金瓶梅全集

Theological Seminary

Yu Zhigong had always had the ambition to rule the Central Plains, but he was not in a position of power during the reign of Emperor Wen and Kang. When Ji Jian became prime minister, he was wary of war and feared disaster. After discussing the similarities and differences with Zhi Gong for a long time, he finally took action. He mobilized the forces of Jing and Han and used all his boats and carriages to camp at Xiangyang. He assembled all the officers and soldiers, displayed their banners and armor, and personally taught them bows and arrows, saying: "This is how I shoot!" He then fired three times and folded his weapons, and everyone looked at him with all their might, and their morale increased tenfold.

See you tonight, my secret husband!

Zi Zhang asked about politics, and the Master said, "Teacher! Did I tell you before? A gentleman is clear about rites and music, and he only needs to raise and arrange them." Zi Zhang asked again. The Master said, "Teacher, do you think it is necessary to spread the table and the banquet, rise and fall, and offer wine and toast, and then it can be called rites? Do you think it is necessary to carry out the oracle, play the feather flute, and make the bells and drums, and then it can be called music? Speaking and practicing is rite. Acting and enjoying it is music. A gentleman strives for these two things and stands facing south, and this is how the world is peaceful. When the princes came to court, all things were in obedience, and all officials dared not to serve. Where ritual flourishes, the people are governed; where ritual is abolished, the people are in chaos. In a room with a clever eye, there is an outer corner, a seat has upper and lower parts, a car has left and right parts, a person who walks has a following, and a person who stands has an order. This is the ancient meaning. If there is no outer corner in a room, it will be in chaos. If there is no upper and lower part in a seat, it will be in chaos on the seat. If there is no left and right part in a car, it will be in chaos on the car. If there is no following person who walks, it will be in chaos on the road. If there is no order in standing, it will be in chaos in the position. In the past, the sage emperors and wise princes distinguished between the noble and the humble, the old and the young, the near and far, the male and the female, the outside and the inside, and no one dared to cross the road. They all came out from this road. "The three sons, after hearing this from the Master, were as clear as if they had just opened their eyes.

The Peak Son-in-law

The prosperity is gone, but the infatuation remains

The Master said: "I know that the Way is not working: the wise go beyond it, the foolish fall short of it. I know that the Way is not clear: the wise go beyond it, the unworthy fall short of it. Everyone eats and drinks, but few can appreciate the taste."

Bounty Hunter

The Book of Songs says: "When wearing brocade, one should still wear a plain cloth." This is because it is disliked that the pattern is conspicuous. Therefore, the way of a gentleman is to be obscure but brighter day by day; the way of a villain is to be clear but disappear day by day. The way of a gentleman is to be indifferent but not disgusting, to be simple but elegant, to be warm but reasonable, to know the nearness of the far, to know the direction of the wind, to know the obviousness of the subtle, and to be able to enter virtue. The Book of Songs says: "Although he is hidden, he is also as bright as Confucius!" Therefore, a gentleman is not guilty when he examines himself, and has no evil in his ambition. What a gentleman cannot reach is what people cannot see! The Book of Songs says: "Even if the prime minister is in your room, he is not ashamed of the leaking roof." Therefore, a gentleman is respectful without moving, and trustworthy without speaking. The Book of Songs says: "When he reports a favor, he does not speak, and there is no dispute at the time." Therefore, a gentleman does not reward, but the people are encouraged, and does not get angry, but the people are as powerful as a sword. The Book of Songs says: "Don't show your virtue! The hundred officials will punish you." Therefore, a gentleman is sincere and respectful, and the world is peaceful. The Book of Songs says: "I have a clear mind, and I do not make loud noises or use color." Confucius said: "Sounds and colors are the least important in transforming the people." The Book of Songs says: "Virtue is like a hair." Even a hair has its own rules. The heaven's carriage is soundless and odorless, it is the ultimate!

Transform into a dragon and enter the city

Duke Xian of Jin died, Duke Mu of Qin sent people to offer condolences to Prince Chong'er, and said, "I have heard that the loss of a country is always here, and the recovery of a country is always here. Although my son is in mourning, the mourning cannot be too long, and the time cannot be lost. You should plan it." He told his uncle Fan, who said, "You should refuse it. A bereaved person has no treasure, but a loving relative is a treasure. What is the point of the father's death? And you think it is profitable, but who in the world can persuade you? You should refuse it." Prince Chong'er said to the guests, "You are kind enough to offer condolences to the deceased minister Chong'er. I lost my father myself, but I cannot cry with you and grieve for you. What is the point of the father's death? If someone dares to have other intentions, it will insult your righteousness." He bowed his head without kneeling, and stood up after crying, but did not hesitate. Zi Xian told Duke Mu of Qin about his death. Duke Mu said, "The benevolent Prince Chong'er! If you bow your head but don't kowtow, you are not yet the heir, so you can't kowtow; if you cry and then get up, you love your father; if you get up without selfishness, you are looking for benefits."