Chapter 357: You haven't seen this flower, and it and your heart are both in silence. You see t
Chapter 357: You haven't seen this flower, and it and your heart are both in silence. You see this flower, and its color becomes clear.
How to debate academic issues with world-famous scholars?
Zhao Duan thought a lot before stepping into Bailu Academy. He didn't understand the ways of those literati, nor did he need to understand.
After all, it's just a private meeting between a few people. There's no need to consider the needs of the "audience" like in a public speech, so it's better to just speak your mind.
This short poem was also one he had seen when he was reading the story of "The Meeting at Ehu Lake" in his previous life.
The original text of the second sentence is "The ancient sages passed down only this heart", which means that the heart of mind learning has been passed down from ancient sages like knowledge, from generation to generation to this day.
But this understanding is not accurate, because in the theory of psychology, everyone has the heart of a sage.
The so-called original heart and nature, according to Zhao Duan’s own understanding, are more similar to the "instinct" in later generations’ spoken language.
Therefore, there is no difference between the heart of a saint and the heart of an ordinary person. The only difference is that the hearts of ordinary people are obscured and covered by desires.
Therefore, he took it upon himself to change the second sentence to "Ancient sages and modern people share this heart", which is more in line with the true meaning.
The meaning of the whole poem, translated, is roughly:
People know the heart of benevolence and respect from childhood. Throughout the ages, saints and mortals have the same "heart". Only with the foundation of "heart" can we build a high building of ethics. It is unheard of that it can become a mountain without a foundation. If we only "leave feelings to pass on notes" and "pay attention to the subtleties", bury ourselves in piles of papers, and ponder what notes this word has, how that word should be interpreted, it will make our original heart "blocked" and our life sink. Today, we must cherish this exchange with each other, so that we can be truly happy.
kindness……
This poem not only directly expounds the true meaning of the heart being the principle, but also criticizes the habit of studying and pondering the classics in the past of the Great Yu Dynasty...
To Mr. Zhengyang, this undoubtedly sounded extremely provocative.
Lu Cheng showed a hint of anger on his face, but Mr. Song didn't dare to say a word.
As for Zhao Pan, as expected, a confused look appeared on the girl's face.
With her knowledge, she had no problem understanding the text, but when it came to deeper levels, she simply couldn't understand.
Unaware...
However, what happened next surprised Zhao Pan even more.
After his brother recited a strange poem, the world-famous scholar in front of him actually started to discuss it seriously with Zhao Duan.
Yes.
Discussion! Academic discussion!
It is not a one-sided lecture, but a discussion between the two sides, with a back-and-forth, a question-and-answer session... or...
debate.
Debate? My own brother, debating with the great scholar of the time?
No matter how you listen to it, it sounds like a fairy tale.
Zhao Pan's watery eyes revealed surprise. She tried her best to listen, but could only catch some inexplicable sentences such as "fragmented", "simple kung fu", "omit words and go straight to the root".
As for what it means specifically, I don't quite understand.
She raised her head to look at the two scholars standing opposite who were also watching the debate, only to see that Lu Cheng and Mr. Song had gradually become silent after their initial displeasure and confusion and were immersed in a heated debate.
He could occasionally say a few words at the beginning, but at the end he seemed to be possessed and could only listen quietly.
Zhao Pan opened her mouth. In her eyes, the two people debating seemed to be playing a game of Go with their mouths without any visible pieces.
Even though she was a complete layman and couldn't understand the subtlety at all, she knew that what her elder brother was talking about was extremely profound knowledge and principle, as the world's number one "chess player" took it so seriously.
But... why?
Zhao Pan couldn't figure it out, and when the girl came to her senses, she didn't know how much time had passed.
"How can this be possible! Lord Zhao, your view on the study of things is too biased. As you said, the study of things is to use a grid called 'heart' to frame the things you see and judge right and wrong, good and evil? This understanding is too different from what the saints said!"
Zhengyang, who was wearing a square hat, a beautiful beard, a Confucian robe and a cloak, stood up and slammed the table excitedly. He was very emotional.
At this moment, he had been completely dragged into the deep pit of debate by Zhao Duan and was overwhelmed.
Moreover, after the two sides entered into the debate and exchanged ideas for several rounds, Zhengyang had already realized that the words such as "the mind is the reason, knowledge and action are one" might have really come from the hands of the young man in front of him.
At the very least, the possibility that Dong Xuan sent him to convey the message has approached zero.
Whether a person really understands a subject and has a thorough understanding of it... With Zhengyang's keen eyesight, he can naturally tell after chatting for a few sentences.
He was very sure, not to mention whether this so-called "Xinxue" was established by Zhao Duan.
But at least, Zhao Duan really understood, which was why he could fight with him in a balanced manner.
Rather than a human loudspeaker.
What surprised him even more was that as the debate progressed, the other party's theory became more complete and harmonious, and it became a self-consistent system...
If it were just this, it wouldn't be enough to make him lose his composure.
The most terrible thing is that Zhengyang had been guarding tombs in Yunfu for ten years and had devoted himself to studying. He had already sensed that something was wrong with Dayu's old theories.
Deep in my heart, some ideas similar to the philosophy of mind had already sprouted, but they were far from clear.
This is also the reason why, when Zhao Duan read his works in Xiuwenguan, he felt that "there are some traces of Neo-Confucianism mixed in"!
Therefore, the more he debated, the more horrified he became to find that many of the things the young man said actually echoed what he had realized over the years!
even……
During this debate, some of Zhao Duan's words made him feel suddenly enlightened!
In other words, Zhengyang is now equivalent to a scholar with a background in Neo-Confucianism, who gradually becomes rebellious and has some basic knowledge of psychology, but is still vague.
At this time, he directly encountered Wang Yangming, who had already completed the theory of the School of Mind...
One can imagine how great the impact was on him.
If Zhao Duan used this theory to debate with Dong Xuan, Dong Xuan might not have such a big reaction. He would only think that there were huge differences between their theoretical doctrines.
That's it.
But Zhao Duan happened to be dealing with Zhengyang...
"Old sir, calm down. I think it's getting late today. Why don't you go back and think about it and sort out your thoughts. We can talk about it tomorrow at this time?" Zhao Duan said with a smile.
He is controlling the pace of this debate.
Realize that it’s often better to pause for a moment rather than argue about everything at once.
"A word is settled!"
Zhengyang looked up and saw that dusk had fallen. He took a deep breath, said this, and walked out with the two disciples who were still a little dizzy.
"Sir..." Lu Cheng and Mr. Song looked at each other, the shock in their hearts not yet dissipated. They stomped their feet and had to chase after him.
Watch the other person leave.
Zhao Duan rubbed his face, exhaled, and muttered:
“It doesn’t seem as difficult as I imagined.”
"What?" The girl in the yellow skirt and green jacket next to him said, her eyes full of admiration and confusion, "Isn't this Zhengyang going to discuss academic matters with the Grand Master the day after tomorrow? Will he still come out tomorrow?"
Zhao Duan smiled without answering. He just stood up and dragged the girl home, saying:
"Don't tell anyone about what happened today."
……
As the sun sets, the capital city welcomes another night.
The atmosphere of the discussion about the Plum Garden Forum in the city was once again heated up, with countless people looking forward to the showdown between the two great scholars of the time.
However, almost no one knew that the debate had already begun in the remote Bailu Academy when people were completely unaware of it.
Silent all night.
Another day, and also the last day.
Grand Tutor Dong did not rest, but still took advantage of the last minute in the morning to give a lecture at the Imperial College.
At noon, when Dong Xuan, wearing the robe of a university scholar and with white hair on his temples, left the Imperial College and returned to the Xiuwen Hall, he was immediately surrounded by a group of scholars.
"Master, this is the information you requested..."
"Grandmaster, His Majesty has sent some supplements to replenish your energy and spirit..."
"Grand Master..."
The scholars started to speak one after another, and everyone even put down their desk work. As scholars, how could they not be nervous and uneasy?
Dong Xuan sat in the main chair in the room, his face showing fatigue. He raised his hand to take the teacup offered by Han Zhou, drank a sip, moistened his dry throat, and then said slowly:
"What is the public opinion in the city?"
Wang You, the son of the Minister of Rites, said, "Not bad. There are more people supporting you."
Dong Xuan glanced at him and sighed, "Just a little more."
No one said a word. They all understood that although they had the advantage of location and people in the capital, they were unable to gain unanimous support in public opinion. This was a dangerous signal.
"Forget it. How are the preparations for the Plum Society debate tomorrow going?" After all, Grand Tutor Dong had seen many storms, so he asked in a deep voice.
The door of the room suddenly opened, and the "Female Prime Minister" Mo Chou stepped in and said calmly:
"According to your majesty's wishes, your majesty, Lord Yuan, the prime minister and other important officials will not go there tomorrow. The Plum Garden will mainly be for scholars."
Master Dong nodded and said, "Very good."
As for the imperial court, it lacks confidence in tomorrow's debate, so the empress must lower the scale and impact of this matter.
As long as the top figures in the imperial court do not attend, the impact of this matter can be reduced to a great extent.
However, it is conceivable that although the Empress and others will not go there in person, they will definitely keep a close eye on the news from the venue.
"Don't look so gloomy, you look so dead, as if you are expecting me to lose." Master Dong looked around at everyone and smiled, "By the way, Zhao Duan didn't come today?"
This is going off topic.
Zhao Duan comes to Xiuwenguan once a day these days.
"Not today, maybe I'll be back later." Han Zhou forced a smile.
Master Dong laughed and scolded:
"In the past, this kid always came out to steal the limelight, but this time he finally wilted. If he comes over, I will have a talk with him and give him the chance to play tomorrow. Let's see if he wants it."
Everyone couldn't help but laugh, knowing that the Grand Tutor was joking to ease the heavy atmosphere.
"It's a pity. If Mr. Zhao had really devoted himself to studying since childhood, with his intelligence, he might have been able to find his own way and come up with something new." Someone said.
"In my opinion, Master Zhao is more likely to choose a simple and rough approach, such as sending someone to beat up Zhengyang so that he can't come tomorrow."
"Haha... this is something that Master Zhao can do."
For a moment, the room was filled with a happy atmosphere.
Mochou was also amused, but turned her head to look at the late autumn sky outside the house, thinking of that day when Zhao Duan was carefully reading Zhengyang's books and seemed distracted.
I couldn't help but have a weird thought:
"Does he really have no idea at all? Letting such a good opportunity to please His Majesty slip away? What is he doing now? He is not really going to beat Zhengyang, is he..."
……
……
White Deer Academy.
Under the towering ancient trees, among the rustling yellow leaves.
The second half of the debate began quietly without anyone noticing.
This time, the three people from yesterday were still watching the battle. Zhao Pan didn't understand, but he insisted on coming to support his brother.
Lu Cheng and Song Juren were in a different mood than yesterday.
——Last night, the gentleman almost stayed awake all night again.
After a night, Zhengyang looked even more haggard, but he also sorted out his theory and started a debate with Zhao Duan again.
Unfortunately, the rebuttal arguments that he had prepared overnight were defeated one by one by Zhao Duan shortly after they were put forward.
Thanks to his work as a secretary in his previous life, he is quite good at writing and speaking.
In particular, he was in control of the theory that Wang Yangming had spent his entire life honing to perfection, and used it to deal with Zhengyang, which was quite unethical.
Zhengyang’s attitude today also made Zhao Duan feel a little strange.
If we say that in the first half of yesterday's speech, Zhengyang stood on the standpoint of the Neo-Confucianists, he defended the orthodox school of thought and refuted the school of mind with fierce words.
Today, his rebuttals were less forceful, and he asked more questions and inquiries.
This resulted in a less intense second half, especially in the eyes of Lu and Song, as their mentor raised questions again and again, and Zhao Duan answered them eloquently, resolving them like a butcher cutting up an ox.
There is a kind of...
Ask for advice on the sense of déjà vu!
Yes, please advise!
Just like in the past, when these disciples had doubts and asked their master for advice, this scene happened here.
The only difference was that the person who asked for advice was Zhengyang, and the "teacher" who answered his questions was Zhao Duan.
What a strange scene this is?
A great scholar of the time, the next generation of Confucian saint, almost gave up on defending himself, and instead turned again and again to a court minion, a military official, for advice.
Unbelievable!
But Lu and Song, who listened to Zhengyang's debate, felt that it was "natural", if we ignore Zhao Duan's too young age and too bad reputation.
From a purely academic theoretical perspective, although I don't want to admit it, I have to say that it is among the best in the world.
"... Old sir, to sum up what has been said, if you want me to make a summary, it would be this sentence: 'There is no good or evil in the nature of the heart, but there are good and evil intentions in the action. Knowing good and evil is conscience, and doing good and eliminating evil is the study of things.'"
Zhao Duan finished with a smile and said calmly:
"This is basically what I have described as the Xinxue, or the New Learning. Do you have any other questions?"
Mr. Zhengyang sat opposite the stone table, seemingly in deep thought. The autumn wind blew, and his long gray beard fluttered, and his cloak also shook.
He thought for a long time, finally raised his head and said slowly: "I have one last question."
"You say."
Mr. Zhengyang suddenly raised his hand and pointed to a bunch of flower trees rooted in a stone wall not far away from the towering ancient trees in the courtyard.
Most of the unknown flower trees have already withered, leaving only a few leaves and a few curled flowers hanging.
Zhengyang said: "There is nothing in the world outside of one's mind. Flowers and trees like this, blooming and falling by themselves in a deep courtyard, what does it have to do with my mind?"
Zhao Duan slowly stood up, straightened his robe, looked down at the old scholar sitting opposite him, and said calmly:
"Before you looked at this flower, it and your heart were both in silence. When you looked at this flower, its color suddenly became clear, and you knew that this flower was not outside of your heart."
Zhengyang was stunned.
Lu and Song behind him were also looking at the flowers and trees in the cracked wall, dazed.
When the master and his two disciples came to their senses, they found that Zhao Duan and his sister had left.
Go quietly, just as you came quietly.
"Sir, he's leaving now? No promise to debate again tomorrow?" Mr. Song couldn't help asking.
Senior Brother Lu Cheng glanced at his junior brother who was much older than him and said helplessly:
"Tomorrow is the Plum Garden meeting. You want to discuss learning with Dong Xuan, so naturally you won't make another appointment."
He turned his head to look at the Confucian sage who was still sitting on the stone bench, staring at the pile of dead leaves on the table, and said softly:
"Sir? It's getting late. We should go back. You can't stay up late tonight. You need to get a good rest, otherwise you will be exhausted tomorrow."
Mr. Zhengyang didn't say anything, he just sat there, with Zhao Duan's words echoing in his mind.
There was no expression on his face, and it was impossible to tell what he was thinking. Only the unusual calmness on his face seemed to indicate that something extraordinary was brewing.
"Let's go back." After a long time, Mr. Zhengyang slowly stood up and said calmly.
Then he walked out.
The two disciples followed behind, looking at each other, and both noticed the great change in their mentor's state of mind.
"Senior brother, what do you think happened to the master?" Mr. Song couldn't help but ask in a low voice.
Lu Cheng, who was younger but more knowledgeable, was silent for a moment, shook his head with a complicated expression, and said softly:
"I'm just worried that Mr. Zhao Duan has corrupted his heart. Well, let's wait until tomorrow, and then we'll know the outcome."
……
That night, Zhengyang returned to the inn. The lights in the room were on until late at night before they were turned off and he went to sleep.
Lu Cheng and Mr. Song tossed and turned and couldn't fall asleep the whole night.
I stared with my eyes wide open, waiting until the roosters crowed and the sky was about to brighten.
The day for academic discussion has finally arrived.
……
Zhao family.
Zhao Duan slept very well last night and woke up feeling full of energy early in the morning.
After having dinner with his aunt and sister, he changed into brocade and gorgeous clothes instead of his official robes, walked out of the door, got on "Xiao Wang's" carriage, and headed towards the Plum Garden.
Zhao Pan originally wanted to join in, but was stopped by Zhao Duan:
"Today's Plum Garden academic discussion is not an official occasion, but it is not a place for entertainment or feasting either. It is not appropriate to bring your family with you."
The girl stayed at home with a disappointed look on her face.
The Plum Garden is located on the bank of the Hunhe River. It is a garden that is highly sought after by literati and is also the venue for the city’s largest poetry gathering every year.
Today, when Zhao Duan approached the Plum Garden, he found that many scholars had gathered outside. They all came to join in the fun and the atmosphere was extremely restless.
However, those who can enter the Plum Garden are all people of status and can get an "invitation letter", so even though many people in the city are paying attention, they can only wait for the results.
"Master Zhao, you are here too?"
When Zhao Duan got off the carriage, he saw Da Bingtuozi crossing his arms and looking at him teasingly.
"Oh, Mo Zhaorong just arrived too? We two are really destined to meet each other. We have run into each other several times, right?" Zhao Duan said jokingly.
Mo Chou sneered and said, "Who is destined to be with you? I am waiting for you here on purpose."
Zhao Duan was flattered: "Could it be that His Majesty has some instructions?"
Mochou rolled her eyes, walked into the garden with him, and said:
"Your Majesty didn't give me any orders, but I just wanted to confirm that you weren't doing anything in secret, right? For example, plotting against Zhengyang or something? Or using some other trick to intimidate or plot against someone?"
Zhao Duan cried out that he was wronged:
"Is this the image of me in your mind? If Zhengyang was a nobody, I might still touch him, but how could I mess with this person's reputation and cause trouble for His Majesty?"
"..." Mo Chou replied with a chuckle, "I'm glad to know."
Although he said this, there was some disappointment in his eyes.
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5,000-word chapter, typos will be corrected later
(End of this chapter)