This moment,
Zhu Mo's heart was filled with unspeakable shock!
After arriving in the Ming Dynasty, through personal experience, he realized that in the era of Yao and Shun, there were no official titles. The officials of that time were merely functional positions. It was only later, in the pseudepigraphical "Zhou Guan," that the principles were muddled, and becoming an official became an inherent hereditary position, making them superior to the common people, thus becoming a scourge for two thousand years.
But ultimately, this was wrong, fabricated, and distorted. From the root, it was an absurd concept, which is why there was a cycle of governance and chaos.
He thought he understood these principles thoroughly, but today, upon hearing Lü Kun's words, a flash of light suddenly struck his mind—
So,
Some people had also realized this point! It was just that their path was different from his own. They had comprehended it from the "heart." He Xin Yin and Yan Shan Nong, by aligning themselves with the common and lowly, had grasped principles that were almost impossible to discern!
This,
Truly a miracle!
These few Ming Dynasty scholars, taking the heart of heaven and earth as their heart, the heart of ten thousand generations as their heart, and the heart of the common people as their heart, had actually grasped the truth of the Yao-Shun era. This seemingly simple feat was incredibly difficult; without the ambition to be of one heart with the people, it was absolutely impossible.
The Ming Taizu and Liu Ji, born into an era of turmoil, could naturally see through it. Moreover, at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, all hidden things were revealed, making it not difficult to see the essence. Yet, these scholars could also reach this level?
Mind you,
Zhu Mo was from a science and engineering background. His usual historical and literary knowledge came mostly from online novels and forums. He recalled seeing an expert previously claim that utopian socialist movements existed in the Ming Dynasty. At the time, he was skeptical, but now, after hearing Lü Kun speak, he understood it completely—
These people were the utopian socialists of the Ming Dynasty, and at the same time, loyal subjects of the Ming Taizu!
And the commoner lineage of Wang Yangming's School of Mind sought the heart of Yao and Shun, the heart of peace, and the heart of prosperity. In other words, it was a grand ideal...
And this,
Would be the most crucial support for the imperial dynasty!
At this point,
Zhu Mo finally understood where he had failed. His failure was in not finding this "heart." He had been working alone all along, using brute force, clever tactics, and sheer strength. Recalling it now, it was truly like "walking alone day and night, as if entering a demonic realm." Now, the clouds had parted, and the darkness in his heart was swept away. A common saying flowed from the depths of his heart—
The people,
Only the people,
Are the motive force in the making of world history.
...
Zhu Mo patted Lü Kun on the shoulder and said with a calm smile:
"Old Lü, I have a solution now..."
He paused for a moment, then said:
"I have already written to Hai Gangfeng, and also informed Wu Ming and Wu Liang of the Jiangnan Embroidered Uniform Guard. At the time, I wanted them to stop Yin Zhengmao, but it was too late, and tragedy ensued... Alas, I saw the matter too late, and caused harm to the people... Additionally, Zhang Juzheng will surely act in Jiangnan and will not allow Yin Zhengmao to act with impunity.
What I am worried about now is that Yin Zhengmao will continue his 'melon-stalk plundering' and, after killing six people, might continue to kill more. He is using the blood of the common people to support the Yangming official schools. As he advances here, he pushes further there, always walking on two legs, and the cases will never be finished!
And because the matter has already involved the overall situation of the empire, no one is willing to step forward, making it difficult to stop him! The Emperor cannot express his opinion at this time; any statement would be exploited by them... Alas, so the matter is very difficult! Gao Gong and Yin Zhengmao are so wicked, it is truly unheard of.
However, I have a feeling that Zhang Taiyue might have some ideas. He should try his best to stop him from killing any more people...
Well, now, we must build public opinion and confront them directly. Firstly, not all the gentry in the world are bad people; secondly, most of those scholars are likely coerced. As long as we speak out, a confrontation will inevitably form. Then we can proceed slowly... What do you think, Old Lü?"
Unexpectedly,
Lü Kun smiled and said, "How to proceed is naturally for you, Zi Xuan, to lead. We will cooperate from the sidelines."
Zhu Mo could not help but be surprised—
These talents are truly good people, much better than those "pure currents." They have no desire for power, no selfishness... They truly seek the goal regardless of personal cost...
Alas,
"I was terribly mistaken. I should have found these people long ago... Without these people, how can I stand against them?"
The sense of melancholy in Zhu Mo at this moment was bone-deep. Reflecting on his journey, his greatest weakness was still the lack of people! Under the pretense of borrowed power, although he had accomplished a little, because he lacked true strength, these achievements were like towers built on sand, easily swept away by a gentle touch...
After carefully re-reading He Xin Yin's letter, the ideas mentioned in it were incredibly familiar, so familiar that he could finish the thought. It spoke of "taking the heart of heaven and earth as one's heart, and desiring the same as the common people." These were likely topics their friends often discussed. Unable to understand them immediately, he asked:
"Shu Jian, tell me, is He Xin Yin really so famous? What exactly did he say? Why have I never heard of him?"
Lü Kun smiled and said:
"Brother Zi Xuan, He Xin Yin did more than just talk. He was born into a wealthy aristocratic family, but he gave away all his fortune and established the 'Hui He Hui' school outside his ancestral hall, intending to 'unite the clan's governance.' He appointed several people for leadership and nurturing, and for teaching and assisting, to house all the clan's children and elders here.
They cultivated the land while studying and cultivating themselves. Because it served both public and private interests, the imperial taxes were not neglected at all. Some specialized individuals were employed to assist. They paid imperial grain and taxes in an orderly manner. The old, weak, orphaned, and poor were supported by the clan's public assets, and everyone loved and cared for each other. Their fame had spread throughout the lands south of the Yangtze River..."
As he spoke, a look of admiration appeared on his face, and he was deeply proud to be friends with someone like He Xin Yin.
"There are people like that? I've never heard of it..."
"This 'Hui' and 'Tang' thing, doesn't it sound like that 'Suo' in later generations..."
Zhu Mo pondered for a while without any clue, knowing that his limited knowledge would likely be useless. He looked at the system—
[Character/Event: He Xin Yin, a Ming Dynasty figure, 16th-century utopian socialist activist, master of the School of Mind;]
[Analysis of "Hui He Hui": A new social governance method based on the clan community, with education as the core and economy as supplementary. Feasibility: 86%; Description: Merely a social governance experiment, compatible with any government structure, one of the most successful social governance experiences of the 16th century;]
[Ideological Basis: Heresy of Confucian School of Mind, classifiable as utopian socialism;]
[Influence: Influence index in the four provinces of Jiangnan: 65%;]
[Character's End: Died at the hands of Zhang Juzheng's confidant, Governor of Huguang, Wang Zhiyuan, in 1579; He Xin Yin dispersed his family fortune and explored methods of human social governance, a great pioneer;]
Mm-hmm,
A great pioneer who explored methods of human social governance...
The damned system is finally reliable this time.
Zhu Mo nodded repeatedly—
This Master He is truly an extraordinary figure. Judging by his influence index, he was a top-tier figure in the four provinces of Jiangnan. You must know that Wei Liangbi, also from Jiangxi, had an influence index of only 30-something percent given by the damned system. The difference is clear!
However,
Why did Zhang Juzheng later have him killed? That's too unfair! I must educate him properly the next time I see him!
Upon further reflection, it was actually understandable—
He Xin Yin's system conflicted greatly with Old Zhang's. After all, Old He's system was too far ahead of its time, breaking through the framework of sage-established systems and directly pursuing the great Way of Yao and Shun.