Chapter 23 Twenty, Ritual collapse and joy

Confucius looked up to the sky and sighed: "The rites are broken and the music is ruined! The rites are broken and the music is ruined!" After saying this, two lines of tears flowed down... Sure enough, as Confucius expected, after the cities of Ji Huanzi and Uncle Sun were destroyed, they immediately became alert to Confucius. On this day, Uncle Sun visited Ji Huanzi unannounced, and the two drank together.Ji Huanzi said: "Xiangguo didn't notice Confucius' intention." "I have already realized that his purpose is to strengthen Lu Jun's power, so he wants to take away our power."

"That's right, isn't his monarch, ministers, father and son, sons against ministers and usurpers?" "Hmph!" Ji Huanzi snorted, "He wants Mr. Lu to suppress us, don't even think about it, I actually gave him his big boss, and I don't have to give it to him." "Then according to Xiangguo's opinion..." "Don't worry, Mr. Lu can't protect himself, how can he listen to him? From now on, let him have his own job!" "The Prime Minister is very wise." "That Chengyi was not degraded, it is obvious that Confucius favored selfishness, because Meng Yizi was his disciple."

"That's needless to say. But Meng Yizi may not be sincere to him. Can he not protect the interests of the Meng family?" "So, I really doubt that they conspired to stage the scene of Lord Lu besieging the city. Our city was demolished, but Meng Yizi's was saved." Ji Huanzi snorted again, and said, "Sooner or later, Confucius must be kicked out of the political arena." While the two were talking, Gongbo Liao, a disciple of Confucius, came.He said: "Reporting to Xiangguo, that Zilu often scolded you for monopolizing power in front of Confucius."

After hearing this, the uncle and grandson said to Ji Huanzi: "Confucius wants to break your power, why do you still use his disciples as housekeepers?" Ji Huanzi thought to himself, originally he wanted to use Confucius to deal with Lu Dinggong, so he used his disciples, but now he opposes me, can I use Zilu again?Then he said, "I have my own disposal." One day, just after Confucius finished his lecture, Yan Lu said, "Teacher, Zeng Xi nearly beat his son to death." "Ah, why?" "Just because his son hoeed the ground and cut off a melon seedling."

"It's too much, go to his house and have a look." So Confucius, Yan Lu, Zilu and others came to Zeng Xi's house.Before he got home, he heard a cheerful sound of the piano, and Confucius asked strangely: "Zeng Xi's son is injured, why are you so happy?" Zilu knocked on the door and shouted: "Brother Zixi, the teacher saw you coming." Zeng Xi opened the door, seeing that it was the teacher coming, she hastily let in. "Teacher, please sit down." "Xi, you still play the piano and sing after hurting your son, do you still look like a father?"

"Teacher, I... I didn't play the piano, he played it himself." "Oh, he played it himself? Where's the boy?" "Teacher, the child is in the back room!" Confucius and his disciples went into the back room and saw an eight or nine-year-old boy sitting on the bed playing the piano.His clothes were shabby and his complexion was shabby. When he saw Confucius, he hurriedly put down the qin and struggled to get out of bed to salute, but was supported by Confucius. Confucius asked him, "What's your name?" "My lord, the younger generation is called Zeng Shen, whose name is Ziyu."

"I heard that your father beat you. If you don't hide, aren't you afraid of being beaten to death?" After hearing this, Zeng Xi hurriedly said, "Teacher, I knocked him unconscious in a fit of rage, but the first thing he said when he woke up was to comfort me and say, 'Father, I'm fine, the child will be punished, father! Don't get mad.'" "Ah, this child is so sensible." Confucius praised, and then asked: "Then you played the piano to comfort your father, didn't you?" "yes." Confucius saw that Zeng Shen was very polite and eloquent at such a young age, and he liked him very much. He said to Zeng Xi, "You are an extraordinary child. You must train him well. When he recovers from his injuries, you can bring him to attend classes."

"Ah, thank you teacher." Zeng Xi knelt down to Confucius excitedly, and was supported by Confucius. From then on, Zeng Shen became the youngest disciple of Confucius. One day, Zeng Xi handed over ten strips of dried meat as tuition fee to Zigong and said, "I will pay Zeng Canxue back." Confucius said with a smile, "Zeng Xi, you are the one who initiated the use of dried meat as school fees, and you still abide by this rule." Zeng Xi also smiled and said, "If you don't pay the teacher's tuition, what will the teacher eat?" Confucius and his disciples all laughed when they heard this.

In King Qi's palace, Duke Jing of Qi granted Li Jia the title of prime minister after Yan Ying's death.Li Jia is the best at understanding Jinggong's psychology, so he is deeply appreciated by Jinggong and often serves at his side. On this day, Duke Jing of Qi went hunting in the mountains, accompanied by Li Jia.Li Yu and the guards helped Qi Jinggong up to a mountain top. Qi Jinggong squinted his eyes and looked south, and said angrily: "You are the one who made me very embarrassed at the Jiagu meeting. This Confucius is really a talent." .” "My lord, Kong Qiu is finished now. He offended Ji Huanzi and the others by persuading Duke Ding of Lu to fall into the third capital. Now Ji Huanzi and the others have pushed him out of the political arena. Kong Qiu is just playing a false name now."

"Okay, that's great. As long as Confucius doesn't care about politics, the state of Lu cannot be changed." "My lord, although Ji Huanzi doesn't use Kong Qiu anymore, but the relationship between Kong Qiu and Duke Lu Ding is still high, I have an idea to turn his ruler and his ministers against each other." "Oh, what can I do? Tell me, Ai Qing." Li Jiafu murmured in Jinggong's ear for a while, Jinggong laughed and said: "Just do as you say." After Confucius finished his lecture to his disciples, he sat under the apricot altar to enjoy the cool and chat.

Disciple Lin Fang asked Confucius: "Teacher, some people only pay attention to the surface of etiquette. Is this the original meaning of etiquette?" Confucius praised and said: "Ziqiu, you are a very good question. Some people's etiquette is too extravagant. It is better to be simple. Funeral ceremonies are originally used to express inner sorrow. Outward courtesy." "Students take it to heart." Zigong said, "What is your greatest wish now, Teacher?" "Rejuvenate the State of Lu." Yan Hui said: "Is this the purpose of the teacher's self-denial and return to ritual?" Confucius said: "Exactly. Hui, you can best understand the deep meaning of the teacher." Confucius sighed again and said, "Ah! This is just my wish. The ministers of the state of Lu have usurped the monarch for a long time, and the power of the monarch has fallen. It is not Lu Dinggong's generation but five generations of monarchs. The so-called frozen three feet is not one. The sun is cold. Therefore, it is very difficult to take the power from Sanhuan and return it to the monarch!" Zilu said loudly: "Since the country of Lu is hopeless, let's go, teacher, and go to other countries to see, maybe we will have good luck. Now Ji Huanzi doesn't need me to be his housekeeper, so I just go with the teacher." Bar." Ran Qiu also said: "Zilu is right. Since the king no longer uses teachers, we will leave." "Hui, what's your opinion?" Confucius looked at Yan Hui. Yan Hui raised his head and replied unhurriedly: "I will walk with the teacher, no matter where the teacher goes, I will never leave the teacher." The teachers and students were talking with each other, when Zeng Xi said out of breath, "It's no good, teacher, the state of Qi sent eighty beauties and one hundred and twenty fine horses to the monarch." "Ah!" Confucius was taken aback and asked, "Is this really true?" "Teacher, how dare the students lie in front of the teacher." "where?" "It has come to the south gate." "Go and stop them," said Confucius. Confucius and his disciples rushed to the south gate, and sure enough, they saw that the envoy from the state of Qi had arrived at the city gate with several chariots of beautiful women and more than a hundred good horses.The beauties got off the carriage with a grin, and were standing there looking around.Confucius glanced at them in disgust, then went to ask the leader of Qi. "Excuse me, are you the envoy of Qi State?" "Your Majesty, is it true that my lord is Confucius? I have seen you at the meeting in Jiagu. I have admired you for a long time." "I am Kong Qiu, may I ask why you brought so many beauties to our country?" "Oh, this is a friendly gesture from King Jinggong of our country to the State of Lu." "Friendly? The country of Lu doesn't need this kind of friendliness. Please take the beauty and Mara back." The envoy saluted Confucius and said with a smile, "Take it back? That's not acceptable. I'm here to send a beautiful woman by the order of the king of Qi. I have the credentials here. I want to meet Lu Jun." "Then please wait here, I will report to the king." The messenger looked at Confucius' back and shook his head. Confucius, Zilu, Zigong and others rushed to Lu Palace, Confucius entered the palace to report, Zilu, Zigong and others waited outside the palace. Lu Dinggong was admiring the flowers with the concubines in the garden. After the attendant informed him, Lu Dinggong said that he would see you at the flower pavilion.When Confucius came, Lu Dinggong put his arms around the officials and concubines and said they were beautiful. When he saw Confucius coming, he hurriedly pushed the concubine aside and asked, "Is there anything urgent for Aiqing?" "Your Majesty, the State of Qi has sent you many beauties and more than a hundred horses, but I stopped them outside the south gate." "Beauty... this..." "Your Majesty, you can't accept it! Since Qi State failed to humiliate our country last time, it has been brooding on it. Now that it suddenly sends a beautiful woman, it must be uneasy. Please think twice." When Duke Ding of Lu heard that the beautiful woman had arrived, he felt itchy in his heart, but after hearing what Confucius said, he had no choice but to say, "Then let them wait outside the south gate until I can ask them clearly." Just as he was talking, the guards came to report: "Your Majesty, the envoy of the State of Qi is here to ask to see you." "Hall announced." "yes." "My lord, it's obvious that the people of Qi are tricks for beauty, so don't accept them!" "I know, back off!" "yes." Lu Dinggong looked at the back of Confucius and thought: "What a fuss, what will happen if you send a few beauties? Can the country be subjugated?" When Confucius came outside the official gate, Zilu, Zigong and others rushed up. Zilu first asked, "Teacher, how is Lu Jun's attitude?" "Ambiguous attitude." "It's over." Zi Gong sighed. Confucius said: "It's not sure. I won't go until Lu Jun sees the Qi envoy. You go back to the apricot altar first." Duke Ding of Lu received the envoy of the State of Qi in the main hall. After the envoy saluted, he took out the letter of credence from his long sleeves and presented it.Lu Jun unfolded it and saw that it read: Lu Guojun Tai Jian: The two countries, Qi and Lu, have become brothers since the Jiagu alliance, and from then on they should share weal and woe and share happiness.Recently, I got a group of beauties, they are really stunning. In order not to forget the brotherhood, I specially gifted 80 beauties and 30 BMWs.A special envoy will send the beauties and BMW to you soon, please check. Qi Jinggong presented it. Lu Ding just hesitated, just in time, Ji Huanzi came, in fact, he had already been taken care of by the people sent by Qi.After reading the Guoshu, he thought to himself, this is a good time to drive Confucius away from Lu Jun. Lu Jun is a womanizer, so there is no greedy cat who will not be tempted by a mouse, so he said: "Thank you, Qi Guojun. Concern, how can we refuse to accept gifts from such a long distance? It’s just that the posthouses in the city are full now, so please let the beauties wait outside the city.” The messenger had to withdraw. The envoy retreated, and Lu Jun asked Ji Huanzi, "What is Doctor Ji's plan?" "My lord, let them stay outside the city for a while to show that my lord is not interested in beauties. I'll go and investigate them in my humble clothes. If they are really beauties, it's not too late to send them here secretly, so Kong Qiu can't do anything about it." "Good idea, just do as you want." The Qi envoy led the beauties to perform songs and dances on the lawn outside the south gate, tied the gifted horses aside for exhibition, and then played attractive music to attract the audience.Sure enough, outside the gate of the south city, crowds of people flocked to watch. Ji Huanzi took his servants to look at them, and heard the songs sung by the beauties from a distance, but when he heard their voices, he was already itchy all over his body when he saw the beauties. When he squeezed in and saw the beauties' beautiful faces, he could hardly I... I saw those beauties wearing charming gowns, half-naked breasts, dancing, the cool wind blows, the tulle skirts are lifted up, and the long white legs are sometimes hidden and sometimes exposed... Ji Huanzi looked at it, then The lower body became irregular, and I heard them singing again: With those lewd lyrics and melodious music, Ji Huanzi squinted his eyes and only stared at the plump breasts of those beauties, he had already forgotten his identity as the Prime Minister... After night fell, these beauties and good horses suddenly disappeared, but the songs that they heard outside the south gate of the city during the day were heard from Ji Huanzi's mansion and Lu Palace, and the people on the street whispered to each other... From then on, Duke Ding of Lu did not go to court early for several days, and Zi Huan of Ji also stayed behind closed doors due to illness. On the apricot altar, after Confucius finished his lecture, most of the students went back to their dormitories, Zilu, Zigong, Min Ziqian, Ran Qiu and Yan Hui surrounded them. Zilu said: "Teacher, the people of Qi are beauties, and Lu Jun and Ji Huanzi are both fascinated. What should I do?" Confucius looked up to the sky and sighed: "The rites are broken and the music is ruined! The rites are broken and the music is ruined!" After saying these two words, tears flowed... Confucius said angrily again: "If people are not benevolent, what is it like to be polite? If people are not benevolent, what is like music? If people don't respect benevolence and righteousness, and break the rules and make music, then what is the use of ritual and music?" Seeing this, Zigong said, "Teacher, the country of Lu can't stay any longer. Let's go and visit other countries." Confucius sighed: "Benevolence and righteousness are exhausted! I have to leave my homeland." Yan Hui said, "Teacher, I will go with you." "Teacher, I'm going too." "Teacher, and me." "Teacher, I must go." "Hey, we can't all go, we still need to leave some people here to teach students! However, let's not make a final decision now, the suburban sacrifice is coming soon, let's see if they share the sacrifice meat like other doctors Give it to me, if not, then resolutely leave." Zilu yelled: "Teacher, what's so special about the sacrificial meat? Teacher insists on getting a share." "This is not a trivial matter. It shows that in the eyes of the monarch and Ji Huanzi, there is still a symbol of whether I am a big Sikou." For several years, Confucius was in charge of the sacrificial ceremonies for the monarchs of the state of Lu. This time, Ji Huanzi was in charge of the sacrificial ceremonies, kicking Confucius aside.After the sacrifice, the priests presented the list of officials who distributed the sacrificial meat to Ji Huanzi for review. Ji Huanzi picked up a pen and made Kong Qiu's name crossed out, and even the word "Da Si Kou" was crossed out. In the evening, Confucius and some disciples waited for the sacrificial meat to be delivered at the mansion, but it was not delivered until the sun set.Zilu said: "Teacher, if Ji Huanzi didn't bring you the sacrificial meat, it means that they have pushed the teacher out of the list of doctors. The teacher should go away." Zigong also said: "Zilu is right, teacher, you can't stay in Lu country any longer." Confucius stood up suddenly and said: "Zhong You, ring the school bell, all the students are assembled, I have something to say." "yes." When, when, when!The school bell rang, and the disciples gathered under the altar from the dormitory. "Disciples, I'm afraid everyone has already guessed why the bell was ringing to gather today. Because the teacher is going to leave the state of Lu to visit other countries. Now that the state of Lu has collapsed, and the ministers have overtaken the king, we have exhausted our benevolence and righteousness. There is really no way out." , that's the way it is." Confucius paused and said: "Those who are willing to go out with me should sign up according to their volition, because this trip will take a long time, ranging from three to five years to more than ten years. Therefore, if it is a father and son, the father will stay; if it is a brother Yes, the elder brother stays; the only child is better not to go; the parents are old and weak, not to go..." Before Confucius finished speaking, everyone rushed to raise their hands. "I regestrated." "I go." "I'm going with the teacher." In the end, Confucius finalized a dozen people including Zixuan, Yanhui, Zigong, Ranqiu, Min Ziqian, Ranyong, and Zaiyu.Confucius said again: "Disciples, if you can't go this time, you can follow me in the future. The remaining students must insist on attending classes, sorting out "Poetry", etc., and Bo Yu and Yan Lu will be in charge. I hope you will study hard. , don't go wrong." "Do you have any comments? No, okay, let's prepare separately!" After dinner, Confucius said to his son Boyu: "Li'er, after I leave, I will leave the family affairs to your mother and the apricot altar to you. I will ask Yan Lu to help you. Don't make up your own mind in everything. Discuss with a few brothers." "Yes, father." "In addition, my mother is getting old. I don't know when I will be back. You have to take care of my mother and help her take care of the family affairs." "Father, don't worry, the child understands." At night, Mrs. Qi Guan was still rushing to make shoes for Confucius under the lamp, her husband has big feet, only the shoes made by her are the most comfortable to wear.Confucius was packing his luggage aside. Confucius looked at his wife's gray temples and wrinkled face, and couldn't help feeling sad. He put down the things in his hand and said with concern: "Qi Guan, I'm going here, I don't know when I'll be back, you're old, take care of yourself!" Mrs. Qi Guan listened, raised her head and said "hmm", tears welled up in her eyes full of tears... She choked up and said, "Husband, you are getting old and you have run away from home, you must take care of yourself. ..." After that, he covered his face and wept. Confucius came over, took his wife in his arms, wiped her tears with a towel, and comforted her: "You and I are husband and wife, and I will only have you as my wife in my life. I am often away from home and rarely can Help you, this family is all your work, now that you are getting old, I have to run away again, Qi Guan, I really feel sorry for you!" "Husband, please leave me alone. This is what I should do. You can go out with peace of mind. Although I am not talented, I understand your ambition. You and I have been husband and wife for decades. Your happiness is my happiness. Your happiness is my happiness." Worries are my worries..." Confucius was so moved that he hugged her tightly...they hugged each other for a long time, neither of them wanted to separate, and no one thought that this was the last night of their lives... On the bed, Confucius blew out the lamp, "Cough, cough..." Mrs. Qi Guan coughed a few more times, and Confucius said with infinite worry: "I have already told Bo Yu about your cough, and told him to ask the best doctor to see you." "Oh, husband, don't worry about it. Worrying about the country and the people is already exhausting your gods. Don't worry about your wife and children. This will make your wife feel more uneasy. You don't need to worry about your husband, I will be fine." Confucius felt guilty and hugged his wife tightly... Confucius never expected that this would be their last farewell. After breakfast, Confucius and a dozen disciples were about to set off, and all the disciples came to see him off. Because of Yan Hui's thin body, Confucius asked him to ride in the same car with Zilu driving.Zigong was driving his own car, and two older people were sitting in his car.There is another one for luggage and food, and a few young and strong people walk behind the car. Kong Li sent his wife and children outside the city. About to leave, Mrs. Qi Guan leaned against the door and wept.Seeing this, Confucius got out of the car and came over to wipe away her tears. "Husband, let's go, I'll wait for you to come back." After saying that, she was sobbing... Confucius left with tears. The three-year-old grandson Kong Ji burst into tears when he saw that his grandfather was about to leave.Confucius came over and picked him up, kissed his forehead, and said, "A good child should not cry. After grandpa leaves, he must listen to his grandma and his parents, and read "Poetry" carefully." "Grandpa won't leave, grandpa won't leave..." Little Kong Ji burst into tears again, and Kong Li hurriedly took his son over to coax him: "Grandpa will be back soon, and he will teach you to read "Poetry" when he comes back." Confucius said goodbye to his daughter Wuwei and his son-in-law Gongye. "In the future, you should help your brother more and take care of your mother." Wuwei cried and said, "Father, don't worry, daughter will remember." Chang Gongye also said: "Father, don't worry, we will remember." The disciples sent Confucius to the ten-mile long pavilion. Just as they were saying goodbye, they heard shouting from behind: "Teacher, please stop..." Confucius heard the call and stopped the car. After a while, Zeng Xi and his son came running out of breath. Zeng Xi said to Confucius, "Teacher, Zeng Shen must go with you. I have no choice but to bring him here." The little Zeng Shen, who was not yet ten years old, knelt down to Confucius with a plop, and begged: "I beg the teacher to take me there. I don't know how many years the teacher will be away. Zeng Shen must not lose this learning opportunity." He said and shed tears. Confucius helped him up, wiped away the tears that rolled down his cheeks, looked at the youngest disciple lovingly, and persuaded him: "Ziyu, you will have to suffer a lot on this journey. You are too young. Let your father teach you at home!" "No, teacher, let me go. I'm not afraid of suffering, and I don't need to take a car. I just need to follow the car." He was so anxious that he burst into tears. Confucius was very moved when he saw it, and said, "Okay, let's take you there, then get in the car, you and I will ride with Yan Hui. Let Yan Hui take care of you." "Thank you, teacher." Zeng Shen knelt down again and was helped up by Confucius. Zeng Xi also hurriedly thanked Confucius, put Zeng Shen's luggage on the car, gave Zeng Shen some instructions, and then bid farewell to Confucius and the others. Of course, Confucius did not expect that it was this young disciple who not only traveled with him for fourteen years, but also became the teacher of Sun Zisi, pioneered the Mencius School, and became the backbone of Confucius' thought. Confucius was about to set off when he heard again: "Teacher, wait for me." Everyone looked back, and saw not far away, dusty, and a carriage approaching. It turned out to be Ran Geng. He jumped out of the car, thanked the person who saw him off, took off his luggage and came over, and said to Confucius, "Teacher, Ran Geng must go with you." "Bo Niu, you've done a good job as the slaughterer during your tenure, so stay here." "No, teacher, I have resigned from my post. I must go with the teacher. The teacher doesn't think I came from a poor background and trained me. I can't stay away from the teacher." Confucius was very moved when he heard this, and said, "Okay, then go on the road with us." Ran Geng said again: "Teacher, I will drive the car for you. Brother Zilu, we will drive alternately." "it is good."