Chapter 526: No Classics

Recognize desire as principle!

These four words immediately made Liu Zheng feel as if he had been enlightened; the problem that had troubled him all night was suddenly cleared away like clouds parting to reveal the sun.

Wang Gen!

That's right!

How could he have forgotten about this!

Who was Wang Gen?

Wang Gen was recognized by later generations as the most important representative of Wang Yangming's Heart Learning! Look closely, the most important! He was also the founder of the Taizhou School. Wang Gen's thought originated from Wang Yangming's Heart Learning, yet it was not limited to it. His scholarship was vast and profound, encompassing a wide range of fields; he had rich and solid discourses in philosophy, ethics, socio-politics, education, and culture, which constituted the basic thought and characteristics of the Taizhou School.

Wang Gen's "the daily life of the common people is learning" and "the daily life of the common people is the Dao" were the highlights of his thought and the main theme of the Taizhou School. He called "Heavenly Principle" the "Natural Inherent Principle," which in fact was equivalent to "recognizing desire as principle," viewing the physiological needs and material desires of humans as a part of "Heavenly Principle." Wang Gen called the "Natural Inherent Principle" the "Heavenly Principle Conscience." The "theory of Investigation of Things" he advocated formed the ideological foundation for his teaching and preaching. Wang Gen said, "The self is the root, and the world and state are the branches," and "Investigation of Things" must first "rectify the self"; "when the root is governed, the branches are governed; when the self is rectified, things are rectified," clearly pointing out that "to rectify others, one must first rectify oneself!"

Therefore.

Viewed in this light.

Wang Gen was the school of thought closest to Liu Zheng's ideas!

Liu Zheng was a very pragmatic person.

Wang Gen was the same; the learning of Wang Gen did not dwell on poetry and books, but only valued the language of the heart and only valued practice!

Practice produces true knowledge!

This in itself was a thought from later generations that was relatively close to materialism.

Liu Zheng was excited: "Sir is truly a great talent!"

Qingyang Shuo shook his head and smiled bitterly: "Young Master, you should first understand what you are doing now... you are like this..."

If Liu Zheng were only making a small stir, it would be one thing.

But now, he was clearly serious!

He wanted to create a school of thought!

Although it was not a brand-new school, it was certainly a brand-new ideological trend!

Nowadays.

Xie Tianyao was anxious to settle scores with Liu Zheng, and people under heaven were also unaccustomed to this Liangzhou Viscount who had developed so suddenly.

The whole world was his enemy.

Yet he intended to burn his bridges behind him...

Was this really good?

Was he sure he wasn't dragging the entire Liangzhou into a quagmire?

Liu Zheng naturally knew of Qingyang Shuo's misgivings and laughed heartily: "Sir, the arrow is on the string and must be fired! The current situation in Liangzhou and the current exhaustion of the Longyan Dynasty all lie in the thinking, all lie in the concepts, and all lie in the mischief of Confucianism!"

He stood up tall and bowed deeply: "Heaven has bestowed a great responsibility, and Zheng cannot refuse."

He smiled dashingly and took a breath: "If one has exhausted one's will but still cannot reach the goal, one can have no regrets!"

"Good!"

Qingyang Shuo slapped his wheelchair, his eyes shining.

The stature of Viscount Liu today made him immensely admire him. He knew deeply that once this Heart Learning began to be promoted, it would no longer be a matter for a mere Liangzhou, but a huge change for the entire Longyan!

Even.

If Xie Tianyao had the magnanimity to accept this Heart Learning, the Longyan Dynasty, which was currently gasping for its last breath, could even have its life forcibly extended for several hundred years!

Qingyang Shuo knew of Liu Zheng's grand strategy and ambition. He had his own ideas about the world. He even already had the capital and foundation to contend for the world. At this moment, he did not care at all whether the Longyan Dynasty could be extended again.

Thus, it could be seen that the breadth of mind and magnanimity of Viscount Liu were indeed rare in this world.

Do it!

Qingyang Shuo suggested gathering all the literati currently in Liangzhou Prefecture.

Liu Zheng gladly agreed.

If one is to do it.

One must naturally do it in a big way.

Just he and Qingyang Shuo could not discuss anything out of it. Whether it was Wang Yangming's Heart Learning or Wang Gen's Heart Learning, applying them to the Longyan Dynasty actually had its drawbacks.

Gather wisdom and ideas.

He was never a person who did not accept different opinions.

Soon.

A team of more than fifty people gathered in Liangzhou Prefecture.

This group of people represented by Shen Xing was undoubtedly the group of literati most loyal to Liu Zheng.

When they learned of Liu Zheng's plan, they were also, like Qingyang Shuo, frightened not a little.

Our Young Master not only wants to go against the literati of the world, but also wants to create a new school of thought?

This...

However.

When they saw these manuscripts of Liu Zheng, they were also shocked as if by a divine being.

The people present were all dumbfounded.

Many of them had even forgotten to breathe.

It seemed that having followed Liu Zheng for too long, these literati who had been influenced by Confucianism and Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism since childhood were also filled with rebellious genes in their hearts.

"Young Master, this subordinate believes..."

"What does Young Master think of 'No Classics'?"

"Good!"

"No Classics!"

Liu Zheng and Qingyang Shuo exchanged a glance, both shocked.

A single "no classics," and the essence of this Heart Learning was laid bare!

No classics.

No good or evil.

Extending Innate Knowledge.

Unity of Knowledge and Action.

So many people, their thoughts began to violently collide and chafe.

Arguing and bickering.

Writing furiously.

Sometimes arguing, sometimes cheering.

At this moment, the people of the entire Longyan Dynasty were still watching the spectacle of Prefect Liu, unaware that this sit-in by scholars in Liangzhou Prefecture would trigger the rise and fall of an era's ideological tide. The subversion, transition, and collision of thought this time would bring long-term, transformative changes to the Longyan Dynasty.

Later.

People called this scholar sit-in the "Liangzhou Literary Change," and also the "Tragedy of Confucianism."

……

"Do it!"

"Keep doing it for me!"

On Xie Ling's side, he had gone mad again. He had completely forgotten his wretched state from a few days ago.

The atmosphere among him and this group of wealthy men was just as heated as that of the scholars arguing in Liangzhou Prefecture at this time.

Do it.

Both sides were doing it!

"Keep smashing for me, smash!"

Xie Ling drank wine, laughing wildly.

This time, Prefect Liu has really fallen, right?

The Deans of the Four Great Academies had arrived together. These four great mountains were firmly pressing down on the gates of Liangzhou Prefecture.

It's over.

Liangzhou is really going to be over this time.

The price of Yinzhou Coin continued to fall.

……

Jinghua.

Imperial Palace.

Yangxin Hall.

Xie Tianyao laughed heartily, in a great mood.

He sipped tea while quietly watching the chessboard before him.

"Hahahaha, Prefect Liu, oh Prefect Liu!"

"How is it that you can't move forward before even reaching the Capital?"

"Hahahahaha..."

Seeing Prefect Liu in such a wretched state for the first time, how could he not be happy?

Interesting.

It's getting more and more interesting.

It seems this third son of his still has some substance.

"Emperor, Lord Zhu, he..."

A young eunuch walked over.

Xie Tianyao gave a cold laugh: "Does he want me to punish Prefect Liu again? Tell him, just watch the play he stirred up himself! A young man in his early twenties, must he be pushed to his death?"

"Ask him, is he afraid? Is he getting more cowardly as he gets older?"

"Tell him to get lost!"

"Yes..."