Chapter 3384
Thoughts and Interests
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God cannot shed blood; this is an ironclad rule, at least within the corresponding religious belief, especially when facing its followers!
When Brahmins can be killed by people of other classes, it means that Brahmins are no different from people of other classes.
Their status may remain noble, but it is no longer as sacred and inviolable as before.
If things stop here, even if the Brahmins themselves would face enormous risks to their personal safety, it would not be unacceptable, as their corresponding rights and status would still be intact.
The fear is that things might escalate further, leading to another possibility.
"Are kings and nobles born with a special destiny?" Sima Zhang slowly uttered the words that were etched into the minds of aristocratic families.
Although the current Han Empire is somewhat strange, and it seems that the emperor has always ruled under the Liu family, the impact of this statement will still be remembered by everyone.
Class is fluid; the difference between ordinary people and high-ranking officials is equal when faced with death.
Whether it was the Yellow Turban Rebellion in the past or the current expansion of territory abroad, any aristocratic family with a bit of knowledge would naturally have a deeper understanding of the meaning of this phrase.
Those peasants who were once looked down upon may one day become famous generals and prime ministers, earning titles and establishing themselves as scholars through military achievements.
Unfortunately, while their predecessors could utter such words, no one in the Kushan Empire could.
To believe in gods, respect gods, and then obey gods is not something a person should do.
The existence of deities only needs to appear when needed; the rest of the time, humans should be the main focus.
"Are kings and nobles born with a special destiny?" Standing next to Sima Zhang, Maitreya repeated this sentence, then his eyes were full of confusion, completely not understanding the meaning or spirit of the sentence.
However, it was precisely because he did not understand that Maitreya respected Sima Zhang even more. He could sense a principle from those words, but he just didn't understand it.
By learning from our predecessors and from philosophy, we can get closer to God and Buddha.
Sima Zhang shook his head slightly, realizing that this place was beyond saving.
Perhaps only through radical reform and change can this place be reborn.
No wonder Zhongda didn't want to come to this place; the prevailing ideas and environment here are nothing short of a cancer.
From this perspective, Kusroy's actions are more like what a Han Chinese should do.
"His actions were like those of a hero, what a pity..." Having confirmed what he wanted to see, Sima Zhang thought about what had happened during this period, and his words were filled with emotion.
Heroes, the words translated from those ancient books have been given completely different meanings.
A nation without heroes is pathetic; a nation that has heroes but does not respect them is beyond redemption…
It is clear that Kusroy's actions have destined him to be disrespected by this nation, whether in the past, present, or future.
Through this practice, Sima Zhang himself learned more and made more significant progress. He also understood the advantages and disadvantages of the Brahmanical system. Over time, religious belief could ensure class stability, keeping the powerful in power forever and the weak forever—a fate predetermined from birth.
It is indeed a good system for people who lack ambition.
Especially now that various powerful families are expanding their territories, they will inevitably implement their own systems. With this system as a reference, it is unknown whether anyone will use the same system.
Such a system could be used by those who want the family heir to maintain their rightful position but do not trust the wisdom of the family heir.
The prerequisite is that the external environment must be clean and free from competitive pressure.
Unfortunately, the fact that these aristocratic families left the Han Empire to expand their territories abroad destined the future to be an era of competition.
A weak, conservative, and stagnant system is destined to fail to survive among the people.
It wasn't that people couldn't coexist peacefully, but as a member of a powerful family, Sima Zhang knew very well what kind of people the other powerful families were.
It's better to believe the sun will rise in the west the next day than to believe that powerful families can live in harmony with each other.
Putting aside his inner turmoil and reflecting on the actions of the other Brahmins, Sima Zhang could only quietly await the passing of this hero.
A hero's actions are called heroic because they come at a great cost.
When the weak provoke the strong and break the rules that bind them, they will naturally suffer the corresponding backlash. Even if other forces add fuel to the fire in this process, it cannot change the fact that Kusroy is the instigator of all this.
To pave the way for the untouchable class and shatter a class-based religious belief system that has been stable for hundreds of years is a task that anyone who sees it can only shake their head and sigh.
Outnumbered, outmatched in strength, and outmatched in wealth, what can a so-called hero possibly achieve when at a disadvantage in every aspect?
“Master Sima Zhang, the personnel ordered by His Majesty Emperor Vasudeva I have arrived. What do you think we should do next?” Maitreya, a monk, provided further information.
Although it is unclear what Sima Zhang's purpose was, Maitreya said they were quite interested in the fact that it could shake the foundations of the Brahmanical system without sticking to the pot.
As a member of the Shramanas, Maitreya opposed the doctrine of Brahma's creation of the world and the racial system derived from this doctrine, and instead endorsed the worldview of "dependent origination."
Different doctrines and different core ideas also destined the entire Kushan Empire to be divided not only between the north and south.
The conflict between the North and the South was merely a conflict over rule and interests; the conflict between Brahmins and Shramanas was more about ideology and philosophy.
For Emperor Vasudeva I, if he wanted to maintain the status quo, the Brahmanical system based on the Brahma creation myth was indeed the most stable framework.
However, as an outsider, Vasudeva I wanted to dismantle the system and seize the power and authority that the state should rightfully possess.
With this goal in mind, Sima Zhang also clearly understood the supporters behind Maitreya and others.
The conflict between Brahmins and ascetics might have been merely an ideological one, but in the case of Vasudeva I, who used the ascetic guise of a monk, it was purely a struggle for power and resources. (End of Chapter)