Chapter 21 Eighteenth, Confucius heard "Shao"
For the first time in his life, Confucius heard such superb music, but he didn't know the taste of meat for three months.
The weather was very good that day, the sky was blue and the clouds were white, and the wind was sunny.The master and disciple of Confucius followed Gao Zhaozi happily up the steps of King Qi's palace. They all put on brand-new clothes, because Qi Jinggong will hold a concert for them in the palace today, and will play the beautiful classical "Shao" music.
Zilu asked Confucius: "Teacher, what is "Shao" music?"
Confucius said: "Shao is the ancient music of Yu Shun's time. It is a movement in praise of Yu Shun. It is very beautiful and simple, and it is the most elegant music in the elegant music."
After entering the palace, Gao Zhaozi led them to Taishile Palace, where the music master was already waiting outside the palace.
Gao Zhaozi said, "This is Confucius."
Confucius took a step forward and saluted, "Great Master, it's a great honor for Confucius to enjoy the performance of "Shao" music by Grand Master today."
"Where, where, I heard that the master is proficient in rituals and music, and today I want to ask the master to teach me a lot."
Entering the Palace of Music, there is a scent of fragrance, and the room is lit with joss sticks, and the musicians are practicing with their pan flutes in their arms.They are dressed in wide-sleeved robes and long hair draped over their shoulders. They have a fairy-like appearance.The palace is filled with incense and mist, and the music is simple and elegant, which makes people feel like they are in history.
Confucius saw that many ministers had already been seated, and Qi Jinggong would come in person in a while, indicating that this concert must be very grand.
As soon as Confucius and his disciples sat down, they heard the voice of "the king is coming".Confucius and his disciples hurriedly stood up and waited.
After Qi Jinggong sat down, the musician waved his hand, and after the drums and music played together, the performance of "Shao" music began.
At the end of the song, Confucius sighed: ""Shao" is perfect and beautiful, but "Da Wu" is perfect but not perfect."
Yan Hui said, "Does teacher's benevolence refer to benevolence?"
Confucius nodded.
After leaving the palace, Confucius and his disciples walked home.
Yan Hui asked, "Teacher, why is "Shao" more beautiful than "Da Wu"?"
"Return! You are so smart, and your question is on point. "Shao" was written in the era of Yu and Shun. Shun was recommended by Yao. , the people live and work in peace and contentment, so the music is also beautiful and pleasant. "Da Wu" is about the tyranny of King Zhou of Shang Dynasty, King Wu of Zhou launched his army to defeat Zhou, and the war was cruel and tragic, so the music is high-pitched."
"Oh, the teacher said it well, music is the projection of the times, a sign of the rise and fall of history."
Confucius said: "It is so."
After that, Confucius and his disciples played the piano and practiced "Shao" music together, intoxicated in the realm of music like a fairyland all day long... and the meal was just passed by.
Under the tree in the courtyard, Confucius and his disciples sat on the ground. After Confucius finished practicing a song "Shao", he couldn't recover for a long time.
Seeing this, Zeng Xi asked, "What are you thinking, Master?"
"I was thinking, how noble is Shunyu! So how beautiful their world is."
Confucius sighed again: "Shun Yu was humble and benevolent to the world, so there is a beautiful "Shao" music. Lu Guo Sanhuan was in power, and the king was forced to flee. How could there be beautiful music! This is the perfection of "Shao" reason."
One day, Gao Zhaozi shot a deer while hunting, so he asked the chef to cook it and invited Confucius and his disciples to taste it.Confucius brought his qin, and his disciples also brought various musical instruments to the banquet.
Gao Zhaozi and his wife sat side by side at the table, Confucius and his disciples sat in a row, and Gao Zhaozi's retainers sat in a row.
Gao Zhaozi said: "I heard that the master practiced "Shao" for three months and forgot to sleep and eat. He must have reached a very high level. It is a great honor to hear it now."
Confucius smiled and nodded to everyone, then played the piano.The disciples' sheng flute and Confucius' qin, sometimes played solo, sometimes played in ensemble, perfectly coordinated.At the end of the song, everyone applauded.
Gao Zhaozi praised: "It's played really well."
At this time, the servants brought the delicious crown of game - venison to the table.
Gao Zhaozi greeted everyone and said, "Try it quickly, the taste of this venison is the most delicious."
At this time, Confucius was still immersed in the state of the piano, he was chewing meat, and he was still thinking about the artistic state in the music of "Shao"...
Gradually, he seems to have returned to the ancient and beautiful Yushun time... The monarchs and ministers are peaceful, the people are in peace, there is no war and bloodshed, no arbitrariness, flowers are blooming everywhere, and a hundred birds are auspicious... Yao is going to abdicate the throne to the wise and talented Yu Shun, and married his two beloved daughters to him.On the day of the wedding, all the subjects picked flowers to congratulate, and the palace square became a sea of flowers. Yu Shun excitedly played the five-stringed qin he invented, and played a joyful and moving Nanshan song...
Confucius thought of this and picked up the piano and played:
The sound of the piano is like the spring breeze blowing on the face, soft and light; it is like a hundred flowers blooming, fresh and fragrant; it is also like flowing water in the mountains, melodious and melodious...
Confucius was thinking, but he heard Gao Zhaozi ask: "Master, how does this venison taste?"
Confucius came back to his senses and said, "venison? Where is it? I didn't eat it!"
The disciples laughed and said, "What's the matter, teacher, didn't you eat the venison on the plate on the teacher's table just now?"
Confucius looked down and saw that the plates of meat on the table were empty, so he smiled embarrassedly: "Ah! When did I eat all this meat?"
Zilu said with a smile: "The teacher has only been playing the piano for the past three months, and only cared about enjoying the beauty of the music of "Shao". I can't taste the meat anymore."
"Haha..." Gao Zhaozi said with a smile, "Since the master only cares about playing the piano and forgets about the taste of meat, let's try this delicious venison again!"
So the servants put delicious venison on Confucius's plate. Confucius put a piece in his mouth and praised: "It really tastes good."
Yan Hui sighed: "Teacher learns "Shao" and doesn't know the taste of meat in three months. Teacher's kung fu is really good."
Gao Zhaozi said with a smile: "My husband plays "Shao", the charm is absolutely amazing."
Since then, the good talk about Confucius learning "Shao" and not knowing the taste of meat has spread.
Li Yu came to look for Yan Ying. This Li Jia was the favorite of Qi Jinggong. He was tall, handsome in appearance, and humble in speech, but he was very cunning and cunning in his heart.He was originally Gao Zhaozi's retainer, and later devoted himself to Yan Ying's command.He was afraid that Qi Jinggong's reuse of Confucius would make Gao Zhaozi more powerful and disadvantageous to him, so he did everything possible to provoke the relationship between Yan Ying and Confucius.
Yan Ying welcomed him into the hall, Li Jia said: "Yan Xiang, you have to find a way. The relationship between Gao Zhaozi and Confucius is getting better and better, and the king has decided to appoint Confucius."
"Ah." Yan Ying was taken aback, but did not speak.
Seeing the change in Yan Ying's expression, Li Jia continued, "We have to find a way to get rid of Confucius. If the king appoints him, Gao Zhaozi's power will be even greater. Then you, Yan Ying..." Li Jia retracted his words on purpose .
Yan Ying waved his hand and said, "I see."
"Then... I will take my leave."
"etc."
Li Yu stopped.
"Don't hurt Confucius."
Li Jia said: "I can not hurt him, but I can't control other people."
In the Qi Palace, Qi Jinggong and Yan Ying played chess under the flower stand in the courtyard.In the past, Yan Ying let Qi Jinggong win, but today he deliberately let Qi Jinggong lose a game, and then took advantage of Jinggong's displeasure and said: "If you lose a game of chess, the lord will be unhappy; if you lose a country, what will the lord do?"
Qi Jinggong was very surprised when he heard this, so he put down the chess pieces and asked, "Does Aiqing have something to say, you might as well speak up."
Yan Ying glanced at both sides, and Qi Jinggong backed away from the left and right.
Yan Ying said, "My lord, are you going to seal Nixi to Confucius?"
"Yes. But he didn't accept it."
"Then, my lord is ready to reuse him."
"This... Could it be that the virtuous prime minister doesn't like Confucius?"
Yan Ying hastily argued: "It's not that I don't like him, but I'm worried that my lord will cause trouble with his rear house."
"Ah, is that right? Tell me quickly, Prime Minister." Qi Jinggong stopped smiling.
"My lord, Confucius advocated self-restraint and reverence for propriety, and obeyed propriety to rule the country. May I ask, can the common people eat and clothe by exercising propriety? This is one of them."
"Well, what about the second one?" Duke Jing asked.
"Think about it, my lord. If Confucius is really talented, why doesn't his own state of Lu reuse him? He is still a commoner. If he really has the way to govern the country, he should first govern his own country well. As a result, his king fled. In foreign countries, he himself has been living in a foreign land, does this mean that he has the ability to govern the country? This is the second."
"What about the third one?" Duke Jing asked again.
"Think about it again, my lord. Since Confucius arrived in Qi State, he has received hospitality from Gao Zhaozi. He also took Confucius into his home. Once Gao Zhaozi gets Confucius' support, he will be like a tiger with wings...Then my lord..."
Qi Jinggong's expression changed drastically, and he said, "I see."
Yan Ying had already taken it into his heart when he saw the words, knowing that Duke Jing hated ministers for arbitrarily dominating power, Guo and Gao Zhao's dictatorship had always been his heart disease, seeing Duke Jing's serious expression and eyes staring ahead, he knew that he had no intention of playing chess, Then he said goodbye and returned.
From then on, Duke Jing of Qi never summoned Confucius again. Even if he did, he did not ask about etiquette or politics. He only asked about daily life. Every time Confucius felt bored and left.
Apart from giving lectures to his disciples every day, Confucius could only play the piano and play music, doing nothing, and felt very depressed.
Seeing that Confucius was sad, the disciples advised the teacher to take a walk in the countryside in the afternoon, so Confucius and his disciples went for a walk in the countryside.Walking outside a forest, I suddenly heard all kinds of birds chirping, and their singing was harmonious, as if I had a sense of auspiciousness descended from heaven.Confucius remembered what his mother said when he was born, playing the piano in Nishan Cave, and all the birds came to the cave. He felt an indissoluble bond with mountain birds in his heart, so he walked to the forest. It turned out that a young man was learning the song of birds. .He asked, "Can you learn how to sing like a bird?"
"I can not only learn bird song, but also bird language."
"Ah, it's not easy."
Confucius looked at this young man with a fair face and big eyes. He was very intelligent. He liked him very much and asked:
"Where is the son from?"
"Oh, sir, my surname is Gongye, my first name is Chang, and I am from Qi State. Sir is..."
"He is Confucius, our teacher." Zilu said first.
"Confucius, ah! Disrespect, disrespect, please be respected by Xiaosheng."
Confucius helped him up and said, "My lord, please get up quickly."
Then he said, "You know what those two birds are talking about?"
"They are greeting each other and singing together. Birds, like people, like to make friends, and they live in harmony. The reason why I like learning birdsong is that I envy their friendliness."
Confucius sighed: "Birds are so harmonious, but people like to fight. Sometimes they are not as good as birds! Therefore, rituals and music are very important."
Master Gongye suddenly knelt down to Confucius and said: "Master, I heard that you were a great sage in the state of Lu who valued rituals and music. I heard that you opened a school where poor people can also go to school. I have long wanted to learn from you. You, it is a great honor to meet you today, I implore the teacher to accept me as a disciple."
Confucius helped him up with both hands and said, "Okay, I'll take you in as a student, but our school will have to suffer a lot for the first time, can you bear it?"
"I can bear it. I was originally from a poor family, and I am not afraid of suffering."
"Well, I like such students."
So Gong Yechang became a disciple of Confucius. Of course, he never thought that he would be honored to be the teacher's son-in-law in the future.
One day, when Confucius was talking to his disciples at the table, Zigong came in and said, "Teacher, there is hope. Qi Jinggong is going to summon you."
"Oh, really!" Confucius stood up excitedly, so he went into the back room to comb his hair and change clothes, and then drove to the palace, Zilu drove the car for him.
Zilu turned around and said, "Teacher, it must be Jinggong who wants to use you again."
"I've been waiting for him for two years, if we don't need it, we'll just go back to Qufu."
"Teacher, I don't understand why he didn't use you for so long."
"Oh, it's hard to say! The Qi State is not necessarily better than the Lu State. I just want to help Lu Jun restore the country and return to the government. If it wasn't for this, I should have gone back a long time ago."
Qi Jinggong was still receiving Confucius in his study.
Confucius sat down beside him after saluting.
Holding on to hope, Confucius asked tentatively, "Is there something you want from the King looking for Confucius?"
"Oh, oh, it's nothing, it's nothing, it's just that I haven't seen you for a few days and I just want to say hello."
"Oh... oh, thanks to the king's care, it's okay, it's okay." Confucius felt cold, and sat upright, just waiting for the king to speak.
"Master, you have been in Qi State for almost two years! Are you homesick?"
Confucius replied: "I tell the king, there is no one who doesn't miss his hometown or home."
"Master! I know you have ambitions, and you want to show off your talents in the country of Qi, but people in the world know that every family has a difficult scripture to recite, but they don't know that each country has more difficulties. Therefore, I really can't be like Lu Jun. I treat you like a minister, I hope you understand."
Confucius understood that he was politely declining himself, so he said:
"Kong Qiu understands that I will return to China in a short time. During the time Confucius was in your country, thanks to your care, Confucius only has one request."
"Ah, you are welcome, Master, please tell me, Master."
"Confucius hopes that the king will take good care of Lord Lu who has taken refuge here. Kongqiu please." Confucius got up and knelt down to King Jing.
"Ah, master, please get up quickly," Duke Jing helped Confucius up with both hands, and said, "don't worry, master, I have been friends with Lord Lu for many years, and Lord Lu has asked me for a pheasant, so how can I do him wrong. "
"Then Confucius will leave, and Kong Qiu will return home in a few days."
"No hurry, no hurry, in a few days, I want to go hunting, and I want to invite my master to go with me!"
"Then forgive Kong Qiu for leaving me. I am deeply sorry."
"Where, where, since the master is homesick, the widow can only follow the king's will."
"Confucius has bid farewell, Monarch, please stay."
"Master, please come again, I still welcome you as a state guest."
"thanks, thanks."
Qi Guojun sent Confucius out of the hall, looked at Confucius' back silently, and sighed: "Such a talented person, if only we were from Qi State."
After Confucius left the palace, he was unhappy. Zilu and Zigong went up to meet him. Seeing this, he asked, "Master, what's the matter?"
"The eviction order has been issued, and we will return home immediately."
Confucius returned to his residence and told the words of Duke Jing of Qi to his disciples, who were very angry.
Zeng Xi said: "It's so strange. Duke Jing had a very good attitude towards Master, and he even wanted to give Nixi to Master. Why did he suddenly change his mind?"
"That's right! There must be something strange about it." Yan Hui said.
Confucius reprimanded: "Everyone, don't think about it, go back to your house!"
At night, Confucius was reading under the lamp, when he suddenly heard a noise in the courtyard, and then saw a stone fly in and knocked out the lamp, and then he heard scolding:
"Guo Lu, go back to your hometown!"
"Master Lu, what does Lai want to do in Qi?"
Zilu heard the scolding and came out with a sword, but there was no one there. He hurried to Confucius' room and shouted, "Teacher, are you okay?" He touched the darkness and lit the lamp, and saw Confucius sitting behind several tables. , His face remained unchanged.Confucius sighed: "I can't wait to drive us away, I can't wait!"
The next day, Gao Zhaozi heard that someone raided Confucius' residence at night, so he hurriedly came to condolences:
"My master was shocked. Not long ago, I asked you to stay in the humble house, but you insisted on moving out. However, it was also because I didn't take good care of you. I'm really sorry."
"Ah! It's okay, it's okay, everyone is safe and sound." Zi Zi stood up from the table.
"That's all right, master, please sit down!"
"Sit down, too."
The disciples stood on both sides of Confucius.
"Doctor Gao, I have discussed it with my disciples and I am going to return to the State of Lu."
"Ah! Why? Is there something wrong with this little minister?"
"No, the doctor really did his best to our master and apprentice. It's just that he has been in Qi for almost two years, but he can't help Lu Jun return to the country, and he can't let the students realize their ambitions. I feel deeply guilty, so I plan to return to the country. never mind."
After hearing this, Zilu said, "Doctor, Duke Jing of Qi has issued an order to expel our master."
"Ah, there is such a thing."
Confucius said: "It can't be said that it is an order to expel the guests. We have to leave. But Jinggong has clearly told me that he will have difficulties in employing me, so how can I make things difficult for Jinggong!"
Gao Zhaozi said: "The main reason is that Prime Minister Yan did not agree to appoint you. He once advised the monarch that you are too respectful of etiquette, and Qi does not need so much etiquette."
"Yan Xiang?" Confucius was dubious...
Zeng Xi said angrily, "I think he was the one who got in the way, because Duke Jing trusted him the most."
"On the surface, he treats the teacher well, and even praises the teacher as a rare talent. It's really unpredictable!" Yan Hui said.
Zilu roared, "It's true that you know people, face, but don't know your heart!"
"Ah!" Confucius sighed, "Yan Xiang is someone I admire, but I didn't expect..."
Zilu said, "He's jealous of talents. Hmph, I thought he was a gentleman, but I didn't expect him to be a villain."
"Zhong Yuan, don't talk casually." Confucius shouted.
Gao Zhaozi persuaded: "Master, I think you don't want to leave, you should move back to my house to live, and I will persuade the king when I find a chance, maybe he can change his mind. Even if the king is willing to use you, then I will stay with you." , as well as helping me."
"No, thank you doctor for your kindness. Kong Qiu has decided to go back. He has been away from home for almost two years, and he wants to go back and have a look."
"Master, let's go right away, I don't care about this bird country." Zilu cursed angrily.
"Zhong You, don't talk nonsense."
Confucius had already decided to leave Qi State immediately. This morning, everyone was packing their luggage and preparing to go on the road. Suddenly, stones flew out of the window and insults came. Confucius hurriedly told everyone to leave quickly. Zeng Xi was washing rice, and Yan Hui Go to the kitchen and call him:
"Brother, hurry up! The teacher's window was attacked by stones again. The teacher said that he won't eat, so hurry up."
Zeng Xi had no choice but to pour out the water in the basin, wrap the rice in cloth and put it on the carriage. The carriage took Confucius and his disciples to the city gate in a hurry, leaving strings of water dripping from the wet rice on the road... …
A carriage drove south without stopping.
The autumn wind blew up outside the car window, and the fallen leaves fluttered down. Confucius lowered the curtain and sighed: "Falling leaves return to their roots, and people must return to their hometown after all."
Zilu said angrily, "Yan Ying is simply not a gentleman, he..."
"Zhong Yuan, you are here again." Confucius interrupted him.
Confucius was not at peace, and he didn't expect Yan Ying to be the hindrance, so he said:
"Yan Ying is a politician, no matter what, he does have a way of governing the country."
Yan Hui sighed: "Teacher's heart is really higher than the sky and wider than the earth. It can hold three rivers and five lakes, and it can hold great rivers and seas."
While the master and apprentice were talking, they heard a carriage chasing after them, and the people in the carriage shouted:
"Wait a minute, master, Yan Ying has something to say."
When Zilu heard that it was Yan Ying, he was so angry that he whipped the horse violently, and the horse made it gallop.
"Zhong You, stop the car, Zhong You..."
The carriage stopped, Yan Ying's carriage caught up, he got off the carriage, and Confucius also got off the carriage.
"Master, why did you leave without saying goodbye!"
Zilu snorted and turned his head to one side.The disciples stood beside Confucius and looked sideways at Yan Ying.
"Does Xiang Xiang have any advice?" Confucius asked.
Yan Ying said out of breath, "Master, why are you leaving? I still want to discuss the principles of governing the country with you!"
Confucius said: "Since Xiangguo has something to say, let's take a short rest here. It just so happens that there is a farewell pavilion by the road, so we might as well go in and talk."
So the two of them and their followers went in and sat against the railing.
Yan Ying thought that Confucius must have misunderstood, and he must clear up the misunderstanding with him, so he said: "Master, Ming people don't do secret things. I really don't agree with Jinggong's appointment of you. I am the Prime Minister, and I must first consider for the king. You must think for the sake of Qi. I know the situation of Qi best. I have assisted three generations of monarchs. I know what Qi needs most and what it doesn’t need. After all, the master is not from Qi, and I don’t know much about the situation of Qi, so forgive me The old man said bluntly, although the master is recognized as a talented person, is it necessary for the king of Qi to use people from other countries?"
Yan Ying said again: "Only by making use of people from your own country can you know yourself and your enemy and win a hundred battles! If it were you, you would do the same. You should first consider the interests of your own country. Do you think this is the case?"
Confucius thought to himself, what kind of reason is this!Isn't it true that people from one country cannot be reused?Although Yan Ying could not justify himself, Confucius forgave him and said:
"Confucius Qiu has always admired loyal ministers the most. Prime Minister Yan considered the actual situation of his country and did not hesitate to be misunderstood. Qiu expressed his understanding."
Yan Ying said again: "I heard someone say that I sent people to attack Master at night. Although I don't agree with the king's reuse of Master, I have no intention of harming Master. I should blame myself for not protecting Master well." Clasping fists with both hands, pays respects to Confucius.
Confucius hurriedly got up to return the gift, and said: "Ah, Yan Xiang, how could I doubt you! I have always thought that you are a noble person, and you would not do things that hurt others. At first I also had opinions on you. Three monarchs have three minds, now it seems that you are wholeheartedly assisting the monarch, I misunderstood you."
The disciples did not speak, but were overwhelmed by the heart-to-heart of the two sages.
Confucius said again: "You are a very upright person. You are merciless to the monarch's mistakes, not just flattery, so I admire you very much. No wonder the three monarchs said nothing. you."
Yan Ying said: "Master, I'm flattered. I just did what I should do."
Zilu urged impatiently: "Teacher, it's getting late, let's go."
"Okay, Yan Xiang, let's say goodbye and see you tomorrow."
"Okay. The old man will be sent here. I wish you all a safe journey, Master."
Yan Ying waited for Confucius and the others to go far away before getting into the car and going back.
Zeng asked temporarily in the car: "Teacher, how should you evaluate a person like Yan Xiang?"
Confucius said: "Yan Xiang is good at making friends with others, and respects him after a long time."
Zilu said angrily: "Teacher, I really don't understand. He obstructed Qi Jun from using you again, and you still say he is a good man!"
Yan Hui sighed: "Teacher is really open-minded!"
Confucius returned to Qufu from Qi State. At the door of his house, Zilu stopped the car with a "wow", then jumped out of the car, together with Zeng Jiu and Zi Gong, helped Confucius out of the car and sent him to the house. Outside the gate, Nangong Jingshu, Yan Lu, Min Ziqian, Ran Geng and other disciples carried the rest of the car into Confucius' home.
Mrs. Qi Guan came out to welcome her, and helped to bring the things home, and said to Kong Li: "Bo Yu, go get some wine quickly, and I'll cook." Then she said to several students: "You are at home today. It's dinner time, I'm going to cook."
"Master, don't be busy, I'll go buy some meat." Zi Gong said.
Confucius asked Zeng Xi, "What about the bag of wet rice?"
"Here it is."
"Take it to your teacher's wife to cook."
Mrs. Qi Guan took the wet rice and asked, "Why is this rice soaked in water?"
Zeng Xi said: "When the state of Qi was washing rice for cooking, someone wanted to hurt the teacher. We were in a hurry to escape, so we had to put the rice to be cooked in a bag."
Mrs. Qi Guan looked at Confucius and sighed, "My God, I finally came back alive."
During dinner, Mrs. Qi Guan looked at Gong Yechang and said:
"I haven't seen this disciple yet. Come, eat vegetables." Then he put some bacon in his bowl.
Confucius said: "He is from Qi, and he knows the language of birds."
Madam Qi Guan said with a smile, "Oh, learn one and let us listen."
"Okay." Chang Gongye put down his chopsticks, put his index finger and thumb in his mouth, and began to sing like a yellow warbler. Bo Yu smiled happily.
After dinner, the disciples drank tea with Confucius, Mrs. Qi Guan asked: "What have you seen in Qi?"
Zilu put down his wine glass, and said first, "We met Qi Jinggong with the teacher. Originally, Qi Jinggong wanted to use the teacher, but he was stopped by that petite Yan Ying, so..."
"Zhong Yuan!" Confucius said loudly, "You are not allowed to slander others. There are many reasons why Qi Jinggong didn't use me, and he was not the only one who objected."
"Teacher, you still protect him when he treats you like this." Zilu refused.
Confucius said: "The state of Qi is the same as our state of Lu. There are also two hereditary families, the Guo family, the Gao family, and the later Tian family. Under such circumstances, Guan Zhong, Yan Ying and other virtuous ministers can assist them If the rulers of the country have obtained certain powers, it is already difficult for them."
Zilu said: "Teacher is really kind to others. It is because of Yan Ying's obstruction that you were not reused by Qi Jinggong, and you still speak good things about him."
Confucius said sternly: "Yan Xiang played a great role in the development of Qi State and Duke Huan of Qi's hegemony. Without Yan Xiang assisting the three generations of kings, Qi Guojun was also restrained by powerful officials like Lu Guojun."
Zeng Xi also said: "I agree with the teacher's evaluation of Yan Xiang, but I also agree with Zilu's opinion, and I am too jealous of the teacher."
Confucius said: "From the perspective of their country, Hua also has his difficulties." Bo Yu was afraid that they would continue to fight, so he interjected and asked, "Father, have you seen the king of Lu?"
"Yes, Gao Zhaozi received him."
Zeng Xi said: "Gao Zhaozi is a doctor of the Qi State, and he is much more righteous than Yan Ying. He is very kind to our monarch."
After dinner, it was already dark, and the disciples were still drinking tea. Confucius felt tired, so he went back to the back room to rest. The disciples and Bo Yu were still drinking tea and chatting in the main room.
Zilu and Gongye went out to the latrine at the corner of the courtyard to urinate. When they came back, they saw that the light in Confucius’ bedroom was still on. Zilu thought, Confucius had been away from home for two years. I licked a small hole on the top and looked in...
I saw my wife and the teacher sitting on the bedside, my wife was snuggling in the arms of the teacher, the teacher put his arms around her, and the two were talking affectionately.Zilu made a funny face at Chief Gongye, and Chief Gongye also came over to look in, when suddenly he knocked a stone under the window.
"What's the noise?" Confucius asked.
Chang Gongye hurriedly imitated meowing, "Meow..."
Zeng Xi came out and asked, "You two are sneaky, what are you doing here?"
Chang Gongye said, "He peeked at the teacher..."
Zilu said, "Didn't you also read it?"
"You..." Zeng Xi said angrily.
Zilu hurriedly said: "Brother, don't blame me, I just want to see if the teacher is a saint or a mortal."
Zeng Zhe didn't know whether to laugh or cry when he heard this: "The teacher said: 'Don't look at injustice, don't listen to injustice, don't do anything indecent, don't speak inappropriately...' Teacher is both a saint and a mortal. Come, go into the house."
When the three of them returned to the main room, Bo Yu thought they were all going to have a rest, so he refilled their cups of tea and sat for half an hour before the disciples left and went home, and Bo Yu sent them out of the gate.
One day, as soon as Confucius stepped into the fenced yard, he smelled a smell of meat, oh, it smells so good!Madam Qi Guan is cooking meat, she hasn't eaten meat for a long time, there must be a distinguished guest.
Although Confucius had a bunch of lazy friends from his students, but that was in exchange for rice, how could he be willing to eat it at ordinary times, who is the distinguished guest?
When Confucius entered the main room, he saw a roast suckling pig and a wine bottle in the middle of the dining table, and asked in surprise:
"Where did the suckling pig come from?"
Li'er said, "Father, this was sent by Yang Hu."
"Yang Hu? Who told you to take his things!"
"Ask your mother!"
"Qi Guan, come out for a moment."
"Hey."
The wife who was busy in the kitchen came out in a hurry and said, "You are back, I can make up for you today."
"Why are you so confused, who is that Yang Hu? Are you going to put me in the position of colluding with rebellious officials and thieves?"
"We don't want it either, but they insisted on sending it away, so they put it away and left. The weather is hot, and you are not at home, so you don't cook, what should you do if the meat stinks?"
"I'd rather the meat stink and throw it away than eat his food." Confucius said resolutely.
"Then what should we do? Send it back to him, it will definitely offend people."
"Hmph, why did this Yang Hu suddenly act out of his normal ways and give me a gift? I'm afraid the best is yet to come!" Confucius said angrily.
Zilu, Zigong, Zeng Xi, Yan Lu, Ran Geng, Min Ziqian, Yan Hui and several other disciples came.
After Zilu bowed to Confucius, he said: "Master invited us here today. It turns out that we are eating roasted piglets. It's so good...well, it smells so good."
Confucius said: "I am angry, this little suckling pig was sent by Yang Hu."
"Ah, teacher, let's give him back!" Zeng Jiu picked up the little pig and was about to leave.
Zilu stopped him with a smile and said: "Leave it alone, let it be. Since it's delivered and the teacher's wife has cooked it, let's eat it. If you don't want to eat it for free, we'll talk to him and ask him what he feels about it." !"
"Yes, yes, Brother Zhong You is right, let's find him after eating." Zi Gong also said.
"Sit down, teacher, sit down." Zilu helped Confucius to sit down, and Confucius and his disciples began to eat.
"Hey, it smells so good. Master's wife really knows how to cook." Zilu said.
Zilu said again: "Yang Hu, a rebellious official, must be trying to get our teacher to give him money, so he must be dealt with properly."
Confucius sighed and said, "I really don't want to see Yang Hu, but logically, I have to go to the door to thank him. What should I do?"
"Teacher, it's not difficult." Zilu thought for a while and said, "Tomorrow I'll inquire about it, and when Yang Hu goes out, I'll send the teacher to his house to return the gift, so that I don't have to meet Yang Hu. "
Confucius nodded and said: "This method is good, you can go and inquire about it tomorrow."
"Master, don't be busy, come and eat." Zeng Xi called to the kitchen.
"Hey, just come."
"Li'er, eat vegetables!" Yan Lu put some meat into Bo Yu's bowl.
Early in the morning, Zilu's carriage was parked in a corner diagonally opposite to Yanghu's mansion. He let the horse eat beans while he sat in the carriage and stared outside the door of Yanghu's mansion through the window curtain. He said that as soon as Yang Hu left the house, he would call the teacher.
After waiting for a while, Yang Hu swaggered out the door. Zilu saw him get into the car and left, so he hurried back to report to Confucius.
"Teacher, come on, Yang Hu is out."
Confucius hurriedly changed his clothes and got into the carriage. Zilu raised his whip, and the carriage drove towards Yanghu's mansion.
When they reached the gate of Yanghu Mansion, Zilu helped Confucius get out of the car.what!They changed to a new house, so luxurious, how can it be a retainer's house, it is simply a mansion of Shangqing, Confucius sighed in his heart looking at the tall gate of Yanghu Mansion.
Confucius deliberately asked in the gatehouse:
"Is Master Yang Hu at home?"
Seeing that it was Confucius, Yang Hu's family hurriedly cupped their hands and said, "Ah, it's Master, what a coincidence, my lord has gone out, but Hua will be back soon, can you please come to the house and wait for a while?"
"Ah! No, no, Kong Qiu just came to express his thanks. Thank you for giving me a suckling pig yesterday. If there is nothing else to do, we will leave."
"Go in and sit for a while!"
"No, no."
Confucius was afraid that Yang Hu would return, so he got into the chariot and left.However, just after turning the corner, he saw Yang Hu sitting on the car coming back. He met him head-on, but couldn't dodge. Yang Hu also saw Confucius, so he got out of the car and saluted Confucius.Confucius had no choice but to get out of the car and return the gift to Yanghu.
Confucius thought to himself, it is really a narrow road to enemies.
"Thank you for the suckling pig you gave me."
"Ah, you're welcome, it's just a trifle."
"I just went to your house to thank you. Your family members said that you have gone out, so I asked them to convey my thanks to you." Confucius said neither humble nor humble.
Yang Hu laughed and said: "Because I forgot to take something, I came back, which means that we are destined, so I invite Master to come to my humble house now."
"Oh... I won't go today because I have something to do, and I will visit you another day."
"That's fine, that's fine. But master, please wait a moment, I don't know if I should say something or not."
Seeing the domineering Yang Hu, Zilu suddenly pretended to be elegant and courteous, almost laughing out loud.Confucius said: "Please speak."
"Then, with all due respect, I would like to ask Master, if a person with extraordinary talent does not serve the country, regardless of the country's rise and fall, is such a person benevolent?" , and listen to what he says next.
Seeing that Confucius was speechless, Yang Hu continued, "Is it wise not to let go of the opportunity to become an official?"
Confucius heard this, and cursed in his heart, assisting people like you is tantamount to helping the evildoers. Even if I am not an official all my life, I will not rely on others.Confucius remained silent.
Yang Hu paused for a moment, but he didn't see Confucius expressing his opinion, so he said loudly: "Nowadays the Sanhuan is in power, the state is forced to flee, and there is no monarch in the country for a long time, don't you worry about it?"
Are you also worthy of saying that Sanhuan is in power?Now that you have surpassed Sanhuan and become an uncrowned king, you are still worthy of talking about worrying about the country... Seeing that Confucius did not speak, Yang Hu could only say: "Master, please think twice, of course I will not force you."
Confucius said: "I have never said that I don't want to be an official."
Yang Hu said happily: "Then I will wait for Master's reply."
When Confucius returned to his residence, several disciples surrounded him and asked about Yang Hu's plan. Zilu asked strangely, "Teacher, do you really want to become an official with Yang Hu?"
Confucius pointed to the white clouds drifting outside the window and replied: "I have long regarded officialdom as floating clouds. Will I go? Let's sort out our poems and books after dinner."
"Dinner is ready, dinner is ready." Yan Lu and Gong Yechang brought the food, and Mrs. Qi Guan also came out of the kitchen. While taking off her apron, she said, "Everyone eat quickly, you are welcome." They ate around Confucius.
Confucius ate a few mouthfuls of rice but didn't move his chopsticks. He put the chopsticks on the table. Of course, he would never do anything for Yang Hu, but what Yang Hu said today hurt him because he had no ambitions and nothing to serve the country. In the twinkling of an eye, he was almost half a hundred years old but failed to shoulder the heavy responsibility for the country. Seeing the time fly by... Is it true that I am going to waste my hair to gray hair?Why!Confucius sighed and said:
"Disciples, the purpose of our studies is to serve the country. Therefore, although it is not our goal to become an official, we will do so as long as we have the opportunity. I hope that among my disciples, there will be a few talents who can become generals."
"Teacher, although I'm not an official, I agree with you." Zeng Xi said.
"Zilu is not talented, but the teacher has placed high hopes on us. We will never let the teacher down. As long as I have the opportunity, I will become an official."
Confucius was very happy when he heard this, so he picked up the chopsticks again.
Today, Double Happiness is coming to the Confucian Mansion. Two red lanterns are hung high outside the gate of the courtyard wall, and the word "Double Happiness" is pasted on the door.
一大早，弟子们就忙开了，后院里、厨房内磨豆腐的磨豆腐，切肉的切肉，熬糖的熬糖，个个忙得不亦乐乎。亓官夫人系着围裙忙出忙进，显得有些憔悴的脸上挂着笑容。
前院树阴下摆了十张桌子，准备举行婚宴。
“公冶长，今天是你的大喜之日，马上就要做老师的女婿了，还不学几声喜鹊叫。”曾皙边摆碗筷边说笑着。
“是啊，还不学几声喜鹊叫，宾客马上就要来了。”子路也笑着说。
“好吧，那我就叫唤几声。”公冶长把手指放到嘴边吹了起来。
“喳，喳，喳……”欢快的喜鹊声在庭院里回荡，渐渐宾客来了，主要是孔子的亲朋好友，街坊邻居，朝里做官的、仰慕孔子的人也来了不少，季平子等三桓家族也来了一些。
孔子喜气洋洋地在门口拱手迎接来宾。
“南宫适，以后你就是老师的侄女婿了，今天得把你的才华再露一露，介绍一下老师是怎么选中你的。”曾皙说。
“好好……露一露，今天我掌勺，首先要向大家露一手的是我的厨艺。”南宫适把一盆香喷喷的腊肉放在主婚桌上。
庭院里坐满了人，宾客都来得差不多了，子贡看吉时已到便燃起了鞭炮。
“砰砰砰……”
鞭炮声齐鸣，由颜回带队的乐队也奏起了音乐，庭院里的人愈来愈多，贺喜的、看热闹的，把孔子家的里里外外挤了个水泄不通。
“结婚仪式开始——”子贡喊道。
两对新郎、新娘来到了孔子面前。
一对是公冶长和孔子的女儿无违，一对是南宫适和孔子的侄女无加。孔子的兄长孟皮死后，女儿的婚事就由孔子操办。今天，大嫂也从陬邑过来了，就坐在孔子夫妇一旁。两个新郎都是孔子从弟子中挑的。
南宫适长得一副书生一样的面孔，白白净净的，笃行仁德，很得孔子的欣赏。孔子将侄女许配给他，表明自己对死去兄长应尽的义务。
孔子评价他是个尚德君子，能屈能伸，太平清世，他的才华得以施展而不会被埋没，也不会被罢官；处乱世，既不会同流合污，也不会招来杀身之祸，所以把失去父亲的侄女嫁给他，以便能有个依托。
公冶长身材如孔子一样高大，谦和忍让，为人正直，性格开朗，还通鸟语，曾蒙冤坐过牢，孔子非但不嫌弃他，还说不是他的过错。
“新郎新娘，一拜天地。”两对新郎新娘跪了下去，向天地叩拜。
“二拜高堂。”新郎新娘向孟皮夫人及孔子夫妇叩拜。
"Husband and wife pay their respects."
“礼成，揭新娘盖头。”
南宫适及公冶长分别揭开了自己新娘的盖头，大家高兴地鼓掌，颜回率领的鼓乐又奏了起来。
“婚宴开始，请来宾入席。”
于是宾客们入席而坐。
孔子的弟子们除了曾皙、颜路、子路、子贡、闵子骞、冉耕、冉求等几个年长的入席就座，陪宾客们饮酒，其余的年轻弟子们都穿梭着，或给各桌端酒送肉，或分糖果给来看热闹的孩子们吃，或在门口迎送客人，大家都兴高采烈地为新人祝福。
酒过三巡，新郎新娘举樽向大家敬洒，敬毕，大家要新郎新娘表演节目。公冶长表演了他的绝活——口技，于是各种鸟鸣、鸟唱让大家听得如醉如痴，都高兴地鼓掌致谢。
公冶长表演完了，弟子们又冲着南宫适喊：
“南宫适新郎来一个。”
“南宫适新郎来一个。”
南宫适涨红着脸被弟子们推了出来，他腼腆地说：“我没有公冶长那本事，实在表演不出什么节目。”
颜回替他着急，就说：“那你就朗诵你平时最欣赏的那首诗吧！”
“好吧。”南官适清了清嗓子就吟诵了起来：
子贡让年轻弟子们把老弟子换下来，让年轻弟子也入席喝酒，老弟子们去端菜侍候宾客。
两位新娘的女友们跳起了采桑舞，颜回的乐队为她们伴奏，歌曰：
小伙子们也高兴地边跳边接着唱：
欢乐的婚宴结束了，尽兴的客人已经散去，两对新人也进了洞房，一对在东厢房，一对在西厢房。忙累了几天的亓官夫人感到腰疼便躺下了。
月儿已上了树梢，孔子和几个年纪大的弟子送走了最后一批闹房的客人，冉求说：“老师今天累了，快歇息去吧，我们走了。”
孔子感激地说：“谢谢你们鼎力相助。”
颜回说：“老师说到哪儿啦，老师的快乐就是我们的快乐。”
孔子拉着他的手说：“回啊，你今天领的乐队演奏的精彩极了，给婚礼添了许多热闹。”
颜回笑着说：“只要老师觉得好，弗子的心里就踏实了。”
孔子又对子贡说：“赐啊，今天你又为我破费了，老师以后若有了钱一定要报答你。”
“啊，老师，报答什么呀，老师没有做官，也没有俸禄，一心一意全在教诲我们了，学生能为老师尽一点心意，也是我们的福分啊！”
孔子含着激动的泪花，送走了和他相濡以沫的弟子们……
孔子插好大门，见西厢洞房灯还亮着，他笑了笑便回到堂屋。
儿子伯鱼把洗脚的水端了来：
“父亲，洗洗脸脚，赶快睡吧，您今天太累了。”
“好，你也早些休息吧！”
孔子洗好脚进入内室，问亓官夫人：“亓官，你的腰怎么样了？”
“腰倒是好点了，就是头昏。”
“明天请医生来给你看看。”
“不用，歇歇就会好的。”
孔子上了床，吹灭了灯，月光从西窗洒了进来，照在老两口的头上，孔子伸手抚摩着亓官的头说：“我们终于熬出来了，儿女都成亲了。”
亓官夫人欣慰地笑了，把头依偎到了丈夫的怀里……