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A night of fun

If one is superior to one's elders, one should not ask their age. When meeting a banquet, one should not take orders. When meeting on the road, one should greet the other, but not ask where to go. When attending funerals, one should not express condolences. When serving a gentleman, one should not hold a zither or draw a line on the ground, and one should not move his hands. When sleeping, one should sit and take orders. When serving an archer, one should draw arrows, and when serving a thrower, one should hold arrows. When winning, one should wash and ask for permission, and the same applies to guests. One should not fight or raise a horse. When holding the carriage of the king, one should sit. A servant should wear a sword in his right hand, carry a good rein, extend it to his face, drag the various hats, and let the reins go up, holding the reins before walking. Asking for an audience does not mean asking to leave. In court, one should say "leave", in banquets, one should say "return", and in military service, one should say "stop". When serving a gentleman, if the gentleman yawns, stretches, carries a scepter, cleans the head of the sword, and puts on his shoes, one should ask how early the day is, and even if one asks to leave, one can do so. Those who serve the king should consider before entering, and if not, then consider again; the same applies to those who ask for leave from others and those who work for others. Yes, so the superiors have no resentment, and the subordinates are far from sin. Do not spy on secrets, do not be intimate, do not talk about old times, and do not play with women. As a minister, there is remonstrance without slander, there is loss without anger; praise without flattery, remonstrance without arrogance; if lazy, promote and assist, if abolished, sweep and replace; this is called the service of the state.

Water flowing around the countryside

During the Zhengshi period, people compared and debated, and ranked the Five Xuns against the Five Chens: Xun Shu was against Chen Shi, Xun Jing was against Chen Chen, Xun Shuang was against Chen Ji, Xun Yu was against Chen Qun, and Xun Xi was against Chen Tai. There are also eight Peis and eight kings: Pei Hui is the counterpart of Wang Xiang, Pei Kai is the counterpart of Wang Yi Fu, Pei Kang is the counterpart of Wang Sui, Pei Chuo is the counterpart of Wang Cheng, Pei Zan is the counterpart of Wang Dun, Pei Xia is the counterpart of Wang Dao, Pei Wei is the counterpart of Wang Rong, and Pei Miao is the counterpart of Wang Xuan.

Herring with salt

Zixia asked Confucius, "What should I do if I am the enemy of my parents?" Confucius said, "Sleep on straw and use dry wood as pillow, do not serve in the government, and do not share the world with them; if you meet them in the market, do not fight with them." He said, "What should I do if I am the enemy of my brothers?" Confucius said, "Serve in the government and do not share the country with them; if I am sent by the king, I will not fight with them even if I meet them." He said, "What should I do if I am the enemy of my uncle and brothers?" Confucius said, "If I am not the leader, if the host is capable, I will hold the weapon and accompany them behind."

In the dream you are still a dream

Love words finally have a master

Yin Zhongkan said: "If I don't read the Tao Te Ching for three days, I will feel that my tongue is stiff and idle."

Tiger Son-in-law in Power

Prime Minister Wang appointed Wang Lantian as his assistant. Yu Gong asked the Prime Minister, "What is Lantian like?" Wang said, "He is truly simple and noble, no less than his father and grandfather; but he is aloof and simple, so he is not as good as you."