Master Kong Zhongni

Chapter 208 As Good As It Gets (4K)

In the Palace of the Duke of Lu, the Marquis of Lu sat in the upper position, and Confucius sat in the lower seat.

Below the high level, there are yellow bells and big lus, and there are orchestras and zithers all over the place.

Musicians stand on both sides, and dancers hold spears and dance with the music.

At the end of the song, the musicians and dancers withdrew, and Lu Hou asked Confucius with a smile.

"The battle of Onozawa was won, and the state of Jin also decided to send reinforcements to our country. I don't know what Master thinks, how about playing the song "Wu" for our soldiers when they are triumphant?"

Confucius heard the words, but said nothing.

Lu Hou asked strangely: "Do you think the previous "Shao" is better?"

When Confucius heard this, he finally opened his mouth and replied: "If we only compare the music, "Wu" is beautiful, but not perfect. "Shao" is beautiful, but also perfect."

The Marquis of Lu was puzzled and said, ""Wu" is composed by King Wu, and "Shao" is composed by Yu Shun. Do you think that Yu Shun's virtues are more extensive than King Wu's?"

Confucius replied, "I dare not talk lightly about the virtues and achievements of King Wu and Shun Yu. If you want me to talk about it, I would like to tell you what I know about Shun Yu and King Wu."

Lu Hou asked: "I am willing to listen to your teachings."

Confucius said: "In the time of Yu Shun, he continued to use the sixteen virtuous ministers left by Emperor Yao, the 'Ba Kai' and 'Eight Yuan', and visited sages from the people to assist him.

He appointed 'Eight Kai' who was born in the Gaoyang family and had a gentle and gentle temperament, and appointed Cang Shu, 隤敳, 梼戭, Dalin, 尨江, Ting Jian, Zhong Rong, and Shu Da to act as agents for land and officials.

As a result, the four seasons were coordinated, the people had enough food and clothing, and hundreds of officials were able to perform their duties.

He also appointed the "eight yuan" who was born in the Gaoxin family and had a generous and benevolent temperament. He appointed Bofen, Zhongkan, Shuxian, Jizhong, Bohu, Zhongxiong, Shubao, and Jili to spread the five teachings. .

As a result, the five teachings of fatherly righteousness, motherly kindness, brothers and friends, younger brothers' respect, and son's filial piety appeared in the world, and even the neighbors became more harmonious.

After that, he appointed Qi, Qi, Gaoyao, Chui, Yi, Boyi (the ancient Boyi), Kui, Long and other virtuous courtiers.

Emperor Shun appointed Qi as Houji, in charge of farming, teaching the people how to farm, and helping the people resist famine.

Appoint Qi as Situ, in charge of the five ethics education, appease the hearts of the people in the world, guide the people to be good, and make the people harmonious.

Gao Tao was appointed as a judge, in charge of prisons, punished treacherous people with five punishments, and reduced those who committed small mistakes with exile, and carefully selected punishments according to the severity of their mistakes.

Appoint Chui as a co-worker, responsible for leading various craftsmen, building houses for the people to live in, and making tools for their daily use.

Appoint Yi as Zhenyu, in charge of opening and closing the mountains and lakes, raising birds and beasts, cultivating trees, and allowing the people to enjoy the benefits from the mountains and lakes.

Appoint Boyi as Zhizong, responsible for sacrifices, and worship heaven, earth, and people with respect, integrity, and clarity in the morning and evening.

Appoint Kui to be in charge of music, let him use rites and music to educate young people, and teach them to develop a character of integrity and gentleness, generosity and seriousness, uprightness but not tyranny, simplicity but not arrogance.

Appoint Long as Nayan, responsible for compiling and presenting the words of loyalty from the people, stating the truth from the lower classes, and helping Emperor Shun distinguish between those words that slander others and the behaviors that destroy morality.

After that, Emperor Shun assessed their achievements every three years.

And the dismissal or promotion is decided through the results of the three assessments, so various affairs near and far have developed.

As a result, the Sanmiao tribe, which caused chaos in afar, was divided and disintegrated, and countless people came from afar to seek refuge because of their admiration for Emperor Shun's virtue.

At this time, Emperor Shun ordered the musicians to compose the movement "Shao", hoping to encourage future generations with this.

"Shao" originated from such a virtuous government and conveyed Yu Shun's vast sea-like virtues. How could such a movement not be perfect? "

Hearing this, the Marquis of Lu couldn't help sighing, "Shun's virtues are really magnificent! Then what about King Wu's virtues?"

Confucius replied: "When "Wu" started to play, the dancers held shields and stood motionless on both sides like mountains, which symbolized that King Wu swore an oath in Mengjin and ordered the soldiers to be fully armed. Only when the princes responded, they were about to move forward.

Afterwards, the dance of "Wu" began to move, and the dancers started to move fiercely and mightily, symbolizing Taigong Wang's determination to command the soldiers of the former army and tigers to move forward bravely and try to destroy Shang in one fell swoop.

At the end of the dance, the martial arts are over, and the dancer kneels on one knee, which symbolizes the start of the rule of Zhou Gong and Zhao Gong, and the world will return to stability.

The music of "Wu" was played again, and the dancers went from south to north, symbolizing that Wang Shi went north to the court song.

The tune is played for the second time, and the dancers rise up again, symbolizing the desperate struggle to destroy Shang.

The third time, symbolizes the triumphant return to the south.

The fourth time symbolizes the surrender of all the southern countries.

The fifth time, it symbolizes the division and governance of Shaanxi, Zhou and Zhao Ergong are the left and right uncles.

The Duke of Zhou is on the left, governing the east of Shaanxi.

Zhao Gong lived on the right and governed the west of Shaanxi.

For the sixth time, the dancers gather and form a row to show their respect to the Son of Heaven.

The emperor, the generals and the dancers stand side by side, vibrating the bells to increase morale, conquering all directions, and majestic China.

King Wu conquered Yin and pacified the world, and ordered to restore the government decrees of the early Shang Dynasty.

Before they had time to get off the chariot, they enshrined the descendants of the Yellow Emperor in Ji, the descendants of Emperor Yao in Zhu, and the descendants of Emperor Shun in Chen.

After getting off the carriage, he named Xia Yu's descendants in Qi and Shang Tang's descendants in Song.

He ordered to add earth to the tomb of Bigan, a virtuous official of the Yin Shang Dynasty, release Jizi, a virtuous official who was imprisoned by King Zhou, and sent him to inspect the officials in charge of rituals and music in the Yin Shang Dynasty, and restore his original official position if there is a sage.

He also ordered the abolition of the tyranny of King Yin Zhou and the increase of scholars' salaries.

Master Wang crossed the great river and went west into Shanxi. His horses were released on Nanshan Mountain, and he scattered his war horses to the south of Huashan Mountain, saying that he would no longer ride.

The draft cattle were scattered in the wilderness of Taolin area east of Huashan Mountain, indicating that they would no longer be used to transport war equipment and military supplies.

The chariots and armor are stored in the treasury, indicating that they will no longer be used.

Holding weapons such as fighting arms upside down, so that the white blade faces inward, and wrapping the outside with tiger skin, it means that it is no longer necessary to stop military affairs by force.

The meritorious generals will reward them as princes, so that they will be like bows (quivers), hiding the wars in the world from now on, so that they will never happen again.

Therefore, the establishment of princes is also called 'Jianlong'.

Then, everyone in the world knew that King Wu no longer used troops.

So the troops were dismissed one after another, and the rites of seeking talents were held in the suburbs. The shooting ceremony in the eastern suburbs sang "Beaver Head", and the shooting ceremony in the western suburbs sang "Zou Yu".

There was also a cessation of military shooting, aimed at jousting and piercing leather armor.

All the virtuous people in the world, all dressed in robes and crowns, with wat boards inserted in their belts, came to pay their respects.

The brave scholars also untied their long swords and began to assist the country with Wende's methods.

The Son of Heaven offered sacrifices to the ancestors in the Ming Hall, and the common people understood the principle of filial piety for the Son of Man.

The ceremony of pilgrimage is performed at the court, and the princes also understand the way of being a virtuous minister.

The Son of Heaven personally plowed and cleared the fields, so people all over the world began to work hard on farming and mulberry, and devoted themselves to production and labor.

Serving the elders and the fifth watch in the Taixue, the emperor personally stripped his clothes, cut up the meat, held the sauce and invited the elders of the middle school to eat meat, and the emperor invited the elders of the middle school to drink and wash.

He also wears a crown on his head, holds a dry shield in his hand, dances in person, makes them happy and happy, and educates the princes with this, so that they know how to respect the elders, respect the elderly, and clarify the way of filial piety.

From then on, the teachings of the Zhou people spread all over the world and passed on to the eight wastelands.

At this time, King Wu ordered the musician to write "Wu", and recorded his own gains and losses, and used it as a warning for future generations. "

The Marquis of Lu was greatly shocked when he heard the words: "King Wu's virtue is also something that no one can look up to! But, why do you say that "Shao" is perfect, but "Wu" is only perfect and not perfect?"

Confucius heard the words, and replied: "The "Book" once said: The battle of Muye, bloodshed.

After conquering Chaoge, King Wu conquered the Quartet and pacified the world.

共计攻灭99国，杀敌一17万七千770九人，生俘30万又230人，总计征服650二国。

On Gengxu day, King Wu arrived at Zongzhou.

After getting off the car, ask Wu Zhu to offer a prayer to the heavens.

King Wu ordered people to cut off the hands and feet of hundreds of evil officials who followed King Zhou, and killed the captured military officials and officials who guarded the tripod for the Yin and Shang Dynasties, and also killed more than forty clan leaders and their tripod guards and make them sacrifices to heaven.

Situ and Sima began to sacrifice to the Emperor of Heaven in the southern suburbs.

King Wu offered captives in the south gate, and ordered the living captives to wear uniforms, so that they would enter the city before the chariots that transported the dead enemy's left ear.

At the beginning of the sacrifice, King Wu personally presided over it.

Taigongwang carried the white flag with the head of King Zhou on his back and the red flag with the heads of the two wives of King Zhou on his back. He entered the Zhou Temple before the sacrifice and the left ear of the enemy, and lit a fire in the ancestral temple.

On the day of Kuichou, another hundred captured soldiers of the king of Yin were presented.

Jiayin Day..."

When Confucius said this, Marquis Lu who had been silent all this time suddenly spoke.

"You don't need to say any more. Now, the widow already understands the reason why "Wu" is not perfect."

When Confucius said this, he suddenly got up and came to Luhou to worship.

"I heard that the two countries of Lu and Qi are at war, and the soldiers of our army are fighting bravely in the front, which is a last resort.

They sacrificed their lives and fought hard to kill the enemy in order to defend the territory left by the ancestors of the Lu Kingdom and preserve the community you guard.

However, the battle on the front line is still undecided, and the soldiers of Lu State have tried their best to ensure victory, but you have now begun to think about their triumphant music.

When I was young, I went to Chengzhou to learn from the sage Laozi who lived there for a long time.

Lao Tzu told me: Bing is an ominous thing, and people hate it, so a righteous person will never use it to solve problems.

In a peaceful life, a gentleman takes nourishing the sun and keeping in good health as his duty, and his purpose is to advocate endless life.

In times of war, the use of troops follows deception.

Therefore, weapons are ominous things that are not used by gentlemen. When using them as a last resort, it is best to deal with them indifferently.

If you win, don't be complacent.

If you think you are great, you will kill people at will just because you like it.

Anyone who likes to kill people cannot be successful in the world.

For auspicious events, the left side is the top, for mourning things, the right side is the top, the partial general is on the left, and the top general is on the right.

Many people are killed in the war, so we must participate in it with a sad heart.

Even when a battle is won, the dead must be treated with funeral rites.

So, although our army has won a great victory, how can you not mourn the soldiers who died in the war, but still enjoy listening to the music here? "

Lu Hou was stunned for a while, and then said with a little shame.

"I don't notice it for a while, so that it will damage the peace of heaven. Please also pass on an order for me. Before the army returns, there will be no more music in the palace."

When Confucius heard this, he just respectfully replied: "Your thoughts will be conveyed, but only these are probably not enough to comfort the hearts of the soldiers in front."

When Lu Hou heard this, he was silent for a while, and then he asked.

"What you want to tell me is probably about Bian Zhuangzi?"

Confucius didn't say a word, but stood aside respectfully.

Seeing his appearance, Lu Hou struggled for a while, finally sighed, stood up and said.

"Hey... Bian Zhuangzi... It was indeed the widow who made a mistake in the past.

Earlier when the widow sent him to lead the army, Bian Zhuangzi was defeated in three battles. The widow could not understand the reason and thought he was timid.

Therefore... Therefore, he has been accused and insulted several times.

Now Bian Zhuangzi declares his will by death, no matter how stupid and shallow I am, how can I not understand his intention? "

Marquis Lu hesitated again and again, and asked, "According to my master, can I make up for past mistakes by rewarding him with land and money?"

When Confucius heard this, he just shook his head slightly: "How can a scholar be allowed to die with restraint?"

Hearing this, Marquis Lu was silent for a moment, and then sighed: "The widow is willing to set up a temple for him in Bianyi, so that the people of Bianyi will offer him pepper orchids every year in autumn and winter. In this way, the master feels satisfied." How about it?"

Hearing this, Confucius bowed down and said, "If it's what you said, from now on, wouldn't the people of the State of Lu still be unwilling to serve you, and wouldn't the soldiers of the Lu army still be unwilling to contribute to the country?" ?"

Finally, a smile appeared on Luhou's face, and he solemnly bowed to the west: "I will perform the ceremony for Bian Zhuangzi!"

……

On the outskirts of Yangzhou, the Lu army camped.

Zaiyu held the letter from the master in his hand, and after reading it, he finally let out a long breath of relief.

Zi Lu and Shen Shun sat beside him, and they both asked, "Master, what did Master say?"

Jae Yu just nodded slightly at the two of them.

When Zilu saw him, he couldn't help laughing: "Okay! Okay! I knew Master would not just sit idly by a benevolent man like Bian Zhuangzi."

Shen Ying also said joyfully: "That's great, the monarch is willing to help him restore his virtuous name!"

But Zai Yu was not as happy as the two of them, but stood up and walked to the coffin parked in front of the big tent.

He gently placed the letter on Bian Zhuangzi's chest, and swore to him.

"Bianzi, I heard that a gentleman is a gentleman who matches his name with his reality.

Now your name has been restored through the mouth of the Master.

The rest of the truth, I will see me on the battlefield tomorrow, and I will get it back for you! "

　If readers don't want to approach me, that's okay, then please stay where you are and let me approach you.

　　——Excerpt from "Zaiyu's Diary"

　　
　
(End of this chapter)