Great Song Dynasty Writer

Chapter 230 A National Hero's Vessel
"Cough cough."

Mei Yaochen let out a barely audible cough.

Yan Jidao, standing next to him, had the typical mindset of an aristocratic scion. He didn't care about these philosophical propositions, but he was quite interested in matters of the court.

Therefore, Yan Jidao smiled slightly, picked up the teacup but did not sip, only looked at the tea foam floating in the cup, waiting for Lu Beigu's answer.

Lu Beigu was well aware that this issue was not only about his personal status in the Qingsong Society and his importance in the eyes of Ouyang Xiu and others, but also about whether he could truly embed the sparks of thought he brought into the most urgent and grand historical narrative of this era.

"Brother Zigu, that's a good question! This question is precisely the key to moving the concept of 'contradiction' from abstract to concrete, from metaphysical thinking to practical application!"

Lu Beigu's voice was calm and composed, without the slightest hint of panic: "I should not speak recklessly in front of Lord Ouyang, but I believe that the fundamental problem with the failure of the Qingli Reforms was precisely the failure to clearly identify and properly handle the 'principal contradictions' in the national situation at that time and their mutual transformation!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, and raised his voice slightly, speaking clearly.

"What are the current ills of the Song Dynasty? The outward manifestations are the 'three redundancies' and the resulting exhaustion of the people and weakness of the nation. However, at their root, these 'three redundancies' and the 'exhaustion of the people and weakness of the nation' are not parallel problems, but rather a chain of contradictions that are progressive and mutually causal!"

"The fundamental contradiction," Lu Beigu said decisively, "lies in the increasingly acute conflict between the state affairs resulting from prolonged peace and institutional rigidity, and the increasingly strained tax base!"

"This fundamental contradiction gives rise to two key contradictions."

"Firstly, there is the contradiction between the heavy tax and labor demands generated to maintain the operation of a large state and the limits of the people's ability to bear them. When this contradiction intensifies, it leads to 'people's exhaustion' and boiling resentment, which in turn shakes the foundation."

"Secondly, the contradiction between the demands of civil and military officials to solidify their own gains and expand their privileges such as hereditary appointments and official positions, and the increasingly insufficient revenue of the national treasury, intensified the problem of 'redundant officials,' which drained the national treasury, reduced efficiency, and fostered corruption."

"As for 'redundant expenses,' it is an inevitable result of the intensification of the contradictions between the former two. As for the troubles of the northern barbarians and western bandits, they are secondary contradictions caused by the external environment after the intensification of these two key contradictions. The root cause is still the insufficiency of its own strength."

Lu Beigu's analysis was like a sharp scalpel, peeling back the layers of the Song Dynasty's deep-seated illness, revealing its inner structure and lesions nakedly to everyone!

He stopped talking about the contradiction between yin and yang and instead addressed real issues such as national affairs, taxation, and the privileges of the scholar-officials.

Zeng Gong's expression began to become serious. On the way to Kaifeng, he only knew that Lu Beigu was indeed talented and had what Fan Zhongyan called "the heart of an ancient benevolent man". He was not a hot-blooded scholar who only knew how to make achievements and did not understand the suffering of the people.

However, when it came to matters of state, Lu Beigu spent most of his time on the ship listening to Zeng Gong and Lü Huiqing discuss them, and didn't say much himself.

This time, Zeng Gong truly witnessed Lu Beigu's insights into politics.

"As for Fan Zhongyan's new policies, his ambition is as clear as the sun and moon!"

Lu Beigu continued, "However, in my humble opinion, its failure lies in its failure to accurately grasp the primary and secondary aspects of this contradiction."

Ouyang Xiu straightened up and said in a deep voice, "Tell me in detail."

As a participant in the Qingli Reforms, Ouyang Xiu reflected countless times on why he failed during the more than ten years he was exiled.

Ouyang Xiu certainly regretted that his unconventional masterpiece, "On Factions," had handed Lü Yijian a knife, but that wasn't the root cause, merely the result. As for the true reason for the failure of the Qingli Reforms, Ouyang Xiu never truly understood it. He thought about it extensively, but all his conclusions felt somewhat ambiguous. It was like a knot in his heart, constantly making him feel very uneasy.

Today, at the Qingsong Society gathering, this young man was able to analyze the success and failure of the Qingli Reforms from a unique perspective, which made Ouyang Xiu take it seriously.

"The various policies of the Qingli New Deal, such as clarifying promotion and demotion, suppressing opportunism, refining the imperial examination system, selecting capable officials, equalizing public land distribution, promoting agriculture and sericulture, strengthening military preparedness, reducing corvée labor, extending imperial favors and trust, and emphasizing orders, can be described as comprehensive and directly addressing many long-standing problems."

"However, its implementation has two problems. First, it seeks to solve multiple contradictions at the same time in an attempt to achieve comprehensiveness and speed, which disperses the power and makes it easier for opponents to gather. Second, it fails to effectively distinguish between the 'primary contradiction' and the 'secondary contradiction' and fails to concentrate its efforts on the most fundamental and urgent issue of the excessive burden on the 'nation and the people'."

"Imagine if we had clearly identified at the time that the excessive burden on the nation and its people was the primary contradiction, then the new policies should have first focused on addressing the most pressing issues and stabilizing the foundation. Once this primary contradiction had been alleviated and the nation's foundation was somewhat solidified, then we could have gradually implemented deeper policy measures. This is the principle of 'grasping the primary contradiction, concentrating efforts to break through it, and driving the transformation of secondary contradictions'!"

Lu Beigu spoke slowly, but every word seemed to carry immense force, striking the hearts of everyone present.

He not only pointed out the problems, but also provided a highly operational strategic deduction based on the "theory of contradictions." This is not just empty talk, but a profound insight pointing to specific governance strategies.

In fact, the vast majority of new policies implemented by dynasties throughout history were due to the old system becoming unsustainable.

The old system could not be sustained because of fiscal pressure.

"As for the distinction between the benevolent and the hegemonic ways," Lu Beigu looked at Zeng Gong with an open and honest gaze, "the benevolent way and the hegemonic way are not completely opposed, but rather different in terms of methods and priorities! The benevolent way of governance is the fundamental way to reconcile contradictions and achieve long-term stability; the hegemonic way of harsh laws is a drastic measure that must be taken when contradictions intensify and life and death are at stake! Both require careful consideration of the situation, a clear understanding of the primary and secondary contradictions, and a choice of which to use."

"In today's Song Dynasty, the fundamental contradictions have reached the critical point of explosion, like a river about to burst its banks. If we insist on the 'gradual approach' of benevolent rule at this time, we may miss the opportunity and cause a great disaster."

"Fan Zhongfan's spirit of 'worrying before others and enjoying after others' lies in daring to be the first in the world and doing extraordinary things. However, 'doing extraordinary things' requires 'extraordinary wisdom,' which is the wisdom to see through contradictions and grasp the key points!"

"Only by taking the benevolent way as the foundation and using necessary and swift and decisive hegemonic means, concentrating our strength, and breaking down the key obstacles that hinder the resolution of the main contradictions, can we truly alleviate the heavy burden on the 'nation and the people,' buy the Song Dynasty a chance to breathe, and pave the way for a more in-depth benevolent and righteous governance in the future."

Lu Beigu finally spoke to Ouyang Xiu.

"Therefore, I believe that the concept of 'contradiction' is not mere abstract talk. Its purpose is to discern the fundamental underlying patterns beneath the complexities of the world, distinguish between primary and secondary issues, and grasp the opportunities for transformation. In this way, it can provide a clear, effective path for managing the world, benefiting the people, governing the country, and ensuring its stability. This is my humble opinion, which may be of some small benefit to the national economy and people's livelihood."

After he finished speaking, Songtao Pavilion fell silent.

No one spoke. The lit lamps stretched and distorted everyone's shadows, casting them onto the walls.

Ouyang Xiu's hands had been gripping the edge of the cushion beneath him tightly, his knuckles turning slightly white.

His gaze was fixed on Lu Beigu, his eyes filled with indescribable shock.

This handsome young man before me could so accurately pinpoint the most painful and chronic problem of the Song Dynasty with profound philosophical insights. The depth of his analysis, the rigor of his logic, and the sharpness of his views far exceeded his age!
This is no ordinary talented person, but a national treasure!

(End of this chapter)