Several days later,
Zhu Mo was still at the Poet's Shrine discussing the matter of contract laborers with Zhang Juzheng when a gatekeeper reported:
"Zheng Qin seeks an audience!"
Zhu Mo was overjoyed and rushed with Zheng Qin to the training grounds. He saw over twelve hundred musketeers drawn up in neat formation, and dozens of laborers had delivered five to six cartloads of gunpowder and shot. Among them were five cannons, the new model rushed out by Zhao Shizhen.
These cannons had large bores, were spindle-shaped, loaded with gunpowder, and fired two types of projectiles: solid shot, each weighing twenty kilograms, and hollow shot wrapped in explosives and pellets, designed to detonate upon impact by igniting white phosphorus.
These were all built according to the simple diagrams Zhu Mo provided. The five cannons also had four-wheeled carriages and could be pulled by two horses. Although still quite cumbersome, they were incredibly potent firearms for siege warfare.
Zhu Mo inspected them on the spot.
The musketeers were well-trained, but not yet fully proficient with firearms. However, considering it had only been about forty days, the achievements of Zhao Shizhen and Zheng Qin were truly commendable.
They had not been promoted, but they followed him. It wasn't really for him; it was more that their views aligned. Zhao Shizhen, in particular, driven by pure passion, was barely thirty but already looked world-weary. As for Zheng Qin, from Xuanda to Jiangnan, his loyalty was truly admirable.
He thought: Once this hurdle is overcome, I must give them what they deserve…
He immediately ordered them to encamp in the southern suburbs and instructed Zheng Qin to conduct daily training. To avoid disturbing the populace, he also had Zhang Han arrange for some soldiers from the Commander's yamen to be transferred, who would later cooperate with the musketeers in combat.
...
One afternoon,
at Wansong Academy.
Before Zhu Mo, Li Zhi, and Lü Kun had even entered the main gate, they heard peals of laughter.
Amidst the ancient cypress trees, in an open space, every seat was taken. Scholars sat in the front rows, while ordinary people, some even women and children, filled the back and surrounding areas.
A platform was set up on the stone steps. He Xinyin, however, was not seated but stood among the seated crowd, lecturing on the method of enlightenment.
"Last time, I spoke of how Mr. Yangming visited the Southern Peaks, and a friend pointed to the flowers and trees in the rocks, asking: If there is nothing outside the mind, then like these flowers and trees in the deep mountains that bloom and fall by themselves, what relevance do they have to my mind? How did Mr. Yangming reply? He said: Before you look at these flowers, they and your mind are one with emptiness; when you look at these flowers, their colors suddenly become clear, and you know that these flowers are not outside your mind.
Does everyone understand what this means? It means there is nothing outside the mind! No matter what the principle, if the mind cannot comprehend it, it is as if it does not exist. Last time, someone also asked whether the era of Yao and Shun truly existed. I told everyone to go back and ponder it. Today's lecture, has anyone begun to understand it?"
A ripple of excitement spread through the audience. The scholars were very animated, conferring with each other. The common folk, women and children, also chattered softly with smiles.
A scholar suddenly stood up and said loudly, "Master He, this student believes that the era of Yao and Shun was the system of sages, and therefore it naturally exists. As long as we emulate the sages, we can naturally achieve the perfect governance of Yao and Shun."
Another scholar echoed, "Although the era of Yao and Shun is mentioned in books, it is vaguely described. Who knows if it truly existed?"
"Yes, yes!"
"I also think it didn't exist!"
"Where is it?"
"It exists! As long as everyone follows the words and actions of the sages, they will naturally see it!"
"..."
He Xinyin was very patient. When the crowd had settled down, he returned to the platform and said,
"I have just said that the era of Yao and Shun is like the flowers and trees in the rocks… When we do not think of them, they are empty and still; when we talk about them and think of them now, they brightly emerge again…
From this, we can know that the era of Yao and Shun naturally exists, and it is within our hearts. We all know it is good, but we cannot explain or describe what makes it good. Why is this? It is precisely because of the obscuring of our conscience, which prevents us from imagining it… The clearer our conscience becomes, the clearer the era of Yao and Shun will be.
Just as Mr. Yangming said about the flowers and trees, painters and poets know their beauty, and common laborers also know their beauty. There is no difference in this. The beauty seen by a painter is naturally more detailed than that seen by a common laborer, but the beauty seen by a common laborer is also natural and true.
This is like what? It is like governing a realm. Sages are like painters, knowing all aspects of perfect governance. Common laborers can also know about perfect governance, but it is through the joy of their peaceful lives. However, can we say that only sages know about perfect governance? Of course not! It is evident that common laborers also understand the era of Yao and Shun. It resides in everyone's heart, and everyone can know it through their conscience without needing others to explain it."
Mmm,
Right, right,
That's the logic…
Master He speaks so accurately.
This is the right way!
Who says only those scholars understand Yao and Shun?
At that moment,
all present seemed to have grasped a profound truth, though they could not articulate it clearly. Everyone felt an exhilarating joy, yet the harshness of reality brought forth a sense of compassion…
Lü Kun and Li Zhi, both leading thinkers, felt a sudden enlightenment and genuine compassion, realizing that all the ills of the world stemmed from a lack of conscience. Once conscience awakened, the era of Yao and Shun was indeed within reach…
Lü Kun couldn't help but murmur, "So that's how it is, so that's how it is…"
Li Zhi also sighed, "To pity heaven and feel for humanity, today I truly know the profound wisdom of Yangming's studies…"
Zhu Mo, hearing such reasoning for the first time, had another thought emerge—
This line of reasoning,
it can make ordinary people feel compassionate and extend that to others, which is truly extraordinary! If this understanding were widely known, then no one could monopolize knowledge…
Moreover, because of the compassion it fosters, it naturally avoids radicalism. Everyone introspects and seeks self-improvement, which indeed lays the foundation for good governance. Wang Yangming is truly remarkable…
However, to speak of it another way, it is precisely because of this that official schools have faced such impact, almost instantly losing their voice. If it weren't for the imperial examinations still selecting officials, Neo-Confucianism would have been directly abolished.
He naturally also saw another layer—
This ideology is indeed the greatest support for the next stage of reform. As long as each reform step allows the majority to feel its positivity, this "heart of Yao and Shun" will integrate with the reforms, and then no force can ever shake it.
At this moment,
He Xinyin also saw the three of them listening nearby. He said to the crowd:
"Everyone should go back and contemplate. Truly contemplate, and do not listen to what others say, do not read what books say. Rely solely on your conscience to contemplate, and you will naturally understand… Alright, today's lecture concludes here. Next time, we will discuss what is meant by 'Datong' (Great Harmony)."
The scholars and common people present were deeply moved and immediately became orderly, bowing respectfully.
He Xinyin walked over and smiled,
"Chancellor Zhu has been too busy lately, and I haven't had a chance to visit you yet. I didn't expect you to come first…"
The four exchanged pleasantries and chatted for a while.
Li Zhi had heard of this person before but was seeing him for the first time. He felt this person possessed an extraordinary power and held him in high regard, thinking: Even if all Confucianism were overturned one day, this person's mind learning would still be immortal…
Seeking all kinds of votes, seeking collection and follow-up reading. I bow and thank you!