"The people can be manipulated, but they cannot be made to know. The logic behind this is not just empty words. "
On this day, Zuo Duanyou, who had been silent all this while, finally spoke. At his age, he had seen too many people and things. Even when Ning Yi shouted the words "survival of the fittest", he was not moved. Only in the last few words of ridicule did he feel a strange aura.
Ning Yi, who was sitting there, raised his head. His eyes were as calm as a deep lake as he looked at the old man. The mountain breeze blew. Although there were hundreds of people around, at this moment, it was still quiet. Ning Yi's voice sounded calmly.
"My wife's family is a cloth merchant. Since ancient times, when people learned to weave cloth, they simply twisted it with their hands. This process lasted for hundreds or thousands of years. Spinning wheels, spindles, and later, the spinning wheel appeared. From the early years of the Wu dynasty, the court emphasized commerce, and small workshops began to appear to improve the looms. In the past 200 years, the development of the looms has increased the efficiency by more than five times compared to the early years of the Wu dynasty. During this period, the craftsmanship of each household is different. My wife improved the looms and increased the efficiency by about 20% compared to ordinary weavers and cloth merchants. Later, when I was in the capital, I ordered people to improve the looms. It took about a year, and the efficiency of the looms today is about 10 times compared to the early years of the Wu dynasty. Of course, we do not sell cloth in the mountains for the time being. "
Zuo Duanyou and Li Pin frowned. They saw Ning Yi clasping his hands and continuing.
"To observe the movement of all things, to study the principles of heaven and earth. There is a hydraulic workshop by the river at the foot of the mountain. It can be connected to the loom. If the manpower is fast enough, the efficiency will be doubled. Of course, there are hydraulic workshops, but the cost is not low. Maintenance and repair is a problem. I built a few blast furnaces in the mountains to study steel. Under high temperatures, steel becomes more pliable. Using such steel in the workshop can reduce the wear and tear of the workshop. We are looking for better lubrication methods, but at the limit, with the same manpower and the same time, the production of cloth can be increased by 30 to 50 times compared to the early years of the Wu dynasty. "
"We studied the hot air balloon. It's that big Kongming lantern in the sky. With it in the sky, it can overlook the entire scene. The way we fight will change. I'm the best at using gunpowder. You've already seen the ones buried underground. In a few years, my improvement in the use of gunpowder has surpassed the accumulation of the Wu dynasty in the last two hundred years. At present, the flintlock is still unable to replace the bow and arrow, but in three to five years, there might be a breakthrough. "
"Therefore, manpower is limited, but material resources are endless. Is Liheng really from the Mo Clan? "Zuo Duanyou said.
Ning Yi shook his head. "No, I'm just saying this first. Master Zuo, you said that the people can do whatever they want, but they can't be made to know. Let me tell you about it. "" I quite agree with it, "he said.
"This is the principle left behind by our ancestors. It's also in line with the principles of heaven and earth," said Ning Yi. "If someone understands it, the people can use it. If they can't, they know it. This was all the wishful thinking of the poor scholar. He really thought too highly of himself. There was no logic in the world for fools to speak. If the world allowed its people to speak, the world would collapse even faster. Master Zuo, don't you agree? "
Zuo Duanyou did not speak. But this was the principle of heaven and earth.
"The wise rule over the foolish. There is no human feelings, only the principle of heaven. When faced with a problem, the wise know how to analyze it, how to find the pattern, and how to find a way out. The foolish are at their wit's end. How can we let them have a say in important matters? "
"In ancient times, there were hundreds of schools of thought contending. Naturally, there were people who pitied the people, including the Confucians. They educated the world, hoping that one day, the people would understand reason and everyone would be a gentleman. We call ourselves scholars, but what is a scholar? "
"Since Cangjie created words, he used words to record the understanding and wisdom of every generation, and passed it on to the later generations. Therefore, human children do not need to explore from the beginning. The wisdom of their ancestors can be passed down and accumulated from generation to generation. Therefore, humans can stand in the forest of all living things. Scholars are people who pass on wisdom. But can wisdom be passed on to the world? For thousands of years, it was impossible. "
"There are not enough books, children have poor aptitude, and passing on wisdom is far more complicated than passing on words. Therefore, the wise hold the power and assist the emperor in governing. Those who cannot pass on wisdom, farm, work, and serve people, are the embodiment of the order of heaven and earth. They only need to let it be, and if it is impossible, they will be killed! If we really know, how much effort will be wasted in the world! Whether to defend Taiyuan City, to fight or not, how to defend it, how to fight it, how to defend it, how to fight it, the officials of the imperial court can't clearly see it for their entire lives, so how can the common people know? This rule is in line with the Heavenly Dao! "
Ning Yi's words were as cold as a stone. At this point, he fell silent. When he spoke again, his tone became gentle.
"For thousands of years, people have found many ways, but this is the only way. For thousands of years, the Confucians and many people in power have set the rules. In this rule, the common people, whether they know or don't know, do or don't do, can't change the overall situation. When the rules are set, it is decided that when Bianliang City falls, whether they are innocent or not, they will die. Innocent is just a way of saying it, it is meaningless. Left Duke, Brother Li, this is the rule set by that thing you agree with. If it is messed up, it is you who are pitying them, saying how innocent they are, how cold-blooded I am, how cruel the enemy is. If I accompany them in death, will I not be cold-blooded? "
"I am not here to criticize the two of you, nor do I want to criticize the Confucians. Criticism is meaningless. We often say that there is a price to pay for doing something wrong. Zhou Zhe can use his life as the price. The Confucians are just a concept, they can only be useful or not. But the Confucians … are a circle … "
His voice trailed off at this point. Li Pin thought he was feeling helpless, but she saw Ning Yi pick up a branch and slowly draw a circle on the ground.
"The Confucians are a circle," he said. "Our learning emphasizes the unity of all things in heaven and earth. In this circle, the Confucians have always sought the principle of order in all things. Since the Qin Dynasty, the people have a martial spirit. By the Han Dynasty, the strong perished alone. Any province of the Han Dynasty can wipe out the surrounding tribes of the grasslands ten times over. The martial spirit gradually died out in the Tang Dynasty. When the Confucians developed into the Wu dynasty, they discovered that the more obedient the people are, the less likely this circle will have problems, and it can ensure the long-term stability of the imperial court. Left Grandpa, Brother Li, Prime Minister Qin's books contain the principles of the Confucians. "
He looked at the two of them, "The principles in his books can determine the order of all things. Heaven, Earth, Monarch, Master, Monarch, Minister, Minister, and Son can all clearly understand. Once you read through this book, you will know how to draw this circle. Anyone who reads these books will know what position they should be in in this life. In the framework of this circle, this is your treasure. "
"Prime Minister Qin is truly a genius." The books were still on the table. Ning Yi pushed the two books forward, "Then there is only one problem."
"If there are only internal problems forever, everyone can live a peaceful and happy life, without thinking or asking about it. In fact, it is quite good." The mountain wind stopped for a moment. Ning Yi shook his head, "But this circle can't solve the problem of external invasion. The more orderly the world is, the more the people are castrated, and the less hot-blooded they are. Of course, it will deal with it in another way. When the foreign races invade and occupy the Central Plains, they realize that only Confucianism can rule the country stably. They start to learn Confucianism and start to castrate themselves. At a certain point, the Han people will rebel and regain the country. After regaining the country, they will start to castrate themselves again and wait for the next invasion. As such, the kings will change and the orthodoxy will exist forever. This is the foreseeable future. "
"… What are you trying to say?" Li Pin looked at the circle and asked in a low voice.
"Where is the original intention of passing on wisdom?" Ning Yi asked. "Everyone is a gentleman. It can't be achieved in a short time, but what about the possibility? The Confucianism in your hands is exquisite, but in order to seek the order of the world, you have started to castrate the hot-blooded people. Going back to the beginning … Are the Confucians on the wrong path? "
It was a simple question, and it rang out on the hillside. After a moment of silence, Zuo Duanyou said, "You are talking about something that cannot be solved."
Ning Yi picked up a tree branch and pointed it at the circle. He drew a long line and said, "This morning, there was news from outside the mountain. Nine thousand soldiers of Canghe County left the mountain yesterday. After defeating thousands of Western Xia soldiers, they faced off against nineteen thousand Western Xia soldiers led by Ji Lasele outside Yanzhou City. They defeated them head-on and killed four thousand of them. According to the original plan, the army should have gathered at the foot of Yanzhou City and started to attack! "
"What?" Zuo Duanyou and Li Pin were shocked.
…
A huge and strange balloon floated in the sky. The sky was bright and beautiful, but the atmosphere in the city was so somber that the thunder of war could be heard faintly.
On the north side of Yanzhou City, a hunchbacked man in shabby clothes walked on a street that was heavily guarded. When he was near the opposite corner of the road, a small group of Western Xia soldiers patrolled over and said something with their swords drawn.
The hunchbacked man had already taken a step forward. The dull gleam of his swords shot out from both sides of his body and into the crowd. More figures jumped out from nearby.
Outside the city, two thousand light cavalrymen were heading towards the north gate at high speed …
…
"I didn't tell them much …" On the small hill, Ning Yi was speaking. "They are under pressure and under the threat of death. Most importantly, they are fighting for their own survival. When they can fight for themselves, how magnificent their lives are. Don't you two feel touched by this? In this world, not only scholars and gentlemen can live like this. "
"Brother Li, you said that you pity the innocent people of the world. However, your pity is meaningless in the face of the world. Your pity is empty. This world cannot gain anything from your pity. I am worried that the people are suffering. I am worried that they are unable to fight for their own survival. I am worried that they are unable to awaken and live. I am worried that they are ignorant and ignorant. I am worried that they are like pigs and dogs when they are being slaughtered, but they are unable to die a heroic death. I am worried that their souls will be pale when they die. "
His gaze was solemn and he paused for a moment. Li Pin and Zuo Duanyou did not speak. Not long after, Ning Yi's voice sounded again.
"Under my improvements, the efficiency of the Wang Family's papermaking and book printing workshop has increased by more than five times over the past two years. As long as the principles of heaven and earth are explored, there is still room for improvement. As I said earlier, the increase in efficiency is due to the pursuit of profit by merchants. Greed, greed, and laziness. Therefore, people will look at these principles and think of many ways. In Confucianism, it is considered to be a perverted trick and that laziness is not good. But in reality, material resources are limitless. It has a potential that is beyond your imagination. The most basic point of educating the people is that you must first let the people have access to books. "
Li Pin's eyes widened. "You want to encourage greed!?"
"Greed is good. The development of things is not something that can be achieved by a few Confucian scholars in their spare time. It requires the wisdom of everyone. To let everyone in the world have access to books, there is still a long way to go. But it is not without hope. "
Ning Yi did not even blink. He stretched out a branch and drew a circle on the ground. "But Confucianism is a circle, and the Wu dynasty is a circle. The Wu dynasty's commerce continues to develop, and merchants will seek status. Similarly, I want craftsmen to seek breakthroughs in their skills, and craftsmen also need status. But this circle must be orderly. It will not allow for large changes. If the Wu dynasty and Confucianism continue to develop, they will block this path for the sake of order. But I want this path to go out. "
"When Fang La rebelled, he said that all laws are equal, that there is no difference between superior and inferior. Simply put, I will give everyone in the world the same status. China is China for the Chinese. Everyone has the responsibility to defend and defend their land. Everyone has equal rights. From now on, there will be no difference between scholars, farmers, merchants, and merchants. "
"In this way, the circle will no longer be orderly … I will smash this Confucianism."
Ning Yi's gaze was calm, and his words were flat. But as the wind blew, the abyss began to appear.
"You …" The old man's voice was like thunder.
"Treason and heresy …"
… …
Yanzhou City.
The sound of battle had already begun to shake the city walls. At the north gate, an astonishing slaughter was expanding.
More than a hundred elite troops appeared from within the city and began to assault the defensive line at the city gate. A large number of Western Xia soldiers surrounded the city from nearby. Outside the city, two thousand light cavalry dismounted at the same time and dragged mechanical springs, hooks, and assembled scaling ladders towards the city wall. The intense slaughter continued for a while. Then, the soldiers, bathed in blood, opened a gap in the city gate and pushed it open with all their might.
Countless Western Xia soldiers surged in from the alley inside the city gate. Outside the city, wooden boxes were temporarily set up as pontoons. Armed with sabers, shields, and spears, the Black Flag Army soldiers rushed in one after another. Amid hysterical shouts, some pushed open the door, and some rushed in, expanding the vortex of slaughter!
Near the east gate, in the midst of the silent military formation, Qu Qing took out his steel knife, wrapped the red cloth behind the knife hilt around his wrist, bit one end of it with his teeth, and pulled it tight. Behind him, many people were doing the same action.
"Get ready …"
The people shouted.
In the north of the city, soldiers surged into the city gate …
… …
Zuo Duanyou's voice was still echoing on the hillside. Ning Yi calmly stood up, his gaze already cold and detached.
"Smashing the Confucian school is only the first step. But only by smashing it will we be able to stimulate the development of things, to stimulate the development of things, so that resources will no longer be lacking. Only then will we be able to make people understand reason and know courage, so that the people of the world will be like the soldiers of Little Canghe, no longer innocent. I have no prejudice against the Confucian school. I will walk my own path and let you know. Old Qin's legacy has already been given to you. You can walk your own path, cultivate, change, and pass it on. Anything is fine, as long as you can solve the problem at hand.
"If you can get rid of the Jurchens, get rid of me, perhaps you will have made the Confucian school accommodate courage, so that people can live like humans. I will be very gratified. If you can't do it, I will build the new era on the remains of the Confucian school and offer it to you for eternity. If we can't do it, then let the Jurchens trample over this world. "
On the small hillside, an oppressive and cold atmosphere pervaded the air. This complicated matter could not make people feel impassioned, especially for the two people of the Confucian school. The old man was originally angry, but at this moment, he was no longer angry. Li Pin's eyes were filled with doubt, as if she was wondering why he had become so extreme. However, many years ago, she had never understood Ning Yi.
At that time, the sky was pouring down, the wind was blowing, and the clouds were dispersing. The predicament of Little Canghe had yet to be solved, and the news of victory had yet to arrive. In this small place, a crazy person had said crazy things. In a short period of time, there were too many things in his words, and they were also very direct, so much so that it was hard for people to digest them. At the same time, in Yanzhou City in the northwest, the soldiers carrying the black star flag had already rushed into the city. They held their weapons and fought with all their might. To this world, their battle was so lonely. They were hated by everyone in the world.
And if one were to look back in the long river of history, at this moment, they had also declared war on everyone in the world.
As Ning Yi walked outside, Zuo Duanyou said from behind, "If you really intend to do this, it won't be long before you become the enemy of all the Confucians in the world."
"Do you know what's interesting?" Ning Yi turned around. "If you want to defeat me, you have to become like me."
He walked out of the shield formation and glanced at the hundred people gathered nearby. "If you can run out of Little Canghe, I won't chase after you." These hundred people had already decided to die, but at this moment, some of them were slightly stunned. Li Pin reacted and shouted from behind, "Don't fall into the trap —"
Ning Yi walked out of the crowd and waved his hand.
"— Kill!"
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