Chapter 282 Four Sentences from Hengqu
"You say." Sang Xingjia was a little surprised. In fact, Sang Yu's words of guidance to him before were already convincing enough. He didn't expect there was something else. But it didn't hurt to listen.
Sang Yu first glanced at Sang Xingjia to make sure he was seated firmly before slowly speaking, "Establish a mind for heaven and earth, establish a destiny for the people, carry on the lost knowledge of the past sages, and bring peace to the world for all eternity."
Sang Xingjia, who had not taken it seriously at first, suddenly stood up when he heard the first two sentences. After hearing the complete four sentences, his face turned red.
"Little sister, which book did you see this in?" Sang Xingjia's face flushed and he was extremely excited.
These four short sentences, concise and comprehensive, summarize the thoughts of the ancient sages. They are more suitable to be called the highest ideal of scholars than simply cultivating oneself, managing the family, governing the country and pacifying the world.
The person who could write these four sentences not only had a huge amount of reading in classics, history, and literature, but was also a famous scholar with extraordinary talent and learning.
I must read his book carefully.
Sang Yu was startled by his actions, as she had expected him to be excited but had never expected him to be so excited.
Before my heart could calm down, I was faced with his follow-up questions, and I couldn't help but feel nervous.
"It's just a very ordinary book. I can't even remember the title. Maybe it was just something some frustrated person wrote down while writing a storybook."
She had already thought of the reason. She herself was definitely not able to bear the responsibility of these four famous quotes that have been passed down through the ages, so she put it all on those miscellaneous books. Anyway, Sang Xingjia would definitely not remember what books he had bought for her.
Believing her words, Sang Xingjia sighed deeply, "Alas! Someone who can write such words is unsuccessful. What a waste of talent!"
Sang Yu was afraid that he would say next that since even such people did not enter the official career, there was no need for her to pursue a career in officialdom, so she hurried to persuade him.
"Brother, everyone has their own aspirations. Perhaps he has great ambitions to emulate the ancient sages like Confucius and teach the world, rather than aiming for the imperial court. Otherwise, how could I have seen such words in miscellaneous books?"
What she said made a lot of sense. Sang Xingjia nodded slightly, "My little sister, you are right. Perhaps this gentleman is indifferent to fame and fortune and is devoted to educating people."
Seeing that he had no suspicion, Sang Yu breathed a sigh of relief. She was really afraid that Sang Xingjia would continue to ask questions.
Her understanding of the Four Sentences of Hengqu was superficial, and she knew only a few details about the life and achievements of the author Zhang Zai. To be more specific, she really couldn't say anything.
Sang Xingjia repeated these four sentences over and over again. The more he thought about them, the more he felt that they made sense and were worth pondering over word by word. Gradually, he became absorbed in them.
“…”
Sang Yu, who was about to say something to change the subject, was speechless.
Hey, you're already lost in your own thoughts? There's a real person standing next to you.
But she also knew the impact these four sentences would have on a scholar, so she opened her mouth to say something but ended up just gently tugging at his sleeve.
When Sang Xingjia came to his senses, she advised: "It's getting late. You have to meet your brother's teacher tomorrow. Go and get some rest first."
After she reminded him, Sang Xingjia finally remembered the important matter. He nodded quickly, told her to go to bed quickly, and packed up the papers on the table and went back to his room.
After washing up, Sang Xingjia tossed and turned in bed, thinking about those four sentences all the time, and couldn't fall asleep.
After turning over again, he simply stood up, lit the oil lamp by the bed, and took it to the desk. He skillfully sharpened his brush and began to write on the spread-out paper.
"Establish a mind for heaven and earth..."
He knew Master Chai's knowledge, and perhaps tomorrow he could ask him about the profound meaning contained in these four sentences.
There was no conversation that night, and the next morning the family tacitly agreed to sleep in a little longer.
As the temperature gradually drops, the warm bed seems to cast some kind of magic, making people reluctant to leave.
Fortunately, there was nothing to do today. Sang Yu had greeted Liu Mao yesterday and asked those people to take a day off and not go to Pearl Drink.
After taking a nap, Sang Yu got up leisurely. The breakfast in the pot was still warming over a low fire and tasted just right.
Sang Yongjing, who was chopping firewood in the open space in the yard, saw her enter the kitchen and quickly winked at Sang Xingjia. This time it was Sang Xingjia's turn to be confused.
It was really difficult for him to understand what his father wanted to express from his lively eyebrows and fierce facial features, but he could guess.
Sang Xingjia walked up to him and lowered his voice: "Dad, let's talk about this later. Being too proactive will make you look guilty."
"Then you should seize the opportunity and take your little sister with you. We should go and come back quickly so that we won't be caught off guard."
Sang Yongjing was definitely the most nervous and anxious person who was afraid of being exposed. Sang Xingjia was still kept in the dark and knew nothing. As the insider, he was extremely anxious.
"Don't worry about me, Dad." Sang Xingjia patted his chest and agreed, not knowing what he was nervous about.
After finishing a late breakfast, Sang Yu checked the condition of the seedlings in the greenhouse before looking at Sang Xingjia.
"Brother, we should go visit your teacher today. Is now a good time?"
"It's suitable. I told the teacher in advance that we will go there in the morning." Sang Xingjia was calm and composed.
Actually, this time they went there to visit their brother's teacher, so they couldn't leave empty-handed. Sang Yu asked Sang Xingjia to go to the market to buy some vegetables and food, and the three of them crossed the river to Chai's house.
Que'er had been waiting at the door long ago, and when she saw Sang Yu from afar, she was about to wave and say hello. Fortunately, she remembered in time that she shouldn't be so enthusiastic towards her, so she stopped herself.
"Miss Que'er, it turns out that my brother's teacher is Master Chai!" When Sang Yu came closer, he pretended to be surprised.
If she hadn't seen her discuss everything with her father yesterday, Que'er would have thought that this was the first time she knew about this.
"Daddy is teaching in the study. Please follow me first." Que'er suppressed her smile and led the three people inside.
All three of them knew the location of the study. After all, Chai Yuanwei had dug a pit right opposite the study yesterday.
Before I even got close, I could hear the clear sound of children reading.
"Man is born good. Natures are similar, but habits make them different..."
What he was reading was the "Three Character Classic" which is used for children's enlightenment.
Que'er did not lead the three people directly to the study, but led them to the pavilion in the backyard.
"Please wait a moment, I will go and get my father to come over."
Although Chai Yuanwei intended to accept Sang Xingjia as his disciple, he still had to test him.
This matter cannot be discussed in front of so many children. The study contains many classics and manuscripts and is not suitable for receiving guests. This pavilion is more suitable.
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