manynovel Page 176
Page 176
Emperor Qing's expression turned slightly cold, but it quickly returned to calm.
"Governing a country relies on reputation and ability. Force can only inspire fear, not respect. What do you think, Your Highness?"
Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian smiled dismissively, "Your Majesty is right."
Emperor Qing gave Li Chengqian a deep look, then said loudly:
"The people in the hall today are all talented individuals from various countries. Even the literary giant of Northern Qi, Mr. Zhuang Mohan, rarely makes an appearance. Why not take this opportunity to have a debate?"
Once he speaks, naturally no one will object.
However, in such a setting,
There are very few people who are truly qualified to speak out and debate.
Especially with Zhuang Mohan present,
He was not only a literary giant of the Northern Qi Dynasty,
He was a spiritual leader to almost all scholars in the world, a true scholar and sage.
In front of such a person, speaking casually...
It is highly likely that you will become a laughing stock and lose face.
Suddenly, the hall fell silent.
Emperor Qing remained calm and said, "It seems everyone is a bit reserved. Why don't we have Elder Zhuang set a theme for today's discussion and say a few words?"
Zhuang Mohan, seated in the Northern Qi delegation, rose and said softly:
"Since Your Majesty has spoken, then this old man will offer his humble opinion as a starting point."
Li Chengqian's eyes flickered slightly.
coming!
What Zhuang Mohan is about to say is very likely related to him.
He is very clear,
Zhuang Mohan, a literary giant,
The reason he appeared in the Northern Qi delegation must be related to Xiao En.
Since Emperor Qing has agreed to this matter,
Zhuang Mohan will surely have to pay the price for this.
Emperor Qing specifically mentioned the word "reputation" earlier.
Clearly, they wanted to use Zhuang Mohan's literary reputation to target him.
As Emperor Qing said, force can conquer, but it cannot govern a country.
With the three kingdoms jointly ruling Nanjing City, the situation is bound to be extremely complex.
Most importantly, the millions of Qi people in Nanjing City are the real headache.
He couldn't possibly kill everyone.
But once his reputation is trampled underfoot, his desire to govern Nanjing City will be jeopardized.
The likelihood of gaining public support will be greatly reduced.
Clearly, Emperor Qing was at a temporary disadvantage in terms of military strength.
They chose to use their strengths to suppress him.
Just then, Zhuang Mohan slowly spoke up: "As scholars, we should cultivate ourselves, manage our families, govern the state, and bring peace to the world."
"To cultivate oneself, one must eliminate one's own desires by following the ultimate principles of the universe."
"Therefore, today, let us take the topic of preserving heavenly principles and eliminating human desires as our theme and share our own views."
He coughed softly and looked at Li Chengqian.
"I once read His Highness the Crown Prince's novel, 'The Young Qingguo,' and his literary talent was truly admirable."
"It is a rare opportunity for me to visit the Qing Kingdom today. I wonder if I will have the chance to hear Your Highness's profound insights?"
Li Chengqian was very clear that
A scholar's skill in debate;
Especially scholars like Zhuang Mohan, whose reading has become ingrained in their very being.
He could quote extensively from classical texts with ease.
No matter what he says, there must be a trap waiting for him.
Debate is impossible.
Given his personality, it would be best for him to just kill Zhuang Mohan and be done with it.
However, today's occasion is clearly not suitable for taking action.
But he was also prepared.
Although he may not be good at debating.
But the man beside me, Wang Yangming, can also be considered the ancestor of scholars.
At least Zhuang Mohan is hard to compare with.
Therefore, he ignored Zhuang Mohan and instead pointed to Wang Yangming, introducing him to everyone.
"This is my teacher, Mr. Wang Yangming."
"Since Mr. Zhuang is willing to hear your profound insights, then let my teacher speak to you."
Upon hearing this, the assembled officials in the hall...
Both Emperor Qing and the Eldest Princess immediately turned their gazes to Wang Yangming.
When did the Crown Prince acquire such a teacher?
Chapter 99 Zhuang Mohan coughs up blood! Haitang Duoduo actually came too?
To be able to serve as the Crown Prince's tutor, and to be personally introduced by Li Chengqian in public,
So, in just a moment,
Wang Yangming's image thus became unfathomable in the eyes of the public.
Especially Emperor Qing, he was thinking,
The reason why the crown prince underwent such a dramatic change in just a few years is...
Could it be because of this mysterious teacher named Wang Yangming?
Wang Yangming slowly rose to his feet.
"How could I, a recluse from the mountains, possibly deserve the title of Your Highness's teacher?"
"However, since Your Highness wants me to say a few words, I will dare to speak."
He looked at Zhuang Mohan calmly and said, "I think it's better to preserve heavenly principles and eliminate human desires than to preserve heavenly principles and eliminate human desires."
In an instant, the entire hall was filled with astonishment.
To everyone's astonishment,
Wang Yangming appeared humble, but the moment he opened his mouth, he immediately began to question.
They even distorted the topic of Zhuang Mohan, a literary giant of the Northern Qi Dynasty.
Between this destruction and its disappearance
They are even two completely different schools of thought.
At this moment, Wang Yangming spoke up: "Benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom reside within the human heart, not in external things. If the human heart is extinguished, how can there be any justice in heaven?"
Upon hearing this, many scholars present changed their expressions.
Zhuang Mohan, in particular, suddenly became solemn.
He stared at Wang Yangming and said, "When people's hearts are restless and desires run rampant, if they only seek their own conscience, the rites and music will collapse and morality will decline!"
Wang Yangming said calmly, "The meaning of life, the meaning of existence, and even the meaning of the world are not given by the outside world, but are the meanings that your heart adds to yourself."
He paused slightly, his tone becoming somewhat heavy, and said, "The mind is principle!"
In just a few words,
An unprecedented shock swept over us.
This left many people in the hall inexplicably shocked.
Zhuang Mohan's expression changed completely. He questioned, "What good is it to the world to indulge in empty dreams and only seek one's own heart?"
Wang Yangming calmly said, "Knowledge and action are one."
Four simple words
Like a bolt from the blue, it exploded with a deafening roar.
This is especially true for those who have read extensively.
A middle-aged-looking envoy from the Northern Qi delegation,
Unable to resist asking, "What is the unity of knowledge and action?"
Zhuang Mohan rebuked him in a deep voice: "Nonsense! If we act according to our whims, won't the world descend into chaos?"
Despite Zhuang Mohan's reprimand, Wang Yangming remained remarkably calm.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, he slowly said, "Extend your innate knowledge!"
"If your conscience knows what is good, then act in accordance with that conscience; if it knows what is bad, then refrain from doing it in accordance with that conscience. This is the extension of your innate knowledge."
"By taking the heart as the guide and extending one's innate knowledge, one can naturally achieve unity of knowledge and action."
After he finished speaking, the hall fell silent.
After hearing this, many people seemed to vaguely realize something.
Zhuang Mohan looked at Wang Yangming, his eyes revealing emotion, complexity, and heaviness.