inspire-indiana Chapter 19 When the monk was captured and brought back!
Chapter 19 When the monk was captured and brought back!
On this day, Li Zhi and Xiao Si were in the study, and Xiao Deyan was teaching them the Classic of Filial Piety. The atmosphere was relaxed.
Li Zhi: (Looking at Xiao Deyan with curiosity) Teacher Deyan, you said that when you were young you pretended to be a monk, why didn't you just become a civil official?
Xiao Deyan: (Shaking his head with a smile) Your Highness, back then I wanted to be lazy, and monks didn't have to attend the morning court!
Li Zhi: (Giggles) You really are "a monk's heart, a civil official's body"!
Xiao Deyan: (Feigning seriousness) Yes, laziness can't last forever. Later, I had to go back to books to survive.
Little Sizi: (Mischievously) No wonder Uncle Xiao, you bathe and change clothes every day. Is it to show that you're not lazy?
Xiao Deyan: (Laughs loudly) No, I'm afraid of being "reprimanded" by the ancient sages. Think about it, how can you relax when facing sages!
Li Zhi: (Seriously) Then, Teacher Deyan, since you are teaching me the Classic of Filial Piety, should I also take a bath and burn incense?
Xiao Deyan: (Pretending to be thinking) Haha, Your Highness Prince Jin has already been very proper. Bathing and cleaning is not as practical as "studying hard and thinking deeply"!
Li Zhi told Xiao Sizi that this teacher, Xiao Deyan, also known as Wenxing, was the son of a Chen Dynasty official in the Ministry of Personnel, and his ancestral home was Lanling. He was well-versed in the Zuo Zhuan (Commentary of Zuo). At just twenty years old, he became a guest of the Prince of Yueyang as a student of the Imperial Academy.
Even the little rhinoceros could understand: What happened next?
After the fall of the Chen dynasty, he moved to the Guanzhong region. Later, he pretended to be a monk and secretly returned to Jiangnan, but was caught by local officials and sent to the capital.
Si Zi sighed: "Talented people are different; they've been captured to do great things."
Li Zhi continued:
During the Renshou era, he was appointed as a proofreader. During the Zhenguan era, he successively served as a compiler and a scholar of the Hongwen Pavilion.
Our father wanted to know the reasons for the rise and fall of various dynasties in history, so he ordered Wei Zheng, Yu Shinan, Chu Liang and Xiao Deyan to compile and edit the classics, histories, philosophical works and collections of literature, as well as the information on the rise and fall of emperors throughout history.
Sizi said: I heard that Aye especially likes the books they compiled, which are rich in content and concise.
Li Zhi said, "Yes, Father said that thanks to these people, we have a starting point when studying ancient knowledge and dealing with matters, so we won't be confused. Of course, the rewards are also particularly generous."
Wow! !
Li Zhi said: In his later years, Mr. Deyan studied even more diligently. Every time he opened the scriptures, he would clean his belt and sit upright.
Sizi sighed: Oh, it's not the fragrant bath everyone's been talking about. *Crackling sounds*
Li Zhi said: His wife advised him: Husband, why do you work so hard every day?
He replied: "Faced with the tireless teachings of the ancient sages, what hardship is this?"
Xiao Si exclaimed: "What the hell! Why did Father issue an edict appointing him to tutor Prince Jin? He clearly values him highly!"
He thought to himself, "Hehe, even after Zhinu became the Crown Prince, he still served as a tutor."
Look, back when Emperor Taizong of Tang was in power, Uncle Xiao was a very busy man. He held all sorts of positions, such as Proofreader, Compiler, and Academician of the Hongwen Pavilion!
Not to mention his academic fanaticism, he was practically a 'bookworm going crazy and working hard'.
The Zuo Zhuan (Commentary of Zuo) on the Spring and Autumn Annals? You think that's advanced? That's a piece of cake for him!
Uncle Xiao has a natural talent for quoting various classics and historical books!
Moreover, he even participated in compiling the "Kuodi Zhi" (Records of the Land). He was truly a treasure trove of knowledge, incredibly talented!
The key is Uncle Xiao, he lived a long life! I guess the secret to his longevity is—diligence!! Not lying down, he actually lived to the ripe old age of ninety-seven.
Afternoon tea time at Lizheng Hall. In addition to various delicious snacks, Emperor Taizong came to check on the studies of his ninth son, Zhinu.
Emperor Taizong of Tang: (Holding a teacup, smiling at Zhinu and A'si) Alright, Zhinu, A'si, what is the core of filial piety? Can anyone tell me?
Li Zhi: (Answering seriously) The most basic thing is to serve one's parents, then to pursue fame and fortune, and finally to serve one's monarch. Only then can one establish virtue and establish oneself!
Little Sizi: (Looking completely enlightened, he suddenly interjects) Whether at home, studying, or becoming an official, the most important thing is to understand what loyalty is! This is "the Way of Laughter," guaranteed to make you laugh last!!
(Emperor Taizong couldn't help but burst into laughter!)
Zhi Nu chuckled and chatted like siblings: This must be what my sister was talking about—the new generation's "workplace bible"!
Little Sizi: (Nodding seriously) Yes! Especially at work, it's crucial to understand what loyalty truly means. While it's impossible to handle everything perfectly, one must constantly strive to rectify one's mistakes. One should have the magnanimity to help others achieve their goals and to support leaders in areas where even the most powerful figures have fallen short.
Li Zhi: (jokingly) After hearing what Xiao Sizi said, I'm thinking of starting a "remedial class" to teach everyone how to reflect on themselves and correct their mistakes!
Emperor Taizong of Tang: (With a face full of satisfaction) Haha, my daughter is truly remarkable! At such a young age, she has already uttered such insightful views! There is nothing inappropriate in her words. My son has extremely high awareness and is absolutely qualified to become a future prince or minister!
Little Sizi: (smugly) Hehe, Father, do you think I can be a king too?
Emperor Taizong of Tang: (Shaking his head with a smile) Don't be in such a hurry. What kind of girl can be a queen? She should focus on her studies first. The throne is not a game!
Li Shimin paused, gazed into the distance, and fell into deep thought:
Helping others achieve their goals and correcting those who are inadequate are virtues of a gentleman and essential principles of governing a country.
As a vassal king or subject, one must not only fulfill one's duties, but also have a broad perspective and be able to step forward at critical moments to share the burdens of the monarch and seek happiness for the people.
Thinking that since his two children were so enlightened, their future was definitely promising.
Xiao Si mentioned the importance of frequent self-reflection and making amends for mistakes, which is precisely the mark of a gentleman! Those who achieve great things must possess extraordinary abilities! Self-reflection and making amends are among them.