Ming Dynasty, New Rome, and Infinite Divine Machine

But the straw platform is the straw platform, and the world just works like this. Because although human society faces various problems, the distribution of problems is not uniform. As long as it does not touch sharp objects, a balloon can be blown into a huge one in a place where no one can see.

Although this giant made of mirage is fake, as long as no one dares to come up and expose it, there is no difference between him and a real giant.

Now, no one dared to attack—Kagoshima was not without city defenses; there were obviously coastal artillery. Even if there were coastal artillery, Taros could easily withstand it, but those coastal artillery didn't even have the courage to open fire.

After all, not everyone in this world would dare to poke a giant with a toothpick. Even if it were a balloon that would burst with a single poke, no one would dare to actually test the thickness of its skin. Not to mention, the skin was indeed quite thick. While it was indeed "easy to poke," at least a sturdy needle would be needed.

However, Shangluo could also see that it was not just here that would be frightened by the mirage. Even if this giant suddenly appeared along the coast of Jinei, it would probably scare a lot of people.

[But the mirage itself is not heat-resistant, so this is okay. 】

"Do you know how heat-resistant this 'heat-resistant' is?"

[I don’t know. He didn’t say.]

"Hmm," Shangluo shook his head, "It seems that this thing really needs to be watched. Moreover, even if it is fake, as long as it stays in the Dragon Palace, even if it is fake, it can become real."

[To some extent, if you live in fiction all your life, then there is no need to investigate whether the real 'reality' exists. After all, although matter can be virtual, life is not fake. This is another possibility for human beings - very close to the route of Rome.]

"If the Romans were allowed to choose, would they choose Dragon Palace?"

【Cybernia is essentially a kind of 'Dragon Palace'. It's just that the Dragon Palace has a fixed location, while Cybernia can be further expanded. The Romans found a place where the sun could not reach, and built a reality that belonged only to them. But the route of the Dragon Palace was not a bad idea for the Romans. After all, most Romans - I mean Roman nobles, they rarely left the gates of Constantinople in their entire lives. So what if the world outside Constantinople is fake to them?】

“Because matter can be fictional, but life and stories are real.”

[After all, the human spirit is not in the material realm. What constitutes your personality is not the physical things like food, clothing, housing, and transportation, but what you see and hear, your stories, your consciousness, and your life. Even if it is false data, it can still create and maintain your life.]

"I will continue to supervise the affairs of the Dragon Palace - but for now, just use it as a weapon and give them a big dream. Tsk, if you think about it carefully, I am really kind."

[You think that killing is unnecessary, right? If you can find a little necessity, you will do it? ]

"You make it sound like I'm a demon who kills without blinking an eye. I just think that no one should stand in the way of the Heavenly Court. Of course, I don't deny that I do lack patience with certain ethnic groups, which makes my threshold for taking action more sensitive. But in principle, I still don't want to be a demon king."

He pointed in front of him: "So you see, I just launched a mental attack. Look at them running around on the shore, they are having so much fun~~"

[Oh my, that's true - so, the call you arranged is ready. Tsk, you just want to show this happy scene to Mr. Shimazu, right?]

Chapter 1124 Bottles and Jars on the Island

"No! Please don't do this!"

Shimazu looked at the image projected on the screen. The giant was approaching the shore, and the waves raised by the giant's feet had already hit the shore. And Kagoshima on the shore was his home, his castle and the people in his territory.

"So, you still don't say anything?" Fu Yuanshan leaned against the door, looking at the prisoner sitting on the iron chair inside.

Shimazu was not tied with ropes because there was no need. He did not want to run and did not dare to run. In this vast ocean, he could not run far. And more importantly, he had his family and his people. Everything that belonged to him was on the way forward of the king's army.

Shangluo had already taken a picture of the scene, and specifically focused his vision on the castle in Kagoshima Castle.

The Shimazu family, the lord of the Satsuma Domain. During the Imjin War, they were called "Ishimanko", which is the pronunciation of the word "Shimazu". After Tokugawa Ieyasu established the shogunate in Edo Castle, the old lords such as the Shimazu family were not eliminated, but continued in the order of the new era.

Although they were treated differently by the Edo Shogunate, the Shogunate still maintained a considerable degree of respect for the Shimazu family of Satsuma Domain due to their remote distance and strong power.

This is also a political rule. The Tokugawa family, who also came from the samurai class, would not kill the Shimazu family if it was not necessary. Because even if they killed them all, they still had to send people to manage such a faraway place, and the shogunate did not have the ability to manage millions of people in such a large area from such a distance.

The two sides had been living in peace and relative stillness until something strange happened.

The Shimazu family, who were the farthest away, had no way or channel to learn what was happening in Edo Castle. Although this was confusing, life had to go on.

And now, Master Wang might really destroy his life - because these rules don't matter to Master Wang at all. Master Wang doesn't care about the bottles and jars on an island. Master Wang didn't even have the interest to find out what his name was, he just called him Shi Manzi.

He was scared because he knew that Master Wang really didn't care about him. He didn't have any cards to play, and he could do nothing except beg for mercy.

As for the resistance—they were caught while they were resisting. He was already a criminal, so he couldn't get away from it anyway.

"Please! My parents and my children are still in the city!"

"I know." Fu Yuanshan shook his head. "So, I want to know where Xu Fu is. I don't want to ask you how many bottles and jars you have, I just want to know where Xu Fu is."

"Who is Xu Fu! Who on earth is Xu Fu? I really don't know! Who on earth is Xu Fu!"

"Tsk." Shang Luo heard the conversation and shook his head. "He doesn't even say anything. It seems like he really doesn't know."

[I didn't expect a non-core figure in the Edo Shogunate to know where Xu Fu was. 】

"Of course I know that. So what I want to ask is - where is that Urashima Taro. The legend of Urashima Taro first originated around here."

"Ah, indeed. If we could find Urashima Taro's location, we could follow the clues and find him—but, it doesn't seem to be here. According to the information I've searched, this story happened near the ancient capital of Wo. How do you explain this?"

"Well, actually, this involves what exactly 'Waguo' is. Have you noticed that I have been talking about Waguo, not Japan? Senior Fu, have you noticed?"

"Hmm?" Fu Yuanshan replied, "I thought you just called it that out of habit. We call it Japan more often here. Do you know any secrets?"

"It's not really a secret, it's just a research result, and it was researched by the Japanese people there. Senior Fu, let me ask you, in your impression, when was the first time that Japan was canonized?"

"Of course it was during the Three Kingdoms period, when the king of Wa went to pay tribute to Cao Wei and was crowned king. That's what our history books say. How come this is fake?"

"It's very likely fake. The country we're actually dealing with might not be the current Japan, but Wakoku."

"Huh?" Fu Yuanshan was stunned for a moment, "You also know this? How did you know it? Let's not talk about where it came from, why are there two?"

"Let me tell you one more thing. Senior Fu, you understand the nature of this matter. When Emperor Taizu Gao accepted the tribute states, the current Ryukyu Kingdom did not actually exist, right? The Ryukyu Kingdom has always been composed of three parts: Zhongshan, Beishan, and Nanshan. These three parts were three countries that paid tribute separately. After that, the unified Ryukyu Kingdom was established, but the imperial edicts issued to the three Ryukyu were still in their hands. Ryukyu relied on three imperial edicts for each person to pay tribute three times."

"That's true." Fu Yuanshan replied, "We turned a blind eye to this matter before. Everyone knew that there was a Ryukyu Kingdom there, but tribute trade itself is sometimes a mirage. It's a matter of exchanging money and goods. It's not a big problem for Ryukyu to sell goods twice. This is a special treatment for respectful tributary countries. Later, during the Yongqing Restoration, similar problems were solved in a centralized manner. After that, the Ryukyu Kingdom really came to pay tribute in the name of 'Ryukyu Kingdom'."

After saying that, he thought for a moment and said, "You mean, the Japan we were dealing with at that time was not actually the Japan of today, right?"

"Yes, and it is very likely. You may have heard that there is a shaman king in Japan who has a 'permanent line', but that is just some kind of mythological creation. In fact, during the Han Dynasty, the King Himiko of Wa who dealt with us did not live on Honshu Island where Wajing is today, but on Kyushu Island right in front of us."

"So, that's two?"

"Yes. It was Kyushu's Wa that paid tribute to the Wei Dynasty. It was Kyushu's Wa that fought against the Tang Dynasty at Baekgang. They also learned the Taika Reforms of the Tang Dynasty in Kyushu. Abe's story is all about the 'Kyushu Kingdom' here. But the 'Yamato Kingdom' that rose in the central part of Honshu took over this part of history. The one we are dealing with has never been the current disguised Witch King. The real Wa is someone else, and they have already swallowed it up."

"So there is such a thing?! Are you serious? Are you sure it's true?"

"Kyushu did have a monarchy, that's true. But the transition between the two has been completely covered up, because Japan has no tradition of compiling history, and we have no way to conduct archaeological excavations in Japan from a scientific perspective."

"Well, it would be nice to have an explanation. Impersonating the Japanese to pay tribute is a crime of deceiving the emperor. If we put it all together, we will have a lot of tools to use - oh, this Shimazu, he is a 'Japanese', right?"

"He 'could' be. Because before investigating and studying it, I don't know whether this hypothesis is completely correct."

"Could it be? Then he is. Oh my, this is a Japanese who was oppressed by the Japanese. This is an old friend. Come on, let's go to the private room and talk. What? Demolish your house? Impossible, we still have to build your house. It seems that your good fortune has come."

Chapter 1125 Japanese

"What? I'm Japanese?"

"Yes, I think you are Japanese. I think we have a lot to talk about."

Fu Yuanshan and Shimazu were talking. In fact, Shimazu could speak Chinese, although his accent was strange and his grammar was a bit problematic, but the two sides could generally communicate.

"So that's how it is." After a few words of communication, Fu Yuanshan realized that the two sides were almost connected in their thinking, and he also realized the key to all this:

As a great feudal lord, as the lord of Satsuma, his knowledge of Chinese studies would not be bad, because the "state religion" of the Edo shogunate was Zhu Xi's philosophy, or the study of benevolence - in other words, Confucianism.

The concept of Confucianism is quite vague, and in many cases "Confucianism" cannot be called a religion. However, in Korea, Japan, and Vietnam, Zhu Xi's philosophy is indeed regarded as a religion. Because Confucianism, as a religion, is indeed necessary for its existence here: it can exclude Buddhism and suppress Buddhism.

Buddhism is a very real problem faced by North Korea, Japan and Vietnam. The road is long and difficult, and suffering is inevitable. People always need to solve the problem of suffering spiritually before they can face the world. Therefore, religion also has a necessary place in society. In the eastern part of the world island, Buddhism occupies this ecological niche.

In today's Ming Dynasty, all the sufferings that threaten the continuation of human life are about to be resolved. But in the past, this suffering was unspeakable.

Buddha said that there are sufferings of birth, aging, illness, and death. There are all kinds of sufferings that cannot be obtained. Buddhism relieves suffering and occupies this stable ecological niche. There are countless great figures in history who have abandoned secular life in order to worship Buddhism, and this has been repeatedly banned. Because in the final analysis, Buddhism is just a means to relieve suffering. Banning Buddhism is just a temporary solution. As long as there is suffering in this world, there will be people who want to find a way to relieve suffering.

Buddhism had conflicts with local courts in the eastern part of the world island. This conflict reached its peak in the Song Dynasty and triggered the dispute between Buddhism and Taoism. However, what resolved the dispute between Buddhism and Taoism was not a stronger Buddhism or Taoism, nor a stronger debate, but a new thing that had never existed before, an ancient weapon rooted in the cultural bottom - Confucianism, which was brought out again by Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism.

When Buddhism was studying the solution to suffering, Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism proposed a new viewpoint: Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism does not care whether you are reborn in heaven or fall into hell. Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism does not care about your inner world at all. Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism does not care about suffering itself. Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism only cares about one thing - the expression of suffering.

Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism is not concerned with "the resolution of suffering", but only with suppressing "the expression of suffering". It is concerned with whether "your expression of suffering" has broken through the boundaries of propriety, whether it has affected your responsibilities between heaven and earth, and whether it has violated "heavenly principles".

In other words, within the boundaries of etiquette, you are free to express your suffering. Whether you believe in Buddhism, like to drink wine at Qinhuai River, like little boys in women's clothing, or even like women's clothing yourself, these are all your personal affairs, all trivial. As long as you don't express it, all of this is within the scope of etiquette.

Within this framework, you can continue to be a devout Buddhist and visit Buddhist temples from time to time. But as long as you limit it to personal matters and do not affect others, no one will care.

——This "truth" developed within the empire had an excellent inhibitory effect on Buddhism and all religions, especially among the scholar-official class.

Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism thus filled this gap in the concept of "suffering" from a civilizational perspective. This patch was quickly updated to the versions of Korea, Japan, and Vietnam due to the need to demonstrate its existence, and quickly became the official orthodoxy in these countries, being enshrined as the supreme truth of the entire tributary world. Because it really worked.

Especially in Japan. In Japan, where temples and shrines are intertwined, these "Buddhists" in Japan really shouted "Those who advance will be reborn in heaven, and those who retreat will go to hell", waving naginata and muskets to pry open the heads of feudal lords. Even Tokugawa Ieyasu himself almost died in the rebellion of Buddhists in the early years of his entrepreneurship.

As the founder of the Edo Shogunate, Tokugawa Ieyasu was resentful about this incident for his entire life. He personally patched the Edo Shogunate with this "Imperial Truth" patch, thereby suppressing the expansion of temples and shrines under the shogunate system. The feudal lords, or "daimyo", still believed in Buddhism, but no one dared to devote everything to Buddhism, and instead spent their resources on personal living expenses.

——Of course, Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism also had new problems after this. But it doesn’t matter, because the source of Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism lies in Confucianism. Zhouli said that “Confucianism wins the people with the way”. The essence of Confucianism is a kind of magician, a magician of ritual. It does not need to go west to obtain scriptures in order to debate the scriptures. Its “right to interpret the scriptures” is in the hands of the court itself. The court will always keep pace with the times and selectively express the part of this set of “imperial truths” that is needed at the moment.

Japan, which implemented the same system, also received the same favor. The spread of this system also made Confucianism and its related Chinese literary thoughts widely respected throughout the tributary world.

The spiritual world of Shimazu in front of me is actually very similar to my own. Although his version has not been updated much:

For example, in the imperial court, the name of Zhu Xi's school and even Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism itself is rarely mentioned, but the "Imperial Truth" still exists. The current Imperial Truth is divided into two parts: Renxue and Neo-Confucianism.

The discipline of Neo-Confucianism is to explore the truth and exhaust one's nature, and finally reach destiny. The discipline of Benevolence is to cultivate oneself, regulate one's family, and bring peace to the world. This ethical order now also guides all aspects of social life. For example, it is generally believed that the highest virtue of a company also has two aspects: engaging in basic scientific research, or promoting the welfare of the people. These correspond to the two virtues of Neo-Confucianism and Benevolence.

If a large company is unable to invest in basic scientific research, it should at least pay attention to social welfare. If it fails to do so, it is a manifestation of lack of morality. What determines a company's social reputation is its R&D investment and welfare investment.

Did Zhu Xi really think that advanced mathematics would become part of "investigating things and seeking knowledge"? Fu Yuanshan himself thinks it is unlikely - from experience, it is more likely that Zhu Xi himself would agree with this. But this is not important at all. What Zhu Xi himself thought is not important at all.

"So, you said you are not Japanese?" Fu Yuanshan shook his head, "I think you can be. Do you think you are?"

Chapter 1126 Loyalty

"I am I?"

"Very good, very good." In the tea room, Fu Yuanshan handed him a cup of tea. "I think we can talk about this matter. Although your accent is a bit strange, I can still confirm that you are not a barbarian, right?"

I think you are a human being - this sentence became a great comfort to Shimazu when he was already in prison. He knew that he would really be treated as a human being.

"Yes, yes, yes, I am really not a barbarian. I also grew up reading books of sages, and I believe that the people are more important than the king."

"How dare you! How can you say that? Have you updated your version?"

"Version? Ah. Ah! Our Zhu Xi philosophy still has some traditions."

"How dare you talk about Zhu Xi's philosophy in front of me? How ridiculous. You are a lunatic who is showing off your skills in front of experts. You don't really think you can talk about the philosophy of benevolence, do you?"

"Ah? Renxue? Ah." The version has been updated to Confucianism, and Zhu Xixue is an old thing from the previous version. Shimazu knew nothing about it.

"I don't expect to discuss this with you. You just need to know that the court still recognizes your ideas. Although our cutting-edge philosophies of benevolence and rationalism have completely covered the outdated Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism, your loyalty is still worthy of praise. After all, in this muddled world, only you can understand the teachings of the saints a little bit."

"It is my great honor!" Shimazu bowed his head and replied. He did not dare to discuss the specific content of "Imperial Truth" anymore. He knew that at this time, all he had to do was cheer.

"Very good. Then tell me exactly what's going on now."

"But General! Even so, I don't know where Xu Fu is! I really don't know!"

After going around in circles, Shimazu, who had just calmed down, fell into panic again. Because this really couldn't solve the problem, the whole thing had nothing to do with him. He knew nothing about Xu Fu or anything related to Xu Fu.

"Tsk, if you don't know, then you don't know. I believe you now. But on the other hand, I still want to ask, do you know that the place you are in was actually 'Waguo' in the past?"

"Wakoku? I heard it was Yamataikoku, and Wakoku seems to be in Kyoto. Bah! Wakoku seems to be in Minoko. But there are also opposite opinions."

"Just tell me whether you are Japanese or not!"

"Yes, yes, yes! I can be a Japanese! I really can be a Japanese!"

This is the biggest difference between him and before. Now the court needs him to be a Japanese, so he can indeed be a Japanese.

"Very good. Then, from now on, we will treat you and Edo separately. Your country of Japan was previously bewitched by Yamatai, and the whole country fell into the hands of Yamatai, and even the history was usurped by them. The court will not attack you, but only Edo."

"Understood! Understood! I am a Japanese. The Tokugawa family is from Yamatai. They are the enemy of Japan. I remember it all. Japan is the slave country of the Han Dynasty. This is clearly written in the book. We have long been loyal slaves of Japan."

Fu Yuanshan nodded - he knew it was flattering, even a little disgusting. But he also knew it was a last resort. The army of the King's division was pointing at his home, and his wife and children were all in the city. He didn't dare to resist, for he was afraid that if he said something wrong, his whole family would pay an irreparable and terrible price.

"Very good. I think you will be able to return to your own territory soon. In addition, you will be able to meet your family soon. We also want to investigate Urashima Taro later, and I hope you will cooperate."

Shimazu nodded profusely in gratitude, not daring to delay at all, and left as soon as he finished speaking.

Fu Yuanshan took a sip of tea and said, "Ah, that's really refreshing."

Suddenly, the phone rang.

"Hmm? This is... His Majesty the Emperor! You! Do you know everything that's going on here? Really? We can't do this? Okay, I'll stop it right away."

"You don't have to call me. It's inconvenient for you to talk about this. I'll talk to Shangluo directly. Some things are better for me to say."

"clear."

Soon, the call came to Shangluo.