Chapter 1205 – The Death of Zhao Shao (Part 3)
“Why have rulers throughout history sought to bind the common people to the fields?”
“It’s not just for the convenience of controlling the ignorant populace, but more crucially due to a lack of farming labor!”
“Insufficient food production can lead to starvation!”
During the Sixteen Kingdoms period, trade once thrived, so why did all the rulers secretly suppress the merchant class?
Isn’t it to force those who entered the trade back to farming, while those who haven’t should stay put and be farmers?
Encouraging the development of commerce will surely lead to chaos.
Jiang Pengji smiled and countered, “Wenbin, why do you think the fields will be left uncultivated? What if one person could cultivate enough grain to feed thousands or even tens of thousands? What if one person could easily manage hundreds or thousands of acres of land? Then, farming won’t lack workers, and the surplus young and strong will naturally seek other paths—”
Han Yu, upon hearing this, felt like he was about to explode from anger at Jiang Pengji.
If not for his status as a captive, he would have angrily stormed out.
One person feeding thousands?
One person farming hundreds or thousands of acres?
Wake up, you’re still stuck in a daydream!
Han Yu thought that Xu Pei, who wasn’t exactly a laborer or clueless about what grain was, seemed quite enlightened compared to the person in front of him.
At least Xu Pei wouldn’t say something even more absurd than “Why not eat meat porridge?”
Jiang Pengji appeared oblivious to Han Yu’s grim expression as she said, “I know you think my words are ridiculous, but Wenbin, never limit your imagination. What you deem absurd might not be non-existent. What I talk about is the future.”
Han Yu coldly scoffed and stiffly changed the subject.
“What about the second point?”
“The second point is the common people, but there’s nothing much to say; it can be summed up in four characters—enlightening the people’s wisdom. You know that precious books are practically monopolized by the gentry; for the common people, wanting to read and write is like dreaming. Unless they have special opportunities, the best they can do is recognize a couple of characters, never reaching a talent as high as ‘eight-dou’. If one day, the common people can afford books and access the academy, true enlightenment won’t be far off.” Jiang Pengji smoothly took a jab at Han Yu, “Of course, according to Wenbin’s reasoning, if everyone reads, no one would want to be a farmer facing the soil, and the fields would go to waste—”
Han Yu’s lips and brow twitched oddly.
Was this person saying all this just to recruit him?
Is this recruitment or a vendetta?
To criticize him like this, is that really manly?
Han Yu coldly huffed, giving no reply.
However, he had no complaints about Jiang Pengji’s explanation regarding “the common people.”
Whether it was establishing the Golden Scales Pavilion or the Golden Scales Academy, or even exploring new educational models, all of this demonstrated her sincerity.
She put her actions into practice for her promise of “enlightening the people’s wisdom,” and there was nothing to pick on.
Jiang Pengji continued, “But here’s a bold statement: once the people’s wisdom is enlightened, the nation will experience a transformation. Historically, emperors have claimed they want to enlighten the populace, yet in reality, no one wants the common people to truly become enlightened. It’s not just about fearing everyone might read and abandon farming, but also about fearing that once the people become enlightened, their hearts won’t be balanced. Noble lords, can they cultivate? Why are those who sit on the dragon throne born to be emperors while I was born to be a farmer? Once this idea arises, the nation’s downfall can happen at any moment.”
Han Yu was taken aback, his eyes wide open, disbelief plastered across his face.
Jiang Pengji smiled and said, “But I’m not afraid.”
Han Yu restrained his earlier judgment.
How could someone with such insight be just a naive clueless person?
“Everyone loves power, but is that power really that tempting?” Jiang Pengji scoffed, her expression filled with disdain. “To unify the world and ascend to the throne is merely a task I need to accomplish for my goals—not my ultimate purpose. Enlightening the people’s wisdom is just one step in my plan, and I’m not afraid of the common people toppling the dynasty. Because outdated products unsuited for the times ought to be eliminated—”
Jiang Pengji’s words were somewhat incomprehensible to Han Yu; he felt a bit lost.
However, he could barely understand three parts of it based on the literal meaning.
Jiang Pengji said, “The implementation of the aforementioned two points relies on the third point—technology.”
“Technology? What is that?”
Han Yu was puzzled; this term didn’t exist in this era, he had never heard it before.
Jiang Pengji simply described it with a term Han Yu could comprehend.
“It is similar to the principle of investigation and understanding, yet different.”
Han Yu furrowed his brows, listening intently, forgetting to look for points to criticize.
“The method of technology is vast and varied. Water conservation in agriculture can be considered technology; creating tools can also be deemed technology. It is a fusion of skill and theory.” Jiang Pengji elaborated, “When I previously said one person can feed thousands and cultivate hundreds or thousands of acres, that’s not mere nonsense; if technology is sufficient, it can be realized. Once land, people, and technology reach the level I spoke of, transformation will come, and then it will truly be the moment when ‘law’ descends. The ruler’s power is lower than ‘law’ and fears ‘law’ even more, the gentry and nobility will not be untouchable; the common people will be able to use ‘law’ to sanction their errors. That is for the future; it cannot happen now.”
As Jiang Pengji finished her statement, Han Yu’s complexion turned pale.
Jiang Pengji stated, “I understand what Wenbin is pursuing, and I can empathize. But Wenbin, ask yourself, is now the right time to practice the ‘law’ in your heart? Even if I fully support you, the gentry and the newly rich will not spare you. If you meet a headwind, your ‘law’ will naturally become an empty talk, like a mirage—visible to the eye but intangible to the touch.”
Having their “path” so directly denied by Jiang Pengji, Han Yu could only imagine the turmoil in his heart.
He exclaimed angrily, “Lan Ting’s eloquence is so great that he’s trying to trick me!”
Han Yu’s concept of “law” was different from that of the Legalists; what he sought was genuine fairness and impartiality, without any privileges.
Jiang Pengji extended her hand towards him, catching Han Yu off guard.
“You can’t achieve it now, but you can lay the groundwork for those who can realize it; that is inheritance.” Jiang Pengji said, “Everything I want to achieve will not be seen in this lifetime, because the time it requires is too long. However, I can pass this aspiration on to my successors. New trees can sprout because the old trees nourish the soil with their fallen leaves. Wenbin, your ideals are something this era cannot bear; one wrong move—no, it should be said without any suspense—you go to put them into practice, and the result is nothing but being left without a complete corpse.”
Han Yu replied, “If I can martyr myself for the path, it would not be in vain for this life!”
“Your original intention in pursuing ‘law’ is to use it to bring peace to the world, right? The timing is not ripe; if you act now, it will only incite turmoil, isn’t that disregarding the original intention?” Jiang Pengji said, “‘Law’ is profound and extensive. Perhaps you will spend your whole life without ever grasping its entirety. Is it not better to be grounded and take one step at a time? Ideals and reality are always different—”
Han Yu fell silent.
He once thought Jiang Pengji was naive, but looking at her now, the naive one turned out to be himself.
“Wu has one more question; can Lan Ting explain my doubts?”
Jiang Pengji replied, “Ask away.”
Han Yu asked, “I rarely discuss the way with others, and those who understand it are very few. How did Lan Ting know about it?”
Jiang Pengji: “…”
Uh oh, I can’t keep it in.
Should I sell Zixiao?
