"The Conduct of a Gentleman".
"Melon fields and plum blossoms" are derived from the poem "The melon fields do not accept shoes, and the plum blossoms do not decorate the crown" in the ancient Yuefu "A Gentleman's Journey". Liu Gongquan here is a metaphor for the emperor's approach, which can easily make people suspicious. .
When passing a melon field, do not bend down to lift your shoes, lest others suspect you of picking melons; when passing under a plum tree, do not raise your hands to straighten your hat, lest others suspect you of picking plums. It is a metaphor for a place that easily arouses suspicion, a situation that makes people misunderstand and is difficult to defend.
The ancients emphasized that a gentleman should take into account his speech, behavior, demeanor and etiquette. In addition, it is also important to actively avoid suspicion, stay away from controversial people and things, and not do things that may cause misunderstanding.
Idiom story:
During the reign of Emperor Wenzong of the Tang Dynasty, Liu Gongquan, a great calligrapher, was loyal and upright, good at speaking and admonishing, and served as Minister of Industry.
At that time, an official named Guo Ning sent his two daughters to the palace, so the emperor sent Guo Ning to be an official in Youning (now Youxian County, Shaanxi Province). People talked about this matter a lot. . The emperor asked Liu Gongquan about this matter: Guo Ning is the stepfather of the Empress Dowager, and he is a general. He has done nothing wrong since he became an official. Now he is only allowed to be the chief official of Youning, a small place. What's wrong with that? Is it appropriate?
Liu Gongquan said: People who discussed it all thought that Guo Ning got this official position because he donated his two daughters to the palace. Tang Wenzong said: Guo Ning's two daughters came to the palace to accompany the Queen Mother, and were not dedicated to me. Liu Gongquan replied: How can people distinguish the suspicions of melons and plums?
Melon fields and plum blossoms are derived from the ancient Yuefu poem "A Gentleman's Walk". Liu Gongquan's metaphor of the emperor here can easily make people suspicious.