Zhu Yuanzhang Returns from Modern Times

Chapter 236 Are you surprised?

The wind blew, and Song Lian's robes fluttered in the wind.

His voice carried far.

Many of the people present were stunned.

"Is Mr. Song going to betray Confucianism and bow down to power?"
Has Mr. Song forgotten the Confucian ideal of sacrificing oneself for righteousness?!

Among the crowd, someone looked at Song Lian and questioned him loudly.

Upon hearing this question, Song Lian trembled slightly.

He shook his head, meeting everyone's gaze.

"No, how can you say that you betrayed Confucianism? And how can you say that you bowed down to the powerful and wealthy?"
How could I forget the Confucian ideal of sacrificing one's life for righteousness?
The key point is that what we are doing now is fundamentally wrong.

Wrong things must be corrected!

"Mr. Song, emphasizing agriculture and suppressing commerce, and rejecting strange skills and crafts, were propositions put forward by many Confucian predecessors."

What wrong have we done by following this now?

Could it be that our predecessors who put forward such a proposition were all wrong?

Some people looked at Song Lian, their voices filled with grief and confusion, as if their Daoist hearts were about to collapse.

Song Lian said, "Times have changed."

The elder was right; what he was referring to was the situation he encountered in his time.

The country needs to be stabilized by emphasizing agriculture and sericulture, and suppressing commerce.

At that time, doing so would better promote national stability and was in line with the circumstances.
So it's correct.

Times have changed, and the situation we face today is different from that of our predecessors who put forward this view.

Agriculture and sericulture, including farming and weaving, should naturally be valued.

But aren't all the tools used for farming made by craftsmen?
Could their existence not promote agriculture?
If we could develop better farm tools and more convenient weaving tools, making labor easier, weaving faster, and producing more cloth, wouldn't that be a good thing?
Couldn't we promote agriculture and commerce, and also promote both farming and scholarship?
I think it's possible.

If that's the case, how can these be classified as strange skills and tricks and suppressed?
Why can't we assess the current situation, listen to what the people need and what they want?
Has our Confucianism not developed? Has it not changed?
Are all the ancient sages, from the Confucian scholars of the Western Han Dynasty, the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Wei and Jin Dynasties, the Tang Dynasty, and the Song Dynasty the same?

How many changes were made in this process!
Why can't we change things based on the current situation?

As the sage said, "Among three people walking together, there must be one who can teach me. I will choose their good points and follow them, and correct their bad points."

Confucius said: "Learning without thinking is futile; thinking without learning is dangerous."

Simply copying the practices of our predecessors without thinking is not in line with what the Sage Confucius said.

The Sage Confucius taught us long ago that it is impossible for a person not to make mistakes; the key is to be good at improving.

Why is it that so many people don't understand such a simple truth?
Or perhaps... some people have ulterior motives and are deliberately pretending not to understand?

Song Lian knew that once the arrow was released, there was no turning back; at this point, he had no choice but to take a hard line.

"How can Mr. Jinglian be so sure that the Industrial University is not some kind of magical skill?"

Will his future actions benefit the country?

Since its establishment, the National Institute of Technology has only produced one thing: toilet paper.

It's hard to believe.

Someone else spoke up.

"The matter of toilet paper has already been discussed before, so I will not repeat it here."

As for why we can be so sure, it's quite simple.

First of all, everything we do – clothing, food, housing, and transportation – is inseparable from craftsmanship, and also from what many people call ingenious skills and tricks.

Secondly, His Majesty is a pragmatic person.

Judging from his actions, especially the various things he has done since ascending the throne, everything he has done has been for the sake of the Ming Dynasty, and everything he has done has been down-to-earth.

How could this industrial university, established with such great effort by His Majesty, possibly do anything useless?
Your Majesty, drive out the Tartars, restore China, and rebuild the land of our Han people.

How could he be someone without ambition and short-sighted?

If those people truly dare to deceive His Majesty and produce nothing of value, not only will we not tolerate it, but His Majesty himself would not tolerate it!

Song Lian raised his voice and said, "In this kind of matter, Zhu Yuanzhang's reputation is still quite good."

Someone who can be trusted.

After all, it was built by killing countless people.

Even if it can be confirmed that what His Majesty said is true, and that the Industrial University here is not here to do anything reckless.

But who can know whether this industrial university can actually produce anything good?
Can it truly live up to Mr. Jinglian's claim that it benefits the country and its people?
Can it truly serve as another leg, allowing the Ming Dynasty to continue its journey more effectively?

"Don't worry about that, I also asked His Majesty."

His Majesty said that the purpose of an industrial university is to do what ordinary people cannot do and think what ordinary people dare not think!
It has been clearly stated that within five years, a vehicle will be built that does not require oxen or horses, but will move automatically simply by adding water and coal.

In the future, these vehicles can be used to replace oxen, horses, donkeys, and mules for plowing fields and pulling carts.

As it developed, its arable land became equivalent to ten oxen or even more!

They are far superior to oxen, horses, donkeys, and mules for hauling goods!

Song Lian's words immediately caused a huge uproar.

This changed the way many people looked at Song Lian.

What kind of myth are they listening to? How could this be! How could this be!

The mere fact that a vehicle can move automatically using only water and coal, without the aid of oxen or horses, is enough to astound countless people.

Not to mention that such a thing can actually be so useful.

Far exceeding cattle, horses, donkeys, and mules.

When it comes to arable land, one person can have more than ten cows, or even more.

This is simply unimaginable and inconceivable!
"Is what Mr. Song is saying some kind of myth?"

After a moment of surprise, someone immediately looked at Song Lian and said...

"I didn't believe it at first either, but His Majesty said it was absolutely true."

He also said, "Otherwise, why would he have gone to so much trouble and spent so much money to establish an industrial university?"

His Majesty also said that this is just the beginning.

This will undoubtedly bring even more new changes in the future.

It will better benefit the people and the Ming Dynasty.

His Majesty said this is called "revitalizing the nation through science and technology!"

"Mr. Song, this is impossible!"

Some people still expressed disbelief.

Song Lian said, "I know you were greatly shocked, and so was I."

But what I want to say is that Your Majesty is a man of outstanding talent.

They did this so openly and clearly told me, and they weren't afraid of me telling you, and they even gave me a five-year agreement.

So what other reason could there be besides the fact that an industrial university can actually produce these things?
It can only be if His Majesty truly has the confidence to actually accomplish these things.

How could he possibly tell lies on such a matter concerning the fate of the nation?
Gentlemen, if His Majesty dares to do and say such things, why can't we set aside our prejudices and give His Majesty more time?

Let's take a look together!

If we haven't produced such a machine in five years, then it won't be too late for you gentlemen to attack the Industrial University.

At that time, I, along with all of you virtuous gentlemen, would demand an explanation from His Majesty.

Look at this industrial university! Is it truly beneficial to the country and its people, or is it just a collection of gimmicks and skills, utterly useless to the nation?

Song Lian has already said such things, what else can the people present say?
Although many people are still shocked and still think that what Song Lian said is simply impossible.

However, since things have come to this point, it's really not appropriate to say anything more under these circumstances.

"Gentlemen, please disperse and go about your own business."

I know that among you wise men, most of you want what is best for the Ming Dynasty and for Confucianism.

However, there is a proper way to do things; you can't just do things blindly.

You can't be unaware of the situation, be misled by others, or act rashly based on what they say.

We scholars are best at using our brains.

How can they be so incapable of distinguishing right from wrong?

After speaking, Song Lian bowed deeply to everyone present.

Then, with someone's help, she got down and left.

Song Lian left, but the many people who had gathered there did not leave.

Watching Song Lian's departing figure, many people felt extremely complicated.

After a while of silence, people began to leave.

Just as Zhu Yuanzhang had predicted, Song Lian's clear stance on this matter was bound to influence many people.

Even if many people don't believe it, there are still some who are willing to believe Song Lian. Furthermore, this incident can be used to severely divide and win over these people, and to strike a blow to their arrogance!

If we can divide and win them over, then we'll have to do a lot more things.

Isn't this also a way to distinguish friend from foe?
“What Master Song said makes sense, and that is indeed the case.”

With Your Majesty's great talent and strategic vision, how could you not have considered all these matters? How could you act recklessly in such a matter?

Since Your Majesty has said so, you must be confident in this matter.

Such things may sound unbelievable, but they might actually happen.

If it comes true, it will be a great blessing for our Great Ming Dynasty. I am willing to wait a little longer!

"Gentlemen, let's disperse for now. We scholars should indeed consider the interests of our country more."

Soon after Song Lian left, people began to speak out and express their opinions.

And then leave from here.

"Pah! Don't listen to this person's nonsense."

What great Confucian scholar? What high-sounding words are you spouting?
He's a lackey, a traitor to Confucianism!
The survival of Confucianism hinges on this moment!

If we, the Confucianists, do not rise up now, do not uphold justice now, and do not defend Confucianism, then we will surely fail.

What will become of Confucianism then?

There can be absolutely no compromise!
Do whatever you want!

"All you virtuous and righteous people, you must not be misled by others."

In matters like this, I believed the words of a petty person.

Such things are a matter of either progress or regression. The Confucian school has achieved its current status only through the tireless efforts of countless wise men, generation after generation.

Now, our Confucian school is facing such a situation again, a matter of life and death.

How can we, as scholars, be afraid to risk our lives? How can we be as fearful as tigers, afraid to uphold justice, and allow people to call black white?

"Gentlemen! We cannot give up now! If you retreat one step today, you will have to retreat ten steps, a hundred steps in the future!"
My Confucianism will therefore be crippled and never recover!
Faced with such a situation, we scholars would not dare to fight back.

How will our forefathers view us? How will future generations view us?

How can you criticize us behind our backs? We cannot back down on this matter!
Don't listen to that guy surnamed Song!
What he said today is nothing but sophistry and sophistry!
They keep saying they haven't betrayed Confucianism, claiming they're acting for the sake of Confucianism and the greater good of the nation.

But in reality, he was just lying! He was making excuses for his betrayal of Confucianism!

These actions are utterly outrageous!

"Gentlemen, do not listen to his sweet talk and fall into his evil trap!"

Someone shouted, urging everyone to continue the fight.

Unwilling to accept defeat like this! Wanting to continue uniting people's hearts and minds.

This is a particularly good opportunity for many of them.

Even under these circumstances, the emperor was still able to easily turn the tide.

In the future, their Confucianism will certainly be affected and decline.

This is what they said they didn't want to see.

It's good to take shelter under a big tree; only when Confucianism prospers can its disciples benefit.

The current emperor's perverse actions and series of practices are truly unacceptable to them.

We must be firm and not slacken in the slightest.

After this person spoke, soon more people spoke up, saying similar things.

Tell everyone not to be discouraged and not to be misled by Song Lian.

Some people even started verbally abusing Song Lian.

Even the title of Confucian master is no longer effective.

Others defended Song Lian, supported his views, and argued with them.

And so, chaos quickly descended upon the place...

Song Lian returned home and, reflecting on the events of the day and his own actions, couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

He knew that after doing such a thing, his reputation was completely ruined.

It's impossible to be admired by countless people again, and to have countless people respectfully following you wherever you go, just like before.

But... this time, he really had no other choice but to do it this way.

But the most fundamental reason is something only he himself knows; he can't tell anyone else.

Rotten grass turns into fireflies! That's rotten grass turning into fireflies!

If we ignore this matter and allow the emperor to make a big deal out of it, it will be disastrous for our Confucian school, something that is simply unbearable!
It's even more serious than the situation at industrial universities!

Moreover, the reason he spoke to these people today was not merely because the emperor had found a weakness in him regarding the matter of rotten grass turning into fireflies.

They also trusted the emperor to some extent, believing he wouldn't act recklessly.

While the emperor might act recklessly regarding Confucianism, he would absolutely not do so when it comes to matters concerning the Ming Dynasty.

He longed for the Ming Dynasty to prosper more than anyone else.
Machines and such things sound unbelievable.

But as I said before, is it really true that the emperor dared to say such things without any basis?
The current emperor often appears impulsive and acts somewhat arbitrarily.

Only through in-depth understanding can one realize that this is not the case.

Many of these claims are merely superficial and used to deceive people. Anyone who actually believes the emperor is reckless is truly foolish.

They're so stupid they're beyond redemption; the emperor will have them completely under his thumb.

As a Han Chinese, how could he not think about making the Ming Dynasty better while considering Confucianism?
What the emperor said was certainly absurd, but if it could be accomplished, how wonderful it would be for the Ming Dynasty and for all the people under heaven.

How inspiring!
Now, Song Lian only hopes that he can live a little longer to witness a better Ming Dynasty.

I hope that what Your Majesty says is true.

If one day I could see that these things are truly real, I would die without regret!
Even Song Lian, after experiencing such a major event today, was unable to calm down for a while.

He hoped that these people would realize their mistakes and return to the right path after hearing his words.

Don't make the same mistake again.

Your Majesty's conviction and resolve in this matter are so firm.

Even a great Confucian scholar like myself was no match for him, as he found the saying "rotten grass turns into fireflies" to suppress me.

How could there be no way to deal with these people outside?
If they continue to make a fuss and stop before things get better, given His Majesty's personality and abilities, some people may encounter very bad things.

It's easy to lose your life.

This is definitely not what he wanted to see!
He had already made himself clear, but some people still insisted on their own opinions, so there was nothing he could do.

All we can do is mourn for them.

……

"OK!"

Upon hearing the report, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but laugh out loud, feeling exceptionally happy.

This time things went quite well; Song Lian certainly didn't disappoint me, and I had him completely under my control.

The trick of turning decaying grass into fireflies is very effective.

Now that Song Lian has done all these things and said all the things he needed to say,

I have already done more than enough for these people; I am letting the great Confucian scholar Song Lian speak and persuade them.

Then, if there are still some people who don't know what's good for them and don't know when to advance or retreat...

They'll have to taste the iron fist.

If we don't give them a good beating, they won't know what it means to be powerful!
These wretches deserve to be taught a lesson!

……

"Gentlemen, let's surround the Industrial University! Some craftsmen want to cause trouble too?"

"They brazenly enter academia, daring to compare themselves to Confucian scholars? What are they!"

"And what's this talk about making it another leg, on par with our Confucianism? These craftsmen, do they even deserve it?"

Some people left, but others seemed very radical.

Instead of being persuaded by Song Lian's words, he became even more indignant.

Someone shouted insults, directly targeting the university of technology.

And they headed towards this place.

Many people responded and headed towards the industrial university, quickly surrounding it...

"Brother Huang, how about we... not go? We can't get involved in this kind of thing anymore."

Someone looked at Huang Zicheng and spoke in a scholarly tone, with some hesitation and doubt.

Huang Zicheng shook his head and said, "It's alright, we're just going to go and make a show of force, and see how things develop."

Song Lian is such a disappointment. As a great Confucian scholar, how could he say such things? It's truly infuriating.

"Don't worry, we are just a nobody, and besides, this wasn't our idea, so nothing will happen."

Hearing him say that, the man hesitated for a moment, but still went to the Industrial University with Huang Zicheng for one yuan, mingled in the crowd, and joined the crowd in their condemnation.

Things soon took an unexpected turn.

Not long after, someone actually used stones to smash the plaque of the Industrial University!
And someone set it on fire!!

(End of this chapter)