gnovel Chapter 30 I've been to Hanzhong, where Confucianism is very pure.
Chapter 30 I've been to Hanzhong, where Confucianism is very pure.
"Good lad, well done, you didn't embarrass me!"
The people in the ancestral temple praised Zhang Lin for restoring the Liang Kingdom's hegemony.
Among the crowd, Zhang Zhao looked at the Liang Kingdom under Zhang Lin's rule with a look of satisfaction in his eyes.
This son implemented the rule of law with swift and decisive measures, which was quite different from the path of rites, music, benevolence, and governance advocated by him and Zhang Jing. However, his achievements in revitalizing the country and regaining dominance in the west were indeed worthy of the Zhang family bloodline.
[Ding~ Zhang Lin, a descendant of the Liang dynasty, compiled the Legalist thought and wrote "The Book of Criminal Law", "On Power", and "Strategies", which are collectively known as "Liang Law".]
Zhang Lin achieved the accomplishment of "legislation" and was revered as "Liangzi". The Legalist school was formally established, and his clan reputation increased by 2500!
Your clan has unlocked the inheritance of Legalist knowledge—the leader.
Legalist Succession - Head of State: Current head of the family's prestige +10/year, governance efficiency +5%
Opening the simulation, time in Kyushu flies by in the blink of an eye; dozens of winters have passed in the blink of an eye.
In Hanzhong, the elderly Zhang Lin knelt in the main hall of the Daliang Palace. Sitting opposite him was Zizhi, a disciple of Jingzi and the head of the academy.
A debate concerning Confucianism and Legalism is underway.
"To govern a country, one must first transform the people with virtue!" Zi Zhi held the bamboo slips written by Jing Zi, his voice booming like a bell. "Jing Zi said: 'Governing with virtue is like the North Star!' How can harsh punishments and severe laws be the way to long-term stability and peace?"
"The Grand Master's words are not without reason!" Sima Zhao Sineng said with conviction. "However, in this era of warring states vying for supremacy, survival is impossible without clear rewards and punishments, and strict laws! Law is the only way to strengthen the nation and ensure its stability!"
"The key to governing a country lies in 'law,' 'method,' and 'power.' Law means that the entire nation is united under the law, orders are obeyed without question, and everyone, regardless of kinship, is bound by the law, thus rectifying social customs and maintaining order in the court. Method refers to the ruler's strategies for controlling his subjects, discerning the virtuous and the wicked, and knowing hidden secrets, so that officials are dutiful and dare not deceive their superiors. Power refers to the supreme authority of the monarch, establishing prestige and credibility, and using power to promote the rule of law, ensuring that government orders are implemented smoothly and without hindrance!"
"May I ask, Grand Master, can a Confucian scholar emulate this?"
"Absurd! Absurd! A harsh law harms the people, and harming the people alienates the ruler. How can this be a long-term solution!"
Zhang Lin raised his hand to stop the argument and said in a deep voice, "Duke Wenzhao established the foundation of rites and music, and Jingzi opened the source of benevolent governance. This is the unchanging foundation of our Zhang family for ten thousand generations."
He then changed the subject, stroking the table and saying, "However, the establishment of the Liang Code was not to rebel against our ancestors, but to supplement the shortcomings of the benevolent governance of our forefathers, in order to cope with the difficulties of the times. Only by using both rites and laws, and combining benevolent and hegemonic approaches, can our Liang state, surrounded by wolves and tigers, live up to the arduous efforts of Duke Wenzhao in establishing the state!"
"Heaven has favored Liang so greatly! Duke Wenzhao and Duke Jing founded the Confucian school, and Duke Wu (Zhang Zhen) used his strategies of diplomacy to support the great cause. Now I emulate them to strengthen the state and embrace all policies. How can I confine myself to one school and reject all schools of thought?"
Before the words were even finished, the Grand Historian rushed in: "Your Majesty! A strange phenomenon has appeared in the heavens—a crimson rainbow has turned into jade! And there's an urgent report: a Qilin has appeared in Zouyi, Lu State, and purple aura is coming from the east!"
Everyone present was astonished.
Zhang Lin remained silent for a long time, then looked eastward and sighed to Zizhi, "I have heard that in Lu there was a man named Shuliang He, whose wife dreamed of a black bird. Now that a qilin has appeared in the world, I fear that a sage who will inherit the Great Way will emerge!"
However, Zhang Lin was unaware that in the year he ascended the throne, a sage was also born in Ku County of Chen State.
That sage was none other than the renowned Taoist patriarch, Lao Tzu!
And so, twenty years passed. Before his death, Zhang Lin summoned his heir Zhang Shuo to his bedside and earnestly instructed him: "I used the law to be forceful and tyrannical, while your ancestor (Zhang Du) used leniency to solidify the foundation. In the future, when you govern the country, you should always consult the last teachings of Duke Wenzhao and the instructions of Jingzi, and understand the principle of 'using both rites and laws,' so as not to fail the glory of my Zhang family's 'Wenzhao' lineage..."
Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly passed away. Marquis Liang died and was buried in Sishan. His ministers bestowed upon him the posthumous title "Wu," and he is historically known as Duke Wu of Liang!
[Ding~ Zhang Lin completed the historical milestone of "Establishing the Supreme Law", and was later respectfully called "Liangzi".]
The Liang Kingdom has gained the temporary trait "Strict Laws and Regulations".
Special event triggered: Between 571 BC and 551 BC, sages from the Legalist, Taoist, and Confucian schools of thought were born in succession, marking the beginning of a great intellectual explosion across the Nine Provinces!
Zhang Zhao, who was in the void, was shaken.
Our gaze turns to Zouyi (Qufu) in the State of Lu, where a baby boy with a prominent forehead is born.
The baby's loud cry startled the neighbors.
An old man sighed and said, "This child has an unusual appearance; he will surely be an extraordinary person in the future." His family named him "Qiu" and his courtesy name was Zhongni (the second son).
Zhang Zhao stared at the Confucian and Taoist aura soaring into the sky, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
He knew that this baby would one day bring glory to Confucianism, that his thoughts would transcend a thousand years, and that he himself would be revered as "the teacher of all ages, the most holy teacher."
Meanwhile, in Luoyang, the capital of the capital, a middle-aged man was studying classical texts day and night. He was taciturn, yet possessed an innate insight into the principles of heaven and earth.
He was Li Er, later known as "Laozi," the founder of Taoism.
Looking at the three infants and teenagers who were born around the same time, Zhang Zhao couldn't help but mutter to himself, "The three schools of thought—Legalism, Confucianism, and Taoism—emerged one after another within a few decades! What kind of turbulent events will this era ultimately bring?"
……
Thirty years after the death of Duke Wu of Liang, the name of Confucius of Lu had gradually spread throughout the states.
At this time, Confucius was over thirty years old and had already started teaching, gaining a great reputation.
He resigned from his official post and traveled to various states to study rites and music, but a persistent obsession remained in his heart:
After the Zhou dynasty moved east, the emperor's power waned, and the rites and music collapsed. The feudal lords of the land either usurped the throne and declared themselves kings, or abandoned the rites and embraced the law, and the magnificent classics of the Western Zhou dynasty were scattered to all corners of the land.
Confucius devoted his life to studying the classics, searching far and wide, but could only find fragments and incomplete texts. It is said that the true Zhou rites and regulations, and the teachings of the Duke of Zhou, were no longer in Luoyang, but in Liang State in Hanzhong, where the descendants of the Confucian patriarch lived.
What fascinated Confucius even more was that the State of Liang not only possessed the Zhou rites and classics, but was also a cradle of Confucianism in the contemporary era.
From Duke Wenzhao's establishment of rites and music to Jingzi's advocacy of benevolent governance and the kingly way, the depth of Confucianism in the Liang state was unparalleled in the world.
Master Zizhi, a disciple of Jingzi, took charge of the academy, continuing the lineage of Jingzi's teachings, and was regarded as a towering figure by Confucian scholars throughout the land.
What a fortunate thing it would be to be able to go to Hanzhong in person, see the original copy of the Zhou Rites, and sit down with Mr. Zizhi to discuss the Dao.
"Let's set off for Liang Kingdom."
When Confucius informed his disciples of this decision, they were all greatly excited. Zilu immediately donned his sword and prepared his armor, Yan Hui silently packed his books, and Zigong went to prepare the travel expenses.
Only Nangong Jingshu hesitated slightly: "Master, since Duke Wu of Liang implemented the rule of law, the Legalist school has become powerful. Although Confucian scholars are respected, they are no longer the prominent school of thought in the court. Your trip here..."
Confucius stroked his beard and smiled, his gaze profound: "It is precisely because I want to go and see what kind of atmosphere this land, which 'combines rites and laws,' truly has."
The group set off from Qufu, traveling thousands of miles and traversing mountains and rivers, and finally came into view of the city of Hanzhong.
To Confucius's surprise, he did not see the oppressive atmosphere he had imagined under Legalist rule.
The streets of Hanzhong are bustling yet not noisy, and the people move about in an orderly yet unconstrained manner.
When the city gatekeeper checked his identity, upon hearing that he was Confucius from Lu, he bowed respectfully and guided him all the way to the academy, without anyone making things difficult for him along the way.
"Is this the effect of the Liang Law in clearly defining duties and distinguishing between rewards and punishments?" Confucius wondered to himself, without uttering a word.
The academy was built in the south of Hanzhong City, nestled against the mountains and beside the water, and was a grand structure.
From afar, one could hear the sound of reading aloud. Some young people were reciting the Book of Poetry and the Book of Documents, while others were debating legal principles. Scholars in their robes and legal caps passed by without any sense of incongruity.
"Master Zhongni has come from afar, and you have failed to greet him properly. Please forgive me."
An elderly man with white hair came out to greet them, surrounded by a crowd. He was none other than Zizhi, the Chancellor of the Academy.
He was already in his seventies, but he was still very energetic, with bright and piercing eyes. He wore a simple robe, held a bamboo cane, and his demeanor commanded respect.
Confucius bowed respectfully: "I, Confucius, a student of the State of Lu, have long admired your great name. It is my great honor to meet you today."
Zizhi quickly helped him up and said with a smile, "Why be so modest, Zhongni? I have long heard of your deeds in Lu, such as editing the Six Classics and teaching students. You have come at the right time today, as there is a debate on the classics in the academy. Please come in."
Inside the main hall of the academy, hundreds of students had already gathered, including Confucian disciples, Legalist followers, and even traveling scholars from Taoism and Mohism.
When everyone saw Zizhi leading a middle-aged man who was nine feet tall with a prominent forehead into the room, they all whispered among themselves.
"Is this Master Zhongni from the State of Lu?"
"I heard that he single-handedly gathered three thousand disciples, aiming to restore the rites of Zhou."
"Although Duke Wu established laws, he never banned Confucianism. The teachings of Jingzi are still the orthodox tradition in Liang. Could it be that this Master Zhongni has come here to seek knowledge?"
Confucius took his seat as a guest, his gaze sweeping across the hall, his heart filled with countless emotions.
Such a scene of Confucianism and Legalism coexisting and a hundred schools of thought contending is unique among the states. This Liang Kingdom is truly extraordinary!
The debate began with two young students debating the "degree of punishment and reward".
Legalists advocated "severe punishment for minor offenses, using punishment to eliminate punishment," while Confucian disciples countered with Jingzi's saying, "Guide them with virtue, regulate them with propriety."
The two sides exchanged sharp words, but each adhered to the rules and there was no attack or insult.
Confucius listened attentively for a long time, then nodded slightly. Zigong asked in a low voice, "What does the Master think?"
Confucius said softly, "Legalists speak of reality, Confucians speak of rites; there is no inherent superiority or inferiority between them, only the time and place in which they are applied!"
These whispers were overheard by Zizhi. A glint flashed in the old man's eyes, and he suddenly spoke: "Since Master Zhongni is here, why not step onto the stage and offer your opinion?"
The hall fell silent immediately, and all eyes were on Confucius.
Confucius did not refuse. He straightened his clothes, stepped onto the platform, bowed to Zizhi, and then addressed the crowd, saying, "Just now you all discussed punishments and rewards. I have a question and would like to ask Master Zizhi for guidance."
He paused, his voice low but clear: "In the state of Lu, there was a case: A father stole his son's sheep. The son reported it to the authorities, who punished the father according to the law. The father was enraged by the punishment, and father and son turned against each other, causing unrest in the household. According to the law, it is right for the son to accuse the father; according to the rites, is it acceptable for the son to testify against the father?"
The question immediately sparked a flurry of discussion within the hall.
This is precisely the core of the conflict between Confucianism and Legalism: Legalism emphasizes judgment based on the law, regardless of kinship or social status; while Confucianism advocates for mutual protection among relatives and for a principle of tolerance between father and son.
Zi Zhi remained silent for a moment, then slowly rose and, with the help of his disciples, ascended the platform.
"Confucius's question hits the nail on the head." Zizhi stroked his beard and sighed, "When Duke Wu discussed the Dao with me, he also talked about this matter."
"I still remember Duke Wu's words: 'Law is the fundamental principle of the state, without distinction of kinship or distance; rites are the fundamental human relationships, with distinctions of rank and status. When the two conflict, how should one deal with it?'"
He looked at Confucius with a deep gaze and said, "Duke Wu said: When enacting laws, it is clearly stipulated that relatives should conceal each other's crimes. Unless it is a serious crime of treason, the son does not need to be a witness between father and son. This law not only upholds ethics but also does not abandon the law!"
Zi Zhi continued, "Duke Wenzhao established rites and music, Duke Jing advocated benevolent governance, and Duke Wu established criminal laws. Each of the three dynasties had its own emphasis, and although their paths seemed different, in reality... they all arrived at the same destination."
He turned to face the students in the hall and said in a clear voice: "The first article of the Liang Code is not about criminal law or rewards and punishments, but about law being based on rites and rites supplementing the deficiencies of law."
The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
It was as if a thunderclap exploded in Confucius's heart.
His lifelong pursuit was to restore the Zhou rites and use them to educate the world.
In his view, the rule of law is harsh and harms the people, while Confucianism is benevolent and brings peace to the country; there seems to be a natural opposition between the two.
But at this moment, facing Zizhi, the inheritor of the Jingzi lineage, facing this academy where Confucianism and Legalism coexist, and facing the article in the Liang Code that is compatible with rites and laws, a whole new world slowly opened up before him. Between rites and laws, there is not only mutual repulsion, but also mutual generation.
He remained silent for a long time, then suddenly bowed deeply to the ground: "I have learned a great deal."
Zi Zhi smiled and helped him up: "This is not my doing! Duke Wenzhao laid the foundation with 'culture,' Duke Jing transformed the people with 'benevolence,' and Duke Wu strengthened the country with 'law.' It is truly a fortunate event for our Liang state!"
Confucius straightened up, his gaze intense: "May I ask, sir, since you understand the principle of 'using both rites and laws,' why do you still allow Legalism and Confucianism to coexist and contend? With your virtue and prestige, if you were to dedicate yourself to promoting rites, music, and benevolent governance, you might very well have been able to make Legalism disappear!"
Zizhi did not answer immediately, but instead asked, "Does Confucius believe that if Duke Wu had not implemented the rule of law, would the State of Liang have survived to this day amidst such fierce competition?"
Confucius remained silent.
Zizhi then asked, "Confucius believed that without the rule of law, could the powerful and wealthy be made to abide by the law, officials to be honest, and the people to live in peace and prosperity simply through rites and music?"
Confucius remained silent.
Zizhi stood leaning on his cane, gazing at the distant mountains outside the hall, and slowly said, "When I was young, I, like Confucius, firmly believed that benevolent governance and the way of the king could bring peace to the world. But Duke Wu taught me one thing: ideals are like the sun and moon, lofty and unattainable; reality is like mountains and rivers, rugged and difficult to traverse, with no clear path ahead. The only way is to keep going!"
Confucius stood quietly for a long time, his gaze sweeping across the hall, seeing the young faces sitting side by side in Confucian robes and legal caps, and seeing the pure enthusiasm for learning in their eyes.
He suddenly recalled a line of poetry: "Stones from other mountains can be used to polish jade."
"I understand," Confucius said sincerely. "Rites and music are indispensable, and penal administration is essential. They are not enemies, but rather complements each other."
Zizhi smiled with satisfaction: "If Confucius could have such an understanding, I would die without regret."
Confucius stayed at the academy for half a month.
During the day, he and Zizhi discussed the Book of Poetry and the Book of Rites, analyzing the changes in the systems of the three dynasties.
Zizhi took out the treasured original copy of the "Rites of Zhou" handwritten by Duke Wenzhao, as well as the "Zhou Gong Yuan Gui" and "Shang Zhu" personally annotated by Jingzi, for Confucius to copy and study. Confucius treasured each scroll of bamboo slips.
At night, he would hold a candle and carefully read the "Liang Code," analyzing everything from the general outline to the details, from criminal law to litigation, from the performance evaluation of officials to folk contracts, leaving nothing out.
When he read something exquisite, he couldn't help but slap the table in admiration; when he read something harsh, he would frown and ponder, writing down his own insights beside the bamboo slips.
He also visited the streets and villages of Hanzhong to see how minor officials adjudicated cases according to the law, how ordinary people protected their rights according to the law, and how the academies imparted knowledge from various schools without neglecting any.
The governance model of the Liang Kingdom showed him a completely different path.
On the eve of his departure, Zizhi sat opposite Confucius on the Star Gazing Platform behind the academy.
The night sky was clear and the stars were brilliant. Two Confucian masters, one old and one young, stood silently facing each other.
After a long silence, Zizhi spoke: "What are Confucius's plans for this return?"
Confucius looked towards the eastern horizon, where his homeland of Lu lay, and where his unfinished work lay. His gaze was calm and far-reaching.
"In his past discussions on learning, Qiu often said, 'I transmit but do not create; I believe in and love antiquity.'" His voice drifted in the night wind. "Now, thinking back, while transmitting the past is important, if we want to save the world and bring peace to the people, we also need..."
He paused for a moment before earnestly saying, "From now on, there should be laws and regulations within rites and music; there should be rules and regulations within benevolent governance. I will take Confucianism as the foundation and integrate the essence of law, so that it can correct the ruler above, bring peace to the people below, conform to human relations internally, and adapt to the changing times externally."
Upon hearing this, Zizhi clapped his hands and laughed, "Excellent! In that case, Confucianism will surely usher in a new era!"
He rose shakily and solemnly placed a jade pendant in Confucius's palm: "This was given to me by my master before his death. He said it was the pendant that Jingzi wore. Today, I give it to you, hoping that you, Zhongni, will carry on the legacy and usher in a new era for Confucianism."
Confucius took the jade pendant with both hands and felt that it was as warm and smooth as ever. He bowed respectfully and solemnly said, "Qiu, I will certainly not fail your trust."
The next morning, Confucius's carriage slowly drove out of the gate of Hanzhong.
Zizhi led the disciples of the academy to see them off at a ten-mile-long pavilion in the suburbs, where they bid each other a reluctant farewell.
After the carriage had traveled several dozen miles, Yan Hui asked softly, "Master, although Master Zizhi is a Confucian scholar, he advocates for Legalism. I still have some doubts in my heart..."
Confucius raised his hand to stop him, turned his gaze back towards Hanzhong, and said leisurely, "Hui, do you know what I admire most about Master Zizhi?"
Yan thought for a moment: "Is it because your scholarship is profound, sir?"
Confucius shook his head.
"Is it your magnanimous demeanor, sir?"
Confucius shook his head again.
He withdrew his gaze, sat up straight, and solemnly said to his disciples, "Remember what I said today. What is most admirable about Mr. Zizhi is not what he adhered to, but that he dared to admit that what he adhered to was not omnipotent."
"To acknowledge one's own shortcomings and embrace the strengths of the opposite is the mark of a true benevolent person."
The carriage rumbled eastward, while behind it, atop the city wall of Hanzhong, Zizhi stood leaning on his cane, watching the carriage disappear into the distance.
Beside the old man, a Legalist student couldn't help but ask, "Master, although Confucius was a Confucian scholar, he was quite capable of understanding the rule of law. Why don't you try to keep him in the State of Liang?"
Zi Zhi shook his head and sighed, "A fierce tiger returns to the mountain, a dragon enters the sea. He will surely achieve something even greater than if he stayed in Liang. Such a person cannot be kept by me, nor by Liang!"
"Everyone has their own path," Zi Zhi murmured to himself, as if speaking to the young monarch who had long since departed, or perhaps to his younger self. "Duke Wu, your path is in the state of Liang, in its laws; my path is in the academy, in its transmission; and the path of Confucius..."
He smiled slightly and looked up at the sky.
"Under Heaven".
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
"When Confucius visited Hanzhong, he remarked with satisfaction, 'The Confucian learning there is truly pure.'" — Preface to the Analects
"During the Spring and Autumn Period two thousand years ago, King Zhang Lin of the Liang State pioneered a governing strategy of outwardly Confucianism and inwardly Legalism. This move not only brought about a transformation in the thinking of Confucius at the time, but also had a profound influence on later dynasties!" — Exploring the Hundred Schools of Thought
"From the time of Duke Xuan's death to the reign of Duke Wu, the rulers of Liang were mostly incompetent. This was not due to Princess Wu's fault; Liang was destined to perish!" — *Records of the Grand Historian: The Hereditary House of Zhang Liang*
"When Duke Wu died, he was buried in one of the four mountains! Wu said: 'He quelled chaos and disorder, possessed great power and virtue, was strong yet compliant, and expanded the territory!'" — *Shiji Zhengyi*