Chapter 65 Section Four: The Great Debate on Human Nature in Jixia Academy

In less than five years, Qi State is already full of vigor, prosperous in all industries, and prosperous in civilization, and it has become a first-class big country on par with Wei State.At this time in Qi State, there were Zou Ji, Tian Ji, Zou Yan, Yan Ju, Duan Ganpeng and other famous ministers in the court, and the local ministers were even full of Qingming and diligent talents.However, it is their Jixia Academy that makes Qi Guoxiong look up to the world even more.After more than 20 years of careful cultivation, Jixia Academy has become a collection of celebrities and elites, and has become an inexhaustible treasure house of talents in Qi.King Wei Wei of Qi, who regards talents as a national treasure, always speaks of Jixia Academy with pride, "Jixia Academy has collected all the talents from all over the world, how can Qi not rule the world?"

Worldly things are icing on the cake.Just when Qi was rising in the sea breeze, two world-renowned figures came to Linzi.One came with great fanfare, while the other came quietly and secretly. After receiving two reports, King Qi Wei was in high spirits. He left the table and said, "Prime Minister and Xuegong Ling will accompany me to welcome Master. The general will arrange for you to do so." Tian Ji agreed and left excitedly. This mysterious figure is too important to him as a general.King Qi Wei and Zou Ji each took a chariot and hurried to the outside of the city. The reception booth outside the south gate of Linzi has been solemnly arranged.King Qi Wei stood on the cart outside the pavilion, looking at the official road leading to the State of Lu.The ministers stood outside the pavilion separately, discussing in low voices, seeming a little excited.Qi State is short of such a great master, and now he is finally here!

"Report to my king, the chariot has appeared!" "Prime Minister, follow me to meet you." King Qi Wei stomped his feet and drove up the official road in a car. There was a lot of smoke and dust, and a convoy without a flag rumbled north.It can be seen from a distance that each car is driven by two horses, and the drivers are all dressed as Confucian scholars in long gowns and cloth towels.In the Warring States Period, even the special envoys of great powers, apart from the knight guards, usually had only one cart and two luggage carts.For ordinary celebrities to travel around, it is a great pomp to have a car.This convoy has thirteen two-horse express carriages plus a bronze cart. Although there is no flag, it is also very imposing, and it is by no means comparable to celebrities of ordinary schools.Sitting solemnly under the bronze trolley was a man in his fifties with white beard and hair. His face was clear and solemn, and his three long beards were blown by the wind.

The welcoming King Qi Wei couldn't help admiring loudly, "Master Meng is really extraordinary!" The visitor is the famous Mencius motorcade!This talented, eloquent, uninhibited and rock-solid Confucian leader has been traveling between the Warring States for more than 20 years.Like Confucius back then, his travels spread the seeds of Confucian knowledge all over the world, but he never realized his actual pursuit—to govern a country and govern the country with Confucian ideals.But Mencius was not discouraged.He firmly believes that in this world of great strife, there must be a state of etiquette in the world where he can take revenge.He has been to the state of Wei many times. He thought that the rich and prosperous state of Wei needed Confucian celebrities the most. He didn't want King Hui of Wei to treat him like a guest of honor, chatting with him every day about the past and the present, but never asked him about the major political strategies of governing the state. , it seems that he is likely to be raised as a diner.Mencius was ambitious and shouldered the great task of revitalizing Confucianism. How could he tolerate such embarrassment and embarrassment?But Mencius was Mencius after all, and he bid farewell to King Wei Hui politely, explaining his desire to travel again.King Hui of Wei laughed out loud, "Yes, yes, Confucian erudition comes from traveling all over the world! This king will give ten books and carts to Master, and a hundred yi of gold, to make money!" Mencius said inwardly. Liang, he made a long bow and resolutely left Anyi.He had heard of the reputation of Jixia Academy in Qi State for a long time, so he came to Qi State in the name of a study tour.

"Master, it seems that someone is welcoming you? It seems to be a minister!" Wan Zhang, who was driving the car, was quite surprised, and turned his head to remind the teacher loudly. A disciple in the car behind stood up and looked around, "Ah! It's King Qi! That's right, Wang Qi, it's King Qi!" Wan Zhang knew that Gongsun Chou had excellent eyesight, so he pulled the reins to stop the car with a "wow--", turned around and cupped his hands and said, "Master, the king of Qi is waiting for you at the official road, do you want to get out of the car and walk slowly in line?"

Mencius opened his eyes slightly, thought for a while, "Proceed as usual." "Yes." Wan Zhang shouted back: "Proceed as usual, don't make any noise." With a flick of the horse's reins, the convoy started rattling away. King Qi Wei and his ministers at the side of the official road have already got off the car, and they are waiting solemnly by the side of the road.Seeing Mencius's bronze chariot approaching, King Wei of Qi cupped his hands and said in a loud voice, "King Qi Tian Yinqi welcomes you to come——!" Wan Zhang was vigilant and meticulous, he had already slowed down the speed of the car, and it happened to stop the car at this time.Mencius stood up abruptly from under the canopy of the car, and bowed deeply, "I don't know that King Qi is here, but Meng Ke abruptly blocked him, so I offended you."

"Master, Tian Yinqi made a special trip to meet him, and there must be something else." King Qi Wei smiled and stepped forward to help Mencius get off the car. Mencius prostrated and fell on the ground, "How can Meng Ke be able to wait for the king of Qi to welcome the suburbs?" King Wei of Qi hurriedly helped Mencius up, and laughed heartily, "Master, knowledgeable, the leader of the world, Tian Yinqi should respect the virtuous and courteous. Master, this is Zou Ji, the prime minister of Qi State. This is Zou Yan, the magistrate of Jixia Academy." .” Zou Ji and Zou Yan cupped their hands together, "I have seen Master."

Mencius returned the gift respectfully, "It is a great honor to meet you two adults." While talking, he had arrived outside the reception pavilion, and the band kneeling on the red carpet played a peaceful and grand music. Mencius bowed his hands solemnly, "King Qi, this "Xiaoya" is the joy of the emperor welcoming and sending off princes. Meng Ke How dare you do it?" King Qi Wei laughed loudly, "Master, is it true that the level of music and etiquette is not good? It's just nice." Zou Yan said with a smile: "Master, if you abide by the etiquette system, why is there today's world?"

Mencius also laughed openly, "Joking and joking, Meng Ke is pedantic again." Mencius's frankness and heartiness dissipated the slightly restrained atmosphere in an instant.King Qi Wei said with a smile: "The master is far away, the car is exhausted, so let's rest first. In the future, I will personally host the debate meeting for the master, so as to see the master's demeanor." Mencius thanked him, and he was accompanied by Zou Yan, the order of Jixia Academy, into Linzi City. King Qi Wei waved his hand at Zou Ji, "Prime Minister, there is one more, just let me see."

The two monarchs and ministers drove lightly, walked around the west gate and entered Linzi, and then arrived in front of a quiet mansion.There are no guards standing at the gate of this mansion, but it looks like a clean academy.If it wasn't for the explanation on King Qiwei Road, Zou Ji couldn't believe that this was the residence of the mighty General Tian Ji.Tian Ji is a nobleman of the royal family, the brother-in-law of King Qi Wei, and a very powerful branch of the Tian family.The Tian family was originally an aristocratic force that grew up in Jiang Qi's internal separatist regime. After seizing the Qi state power, the Tian family became a royal family, but they still maintained their own regional forces internally.This kind of regional power has long been tacitly regarded as the fiefdoms of the various branches of the Tian family. The country (royal family) and the "fiefdom" nobles each receive half of the tax.When the royal power was strong, this "fief" was no different from state land.When the royal power declined, the "fiefdom" nobles became an almost completely autonomous force.The variable period depends entirely on the ebb and flow of regime forces.In terms of royal fiefdoms, Qi State is no different from the princes of the world, Wei Chuyan, Zhao Han, and basically maintained within the framework of the rule of man.Because of this, royal ministers like Tian Ji are not like officials of scholarly background like Zou Ji. Even if they don’t serve in the royal family, they still have hereditary fiefdoms, and they can still live a luxurious life in Linzi.Tian Ji became a general again, no matter how luxurious and powerful his mansion is, people will not be surprised, but this kind of academy-like elegance and refinement makes Zou Ji greatly unexpected.Usually working in the same court, Zou Ji always has an instinctive guard against the royal ministers, and never has any personal contact with these ministers, and naturally he has never been to the General's Mansion.Looking at it today, the instinctive guard against Tian Ji has actually eased a lot.

There was no one to report, and the door opened, Tian Ji hurried out to greet them, bowed deeply, and took the two into the main hall. "What's wrong, sir?" King Qi Wei asked eagerly. "Report to my king, Mr. is seriously disabled and in poor condition, and urgently needs treatment and recuperation." "Is the doctor here?" "The Imperial Physician ordered me to come here in person. I have already removed the carrion and broken bones of my husband's legs. Right now, my husband is in a coma." King Qi Wei sighed, "It's heartbreaking for a famous family to come to this." Tian Ji thought for a while and said: "I think that the matter of Mr. entering Qi will not be disclosed for the time being. Let Mr. live in the minister's mansion to heal his wounds, and then make any fuss after he recovers." King Qi Wei nodded, "Sir is an outstanding person in our country of Qi. You must do your best to restore your body." "I understand." Tian Ji bowed his hands solemnly. King Qi Wei looked at Zou Ji and smiled slightly, "Prime Minister, this man is a well-known military strategist in the world. It is my great fortune for Qi to recover. Does the Prime Minister know who he is?" Zou Ji doesn't like to ask about things he doesn't need to know, and he never speaks rashly about things he doesn't know, so he has been calmly silent.Although I am also a celebrity, how can I not know the famous people in the world?Seeing the king asking each other, he smiled and said, "Is it Sun Bin, a descendant of Sun Wu, the founder of the military family?" King Qi Wei laughed loudly, "Exactly. Qi has such a great talent, both civil and military, why should he be afraid of the world?" Mencius moved into the six-entry mansion, and his disciples were very excited. According to Zou Yan's introduction, this is the mansion of the standard of the middle school officials of the Qi State, and it is only given to the leaders of the school called "Zi". Ordinary celebrities only enter the mansion three times.Accompanied by Zou Yan, Mencius looked at the residence.On both sides of the entrance gate are servants' gatehouses. The first entrance is a large courtyard with mountains, rivers, bamboos and grasses, which is very elegant; the second entrance is the main hall, which is spacious and bright, with luxurious furnishings; the third entrance is the study and piano room, which is wide enough to arrange His seven or eight cart books; the fourth entrance is the bedroom, covered by curtains, and the bathroom is exquisite, which Mencius has never seen in his life; the fifth entrance is the kitchen, enough for five or six chefs to show their skills; the last entrance is a back garden Together with a side courtyard, it is a residence for diners, which happens to be the residence of Mencius students.After reading it again, the disciples were full of praise.Although Mencius didn't speak, he was quite satisfied.After all, this is the mansion bestowed on him by the state of Qi to respect the virtuous, and it feels much better than living in a luxurious post house by the state of Wei. After settling in, Wan Zhang and Gongsun Chou came to persuade the teacher to visit Jixia Academy.Although Mencius also wanted to see this world-famous school, he held back after thinking about it, "You go, I want to rest as a teacher." Wan Zhang and Gongsun Chou went there happily. Jixia Academy is located in the south of the palace.Wan Zhang and Gongsun Chou were really not interested in the "Qi City" that was separated in the middle, but the feeling of walking through the market still surprised them greatly.The endless shop tents, the city people rubbing their heels shoulder to shoulder to bargain, the strange smell of fish and salt, the piles of iron fabrics, and the dazzling array of fine iron weapons are all they have never seen in any official market.It took an entire hour to rush out of the market!The two couldn't help feeling very emotional, saying that they would definitely let the teacher come and walk around "Qi City" when they turned around, and see what the teacher commented? A hundred steps to the south of the street market is a wide belt of pines and cypresses.Walking into the pine and cypress forest, the breeze chirps and the birds sing, and the big city behind you is separated into another world.I saw a tall wooden archway standing in the middle of the forest, with four huge green characters carved in the middle of the forehead - learning the sea and the deep.In front of the wooden archway stands a large white jade stele lying on top of a stone tortoise, engraved with four big red characters - Jixia Academy.The wooden archway is extremely wide, and the most luxurious and spacious princely carriages can also drive straight in.On both sides of the wooden archway, two blue-clothed gatekeepers stood with their hands down, and a red-clothed foreman was swimming in front of the gate.Behind the archway, you can see the golden-roofed green tiles and tall brown-red wooden buildings surrounded by large green trees. Wan Zhang and Gongsun Chou were overwhelmed by this majestic momentum!Traveling all over the world, which country can build such a solemn and magnificent school palace?I originally thought that even though the Jixia Academy is famous, it is nothing more than the famous style of study. The Academy itself is nothing more than a house, so what can be desirable?Looking at it today, not to mention the inside, the exterior alone has the same solemn momentum as the royal palace and the Taimiao.This kind of imposing manner is by no means the size of the courtyard of the house. She means the sacred status of civilization in Qi. Which country can do this? Involuntarily, the two bowed deeply to the white jade monument.Seeing this, the deacon in red came up and cupped his hands and said, "Two scholars, please show me the government cards." Gongsun Chou suddenly smiled and said, "Ah, is the government card used here? I'm new here, so please forgive me." The two each took out a small bronze medal and handed it over.The deacon in red looked at it and said with a smile: "Ah, you two are disciples of Master Meng, please come in. Would you like to send someone to take you for a tour?" Wan Zhang said: "Thank you. No need, it will be more convenient for me to wait. " The two walked into the school, but saw that inside the gate of the archway was a wide boulevard, with flat grass and woods on both sides of the avenue. The stone tables and benches in the forest were well arranged, forming a natural circle of gatherings and heated debates. The voice was faintly audible.Seeing scholars in long gowns holding bamboo slips in their hands and reciting aloud in the forest, it makes people suddenly feel motivated to study and cultivate themselves.At the end of the boulevard, there are patches of woods and roofs, and a network of more than a dozen trails generally leads to the depth.For a while, the two of them didn't know where to go?While wandering in confusion, a young man in blue came floating from a forest, "You two, are you a student of Master Meng?" "Exactly. Under Wanzhang, Gongsun Chou. Your Excellency has a high name and surname, how do you know us?" "I am Xun Kuang from the State of Qi. When Master Meng came to Qi, everyone knew about the academy." The scholar pointed at the forest, "Look at you two, they are all preparing to argue with Master Meng." "So it's Brother Xun Kuang! He's been famous for a long time, so he's my fellow Confucian." Gongsun Chou was very happy. "My Confucianism is an example of Confucianism from a sect, so how dare I be honored as a fellow?" Wan Zhang said with a smile: "Dare to ask brother Xun Kuang, what is meant by a sect showing Confucianism?" Xun Kuang laughed heartily, "Those who are outsiders are not directly descended from Confucius. Those who express Confucianism adopt Confucian knowledge and abandon Confucianism as the way of government. For this reason, I dare not list myself in the Confucian school." "That is to say, brother Xun Kuang opposes Jing Tian's benevolent government and only takes the way of scholarship?" Wan Zhang asked with a smile. "The time is also the situation, dare not hold the handicap." Gongsun Chou teased and laughed, "How cunning are the two ends of the head mouse?" The three of them laughed in unison.Xun Kuang said: "You are newcomers, let me accompany you for a tour." The three of them walked together, talking and laughing happily, naturally the topic was raging.After questioning each other for a while, Xun Kuang laughed and said, "Let's stop here. There are three main places to see in Jixia Academy, Zhengming Hall, Daguo Academy, and Zhuzi Academy. The rest of the halls and buildings are the most valuable to see. The one above is the Zangjian Tower. Look, the Zhengming Hall is in front of you." Walking into a forest, I saw a gate standing suddenly!From the outside, it looks like a large courtyard.There are four copper characters inlaid in the middle of the gate - Lunru Battle Formation.Entering the gate, you can see a hall in the middle facing north and south, with long corridors on both sides; in the middle is a wide open-air field, in which rows of long stone slabs are covered with red felt. There are more than a thousand seats, which is obviously the main venue for the debate.There is a large drum standing on the wooden frame in the middle of the entrance of the main hall. Two drumsticks are suspended on the wooden frame, but they are in the shape of a large brush!On both sides of the main hall, there are white jade steles more than one foot high, engraved on the right with "Tempering Knowledge", and on the left with "Introduce the Old and Bring forth the New". "It's so bold, I really didn't expect it." Gongsun Chou felt emotional. "My teacher is going to be here to discuss the world's students?" Wan Zhang asked. "That's right. According to the rules of the Jixia Academy, all scholars and famous scholars who come together must hold a big debate. I have heard for a long time that Master Meng's eloquence is very eloquent, and all the scholars in Jixia want to ask for advice." Sun Chou couldn't help but nodded excitedly, "Okay, let's see how you challenge this Confucianist?" Wan Zhang sneered slightly, "I'm afraid there are not many people in Jixia Academy who can fight against my teacher." But Xun Kuang laughed loudly, "The world is so big, how can a hero be lonely? Brother, don't treat Mencius as a god." He said, pointing to the distance, "Look at the front, Ji Xia The palace encompasses hundreds of schools of thought from all over the world, so how can there be no rival for Master Meng?" Seeing Xun Kuang's boldness and amiability, the two of them were not angry at his arrogance, and followed Xun Kuang's footsteps, arguing and turning left. I saw a large area of ​​houses in the distance divided into several small areas, with red walls and green tiles, heavy trees, and it was extremely quiet.Xun Kuang smiled and said, "Look, that's the school area of ​​the great country. There are mainly ten school areas of Zhou, Lu, Wei, Chu, Han, Zhao, Yan, Song, Zheng, Wu and Yue." "Hey? Why is there no Qin State?" Gongsun Chou was puzzled. Xun Kuang laughed, "Qin is a literary desert. There is no style of study and no students. Why build a library?" "The State of Qin also has a recruiting office, and many scholars went there, such as the Legalists and Wei Yang." Wan Zhang clearly reminded him, but he secretly refused to accept Xun Kuang's momentum of "there must be a decision". "The brilliance of civilization lies in accumulation. The civilization of a country cannot be seen immediately by opening a recruiting hall. Qin is at least a hundred years away from the civilization of the Central Plains." Xun Kuang's contempt for Qin is obvious. "It's reasonable, it's reasonable." Gongsun Chou was honest and straightforward, and he agreed with it.As a child of Confucianism, no one has a good impression of Qin, which Confucius refused to visit.The same is true for Wan Zhang, who just doesn't want to go along with Xun Kuang.The three of them talked and walked, before they came to another building.These museums are built on hills one by one, surrounded by green trees, and they are very secluded. "Look, this is the school of scholars. All famous scholars who can form a family and open a school to teach students can get an independent school here, ranging from twenty rooms to seven or eight rooms. The biggest thing for Master Meng , Twenty-five rooms are being tidied up." Wan Zhang was a little surprised, "Zhuzi Academy? How many schools are accommodated now?" "Currently, there are about ninety-odd schools. Almost all the schools in the world have entered Jixia Academy." Wan Zhang shook his head, "From my point of view, Jixia Academy, a school of other schools, is a bit rash." "Oh, this statement is fresh, why is it considered rash?" "The one who establishes an academy should be the world's most famous scholar." Wan Zhang showed the unique reserve of a famous disciple, "There are more than ninety people, and there is a mixture of fish and dragons. How can they be the first in the world's civilization?" "Based on your words, which faction can be called the most famous school in the world?" Gongsun laughed uglyly, "Oh, brother Xun, how come you don't even know the world's famous learning? The four great masters of Confucianism, Mohism, Taoism and Fa." Suddenly, Xun Kuang laughed loudly, "Ah, I have heard for a long time that Master Meng is very domineering, but I can't believe that his disciples also underestimate the world. Please tell Master Meng, after twenty years, there will be another famous school in the world, and that is Xun Xue." !" Wan Zhang felt that his conclusion was not in the right place, so he also laughed, "Brother Xun Kuang has a long-term ambition, and Wan Zhang admires it." Gongsun Chou smiled innocently and said, "I think Brother Xun Kuang is a bit arrogant." Xun Kuang smiled openly, "Okay, let's not argue about the length of this day. Let's move on." "Which side?" Gongsun Chou asked, pointing to the three small brown-red buildings. "That is the Zangjian Pavilion." Xun Kuang laughed, "The three wooden buildings have a total of more than five million volumes of books. Not only are there a hundred schools of thought, but even the government orders of various countries are specially collected. With this Zangjian Pavilion alone, Jixia The Academy is also enough to look down on the world." Wan Zhang said with emotion, "Don't talk about learning and being excellent will be an official. In my opinion, just traveling and studying in Jixia Academy, this life is enough!" Gongsun Chou rarely showed a secretive smile, "Dare to ask Brother Xun Kuang, what is the purpose of King Qi collecting all the students from all over the world, but rarely using them to serve as officials?" Xun Kuang didn't want Gongsun Chou to ask such a question, but he didn't know how to answer him in a daze, so he said with a smile, "I haven't thought about it yet, but I would like to hear Brother Gongsun's opinion." Gongsun Chou shook his head, "Could it be that you want to gather all the talents in the world so that no one in other countries can use them?" The three laughed.Xun Kuang held the palm and said, "Brother Gongsun's theory is unimaginable and wonderful!" As dusk fell, Wan Zhang and Gongsun Chou left the academy in a hurry.Along the way, the two talked about the fact that Lu State was originally adjacent to Qi State and was the first state of etiquette and civilization. Now not only has it lost its status as a great civilized country, but it has almost fallen to the point where it is almost subjugated.After returning to the mansion, he told his teacher what he saw, heard, and felt in Jixia Academy. Mencius was silent for a long time, and sighed, "Confucianism encountered a world of great power and human desires. I have traveled around the world for more than two hundred years, but I have never met a civilized country to show revenge. The atmosphere of Qi State is good, as a teacher, he cultivates literature and martial arts, and treats virtuous corporals. However, in the Warring States Period, we respect strength and rely on Legalism and military strategists. There are vain rituals, but few heavy responsibilities. Although the king of Qi respects me very much, Jixia Academy is a wonderland for learning that is hard to find in the world. However, it is still hard to say whether we can make Qi the permanent foundation. After all, , Confucianism is the study of peace in the prosperous age, the study of self-cultivation and self-denial, and the study of self-denial. But it is also a study of untimely birth. The time is also the trend, and my Confucianism will have a long period of trough. My colleagues will definitely You must have a strong spirit, be able to withstand cold reception, and be assiduous and self-motivated like the Mohist, so that Confucianism can be revived in its heyday." "Follow the teacher's teaching, work hard and self-motivate, and revive Confucianism!" Wan Zhang Gongsun Chou said in unison. "Disciples must keep in mind that when heaven is about to send a great mission to a man, he must first suffer from his will, exhaust his muscles and bones, starve his body and skin, empty his body, and do not mess with his actions. Therefore, Zeng Yi It can't be done." Mencius was rather tragic. Wan Zhang and Gongsun Chou were deeply moved by the teacher. When they returned to Kuayuan to talk, the disciples were discussing, questioning and refuting, searching for the truth, and they couldn't fall asleep all night. Ten days later, King Wei of Qi led Prime Minister Zou Ji, General Tian Ji, and Xuegong Ling Zou Yan to grandly welcome Mencius and his disciples to officially enter Jixia Academy.The grand ceremony to enter is the polemic meeting held especially for Mencius.This was discussed between King Wei of Qi and Zou Ji. It not only showed the extremely high courtesy to Mencius, but also tested Mencius' political ideas.Although everyone in the world knows the Confucian way of governing, it was not uncommon for famous masters to make revisions to the original ancestor's propositions in line with the trend during the Warring States Period.It was this kind of change that King Qi Wei was looking forward to. The people in Zhengming hall are like mountains and seas.On the long row of seats in the open-air courtyard are the disciples of the Zhuzi Academy and the Great National Academy.More than 30 disciples accompanying Mencius were arranged in the middle position.The front row is almost full of celebrities—Shen Dao, Chun Yukun, Tian Pian, Ni Shuo, Yin Wen, Song Bian, Zhuang Xin, Yang Zhu, Xu Xing, Gongsun Long, etc. The youngest Xun Kuang sits in the front last row.The second half of the seats in the courtyard are all "scattered scholars" from various countries who come to study.Crowded under the corridors of the hatchback are businessmen from various countries who are quite magical and appreciate elegance. They are not qualified to sit at the table and can only stand and listen in the two corridors.In the middle of the main hall are King Qi Wei and his ministers, and the main case before him is Mencius sitting on the seat. Seeing that the arena was ready, Zou Yan, the order of Jixia Academy, nodded to the red-clothed drummers at the two corners of the main hall. The drummer in red beat the big pen-shaped drumsticks, and the two sides of the big drums sounded dense battle drums, rumbling past, inspiring.As soon as the drum was played, the officials in charge of ceremonies made a long and loud announcement: "Jixia Academy, the one hundred and fifth battle of contention, begins—!" Zou Yan walked to the center of the main hall and opened his eyes, "Scholars from all over the world, the Jixia Academy has always been famous for its unrestrained style of study and free contention. This 105th big debate is specially set up for Master Meng, and it is the Jixia Academy. The grand ceremony of welcoming Mencius into Qi Palace. There is no limit to learning, and there are no high or low scholars. You can challenge Mencius to argue..." Someone in the field interrupted loudly, "The school order should not be empty, let Master Meng talk about it." Zou Yan smiled apologetically, bowed his hands to Mencius's seat, "Master Meng, please!" and entered the seat on the west side of the hall. Mencius looked around the venue, his voice was clear and far-reaching, "Everyone, Confucianism has been established for more than a hundred years, and the main ideas have been well known to the world. It seems unnecessary to reiterate them one by one. If you all argue and criticize the differences, I will answer them. Can compare the learning of different schools, closely related to the urgent affairs of the moment. What do you think?" "Okay!" "That's right!" The audience echoed. A skinny man with no hair in the front row stood up, cupped his hands and smiled, "Master Meng is indeed very generous. I, Chunyu Kun, want to use human feelings and physics as the way of government, so please give me your advice." This Chunyu Kun is a well-known scholar in Qi State A scholar, when he was young, he was punished for killing people because of his will. That is to say, his long hair was shaved off, and he could only keep an inch of hair forever.In the era of "the body, hair and skin, received by the parents, shall not be harmed at all", the punishment of cutting off the hair and the beard is an extremely serious mental punishment.This boy was called Chunyu Kun from then on.He sold his fortune, traveled around the world, and practiced hard. When he returned to Linzi twenty years later, he was a blockbuster.Later, he stayed in Jixia Academy and became the guest of King Qi Wei and Prime Minister Zouji.He is not specialized in learning but profound, witty and quick-witted, and his quick-witted response is even better.What he said was "the way of governing based on human relations and physics", in fact, he said that if he said a thing about human affairs, Mencius had to answer a maxim of governing the country.For Mencius who pursued his studies in the right way, although he disdained it, it was also a serious challenge that he had never faced before. Someone in the field was already excited, "Chunyuzi is a master of hidden words, once Master Meng gets stuck, it will be over!" Wan Zhang whispered to Gongsun Chou: "Don't worry, it's just for them to learn the master's eloquence." Mencius looked at the bald-headed commoner wearing a purple shirt under the stage, and said calmly, "Sir, please tell me." "A child is never separated from its mother, and a woman is never separated from its husband." Chunyu Kun blurted out. "I dare not stay away from the king's side." Mencius without hesitation. "If pork fat is applied to the shaft, the shaft will slip; if it is thrown into a square hole, the wheel will not turn." "Government with benevolence, the people will be obedient, tyranny, tyranny, the state government will not." "Although the bow is glued, sometimes it falls off. When people flow to the sea, they will naturally join together." "Reverend the virtuous and use his ability, and don't look at minor faults. Neutrality and fairness, the world will return to one's heart." As soon as the words fell to the point, someone couldn't help shouting, "That's right!" The surrounding scholars booed everywhere, signaling him to silence immediately. "Although the fur of a fox is torn, it cannot be mended with the fur of a yellow dog." "Mingjun employs people, and there is no one who is inferior to the virtuous." There was applause in the field, and they shouted loudly, "Cai——!" Chunyu Kun calmed down, and suddenly said loudly, "If the wheel is not measured, it cannot be a chariot. If the harp is out of tune, it cannot be a law." "If a country is not governed by rites, it cannot be established. If the people are not governed by Yao and Shun, they cannot be at ease." As soon as Mencius said this, it caused an uproar.Some cheered, some opposed.The cheerers naturally admired Mencius' eloquence and kingly propositions.Opponents shouted: "Pedantry! How did Yao and Shun rule the country?" This was obviously aimed at the content of Mencius' answer.The disciples of Mencius immediately shouted: "Righteousness and reason! Master is brilliant!" Chunyu Kun was obviously dissatisfied, and shouted sharply to the audience: "I have one last question!" The audience immediately fell silent. "I would like to ask Master, Confucianism is based on propriety, and it is advocated that men and women should not kiss each other. But I don't know that my sister-in-law has fallen into the water and is on the verge of extinction. When my brother sees her, should I help her? Should I stand by and watch?" The audience roared with laughter.One is that Chunyu Kun's funny demeanor makes people laugh, and the other is the delicate dilemma of this question.Many people think that this question must embarrass Mencius, who is a gentleman and a gentleman, and avoid it, which means that Confucianism has contradicted itself and declared failure.Mencius' disciples were suddenly nervous, thinking that Chunyu Kun was too tricky. Mencius sighed, "Confucian etiquette is based on not violating human relations, and on upholding the principles of heaven. Men and women are not in touch with each other, and human relations are normal etiquette. Sister-in-law is drowning. It is an extraordinary time. In an extraordinary time, one should take the gift of life as the basis. Basically, the right is to use a flexible method to help her and save her sister-in-law from the water. Otherwise, it is not against human ethics but against the law of nature." Chunyu Kun asked urgently: "Since this is the case, the world is in dire straits, more than women are drowning, why don't Master help to save them, and end up doing nothing?" This is obviously ridiculing Mencius who has been running around all his life and has no achievements in governing the country.The scholars shouted, "Excellent question!" Mencius, however, was neither annoyed nor worried, and replied frankly: "When a woman is drowning, help her. If the world is drowning, save her with the Tao. Confucianism travels to all countries and spreads the Tao. Although it does not govern a country, it also spreads benevolent governance throughout the world. , What does it mean to be mediocre? If a talented person can think of a strategy and use a plan, he will be nothing in the world, and how can he be on the same level as Confucianism's promotion of the Dao?" "Good——!" "Cai——" Applause and cheers sounded like thunder, drowning Mencius's voice. Chunyu Kun cupped his hands and said in a loud voice: "Master Meng is so talented and learned, I am ashamed of myself!" A young scholar suddenly stood up in the middle of the venue, "Master Meng said just now that those who plan in the temple are the most talented people, and those who spread the way to the world are the ones who help and save the world. Dare I ask Master Meng, among all the things in the world, which one is the most precious?" Which is lighter?" "The people are the most important, the country is second, and the king is the least." Mencius didn't seem to hesitate at all. The audience couldn't help but be silent.Mencius's thesis is indeed a deafening sound, which has greatly alerted scholars all over the world.Not to mention the tradition of high and low ranks and long-established rules of etiquette since ancient times, Mencius himself, like all scholars, expects the king to reuse this point because the king sits behind him. Mencius dares to speak so frankly. This statement, its mind and courage, cannot but make people awe-inspiring.After a long time, thunderous applause broke out again in the field. After the audience calmed down again, Shen Dao in the front row stood up, "Master, what is the root cause of the turmoil in the world?" Shen Dao is a famous legalist and one of the great masters of Jixia Academy.He asked this question, but he was searching for the root of politics. Let's see how Mencius answered. Is it law enforcement?Or keep the ritual? Mencius smiled brightly, "The turmoil and killing in the world are all caused by the loss of human nature. Human nature is good. Everyone has a heart of compassion. Everyone has a heart of shame. Everyone has a heart of respect. Everyone has a heart of right and wrong. Everyone has it. The heart of compassion is benevolence. The heart of shame is righteousness. The heart of respect is propriety. The heart of right and wrong is wisdom. Nature. Human nature is just like water. There is nothing wrong with people, and everything in water can flow down. Stirring water to intercept can make water flow in the mountains, but it is not the nature of water. Infecting with evil can make people cruel and innocent, but it is not Human nature is also. Since the Spring and Autumn Period, the world has no way, rites have collapsed and music has been corrupted, human nature has fallen, and they compete to do evil, so that the world enjoys killing and fighting for hegemony. The root of the problem is attributed to "the degeneration of human nature", and the inevitable conclusion is that "only by returning to human nature can the world be governed", which obviously avoids the dispute between the rule of law and the rule of ritual, and raises the issue to a level that is broader but also divorced from pragmatism.Even so, before I finished speaking, there was already an uproar in the arena! "Master's words are absurd!" Such a blatant accusation is really disrespectful to a master of scholarship like Mencius, and the audience couldn't help being in an uproar!Someone criticized loudly and angrily, "Don't be unreasonable to the master!" "The debate is justified, don't scold me!" When Wan Zhang looked at it, as expected, it was the youngest Xun Kuang in the front row!Wan Zhang sneered slightly, and suddenly got up, "Brother Xun Kuang, there is nothing to say, and there are strict words in empty words. Could it be the evil trend of Ji Xia Academy?" In the amazed discussion of the audience, Xun Kuang seemed not to have heard Wan Zhang's censure and sarcasm. Facing Mencius, he shouted passionately, as if he was declaring war generously, "Human nature is inherently evil, so what is good? Evil is human nature, and good is Human ethics education. People in the world are born to be interested in profit, so they have contention; they are born to be vicious, so they have thieves; they are born with desires for ears and eyes, so they are sensual. If we follow human nature, contention and violence will inevitably arise. , giving birth to killing! In today’s world, turmoil and killing are endless, which is the result of the rampant evil of human nature and the evil result of human desire. But in this way, there must be the teaching of the legal system, the teaching of etiquette, and the teaching of holy soldiers in order to naturalize human nature If there is no law, it is not enough to rule people's evil; if there is no etiquette, it is not enough to teach people to be good; if there is no holy soldier, it is not enough to stop killing. Only when you can clearly understand the evil of human nature can you guide it according to the law, just like a big Yu ruled the water. Mencius said in vain that nature is good, returning to human nature, and attributing the contribution of legal education to human nature. This is to deceive people, condone evil deeds, and deceive childish, truly fallacious words!" This fierce criticism went straight to the root of Mencius, and also raised a fundamental question that has never been clearly raised by scholars in the world-is human nature good or evil?For a moment, the audience was stunned, but no one responded, they all stared at Xun Kuang!Only the disciples of Mencius stood up, faced each other indignantly, sneered contemptuously, and waited for Mencius to open his mouth, and they wanted to besiege this ignorant madman. Mencius in the main hall stood up slowly, with an unusually dignified expression, and bowed deeply to Zou Yan, "Learning the palace order, Xun Kuang held this dangerous and ingenious argument. In fact, the traitor Shao Zhengmao was born again. My son is the order of the school, please open your eyes for the world's human nature, and kill Xun Kuang to correct the school style." Zou Yan turned pale in astonishment, "Master, what should I do? Kill Xun Kuang? Cough, the wind in Jixia is all about contention, how can you kill people so easily? This..." The scholars in the audience originally thought that Master Meng was going to refute Xun Kuang in a long speech, and they were all secretly looking forward to a brilliant article.But he didn't think that Mencius proposed to kill Xun Kuang, it was really unimaginable, he couldn't help laughing and booing everywhere.连两廊下的商人们也骚动起来，纷纷议论，“好生理论便是了，杀人做甚？”“买卖不成仁义在啦，老先生连我等商人也不如啦！”“说不过人就杀人？真是霸道呢！”“是了是了，这杀人确实无理！” 台上的孟子根本不理睬台下骚动，却又走到齐威王坐席前，深深一躬，“孟轲请齐王为天下正纲纪，烹杀这凶险之徒，以彰明天理人伦。” 齐威王哈哈大笑，“孟夫子啊孟夫子，齐国胸箩四海之士，各抒己见，早已司空见惯了。杀了荀况，你让稷下学宫何以面对天下？笔墨口舌官司，何须计较忒多？算了算了，夫子请坐。”一直用心的齐威王既敬佩孟子的高才雄辩，又对孟子的论证锋芒有些隐隐不快。荀况的反击使他惊喜非常，心中顿时豁亮，看出了孟子的弱点所在。孟子请杀荀况，齐威王觉得他有失大师风范，便不由有些奚落之意。 孟子遭到回绝，心下愤然，铁青着脸回到坐席。台下却因此而沸腾起来。稷下学宫的士子们愤愤不平，纷纷议论，“论战杀人，成何体统？枉为大师！”“孟夫子若主政一国，天下士子便都是少正卯！”“百家争鸣嘛，动辄便要杀人，真是学霸！”“对！就是学霸！” 公孙丑听得不耐，高声道：“人性本善，本为公理！” 士子们立即一片高喊：“人性本恶——！” 孟门弟子竟全体高喊起来：“人性本善——！” 荀况周围的士子们毫不退让，对着孟门子弟高喊：“人性本恶——！” 善恶的喊声回荡在稷下学宫，连绵不断，引得前来聆听的富商大贾们也争吵起来，分成两团对争对喊。这种坦率真诚、锋芒烁烁、不遮不掩的大争鸣，是中国文明史上的伟大奇观，也是那个伟大时代的生存竞争方式。它培育出了最茁壮的文明根基，浇灌出了最灿烂的文明之花，使那个时代成为不朽耸立的历史最高峰，迄今为止，人们都只能叹为观至而无法逾越。 论战结束后，齐威王问驺忌田忌，“卿等以为，孟夫子如何？” 驺忌：“孟夫子学问，堪为天下师。” 田忌：“可惜齐国要不断打仗，养不得太平卿相。” 齐威王沉默良久，吩咐侍臣，“传楚国特使江乙进宫。” 江乙已经在临淄等了三天，听得齐王宣召，忙不迭带了礼物入宫。 齐威王淡淡笑道：“江乙大夫，何以教本王啊？” 江乙惶恐拱手道：“齐王在上，这是楚王特意赠送齐王的礼物，请笑纳。”身后侍从捧过一支铜绣班驳的古剑递上。齐王身边侍臣接过，齐威王笑道：“先请上将军看看吧。”侍臣便捧到田忌面前的长案上。田忌乃名将世家，对珍奇兵器可说是见多识广，然对面前这支不到两尺长的短剑剑鞘却极为眼生，沉吟间右手一搭剑扣轻轻一摁，便听“锃嗡——”一声震音，剑身弹出三寸，顿时眼前一道青光闪烁，剑身竟又无声缩回！ 田忌惊讶之极，拱手道：“我王，此剑神器，臣不识得。” 齐威王笑道：“江乙大夫，此剑何名啊？” 江乙：“禀报齐王，此剑乃楚国王室至宝，只可惜我楚国也无人识得。楚王赠于齐王，以表诚意。” 齐威王悠然道：“好吧，本王收下慢慢鉴赏。哪，楚王是何诚意啊？” “禀报齐王，我王请高士夜观天象，见西方太白之下彗星径天，秦国当有极大灾变。我王之意，欲与齐国结盟，合兵灭秦。” “如何灭法？”田忌冷笑。 “两国各出二十万兵马，齐国为帅。” “齐楚相隔，走哪条路？” “楚国借道于齐国，出武关灭秦。” “对齐国有何好处？莫非齐国可以占住一块飞地？”驺忌淡淡问。 “灭秦之后，土地转补，楚国划给齐国二十座城池。”江乙对答如流。 田忌摇头叹息，“齐国多年无战事，只怕粮草兵器匮乏不济啊。” 江乙慷慨道：“我王料到此点，愿先出军粮十万斛，矛戈五万支，良弓五万张，铁簇箭十万支，资助齐军！” 田忌惊讶的睁大眼睛，似乎不敢相信，“噢？何时可运到齐国？” “结盟之后，一个月内运到。”江乙很是利落。 驺忌正色问：“还有条件么？” “一条，魏国若向楚国发难，齐国需与楚国联兵抗魏。” 驺忌田忌一齐拱手道：“我王定夺。” 齐威王大笑：“好！楚王一片诚意，本王允诺了。丞相与江乙大夫商谈盟约吧。” 一片笑声，皆大欢喜。随后便大摆酒宴，驺忌本著名琴师，竟亲自操琴为特使奏了一曲。江乙想不到如此顺利，高兴得心花怒放，开怀畅饮，被四名侍女扶回驿馆后，还醉醺醺的合不拢嘴。 江乙一走，齐威王三人便大笑不止。君臣三人对楚宣王的“奇思妙策”感到惊讶，实在想不到竟有如此愚蠢的“灭秦大计”！秦国距离齐国虽然遥远，但齐国却从来没有放松过对秦国的监视。秦国的山东商人中齐国商人最多，而每家齐商的雇员中，都有齐威王御史府派出的秘密斥候。他们从各种渠道送回的消息都非常及时，秦国的变化齐国君臣自然非常清楚。齐威王君臣对秦国的强大心里有本账，一来，秦国的强大距离威胁齐国还很遥远，齐国犯不着紧张；二来，秦国强大，必将形成战国新格局，而这个新格局有利于齐国。基本的原因是，秦国强大首先对魏赵韩楚四国不利，四国要遏制秦国，势必就会缓和对齐国的压力，大大有利于齐国的发展壮大。三来，齐国将因秦国强大，而成为天下战国争夺的主要力量——秦国要想对抗四国，要与齐国修好；四国要想遏制秦国，也必须借重齐国；剩下一个夙敌燕国，也不敢得罪齐国了。在这种格局中，齐国左右逢源，岂非大大的好事？所以，齐国对秦国的强大完全不象魏赵韩楚四国那样耿耿于怀，而是一副听其自然的悠然样子。齐威王君臣确信，齐国只会从中得到好处！ 这不，楚国就急吼吼的找上门来要联兵灭秦了？对楚国特使江乙的连环出使，齐威王的秘密斥候早已经探听清楚了——楚国先行联魏攻秦，又怕魏国不可靠，便再找齐国这个制约力量；楚国的如意算盘是这样打的：灭秦利大，魏国齐国必然参加，楚国要得大利却又战力不足，就得先期付出（抵押城池、援助兵器粮草）以促成联盟；一旦灭秦成行，楚国既可收回抵押，又可在分割秦国中争得更多的土地人口。 魏国高兴的接受了抵押，先将六座淮北城池拿了过来。齐国自然也高兴的接受了援助，先将大批兵器粮草拿了过来。可齐威王君臣清楚极了，齐国完全可以签定一纸盟约，但绝不会在魏楚出兵之前主动出兵。而楚国魏国的盟约也绝不会顺利成行，因为魏国绝不会卖力气成全楚国的美梦；不管魏楚盟约以什么理由什么形式散伙，楚国的六座城池都是永远不可能收回去了；那时侯，齐国更主动，非但将接受的援助名正言顺的留下，而且要谴责楚国背盟，使齐国耽搁了其他行动从而蒙受损失，还可以进一步要求楚国赔偿！ 楚宣王的这种愚蠢，如何不让齐威王君臣开怀大笑？ 恰在这时，宫外马蹄声疾，驻魏国秘使夤夜回国，紧急求见！ 秘使带来了惊人消息——魏国上将军庞涓率领二十万大军进攻赵国！ 这个消息使齐威王君臣方才的兴奋消失得干干净净，骤然之间茫然无措。魏国这步棋走得匪夷所思！究竟要做什么？不理睬仍然弱小的秦国，却要去灭强大的赵国，难道是要真的吞并三晋么？如果这个目标实现，齐国还能安宁么？对剽悍善战的赵国动手，这无疑是最强大的魏国要对天下战国正面宣战了！一时间，齐威王君臣竟是说不出话来。 良久，齐威王问：“如此突然？理由呢？” “没有理由，不宣而战。安邑城民情亢奋，叫嚷要统一三晋！” 齐威王和驺忌、田忌相互对视，都现出困惑的目光。正在此时，又是马蹄声疾，东阿令差人急报：魏国八万大军开进巨野泽北岸草地，统兵将领为太子魏申与丞相公子卬！齐威王惊愕得说不出话来，怔怔的看着驺忌和田忌。 田忌断然命令，“晓谕东阿令，严加防守，外表如常，随时回报军情！”又对特使下令，“立即从小道返回安邑，及时回报魏军攻赵进展！”两使匆匆离去后，田忌道：“我王，丞相，田忌以为魏国此举绝非寻常，而是要一战灭赵！巨野泽八万大军是在防备齐国救援赵国，我不动，他们可能也不会动。” 齐威王骤然感到了沉重压力。齐国正在迅速强大，和魏国的决战迟早都会发生，但他希望这种决战尽量迟一些发生，齐国能够更加强大一些，决战能够更加有胜算一些。要知道，魏国毕竟是天下第一强国啊。更重要的是，战国之世，一旦打大仗，各国都会趁势卷入，企图火中取栗，非但不能指望有真正的盟友，还必须有能够同时对付其他国家联兵合击的军力。惟其如此，延迟和魏国争霸进而统一六国的正面决战，对齐国极为有利。他想不到的是，魏国竟然先动了手！虽然是对赵国开战，但他已经骤然嗅到了齐魏对峙的浓烈气息——统一三晋之后必然是齐魏大战，不想打也得打，否则就是亡国！作为一国之君，他虽然对这场大战早有预料且没有放松准备，但战争就这样在意想不到的时刻突然迫近，他还是感到大大的出乎预料，以至于仓促间想不明白了。 “魏国如何要陈兵巨野？料定我们一定要救援赵国？”齐威王困惑。 “我王，不是齐国一定要救赵，而是惟有齐国有力量救赵。防住齐国，魏国就可以放手灭赵了。”田忌不愧名将，对这种大谋划一目了然。 齐威王点头，“已经如此了，说说，我们该如何应对？” 驺忌：“臣以为，无论如何，当立即进入大战准备。粮草辎重和大军应当秘密集结，以免措手不及。至于如何打法？要否救赵？臣尚无定策，请上将军谋划。” 田忌沉吟道：“臣赞同丞相之意，即刻集结大军粮草以做准备。赵国不弱，魏军攻赵，也非一日可下。如何应对，容臣细细思忖一番。” “也好，明日午后再议。” 第二天，快马急报，魏军攻势猛烈，两日之内连下三城，已经直扑邯郸！ 田忌道：“臣预料，赵国使者三日内必到临淄求救，我王要稳一稳才是。” “稳一稳不难，难在我究竟如何应对。上将军何意？”齐威王显然还是没有定见。 “即或救赵，也要等到适当时机。” “上将军，你要准备和庞涓一比高低？” “对付庞涓，臣没有胜算。齐国有一个现成的大才，臣举他全盘筹划。” “噢？谁呀？” “孙膑。” 齐威王恍然大笑，“对呀，如何便忘了先生？不过，他伤势如何？能行动么？” “一月疗养，伤势已经痊愈，只是身体稍有虚弱。先生只须调度谋划，支撑当无意外。” 齐威王顿时振作，“走，先去看看先生，一起商议。”