The next afternoon, when Song Xin was still in the Prime Minister's Mansion, he heard the waiters in the corridor talking quietly about what they had seen recently. Song Xin's ears were extremely sensitive and he heard them say that the murderer of human trafficking had recently been caught and executed.
He frowned and the hand he was writing couldn't help but stop. He didn't expect Li Yiping to be executed so soon.
Seeing Song Xin stop writing and hesitate, Zhou Wenzhi touched him and asked, "Brother Song, why don't you write anymore?"
Only then did Song Xin realize that he was lost in thought, and said, "Oh, it's nothing. I was just thinking about how to write the next sentence, so I lost my mind."
Cao Chong smiled and said: "Brother Song, isn't this matter of searching for chapters and extracting sentences too boring?"
"Oh, no, no, I don't know as much about classics and history as Brother Zhou, so I'm slow."
Song Xin and Zhou Wenzhi's task these days was to help Cao Chong find and copy sentences about ghosts and gods in Confucian classics, and then ask Cao Chong to memorize them for class preview. At this time, Cao Chong was holding a copy of "Lunheng" and reading it. This work by Wang Chong was originally classified as a foreign book and was restricted from circulation, but it was collected in the Prime Minister Cao Cao's house. Cao Chong used it to compare it with the content of Confucian classics.
At this time, most of the great Confucians read classics of prophecy theory such as Baihu Tongyi, believed in the communication between ghosts, gods and heaven and humans, and derived from this the three cardinal principles and six moral principles, etc., and theologized Confucian theory. This is also the reason why witchcraft and divination flourished both in the court and among the people. Later, after the rise of metaphysics in the Wei and Jin Dynasties, the prophecy theory gradually declined. After the Song Dynasty, no one mentioned it anymore.
Wang Chong's atheistic theory was not particularly unusual in the eyes of later generations, but in this era when the prophecy theory was prevalent, it was naturally astonishing.
Ever since Song Xin met Xiaoyu, he knew that the so-called ghosts in this world were also another form of life, so how could they sense anything. It was very different from his original world without supernatural beings.
At this time, Cao Chong said: "I am about to be fifteen years old. When my birthday passes in May, I will also go to Piyong to study. You will also have a seat there."
Song Xin didn't know what Piyong was, and Cao Chong didn't blame him, but patiently explained: "This is a school specially opened for the children of noble families. I will study there for three years."
Before Zhou Wenzhi came to Xudu, he also studied in Piyong for two years opened by Liu Biao. He added: "In Piyong, in addition to studying classics and historical articles, there are also various skills, such as etiquette, music, dance, Poetry, literature, swordsmanship, archery, riding, chariot-controlling, etc.”
Song Xin understood that this was a school for the children of aristocrats. This was also one of the means by which the aristocracy controlled the lifeline of the country. It distinguished their descendants from those of the poor in terms of education. This also existed in the modern society he once lived in, just in a different form.
However, he did not expect that even Cao Cao's son would have to stay in Piyong and could only go home once every five days.
On the day of teaching, Song Xin got up early. Ajiang helped him wash his hair, tie it into a bun carefully, and put on the robe issued by the Prime Minister's Palace.
For Song Xin, this kind of clothing is made of blue silk and can hardly feel the weight when worn on the body. It's much more comfortable than the rough linen I usually wear.
When I arrived at the Prime Minister's Mansion, I noticed that Zhou Wenzhi's breath seemed to be recovering well. Although it was still a bit vain, it was much better than the last time they met. Song Xin also felt a weak spiritual consciousness exploring his body, and thought to himself: "It seems that he has recently planted the Sea of Consciousness Seed, but his spiritual consciousness is still very weak."
However, Song Xin was not afraid of such a weak spiritual detection at all. Under the double cover of the Nine Ghosts Hidden Qi and the Hidden Divine Transformation, it was impossible for his cultivation to be discovered. It’s just that he didn’t know who was the person who helped him plant the source of divine consciousness. Zhou Wenzhi came to Cao Chong with what purpose.
"Well, today I want to listen to Mr. Sima's lecture on "The Analects of Confucius". You two can accompany me to listen." Cao Chong said with a smile.
"Yes, sir."
When Song Xin heard this, he thought to himself: "Mr. Sima? Could it be Sima Yi?"
After a while, a man walked in slowly, carrying a book under his arm.
The man stood at the lecturer's seat in the school. Cao Chong saluted him and said, "Mr. Zhongda, students are polite."
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When Song Xin heard that it was indeed Sima Yi, he couldn't help but take a few more glances.
"Master, you are polite." Sima Yi returned the greeting to Cao Chong.
Song Xin and Zhou Wenzhi saluted Mr. This is the rule of the prime minister's house. When the prince is studying, he must salute his master as a teacher and a student, and his entourage must also salute his master.
Seeing Sima Yi, Song Xin was still a little excited and couldn't help but look at him carefully for a while. However, after taking a closer look, I was a little disappointed. This man was more than seven feet tall, not strong, and about thirty or forty years old. His eyes looked a little dull, and as for the eagle-eye-wolf attitude mentioned in the history books, I couldn't tell at all. And there was even a faint rancid smell on him.
On the surface, Sima Yi didn't look like a shrewd person at all, but more like a dull academic. If Song Xin hadn't known what he did later, he would have been confused by this appearance.
Sensing Song Xin's gaze, Sima Yi just looked at him, without any change in expression on his face, and just nodded slightly in greeting.
Then he said: "Master. A few days ago, Master asked me how to treat ghosts and gods. So today we will talk about what the sages said about ghosts and gods. Maybe it can inspire Master, okay?"
"Students follow your teacher's instructions."
"Well, I wonder if Young Master has done any preview?"
Cao Chong nodded with a confident look on his face, but Song Xin was secretly worried. He only got the excerpted sentences yesterday afternoon, and it was absolutely impossible to memorize them in one night.
Sima Yi began to extract passages about ghosts and gods from the Analects of Confucius and explain them one by one. During the lecture, Cao Chong answered questions fluently, as if he had written answers before his eyes. Song Xin and Zhou Wenzhi couldn't help but be surprised. He was indeed a child prodigy who lived up to his reputation, with an almost photographic memory. This kind of memory is even comparable to that of practitioners.
After Sima Yi finished speaking, he asked Cao Chong if he had any questions.
"Student has a question. When I was young, I heard Xun Lingjun say in a lecture that the things about ghosts and gods in the world are illusory and unknowable. Be cautious and chase after the distance, all because of human nature. If there are no ghosts and gods, then why do these sages still talk about ghosts and gods?"
Sima Yi said: "I feel that Xun Lingjun is not saying that ghosts and gods really do not exist. Ghosts and gods are not something that people can know or control. Therefore, it is meaningless to discuss whether they exist or not."
"Sir, please tell me, in the Analects of Confucius, why do gentlemen sacrifice to ghosts and gods?"
"A gentleman's sacrifice to ghosts and gods is to show respect for the ancestors to the world, so as to educate the people. "Yong Ye" said: The meaning of serving the people is to respect ghosts and gods and keep them at a distance. This means that if a gentleman does things wisely, he will comply with the people's will. , respect ghosts and gods and stay away from them. In this way, it does not matter whether there are ghosts and gods, as long as the people see that the monarch respects ghosts and gods."
"The teacher's words reminded the students that in "Taibo", Confucius praised King Yu for his poor diet, which resulted in filial piety to ghosts and gods; and his poor clothing, which resulted in beauty and beauty (synonymous with "Fun"). In fact, King Yu respected When worshiping ghosts and gods, preparing better food than usual and wearing good clothes should be to let the living people see his respect for the ancestors. In fact, these foods and clothes cannot be enjoyed by ghosts and gods. King Dayu also It’s not that he asked ghosts and gods to help him do things. And whether there are ghosts or gods is actually not important to King Yu, nor is it the reason why he worships ghosts and gods. Is that what you mean?”
Sima Yi nodded and said: "Young master is smart. King Yu wants to worship ghosts and gods for people to see, not for ghosts and gods to see. If you can't do things to people, how can you do things to ghosts?"
Song Xin listened to the conversation between master and apprentice and was thinking about it himself. At this time, Cao Cao and Cao Pi walked in. Several people knelt down and saluted Cao Cao, while Cao Pi nodded to them.
"You continue with the class." Cao Cao waved his hand. He and Cao Pi sat aside and listened quietly.
"Sir, now that you understand why gentlemen worship ghosts and gods, you can think about how to use these principles to deal with current matters."
"Well, Master, have you heard that there is a Three Saints Sect in Xudu recently?" Cao Chong asked suddenly. Song Xin raised his eyebrows. At the same time, he also noticed that Zhou Wenzhi's brows moved.
Sima Yi nodded and said, "Yes, I have heard a little bit."
"This Three Saints Sect claims to have the help of gods and immortals. They say they can exorcise ghosts and cure diseases, and they have attracted many followers. The students don't know that.
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However, the sages have said that worshiping ghosts and gods is just for people to see, so why are so many believers willing to believe these false things? "
Sima Yi said: "Young Master, that's a good question. This is the difference between a gentleman and a villain. When a gentleman is in danger, he does not seek help from ghosts and gods, but seeks help from himself. A villain does not seek help from himself, but seeks help from ghosts and gods. Since ancient times, ghosts and gods have been used to confuse people. There are too many things that people do, and in hindsight they are all for personal gain. Just like the Yellow Turban Rebellion. Now the same is true for the Three Saints Sect. I heard that the Three Saints Sect only uses ghosts and gods to collect offerings from believers and persecute them. Businesses donated money and materials.”
Cao Cao frowned when he heard what Sima Yi said. A trace of curiosity and surprise flashed in his eyes, but he still did not interrupt the lecture.
"The students have also heard about what the teacher said." Cao Chong said, glanced at Song Xin, and then asked: "But the people are often willing to listen to these false words rather than follow the teachings of the saints. This is another reason. Why?"
Sima Yi said: "A gentleman looks at the long-term, while a villain looks at the present. The Three Saints teach patients to apply talisman water for free. But asking a doctor to treat a disease requires a consultation fee. The people will definitely choose the free talisman water, even though the talisman water We don’t charge a penny for the water, but most of them are passed off as medicinal decoctions, claiming that gods can cure diseases.”
Cao Chong nodded: "That's true."
Sima Yi continued: "After the patient was cured, he thought that he had received huge benefits without any effort, so he was willing to become a believer. Little did he know that after becoming a believer, he would be charged for offerings. If you calculate carefully, these offerings later paid, But it is much more valuable than the medicine, stones and consultation fees that should have been paid to the doctors at that time."
When Song Xin heard this, he couldn't help but understand that since ancient times, these sages have thought clearly about these issues. People in the world always think that worshiping ghosts and gods can bring benefits. As everyone knows, these are all trying to bribe ghosts and gods to make profits for themselves. Those who use ghosts and gods to deceive people are simply using this mentality to deceive people. I didn’t expect Sima Yi to see so clearly! This seemingly dull man is indeed powerful.
In his original era, not many people could see this clearly, especially those celebrities. For a little profit, they listened to the words of the magicians and raised brats, and there were countless examples of them being backlashed in the end. Sometimes, modern people feel that they are smarter than the ancients, but in fact, they are still far behind in their understanding of some issues.
"Zhongda, that's all for today's class." Cao Cao interrupted the class and said.
"As you command, Prime Minister."
"Zhongda, don't leave yet. What's going on with the Three Saints Sect you just mentioned?"
Sima Yi bowed and replied: "Reporting to the Prime Minister, the Three Saints Sect has set up a house in Xudu City, and there are many believers. They often patrol the East District, and the merchants cannot bear the disturbance. There are also people in the government who believe it, and they often report the case. Just let it go.”
"Well, Cao wanted to ask about this before the Southern Expedition. I didn't expect that the Three Saints Sect would develop so much in less than a year." Cao Cao muttered. Suddenly, he looked at Zhou Wenzhi,
"Wen Zhi, do you know about the Three Holy Sects?"
"I know."
"How do you think this should be handled?"
"I believe that the teachings of sages mentioned by Mr. Zhongda are true, but they may not apply to the Three Saints Sect. I feel that it is better to see if they are really committing crimes. If they are, it will not be too late to punish them according to national laws."
When Zhou Wenzhi said this, Song Xin was slightly startled. "Why did he say that?"
Cao Cao also looked at Zhou Wenzhi in confusion, but after Sima Yi heard Zhou Wenzhi's words, he had no expression or any statement, he just lowered his head and remained silent.
Zhou Wenzhi saw the faces of Cao Cao and Sima Yi, and instantly realized that he had said too much, and quickly explained: "I feel that the theory of ghosts and gods is not false. If there are gods in the Three Saints Religion, we have offended him by rashly touching them. The gods inside may not be good for me. Moreover, this sect has a large number of followers. If it triggers a civil uprising, I'm afraid..."
After hearing this, Song Xin secretly sighed in her heart, "What kind of gods are you? As a practitioner, don't you know this? The Three Saints Sect has already moved into my house, and they still want to insult my family. If I were an ordinary person, wouldn't I have to swallow my anger?" Yes! If they bully the market, is that not considered a crime? If there were gods, would they let them bully the people?"
"Song Xin, have you ever had conflicts with the Three Saints Sect before?" Cao Cao suddenly turned around and asked.
(End of chapter)
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