On the long street, more and more scholars came after hearing the news, surrounded Ouyang Xiu, and listened to him talk about the art of writing.
"What is the purpose of writing an article? The sage said it very clearly, it is to 'carry the truth'. The word "carry" or "carry" expresses the function of an article. It is a tool used by us scholars to express emotions, record things and reason, and
It’s not a decoration used to show off literary talent.” Ouyang Xiu said earnestly: “Many people may say, if you want us to write in vernacular about feelings, then what’s the beauty of writing?”.
All the scholars nodded and said, "That's right. Take the ancient Chinese prose you admire, it's not vernacular, right?"
"That's right. Classical Chinese is classical Chinese. Although it has the same origin as spoken language, they are indeed two different things. Its expression is more concise, but it is full of the beauty of words and is pleasing to the eye. This is incomparable to spoken language." Ouyang Xiudao: "
Writing good articles has been the pursuit of scholars of all ages. Therefore, parallel prose was gradually developed from ancient Chinese prose. However, even the gorgeous Han Fu written by Sima Xiangru could not get rid of the problem of being empty and meaningless. Not to mention that our dynasty
Where is Yang Wengong’s Xikun style?”
"That's why your ancestor, Mr. Cu Lai, strongly criticized the Xikun style." Ouyang Xiu said in memory with his eyes wide open: "You should know that Mr. Cu Lai and I are good friends and even comrades-in-arms. Not only in the political arena, but also in the military field.
In the literary world, let’s declare war on the Xikun style which is “poor and graceful, embellished with romance, flirting with flowers and grass, obscene and extravagant words, and flashy and usurping the ancestors”. However, it is inevitable to overdo it. I don’t know when it became popular.
This kind of grotesque and slanderous, wandering and obscene Taixue style."
"It neither has the simplicity and substance of ancient Chinese prose, nor the elegance and magnificence of parallel prose, which is pleasing to the eye. It can be said that it does not cover both ends. It is really a weirdo. It has completely lost the literati's pursuit of Tao and beauty, and the whole article is dangerous and weird.
Miao Zhiyu has always regarded it as the highest point to eliminate humiliation. If it is not eliminated, people all over the world will imitate it. Then the culture and education of the Song Dynasty will go astray and perish."
Ouyang Xiu spoke with sincerity and sincerity, allowing the disciples to understand the ins and outs and dangers of the Taixue style. However, denial is only a means, not the purpose. More importantly, he must tell them how the article should be written.
"What I want to tell you is, don't look down on simple words. As everyone knows, great skill is not workmanship, but great achievements are missing." Ouyang Xiu pointed to the yellow dog that was trampled to death by a horse and said: "You all love Taixue Ti.
So we might as well give it a try. Please remember to first ask you to sum up the situation in one sentence. If anyone’s words are more concise, concise, clear and direct than me, I will fold my pen and burn the paper from now on, and will no longer do anything about literature and education.
.”
This is a huge statement. Even though he is the leader of the literary world, hundreds of thinkers who think they are talented are thinking to themselves, why can't they come up with a sentence that overwhelms him?
So everyone started thinking about it and painstakingly condensed their words. After a while, someone came first and said: "There is a yellow dog lying on the road. The horse was frightened, ran away, and died of its hooves!"
Ouyang Xiu twirled his beard and smiled, and soon someone else said: "A horse escaped in the street, and a lying dog caught it and died."
"It's better, is there anything else?" Ouyang Xiu nodded, turned to look at the others, and then another person said: "There is a dog lying in the thoroughfare, and he will kill it by escaping the horse's hooves!"
"Not bad, is there anything better?" Ouyang Xiu was still dissatisfied. Everyone was at the end of their rope and looked at their leader, Liu Ji.
Hearing this, Liu Ji raised his voice and spoke out his answer: "Chi Liu Yi, crossing the thoroughfare, lying down as a dog to death." The nine-character Taixue style is indeed so refined that it cannot be refined any more. I don't believe that your son can do it again.
Where to shrink!
The candidates cheered exaggeratedly and looked at Old Ouyang provocatively. Shrink, you are shrinking! If you can't shorten a sentence, you will be a coward!
Ouyang Xiu smiled faintly and said: "'A horse kills a dog on the road' is enough!"
The six-character statement is concise and concise, more fluent and elegant than the former, and he only used the simplest words to express it.
After a moment of silence, Sima Guang took the lead in cheering, and the applause of the crowd became louder and louder. Even Liu Ji had to be convinced, Jiang is still hot!
After everyone calmed down, Ouyang Xiu spoke to Liu Ji with sincerity and said to everyone: "I hope that in the future, whether you are writing memorials or articles, you should keep in mind the four words 'Wen Cong Zi Shun'. The writing is simple and concise.
Only by following the method, being fluent and natural, and being simple and clear can we express our ideas accurately. Words are used to convey the truth, and articles are used to illustrate the words. Don't put the cart before the horse." After a pause, he showed a kind smile and said: "Actually, the article does not need to be embellished, the truth is clearly stated.
Well, you don’t need to pay attention to carving, you will have the brilliance of literary talent."
His words couldn't help but make everyone think deeply, and the hostility gathered in the sky on the long street also disappeared invisibly with the elder's heartfelt words.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At this time, "Dang, Dang, Dang..." a gong sounded in the quiet street, and someone shouted: "Master Kaifeng Fubao is here..."
Upon hearing the name of Lao Bao, everyone changed their minds, fearing that the selfless Bao Qingtian would be arrested and sent to Kaifeng Mansion Prison. Liu Ji cupped his fists at Ouyang Xiu and Wang Anshi and said, "I have been taught today, and the students will come back the year after tomorrow!"
After saying that, he hurried away. The rest of the people also behaved like birds and beasts and scattered in all directions.
Seeing that the turmoil that could ruin both his and Wang Anshi's reputations was finally over. Ouyang Xiu felt weak and his body couldn't help but sway.
Wang Anshi and Sima Guang hurriedly supported him. Ouyang Xiu smiled bitterly and said, "I'm really old and incapable of doing anything."
The two senior students looked at the senior with admiration. Sima Guang said excitedly: "What the drunkard said is different. Today is actually the time when you will shine forever. Look, no one will do anything in the next subject."
Weird article! The world’s literary style will change!”
"Taixue is based on the undergraduate degree, today it is perfect!" Wang Anshi also said firmly.
"Hahaha..." Ouyang Xiu laughed heartily, and the obstacles in his heart were finally wiped away. He took out a piece of origami paper from his sleeve and said, "Let me tell you, I seem to be a great person."
"You are already great!" A loud voice sounded. It turned out to be Bao Qingtian who came to rescue the driver after hearing the news. He got off the sedan and said: "Uncle Yong, in this world, a single horse rushing into Longtan often either dies or becomes disabled.
A person like you who retreated completely and changed the trend of the world with all your strength is unprecedented, if not unprecedented!" He cupped his fists and bowed deeply: "On behalf of the people of the world, I pay tribute to you!"
Wang Anshi and Sima Guang also bowed deeply to Ouyang Xiu.
The officials and people who were watching, whether they understood the meaning or not, were all touched by it and saluted him together.
Tears filled Old Ouyang's eyes. He asked everyone to stand up, and then bowed deeply towards Donghua Gate. He choked with sobs and said in his heart: "Guanjia, you asked me when was the most glorious moment in my life. I finally have the answer!"
When he straightened up, Bao Zheng asked with a smile: "What is that in your hand?"
"This, haha..." At this moment, Ouyang Xiu untied all the shackles and felt relaxed, as if he was back when he was twenty. He shook the origami and said with a smile: "This is the memorial they wrote to me. "
Bao Zheng took it and suddenly changed his expression: "It's really vicious. I'll find him for you!"
"No, no, no." Ouyang Xiu chuckled and said, "Please find me a brazier."
"What do you want a brazier for?"
"Since it is a memorial text, of course it must be burned." Ouyang Xiu said loudly: "Let it mourn the eternity of Taixue Ti!"
"What a great idea!" Bao Zheng looked at the two head catchers with thick eyebrows and big eyes and said, "Zhang Long and Zhao Hu, hurry up and find a brazier and wine!"
"There's no need for wine, I have 'immortal dew' here!" Ouyang Xiu smiled, took a gourd from his family and said, "Would you like to have a taste?"
Lao Bao took the contents of the cup and took a sip. He immediately said angrily: "This Xiao Chen is really unjust. In vain, Lao Bao took care of him in every possible way. Even if he brewed some fairy dew, he didn't even know how to give me a jar."
"Hehe, the output is too small, I guess I should give it to you in the next batch." Ouyang Xiu said with a proud smile.
"Sure enough, there is a difference between closeness and distance." Bao Zheng laughed and looked at Ouyang Xiudao with great envy: "What a good student you teach!"
"I have many good students." Ouyang Xiu took a sip of wine.
He has every reason to be proud. This time, in addition to the Chen brothers and Song Duanping, there are also the Zeng brothers...Zeng Gong, Zeng Bu, Zeng Mou and their sister-in-law Wang Wujiu, who have all been promoted to Jinshi. It really makes Old Ouyang Very relieved.
Furthermore, his most admired brother Su Shi became famous all over the world in one fell swoop. There were also Deng Wan, brothers from the Lu family, uncles and nephews from the Zhang family, Wang Shao, Lin Xi, Jiang Zhiqi and a large number of world-famous talents...if it hadn't been for his strong support. How can we get rid of the obstacle of Taixue Sports?
How can you tell Old Ouyang how displeased he is and why he doesn't drink too much? He laughed loudly and said: "Twenty years from now, let's see how these guys can turn the world upside down!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~At this time, Zhang Captou brought the brazier. Ouyang Xiu personally poured the wine on the pile of sacrificial inscriptions and sent them to Put it in a basin and light it.
As soon as the rice paper dipped in alcohol was thrown into the brazier, a two-foot-high blue flame shot up. In an instant, it was reduced to ashes, and when the east wind blew, it was swept to the sky.
Bao Zheng and Ouyang Xiu stood by the brazier, holding their hands tightly, watching the fire disappear into ashes, with tears filling their eyes.
Wang Anshi and Sima Guang stood side by side behind them, looking up at their noble senior, feeling their hearts overflowing with emotion and a kind of power being injected into their bodies.
This is inheritance.
The great righteousness of Confucianism! The conscience and morality of China!
