roccoschili Chapter 1333 - 1333 25 The Transmission of Political Principles
Chapter 1333 - 1333 25 The Transmission of Political Principles
1333: Chapter 25 The Transmission of Political Principles 1333: Chapter 25 The Transmission of Political Principles The topic changed so abruptly that Jiang Wang was caught off guard.In his mind, he thought that even the strongest of people can’t avoid the unexpected…
But of course, he didn’t dare to say that out loud, nor did he wish to leave the Changle Palace lying down.
So he said: “Jiang Wang is slow-witted; truly, I do not understand.”
Jiang Wuhua leaned back and sat up straight: “Let’s return to discussing the Official Way.”
Jiang Wang: …
He realized that this Eastern Palace Crown Prince, though renowned for his magnanimity and simplicity, was actually a bit “mischievous”!
Jiang Wuhua continued: “The Official Way is a matter of two sides to one entity, competent governance increases the people’s spirit, while failure in duty leads to its decline.
Take the Outer Building as an example, if your governance unites policy and people harmoniously, it naturally helps anchor you in this world.
But if the people suffer, their spirit scattered and Karma entangled, it will only lead you further astray!”
That is to say, if one governs well, the Official Way aids cultivation.
If one governs poorly, the Official Way instead becomes a setback for the cultivator.
Jiang Wang, of course, wouldn’t be foolish enough to actively inquire about the affairs of the Crown Prince, and after pondering said: “In that case, shouldn’t all officials in the world abstain from idleness and incompetence?”
Jiang Wuhua smiled and said: “That touches on the matter of talent.
The scope of talent is broad; some people have a talent for cultivation but lack the talent for governance.
Some are capable officials but are clumsy on the path of cultivation.
It is not a matter that if you want to be a good official, you can be one.”
The confidence in his words seemed to imply a message—my own talent for cultivation may be average, but my talent as a Crown Prince is quite good!
“The first aspect of the Official Way gathers the people’s spirit, the second aspect gathers resources.
Sometimes, the people’s spirit and resources are in opposition.” Jiang Wuhua asked: “You’ve had your experiences in Green Sheep Town, do you understand?”
“I believe I do.”
This was quite understandable.
For instance, during his time in Green Sheep Town, Jiang Wang could have plundered resources for his own use, thereby losing the heart of the people, which is the so-called “people’s spirit” of the Official Way.
But if he did not take a single penny from the citizens, and instead offered them many subsidies, he would have less resources but win the hearts of the people, gaining the “people’s spirit.”
“For those with boundless prospects, one should naturally manage them carefully, like a steady stream converging into a vast ocean.
For those with difficult paths, draining the pond to get all the fish is also considered normal.
People’s spirit can help clear confusion; a certain accumulation of resources can do the same,” Jiang Wuhua said: “Hence, some cultivators are diligent while some fall; similarly, some officials are virtuous and others are sycophants.”
Although draining the pond to get all the fish is generally seen as undesirable, for an official, it is indeed the method that harvests the most resources.
The Official Way is also a form of cultivation, every cultivator at the beginning surely wishes to move forward.
But constrained by the times or luck, different people gradually make different choices.
Common cultivators like Ge Heng from the Hu Clan Mine Site, and official cultivators like the subsequent City Lord of Jia City, Shi Jing, are essentially the same kind of person.
An official cultivator with a promising future, of course, will walk on two legs, needing both more resources and more people’s spirit.
When facing obstacles in their paths, they may have to make some unsightly choices.
Listening to the Crown Prince’s explanation of the Official Way and combining it with his own experiences, Jiang Wang felt as though he was dispelling the clouds to see the moon.
“Jiang Wang has been enlightened.”
“Furthermore.” Jiang Wuhua added: “‘People’s spirit’ concerns the hearts of the people, yet is not confined to just that.
The significance of the Official Way even more so lies in ‘achievement’, hence the treacherous can be competent officials, and the wicked can achieve virtuous deeds.”
At that point, he chuckled: “Furthermore, the matter of good and evil, how can it be so easily clarified?”
Jiang Wang sighed: “Indeed, so it is.”
Jiang Wuhua continued: “From something as small as a town or a city, to something as large as a jurisdiction or a country.
During your time in the Outer Building, achievement is expressed through people’s spirit, sufficient people’s spirit and one need not worry about going astray.
After the ‘God arrives,’ achievement is embodied in the Dao.
Governing too is an exposition of the Dao.
If the person departs and policy ceases, one who rose through the Official Way will also decline because of it.
Thus, the transmission of governance is similar to the succession of the Dao.
Conflicting governance often leads to mortal enmity!”
Only now, Jiang Wang still didn’t know what exactly the Crown Prince wanted to tell him.
But the discourse on the Official Way by the Crown Prince was indeed profound— The Official Way is also cultivation!
No wonder many powerful figures of the court seek successors for their governance before retiring; in fact, they’re protecting their own cultivation!
“For those who follow the Official Way, cultivation tends to be easier.
But the Official Way has two sides to it, and those who cultivate through it must also bear its burdens.
If the governance line continues, one can disengage and progressively free oneself from the Official Way, focusing cultivation on oneself.
Even if the governance ceases then, it would not be a concern.”
If the line of governance does not continue, it might mean the “extinguishing of one’s Dao.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Wang couldn’t help but think, perhaps this is the difference between the state system and the Major Sects!
Dependent on the Official Way, one could advance faster in cultivation.
But pure Sect Monks would be free from the constraints of the Official Way.
It’s hard to say which of the two is superior, but the current pattern of the world is already evident.
Aside from those top major sects, Cheng Country is truly everywhere under the heavens.
Without a doubt, under the national system, it is easier for strong individuals to emerge.
This is the reason why, since the restart of the Dao Calendar, various countries have risen together!
The long river of history rushes forward, with countless waves splashing.
The human race has also been evolving continuously, with many changes occurring.
From a forest of sects to the rise of various countries.
Later generations look back, only to exclaim “so that’s how it was”.
But if one were to live in that era and place, one would not know what earth-shattering changes were taking place.
The change of this “path”, the sweeping surge of the Human Dao, just thinking about it makes one feel its grandeur!
“Even for True Men…”
The Crown Prince seemed to become more interested as he spoke, suddenly asking, “Do you know Emperor Han Yin of Yong Country?”
Jiang Wang’s mind stirred, countering with, “The Supreme Emperor of Yong Country?”
“He is an excellent example.”
Jiang Wuhua applauded and laughed, “Relying on the position of Emperor Yong, he secured his status as a True Man and even aspired to go further.
But perhaps due to the times or the circumstances, he never quite reached his potential and couldn’t lead Yong Country forward, instead becoming a burden to Yong Country.
Even though he abdicated in the face of pressure, passing the throne to Han Xu, he still tightly held onto power and was effectively the ruler of Yong.
This was because his Cultivation as the True Man of the Age required constant absorption of Yong Country’s national fortunes to maintain.
If Yong Country could continue to grow stronger, then this would be as a running stream that never stales, with him drawing on the national fortunes, his Cultivation could conversely nurture the national power.
If Yong Country halted its progress, he would become the biggest parasitic worm of Yong Country, doomed to eventual execution!”
So that’s how it was…
So that’s how it was!
Jiang Wuhua did not dare to boast recklessly about why the Holy Emperor established a Crown Prince.
But after discussing the Official Way, with just a light touch on the matter of Han Yin, the point was made clear.
The Emperor’s path is also within the national system.
The current Emperor Qi’s Cultivation overshadows the world, leading Qi Country to become the overlord of the Eastern Region, a truly majestic accomplishment.
But on the path of statecraft, trying to advance even further is extremely difficult.
Presented before Emperor Qi are only two paths.
One is to sweep across the Six Harmonies, unifying the world; with such a feat, naturally becoming peerless, transcending beyond the peak.
The second is to attempt to break away from the restraints of the Official Way, but just like other officials and cultivators, the supreme position of Son of Heaven also needs someone to inherit his great accomplishments.
If he abdicates and Qi Country’s power wanes, not only will he be unable to break free from the Official Way and focus his superior Cultivation on himself, he will instead be dragged down by the decline of the country.
Therefore, whether from the significance of Cultivation, personal sentiment, or accomplishments, the Son of Heaven needs an heir who can at least inherit his great accomplishments and maintain Qi Country’s position as the overlord!
This is why there is a need to establish a Crown Prince!
The deity lives beyond five hundred, the True Man lives over a thousand.
But very few monarchs reign for a hundred years, and that is because the monarch is already at the apex of the system, with no higher to advance.
Once the state stagnates, it needs to continuously draw upon the national fortunes to consolidate Cultivation, turning oneself into a parasite of the nation.
Either waiting to be overthrown or dragging the country down with one.
People like Han Yin, who neither advance in the Official Way nor have the courage to break away from the national system, rule for over three hundred years, actually dragging Yong Country down with him.
Using the national fortunes of Yong Country to sustain his own True Man Cultivation.
No wonder Yong Country’s power wanes day by day.
No wonder Zhuang Gaoxian and Du Ruhui would audaciously initiate a war between nations, attacking the strong with the weak.
It turns out that even the strong, are in fact hollow on the inside!
Jiang Wang felt more thoughtful the more he pondered, feeling an endless stream of revelations.
Many things that were previously unclear have now become crystal clear, as if he has glimpsed a new world.
It is no surprise that the “Official Way”, which encompasses the Hundred Schools of Thought, has become the mainstream of the current world, in less than four thousand years since the beginning of the New Dao Calendar.
Truly, it is a vast and boundless world of Cultivation!