Chapter 172 The Controversy between Confucianism and Mohism

Huai State welcomed Mohism very much. Although Wang Pu believed that many Mohist ideas could not be realized, this did not prevent him from admiring Mohism.

You must know that in addition to these ideas, the Mohists were also craftsmen, mathematicians, and astronomers with extremely strong practical skills. They were extremely skilled in the modification of instruments, and the craftsmen and supervisors of the Huai Kingdom were not as good as them.

Those improved equipment are very good, various farm tools, spinning wheels, etc. are much easier to use than before. It is said that the Mohists also creatively produced various city defense equipment. These things can almost change the trend of a war.

With such a great talent, Wang Pu could bear it even if these Mohists scolded him in person. Moreover, although this Mohist theory is a bit naive, the world often needs these idealists.

Without these idealists, the world would be a worse place.

Although Wang Pu felt that many of their ideas could not be realized, it did not prevent Wang Pu from respecting them and thinking that Mozi was a great sage.

The Mohists came to the Huai Kingdom, led by Mozi. Everyone wore brown short collars, straw sandals, and long swords on their waists. They moved with orders and prohibitions, just like an army.

If they had not brought Wang Pu's edict, these people would have been treated as enemies when they entered the city and launched an attack.

When this group of Mohists came to the academy, many Confucian disciples in the academy were stunned.

"Who are you, and why do you come to the Academy dressed like this?"

"Does the academy have regulations on what clothes those who come to the academy must wear?"

The man was slightly startled and said, "No."

These Mohist disciples didn't say anything, and passed directly by him and entered the main hall of the Academy.

At this time, in the main hall, it was a Confucian scholar who was expounding Confucian doctrines.

"If the world is to be governed, rituals and music must be maintained, and those who violate rituals and music must be severely punished. Farmers will go to farm, soldiers will go to fight, and craftsmen will go to work, so that everyone can perform their duties."

When these Mohists came to the academy and heard the rhetoric of the Confucian scholars, they immediately frowned.

"Farmers farm, handicraftsmen work, soldiers fight, and the food and goods produced are provided for you to enjoy. Do soldiers fight for your king's selfish desires?"

"Look at the current wars that occur all over the world. People are displaced and don't have enough to eat. Is it because they don't work hard in farming? Is it because the craftsmen don't have enough clothes to cover their bodies? Is it because they don't work hard?"

"Those princes and nobles only care about their own enjoyment, but have they ever considered the common people? They are all extravagant and enjoy themselves wantonly. Do such people think they deserve to rule the world?"

"How can they compare with those holy kings in ancient times? Is this the ritual and music you maintain?"

This Mohist's words immediately disparaged the Confucian scholars' remarks as useless. However, after listening to his remarks, other scholars of the school also felt that his remarks were not unreasonable, and some even applauded loudly, which was entirely because of their appreciation.

It's not too big a deal to be lively.

The Confucian disciples who came back to their senses were immediately furious and yelled: "Who are you? You dare to speak so brazenly? Tell me your name!"

"The Mohists, the birds are slipping away!"

Qin Liuli said loudly, although Qin Liuli's clothes were simple, he looked very powerful and no one dared to underestimate him.

"Mo's family? Are you here to debate with my Confucian family?"

"I naturally have to debate with you when I come to this academy!"

Hearing this, the academy hall suddenly became excited. You must know that every school debate is a feast. The surrounding scribes also immediately began to prepare to record the remarks of both parties.

Confucian scholars are not afraid of debates. On the contrary, in the academy, only the Legalists can barely dominate the Confucians.

Since the vast majority of Legalist scholars have gone to serve in various countries, there are only three or two big cats and kittens left among Legalist scholars in the academy. How can they still be the opponents of Confucian scholars?

Now that they heard that the Mohists were coming to debate with them, these Confucian disciples were full of confidence.

It's a pity that they met Mohists who were well prepared. The ideas of Confucianism have been spread all over the world in the past few decades. These Mohists are very familiar with them, and the advantages and disadvantages of them are also clear. And Mohism's

Almost no one has heard the remarks. How can Confucianism be an opponent in such a debate?

In a debate, the Mohist disciples often hit the point with their words. The Confucian disciples were so refuted that they had no power to resist and almost covered their faces and ran away.

The other schools of thought were dumbfounded when they saw this scene. Where did this Mohist school come from, and it was so powerful!

The Confucianists were defeated in the first debate. If the secretary hadn't noticed that something was wrong and stopped the debate early to give the Confucian students some time to adjust, the scene would have been even more ugly.

For the next five days, the Confucian students and the Mohists debated five times in a row, and all five were defeated. In the end, even several Confucian students who debated doubted what they had learned.

"Except for adding some etiquette and music to show the majesty of the king, what benefit does your so-called Confucianism have to the people? It's just a name-seeking person!"

"Your Confucianism emphasizes filial piety, which means that people should observe filial piety for three years, wear sackcloth and mourning, cry day and night, endure hunger, and not eat meat. After three years, a good person will have almost half a life left. This is what is called

filial piety? Then I think you might as well follow him and continue to fulfill your filial piety."

"The people are poor, work all day long, and observe filial piety for three years. Do you want their family to starve to death?"

"Your so-called three years of filial piety is just to show others. It makes others think you are a filial son, and you are trying to win people's hearts, which is a bigger goal!"

"You promote lavish burials for the so-called filial piety, but do you know the suffering of those ordinary people? A lavish burial means that all family wealth will be dispersed."

"What you are asking for is nothing more than a false name."

"The so-called gentleman is a person who is ill and has no reputation, and he is a person who deceives the world and steals his reputation."

"Nowadays, the Huai Kingdom is at its peak, and the princes are afraid of it. Can the Huai Kingdom honor and bury them with lavish funerals? The Dukes of Huai in past dynasties have passed away with only a piece of jade and bamboo slips to record their lives. Only those with high merits will have tripod inscriptions to record their lives."

"You like to be extravagant, and it is common to have rich burials, but you call it filial piety, how ridiculous it is!"

After five consecutive days of debate, the Confucian students were completely defeated and were almost scolded by the Mohists. A large part of the reason for this was that Confucianism was an aristocratic doctrine and was not down to earth.

For example, even a well-to-do family cannot afford a rich burial. There are also those complicated sacrificial rituals. Who else except the nobles would use them?

On the contrary, the Mohist family stood in the position of the grassroots people. If they had to observe mourning for three years, the whole family would starve to death, and they would really be a unified family.

In the Huaiguo Academy, Mozi pressed the Confucian students to the ground one by one and rubbed them back and forth, making a loud noise. In Mozi's view, this set of Confucian theories is just a hypocritical mask for the rulers and a shackles to imprison the people.

, which is to use a seemingly reasonable set of rituals and music to let the nobles suck blood from the common people.

Confucianism seeks fame, values ​​etiquette, and emphasizes the order of hierarchy, while Mozi values ​​​​practicality. After all, in this war-torn era, Mozi wants to create a world with enough food and clothing for the people.
Chapter completed!