Chapter 35 Thirty-two, mourning the deceased wife

Confucius stood in front of his dead wife's tomb and said sadly, "My dear wife, I have wronged you for not being able to accompany you in life. When I finish my career, I will come and stay with you..." Since entering the border of Lu State, Confucius and his disciples returned home like an arrow, and rushed to Qufu, the capital of the country. When approaching Qufu, Confucius became excited. He opened the curtain of the car, and the familiar landscape gradually appeared in front of his eyes... Ah, after fourteen years of absence, my hometown, your youngest son has finally returned.

Confucius and his disciples got out of the car, and they looked excitedly at the mountains and rivers of their hometown. Confucius walked to the side of the road and climbed up the small hill. He bent down and held up the earth in his hands, thinking that although he has not been reused by other countries, he is sixty-eight years old.Motherland, I finally set foot on your land again, Confucius' eyes are wet... Thirty miles away from Qufu, I saw many people standing on both sides of the road, holding banners. Yan Hui said, "Teacher, they must be here to welcome you." Confucius looked up, but he couldn't see clearly, so he hurriedly said, "Hurry up, hurry up." So Zaiyu raised his whip, and the carriage drove away quickly.

Oh, it was Ran Qiu, Zi Gong, Zeng Xi, Yan Lu, Qin Zhang, Lin Fang who led the disciples who stayed in Lu to welcome us from afar. The carriage stopped, Zaiyu helped Confucius out of the carriage, Ran Qiu and other disciples rushed up. "Teacher, we are finally looking forward to your return. We miss you so much." Ran Qiu and Zi Gong said. The disciples of Liulu surrounded Confucius and cried loudly: "Teacher, after fourteen years of separation, we finally see Teacher again." Confucius also shed tears. He held his disciples' hands and said, "I miss you very much too!"

"The teacher is not leaving, is he?" Confucius looked at these disciples, separated for fourteen years, the youths at that time have grown into youths, and the middle-aged disciples at that time are now old, he couldn't help but feel a lot of emotion... Confucius held their hands and said, "I won't leave, I won't leave, and I won't leave you again." Ran Qiu pointed to the young Fan Chi and said to Confucius, "Teacher, he is Fan Chi." Fan Chi hurriedly stepped forward to salute Confucius. Confucius said with a smile: "You and Ran Qiukang have made great achievements. Congratulations."

"The teacher praised me. This is what I should do." Ran Qiu said, "Teacher, Fan Chi wants to take you as his teacher." "Yes, teacher, please accept me!" Fan Chi said. "Okay, of course, I can not accept such a good student." Confucius laughed. After hearing this, Fan Chi happily knelt down to Confucius and said, "Teacher, please be respected by your disciples." Confucius helped him up with both hands, and said: "Anyone who is willing to serve the country, no matter who is good at literature or martial arts, can be my disciple, not to mention those who are capable of literature and martial arts, that would be even better."

The students helped Confucius into the car, and everyone surrounded him, singing and walking forward. Ten miles away from Qufu, I saw many people lining the road to welcome Confucius. It turned out that Ji Kangzi led his retainers to welcome Confucius in the suburbs. Confucius got out of the car and Ji Kangzi exchanged salutes. Ji Kangzi said: "Welcome back, Master, welcome back, Master." Confucius smiled and asked, "How about Ran Qiu being your steward?" Ji Kangzi boasted: "Ran Qiu is very capable, and now he is my most capable assistant." "Okay, okay." Confucius looked at Ran Qiu with a smile.

Ji Kangzi said again: "In the future, I would like to ask Master to support me a few more of your seniors, and help me more." Confucius nodded and said, "Okay, I have so many disciples, you can choose as you like!" After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Ji Kangzi and Confucius got into the car, and Ji Kangzi's car followed Confucius' car and drove slowly towards the city gate, followed by Confucius' disciples and Ji Kangzi's retainers. When we arrived at the gate of Qufu, we saw a dark group of people standing. It turned out that many celebrities and subjects were standing to welcome Confucius and his party.When Ji Kangzi and Confucius' motorcade passed through the streets and alleys, passersby on the street stopped and waved to Confucius.

When Confucius returned home, the whole family stood at the door to greet him.The son Boyu and his wife, the daughter Wuwei and his wife, the nephew Kong Zhong and his wife, the niece Wujia and his wife, and their children are no less than ten people. "Father." Bo Yu sighed sadly, stepped forward and called softly. "Ah, Boyu, you've worked hard." Confucius saw that Boyu's face was wrinkled and his temples were frosty, and his nose became sore. Alas, I'm not at home to make you so tired up.He held his son and couldn't help crying... "Father, you are finally back." Daughter Wuwei also stepped forward to hold her father's hand, tears streaming down her face.

"No violation, my good daughter, father misses you so much!" "Uncle..." The nephew, niece and his wife also surrounded him, weeping softly. "Father... Mother passed away last year..." Bo Yu cried. Confucius felt cold: "I know, I know... It is because I heard the news of your mother's death that I came back quickly." The adults were all wiping away their tears with their sleeves, and the grandsons, granddaughters, and nephews all grabbed Confucius by his robe and shouted: "Grandpa hug me." "Grandpa hug me." "Okay...okay, grandpa hug." Confucius picked up Wuwei's youngest son.

"Grandpa, I'm Si'er." Confucius couldn't help laughing when he saw that his little grandson fourteen years ago had grown into a handsome young man. The sadness just now was finally dispelled by the children. "Don't cry anymore, it's good to be back, you should be happy, everyone go back to the house!" So the women were busy cooking and cooking, and the men were talking with Confucius in the main room. At this time, Yan Hui, Zeng Shen, Zilu, Zaiyu and other disciples who came back with Confucius and Liu Lu's disciples came in. Packed to the brim.

The disciples all brought some dried meat and rice wine, and some went to the kitchen to help.In the evening, everyone huddled in the main room to drink and eat happily to celebrate the teacher's return.Those who didn't have a seat had to stand, and no one wanted to leave. The women and children huddled together in the inner room to eat. The few tile-roofed houses in the Confucian Mansion, a humble house in a courtyard, became lively again after fourteen years. In the main room, Confucius’ relatives and disciples sat around Confucius like a family. You had a cup, and I respected Confucius. Thank you very much. "Teacher, don't leave in the future!" "I'm not leaving, I'm going to teach you how to read." "Okay, that's great, teacher, over the past ten years since you left, the children have grown up and are waiting for you to come back to teach!" "Okay, restore the apricot altar immediately." Confucius said with a smile. The reunion dinner did not disperse until the moon was in the sky. After Confucius saw off his relatives and disciples, he returned to his dormitory.In the past, once back to the dormitory, his wife, Qi Guan, immediately came in with a smile on his face, brought hot water, waited for him to wash his face and feet, and then served him evening tea, and then sat aside, asking questions while doing needlework... Now there is no voice of his beloved wife Smile, alas, Qi Guan, why didn't you wait for me to come back... Confucius sat down on the chair in a numb manner, and looked around. It was still the original decoration, but the room was very clean, presumably the sons and daughters had cleaned it carefully. Sun Yu Kong Ji brought the wooden basin. "Grandpa, please wash your feet." "Ah, good boy, you know how to serve grandpa. Who asked you to bring it?" "My mother." "Oh, good, good." Confucius soaked his feet in the wooden basin, while Kong Ji stood aside. "Grandpa, is it hot enough? Not enough to add some hot water for you." "Enough, enough, come here, Si'er, grandpa is asking you." "Hey." Kong Zhi walked over and looked at Grandpa with a pair of bright eyes. "Si'er, do you like reading?" "I like it, just wait for grandpa to come back and teach me." Looking at his grandson, Confucius thought, it is because Boyu has worked hard for the family for more than ten years after I left that he missed his studies, and I must make more compensation to Sier when I come back. "Si'er, where's your father?" "Father lay down, and he said he was dizzy. Father is always like this. He said he was dizzy when he was tired." "Oh, he is too tired, it's all my fault." Confucius said with a sigh. "Grandpa, what did you say?" "I said your father was exhausted." "Grandpa and grandma are even more tired. Grandma wakes up early and goes to bed late every day, boils water for cooking, does laundry and mends, and teaches me to recite poems. Unfortunately, grandma passed away..." Zisi burst into tears and began to cry. Confucius couldn't express his sadness, but he held back his grief and advised: "Si'er, don't cry, work hard in the future, make achievements, and comfort your grandma's soul in heaven." Although Confucius was persuading his grandson, he also burst into tears. After Confucius washed his feet, Kong Ji picked up the basin and said, "Grandpa, I am too tired today, go to bed early, good night." "Okay, good boy, grandpa will sleep now." Today happened to be the fifteenth day, the moonlight poured in from the window, and the silver light sprinkled on Confucius' couch. Confucius tossed and turned and couldn't sleep, the past was vivid... On the wedding night, the moonlight was also so bright, the young and gentle Qi Guan nestled in her husband's arms... The two were in front of the window, looking at the charming moonlight in love... Confucius was reading the bamboo slips on several cases, and Qi Guan stood aside to help him organize them, and the two chatted cordially from time to time... Qi Guan was pregnant, Confucius saw his wife making small clothes for the future child under the oil lamp, that happy and shy smile made Confucius very excited... The son had just turned one month old, and Qi Guan got up to do the housework. Although his face was still a little pale, he always wore a satisfied smile... Once when Confucius was ill and had a high fever, Qi Guan stayed by the bed day and night. Confucius looked at her tearful eyes and was moved to help her wipe away the dripping tears... Confucius runs an apricot altar, builds a school building, and lacks funds. Qi Guan walks towards Confucius with a family heirloom jade bracelet, and Confucius holds her hand with emotion... Fourteen years ago, Confucius was going to travel around the world the next day, and when he woke up in the middle of the night, Qi Guan was still rushing to make shoes for him. Confucius had big feet, and only the shoes made by Qi Guan were the most comfortable for him to wear.Confucius looked at Qi Guan under the lamp, merciless wrinkles had already crawled up his wife's face, and his temples were stained with frost... Parting, Qi Guan looked at each other with tears in his eyes, and said: "I'm not around, you have to take care, don't forget to add clothes sooner or later, don't forget to soak your feet at night..." Ah, Qi Guan, Confucius never expected that it would be an eternal farewell... Thinking of this, Confucius burst into tears... The next day, Confucius stood in front of Qi Guan's spirit tablet and said silently: "Qi Guan, I have wronged you so much, I want to choose a cemetery for you to bury... Kong Li came over and said, "Father, Mother said before she died, don't waste too much on her, and have a simple burial." Confucius shook his head and said, "No, it must be buried properly." On a high ground south of Sishui in the northern suburb of Qufu, Confucius and his disciples were burying Mrs. Qi Guan. Confucius held a solemn ceremony of touching his head to the ground in front of his wife's tomb, and then stood there silently with tears in his eyes. Qi Guan, you left before I came back, I know you are too tired... Qi Guan, I'm sorry for you, I've been away from home for fourteen years, you've worked so hard to support this home, you've worked hard day and night, and you've finally become sick from overwork, you've been alone in your home, you've raised your children, you've been hardworking and kind, you've worked hard, you She is indeed a good mother, a good teacher, a good wife... Qi Guan, failing to meet you has become my lifelong hug.You were lonely when you were alive, and you are lonely after death. You blame me. I am sorry for you. Qi Guan, my husband is also getting old, and I can't do what I want after running around all my life. In a few years, when my husband completes the work of revising the "Six Classics" and writing "Spring and Autumn", I will come and stay with you forever.If you miss us, take a look at your home. I have chosen this land for you so that you can see your home and your loved ones. Qi Guan, rest in peace! After Confucius finished reading silently, he was already in tears. Kong Li, who was already very sad, became even more sad when he saw him, so he fell on his mother's tomb and wept loudly. "Mother, you left before you saw your father, mother, why are you willing to leave us behind..." Zi Gong, Yan Hui and others hurried over to persuade them. "Brother Bo Yu, please mourn." "Brother Boyu, please take care." The disciples all stood in silence in front of the teacher's mother's tomb and saluted. They planted several rows of trees around the cemetery, and then wept away... Back at the mansion, Kong Li said that he was dizzy, and Confucius told him to rest.Kong Li said: "Father, I want Yuan Xian to assist me in housekeeping. I often feel dizzy and uncomfortable." Confucius said: "Okay, I have thought of him too. Yuan Xian is honest, honest and capable." So he called Yan Hui, "Hui, go and call Yuan Xian." "Okay, teacher." After a while, Yuan Xian came. "Teacher, what do you want me to do?" "Yes, Xian. Boyu is not in good health and I am too busy. I would like to ask you to be the head of the house. The salary is 900 hu of corn. I wonder if you are willing to help the teacher." Yuan Xian hurriedly said: "The teacher is in trouble. It is natural for the disciple to help. The disciple is willing to serve the teacher, but he will never get paid. Yuan Xian will never accept the salary of nine hundred hu millet." Confucius was moved and said: "You don't want to pay, how can the teacher have the heart to ask you for help." Yuan Xian said sincerely: "The teacher taught us how to behave, taught us knowledge, and the teacher is so kind to us. Now the brother is sick, the teacher is in trouble, and the disciple has been a magistrate and has some management experience. It is really true to ask the disciple to help the teacher with housekeeping. Do my part.” "Okay, okay, thank you, teacher." Since then, Yuan Xian has been Confucius' steward, helping Confucius manage the house, and managing it very well. In particular, the orderly management of Xingtan School's income and expenditure played a great role in Confucius' ability to teach with peace of mind. This morning, Ran Qiu came into the room and asked, "Teacher, are you ready?" "Okay, okay." Confucius put on the ceremonial robe, and Yan Hui tied the belt for Confucius. Then, accompanied by Ran Qiu, Zi Gong, Yan Hui, Fan Chi, etc., he went to Lu Palace, because today Lu Jun Confucius will be interviewed. When he arrived at Lu Palace, Ji Kangzi was already waiting outside the gate. He led Confucius into the palace, and his disciples waited outside the palace gate, because after the imperial court, they would follow Confucius to Xiangguo's mansion.Ji Kangzi invited Confucius and several major disciples to a banquet. Confucius followed Ji Kangzi into the hall, saw Lu Jun sitting on the top, and heard the servant shout: "Confucius is here." Confucius hurriedly bowed down to Duke Ai of Lu. "Confucius bows to the monarch, and the monarch is auspicious." "The old man please stand up and give me a seat." "Thank you, Lord." Confucius heard that Duke Ai of Lu called him the old man of the country, and Zhazi understood that it meant that he would not be appointed, but only let him be a political consultant or something.I thought to myself, no matter what, I am getting old and don't have the energy to become an official, so I will just organize my books in the future. Ji Xiangguo and all the doctors stood on both sides of the hall. Duke Ai of Lu said: "Old man, I want to appoint some of your students. Could you recommend some of them to me?" Confucius thought, using my students is the same as using me. They have followed me for many years, and it is time for them to become officials, otherwise it would be a pity.So he said: "The king, Confucius' disciples all have their own strengths. Yan Hui, Min Sun, Er Ran Geng, and Ran Yong are outstanding in moral character; Zai Yu and Zi Gong are good at speech; Ran Qiu and Yan Lu are good at political affairs; The literary ones are Zixia and Yanyan." Duke Ai of Lu said happily: "Okay, the disciples of Confucianism can be said to be full of talents, and I will be elected." "Thank you, my lord." Duke Ai of Lu said again: "Master has visited six or seven countries, and he has been abroad for more than ten years, so he probably has a lot of experience in politics!" Confucius replied: "I have a lot of feelings, but what breaks my heart is that every country can't be polite and benevolent. The result is either ministers and tyrants, or killing each other. Finally, the country is not stable and the people are not peaceful." Although Duke Ai of Lu was very touched, he sighed because it was difficult for Ji Kangzi and other three families to express himself.Of course Ji Kangzi was sensitive to the subject and tyrant mentioned by Confucius, including himself. Although he was annoyed, he pretended to be fine. His fat face was squinting, and he cursed bitterly in his heart: "Hmph, keep staring at me. I think this Kong Qiu is becoming less and less respectful. Fortunately, my father objected to using him at the beginning, otherwise there will be endless troubles." Duke Ai of Lu looked at Ji Kangzi, saw his gloomy face, knew that it was Confucius' words about his subjects and tyrants that had stimulated him, and he felt a rush of pleasure in his heart, thinking, only Confucius would dare to stab such a person who has power.So I asked again: "The widow would like to ask my master, what is the key to governing the country?" "Government with virtue is like the North Star, where the stars live and the stars support it." Duke Ai of Lu said: "Please explain in detail." So Confucius said without hesitation: "Government with benevolence and virtue." "The so-called rule of benevolence and morality, specifically, is to govern with virtue, that is, to achieve that the ruler is like the North Star at the center, and the subjects are like stars around him. That is to say, the ruler must be like the ruler, and the ministers must be like Minister, to reach this level." Duke Ai of Lu thought that Confucius was right, so he said, "Master, please explain in more detail." Confucius also said: "Government with virtue means that the relationship between the monarch and his subjects should be like the Big Dipper in the sky revolving around the North Star. Only when the monarch and his subjects have the same heart and mind can he govern the country well. Just imagine that the relationship between the monarch and his subjects can be separated from virtue?" Duke Ai of Lu nodded frequently, and asked again: "Master, if a country wants to practice benevolence, what should it first implement?" "To promote talents." Confucius replied without hesitation. "What kind of person is a virtuous person?" "A person who can show benevolence and righteousness." Duke Ai of Lu asked again: "So, what kind of people do you think the master can't use?" Confucius said solemnly: "People who are greedy, arrogant, and hypocritical cannot be used." Duke Ai of Lu nodded his head and said, "I don't want to use such a person." Confucius also said: "When selecting talents, we must first look at his character, and then his ability. If a person lacks benevolence, then such a person, the more capable he is, the greater the harm. Even like wolves, Yang Hu Isn't that the kind of person?" Ah, Yang Hu, as soon as Yang Hu was mentioned, Ji Kangzi gritted his teeth with hatred. This insidious and arrogant person almost let him usurp power. Duke Ai of Lu said: "In order to prevent people like Yang Hu from appearing again, when we employ people in the future, we should, as Confucius said, first choose virtue, and then talent, so as not to harm the country and the people." Ji Kangzi also said: "My lord is wise." Duke Ai of Lu said again: "Loves, from now on Confucius will be the elder of our country. Master is knowledgeable, talented, and highly respected. We should ask Confucius for advice when we have any questions." Confucius took a step forward, bowed and said, "Thank you for your trust, Kong Qiu will do his best for the country." From then on, Confucius no longer served as an official, but was often invited into the palace by Lu Aigong and Ji Kangzi as the elder of the country to consult politics. After that, several main disciples of Confucius were appointed by Ji Kangzi.Among them, Ran Qiu, Fan Chi, Ran Yong, and Zai Yu all served in Ji Xiangguo's mansion, and Zi Gong was appointed by Lu Jun as a diplomatic official. The shrewd and capable Ran Qiu has been appointed as the general manager by the Ji family. One evening, Zigong helped Confucius take a walk outside the door. Zigong asked, "Teacher, who is more talented, Zizhang or Zixia?" Confucius replied: "Master Zhuan Sun's words and deeds are a little too erroneous, and Bu Shang is too cautious in his work." Zigong said, "Oh, I see. The teacher said that Zizhang is more capable than Zixia, isn't it?" Confucius said seriously: "Zigong, you have heard wrong again. What I mean is that the two of them have gone too far." "So, teacher, what should be correct?" "It's too late." "Ah, too much is too much, that is to say, too much and too little are both biased. When I was in Weiguo, my teacher once criticized me for being too much for Wu Guo." "You still remember. It means that you have learned the way of the Bank of China." "Thank you, teacher." Just in time, Zizhang, Zixia, and Ziyou came face to face. "Teacher, brother." The three saluted Confucius and Zigong. Confucius said: "Just now, you are here too. Just now, Zigong asked me who is stronger between the two of you. I said, Master Zhuan Sun is too aggressive, and Bu Shang is too conservative. Both of you are too extreme." Zizhang hurriedly asked, "Then, teacher, how can we do it?" Confucius said: "The Tao is not as good as it is." Zixia Min realized: "The teacher is saying that both too much and too little go against the way of the middle school, right?" Confucius said with a smile: "Bu Shang, you have already realized it." Zizhang said: "I also understand, the teacher said that I have gone too far in everything." Confucius nodded and said: "So everything must be allowed and moderate." Zi Zhang then asked: "Teacher, what should I do to be a good official?" "Respect the five beauties, avoid the four evils. Only by doing this can you be considered a good official." "Then, teacher, what are the five beauties?" Zizhang asked again. Confucius said: "A gentleman is beneficial but not expensive, labors but not complaining, desires but not greedy, peaceful but not arrogant, powerful but not violent..." Confucius paused and continued, "That is to say, a good official must first Establish the official virtue of benefiting the people. The so-called benefiting the people means to benefit the people because of their interests, and to work when they can work.” "Teacher, what does it mean to choose what is available and work hard?" Ziyou asked. "It is necessary to reasonably arrange the labor of the people so that the people can work without complaining. For example, in winter, the labor of the people to repair water conservancy projects is during the slack period, so the people are willing to contribute." Ziyou said happily: "Teacher, if one day I go into politics, I must govern the country according to the teacher's teachings." "Okay, you are still young, you must have the hope of becoming an official." When the cool wind blew, Zigong hurriedly said, "Teacher, it's windy, let's go back to the house!" "Ok." So the masters and apprentices went to the school talking and laughing again.