SFS Chapter 414: Collection of Classical Texts from Around the World
Chapter 414: Collection of Classical Texts from Around the World
Unlike Chunyu Yue's reaction, Shusun Tong, upon hearing the imperial edict, not only showed no displeasure but clapped his hands and laughed, exclaiming, "Brilliant! This is a godsend!"
The disciple was puzzled: "Master, the court's move is clearly aimed at seizing the right to my Confucian classics..."
Shusun Tong shook his head, his eyes gleaming: "Princess Jiayang wants to print books simply to spread knowledge widely. But how to spread knowledge and who will explain it—that is the key." He unfolded a blank bamboo scroll and wrote quickly, "We should not only offer up our family collection of books, but also volunteer to proofread classics for the court."
A few days later, he personally brought more than ten boxes of bamboo slips into the palace, respectfully presented them, and said: "Your subject is willing to lead the scholars of the Imperial Academy to organize the classics for the court and eliminate falsehoods and preserve truth."
Ying Wuyou gave him a deep look, a half-smile on her face: "Dr. Shusun, you do know how to be pragmatic."
Shusun Tong bowed, concealing the calculation in his eyes: "For the sake of the world's learning, I dare not keep anything to myself."
Shusun Tong thought to himself: [Only by controlling the power of interpretation can one control the hearts of the people.]
Ying Wuyou didn't care about any of that. What she was thinking about was how to ensure that every citizen of Qin had access to books and education. Whether the knowledge was Confucian or Legalist, she didn't care. In her view, as long as the knowledge could be used by Qin and make it stronger, it was good knowledge.
Ying Wuyou had no intention of suppressing any school of thought, nor did she intend to give special favor to any particular one. She believed that using the right knowledge in the right position was the wisest choice. Only in this way could the advantages of various schools of thought be fully utilized, allowing all aspects of the Qin Dynasty to develop and improve.
His goal was clear: to make Qin a truly powerful nation. To this end, she was willing to recruit talented individuals from all schools of thought; anyone with genuine ability could find their place in Qin. She herself would take a broader perspective, examining these schools of thought and these talents, and applying them appropriately to the nation's development.
Compared to Chunyu Yue's conservatism and Shusun Tong's opportunism, Kong Jia was more direct; he simply took leave to go home and then stayed indoors.
When the imperial envoy knocked on the gate of the Kong residence for the third time, he was no longer met with the servants' polite refusal, but with a bucket of cold water being poured over the wall.
"Get out!" came an aged and cold voice from inside the door. "The Confucian classics are the bloodline of sages; how dare the imperial court lay a finger on them!"
The envoy retreated in a disheveled state, his sleeves soaked with sweat, his face ashen. He gritted his teeth and shouted, "Kong Jia! Do you know the consequences of disobeying an imperial decree?!"
There was a moment of silence inside the door, followed by a cold laugh: "My Kong family has always taken it upon ourselves to uphold the Way since our ancestors. Even if swords and axes are brought upon us today, we will never hand over the book!"
When the news reached Xianyang, the imperial court was in turmoil.
Kong Jia, as a direct descendant of Confucius, held extremely high prestige within Confucianism. His tough stance ignited the indignation of Confucian scholars across the land.
The Xun family of Yingchuan publicly declared: "How is this action by the imperial court any different from looting?"
In the land of Qi and Lu, dozens of Confucian scholars gathered in front of the Confucius residence, chanting scriptures day and night to show their support.
Even worse, Confucian scholars in Chu wrote a proclamation denouncing Ying Wuyou for "destroying the way of sages and disrupting the classics of the world."
What's even more troublesome is that several prominent families who had originally agreed to donate the books have now gone back on their word.
Shusun Tong observed the situation coldly, and privately said to his disciple, "Princess Jiayang has really messed up this time."
Inside the Chaohua Palace, candlelight flickered.
The paper spread out in front of Ying Wuyou was filled with protests from Confucian scholars from various regions. She tapped her fingertips lightly on the table, her expression calm, but a hidden current surged in her eyes.
Cui'er whispered, "Princess, if we forcibly capture Kong Jia, it might provoke even greater resistance..."
Ying Wuyou raised her eyes: "Who said I was going to capture him?"
She slowly got up, walked to the window, and looked eastward—that was the direction of Qufu.
“Kong Jia wants a reputation, so I will give him a reputation,” she said softly. “He wants to protect the Dao, so I will let him know who is truly destroying the Dao.”
Three days later, a high platform was erected in the center of the most bustling market in Xianyang.
On the stage, Ying Wuyou personally placed a bamboo scroll into the brazier. The scroll burned, smoke rose, and the crowd gasped.
"Princess Jiayang burned books?!" a Confucian scholar exclaimed in surprise.
However, as the flames died down, Ying Wuyou took out a perfectly intact "bamboo slip" from the ashes—it turned out to be a replica made of special clay!
She held up the "Tao Jian" (a type of ancient Chinese bamboo slip) and said loudly, "As you can see, this is the 'Shangshu' (Book of Documents) after Shusun Tong's 'collation,' which has seven deletions and alterations, distorting the original meaning of the ancient sages!"
The crowd fell silent instantly.
She continued, "Kong Jia refused to hand over the scriptures because he feared the court would tamper with the imperial edicts. But now, it is precisely those who claim to 'protect the Way' who are tampering with the scriptures!"
Before he finished speaking, his subordinates had already brought in a trembling clerk from the Imperial Academy—this man was none other than Shusun Tong's confidant, and he was carrying several volumes of books that he had privately altered.
When the news reached Qufu, Kong Jia was stunned for a long time.
The disciple said urgently, "Master, Ying Wuyou is using this as a ploy to sow discord! We must not fall for it!"
Kong Jia slowly shook his head: "If what she said is true...aren't those altered classics even more terrifying than those that have been lost?"
That night, the moonlight was as clear as water, its silvery glow bathing Kong Jia's study in a state of extraordinary tranquility. However, in this peaceful moment, a figure quietly sat down at Kong Jia's desk.
Kong Jia was unaware of the unexpected visitor's arrival. As usual, he gently pushed open the study door, ready to enjoy his peaceful time. However, when his gaze fell on the desk, he was suddenly stunned—a person was sitting there, engrossed in a book!
Kong Jia's heart raced instantly, and he almost screamed, but at the last moment, he forced the scream back down. Nevertheless, his unusual behavior alerted the guards outside the door, who immediately asked anxiously what had happened.
Kong Jia took a deep breath, trying to keep his voice calm, and told the guards that everything was fine, he had just been startled. Then, he slowly walked into the study, gently closing the doors and windows, as if that would shut out the noise and fear from the outside world.
When Kong Jia finally turned around and faced the mysterious visitor, he realized that the person sitting at the desk was none other than Princess Jiayang, Ying Wuyou! At this moment, Ying Wuyou held a scroll of the Zuo Zhuan in her hand and looked at him with a half-smile, a smile that seemed to hide some profound meaning.
Kong Jia composed himself and asked, "Princess Jiayang, is there something you need at my humble abode so late at night?"
Ying Wuyou said, "Mr. Kong, I've heard that your family has a copy of the Spring and Autumn Annals with annotations written by your ancestors. Would you mind lending it to me for a look?"