Chapter 6 6. The Melancholy of China

What kind of people there are, what kind of country there is. In fact, the model and style, system and scale of any country are determined by the citizens who make up the country, as well as their culture and history.A strong nation likes a weak government, a free nation appreciates a loose system, an ignorant nation looks forward to wise leadership, and a weak nation relies on the rule of a powerful one. However, there is a problem here. As we all know, most of the earliest countries of mankind were monarchies, a few were republics, and very few were democracies.Before the spread of Western learning to the east, Chinese people always believed that the monarchy was justified and had no choice, and there was no opposition.In this way, don't most people in the world want to be free and want to be slaves?

of course not. There must be a reason for this, there must be a reason. what reason?What's the point?The world must be orderly, and dragons cannot be leaderless. That's right, China has a vast territory and a large population. If floods and foreign enemies invade, it needs a strong leadership core, appeal and cohesion, or at least a symbol of unity.This function could not be performed by others at that time.For this reason, the people can only make sacrifices and concessions, and bow their heads to the monarch who holds the banner high. Therefore, except for the Legalists, all other schools "conditionally maintain and agree with reservations" to the monarchy and monarchy.For example, the three schools of Confucianism, Mohism and Taoism all believe that a monarch can have one, but he must be a saint, at least qualified.Mencius even believed that if the monarch is not qualified, he should step down.For another example, the three schools all believe that the relationship between the monarch and his subjects cannot be that of slavery and being enslaved.Confucius said that the king should be polite to his ministers, and Mencius even believed that if the king "sees no one in his eyes", the ministers can "see them as enemies".If the monarch is too shameful, the people can launch a revolution and kill him.Can this be said to be "want to be a slave, not free"?

Monarchy is not the same as slavery. Independence, freedom, and equality are, after all, the common values ​​of all mankind, and no nation is an exception. However, history will have different attempts and choices. Unfortunately, the conditions and reservations advocated by the three schools of Confucianism, Mohism and Taoism are far from democracy or constitutionalism, and there are many problems in their implementation.For example, what is called a "sage", the three schools have different opinions.Confucianism talks about "benevolent people love things", Mohism talks about "seeing things clearly", and Taoism talks about "cleanness and inaction", who shall prevail?Also, if the monarch is unqualified, how can he be asked to step down?Is there a way?Is there a law?Is there a system?Is there a program?No.

Then there is only wishful thinking and melancholy. The national history and civilization history of the Chinese nation is a "disconsolate history" in which independence, freedom, and equality are constantly pursued, and they are repeatedly obtained and lost. Yes, just as Greece practiced "direct democracy", we also experimented with "direct monarchy"; Rome realized "ruling the country by law", and we also explored "ruling the country by ritual".We even designed various plans, hoping to achieve "equal emphasis on monarchy and civil rights."At the very least, people can't lose their lives, and the people's grievances are boiling.

However, once upon a time, these all came to naught.Decentralization became centralization, centralization became dictatorship, and dictatorship became dictatorship.Qin, Han, Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing, all went from bad to worse.Once the dynasty is changed, once the dead are brought back to life once, and once there is corruption and festering.In the end, I had to worship the Western powers as my husband. In fact, "gentlemen" is it smooth sailing?The Greek city-states, the lonely sails, the shadows; the Roman Republic, the sunset; the democratic process, twists and turns; the road to freedom, full of dangers.Not to mention the Inquisition, not to mention the Crusades.In the century alone, there were two world wars.

The pace of civilization is always one foot deep and one foot shallow; no one can see the meaning of a country clearly overnight.The only thing we need is the state, which is the same at all times and in all countries, whether it is the East or the West, subjects or citizens. So, where are the secrets of the state?

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