Meishan Su family, Su Yun is the most virtuous

Chapter 137: Spring and Autumn Annals
In fact, the Imperial Academy had been on holiday a few days ago, but Su Yun was so engrossed in studying that he did not go back to the courtyard.

Fortunately, although the Imperial College was on holiday, the dormitories were still available for students to live in.

Transportation was difficult in that era, and students from remote counties and states did not return home. For students from some places, it would take one or two months to go back and forth.

Time is one consideration, the cost of traveling is another, and there is also the issue of safety.

Since students were allowed to live there, the cafeteria was naturally still open, so Su Yun didn't have to worry about starving to death.

But even if the cafeteria was closed, he wouldn't starve. Ah Hui would come every few days, both to check on his accounts and to see if he was taking good care of himself.

However, Su Yun has not reconciled his accounts with him recently because he is busy reading, but Ah Hui still walks very diligently.

Su Yun naturally would not go to Zhang's house to wash up, as that would be too impolite.

Su Yun asked Zhang Ze to go back first while he washed up in the Imperial College.

Originally, the Imperial College provided hot water, but it was not yet time for that. Su Yun went to the cafeteria kitchen to ask for some hot water. After washing up, he left the Imperial College, but did not go directly to Zhang Mansion. Instead, he went to the street market.

Su Yun walked around the market, got a few more bags of things in his hands, and then went to Zhang's house.

Isn't it strange that there are so many people?

Although we came all the way to Bian Jing from Huangzhou, everyone is familiar with each other, but no matter how familiar we are, we still have to observe etiquette.

In later generations, when children go out, they will bring some gifts for their parents when they return home.

In fact, the things were not complicated. I bought some rouge and powder for Zhang Ruo, some good pens, ink, paper and inkstone for Zhang Dun, and some big jade pendants for Zhang Ze. As for Zhang Yuan, it was simple. I gave him a complete copy of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which was sent by Zhou Zhan from Huangzhou.

Naturally, everyone in the Zhang family was there. They hadn't gathered together for a long time, and they were chatting and laughing around the table. Only Zhang Ruo looked a little resentful, but no one knew what was wrong.

After dinner, Zhang Dun still called Su Yun to go to the study.

"Zhang Ze told me everything about your time at the Imperial Academy. You did a great job."

Zhang Dun started praising as soon as he sat down.

Su Yun smiled and said, "Is uncle praising me for my studies or is he talking about the conflict with Wang Gui's grandson?"

Zhang Dun smiled and said, "All good."

Su Yun laughed. This was Zhang Dun, a man who was truly fearless.

Zhang Dun waved his hand and said, "Those people are mediocre people. Don't get involved with them. It's not that you are afraid of them, but it's really a waste of time."

Su Yun nodded. He thought so too. Then he asked jokingly, "What if they insist on causing trouble for me?"

Zhang Dun laughed and said, "Then don't be polite. I'll take care of you if anything goes wrong."

Su Yun smiled and nodded. Zhang Dun was indeed not an ordinary person.

Zhang Dun asked, "What books have you read recently?"

Su Yun said: "I have read the Book of Songs, the Book of History, the Book of Changes, the Spring and Autumn Annals, and the Book of Rites."

Zhang Dun nodded and said, "Have you finished reading it all?"

Su Yun nodded and said, "I only read the main idea and the annotations of the Five Classics."

Zhang Dun nodded and smiled, "You have never studied before. It is remarkable that you have been able to roughly review it in two months. However, you will have to work hard in the future. By the way, have you chosen the scripture?"

Su Yun shook his head.

Zhang Dun nodded and said, "Just choose the one you like. Don't listen to what others say about difficulty or ease. Choosing this scripture is like choosing your own code of conduct. It must be in line with your heart."

Su Yun nodded. This statement was somewhat similar to choosing a major in later generations. You have to choose what you like.

However, this sutra is actually more important than choosing a major in later generations. After choosing this sutra, scholars at this time may really use it as a guideline for their conduct.

Just like Su Che, he studied Mencius as his basic classic, and throughout his life he adhered to the principle that the people are more important than the king.

Su Yun was curious about what kind of classics Zhang Dun was treating, so he asked, "Uncle, which classics do you treat?"

Zhang Dun smiled and said, "Guess?"

Su Yun thought for a moment and said, "Confucius said that the six arts are the same in governing. Etiquette is used to regulate people, music is used to bring harmony, books are used to explain things, poetry is used to express ideas, the Book of Changes is used to deify, and the Spring and Autumn Annals is used to explain morality.

Uncle is good at governing, so I guess he takes the Book of History or the Spring and Autumn Annals as his main classics?"

In fact, their respective uses can be deduced from the contents recorded in the Five Classics.

The Book of Songs records poetry, including folk poetry and aristocratic poetry, so if you want good writing, read the Book of Songs.

The Book of Rites talks about the etiquette systems of the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, so if you want to restrain yourself, read the Book of Rites.

The Book of Documents records some major political events of the Shang and Zhou dynasties, such as important wars, class relations, political systems and policies, etc. In fact, if you really read it carefully, it can also help you in handling political affairs.

Zhouyi was originally a book of divination, mysterious on the outside but profound in its philosophy. Later, due to its rich and profound philosophy, it became a philosophical book of yin-yang dialectics.

The Spring and Autumn Annals is actually a history book, which records the history from the first year of Lu Yingong's regency to the fourteenth year of Lu Aigong, including 242 years of Spring and Autumn history. The reason why Su Yun guessed that Zhang Dun studied the Spring and Autumn Annals and the Book of History is that only these two classics can really learn how to govern. The other three books have their own uses, but they have little effect on governing.

But in Su Yun's opinion, the Spring and Autumn Annals is superior. The Book of History talks about the events of the Shang and Zhou dynasties, which are too long ago and many things have changed.

The Spring and Autumn Period talks about the history of the Spring and Autumn Period. In terms of political system and political complexity, the Spring and Autumn Period is superior.

Therefore, if you want to govern a country, studying the Spring and Autumn Annals is the best way.

As expected, Zhang Dun nodded and said, "The classics I am studying are the Spring and Autumn Annals."

The truth is out, it is indeed so.

Zhang Dun added: "I suggest you also study the Spring and Autumn Annals, but not because there are fewer types of questions in the Spring and Autumn Annals, but because the Spring and Autumn Annals is the most suitable for you.

With your talent in political affairs, you can draw inferences about other situations by learning the Spring and Autumn Annals, and it will be the easiest thing to learn.

But this is not the purpose, but the Spring and Autumn period is the most in line with your interests. "

Su Yun nodded. In fact, even if Zhang Dun didn't say it, he would still choose the Spring and Autumn Annals. The reason was that the Spring and Autumn Annals was much more interesting to learn than the others.

Su Yun made a jingle for the Five Classics himself: Poetry is tasteless, Book of Documents is too ancient, Book of Changes is vague, and Rites is pedantic, only the Spring and Autumn Annals suits my heart.

Zhang Dun smiled and said, "Since you are studying the Spring and Autumn Annals, I can teach you something. You can learn first, and when you have mastered it, I will teach you more advanced knowledge.

Yes, the imperial examination was mainly based on Zuo Zhuan. Logically speaking, it would be enough for you to read only this. However, you read the Spring and Autumn Annals not just for the imperial examination, but for the purpose of governing.

So I suggest you study Gongyang Zhuan and Guliang Zhuan together, and compare them with each other, so that you can really learn them thoroughly. "

Su Yun was also happy in his heart. With a great professor like Zhang Dun, he would not be much worse off.

After eating the New Year’s Eve dinner and receiving instructions from Zhang Dun, Su Yun returned to the courtyard.

The courtyard was especially lively tonight. Ah Hui, Ah Hu and others were all there. Seeing Su Yun suddenly come back, everyone was even happier.

Ah Hui asked happily, "Master Zhang let you come back so early?"

Su Yun smiled and said, "It's too late..."

He looked around and saw that the people who came were the same seven or eight people who came before, but no one came to collect the people later.

Ah Hu smiled and said, "I won't let them come here. This is your place, how can we just let anyone come? I asked them to go back. Besides, the next few days are the best time to do business, so they have to prepare overnight."

Su Yun nodded, Ah Hu was indeed thoughtful.

The number of stalls has increased rapidly in the past two months. The last time I heard from Ah Hui, there were over a hundred stalls and about three hundred people.

Ah Hu considered not letting them come because he was afraid of too many people causing gossip. They had recently fought many battles with the ruffians in Bianjing City, and the rapidly growing egg-filled pancake stall had eventually attracted the covetousness of many people.

The first to rush over were the ruffians from Bianjing City.

First, the ruffians went to each stall to collect protection fees. The stall owners were not easy to deal with, so a fight broke out.

The ruffians then found the big brother behind them and gathered more people. Ah Hui and Ah Hu had anticipated this situation, so they gathered three hundred people together, fought for several days in a row, and smashed the hall of Zuo Dihu.

Recently, no one has been causing trouble on the streets of Bianjing City. Even the small vendors who used to follow the trend and sell egg-filled pancakes quickly changed their stalls to do something else after seeing this scene.

Ah Hu didn't let them come, probably because he was afraid that the tiger would not give up and would find someone to follow him. It would be terrible if he harmed Su Yun.

Su Yun said: "You guys handle these things. If there are any that you can't handle well, let Ah go back to the Imperial Academy to find me."

Ah Hu nodded happily.

Afterwards, Ah Hui went to find Su Yun to report the account. Since Su Yun was back, he took a break and looked at the recent cash flow. After seeing the cash flow, he was a little surprised and asked, "Why did it increase so much?"

Ah Hui smiled and said, "We have fought a few battles recently, which scared those scattered vendors. They have switched to other businesses, and our business has become exclusive.

In addition, other vendors are afraid of us, so the best stalls in every place are ours.

Of course, there is a more important reason. It is the Chinese New Year recently. Business has been particularly good in the past ten days or so, more than double the usual amount.

I estimate that business will be even better in the next half month until the Lantern Festival.”

Su Yun nodded and said, "All the stalls have settled their accounts, right? It's Chinese New Year, so we have to have a good year."

Ah Hui nodded and said, "We settled the accounts a few days in advance and have distributed all the money. We also purchased a large amount of New Year goods as per your instructions and distributed them as welfare. Everyone is very happy."

Su Yun asked again: "Have you sent money back to your aunt?"

Ah Hui smiled and said, "Don't worry, I sent the money back, and asked Mr. Zhou to buy some New Year's goods for you, and asked the shopkeeper of Linjianglou to prepare a New Year's Eve dinner for you.

Yes, I prepared some New Year's goods for you from Master Su's place, and asked Zhou Zhan to deliver them."

Su Yun smiled and nodded, patting A Hui's shoulder with satisfaction. After this period of experience, A Hui has become more and more capable and has shown a tendency to be able to stand on his own.

(End of this chapter)