Neo-Confucianism Informational

Neo-Confucianism was the revival of the old philosophy, Confucianism.  Although almost the same, Neo-Confucianism borrows ideas of Taoism and Buddhism.  However, they are both similar in their attempt to revert back to old teachings. To understand Neo-Confucianism, you must first know what Confucianism is.  Confucianism is a religion that believes in leading by example.  For instance, if the Emperor is being rude and disrespectful to people, they're going to notice and think he knows what hes doing because hes the Emperor, I should be more like him.  Then people will be rude and disrespectful to everyone else.  However, if the Emperor is kind and courteous to people, then they will think they should be too, and the cycle will repeat with their children and so on.  Taoism is a philosophy that teaches people to go with the flow, take the path of lest resistance.  And finally, Buddhism teaches you to detach yourself from worldly possessions to achieve peace in life.  When you combine these three, you end up with Neo-Confucianism.  The main differences between the old and new Confucian based religions is that traditional Confucianism is based on ancient moral teachings, while Neo-Confucianism tried to revive traditional Confucianism.  As well, traditional Confucianism is more structured while Neo-Confucianism is more belief based.  

Gunpowder

Gunpowder was invented in China during the Song dynasty.  This was an important invention of the time period because it allowed the Chinese  to make rockets, grenades, firearms and landmines.  This helped them defend themselves from enemies who tried to invade China.  Early gunpowder was described as a mix of sulfur, charcoal and potassium nitrate (saltpeter).  The sulfur and charcoal were fuels and the saltpeter was an oxidizer.  Early forms of gunpowder are not used today, due to the fact that it is inefficient in its amount of resources and is not as potent as modern day pyrotechnics.

Gunpowder was created by Chinese alchemists who originally intended to create an elixir of immortality, instead they created the opposite.  It was first used in weapons such as grenades, mines, firearms, and rockets.  It was not used extensively, if at all during its early history simply because there was no need.  The times were peaceful and did not call for the manufacturing of new weaponry.  Gunpowder was used in fireworks that were then used in the celebration of some holidays and also for personal entertainment.  Prior to the invention, people were either ignorant to the fact that they could create an explosive powder, or simply didn't want to because they felt there was no need.

Gunpowder has has greatly impacted both modern and ancient countries alike.  It was and still is used for similar purposes, but today, there are a wider variety of low explosives, and high explosives.  It has always been used to propel things, whether it be a cartridge, rocket or stone.  Without gunpowder, things would be more difficult.  Mining would take a lot longer because every pebble would have to be mined by hand rather than thousands of cubic yards mined almost instantly with high explosives.  Hunting would require either getting close enough to an animal to stab it, or shooting it with a bow and arrow.  Wars would be fought primitively, causing many more casualties and not being resoled as quickly.  Gunpowder is the grandfather of modern pyrotechnics and it is to thank for many modern luxuries and resources.



http://www.themcs.org/weaponry/cannon/cannon.htm

Neo-Confucianism

During the Song dynasty, Neo-Confucianism was the religion of choice for most of China.  Neo-Confucianism is a religion in which it is believed that if officials or elders behave well, youths will follow that example.  For example, if your town head is kind to everyone, then youths will notice this and aspire to be like him.  This is important because it makes people feel safe and the safer the people act, the fewer rules are required to keep them in order.  The fewer rules, the happier the people become and the more trusted they feel.  When the people are happy, there is less reason for them to want a new emperor.

Another belief of Neo-Confucianism is that you should be in touch with the natural world.  Get to know the trees, the grass, flowers and little squirrels.  This is important because it teaches people respect for things.  Not just nature, but people and possessions.  It also teaches them the importance of the whole over the individual.  People will grow and develop and when they're older, youths will see them behaving in this manor  and want to be like them and the cycle will go on.

Contrary to Neo-Confucianism, there is Legalism where it is believed that people are bad and need strict rules to keep them in order.  The strict rules will displease the people, and as a result, they will be more on edge and blame the highest authority for the smallest of issues.  It will only escalate from there and people will be unhappy and rude and want a new ruler.  There will be more violence and hatred and then inevitably, division.  Neo-Confucianism is the preferable religion, and will bring peace and happiness to anyone who wishes to follow.

Interview With the Emperor

What was it like becoming the first emperor of a new dynasty?

It was very nerve racking at first, because so many things can go wrong and so many have to go right for the seize of the throne to be successful.  As I rode into the courtyard of the palace, I was so worried that any number of things could have happened.  There could still be opposition that wanted me dead, and they could have shot me with an arrow and that would have been it.  My horse could have gotten startled by something and thrown me off and I could have fallen and broken my neck.  Let me tell you though, there is probably no greater feeling than walking up those steps, unopposed, and taking your place right on the throne.  Sadly though, as soon as I sat down, I had to get up and start molding my empire into what I want it to become.  There were people to hire and fire, jobs to be done, messages to be sent, rules to be modified, but now that its on its way, I can sit back for the most part and watch my empire take shape.

What made you decide use civil service exams to determine who gained governmental positions?

I have always been a believer in the fact that everyone should have an equal chance to do anything.  I don't think it is too fair that just because you were born into a wealthy or high ranking family, that you should benefit from nepotism.  If your a farmer and you're really smart, I'd want you to help manage my economy instead of someone who is rich and can't add two numbers to save their lives.  Just as well, if you're smart and rich, I would also want you to be a part of my government.  That is when I decided to integrate the exams.  It wasn't the newest idea, but if its not broken, don't fix it, so I set the exams in place and so far, they've worked out well.  There's not hundreds of gold bars missing nor is there chaos in the streets, which is excellent.  I feel these exams will help to grow China as a whole and make it a better place. 

What is your reasoning for having your army spread so sparsely throughout China?

Well, I believe that those who do not study the past are doomed to repeat its mistakes.  What I mean by this is in the past, ambitious military leaders have overthrown the current Emperor and I do not want that happening to me.  By keeping the generals far away from each other, they cannot plan in secret as easily if at all.  It also helps me to gain better knowledge on what is happening all across China.

Do you think this will have a negative effect on the way the military operates?

Not for the most part.  I feel that all my Generals are competent enough to handle themselves and their troops on their own.  It may pose an issue if our enemy would attack us rapidly in one concentrated location, but they wouldn't get too far because of the way my troops are spread out, they would be able to surround the enemies and deal with them.

How do you plan on running your empire with regards to the economy and land expansion?

I plan on opening as many trade routes as possible and building up the industrial parts of the Nation.  I feel if I play things to their strengths instead of trying to make everything equal, things will work out better in the end.  For example, if there are very fertile lands, why would I waste them by putting markets on top, when I could have the markets developed elsewhere and grow crops to fill the markets on the fertile land.  With regard to land expansion, I plan on taking back land peacefully, with no intentions of scaring or injuring the population.  I feel this is a superior tactic because it will help me to gain the trust of my subjects and they will more willingly listen to what I say.  People around them will realize what a nice life they are leading by living in my empire and want to join as well.

Opinion/Editorial Article

Jurchen the Jerks

  The Emperor recently signed a deal with the Jurchen, forming a military alliance against the Liao Empire.  This may sound good, but it is not.  The Jurchen have a much stronger military than our own, and could easily attack us successfully if they so pleased.  During the beginning of this era, our relationship with the Jurchen was more shaky and hostile.  Although things may seem to have quieted down, they may be stirring up soon again.  It is a serious risk creating an alliance with the Jurchen, from a military, political and economical standpoint.  The military is not well equipped nor trained well enough to deal with the Jurchen and the Liao should they decide to turn and lash out at us.  Politically the Jurchen are stubborn and rarely listen to reason when negotiating.  This could be troublesome due to the fact that if they feel a deal is unfair, they have the power to put military pressure on us until we comply.  The economy could suffer any number of ways, some examples being if the Jurchen do attack us, it will cost more to support the troops and there will be less people working at home, therefore less money coming into the household and the more conservative the family will become.  Also, the Jurchen could pressure us into an unfair deal, causing large deposits of goods to leave the economy and thus bringing it down as a whole.  This could be solved by learning from the Jurchen, having them teach military tactics and help train or troops.  Instead of asking for help, we should better ourselves, for help may not always be there when required.  It does seem wise to enlist the assistance of the Jurchen to help us with our military operations, for they are a formidable force and are an easy way to win wars, but sometimes one must pick the path less traversed and learn with assistance rather than being handed victory.

Song (Sung) Dynasty Map

Above is a map of the Song (or Sung) Dynasty.  There were two main periods of the Song, North and South.  Both are on the map above.  The dark brown represents the Northern Song (960-1126 A.D.) and its capital, Kai-Feng.  The lighter brown represents the Southern Song (1127-1279 A.D.) and also shows its capital, Hangchou (Hangzhou).  The white represents modern China.  Towards the end of the Northern Song rule, they were attacked and their capital Kai-feng conquered.  Since their attackers came from the north, the only direction to go was south.  Losing land meant less resources and a smaller and less effective (even less so than the original) military.  That is why parts of the western boarder receded.

<http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/song/>

China's Great Generals Retire

Last night, September the 15, 960 at the Emperor's Palace in Kaifeng, there was a huge banquet held in honor of China's top generals.  A long, elegantly set table awaited the men, covered with food from the best cooks in the empire, while the finest wine was being poured into the most expensive glasses the empire had to offer.  This was definitely meant to be an extravagant evening.

Taizu invited them with intentions of retiring them.  Once they showed up at the gate, they were escorted directly into the dining hall.  They were seated and at once, the Emperor engaged them in conversation.  He requested that they all boast about their acts of valor on the battle filed and would then pick his favorite.  The better the story, the more wine you received.

Well into the evening, every single general was intoxicated and Taizu, after sharing a few anecdotes of his own, felt now would be the best time to officially retire them.  He announced that they would all receive large pensions at their new houses, right outside the Palace.  On their way out, I managed to catch up with Long Feng to inquire about the evenings activities.  He informed me,

"The food was delicious, and the wine was exquisite!  The Emperor had us share our war stories, and gave the most wine to the best story teller.  At one point or another, everyone was the best story teller.  Then he told us our pensions were waiting at our new houses, a few blocks from the palace."

It has not been confirmed, but it is believed that the real reason the Emperor retired the generals is to prevent a coup d'etat preformed by ambitious generals at the beginning of a new dynasty.  Taizu wants to prevent this, so he nips it at the bud, and keeps them around the palace so he can keep an eye on them.

Above is a picture of Taizu and his generals at the banquet.