Confucius worshipsThe young child is the teacher, because he answers how many stars there are in the sky
In the Spring and Autumn period of Ju, there was once a prodigy named Xiang Lu (Tuó), who was born and raised in Yuanjiazhuang. In this unremarkable little village, he showed extraordinary intelligence and talent.
One day, Wei, the daughter-in-law of the Xiang family, suddenly felt severe pain, and she was digging medicinal herbs with her neighbor's aunt and sister-in-law. In an emergency, the trio stopped.
Figure 1 depicts a heartwarming family scene in which Wei gives birth to a baby boy with the help of his aunt and sister-in-law. When Wei walked home with the crying baby and her sister-in-law, her husband, Xiang's father, happened to be anxiously looking for her on the mountain.
After Xiang's father took the child, he was ecstatic. He looked at the sleeping child and noticed that his forehead was high and raised, and his chin was round, with the characteristics of a square and full grid.
Because the weather becomes humid, the water molecules in the atmosphere gather together to form clouds, and when there are enough water molecules in the clouds, lightning is formed, and lightning and thunder occur at the same time, so there is the phenomenon of rain and thunder. ”
Father Xiang patiently explained. Xiang Lu listened to his father's explanation, his heart was full of curiosity and doubts, and he kept asking questions, trying to understand the mysteries of this world. Since then, Xiang Lu's curiosity has been surging like a summer thunderstorm, and he is always eager to know more and explore this mysterious world.
That's God's punishment for bad guys and monsters, so they don't dare to act rashly. "Strange, then why are there only bad guys and youkai in summer, and why don't you see thunder in winter? ”
Xiang Lu asked with a frown. Xiang's father was suddenly in a predicament, he hadn't read much books, and his understanding of things was very limited, so when his son asked him, he could only answer randomly.
The people around him couldn't answer Xiang Lu's question, but his habit of breaking the casserole and asking questions to the end didn't change at all. Perhaps it was the influence of this habit that Xiang Lu had his own understanding of all things.
Once, Xiang Lu's uncle came to visit his house. After dinner, the family began to chat, and when Xiang Lu's uncle inadvertently looked up and saw a sky full of stars, an idea came to mind.
Xiang Lu, guess how many stars there are in this sky? Xiang Lu's uncle pointed to the sky, expecting him to give a surprising answer. Unexpectedly, Xiang Lu immediately replied: "It's like there are as many people on the ground!" ”
Xiang Lu's uncle obviously didn't expect his nephew to be so witty, and he didn't come back to his senses for a while. However, Xiang Lu was not a person who was intimidated, and asked rhetorically: "Uncle, how many hairs do you have on your head?" ”
Xiang Lu's uncle replied with a smile: "You can count and know." Although the uncle did not criticize the child's naivety, is there really anyone who can count the hair one by one?
Not to mention being a child. Xiang Lu disagreed, and said seriously: "Then if you pull out all your hair, I can count it clearly." This made the family laugh out loud at his "informality".
The villagers had some dealings with Xiang Lu and spoke highly of this "witty" child. The news gradually spread, and Xiang Lu's reputation grew.
Yuanjiazhuang is the residence of Xiang Lu, located in front of Shenggong Mountain in the southwest of Lanshan District, which has beautiful scenery and superior geographical location, and there are three post roads passing through this place. Once, an official passed by here and heard about Xiang Lu's deeds, so he came to Xiang's house by the way.
The Xiang family is an ordinary peasant family, warm and simple, very enthusiastic about the guests who come from afar, not only put down the farm work in their hands, feed the horses of the official mission, but also enthusiastically prepare lunch for him.
The official unceremoniously demanded:"Choose rice or noodles as the main dish, and prepare 20 dishes. "Xiang's father was embarrassed and inconvenient, so he had to let his wife Wei do it.
After hearing this, Wei Shi was worried, they could enjoy such a sumptuous meal, where could there be enough ingredients in this small place. At this time, Xiang Lu returned from outside and saw his mother frowning, so he stepped forward to ask the reason.
Wei told him in detail what had just happened.
Figure 8: Xiang Lu fell into deep thought after hearing what had happened. Soon, he told Wei: "If you have a way, mother, you go and make a flatbread, prepare a plate of raw leeks and a plate of cooked leeks, and mix them with garlic and sauce." ”
Wei looked at Xiang Lu, puzzled. Xiang Lu sensed Wei's doubts, so he explained: "The sum of raw and cooked leeks is 18, plus garlic and sauce, a total of 20 kinds. ”
After hearing this, Wei understood what Xiang Lu meant, and began to do so. The official looked at the dishes served on the table, smiled for a while, and praised Xiang Lu very much. Seeing that the official was not angry, Xiang's father and his wife were relieved.
Xiang Lu is not only smart, but also used his wisdom to resolve the crisis of his family and left a good story. His wisdom is both innate, and it is also acquired and gradually accumulated in thinking and practice.
The open-minded and studious Confucius was the greatest thinker of ancient China and the founder of Confucianism, and his experience deserves everyone's learning and respect. Around 480 BC, Confucius began to establish private schools in the state of Lu, believing that more people should have the opportunity to learn and contribute his knowledge and wisdom.
The students under Confucius not only gained something academically, but also improved their moral cultivation. There is a rule in the country that if the countrymen see their compatriots enslaved overseas, as long as they can rescue their compatriots and restore their freedom, they can receive monetary compensation and rewards from the state after returning home.
Zigong, a student of Confucius, once rescued his compatriots from overseas, but this was not to receive money from the state, but out of pure kindness. Although he did not declare it to the state, his actions are undoubtedly a perfect interpretation of this regulation.
When Confucius learned of this, he immediately found Zigong and said earnestly: "Zigong, it is not wise for you to do this. The influence of the actions of the saints is far-reaching, it can affect the customs and habits of the people, and affect their outlook on life.
Such behavior is not only self-interested, but also altruistic. You see, the gap between the rich and the poor in Lu is so big, if you can accept the state's compensation, then there is nothing to lose for you.
Moreover, it will encourage more people to redeem their compatriots who have been trapped by foreign countries. You have to remember that every decision we make affects others. After hearing this, Zigong deeply felt Confucius's good intentions.
As Confucius's students grew, he not only taught with his heart, but also continued to learn and improve. His modesty and studious approach impressed people.
In 518 B.C., Confucius braved hardships and traveled thousands of miles to Luoyang with admiration and determination, just to ask Lao Tzu for advice. After several months of trials and hardships, I finally found Lao Tzu in the streets and alleys of Luoyang.
Confucius respectfully asked, "May I ask if you are Mr. Lao Dan?" Hearing Confucius's question, Lao Tzu frowned slightly, wondering in his heart: how did he recognize himself.
However, when he looked closely at Confucius and found the desire and determination in his eyes, he couldn't help but feel a stir in his heart. Lao Tzu smiled slightly and replied, "It turned out to be you, Kong Qiu."
When I heard that you were coming, I was waiting here. Although we are on a par in terms of academic research, I am also willing to communicate with you and make progress together. ”
Confucius modestly expressed: "Don't dare to be, learning is endless, the world is everywhere is a place of learning, follow the teacher, you will be able to expand more knowledge." He was deeply appreciated by Lao Tzu and agreed to follow him.
Lao Tzu often instructed him, so that Confucius could increase his knowledge as he wished. Around 496 B.C., Confucius heard that there was a musician named Shixiang in Weiguo, so he went to Weiguo to learn the song "Wenwang Cao" from Shixiang.
Under the careful teaching of his teacher, Confucius successfully played this piece in its entirety.
I'll practice again. After repeated practice, Confucius finally comprehended the artistic conception of this piece and reached the standard in his heart. Confucius studied with many highly respected and well-known teachers, such as Tan Zi and Chang Hong.
But in his life, there is also a seven-year-old prodigy Xiang Lu who makes him willing to bow down. So, what was it that made Confucius have such a deep affection for Xiang Lu that he was willing to kneel down and learn from him?
In 496 B.C., Confucius embarked on a lecture tour around the world. One day, he and ** went to a place to give a lecture in a carriage, and suddenly the carriage stopped, and he heard ** arguing with a child (Xiang Lu), so he opened the curtain and walked down.
Before Figure 14, Xiang Lu was piling up earth on the road to build a city, immersed in it and enjoying it, suddenly, an order was given to let him leave, Xiang Lu resolutely did not retreat, still standing proudly in place, showing no weakness.
This is my city, and you can't pass through it, so please take a detour. Xiang Lu retorted confidently. Confucius's ** didn't think so, they just wanted to hurry, and they didn't want to worry about children, so they angrily shouted at Xiang Lu: "You little ghost, don't mess around anymore, it's Confucius sitting in the car, hurry up and get out of the way, don't get in the way." ”
Xiang Lu was still unyielding, and said: "No matter who is inside, no matter who you are, you have to be reasonable." ”
Figure 15: "The prodigy is on top, and the old man is polite". When Confucius got out of the car, he smiled and bowed slightly to pay his respects to the prodigy. In his eyes, children deserve respect and respect even though they are young.
Why stand in our way? Confucius asked with courtesy, his tone full of respect and respect. After hearing this, Xiang Lu continued to ask: "Throughout the ages, chariots and horses will take a detour when they encounter a city, why do we want to let the chariot go?" ”
Confucius knew that this was an unreasonable request, but he still chose to let the ** people take a detour and leave. On the way, Confucius's **Zilu had been in a bad mood, and he happened to see a farmer working on the side of the road, who looked a little similar to the child he had met before.
So, he had a prank idea.
In Figure 16, Zilu stops and walks to the farmer working in the field and asks, "Do you know how many times a day the hoe in your hand rises?" The farmer was so confused by the sudden question that he didn't know how to answer it, and he was in an awkward position.
However, the child who achieved the goal smiled and was secretly happy. At this time, Xiang Lu came over and replied without fear: "My father hoes the ground day after day, and of course he knows the answer to this question.
I see that you always travel in horse-drawn carriages, so you must know how many times a day the horse's hooves are lifted, right? Now it's Zilu's turn to be speechless. Confucius became interested in the witty child in front of him, and he wanted to take this opportunity to test him, so he said to him: "I think you are very wise, why don't we test each other, and the losing side should take the winning side as a teacher?" ”
Figure 17 Xiang Lu has a resolute and fearless expression on his face: "We do what you say." Xiang Lu first asked, "Master, where is there no fish in the water?" Where is there no fire?
Where is the tree leafless? Where are the flowers without branches? Confucius looked embarrassed, and could only answer helplessly: "There are fish in the rivers, lakes and seas; Firewood and grass lamps and candles, where there is fire, there will be smoke; Where can there be trees without leaves, and how can flowers come from without branches? ”
Xiang Lu smiled slightly and responded: "Of course there are no fish in the well water, there is smoke in the fireflies, there are naturally no leaves in the dead trees, and there are naturally no branches in the snowflakes." When Confucius heard this, he was first surprised, and then felt that it made sense.
There are no stones in the earth mountain, no wheels in the car, no calf in the mud cow, no pony in the Trojan horse, no wife for the gods, no husband for the fairy, the wise for the gentleman, the ignorant for the villain, the lack in winter, the surplus in the summer, the market in the imperial city, and the villain without writing. ”
Hearing the answer, Confucius was deeply impressed, but he was not to be outdone and decided to challenge Xiang Lu.
Figure 19: Confucius asked about natural phenomena such as heaven and earth, yin and yang, left and right, parents and husbands, and wind and rain, clouds and mist.
Then, Confucius asked about the number of stars and the types of grains, and Xiang Lu was also confident, which made Confucius deeply admired. Conclusion: Confucius won the respect of the people with his humble and courteous attitude, and he was able to convince people with reason no matter who he faced, which was one of the reasons why he was highly respected.
Although he was already a well-known master, he was still willing to worship a child as a teacher, and this spirit is admirable.