Chapter 10 first quarter

It’s already late autumn, perhaps to welcome all the friends here, the temperature has picked up since last night, today is a sunny day, a rare spring weather in late autumn, the forests on both sides of the valley must be dyed, and the red leaves are like red leaves. In Xincai, the capital of my homeland, which no longer exists, tung trees and other trees must be in full bloom and burning red at this time of year, but it is far less beautiful than the red leaves in the mountains shrouded in clouds and mist all year round. I am still hosting the meeting today. Last time, several elders from the village discussed the issue of "heaven" and "mandate of heaven" with everyone for a long time. I thought it would be over in one day, but I always felt that I didn't speak thoroughly.I think everyone feels the same way.That being said, the discussion of "heaven" and "mandate of heaven" should come to an end for the time being. If necessary in the future, you can respond to the call of destiny at any time. What do you think?

At the end of the last meeting, someone proposed to discuss the topic of "Confucian disciples" next time.This question is different from "heaven", and it is very difficult to talk about.Let a supervisor start now. ——In the past three or four years, the trend of studying the first phase of Confucianism, Zilu, Zigong, and Yanhui, has been very prosperous. These three people followed their ancestor Confucius in the Central Plains for 14 years, and after returning to the state of Lu, they served the old man Confucius, among whom Yan Hui died before Confucius. Not long after Zilu returned to the State of Lu with Confucius, he was called to serve as an official under Kong Kui, the doctor of the Wei State, and later sacrificed his life for righteousness in the civil strife.

Zigong volunteered to serve as the cook for Confucius and his party. When Confucius died, he also presided over the funeral affairs. Later, he lived in mourning for six years in a hut next to Confucius' tomb. Information about these Confucian disciples is now being collected from various sources, and the study of Confucianism, especially the disciples of Confucianism, is even more important.Fortunately, our research in this area was kindly guided by a highly respected Mr. Jiang Jiang who was well versed in the situation of Confucianism and had shared joys and sorrows with Confucius' disciples for many years.Today, more than 20 people came here to ask Elder Li Jiang for advice.

No matter what happened to Confucius when he was wandering in the Central Plains, or when he was lecturing in Lu Guodu in his later years, he could get the enthusiastic and sincere advice from Elder Ji Jiang.In any case, all the members of our Confucius Research Association who participated in the gathering today hope that from now on, under the guidance of Elder Li Jiang, the study of Confucianism will be officially carried out and results will be achieved. Last time we asked to hear Elder Ji Jiang's views on Zilu, Zigong, and Yan Hui. This is the greatest hope we have embraced since last year.Just now, two or three of us supervisors discussed together and made a request to Elder Ji Jiang, if possible, to meet our expectations today.

Hearing the supervisor's sincere words, I was really terrified.I, who is not even a disciple of Confucianism, can't say that my views on Confucian disciples have much effect on you, but since you are so sincere, I will live up to everyone's wishes. My thoughts are chasing after the Confucian disciples who have become far away, far away, infinitely far away, and I want to pick up a few anecdotes and anecdotes as today's topic.However, I hope someone asks some questions to get me started. ——Let me directly ask two questions: Zilu, Zigong, and Yanhui, among the three disciples, which one did Confucius think highly of?Which one did Confucius like best?

These two questions are difficult to answer, but they are also very important, which cannot be avoided for studying Confucius and understanding his noble personality. When I was wandering in the Central Plains with Confucius, I began to pay attention to this problem, and sometimes this idea flashed in my mind.After returning to the State of Lu, even when Zilu and Yan Hui were still alive, they still crossed my mind from time to time. Even today, although the Confucius and his disciples we are going to talk about have all passed away, my heart may not be relieved because of this, and I have become unencumbered.

Recalling the past, the former teacher Confucius gave Zilu and Yan Hui a lot of rewards, but I always think that Zigong should receive this honor.At different times, which disciple is favored by Confucius, who is selfless and rules as heaven, is simply a matter of life and death for this disciple. However, today, thirty-three years after the death of Confucius, I have gradually formed a mature view on this issue, which disciple Confucius chooses as his successor after his death, and entrusts the funeral affairs to him instead of others It seems that he can realize something in his heart.But I will not explain it now, and plant a foreshadowing.I'll post it when today's party is over.

All the young people who participated in this gathering have no direct contact with the predecessor Confucius or the disciples of Confucianism. They rely entirely on historical research. In a sense, such research results may be more accurate and reliable.Therefore, I want to listen to everyone's Confucianism and Confucianism.This is very helpful to our understanding of Confucius. There are several people raising their hands now, which one please speak first. ——About two years ago, among the Confucius researchers in the capital of the State of Lu, more than a dozen like-minded people got together and concentrated their efforts on studying Yan Hui.I am also one of them, so my speech today can be said to represent the views of our group.

We believe that Yan Hui is the most highly regarded disciple of Confucius, and Yan Hui is the one Confucius likes the most and expects his great artifact to be perfected. I think there is no need for me to quote Confucius’ evaluation of Yan Hui, the words of Confucius and Yan Hui, or other people’s words of praise for Yan Hui to prove the correctness of our point of view, although these are important historical materials for the study of Yan Hui.In the fourteenth year of Duke Ai of Lu (481 BC), Yan Hui died.Confucius was extremely sad, and lamented: "Hey, the sky is mourning, the sky is mourning." This incident is enough to explain everything.

"Hey, Tiansangyu", mourning the death of a person, there is no language more shocking than this sentence, it is so strong, it contains Confucius' incomparable trust and deep love for Yan Hui, it is awe-inspiring Respect.It can be seen that the death of Yan Hui made Confucius extremely sad, and his liver and gallbladder were broken. This sentence is by no means a fabrication by later generations. Everyone present at that time heard it with their own ears.In addition, there is a moving scene that shows the great grief Confucius endured when Yan Hui was dying. It is said that when Yan Hui was dying, Confucius was so sad that he couldn't help himself, sobbing and crying. At this time, a person said to Confucius, "You just cried out loud." Confucius suddenly realized that he was crying loudly.He said sadly: "Really? Did I cry aloud just now? But, if you don't cry for Yan Hui like me, who would you mourn for?!"

It's as if hearing his voice, as if seeing his person, makes people cry.Therefore, we honestly believe that Confucius placed more trust and love in Yan Hui than anyone else.It is precisely because of this that we firmly believe that among the three high-level disciples of Confucius, Yan Hui is the one with the highest evaluation and the most entrusted by Confucius.The research on Yan Hui has just begun, and in the future, he will study his adolescence and the influence of his family and social environment on his growth at various stages, etc. Please give your advice. thanks.Today I heard for the first time that young people from the state of Lu were studying Yan Hui, and I was very happy.But what would Yan Hui think if he knew about it?He must have curled up to the side, lowered his head and shoulders, and said nothing, except for a long sigh or two from time to time. Recently, I often think that there are very few people in the world who really understand the word "shyness", and Yan Hui is probably one of the "rare".So when he knew that someone was studying him, he shyly curled up, unable to utter a word. What's more, the first time he knew the words "Heaven is mourning" that Confucius said when he was dying, he felt very special.Thinking back to my behavior, speech, self-cultivation and self-cultivation in serving Confucius during my lifetime, none of them reached the lofty state that could make Confucius say "Heaven mourns me".So feel ashamed.There was only one re-death, so I looked around to see if there was a hole to get into. The Yan Hui I know is so pure and spotless, like a child bestowed by God, a handsome man with a noble heart and an outstanding talent. Which of the following speaks next?Today is the second gathering of Confucian students studying, and everyone speaks freely without sticking to one pattern.If several people raise their hands, let's speak in order from the right. ——I am also a member of the Confucius Research Association in the Capital of Lu, and I am the oldest.I came here for the first time today, and I was fortunate enough to meet Elder Li Jiang.I was amazed to hear that the elder was seventy-two years old and still so energetic.I am also an old man, ten years younger than the elder, but compared with the vigor of the elder, both physically and mentally, it is simply far behind.After all, people who have directly listened to the teachings of Confucius are full of vitality physically and mentally, and are as strong as steel. Now that I have stood up, I have to say something, but I have only been a petty official in my life, and I have just started learning about Confucius, so I can't say why.I heard that the issue of "Heaven" and "Mandate of Heaven" was discussed last time. If I talk about "Heaven", I can be more or less perfunctory, but it is really difficult to talk about Yan Hui.Having said that, among the ten disciples in the first and second period of Confucius, I still like Yan Hui. why?First of all, his status is humble, he was born in a poor class, and he died of poverty and depression all his life.This is what I like about him. I heard that he is diligent, studious, knowledgeable, and memorized. He is a true scholar of Confucianism. It is a pity that he died and left us prematurely. ——According to the order, it's my turn.Among the disciples of Confucianism, if I were to be the first to recommend one person, I would undoubtedly name Yan Hui.Just now the old man said that Yan Hui came from a humble background and lived in poverty all his life. I don't think being poor is a good thing.Yan Hui was not only poor and humble, but also died in his prime, which is regrettable.However, a person like him who was evaluated by Confucius "Heaven Sangyu" is undoubtedly the first person in Confucianism, and he will never be indelible.I may find more historical materials about Yan Hui in the future. Although I am not talented, I am willing to devote my life to the study of Yan Hui.Okay, now I give the woman the floor. ——I am also a member of the Confucius Research Association. I often hear everyone's great opinions and benefit a lot.My husband died of illness at a young age a few years ago. During his lifetime, he was keen to collect Confucius' remarks. In order to judge the authenticity of these remarks, he often visited people who had contacts with Confucius and asked them for advice. Sometimes, in order to clarify a problem, he went to Go far, far away.After his death, I also participated in the Confucius Research Association.A woman of the generation does not know how to do research, but it is very satisfying to listen to everyone's discussions.As time went by, I unknowingly became interested in Yan Hui and fell in love with Yan Hui. My husband read to me Yan Hui's poem in praise of Teacher Confucius several times, and gradually I remembered it.Whenever I recite this passage in ups and downs, I feel refreshed and enlightened.Now, I am here to read it again. "If you look up, you will be higher, and if you are drilling, you will be stronger. Look ahead, and suddenly you will be behind. The master is good at seducing people, he is good at me with writing, and I am polite. I can't stop. I have exhausted my talents, as if I have something to stand out. Er, even if you want to follow it, you can’t help it.” The general idea is that the more you look up at your moral articles, the more towering you will feel, and the more you study hard, the more profound and solid you will feel.Seemingly in the front, but suddenly turned to the back, the teacher tirelessly taught me, taught me to use ancient books of literature and history to enrich my upbringing in etiquette.Studying by the teacher's side, even if you want to drop out, you can't stop.But my mind was exhausted, and my husband was still standing tall. I wanted to get closer to him, but there was no way. Whenever I recite this passage, I always feel that I am looking up at the tall Confucius, and my whole body and mind are contained by his broad mind.Yan Hui said, "Mr. stands tall and tall. I want to get closer to him, but there is a way." My husband explained that this is like climbing to the sky. There is no ladder, how to climb?I think so. Just now everyone expressed a lot of valuable opinions on Yan Hui. It is of course okay to continue discussing about Yan Hui, but I know that Yan Hui is a very shy person. He knows that people are always talking about him, so he must be too ashamed to hold his head up. .Whether or not Yan Hui's theory has come to an end, does anyone have any opinions on Zilu or Zigong? There is a hand raised in that corner, please speak. ——I have joined the Confucius Research Association for nearly five years. I specialize in the study of Zilu.Zilu lived to be sixty-three years old, and I also want to live to this age. There are still nearly twenty years left, and I plan to study Zilu wholeheartedly.Born in troubled times, life and death, I don't mind, but when I think of studying Zilu, I encourage myself to live. Just now we discussed which one of the three disciples Confucius chose as his successor. I think that except Zilu, no one can take on this important task. No matter in terms of age, experience, moral character, or personality, Zilu is none other than Zilu. belongs to. Zilu did not wither in the middle way, but did his best to live on. Every day he lived was enough to serve Confucius one more day, and one more day he worked hard to change the chaotic world into the direction Confucius wanted.But if need be, risk your life and blood, and sacrifice your life.Zilu did exactly this, he sacrificed his life for righteousness, how heroic! Even if there are any ups and downs, Zilu will never give up life rashly at a young age like Yan Hui.In fact, for Confucius, Yan Hui died at the age of 40, which made him in a dilemma.That's why he sighed "Hey, Tiansangyu", otherwise, such straightforward words would not have come out of his mouth. Confucius must have been shocked and regretted that an excellent disciple with a bright future died of poverty and illness in his prime of life. As the host of today’s gathering, I would like to remind everyone: this gathering is not about discussing which one is better, Zilu or Yanhui, but please mainly talk about the current research status and future plans of the first disciple of Confucianism. --Sorry.As soon as I talked about Zilu, I became fascinated and couldn't care about anything else. I could still notice it normally, but today I got carried away and apologized.However, I have a special fondness for Zilu.Let me give another example: Confucius knew the destiny at the age of 50, but when Yan Hui died in his 40s, Confucius said, "Hey, God mourns me." I think this must have been made up by someone for Yan Hui . There are many supporters and believers of Yan Hui in today's gathering, old and young, there are probably more than a dozen people in total.But this is not to say that there are no supporters and believers in Zilu, and I know seven of them.But Zigong has relatively few supporters, of course not one, there are two people today, the reason why I talk about this is to let Elder Jiang Jiang understand some of the situation in the study of Confucius in the capital of the state of Lu. Next, I will report to you a case about the research on Zilu. About a month ago, I joined a group of merchants and went to the capital of Weiguo. small town.The surrounding city walls still exist, but the northeast corner has collapsed, and a bunch of small hills called Huimengtai just block the gap.There is a mansion in the Huimengtai, which is the place where Zilu died in battle.There are also some people who study Confucius in the capital of Weiguo, and several people took me to visit the Zilu ruins.In the capital of Weiguo, there is not only the place where Zilu was martyred, but also Puyi, where Zilu served as governor for three years, nearby. Therefore, Zilu is highly regarded by people in Weiguo, and the study of Zilu is also the most popular. When Confucius heard of the civil strife in Wei, he once said, "Zigao will escape the war and return alive, but Zilu will die in battle and will not survive."This sentence has not attracted much attention here, but in Weiguo, it is believed that Confucius understands Zilu's inner loneliness best, and takes it as the core argument for studying Zilu.Zilu was not highly regarded in his motherland Lu, but he had many believers in Weiguo, where Zhuanghuai ended his life violently. This is the end of my words, and I invite two people who have studied Zigong to speak. ——Indeed, at today's gathering, there were only two members of the "Zigong faction".It is generally believed that the people Confucius trusted most and could entrust future affairs to, in order, were Yanhui, Zilu, and Zigong.Yan Hui is what everyone expects, and Zilu lives up to everyone's expectations. Both of them have a radiant side, and sometimes they can't tell who is on top. From this point of view, Zi Gong is very different from them, neither Yan Hui style nor Zilu style, lacking vigorous experience and elegant and witty temperament, always alone in the corner, without saying a word, looking around the audience, Focused and meticulous, but never express their opinions. Even so, although there are only two of us today, we think that a person like Zigong who sits quietly and observes and thinks is the most important person to entrust. Although he is silent and silent, he should do something. He handles everything seriously, without making a big fuss or exaggerating, but in a down-to-earth, vigorous, efficient, meticulous and thoughtful manner, and never asks for help. He believes that foreign aid can't help much, and everything depends on himself and self-reliance.Some things are better done with the help of others than alone. Even so, he declined any kindness and did it himself from beginning to end. ——This is Zigong, and this is what makes Zigong awe-inspiring. No matter what he did, Zigong neither said "I did it" nor "I did it", but just finished it quietly and then left without making a sound, which shows his greatness even more. . The reason why Confucius and his party were able to wander around the Central Plains for fourteen years was entirely due to Zigong.If there is no Zigong, there are only Zilu and Yanhui. It is unimaginable. They will be driven to nowhere and wander in the wilderness.When Confucius and his party visited various countries, Zigong sent people to do business, making large transactions between countries.Whether you like it or not, if you don’t do business, this group of people will starve. It is impossible for them to go wherever they want and travel freely in the international community. However, it seems that Confucius’ remarks on this aspect have not been collected yet. Interestingly, neither Zigong nor Confucius noticed this. It is surprising that Confucius did not even express his gratitude for Zigong's remarkable work.But if you think about it carefully, aren’t major events in the world, such as civilization and culture, created by these people and their cooperation in an extremely peaceful and ordinary form? Just now you have expressed your opinions full of emotion and content. After listening to them, I couldn’t sit still. I am going to tell you my views on Confucius, Zilu, Zigong, and Yanhui.It can be said that Zilu, Zigong, and Yanhui are all my senior brothers. They are the first batch of disciples of Confucianism, and each has a strong personality. Until today, I have gradually realized their uniqueness. place. Before I formally express my opinion, if anyone has any questions, please ask them first. ——I study Yan Hui, but in the past one or two years I have also involved Zilu and Zigong.I'm working on their resumes, but progressing is very difficult.Take the year of birth and death as an example, Confucius knew very well that these disciples were confused, and no one could tell the exact date.Yan Hui was a great scholar, a great scholar, and a great moralist. Whether he knew him or not, he was well-known.It seemed that he was exactly that kind of person.Some people said that because Yan Hui studied too hard, his hair became white at the age of twenty-nine, but others said that his hair was black, thick and shiny.There are even differences of opinion on the black and white of his hair. It is extremely difficult to accurately track his career and performance throughout his life.It is not disputed that Yan Hui was born in the lower class of Lu State, but almost nothing is known about the twenty-four years before he traveled with Confucius to the countries of the Central Plains.When I grew up, I often traveled between Qi and Song. I don't know why I went back and forth like this.Even Yan Hui's age cannot be determined. There are three versions: forty, forty-one, and forty-two. Which one is correct? No conclusive historical data have been found yet. Zilu was born in Bianyi on the outskirts of the capital of the State of Lu. He was the oldest disciple of Confucius.Among the three masters of Confucianism, this is the most conclusive historical fact. In the past one or two years, various legends about Zilu have prevailed in Lichuang alleys. For example, it is said that Zilu's mother was conceived by a spirit of lightning and gave birth to Zilu. There are many unknown points in Zigong's life, like a cloud covering the mist, with some transparent spots leaking out from the clouds.Zigong often told people that he was a native of Wei, who was born in unknown place, and was thirty-one years younger than Confucius.These are all facts.He has a clear mind, quick thinking, and is famous for his eloquence. He once served in Lu and Wei, and is mainly famous for his diplomatic work. What should also be a special note for Zigong's great book is that he is quite good at managing money. At one time, it was said that all the money in the world belonged to Zigong.This is not a nonsense rumor. Recently, some people, after detailed investigation, believe that it is true.Zigong paid for Confucius' fourteen years of visits to various countries in the Central Plains, Confucius' funeral and all the expenses for his disciples who spent three years in mourning. The year of Zigong's death is unknown.More than 20 years after the death of Confucius, Zigong ended his career in Qi.At present, the research progress of Zigong is the slowest. I believe that the study of Confucianism will shift to focus on Zigong in the near future. Before the living witness of Confucius wandering in the Central Plains, Elder Jiang Jiang, made a high-level statement, I wanted him to understand the status quo of some folk researchers' research on Confucius and his disciples.I haven't started the study of Confucius's disciples, so what I'm talking about today is of course superficial views. thanks.Everyone has done so much detailed investigation and research, and I was very moved after listening to it. Whether it is Yan Hui, Zilu, or Zigong, they would never have dreamed that their every move, word and deed would arouse everyone's great interest.They must have bowed their heads and sat upright, feeling agitated, full of emotions, and not knowing what to do. Although I am not an official disciple of Confucius, I am just a person who ranks last, but now I am the only one living in this world, so I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone on behalf of my brothers. I followed Confucius to and fro in the Central Plains for eight years, and experienced the turbulent and hard life with the disciples of Confucius.I am going to talk about the Confucian disciples I know.Although they are Confucian disciples, they are also human beings.Since we are human beings, we have both strengths and weaknesses.Sometimes strengths turn into weaknesses, and sometimes weaknesses turn into strengths, so it can be difficult to judge a person. These senior brothers seem to use their shortcomings to shape their own images, so talking about their shortcomings can help us understand their unique personalities. Listen, there was a flock of birds flying south over the roof just now.Excuse me, I'll go outside to have a look. Flocks of migratory birds fly over the village. This kind of magnificence is rare to see. Come and see it too!A few more groups, arranged in a neat formation, flew from a distance.During the first three or four years after I moved into this village, I saw large flocks of migratory birds coming and going north and south every spring and autumn, but after more than 20 years, the birds disappeared, and this year the birds flew back again.What a joy!This kind of natural scenery cannot be seen in Lu Guoguo. I remember that the first time I saw migratory birds migrating in groups was by the Huaishui River.Everyone looked up at the sky for a long time, so that their necks were so stiff that they couldn't turn them back. It was Zilu who taught them to put their arms around their necks and turn them around. The vicissitudes of time have passed, forty years have passed, and now I am the only one who looked up at the migratory birds to see the old scenery in this deep mountain and old forest.