Chapter 31

Chapter 665: Ascend the Mountain Knowing the Path, Set Sail Knowing the Wind (3)

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Lü Bu decided to accept Guo Jia's advice.

"Please give me a moment to think."

Lü Bu clasped his hands together, seeking understanding. In response, Shangshan Chao翁 spoke on behalf of the fangshi.

"Then we will wait for your good answer."

Lü Bu called one of his subordinates to arrange accommodations for the fangshi and to serve them wine and meat.

Bichangfang stepped away from the group of fangshi and glared at Guo Jia.

"Master, you should listen to some good advice."

Guo Jia realized that Bichangfang had something to say and followed him to a corner. Bichangfang spoke in a low voice so that Lü Bu would not worry.

"Fengxiao Master, I am truly disappointed. We are not just fellow students; we are good friends who have shared meals together, are we not?"

"Daozhang, how can you say that?"

"How can you not know why I am saying this? You should support us, the fangshi, instead of blocking General Lü's response."

Bichangfang seemed to harbor resentment because Guo Jia did not help him but rather challenged him.

Bichangfang, along with Guo Jia and E Jin, had joined Lü Bu's army due to Zhen's propaganda. He thought Guo Jia would secretly support him. Even if not, he believed Guo Jia would not deliberately sabotage him.

However, Guo Jia had embarrassed Bichangfang twice today. But Guo Jia also had his reasons.

"Daozhang, I am well aware that I have received much help from you. I also consider you a close friend. However, public is public, and private is private. As a military advisor, I am merely doing my duty."

"You should listen to some good advice."

Bichangfang glared at Guo Jia with a rare, fierce look and even lectured him.

"Without the help of the fangshi, you would not be where you are today. Moreover, General Lü has also benefited greatly from our help. If he accepts our support, it will bring great benefits. But it almost came to nothing because of Fengxiao Master."

Guo Jia countered.

"I acknowledge the benefits. However, why do you not mention the drawbacks? Daozhang, the Han Dynasty is a country that operates on the principles of Confucianism."

"So what?"

"The scholars of the realm are looking for the cause of the chaos in the Yellow Turban Rebellion."

* * *

Guo Jia had touched on the fangshi's sore spot. Bichangfang raised his voice.

"The Taiping Dao could rise because the court was corrupt. Are the fangshi to become officials?"

How many of the civil and military officials in the court are not from scholar families? Even the positions that read the celestial phenomena are not for the fangshi in the Han Dynasty.

"You have a point. Most of the officials who run the country today are those who have studied Confucianism. The influence of the scholars is indeed significant. They are black when they are black, and white when they are white. How can you not know this?"

"Are you saying General Lü should cater to the scholars? Stagnant water will inevitably rot."

We must not forget that Yuan Shao was the leader of the scholars. The scholars are in no position to criticize us, the fangshi.

Bichangfang's words were truly bone-chilling.

It was absurd to say that the scholars were not responsible for the current chaos. In a way, Confucianism had brought down the Han Dynasty.

However, Guo Jia was one of those who believed that Confucianism could revive the Han Dynasty.

He pleaded with Lü Bu.

"General, the fangshi's proposal is quite plausible, but you must not accept them."

Bichangfang did not remain silent.

"General, the scholars are the root cause of the chaos. It will be difficult to break the hold of Confucianism on the world if not now."

The confrontation between Confucianism and Daoism.

Although Guo Jia was a military strategist, his foundation was still that of a Confucian scholar.

Moreover, his family was from Yingchuan, a place where prestigious scholar families were concentrated.

Bichangfang was also a Confucian scholar.

But he had become deeply disappointed with the limitations of Confucianism and turned to the path of Daoism.

Despite being almost like fellow students, Guo Jia and Bichangfang treated each other like enemies in the face of ideological conflict.

"Enough! Enough!"

Lü Bu raised his voice, and the two men's argument ceased. Lü Bu looked at them in turn and said.

"I know little about Confucianism or Daoism. However, the way you are fighting is wrong from the start. Warriors fight with swords, and propagandists fight with their tongues. So, are you warriors or propagandists?"

Lü Bu spoke without much thought, but his words had a significant impact on both Guo Jia and Bichangfang.

What do ideologies fight with? The answer lies in the Warring States period.

* * *

"Ideologies must meet power to be realized and to flourish. I, Guo Jia Fengxiao! I cannot say that Confucianism is the only answer. However, I can assert that Daoism is certainly not the answer."

"Why do you think so?"

"Daoism is the philosophy of those who have fled from reality. It attributes everything to the will of heaven and accepts, or rather, resigns to everything. It is merely an excuse for the defeated."

Guo Jia's straightforward speech provoked Bichangfang.

"Master, does this Daozhang appear to be a defeated person to you? I will not deny that there are those who have turned to the path of Daoism out of disgust with reality. However, it is because Confucianism has failed to provide an answer."

He then turned his gaze to Lü Bu.

"General Lü, the philosophy of Daoism is for the people. Is it wrong to provide a place of solace when reality is painful?"

"If reality is unreasonable, it should be broken by force, should it not?"

"Those who rise against injustice are called heroes. But how many among the people of the realm can truly be called heroes?"

Lü Bu, being of humble origin, was more concerned with the lives of the common people than with the gentry or scholars. Knowing well the hardships of the common people, he felt that Daoism was necessary for them.

Guo Jia, sensing that Lü Bu was swayed by Bichangfang's words, countered.

"General, Daoism is no different from an anesthetic to the people. It can make them forget their immediate pain, but it will not solve the fundamental problems."

"General, Fengxiao Master's words are truly outrageous. Confucianism is the root of evil that creates fundamental problems. Please consider how those who have studied Confucianism have shaped the current realm."

The heated exchange ended with an unexpected twist.

"Confucius and Laozi are not close to me. Even if I were to discuss the Warring States period when the Hundred Schools of Thought contended, I would not understand. But there is one thing I am certain of."

Guo Jia and Bichangfang were curious about what Lü Bu would say next.

"The contending schools of thought emerged while seeking ways to end the chaos."

Clang!

Lü Bu slammed the table and clenched his fist.

"I, Lü Bu, will usher in a new era. In my time, the Hundred Schools of Thought will contend once again. The realm will decide which is right and which is wrong."

"Ah!"

"Ah!"

Guo Jia and Bichangfang exclaimed in unison. Lü Bu's grand ambition stirred their hearts, even though they did not represent Confucianism or Daoism.

Lü Bu was the first to speak of reviving the contention of the Hundred Schools of Thought.

Many warlords had spoken of ending the chaos and bringing peace to the realm, but none had shown interest in academia.

Typically, a dynasty must last for three or four generations before it can focus on culture and ideology. It is around this time that figures like Emperor Wen appear.

Why is this so? The answer is simple.

Only after establishing military might, eliminating internal and external enemies, and collecting taxes to enrich the nation can one turn to academia and build achievements.

Yet, Lü Bu spoke of reviving the contention of the Hundred Schools of Thought even before becoming the ruler of the realm.

* * *

"Among the many heroes who share my ideals, there are those who follow Confucianism, Daoism, Agrarianism, Miscellaneous Schools, and Diplomacy. I will give all of them a chance."

"General, what kind of opportunity do you plan to give us, the fangshi?"

"I have one principle in my army. Those who establish merit will be rewarded. Do anything to establish merit for the realm. If you can make the people live in peace, that ideology will be the ultimate winner in the new contention of the Hundred Schools of Thought."

Lü Bu gave a simple answer and left first.

"Daozhang Bi, please arrange a meeting with the fangshi in an hour."

Once he left, only Bichangfang and Guo Jia remained in the room. Guo Jia boldly declared to Bichangfang.

"The ultimate winner in the second contention of the Hundred Schools of Thought will be Confucianism."

"Hmph! The scholars are spineless, swaying this way and that, but we fangshi have already united. If you think about which side will be more helpful to General Lü, the answer is already clear."

"Is the power of the fangshi greater in the realm, or the power of the scholars?"

"Not all scholars will support General Lü, will they?"

Seeming to anticipate Guo Jia's rebuttal, Bichangfang held up his palm to stop him.

"Do not try to intimidate me with empty boasts. You may not know, but the fangshi come from diverse backgrounds. Scholars? We have plenty. From executioners who take lives every day to even descendants of the Han imperial family."

Bichangfang continued as if declaring war on Guo Jia.

"I cannot tell you everything, but the assets we fangshi have prepared for the realm are truly great and significant. You will see a part of it today."

"Daozhang Bi, enough with the empty boasts. We are not fighting each other out of malice, are we? You must know that for General Lü to achieve his ambitions, the help of the scholars is indispensable."

"I apologize for my harsh words. We fangshi do not intend to push the scholars aside and take their place. We merely wish to compete on the same level for the good of the realm."

Their conversation could not continue any further.

"Brother, are you inside?"

Wei Yue's voice. Guo Jia opened the door to greet him.

"General left the room a while ago. Is there something urgent?"

"Master, Zhao Zilong has come from Shangshan."