Grandpa's view of the world is that the best things can't be realized immediately, and the worst things are of course already out of place, so we should choose the middle. In the end, the path that can be taken will be between the Huaxia Army and Neo-Confucianism. The more mutual verification and trade-offs, the easier this path will be to walk, the fewer people will die, and the more good things will be left behind in the future. "
Zuo Xiuquan calmly said, "This means that the path of the Huaxia Army may not necessarily be taken. The so-called Neo-Confucianism in Fuzhou may not be able to turn Confucianism upside down, but the two sides can communicate. It's just like how Mister Ning welcomes Confucian students to debate with him. If the things of the Chinese army can be brought to the east, then the east will be able to do better. At that time, if the two better things can be verified, then the road ahead will be much easier. "
"As for Confucianism. What is Confucianism? Is the Confucianism of the Sage of the past the Confucianism of today? What is the difference between Sage Confucius' Confucianism and Mencius' Confucianism? In fact, Confucianism has been changing for thousands of years. From the Pre-Qin Confucianism to the Han Dynasty, it has already merged with Legalism, emphasizing the sage inside and the king outside. It is already different from Confucius' benevolence. "
Zuo Xiuquan smiled, "Sage Confucius paid attention to educating the people. He alone had three thousand disciples and seventy-two sages. Think about it, he taught three thousand people. If each of these three thousand disciples taught dozens or hundreds of people, then in a few generations, the world would be full of sages and the world would be united. But going forward, this won't work. When it comes to Dong Zhongshu, Confucianism is the body and Legalism is the use, emphasizing the sage inside and the king outside. Going forward, as Mister Ning said, if the people are not easy to manage, then we should castrate them. This is an expedient measure. Although it is useful for a while, the court will slowly perish due to foreign aggression … Wenhuai, Mister Ning said that Confucianism today is old-fashioned, but what is Confucianism? "
He looked at Zuo Wenhuai, then at the crowd, "Confucianism originated from Sage Confucius. In the past two thousand years, it has already changed countless times. Our knowledge today is not so much Confucianism, but it is better to say that it 'works'. Once it doesn't work, it will definitely change. It may look bad today, but the people of the world will find it difficult to defeat it. Just like what Mister Ning said about the problem of reason and law, the people of the world live like this. If you suddenly say that it can't work, then blood will flow … "
"Mister Ning also knows that blood will flow." Zuo Xiuquan said, "Once he takes over the world and starts to reform, many people will bleed in the reform. But if everyone is more prepared before that, maybe less blood will flow. This is the principle of the new ruler of the Wu dynasty and the new Confucianism I mentioned earlier … Maybe one day, the Chinese army will indeed take over the world, and the Jin Kingdom, the Wu dynasty, Wu Qimei, Dai Mengwei, and other clowns will all disappear. Even then, the reform of things, the four people, and the law will not go smoothly. At that time, if we already have some good things in the new Confucianism, we can use them. At that time, do you think that Confucianism will still be the Confucianism of today? Will the Chinese of that time be the Chinese of today? "
The hall was silent for a while.
Zuo Xiuquan sat there and gently rubbed his hands together. "This is the greatest hope that Third Uncle has in sending you to the Chinese army. When you learn good things, send them back to the Wu dynasty and let them take a turn in the Wu dynasty. Then, send the good things that can still be used by the Wu dynasty back to the Huaxia army. It may not be useful. Perhaps Mister Ning is amazing and can solve all the problems directly. But if not, don't forget that stones from other mountains can be used to improve jade. "
"The old man has paved the way for this matter. Right now, only the Zuo family is the most suitable to do it, so we can only rely on you. This is your responsibility to the people of the world. You should bear it. "
The autumn wind passed through the hall, and the candles swayed. Everyone was silent in the words.
The Zuo family was a large family and originally a Confucian family that paid attention to the hierarchy. Their opinion of a group of children being sent to the Huaxia army was insignificant. But after years of experience in the Huaxia army, including Zuo Wenhuai, they had experienced many battles and were baptized by Ning Yi's ideas. In fact, they did not attach much importance to the authority of the family.
If Zuo Xiuquan gave them a stiff order, even if he was the most respected Zuo Duanyou, it would be difficult to guarantee that nothing would go wrong. But he did not do so. From the beginning, he guided them patiently and patiently, until the end, he returned to a serious order. "This is your responsibility to the people of the world. You should bear it."
After a moment of silence, Zuo Xiuquan smiled and knocked on the table. "Of course, there is no rush. You should think about these things. I think there is no harm in talking to Mister Ning about it. However, the matter of returning home is not about the Zuo family's prosperity or decline. This time, the Hua Xia army and the Wu Dynasty's new ruler will have a huge deal. In my opinion, I still hope that you will be able to participate in it … Alright, that's all for today's official business. The day after tomorrow, we will watch the military parade as a family. "
Zuo Xiuquan smiled and stood up from his seat. Then a young man of the Zuo family also stood up and said, "I will be in the team the day after tomorrow. Uncle will watch from above."
Someone said, "Me too."
Everyone laughed. Zuo Xiuquan smiled like an old man and nodded repeatedly.
"Good, good. You've grown up, grown up. Come, let's talk about the war …"
The autumn wind was slightly intoxicating. Lights were flashing inside and outside the guest house. Many people were coming in and out. Many offices of the Huaxia army were still brightly lit.
Even in the courtyard of Ning Yi's office, people came and went one after another. They all had their own work to do. They were busy with their work, waiting for the arrival of golden autumn in August.
In the camp outside the city, Wanyan Qingjue looked at the starlight in the sky and imagined her hometown thousands of miles away. At this time, most of the Jurchen army returning north had returned to the Jin Kingdom. The news of Wu Qimai's death had not yet spread to the south. Therefore, another storm was brewing in the Jin Kingdom.
Zuo Wenhuai and the others had been visiting friends in the city of Chengdu for a whole day. Then, August came.
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