“Quân xử thần tử, thần bất tử bất trung” - quan điểm này có thật sự xuất phát từ Nho giáo?

Key Concepts

• Quân sự thần tử, thần bất tử thì bất trung: A phrase often attributed to Confucianism, implying absolute loyalty of a minister to their ruler, even to death.
• Nho giáo (Confucianism): A philosophical and ethical system originating in ancient China, emphasizing moral cultivation, social harmony, and good governance.
• Kinh điển Nho giáo (Confucian Classics): The foundational texts of Confucianism, such as the Analects, Mencius, and the Book of Rites.
• Tiểu thuyết thông tục/chương hồi (Vernacular/Chaptered Novels): Popular Chinese novels, often with historical or fantastical themes, that gained wide readership.
• Quan hệ biện chứng (Dialectical Relationship): A relationship characterized by interdependence and mutual influence, where opposing forces interact and lead to change.
• Can gián vua (Admonish the Ruler): The right and duty of a minister to advise and correct the ruler.
• Hôn quân vô đạo (Tyrannical and Unvirtuous Ruler): A ruler who is corrupt, unjust, and lacks moral principles.
• Soán xuất vua (Depose the Ruler): The right of ministers to overthrow a ruler who has become tyrannical.
• Trung quân mù quán (Blind Loyalty to the Ruler): Unquestioning and uncritical obedience to a ruler, regardless of their actions.

Misattribution of "Quân sự thần tử, thần bất tử thì bất trung"

The video transcript addresses the common misconception that the phrase "quân sự thần tử, thần bất tử thì bất trung" (a ruler commands, a minister serves; if the ruler dies, the minister dies, and is not loyal) is a core tenet of Confucianism. The speaker argues that this phrase reflects an oppressive and autocratic attitude, stripping ministers of any freedom or agency within the imperial power structure where the king is supreme.

Origin of the Phrase

• Lack in Confucian Classics: The speaker highlights that extensive digital searches of digitized Confucian classics yield zero results for this specific phrase. This suggests it is not an authentic quote from the foundational texts.
• Roots in Vernacular Novels: The phrase's origin is traced to popular Chinese vernacular or chaptered novels. These novels, due to their wide circulation and influence, have led to the "normalization" and "bias" of certain ideas among readers.
• Examples from Literature: The phrase appears in well-known novels such as:
  • Journey to the West (Tây Du Ký), where Zhu Bajie utters it.
  • Rebirth of a Destiny (Tái Sanh Duyên).
  • Xue Ding Shan Conquers the West (Tiết Đinh San Trinh Tây).
• Impact of Popular Literature: The immense popularity and influence of these novels have led readers to believe they are engaging with orthodox Confucian teachings, thus creating a skewed perception of Confucianism.

True Confucian Teachings on Ruler-Minister Relations

The transcript argues that Confucianism actually promotes a more nuanced and dialectical relationship between rulers and ministers.

• Right to Admonish: Ministers possess the right to admonish (can gián) the ruler. This implies a responsibility to guide and correct the ruler's actions.
• Right to Depose Tyrants: If a ruler becomes tyrannical and unvirtuous (hôn quân vô đạo), ministers have the right to depose them (xoán xuất vua) and establish a new dynasty.
• Rejection of Blind Loyalty: Confucianism explicitly does not support blind loyalty (trung quân mù quán) to a ruler. This is in direct contrast to the sentiment conveyed by the misattributed phrase.

Conclusion

The main takeaway is that the widely held belief about absolute, unquestioning loyalty in Confucianism, epitomized by the phrase "quân sự thần tử, thần bất tử thì bất trung," is a misattribution. This idea likely stems from the pervasive influence of popular vernacular literature, which has distorted the more complex and ethically grounded principles of Confucianism regarding the reciprocal responsibilities and rights within the ruler-minister relationship. True Confucianism advocates for a dynamic relationship where ministers have a duty to advise and, if necessary, to act against a tyrannical ruler.