Master Kong Zhongni

Chapter 11 What does Guan Yiwu call benevolence?

As soon as the questioning session started, Zaiyu took full advantage of the location advantage of being close to the master and raised his hand first to ask questions.

Jae Yu stood up instantly like a spring: "Master, I have a problem!"

But he forgot that his legs were already numb, and when he stood up suddenly, his legs went limp, and he fell hard on his ass.

When Confucius saw it, he took a sip from the red lacquer cup beside him and asked, "Is it numb?"

Jae Yu struggled to get up, but after working hard for a long time, he found that he couldn't do it.

So he could only take a long breath and let it out slowly, with a look of lovelessness on his face.

"Go back to Master, I'm numb."

The disciples in the audience hurried up to support Jai Yu and help him dust off his body.

Someone teased Jae Yu and said, "My son, why are you numb?"

Jae Yu muttered, "Nonsense, you'll feel numb even if you sit!"

After hearing this, the students laughed again and again, and even the teacher couldn't help laughing.

"Okay, okay. Stop teasing Ah Yu." Confucius said, "Yu! If you have any questions, just ask."

Zaiyu finished his salutes to Confucius, and then asked: "Just now I listened to your lecture and talked about the Duke of Zhou. Do you think the Duke of Zhou can be called 'benevolence'?"

Confucius nodded without hesitation and said: "Of course it can. As long as one of these things can be achieved, it is enough to be called 'benevolence'. Now the Duke of Zhou has all four points. Isn't that true? Isn't that enough to call it 'ren'?"

Zaiyu asked again: "Then do you think that Zheng Guo's Zichan can be called 'benevolence'?"

Confucius replied: "Of course it is possible. Zichan selects talents, implements the idea of ​​learning and then entering politics, and selecting talents to make them.

He started education and did not destroy township schools. Even if ordinary people made suggestions to him, Zichan could accept them with humility.

Isn't this 'ren'? "

Zai Yu then asked: "Then do you think Yan Zi of Qi State can be called 'benevolence'?"

Confucius nodded and said: "Although Yanzi is short in stature, he was able to maintain the dignity of Qi when he was insulted when he was sent to Chu.

Advising the king never changes his straightforwardness because of fear of punishment, but always refuses to accept it on the grounds of lack of virtue when he is rewarded.

He can preserve the dignity of the country on the outside and restrain his desires on the inside. Of course he is a benevolent man! "

After hearing this, Zaiyu pretended to be puzzled and said: "But I heard that the Marquis of Qi wanted to reward you with the land of Nixi, but Yan Zi advised the Marquis of Qi and slandered your claim, so you had to leave Qihou. country. Why do you still want to speak for Yan Zi?"

Confucius heard this, with a serious face, he waved to Jae Yu and said, "Yu! Come here, and I will teach you the principles of life."

Zaiyu came to Confucius and sat upright, humbly accepting his teachings.

Confucius said: "A gentleman can maintain a harmonious atmosphere with his surroundings, but he holds his own independent views on everything, instead of blindly following what others say.

But villains do not have their own independent opinions. Although they are often consistent with others, they do not actually emphasize true harmony.

The difference between me and Yanzi is just that we have different views on things, but this does not affect my appreciation of him! "

The students listened to Confucius' exposition, and their expressions became more respectful. They all leaned over and said, "Students understand."

After listening to his master's words, Zai Yu also felt a little ashamed.

He obviously wanted to persuade his master to become an official, but why was he educated by his master instead?

However, this little episode did not disrupt Jaiyu's plan. He continued to ask: "Zichan, Shuxiang, and Yanzi are called 'benevolence', and I have no problem with that. Can it be called 'ren'?"

Confucius said in a persuasive way: "When Guan Zhong was the Prime Minister of Qi State, he deprived Bo's family of [-] fiefdoms, forcing Bo's to live on rough brown rice, but Bo's death did not complain.

If Guan Zhong didn't have "benevolence", how could Bo have no complaints? "

Zai Yu took advantage of the gap between Confucius' speech and winked at Zi Gong.

Zigong originally didn't want to talk to Jaeyu, but judging by the current atmosphere, this is very likely to be another famous scene that can be recorded in "The Analects of Confucius".

Therefore, whether it was for Zaiyu's papermaking skills or for his name on "The Analects of Confucius", Zi Gong had to speak up.

He moved his knees forward and asked for advice: "Duke Huan of Qi killed Gong Zijiu, Guan Zhong could not die with him, but went to assist Duke Huan of Qi. Guan Zhong's two masters are already 'disloyal'. A 'disloyal' ', how can there be 'benevolence'?"

Confucius shook his head slightly, expressing that he did not agree with Zi Gong's opinion.

"Guan Zhong assisted Duke Huan in dominating the feudal lords and rectifying the state of the world, and the common people are still benefiting from his legacy to this day.

If there is no Guan Zhong, we will probably be like Rong Di, with loose hair and open skirts to the left, right?
Does it have to be like ordinary men and women who stick to the small rules and small letters, hang themselves in the ravine without anyone knowing, can they be called "benevolence"? "

When Zai Yu heard this, he laughed heartily.

Master, you said this yourself.With these words in place, how can you refuse Yang Hu's invitation next time?

He was about to stand up to reap the battlefield, but he didn't expect Zilu to stand up first.

Zilu has always been very dissatisfied with Guan Zhong's behavior, so after being scolded by his master for questioning Guan Zhong last time, he has been very unconvinced.

Seizing the opportunity this time, Zilu must of course put forward his own views.

Zilu said: "But Duke Huan of Qi killed Prince Jiu, Zhao Hu committed suicide, but Guan Zhong did not die. Compared with Zhao Hu, how can Guan Zhong be called benevolent?"

Confucius shook his head and said, "Ah Zhong You! Duke Huan convened many alliances of princes and states, advocating that all countries not use force, so that the people of all countries will be saved from war.

And the reason why the alliance of princes was able to be promoted was Guan Zhong's efforts.Isn't this his benevolence?This is his benevolence!Does one have to commit suicide to be called benevolence? "

After hearing this, Zai Yu couldn't help applauding his master in his heart.

Master!If you had already realized this, why would you refuse Yang Hu's invitation?

Seeing that the atmosphere was in place, Zai Yu hurriedly stepped forward to offer the ultimate kill, intending to completely block his master's escape route.

Zai Yu said: "According to what you said, as long as it can benefit the people, even at the expense of your own reputation, is it okay?"

Confucius affirmed without the slightest hesitation: "Of course it is possible. Guan Zhong gave you the opportunity to criticize him because he sacrificed his reputation to benefit the people!
Only caring about one's own reputation, but disregarding the common people's misery, this kind of behavior is not what a gentleman should agree with. "

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PS: Do not vote for recommendations or monthly votes. This is not an approach that a gentleman should agree with.I believe that everyone here must be a gentleman.

　If you are a reader, don't always let your beloved author cry.

　　——Excerpt from "Zaiyu's Diary"

　　
　
(End of this chapter)