A thousand-year-old family that began with the Battle of Makino

Chapter 62 Ren, Yang Hu
The twenty-eighth year of Lu Zhaogong, the two hundred and fifty-sixth year of Bai Kingdom
Confucius returned to the state of Lu and continued to give lectures. In the same year, Duanmu granted Confucius an apprenticeship. From then on, Zhong Yuan, Bai Ting, and Duan Muci became the closest disciples to Confucius.

That day Zhongyou asked: "Master, I heard that Wei Shu, the official of Jin State, recommended his relatives to be officials. What do you think of this matter?"

Confucius replied: "First of all, I think the criteria for recommending people are talents and conduct, not closeness or distance of relationship. If the relationship is very close to you, but he is talented and virtuous, wouldn't you recommend him?"

If he is very distant from you, but he is talented and virtuous, wouldn’t you recommend him? It can be seen from this that the criteria for recommending people are talent and conduct!
Let’s talk about why talent and character are indispensable. If a person has talent but no virtue, then no matter how great his talent is, we cannot reuse him, because the greater his talent, the greater the damage he will cause.

If someone has virtue but no talent, we cannot reuse him, because he can only be used as a standard and cannot be of any use to national affairs. Therefore, my disciple, I hope to at least become a virtuous person and do things within the scope of my ability.

Just like cooking, you need to add as much water as you put in rice. If you add too little water, the rice will be undercooked. If you add too much water, people will not be full. This is the same principle! "

All the disciples understood it.

Bai Ting then asked: "Master, if we recommend a relative who has talent and character, but is criticized by everyone, what should we do?"

Confucius replied: "First of all, you have to see whether the person you recommend is really worthy. If so, you can deal with it calmly. If not, it proves that there is no problem with everyone's opinions, right?

So this tells us that the people we recommend must be cautious, and must understand it carefully. You cannot use this right at will. This is a wrong usage, and it also betrays the expectations of the person who authorized you! "

Duanmu asked: "Master, if a person has talent but no virtue, is he useless at all? Do we have to resolutely criticize him?"

Confucius replied: "You have to know that what we criticize him for is his virtue, not his talent. I attach great importance to the significance of education. I think virtue comes through cultivation, not innate. Therefore We must emphasize the role of teaching.

We can make use of his talents, but we cannot give him the opportunity to use his talents at will. People with talents but no virtue are like wild horses running wild, and they may hurt people at any time. Morality is the reins. If there is no virtue, then a virtuous person will serve as the reins.

So I want to talk about the importance of virtue. The difference between us being humans and not beasts is that we can consciously restrain ourselves, but beasts cannot. If a person lacks restraint, he can no longer be called a human being. Therefore virtue is something that people need.

And how to build moral character? After my summary over the years, I think it is 'benevolence'. "

When Confucius threw out the word "benevolence", all the disciples were very confused. Bai Ting immediately asked: "Master, what is benevolence?"

Confucius explained with a smile: "The word "ren" when broken down means "humanity" and "two", which represent the relationship between people. So how do people get along with each other? I said it is love for others, that is, love for yourself and your parents. Love your brothers, love your friends, love your ruler, love your subjects, and love everything.”

Zhong Yu asked: "How can we be benevolent?"

Confucius said: "I believe that to be benevolent, one must be respectful, tolerant, trustworthy, sensitive, and merciful. It means being dignified in oneself, being generous and trustworthy in dealing with others, being agile in doing things, and being kind to others. If you can do these five Only in this aspect can we be considered a benevolent person.”

Duanmu asked: "If you are a gentleman, can you be called a benevolent person?"

Confucius said: "No, there are gentlemen who cannot be benevolent, and there are villains who can be benevolent."

Bai Ting asked: "Can the wise minister Guan Zhong of Qi be regarded as a benevolent person?"

Confucius said: "Guan Zhong and the nine princes, instead of using military chariots, enriched the country and strengthened the people, respected the emperor and loved the people, which can barely be regarded as benevolence!"

Bai Ting asked again: "I, the head of the Bai Kingdom, have worked hard to govern the people, protected the people of the Bai Kingdom from wars for hundreds of years, and adhered to the principles of a gentleman. Can I be called a benevolent person?"

Confucius thought for a while and said: "Your ancestors were able to manage the people of Taihang Mountain so that they could live and work in peace and contentment without being disturbed by war. In the Taihang Mountains, they can be called benevolent. However, as far as the world is concerned, you are just rescuing people in the mountains. Doesn't it count as benevolent if you don't care about the common people in the world?"

After Bai Ting thought about it, he felt a little surprised and saluted, "Thank you for your teaching, Master. Ting knows what to do."

Confucius was very pleased to see Bai Ting. In his heart, he always believed that the Bai family had the ability and virtue to save the people of the world, but it was a pity that Bai Ting had been hiding in the Taihang Mountains for hundreds of years. He hoped that Bai Ting would do something good after he returned. Change it!
The 30th year of Duke Zhao of Lu, the 258th year of Bai Kingdom

Confucius was forty years old. After decades of training, he had a clearer understanding of various issues in life. In his exchanges with his disciples, he felt that he no longer had any doubts about anything. I am obsessed with some obsessions like in the past.

The 32nd year of Lu Zhaogong, the 260th year of the Bai Kingdom

Duke Zhao of Lu died in Qianhou of Jin State. So the people of Lu jointly supported Song, the younger brother of Zhaogong, as their king, and he was Lu Dinggong.

The fifth year of Duke Dinggong of Lu and the two hundred and sixty-fifth year of Bai Kingdom
Ji Pingzi passed away. Yang Hu had private resentment and imprisoned Ji Huanzi, and only released him after making a covenant with him that Yang Hu would take charge of the Ji family instead of Ji Huanzi. Since the Ji family is the ruling family of the Lu State, Yang Hu naturally takes charge of the state affairs of the Lu State. Confucius and his disciples were all at Confucius's residence.

Confucius thought that at this age, there was nothing that could tempt him, but this time, he really couldn't bear the anger in his heart, so he said in front of all his disciples: "It's ridiculous that our country of Lu actually He has been reduced to the position of an accompanying minister in charge of the country's destiny."

Seeing this, the disciples had no choice but to sigh one by one.

At this time, there was a call to visit outside the door, and soon Quan Ding came in and said that it was Yang Hu who sent someone to invite Confucius to serve as an official. Confucius was very angry and was about to drive him out, when Bai Ting said:

"Master, no, now that the matter has come to this, Yang Hu has already taken charge of the country's affairs, and he still has military chariots in his hands. It would be unwise to confront him head-on!"

Confucius calmed down and saw that all his disciples were waiting for his decision, so for the sake of the lives of his disciples, he had to ask Quan Ding to say: "Confucius is ill and cannot serve as an official. Please invite someone else."

Yang Hu was not surprised when he heard that Confucius refused. The person next to him said: "Why do we have to invite Confucius to serve as an official? Since he doesn't want to come, we just won't invite him."

Yang Hu looked at this man and said: "Stupid! Who is Confucius? The world-famous great sage of Lu! Now that we have just taken charge of the country, the political situation is still unstable, and we still lack many talents. If With the help of Confucius, a great sage, and with so many talented people under his command, isn’t the Lu Kingdom a plaything in our hands?”

Others thought that this was indeed the case, and one said: "But he doesn't come, and he doesn't even show his face. What should we do?"

Yang Hu said, "Isn't he claiming to know etiquette? If you do this, ask someone to tell Confucius that the gift is from me, and then turn around and leave without saying a word. According to etiquette, he must return the gift, otherwise, hum. !”

"Great! But what if Confucius chooses a day when you are not here?"

"What you said makes sense. In this case, we will wait for them on the only way to come. I will invite them in person and see how Confucius refuses."

Confucius looked at the gift from Yang Hu in his hand and sighed: "What a good thing! It is not polite for someone to give me a gift without thanking him in person. We must come to return the gift!"

At this time, Duanmu Ci said: "Master, I think it would be better to choose a day when Yang Hu is not in the house and return the gift, so that we don't have to meet him."

Other disciples said: "I think it's okay!" Confucius agreed.

A few days later, a disciple heard that Yang Hu was not at home, so Confucius immediately set off to return the gift. However, he met Yang Hu on the way, and Confucius suddenly turned dark.

Yang Hu looked at Confucius with a smile and said, "Where is Confucius going?"

Confucius said: "Last time you came to my humble home to give gifts, I didn't thank you in person. According to the etiquette, I should return the gift. It just so happened that I met you on the road today. Qiu Qiu would like to thank you here! Since I have already thanked you, I will first Go back!" After saying that, he asked Zhong You to turn around and go back home.

"Slow down!" Yang Hu shouted, and the surrounding soldiers immediately surrounded Confucius' carriage. Yang Hu looked at Confucius and said: "Confucius, I think my talents are quite good, at least compared to other ministers of Lu State, I am not a little bit better. You think it is inappropriate for me to be superior."

But is it consistent with etiquette for Ji Sun to be in charge of state affairs? I am just imitating Ji Sun's behavior. If you can be Ji Sun's Chengtian, aren't you willing to help me? How harsh you are to me!
Confucius, I know that your lifelong wish is to promote your ideas in the world. I can swear that I will give you the greatest rights to implement your ideas in the State of Lu. I will definitely support you, your Hope, what you said will come true, right? I hope you can think about it. "

Confucius said: "I will consider such a big matter carefully, but please let us go now."

Yang Hu just looked at Confucius for a long time. Confucius was not willing to be outdone and looked back at Yang Hu resolutely. In the end, Yang Hu was defeated and waved to the soldiers to let them go, when Confucius' carriage started to turn.

Yang Hu still shouted unwillingly: "Confucius, please think carefully!"

But Confucius' back remained motionless.

Returning to Confucius' Mansion, he summoned all his disciples and told them what had just happened. Seeing the doubts of the disciples, Confucius asked: "What is my proposition?"

Zeng Dian replied: "Ruling the country with etiquette will make the country rich and the people strong."

Confucius said: "Since you all know it, you should understand that I will never allow an accompanying minister to carry out the country's destiny. Even if he says nothing, I will not agree. I have never seen a house that has problems with its foundation but does not fall down." Example, so only when the roots are clear can the seedlings grow straight!”

"Disciple is taught!"

(End of this chapter)