A powerful minister of the Song Dynasty

Chapter 53 When has the Yellow River ever been clear?
"Twelfth Brother, although we cannot just study, there are many things we must do according to the words of the sages."

"Listen." Song Xuan sat up from the recliner:
"Fang Ping, listen to what you're saying. You've been brainwashed a lot by Song Shou, that official, right?"

"Don't refute me. Do you think that Judge Song has followed the words of the sages in the books in his official duties and conduct over the years?"

Zhang Fangping was suddenly unsure.

Because he is not stupid because of studying, but studying is his only and best way out at the moment.

His words and actions are all unconsciously intended to uphold the words of the sages in the book.

"Fang Ping, don't you think that since these officials are the upper class of the Song Dynasty, that they are all portrayed as saints and gentlemen, just like in the books?"

"That's not what I meant."

Zhang Fangping also read the official reports and tabloids at Song Xuan's place, and he had also seen some people who were not satisfied, greedy for money and lustful.

At that time he was thinking that it would definitely not be like this after he passed the imperial examination and became an official.

"What you can't understand is that the upper class of the Song Dynasty is actually even more vulgar. Sometimes, it's even worse than the loyalty among the lower classes!"

"what?"

As a student who wanted to pass the imperial examination, Zhang Fangping was naturally looking forward to the scene and life after becoming an official.

Now hearing Song Xuan's words, he fell into self-doubt for a moment.

Could it be that once you become an official, everything becomes corrupt?

He didn't think that his twelfth brother was exaggerating. In comparison, what he said made a lot of sense.

But after all, Zhang Fangping had not experienced the darkness of officialdom.

Because he has shown a great talent for studying, all the people he has met so far are "good people".

Everyone knows that he will have a bright future. He is often seen smiling and rarely looks at other people's expressions.

Zhang Fangping was shocked by Song Xuan's words, but he did not feel deeply about them.

Song Xuan put down the Analects in his hand and poured himself a cup of tea:

"Fang Ping, as I understand it, sage books are meant for you and me to read, not for practical use. Do you really believe what Zhao Pu said about ruling the world with half a copy of the Analects is true?"

Zhang Fangping certainly knew the reputation of Zhao Pu, the prime minister of the Song Dynasty for ten years. He said that he used half of the Analects to assist Emperor Taizu in pacifying the world, and used the remaining half to assist Emperor Taizong, bringing peace to the world.

"Emperor Taizong failed in several of his northern expeditions. One time, it was so dangerous that he had to drift on a donkey cart to return to Bianjing, and he narrowly escaped from the battlefield."

It was the first time that Zhang Fangping heard Song Xuan use the term "donkey cart drifting" to describe Emperor Taizong's defeat.

He didn't care too much about it, after all, he was not eating the emperor's food now.

If scholars don't even have this little courage, how can they point out the emperor's problems directly in the future?
Song Xuan pointed to the Analects on the table:
"It stands to reason that not many Liao people read the Analects. How could they have defeated the Song Dynasty, where so many did?"

Zhang Fangping nodded again. "Hiss, Twelfth Brother is right. Not everything in the sage books is right. Otherwise, Confucius wouldn't have traveled around the world without anyone appreciating him."

After all, there were so many countries in the Spring and Autumn Period, and Confucianism was so great, so why did all the princes at that time not want to use this doctrine?
This shows that there are still problems, but later generations strengthened the theory for the sake of dynasty stability.

Zhang Fangping leaned back.

In fact, he always thought that Song Xuan's theory was very distorted, but after careful consideration.

Their ideas are really tenable.

"The ancients called the Yangtze River 'Jiang' and the Yellow River 'He'. The Yangtze River's water is clear, the Yellow River's water is turbid. The Yangtze River flows, and so does the Yellow River."

"As the old saying goes, 'When a sage appears, the Yellow River becomes clear.' Confucius and Mencius appeared, but when has the Yellow River ever become clear?"

"The water of the Yangtze River irrigates the fields of several provinces on both sides of the river. The water of the Yellow River also irrigates the fields of several provinces on both sides of the river. We should not use one water for its purity, nor should we abandon one for its turbidity. This has been the case since ancient times."

Zhang Fangping's head felt as if it had been split open by lightning, and he stood there in a daze. Song Xuan snorted and laughed, "I remember the Yellow River has been a bit of a tyrant in recent years, with frequent floods. So, is everything the sages say true?"

"Or perhaps you, a genius at studying, really believe that when an emperor is born, some strange phenomenon will appear to announce it to the world?"

"What Twelve Brother said seems to make some sense. No, it makes a lot of sense."

Zhang Fangping agreed with some of Song Xuan's theories because they really could not be refuted.

Song Xuan looked at Zhang Fangping, who seemed to be lost in thought.

"I've heard people say that the purpose of studying is to understand principles. Once you understand principles, you'll have your own opinions and know what to do. But principles are constantly changing, and you can't stick to them inflexibly."

"Well, I was thinking too one-sidedly." Zhang Fangping nodded again.

Song Xuan shook his head: "That's why you were brainwashed by Song Shou's words. When you pass the imperial examination and no longer worry about your studies and life, you will have more time to think for yourself and won't be easily led astray by others."

"Just like what I just said, it's just one person's opinion. Don't just listen to one side of the story."

Zhang Fangping was once again surprised by Song Xuan's frank words. Twelve Brother did not want me to agree with his theory, but encouraged me to think more and not be misled by other people's theories.

Whether it was the teacher in the past or Song Shou now, what they said to Zhang Fangping was, "You have to listen to me. Everything I say is for your own good."

The educational flavor is obvious.

But Song Xuan is different. He is too lazy to teach you and just lets you think about the truth yourself.

Or he disdains the cramming-style education that fills your head with other people's theories rather than the answers you come up with after thinking for yourself.

Are the words of the saints really all correct today?

Zhang Fangping was sure that he could not come up with such an answer.

When it comes to debate, ordinary people really can't beat him.

His logically coherent theory alone is not something that anyone can challenge.

Everyone's internal logic is different.

Song Xuan didn't say that everything should be viewed dialectically. He took a sip of tea.

"I hope you and I can encourage each other in the future and not get stuck in a rut."

Zhang Fangping stood there in a daze.

He is also one of the rare reading geniuses in the world, but he learned many truths from books.

But Zhang Fangping discovered that Song Xuan only had a few books that were needed for the undergraduate examination.

He had read the Spring and Autumn Annals so many times that it was almost torn to pieces.

He hasn't read many other books.

If the novels he bought for his friends count, then Song Xuan has indeed read the other books.

But the problem is that every time Song Xuan says something, it is thought-provoking.

Zhang Fangping was sure that no one had taught Song Xuan.

However, his experience, knowledge and methods of dealing with various situations are beyond the reach of even the most experienced officials.

The strength of a person bestowed by God.

How could it be so terrifying?
Even the four words "so terrifying" were learned by Zhang Fangping from Song Xuan.

That's why he was willing to study with Song Xuan, because he could really learn a lot!

(End of this chapter)