You must know that the first most powerful thing about a literati is his pen, and the second most powerful thing is his words.
A great literati can turn black into white.
Unfortunately, Fang Xiaoru is a very powerful scholar.
In Zhu Yunxi's eyes, Mr. Fang has always been dignified, and he can speak clearly and eloquently about anything.
It was too late for all the little beans to get dizzy, let alone to raise any thoughts of resistance.
In front of such a powerful Mr. Fang, can the little brother win?
At this time, even the young princes who were making noises in the back row fell silent and stared at Fang Xiaoru and Hu Changan without blinking.
Even Fang Xiaoru was a little unhappy.
As the leader of the world's literati, he has always been highly respected, and everyone followed him. It has been a long time since anyone dared to question him face to face.
Fang Xiaoru suppressed the slight displeasure in his heart, cupped his hands and said, "I wonder what Master Hu has to say about this?"
Hu Changan smiled slightly and bowed: "Everyone thinks that the Yuan Dynasty did not respect Confucianism. In fact, the Yuan Dynasty also tried to reuse Confucianism."
"In the beginning, Kublai Khan, the ruler of the Yuan Dynasty, also thought about using Confucianism to rule the country and restore vitality to the Central Plains after the war."
"For this reason, Kublai Khan specially used Liu Bingzhong, Yao Shu and other great Confucian scholars who had taken refuge in the Yuan Dynasty to carry out Jianyuan reforms."
"At first, Confucianism did change the dilapidated post-war situation of the Central Plains to a certain extent, but this was contrary to the purpose of the Yuan Dynasty's rule."
"Confucianism advocates valuing justice over profit, using light taxation to allow people to recuperate and hide wealth among the people."
"However, the Yuan Dynasty was just a foreign race after all, and they did not have such a strong sense of national identity for the people of the Central Plains. In their eyes, the Central Plains was just the granary they conquered and a tool to support them."
"At this time, the Yuan Dynasty was going through many consuming wars, and its need for money was even more urgent."
"At this time, Confucianism not only failed to bring considerable wealth to the rulers of the Yuan Dynasty, but also reduced the taxes that the rulers of the Yuan Dynasty could have collected."
"Since Confucianism could not achieve the goals of the rulers, it had no choice but to be marginalized by the rulers of the Yuan Dynasty."
After hearing this, Fang Xiaoru couldn't help but be speechless and couldn't say a word for a long time.
After years of war, there are very few records about the previous dynasty.
Even a great scholar like Fang Xiaoru, who was well-read in poetry and books, did not know that there was such a period of history in the Yuan Dynasty.
Fang Xiaoru wanted to refute, but Hu Changan spoke in a clear and logical manner. As soon as he heard it, he knew that he was not making it up.
However, Fang Xiaoru is not a vegetarian either.
After a moment, Fang Xiaoru came to his senses and used retreat as a way forward: "Your Excellency is talking about why the Mongolians do not agree with Confucianism. I also agree with your views. But doesn't this just prove the importance of Confucianism?"
"It seems that only if the king uses Confucianism can the country enjoy long-term peace and stability."
"No, no." Hu Changan smiled lightly and continued to refute Fang Xiaoru's point of view.
"Dong Xianggong of the Song Dynasty during the Warring States Period believed in Confucianism and preached benevolence and righteousness everywhere."
"King Chu Cheng led his troops to attack the Song Dynasty, and faced Song Xianggong's troops across the river."
"The counselor advised Song Xianggong that it is not as good as righteousness if the enemy is strong and we are weak. Song Xianggong disagreed, thinking that he was a teacher of benevolence and righteousness and could not be defeated."
"Song Xianggong even ordered someone to make a big flag with the words benevolence and righteousness written on it, hoping to use benevolence and righteousness to defeat the Chu army."
"The next day, the Chu army crossed the river directly in front of Song Xianggong. The counselor was overjoyed and suggested that Song Xianggong take the Chu army to cross the river and kill him halfway across the river, catching the Chu army by surprise."
"But Song Xianggong didn't think so, and refuted the counselor, saying that we, the Song Dynasty, are benevolent and righteous soldiers. How can we take advantage of others' unpreparedness and launch an attack?"
"So, Song Xianggong waited for the Chu army to cross the river and set up their formation before launching the attack."
"As expected, the Song army was directly defeated by the Chu army. Even Song Xianggong himself almost didn't escape from the battlefield alive."
"If all monarchs insist on governing the country with benevolence and righteousness, wouldn't they all be beaten to pieces when encountering such a situation in war?"
After hearing this, Fang Xiaoru was a little stunned.
Fang Xiaoru had also seen this matter in ancient books.
But when he saw Gui, Fang Xiaoru didn't think too much at the time, he just glanced at it and passed by.
Now that Hu Changan mentioned it and analyzed it in detail, Fang Xiaoru didn't know how to respond.
Is it possible that he is completely ignorant of the shortcomings of Confucianism?
However, as a great Confucian of the time, he has studied Confucian classics since childhood. Over the years, Confucian culture has been integrated into his blood and bones, and he can no longer question it.
While Fang Xiaoru was stunned, Hu Changan continued to pursue the victory and said: "The Song Dynasty respected Confucianism and educated all people with etiquette. It can be called a model of Confucian governance."
"However, it was precisely because of excessive benevolence and righteousness that there were no soldiers available in the court. In the end, the barbarians of Yuan and Meng knocked on the door of the country and lost great rivers and mountains."
"So, Confucianism has certain limitations."
"When the political power is stable, it is suitable to use Confucianism to educate the people, hide wealth among the people, and make the country strong."
"When there is a powerful foreign invasion, or when it is necessary to send troops abroad, we should appropriately abandon Confucianism and adopt special wartime methods to protect our country."
As soon as Hu Changan finished speaking, all the little kids quickly applauded.
Today, the Ming Dynasty was only established for more than ten years, and Zhu Yuanzhang himself was also the founding emperor on horseback.
All the princes and grandsons have grown up listening to the story of Zhu Yuanzhang's expansion of territory, and naturally they are full of expectations for going to the battlefield to defend their families and the country.
Listening to Hu Changan's narration, the princes couldn't help but feel excited, wishing they could immediately put aside this boring textbook and go to the battlefield to fight.
Hu Chang'an was also surprised by the enthusiasm of these little kids. He waved his hands and said: "Princes, our Ming Dynasty has just been established. It is a time for cultivation and recuperation. Confucianism is still very important."
"You must study hard in the future and strive to become a good vassal king who can bring order to the world with his literary skills and his military skills."
After all the princes heard this, their enthusiasm was somewhat dampened.
But then everyone became enthusiastic again.
Hehehe, it would be good to learn more knowledge now. Confucianism can also help manage the territory.
Thinking of this, all the princes looked at the boring and boring textbooks in front of them and became a little satisfied.
At this time, Fang Xiaoru finally recovered from his shock, leaned over and gave a long salute to Hu Changan, and sighed sincerely: "It is true that a hero comes from a young age. Mr. Hu's knowledge is beyond shame."
"To be told this by Mr. Hu, I really feel ashamed of the title of Prince and Tutor."
"If Mr. Hu doesn't dislike it, I will immediately go to your Majesty to ask Mr. Hu to serve as a lecturer for all the princes!"