Chapter 1,208 Morality is higher than merit (two updates in one)
Chapter 1216 Morality is higher than merit (two updates combined into one)
at night.
In the underground cave of Duyuan Garden in Luoyang.
A candle was lit to illuminate this small area, and Sima Kang was busy writing on the photovoltaic case. On the side, Sima Kang was sorting out the files for Sima Guang, and Guo Lin was proofreading the article for Sima Guang.
Sima's bald head was bent very low, with hairpins sticking out of his gray hair. It was very difficult for him to see with his eyes, and almost all his teeth were lost, but he still buried his head in writing books.
He raised his head and asked Guo Lin aside: "How many volumes are there yet to be published and proofread today?"
Guo Lin raised his head and said, "If I go back to the bachelor's degree, there are two more volumes."
Although Guo Lin is less than forty years old, he has almost as much white hair as Sima Guang, and looks like an old man in his fifties or sixties. He organizes files like a mountain.
Sima Guang put down his pen and said: "In the end, there are only Tang and Five Dynasties left, more than 80 volumes and catalogues. I wonder if it can be repaired in another two years."
Sima Kang said: "Father, don't worry. If you succeed in repairing books, you will be happy about it. If you fail, you will leave it to future generations."
Sima Guang said leisurely: "Yes, these things are just for future generations to comment on!"
"Tell me, how many emperors and generals have there been in the past and present, and how many achievements they have sought in a lifetime, no matter how much you didn't allow others to tell them when you were alive. But they can't escape the pen of future generations, tell me whether what we have done is really terrible."
Sima Kang said with a smile: "Dad, I heard that the reputation of the book Yin Xiuzhi Tongjian is so great that many dignitaries in Luoyang are seeking to see it."
Sima Guang said: "My original intention of compiling the book is so that Your Majesty can read my loyal words from the book, but I also want future generations to learn from it."
After a pause, Sima Guang said: "I think I had the intention of publishing it early. It has been 17 years since I started writing Zizhi Tongjian in the third year of Zhiping, and it has not been completed yet."
"What a pity, how many seventeen years can we have in our life?"
Sima Kang said: "Dad, compiling history books will bring great merits to future generations. Even if it takes thirty years, it is worth it."
Guo Lin and Sima Kang on the side looked at Sima Guang. Sima Guang was the first to persuade the emperor to enter. It can be said that without him, there would be no foundation for the two generations of emperors Zhao Shu and his son. In other words, the throne may not necessarily be their family's turn.
But Sima Guang was so "ignorant of promotion" that he even gave up his position as deputy privy envoy in order to stick to his political views. A good minister did not do this, but went to write a book.
Even Han Qi, who had always been at odds with Sima Guang, praised him and said, "I have never seen anyone resign from the post of Deputy Privy Envoy, and only Sima Guang did it."
Between official career and political views, Sima Guang firmly chose his own political views.
All the old parties in the world regard Sima Guang as the "mainstay", and Sima Guang's actions are indeed worthy of these words.
Both Guo Lin and Sima Kang admired Sima Guang from the bottom of their hearts.
However, what Sima Guang did was to leave his name to future generations and be passed down through the ages, but the silence on his face could not be concealed. In the previous Wutai Poetry Case, he was fined two times for exchanging letters with Su Shi.
Ten pounds of copper.
This is something that is not very harmful but very insulting.
Before that, he returned to his hometown of Xia County to give lectures, and even taught the "Book of Filial Piety" to people who could not read or write. When his wife Zhang died of illness, Sima Guang was not grieved.
Because of the copper fine, Sima Guang resigned from all official positions and canceled all activities.
This is the knife the emperor stabbed into Sima Guang's heart.
Thinking of this, Sima Guang sighed to Sima Kang and Guo Lin: "Back then, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty listened to the words of the alchemists and sent General Li Guangli of the Second Division to expedition against the Huns, which resulted in the loss of his troops and humiliation of the country. However, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty later regretted it, canceled the Luntai settlement, and vetoed it.
The meaning of Sang Hongyang. Therefore, although Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty suffered the loss of Qin in the end, he did not lose the Qin Dynasty."
"I have written all these words in the book."
Sima Guang's words were also attributed to Yin-Yang Wang Anshi. He compared the emperor's good deeds to Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, and Wang Anshi was a man of Sang Hongyang. In his heart, he hoped that the emperor could finally wake up like Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.
Sima Kang said: "Dad, in addition to being willing to issue edicts to punish himself and reflect on his past mistakes, the most important thing for Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty is to choose a good minister like Huo Guang to take care of his future affairs."
"But looking at the ministers in the court today, none of them want to be Huo Guang."
Guo Lin on the side remained silent. In fact, after Liu Shu's death, Guo Lin became Sima Guang's most important assistant in Xiuzhi Tongjian.
Guo Lin was responsible for all the collation and proofreading. Among the many book editors, Sima Guang liked Guo Lin the most. But among the people in the many bookstores, Guo Lin also had the lowest official position.
For example, everyone else in the bookstore is a capital official, but Guo Lin is only the county magistrate of Baima County, and it is still within the scope of selection. But Guo Lin contributed the most, and he devoted most of his life to Sima Guang and was loyal to him.
Zhang Yue once wrote to Guo Lin and joked that Guo Lin admired Fan Zhongyan when he was young, but now he has found Sima Guang, who is no less important than Fan Zhongyan.
Unlike when he admired Wang Anshi when he was young, he is also the one who is trying to undermine Wang Anshi now.
The few people chatted for a few words and then continued to edit the book. In the process of working on the book all day, chatting was probably the only entertainment for the few people working on the book. At this time, someone reported that Fan Zuyu had arrived.
Fan Zuyu was also a loyal follower of Sima Guang.
Officials moved every three years, but Fan Zuyu followed Sima Guang in revising books and did not take any assessment. Therefore, his official position remained at the same place, but he still followed Sima Guang in revising books without any regrets.
Fan Zuyu entered and said, "Bachelor, the imperial court has captured Liangzhou!"
Sima Kang and Guo Lin paused after hearing this. Guo Lin had surprise on his face, while Sima Kang looked at Sima Guang.
But Sima Guang continued to edit the book without moving.
Fan Zuyu walked aside silently and looked at Sima Guang, who was still writing books under the candlelight.
Sima Guang has poor hearing. Could it be that he didn't hear what he just said?
No, Sima Guang heard it.
After Sima Guang finished writing the last word on this page, he slowly raised his head and said: "Okay, in terms of governing the country and ensuring peace, Zhang Duzhi is indeed better than Wang Jiefu!"
As soon as Sima Guang said this, everyone laughed.
Suddenly the atmosphere in the den became better in an instant.
Fan Zuyu said: "I did oppose Prime Minister Zhang when Xihe Road was taken over, but this time Liangzhou was taken over, several of my friends went to Xihe Road in person."
"Although the people are tired, they don't have to suffer too much from the conscription, and they even seem to be happy to go to work. It seems that Prime Minister Zhang's policies are indeed as he said, and he has implemented the word 'people-oriented'."
Sima Guang nodded and said: "Although it is clever and clever, there is also benevolence in it. It can be defeated and the people will also rest."
Everyone was overjoyed to hear Sima Guang's comments.
Seeing that Sima Guang agreed with Zhang Yue, Guo Lin was even more happy from the bottom of his heart. Guo Lin boldly said: "Teacher, there is a saying in the Han Dynasty. Tang and Wu went against it and used it to obey and defend it. They used both civil and military forces. This is a long-lasting technique."
"This is the principle of using skill and wisdom and guarding it with kindness!"
Sima Guang nodded happily when he heard this and said: "Most of the emperor's inheritance is to take things against his will and keep them obediently."
Sima Guang is not a pedantic person. His evaluation of Tang Taizong in Zizhi Tongjian also said that he was good and bad, unlike many historians whose stance on history is greater than the facts.
Sima Guang said: "When Zhang Xianggong was at odds with the late emperor and resigned from office and returned home, I personally came to invite him to practice Zizhi Tongjian with me."
"Those who govern history have three things: talent, learning, and knowledge. Among them, historical knowledge is the most difficult. For example, the words "Chen Guang said" in Zizhi Tongjian and "Tai Shigong said" in Shiji are all the insights of historians.
.”
"In terms of knowledge, Zhang Xianggong is superior to me, Sima Guang."
Sima Guang sighed quietly, as if it was a pity that Zhang Yue refused to study with him back then.
Sima Guang stood up and said: "Xianggong Zhang establishes his prestige with his merits, and then uses his prestige to change and innovate his achievements!"
"Relieving emergencies by slowing down, and changing emergencies into slow changes are actually very resourceful and resourceful, and they can also take people's livelihood into consideration and take both into consideration!"
"The foundation of governing the world is morality, not just merit. This is what Zhang Xianggong failed to consider."
This is where Sima Guang praised and criticized Zhang Yue.
Sima Kang said: "Dad has made it his mission to establish customs and uphold virtue throughout his life. This is the foundation of the world."
Sima Guang said: "The middle one is the foundation of the world; the harmonious one is the great way of the world. Wang Jiefu's heresy makes people confused, and the whole court pursues profit. But Zhang Xianggong may not be able to neutralize it, just as
He believed that Mencius inherited the Taoism of Confucius, and that the successor of Confucius's Tao in the world was Yang Xiong, not Mencius. This is where Prime Minister Zhang and I have always disagreed."
"I believe that only by promoting morality, not being greedy for money in the military, not fearing death in martial arts, being righteous in business, and having integrity in teachers, punishing the people lightly and punishing the officials harshly, can the people of the world get better and the country be able to achieve great governance."
In addition to studying history, Sima Guang also talked about methodology. For example, he imitated Yang Xiong's "Tai Xuan" and wrote "Qianxu".
Although Sima Guang was a moral model, his methodology was indeed mediocre. Han Wei and Er Cheng both criticized his neutralization theory.
Fan Zuyu said: "What the bachelor said is enough, but it is gratifying to recapture Liangzhou. At least there is no loss of teachers and humiliation of the country."
Sima Guang said: "We are happy to win, but the Liao Kingdom will not sit idly by and engage in military violence. Isn't it rare in the past?"
"Draft a memorandum for me immediately. I want to admonish His Majesty!"
Everyone was shocked, and Sima Kang hurriedly admonished: "Dad, have you forgotten what you said about never being in government again?"
Sima Guang sighed, remembering that he had compared himself to Qu Yuan for a period of time after being fined copper, and even drank alcohol for the first time. It should be noted that Sima Guang had always been a clean person and never drank alcohol.
Only the emperor could hurt his heart like this.
Sima Guang calmed down and then gave up.
Guo Lin also secretly felt sad for Sima Guang.
…
At this moment, Guo Xuanzheng, son of Guo Lin, and Zhang Cheng were reading together in the library.
Zhang Cheng said to Guo Xuan: "Tell me what books you like and feel free to read them."
Guo Xuan looked at the nearly out-of-print books and praised them with envy.
Guo Xuandao said: "I heard that Duke Han Zhongxian (Han Qi) and Duke Cai Zhonghui (Cai Xiang) had tens of thousands of books in their homes, but I have never seen them."
"There are also many books in the collection of Scholar Sima, but they are only a thousand volumes. I usually borrow them from him to read, but it seems that the collection of books in the prime minister's house has thousands of volumes."
Zhang Cheng said: "Almost more than three thousand volumes."
"But my grandfather's house has a large collection of books. Some of them were brought to Zhang's house as dowry. If you like books, I will take you to my grandfather's house to read them."
Guo Xuan nodded after hearing this, and then asked: "Is that the residence of Mr. Wu? I don't know what kind of gift I should prepare. I can't come empty-handed."
Zhang Cheng smiled and said: "No, no, my grandfather also likes scholars. He will be happy when he sees you."
Guo Xuan felt uneasy after hearing this, so he met Zhang Yue, and then met Wu Chong.
Guo Xuan still declined and said: "I think this book from the Prime Minister's Office is enough. If you want too much, you will lose."
Zhang Cheng said: "What you said reminds me of the time when my father and your father worked together as bookkeepers when they were young. He wanted to read books but had no money, so he would memorize the books and then return them. He often told me this
Reading is not easy.”
"But he rarely buys books on weekdays, for fear of being reluctant to spend the money. My mother often buys books from the bookstore near the Daxiangguo Temple. So most of the books in the Prime Minister's Mansion are bought by my mother."
Guo Xuandao: "I have heard that the Prime Minister's wife is not only well-educated and sensible, but also a woman like a woman. She has kept the Prime Minister's residence in order for so many years."
Zhang Cheng smiled and said, "You should tell my mother what you said. She is usually very strict with me. Now that my brother has gone to Shaanxi to supervise the army, she will take charge of all my big and small affairs."
"This worries me to death. If you hadn't come here, I don't know how much homework I would have to do."
"Therefore, I ask you to stay with me for a few more days. Even if you go to Taixue, you will often come to see me. Only in this way can I have leisure."
Guo Xuan thought to himself, how could I, a member of a poor family, have frequent contacts with the prime minister's office? But seeing Zhang Cheng's enthusiasm, he didn't know what to say.
Guo Xuandao: "Brother Cheng, you are so kind. I always thought that as a young master of the Prime Minister's Palace, you must be aloof."
"But you are not alienated from me at all and treat me as a family member."
Zhang Cheng smiled and said, "Hey, what's going on in the Yamen of the Prime Minister's Mansion? I can't study well, and I don't want to work hard, so I often make my mother unhappy."
"Dad often said that I have a good temper, and even though I cannot study well, I can still be with him forever. But my mother said that I am like my elder brother, even if I won the second place in the exam, I would at least be a Jinshi. Alas, it was in vain that Your Majesty gave me a Jinshi background.
"
"But I know my own abilities. If I don't know the joints, I'm afraid I won't be able to pass the Jinshi exam. But if you don't pass the exam, you won't pass the exam. Dad is right, there must be someone in the family who fulfills their filial piety to my parents. I've thought about it for a long time.
.But you have met the right person in the Prime Minister's Office. Fortunately, you met me. If you are as arrogant as my brother, you may not be so easy to talk to. He is the real Yameni."
After hearing what Zhang Cheng said, Guo Xuan couldn't help laughing.
Guo Xuan whispered: "Brother Cheng, we hit it off right away, but I have something to say to you, so don't be offended."
"After all, this is the first time you and I have met. Although we feel like old friends at first sight, don't tell me so much about your innermost feelings, especially about family matters."
Zhang Cheng didn't feel annoyed at all after hearing this and said, "Hearing what you say makes me even more willing to make friends with you."
"Did you know? Dad told me that Senior Brother Guo is also your father. When it comes to his character, it can be said to be rare."
"His descendants must be strict teachers and gentlemen. Dad is better at judging people than I am, so he must be right to ask me to learn more from you, otherwise he would not allow me to put down my studies. Don't worry, I will divide the people.
.”
While the two were talking, they suddenly heard that there were guests outside.
