Guide to traveling through the Northern Song Dynasty

In early spring, everything grows.

But it has yet to come, and the chill is still there.

This old locust tree has lost all its leaves in winter, with a few dead leaves scattered on the ground, and the bark is mottled and cracked.

It will take another month or two for it to sprout new shoots this spring.

More than a dozen teachers and students stood quietly under the tree around the two of them.

Min Zishun was the first to join the discussion and asked: "By delving into dead things like this, are you obsessed with petty skills and forgetting the great truth?"

Ju Ming immediately quoted "Book of Changes·Shuo Gua" to explain: "Exhausting principles, exhausting one's nature, and finally ending one's life."

Chen Yuan quoted Zhang Zai's words: "The pursuit of principles should also be gradual. Seeing that there are many things, we must understand many principles. From now on, we must make the best use of human nature and the nature of things. Everything has its rationality. If you don't know the rationality, it will be like this. A lifetime of dreams.”

The former belongs to the words of saints, and the latter belongs to the teachings of Confucianism.

You can convince the public!

Bai Chongyan couldn't help but ask: "Mr. Er Cheng said that there is only one principle in the world. If all things have principles, but the principles of all things are different, doesn't it mean that there is not only one principle but all principles?"

Ju Ming said: "Tao gives birth to one, gives birth to two, two gives birth to three, and three gives birth to all things."

Chen Yuan said: "Of course. The great road is one, and it is one principle. It divides yin and yang into five elements and contains all things. It is consistent and has different concrete images. One is principle, the third is principle, and all things are also principles."

In the early years of the Northern Song Dynasty, the unification of the three religions was already evident.

A large number of Taoist thoughts were absorbed into Confucianism, completing the Confucian cosmology.

As long as it does not conflict with the basic concepts of Confucianism, what Lao Tzu said is still very authoritative.

Ju Ming also added: "What we should do is to understand the principles of all things and find one. If we directly understand the oneness of the great road, who can understand it except a born saint? You and I are ordinary people, and we must start from thousands of places. If you are poor at the principles of one thing, you will be close to the great road. Only if you are poor at the principles of all things, you can get a glimpse of the great road. This is the study of things to gain knowledge!"

Ling Guxu had already taken out a pen and paper, and the ink had been sharpened while Chen Yuan was giving lectures, and now he was lying on the ground and recording quickly.

Although Ling Guxu said nothing, he intuitively felt that something big was going to happen today.

He wants to be the recorder!

Min Zishun asked again: "Is it too utilitarian to seek benevolence from principles and turn benevolence into practical use? Is it too new to learn?"

Ju Ming didn't answer. He didn't know much about Wang Anshi's new learning.

Chen Yuan said: "It is indeed inappropriate for the New Learning to place too much emphasis on utility, but as long as profit and right are clearly distinguished, it is not a big problem. The New Learning fell into evil ways because it divided heaven and man."

Although Luo School and New School are hostile to each other, more than 99% of their understanding of the classics and meanings are the same. Moreover, all the great scholars of Luoxue (Neo-Confucianism) praised Wang Anshi's annotations on the scriptures.

The real difference is that Luo School advocates the unity of the great road and the harmony between heaven and man.

However, Wang Anshi believes that the way of heaven and the way of humanity are separate. Humanity should conform to the way of heaven and learn from the way of heaven. The way of heaven is ruthless and does not contain any human values. This violates the basic concepts of Confucianism and is an excessive reference to Taoist thought.

Wang Anshi not only introduced Taoism, but also Buddhism and Legalism, and even introduced hundreds of schools of thought.

He was criticized by his political opponents for imitating Shang Yang, so Wang Anshi wrote a poem directly, which roughly means: Why can't I learn from Shang Yang? Shang Yang's method can implement administrative decrees.

During Wang Anshi's political reform, Luo Xue's criticism of the new learning was used by the old party, which led to more intense party struggles.

Er Cheng reflected afterwards and said that they must bear at least 20% of the responsibility for the world being turned into this.

In fact, Er Cheng also advocated reform and held an objective and critical attitude towards the new law. They once wrote to Sima Guang to persuade him not to abolish good policies such as the exemption law, but unfortunately Sima Guang, who was red-eyed, did not listen at all.

The academy teacher who came after him asked: "Confucius said, a gentleman does not have tools." "Xici" also said that the metaphysical is called the Tao, and the metaphysical is called the tools. If we seek Tao through daily use, does it violate Confucius' "A gentleman does not have tools"? What does it mean?"

Ju Ming said: "The Taoist tools are the same, but the principles are different."

Chen Yuan said: "Utensils are all suitable for their own purposes and cannot be used interchangeably. Confucius's words are to advise gentlemen not to make dead things. However, if the tools of the Tao are not dual and the principles are different, if the tools do not exist, the Tao will not be the same. Now? If a gentleman does not have a weapon, he cannot use it as one weapon, but he does not have an infinite number of weapons."

Ling Guxu lay on the ground and wrote down this conversation.

The more than ten teachers and students present raised questions constantly, and Zhu Ming and Chen Yuan answered them all.

Teaching and learning are mutually beneficial, the more questions are asked, the more answers are given, and the new school of thought and theory becomes more complete.

Zhu Ming opened up Chen Yuan's thinking and couldn't stop it.

While the teachers and students were impressed, they were also secretly frightened. Because Ju Ming was so young, he had a profound understanding of Confucian classics, and could sometimes even make up for Chen Yuan's omissions.

After talking until dark, Min Zishun bowed and said: "After receiving the teaching today, you will know the true meaning of the great way, just like that enlightenment. Please accept it and bow down!"

Li Hanzhang asked: "Mr. Motang, brothers Chenggong, are you two going to start a sect?"

Ju Ming smiled and said nothing.

Chen Yuan said: "I don't dare to make false claims when establishing a sect. I just find another way to try to get a glimpse of the avenue."

This is a humble statement, and it clearly shows that you want to start a sect!

Everyone was shocked and extremely excited. They were all witnesses and could even be participants.

The academy teacher was named Chao Hongtao. He passed the imperial examination six times, but was never able to pass the imperial examination, so he could only teach in the academy. But he also had pursuits, and he bowed his head and prostrated: "I would like to attach my greatness to Mr. Jiwei and resign from the post of teaching in order to seek the true meaning of the Great Way!"

"I am willing to listen to your teachings!" Li Hanzhang expressed his second opinion. After all, he is the son of a state magistrate and can come and go at the Yangzhou Academy as he pleases.

Bai Chongyan was a little hesitant. He was just the son of a rural landlord, and he planned to study hard and take the imperial examination.

Ling Guxu got up from the ground, put the records he just wrote in his arms, bowed his hands and said, "I would like to study with you sir."

Bai Chongyan gritted his teeth and said, "I would like to study with you!"

There were more than ten students and teachers, and six of them prostrated one after another.

Chen Yuan smiled slightly and said to Min Zishun: "I plan to stay in the academy for a while and write some articles. You go tell Chief Min and he will give you money for room and board."

Min Zishun rushed back, conveyed the original words, and advised: "Uncle, please reconcile with Mr. Chen as soon as possible, otherwise Yangzhou Academy and our Min family will be the laughing stock of the world from now on!"

"I have different opinions from him, so I should be laughed at by everyone in the world? That's too alarmist." Min Wenwei sneered.

Min Zishun said anxiously: "Uncle, Mr. Chen has now become enlightened and wants to establish a sect here!"

Min Wenwei's smile faltered: "What qualifications does he have to establish a sect?"

Chen Yuan was indeed unqualified. As Yang Shi's eldest disciple, although he was knowledgeable, he lacked his own ideas and had been picking up Yang Shi's academic wisdom.

The knowledge of this school had to wait until Li Tong was born.

Yang Shi learned from Luo Congyan, Luo Congyan learned from Li Tong, and Li Tong integrated the best of them and passed it on to Zhu Xi.

Min Zishun said: "The father of Zhu Chenggong was also a reclusive scholar. His knowledge was confirmed by two aspects. Mr. Chen suddenly had an enlightenment, so he had the intention to establish a sect."

Zhu Chenggong’s father is also a great scholar?

Min Wenwei actually believed it, because he heard people say that Lu Tixue had a very happy conversation with the Zhu family and his son.

Although he did not agree with Lu Tixue's thoughts, he knew that Lu Tixue was a knowledgeable person. If Ju Ming's father can chat with him, he must be knowledgeable. Maybe he is really a hidden scholar.

Min Wenwei paced back and forth, thinking over and over again, and said: "Arrange Mr. Chen and Na Zhu Chenggong to live in the best dormitory. Give them whatever they want, and there is no need to talk about money. Then use Baiguan as a polish, please two people Write a couplet for the academy. Regardless of whether we can establish a sect or not, I can still afford it with a little money. If it works, it will leave a good name. If it doesn’t, just pretend that nothing happened."

The great ancestral hall of the Chen family later had this couplet: one double Confucianism, nine sons and ten subjects.

This is telling of the glory that the Chen family produced two great Confucian scholars. Among them, the eighth generation ancestor gave birth to nine sons, and all ten of his father and son were awarded Jinshi.

In the Northern Song Dynasty alone, the Chen family produced nearly 20 Jinshi.

In the entire Hanzhong area, there were only 22 Jinshi in the Northern and Southern Song Dynasties combined.

If Chen Yuan was just a Confucian, it wouldn't matter if he had some conflicts.

But once Chen Yuan established a sect, he would definitely be able to quickly become a Confucian sect with the help of his family's influence. By that time, today's conflict will also spread, and the Min family and Yangzhou Academy will definitely make the world laugh.

Min Wenwei thought about it again and decided to talk to Chen Yuan in person.

…

But Chen Yuan returned to the temporary dormitory and immediately ordered his followers to grind ink and lay paper.

He closed his eyes and meditated, planning to write a theoretical article to build a framework for the newly founded school.

This new school of thought still belongs to the branch of Luo School, and its basic ideas are inherited from Luo School. At the same time, it is necessary to introduce a large amount of Guan Xue (Zhang Zai) thought. This is not contradictory. Luo Xue originally borrowed a lot from Guan Xue, and later Zhu Xi's teacher studied Guan Xue thoroughly.

After sitting upright for a long time, Chen Yuan wrote three words: Tao Yong Lun.

By the time this article is finished, the new school will have a name—the Taoyong School, a branch of Luoxue.

After finishing the title, Chen Yuan was about to write the text when suddenly there was a knock on the door.

"Please come in." Chen Yuan was unhappy when his thoughts were interrupted.

Min Wenwei pushed open the door and walked in with a smile on his face: "Today I made a mistake, sir. Don't take it to heart. Sir, you are a great talent. Please inscribe a couplet for the academy."

Chen Yuan had no intention of writing couplets. He just wanted to get rid of this man as soon as possible so that he could write his own article about founding the sect in peace.

But Min Wenwei didn't know how to read words and emotions, so he kept pestering him to talk, which made Chen Yuan extremely annoyed.

On Ju Ming's side, everyone gathered around him to go back to his dormitory, asking questions all the way.

Finally, when I returned to the dormitory, Bai Sheng, Shi Biao and Bai Chongyan's book boys were all there. They could stay in the academy for a few days.

"Brother Zhu, when are you going to go down the mountain?" Bai Sheng asked.

Ju Ming said: "I'm afraid we won't be able to leave for a while. As long as Mr. Min is not stupid, he will definitely keep us here, but we can continue to live and eat for free here."

Bai Sheng said: "That bird man is very old, but his words are very unpleasant. I don't want to be angry here."

"Actually, he can speak very nicely." Ju Ming said with a smile.

As expected, the good words soon came.

Min Wenwei went to chat with Chen Yuan in person, while Min Zishun came to chat with Zhu Ming.

And they also brought two school workers, one carrying food and the other carrying money. Moreover, they are all made of silver coins, which are easy to carry and are not ordinary iron coins.

Min Zishun smiled and clasped his fists: "We will discuss Tao until dark today. Brother Chenggong hasn't eaten yet, so he must be hungry."

Ju Ming didn't know what it meant to be polite: "My two followers didn't eat either."

"I will send it later," Min Zishun said. "There is money here worth hundreds of dollars. Please ask Brother Chenggong to write a couplet for the academy."

"Easy to say."

You'd be a fool if you didn't make money. It's a hundred dollars. The Min family is really rich.

Moreover, Ju Ming had the intention of occupying the magpie's nest. In the future, he will establish Yangzhou as his base. Yangzhou Academy can cultivate talents for himself, so he might as well write an excellent couplet to make Yangzhou Academy more famous.

Ju Ming, who is still living and eating here for free, has already regarded Yangzhou Academy as his own private property... He really has a sense of ownership.

"I study ink for Brother Chenggong." Min Zishun expressed positively.

Zhu Ming was really hungry, so he sat down and took a few bites of food. After Min Zishun finished polishing the ink, he immediately picked up a pen and wrote a couplet.

Min Zishun paid money to write couplets just to ease the relationship. He did not take the content of the couplets to heart.

But when Zhu Ming finished writing, Min Zishun suddenly felt his eyes light up, and said excitedly: "The sound of wind and rain, the sound of reading, can be heard in my ears; family affairs, national affairs, world affairs, everything is concerned about. Good couplets, good literary talent, good ambition!"

Min Zishun was completely convinced and no longer had any doubts about Ju Ming's talent.

This couplet alone is worth a hundred dollars!

What Zhu Ming was thinking was that if one pair of couplets is a hundred, I can wholesale dozens of them. Wouldn’t there be funds for the development of Daming Village?

After all, Ju Ming couldn't hold it back and asked, "Do you still want some couplets?"

"Ah?" Min Zishun didn't understand.

Ju Ming chuckled and said, "I'm short of money recently. I can get as much as I want for a hundred guan a pair. If you don't want it, you can introduce someone else. If it doesn't work, you can get a discount."

"Ah?" Min Zishun understood, but he was also confused.

This does not seem like a scholar who can assist the great Confucian in establishing a sect.

But where was Ju Ming's knowledge? Min Zishun thought to himself: This is not greed for money, but his true temperament!