Mr. Qian Mu believes that among these three people, one is seen by Confucius, the other is Tai Shixian of Zhou Dynasty, and the third is a sage who lived in a later period. Zhuangzi said that what Confucius saw was Laozi, that is, Lao Dan, and among these three people, Taishixian and Lao Dan were the most easily confused. "Historical Records" said: "Lao Tzu's surname is Li, his name is Er, and his word is forever". The Index of Historical Records says that in this historical record, "Bo Yang is famous for his ears, and scholars say Dan". Mr. Qian Mu said that there is a detailed textual research in Wang Niansun's Reading Magazine, and the author has not read it.
Zhuangzi called it "Lao Dan" and Shuowen interpreted it as "Yi, Er Ye Man".
Duan Yucai's note: "People lead. If you are a man, your ears will be as big as the people you lead. " Zhang Shunhui's Note: "People have a long meaning". It is called "old drag" in Lu's Spring and Autumn Annals, and it is interpreted as "drag, big earlobe" in Shuowen. Huainanzi said: "Kuafu is in the north, and Kuafu abandoned its strategy and voted for Deng Lin". The former means "long ears" and the latter means "big earlobe".
Before "Lao Dan" and "Li Er" were clearly understood, people in the Eastern Han Dynasty said that "sorrow leads to old age". The ancients thought that drooping ears were a sign of longevity, which added a new hope that "your ears are blessed". Therefore, people who live a long life are called Lao Dan and Lao Dan, which can also be called old age. I didn't have a description of Laozi's appearance until the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Bao Puzi said, "My ears are seven inches long."
Zheng Xuan notes "Ceng Zi" cloud: "Lao Dan, also known as Gu Shoushi". According to Mr. Qian Mu, he was called Taishigong because he was old. Tai Shi Gong is called Tai Shi Gong because he is a Zhou historian. In fact, it was two people, which were often confused in Qin and Han Dynasties. Besides Lao Dan, there is also a "crane" which is easily confused with Tai Shixian. Crane also writes "Zhanhe" or Fairy, and writes "Zhanzi" in Zhuangzi. High note "Huainan" cloud: "zhanhe, the Chu people know the art." Han Feizi said in Jie Lao: How did Zhan know that the cow outside the door was black and white in its corner? It is said that the crane has some warlock abilities and is a Taoist in Chu. Lu's Spring and Autumn Annals commented: sages listen without saying a word, regard it as invisible, and it is useless to worry about getting old. On this basis, Mr. Qian Mu thinks that Zhan He is two people, and their order is in front of Tian Zifang, Zhan He is behind Tian Zifang, and he seeks the same life with his son.
Mr. Qian Mu thought that Lao Dan whom Confucius met was the position of a squire. It is recorded in Zhuangzi Samwood that Confucius did not eat for seven days between Chen and Cai. Before Tai Gong took office, he went to see him to discuss with Confucius the way of longevity, and warned Confucius that "he dare not be the first, and he dare not be the last", and that "he who is good at being good is stupid". Taigong is also a name for the old man, just like Laozi. "Ren" and "Yun" have similar meanings. "Tao flows without knowing where to live, and walks without knowing what to do" refers to "driving when you have time, but not driving when you are tired" in Historical Records. Mr. Qian Mu believes that the content of the dialogue between Laozi and Confucius in Historical Records comes from this article and three articles: Heaven, Heaven and Foreign Things. Zhuangzi is a multi-handed book, while Historical Records uses various articles to create the concrete content of the dialogue between Confucius and Lao.
Basic skills of Chinese studies: what is textual research?
Basic skills of Chinese studies: what is school learning?
Qian Mu's "The Year of the Pre-Qin Scholars" Confucius has never seen Laozi?
See Textual Research on Laozi in Pre-Qin Scholars, 20 15, Commercial Press, pp. 235-238.