Chapter 110: The Classics Cannot Be Trusted

Chen Kedao simply watched Li Ruyu.

Faced with Li Ruyu's fury, Chen Kedao showed no reaction at all, merely watching quietly, as if it had nothing to do with him.

Everyone below the stage knew that in academic disputes, victory was never decided by who refuted whom. If it were really that simple, many things would be easy to resolve.

Since ancient times, academic disputes have always been entangled with factional struggles. Only by utterly destroying the opponent both academically and physically could one truly claim victory.

No matter how Li Ruyu ranted, it was ultimately useless. Even if he branded Chen Kedao a heretic preaching evil doctrines, it would still accomplish nothing. What truly mattered did not lie here.

If, in this refutation, Li Ruyu could make many people—especially those in power—loathe Chen Kedao's teachings, only then could he achieve his goal of striking at Chen Kedao.

But judging from the content of the refutation just now, Li Ruyu had not only failed to damage Chen Kedao's teachings, but had instead won him even more support.

As things stood now, once today's debate spread, matters would only get worse. Chen Kedao would gain considerable support—support built by trampling Li Ruyu on the way up. How could Li Ruyu not fly into a shameful rage?

There was a saying that fit well: succeed and you rise to fame in a single stroke; fail and you fall to total ruin.

That was exactly Li Ruyu's situation now—he had already lost his composure.

Luo Sigong, standing at the side of the stage, could see it too.

He was the Guard Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Though not a man of letters, neither was he an idiot.

From the very beginning, he had understood that Chen Kedao's teachings had no glaring flaws, and more importantly, they would not provoke the resentment of the entire body of court dignitaries.

Most importantly, he had satisfied His Majesty.

As long as His Majesty was satisfied, nothing else mattered.

As for the content of the debate, in Luo Sigong's view, it had no practical significance whatsoever.

Because each side claimed to be in the right, and no matter how they argued, it was like a chicken talking to a duck—neither could ever convince the other.

Besides, neither side had come to convince the other; they had come to destroy each other.

When Li Ruyu finally fell silent, Chen Kedao smiled and spoke: "The sages spoke grand and brilliant words—but who can say that what the sages meant is exactly that? Why can it not be what I say it means?"

"My master once said that the Six Classics, the Analects, and Mencius—these are not all the words of sages, but were elevated and embellished by later generations. They cannot be treated as eternal, unchanging truths. These works were casual notes recorded by ignorant disciples and pedantic followers of the time—more than half are not the words of sages."

"Even if some are the words of sages, they were but medicine prescribed for a particular moment, and cannot become 'the discourse for all matters.' To claim such words are immutable principles for ten thousand years is utterly beyond reach."

"On this point, I share my master's view. Whether the classics of the Confucian sages or the texts of other schools, they are merely the crystallized wisdom of our predecessors. We must study them, even understand them."

"But we must recognize that these things were proposed under the conditions of their own times. Whether they suit the Great Ming of today—that remains to be seen."

"Thus my master believes there are no principles valid for all eternity, only what is most useful in the present. To govern the state and to study for office, one must choose the principles most fitting for the times, not those you merely believe to be practical."

"Clinging stubbornly to old conventions will never accomplish great things—in the end, it will only bring self-destruction!"

The moment these words were spoken, the scene erupted into an uproar.

No one had expected Chen Kedao to be so audacious, to actually dare say such things!

This was tantamount to directly repudiating many of the Confucian sages of old—and most importantly, the people of the School of Principle.

If even books like Mencius and the Analects were untrustworthy in Chen Kedao's eyes, then the commentaries written by Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucians were naturally even less credible.

Then what classics under heaven could still be believed?

According to Chen Kedao's reasoning, no classic could be trusted at all.

What were these scholars supposed to do then?

Countless fears instantly drowned many of them.

Under this terror, they erupted with unprecedented force.

They charged furiously toward Chen Kedao's direction, as if they wanted to topple him.

Countless people clamored as they rushed toward the stage, shouting at the top of their lungs.

Some even cried out that they should follow Confucius's example in executing Shao Zhengmao.

The scene descended into chaos in an instant.

Seeing this, Luo Sigong, the Regional Military Commissioner of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, panicked. He hastily vaulted onto the stage and urgently signaled his men to follow.

This lecture could not possibly continue.

If Chen Kedao were truly beaten to death by these madmen, how would he answer to His Majesty?

Seeing their boss charge onto the stage, the other Embroidered Uniform Guard officers maintaining order also rushed up.

They directly formed a ring around the stage, creating a wall of human bodies. The guards drew their embroidered spring sabers from their waists, the gleaming blade tips pointed at those charging up from below—a scene of absolute keep-your-distance.

Seeing this, Chen Kedao felt a chill run down his spine.

He had anticipated that his speech would provoke strong opposition, perhaps even stir up a thousand waves with one stone, but he had not expected such a violent effect.

These people were charging up to actually kill him!

At that moment, Chen Kedao was afraid—his entire being radiated fear.

Luo Sigong did not care whether he was afraid or not; this place could no longer be stayed in.

He reached out, grabbed Chen Kedao, and turned to stride out, moving with remarkable speed.

Under the protection of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Luo Sigong and Chen Kedao quickly left the scene, terrified that Chen Kedao would be beaten to death by the frenzied mob.

The Forbidden City, Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Youxiao was practicing tai chi at a leisurely, unhurried pace.

Though he did not know whether it could be used to fight, it seemed to promote longevity, so Zhu Youxiao had already begun practicing it.

Though he was still young, exercise was something best started early rather than late. He did want to engage in more vigorous activities, but his body could not yet withstand intense exercise, so he had to begin with tai chi.

Of course, tai chi also consumed considerable physical and mental energy, so Zhu Youxiao practiced it slowly.

Zhu Youxiao practiced in the middle, surrounded by a circle of attending eunuchs and palace maids.

Chen Hong was also off to one side. Beside him stood a table with some warm tea and a basin of hot water, with a towel draped beside the water.

These were prepared for Zhu Youxiao, ready at any moment for him to wipe his face or take a drink.

A young eunuch slipped quietly in from outside, approached Chen Hong, and whispered a few words.

Chen Hong waved his hand, signaling him to withdraw.

The young eunuch dared not delay, and bowed as he silently withdrew.

Chen Hong waited there as if nothing had happened at all.

After a long moment, Zhu Youxiao let out a gentle breath and slowly lowered his fists.

Expressionless, he walked to the table, took the towel Chen Hong offered, and wiped away his sweat.

Zhu Youxiao set down the towel, accepted the warm tea and took a sip, then sat down in the chair.