1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 158 The Way of Sages and the Way of Science

When Li Qiwei talked a lot and seemed to be showing off his achievements, Yu Shimei could no longer sit still.

He thought that the other party was promoting Western science and was about to become possessed.

It's just a strange and gimmicky trick and will never be accepted by the upper class.

Our Chinese culture has a splendid 5,000-year history and is very profound. How can it be compared with those small Western countries?

Compared with the path of sages, the path of science is a minor path.

Yu Shimei stopped testing and prepared to have a discussion with Li Qiwei.

"Qiwei, which do you think is better, the way of Chinese sages or the way of Western science?"

[May I ask you, what is the way of saints and sages? ]

"The Zuo Zhuan says: The highest is to establish virtue, the next is to establish merit, and the next is to establish words. Even if they are not abandoned for a long time, this is called immortality."

“The way of the saints is to establish virtue, merit and words.”

【What is Sanli? 】

"The great sage and teacher founded Confucianism, established the hierarchy, and advocated benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness. He can be said to have established virtue."

"He served as acting prime minister in Lu, promoted the ritual system, and made Lu a strong country with rich people. He can be said to have made great contributions."

"Compiled the Spring and Autumn Annals, annotated the Book of Changes, revised the Book of Rites and the Book of Music, and seventy-two sages jointly compiled their words into the Analects, which can be said to be a legacy."

[What explains the superiority of the Way? What explains the inferiority of the Way? ]

"It is better to make the king understand the way to make the country strong."

"The emperor governs the people. If the emperor is wise, the people will live and work in peace and contentment. Otherwise, the people will suffer miserably."

"Therefore, any way that can educate the emperor is the best way."

"The way of the sages is that the people are the most important, the country is second, and the emperor is the least important. It is a great way to awaken the deaf and the dumb, and it is indeed the brilliant culture of our Chinese nation."

"The Western scientific path is confined to the study of things. Even if it can drive steel and water power, it is only borrowing from nature."

"Nothing can be accomplished in the hearts of the people."

"It is easy to make guns, but difficult to manage them."

"Even if there is rampant violence, if there is no effective restraint, there will be endless troubles."

“This is the fundamental reason why Western barbarians are always engaged in wars and robbery.”

“Therefore, the way of science is a minor way, an inferior way; the way of sages is a major way, a superior way.”

Li Qiwei was amused, thinking that he was indeed worthy of being the provincial education official, as he was very good at explaining things.

[Qiwei is a rough man, unlike Xuetai who is well-informed about the past and present and has a wide range of knowledge and strong memory.]

【I believe that there are only two kinds of Tao in the world. 】

[One is the way that makes sense, and the other is the way that makes no sense.]

[Whether it is the words of Confucius and Mencius or the scientific study of things, they are nothing more than means of observing and studying everything in the world. ]

[The former focuses on the spiritual world, while the latter focuses on the material world. Spirituality and matter are the two original existences of the world. ]

[The two should not be compared, there is no difference between them. 】

【When it comes to the spiritual world, Western sages such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle all have famous sayings that awaken the world. 】

【Its status is equal to that of Confucius in China. 】

【But there is a difference between the two, and that is logic. 】

【The words of Western sages can be pondered, criticized, and opposed. 】

【The more the truth is debated, the clearer it becomes.】

[This is even more true of the way of science. All Western scientists take it as an honor to overthrow their predecessors.]

【Even Newton has his faults.】

【I think this is a reasonable way. 】

【Allow both sides to stick to their own opinions. Through logic and reality, facts and reasoning, a consensus will eventually be reached.】

【The teachings of the Chinese sages emphasize subtle words with profound meanings, allowing people to figure out and analyze them for themselves.】

【But it is not allowed to deviate from the classics or distort the original meaning. 】

【The words of the sage cannot be refuted. Otherwise, it would be a betrayal of the teacher and ancestors, which is despised by scholars all over the world.】

[We are both saints, so why can Western saints make mistakes, but Chinese saints are always right and cannot be questioned.]

【So I think the way of saints is an unreasonable way. 】

【To discuss this kind of Tao is nothing more than to delve into strange words and phrases and force them together. 】

【As for the essence of truth, they never think about it. 】

[The ruler is the ruler and the minister is the minister; then why do we need a ruler? 】

【England's two industrial revolutions limited the power of the monarch and weakened the monarch's authority, but it eventually became the empire on which the sun never sets and dominated the country.】

[America is vast and rich in resources, with a rapidly developing economy, and there is no emperor. ]

【It can be seen that the words of saints are not necessarily correct. 】

Yu Shimei was stunned by Li Qiwei's shocking words.

He believed that Ridgway was a man without a father and a king, and was no different from those rebellious people who clamored for revolution. If these remarks were made public, even if the other party was a British knight, he would probably be in trouble.

"Qiwi, be careful with your words!"

"Luckily you told me."

"Your father and I both served Master Zhongtang. Although we have never met, we have a close relationship after all."

"If this is heard by someone with ulterior motives, the consequences will be disastrous."

Li Qiwei then said, "Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Xuetai. I am just speaking my mind."

"The question of the way of sages and the way of science in Xuetai is also the struggle of countless talented people in China today."

"I personally have no disdain or aversion to the teachings of Confucius and Mencius."

"After all, Mencius said: The people are the most important, the country is second, and the king is the least important."

“This is very close to the situation in the UK.”

"It can be seen that our Chinese culture does have its merits."

"It's just that the truth has been obscured. In order to consolidate their authority, the emperors have deceived the people, causing the teachings of the saints to be completely distorted. I feel deeply sorry for that."

“So, Qiwei is committed to education, hoping to eliminate ignorance for the people and open their eyes to the world.”

"But I know that my voice is insignificant. If I were to deny the saints right away, I'm afraid I'd lose my life, not to mention reform."

"The scientific path is to study things and gain knowledge, which does not involve power and justice, and was despised by the Qing rulers."

“But the philosophy behind it is very profound.”

"After learning the way of science, you will naturally use logic and focus on facts, rather than mechanically memorizing the Four Books and Five Classics."

"The way of sages and the way of science, when they argue back and forth, are only for the sake of momentary verbal pleasure."

"It has no effect on the rise of China."

"What China needs now is not saints, but spears, cannons, and huge steel ships."

"If we can't even satisfy our material needs, how can we talk about building a spiritual world?"

When Li Qiwei revealed his true feelings, Yu Shimei was so shocked that she was speechless.

He discovered that he was totally wrong.

What the other party cares about is not winning or losing, but the lives of all people in the world.

It's ridiculous that I deliberately show off my literary talent and try to win over the other party through sophistry.

It's really embarrassing and embarrassing.

Yu Shimei was not a pedantic person. Li Qiwei's views were sharp and rigorous, and they went straight to the point. He was indeed convinced by him.

There is no distinction between high and low in Taoism. It is something that people use for discussion, but it has been made into a myth by humans.

At this moment, Yu Shimei no longer dared to look down on Li Qiwei. Instead, he treated him as an equal and even felt respect for him.

After all, given the other party's conditions, there was no need to take the risk and participate in the Qing Dynasty's new policies, which might only bring trouble to oneself.

Relying on his status in the West, he can live a free and easy life and even become a master.

"Qiwei, what you said today really opened my eyes."

“Although you do not agree with the words of the saints, you do not belittle them or think they are worthless.”

"It is to keep its essence and correct its defects."

"To use Western principles to nourish our Chinese principles is a broad and limitless mind."

"Moreover, you have lofty ambitions and care about the country and the people. This is rare."

"One day in the future, it may be possible to achieve the immortality of Sanli and be praised by future generations."

Li Qiwei smiled and said, "You are overpraising me, Mr. Xuetai. I just want to do something practical."

“Even if you know a lot of sages’ words, if you can’t improve the living standards of the people, what’s the point?”

"But the physics I studied can actually improve our industrial and technological levels."

"Let China not lag too far behind among the nations of the world."

Yu Shimei nodded heavily, greatly appreciating it, and said, "So do you have any plans now?"

"Your Majesty has appointed you as the Deputy Minister of Education, and many people have complained about it. You have to show your true abilities."

Li Qiwei said: "I have already prepared an outline and am about to ask the academician to pass it on to the Qing court for me."

After saying that, he took out a piece of paper he carried with him, on which his reform plan was densely written.

In Yu Shimei's heart, Li Qiwei was more important, and he felt that he was a solid supporter.

Not only is he eloquent, but he is also quick to act. In just a short period of time, he has come up with a plan.

Before Guangxu appointed Li Qiwei to an official position, he naturally needed to examine him first, otherwise how could he convince the people?

Li Qiwei's education reform outline is proof of this.

Whether he has real talent or just a reputation depends on his ability.

Li Qiwei also knew this very well, so he started planning in his mind long before returning home.

Today, it is finally time to make a breakthrough.

(End of this chapter)