Dawn of the Empire

Chapter) Poor reason for 'chaotic' love (3)

The two brothers greeted each other respectfully, Song An smiled and said: "After the autumn trial of the Ministry of Criminal Justice, I was busy inspecting subordinate officials and dealing with desk affairs. I haven't had the opportunity to ask Master for advice for a long time. Today I have the opportunity. Master, don't let it go." The student returned empty-handed." Although he was very respectful, his demeanor was quite casual, obviously as Chao Buzhi's only student who entered the house, the master and apprentice were very close.

Chao Buzhi smiled and said to Zhao Xingde: "Your senior brother has been an official in the Ministry of Punishment. He has no other advancement, but his habit of not wanting to suffer." He only taught poetry and Fu in Li's residence, but now Zhao Xingde is respectful and respectful. When he comes to worship a teacher for advice, naturally the knowledge he seeks is not limited to Ci Fu. After pondering for a moment, Chao Buzhi slowly said: "There is a saying in the university, you know things after you know them, and you are sincere after you know them. When the heart is upright, then the body will be cultivated; if the body is cultivated, then the family will be in order; if the family is in order, then the country will be governed; if the country is governed, then the world will be peaceful."Seeing that Song An and Zhao Xingde were both listening to the lecture with solemn expressions, he said: "Yuan Zhi has not yet married, nor has he become an official, so today he will talk about self-cultivation."

Song An and Zhao Xingde nodded together, and Chao Buzhi said conveniently: "The way of self-cultivation can be found in "The Great Learning" and "The Doctrine of the Mean". Let's discuss together, and those who have mastered will be teachers."

Zhao Xingde didn't expect his academic attitude to be so open-minded, he was slightly surprised, but saw Song An's expression was normal, obviously Chao Buzhi had always been like this, so he listened intently.

"Zi said, self-cultivation establishes the way. Yi said, the main way changes, and each corrects the 'nature' and destiny. The 'nature' is the innate quality, such as the difference between rigidity, softness and slowness; fate is what people are endowed with, like high and low. It belongs to you." Chao Buzhi said a few words, seeing that Song An and Zhao Xingde were both familiar with the classics, and there was no sign of ignorance, he nodded slightly in his heart, and said: "Those who cultivate themselves can self-govern. People can't govern themselves, how can they It can rule people. Therefore, what I call Confucianism to cultivate Qi and rule peace is based on self-cultivation. The small ones are gentlemen who are cautious about independence, and the big ones sacrifice their lives for righteousness. They are all ways of self-cultivation.”

At this point, Chao Buzhi saw that Song An's eyes showed doubts, so he motioned for him to ask questions, and Song An asked: "The person who said 'give up his life for righteousness' even lost his own life. How to cultivate one's body?" Zhao Xingde also nodded slightly beside him, and Song An also felt puzzled when he asked such a question.

Chao Buzhi smiled slightly and asked, "What is the allusion of giving up one's life for righteousness?"

Zhao Xingde recited without hesitation: "Mencius said, fish is what I want, bear's paw is also what I want; you can't have both, and those who give up fish and take bear's paw are also. Life is what I want, righteousness, It’s also what I want; you can’t have both, and those who sacrifice their lives for righteousness.”

Chao Buzhi nodded and signaled Zhao Xingde to go on, and Zhao Xingde continued to recite: "Life is what I want, and what I want is more than the living, so I don't want to get it; death is also what I hate, what is the worst thing?" For the dead, there is something wrong with it.” After more than ten years of hard study, the original one was the best, and in a moment Zhao Xingde recited this "Mencius Gao Zishang Fish I Want" to the end , "I don't accept it because of my death, but now I do it for the beauty of the palace; Is it true that it can’t be done? This is called losing one’s original mind.”

When Zhao Xingde recited the last sentence "This so-called loss of original intention", a thought flashed in Song An's mind, and it seemed that he suddenly realized, Chao Buzhi smiled slightly: "Do you understand?"

Song An suddenly understood a truth, with a look of surprise on his face, he said: "I seem to understand a little bit."

Chao Buzhi smiled and said, "Tell me about it?"

Song An sorted out his thoughts, and said in a deep voice: "As the Master said, 'If you hear the Tao in the morning, you can die in the evening'. The way of self-cultivation is nothing more than 'nature' and life. The realm mentioned in Ten Congruent Heart Desires Without Distance' is to cultivate the "nature" and fate in line with the way of heaven. "Sex" is the natural quality, which directly points to the original heart. Losing righteousness for the sake of living is to ignorant the original heart. To damage the 'nature', to lose the opportunity to go to the Tao, it is better to sacrifice one's life for righteousness."

Song An saw a lot of officials who were imprisoned in the Ministry of Criminal Justice. In the big prison, under severe torture, some were peaceful, while others were howling ghosts and wolves. At first, I was wondering why the same scholar-bureaucrats were the same, and why there was such a big difference in integrity. Looking at it now, it is precisely the kung fu of self-cultivation that is different.

Chao Buzhi nodded slightly and said: "There is some truth to it." Suddenly his face changed, and he asked again: "You said that you lost your righteousness for the sake of living, and you have lost your heart and lost the opportunity to follow the Tao. Let me ask you, what is righteousness?"

After Song An explained the truth he had realized, he was delighted at first, but felt something was wrong, the smile on his face gradually faded away, and while he was thinking about it, he was suddenly slammed by Chao Buzhi, and his thoughts became 'chaotic' again , There was no answer for a while.

Seeing Chao Buzhi look over, Zhao Xingde went through the classics he had read in his mind, and subconsciously replied: "There is a saying in the mean, righteousness is appropriate. The Spring and Autumn Zuozhuan said that righteousness is the root of profit." , Yun Li begets evil, but if there is no Yun, it can grow."

Chao Buzhi nodded, looked at Song An again, and Song An breathed a sigh of relief, and sighed: "Student understands. Living is nothing but profit, and righteousness is the foundation of profit. Giving up righteousness for the sake of life is giving up righteousness." Chasing after the end." He paused, glanced at Zhao Xingde, and said again: "It's like in a big prison, there are people who are tortured to death, but if they make random confessions for the sake of survival, not only It can't save my own life, but it's even worse than death." He originally had the so-called righteousness of monarch and minister, father and son, the answer of the country and the community, but it was not as good as Zhao Xingde's quotation from Zuo's Spring and Autumn Biography. Straightforward and thorough, secretly said, I am an official of the Ministry of Punishment, known as "Spring and Autumn Judgment", but my mastery of "Spring and Autumn" scriptures is not as good as Yuan Zhi.

Chao Buzhi felt that Song An's analogy was a bit far-fetched, so he explained: "The way of heaven is like the direction of north and south. Ritual and righteousness are like the magnetic needle for guidance. Fortune is like mountains and rivers. There are dangers ahead, you can detour, but you can't." Let go of the magnetic needle. The world is turbid, and you can change it, but you can't go with the flow. Life is as short as a white horse, if you can't stick to the good and keep it, and lose morality, you will become a muddleheaded person. Everyone's heart'nature' is different. In the past Mr. An Ding, Mr. Hu Yuan set up tents to recruit disciples, and generally taught this way of self-cultivation. His disciples were all handsome at the time. The reason is that the mind is different. This 'Xing' Ming Kung Fu can only point out the Dao for the teacher, and the specific cultivation must be done by everyone. Once you lose your original mind, it will be very difficult to get it back."

It is understandable for him to say that Zhao Xingde.When the way is difficult to understand, choosing the good and being stubborn may be a simple and effective option.Many talented people, once "lost" their direction, will sink deeper and deeper, keep sinking, unable to extricate themselves, and finally lose their reputation for thousands of years, because they have lost their moral pointers and "lost" their direction.

Seeing that both Song An and Zhao Xingde nodded, Chao Buzhi said to Song An again: "What you just said just now is that self-cultivation is just a study of 'nature' and fate, but it is a bit narrow. The way of self-cultivation does not stop at 'nature' and fate." Learning, from the inside to the outside, 'sex' life, body function, power, all can be mastered, only then can one become a sage inside and a king outside."

At this time, most of the other Confucian schools only talked about the study of "nature" and fate in Xiushen, but Chao Buzhi developed it deeply. He combined what he learned from his study tour in the Xia Kingdom, penetrated the theory of Buddhism and Taoism, and put his own cultivation into practice. It is completely connected with the use of managing the world and governing the country.

He believes that 'sex' is the fundamental 'nature', which is the existence that distinguishes human beings from beasts and from others. The so-called primordial spirit of Taoism is 'sex'.And fate is endowment, such as intelligent mind, strong body and so on. "Sex" and fate are interdependent, "sex" is fundamental, but fate is not insignificant. The dry meditation of Buddhism hurts the body in order to see "sex" clearly, which is unavoidably biased.Extending from 'Xing' Ming in turn, it is body, function and power.

"The dispute between body and function, the world often divides it, and emphasizes body and despise use. But it is absurd, body and function are not comparable, how can they be separated." Hearing this, Zhao Xingde suddenly thought of the quite popular later generations. "Chinese learning is body, Western learning is application", but Chao Buzhi picked up a letter-opening knife and said to the two disciples: "This is body." After speaking, he picked up a blank paper, Cut it into two halves, and said: "This is useful." He paused, and said in a deep voice: "There is only the study of 'xing' and fate, but it has reached the physical skill. If it can't be used, it will be as good as today. Corrupt Confucianism, only talking about "life" in empty words, regards miscellaneous studies such as economics and technology as turbid, but does not know that since these miscellaneous studies are useful to the country, the people and themselves, they should be incorporated into the body of academics. Use is not enough to distinguish true knowledge. Emphasis on body and light use, you must be complacent, sitting in a well and looking at the sky, arrogant, is not the master's way of practicing Qi Zhiping. Knowing is difficult and doing is easy, knowing is easy and doing is difficult. Having a body and being useful, knowing and doing, is the true way of self-cultivation effort."

Both Zhao Xingde and Song An are very interested in miscellaneous studies, and they nodded frequently.Chao Buzhi said again: "The four aspects of 'nature' and life, body and function are all one's own kung fu. The two sides of power are the extension of body and function."

People at that time respected hermits, Wang Anshi refused the emperor's use three times back then, and his reputation has only grown. Now that Chao Buzhi clearly mentioned the word "power", Zhao Xingde and Song And both showed some weird expressions, but they did not dare to question it.Chao Buzhi smiled slightly, and said: "For those with power, it's up to me to make foreign things work for me. For those with power, it's not for me to use them. If I can borrow them along the way, I can also make foreign things work for me. .”

Song An nodded and said: "For example, when I do a lawsuit in the capital, I inspect the subordinate officials of the Ministry of Punishment every year. This is Quan. The Qing discussion of the eunuchs and supervisors where Yuan Zhi works has made the court scholars and bureaucrats vigilant. This is power. If there is no It is true that power cannot be used to govern the country and the world.”

Chao Buzhi smiled and said, "Yuan Zhi, what experience do you have?"

Zhao Xingde figured out the way to use power, and replied: "The ground and external power of Go are similar to the power mentioned by the master. Those who hold power are like occupying the frontier and corner, and those who gain power are like taking the Central Plains directly. In it, the bearded man and Li Shimin play chess, the bearded man first settles on the four-pointed star position, claiming that the four sons of the old man occupy the four directions, but Li Shimin only deposits a son on Tianyuan, and it is said that Xiaosheng has one son to determine the Central Plains. It turns out that it is also the way of power."

Song An nodded and said: "Yuan Zhi is a good comparison. The generation of villains and traitors, who have multiple powers but despise power, love profit but forget righteousness, such as Tang Taizong, a heroic ruler, is more powerful than power. At that time, the crown prince was built in the East Palace and gained the military power. Li Shimin was suspected by his father and brother, so he took advantage of the fact that his meritorious service was not rewarded, launched the Xuanwu Gate Change, and finally won the position of emperor." He looked at Zhao Xingde, a little hesitant, But he still couldn't help but said: "Nowadays, although Prime Minister Cai is in power, the officials are already a little jealous, and there are fierce discussions outside. From the perspective of the situation, it is a bit troublesome."

Chao Buzhi smiled slightly and said, "It's good for you to have a clear understanding of the general situation of the court. The current dispute between the crown prince and the third prince's East Palace is mixed with phase changes, and the court's grievances between old and new parties are becoming more and more complicated. You two also need to be careful." Care. Power and power are two aspects, although they are not the main body, but they are the extension of the main body. Although they are not used by the main body, they can govern the country and the world. To help the world at the same time, one must use power as a way of self-cultivation, so as to be different from the generation of fly-to-dog dogs and become a man with the world in mind."

The three of them talked about this study of self-cultivation for a long time, Zhao Xingde gradually let go of his restraint, and joined the discussion. Later, he even proposed to Chao Buzhi that he wanted to go to the Imperial Academy to experience it, on the grounds that he was quite interested in miscellaneous studies. Require.

Chao Buzhi was originally quite dissatisfied with the contempt of the scholars of the Song Dynasty and craftsmen, seeing that Zhao Xingde had truly understood the meaning of practicality and practicality, and did not have the prejudice of contemptuous skills such as miscellaneous learning, he was also quite relieved, so he nodded , And said to Song An: "I have an old friend visiting in the afternoon, and your senior brother will lead the way. I will go to the Taishi Bureau, and I will also go to the Four Bureaus of Astronomy, Calligraphy, Painting, Medical Officers, Armory Depot, and Bazuo Office. Move around." He turned his head and glanced at Zhao Xingde, and then urged: "Although this dynasty uses scriptures to select scholars, there are quite a few scholars in the Hanlin Academy who have miscellaneous studies such as astronomy, medicine, medicine, and algebra, and they are regarded as turbid streams, but There are quite a few capable people among them, you go to the Imperial Academy, but if you have something that doesn't make sense, you have to put down your body and humbly ask for advice, and you can't show arrogance and arrogance."

Zhao Xingde respectfully agreed immediately, and then bowed to Song An: "There are Lao Tai and Senior Brother."

Song An bowed slightly, and thanked him with a smile on his face.Chao Buzhi has very few disciples, Zhao Xingde is the only disciple who is formally called his senior brother.Song An is quite good at observing people. In the prison of the Ministry of punishment, he has seen a lot of people who are arrogant outside, and when they arrive in the prison of the Ministry of punishment, they will cry like ghosts and howl without integrity.Today he secretly observes Zhao Xingde, this son has a dignified appearance, a calm demeanor, a measured demeanor, no flamboyant words, no vanity, he is quite satisfied with this new junior brother, and he will help each other in his official career It is very important, if the time is right for Xindao, you can support one or two.

Chao Buzhi smiled slightly, and said: "Both of your brothers and sisters have put their heart into these miscellaneous studies, but they are in the same spirit." Later Zhao Xingde found out that because of his relationship with the Ministry of Criminal Justice, this senior brother will inevitably face difficulties. When it comes to some complicated and difficult cases, miscellaneous studies such as medicine and arithmetic are quite useful to him, and he is quite familiar with the technical officers of the Imperial Academy.

After the lecture was over, the three master and apprentice talked about the court affairs for a while, and the maidservant came to report that lunch was ready, so Chao Buzhi brought Song An and Zhao Xingde to the flower hall.At this time in Bianliang, the meal sharing system was prevalent. On the dining table, there were four or five meat and vegetable dishes and soups in front of the four seats. She was already smiling and waiting in the flower hall.

The Li family was from the Li family in Chang'an. The Xia Kingdom originally attached great importance to miscellaneous learning and technology. After following her husband to the Song Dynasty, she did not take the worldly prejudice against the officials of the Imperial Academy to heart.Seeing that her husband and the two disciples who entered the room had already taken their seats, Li Shi smiled and said to Zhao Xingde, "I heard that Dr. Li's wonderful young lady is going to give Yuanzhi her name. It's really a great thing."

"Thank you, Master and Master's wife, for making it perfect." Zhao Xingde thanked, feeling a little flattered in his heart.After his parents passed away, he had no close relatives in this world. Today's visit to the teacher, master, mother, and senior brother who met for the first time, made Zhao Xingde feel warm and close in his heart.

Chao Buzhi waved his hand to let him not be restrained, and asked Zhao Xingde: "The Li family hopes that Yuanzhi and Ruoxue will settle their names first and go to the residence to study quietly. They will get married after the imperial examination next year. What do you think?" I hope that Song An and Zhao Xingde will get closer, so when talking about Zhao Xingde's marriage at this time, I don't shy away from Song An's presence.

Zhao Xingde naturally agreed in haste.Going to Li's residence to study, naturally you can get the moon first.Song An didn't expect that the talented girl Li Ruoxue, who is well-known in Bianliang, would want to give her a letter to this unknown junior brother who has not yet become an official, and she couldn't help showing a little surprise.

Chao Buzhi facilitated this marriage, and he also smiled with his beard: "Yuan Zhi has no other elders in Bianliang, so your teacher's mother will do it for you to exchange engagement cards and give the three gold tea gifts to Li's family." 'The thing to do is, choose a good day and auspicious time, send the dowry to Li's mansion, and determine the status." He paused, looked at Zhao Xingde, and said with a smile: "Although your foundation is not bad, the orthodox classics used in the imperial examination You need to pay more attention to your skills. Although the students of the imperial school can also become officials, I think your future father-in-law still hopes that you can have a Jinshi background. In addition, Ruoxue is a talented woman born in the world, and the eldest son of the Li family is also a Bianliang A leader among young people, you should not be too succinct about the way of Ci Fu literature, and don't let people complain that there is Yuanzhi in the sky and the earth."

The so-called teacher is like a father, Chao Buzhi actually beat Zhao Xingde as his own nephew, and borrowed the allusion of Xie Daoyun, a talented woman from the Eastern Jin Dynasty who was dissatisfied with her husband Wang Ningzhi's lack of talent, and went back to her natal family to complain that "there is Wang Lang in the sky and the earth", telling him not to I lost my face.Zhao Xingde couldn't help laughing a little, stood up quickly and said: "I must study hard, and I must not disgrace the good wishes of my master and my wife."

When he saw that his master wanted to buy a dowry for him, even though he had a lot of money, he still shyly refused, and finally his wife, Mrs. Li, put on a serious face to teach her a lesson, so she gave up.The eldest son of the Chao Mansion, Chao Shaofu, was an official in the camp in Hebei. His daughter, Chao Heng, had married to the Su family in central Shu a few years ago. In the past two years, the house was deserted. Seeing that Chao Buzhi's new disciple had a happy event, he married Bian. Liang's well-known talented woman, Li's naturally wants to take over.