Baiyun Mountain, in a quiet wooden house,
It was hard for Chen Xueli to imagine that this was Yang Fan who caused chaos in Jiangnan.
Looking at the young man in front of him, with his handsome face and kind smile, it is impossible to tell that he is a murderer in the eyes of others.
Acting recklessly and disregarding human life... are the words Chen Xueli has heard most these days, and they are also comments about the young people in front of him.
What's more, Yang Fan was described as a devil who specializes in eating children.
Although Chen Xueli knew that this was a counterattack launched by the Jiangnan nobles unwillingly, he still felt a little unhappy in his heart.
For Chen Xueli, who was deeply influenced by Confucianism, Yang Fan's behavior of indiscriminately killing officials without consulting the court was still disgusting.
However, this guy is really a scoundrel.
He drank tea all the time after entering the house and didn't say the reason for his visit. He was just a slut.
In desperation, Chen Xueli could only say: "I wonder why the Governor came to visit my humble residence today?"
Seeing that the stubborn old man couldn't help but speak, Yang Fan said with a smile: "Mr. Chen is a famous scholar in the world. When I come to Jiangnan, of course I have to pay a visit."
Chen Xueli snorted: "I can't stand you being like this. Tell me, what's the matter with you today?"
Yang Fan didn't hide any more and told the purpose of coming today.
After hearing Yang Fan's words, Chen Xueli's eyes lit up, obviously intending to move, but soon dimmed again.
Looking at Yang Fan, Chen Xueli hesitated and sighed: ""The Analects of Confucius. Tai Bo" said: The people can follow it, but they cannot know it. If all the people in the world can read the book, how can they still follow the emperor's instructions? Do it with will?”
"Your idea is truly unprecedented in history. Unfortunately, neither the Jiangnan nobles nor the king will allow this to happen."
Yang Fan smiled faintly, pretending to be contemptuous and said: "Mr. Chen, you claim to be orthodox Confucianism, but you didn't expect to interpret the meaning of the saint in such a distorted way. It's really disappointing!"
Hearing this, Chen Xueli's beard almost stood up and he shouted angrily: "Ignorant boy, you dare to humiliate me. If you don't give me an explanation, this matter will never end."
As a representative of Confucianism in the south of the Yangtze River, he is as famous as Kong Yingda, a representative of Confucianism in the north. Now Yang Fan said that he had misunderstood the meaning of the sage Kong, and he was very graceful if he did not fight on the spot.
Yang Fan was calm and did not explain immediately, but said: "As a saint, Confucius had profound cultivation and profound wisdom. Does Mr. Chen think that Confucius is the kind of person who fools the people?"
Although he didn't know what Yang Fan meant, Chen Xueli certainly didn't believe that his idol would be a saint who fooled the people, so he nodded affirmatively and said: "Sage Kong is certainly not that kind of person!"
Yang Fan smiled lightly and said: "I also know that Saint Kong is not that kind of person. What I mean is that future generations have misunderstood what Saint Kong meant?"
Chen Xueli looked confused: "Wrong understanding? How is it possible?"
Yang Fan's words were precise: "In my opinion, the words of Confucius should be understood in this way: if the people can do it, let them know it; if they can't do it, let them know it."
"What Confucius meant is that if the people approve it, let them follow it. If they don't approve it, explain it to them and let them read and learn to understand it better. This is in line with Confucius's simple and democratic thought, Mr. Chen what you think?"
If the people can do it, let them do it; if they can't, let them know it...
Chen Xueli seemed to be crazy and kept mumbling something, which had subverted his previous understanding of this sentence.
He couldn't help but wonder if he really didn't understand the saint's meaning as Yang Fan said.
Looking at Chen Xueli's appearance, Yang Fan remained silent, just waiting quietly.
Of course he knew how much impact these words had on Chen Xueli.
After all, Confucius originally believed in being loyal to the emperor and ignorant of the people, but later generations beautified the sage Confucius, and another understanding emerged.
The conflict between two completely different ideas will of course make people confused and even confused.
And people have a subtle motive, always thinking that the idols they worship are perfect.
It is undeniable that Chen Xueli is the same, so Yang Fan's understanding of beautifying Confucius' thoughts is approved by Chen Xueli.
Looking at the young man in front of him, Chen Xueli felt that he was old for the first time, and sighed: "I pride myself on being no weaker than others in my life, but I misinterpret the meaning of the saint. I am really ashamed!"
Yang Fan Cancan said: "As long as people can make mistakes, why should Mr. Chen care about it? There are many ignorant people in the world. Only by letting them know can they better serve the empire, so I ask Mr. Chen to spare no effort."
Chen Xueli took a deep look at Yang Fan and refused: "I haven't learned it thoroughly myself, so what's the point of preaching and teaching?"
Hearing this, Yang Fan was dumbfounded!
Unexpectedly, his showoff would make this famous Jiangnan scholar feel disheartened.
Of course, Yang Fan would not give up just like that. After all, he still wanted to take advantage of this Jiangnan scholar!
After thinking about it, Yang Fan said excitedly: "This junior has collected countless interpretations of saints in the school. Don't you want Mr. Chen to go and have a look?"
"If Mr. Chen is willing to work in a certain school, I can recruit Confucian students from all over the world and ask them to compile a Confucian classic with you. What do you think?"
"It is said that Mr. Kong Yingda and Mr. Kong combined the strengths of northern and southern Confucianism in Chang'an and are compiling the "Five Classics of Justice". Doesn't Mr. Chen think that he can't compete with him?"
Hearing this, Chen Xueli was immediately unhappy!
Confucianism in the north and the south has always been dissatisfied. Now Yang Fan said that he was not as good as Kong Yingda, and his beard was suddenly trembling with anger.
Without thinking much about it, Chen Xueli stood up suddenly and said angrily: "Will I be inferior to that guy? Huh, let's go to your school right away. I will also compile a book to compete with that old man. Down."
Yang Fan chuckled: "Mr. Chen, let's go first. I'll help you. If you need to clean up anything, just tell my useless hands to get off!"
Seeing Yang Fan's anxious look, Chen Xueli gradually calmed down. He knew that he had been tricked!
But words spoken are like water thrown out, of course it is impossible to take them back.
The more Chen Xueli thought about it, the more depressed he became. He had no choice but to push away Yangfan's hand to support him, and said with some displeasure: "I'm not old enough to need help from others. I can't bear it if you use your hypocrisy on others. However, No wonder you kid can play around with the Jiangnan nobles."
Yang Fan was not embarrassed, and said with a smile: "You are too old. You have lived such a long time, how can the younger generation deceive you? You just don't want to see the common people having no way to study."
"The reason why this junior supports you is just to show the joy in your heart, but you don't even give this junior a chance, which really makes this junior sad."
Yang Fan's pretentious look directly made Chen Xueli laugh: "Are you sad? I heard about it when I went to Chang'an last time. I can't find anyone thicker-skinned than you in the whole world."
Yang Fan's eyes widened and he said in disbelief: "How is that possible? People like the Jiangnan nobles are much thicker-skinned than the juniors. They are using secret tricks to prevent my school from recruiting all the students."
Chen Xueli looked at Yang Fan and seemed extremely speechless.
Although he knew that there could never be reconciliation between Yang Fan and the Jiangnan nobles, he could only use this to blatantly target each other.
Arriving at Huating County with Yang Fan, Chen Xueli looked at the current situation with great interest.
He has been to Huating County before.
In his memory, this was a small, poor and backward county with no special features other than rich seafood.
But now there is a huge flow of people, and large-scale renovations are being carried out in various places, which are simply brand new.
Although he did not go to the planned site mentioned by Yang Fan for on-site inspection, he was still full of expectations for the school Yang Fan mentioned.
In order to express the importance he attached to Chen Xueli's arrival, Yang Fan notified all officials in Huating County and the gentry in the county to hold a banquet for Chen Xueli directly at the Huating County Government Office.
After three rounds of wine, five flavors of food.
Everyone present also knew that Chen Xueli, a great scholar from the south of the Yangtze River, was coming to serve in the school, and they all wanted to send their children to come.
In this way, Yang Fan's task of pulling the tiger's skin to pull the flag is half completed.
After everyone dispersed, Chen Xueli finally saw how rogue Yang Fan was.
With such a big formation, this guy is obviously using his reputation to recruit talents.
But he had already entered the tiger's den, and there was no way he could escape unscathed.
Depressed, Chen Xueli could only ask: "When will your school start? I don't like your kind of socializing."
Yang Fan smiled slightly: "Don't worry, please rest for a few days. To be honest, it's still a little early. The construction of the school will take at least two or three months. If you want to officially start classes, it will have to be after the autumn harvest, and everything will be done." We have to plan everything from scratch, so we can only take our time.”
Chen Xueli couldn't help but sneered: "You are so old and cunning. So you brought me here so early just to build a sign? Do you, the governor, really know how to scheme by letting me put this sign here?"
He is not that easy to fool, he becomes more mature with age!
Yang Fan was a little embarrassed, so he could only say: "Look at what you said, how can you say it is a conspiracy? This junior let the news out, and Confucian students from Jiangnan also came. In the future, if you want to compile a classic, you will have someone to help you." !”
After saying that, Yang Fan also made an expression like "I'm thinking about you."
Chen Xueli was so angry that his eyes bulged.
Who wants to compile a classic? Isn't it your kid's way of provoking a general?
On second thought, it's actually pretty good.
Kong Yingda convened many Confucian students in Chang'an to jointly compile the "Five Classics of Justice". If he also produced a Confucian classic, he would at least not be inferior to him.
Compiling a classic cannot be completed by one person. It requires the help of many people to successfully compile it.
But no matter what, Yang Fan is so blatantly using his reputation to recruit talents. Isn't this trying to pull off a tiger's skin?
They just used my name to recruit talents, but they still spoke so plausibly. Chen Xueli was so angry that he really wanted to kill someone.
But when he thought that he would have the opportunity to compile a Confucian classic and be admired by later generations of Confucian scholars, Chen Xueli was so enthusiastic that he wished Yang Fan could recruit more talents.
You must know that Kong Yingda gathered nearly a hundred Confucian students in Chang'an, and he did not want to be weaker than others.
Of course, it’s impossible to say this.
Could it be that he came here to take up a post just because he wanted to use Yang Fan's power to compete with Kong Yingda?
Although he does have the intention to compete with Kong Yingda, he is not completely philistine!
As Yang Fan said, there are many people who are ignorant and need someone to enlighten them. Chen Xueli is willing to be the pioneer.
But Chen Xueli was still a little angry after being tricked by Yang Fan one after another.
After all, as a great scholar from the south of the Yangtze River, how could ordinary people dare to plot against him?
But today, he was tricked twice by Yang Fan. Where would he put his face?
Seeing that Chen Xueli was so angry that his beard was about to stand up, and for fear that he would suffer a cerebral hemorrhage, Yang Fan quickly explained: "Don't be surprised, Mr. Chen. The younger generation also has no choice. Jiangnan has a powerful family. If you don't rely on your reputation, how will those students come here?" Teaching? If there are no teachers in the school, wouldn’t it mean that the people have no way to study?”
Seeing Yang Fan's attitude, Chen Xueli felt much better and felt that Yang Fan's words made sense.
A few days ago, Yang Fan was fighting to the death with the Jiangnan nobles in Yuntai Mountain.
Now it seems that Yang Fan has the upper hand, but those Jiangnan nobles will never let it go.
If you are an ordinary person, you really can't attract students to come to the school to teach and educate people!
What's more, Confucian thoughts must be passed down by someone, which is also the obligation of a Confucian scholar.
Seeing that Chen Xueli's anger was gradually subdued, Yang Fan struck a chord while the iron was hot: "Mr. Chen, whether it is teaching and educating people or compiling classics, it requires a lot of talents. I wonder if you know some great Confucians and other talents?"
"If they are willing to come to the school, not only can they explain the saint's meaning clearly, but they can also discuss and communicate with each other. Once a Confucian classic can be compiled, then you will be the sage teachers of future generations of Confucian students. Wouldn't that be beautiful? !”
In fact, Yang Fan has no objection to Confucianism. He even thinks that Confucianism is actually easier to manage the world in prosperous times.
Although Confucianism has received mixed reviews and criticisms in later generations, it may not be as bad as some extremists in later generations said.
In later generations, many people believed that Confucianism restricted thought and was the main culprit that caused Huaxia to lag behind the world. Yang Fan thought it was ridiculous.
Since the Qin Dynasty, Confucianism has been the only orthodoxy confirmed by the ruling class. Except for the last feudal dynasty, all technologies are the most advanced.
In the final analysis, everything is caused by human beings, and it has nothing to do with the doctrines one believes in.
Confucianism is just a philosophy. It talks about cultivating one's moral character and cultivating one's character. Its main themes are positive and healthy.
It was only in the Song Dynasty that Zhuli's theory pushed it to extremes, and the eight-legged essay of the Braid Dynasty imprisoned thoughts, which led to tragedy.
That's why Yang Fan paid so much attention to Chen Xueli, a great scholar from the south of the Yangtze River.
It is undeniable that Confucian classics are extremely effective for a person's self-cultivation and moral cultivation, and are also more conducive to the rule of the ruling class.
Although Yang Fan does not want to be a dictator, if he wants to carry out reforms, he must have absolute say.
Hearing Yang Fan's encouraging words, Chen Xueli was truly moved.
He is also a layman, and as a layman he pursues fame and wealth.
Gathering talents from all over the world to compile Confucian classics and teach Confucian teachings not only reflects one's own value, but also gathers outstanding Confucian scholars from all over the world to compile classics that will be handed down for generations to come. Why not?
Although he was extremely excited, Chen Xueli was a person who had seen the world after all, so he naturally calmed down, but said with a calm look on his face:
"Even if I can summon great scholars from all over the world to compile classics and teach teachings, but the people are poor, how many people can have the money to come to school to study and learn to read? What are your plans?"
Hearing this, Yang Fan almost raised his middle finger at Chen Xueli.
This guy always looks like he has no desires and needs, and he is not becoming a philistine just for the sake of fame.
However, Chen Xueli’s name is really useful.
Nowadays, most of the intellectuals in the world are descendants of Confucianism. With him as a great Confucian god sitting in charge, why can't the world's elites compete to join him?
What's more, Yang Fan doesn't mind at all if the other party only wants a little fame.
The most important thing is that Yang Fan had no intention of profiting from the school. He planned to do it for free from the beginning.
So Yang Fan pretended to be bleeding and gritted his teeth and said: "Mr. Chen, do you think this is okay? As long as people in the jurisdiction of this capital study, everything in the school will be free. What do you think?"
Chen Xueli immediately beamed with joy: "You are indeed the God of Wealth. You are indeed generous. As long as you do more good deeds, I will recommend talents from all walks of life to you. From now on, you can use this name as you wish..."
"Thank you, Mr. Chen!"
With this final word, the two of them had reached a tacit understanding and couldn't help but smile at each other.
