Prime Minister

Chapter 132
Most of the bigwigs became famous when they were young, because they were very good when they were young and showed considerable talent.

Cheng Yi and his elder brother studied under Lianxi Mr. Zhou Dunyi and Shao Yong. Following the famous teacher, he also gained knowledge and vision higher than ordinary people.

When he came to the capital, he did one thing. As a student, he wrote to the emperor, begging to abolish the secular theory and take the kingly way as his heart.

Of course, this sparseness did not get the attention of the emperor, but it shows Cheng Yi's ambition.

Later, Cheng Yi entered Taixue and became a disciple of Hu Yuan.

At that time, Hu Yuan came up with a topic, Yan Zi's favorite theory of what to learn.

Cheng Yi said in the article.

The study of a gentleman must first understand the mind, know what to nurture, but strive to achieve it. The so-called self-clarity and sincerity, so learning must be done with all your heart.If you do your best, you will know your nature, but if you are sincere, you will be a sage.

This article was appreciated by Hu Yuan.

Confucianism was originally the study of transcendence, but when Mingcheng mentioned it, Confucianism also turned into the Confucian theory of "clearing the mind and seeing the nature".

When Zhang Yue heard this, he also understood why Hu Yuan praised him for his university's "sincerity".

It turns out that this is the time calling us.

Of course, this theory has been criticized by many people, just as people in later generations criticized Neo-Confucianism for the same reason, thinking that Neo-Confucianism is similar to Buddha and Lao.To turn Confucianism into a worldly learning into a worldly learning, is this what Confucius originally meant?

But here comes the problem?Why does the Neo Confucian Society get the support of so many Confucian figures?

Confucianism is a study of the world, but everyone should know some studies of the world, and use it to seek spiritual comfort.Ordinary people can find religious needs, but what about scholar-bureaucrats?Don't you hear that the child is silent and strange.

What are the consequences of Confucianism abandoning the doctrine of otherworldly learning?Lost the 'market'.

No matter how good a theory is, it must first be guaranteed to survive.

Therefore Neo Confucianism took on the task of updating and patching Confucianism. Even if there are some flaws, they can only be resolved by later generations.One generation works for one generation.

What are the consequences of not updating?Confucianism is nothing but slogans.

For example, the scholars and bureaucrats of the Eastern Jin Dynasty all studied metaphysics and Confucianism together. Confucianism is the official guiding ideology, and the code of conduct for entering the world has to be learned.Metaphysics is self-study by scholar-bureaucrats, because they like to learn or don't like your Sima family playing with famous teachers, so let's learn other things.So what is the essence of metaphysics?Aside from specific affairs, focus on the theory of ontology.

Many people satirize Confucian scholars for harming the country with empty talk, but the empty talk of metaphysics in the Wei and Jin Dynasties is the real empty talk.

As for the study of Ming Ti in metaphysics, it is also divided into "Chong You" and "Gui Wu".This is exactly the same as Wang Xue's "four haves" and "four nothings" dispute.

So the question is, are you willing to discuss the study of ontology "being or not" in the context of Confucianism that entered the world, or discuss the study of "being or not" in the ontology under the category of metaphysics that is out of the world.

Those who are extremely smart can have "four things", and those who are extremely dull can have "four things".

Most people get to know themselves through practice (work to learn things), but they can also recognize their 'new self' and practice (work to learn things). This is an alternating process, not a one-off process.

Therefore, the university lectures as "close to the people", and Cheng Yi translates "close to the people" as "Xinmin".

To be a new people, to renew the people.That is to say, 'Go out every day, every day is new'.

As long as you study hard and strive to update, every day is a 'new self'.

Zhang Yue and Cheng Yi discussed this in the Zhaishe all night.

Discussing until midnight, Zhang Yue was already sleepy, and when he was about to close his eyes, he was pulled up by Cheng Yi, who had a new thought, and discussed again.Repeated this several times, Zhang Yue almost didn't sleep all night.

Cheng Yi is indeed "extraordinarily smart" as Shao Yong said, and compared with Zhang Yue, he is only inferior in "vision".But the boss is always so unreasonable, if it weren't for the fact that he is "Cheng Zi" (the boss can't afford to offend), Zhang Yue would have been angry.

On the second day, Zhang Yue already had panda eyes.

But Cheng Yi was in high spirits, at this moment he could hear birds singing everywhere outside the window, it seemed that some chicks were trying to sing for the first time, Cheng Yi pushed open the window.

But at the turn of spring and summer, the bright sunshine is shining into the house, making people unable to open their eyes.

Zhang Yue, who hadn't slept well all night, covered the sun with his hands and was about to go back to sleep, when Cheng Yi said to the rising sun, "I heard the Tao in the morning"!
All the people in the house shook their heads together.

As the saying goes, it is better to sleep than to hear the Tao.

Everyone has been up all night because of the two of you, okay?

But the more surprising thing is yet to come.On this day, Cheng Yi immediately went to find Li Gou, who was in charge of Taixue, and bluntly said that he planned to give up his status as a Taixue student and return to his hometown to study knowledge. Yes, this meant that he planned to drop out of school.

But this matter was stopped by Li Gou. Cheng Yi was one of his most admired students, why did he drop out of school suddenly?

No future?No more imperial examinations?

How can this be done?
Li Gou inquired again and again, but Cheng Yi said: "Why did Han Tui renounce Shilao and respect the University and Mencius? It is because although Shilao is mysterious, he is not good enough for the people to seek peace in the world. I really can't bear the abolition of Confucianism." .”

Li Gou must have scoffed at the other students, but who is Cheng Yi?
Hu Yuan, a student of Zhou Dunyi, both of them favored him very much. Although his poems and prose were not excellent, in terms of policy, he was the top student in the Imperial Academy.

When Hu Yuan read his article, he was very appreciative, not only ranked first, but also awarded him a "scholar".

The title of scholar has no practical meaning, it seems to be the first-class honorary title among Tai students.But in the Guozijian test, the examiner will take a high look at it as appropriate.

In this way, Cheng Yi dropped out of school as soon as Hu Yuan returned to his hometown to recuperate from his illness. Isn't this a slap in the face for him?
Li Gou is an arrogant person, but at this moment he could only ask to stay: "The exam will be over in July, you might as well go after the exam."

Cheng Yi resolutely said: "The solution to the test is to become an official, but becoming an official is only a temporary method, but it is not as fundamental as the heart of the eternal! Therefore, the students have decided to go."

After hearing what Cheng Yi said, Li Gou also appreciated it from the bottom of his heart.Indifferent to fame and fame is the demeanor of my generation of scholars.

But after thinking about it, Cheng Yi left, leaving his face completely gone.He didn't leave sooner or later, but it happened to be when Hu Yuan left Taixue.

Li Gou still advised a few words, but it was not enough to dispel Cheng Yi's determination.Li Gou had no choice but to watch such a good seed drop out of the Imperial Academy.

Li Gou was immediately annoyed, but on second thought, maybe there was some other reason?Or because of someone?
Of course, Zhang Yue didn't know that Cheng Yi had dropped out of school.

In the afternoon, it is the Yangzheng Zhai Banquet.

The address was chosen in Fantai, and the students first enjoyed the spring scenery of Fantai together.

The spring scenery of Fantai is one of the eight scenic spots in Bianjing.

But I saw that the Tianqing Temple Pagoda was hundreds of feet high, connected to the colorful clouds in the sky, and the spring was full of beautiful scenery.In the center of Fantai is the Tianqing Temple Pagoda. The nine floors are carved with Buddha statues from bottom to top.

The river bends around Fantai, the poplars are lingering on the bank, and the trees are green on a sunny day. Looking at the temples and ancient temples of Tianqing, and hearing the sound of Buddhist bells, it is really a beautiful scenery.

As for the many residents of Bianjing who are all over Luo Qi, they go on outings, and many people carry wine and food. It is a scene of prosperity, singing and dancing.

Zhang Yue was also very happy to see this scene. It is a pleasant thing to go out for an outing in such a peaceful season.Wearing a thin long gown, he strolled on the stage, with the freshness of entering the imperial school and the pride of having just become the proud son of heaven in his heart. When the spring breeze blows, he is already drunk, but he hopes that this moment will be in his heart forever .

All the imperial scholars also sat on the ground under the red apricot tree. On the tree, the oriole hummed lowly. The young swallows were trying to spread their wings, and Zhang Yue sat obliquely under the tree.

Already prepared wine and food were prepared for the students to enjoy. At this time, the Buddha Festival had just passed, and it was the time when the 72 main stores in Tokyo were selling boiled wine for the first time.

Zhang Yue tasted the new wine at his entrance, and the table was covered with imperial peaches.Plum.Golden apricot.Ringo and other seasonal fruits.

Zhang Yue took a sip of the new wine, and then took another bite of the imperial peach, but when he heard the crisp sound of the imperial peach, the juice tasted sweet.

Zhang Yue originally thought that this was the life of a Tai student, but he didn't expect that more exciting things were yet to come.

After a while, I saw two beautifully dressed prostitutes coming under the tree.

Seeing this, Zhang Yue immediately sat up straight and couldn't help thinking, although this banquet was for himself and Huang Haoyi, it was too kind.

Zhang Yue also understood that the public prostitution of officials and students in the Song Dynasty was not only not a problem, but also a coquettish act.

For example, the stories that great writers Ouyang Xiu and Su Shi had to tell about prostitutes can be written into several books.

As for Tai students' banquets and sex with prostitutes, it is also a must, even if you don't invite them, other houses will think you are not up to date.

As for Taixue, there is still a set of procedures for courting prostitutes in each fasting. Each fasting set (the initiator of the banquet) must publish a post, and then stamp it with a fasting seal. The three elements of the time, place, and person of the banquet must be written on the post, and then please The opponent is present.

Moreover, the prostitutes hired by Tai students are not private prostitutes like Yulian, but official prostitutes of the government.

Official prostitutes are generally better than private prostitutes. They must not only entertain people with their beauty, but also be able to understand piano, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry and poetry.

These two prostitutes are both upper-middle-class in appearance, and they have extraordinary conversation.Zhang Yue couldn't help looking at their feet when he went to the countryside, but he saw that one had bound feet and the other didn't.

After all, not every man in the Song Dynasty liked footbinding, it was just a rising trend, and it was not as severe as it was in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

But Zhang Yue also knows what's the point of sitting and chatting with a group of big men. It's interesting to drink and chat with two good-looking women beside them.

When the prostitutes sat down to chat, everyone ordered to drink wine, and since Zhang Yue came, let him be safe.

At this moment, there was a noise from the side.

But seeing the same [-] or so imperial students coming up to the stage, one of them said: "Well, Liu Ji, everyone Wei is our appointment to keep the fast today, what do you mean by robbing her halfway? Could it be?" Are you intentionally embarrassing us about fasting?"

Zhang Yue looked at the way the other party was angry and asked the teacher for their crimes, and he also felt something was wrong.

It's just a coincidence that she just came to Taitai to study prostitution, and she encountered jealousy!
(End of this chapter)