I watched Er Chuang’s short video, and everything went numb!

[Because his generosity raises the threshold of satisfaction for his subjects, when he starts to save money, everyone will say he is stingy. ]

[The generosity of the monarch harms the interests of the majority, and the result is only a few people benefit. ]

[A wise monarch never mind the name of "stinginess". ]

[Because this is one of the "evil virtues" that allows him to rule the country for a long time. ]

……

The Daoguang plane of the Qing Dynasty.

The Emperor Daoguang's eyes lit up:

"You are right, wise monarchs are not generous."

As a famous miser among the ancient Chinese emperors, his greatest hobby is to carefully calculate the expenses of the palace.

How to use the accessories of the concubines to save money, how to distribute the monthly salary, and when giving a few more books, never give an extra ounce of silver.

Even when entertaining generals who have made military achievements, he can do things like 20 people squeezed on a long table with only five or six dishes in total.

It can be said that he took being stingy to the extreme.

Therefore.

At this time, this view on the giant screen in the sky made him agree with it.

It provided a legitimate reason for his stinginess.

……

[When the subjects saw that the court had sufficient income due to the savings in expenditure, it could resist foreign enemies, achieve meritorious service and not burden the people. ]

[As time goes by, people will increasingly think that the monarch is generous. ]

[Some people would say that Caesar once gained the right to rule because of his generosity. ]

[Many strong men also ascended to the throne of monarchs because of their generosity. ]

[Machiavelli's answer is: For those who want to ascend to the throne of monarchs, generosity can bring allies, so it is beneficial, but when you have become a monarch, generosity is harmful. 】

【He concluded:

"A wise man would rather bear the reputation of being stingy, because although he brings bad reputation, he will not cause hatred.

When you practice generosity, you will lose the ability to practice it.

You will either become poor and despised, or become greedy and hateful to avoid poverty, and let bad reputation and hatred come together."】

……

The plane of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty.

Li Shimin shook his head slightly.

He did not quite agree with the statement on the giant screen at this time.

Because he felt it was a bit too absolute.

There is nothing wrong with generosity, but what is wrong is unreasonable and unrestrained generosity.

The country needs frugality, and it is right to avoid extravagance, but it cannot be too stingy.

As a monarch, when it is time to reward subordinates, you must reward them, otherwise it will make them feel cold.

……

[3. Should the monarch be loved or feared? ]

……

To this question.

Many ancient people in all dynasties gave the answer without hesitation: to be loved.

However, the following video content shocked them.

……

[Any monarch must want to be considered as kind rather than cruel, but he cannot abuse this kindness. ]

[A wise monarch does not need to mind the bad reputation of cruelty. ]

[Because in most cases, he is much more kind than those who are overly kind and sit back and watch the chaos. ]

[A monarch who flaunts his kindness often causes the entire society to suffer losses, while a monarch who does not remember the bad reputation and makes decisions on the spot only harms the interests of individuals. ]

The barrage flew out:

"It makes sense. For example, although Zhu Yuanzhang was cruel to his subjects, he brought order to the world."

"This is the score. In a chaotic world, you can't be kind, but in a non-turbulent world, there is nothing wrong with being kind."

"..."

Da Ming Hongwu plane.

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned slightly when he saw people in later generations accusing him of cruelty, and he felt a little unhappy in his heart.

…

[Is it better to be loved or feared? ]

[Of course it is best to have both, but this is almost impossible. ]

[If a person wants to choose between the two, then being feared is much safer than being loved. ]

[Most people are ungrateful and easily change their hearts. ]

[If the monarch completely trusts them without any preparation, he will be destroyed. ]

[People will be less cautious about offending someone they love than offending someone they fear. ]

[Love is unreliable, but fear is not. People often keep fear because they are afraid of being punished. ]

[The monarch should make the people fear, but should try to avoid being hated. 】

【Machiavelli concluded that people love the monarch based on their own will. And fear is based on the monarch's will. 】

【Therefore, a wise monarch should be based on his own will. 】

……

Spring and Autumn Warring States.

Mencius was displeased and said coldly:

"Tyranny!"

"This is clearly the theory of tyrants."

At this time, Machiavelli's views on the giant screen in the sky were completely contrary to his doctrine.

He said that human nature is good, Machiavelli said that people are ungrateful and easy to change their hearts.

He advocated benevolent governance, but Machiavelli said that monarchs should treat their subjects cruelly and make them feel afraid.

Therefore.

Mencius firmly denied Machiavelli's doctrine.

In his eyes, what he advocated was the "kingly way" and the way of a "wise king"!

And Machiavelli's approach was a "deviant way" and the way of a "tyrant"!

……

[In addition, when violence is necessary, it should be used in one go, because the less pain people experience, the more, the less disgust they will have. 】

[On the contrary, favors should be given slowly and for a long time, so that the people can fully enjoy them. 】

……

Many emperors in all dynasties nodded slightly.

This suggestion is correct.

……

[4. How should monarchs keep their promises? 】

[Many people believe that it is admirable for monarchs to keep their promises and not use tricks. 】

[However, real experience shows that monarchs who have made great achievements do not attach importance to keeping promises. 】

[Instead, they know how to use tricks to confuse people and eventually conquer those who have always kept their promises. 】

[There are two ways of fighting in the world. 】

[One is to use the law, and the other is to use force. 】

[The first method is unique to humans, while the second method belongs to beasts. 】

【But because the former is often insufficient, the latter must be resorted to. 】

【And the monarch must have both human and animal nature. 】

【When keeping faith is not in his own interests, a wise monarch must never keep faith. 】

The barrage flew out:

“666, flexible keeping faith, right?”

“This view is indeed a bit shocking.”

“…”

Many ancient people in all dynasties were also shocked at this time.

This is really different from the moral concepts they have always believed in.

Honesty and trustworthiness are usually considered virtues in the common moral concepts of ancient China.

People who do not keep their promises are often despised by people.

However.

Machiavelli openly declared that “a wise monarch must never keep faith”, which many ancient people could not accept.

For a while.

Many ancient people also despised Machiavelli.

They felt that Machiavelli's moral level was a bit low.

……

[If the people are all kind, then keeping promises is justice. ]

[But because the people are fickle, the monarch also does not need to keep promises to them. ]

[However, the monarch must know how to conceal this beastly nature and must be a pretender. ]

[For the monarch, it is not necessary to have good qualities in the sense of official career, but it is necessary to appear to have these qualities. ]

[Machiavelli even asserted that if you have all these qualities and often act in accordance with these qualities, it is harmful. ]

[But if you appear to have these qualities, it is beneficial. ]

[You should appear to be compassionate, trustworthy, humane, honest and upright, and do so. 】

【But when you need to change your tune, you must be able to make a 180-degree turn on the spot. 】

The barrage flew out:

"My goodness, this is really too naked, without any concealment."

"What does it mean to use any means to achieve the goal? This is it."

"Machiavelli's book was banned for no reason. How can such content be put on the table?"

"You can do it this way, but you can't say it this way."

"..."

Many great scholars from past dynasties were furious when they saw this.

"Shameless!"

"Nonsense!" (To read the violent novels, go to Faloo Novel Network!)

"Shameless!"

In many dynasties, many great scholars cursed.

They deeply felt that Machiavelli's moral level was lower than they thought.

"What a "Prince", it is clearly an evil book that will bring disaster to the country and the people!"

These great scholars are extremely disgusted with the book "Prince" at this moment.

...

At the same time

On the other hand.

Many emperors of all dynasties also had their own thoughts.

Some emperors opposed Machiavelli's view, and they were all deeply influenced by Confucianism.

(caaa) But some emperors also agreed.

Although the view of "using any means to achieve the goal" does not sound good,

But it is not wrong.

……

[People make judgments, generally relying only on their eyes. Everyone can see you, but few people can touch you. ][]

[Everyone can see what your appearance is, but few people can touch what you are actually like. ]

[If the monarch can maintain this country, the means he takes will always be considered glorious by people and praised by everyone. ]

[Because the mob is always easily attracted by the appearance and the results of things, and this world is full of mobs. ]

……

See here.

More ancient people in all dynasties expressed anger.

Because it clearly expressed contempt for the general public and regarded the people as stupid people.

……

[5. How to avoid being despised and hated? ]

[The monarch must avoid two things: greed and usurping the property and wives of his subjects, because these two things make the monarch particularly hated. ]

[When the property and dignity of most people are not violated, they will live and work in peace. ]

[The monarch only needs to fight with a few ambitious people, and he can easily control these people. ]

[If the monarch is considered to be capricious and indecisive, he will be despised. ]

[Therefore, he should appear great and noble, brave and fearless, steady and steady, strong and powerful, and the decisions he makes should be irreversible. 】

……

Many ancient people from all dynasties nodded.

Regarding this statement, both the emperors of all dynasties and the great scholars of all dynasties agreed very much.

After all,This set of statements is a universal truth, whether in ancient China or in ancient Western countries.

……

[Moreover, he should let people maintain such a view of him that no one should expect to deceive him or deceive him. ]

[In order to maintain his glorious image and avoid being hated by the people. ]

[Machiavelli gave the monarch a very cunning trick: entrust the matters that need to be responsible to others, and do the matters of grace and favor by himself. ]

……

The plane at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty.

Cao Cao shook his head.

This does not mean that he disagrees with Machiavelli's views.

On the contrary.

As a hero who believes in the idea of ​​"I would rather let others down than let others down", he still agrees with most of Machiavelli's views in his heart.

But the problem is that these words cannot be put on the table.

This man named Machiavelli wrote these things nakedly in the book. Which monarch would dare to use him?

It is interesting that this man told the monarch to be good at disguising himself, but he himself did not know how to embellish these contents.

……

[6. How should a monarch behave in order to be respected? ]

[Because the monarch must show that he is a person who cherishes talents and honors outstanding people in various industries. ]

[In addition, he must encourage citizens to be able to engage in their business in business, agriculture and all other professions with peace of mind. ]

……

This statement is also a generally correct view.

Therefore, many ancient people in all dynasties also agree with it.

……

[7. The relationship between the monarch and the ministers. ]

[What kind of ministers are loyal to the monarch? 】

【If the minister thinks about gaining his own interests first and then protecting the interests of the monarch, then this person is definitely not a good minister and the monarch should never trust him. 】

【On the other hand, in order to keep the minister loyal, the monarch must respect him on the surface. 】

【Make him rich, make him grateful, and make him know that he can't stand without himself. 】

……

Many emperors in all dynasties nodded slightly.

Such a way to control subordinates is very clear to anyone who is not a foolish ruler.

However.

Many emperors feel that simply "giving favors" is not enough, and "both favors and power" must be used.

Ministers cannot just be grateful to the monarch, but must also be in awe of him.

……

[Machiavelli concluded: "Therefore, when the relationship between the monarch and the ministers is in such a state, they can benefit each other. If not, the result will be harmful to each other."]

[If the state is entrusted to a single person and the latter controls everything, the monarch can sit back and enjoy the fruits of his labor, but it will not last long, because the ruler will soonUsurp his country. 】

……

See here.

Two words flashed through the minds of many ancient political elites in all dynasties: "Powerful ministers!".

However.

Some of these people thought about it.

In ancient Chinese history, it was common for powerful ministers to sideline the emperor and monopolize government affairs.

But it was rare to directly usurp the throne.

So, they felt that Machiavelli's view was not particularly rigorous.

……

[8. How should a monarch avoid flatterers? ]

[There is no other way for a person to guard against flattery unless people know that they will not offend you if they tell you the truth. ]

[But when everyone can tell you the truth, they will lack respect for you. ]

[A monarch should always seek advice, but it should be when he wants to, not when others want to. 】

[On the contrary, the monarch should make sure that no one has the courage to give him advice on anything, unless the monarch (actively) consults them about it. 】

……

"Interesting."

In the dimension of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Liu Che pondered over this slightly tongue-twisting sentence and smiled faintly.

This seems to be encouraging ministers to make suggestions, but it also seems to be not allowing ministers to make suggestions privately.

But in fact, to put it bluntly, it is to establish the monarch's high authority.

The actual meaning is: "You can only speak when the monarch allows you to speak, and if he doesn't allow you to speak, you should shut up obediently.".

……

[The above is part of the content of the monarch theory. 】

[If you want to know more, you can find this book to read in depth. 】

……

After watching the entire video.

Many emperors in the past dynasties were slightly disappointed in their hearts.

They felt that although the content of "The Prince" was bold and the views were explicit, it was not as strong as the preface of the video said.

However.

These emperors thought again that it might be because the video introduced the content of "The Prince" too simply. .