Chapter 22 The Core Ideas of Confucianism
Confucius said: "Reviewing the old helps one to learn the new..."
"It is possible that Chen Fu over-interpreted the Analects and fell into a state of prejudice."
The true meaning of "Without learning etiquette, one cannot stand" is...
"Politeness brings peace, while impoliteness brings danger. Politeness is a fundamental aspect of culture. One must first be a good person before doing anything else. Only by treating others with politeness can one persuade them with reason. Etiquette is a virtue that has been passed down from ancient times to the present, with a long and rich history..."
Kong Yingda explained slowly and deliberately, as if afraid that Wei Shuyu would not understand, so he tried to be as tactful as possible.
"The old man's words are always so pleasant to hear," Wei Shuyu replied with a smile.
"It's just stating the facts," Kong Yingda said calmly.
"How could that one sentence be over-interpreted?"
"Why force people to figure it out on their own when it could be expressed simply and clearly?" Wei Shuyu posed another question.
Upon hearing this, everyone in the room looked on with a puzzled expression.
Kong Yingda frowned, but still answered truthfully: "The words of a sage are concise and to the point; how much one can truly understand depends entirely on oneself..."
"Take this paper for example. In our eyes, it can be used for writing and drawing, but in the eyes of farmers, it is not even worth a few grains of wheat..."
"Different perspectives lead to different attitudes towards things."
"The same applies to understanding the words of sages. If you haven't learned the knowledge properly, you can only see some superficial things."
As Kong Yingda recounted his story, everyone wore an expression of sudden realization.
Such opportunities to hear the teachings of a great Confucian scholar of our time are few and far between.
In just a short while, they had a sudden realization.
"Truly worthy of being a descendant of Confucius," Wei Shuyu exclaimed.
Kong Yingda's remarks left even him speechless.
"Then is it that Chen Fu's knowledge is inadequate? Otherwise, how could he utter such absurd words?" Wei Shuyu raised an eyebrow and asked.
Kong Yingda's brows furrowed even more deeply.
Chen Fu's Confucianism is beyond question; otherwise, he wouldn't have valued it so highly.
It's just that Wei Shuyu wouldn't let it go because of a slip of the tongue.
"As I just said, Chen Fu has over-interpreted the Analects and fallen into prejudice. His knowledge of Confucianism is still quite good." Kong Yingda insisted on his opinion and wanted to protect Chen Fu.
“Old man, you’re wrong about that.” Wei Shuyu, tired of standing, plopped down on the table. “Even if I don’t admire Confucianism, I know that the core of Confucian thought is benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, trustworthiness, courage, sincerity, forgiveness, loyalty, filial piety, and brotherly love…”
Kong Yingda's pupils contracted sharply, as if he had realized something.
His slightly aged face shifted repeatedly, finally settling into a long sigh: "I was wrong."
With the news of Kong Yingda's arrival spreading, a large number of Confucian scholars have gathered in the school.
Upon hearing Kong Yingda's words, they were immediately horrified!
This is the second time Kong Yingda has admitted his mistake!
"Master Kong, why is that?" a scholar asked, puzzled.
"Confucianism means: governing with virtue, self-discipline and restoration of propriety, education for all, teaching according to aptitude, and the people being more important than the ruler..." Kong Yingda answered truthfully.
"Not bad!" Wei Shuyu snapped his fingers.
"Governing with virtue means governing the people with morality. Chen Fu doesn't even know if the people know etiquette, so how can he talk about governing with virtue!"
"Self-discipline and adherence to propriety, restraint of one's speech. Chen Fu's remarks were inappropriate and completely contrary to this principle."
"Education should be provided to all without discrimination, and teaching should be tailored to individual needs. These two principles are about teaching people. Chen Fu hasn't even mastered them himself, so how can he teach others?"
"The people are more important than the ruler. Chen Fu compared those who do not know propriety to beasts. In his mind, the Analects are above the people!"
"I dare ask you all a question: let's not even talk about a mere copy of the Analects!"
"Even if Confucius were here in person, how could he dare to say that he is above the people?"
"The most important function of Confucius in compiling the Analects was to educate and enlighten people!"
"But Chen Fu's placing the Analects above all people has already gone against Confucius's original intention!"
"What else could this be but someone who's become stupid from reading too much?"
Wei Shuyu spoke eloquently.
His small body left these Confucian scholars, who had studied Confucianism their whole lives, speechless.
Ultimately, it was Chen Fu's incompetence that allowed Wei Shuyu to find fault with him.
The way everyone looked at Chen Fu immediately was as if they wanted to kill him.
"Alright." Kong Yingda waved his hand: "It was my fault for misjudging people."
Even he himself did not expect that he would be lectured by an eleven-year-old boy this time.
What's most upsetting is that it left him speechless.
"Master Kong..."
Chen Fu clung to Kong Yingda's leg, tears streaming down his face.
For a Confucian scholar to act in such a way in front of everyone, he will have no future in the Confucian community.
"Chen Fu, it's never too late to correct your mistakes." Kong Yingda sighed, "If this matter really reaches His Majesty, you will surely die!"
He knew Li Shimin's character well; he was a monarch who put the people first.
This matter indirectly involved Wei Zheng...
Wei Zheng's principle was that water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it; similarly, he put the people first!
Let alone Chen Fu, even Kong Yingda himself couldn't guarantee that he could withstand the combined attack of these two.
"I……"
Chen Fu's eyes revealed his unwillingness.
But for the sake of his life, he lowered his head.
Standing up, Chen Fu bowed to Wei Shuyu and said, "Young Master Wei, I was wrong."
Wei Shuyu ignored him and instead looked at Kong Yingda.
"Old man, how about it? Do I still need to bow?"
Wei Shuyu held his head high, looking like he had just won a fight against a rooster.
"You brat."
Kong Yingda stepped forward and whispered in Wei Shuyu's ear, "Do you know why I've come today?"
"What's it to me!" Wei Shuyu rolled his eyes.
“Your father was worried that you would fail in both the arts and sciences, so he specifically asked me to teach you the arts,” Kong Yingda said with a wry smile.
Shrimp?
Wei Shuyu stared blankly at Kong Yingda.
After all that, it turns out this old man is an ally.
"This humble one, Wei Shuyu, greets Director Kong." Wei Shuyu coughed lightly and quickly bowed respectfully.
"So you're willing to back down now?" Kong Yingda said irritably.
“I’ve always been soft-hearted.” Wei Shuyu turned to the middle-aged scholar: “If you don’t believe me, ask the master. He slapped my palm more than a dozen times today, and I didn’t dare to utter a single word.”
The middle-aged Confucian scholar's heart pounded.
He witnessed Wei Shuyu's cruelty...
This caused Chen Fu to lose his reputation and forced Confucius to admit his mistakes twice.
Who in the entire Tang Dynasty could do that?
He not only punished Wei Shuyu, but also slapped Wei Shuyu's palm...
It's just a swollen eye socket now, how lucky is that.
"How do you plan to handle Chen Fu's matter?" Kong Yingda asked in a low voice.
"Uncle Kong can decide for me." Wei Shuyu obediently listened.
He knew that Kong Yingda wanted to downplay the issue and make it disappear.
If word gets out today, Chen Fu's downfall is a minor matter, but the blow to Confucianism will be enormous.
Because of Chen Fu's misinterpretation, the saying "Without learning etiquette, one cannot stand" was transformed into a statement cursing the common people as beasts.
How about we try to think about it from a different perspective?
Wouldn't that turn it into the Analects being used to insult the common people?
If things go wrong, it could affect the status of his Confucian faction in the Tang Dynasty.
"Wei Zheng even asked me to teach you. Do you think you, a sly little thing like you, need me to teach you?"
Kong Yingda chuckled and cursed, then turned to look at Chen Fu...
"Our ancestors traveled to various states, spreading moral ideals and experiencing the hardships of ordinary people, which led to the Confucianism we know today..."
"Chen Fu, perhaps you have enough knowledge, but your vision is insufficient. Go and experience life among the common people first, and then combine it with the knowledge you have learned to truly understand it."
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