Chapter 54 Time flies eastward like water
In the eighth year of Wude, in the late twelfth lunar month, although it was the end of winter, the cold wind was even more biting.
Jiangjia'ao, which had long been called Jijiazhuang, was now completely white, as if the entire world was covered with snow.
"Mencius said: "Everyone can't bear to feel pity. . . . . . . . . . . .The heart of concealment is the root of benevolence; the heart of shame and disgust is the root of righteousness; the heart of resignation is the root of courtesy; the heart of right and wrong is the root of wisdom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .If fire begins, so does you can fill it up, you can protect the world; if you can't fill it, you can't serve your parents. "
A building stands abruptly on a high ground in Jijiazhuang. It is the coldest month of winter outside and covered with snow, but inside it is warm and as warm as spring.
A passage from Mencius' "Man Has Four Ends" came out, and the sound of his reading aloud added a bit of vitality to this lonely winter.
Ji Song was wearing a long blue jacket, holding a thread-bound version of "Mencius" in his hand, and teaching the students one of the chapters.
People's feelings of sympathy, hatred of shame, humility, and the ability to distinguish right from wrong are innate in nature.
It is the fundamental difference between humans and animals, and the fundamental difference between human nature and bestiality.
If people lose their humanity, they will be equivalent to animals.
The four ends mentioned by Mencius also correspond to the four major virtues of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom in Confucianism, which distinguish the difference between human nature and animal nature.
The book "Mencius" has been used by Ji Song for his enlightenment since he was a child. Years of special study have also given him a great understanding of the book "Mencius".
Mencius is another representative figure of Confucianism after Confucius. Most of his core thoughts are based on materialism. He uses what is known to predict the unknown. His thoughts are extremely practical and have changed the previous Confucian retreat thoughts.
He is a representative figure of Confucianism who inherits the past and connects the future, and also laid the foundation for the status of Confucianism. Later generations called him the Yasheng.
The emphasis on human integrity and character in his thoughts was also appreciated by Ji Song.
Among them, the method of doing things based on what is known and inferring the unknown already has a theoretical basis for later generations of science, and this is exactly what he wants to give to his students.
It takes too long to build a theory from scratch, and it still needs to be accepted by the world.
This is not something that can be accomplished in one generation. Since the ideas in "Mencius" are already close to the materialist ideas of later generations, why not build on this and then incorporate what you want into it?
In this way, the world will not feel awkward, let alone criticize me because of my think: Oh, it turns out that this idea has been proposed a long time ago. Ji Song just made some achievements based on the ideas of his predecessors. There is nothing to make a fuss about.
And this is the result Ji Song in the world wants to be a hero, but being a pioneer is not easy, and being a saint is not something you can even hope for.
Being half a step ahead of the world is a wise man, but being one step ahead is a madman.
Ji Song doesn't want to be that kind of lunatic, and he doesn't have the firm belief to leave his family behind to seek truth, so he can't be the kind of person who dares to be a pioneer.
What he has to do now is to combine some of the thoughts of later generations with the thoughts of Mencius, and then present them to the world.
Ji Song is like a robber, not only using other people's things, but also preparing to replace others' things and occupy the magpie's nest.
If this were known to the sages, Newton's gravity would probably not be able to hold down their coffin boards.
When everyone accepts his set of ideas, everyone will only praise Mencius for his greatness and vision.
And Ji Song is just a believer who understands "Mencius" relatively deeply.
"Okay, that's it for today's class. Let's all clean up the school and get ready for the holiday!"
Ji Song looked at the young faces and eyes eager for knowledge, and said to everyone with a smile.
"Happy New Year to the teacher!"
"Teacher also wishes everyone a Happy New Year!"
"Wow!"
When Ji Song walked out of the classroom, the students inside could no longer hold back their excitement and hurriedly started cleaning.
Ji Song had experienced this joy of vacation many times in his previous life, and he just smiled and ignored the other gentlemen were a little bit annoyed and said: "I have never seen such a positive person when I was studying. When I heard about the holiday, I became lively and lively. Hmph, a child cannot be taught!"
"Mr. Yao, please don't criticize them harshly. This is human nature and there is no need to be so strict.
Students have been studying for more than half a year, and it's time to relax. As the saying goes, haste makes waste, and relaxation can lead to brave and diligent progress. "
"Brother Song is right, I'm a little anxious." In fact, Mr. Yao was not really blaming the students, but just showing his image as a strict teacher in front of Ji Song. He was usually the most tolerant towards the students.
"Mr. Yao, Mr. Zheng and Mr. Li, I will send someone to deliver this year's salary to your homes later. After the students go home, you can go back too!"
"How can this be done? We can just go and get it ourselves. How dare we trouble the mountain chief?"
"Yes, yes!"
After hearing Ji Song's words, several people hurriedly declined.
"Okay, this matter is settled. The three gentlemen have worked hard this year. As the mountain leader, I don't come here often. It's all the three of you who are taking care of it. You deserve this. There’s nothing to say no to.”
Ji Song directly set the tone without giving them a chance to speak.
The three gentlemen looked at Ji Song's look and knew that he was determined, so they stopped trying to persuade him.
After Mr. Li and Mr. Yao left, Mr. Zheng stayed and said to Ji Song, "I would like to express my gratitude to my employer for your great kindness."
Ji Song looked at Zheng Li in front of him. He had changed a lot from half a year ago.
He became much calmer and more confident at the same time, and did not regret that he had saved their family in the first place.
Yes, this Zheng Li is the same Zheng Li who went to Chang'an to rescue him some time ago.
At that time, Ji Song left a lot of money. After he cured his wife's illness, he went to Anxianglai and worked as an accountant for a period of time.
Ji Ming saw that he was doing well and had solid knowledge, so he recommended him to Ji Song.
Ji Song didn't treat him badly and let him teach and educate people in the school. This was much more respectable than working as an accountant.
"Your knowledge is very good. Have you ever thought about taking part in the imperial examination? I can recommend you on your behalf. How about that?"
Ji Song felt that he was a bit unqualified as a teacher. If he aspired to an official career, taking the imperial examination would be a shortcut.
"No need, I know what kind of person I, Zheng Li, am. I'm not an official at all. It's good to stay in school."
Zheng Li refused this golden opportunity without even thinking.
"Let's do this! My mansion will be built next year, and I don't have a steward at home yet. If you don't mind it, how about you come over and be a housekeeper for me?"
Thinking of the palace that was about to be built, Ji Song invited it.
Zheng Li didn't expect that he would encounter such a big pie. He knew who his boss was. He could be said to be a genius.
There is a great background behind him and a bright future.
Now he seems to be just a baron, but he still has no title.
That's just because he is young. If he waits for a few years, he will soar into the sky without limit.
At that time, the housekeeper of the Ji family will be his confidant. As long as the Ji family does not collapse, it can ensure that the Zheng family will be wealthy for at least three such a good opportunity, there is no reason not to seize it.
"Thank you so much for your kindness, my boss. Zheng Li will work hard and manage the family well. If he dares to cheat, he will definitely die a bad death."
Zheng Li stepped forward and knelt down on the ground, swearing solemnly.
(End of this chapter)