Chapter 158 The Way of Sages and the Way of Science
When Li Qiwei talked eloquently and seemed to be showing off his achievements, Yu Shimei couldn't sit still.
He thinks that the other party admires Western science and is going crazy.
It’s just a strange skill, and it will never reach the level of elegance.
China has a glorious five-thousand-year culture with a long history. How can it be compared to the small countries in the West?
Compared with the way of sages, the way of science is a small way.
Yu Shimei stopped probing and was ready to have a discussion with Li Qiwei.
"Qiwei, do you think the way of sages in China is better than the way of science in the West?"
[I dare to ask Xuetai, what is the way of sages? 】
"Zuo Zhuan" says: The supreme leader has established virtues, followed by meritorious services, and the third has established words. Even if they are not abolished for a long time, this is called immortality."
"The way of a sage is to establish virtue, meritorious service and reputation."
[What are the three establishments? 】
“The most holy teacher founded Confucianism, established the hierarchy, and advocated benevolence, justice, etiquette, wisdom, and trustworthiness. He can be said to have established virtue.” The promotion of the ritual system made the Lu country strong and its people prosperous, which can be said to be a meritorious service."
"Compiled the Spring and Autumn Annals, annotated the Book of Changes, and revised the Rites and Music. Seventy-two sages co-authored it. "The Analects" can be said to be the foundation of speech."
[What is the explanation for the superiority of Tao? How to explain the badness of Tao? 】
“The best way is to make the king wise and the country strong.”
“The emperor governs the people, and if the emperor is wise, the people will live and work in peace and contentment; otherwise, the people will be miserable.”
“Therefore, any way that can educate the emperor is a superior way.”
“In the way of sages, the people are the most valuable, the country is the second, the king is the least, and the deaf and enlightened are enlightened. This is the great road, in fact, The Brilliant Culture of China”
"The way of Western science is limited to the investigation of things. Even if it can drive the power of steel and water, it is just a pretense of nature."
"With the human heart, it has achieved nothing."
"It is easy to make guns, It is difficult to control guns."
"Even if there is wild violence, if there is no effective restraint, there will be endless troubles."
"This is the result of Western barbarians' frequent wars and banditry. Root cause.”
"Therefore, the way of science is a small way, a bad way; the way of sages is a great way, an excellent way."
Li Qiwei was happy, thinking that he was indeed the academic and political leader of a province, and he had a good way of talking about truth. .
[Qiwei is a rough man. He is not as knowledgeable about ancient and modern times as Xuetai, and he is knowledgeable and knowledgeable. 】
【I believe that there are only two ways in the world. 】
【One is a reasonable way, and the other is an unreasonable way. 】
[Whether it is the words of Confucius and Mencius or scientific investigation of things, they are nothing more than means of observing and studying all things in the world. 】
[The former focuses on the spiritual world, while the latter focuses on the material world. Spirit and material are the two original existences of the world. 】
【The two should not be compared, there is no distinction between them. 】
[When it comes to the way of the spiritual world, Western sages Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and others all have famous quotes that awaken the world. 】
【His status is equivalent to that of Confucius of China. 】
[But there is a difference between the two, and that is logic. 】
[The words of Western sages can be pondered, criticized and opposed. 】
【The truth becomes clearer with more debate. 】
【This is especially true for the way of science. All Western scientists take pride in overthrowing their predecessors. 】
【Just like Newton, there are also mistakes. 】
[I think this is a reasonable way. 】
【Allow both sides to hold their own opinions, present facts and reason through logic and reality, and eventually a consensus will be reached. 】
【The way of my Chinese sages emphasizes the subtlety of words and the weight of meaning, allowing people to figure out and analyze by themselves. 】
【But you are not allowed to deviate from the classics or misinterpret the original meaning. 】
[The words of the saint cannot be refuted, otherwise it will be to deceive the master and destroy the ancestors, which will be shameful to the world's scholars. 】
[We are both saints, why can Western saints make mistakes in what they say, but I, the Chinese saint, must be correct and cannot be criticized. 】
【So I think the way of sages is an unreasonable way. 】
【Discussing this kind of Tao is nothing more than delving into strange words and words and forcibly stitching them together. 】
【But never think about the essence of truth. 】
【The king is the king and the ministers are the ministers; then why should there be a king? 】
[The two industrial revolutions in England restricted the power of the monarch and weakened the power of the monarch. The sun never set on the empire, and it oppressed the whole country. 】
【The United States has a vast land and abundant resources, and its economy is developing rapidly, but there is no king in sight. 】
【It can be seen that the words of the saint are not necessarily correct. 】
Yu Shimei was stunned by Li Qiwei's shocking words.
He believed that Li Qiwei simply had no king and no father, no different from those crazy and rebellious people who clamored for revolution. If these remarks are made publicly, even if the other party is a British knight, I am afraid he will not be able to live with them.
“Qiwei be careful with your words!”
“Fortunately you told me.”
“Your father and I both work for Lord Zhongtang. Although we have never met, But it has a lot of origin after all.”
“If someone with ulterior motives listens to this, the consequences will be disastrous.”
Li Qiwei immediately said: "Thank you Xuetai for your kindness. I just say what I have to say."
"The question between Xuetai's sage way and scientific way is also where countless capable people in China today struggle."
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“I personally have no contempt for the teachings of Confucius and Mencius.”
“After all, Mencius said: the people are the most valuable, the country is second, and the king is the least.”
"This is very close to the situation in the UK."
"It can be seen that our Chinese culture does have merits."
"It's just that the truth is covered in dust. In order to consolidate authority, the emperors fooled the people, causing the way of sages to completely change. I feel deeply regretful."
"So, Qiwei is committed to education, hoping to eliminate ignorance and open the world's eyes for the people."
"But I know that I am a man of few words. If I deny the sages and sages, let alone reform, I'm afraid my life will be ruined." It’s no longer guaranteed.”
“The scientific method is to study things to achieve knowledge, and it does not involve power and justice, so it was despised by the rulers of the Qing Dynasty.”
“But the philosophy behind it is very profound.”
“After learning the way of science, you will naturally be able to talk about logic and focus on facts, instead of mechanically memorizing the Four Books and Five Classics.”
“The way of sages and the way of science are fighting over each other, but it is just a quick talk.”
“It has no effect on the rise of China.”
“ What China needs now is not saints, but spears, cannons and giant steel ships.”
"If we can't even satisfy our material life, how can we talk about the construction of the spiritual world?"
When Li Qiwei revealed his sincerity, Yu Shimei was shocked and speechless.
He found out that he was very wrong.
What the other party cares about is not winning or losing at all, but the whole world.
It’s ridiculous that I deliberately show off my literary talent and want to win over the other party with sophistry.
It’s really shameful and embarrassing.
He Yu Shimei was not a pedantic person. Li Qiwei's views were sharp and rigorous, going straight to the core. I was indeed convinced by him.
There is no distinction between Tao and Tao. It is something that people use to discuss, but it is just a myth.
At this moment, Yu Shimei no longer dared to look down on Li Qiwei, but regarded him as an equal, and even felt admiration for him.
After all, given the other party's conditions, there is absolutely no need to take risks and participate in the Qing Dynasty's New Deal. It might just make you angry.
With his status in the West, he can live a carefree life and even become a great master.
"Qiwei, what you said today really opened my eyes."
"Although you don't agree with the words of the sages, you don't belittle them and think they are worthless."
“It’s about retaining its essence and correcting its flaws.”
“Using Western methods to nourish our Chinese way is a broad and infinite mind.”
"And you have lofty ambitions and care about the people of the country, which is really rare."
"One day in the future, you may not be able to achieve the immortality of the Three Lis and be praised by future generations."
Li Qiwei said with a smile: " The academic platform is over-reputed, I just want to do something practical."
"No matter how many words of saints you know, if it can't improve the living standards of the people, what's the point."
< br>“But the physics I study can really improve our industrial and technological levels.”
"Let China not fall too far behind in the world of nations."
Yu Shimei nodded heavily, greatly appreciated, and said, "Then do you have a plan now?"
< br>"Your Majesty asked you to be the Deputy Minister of Management. Many people have criticized it. You have to show your true skills."
Li Qiwei said: "I have drawn up an outline and was about to ask you. Xuetai, tell the Qing court for me."
After that, he took out the paper he carried with him, and his reform plan was densely written on it.
Yu Shimei valued Li Qiwei's three points more and felt that his thigh was stable.
Not only is his eloquence amazing, but he also acts quickly. In just a short time, he has already come up with a plan.
Guangxu’s appointment of Li Qiwei to an official position naturally needs to be investigated, otherwise how can he convince the public.
This education reform outline by Li Qiwei is proof of this.
Whether he has real talent or knowledge, or just a false reputation, everything depends on his ability.
Li Qiwei also knew this very well, so he started planning in his mind long before returning to China.
Today, it’s finally time to make progress.
(End of this chapter)