Chapter 338: Lanting Elegant Gathering 4
Seeing Master Wang mocking Master Du with harsh words again and again, even the servants behind him couldn't stand it anymore, let alone the young men present.
Master Du had been teaching them since they started school. They had already developed a strong bond with him. They simply couldn't stand someone bullying him like this.
Gu Yuhe's ears were as red as ripe cherries, and his knuckles were white from twisting his fingers. He was about to charge forward like a lit firecracker, but his second brother behind him grabbed him tightly by the collar.
The collar of the uniform he had just put on today was almost torn into a hole, which showed how much effort Gu Yuchuan had to use to hold the man back.
Zhang Chuyan, standing in the front row, saw his eyelashes trembling violently, his pupils ablaze with twinkling flames. His fingers, hidden beneath his wide sleeves, had already dug deep into his palms, his knuckles white from the pressure. "Master Wang, I'm afraid your words are quite biased. Master Du taught us to read, learn etiquette, and distinguish right from wrong. Her knowledge is unquestionable. I believe you should apologize to him."
"Apologize! Apologize to Master Du!" Twenty or so young men in blue shirts shouted in unison.
Master Wang's goatee trembled with anger, like dry grass swaying in the autumn wind. "Apologize? Apologize to Dupiev? I want to ask you, was I wrong? Can you possibly answer this question?"
Zhang Chuyan took a fearless step forward, his moon-white toes gently scraping the newly grown moss in the cracks of the rocks. He tilted his head back and looked directly into Master Wang's eyes. "What if I can answer that?"
"If you can truly answer, I'll take back everything I said, no harm done!" Master Wang slammed his fan against the stone table, making a resounding thud. "But if you can't answer, you must kowtow to me and shout three times: Du Jiangtong is inferior to Wang Fengzhi!"
The wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were filled with the certainty of victory.
This question was originally a trump card prepared for students who were about to take part in the county examination. Last year, only a few students in the school could barely answer it roughly. How could this boy who looked so green behind the ears know the deep meaning of it?
"Okay! It's a deal!" Zhang Chuyan's voice was clear and firm, and it hit the screen wall, startling the swallows nesting between the beams and making them fly up.
Song Qiquan stood aside, his collar already soaked with cold sweat from nervousness, becoming a little damp.
"It's the first banquet! Don't be reckless!" Song Qiquan was a little anxious.
He never imagined that the situation would turn out like this today. But it was just a small entrance examination. Wasn't this kind of thing just a formality in the past?
Master Wang is not such an unreasonable person on normal days, but why is he making things so difficult for them today?
He looked at Du Fuzhi. Could there be some deep hatred between the two of them?
"Master, don't worry, I know my limits!"
Zhang Chuyan looked at the crowd soothingly, then took two steps forward. His voice suddenly rose, like a sharp sword unsheathed, piercing the stagnant air. "'Devotion to learning' comes from the Analects of Confucius, on politics, and is the starting point of Confucius's self-described life. The 'learning' here doesn't refer to the accumulation of knowledge in general, but specifically to the study of Confucian core ethics and the principles of governance. This can be analyzed from three perspectives: From the perspective of academic direction, we can see that it aims to clarify human relations and restore the Zhou rituals..."
He became more and more engaged as he spoke, his voice resounding and powerful, echoing on the platform and spreading to the surroundings.
Because they had been delayed here for a long time, teachers and students from several schools had already gathered behind them.
"Which school does this child attend? He's so knowledgeable at such a young age. He's a true genius!"
"He looks unfamiliar, but the person in the front seems to be Du Jiangtong, Master Du? Could this child be from Wutong Academy?"
"Wutong Academy? No wonder. It's the best academy in Juzhou besides the prefectural school. It's no wonder that it can accept such a student!"
"But didn't I hear that Master Du angered the headmaster of Wutong Academy and was banished to a remote mountain village to teach?"
"Oh? Could it be that the children he brought today are from the village school?"
…
The discussions not far away did not affect Zhang Chuyan at all.
"'Devotion to learning' and 'the pursuit of knowledge through investigation of things' together constitute the 'essence' and 'use' of Confucian learning. The former is the establishment of value aspirations, while the latter is the development of cognitive practice. Both run through the complete path of 'cultivating oneself and bringing peace to the world.' From Confucius' life-conscious determination to 'devote oneself to learning' to the methodological construction of 'the pursuit of knowledge through investigation of things' in The Great Learning, Confucianism has always emphasized the dialectical unity of moral ideals and cognitive practice. This wisdom is of key significance to understanding the spiritual core of traditional Chinese scholarship."
At the end, Zhang Chuyan even gave a summary.
"Good! Well said!" The students watching around cheered and applauded in unison.
Some people even tore off pages from the book and used them as draft paper, quickly memorizing Zhang Chuyan's profound conclusion that "substance and function complement each other."
Everyone present could see that Zhang Chuyan's answer was perfect.
So when he walked towards Master Wang, everyone was waiting for Master Wang to apologize to Master Du.
Mr. Du had even started straightening his clothes. After all, an apology was necessary, so it had to be done with dignity.
But at this moment, a scholar suddenly squeezed out of the crowd and asked in a hoarse voice: "Young Master, I have a question, can I ask you?"
"Excuse me." Zhang Chuyan originally wanted to slap Master Wang in the face, so naturally he would not refuse other people's questions.
Being able to answer this question can be considered luck, but since a stranger asked the question on the spot, it can't be said that he was lucky, right?
The man, not expecting a reply, excitedly stepped forward. "I am Luo Feng, a student at Nanling Academy. I would like to ask this student: Mencius and Xunzi have different understandings of "learning." One emphasizes "seeking peace of mind," the other "uncovering obstacles." Do these two approaches influence the method of "investigating things to gain knowledge"? For example, when exploring the "principles of things," do they prioritize introspection or externalization?"
This question is like a stone thrown into a deep pool, causing ripples.
The students who could come here today were carefully selected from various schools and academies. Regardless of their academic level, they were all generally smart.
Upon hearing this question, most people start thinking about it reflexively.
Some people, however, looked at the scholar who asked the question with strange eyes. They wondered if this person was sent by someone to embarrass the young master.
Asking a child such a profound question is a bit...
However, Zhang Chuyan laughed out loud and took a half step forward. "Mencius's 'seeking peace of mind': a path to the study of things centered on introspection. Xunzi's 'removing the veil': a path to the study of things based on external inquiry. Their differing understandings of 'learning' will indeed have a profound impact on the methodology of 'the study of things to gain knowledge,' so we must analyze each from the perspective of their philosophical foundations, practical approaches, and the specific directions of 'the study of things'..."
More and more people gathered around and asked questions.
Things seemed to have gotten a little out of control, and it had turned from a simple entry test into a speech by Zhang Chuyan alone.
Some people disliked Zhang Chuyan's short stature, as it disturbed their ability to listen to the lecture, so they simply carried him up to the table in front and made him stand.
Well, this is much better. You can tell who is giving the speech at a glance.
As for the things on the table? It was just a teacup and a kettle. The tactful servant had already put them away.
Now only Master Wang and the other two were left staring blankly at Zhang Chuyan's butt.
Is this right? Is this right?
Isn't this right?
Listen to this! Is this something a child of only eight or nine could say? Where on earth did he learn all this? Where did he get such profound literary skills?
Just when Master Wang was at a loss for words, Master Li slapped his thigh. "I finally remembered who he was!"
"who?"
"That tall guy who just answered the question. Wasn't he the one who took first place in the Annan County exam this year? His essay was even praised by the prefect. Don't you remember?"
Don't remember? How could he not remember? Because not only did the prefect praise him, he also praised him!
When the county examination results are announced, the test papers of the top five students will be posted.
As teachers of the school, they naturally pay attention to the answer sheets and scores of the top students in each area every year.
So the next day after the results were released, a copy of Gu Yuchuan's test paper appeared on the desks of the prefect and many scholars.
At that time, Master Wang was looking at the test paper and praising him with the most gorgeous words for his talent as a prime minister.
I didn’t expect that he would be such a tall and silly looking guy!
this……
Master Wang secretly looked at Gu Yuchuan and found that he was concentrating on looking at Zhang Chuyan who was standing on the table, with an appreciation of his own creation in his eyes.
Could it be...
Master Wang was unwilling to think too deeply about it.
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