Chapter 14 Part 14

The moment the two swords came into contact, with a bang, the person holding the famous sword fell down, and blood and tears flowed from his chest... overthrow an ancient myth When I first arrived in the United States more than ten years ago, a Chinese professor invited four foreign couples to accompany me to a banquet. The professor's wife is good at cooking, and the delicacies are served one after another, and the guests are full of praise. "Don't eat too much!" The professor laughed and said, "The good dishes are still to come." As he spoke, he brought in a plate of braised meat, which was moderately salty, fat and thin, and had an indescribable fragrance, which really made foreigners feel overwhelmed.

"Great! Great!" All the men present encouraged their wives to learn this Chinese dish.The professor just shook his head and smiled: "I think back then, about 30 years ago! My mother and her family fled for dozens of miles, got into a large reed, and bullets flew overhead. We jumped into a small boat and finally recovered a few. Fate. When I got to the shore in a safe place, I saw that my grandma didn’t bring anything but a small earthen pot. Guess what it is?” Some guess gold, others guess jewelry. "No!" The professor waved his hand: "It's a can of marinade." He pretended to be mysterious, and said in a low voice: "Our family has passed down the marinade for several generations! Then it was passed on to me, and I brought it to the United States. Just now The stewed meat that everyone eats is cooked in that stewed soup. The soup gets better and better with age, and you can only add new ingredients to it every time, and the old soup must not be poured out. So it has a history of a hundred years."

All the people present were stunned, and someone stopped the chopsticks with meat in mid-air.After a while, everyone laughed again: "The professor is so humorous!" To this day, the scene of that day still flashes in my mind.I often think: Did the professor tell the truth that day?Or, as everyone thinks, just making up stories and joking? old professor myth Talked to my son about it one day. "Actually, Americans often sell old ones too! Even tomato meat sauce and cans may be printed with a time-honored brand in 1896 (since1896); the company that repairs the plumbing near us also says on the leaflet that they have been in this area for forty years. ?”, the son said: “However, when Chinese people say old, they often appear mysterious and mean very old, so old that you can’t figure it out. When foreigners say old, they mean to tell you that it has been established for so long and has gone through many tests. And can't run away!"

Listen to what he said, it really makes sense. This reminds me of a Chinese professor of art history who said that he had seen the famous ancient "Chengxintang paper" when he was in graduate school.The old professor's eyes widened, as if he was telling a myth: "Chengxintang paper" is really white and clean!If you mold it with your hands, it will not be slippery or greasy; if you blow it up, there will be a buzzing sound..." At that time, I was really looking forward to it. I drew a piece of paper in my heart that was so beautiful that it seemed that I didn't need to write or draw, but it was already a superb piece of paper.However, when I saw the Chengxintang paper later, I thought it was just a thin piece of paper.

Could it be that Chinese people like to talk about things mysteriously and mysteriously to show the depth of their knowledge.As a result, the more rumors are passed on, the more mysterious they become?To be honest, which piece of paper is thin and tightly textured, and it won't blow up when it blows on it? Ink is not a knife Not long after, I read an article written by Li Gefei, the father of Song Dynasty poetess Li Qingzhao, in which he commented on the famous Li Ting's "Mo", which was really spicy and enjoyable. Li Gefei said: "Everyone talks about how much gold Li Qian's ink is worth and how great it is, but I don't think so. For example, some people say that the edge of the ink is thin and hard, so good that it can cut things. But I want to cut things. Things can use a knife, why use ink?

"Some people say that if the ink is dropped into the water, it will not rot and melt if it is picked up every few days. But why should it be soaked in water if it is good ink? "Others say that ordinary ink will go bad in less than 20 years, but Li Ting's ink can last for hundreds of years. I think this is nothing at all. It only takes two or three years to use ink, so why use it for a hundred years? "The man said that his ink was very black, but I laughed and said? There is no white ink in the world. What's more, when I mixed his ink with ordinary ink and asked him to distinguish it, he couldn't tell the difference." ( "Mo ringworm said" translation)

These few words of Li Gefei are really true, and a slap overturned all the fallacies of the corrupt Confucian warlocks.Originally!Ink is ink, it is just a tool for writing, why sell it so mysterious and mysterious? Vulnerable famous sword I have also heard how precious the paint used by the painter is, or how ingenious his brushwork is, and he can paint several feet with one stroke, as straight as if he painted with a ruler. At first glance, it seems that his paintings are too clever.Just thinking about it deeply, what we appreciate is the painting, not the paint!What we look at is planning and realm, not stunt performance.A painter should work hard on the artistic conception, so why flaunt materials and techniques?

I have read a martial arts novel, which describes a certain knight who found a famous sword hundreds of years ago and thought he could cut off the contact. The moment there was a sound, the person holding the famous sword fell down, and blood flowed from his chest. -- The famous sword is broken!He was obsessed with superstitious ancient famous swords, but he did not expect that after hundreds of years, the technology of steelmaking has improved even more. I like this story very much. I often think: When people say "a century-old prescription", at best, it is a prescription that has been used for a hundred years; at worst, it is something that has not been improved for a hundred years.How much has science advanced in the past hundred years?How much has the world changed?Why do we trust the ancients and not ourselves?

When the era of authoritarianism passes and the myth of great men no longer exists, shouldn't we also verify the truth passed down from our ancestors? correct!We stay and carry forward!Incorrect!Even if it has been believed to be true for thousands of years, even if it is said by a saint, we discard it!This is independent thinking, non-conformity, seeking truth from facts, and the Chinese have a future! ------------------------------------------ Look up, how big the sky is! Look down, how real the earth is! Draw a picture of the earth in your mind, and imagine yourself standing on it, floating in the boundless universe...

Towards an open life The day after I finished writing this book, I took my six-year-old daughter to visit the New York Museum of Natural History. Before I arrived, I found that the museum had a special program. Two large cloth banners were hung high at the entrance, with the words "Expedition" written in English. As soon as I entered the door, someone came over and gave my little daughter a notebook; "Little sister! Do you want to join the expedition? This little book introduces our museums, from ancient times to the present, from America to Africa, and Asia. You just need to read every department, and ask the staff of each department to You wrote a stamp in the little book, bring it back to us, and you will be rewarded for the success of the expedition - a coloring book."

So, we started to run one level at a time.I was already walking very fast, but the little girl was still too slow, so she scrambled through the crowd to find the "stamp place". Finally, after running through four floors and dozens of exhibition halls, five chapters were covered, and the expedition was a success!She got the coloring book. Then, we go home. Sitting in the car, the little girl couldn't wait to flip through her prizes. She didn't even respond when I asked her to look back at the beautiful night view of Manhattan. But, let me think about it again, what kind of things in the museum did she respond to this afternoon? ?Including my wife and I, we all seemed to have never looked at any of the exhibits in detail, and only thought of one thing in our minds - quickly find the place where the stamp was stamped. I believe that the museum must have their good intentions in arranging such a program.However, will their kindness have the opposite effect?Every time we took our daughter there in the past, we walked around and looked at it slowly. We could read the description of the museum in front of a pottery toy in Central America, and knew that the wheel might have come from China.You can also look at the genealogy of Chinese people in the Asian Hall, and teach the little girl to recognize Chinese while analyzing it for her. However, today, apart from our sore backs and leg pains, and the coloring book we got, we really didn’t even take a good look at the windows of the museum. Why?Because we lose our desire for knowledge and only think of "realistic" goals. It reminds me of a time when I returned to Taiwan, my friend drove me to Alishan, overtaking all the way on the expressway in a hurry.I rushed to the top of the mountain, checked into the hotel, and set off before dawn the next day to a place to watch the sunrise.But it was raining and foggy that day. Not only did we not see the sunrise, we couldn't even see the distant mountains clearly.So, "He took me back to Taipei again. "Going to Alishan is just for the sunrise." He said, "I didn't see it, what a disappointment!" I really don't understand why he only has that one goal in mind.In fact, the scenery along the way, even the cool air on the mountain, the grass on the side of the road, and the early cherry blossoms on the mountain, aren’t they all beautiful? This also reminds me of a passage by the famous educator Mr. Xia Gaizun criticizing traditional culture.He said that Chinese people often talk about "marrying a wife and having children", "raising children for old age", "doing good deeds will reward you", and "being promoted and getting rich". I will continue to discuss what he said before "promotion and fortune"?It is "reading" and "ten years of cold windows, no one asked, and became famous all over the world in one fell swoop". We have said these two sentences since we were young, and our parents and teachers always use "it" to teach us and comfort us.Tell us: "Study hard, study hard, sleep less, play less, think less today, it doesn't matter if you sacrifice a little! As long as you are admitted to the ideal school, you can play, think and sleep as you like!" We never seem to doubt that statement.But today, I'm going to say: This sentence has harmed China!The reason why Chinese culture lacks vitality is that the ten years when young people are most creative are buried in the cold window of the Yuan Dynasty.When you finally "rocket to fame".You may memorize the poems of sages, or you may write thousands of words. All your skills are mature, but you will never lose the creativity of your youth. I often stared at the "Portrait of a Girl" I painted when I was sixteen, and thought: "It's great, it's so touching! Although my skills are good today, I can't draw it anymore. Because I lost that passion." Who can say that young people's creations are immature and unworthy?Sentimentality has its value!There is green beauty! I remember one day, when I went to the Mahogany Furniture Fair, I tried to sit on the master chair. I felt very comfortable, because although the chair was hard, it was just right for me who suffers from "sciatica". I bought two and took them home, and I often sit on them and read a book.However, when my son was chatting with me, I told him to sit. He would rather sit on the carpet than sit in the master chair. "It's an old man's thing. It's hard and uncomfortable!" he said. I was taken aback.Thinking of the halls of the old days, all the things of the old people were used. Could it be that the young people at that time were different from those now?Love to sit on the Taishi chair at a young age?Or it is because the whole old Chinese society has middle-aged and old people as the protagonists. On the one hand, it ignores the young people, and on the other hand, it forces the next generation to accept the "middle-aged and old people's culture" and use the middle-aged and old people's values ​​to see the world. Our culture is so old.Even today, in this age where the world is so close and the information is exploding, we still cannot get rid of the ancient burden. Obviously, the computer can drive automatically, but we have to operate it by hand, and even conflict with the computer.Obviously, it can be strict; if it is enforced according to law, we must pay attention to human feelings.Obviously there are countless roads in front of us, we can let us go, but we tell ourselves: "There is only one road, if you fail the exam, your life is over!" We bring the legacy of the imperial examination to today! What is even more frightening is that we have brought the "one-way street of thought" of studying to become an official, getting promoted and getting rich, into today's society. People often say that society is sick!Where is the disease? I want to say: "The disease lies in the culture!" When we let everyone go from childhood, there is only one way to go in the mind.After they grow up, how can they not be utilitarian?How can we hear new ideas?How can we open our hearts to accept different races and cultures, and become a "global person"? Over the years, I have overwhelmed myself and published a series of books.From "Whispers in the Fluorescent Window", "Lighting a Heart Lamp", "Beyond Yourself", "Creating Yourself", "The Truth of Life", "Looking at Life with Cold Eyes" to this book.I want to be very frank and say that I really designed a series of things, hoping to bring "another concept" to everyone invisibly, that is, without the readers knowing. In this book, I seldom draw arbitrary conclusions, but only put forward some suggestions and mention several possibilities.I would rather leave more space for the reader to think for himself. Originally!This is a world where "no one is kept here, but someone is kept here".With a little preparation, you can go to the other side of the world.This is also an era when individuals can think freely. It is no longer only right and wrong, but wrong and good.We don't have to respect "authority," but "truth."And all truths should be verified in real life. I remember when I was a teenager, I went to climb a mountain once.At night, live on the top of the mountain.Everyone lay down and looked at the stars in the sky. Without the interference of air pollution and lights, the stars are so bright and clean, as if they are swarming from all sides, surrounding me.Someone sighed and said: "What a vast world! It seems to have the entire universe, with the boundless sky above and the whole earth below." For thirty years, I have often thought of that night, and I really miss that feeling.However, one day, I changed.Walking on the street, I will raise my head and look at the sky, although it may be a small piece sandwiched by tall buildings.But I know that there is a bigger and bigger sky behind the building.Then, I stepped on the ground under my feet, so real!what is that?It is not only the road, but also the earth!A whole round earth is under my feet. I often say to young friends: Why do you feel hopeless when a road is blocked? Look up, how big the sky is!Look down, how real the earth is!Draw a picture of the Earth in your mind, and imagine that you are standing on it, floating in the infinite universe. You will feel that everyone is very close, that everyone is a part of this earth.You will feel that the world is so big, as long as you want, you can go everywhere. May everyone be freed from the prison of the soul. May everyone walk out of the one-way street in their hearts. May every young friend shine and glow when they are young! May you all have a prosperous life! nerd reflections When I was in college, I used to go to a nearby stall to buy fruit.If you go to many places and get to know each other well, you will become friends with the boss.Hearing my scratchy throat, he asked me why I didn't drink some coconut water. I said yes!But he had never bought one before, so he didn't know how to pick it. He smiled and said, "I'll help you pick it. The longer the coconut is placed, the sweeter it is, the better it is!" Since then, I often went to buy coconuts, and I took my friends there, and I took the initiative to tell my friends that the longer the coconuts are placed, the better. Once, I went to buy a coconut with my girlfriend, and I asked the boss to help me pick it out.But when I took it home, I just peeled off the handle of the coconut, and felt that something was wrong with the softness. When I put it into the straw and tasted it, I almost vomited it out. The pulp in the coconut shell has been rotten in the coconut juice, exuding a sour smell. I suddenly found myself being fooled.For so long, I've considered that guy a friend, and all he wants to do is sell something that's about to break to me, an idiot. I often thought later, when I introduced my classmate to buy "rotten coconut" from him, what was behind his smile?He's probably laughing that we're all a bunch of nerds. In the second year of entering the society, I published "Little Yingchuang", which was very popular, and I wrote six more in a row.The strange thing is that over the past few years, the price of goods has continued to rise, and the cost of my book printing has not only not risen, but has also dropped. One day, I complained to the owner of the bookbinding factory: "I found that the price you asked for before was unreasonable, which caused me to spend a lot more." He actually smiled nonchalantly: "Of course! You used to be a novice, but now you are a veteran! From a novice to a veteran, you always have to pay tuition!" Recently, a student told me that she was going crazy.Because in the store where she works, customers often ask her to recommend the best products. "At first I was honest and told customers what I knew, but one day the boss overheard me and called me in to scold me. What is the best? You go to the warehouse to see! The one with the largest backlog is The best!" Speaking of this, the student cried: "I feel so guilty, how could I deceive people like this?" After she left, I thought about it for a long time, thinking about the indignation I felt when I first found out that I was betrayed, and also thinking about the many deceptions I have suffered since I was a child. What I can’t see”, I will definitely be able to suffer less. Of course, when I think back to the way I handled things when I first entered the society, I also found that there were many mistakes. At that time, I didn't understand work ethics, and I often did things rashly.Every time I think about it, it makes me ashamed. "An insight into the world is all knowledge, and a mastery of human feelings is an article." The ancients said it very well. The problem is that by the time we have "a clear understanding of world affairs" and "understanding of human feelings", we may have less than half of our lives left.Why are there so many teachers in school who teach us how to make knowledge, but few people guide us how to live in the world?Even if there are some mottos for governing the world, it is often "wait for a moment when the wind and sea are calm, and take a step back to see the sea and the sky." "Nuan Nuan contains light", "Shou Yu San San hides", or "Eloquence is silver, silence is gold" and so on. Is that really the right thing?Even if it is right, where is the truth? Why is no one teaching us "Work Ethics", "Interpersonal Relationships", "Speaking Skills", "Language of Behavior"?Why do we, who have read thousands of books, run into obstacles everywhere after entering society?And really "being sold by someone, don't help him count the money"? In recent years, friends often come to chat with me and ask for my opinion.What puzzled me was that when they told the situation they were in, they were already very clear, and they could see the pie in front of their eyes, but they didn't feel it, and they were surprised when I "broke it out". Is it because I'm smart?No!It is because I have been deceived many times, became a good doctor after a long illness, and finally have some understanding of life and the world. Life is really like a game of chess, where only one game can be played.It's a pity that most people may play until the end, and still can't figure out what chess they are playing and how to play the game. For this reason, I wrote this book.It is just a part of my series "Learn about the World", because that knowledge is too big, and there are too many stories.In order not to over-stimulate the student readers, the themes in this book have been adjusted, ranging from sharp to soft.I try to come up with solutions for every situation in my life.I hope readers can use it after reading the book. At the beginning of "Looking at Life with Cold Eyes", I once printed "This is a book written for adult readers. Readers under the age of eighteen, please read under the guidance of adults." But after careful consideration, I don't think this book has to be printed that way.Although it is written for social people, I suggest that high school students may also wish to read it.Because besides learning, it may provide some wisdom in dealing with the world, making you more mellow and mature, and able to calmly face all kinds of strange phenomena in life.I want to emphasize again: I am not teaching you to cheat, I am teaching you to see the world clearly; I am teaching you to stick to principles more skillfully; I am teaching you to protect yourself and be a mainstay in the storm. For the launch of this book, I am both excited and apprehensive. This is a bold exploration, and I welcome readers' corrections!