My younger brother Zhuge Liang

Chapter 224 All of them were taken to Wuchang
There is no doubt that in the political philosophy theory that Pang Tong used to refute Sima Hui,

It incorporates Zhuge Jin's simple idea that "those who seize the world by robbing first will suffer a bad death, while those who seize the world by self-defense and kill the robbers will have a long-lasting empire", as well as Lu Su's improved idea of "Liu Xie's lineage cannot be revived, and the Han thieves cannot be eliminated suddenly" after being influenced by Zhuge Jin.

(Note: If you have forgotten the specific content of political philosophy, please go back and read Chapter 111. I will not go into details to avoid wasted words.)

Although Pang Tong was not good at these, when there were ready-made advanced political theories to copy, he was still able to copy them thoroughly and reorganize and paraphrase them in his own language to suit the current context.

Moreover, the situation is now clearer than when Zhuge Jin and Lu Su discussed political philosophy in the air. When Zhuge Jin was studying, no one dared to say who was the "modern Xiang Yu".

Now the struggle between Yuan and Cao was imminent, and Cao Cao's many signs of tyranny and despotism were gradually revealed, and the atmosphere in Xudu became more tense and harsh. Pang Tong could have further refined Lu Su's deduction and used his own analysis to prove that Cao Cao was most likely "a new traitor who could live up to Wang Mang's historical role."

Sima Hui, Xu Shu and others have been studying on their own in recent years and of course have not been exposed to this new political theory.

After being relayed by Pang Tongyi and savoring it for a while, I felt that this theory was indeed profound and could solve many problems that the original theory of the cycle of order and chaos could not explain.

"Shiyuan, you came up with all this on your own? In just two and a half years, you've improved so much?" Sima Hui couldn't help but marvel.

Pang Tong said modestly, "How could I have thought of that? This is what General Fu Bo said when he was in Xudu three years ago and was summoned by Your Majesty in front of the Lanting Palace. Later, it was sorted out and supplemented by Lu Zijing in Linhuai.

I live with wise men, and I will naturally make progress as time goes by. These are just some of the things that General Fubo has learned in his life, and they cannot reach the essence of it. I served as a county magistrate for a year and a half, and as a county magistrate for a year. Was it really for this official position? I did it so that I could have the opportunity to ask General Fubo for advice from time to time! The official position is just a stepping stone to get closer to General Fubo's study!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Sima Hui's disciples, who were originally worried about whether "joining Liu Bei would be considered as greedy for wealth and fame", immediately felt relieved.

For example, Xiang Lang, who had already been recruited by Liu Biao as a county magistrate, felt at first that if Liu Bei offered him a higher position, he would reject Liu Biao and join Liu Bei during the hesitation period, which would make him seem too mercenary.

But now that he heard that Liu Bei's "academic environment" was so strong, he certainly wanted to go over and take a look, and subconsciously found a way out for himself:

We went to Jiangxia not because the official career there is better than in Xiangyang, but because the academic environment in Jiangxia is better! It is more conducive to the growth of personal learning and morality!

At worst, he could ask Liu Bei to give him a starting position lower than that of a county magistrate, such as a county magistrate of a small and worthless county. In this way, he would be "rejecting a higher position from Liu Biao and preferring a lower position from Liu Bei", and it would not be out of greed for wealth and fame, but entirely for the sake of studying!
Xiang Lang is just a typical example. Others like Yin Mo and Li Ren, who have no actual ability in government affairs and are purely engaged in academic research, will naturally be given a way out by this set of psychological suggestions.

Sima Hui, who was debating with Pang Tong head-on, had to admit, after trying several angles of debate, that the truth became clearer and Pang Tong had grown a lot in philosophical theory compared to before he left Jingzhou.

"It is my generation in the Lumen sect who are a bit like frogs in a well. It turns out that in Yangzhou, in recent years, things have been..." Sima Hui sighed from the bottom of his heart.

He originally knew that Pang Tong was a pragmatist. Although he had made some achievements in recent years, Pang Tong and Kong Ming should also be focused on enriching the country and strengthening the military, and would not concentrate on studying and researching ways to govern chaos.

That feeling is like Jing Jian recommending Shang Yang to King Xiaogong of Qin three times. Although he finally admitted that what Shang Yang said could impress King Xiaogong and had practical effects, he was ultimately inferior and only promoted "hegemony" but lost the "kingly way".

Now I suddenly realize that he is not like Shang Yang. He is both practical and able to prevent the backlash from Shang Yang. He is also noble and superior in academics. He has both.

Now that Sima Hui had spoken, the worries of the other disciples naturally disappeared.

"Sir, why don't we all go to Jiangxia and discuss things with Kong Ming to see if what Shi Yuan said is true." Xu Shu, who was relatively impatient, was the first to suggest.

Sima Hui didn't say anything else, just nodded, indicating that it would be okay to go and take a look.

So everyone decided to go and take a look, except Xiang Lang who said that it would take three to five days. He needed to formally reject Liu Biao's invitation so as to be consistent and avoid being accused of running away, which was not upright enough.

Pang Tong thought about it and did not stop it. He discussed with Huang Chengyan that in a few days he would take Sima Hui and Sima Hui's other four disciples to Wuchang to show them around.

Huang Chengyan's hometown is in Jingzhou, and he must want to stay for a while when he returns home this time. He can wait for Xiang Lang to complete the formalities, and then Wuchang will send another ship to pick everyone up.

Pang Tong himself couldn't leave immediately. He also had to go back to pay a visit to his uncle Pang Degong and his cousin Pang Shanmin.

……

After discussing academic matters with Sima Hui and others, Pang Tong finally had time to distribute the local specialty gifts that he had not had time to distribute earlier.

There was nothing much to say about the celadon tea and other ornaments. Everyone had seen them and drank from them, so they just put them away.

Only Xu Shu was particularly fond of swords. When he saw that Pang Tong had given everyone two swords, he could not help but marvel at it and opened them to take a look.

These swords were newly forged by Pu Yuan using steel, and the quenching process was improved according to Zhuge Jin's instructions. In terms of sophistication, they can at least be compared with Cao Cao's Yitian Sword and Qinggang Sword. If the technology is improved in the future, it will only become stronger. However, due to the differentiation and refinement of the quenching process, the swords that Pang Tong brought as a gift this time were also divided into two categories. One category was a double-edged sword that was known for its flexibility. When quenching, it did not pursue maximum surface hardness, and it could even produce sword flowers.

The other type is evolved from the single-edged horse-slaying sword, which is slightly smaller in size to facilitate ranger combat. At the same time, the back of the horse-slaying sword is thicker and cannot be deformed. When quenching, Pu Yuan did not hesitate to quench one side of the blade to maximize the hardness. As for the back, it can be lightly quenched to maintain low-carbon toughness to prevent the blade from being too brittle and easy to break when slashing or stabbing.

To put it bluntly, the Tang Dynasty's Tang horizontal sword was developed from the Han Dynasty's horse-chopping sword, as the steel material changed from fried steel to poured steel. If the blade was covered with soil and burned, and the quenching depth was gradually changed, resulting in a different shrinkage rate of the single-edged sword and a concave back, it would be close to the Japanese sword.

In this life, the Han Dynasty already had the method of pouring steel, so the boundary between the Han horse-cutting sword and the Tang horizontal sword has gradually blurred. It is also impossible for Japanese swords to appear in the future. The Zhuge family instructed Pu Yuan to improve it slowly, and he could slowly point out these technical advantages.

Xu Shu only took a quick look at the two swords, one long and one short, one single-edged and one double-edged, and immediately identified from his experience that they were definitely good swords.

He didn't care about etiquette, his master and other brothers were still discussing knowledge with Huang Gong and what they had seen and heard in the past few years. Xu Shu's eyes were already pleading, hoping that Pang Tong would go out and talk with him, explain the forging methods of these swords, and find something to test the swords.

Pang Tong didn't know Xu Shu yet, so he just shook his head when he saw this, but he didn't refuse.

When the two men arrived at the yard, Xu Shu very experiencedly found an old bamboo with yellow roots, pulled out the single-edged sword, and deliberately chopped at the hardest yellow part. With a "swish" sound, the bamboo root as thick as a calf was directly broken, and it was cut at the bamboo joint.

"What a great sword!" Xu Shu's eyes lit up immediately. He took out a piece of linen to wipe off the bamboo shavings and carefully examined the blade.
"Is this also the new sword forged by General Fubo in Yuzhang? In the past few years when I was in Jingzhou, I occasionally heard that Yuzhang and Danyang Shanyue people have naturalized. It is said that General Fubo has various magical skills and is good at benefiting the people. It seems that what he said is true."

Pang Tong said proudly: "This is nothing. When you go to Wuchang, there will be many new things. Two years ago, I was also as surprised as you. However, Brother Xu's swordsmanship is not bad. Have you practiced it?"

Xu Shu's expression darkened for a moment, and he decided to tell the whole story: "Several years ago, I made an enemy in my hometown of Yingchuan. After killing someone, I hid my identity and fled far away. After that, I devoted myself to study and stopped indulging in swordsmanship. I have been wandering around for seven or eight years."

Pang Tong didn't care about this murder at all, and just commented calmly:
"I really didn't realize it just now, but you are a man of both civil and military talents. If that's the case, you should join the General of Chariots and Cavalry. The General of Chariots and Cavalry is not picky about who to hire, and he will employ knowledgeable people regardless of their background or experience, as long as they are not traitors to the Han Dynasty and have real talent."

Xu Shu: "Today I am fortunate to have Mr. Shi Yuan introduce me to you. I will try my best. When will we set off for Wuchang?"

Pang Tong: "I will go back to my own farm and greet my uncle before setting off. Brother Xu can come with me if you have time."

Xu Shu immediately said enthusiastically: "Pang Gong Zhuangzi is also on Lumen Mountain, close to Mr. Shuijing, just on the way."

They were all free and easy-going people, and they didn't care that Sima Hui and others were still lingering in Huangjiazhuang. They just asked them to stay for two or three more days, and Pang Tong went back to Lumen Mountain to visit his uncle.

The next morning, the two men each rode a donkey, carrying two swords, and took three or five servants with them, and set off. Before noon, they arrived at Pangjiazhuang deep in Lumen Mountain.

Pang Degong was seven or eight years older than Sima Hui, and more indifferent to fame and fortune than Sima Hui. Pang Tong knew his uncle very well and knew that he probably couldn't take him away this time. But as a nephew, it would be impolite for him to come back without paying a visit and trying to persuade him.

Pang Degong was very happy to see Pang Tong. He was quite pleased when he talked about his experiences and achievements in the past few years, and he encouraged Pang Tong from time to time.

But when Pang Tong suggested that he go to Wuchang as well, Pang Degong flatly refused, even more resolutely than Sima Hui.

Xu Shu, who was standing by, had also been studying with Sima Hui for a year and a half, and had some understanding of Pang Degong, but he still didn't expect Pang Degong to be more resolute than Mr. Shuijing, so he could not help but persuade him:
"Why are you so determined, sir? My master is also indifferent to fame and fortune, but he still wants to go to Wuchang. Sir, you don't know that the General of Chariots and Cavalry is not like the princes who fight for power and profit. He not only has great ambitions, but also loves people and animals.

Moreover, there are many talented people under his rule, many of whom are capable of combining the teachings of the sages with the suppression of rebellions and the stabilization of the country, and combining Confucianism and Legalism. Sir, if you go and see them, it may be beneficial to your studies, and you don't have to become an official. At worst, you can go to another place to live in seclusion and study."

Pang Degong was still determined and taught Xu Shu: "Yao and Shun were not partial to their sons. Although their descendants could not inherit the world, they were able to live in peace from generation to generation, and were unknown to the world. Although Yu and Tang inherited the world, Jie and Zhou eventually died in Nanchao and Lutai.

There is no way back from conquering the world. The world rises and then falls, and the world rises and then falls. If you let your descendants take the path of a dictator, they will also have to bear the misery of death and extinction when they leave the stage in the future. In this case, why not take this dead end from the beginning?

Perhaps you will say that I am only here to serve as a minister, to assist a wise ruler, and not to be a dictator. But the Han Dynasty lasted for 400 years, and once a powerful minister gained power, there was no way out.

Famous ministers such as Huo Guang and Dou Xian were not spared from the extermination of their clans. In the past hundred years of the Later Han Dynasty, how many generals who were relatives of the emperor's wife were attacked by the eunuchs and new relatives of the emperor's wife after the change of imperial power? Shi Yuan, can you and Kong Ming surpass Huo Guang and Dou Xian?

What does it have to do with me whether the Han Dynasty can be revived? Maybe if I sever my uncle-nephew relationship with you now, a hundred years later, if your descendants cause trouble, it will have nothing to do with our Pang family, and the Pang family will still depend on me to survive. "

After hearing what Pang Degong said, Pang Tong and Xu Shu felt that it was too pessimistic and knew it was impossible, so they stopped trying to persuade him.

The two of them only stayed in Pangjiazhuang for one night, and chatted about other things for a whole day the next day. Then they hurried down the mountain, met up with Sima Hui and others, and took a boat back to Wuchang.

(End of this chapter)