Chapter 221 Old Confucianism and New Confucianism

After the important matters were discussed, the people in the hall were left with nothing but sighs.

Even though Hao Ren, Zhou Tieyi's confidant, helped Zhou Tieyi handle most of the affairs of the Railway Chamber of Commerce, he was like a blind man touching an elephant. Before Zhou Tieyi fully connected the clues, he could not imagine that the scheme was so large and so ingenious, and that in the end all three companies were involved.

After discussing the major issues, Zhou Tieyi was also clear about the minor issues and asked Hao Ren to take out the most recent account book for those present to review and for the attorney general to supervise.

The establishment of the Railway Chamber of Commerce is not something that can be done overnight. We must let them see our ability as well as our fairness. Only in this way can we master such a powerful national weapon. Otherwise, we will not be able to convince the people, and how can we take money from everyone's pockets in the future?

Since Zhou Tieyi asked everyone to look at the accounts, Qingkong Gui naturally took the lead and looked at them carefully.

The greater principles cannot be neglected, and the smaller details cannot be messed up either.

After reading it, I found that there were no mistakes in the accounts, no deductions, and they were even better than everyone had imagined.

The only drawback is that the workers are treated too well and the expenses are a bit high, but compared with what Zhou Tieyi planned, everyone accepts this.

The late-returning birds flew across the sky, bringing up a fan-like red glow, dividing the dusk and night.

Many big shots came out of the Railway Chamber of Commerce with satisfaction, and brought what they saw and heard today to the entire Tianjing, and then spread it to the whole world. This is why Zhou Tieyi solemnly gathered all the shareholders.

Simin Mansion, Dong Xingshu naturally knew the news first.

He sat alone at his desk for a long time, and only came to his senses when the sunset had completely faded.

This time he did not summon Confucianists to discuss the matter.

Even if the matter this time was serious enough that Qingkong Gui "betrayed" him.

But even if everyone is gathered together, what conclusion can they come up with?
In fact, at this point, with Dong Xingshu's knowledge, he could naturally judge that "Xingshi Bao" had reached a dead end.

But Zhou Tieyi just kept the dying "dragon" hanging, not taking action to kill it, waiting for the Confucians to continue to add resources.

However, Dong Xingshu and Confucianism cannot completely give up "Xingshi Bao", otherwise it would be equivalent to completely giving up a new path that can cover the right to speak for the entire people.

Gou Rixin, every day, and every day.

Today, Dong Xingshu has a deep understanding of this sentence. The situation is developing in a new direction every day. The only thing that remains unchanged is the gradually decaying Confucianism.

He picked up the pen, dipped it in water, and wrote the three words "vernacular" on the paper in front of him.

This is the core of the debate over newspaper authority.

Confucianism can no longer lag behind others!

Thinking of this, Dong Xingshu left the study alone. This time he did not take a carriage, but walked alone on Yujing Mountain and headed towards Huwei Bingfang.

Inside the Huwei Weaponry, in the apprentice dormitory.

Wang Mingyi was still thinking about the operating principle of the steam engine explained by Gongshujia's disciples this afternoon. The principle was not complicated, at least it was very simple for him.

But what made him think more deeply was how much the emergence of the steam engine meant.

Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of him, which startled Wang Mingyi. Then he realized who it was, which shocked him even more, "Si Min..."

Dong Xingshu waved his hand and said, "Do you have time to walk with me?"

Wang Mingyi looked towards the dormitory. The teenagers around him were still playing around and had not noticed that a second-rank figure who could influence the situation in the world had arrived quietly.

Wang Mingyi nodded, and Dong Xingshu took Wang Mingyi out of the dormitory, left the Huwei Soldiers' Square, and climbed up along the road of Fuyao Mountain. The end of the world seemed so close along the way, and in just a short while, the two of them reached the top of Fuyao Mountain.

Mount Fuyao was originally slightly higher than Mount Yujing, but when Daxia was founded, the top of the mountain was flattened, making the entire Mount Fuyao slightly lower than Mount Yujing.

However, this does provide a good place for the people of the four cities of Tianjing to enjoy the mountain scenery.

At this time, the sky is full of stars, summer insects are chirping, and the mountain air is fresh.

Dong Xingshu randomly found a large rock, brushed his sleeves across the stone surface to clear away the dust, sat down first, and then pointed to the place in front of him, "Sit."

Wang Mingyi hesitated for a moment, bowed to Dong Xingshu, and then sat down.

Dong Xingshu looked at the starry sky for a while, and then asked Wang Mingyi, "How much have you learned during this period?"

Wang Mingyi knew that Dong Xingshu was asking how much he had learned in the Railway Chamber of Commerce.

He thought carefully and said after a while, "I learned a lot, but the more I learn, the more I feel I am far behind him..."

He also looked up at the starry sky for a while. "At that time, he dared to make a ten-year agreement with the teacher and dared to keep me to study with him. Now that I think about it, he really didn't take me seriously. Or maybe I was also a part of his plan. It's just that I can't see clearly where my move fits in his plan."

After listening to Wang Mingyi's insights, Dong Xingshu was not surprised. Instead, he smiled and said, "What's so difficult about this?"

Wang Mingyi looked at Dong Xingshu. "Please give me some advice, Simin."

"He just wants to use you to achieve the 'new Confucianism' in his mind and kill the 'old Confucianism' like me. Not only kill his body, but also kill his heart and his way."

Wang Mingyi thought for a while, nodded and sighed, "That's right, otherwise why would he let me stay with him to study? Then Simin, will you let me continue to study with him?"

Dong Xingshu asked, "Do you want to continue studying?"

"think."

Wang Mingyi answered affirmatively.

"Then follow him and learn from him. I want to see what the 'new Confucianism' in his mind looks like!"

Dong Xingshu flicked his sleeves and spoke calmly, as if he didn't care at all that Zhou Tieyi wanted to train Wang Mingyi to become a "new Confucian" who would kill his Taoist heart.

Wang Mingyi hesitated for a moment and asked, "Since he has revealed some of the shortcomings of Confucianism, and Simin has also noticed the shortcomings, why doesn't Simin reform Confucianism himself?"

Dong Xingshu asked back, "How to change it?"

This one sentence made Wang Mingyi silent.

Yes, who knows how to change Confucianism?
Zhou Tieyi did expose some drawbacks, but these drawbacks have only touched the surface so far and have not yet touched the root causes.

And even though Zhou Tieyi has done so many things now, does the Confucianism in his heart necessarily mean it's right?
Wang Mingyi remained silent, but Dong Xingshu talked about something else, "Do you know the Daotong?"

"Have heard a little bit."

"Taoism is not only a power, but also a constraint."

Seeing the confusion in Wang Mingyi's eyes, Dong Xingshu chuckled and explained, "The orthodoxy is just like my position as the Minister of the People. Sitting in this position, I am often helpless. I know the shortcomings of Confucianism now, but I cannot move easily, because I am the Minister of the People. If I move, not only will my own strength be greatly damaged, but it will also shake the original foundation of the entire Confucianism, which means that the old orthodoxy begins to collapse. Before the new orthodoxy is established or even has a clear direction, the direct collapse of the old orthodoxy will only lead to absolute chaos within Confucianism. Among the hundreds of schools of thought in the world, there are more than just Zhou Tieyi who are eyeing my position as the leader of Confucianism. It may even make my Confucianism completely eliminated in such a great struggle!"

"I do want to change, but rather than an old Confucian who has achieved the orthodoxy, I prefer you, a new Confucian who is not bound by the orthodoxy."

"Besides, the truth cannot be understood without debate. The difference between new Confucianism and old Confucianism can only be seen after one sacrifices one's life. If the path you are taking is really a new great path, then why can't an old Confucian like me sacrifice my life for the sake of righteousness? There is no revolution in the world without the death of others!"

After listening to Dong Xingshu's remarks, Wang Mingyi bowed and said, "I am grateful for your advice."

Dong Xingshu continued, "In fact, I have thought about buying more time for you..."

Although he was talking to Wang Mingyi, he was thinking of Zhou Tieyi, Ke Anran, and many other outstanding Confucian scholars he had met.

"But time is running out. They are too smart, taking one step after another. I can't let you wait any longer. This will only make you miss the first move like me, and you will never have a chance to win again!"

"Please give me some advice, Mr. Dong."

Dong Xingshu thought for a while and said, "Vernacular Chinese is the general trend, but the words of the saints have their own value and cannot be lost. You can run a newspaper and try to explain the profound meaning of the various schools of thought in vernacular Chinese. Do it in your name, not in my name or in the name of Confucianism."

"This newspaper does not need to be distributed to the entire Tianjing, but to students of Taixue, various colleges, and private schools. It can unite like-minded friends, not limited to Confucianism. I will try my best to help you hold back those diehards within Confucianism and make them focus on Zhou Tieyi. If your newspaper is really feasible and proves that your path has meaning, then you can change your affiliation, just like that kid, stepping on me directly to replace the channel of Awakening Newspaper and complete the first step of your new Confucian foundation!"

Wang Mingyi carefully studied Dong Xingshu's strategy, which was undoubtedly a good one. The only problem was Zhou Tieyi.

"If he finds out, what should we do if we want to stop him?"

Dong Xingshu stroked his beard and smiled, "You think too highly of that boy. Do you know what his biggest weakness is?"

Wang Mingyi asked curiously, "What is it?"

"That kid cherishes his life!"

Dong Xingshu said affirmatively, "His arrangements are one after another, but each link seems to be a fight with others, but he has left room for himself. He may have a way, but in his heart, I am afraid that his life is the most important, and the life of his Zhou family is second! So I chose you, not him!"

"Do great things but cherish your body..."

If it were anyone else, Dong Xingshu would have definitely commented that they were "not up to par". However, facing Zhou Tieyi, he simply snorted twice.

Wang Mingyi couldn't help laughing. It seemed that even though Simin admired Zhou Tieyi's talent and planning, he was not convinced by the way Zhou Tieyi behaved.

"Since that kid cherishes his life so much, he must tolerate you. Otherwise, if I fall, he will have to face His Majesty! This is also your chance to escape from his chess game!"

"You are in the chess game, so why isn't he in the chess game too?"

With the breeze blowing on his face, Wang Mingyi felt as if everything had suddenly become clear after receiving Dong Xingshu's advice today. Not only did he see the current situation a little more clearly, but the haze in his heart about Zhou Tieyi was also blown away.

Teacher, in ten years, I will win!

(End of this chapter)