Since the founding of the People's Republic of China in Dashun, and even in the previous dynasties when the literary style was prosperous, people have firmly believed that "everything is of inferior quality, only reading is high."
This is almost the purpose of scholars, which gives them a very high sense of superiority.
However, at this moment, Duan Wenjun said that today's scholars have completely misinterpreted the original meaning of the ancients' words. How could this not shock everyone.
This completely subverted their original understanding.
Qin Siya was stunned when she heard this, and was about to retort when Qin Feng frowned, stared at Duan Wenjun and spoke first, "Wenjun, you said that today's scholars have completely misunderstood the meaning of the ancients. What's going on?"
"Mr. Qin, I would like to take the liberty of asking you, what do scholars nowadays study for? What do they study for." Duan Wenjun asked instead without answering.
Qin Feng frowned and said, "Ten years of hard work is naturally to gain fame."
Duan Wenjun nodded, "Yes, as you always said, gain fame."
"But what is the purpose of gaining fame? Let's put it bluntly, it is actually to become an official. If you can't become an official, will anyone still go to gain fame?"
"If we must expand it and add a hat to hide it, we can be more dignified. Studying is to become an official. Only when you become an official can you govern a country. Serve the king at the top and benefit the people at the bottom. This is the nobleness of scholars. ideal."
"But what about the reality? If you become an official, will this really happen?"
"Mr. Qin, you yourself are a living example. You were a great scholar in the dynasty who was full of economics. I think you must have been an ambitious scholar when you were young. But what happens after you become an official? Is it really what you want?"
"I think, probably not! Otherwise, why would you want to come to this small Wangjiang County to establish this Sihai College?"
Duan Wenjun talked incessantly, which made Qin Feng frown and stare at the tea cup in his hand. He seemed to be deep in thought and did not move for a long time.
Qin Siya and Jiang Shuying also frowned and stared at Duan Wenjun.
Although Duan Wenjun's words just sounded far-fetched, they seemed to be very reasonable.
Even Mo Shoucheng, who was sitting on the stone next to him while drinking, his hand holding the wine bag stopped in mid-air, staring blankly at Duan Wenjun's back, not knowing what he was thinking.
The grass pavilion suddenly fell into silence.
After a long time, Qin Feng finally put down the tea cup. He raised his head and stared at Duan Wenjun, his tone became very serious, "You think the scholars in the world have misinterpreted the meaning of the ancients. What was the original meaning of the ancients?"
"The ancients said that all things are inferior, but only those who read are high. The real meaning is not literal. It does not mean that only those who read are superior to others. The high here refers to the height at which people stand, which is their vision and self-improvement. ." Duan Wenjun's eyes swept over everyone's faces one by one, and just then he continued, "There are 360 scholars, farmers, industrialists and merchants in the world, and the best among them is the number one scholar. Farmers have experience in farming, and businessmen have experience in business. The workers have workshop experience, which is actually gained through reading. It’s just that some people read books with printed words, and some people read practical books.”
"Vision and self-improvement?" Qin Feng seemed a little confused. While thinking about Duan Wenjun's words, he murmured to himself, "Books with printed words, books with practice?"
Duan Wenjun's words continued, "The reason why people want to read is because reading can understand things, expand people's thinking, and enable people to view and solve problems from a higher perspective, so that they can broaden their horizons and improve themselves."
"If this is the case, and scholars are just for self-improvement as you said, and do not pursue fame, then what is the point of studying?" Qin Siya was still unconvinced.
"Yes, this is what I just asked. If you don't become an official after taking the exam, would anyone else take the exam? So, everyone thinks so. Studying is to gain fame. That's why everyone thinks, like this It's the right thing to do." Duan Wenjun's face became more serious, "That's why today's scholars study for the sake of fame and officialdom."
"This is a vicious cycle. Scholars study just to get ahead, and to become an official, their motivations are different."
"What can you do if you get ahead? After ten years of hard work and no one asked, what is the purpose of becoming famous all over the world in one fell swoop?"
"Of course it is so that I can have the best life and status. So the first thing that comes to my mind is to make up for all the suffering I suffered while studying."
"How to make up for it? That is of course enjoyment."
"If an official wants to have fun, will he still focus on taking care of the king and asking for orders for the people? Then will they still want to be a good official? Personal interests, family interests, and clan interests, I am afraid these are their priorities. Something.”
"Let's think about it carefully, who are today's scholars? If they are not descendants of scholarly families or powerful families, then they are children of wealthy families. Even the Sihai Academy founded by Mr. Qin is very considerate of the people's sentiments and is ordinary. The student's tuition fee is twenty-five taels of silver. It seems not much, not even comparable to the cost of a banquet we had at Wangjiang Tower. But how many families in Wangjiang can afford such tuition? Twenty-five taels of silver. , this is their family’s income for a year or even several years without food or water.”
"This means that the so-called scholars have actually been monopolized by power and money. Mr. Qin, Miss Qin, do you still think that the original intention of scholars is to gain fame?"
"I don't want to beat all scholars to death with a stick. I think all officials are like this. But if most of the officialdom is like this, even if someone wants to be a clear stream, will it be easy? "
“If you don’t join in with others, you are an alien.”
"If you are an alien, you will be ostracized and suppressed, and naturally you will not be able to stay in the officialdom."
"Over time, the officialdom has become less and less clear, and naturally it has become darker and darker. What will be the result?"
"I believe Mr. Qin should feel it more deeply than I do. If not, you wouldn't have resigned from Shangliang to come to Wangjiang!"
As soon as these words came out, everyone was shocked, and Qin Feng's whole body was trembling.
What Duan Wenjun said is exactly what he has been struggling with over the years.
Qin Feng, disillusioned with the officialdom, had just come to Wangjiang to open Sihai Academy.
He has also been lamenting that the officialdom is not what he imagined before. Even though he has always wanted to do something and be that clear stream, he was repeatedly marginalized in the end.
He had always thought that it was because of his personality that he could not integrate into the officialdom.
He has been thinking about the reasons, but he has never thought that although he has problems, the biggest problem lies in the officialdom itself and the scholars themselves.
The original intention of scholars is wrong, so how can they be allowed to make the right choices and do the right things after they become famous?
Cleaning up the officialdom cannot be saved by just one person.
Thinking of this, Qin Feng suddenly became very decadent. He looked up at Duan Wenjun and said, "If you are a scholar not for being an official, but just for your so-called higher thinking and vision. This kind of invisible and intangible thing, Who will study hard? Why not go into business and farm, at least as your father said, you can still make ends meet and earn money. However, if this is the case, won’t the sacred knowledge be in ruins, and the knowledge will be just like that? Have you sunk?"
"Mr. Qin's words are wrong!" Duan Wenjun looked at him and continued, "Actually, you are also aware of this, right? Otherwise, you wouldn't come to Wangjiang to open this Sihai College?"
When Qin Feng heard this, he fell silent again.
Duan Wenjun picked up the tea cup and drank it all, and then let out a long sigh, "If we can start from the beginning, re-establish the correct three views of scholars, set new goals, and let this clear stream slowly wash away the original officialdom, in this way Only then can it become clear slowly.”
"Reestablish the three correct views of scholars and set new goals. What are those?" Qin Feng's face changed greatly.
Duan Wenjun turned around, looked down the slope, and then took a long breath and said slowly, "Studying is not just to be an official, but to establish a heart for the world and to establish a destiny for the people. To carry on the unique knowledge to the saints and to serve for all generations. Let’s bring peace.”
"Establish a heart for heaven and earth, establish a destiny for the living and the people. Carry on the unique knowledge of the past saints, and create peace for all generations." Qin Feng repeated in a low voice, with a bright light in his eyes.
Qin Siya and Jiang Shuying were stunned.
Mo Shoucheng squinted his eyes slightly and stared at Duan Wenjun's back, feeling even more turbulent in his heart.
