Chapter 2 (Part 2) Zi Gong

Thanks to Zigong's diplomatic activities, the great goal of preserving the Lu State was successfully achieved, and it also contributed to the prosperity of Yue. This is no small contribution.Zigong greatly shocked the history of the world at that time.Confucius really had insight. [I don't see the beauty of the ancestral temple and the wealth of hundreds of officials] Zi Gong was not surprised by such rumors. Zigong is better than his teacher Confucius. This kind of words often spread to Zigong's ears. Zigong was in Lu at this time, but he was originally a Weiren, surnamed Duanmu, first name Ci, styled Zigong, and was 31 years younger than his teacher Confucius.

The servants at home were very pleased with themselves, and told Zi Gong the rumor they had heard from the neighbors. Talk stupid!Don't tell me such things! Zigong scolded them. But the rumors don't just appear in the neighborhood.In the court of the State of Lu, there was a minister called Shusun Wushu. He once said: Zigong is better than Zhongni (Confucius). This is what Zifu Jingbo, another minister, told Zigong.In this regard, Zigong's answer is recorded in "The Analects of Confucius.Zizhang Chapter, its content is as follows: Zi Gong said: For example, the wall of the palace, the wall given is also shoulder-length, and you can see the beauty of the family; the wall of the master is so high that you can't enter it through the door, and you can't see the beauty of the ancestral temple and the wealth of the officials.Those who get the door may be few.

Zigong used the beauty of a house as a metaphor, saying that the walls of his house were only shoulder high, and everyone could see it, so he praised it for its beauty.However, the walls of Confucius' palace were several ren (one ren equals seven feet), and the beauty of the ancestral temple and the wealth of officials could not be seen from the outside, so one had to enter through the gate.Yet so few were able to find the door. Uncle Sun Wushu used to be an official in the same dynasty as Confucius, and he didn't seem to have good intentions towards Confucius, and often spoke ill of Confucius.He said that Zigong was better than Confucius, not necessarily to praise Zigong, but to belittle Confucius.

Hearing Uncle Sun Wushu criticize Confucius, in "The Analects of Confucius.In "Zi Zhang Pian", we can see that Zi Gong replied in this way: Zigong said: "I don't think so!"Zhong Ni cannot be destroyed.The sages of others, even the hills, can still be surpassed: Zhongni, the sun and the moon, can be surpassed without gain.Although people want to kill themselves, how can they hurt the sun and the moon?It's often seen that I don't know how much it is! Others, generally called sages, are like knolls that can be surpassed.However, Confucius is the sun and the moon, and no one can surpass the sun and the moon.Even if human beings want to be isolated from the sun and the moon, the sun and the moon will not suffer any damage.Those who want to slander Confucius do not know their own strength.

The first sentence is meaningless, telling people not to do this, it just shows that you completely disagree with the other party's words. Also in "Zi Zhang Pian", Chen Ziqin once said to Zi Gong: The son is respectful, how can Zhongni be more virtuous than the son? It means: You are very humble, can Confucius be better than you? Chen Ziqin is a disciple of Zi Gong, that is, the grandson of Confucius.He thinks his teacher Zi Gong is the greatest, and this greatest teacher is too humble to his teacher Confucius, which is unbearable. Needless to say, Zigong would of course warn his disciples not to say such things.

You can't reach the sky even if you climb a ladder; the Master is the sky. He then tells the students the importance of words: A gentleman thinks he knows what he says, and he thinks he doesn't know what he says, so he can't be careless in his words! When a gentleman says a word, others will know that he is wise; if he speaks a word, others will know that he is not wise.What you just said reveals your lack of wisdom.Be cautious in the future. In addition to Zigong's disciples, from the neighborhood to the court, people can hear others say: Zigong is better than Confucius!But Zigong hastily denied such a thing.

My teacher is like the sun and the moon. This is Zigong's belief.He believes that his existence is endowed with value because he has received the brilliance of the sun and the moon.Although Confucius was thirty-one years older, to Zigong he was the father's generation, but Zigong's heart of refuge was not only due to the age gap. You ask Zigong why he turned to Confucius, just like you ask when the sun began to shine?Same pointless. The best disciple of Confucius was Yan Hui.And everyone knew that Yan Hui was only one year older than Zi Gong.However, Yan Hui was the only one who was able to combine Confucius' theory of human relations and the way of heaven.

Zigong said: Master's articles can be obtained and heard.The master's words about nature and the way of heaven cannot be obtained but heard. ("The Analects of Confucius. Gongye Novel") Confucius observed his disciples from the perspective of a teacher, and guided them according to their personality and upbringing.Zigong said that he had never heard any talk about sex and the way of heaven, that is, metaphysics, from his teacher.Undoubtedly, Confucius chose Yan Hui as the object of philosophical question-and-answer discussion.As for Zigong, Confucius praised him for his practical talents.

The Master said: Returning is also very common, and it is empty every time.If the gift is not ordered, the goods will be multiplied, and the billion will be won repeatedly. ("The Analects of Confucius Advanced Chapter") This is Confucius' comparison between Yan Hui and Zi Gong. Yan Hui was a near-perfect person, but very poor and often penniless. Although Zigong is not an official, he makes money by himself, even if it is a speculative business, he can handle it with ease.Billion is speculation, that is, the ability to predict. Confucius divided talents into four categories: virtue, speech, political affairs, and literature. The ten disciples each had their own strengths.Virtue comes first, of course, is Yan Hui.In terms of speech, he thought Zaiwo and Zigong were the best. It can be seen that Zigong's eloquence has won the teacher's approval.

【Giving wealth between Cao and Lu】 Zi Gong's ability to save money and his eloquence are very good. The rumors in the neighborhood that he was better than his teacher were not necessarily nonsense. In terms of making money, even though he is Confucius, he is not as good as Zigong.Even if the monarch ordered to make a profit, Confucius may not be able to make money as he did.Zigong, on the other hand, has already made a lot of money without giving orders. In Confucianism, the talent for profit is not highly regarded.Although talents can be broadly divided into four categories, Lizhu does not include them.If the monarch has orders, he may have to work hard to make money, but people who are eager to make money for themselves will undoubtedly be regarded as a different kind.

From Zigong’s disciple Chen Ziqin’s point of view, no matter how great Confucius was, he didn’t want to accept financial aid from my teacher Zigong.He didn't understand why Zigong still served Confucius respectfully, so he said angrily: "Zi is respectful." According to Confucius himself, among his disciples there were seventy-two masters of the six arts.The six arts are rites, music, shooting, imperial (the skill of driving a carriage), books, and mathematics that a gentleman must possess. "Historical Records.The seventy-two people in "The Family of Confucius" went to "Historical Records.In "Biography of Zhongni's Disciples", there are seventy-seven people.Because the seventy-two refers to the number of disciples who have obtained all the credits, if you add the disciples or disciples who have insufficient credits, it will be almost seventy-seven.In "The Analects of Confucius", Confucius also said that I will teach the person who brings Shuxiu (thanks for gifts. A bunch of dried meat).However, there were many poor people at that time, and there were no tuition fees, so the operation of this educational organization must be unable to make ends meet. When his disciple Gongxichi was sent to Qi State, Ran You, who was called by Confucius to be very capable in political affairs, once asked for millet (please receive rice grain) for Gongxichi's mother.If the son is not around for the time being, the same door will be responsible for taking care of the mother's life.Due to the large number of people, such expenses are naturally a great burden on the group. Confucius instructed Gong Xichi's mother to give a cauldron (six buckets and four liters) of millet, and Ran You said it would be better to add a little more.So Confucius replied: Then give one Yu (sixteen buckets and four liters)! .But Ran You gave her five Bingsu.One Bing is sixteen Dendrobiums, and five Bings is eighty Dendrobiums, that is, eight hundred Dou.When Confucius learned of this, he criticized: The red one is suitable for riding a fat horse, and the clothes are light fur.I've heard it: A gentleman is in a hurry to get rich. ("The Analects of Confucius. Yong Ye") Gong Xichi was a disciple with diplomatic ability, and he went to Qi State as Confucius' emissary at that time.Because of the greatness of this mission, Ran You thought that he should be given 800 Dou of corn as an allowance for his family.However, Confucius thought differently. Confucius once entrusted Zhixingsuo (the land he was given when he was a minister of the State of Lu) to Yuan Xian, another disciple who was not inferior to Yan Hui in terms of poverty, to preside over it.Confucius gave him nine hundred buckets of corn as an allowance.But Yuan Xian repeatedly declined and refused to accept. not!Do you want to be with your neighbors and township parties? Confucius ordered.It means: don't refuse, can't you give these corns to neighbors and villagers? This is completely different from the situation in Gongxi Chishi. Confucius was extremely generous.When Confucius took office, he was given the land of knowledge and practice, and obtained income from it. When he left his office and traveled around the world, he had no income.Therefore, the operation of Confucianism must rely on Zigong's assistance in order to obtain economic stability. The husband who made Confucius famous all over the world, Zigong followed suit. "Historical Records.This is recorded in "Biography of Huo Zhi Biography".The meaning of successive is nothing more than assisting, guiding and supporting. Seen from the outside, Zigong is a patron of Confucianism, so it is no wonder that there are rumors that Zigong is more witty. In Confucius' view, he probably didn't want to waste Zigong's assistance funds, so he thought that Gongxi Chi, who was rich and well-dressed and went on a business trip, didn't need so much settling expenses.And the subsidy he gave Yuan Xian 900 Dou was probably allocated from the income of his Zhixing Institute, so it was naturally very generous. Zi Gong was not born into a wealthy family, he made money and saved money by virtue of his wit. Zigong likes to waste money and transfer goods with time. "Historical Records.This is recorded in the Biography of Zhongni's Disciples.To waste is to dispose, that is, to sell; to raise is to buy.Buying when it is cheap and selling when it is high is, of course, speculation.Although it is just changing hands, if there is no foresight in the price movement, it will suffer a lot of losses.Every time the expectation must be correct, it is not just because of luck. It is probably necessary to collect the output of commodities, the weather, the political situation, and other kinds of information, and make a decision after calmly analyzing them. However, he is not an ordinary businessman, nor is he a person who only wants to make money.After he made money, he planned to support Confucius, whom he had taken refuge in.He was hoarding money for this purpose. "Historical Records.It is recorded in "Biography of Huo Zhi Biography": Make money between Cao and Lu That is to say, the place where Zi Gong became rich through commodity speculation was in Lu, the base of Confucianism, and Cao in the west of it.Cao is near today's Dingtao County, which is Tao where Fan Li left Benyue and moved from the seaside to become rich in business.Fan Li is called Tao Zhugong here.Zi Gong and Fan Li were almost contemporaries. Would they meet again in Taodi just because they met in Yue?Maybe the two had a business relationship. To make a correct judgment, the more data the basis is naturally the better. Confucius' disciples came from all over the world.Of course there are the most people from the state of Lu, but there are also many people from the state of Wei and Qi from Zigong's compatriots.In addition, Ziyou was from the state of Wu, Zinan was from the state of Qin, Ziqi was from the state of Jin, and Xuanxuan is said to be from the state of Chu.Zigong has these contacts, and it may be through them that he has collected information from various places.Or maybe he collected the information naturally.Maybe he succeeded in commodity speculation, the secret is here! 【A gentleman's fault is like the eclipse of the sun and the moon】 Confucius said that there are Zai Wo and Zi Gong in terms of speech, which means that these two are juxtaposed.But although Zai Wo was eloquent, Confucius didn't seem to like him.Originally Confucius thought: Clever words and charming colors are fresh and benevolent! Clever talk. So he is very strict on the evaluation of debate masters. Zai Wo thinks three years of mourning is too long.For a gentleman, etiquette and music are the most important.Since rituals and music must be abolished during the period of mourning, and three years later, the rituals will be unfamiliar and the music will be abandoned. Therefore, he advocated that the mourning period should be limited to one year, and one year of mourning is enough.When Confucius heard about this, he asked him: Are you at ease like this?Yes, that's reassuring.Zai I replied.Later, Confucius commented on him and said: That person is very ruthless. When I heard someone else's words before, I believed that person's behavior; now that I hear someone else's word, I have to further observe his behavior.This change is because of killing me. Confucius said.Zai Wo seemed to be an idler and idler. Later, he joined Tian Chang in rebellion, and his whole family was killed. Confucius was ashamed of this language disciple. The same dexterity in debate, Zi Gong and Zai Wo are completely different.Later, when Confucius passed away, all the disciples mourned for three years, and only Zigong kept mourning for another three years in the hut next to the teacher's tomb.In other words, he spent six years in mourning. As a famous industrialist, Zigong should be regarded as a fool! There is a short story below, which is not recorded in "The Analects of Confucius" and "Mencius", but it is included in "Book of Rites.Miscellaneous Notes 2, I like it very much, so I have quoted it several times.The ceremony of worshiping ancestors and gods in December was called La after the Qin and Han Dynasties, so December is also called December.In the Spring and Autumn Period, this ritual was called waxing.Every year on the festival day and wax day in spring and autumn, the common people can enjoy feasts and celebrate warmly with gongs and drums. Zigong Guanwa.The Master said: "Give it, how happy?"Confrontation: "People in a country are all crazy, and they give joy to the unknown."The Master said: The wax of a hundred days is the luster of a day, which is not known to you.If you are stretched but not relaxed, neither civil nor military can be.To relax but not to stretch, neither civil nor military.One piece and one relaxation, the way of civil and military affairs. What's the point of such a boring and noisy scene?Zigong said displeasedly.Confucius enlightened him: I am afraid that rich people like you cannot understand the luxury of being liberated for one day after working for a hundred days.It is neither good to be tensed all the time, nor to be relaxed all the time, even the sages King Wen and King Wu can't do it.The most important thing is to relax. Perhaps in Zigong's tense head, what he was thinking was how to make money. For him, making money didn't require such beating of gongs and drums!So the teacher reminded him lovingly: this way will go bankrupt sooner or later, you'd better be careful! One day, Zigong asked his teacher for advice: How about being poor but not flattering, rich but not proud? The wealthy Zigong may have been very careful on weekdays to avoid becoming arrogant.Maybe, he hoped that the teacher would praise him for his hard work.Confucius replied: This is good wow!However, it is not as good as a poor man who is happy, and a rich man who is polite. This is to remind Zi Gong that although you want to cultivate moral character, the depth is not enough, so don't be complacent.Another time, Confucius said to Zi Gong: Do what you say first, and follow it later. ("The Analects of Confucius. Weizheng") The so-called gentleman is to show what you want to say with actions first, and then say it.This is to enlighten the eloquent subpages, don't indulge in the dispute of words, you should do it silently, and then match your words with deeds. Zigong may have been expressive, but he seems to have spoken at will. The general comment on Zigong in "Historical Records", besides saying that he is good at business, is: Rejoice in the beauty of people, but not hide their faults. He will happily praise other people's merits; on the contrary, he cannot hide others' faults.This is Sima Qian's strict criticism of him.And I think it's still his stupidity. "The Analects.There is a passage in the Constitution: A native of Zigong.Confucius said: "Gift, is it worthy?"Husband and I are too busy! Zigong often criticizes people.In this regard, Confucius said: Zigong is amazing!Probably Confucius also heard rumors in the neighborhood that Zigong was better than his teacher, so he said something a little bit fierce!As the rumors said, Zigong is amazing!Like me, I don't have time to criticize others! In fact, Confucius himself was also a man, and he stabbed people with an inch of iron.Confucius himself may have done some introspection. Confucius said: I want to be speechless!Ziye said: "If you don't say anything, what will you say?"Confucius said: What does the sky say?How do the four seasons go, how do all things come into being, what does the sky say? ("The Analects of Confucius. Yanghuo") I don't want to talk anymore.One day, Confucius suddenly said so. Criticizing others everywhere, Zigong is too busy!While saying this, Confucius also felt that he had criticized others enough, and he was tired of it, so he planned to keep silent.Hearing what Confucius said, Zi Gong said in a hurry: "What should I do?"If the teacher does not speak, what should we inherit?How should this be done? Confucius should be pointing to the sky at this time! Didn't God say nothing?But the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter still run on time, and various creatures are still growing.And God didn't say anything.Regarding Confucius' talk, in "The Analects of Confucius.You can see Zi Gong's views in "Zi Zhang Pian". Zigong said: The faults of a gentleman are like the eclipse of the sun and the moon.Everyone sees the past; what's more, everyone admires it. The faults of a gentleman are like eclipses of the sun and moon.The day and month are not intentional.Because a gentleman is also a human being, he will make mistakes.But everyone can see the mistakes he made; once he corrects himself, everyone looks up to him. For Zigong, Confucius is like the sun and the moon, an absolute object of refuge. 【Lifelong Shame on His Words】 Speaking of the disciples of Confucius, everyone will think that they are moralists.However, in addition to making a lot of money, Zigong also had a great influence on the political situation at that time. As soon as Zigong was sent, the situation was broken. In ten years, the five countries have changed. "Historical Records" gave a high evaluation to Zigong's achievements.Because of his eloquence, he saved Lu, disordered Qi, broke Wu, strengthened Jin and overran Yue.Its process is briefly described as follows: During the Spring and Autumn Period, Duke Huan of Qi was the first to be recognized as the overlord, followed by Duke Wen of Jin.Later, these two countries were also big countries, while Lu and Wei were small countries.Qi, the great country that rules today's Shandong Province, is the place where Jiang Taigong Lu Shang was entrusted.However, at the time of Zigong, the Tian, ​​Gao, Guo, Bao, Yan and other clans were very powerful, and the status of the monarch Jiang was not stable. Tian Chang, the patriarch of the Tian family, rebelled and expanded his power, hoping to seize the opportunity to usurp Qi.The first step is to crusade against the neighboring small country Lu. Lu is where the tomb is, the country of parents.The country is in danger, why do you still stand idly by? Confucius said to his disciples. I go! The first to volunteer was Zilu, who had always been considered courageous.He was originally a chivalrous man with a brave nature.Confucius once said that he was Fenghe, the violent tiger (to face the tiger with empty hands and cross the river on foot, which means reckless). Confucius stopped Zilu.At this time, even sending out a warrior is useless.Then Zizhang and Zishi also wanted to go, but Confucius refused. I'm good to go. As soon as Zi Gong opened his mouth, Confucius agreed. Under the circumstances at that time, a diplomatic war was bound to start, and people with eloquence were needed.When conducting a diplomatic war, various items are required, so funds are indispensable.As for the person who can do this task, there is no second choice except Zigong who has both eloquence and money. Tian Changzheng transferred the army from Qi to Lu.Zi Gong hurried to Qi State to meet with Tian Chang.Tian Chang is not so easy to see, Zigong has to put on a majestic lineup of horses and horses, and go to visit with gifts, which will cost a lot of money. Zigong persuaded Tian Chang that instead of attacking the weak Lu, it is better to attack the mighty Wu. The purpose of Tian Chang's troops is to expand his power and improve his reputation.And defeating weak countries does not improve reputation.It is easy to defeat Lu, and the territory will expand, which will not only make the monarch happy, but also benefit other clans.It's just that it might make the opponent stronger. But if you defeat Qiang Wu, only Tian Chang's reputation will improve; even if you lose unfortunately, the officials will be panicked, the dead will have nothing to say, and the monarch will be isolated, and Tian's position will be more stable. Zigong probably relied on his straightforward nature and his eloquence to make the other party not suspicious! However, we have already dispatched troops. Please stop for now.I will go to Wu first to persuade them to save Lu.In this way, Qi and Wu will go to war. Zigong rushed to the state of Wu to meet King Fuchai of Wu.Fucha, who is ambitious and wants to become the overlord, has set his goal on the Northern Expedition. However, we are very concerned about the trend of Yue.We have suffered in Kuaiji, and according to spies, it seems that Yue is implementing good governance and restoring national strength.If they take advantage of it, it's over. Fucha said. So, wouldn't it be good to let Yue Wang Goujian also join the army?I'll convince him. Zi Gong went to Yue this time.Of course, besides King Goujian of Yue, he also met with Fan Li and Wen Zhong.Undoubtedly, Zigong will conduct war games with them. Let Wu and Qi fight, if Wu loses, it will be more beneficial; if Wu wins, then Fu Chai will continue the Northern Expedition and go to war with Jin, the big country in the north.At that time, Yue will again form an alliance with Jin and join forces to attack Wu. According to Zi Gong's plan, Wen Zhong, a doctor of Yue State, went to Wu State to show that the King of Yue and 3,000 soldiers volunteered to join the army, and at the same time donated a large amount of treasure. Fu Chai, the king of Wu, summoned Zigong to discuss. Zigong suggested that he should not accept the king of Yue to join the army in person, but he could allow the Vietnamese army to participate in the war.Fu Chai did as he was told. After completing his mission in the south, Zigong returned to the north and crossed the Yellow River to the state of Jin. The ruler of Jin at that time was Duke Ding.Zi Gong revealed the news of Wu Jun's march north, and suggested: Repair soldiers (weapons) and wait for them to die. Wu's Northern Expeditionary Army fought against the Qi Army in Ai Ling, defeated it, and then continued northward to attack Jin.The two armies fought in Huangchi, and Jin won. Goujian, king of Yue, heard the news and naturally led his troops to attack Wu. Thanks to Zigong's diplomatic activities, the great goal of preserving the Lu State was successfully achieved.Zigong's diplomatic activities also contributed to the prosperity of Yue, which is no small contribution.Soon, Yue Wang Goujian was promoted as the overlord. Zigong greatly shocked the history of the world at that time.Confucius really had insight. Zigong, who traveled north and south, should not have paid for his activities by the poor state of Lu.Zigong paid for this great task himself. The Battle of Huangchi took place in 482 BC, when Yan Hui died at the age of 41, one year older than Zigong.Confucius lamented and said: Hey, God mourns me! Qi was in chaos because of Wu's Northern Expedition.Tian Chang really followed the plan, killed the monarch Jian Gong, and made Jian Gong's younger brother the king of Qi.Of course, the national strength of Qi State weakened, and the neighboring Lu State could finally take a breather.In 480 BC, the state of Qi agreed to return the territories it had previously captured to the state of Lu.To carry out this negotiation, the envoy sent by Lu to Qi was Zifu Jingbo, and "Historical Records.Lu Shijia records: Zigong is the intermediary. Although he was traveling as a deputy envoy, the main negotiating work may still be performed by Zi Gong. The following year (479 BC), Confucius died. As I said earlier, Zi Gong spent six years in mourning for his teacher.Later, he left Lu and moved to Wei, where he became prime minister.Wei was originally Zigong's motherland. Zigong, who became Minister of Defense, once visited Yuan Xian who lived in Caoze, with the purpose of greeting him.As a prime minister and rich man, Zi Gong rode in a gorgeous carriage and led his horse-riding entourage, pushed through the weeds, and found Yuan Xian's dilapidated house.Yuan Xian came to see Zi Gong in ragged clothes. are you sick? Because the other party looked haggard, Zi Gong asked without thinking. I have heard that those who have no wealth are called poor, and those who have learned the way but cannot practice are called sick.My original constitution is poverty, not disease. Yuan Xian replied with his chest out. Zigong couldn't help feeling ashamed, and left sullenly. I will be ashamed of my mistakes for life. "Historical Records."Biography of Zhongni's Disciples" records like this.According to the book, Zigong died in Qi, and the time is estimated to be 456 BC.