Chapter 357: You haven’t seen this flower, but this flower and your heart have died together. Look at this flower, the color of this flower becomes clear for a moment
How to debate knowledge with a world-famous Confucian?
Zhao Duan thought a lot before stepping into White Deer Academy. He didn't understand the ways of those literati, and he didn't need to understand.
It is a private meeting between several people. It does not need to be like a public speech. Considering the needs of the "audience", it is better to simply express your feelings.
This little poem was also one he came across while reading the story of "The Meeting at Goose Lake" in his previous life.
The original text of the second sentence is "The ancient sages have passed down only this mind." The general idea is that the mind of learning by heart has been passed down from generation to generation like knowledge from the ancient sages to this day.
But this understanding is not accurate, because in the theory of mind science, everyone has the heart of a saint.
According to Zhao Duan's own understanding, the so-called original mind and nature are more similar to the "nature" in later generations' spoken language.
Therefore, there is no difference between the heart of a saint and that of an ordinary person. The only difference is that the mind of an ordinary person is clouded by desire and is covered with dust.
Therefore, he took it upon himself to change the second sentence to "Ancient sages and modern people share this heart", which is more in line with the true meaning.
The meaning of the whole poem, translated, is probably:
People have known the heart of benevolence and admiration since childhood. Throughout the ages, both sages and mortals have had the same "heart". Only with the foundation of "heart" can we build a high-rise building of ethics. It has never been said that without a foundation, it will become a mountain. If you only "pay attention to the subtleties" and "pay attention to the subtleties", burrowing into piles of paper and wondering about the notes on this word and how to interpret that word, your original mind will be "stuck" and your life will sink. Today, we must cherish this discussion with each other. This is the real pleasure.
kindness……
This poem not only directly explains the true meaning of the mind as principle, but also criticizes the past orthodox learning of the Yu Dynasty, the habit of studying the chapters and verses of classics...
To Mr. Zhengyang's ears, it undoubtedly sounded provocative.
Lu Cheng had a faint expression of anger, but Song Juren did not dare to say a word.
As for Zhao Pan, the girl's face showed confusion as expected.
With her knowledge, there is no problem in reading and deciphering words, but if she goes deeper, she will not be able to understand it at all.
I don’t know how serious it is...
However, what happened next made Zhao Pan even more surprised.
After his brother recited a strange poem, the world-famous scholar in front of him started a serious discussion with Zhao Duan.
Yes.
discuss! An intellectual discussion!
It is not a one-sided lecture, but a discussion between the two sides, with back and forth, questions and answers...or...
debate.
debate? My brother debates knowledge with the great Confucians of the time?
No matter how you listen to it, it's all a tall tale.
Zhao Pan's autumn-like eyes showed surprise. She tried her best to listen, but she could only catch incomprehensible sentences such as "fragmented", "simple Kung Fu", "get rid of words and go straight to the root".
As for what it means specifically, I don’t quite understand.
She raised her head and looked at the two scholars opposite who were also standing watching the battle. She saw that Lu Cheng and Song Juren had gone from being unhappy and confused at the beginning to gradually sinking into their fierce arguments and becoming silent.
Occasionally, I can insert a few sentences in the beginning, but the rest is like being possessed, and I can only listen quietly.
Zhao Pan opened his mouth. In her eyes, the two people arguing seemed to be using their mouths to play a game of Go without any chess pieces.
Even though she, a pure layman, couldn't understand the beauty of it at all, she could make the best "chess player" in the world treat it so seriously, and she knew that what the elder brother said was extremely powerful knowledge.
But... why?
Zhao Pan couldn't understand, and when the girl came to her senses, it was unknown how much time had passed.
"That's unreasonable! Lord Zhao, your view of the investigation of things is too biased. As you said, the so-called investigation of things is to use a grid called 'heart' to frame what you see and judge what is right and wrong, good and evil? Is this the case? Understanding is too different from what the sages said!”
Zhengyang, wearing a square hat, a beautiful beard, and a Confucian robe and a cloak, slapped the table and stood up excitedly.
At this moment, he had completely dragged Zhao Duan into the pit of debate and got into trouble.
Moreover, after the two sides entered the debate topic and exchanged several rounds, Zhengyang had already realized that the words "the heart is reason, the unity of knowledge and action" were really written by the young man in front of him.
At the very least, the possibility of Dong Xuan sending him a message was close to zero.
Whether a person really understands a subject and understands it thoroughly... With Zhengyang's eyesight, you can naturally tell it after talking for a few words.
He was very sure, not to mention whether this so-called "Xin Xue" was established by Zhao Duan.
But at least, Zhao Duan really understands, so he can have a smooth fight with him.
Rather than a messenger human trumpet.
What shocked him even more was that as the debate progressed, the theory presented by the other party was so complete and comprehensive that it formed a self-consistent system...
If that's all, it's not enough to make him lose his composure.
The most terrible thing is that Zhengyang guarded the tomb in Yunfu for ten years and studied knowledge intensively. He already realized that the old doctrine of Dayu was wrong.
In my heart, I have already secretly sprouted the seeds of something similar to my Xin Xue, but it is far from clear.
This is also the reason why when Zhao Duan read his works in the Xiuwen Museum, he felt that "Neo-Confucianism is mixed with a little bit of psychological learning"!
Therefore, the more he debated, the more he was horrified to find that many of what the young man in front of him said echoed what he had learned over the years!
even……
During this debate, some of Zhao Duan's words made him feel suddenly enlightened!
In other words, Zhengyang is now equivalent to a master with a Neo-Confucian background. He gradually rebelled and developed some foundation in Xinxue, but he was still looking at the flowers in the fog.
At this time, he directly encountered Wang Yangming, who had achieved great success in his spiritual studies and had complete theories...
One can imagine the great impact it had on his heart.
If Zhao Duan used this theory to debate Dong Xuan, Dong Xuandu would not necessarily have such a big reaction, and would only think that the two people's theories had huge differences.
That's all.
But unfortunately, Zhao Duan was dealing with Zhengyang...
"Old sir, calm down. I think it's already late today. Why don't you go back and think about it first, sort out your thoughts, and we can discuss it tomorrow at this time?" Zhao Duan said with a smile.
He is controlling the tempo of the debate.
Realize that it is often better to pause for a moment than to argue it all out in one go.
"It's a deal!"
Zhengyang raised his head and saw that dusk had come. He took a deep breath, dropped these words, and walked out with his two disciples who were still a little dazed.
"Sir..." Lu Cheng and Song Juren looked at each other in confusion. The shock in their hearts had not dissipated. They stamped their feet and had no choice but to chase after him.
Watch the other person leave.
Zhao Duan rubbed his face, exhaled, and muttered:
"It doesn't seem to be as difficult as I thought."
"What?" The girl in a goose-yellow dress and green jacket said, her eyes filled with admiration and confusion, "Isn't this Zhengyang going to discuss knowledge with the Grand Master the day after tomorrow? Isn't he still willing to come out tomorrow?"
Zhao Duan smiled silently and did not answer. He just stood up and dragged the girl home, exhorting:
"Don't tell anyone what happened today."
…
The sun sets in the west, and the capital ushered in another night.
The atmosphere in the city's discussion on Hou Tian Meiyuan's theory has once again reached a new level. Countless people are looking forward to the showdown between the two great scholars of the time.
But almost no one knew that the debate had already started in the remote White Deer Academy in advance when people knew nothing about it.
A night of silence.
Another day, also the last day.
Grand Master Dong did not take a break. He still held a lecture in the Imperial College in the morning, grasping the last deadline.
At noon, when Dong Xuan, wrapped in a bachelor's robe and with frost-white temples, left the Imperial Academy and returned to the Xiuwen Hall, he was immediately surrounded by a group of bachelors.
"Master, this is the information you want..."
"Grand Master, Your Majesty has sent you supplements to replenish your energy and refresh your mind..."
"Grand Master..."
The bachelors spoke one after another, and everyone even put down their desk work. As a scholar, how can you not be nervous and apprehensive?
Dong Xuan sat in the main seat of the room, his face showing fatigue. He raised his hand to take the tea cup served by Han Congee, took a sip to moisten his dry throat, and then said slowly:
"How is the public sentiment in the city?"
Wang You, the son of the Minister of Rites, said: "It's okay. There are more people supporting you."
Dong Xuan glanced at him and sighed: "It's just more."
Everyone remained silent. They all understood that the location and people who occupied the capital were favorable, but they were unable to make the public opinion lopsided. This was a dangerous signal.
"That's all, how are the preparations for tomorrow's Meihui debate?" Grand Master Dong, who was used to big storms, asked in a deep voice.
The door to the room suddenly opened, and "Female Prime Minister" Mochou stepped in and said calmly:
"According to your Majesty's wishes, your Majesty, Duke Yuan, Prime Minister and other important ministers will not go there tomorrow. The Plum Garden is dominated by scholars."
Master Dong nodded and said, "Very good."
As for the imperial court, it lacks confidence in tomorrow's debate. As a result, the empress must lower the standard and impact of this matter.
As long as the top figures in the imperial court do not attend, the impact of this matter can be greatly reduced.
However, it is conceivable that although the Empress and others will not go there in person, they will definitely pay close attention to the news at the venue.
"Stop being so sullen and lifeless, as if you are expecting me to lose." Master Dong looked around at the crowd and smiled, "By the way, Zhao Duan didn't come here today?"
This is going off topic.
Zhao Duan must come to the Xiuwen Museum once a day these days.
"Not yet today, maybe I'll be back later." Han Zhou forced a smile.
Master Dong laughed and scolded:
"In the past few lively events, this kid has come out to steal the spotlight. This time he has finally faded away. If he comes over, I would like to talk to him and give him the opportunity to play tomorrow to see if he wants it."
Everyone couldn't help but laugh, knowing that the Grand Master was joking to relieve the heavy atmosphere.
"It's a pity that if Academician Zhao really devoted himself to studying since he was a child, with his intelligence, he might actually be able to find a new way and tinker with something new." Someone said.
"In my opinion, Scholar Zhao is more likely to choose something simple and crude, such as sending someone to beat up Zhengyang so that he won't be able to come tomorrow."
"Haha... It's really something that Bachelor Zhao can do."
For a moment, the room was filled with happy air.
Mochou was also amused, but turned to look at the late autumn sky outside the house, remembering that day, Zhao Duan looked through the Zhengyang books carefully, looking distracted.
I couldn't help but have weird thoughts:
"Does he really have no idea at all? Letting a great opportunity to please His Majesty slip away? What is he doing now? He's not really going to beat up Zhengyang..."
…
…
White Deer Academy.
Under the towering ancient trees, there are yellow leaves.
The second half of the debate unfolded quietly without anyone knowing.
This time, the three people watching the battle were still the same three from yesterday. Zhao Pan didn't understand, but he insisted on coming to build momentum for his brother.
The moods of Lu Cheng and Song Juren were obviously different from yesterday.
——Last night, Mr. stayed up almost all night again.
As the night passed, Zhengyang became even more haggard, but he also sorted out his theories and started arguing with Zhao Duan again.
It's a pity that Zhao Duan defeated all the counterarguments he had thought up overnight not long after he threw them out.
Thanks to his work as a great secret in his previous life, his writing and eloquence are quite good.
In particular, he has mastered the theory that Wang Yangming has honed to perfection with his whole life's efforts. To deal with Zhengyang, it can be said that he has no moral ethics.
Zhengyang's attitude today also made Zhao Duan feel a little strange.
If we talk about the first half of yesterday, Zhengyang stood from the standpoint of a Neo-Confucianist, fiercely defending Zhengxue and refuting Xinxue.
Today, the strength of his retorts dropped, but instead he asked more questions.
This resulted in the whole second half being less tense, especially in the eyes of Lu and Song. Their mentor raised questions again and again, and Zhao Duan talked about them and solved them like a cook.
There is a kind of...
Ask for a sense of déjà vu!
Yes, please advise!
Just like in the past, the scene where these disciples had doubts and asked their teacher for advice happened here.
The person who asked for advice was replaced by Zhengyang, and the "teacher" who solved the doubts became Zhao Duan.
What a weird scene this is?
A great Confucian of the time, a Confucian sage of the next generation, almost gave up on defense, and instead asked for advice again and again from one of the imperial minions and military officials.
Unbelievable!
But after listening to Zhengyang's debate, Lu and Song felt that it was "natural". If we exclude Zhao Duan's too young age and too infamous reputation.
From a purely academic point of view, although I don't want to admit it, I have to say that it is enough to rank among the best in the world.
"...Old sir, to sum up the above, if I want to make a summary, it is this sentence: 'There is no good and no disgusting body, there are good and evil actions. Knowing good and evil is conscience, and doing good and eliminating evil is observing things. '
Zhao Duan finished with a smile and said calmly:
"The psychology I mentioned, or the new science, is basically this. What else do you want to ask?"
Mr. Zhengyang sat across from the stone table, seeming to be deep in thought. The autumn wind blew by, his long gray beard fluttered, and the big cloak on his body also trembled.
He thought for a long time, finally raised his head and said slowly: "I have one last question."
"You said."
Mr. Zhengyang suddenly raised his hand and pointed to the courtyard, under the towering ancient trees, and in a stone courtyard wall not far away, a bunch of flower trees rooted in the wall.
Most of the unknown flower trees have already withered away, leaving only a few leaves and curled flowers hanging.
Zhengyang said: "There is nothing in the world outside of my heart. How can such flowers and trees bloom and fall on their own in the deep courtyard, and what does it have to do with my heart?"
Zhao Duan stood up slowly, adjusted his robes, looked down at the old Confucian scholar sitting opposite, and said calmly:
"When you don't look at this flower, this flower and your heart are silent together. When you look at this flower, the color of this flower becomes clear for a moment, and you know that this flower is not outside your heart."
Zhengyang was startled.
Lu and Song behind them were also looking at the flowers and trees in the cracked wall, and they were suddenly lost.
When the three masters and disciples came to their senses, they found that the Zhao Duan brothers and sisters had left.
Go softly, just as you come softly.
"Sir, is he leaving now? No agreement to argue tomorrow?" Song Juren couldn't help but ask.
Senior brother Lu Cheng glanced at his much older junior brother and said helplessly:
"Tomorrow is the meeting in the Plum Garden. Sir, I want to discuss studies with Dong Xuan, so naturally I won't make another appointment."
He turned to look at the dazed Confucian saint who was still sitting on the stone bench, staring at the few dead leaves piled on the table, and said softly:
"Sir? It's getting late. We should go back. You can't stay up late tonight. You have to have a good rest, otherwise you won't be energetic tomorrow."
Mr. Zhengyang didn't speak, he just sat, with the words Zhao Duan said echoing in his mind.
There was no expression on his face, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking. Only the unusual calmness on his face seemed to be brewing something extraordinary.
"Go back." After a long time, Mr. Zhengyang stood up slowly and said calmly.
Then he stepped outside.
The two disciples followed behind and looked at each other, both aware of the huge change in their master's state of mind.
"Senior brother, what do you think is going on, sir?" Song Juren couldn't hold it back and asked in a low voice.
Lu Cheng, who was younger but more knowledgeable and magnanimous, was silent for a moment, shook his head with a complicated expression, and said softly:
"I'm just worried that Mr. Zhao Duan's heart has been corrupted. That's all, let's wait until tomorrow. We should see the outcome then."
…
That night, Zhengyang returned to the inn. The lights in the room stayed on until midnight before he went to sleep.
Lu Cheng and Song Juren tossed and turned and couldn't fall asleep all night.
Keeping your eyes open, you wait until the rooster crows and the sky becomes bright.
The day of discussion has finally arrived.
…
Zhao family.
Zhao Duan slept very well and peacefully last night, and he woke up full of energy in the morning.
After having dinner with his aunt and sister, he did not wear official robes, but changed into splendid clothes. He walked out, took "Xiao Wang's" carriage, and rushed towards Plum Garden.
Zhao Panben was clamoring to join, but Zhao Duan stopped him:
"Today's academic discussion in Meiyuan is not an official occasion, but it is not a place for entertainment and banquets. It is not suitable to bring family members there."
The girl stayed at home with a disappointed look on her face.
Plum Garden is located on the edge of the Hun River. It is a garden popular among literati and is also the venue for the largest poetry gathering in the city every year.
Today, when Zhao Duan approached the Plum Garden, he found that many scholars had gathered outside, all coming to join in the fun, and the atmosphere was extremely restless.
However, those who can enter the Plum Garden have status and can get an "invitation letter", so no matter how many people are paying attention in the city, they can only wait for the result.
"Master Zhao, are you here too?"
When Zhao Duan got off the carriage, he saw Da Bingtuozi folding his arms and looking at him teasingly.
"Hey, Mo Zhaorong has just arrived? The two of us are really destined. We have met by chance several times, right?" Zhao Duan joked.
Mochou sneered and said, "Who is destined to you? I am waiting here for you on purpose."
Zhao Duan was flattered: "Did your Majesty have any orders?"
Mochou rolled her eyes, walked into the garden with him, and said:
"Your Majesty didn't give orders, so I just want to make sure that you're not doing anything secretly, right? For example, you're plotting against Zhengyang or something? Or are you using some other means to intimidate the plotter?"
Zhao Duan shouted that he was wronged:
"Is this the image I have in your mind? If Zhengyang was a small person, I might still touch him, but with this person's reputation, how could I touch him? To cause trouble for His Majesty?"
"..." Mochou replied with a chuckle, "It's good to know."
As he said this, there was some disappointment in his eyes.
——
A 5,000-word chapter, typos will be corrected first and then
(End of chapter)