Hearing that Qingwen had passed away, Baoyu was infinitely sad. Inspired by a little girl, he was ill-intentioned, and wrote a eulogy for Qingwen on "The Daughter of Furong". Four kinds of sacrifices were prepared, and the little girl was ordered to hold them in front of the hibiscus flower to solemnly mourn Qingwen.
Baoyu recalled Qingwen's life style, with tears in his eyes, crying and chanting hibiscus. After the memorial service, Lin Daiyu suddenly appeared like a ghost and said with a big smile, "What a novel memorial service!"
The so-called crooked intention should be Cao Xueqin's words to avoid suspicion, and also his modesty.
The Daughter of the Lotus, Cao Xueqin's masterpiece, made the world cry. But its meaning is very obscure. Therefore, Daiyu praised it, which can be passed on with Cao E tablet.
what is Cao e tablet? If judged by the common knowledge of ordinary people, the inscription on Cao E's tablet is the words of "showing filial piety and bravery". To be clear, it is: the garbage values that trick women into mourning for men; Ancient Confucianism called it "chastity".
Supposedly, such words should never come from Lin Daiyu's mouth, let alone get her praise. The fact in the book is: not only does Daiyu really praise; Moreover, Baoyu also recognized and blushed; Baoyu blushed because he felt that Daiyu was overrated and that his obituary was not as good as Cao E's tablet.
This description has puzzled many fans and critics of Dream of Red Mansions. Strange, isn't it? Rebellious Baodai can actually recognize Cao E's tablet, which is "Zhang Xiao Lie" by ordinary people.
After some calculations, the fortuneteller in Dream of Red Mansions hastily closed the case and said: Daiyu is here, only taking the "wonderful words" of the riddle related to Cao Ebei, praising Baoyu's obituary for Qingwen.
where do you start? What a muddled account.
Therefore, if we want to break the purport of The Daughter of Furong, we must first examine the implication of Cao E's tablet.
Second, the fate of Cao E's tablet
Cao E's tablet was built for his filial daughter Cao E in the late Eastern Han Dynasty; The inscription tells the story of Cao E's death and his return to the river to find his father's body. The inscription was written by Han Danchun.
The theme of the inscription is the idea of "showing filial piety and being brave" as commented by the common people.
At that time, the literary circles of the Eastern Han Dynasty were full of admiration for the inscription. Cai Wenji's father, Cai Yong, after reading the tablet, wrote eight characters on the back of the tablet: "Yellow silk bride, grandson mortar".
people don't understand what it means. After being guessed by Yang Xiu and Cao Cao, the eight words written by Cai Yong implied the meaning of "wonderful words". The monument was soon lost.
In the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Cao E tablet was rewritten by Wang Xizhi and engraved by Wu Maoxian, a native of Xin 'an. This monument is also lost. Wang Xizhi's silk script is now well preserved, with the inscriptions of Xu Seng Quan, Man Qian, Huai Chong and others. Later, there were inscriptions by Han Yu and Song Gaozong Zhao Gou in the Tang and Song Dynasties.
The existing Cao E tablet was rewritten by Cai Bian, Wang Anshi's son-in-law, in regular script at the end of the Northern Song Dynasty. It is a thousand-year-old calligraphy treasure.
All the above are calligraphy wonders involved in Cao E's tablet, which seems to have nothing to do with the moral praised by Bao and Dai in A Dream of Red Mansions. As if it were really broken by some fortuneteller-Daiyu only took the meaning of "wonderful words".
but after a close study, why did Lin Daiyu praise Baoyu so boring? How could Cao Xueqin be so superficial that he would let the protagonist in his pen speak grandiloquence against his personality? Therefore, the author, content and theme of the inscription on Cao E's tablet must be re-examined if we want to break "The Daughter of Furong".
Han Danchun, the author of Cao E's tablet inscription, was a famous writer in the Wei and Jin Dynasties at the end of Han Dynasty, and was good at satirizing the secular and criticizing the shortcomings of the times. The collection of stories in Xiao Lin Guang Ji was compiled by Han Danchun. Mr. Lu Xun once spoke highly of Xiao Lin Guang Ji.
from the end of the Han dynasty to the early Wei and Jin dynasties, with the decline and demise of the Liu Han dynasty, China scholars began to strongly question Confucianism. In the field of literature, they created a new creative style famous for their realism, ambition and meteorology. It's for Jian 'an's character.
Jian 'an literature changed the spiritual realm of China intellectuals in the early Wei and Jin Dynasties, initiated the cultural reform under Confucianism, and promoted the integration and progress of Chinese civilization. Its intention is the driving force of cultural change in the later Sui, Tang, Song and Ming Dynasties, with far-reaching influence. Jian 'an literature, from the ideological field, has touched the core issue of feudal system. It's for the Wei and Jin dynasties.
Since then, in the critical period of history and in the field of social and cultural changes, cultural elites who participated in various fields of reform all missed Jian 'an's style; It's called retro, but it's innovation. Unfortunately, due to the deep poison of Confucianism in China, China civilization has been going through twists and turns in reincarnation, moving forward tragically and difficultly.
Third, the meaning of wonderful words
Han Danchun is one of the representatives of Jian 'an literature.
when he wrote the inscription on Cao e's tablet, it was still in the Yuan Jia era of Huandi in the Eastern Han Dynasty. Even if you are ambitious and talented, how can you dare to clearly challenge the core values of Confucianism?
On the surface, he first described Cao E as a beautiful woman who loves life and yearns for love as in The Book of Songs. Later, Cao E was compared with all kinds of virtuous women who died as martyrs in Biography of Women.
Especially at the end of the article, Han Danchun skillfully pointed out the wonderful phenomenon of "life is cheap and death is expensive" frequently under the rule of Confucianism in China society, which caused people to have strong doubts about the value of life and the significance of chastity. Therefore, Cai Yong, a literary giant at that time, secretly praised it as a wonderful speech.
Han Danchun is worthy of being a brave and resourceful talent in Jiangsu and Zhejiang.
Although the meaning of the inscription is very obscure, it still leaves many deadly organs that challenge the Confucian traditional values of filial piety and chastity. Here are two examples:
First, it is appropriate for one's family to be in the Yang of Qia. If you don't give a gift, you will hurt your father. What about Peter Cang? Fatherless.
These words mean:
Cao E, who is beautiful and charming, has reached the age of marriage.
her father died before she got married.
heaven, why are you so heartless?
Who do you want your little daughter Cao E who has lost her father to rely on?
Han Danchun has set up two questioning organs here:
First, according to common sense, Cao E should have a mother even if her father died. Since there is a mother, how can there be no one to rely on?
That is to say, I question the merits and demerits of the mother instrument, which is widely publicized in Biography of Women.
Second, since Cao E is of marriageable age, she can still marry a good husband. Live a sweet and happy life as praised in the Book of Songs.
So, after her father's death, how can she have no one to rely on? Unless her mother is dead; Or she has completely despaired of love, marriage and life.
In this way, Han Danchun secretly questioned and criticized the junk values of "chastity and martyrdom marriage" under the emperor's Confucianism.
In layman's terms, Cao E, who has reached the age of marriage, would rather go to the river to accompany his father's body to "do filial piety" than get married and live a loveless life. Note: Cao E's devotion to the river is obviously illusory. Marvel: What a hatred it is!
this is the hidden meaning of Cao e's tablet.
that's exactly what happened. Judging from the horrible stories of martyrdom compiled and publicized in the biography of women cited in the inscription, where can there be any love and happiness? But fundamentally only regard his wife as a funerary object; I don't even think of women as people.
So, for Cao E, it is better to throw herself into the river and die with her father than to live in the world and encounter such a love marriage.
That's what Han Danchun wanted to express in the inscription. He fired a shot at the rubbish values of "being a martyr with death" advocated by Confucianism.
second, it's the righteousness to benefit from being cheap and dying expensive.
These two sentences are Han Danchun's lofty remarks when he sublimated his comments at the end of the inscription. It means:
Confucianism teaches the world that the result of martyrdom makes people miserable when they are alive; And after death, it seems to be noble. The reason why Confucian sages teach people filial piety and chastity is that the organs among them are originally a way to obtain benefits.
Teach the living to be humble and sacrifice, and give the dead a reputation of chastity; It is the core content of Confucian reward and punishment criteria. This kind of reward and punishment criterion advertised by Confucianism naturally involves the value of life, the meaning of life and the interests in life.
the phrase "the righteous gate of benefit" has always been controversial.
In the Northern Song Dynasty, when Cai Bian re-wrote, it was reversed and changed to "the door of benefiting righteousness". However, no matter how it is changed, it is always impossible to deny the inevitable relationship between "filial piety and chastity" and certain interests.
So, what kind of interest path is between righteousness and benefit? Han Danchun only left a question, but he didn't say it clearly. He really can't say, of course, also dare not say.
Not only did Han Danchun dare not say it; Even after Cai Yong, Yang Xiu, Cao Cao, Wang Xizhi, Xu Seng Quan, Man Qian, Huai Chong, Han Yu, Song Gaozong Zhao Gou and so on, they didn't say anything.
Because they are all kinds of people who enjoy the benefits in that interest chain under the rule of Confucianism: either masters or senior servants and officials; Either Confucianism; For example, the author Han Danchun himself still has a bowl of rice to eat.
In the dynasties after Wei and Jin Dynasties, there were many literati who wrote poems in front of the tablet, such as Li Bai, Guan Xiu and Su Dongpo. They either didn't see through the essential problem, or they didn't dare to say it.
Most of them are whining and posturing little hanger-on, and they can only find a little sense of "I'm really talented" in Cai Yong's eight-character riddle, and act as a half-pull Confucian stick: they seek their relatives and ancestors everywhere and teach others to do so.
Fourth, Cao Xueqin's concept of chastity
Cai Yong must have understood Cao E's tablet. He wrote the words "yellow silk young woman, grandson mortar" under the inscription on the tablet; On the one hand, express their appreciation for Han Danchun; On the other hand, it also debunks Han Danchun's cryptic brushwork as a riddle when he wrote the inscription, leaving it for later generations to reflect.
or, there is the power of pointing out the maze.
Cao Xueqin must have understood the tablet of Cao E, too. He not only understands Han Danchun, but also understands Cai Yong.
Sadly, after 18 years from the time of Cao Ebei, Cao Xueqin could not speak clearly even though he understood it. God gave Cao Xueqin a Shuang Ling's eye and a wise heart. He attributed the tragic fate of dozens of beautiful women like Cao E he created to Qingwen's obituary, in which the heart was higher than the sky and the life was thinner than paper, which made countless grievances in the history of Chinese civilization.
Through the great tragedy of A Dream of Red Mansions, Cao Xueqin finally euphemistically expressed the ideological implication in Han Danchun's and Cai Yong's works, that is, the essence of the purpose of chastity. But it is not clear enough.
Fortunately, 2 years after Cao Xueqin's time, Mr. Lu Xun finally made it clear in an article. This article by Lu Xun is called My Fierce View of the Festival.
Mr. Lu Xun said:
The word "chastity" used to be a virtue of men, so it was named as a martyr. However, the current "recognition of chastity" refers to women, not men. Therefore, my question is put forward before most people. The first question is, how can an unchasteful woman harm the country? The second question is, why does the responsibility of saving the world lie with women? Once again, the question is, what is the effect after the commendation?
Mr. Lu Xun said:
What's more, there is an incidental doubt that a person who is virtuous is the highest in character after being commended. Therefore, there are two questions, one is whether abstinence is moral. Because morality must be universal, it has the value of existence; Second, do polygamous men have the qualifications to commend Jie Lie?
Mr. Lu Xun said:
Is it difficult to be frugal? Answer, it is difficult. Men know it's extremely difficult, so they should commend him. Is it bitter? Answer, very bitter. Men know it's hard, so they should commend him.
everyone wants to live; I will die, needless to say. Virtuous woman is still alive. Let's leave aside the spiritual misery. Just one layer of life is already a lot of pain.
Mr. Lu Xun said:
Are women willing to be abstinent? Answer, no. Human beings always have an ideal and a hope. Abstinence is hard and bitter, which is not good for people and not good for themselves. It is really unreasonable to say that I am willing.
So if you meet a young girl and sincerely wish her a virtuous future, she will be angry. Or he'll be punched by his father, brother and husband. However, Jielie is still unbreakable, that is, it is squeezed by the power of history and numbers.
but everyone is afraid of this festival. Afraid that he should be nailed to himself and his own flesh and blood. So, I said no.
Mr. Lu Xun said:
I conclude that abstinence is extremely difficult and painful, and I don't want to suffer. The country, which is not beneficial to itself and society, is meaningless in the future, and now it has lost its life and value.
since it has lost its value; Don't chaste women suffer in vain? You can answer him: there is still the value of mourning. Note: I'm afraid there is only the value of mourning.
Mr. Lu Xun said:
They are all poor people. Unfortunately, I fell into the unconscious trap of history and numbers and made a nameless sacrifice. We can hold a memorial meeting. We mourn for the people in the past, but also make a wish: to be pure, intelligent, brave and progressive, both ourselves and others.
Mr. Lu Xun said:
We should get rid of false facial makeup. We should get rid of the coma and rape that harm ourselves and others in the world. We mourn for the people in the past, but also make a wish: to get rid of the meaningless pain in life. To get rid of the coma and rape that create and enjoy the pain of others. We also make a vow: that all mankind should be justly happy.
5. Cao Xueqin's consciousness of redemption
Frankly speaking, I couldn't understand "The Daughter of Lotus". I never understood why Cao Xueqin wrote many cultural martyrs in the history of China into Qingwen's obituary.
Frankly speaking, I couldn't understand the inscription on Cao E's tablet. I don't understand why Cai Yong said it was a wonderful speech.
I don't understand: Lin Daiyu, a rebel, even praised Jia Baoyu's "The Daughter of Furong" written for Qingwen, which can be passed on with Cao Ebei. However, when the concept of Qinxue was established, it was compared with the Confucian concept of chastity criticized by Lu Xun. All problems are solved.
Cao Xueqin wrote A Dream of Red Mansions, not just a novel; He opened an altar in A Dream of Red Mansions to mourn those who unfortunately fell into the trap of Confucianism.
He summed up the 5,-year history of civilization, and tried to find a new way out for the tragic process of Chinese civilization, so as to transcend those who died bravely because of chastity.
Mr. Wang Guowei may have read Cao Xueqin, but he still can't explain it; He only implicitly said that A Dream of Red Mansions aims to find a way out of the pain of life.
Wang Guowei is right. The lives of outstanding sons and daughters of China are almost all bitter and sad. Their hearts are higher than the sky, and they always want to find opportunities and turn around Gan Kun. The intention is to create a happy road for the people of China. But their lives are thinner than paper, they fail round after round and perish again and again.
They fell into the unconscious trap of "living cheaply and dying expensively" of Confucianism, and were trapped in the deep pit of "filial piety and chastity" of Confucianism, so they could not help themselves. They can't get rid of themselves, but they still have to find a window of relief for the more miserable souls of China people; Then, how can you have a good fate and how can you realize your good intentions?
Cao Xue