abnabooks #346 - Only by taking advantage of the subtleties of hundreds of schools and extracting their essenc
#346 - Only by taking advantage of the subtleties of hundreds of schools and extracting their essenc
"Clear rewards and punishments." Lu Buwei blurted out, his brow furrowed with a hint of dissatisfaction towards Luo Fu.
In his opinion, Luo Fu was underestimating him by asking such a simple question.
Although Lu Buwei had indeed come from a merchant background, as the Prime Minister of Great Qin for many years, he had long developed his own philosophy. Academically, Lu Buwei himself might not have achieved much, but the "Lu Shi Chunqiu" was enough to establish his status as a representative of the Miscellaneous School.
But in Luo Fu's view, the Legalist principles of clear rewards and punishments were merely a facade. The true core was the military meritocracy system, which opened up channels for the lower classes to rise.
This system laid the foundation for the strong Han Dynasty in later generations, lasting for hundreds of years. It was not until the establishment of the Eastern Han Dynasty, with the emergence of powerful families, that the military meritocracy system gradually collapsed.
Even in the chaotic Three Kingdoms period at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the remnants of the military meritocracy system still gave rise to the brilliant Three Kingdoms era.
It was not until the emergence of the Nine-Rank System that the military meritocracy system completely disappeared.
In fact, in Luo Fu's view, the military meritocracy system was also just a facade. The key was the core that gave the lower classes a channel to rise.
"Does the Prime Minister know why clear rewards and punishments alone were enough to transform the Qin state from a weak border country into the powerful nation it is today?"
This time, Lu Buwei clearly pondered for a moment before saying, "With heavy rewards, there will surely be brave men. All the world flocks together for profit, and all the world scatters for profit."
"Does the Prime Minister think that clear rewards and punishments are enough?" Luo Fu smiled faintly and said, "It seems that the Prime Minister is not clear about the true core of the Legalist principles."
Frowning, Lu Buwei was not angry, but instead said to Luo Fu, "Please enlighten me, Mr. Luozi."
"The core of the Legalist principles is to give the lower classes a channel to rise. Under the military meritocracy system, even ordinary citizens can obtain fame and fortune by bravely killing enemies and accumulating military merits. Titles that were once inherited through bloodlines are now attainable by ordinary people through courageous fighting. This is the core of the Legalist principles," Luo Fu said decisively.
Luo Fu's words made Lu Buwei and Gai Nie seem to have gained some understanding.
But unfortunately, whether it was Gai Nie or Lu Buwei, the former was a disciple of the Yin-Yang School, and the latter was a merchant. Although they were not considered noble in this era, they were far above the lower classes.
They could not understand the lower classes' desire for a channel to rise.
Moreover, in this era, those with knowledge generally came from decent backgrounds.
Without understanding the lower classes' desire for a channel to rise, they naturally could not have a clear understanding of the core of the Legalist principles.
People cannot reasonably imagine things they have never seen.
Conversely, contemporary students today also cannot understand the lower classes' desire to climb up.
Because they were born with everything the lower classes craved, they naturally could not empathize with them.
Luo Fu was different.
Those who eat meat are base, it has always been so.
In today's era, where everything is determined by reincarnation, it is even more so.
Lu Buwei, not being astute, said, "Has Mr. Luozi ever read my "Lu Shi Chunqiu"?"
""Lu Shi Chunqiu," worth a thousand gold per word, I have heard of it, but I have no chance to see it," Luo Fu said with some emotion.
Just as his voice fell, Lu Buwei, as if he had been prepared for a long time, took out a thick silk scroll from his wide sleeves.
"Lu Shi Chunqiu" is divided into twelve Ji, eight Lan, and six Lun, with a total of twenty-six volumes, one hundred and sixty chapters, and more than two hundred thousand words.
With the current text carrier, if it were converted into bamboo slips, it would probably fill more than one carriage.
And if it were written on silk in small characters, only a thick silk scroll would be enough to carry it.
But even so, the value of this silk scroll, regardless of the text of "Lu Shi Chunqiu," was by no means something that ordinary people or even small nobles could afford.
Sending the scroll to Luo Fu's face, Lu Buwei said, "This is my life's work, "Lu Shi Chunqiu." I hope Mr. Luozi will correct it."
It is no exaggeration to say that the silk scroll that Lu Buwei is now sending to Luo Fu could be exchanged for high-ranking officials and generous salaries in other countries.
That's right, knowledge is so precious in this era.
Even Gai Nie could not help but show a moved expression when he saw that Lu Buwei had prepared the silk scroll of "Lu Shi Chunqiu" for Luo Fu so early.
For those students who are eager for knowledge, such a silk scroll would probably be enough for them to work to the death for Lu Buwei.
"The value of "Lu Shi Chunqiu" is more than a thousand gold," Luo Fu got up and bowed respectfully to Lu Buwei.
This salute was not to Lu Buwei's identity as Prime Minister, nor to his wealth that dominated the world, nor to his power that swayed the court, but to the knowledge he gave to Luo Fu.
Lu Buwei accepted Luo Fu's salute calmly. Then he got up and said, "Mr. Luozi, I don't have much time left. I hope Mr. Luozi will read "Lu Shi Chunqiu" as soon as possible. I really hope to discuss the Dao with Mr. Luozi and discuss the gains and losses of "Lu Shi Chunqiu." If I can get Mr. Luozi's help, "Lu Shi Chunqiu" may become the best in the world!"
Lu Buwei praised Luo Fu so highly that even Gai Nie was a little moved.
But Luo Fu was very clear that he was different from anyone in this era.
Nodding slightly, Luo Fu said, "I have the ability to read ten lines at a glance and never forget. If the Prime Minister doesn't mind, you might as well wait a moment."
The ability to never forget and read ten lines at a glance is not difficult to achieve with Luo Fu's current life essence, but Luo Fu's so-called never forget and read ten lines at a glance is obviously not intending to rely on his true ability.
But comes from the abilities of the Super God Universe.
Hearing that Luo Fu had the ability to read ten lines at a glance and never forget.
Whether it was Lu Buwei or Gai Nie, they all showed envious expressions.
Lu Buwei, who had originally planned to leave, simply returned to his seat again and said, "I have heard that there are such strange people in the world, but I didn't expect Mr. Luozi to be one of them."
As the thick silk scroll was opened on the low table in front of Luo Fu.
Luo Fu's eyes quickly swept through the many Qin Zhuan characters like a scanner.
The content of more than two hundred thousand words was quickly absorbed into his gene engine in just a few minutes.
After closing his eyes and thinking for a moment.
Luo Fu quickly opened his eyes and said, ""Lu Shi Chunqiu" can be said to have obtained the essence of all schools of thought, taking its essence to obtain such a wonderful book."
Lu Buwei stroked his long beard, and a smug look appeared on his face.
Since compiling "Lu Shi Chunqiu," Lu Buwei had only two things he was most proud of in his life.
One was the moment he saw Qin Yiren in Handan that year, and he made up his mind to make a fortune. The other was compiling "Lu Shi Chunqiu."
Even becoming the Prime Minister of Great Qin was not as proud in Lu Buwei's heart as these two things.
And Luo Fu's praise for "Lu Shi Chunqiu" clearly hit Lu Buwei's G-spot.
"Mr. Luozi's talent is amazing," Lu Buwei also praised Luo Fu's ability to read ten lines at a glance and never forget. Turning the topic, he brought up the old topic again, saying, "Mr. Luozi, may I ask if you are willing to inherit my Legalist orthodoxy?"
Just when Lu Buwei thought that Luo Fu would be impressed by "Lu Shi Chunqiu," Luo Fu shook his head and said, "I'm afraid I'll disappoint the Prime Minister!"
His face changed, and he almost tore off his beard. Lu Buwei's expression changed suddenly.
"Mr. Luozi, is it already determined to be my enemy?"
"Why does the Prime Minister say that?" Luo Fu explained, "I just think that the Prime Minister's "Lu Shi Chunqiu" seems to be lacking. Although it is all-encompassing, it has no main purpose."
After a slight pause, Luo Fu said in a heart-wrenching manner, "Moreover, "Lu Shi Chunqiu" also seems to be based on Confucianism."
As far as Lu Buwei is concerned, he doesn't care what theory is the keynote, but since Luo Fu, as a contemporary sage of Confucianism, has said such words, then obviously once it spreads, perhaps one day in the future, Lu Buwei's "Lu Shi Chunqiu" will become a Confucian classic instead.
Don't think this is impossible.
You must know that among the various schools of thought, the Book of Changes alone almost caused the various schools to break their heads.
Confucianism calls the Book of Changes the head of hundreds of classics, and Taoism even puts the Book of Changes on the altar.
The various schools of thought have done a lot of this kind of thing, pulling ancient works into their own schools.
Once the Legalist school has no outstanding successors, the achievements of "Lu Shi Chunqiu" will inevitably be usurped by other schools of thought one day in the future.
Keenly aware of Lu Buwei's unhappiness, Luo Fu said, "Prime Minister, since it is based on Confucianism, why not simply take Confucianism as the core? Take the Four Dimensions and Eight Virtues as the main purpose and establish another line of thought."
The Four Dimensions and Eight Virtues were not originally proposed by Confucius of Confucianism. Guan Zhong of Qi was the first to propose the saying that a country has Four Dimensions.
And in Confucianism, Guan Zhong can be said to be a representative of the sages.
Of course, just like the various schools of thought vying for the right to interpret the works of their predecessors.
Guan Zhong is also a sage in the Mohist, Legalist, Taoist, and even other schools of thought.
"Confucianism is focused on the abstract and has no benefit to the country. It cannot strengthen the country from above, nor can it enrich the people from below," Lu Buwei obviously did not have a good impression of Confucianism.
This is also the reason why Great Qin is located in the western border.
Of course, more importantly, the existence of the Warring States Demon King made the disciples of the various schools of thought generally have a very poor perception of the Qin state.
After all, the Warring States Demon King is almost always a negative image and symbol in the works of the sages of the various schools of thought.
And the Warring States Demon King is precisely Ying Zheng's grandfather, King Zhao Xiang of Qin.
In the works of the various schools of thought, King Zhao Xiang of Qin is often pulled out to be the villain.
The reputation of the Qin Kingdom as a nation of wolves and tigers is inextricably linked to the works of the various schools of thought that regarded King Zhao Xiang of Qin as a great demon king.
The vast majority of the various schools of thought had a negative perception of the Qin Kingdom, and the Qin Kingdom naturally felt the same way.
In particular, the Confucian school, which most denigrated King Zhuang Xiang of Qin, was naturally further denigrated within the Qin Kingdom.
This social atmosphere was the result of the entire Qin Kingdom working together, and it was definitely not something that one person could achieve.
Back then, Lu Buwei spent a huge price to send Ying Yiren back to the country.
King Zhuang Xiang of Qin, the great demon king of the Warring States period, owed Lu Buwei a debt of gratitude to some extent.
Regardless of his position or other aspects, Lu Buwei would naturally stand with the Qin Kingdom.
Regardless of whether this perception and idea were initially true or false, now, as the Prime Minister of the Great Qin, this position must be true.
"Overtly practice Confucianism, covertly practice Qin law." Luo Fu quickly blurted out, causing Lu Buwei and Gai Nie to widen their eyes.
Although there were already signs of Confucianism on the surface and Legalism in the bones, the nearly deadly opposition between Confucianism and Legalism had not changed much.
It might even be said that this position could be regarded as a typical example of the contemporary era.
Even if it was already being implemented secretly, no one would ever directly expose it.
But unexpectedly, now these words actually came from the mouth of Luo Fu, this Confucian sage.
Lu Buwei glanced at Luo Fu meaningfully, then suddenly laughed loudly and said, "Sir, you truly deserve to be the one who proposed the theory of three generations."
Slowly standing up, Lu Buwei seemed to have made some decision in his heart.
He cupped his fist and bowed to Luo Fu, saying, "I entrust the Lu's Spring and Autumn Annals to you, sir."
The moment the words fell, Lu Buwei went straight to bid farewell to Luo Fu.
That resolute attitude meant that even if Luo Fu tried to persuade him to stay, it would have no effect.
After Luo Fu personally escorted Lu Buwei out of the residence, Gai Nie also immediately bid farewell to Luo Fu.
With Lu Buwei's departure, Luo Fu's residence also began to become somewhat turbulent.
Of course, on the surface, everything was calm and peaceful.
And as Luo Fu's maids, the sisters Zhuan Po and Mie Hun, also sent the previous exchange between Luo Fu and Lu Buwei to the Xianyang Palace in a very short time.
Inside Xianyang Palace.
After Gai Nie returned, he reported the completion of the mission to Ying Zheng, and then began to describe the meeting between Luo Fu and Lu Buwei in a meticulous manner.
After listening to Gai Nie's description, a strange expression appeared on Ying Zheng's face.
He said, "Does the gentleman mean that the Prime Minister and Mr. Luo Zi actually both want to bring the other into their own school of thought?"
"That's right." Gai Nie nodded and said, "The Prime Minister hopes that Mr. Luo Zi can inherit the Miscellaneous School, while Mr. Luo Zi hopes that the Prime Minister can build a new branch of Confucianism with Confucianism as the core."
After a moment of silence, Ying Zheng suddenly seemed to think of something and got up and came to the bookshelf.
On the bookshelf that occupied one wall, there were scrolls of bamboo slips.
And these huge numbers of bamboo slips recorded the Lu's Spring and Autumn Annals, which was compiled by Lu Buwei.
After completing the compilation of the Lu's Spring and Autumn Annals, Lu Buwei immediately copied a copy and sent it to Xianyang Palace specifically for Ying Zheng to read.
The Lu's Spring and Autumn Annals was Lu Buwei's most proud work, and he naturally hoped that Ying Zheng could read it and recognize his ideas.
In the end, Lu Buwei was much older than Ying Zheng in terms of age.
Even if he wanted to push Great Qin onto the path he hoped for with his own hands, Lu Buwei was very clear in his heart that he needed a successor.
And Lu Buwei's best choice was Ying Zheng.
But unfortunately, after Lu Buwei's carefully prepared Lu's Spring and Autumn Annals was sent to Xianyang Palace, Ying Zheng simply flipped through it and then shelved it.
And these bamboo slips that occupied the wall, if no one often cleaned them, I'm afraid they would have been covered with a layer of dust.
Just from this point, Lu Buwei judged that Ying Zheng would definitely not follow his ideas. He had his own ideas and would not be on the same path as him.
Unable to obtain Ying Zheng's approval, Lu Buwei could only persevere, and this approach further aggravated the contradiction and conflict between him and Ying Zheng.
Ultimately, it led to the complete impossibility of any reconciliation between the two sides.
At this moment, because of Gai Nie's words, Ying Zheng finally had a little interest in the Lu's Spring and Autumn Annals.
Although this interest was only curiosity, whether the so-called Lu's Spring and Autumn Annals was really based on Confucianism, it was not considered recognition at all.
But I believe that if Lu Buwei knew the news from Xianyang Palace, he would definitely increase his efforts to win over Luo Fu.
He casually picked up a roll of bamboo slips, flipping through the words on it, Ying Zheng asked without looking up, "Sir, Mr. Luo Zi only took less than a quarter of an hour to memorize the entire Lu's Spring and Autumn Annals?"
Speaking of this, Gai Nie's face suddenly showed a look of amazement, and after nodding vigorously, he said, "That's right, Your Majesty doesn't know, the gentleman simply flipped through it in front of me and the Prime Minister, and memorized all the content of the Lu's Spring and Autumn Annals."
"The gentleman is simply like a celestial being." Ying Zheng couldn't help but sigh.
Even if Ying Zheng was diligent and eager to learn, he couldn't recite the books he had read verbatim.
And Luo Fu, he completely memorized the 200,000 words of the Lu's Spring and Autumn Annals in less than a quarter of an hour.
This ability alone is enough to cause countless scholars to be shocked.
Throwing the bamboo slips in his hand casually on the bookshelf, Ying Zheng said, "You said that Mr. Luo Zi rejected the Prime Minister's solicitation, so what will the Prime Minister do next?"
"This..." Gai Nie hesitated immediately.
In fact, don't look at Gai Nie as the contemporary successor of the Vertical and Horizontal School, but he and Wei Zhuang are more like Jianghu martial artists, and not like the Vertical and Horizontal predecessors of the Ghost Valley, who often engage in alliances and coalitions.
In terms of speculating on people's hearts, Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang are far from being comparable to the Vertical and Horizontal predecessors.
Not to mention speculating on people like Lu Buwei.
Even if Ying Zheng had many dissatisfactions with Lu Buwei in his heart, Ying Zheng would definitely not denigrate Lu Buwei.
After all, if it weren't for Lu Buwei's rare commodity back then, there would be no appearance of the late king, and even Ying Zheng would not have been born.
Don't forget that Zhao Ji, who gave birth to Ying Zheng, was originally Lu Buwei's singer, and was given to Qin Yiren by Lu Buwei.
To some extent, Lu Buwei made great contributions to Qin Yiren and Ying Zheng being able to become the King of Qin.
It's just a pity that Ying Zheng and Lu Buwei have irreconcilable contradictions in the struggle for power and profit on the road to governing the country.
Seeing that Gai Nie hadn't spoken for a long time.
Ying Zheng sighed and said, "I have embarrassed Mr., how can a hero like the Prime Minister be easily evaluated!"
Changing the subject, Ying Zheng said, "Mr. Gai Nie, how is the preparation for going to Yongcheng?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, everything is ready." Gai Nie immediately answered Ying Zheng's question, and after a pause, Gai Nie hesitated for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, with Mr. Luo Zi here, should... should we first ask the Queen Mother to return to Xianyang Palace?"
His face changed instantly.
Ying Zheng was also somewhat conflicted in his heart.
Now, of course, Ying Zheng knew that his mother, the Queen Mother Zhao Ji, had actually had children with a eunuch.
Even Lou Ai's arrogance had been reported to Ying Zheng more than once.
This trip to Yongcheng was nominally to hold Ying Zheng's coronation ceremony, but in fact, even if Lou Ai had no intention of rebelling, Ying Zheng would try his best to get rid of Lou Ai.
Just the accusation of wanting to add a crime is enough to force this fake eunuch to death.
But what Ying Zheng wanted was not just simply killing a Lou Ai, the children of Lou Ai and Zhao Ji were also on Ying Zheng's must-kill list.
The existence of these two children had already posed a serious threat to Ying Zheng.
Not a threat to the throne, but a threat to Ying Zheng's authority as the King of Qin.
As long as these two children are alive, they will be an indelible stain on Ying Zheng, the King of Qin.
After pondering for a long time, Ying Zheng sighed and said, "Then I will trouble Mr. Luo Zi, let Mr. Luo Zi ask the Queen Mother to return to Xianyang Palace."
The moment the words fell, a chilling killing intent burst out in Ying Zheng's eyes.
Time flies, it's time for Ying Zheng to go to Yongcheng to hold the coronation ceremony.
It's just that although Luo Fu received Ying Zheng's request, he couldn't personally participate in this coronation ceremony.
After all, Luo Fu is shouldering an important task.
Ying Zheng is destined to not let Zhao Ji and Lou Ai's children live.
Whether it's Lou Ai or the two children, they can only die.
But because of Luo Fu's existence, Ying Zheng didn't plan to kill the two children in front of Zhao Ji.
In this way, he can only ask Luo Fu, who controls the supernatural power of space transfer, to take the Queen Mother Zhao Ji away in advance.
Yongcheng, in the palace specially built for Zhao Ji.
While the entire Yongcheng was busy with Ying Zheng's coronation ceremony, Lou Ai and those with ulterior motives were planning to take this opportunity to assassinate the king.
Luo Fu quietly came to Zhao Ji's palace.
With Luo Fu's ability, although the palace was heavily guarded, Luo Fu appeared in front of Zhao Ji as if he was taking a leisurely stroll without alarming anyone.
Zhao Ji, dressed in a red gauze dress, clearly had a son like Ying Zheng in his twenties, but from the outside, she still looked like a royal sister.
Her figure was curvy, and her skin was delicate, not at all like someone who was nearly half a century old.
Zhao Ji, who was restless, seemed to be worried about Lou Ai's safety at the moment, pacing back and forth in the palace.
She occasionally looked up at the direction of the Ying Qin ancestral temple in Yongcheng.
The next moment, the corner of her eye seemed to have a figure flash past.
Zhao Ji's gaze instantly locked on the figure standing next to her and Lou Ai's two children.
"You... did Zheng'er send you here?" Zhao Ji asked in a trembling voice.
Luo Fu withdrew his gaze from Ying Zheng's two half-brothers and looked at Zhao Ji.