Chapter 3, Conversations Under the Juniper Tree (Part 2)
He is different from Confucius
Confucius, at the age of seventy, could follow his heart's desires without overstepping the bounds, for his heart and the bounds were in harmony, and these bounds were the established norms of the world
Even less is known that much later, relying on the political economy's theory of national wealth and Ricardo's theory of rent, it was theoretically explained that the noble landowners in the hierarchical system are akin to parasites; and various ideas from Enlightenment thought provided theoretical solutions for supervision and equality, along with their justifications.
It is not that one becomes old and thus willing to listen to these pretentious flattery, but rather, can the principles one practices in life truly be passed down after one's death? Will there be individuals like Zixia emerging among one's disciples? Will there be those who distort the teachings of the Mohist school beyond recognition?
My reasoning, however, is different
However, the tenets of Mohism encompass more than this, and what remains are the unresolved issues in his heart, which is why they were not mentioned in his words
The neighboring state of Yue has already relocated its capital to Linyi, seeking opportunities to establish a foothold in the Central Plains at any moment; the Three Jin states, eager to establish their reputation, will not miss this rare opportunity, especially since Gongsun has already sought help from Zhao; ... The state of Chu will also not miss the chance to expand its advantageous position in the Central Plains; if the Qin state fails to seize the opportunity presented by the Three Jin states attacking Qi to launch a counterattack in the West River, then it would no longer be the Qin state...
Zhuangzi critiques the academic discourse of the world, stating bluntly at the outset, "There are many people engaged in scholarship in the world, each believing that their knowledge has reached its peak." Of course, although he does not explicitly state it, he likely also considers himself to be at the pinnacle, which is a subtle form of pretentiousness.
Confucianists and Mohists refer to each other as pigs and dogs. The insults exchanged between the beasts and the pigs and dogs are quite lively, and listening to the conversations of the disciples of Confucianism and Mohism feels akin to entering a livestock farm
It is precisely because of the chaos and complexity that Mozi must step forward to provide a clear directive to all followers of Moism. This is a matter of utmost importance and an obligation that a leader must fulfill
Everyone under the tree looked up, eager to know how their respected and beloved gentleman would respond
The sweat on my back kept pouring out, only to be continuously dried by the wind, and I had not waited long for another word of praise from the gentleman.
Time is running out for him, and today, for some reason, he feels this way. Looking at the group of young people sitting on the ground, who cannot be considered his direct disciples, he still utters these words that are as desolate as the autumn wind
The Gongsun faction has rebelled, and the internal relations between the prominent members of the Tian family, Tian Hu and Tian He, are not necessarily close. Furthermore, some individuals loyal to Jiang Qi will undoubtedly take advantage of the situation, leading to a state of complete chaos
Xunzi critiques the Twelve Philosophers, disparaging each of the renowned thinkers in turn. After lambasting them, he even writes a book in their commemoration. Aside from Confucius, he considers them either fools, morally corrupt, or utterly decayed, asserting that none of them are normal individuals
Gongsun Hui is also a branch of the Tian family. Those who take Gongsun as their surname are mostly descendants of non-firstborn sons, and since they do not have any formal fiefdoms, their lack of a surname does not allow them to display their status, thus they often adopt this as their surname
Mozi returned to his room, and by this time, it was no longer the situation where, after saving Song, the people of Song were unaware, forcing him to take shelter from the rain under the city gate. The Moists were most numerous in the states of Qi, Lu, Song, and Zheng, and Shangqiu was particularly filled with disciples, making it no problem for him to settle down.
Now, three generations have passed. Although Jiang Qi has certainly lost much of his power, the Tian Chang family, with its more than seventy sons, has proliferated to the present day, resulting in countless branches and ongoing internal strife
As he spoke, the gentleman recalled his lifelong struggles, realizing that the world was even more chaotic now than in his youth. He also thought of his previous serious illness and the questions posed by others during that time. Even he, who had never shown signs of helplessness or fatigue throughout his life, sighed repeatedly—was the end approaching? Would he see his ideals realized? Would his disciples be able to carry forward the teachings of the Moists? Would this chaotic era one day come to an end, allowing everyone to live in peace and health?
As everyone was still pondering the master's audacious words, Shi stood up, bowed solemnly, and said in a clear voice: "What the master said is correct. Upholding the master's principles to undertake the noble act of saving the world is certainly feasible. If it does not succeed, it is not the master's principles that are at fault, but rather the execution that was flawed. Just as when using an axe to shape wood, if the cut is skewed, how can one blame the straight ink line?"
Recalling the compliment given by that young man named Shi, his worries deepened, so he did not feel overly happy, but instead calmly instructed everyone to disperse
Not long ago, a serious illness caused him to pause his philanthropic endeavors and remain in Shangqiu for recuperation
However, position and wisdom have nothing to do with courage; it is merely a reflection of economic attributes, dependent on social status. Setting aside this unchangeable position, at this moment, perhaps the one who understands Confucius's wisdom and courage the most is Mozi. Heroes always appreciate each other.
Because the steps taken are too large, one becomes at a loss, resulting in the most fragile vulnerabilities
Confucian scholars can discuss the concepts of close and distant relationships, as well as the hierarchical system, and it is taken for granted because it has always been this way
How could a young child from a shoemaker's family understand these things? It is truly interesting; if there is an opportunity, it would be worth taking another look.
Universal love is commendable, but why should we practice universal love? Valuing the virtuous is admirable, but why should we value the virtuous? Because the Mohist school emphasizes logic, the greatest issue arises, and one can only say that it is because this is the will of Heaven and what the spirits favor
In addition, the concept of the "minggui" (bright ghost) serves as a system of oversight over those in power. Confucian scholars emphasize the self-cultivation of rulers, while the Mohists believe that supervision is essential. Who will provide this supervision? At this moment, one can only think of the notion of ghosts and deities.
Mozi looked at the young people under the tree, reflecting on those of his direct disciples who had passed away earlier than himself. A surge of ambition arose from his aged body as he spoke freely: "In the past, Zixia recruited disciples at the West River, and you all know what kind of individuals he produced. The figures emerging from the West River include Li Kui, Wu Qi, Gu Liang Chi, and Gong Yang Gao... Do the ideas of these individuals align with those expounded by Zhongni?"
Just as in the making of a wheel, the rim must certainly be bent, but if the spokes are also to be roasted over fire, it would be foolish and pedantic. The rim is different from the spokes; how can the sages of four hundred years ago be compared to the sages of today? This feudal system and the rites of the Zhou Dynasty are akin to bending the wheel, but unfortunately, the world today is not a rim but rather spokes.
In almost an instant, Mozi understood the magnitude of this matter and also comprehended what it meant for the many Moists of the State of Qi
... ...
The Master believed that spirits and deities are wise, and that when people do well, the spirits reward them, while when they do poorly, the spirits bring calamity. Now that the Master has fallen ill, there are only two possibilities. Either the spirits are not wise, or there is something wrong with the Master's reasoning that has angered the spirits. Based on the arguments presented by the Master, the disciples can only draw these two conclusions
He truly did not expect that Mozi would be such a Mozi, this statement is incredibly bold, exuding boundless confidence, even... so arrogantly.
When he looked up again, Mozi had already departed, leaving only the surrounding young people still immersed in the principles they had just heard, gesticulating excitedly as if they had attained enlightenment
Abandoning my theories and propositions to learn other doctrines is akin to forsaking the abundant corn on the ground in autumn, opting instead to gather the leftover grains from another's field. To use the propositions and doctrines of others to attack and negate my own theories is like an egg attempting to strike a stone. Even if all the eggs in the world were to be shattered, the stone would remain standing, showing not the slightest crack
Without raising her head, she continued to maintain a bowed posture, making no attempt to secretly observe the gentleman's expression, yet feeling a faint chill from the sweat that had seeped out on her back
After a long silence, with no answers, I decided to let it go for now
Just as I was contemplating whether to postpone my lecture for a few days to observe how this young man named Shi performs, a hurried sound of footsteps came from outside the door
Since the gentleman has already said so, there is nothing left to do but wait; he does not dare to say anything further. He is also unsure whether his flattery has landed on the horse's rear or on its hoof.
This statement is problematic; it is universally applicable to any ideology. It somewhat resembles the fervor of conversion, as substituting the principles of the Mohist school with those of any other school would not sound out of place. Mozi would certainly understand this principle.
Although the answer provided at the time had no logical flaws, merely relating to the distinction between necessary and sufficient conditions, he understood in his heart that it still amounted to some degree of sophistry
After a long time, the voice of Mozi reached the ears of Shi
Moreover, the disciples of the Mohist school are numerous in the state of Qi, some of whom may serve as officials, while others may become warriors. The Gongsun family has long held sway over the governance of the state of Qi. Now that chaos has arisen, the Mohist disciples there require the orders of the great master to determine which side to support, or whether to remain neutral.
What is even more frightening is that after that serious illness, the doubts of the disciple have created a mental knot, causing him to begin to worry
This is indeed an era characterized by audacious confidence and the assertion of one's principles.
The Confucians and the Mohists have always been at odds, and the crowd beneath the tree is certainly aware of this. The Confucian scholars claim that the Mohists are beasts, while the Mohists retort that the Confucians are akin to pigs and dogs. At this moment, the Confucian students still possess the Six Arts, including the skills of charioteering and archery, while the Mohists boast skilled swordsmen and wanderers. The conflict has escalated beyond mere words to physical confrontations, and the rift has deepened significantly.
Mozi's eyes flashed with brilliance as he fixed his gaze intently on Shi, who was still maintaining a bowing posture, feeling a sense of wonder in his heart
Reflecting on the confident words spoken beneath the juniper tree today, there remains a knot in my heart that has yet to be unraveled
These words drew unanimous applause from the crowd, but only Shi felt a sudden jolt in his heart, standing there in a daze
After listening, Mozi realized that he must personally intervene in this matter to prevent the disciples of the Mohist school in the State of Qi from being at a loss and not knowing how to act, or even resorting to armed conflict against each other for their respective lords
In those years, Tian Changguang gathered a harem, with hundreds of concubines unable to accommodate him all at once, so he had guests assist in sleeping with them to facilitate childbirth. He did not care whether the offspring were his own; as long as they bore the Tian surname, they were considered his descendants. In the end, he had seventy to eighty sons alone.
Sir! Sir! An incident has occurred in the State of Qi. Tian Daozi has died, and the Gongsun clan accuses Tian He of killing his own brother to seize power. The Tian clan has killed Gongsun Sun, and Gongsun intends to establish himself at Linqiu, seeking assistance from Zhao Ji...
It is well known that the dialectics of the Mohist school are unparalleled, grounded in logic; however, Mozi himself was also aware that within his principles, success and failure both stem from logic, with the greatest flaw being the theory of the supernatural.
If he is to speak of universal love and non-aggression, and to advocate for the importance of virtue and harmony, he must provide reasons and justifications, as this is entirely different from the current era
Yang Zhu, with unwavering conviction, refused to part with even a single hair, viewing the myriad schools of thought as mere insects and killing without hesitation over trivial disputes in the marketplace. ... Upon examining the philosophers of this era, none can be found who are smooth, moderate, and devoid of sharp edges, for taking a step back would lead to being cornered by the doctrines of others.
This young man named Shi has merely attended a few lectures and has not performed any remarkable deeds in daily life; I only learned his name today.
The matters of the State of Qi are quite complex
I casually flipped out a piece of bamboo that had already been shaved, which was still blank and clean.
In today's world, there are not many who are qualified to evaluate Confucius in this manner, but the elderly gentleman before us is undoubtedly one of the few who is most qualified to do so
Zeng Shen then questioned Zi Xia, saying that what you teach is different from what the Master has taught. Everyone believes that this is the Master's doctrine, and some even think that you are the Master. You have betrayed the Master's teachings, which is a grave sin. Zi Xia wept bitterly, heartbroken.
The disciple was panting heavily, clearly having rushed back to deliver this news.
Even in old age, he still exudes sharpness, causing a bit of pain to others, leading him, a person accustomed to smoothness and lack of edges, to mistake his confidence for arrogance
Confronted with the blank bamboo slips and pondering the doubts of his ailing disciples, Mozi found it difficult to put pen to paper, striving to fill in the gaps that he himself was well aware of
Those who believe in me shall certainly act in accordance with great righteousness. Those who do not believe will ultimately end up like eggs striking against stones, with yolk spilling everywhere, emitting a foul odor that attracts flies
There are still some individuals who may have received minor favors from the Tian or Gongsun families, and they might act with small righteousness without understanding the greater righteousness
What is a sage? Four hundred years ago, it was the sage who established the feudal system and the rites of the Zhou Dynasty for the people of Xia and Yi. Now, as the stars change and the sun and moon shift, those principles can no longer be considered sage-like. Who can formulate rules akin to the feudal system established after the overthrow of Zhou? Who can create new moral and ceremonial guidelines that everyone will adhere to? Who can bring an end to this chaotic era? Only those who can do these things are the true sages and are eligible to be chosen as the Son of Heaven
Just now, when mentioning the story of buying shoes and discussing the rhetoric of the Mohists, I realized that it can be used not only for debating with others but also in other contexts, which led me to this reflection. In this chaotic era, we Mohists ultimately must take the end of chaos as our great cause, while everything else is merely a minor path
The old man squinted slightly, as if reminiscing about events from long ago. The sunlight filtering through the leaves fell upon his face, illuminating the mottled grooves of the wrinkles that had accumulated over time
Only then did everyone realize that the gentleman had used this story to discuss the great trends of the world
A shocking thought flashed through my mind, and I couldn't help but show a hint of embarrassment on my face
Although Tian Chang is not recognized as one of the Five Dukes by the Zhou Emperor, it is somewhat presumptuous for his descendants to directly refer to themselves as Gongsun. However, the ancestors of the Tian family were also the rulers of the State of Chen, a legitimate marquis, one of the Three Ke, and the family of the eldest daughter of King Wu of Zhou. In this regard, it is not unreasonable to make such a claim
After King Wu of Zhou defeated King Zhou of Shang, he granted fiefs to his relatives and established the Zhou rites, which was indeed the act of a sage. However, the world has changed; the feudal system has already caused great chaos, and the Zhou rites are so rigid that no one adheres to them. In such a time, what use is there in learning them?
Ultimately, it is too early
The dice have been cast, yet they remain unturned for a long time; the process of waiting for the result is always a source of anguish.
After recovering from the illness, a disciple began to harbor doubts
It is just too early
However, this moment of shame was fleeting, leaving no time to reflect on one's own obsolescence; instead, what occupied the mind was the desire to seize this opportunity to say a few more words to deepen Mozi's impression of oneself
It is known that this elderly gentleman before us has always harbored a deep concern for the well-being of all people, dedicating his life to the practice of his ideals, solely for the sake of universal love and non-aggression. Upon hearing the gentleman's heartfelt remark, I too, in a fitting manner, echoed a sigh of my own.
Constrained by the era, he certainly did not know that four hundred years after him, people from distant lands, tens of thousands of miles away, adopted a solution whereby everyone is considered a child of the Heavenly Emperor, thus everyone is a brother or sister. Therefore, to love others is to love one's own brothers and sisters, which sounds like a principle that even the common folk and the ignorant could accept
Confucianism and Mohism are irreconcilable enemies, with opposing stances
The late master was exceedingly brilliant, having pioneered the path of private education. Throughout his life, he was erudite and talented to such an extent that people were unaware of what he excelled at the most. His vast knowledge and brilliance in various fields obscured the very essence of his most radiant qualities.
It is already noon, so we will conclude here for today. Let's disperse for now
However, today this young man repeatedly uttered astonishing remarks. Previously, he praised a raw jade that could be carved, but now he has given such a response, which inevitably piqued my interest in this young man
In contemporary times, principles such as non-aggression, universal love, valuing the virtuous, and the pursuit of common understanding have become immutable
Only those elderly individuals from the previous era truly understand that the late master was most proficient not in the rites, the Spring and Autumn Annals, or the classics, but rather in driving and archery. To possess such extensive knowledge that one becomes oblivious to what is most brilliant is what is truly frightening, admirable, and lamentable
He has just crossed over, and having not traveled through various countries, he has not personally experienced the suffering of the people or the chaos of wars, yet he knows that this sigh of his must be to the liking of the esteemed gentleman
One's family background and the current reality determine that in order to achieve great things in this era, the only path available is to become a direct disciple of the masters. In this age where material and spiritual life is extremely impoverished, relying on a bowl for cooking and weighing books by the pound, a mundane life would drive one to madness
As one ages, their words are often kind; however, the elder before me speaks with a firm and resolute tone, reminiscent of the clash of gold and iron. His heart is as solid as stone, and with confidence in his being, he undoubtedly speaks with a resounding clarity, akin to the sound of shattered jade.
Beside it, there is a pile of bamboo slips already threaded with tanned cowhide, indicating that these new bamboo slips will eventually be strung together with those once they are filled with large seal script.
Among the previous bamboo slips, there are the essential teachings of the Mohist school that he had written, as well as the thoughts he had throughout his life, which should have been easily articulated. However, in these past few days, he has not mentioned a single word.
After a long while, the old man's throat moved, and he slowly said: "I say, the teachings of Confucius were not his own thoughts, but rather the works of those who came before him that he learned from. This is akin to counting the numbers on someone else's contract and claiming to be wealthy; this does not qualify one as a sage, and certainly does not merit selection as the Son of Heaven"
The gentleman before me is indeed full of confidence and sharpness, undeniably wise and resilient as iron, yet he is, after all, aging
The economic foundation determines the superstructure, yet who would have thought that at the dawn of creation, amidst the fog and difficulties, there were many who saw through the mist to the rising sun outside, attempting to tear apart the haze that enveloped them, believing they could glimpse a clear and perfect world under the radiance of the sun
In my lifetime, I have scorned Confucian scholars as being worse than pigs and dogs, yet I hold great admiration for Kong Zhongni. The only negative remark I have made was in response to someone who asked me, "You Mozi said that a sage should be chosen as the Son of Heaven. If that is the case, with Zhongni's mastery of the Six Arts and his profound understanding of rites, righteousness, poetry, and literature, he is indeed a sage. Shouldn't he be chosen as the Son of Heaven?"
Smooth and weak are not the colors of this era, and such individuals cannot shine in such a time
However, expressing it at this moment carries a significantly different meaning
Such a person naturally deserves the respect of the gentleman before us However, even with respect, if there is a disagreement in principles, one may still judge others and even harbor a sense of disdain It is to be feared that there may be some regret in the heart wishing one could have been born a hundred years earlier to engage in debate with him
What kind of statement is "suitable heart path"? Is it suggesting that my heart is as strong as copper and iron, making me worthy of being a direct disciple? Or does it imply that I have a petty heart and speak treacherous words?
Mozi also reached the age of seventy, and he was able to act according to his heart's desires without transgressing the boundaries, achieving a unity of heart and principle. However, his principles were not the principles of this world.
It is not that he is inferior to others, but rather that he was born too early, maturing to a point where he still uses a hoe, and it is rare to see oxen plowing; paper has yet to be invented, let alone the printing technique... This is the merciless limitation of history that one finds difficult to escape from.
Such a traveler, though young, surprisingly exudes a somewhat decayed aura of senescence in this era, especially when compared to the elderly man before him, it is even more pronounced
Even the refined and cultured Confucius, when faced with ideological conflicts, once uttered harsh words: "I will expel Ran Qiu from the ranks of Confucian scholars; you must beat the drum and attack him to bring him down and discredit him!"
All has passed, the charismatic figures have all departed, yet this chaotic world remains unresolved. In the decades to come, who will emerge as the prominent figures of this realm? Whose teachings will be able to save the masses from the turmoil and tribulations of this chaotic and new era?
After all, this is the adolescence of the various Xia, characterized by pride, valor, exuberance, and a curiosity about everything
Confucius passed away no more than a hundred years later, and his disciples believed that his teachings could be revised
Lin Qiu is located in Yun Cheng, not too far from here, and it serves as a vital point for the states of Qi, Lu, the Three Jin, Song, and Zheng. If something were to happen here, it would undoubtedly lead to great chaos
Tian Hu, Tian He, and Tian Daozi, along with their hundreds of cousins, each formed their own faction
However, in this chaotic era, one must be fervent to be considered a sage, and one must be audacious to propagate the teachings.
Reflecting on the fact that I have already reached the age of seventy this year, with little time left, I find myself confronting the greatest flaw in the teachings I have practiced throughout my life. This also raises the question of why I must strive to realize the fruits of the remaining virtues of valuing the worthy and seeking harmony. How can I make amends? How should I make amends?
As expected, after a sigh, the gentleman glanced at Shi and slightly nodded to show encouragement
Mozi, without further contemplation, packed his belongings, crafted straw sandals, and carried provisions. He secretly summoned the disciples of the Mo family from Shangqiu and hurriedly set off towards the State of Qi
This place is of great importance, not only concerning the matters of the State of Qi and the Zhao family, but it is very likely to trigger turmoil among the various states of the Central Plains.
He does not care for the praise of others, but he knows that what is most needed now are those who truly believe in his ideals
He can say that concepts such as valuing the virtuous, non-aggression, and universal love are all great principles, and there is absolutely no error in this; thus, he expressed those ideas.