: The lack of loyalty and righteousness in Confucianism is the greatest drawback of the te

Zhu Yuanzhang's imperial edict severed the Kong family's centuries-long glory.

But this is just the beginning.

Everyone understood that after being thoroughly "awakened" by the Heavenly Curtain, this iron-fisted emperor was going to settle accounts with far more than just the titles of a family.

What he wants to dismantle is the entire Confucian tradition, the ideological monopoly that has entrenched itself on the land of China for over a thousand years!

Above the sky, the "ancestral criticism meeting" that transcends time and space continues.

The AI ​​patriarch of the Kong family looked at the unconscious Confucius on the screen, still wearing that polite yet cruel smile.

"Ancestor, why are you so agitated? Who are you putting on this show for?"

"Is this a performance for Emperor Xin, whom you've vilified for three thousand years?"

"Or is this performance for Ying Qin's ancestors, E Lai and Fei Lian, who took the blame for your ancestor Wei Zi?"

"Or perhaps, it's a performance for Qin Shi Huang, the emperor who burned books and buried scholars alive, almost severing our lineage?"

The AI ​​family head's words were like daggers to the heart.

He seemed to be saying, "You, Confucius, are just crocodile tears, feigning compassion!"

"Hypocritical, so utterly hypocritical!"

The AI ​​family head shook his head, his tone full of the "insight" of someone who had been through it all.

"Ancestors, let's speak the truth behind closed doors."

"We Confucianists emphasize benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness, but we don't emphasize 'loyalty' at all!"

"Or rather, the 'loyalty' we speak of is not loyalty to a particular ruler or dynasty, but loyalty to the 'Way' and the 'Mandate of Heaven'!"

"And who should explain this 'Dao' and 'Mandate of Heaven'? Of course, it should be explained by us Confucianists!"

"Whoever has the biggest fist is destined for greatness! We will be loyal to them!"

"Didn't you start this method of playing?"

"Back then, in order to legitimize Ji Zhou's usurpation of the Shang Dynasty, you did not hesitate to distort history and cover up the ugly deeds of the powerful and wealthy."

"You make no mention of the Duke of Zhou using 'two-legged sheep' (human sacrifices) in his rituals in your historical records, but instead pin all the blame for his cruelty on Emperor Xin!"

"We, their descendants, are all following your example, distorting history and warping our values!"

"From the Spring and Autumn Period to the present day, the image of Confucianism has never been shattered!"

That is—a wise person knows when to yield!

This blatant declaration plunged all of time and space into a deathly silence.

Everyone was utterly shocked by this shameless yet "logically self-consistent" statement.

They always believed that Confucianism taught people to be loyal to the emperor and to love their country.

But now, the "AI spokesperson" of the Kong family has admitted that they never talk about "loyalty" but only about "being pragmatic"!

This completely overturned everyone's worldview!

Spring and Autumn Period.

Confucius, who had just been choked awake, trembled violently again upon hearing these words.

He wanted to refute, he wanted to rebuke.

But he found that he had no way to refute it!

Because what the other party said was, to some extent, "the truth"!

Confucianism does emphasize that "the ruler should treat his ministers with propriety, and the ministers should serve their ruler with loyalty," but this has a prerequisite: the ruler must be a "wise and virtuous ruler."

If the ruler is "wicked", then the ministers can "choose a good tree to perch on"!

The ultimate right to interpret "the Way" and "the Waylessness" is indeed firmly in the hands of these scholars!

This theory gave the scholar-official class a moral high ground that allowed them to betray their former masters and pledge allegiance to the new ruler at any time during dynastic changes!

The AI ​​patriarch seemed to have read his mind and continued to deliver the final blow.

"Ancestor, don't forget how you smeared the ancestors of Ying Qin in order to elevate yourself."

"In your ancient texts, you say that our ancestors were merely grooms who tended horses for the Zhou emperor."

"How could you forget that your own ancestor, Wei Zi Qi, was a member of the prestigious Yin Shang royal family!"

"A descendant of royalty mocking the son of a meritorious official who is now a stable boy?"

"The reason you did this is because the ancestors of Ying Qin were loyal to Emperor Xin, and were not on the same side as you Ji Zhou and you 'traitors of Yin Shang', right?"

"To clear the name of a traitor (Wei Ziqi), it is necessary to smear a loyal minister (E Lai)!"

"Ancestor, we've learned this game from you!"

"So, you really don't need to be angry. You should be happy!"

The AI ​​family head gave Confucius a bright smile.

"You see, our Kong family has applied your 'wisdom' to a masterful degree, which is why our family has been able to prosper for generations and enjoy uninterrupted wealth!"

"We are your most qualified successors!"

"You should be proud of us!"

"puff--"

This time, what Confucius spat out was not blood.

Instead, it was a feeling of pent-up frustration, an inability to release... a deep, unvented anger.

He seemed to have all his energy drained away, slumped on the ground, his eyes vacant, muttering to himself.

"No...no...this is not the way I follow..."

He wanted to say that his path was not like that.

His benevolence was not betrayal.

His courtesy was not hypocritical.

However, looking at the self-righteous faces of those descendants on the sky, and at those altered and distorted pieces of history, I felt a sense of loss.

All his explanations seemed so pale and powerless.

He was nailed to the pillar of historical shame by his own descendants, using his own theories!

Moreover, it was in front of all time and space, all emperors, generals, and common people!

At this moment, the teacher of all ages has fallen from his pedestal!

The Tang Dynasty Era.

Inside the Taiji Hall.

Li Shimin's face was terribly gloomy.

He always took pride in "receiving the help of Confucianism" and adopted "governing the world together with scholar-officials" as the national policy.

But today, he saw the most unbearable, yet most authentic, side of Confucianism.

"Fuji, Xuanling, what do you think?"

Li Shimin's voice revealed no emotion.

Changsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling exchanged a glance, both seeing deep apprehension in each other's eyes.

Changsun Wuji bowed and said, "Your Majesty, although Tianmu's words are somewhat biased, they are not entirely without reason."

"Confucianism can be used and trusted, but it cannot be completely trusted."

Fang Xuanling added, "In particular, his theory of 'Mandate of Heaven' can be helpful at the founding of a nation, but it can also be a source of chaos during the consolidation of power."

"After today, the hearts of scholars throughout the land will likely be thrown into chaos. Your Majesty, you must make plans as soon as possible."

Li Shimin nodded slowly, his gaze deep.

"It's time to make plans soon."

"The imperial examination system should continue. However, the moral character of those selected must be placed first and foremost!"

"What is virtue? Loyalty to the ruler, loyalty to the country, and loyalty to the people! This is the greatest virtue!"

"As for those so-called 'heroes' who spout benevolence and righteousness but only know how to 'be pragmatic'..."

A sharp killing intent flashed in Li Shimin's eyes.

"Our Great Tang Dynasty has no need for that!"

On this day, almost all emperors cast a huge question mark over the word "Confucianism" in their hearts.

They began to realize that the foundation of their proud "civil administration" and the "moral tradition" upon which they ruled the country was so unstable, even... dangerous!