Master Kong Zhongni

Chapter 52 The Virtue of the Five Emperors
Confucius looked at Jai Yu saluting, and smiled slightly.

He stroked his beard and said: "I didn't teach yesterday, but let you review the books by yourself. Presumably, everyone has a lot of new doubts when studying knowledge, right?
Therefore, in today's class, I will not give lectures, but will answer questions for you.Well, give me!Do you have any questions you want to ask me? "

Jae Yu did have a lot of doubts in his heart, but he was also worried that he would be scolded if he asked.

But after much deliberation, it is better to be scolded than to have no solution. In order to solve the doubts, it is better to be scolded.

Zaiyu bowed and said, "I asked you about the virtues of the five emperors before, and you answered me angrily: You are not the type to ask such questions. Can you tell me why?"

Confucius said: "The reason why I answered that at that time was because I hadn't confirmed whether you had a benevolent heart. When I was young, I went to Chengzhou to learn from Laozi.

Lao Tzu told me: Great things in the world must be done in detail.To achieve great things, you must start with small things.

This principle can also be applied to learning.When you ask a question, if you have not cultivated your own virtue, you should ask about the virtues of the Five Emperors and prepare to learn from them. This is not correct. "

Zaiyu thought for a while and asked again: "Then can I ask you about the virtues of the Five Emperors?"

Confucius smiled: "It's probably all right now."

After getting the teacher's approval, Jae Yu finally asked.

"I often hear people say that the Yellow Emperor ruled for 300 years. Isn't the Yellow Emperor human? How could he rule for 300 years?"

Confucius listened, and smiled kindly: "Yu! You probably misunderstood what others meant. Of course, the Yellow Emperor couldn't live to be as long as 300 years."

"Then how did he rule for 300 years?"

Confucius said: "The age of the Yellow Emperor is too long, but I have heard some legends about him.

Legend has it that the Yellow Emperor is the son of Shaohao, named Xuanyuan.

He was different from birth and could talk at a very young age.As a child, he was intelligent, honest and kind.When I grow up, I know how to distinguish the energy of the five elements, and I also set up five measuring instruments to stipulate the way the world works.Later, he traveled all over the country to appease the people.

Emperor Yan did not obey the jurisdiction of the Yellow Emperor, so he rode oxen and horses, tamed beasts, and led the army to fight against Emperor Yan in the field of Banquan, and defeated Emperor Yan after three battles.

Chi You led the Jiuli tribe to rebel, and the Yellow Emperor led his army to fight against him in Zhuolu, and finally killed Chi You in Zhongji.

After the world was in peace, the Yellow Emperor governed the world according to the principles of heaven and earth. He understood not only the way of yin and yang day and night, but also the principles of life and death.

According to the changing seasons, he sowed hundreds of grains and cultivated flowers and trees. His benevolence spread to the people of the world, even to birds, beasts and insects.

When the Yellow Emperor was alive, people in the world received his favor for 100 years.

After he died, people in the world worshiped his god for another 100 years.

After that, the people of Tianxia also used his thoughts to rule the world for 100 years.

So, the Yellow Emperor ruled for 300 years. "

After listening, Zai Yu nodded and continued to ask: "Then what kind of person is Emperor Yao?"

Confucius said with a smile: "He is a kind man! Emperor Yao is the son of Gao Xin, named Tao Tang.

His kindness is as deep as the sky, and his wisdom is as unpredictable as the gods in the sky.

When you get along with him, you can feel the warmth like the sun.Looking at him, it is as soft as a cloud.

He is rich but not arrogant, expensive but humble.

As a king, he can listen to the advice of sages and choose the right people to manage various affairs.

Every year, he inspects the growth of crops in various places and puts the people's affairs first.He exiled Gonggong, Huandou, and Sanmiao, executed Gun, and still convinced everyone in the world.

His words are never wrong, his virtues are never contrary to common sense.Within the four seas, wherever vehicles and boats go, there is no one who does not love him. "

"Then what kind of person is Emperor Shun?"

Confucius replied, "He is Qiao Niu's grandson, the son of Gu Sou, named You Yu.

Shun was promoted by Emperor Yao because of his outstanding virtues. He was tolerant and gentle, respected the sky and loved the people.

Following Emperor Yao's method of governing the world, he appointed 22 virtuous officials to assist him, and he required himself to do everything himself.

He took over the throne at the age of 30 and ruled the world for 50 years. "

After listening to it, Zaiyu thought about what the master said, and continued to ask.

"Then what do you think of Dayu?"

Confucius replied: "He is the grandson of Gao Yang, the son of Gun, and his name is Empress Xia.

He governs the world with principles and rules.

Nongsang, he does not violate the four seasons.

By controlling the water, he stabilized the world.

To select talents, he appointed Gao Yao and Boyi to help him govern the people.

Overcome chaos, lead the army to conquer those who disobey, and there will be no people in the four directions who will not be convinced.

Give!Dayu's merits and virtues are as vast as the sky in the big aspect, and the people love it even if it is a small aspect.

I can't fully explain his merits! "

Zaiyu thought about it for a long time, and felt that these people mentioned by the master were beyond the reach of ordinary people in terms of virtue and achievement.

So, he asked: "The virtues of the five emperors are beyond my touch, but can you tell me how to learn from them?"

Confucius stared into Jae Yu's eyes, and he stroked his beard for a long time before saying with a smile.

"If you aim at benevolence, there is no evil. As long as you can uphold a benevolent heart, then no matter what you do, you will not do evil."

Uphold a benevolent heart?
Zaiyu thought about it, he felt that the master seemed to say very little, but seemed to say a lot.

After that, many disciples asked Confucius questions, but Zaiyu didn't listen.

The time for teaching was fleeting, and before Zaiyu could understand the truth in the teacher's words, it was time for get out of class to end.

Zigong nudged Zaiyu with his elbow, which brought him back to reality from his contemplation.

Zigong waved his hand in front of his eyes, looked at Zaiyu's expressionless eyes, and said helplessly.

"Are you insane? I thought the master could enlighten you by giving you a few words. Why is your condition getting worse and worse?
Before the Master gives advice, you think about life.After the Master gives advice, you still think about life.In this way, the Master is not giving pointers in vain! "

Jae Yu glanced at him: "You know nothing. I understand!"

"What did you realize?"

Zaiyu ignored him, packed his things and walked out the door.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he left the gate of the school, he ran into Mengsun Heji who came to pick up his child.

Mengsun Heji greeted him with a smile: "My son, I can reconcile with my master, it is all thanks to you!"

He waved to his subordinates to present a bamboo slip.

Zai Yu asked, "What is this?"

Mengsun Heji replied with a smile: "I originally wanted to recommend you to participate in the Dasheyi as a reward, but I didn't expect that the master had already recommended you to the monarch before me.

So, I can only take something else as a thank you gift.This bamboo slip is the proof of the contract that I bestow on you Yijingzhida.Please accept it. "

Ichinoda?
Zaiyu had just been educated by his master, and at this moment he was about to refuse.

But when the words came to his lips, he remembered the words his master had said to him.

Gou's ambition is benevolence, and there is no evil.

After hesitating for a moment, he still took the bamboo slips with both hands, respectfully thanked him and said, "Since it is your kindness, then I will accept it."

Mengsun Heji patted him on the shoulder appreciatively, then picked up the child and left.

Zigong followed him from the academy, and he was about to take Zaiyu home for dinner, but who knows, before he could make a sound, Zaiyu suddenly ran towards the city gate.

Zigong could only shout at the top of his voice, "My son, why are you going?"

"I'm going to the suburbs!"

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Zai Yu ran all the way with all his strength, and finally arrived at the suburbs before the sun set.

He rested his hands on his knees, panting heavily.

And in the barren field in front of him, the group of savages with dull expressions and scantily clad clothes looked at this well-dressed Confucian scholar in horror.

In their impression, Chinese people who would come to the wilderness at such a time generally have no good intentions.

The mother hugged the child in her arms tightly, while the men who opened up the wasteland with wooden sticks took two steps back in fear, blocking the woman and the child behind them.

They clenched the sticks in their hands. If the situation changed and they really had to go to the point where they had to, they could only risk violating the laws of the country to fight against this Chinese man they had never met.

Seeing them like this, Jae Yu quickly waved his hands to clarify their identities.

"Don't be afraid, I didn't come to harm you."

The savages looked at each other, and they all saw worry from the expressions of their companions.

The bolder ones spoke up tremblingly, "Then what are you here for?"

Zai Yu laughed, pinching his waist with one hand and holding up the bamboo slip in his hand with the other.

The bloody sunset sprinkled on his body, illuminating his not-so-great back.

"Anyone who is hardworking and willing to work, and wants to have enough to eat, come with me!"

　Occasionally, I still tremble when I hear the news of the monthly pass, although it has nothing to do with me.

　　——Excerpt from "Zaiyu's Diary"

　　
　
(End of this chapter)