Chapter 118 Three Character Classic and Hundred Family Surnames
I, Wu Min, will leave my name in history today.
Encouraged by Zhao Huan's gaze, Wu Min said, "I won't play tricks, lest you disbelieve me. I'll use the Analects as an example. Please take a look."
The people can be made to follow it, but they cannot be made to understand it.
This quote comes from the Analects of Confucius, Chapter 8, Taibo: "The Master said: 'The people can be made to follow our will, but they cannot be made to understand it.' This means that the people can only be made to act according to our will, but we cannot make them understand why they are doing so."
If the people can be led, follow them; if they cannot, make them understand.
Can the people be made to follow it? No. They can be made to understand it.
"Just because of the different punctuation, this sentence has three different meanings. If it falls into the hands of someone with ulterior motives, will they misinterpret Confucius's meaning?"
There was silence in the court for a while. Confucius is a Confucian classic and cannot be misinterpreted by others.
"So what should we do?" one minister asked Wu Min. "Even if this punctuation mark can make the meaning clear, it can't prevent those with ulterior motives from misinterpreting the Four Books and Five Classics."
"Now that you all understand the importance of punctuation, why not emphasize the Four Books and Five Classics? First, to prevent others from misunderstanding the ancient sages, and second, to restore their reputation. Wouldn't that be better?"
"Re-emphasize the Four Books and Five Classics?" As if he had grabbed a life-saving straw, Bai Shizhong's originally dim eyes lit up again.
"Yes, others can annotate, but not us?" Wu Min's eyes sparkled, and he thought to himself, hurry up and annotate the book. When you annotate the book, you must remember my kindness. I, Wu Min, am a pioneer.
"Your Majesty, Chinese characters are rich in meaning, and the Great Song has no fixed rules for punctuation. Therefore, incorrect punctuation often loses its original meaning. Therefore, I believe what Wu Min said is very reasonable."
The chief academic officer of the Imperial College suddenly stood up to support Wu Min. He was a descendant of the Kong family, and now he was only concerned about whether his ancestors' works would be tampered with. Naturally, he thought what Wu Min said made sense.
"Your Majesty, I agree with Wu Min's punctuation and sentence division."
Majili, the doctor of the Ministry of Justice, is an old scoundrel. He saved face in front of Zhao Huan by reporting and exposing others. Of course, this is also related to the fact that they themselves delivered the evidence to Majili.
"The method of punctuation also applies to administration. If a decree is issued with two meanings, the wealthy will definitely interpret it in the way that is most beneficial to them, and the people at the bottom will be exploited."
The matter was already very clear, so no one objected and it passed unanimously.
Zhao Huan also made the final decision, "Okay, in that case, let the Imperial College preside over the revision of the 'Four Books and Five Classics' Commentary'. At the same time, punctuation marks will be promoted. From now on, imperial edicts issued by the court and decrees issued to local governments must be separated by punctuation marks."
"As for memorials, the Hemensi must take responsibility for this matter. All memorials used in court must be checked in advance to ensure the format is correct. If not, they must be returned."
The tone had been set, and Wu Min was thrilled, convinced that his name was destined for history. Any mention of the Song Dynasty's revision of the Four Books and Five Classics would undoubtedly include the fact that an official named Wu Min pioneered the use of punctuation and sentence division, thus promoting the redefinition and annotation of the Four Books and Five Classics.
Excited Wu Min didn't retreat immediately, but said, "Punctuating sentences is actually quite fun."
It’s a rainy day, a day to keep guests, even if the sky wants to keep me, I won’t!
It's a rainy day, a day to keep guests, but won't the sky keep me? Keep me!
"Hurry up and step back. Stop showing off your little achievement. Frankly, it's nothing to brag about. This is just the beginning. Once the punctuation and sentence division methods are promoted nationwide, and can provide some help to those who want to study throughout the Song Dynasty, then it will be considered effective."
If anyone else dared to say this, Wu Min would definitely make him question his life, but this person happened to be Zhao Huan.
It was not because of the emperor's identity, but because this person was the first to propose punctuation marks. He was also just repeating others' ideas, so he didn't dare to be arrogant at all and obediently retreated to the team.
"Just now you mentioned the difficulty of studying. I understand this very well. I started studying the Analects at a young age, then the Rites of Zhou, the Great Learning, the Doctrine of the Mean, and so on. It was truly difficult. When I was little, I was often punished by Master Geng's ruler."
Zhao Huan paused, then continued, "It's too difficult, truly too difficult. Can't we just start with Normal difficulty? Why do we have to start with Hell difficulty?"
"So, during my years in the Eastern Palace, I have also consulted some of the great scholars of the time to see if they could compile a set of simple, easy-to-understand, unambiguous, and insightful reading materials to help children learn to read."
"Historically, enlightenment reading materials have been difficult to compile. They must be easy to understand and contain profound truths. The most basic books of this kind are The Analects of Confucius and The Book of Songs. It can't be simpler."
In response to the minister's question, Zhao Huan said calmly, "I actually managed to do it! Two interesting enlightenment books. I call them 'Three Character Classic' and 'Hundred Family Names'."
Man is born good. Natures are similar, but habits make them different.
If you do not teach, your nature will change. The way of teaching is to be focused.
In the past, Meng's mother chose her neighbors carefully. When her son refused to study, she broke her loom.
Dou Yanshan was a man of integrity. He taught his five sons, and all of them became famous.
If a child is not taught well, it is the fault of the father. If a child is not taught strictly, it is the laziness of the teacher.
If a child does not learn, it is not right. If a child does not learn when young, what will he do when he grows old?
If jade is not carved, it cannot become a useful object. If a person does not learn, he cannot understand righteousness.
As a son, when you are still young, you should be close to your teachers and friends and learn etiquette.
Xiang Jiuling, can warm the bed. Filial piety to parents, is what we should adhere to.
Learn when you are young, and act when you are strong. Serve the ruler above and benefit the people below.
Make a name for yourself and bring honor to your parents. Bring glory to those who came before you and bring prosperity to those who will come after you.
When a man leaves his son a fortune, he wins a fortune. When I teach my son, I only have the classics.
Diligence brings success, but idleness brings no benefit. Beware of this, and strive to do your best.
The cadence of the voice was slowly recited in the Chuigong Hall. A neutral minister spoke in support, very good!
"In terms of format, the three-character sentences are catchy and easy to read. Because of its popular, catchy, and memorable writing style, it is suitable as an enlightenment reading material for children. In terms of content, it draws on exemplary materials, including traditional Chinese culture, including literature, history, philosophy, astronomy and geography, human ethics, loyalty, filial piety, chastity, and righteousness. The core ideas include benevolence, righteousness, sincerity, respect, and filial piety."
"While reciting the Three Character Classic, I learned common sense, traditional Chinese culture, historical stories, and the principles of life and work embedded in these stories. This is truly a rare masterpiece. Your Majesty is truly a versatile talent. I wonder what else Your Majesty doesn't know?"
"Hahaha!" Zhao Huan laughed. "You're right. I don't know what I can't do."
"It's almost time. Let's call it a day for today. All relevant departments should implement their respective parts as soon as possible. Zhang Shuye, Zhong Shidao, and Li Guangshi, you will report to me in Yanhe Hall on the work of the Royal Support Army."
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