A Brief Reading of Traditional Culture (V) —— Why did Confucius send Zigong to Chu?

There is a story of Confucius in Historical Records. Confucius was besieged in the state of Chen, and students complained about him. Confucius needs someone to go to Chu to help.

Confucius, a native of Shandong in the Spring and Autumn Period, was a great thinker, educator and founder of Confucianism in ancient China.

Because Confucius couldn't realize his political ideal in Lu, he led his disciples to leave Lu and traveled to many countries such as Weiguo, Cao, Song, Zheng and Chen, and later to Cai.

In the third year after Confucius arrived in Cai, Wu attacked Chen. When Chu was saved, the army was stationed in the city father's place. When the Chu people heard that Confucius lived between Cai and Cai, they sent someone to invite him to Chu, and Confucius agreed to the invitation of the Chu people.

When Cai, our minister, heard that Confucius was going to Chu, they discussed together and said, "Confucius is a moral man, and his criticism of the prince can hit their shortcomings." At present, Confucius has been stranded in the border between Chen Guohe and Cai State for a long time, and he doesn't care about what Dr. Cai State of Chen Guohe did. Chu is a powerful country. Now, let's pay tribute to Confucius. If Confucius is reused by Chu, it will be very dangerous for Cai to be a court official. Therefore, Dr. Cai sent people to besiege Confucius and besieged him in the wild. Confucius and his disciples could not get away, and their food was cut off.

Because there was no food, Confucius' disciples were hungry and sick, and most of them could not stand up, but Confucius kept preaching, reciting poems, playing the piano and singing.

Disciple Luz came to see Confucius angrily and said to Confucius, "Is a gentleman poor?" Confucius said, "A gentleman who is poor can stick to moral integrity, while a villain who is poor can do anything."

Disciple Zi Gong turned pale with anger when he heard what Confucius said. Confucius said to Zigong, "Zigong, do you think I am a learned and memorable person?" Zi Gong said, "Yes. Isn't it? " Confucius said, "No, I have grasped the basic truth that things are interrelated."

Confucius thought about the situation alone and knew that his disciples were angry, so he called Luz and asked Luz, "The poem says,' Neither rhinoceros nor tiger is wandering in the wilderness'. Am I wrong? Why am I trapped here? " Lutz said, "Isn't our kindness enough? People don't believe us. Are we really not smart? Therefore, people will not let us pass. " Confucius said, "Does this make sense? Lutz, if there are kind people, they will be able to make people believe. How did Boyi and Shu Qi of Shang Dynasty starve to death on the shouyangshan? If a wise man can definitely get through, how can the Shang Dynasty prince be broken? "

After Luz left Confucius, Zi Gong went to see Confucius. Confucius said to Zigong: "Zigong, the poem says,' neither rhinoceros nor tiger, wandering in the wilderness'. Am I wrong? Why am I trapped here? " Zi Gong said, "There is no room for a teacher in the world because the teacher is the greatest. Can teachers lower their academic opinions slightly to keep up with the times? " Confucius said, "Zi Gong, although a good farmer is good at sowing, he may not have a good harvest;" Although a good craftsman is skilled, he may not be able to do what he wants. Although a gentleman can cultivate his way and establish a discipline of human society, it may not be acceptable to the world. Now you don't practice your Taoism, but seek to be accepted by the world. Zigong, your ambition is too far away! "

After Zi Gong left Confucius, disciple Yan went back to see Confucius. Confucius said, "Yan Hui, the poem says,' Neither rhinoceros nor tiger is wandering in the wilderness'. Am I wrong? Why am I trapped here? " Yan Hui said: "Teachers' academic opinions are the biggest, so there is no place for teachers in the world. Even so, the teachers carried it out. What's the harm of not being accepted by the world? Only by not being tolerated by the world can we show the true nature of a gentleman! It's a pity that you don't practice Taoism. Taoism has been greatly improved and is not used by the people, which is really a shame for the emperor. What's the harm of not being accepted by the world? If you don't accept the secular, you can show the true nature of a gentleman! Confucius smiled happily and said, "That's right, a good disciple of the Yan family! If you have a lot of wealth, I'd rather be your accountant! "

Later, Confucius sent Zi Gong to the State of Chu and asked the State of Chu to rescue them. King Zhao of Chu sent troops to meet Confucius, lifted the siege of Confucius and brought Confucius to Chu.

Question Confucius asked the same question and listened to the answers of three disciples. So he sent Zigong to Chu. Ask a friend to help analyze the reason and what Confucius thinks.

Chen Yu 'an: There are 3,000 disciples of Confucius. Why did you choose Zigong?

Confucius rejected the requests of four disciples one after another, even Yan Hui, who had always been praised by Confucius, was rejected. The disciples looked at each other, wondering which one Confucius was thinking.

Just then, Zi Gong stood up and asked, "Can I go now?"

Zi Gong is the most capable candidate in Confucius' mind at present, but Zi Gong is not Confucius' favorite disciple.

The first sentence at the beginning of Biography of Historical Records of Zhong Ni is: "Confucius said,' Learning with Excellence is an official', and they are all capable people. Virtue: Yan Yuan, Min Ziqian, Ran Boniu, Zhong Gong. Politics: You Ran, Lu Ji. Word: Kill me, Zi Gong. Literature: Ziyou, Xia Zi. "

There are 3,000 disciples of Confucius, 72 of whom are elites, and these ten people, known as the "Ten Philosophers of Confucius", belong to elites.

According to this big ranking, Zigong only ranks eighth. In the first place is Yan Yuan (that is, Yan Hui), who is the most popular figure of Confucius. Lu Ji (that is, Luz) ranked seventh. Yan Hui and Luz are both ahead of Zigong.

Once Zigong once asked Confucius, "What am I like?" Confucius said, "You are like a vessel." Zi Gong asked again, "What is it?" Confucius said, "It's Hu Lian." (Zi Gong asked: What about giving? Confucius said: female, too. Yue: What is it? Yue: Yes. )

Hu Lian is an important ritual vessel, which was used to hold grain in ancient times. It sounds as if Confucius praised the beauty of Zigong. However, if you contact another sentence that Confucius said, you will feel that Confucius' evaluation of Zigong is actually reserved.

Confucius once said that "a gentleman is not a tool", which means that a gentleman should be versatile, not limited to one aspect. Then Zigong is just one of the concrete appliances. Obviously, Confucius thought that Zi Gong didn't reach his ideal gentleman standard.

Confucius once asked Zi Gong to compare himself with Yan Hui. Zi Gong felt ashamed and thought that Yan Hui was far better than himself. Confucius asked Zigong, "Who is better than Yan Hui?" Zi Gong replied, "How dare I compare with Yan Hui? Yan Hui, he can infer ten things when he hears one thing; As for me, knowing one thing can only infer two things. " Confucius said, "Not as good as him. You and I are not as good as him. " This is what Confucius bluntly said: Zi Gong is not as good as Yan Hui. (Confucius said Zi Gong said: Is it better to be a woman or a woman? Yes: How dare you turn back? I can also smell one thing and know two things. Confucius said: My husband, you are also. My daughter and I are very much alike. )

On another occasion, Zi Gong commented on other people's shortcomings, which was known to Confucius. Confucius said, "Grant, are you really that kind of person?" I have no time to judge others. "(Zi Gong Fang. Confucius said: Is giving virtuous? I'm at a loss. )

This sentence of Confucius skillfully expressed his dissatisfaction with Zigong. This also shows that Zi Gong can never completely satisfy Confucius.

Many people thought that although Confucius was dissatisfied with Zi Gong, his eloquence was enough to convince Tian Heng, so Confucius hoped to choose Zi Gong. But in the ranking of Confucius' disciples' speeches, Zi Gong is only the second. In front of him is a more eloquent Jae-woo.

So why didn't Confucius choose slaughter?

First of all, Confucius had a bad impression on Zaiyu!

For example, Jae-young sleeps during the day. Confucius angrily criticized: "Rotten wood can't be carved, and dirt can't be painted." What's the use of blaming this man? "Confucius added:" At first, I listened to his words and believed in human behavior. "Now I have listened to what he said, and I have to observe people's behavior. I changed the way I observe people here. " (Slaughter to sleep in broad daylight, Confucius said: Dead wood can't be carved, and the wall of dirt can't be broken, so why punish it! Confucius said: I start from others, I listen to his words and believe in his deeds; Today, I am a man. I listen to his words and watch his actions. Giving and changing are. )

For another example, Zaiyu once asked Confucius, "Three years of mourning is too long. If a gentleman doesn't pay attention to etiquette for three years, etiquette will inevitably be corrupted; If you don't play music for three years, the music will be useless. The old valley is over, the new valley is on the scene, and the wooden wheel that drilled the fire has passed, and it will take another year. " Confucius said, "In just one year, you ate and wore brocade. Are you at ease? " Zaiyu said: "I feel very at ease." Confucius said, "If you feel at ease, just do it!" ! When a gentleman wakes up, he doesn't feel sweet when eating delicious food, happy when listening to music, and uncomfortable when living at home, so he doesn't do that. Now that you feel at ease, do it! "After Zaiyu went out, Confucius said," Zaiyu is really heartless! A child cannot leave his parents' arms until he is three years old. Losing three years is a common funeral in the world. Don't you love your parents for three years? "(Zai Yu asked: Three years of mourning has been a long time. If a gentleman is not polite for three years, the courtesy will be bad; If you don't have fun for three years, have fun. The old valley has gone, the new valley is rising, and the time has passed. Confucius said: the husband eats, Kim, and the woman? Say: Ann. Women are peaceful for it. Husband and wife are in mourning and don't want to eat, listen to music and live, so they don't do it. This woman is safe, so do it! Kill it, Confucius said: it is unkind to give it! My son was born three years ago, and then he broke away from his parents. My husband was lost for three years, and the whole world was lost. Have you loved your parents for three years? )

Confucius disapproved of the attitude of being slaughtered, but this is not the real reason why Confucius did not choose to be slaughtered.

In Confucius' view, Zaiyu's eloquence is outstanding, but he is only nine Niu Yi hairs. Take the debate on "mourning for three years" as an example. The famous debating skill is actually "attacking children with their spears as shields".

Confucius himself is an advocate of "rites and music", so Zaiyu used "a gentleman who doesn't pay attention to etiquette for three years is bound to be corrupted; If you don't play music for three years, your music will be wasted "to refute the argument of" losing your parents for three years "advocated by Confucius.

This is the cunning of reputation. He wanted to criticize Confucius with contradictions in his words. Confucius knew it well, but it was difficult to deal with it, so he had to shift the topic to "Zaiyu lacked love for his parents" to save face for himself.

As far as the argument is concerned, Confucius lost to Zaiyu, but Zaiyu also left a bad impression on Confucius.

Zaiyu's skill of setting traps in the details of the debate does not stop there.

Once, Zaiyu came to find trouble with Confucius again and asked Confucius, "If someone told him that a man who pursues benevolence fell into a well." Will he jump along? Confucius said, "How is this possible? A gentleman can be destroyed, not framed; You can be deceived, but you can't be deceived. " (Zai Yu asked one day: Although the benevolent told him that there was kindness in the well, did he do it? The master replied: What is it? A gentleman can die, but he can't be sleepy; You can bully, but you can't ignore it. )

In fact, in Yu once again played "spear belt, shield belt attack." Confucius was embarrassed by him again. However, Zai Yu's glib tongue made Confucius feel that he only paid attention to the details of the debate, but it was useless. You can beat others in words, but in the end, you make others angry. The two sides broke up in discord, which not only failed to resolve the dispute, but made the situation worse.

If Confucius sent Zaiyu to persuade Tian Heng, the final result would probably be to win the debate, but lose the overall situation. Therefore, Confucius did not consider the slaughter before Zigong at all.

The biggest difference between Zi Gong and Zai Yu, as well as other disciples such as Yan Hui and Luz, is that Zi Gong was a very rare person who got rich through business at that time.

"Biography of Historical Records and Zhong Ni" records: "Zigong is so wasteful that it changes with the times ... the family is tired." "Scrapping" means "buying cheap and selling expensive". The whole sentence is: Zigong is good at profiting from the changes in market conditions, buying cheap and selling expensive, and becoming a rich man.

Biography of Historical Records of Huo Zhi is a special chapter to record business, and Zigong is also the highlight. He said that after studying in Ni, Zi Gong returned to Wei as an official. When he lived in seclusion, he traded goods between Cao and Lu. Of the 72 disciples of Confucius, Zi Gong was the richest, and one disciple named Yuan Xian didn't even have enough to eat, so he had to live in seclusion in a remote alley. Zigong was connected with chariots and horses, and took a bundle of silks and heavy gifts to hire and pay tribute to the princes. Wherever he went, there was no monarch who did not compete with him. Confucius' reputation can spread all over the world, which is really the result of Zi Gong's help after his predecessors (Zi Gong studied in Zhong Ni and retired as an official). Between Cao Lu and Cao Lu, seventy sons are the most tolerant. Yuan xian is not tired of stolen goods, hiding poor lanes. Zi Gong was king, tied silks and coins, and hired princes. Wherever he went, the monarch resisted him indiscriminately. The husband made Confucius famous all over the world, and Zi Gong followed).

In the face of this extremely arduous persuasion task, Confucius' internal selection criteria were clearly expressed in a conversation with Lutz before.

On one occasion, Luz asked Confucius, "If you were in command of the three armed forces, who would you like to be with?" Confucius said, "I won't be with people who beat tigers with my bare hands and waded across the river on foot, and I won't regret it if I die." I must be looking for someone who is cautious, good at planning and can complete the task. (Lutz said: If you work in the three armed forces, who will work with you? Confucius said: I don't agree with those who die without regrets. You must also be afraid of emergencies, and people who are good at it are also successful. )

Confucius rejected Yan Hui, Luz, Zhang Zi and Zi Shi successively, and it was this man who was waiting for him.

Then, why did Confucius think that Zigong, who had great commercial talent, was a "man who was fearless in times of crisis and easy to succeed"?

Psychological perception: just talking about the benefits often wins the debate, but loses the overall situation.

(Selected from "Confucius Relieved the Surroundings of Chen Guoren and Cai Guoren with the Power of Chu" and "Swallowing Wu" by Chen Yi 'an)