Master Kong Zhongni

Chapter 97 Three Gains and Three Losses
When Zilu heard his master praise Bian Zhuangzi, his lips moved suddenly, as if he wanted to say something.

But he thought of what his master had taught him just now, so he temporarily pressed the question in his heart, and did not ask.

Instead, he hurriedly said goodbye to the master: "Master, I remembered that there is still something to do, so I ask you to resign."

Confucius nodded and said, "Then go."

Everyone looked at Zilu inexplicably, wondering why he wanted to say goodbye suddenly.

Only after watching Zilu go out, Confucius said with a helpless smile.

"Zhong You! He has heard the principles of life and conduct, but if he has not practiced it himself, he is afraid of hearing new principles.

He obviously didn't agree with my evaluation of Bian Zhuangzi, but he also felt that he hadn't cultivated himself well, so he didn't even dare to ask questions. "

Kong Li asked, "Is Zilu's approach good or bad?"

After hearing this, Confucius didn't say yes or no, but replied.

"Have read [-] chapters of "Poetry" by heart, and asked him to deal with government affairs, but he couldn't figure it out. He was sent on a mission, but he couldn't handle diplomatic relations independently. Although such a person has read a lot, what's the use? "

After hearing this, Zai Yu and the others instantly understood what the Master meant.

Reading is to master talents.

To listen to the truth is to understand the way of being a human being.

What is the use of asking more if there is no understanding?
Master still appreciates Zilu!

Having said this, Confucius turned his head to Zaiyu and Zigong and asked, "How did things go when you went to Jin as an envoy this time?"

Zai Yu replied respectfully: "The task assigned by the monarch has been successfully completed."

Zigong also replied: "It didn't bring shame to the country's face either."

Confucius listened, nodded with a smile and said: "If you can restrain your actions with shame, go abroad as envoys, and live up to the entrustment of the monarch, you can barely be called 'scholars'."

The master and apprentice were talking, when they suddenly heard footsteps outside the door.

Everyone looked back and found that it was Mi Buqi and Confucius' nephew Kong Zhong who came.

After the summer solstice, Zaiyu, Zigong and others were awarded the titles of the Lu State, and another part of the Confucian disciples were also recruited by Sanhuan to be their retainers.

Both Mi Buqi and Kong Zhong were recruited by the Ji family and became the township officials in charge of a township.

Now that more than a month has passed, they have straightened out the government affairs at hand, and it is time to return to Qufu to report to the Ji family.

The place where the two supervised was not far away, so they agreed to return to Qufu together, and at the same time they returned to visit their teacher Confucius.

It's just that Mi Buqi and Kong Zhong's mood today is obviously the same as the sky and the other is the earth.

Mi Buqi is still the elegant gentleman who talks and laughs at Yanyan.

As for Kong Zhong, he had two dark circles under his eyes, and he knew at a glance that he must have not slept well for many days.

As soon as they entered, they saw Zaiyu and Zigong.

Mi Buqi happily stepped forward to greet him: "Zi Wo, Zi Gong, are you back?"

When Kong Zhong saw Zaiyu and Zigong's ruddy complexions, he couldn't help complaining.

"Why are you all like Zijian, you look too good? Am I the only one who gets a hard job?"

Confucius was a little unhappy when he heard this: "Loyalty! What do you call it? Being an official is to assist the country and benefit the people. Is there any difference between joy and sorrow?"

Kong Zhong complained: "Uncle, what you said is wrong. Ever since I became a township doctor, I have kept your teachings in my heart every day, hoping to do my best to do my job well.

But I worked so hard, not only did I not get anything, but I also lost in three aspects. "

When Kong Li heard Kong Zhong's complaint, he was so frightened that he hurriedly pulled his cousin's sleeve, whispering in his ear.

"Zi Mie, it's almost done! Stop talking, do you want to be scolded?"

Kong Li's small movements naturally could not escape Confucius' eyes.

He yelled at his son, "Li! Let him talk, I want to hear what he has lost."

Kong Zhong had already accumulated a lot of resentment because of the heavy work, and now he was scolded by Confucius, and suddenly he got a little bit better.

He also ignored Kong Li's persuasion, and said directly: "My loss is a total of three points.

First, there are too many affairs in the management of the village, one after another is resolved, and the orders of the lord are also one after another, and I will complete them tomorrow if they are issued today.

There are so many things that I have not learned new knowledge!I don't have time to review the knowledge I have learned before, and my knowledge has regressed.

Second, the salary of a rural doctor is also very small, and I can't maintain my family life, so I can't take good care of my family.As the days went by, the relationship with the family was estranged.

Third, because of my busy schedule, I don't have time to visit my sick friends, nor do I have time to condolences to the family members of friends who died of illness.

After everyone knew these things, they thought I was a villain who didn't know how to be polite, which made the relationship between me and my friends not as close as before. "

After listening to Kong Zhong's words, Zai Yu and others were instantly petrified.

Originally, Zai Yu wanted to say a few words for him, but after Kong Zhong said these words, he really couldn't continue.

His son can be a firefighter, but you can't let him be a bomb squad!

Zaiyu couldn't help but muttered in his heart: "Zi Mie, you should be blessed."

Just when everyone thought that the master would be furious, who would have thought that he would ask Mi Buqi without changing his face: "Kong Zhong has three losses in being an official. Buqi, do you also have these three losses?" Woolen cloth?"

Mi Buqi heard this, but just smiled: "Master, I have not lost anything in being an official, but I have gained three points."

A smile appeared on Confucius' face: "Then what are the three gains?"

Mi Buqi said: "First, after becoming an official, the knowledge I have learned from you over the years has been put into practice when I am in charge of the government. Therefore, I have a more thorough understanding of the knowledge I have learned, and a firmer grasp of it.

Second, although the salary of the township doctor is not much, it is enough to support the family, so I have a closer relationship with the family.

Third, although I am busy with business during the day, I still have time to visit my sick friends and family members of friends who died of illness at night, so my relationship with my friends has become closer. "

After Zaiyu and Zigong heard this, they both gasped.

Finished!

Zimi, wait for your death.

But no matter how exciting Zaiyu's mental activities were, it couldn't compare to the expression on Kong Zhong's face at this time.

After listening to Mi Buqi's remarks, Confucius nodded with a smile, and asked Zaiyu and Zigong, "Then, have you gained or lost as officials?"

Both Zaiyu and Zigong are first-class little clever ghosts.

As soon as Mi Buqi's remarks came out, the two of them dared to say that there was a loss, so they could only follow the conversation.

Zigong said: "Since I became an official, I have gained three things.

First, going abroad has broadened my horizons, learned about the folk customs of various places, and learned knowledge that I had never understood before.

Second, although the husband's salary is not much, he is familiar with the methods of handling diplomatic affairs and verified the various etiquettes he learned before, which is something that no amount of salary can buy.

Third, although the official business is complicated and I have been away from relatives and friends for a long time, I cherish the friendship with them even more because of this, and understand the truth of loving relatives and friends. "

Zai Yu also leaned over and said, "I also have three gains.

First, go abroad and fulfill the mission entrusted by the monarch, to be worthy of the country upwards, and worthy of the people downwards.Apply what you have learned, and you can be worthy of your education and admonition.

Second, although the salary paid by the palm is not much, it is enough to support myself and no longer needs support from family members.I can even send surplus food back home to subsidize the use of my relatives, so my relationship with my family has become closer.

Third, although I am busy with business and far away from my relatives and friends in Lu, I have also made new friends, so compared to before, my friends have not decreased, but have increased. "

After Zaiyu finished speaking, he completely pressed Kong Zhong's coffin.

After the three answered, Kong Zhong's face was so green that it couldn't be greener.

Broken, I was plotted against!

As for Confucius, he stroked his beard on his chest and smiled gratifiedly: "Sure enough, there are gentlemen in Lu! If there are no gentlemen in Lu, where did these three people learn such good morals?"

After finishing speaking, he taught Kong Zhong a lesson: "Zhong! Do you know where your mistakes are?"

Having said all this, Kong Zhong could only bow his head and admit his mistake: "Uncle, please give me some pointers."

Confucius shook his head and sighed: "It's the same as being an official. Some people gain and some lose. Some people gain because they have good ideas. Some people lose because they have too many desires!"

　Being begged for votes is a failure, but voting for yourself is a victory.

　　——Excerpt from "Zaiyu's Diary"

　　
　
(End of this chapter)