Chapter 6 the first dynasty

"Five virtues always say" is a great thing, because this theory is very inclusive, and anyone can modify it according to their own needs.According to its original intention, only forces with decent morality can overthrow the former dynasty and establish a new regime, but since then everyone has used it in reverse, pinching the former dynasty first, and then assigning themselves a suitable "virtue" to prove that they are ordered the legitimate government of heaven.It's like getting on the train first and paying for the fare, getting a husband and child before getting a marriage certificate, and taking down Iraq before finding weapons of mass destruction. The ancient and modern principles are all the same.

The rebels of all dynasties should thank Zou Yan, because now that they have such an advanced theory to arm and guide them, it will be more justifiable for everyone to boast that they are "ordered by heaven".The first to discover this benefit was the famous businessman and politician Lu Buwei. He not only asked his disciples to write this theory into "Lu Shi Chunqiu", but also actively prepared for the establishment of a new dynasty in the future according to the "Five Virtues Ending and Beginning Theory". Theoretical basis: Zhou is the virtue of fire, water can extinguish fire, water can overcome fire, er, so the dynasty that replaces the Zhou Dynasty should naturally be a dynasty with the virtue of water.

King Zhou Nan, the last monarch of the Zhou Dynasty, died about 256 BC, seven years before Lu Buwei became Prime Minister of Qin.In other words, when Lu Buwei summoned a large group of disciples to compile "Lu Shi Chunqiu", the Zhou Dynasty had perished, but the seven heroes were fighting for hegemony, and the new dynasty had not yet been born.Although the Qixiong have all become kings, their ancestors are only feudal or recognized princes of the Zhou Dynasty. They are the subjects of the Emperor Zhou in name (including the Chu State that has always refused to truly obey the king), and they have never unified the world. , naturally not qualified to have an orthodox status, given the attribute of "virtue", so it was automatically ignored.Lu Buwei looked back.

——Speaking of which, this kind of calculation method of taking the separatist forces as inappropriate for the dynasty, neither giving legitimacy nor virtue, will often be encountered in the future, and it will be conjured up into endless novel tricks. The description of relative dynastic virtues in "Lushi Chunqiu·Yingtong" is more detailed than what Professor Zou said back then, which shows that this science is always developing.The book says that whenever there will be a new emperor or a new dynasty, the heavens will send down auspicious omens to remind the common people.For example, during the time of the Yellow Emperor, Mr. Heaven came out with big earthworms and big mole crickets, so the Yellow Emperor said: "The rustic spirit wins!" Because the rustic spirit prevails, yellow clothes are popular, and the work is also very rustic.By the time of Dayu, the grass and trees would not wither through autumn and winter, so Dayu said: "Wood Qi prevails!" Because the wood Qi is superior, blue clothes are popular, and things are also very wooden.At the time of Cheng Tang, God first gave birth to a golden knife from the water, so Cheng Tang said: "Gold energy is superior!" Because the energy of gold is superior, white clothes are popular, and all things are done with gold.At the time of King Wen of Zhou, God first sent Huo Laoya to gather in the ancestral temple of the Zhou Dynasty with a big red document in his mouth, so King Wen of Zhou said: "Fire Qi prevails!"The replacement of the Huode dynasty must be the Shuide dynasty. The heavens will foretell the victory of water and energy. Because of the victory of water and energy, black clothes are popular, and everything they do is very watery...

As for what is earth matter, what is gold matter, and what is water matter, Lu Lao Xiangbang and his disciples are vaguely unwilling to say clearly, what will happen to the next orthodox and virtuous dynasty that is foreseen or rather predicted? Which of the seven heroes is the future?Also keep silent for the time being.Of course, Lu Buwei is the prime minister of the state of Qin, so he must speak for the state of Qin. He is laying the groundwork first and making political propaganda for the birth of the new dynasty. Lu Buwei's prediction soon became a reality shortly after his death.In a sense, it can also be said that this is a prophecy, because throughout the ages, prophecies will only be taken seriously after they become reality, and they will be brought up to talk about things. Bullshit, is to be completely forgotten.Lu Buwei's prophecy is actually based on Qin's powerful military force and excellent political and diplomatic situation, rather than some auspicious things from heaven, mascots, or absurd stories supported by prophecies and rumors.With the strength of Qin State at that time, some people might believe that the world will not be unified again. If it is said that the world will be unified, but it is not unified by Qin State, I am afraid no one will pay attention to it.

Finally, Yingzheng swept the six kingdoms, unified the world, and proclaimed himself Qin Shihuang.This Qin Shihuang was a very superstitious guy, and he especially believed in the theory of yin, yang and five elements preached by the warlocks from Qidi. Because he wanted to live forever, he sent the warlock Xu Shi and five hundred virgins to the East Ocean Sea. Warlocks betrayed, and as a result, a tragedy of "burning books and burying scholars" was committed, which is a well-known historical fact.Let’s say that since Qin Shihuang was superstitious about such ghost tricks, the disciples and grandchildren of Professor Zou took the initiative to come out. After repeating what the old professor said, they searched through old classics and finally found them, or it may be They couldn't find it at all, so they just made up a new omen of heaven. They said: When Qin Wengong went out to hunt, he shot a black dragon. What is doomed!

Qin Shihuang heard it interesting, and found Lu Buwei's book to read again: "Oh, Zhongfu had foreseen it a long time ago, the Zhou Dynasty was Huode, and my Daqin replaced the Zhou Dynasty. It really is the first Shuide dynasty in ancient times. " Although Qin Shihuang forced Lu Buwei to death, it was a political need. He still admired the knowledge of this teacher and "Zhongfu", and it was useful to him, so the Qin Dynasty was determined to be the Shuide Dynasty. up.According to what Lu Buwei said, the five colors match the water, and can also match the black color of water virtue, so everyone dyed their clothes black one after another.Qin Shihuang also deliberately changed the name of the Yellow River to "Deshui" to show off his orthodoxy.

In the past, the "virtue" of the Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties were ratified by later generations. It was only from the Qin Dynasty that the Chinese dynasty really consciously used this set of "Five Virtues, End and Beginning Theory" for the first time to systematically defend its orthodoxy. prove. As the saying goes, "the superior acts and the inferior acts", since the emperor is so interested, the sycophants below are naturally swarming to study Yin-Yang and Five Elements.Zou Yan's theory was originally intended to persuade the emperor to be frugal and to pay attention to morality, otherwise he would be overthrown and replaced. As a result, after being supernormally used by this group of ignorant guys, it gradually began to deteriorate. When it came out, the theory of the five virtues as an official political theory gradually degenerated into the theoretical basis of folk feng shui fortune-telling, bringing disaster to future generations.Liang Qichao once said: "The theory of Yin-Yang and Five Elements has been the base of superstition for two thousand years, and until today, it still has great influence in society."

However, the very watery regime of the Qin Dynasty finally died in the second generation, and the water virtue failed to bless China's first unified dynasty to Qin Qianshi and Qin Wanshi according to Qin Shihuang's genius creativity.Then there was the struggle between Chu and Han, and the "Five Virtues Ended with the Beginning" also opened a new chapter of chaos.