Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

"It is precisely because human nature is inherently evil that we must uphold education and guide children to purify themselves of evil and promote good."

Even as people grow up, they still have evil thoughts from time to time.

"The so-called 'gentleman's self-discipline' means constantly reflecting on oneself and suppressing and eliminating evil in one's heart."

Scholars who advocated for the inherent goodness of human nature countered, "Why do children who have never been to school know how to be filial to their parents?"

Chapter 3598 Human Nature Is Inherently Evil

"Is education just about reading books? Parents' words and deeds are also a form of education."

Mencius said that human nature is like water.

"The highest good is like water, which flows downwards without exception, and human nature is inherently good."

"Can you say that water doesn't flow downwards?"

Mencius said that human nature is like water. Does that mean that human nature is necessarily like water?

"I would also say that human nature is like fire!"

"How dare you question Mencius!"

"Is Mencius necessarily right? I am studying His Majesty's teachings."

"His Majesty said that we should make bold assumptions and carefully verify them in all things."

"How can we prove that human nature is like water? Can you prove it?"

"Let me tell you, water flows downhill because of gravity, because of the Earth's gravitational pull!"

"If the Earth had no gravity, it wouldn't be impossible for water to flow upwards."

"Nonsense! How can water flow upwards?"

"Without Earth's gravity, it can rise. Without gravity, people can even fly!"

"Stop arguing! Human nature is a mixture of good and evil; learn to be good and you will be good, learn to be bad and you will be evil."

"Bullshit, human nature is inherently good."

"No, human nature is inherently evil!"

"..."

When the imperial court announced its intention to elevate Xunzi to the status of a classic text, such debates could be seen almost daily inside and outside Luoyang.

Mencius's prestige at this time was not as high as that of the Ming and Qing dynasties, and he had not yet become an absolute sage.

The true sage Confucius did not judge the good or evil of human nature, but only said, "Human nature is similar."

Liu Yannian sat quietly listening, feeling that it was inappropriate to discuss good and evil, as such matters were impossible to discern.

If you want to attack Xunzi, you should start with his "theory of the artificiality of rites"!

Renshou, Sichuan.

As early as last winter, Li Chun traveled north by car.

He spent the winter at an inn in Hanzhong, and after the snow melted, he continued his journey, braving wind and rain, heading straight for Luoyang.

Li Chun still remembered his father's solemn instructions before he left home: "I have an old friend in the court who told me that the Ming Dynasty is really going to elevate Xunzi to the status of a classic."

"If Xunzi can be elevated to the status of a classic, then my teacher's works can also be widely accepted."

"Remember, remember, never mention the Duke of Zhou. I have already deleted all the articles that mentioned the Duke of Zhou."

The elevation of Xunzi to the status of a classic text brought more than just controversy.

Those schools of thought that were banned in the early Song Dynasty saw a shift in the political climate from this move by the court.

They... also wanted to take the opportunity to rise to prominence!

When Su Shi had just passed the imperial examination, Long Changqi was already recognized as the greatest Confucian scholar in Sichuan.

This man came from a humble background; he could only become a monk because of his family's poverty.

He grew up in a temple and learned to read and write through Buddhist scriptures.

He also took the opportunity of lecturing on Buddhist scriptures to the families of gentry to borrow books from their collections.

He devoted himself to the study of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism for thirty years, becoming well-versed in all three religions. He was not only renowned in Sichuan, but was even invited to Fujian at a high salary to lecture on the Book of Changes.

Unfortunately, the imperial examinations at that time had very strict screening criteria, and people who had been monks were not allowed to register.

His students are all over Sichuan. Even Wen Yanbo, when he was young, followed his father to Sichuan and became a student of Long Changqi.

At that time, Sichuan was in turmoil, and Han Qi was sent to govern the region.

The first thing he did upon arriving in Chengdu was to invite Long Changqi to serve as a professor at the official school, in an attempt to appease the scholars of Sichuan.

It wasn't until Long Changqi was over eighty years old, and after being repeatedly recommended by Han Qi, Wen Yanbo, and others, that the emperor allowed Long Changqi to bring his works to the capital.

Then he met Liu Yannian's uncle, Liu Chang.

At that time, Ouyang Xiu only opposed Long Changqi's criticism of the Duke of Zhou and did not do anything else.

Liu Chang, however, remained adamant and refused to budge, sending Long Changqi back to Sichuan and banning all his works, which angered the old man to death.

Banning works only prohibits the engraving of books; printing and sales are no longer allowed, and public dissemination is also forbidden.

There must still be others secretly learning!

Li Chun's father was a disciple of Long Changqi in his later years.

Li Chun also learned from his father from a young age, and his family possessed the complete works of Long Changqi.

Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, military strategy, the study of names, Yin and Yang, the School of Diplomacy...

It contains all the schools of thought from the Hundred Schools of Thought, the three major schools of thought, and all the academic disciplines of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, totaling several dozen volumes.

When the peonies were in bloom, Li Chun finally arrived in Luoyang.

Liu Yannian held several debates in Luoyang, using the "theory of false rites" as his starting point, citing classical texts to leave many scholars speechless.

Upon hearing that he was the nephew of the great Confucian scholar Liu Chang, many Confucian scholars were filled with awe and respect, and Liu Yannian's reputation became even more renowned!

Even so, he still dared not strike the Dengwen Drum.

Relying on the connections left by his uncle, Liu Yannian visited many officials.

He carefully explained his purpose, but most officials refused to submit a memorial to the emperor on his behalf.

However, a few people recommended Liu Yannian to the emperor, saying that a great Confucian scholar from Jiangxi had requested an audience.

These recommendations and memorials were like clay oxen sinking into the sea, causing not a ripple whatsoever.

The peonies were beginning to wither, and Liu Yannian finally couldn't bear it any longer. He led his servants to the Dengwen Drum.

Should we knock on it?

What if striking the Dengwen Drum angers the emperor?

Just as Liu Yannian hesitated, a donkey cart slowly drove up.

A young scholar jumped off the donkey cart, had two servants help him carry his boxes, and then took out his fare to pay the driver.

Chapter 3599 Beating the Drum of Appeal

The young scholar straightened his clothes and strode forward.

To Liu Yannian's astonishment, Li Chun took down the drumsticks and swung them out with both hands.

"Knock knock knock knock!!!"

The drum for petitioning was sounded.

People in the vicinity stopped in their tracks and ran over to see what was happening.

Officials in the eastern part of the city stopped their work upon hearing the drumbeats.

The censor in charge of the petition drum hurriedly walked out of the Donghua Gate: "Who is beating the drum? Is there a grievance that cannot be redressed, or is there something else?"

Li Chun stepped forward and bowed in greeting: "Li Chun, a disciple of Master Junping, has come to request an audience with His Majesty the Emperor, bringing with him a collection of books!"

Long Changqi's doctrines were banned for decades, making it difficult for scholars outside of Sichuan to access them.

The imperial censor had never heard of him before and asked curiously, "Who is this great sage, Mr. Junping?"

Li Chun replied: "Long's given name was Changqi, his courtesy name was Qizhi, his sobriquet was Zhuxuan, and he was known as Mr. Junping and Mr. Wuling."

"The gentleman was recognized as the greatest Confucian scholar in Sichuan at the time, and he authored dozens of books in his lifetime. Unfortunately, he was framed by a villain and his books were banned by a foolish emperor."

"Now that a holy emperor is alive, I have come to present books."

The censor didn't think much of it and said with a smile, "I see, I must..."

"Nonsense!"

Liu Yannian roared, "You must explain yourself today: who is the villain?"

Li Chun said, "Liu Chang, a corrupt scholar from the previous dynasty!"

"This is outrageous!" Liu Yannian raised his fist to strike.

That was his uncle, a great Confucian scholar from Jiangxi second only to Wang Anshi, yet this young man called him a villain!

The imperial censor shouted, "Stop them!"

The officers behind them immediately stepped forward and pulled the two men apart before they were about to fight.

Li Chun asked, "And who are you?"

"Liu Yannian from Jiangxi!" Liu Yannian said, gripping his bamboo cane.

Li Chun sneered: "Liu Chang's descendants?"

Liu Yannian angrily retorted, "How dare you, a mere brat, address my uncle by his name?"

"What's wrong with calling him by his first name?"

Li Chun scoffed.

“If there are disputes over doctrines, then debate is the way to go. Even if Mr. Junping’s scholarship does have some flaws, the emperor can order its correction.”

"Relying on his power, he directly dismissed officials and banned books. What else could he be but a villain?"

Liu Yannian was too lazy to argue with this junior. He said to the censor, "Long Changqi's teachings criticize the sages and the Duke of Zhou, and should not be passed down to the world."

Li Chun said, "All articles discussing the Duke of Zhou have been deleted."

When this happened, Wang Anshi had not yet begun his reforms, and his new school of thought had not yet taken shape. Therefore, Liu Chang was the foremost Confucian scholar in Jiangxi.

The greatest Confucian scholar in Jiangxi eliminated the greatest Confucian scholar in Sichuan and completely banned his scholarship. This is an achievement worthy of being written about in great detail.

At least, the Liu family members were very clear about what had happened.

Liu Yannian said, "Is it enough to just delete the articles that criticize the Duke of Zhou? Long Changqi even said that the Six Classics have no imperial way!"

The censor was quite young and was completely dumbfounded.

Long Changqi's methods are really unconventional!

The Duke of Zhou is the cultural ancestor of Chinese civilization. To criticize the Duke of Zhou is to criticize Chinese civilization, which is tantamount to directly digging up the roots of Confucianism.

The statement that "the Six Classics have no imperial way" is also considered a highly treasonous statement.

In the early Song Dynasty, great Confucian scholars used the terms "huang" (皇), "di" (帝), "wang" (王), and "ba" (霸) as markers to divide the history of the pre-Qin period.

The Way of the Emperor represents the Way, the Way of the King represents virtue, the Way of the King represents merit, and the Way of the Hegemon represents power.

Shao Yong said that these four principles are the essence of the Book of Changes and the foundation of all Confucian classics.

Long Changqi said that "the Six Classics have no imperial way", meaning that Confucianism does not have the content of "governing the country with the Way", but only governing the country with virtue, merit, and force.

They were practically saying outright that Confucianism is devoid of morality!

It's not entirely unjust that his academic ideas were banned.

Such an important matter was not something a mere censor would dare to decide on his own. The censor said, "Where are you two currently residing? Please leave your addresses."

The two gave the inn's address, and the censor entered Donghua Gate with the box of books.

The books were delivered all the way to the Chuigong Hall. Zhao Yuan inquired about the details carefully and opened the box with great curiosity.