LRAB Chapter 97 Zeng Gong
Chapter 97 Zeng Gong
Chapter 97 Zeng Gong
"Some descendants can still copy down the books by memorizing them, but there are many books that no one can memorize, and can only remember a part of them. These books are very difficult to restore."
On a grander scale, it means carrying forward and promoting the knowledge and ideas of our ancestors.
How many years has Confucianism been around since its inception to its current form? Yet, most of what it has been passed down to this day is merely an extension and elaboration of the thoughts of the sages, with almost no progress.
Sages have said that "among three people, there must be one who can teach me," but Confucianism has been stuck in its ways for years. How can it face the sages of the past?
At this point, Wang You looked ashamed, as if he had failed to innovate and carry forward the thoughts and culture passed down from his ancestors, and was filled with remorse.
Seeing Wang You's initial impassioned speech followed by a look of shame, Hai Wenqing and the others also felt a sense of shame for failing their predecessors.
Respect for the past is a very important virtue among the Han people.
This led to a point where the ancestral laws became immutable.
If those pedantic scholars heard Wang You's words, they would surely condemn him as heretical.
However, the people present were all supporters of the new law, so naturally they wouldn't have such thoughts.
Seeing that even a ten-year-old boy like Wang You had such insights had a profound impact on them.
They asked themselves honestly, and realized that although they had their own insights into the thoughts of the ancients over the years, they were very superficial and could not be considered to have carried them forward at all.
Seeing that the emotions had been building up, Wang You continued, "To bring peace to all generations is a step forward for the court's systems and laws."
The Zhou emperor enfeoffed various feudal lords, which led to the centuries-long wars and chaos of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods.
After unifying the country, the First Emperor standardized carts and documents, and implemented the prefecture-county system.
Emperor Wu of Han promoted Confucianism as the sole state ideology, thus achieving ideological unification.
However, there is no law that lasts forever. Every dynasty learns from the experience of the previous dynasty and preserves the good systems.
We eliminate bad systems and then create new ones, some good and some flawed.
Through continuous inheritance and progress, students believe that opening up peace means perfecting the court's systems and laws, so that the world can be at peace.
Although it is very difficult to achieve, as long as one of the established systems and laws can be passed down and make the world a better place, it will be a success.
Only through the tireless dedication of countless scholars can the systems and laws of the world be continuously improved and perfected.
"How wonderful it is that countless people have sacrificed themselves one after another, so that the system and laws of the world can continue to improve and become more perfect!"
Wang Anshi clapped his hands and cheered, which startled everyone. He stood up, bowed to Wang You, and said, "Hearing your words is better than reading books for ten years."
I intend to enact new laws, but I have some reservations.
Ziqian's words cleared away all the fog in my mind.
"You flatter me, Lord Wang."
Wang You quickly returned the greeting, saying, "This is just one person's opinion."
"No, you are right. There is no law that lasts forever, otherwise there would be no change of dynasties."
After Wang Anshi finished speaking, he cupped his hands to Hai Wenqing and the others, saying, "I have gained some insights and will soon submit a memorial requesting a transfer to a post outside the capital. Thank you all for your help!"
He had some hesitation about drafting the new law before.
Because he didn't know whether the new law he formulated was suitable for the current situation, and he was even less certain that what he formulated was better than what Fan Da Xiang Gong and others had formulated back then.
But Wang You's words made him realize that some things always need to be done by someone.
Whether it's suitable or not is one thing; whether to do it or not is another. And if you don't do it, how will you know if it's right or wrong?
So what if we're wrong?
It can also leave lessons of failure for future generations.
"Alright, since you've made up your mind to leave, I won't try to persuade you anymore. But even if you're going to leave, there's no rush," Ouyang Xiu said.
Since Ouyang Xiu had already spoken, Hai Wenqing and Mei Yaochen naturally wouldn't say anything more.
Although Wang Anshi was friends with all of them, his relationship with Ouyang Xiu was the best; the two were both teacher and friend.
Upon hearing this, Wang Anshi bowed respectfully and sat down again.
"Baekhyun, how about we make a deal?"
Mei Yaochen looked at Hai Wenqing and said, "I have a relatively free time at the Imperial Academy. When I don't have classes, I can tutor Ziqian alone."
Even if one doesn't formally become Wang You's student, he would still be willing to teach him.
It is said that sages have no fixed teachers, and Wang You certainly cannot compare to a sage, but this can still be considered as following the example of the ancients.
Wang You's remarks just now, barring any unforeseen circumstances, will surely lead him to become a great master and leave his mark on history.
He taught Wang You, so shouldn't he also be remembered?
Hai Wenqing was somewhat tempted by the idea. He managed the Hanlin Academy and was usually quite busy, only having time off.
He greatly admired Mei Yaochen's talent and learning, and it would be a good thing if Wang You could study under him.
However, he didn't make the decision for Wang You, but instead looked at Wang You and asked, "Ziqian, what do you think?"
"Thank you for your high regard, Uncle, but I have already agreed to study under Scholar Zhuang. As the saying goes, a person without integrity cannot stand, so I can only disappoint you," Wang You said, bowing.
Studying with Mei Yaochen will definitely have many benefits.
However, in Confucianism, etiquette, benevolence, wisdom, and trustworthiness are the core.
Although he was going to study at the Sheng family's school, it was only a verbal agreement between the two families, and even Zhuang Xuejiu himself didn't know about it.
Even if he really chooses to study with Mei Yaochen, it's not a big deal.
But once he becomes famous in the future, these will all be stains on his reputation.
People tend to have higher moral expectations of those who are more famous and have higher social status.
If an ordinary person urinates or defecates indiscriminately, at most people will say that the world is going to the dogs.
However, if a scholar did this, it would immediately become a hot topic of discussion, and he would be criticized by other scholars.
Wang You said he wanted to study under Zhuang Xuejiu, but then he changed his mind and went to study under Mei Yaochen because Mei Yaochen was more famous.
To put it positively, it means having ambition and wanting to learn from people who are more talented and better.
To put it bluntly, it's too opportunistic. Today, people are willing to abandon Zhuang Xuejiu and study under Mei Yaochen simply because Mei Yaochen is more famous.
Will they betray the Song Dynasty tomorrow because the Liao and Western Xia dynasties offer them better treatment?
Some people may think this is an exaggeration, but it is indeed the case.
If he does something in the future, he will definitely offend a lot of people.
These people will scrutinize his problems with a magnifying glass.
There have never been any living saints in the world, partly because emperors did not allow it, and partly because saints themselves had flaws.
Mei Yaochen looked regretful upon hearing this, but he couldn't very well let Wang You break the contract, could he?
"If Uncle doesn't find me troublesome, I will certainly come to your door to seek your guidance if I have any questions in the future," Wang You said, bowing.
"Haha, come on then."
Upon hearing this, Mei Yaochen said happily, "You'll come with me later. I'll tell the gatekeeper you can go straight in."
"Alright, don't be afraid of being laughed at by the younger generation."
Ouyang Xiu stopped Mei Yaochen and said to Wang You, "Ziqian, come here. Let me introduce you. This is my student, Zeng Gong. You young people should visit each other more often and discuss literature with each other."
Upon hearing this, Wang You looked at the young man, who appeared to be eighteen or nineteen years old, with surprise. He never expected that this man was Zeng Gong, one of the Eight Great Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties.