Moma Liangshan

Chapter 60 Learning from Spring and Autumn Annals, Taking Strategies from Fanlou

Upon hearing this, everyone turned their attention to Wang Hao. Wang Hao rose, moved to the center of the crowd, and began to speak: "Confucius was one who sacrificed his life for righteousness; Mencius was one who gave up his life for justice. The Confucianism of Confucius and Mencius is pure and natural, using the righteous energy of heaven and earth to cleanse the inherent ugliness of the mind and body, constantly evolving and ultimately becoming the great path of sages. However, many people are greedy, blinded by self-interest, hence the Qin Emperor's burning of books and burying of scholars alive. Dong Zhongshu was the great synthesizer of Confucianism in the Han Dynasty, but compared to the Confucianism of Confucius and Mencius, it was no longer pure, containing a mixture of dross and impurities." "The crowd fell silent. Wang Hao looked around and continued, "When Liu Che ascended the throne, Dong Zhongshu was recommended to participate in the policy questioning. There were three questions. The first was on consolidating the foundation of his rule; the second was on the art of governing the country; and the third was on the interaction between Heaven and humanity. These were collectively known as the 'Three Policies on Heaven and Humanity.' The Three Policies on Heaven and Humanity were a shortcut to promoting Confucianism, not the true path. The true path is the way of Confucius and Mencius. Confucius and Mencius traveled to various states, met with rulers, and strived to rectify the rulers' hearts. When the heart is rectified, one cultivates oneself; when one cultivates oneself, one's family is regulated; when the family is regulated..." "If the country is well-governed, then the world will be at peace. The Three Strategies of Heaven and Man are political maneuvering rather than scholarship; they have both advantages and disadvantages. Liu Che (Emperor Wu of Han) mastered the Three Strategies of Heaven and Man, hence Wei Qing's seven victories in seven battles, Huo Qubing's sealing of the Wolf-Dwelling Mountain, the countless tombs of the Han dynasty, and Emperor Wu's self-reproach." At this moment, Di Chunqiu had already stepped out of the room and into the crowd, saying, "Dong's Confucianism has clear advantages and disadvantages, yet emperors of all dynasties have adopted it as the state religion. Why?" Wang Hao said, "At the beginning of a monarch's reign, the foundation is not yet stable, and political maneuvering is not yet fully developed, therefore..." Strict self-discipline and diligent governance are essential for ruling the world according to the teachings of sages. However, in the later years of their reigns, many monarchs become complacent with past glories, their authority so absolute that ministers bow before them, and the world rarely regains its former clarity and prosperity. Take Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty as an example: the Kaiyuan era lasted twenty-nine years, a period of unprecedented political stability, economic prosperity, cultural flourishing, and vast territory; yet, during the Tianbao era, first came the corrupt officials like Li Linfu and Yang Guozhong, and later came the rebellions of generals like An Lushan and Shi Siming, and the glorious era of the Tang Dynasty was gone forever.

Everyone agreed, but Di Chunqiu then asked, "The Confucianism of the Dong family has clear advantages and disadvantages, yet the teachings of the Mohists are difficult to enter the court. Why is that?" Wang Hao pondered for a moment and said, "The essence of Confucianism lies in clarifying the relationships between man and heaven, man and earth, and man and man. However, I dare not presume to teach the essence of Mohism before you, sir!" Di Chunqiu nodded and said, "The Mohist doctrines are universal love, non-aggression, belief in ghosts, and the will of Heaven; the Mohist principles are to promote the benefit of the world and eliminate its harm; the Mohist practice involves wearing coarse clothes and wearing simple robes, day and night..." "The Mohists' courage is to endure extreme hardship; they are willing to face any danger, even death. The Mohists have three standards for judging right and wrong: 'Based on the deeds of the ancient sage kings,' 'Based on the realities observed by the people,' and 'Used in governance, observing the benefits to the nation and its people.'" Upon hearing this, Wang Hao bowed and said, "The Confucianism of the Dong school is based on the ruler, while the Mohists are based on the people. Confucianism helps the ruler maintain the order of production; Mohism helps the people expand the power of production. If the order of production and the power of production are interdependent, then the nation will be prosperous and the people at peace." If the order of production and the power of production are incompatible, then war will break out everywhere. Di Chunqiu was deeply astonished and said, "The concept of order versus power is unheard of! Please explain further, sir!" Wang Hao replied respectfully, "Before Shang Yang's reforms, the people of the world could be divided into two categories—nobles and slaves. After Shang Yang's reforms, the people of the world were still divided into two categories—landlords and peasants. Today, in prosperous places like Tokyo and Suzhou and Hangzhou, in the workshops, they can be further divided into two categories—owners and workers. The relationship between nobles and slaves is one of lifelong ownership, while that between landlords and..." The relationship between farmers and workers is one of long-term dependence, while the relationship between employers and workers is one of short-term employment. In the pre-Qin period, bronze was used for tools, which were rudimentary; after the Qin and Han dynasties, iron tools became widespread, and tools became increasingly sophisticated; today, looms are found in ordinary households, and large ships sail across vast oceans—the precision and ingenuity of machinery far surpasses that of previous dynasties. Di Chunqiu sighed slightly and said, "I have devoted decades to scholarship, yet I am not as learned as a young man. Young Master Wang's insight is truly admirable!" Wang Hao replied, "My viewpoint is superior because it is novel, while your scholarship is as profound as a mountain."

At this moment, the Grand Master suddenly spoke, saying, "With your extensive knowledge, young master, you could easily establish your own school. However, the Mohist school has a thousand-year history and hundreds of disciples, so we must consider the greater good. I have a request, and I hope you will not refuse!" Wang Hao looked up at the Grand Master and said, "Senior, please give me your instructions. I will do my utmost to fulfill them!" Di Chunqiu looked at the Grand Master and said, "It is shameful to say, but I must! If you wish for the Mohist school to emerge, you must become my disciple." To Wang Hao's surprise, he said, "Becoming your disciple is not impossible, but I am an official of the court and cannot follow you as devotedly as other disciples!" Di Chunqiu was equally surprised that Wang Hao agreed so easily and said, "We are master and disciple in name, but in reality, we are brothers. Is that acceptable?" Wang Hao shook his head and said, "A teacher for a day is a father for life! Student Wang Hao pays respects to Master!" After saying this, he knelt on one knee and performed the ceremony of becoming a disciple. Di Chunqiu strode to Wang Hao, helped him to his feet, and said, "From this day forward, we are master and disciple. I will impart all my knowledge to you!" After a moment's thought, he asked, "Do you have a courtesy name?" Wang Hao replied, "My courtesy name is Xianmeng, bestowed upon me by the current emperor." Di Chunqiu said, "Since it was bestowed by the current emperor, I have no right to change it." Wang Hao said, "I am going south to Mingzhou to rebuild the Jiaozhou Maritime Trade Office, so I cannot delay too long. The prefect has promised to send Mohist disciples to Jiaozhou to assist me. I hope Master, the Grand Master, and the prefect will do their best to negotiate!" Di Chunqiu laughed heartily and said, "I will accompany you to Mingzhou. As for the other disciples, I will personally select them; you can rest assured!" Wang Hao was surprised that Di Chunqiu would personally come out of seclusion and quickly said, "Master's presence is more than I could ask for!"

Wang Hao successfully became a disciple of the Mohist school. The Grand Master said, "The Mohists are austere and do not appreciate valuable things. However, since Xianmeng has joined the Mohists today, as the Grand Master, I must show my appreciation. Please follow me!" Led by the Grand Master, the group arrived at a cave. The cave was very spacious, capable of accommodating hundreds of people. In the center of the cave, nine rows and nine columns of prayer mats were neatly arranged. Further up, there was a high platform, clearly the Mohist school's lecture hall. Beside the platform was a pavilion for storing swords. The Grand Master came to the pavilion and took down a wooden box from the eighth column from the left on the seventh floor. The box was flat and long, covered in dust. The Grand Master took the coarse cloth brought by Di Gongkao and personally wiped the dust off the box. Then he gently opened the box, touched a black iron longsword with both hands, and looked at Wang Hao, saying, "Xianmeng, step forward!" Wang Hao stepped forward to the Grand Master. The Grand Master said, “The black iron used for this sword was obtained by chance by the Tang Dynasty monk Jianzhen before his journey to Japan. He later gifted it to the Grand Master of the Mohist school at the time. The Grand Master, with the help of master swordsmiths from Wu and Yue, spent thirty-six days forging a sword blank. After the blank was formed, another thirty-six days were spent polishing it into this sword. This sword has no edge, only a three-millimeter-long, incomparably sharp tip capable of piercing heavy shields. Monk Jianzhen offered this sword before a great Buddha statue, chanting sutras for thirty-six days, before gifting it to the Grand Master. The Grand Master has kept it in a wooden box to this day. This sword is destined for Buddha, and also for Xianmeng, just as Xianmeng is benevolent and gentle yet cannot conceal its sharpness.” Wang Hao held up the iron sword… Holding the sword in his hand, he said, "Of the three thousand Great Daos, mastering even one can make one a sage. This sword, Immortal Dream, will surely hang it above the Hall of Brightness to defend the righteous path in your heart." The Grand Master nodded, then produced a sword manual and handed it to Wang Hao, saying, "The sword is the gentleman among weapons; it must never be used for killing, nor should it be kept on a high shelf. The Mohists excel at defense, and many of their sword techniques are skilled in defense, but few in offense. This sword manual is nine-tenths defensive and one-tenth offensive." Wang Hao took the manual and said, "Defense should be impenetrable, first establishing an invincible position; offense should be unstoppable, deciding victory or defeat in one strike." With the iron sword and manual bestowed upon him, Wang Hao's apprenticeship officially came to an end.

The following day, Di Chunqiu personally led Di Qinyang, Di Chuxiang, Di Jinxing, Di Qizhong, Di Wuyue, and others back to Mingzhou with Wang Hao. Upon arriving in Mingzhou, Wang Hao stayed for seven days before returning to Dongjing with Di Chunqiu and the others. Before leaving, he left 70,000 taels of silver with Di Gongkao, instructing him to recruit men and purchase supplies before continuing north. Half a month later, Wang Hao arrived in Dongjing.

That night, Wang Hao went to Fanlou to visit Li Shishi. In Li Shishi's room, Wang Hao said, "It's been so long, sister, how have you been?" Li Shishi smiled slightly and said, "It's been over a month, and you've become so tanned, brother?" Wang Hao smiled sheepishly and said, "I've been living a life of hardship, unlike the comforts of the capital." Li Shishi said, "Brother, you've come all this way to Fanlou to see me. Is there something you need my help with?" Wang Hao said, "Sister, you are truly insightful and perceptive; you guessed my thoughts immediately!" Li Shishi said, "I am not one of those rich young masters who spend their days in brothels. To others, Fanlou is a brothel, but to me, it is a study." Wang Hao smiled slightly and said, "Others are infatuated with your beauty, sister; I admire you, but..." "For wisdom," Li Shishi said, looking at Wang Hao. "A woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent, yet you praise my wisdom, sister. Should I be happy or sad?" Wang Hao remained silent for a moment, then said, "Can my sincere heart compare to the foolishness of the world?" Li Shishi laughed loudly, saying, "Sister is gratified to see my sincere heart; how could I care about the foolish eyes of ordinary people?" Wang Hao nodded, saying, "There is something I would like to ask you to consider, sister!" Li Shishi's expression was solemn as she asked, "What is it?" Wang Hao said, "Regarding the winery's shares, I would like to invite the Emperor's participation. Is that permissible?" Since it concerned Emperor Huizong, Li Shishi dared not act rashly, saying, "I need to know the specific steps and your final plan!"