Jingyi Bureau.

Zhang Yue is where Xiang initially exerts his strength.

Sima Guang compiled the Zizhi Tongjian and established the Jingyi Bureau, which meant to cultivate talents and express political opinions at the same time.

Later, in order to compile new meanings of the Three Classics, Wang Anshi also established the Jingyi Bureau to allow Lu Huiqing and Wang Yu to come and go.

Now Zhang Yue is planning to set up a Jingyi Bureau in order to compile "The Doctrine of the Mean" and "Mencius", and this matter is already under planning.

Bringing Su Zhe into the game is also a move to win over people's hearts.

He also took a fancy to Su Che's influence on public opinion. As for his political opinions, Zhang Yue felt that even if he disagreed with Su Che, he could still guide them.

A few people first discussed the explanation of the golden mean.

Han Yu elaborated on "self-honesty and clarity". He once said that those who have no faults are "self-honesty and clear" saints, and those who have no faults are "self-honest and clear" sages.

Ouyang Xiu inherited Han Yu's retro style and greatly appreciated Zhongyong.

Ouyang Xiu thinks why Confucius never talks about profit, destiny, and benevolence? Because the average person is inferior and cannot talk about the superior way.

The Book of Changes says that "profit is the sum of righteousness", but if you talk to someone about "profit", the other person will be one-sidedly pursuing "self-interest", so you have to talk to him about "benevolence and righteousness".

Therefore, Confucius never talked about the moderation of nature and fate.

But Doctrine of the Mean was not written by Confucius, but by Zisi, who talked about nature and the way of life in the book. Scholars believed that it was not the true biography of Confucius, so it was underestimated by orthodox Confucianism.

Of course, this theory was also agreed by Qin's view and Chao Buzhi. They believed that the annotation should be an annotation of the "Classics", and the second is the Analects of Confucius, which records Confucius' words and deeds.

As for Doctrine of the Mean and Mencius, they both fall into the category of "Book of Confucius" and have a low status in Confucianism, so annotations are meaningless.

Zhang Yue disagreed, because Wang Anshi, Lu Huiqing, and Wang Yu had seized the high ground in the new interpretation of the Three Classics. If he did not overthrow Wang Anshi's reform, it would be better not to re-annotate the classics.

Mencius, The Doctrine of the Mean is a book of his own. When he explains it, it will not make too much noise, it will not become the target of public criticism, and it will not expose his ambition too early.

Moreover, if you can elevate these two books to a position alongside the new meanings of the Three Classics, you will be able to show your ability.

Zhang Yue said to Qin and Chao: "The study of life and life in this world is all based on Buddhism and Taoism. If we, the Confucians, do not follow it, how can it be based on Buddhism and Taoism?"

Qin Guandao said: "As I tell you, the average person can achieve the goal without trying hard and without thinking. This is an overstatement. How many scholars in the world can do this? How can we be sincere and enlightened in this way?"

Zhang Yue said: "Knowing what you are born with is self-honesty and clear, and knowing what you learn is also self-honest and clear."

Chao Buzhi asked: "May I ask my husband, did Confucius know it through study, or did he know it from birth?"

Zhang Yue said: "Both."

Confucianism all advocates the idea of ​​knowing from birth, and of course Confucius believes that it is the former.

Zhang Yue said: "What you call the way of superior wisdom and inferiority of foolishness, the superior path cannot be compared with the middle. I don't agree with it. This is talent, not nature. In the study of life, Zi thought and spoke to the best of one's nature, Mencius said that to use one's heart

, this is not something you have to teach.”

Ouyang Xiu, Qin Guan, and Chao Buzhi all said that the "Learning of Life and Life" is the superior way and should not be discussed with people below the average level.

What Zhang Yue means is that you Confucians are too mysterious. Whether it is Zisi thinking to the fullest extent or Mencius maximizing his nature, in the final analysis, it is to liberate human nature.

Do you still need to be taught something like liberating human nature? What does this have to do with reading more and reading less?

On the contrary, the more outstanding a person is, the easier it is to be blinded and driven by desire and dogma.

Su Che, Qin Guan, and Chao Buzhi were all relieved when they heard this.

Zhang Yue said: "If you want to learn Mencius, you must learn the Doctrine of the Mean, and to learn the Doctrine of the Mean, you must not know Mencius. In the past, Han Fei said that the eight schools of Confucianism had the Confucianism of Zisi, and Mencius' Confucianism was actually wrong."

"Xunzi said that Zisi was the descendant of Mencius, and Sima Qian also said that Mencius was the descendant of Zisi."

In later generations, Zisi and Mencius were collectively called the Simeng school. Both Neo-Confucianism and Xinxue came from this lineage.

Not only that, Wang Anshi also admired Zisi and Mencius very much. After reading the book "Mencius Ye Li" given to him by Zhang Yue, Wang Anshi wrote back to Zhang Yue when he left Bianjing, asking him to give it to Wang Anshi to read after he had finished writing the commentaries on Mencius.

(Zhongyong has already seen it).

In the final analysis, the way to learn is to make others feel at ease. Not only do you have to feel at ease, but others also need to feel at ease.

What are you going to do after becoming a politician? Some people look at moderation and think it is just a theory of "harmony with mud". They feel relieved at the moment, so they have to "correct the name".

Zhang Yue said: "Whether it is the Doctrine of the Mean, Mencius always sticks to the word "sincerity". The Doctrine of the Mean says, 'Sincerity is like a god.' If everything can be subjective and objective at all times, it will be like a god."

"Xia Shangzhong, Yin Shanggui, and Zhou Shangwen. Xia, Yin, and Zhou each had their own dynasties. But after Zhou Gong, the theory of "respecting virtue" has declined. The emperor has no relatives, and only virtue is his assistant. After the five seasons of chaos,

, I think the word sincerity can shake up the Taoist tradition."

Su Zhe stood up and said, "We are following Duke Zhang's order!"

Su Zhe said: "What Xianggong saw is extremely wise. The Doctrine of the Mean is the unfinished words of Confucius three generations later. The way of the sage begins with the Doctrine of the Mean. I think what Xianggong said about "Zhong" is "nature", which means to make the best of one's nature. Put it in the governance of the country.

"Cultivation of the body is to let the people do what they want."

Zhang Yue was overjoyed when he heard this, otherwise he would say that Su Che's political level and classical studies were higher than Su Shi's.

Now that Su Che was on his side, Zhang Yue gave up his plan to call Ercheng to Beijing to take charge of the Jingyi Bureau.

Zhang Yue said to Su Zhe, "Ziyou is truly a genius!"

"But you must remember to do your best, not your nature, otherwise you will be a countryman and a thief of virtue!"

Su Che said: "Che saves the trouble."

…

When he learned that Han Jiang had issued an order to pay homage to the prime minister, Deng Wan stood stunned for a long time.

His sons Deng Xunren and Deng Xunwu looked at Deng Wan and didn't know why.

"grown ups!"

Deng Wan came back to his senses, stroked his white hair and sat down.

Deng Xunren said: "It is rumored that Zhang San wanted to become the Prime Minister of Jixian. Now he is staying in office to participate in politics. This is a good thing! Why do you dislike him so much?"

Deng Wan said: "Zhang San pays homage to the virtuous prime minister. I can still be a good official for two or three years. Now he is staying in office to participate in politics. He does not have the name of prime minister, but he has the actual status of prime minister."

Deng Wan paused at this point: "I am in danger!"

Deng Xunren and Deng Xunwu looked at each other.

"Zhang San is much more tolerant than Lu Liu. When I returned to the court, I thought he would fight against the Prime Minister for the throne, but I didn't expect him to endure it. Now that the Prime Minister has left and recommended him to become the Prime Minister, I thought this was what he wanted.

It’s a matter of course.”

"I didn't expect that he didn't do it, but pushed Han Zihua back. What you said was great, but what you planned is profound!"

Deng Wan paused and thought about it. It was that winter many years ago. It was snowing heavily that day. He had just been transferred to Ningzhou, a bitter cold land, and served as the general judge of Ningzhou.

As the border between Xixia and the Song Dynasty, Deng Wan never thought that this place would be so cold and remote. It was said that a state general magistrate would not be as good as a county magistrate in the mainland.

Within half a year, Deng Wan experienced several trips to the Xixia border to clear grass valleys. The local people responded with riots, and Deng Wan found it unbearable.

Deng Wan knew that his opportunity was not in Ningzhou but in the court. When there was a report coming from his residence in the state, he was most concerned about it. He would see it immediately and copy it down. When he returned to the residence in the evening, he would have to read it one by one.

Take notes.

He was ten times more concerned about this matter than Ningzhou's government affairs. The old magistrate saw through Deng Wan's thoughts at a glance and scolded him a few times.

Deng Wan was hurt on the face, but in his heart he was ridiculing you for being here far away from Bianjing. No matter how well you manage things here, you won't be able to get promoted in ten years.

Because of the rejection of the old magistrate, state officials also alienated Deng Wan.

Of course it was uncomfortable to be excluded and isolated, but Deng Wan endured and nurtured his temper and finally got his chance.

At that time, there was a heated debate in the court over whether to implement the new law. Deng Wan was keenly aware of the opportunity that would change his life. He did not investigate whether the new law was good or bad, but went to talk about the convenience of the new law. Therefore, he was appreciated by Wang Anshi and was awarded

Jixian is in charge of the school, and Zhongshu is in charge of checking and correcting the Kongmufang.

Deng Wan successfully returned to Bianjing from the border area of ​​Ningzhou.

In the winter of the third year of Xining, there was also such a heavy snowfall. Deng Wan held the transfer order in his hand and looked at the old magistrate as if he had aged ten years overnight. Hearing the insincere congratulations from his colleagues, he felt very proud.

Enter Beijing.

This is Deng Wan's most proud work. Because Shangshu agreed with the new law, it changed his life and destiny.

Thinking of this, he said to Deng Xunren and Deng Xunwu: "I often tell you that to be an official, you must be a good official and a high official, or you must get real benefits. Since Zhang San does not want to be a good official or a high official,

What you want is the benefits.”

Deng Xunren said: "Dad, I don't believe that Zhang San is as powerful as Lu Liu back then, and can dominate the court with one hand. I'll go and ask my father-in-law to speak for us!"

Deng Wan's eldest son, Deng Xunren, married the daughter of Wang Gui, the Prime Minister of the State Council.

Deng Wan also knew that he had relied on the New Party in recent years and had no foundation in the government, so he took precautions by marrying Wang Gui early.

Deng Wan said: "Your father-in-law has always been wise in protecting himself and refused to make any mistakes. He will not offend Zhang San because of me!"

Deng Xunren was so angry that his neck turned red. Wang Gui, as the Minister of History, could not protect his father in front of Zhang Yue, who was participating in politics.

But who told Zhang Yue to have a holy family?

Deng Wan couldn't help but smile bitterly when he saw Deng Xunren acting like this. Young people still don't understand the depth of things. If Wang Anshi was around, Zhang Yue would never dare to touch him no matter what, but now...

Speaking of which, the Prime Minister really rekindled his kindness with Deng Wan!

Deng Wan remembered that after he returned to Beijing, Feng Jing was also disgusted with officials like Deng Wan who were favoring sudden advancement, and wanted to transfer Deng Wan back to Ningzhou as the magistrate because he was familiar with border affairs.
To be continued...