Duanmuci
Yu Zigong was one of the seventy-two sages of Confucius, and he was among the outstanding ones in linguistics. Confucius once called it "the weapon of Hulian". He is eloquent, good at eloquence, capable, and knowledgeable in everything he does. He once served as the prime minister of Lu and Wei. He was also good at doing business. He once did business between Cao and Lu and became very rich. He is the richest among Confucius' disciples.
Sima Qian's "Historical Records: Biography of Zhongni's Disciples" devoted the most ink to the character Zigong, and his biography is the longest among the disciples of Confucius in terms of length. This phenomenon shows that in Sima Qian's eyes, Zigong is a very unusual figure. If we follow Sima Qian's idea and carefully read "The Analects" and other books, we can see that Zigong is an extraordinary character. His great influence and role are unmatched by any disciple of Confucius: he has excellent academic performance, rich cultural accomplishment, outstanding political and diplomatic talents, and superb financial and business management abilities. Among the disciples of Confucius, Zigong was the one who best combined learning and practice.
Zigong's excellent academic performance is first reflected in his superb "language" level. "The Analects of Confucius: Advanced" says: "Virtue: Yan Yuan, Min Ziqian, Ran Boniu, Zhong Gong. Speech: Zaiwo, Zigong. Political affairs: Ran You, Ji Lu. Literature: Ziyou, Zixia." It can be seen that Zigong is "speech" "Excellent in speaking skills, that is to say, Zigong is unique in speaking skills and presentation skills. According to historical books such as "Zuo Zhuan", in Confucius' time, the language training of diplomatic concierges was mainly based on "Poetry", which had become a custom at that time. Confucius once said: "If you don't study "Poetry", you will have no words."⒄ "Poetry" has become the main language training textbook at that time. "The Book of Songs" is the "Book of Songs" that later became one of the "Six Classics". In the study of "Poetry", Confucius not only required students to understand the original meaning of "Poetry", but also required them to "study and apply" "Poetry" and be able to use it conveniently to express their own ideas in diplomatic and protocol situations. , and this is difficult to do without considerable flexibility and sensitivity. Among Confucius' disciples, Zigong did this well. "The Analects of Confucius·Xueer" once recorded the dialogue between Confucius and Zigong's master and disciple. Zigong flexibly used the verses "like cutting, like discussing, like polishing" in "The Book of Songs, Wei Feng, Qiao" to answer the teacher's question. situation. Confucius thought that Zigong's answer was very appropriate, and "quoting it out of context" was just right, so he praised Zigong: "It's time to start talking about the "Poetry". He also said that Zigong "tells those who have gone before and knows what is coming." He believed that he had a good understanding of the poem. The understanding has reached the point of understanding. In the Analects of Confucius, there was another person who gave such high praise to his disciples as "You can just finish the poem", that is Zixia, and Zixia was an outstanding person in "literary", which shows that Zigong is not only He is extremely excellent in "language", and even in "literature" he is not inferior to Ziyou and Zixia. "Historical Records: Biography of Zhongni's Disciples" once said: "Zigong was eloquent and eloquent, and Confucius often dismissed him for his arguments." It seems that the master and the disciple often argued about some issues. It was his shuttle diplomatic activities to the four countries of Qi, Wu, Yue, and Jin that made Zigong's "speech" talents fully display. In this diplomatic event, Zigong gave full play to his oratory skills and caused trouble for others. The kings of the four countries were convinced of his analysis of interests and adopted his ideas one after another. "Historical Records: Biography of Zhongni's Disciples" records: "Zigong's envoy broke the situation. Within ten years, each of the five countries underwent changes." Zigong's superb speech skills and diplomatic abilities were also used in this diplomatic activity. Fully displayed!
The Analects only says that Zigong is excellent in "speech", which to some extent ignores people's understanding of Zigong's outstanding talents in other aspects. In fact, only in terms of his performance in "political affairs", he is by no means inferior to Zilu, Ran Qiu and others (both of them are excellent in "political affairs"). "Historical Records: Biography of Zhongni's Disciples" states that Zigong "often ministered to Lu and Wei". His teacher Confucius also believed that Zigong had extraordinary political talents. "The Analects of Confucius·Yong Ye" once recorded that Ji Kangzi asked Confucius whether Zilu, Zigong, and Ranqiu could enter politics. Confucius replied that all three of them could enter politics, but Kong Yu said that the advantages of each of the three were different: "From (Zilu) ) is also fruit", "giving (Zigong) is also achieved", "qiu (ranqiu) is also art". Judging from the three advantages listed by Confucius, we feel that Zigong's advantage, "Da", seems to be indispensable for politicians. The so-called "Da" means to understand the affairs. Just imagine that if a person in politics can "understand the affairs", he will be able to grasp the overall situation and the overall situation of the problem from a macro perspective, and will not be confused by the tedious details. Such a person must Will handle political affairs in an orderly manner. However, Zilu's "guo" (decisiveness) and Ranqiu's "yi" (versatile talents) are just one aspect of politics. Compared with Zigong's "da", they should be said to be a lower level. It is precisely because Zigong is knowledgeable about affairs and has outstanding "language" skills that he was hired by Lu, Wei and other countries to assist them. It is precisely because of his political talent that he was able to handle the diplomatic activities of Qi, Wu, Yue and Jin with ease and achieved complete success.
Zigong not only had outstanding achievements in academics and political achievements, but also had outstanding talents in financial management and business. "The Analects of Confucius: Advances" contains Confucius' words: "Hui is a commoner, and he is always empty. He is given but not ordered, and the goods are cultivated, and the assumptions are often hit." This means that Yan Hui is almost perfect in morality, but he is poor. There was a tinkling sound, and even eating was a problem, but Zigong was restless in his duties, and went to stock up and speculate, guessing the market, and he always guessed correctly.
"Historical Records: Biographies of Zhongni's Disciples" also records: "Zigong was fond of wasteful examinations, and transferred goods and materials with the times... The family accumulated thousands of gold." The "wasteful examinations" here refer to buying cheaply and selling dearly. "Transfer goods" refers to "transfer goods at any time to multiply capital." Translated into current words, it means: Zigong makes profits by buying cheap and selling high according to the changes in market conditions, so as to become rich. Because Zigong is very big in business. Therefore, Sima Qian commended this business tycoon in "Historical Records: Biography of Huozhi" and affirmed his role in economic development.
Zigong's knowledge, political achievements, and achievements. His outstanding performance in financial management and business was seen and heard, so his reputation and status soared, even surpassing that of his teacher Confucius. At that time, Sun Wu, the doctor of Lu State, publicly said in the court: "Zi Zi." "Gong Xian is better than Zhongni"⒇. Another minister of Lu State, Zifu Jingbo, conveyed the words of his uncle Wushu to Zigong, but Zigong modestly said: "For example, the walls of the palaces, the wall given to (Zigong) is also as good as Shoulder; get a glimpse of the beauty of the family. Master (Confucius) had many walls, but no one could enter through the door. He could not see the beauty of the ancestral temple: the wealth of hundreds of officials. There may be only a few people who can get it. Isn't it appropriate to be like a cloud in a husband's hand?" ⒇It means: My little knowledge and ability is like a house behind a low wall, everyone can see it, but Confucius's knowledge and ability is like an ancestral temple behind a wall that is several feet high. Landscape cannot be seen without its own door, not to mention that there are very few people who can find its door. That is why you have such an incorrect view. At that time, Chen Ziqin, another minister of the state of Lu, heard what Zigong said. Tong explained that he disagreed and said: "Zi Gong is respectful, how can Zhongni be better than Zi?" This means that you are just being humble, is Zhongni really better than you? In short, all these praises for Zigong It is not groundless, it shows that Zigong's reputation, status and influence at that time were indeed no longer inferior to that of his teacher Confucius. As a far-sighted historian, Sima Qian even believed in "Historical Records" that the reason why Confucius' reputation was so widespread. All over the world, the reason why Confucianism became a prominent school at that time was largely due to Zigong's promotion. He wrote in "Historical Records·Biography of Huozhi": "Zi Gong, the disciple of the Seventy Years, is the most important. Fortunately, Yuan Xian was not tired of the chaff and hid in a back alley. Zigong married the princes with his horse and silk coins, and wherever he came, the kings all divided their courts to resist him. The one who made Confucius' name famous throughout the world was Zigong who followed him one after another. Is this the so-called "holding" Zigong and "bringing benefit" to the public? This is actually an unreasonable theory. Just imagine that Zigong "often ministered to Lu and Wei" at that time, and went to various countries as envoys. Each country treated him as a distinguished guest. , his status was prominent for a while, and he also had a pair of sharp teeth; wherever he went, after completing his mission, he would always preach a set of theories and opinions of his teacher, although some of Confucius's theoretical opinions were inconsistent with the times. However, for the sake of Zigong, you must listen to it. This objectively promotes Confucius. Confucius's Confucianism has become a prominent school, and Confucius's reputation has spread all over the world. In fact, he "sticks" to Gong. Sima Qian saw this clearly.
Although Zigong had many achievements, he was very humble in front of Confucius. Confucius asked Zigong: "Who is better, you or Hui?" Yan Hui was Confucius's most proud disciple. Zigong knew this very well, but Confucius chose to ask this question to Zigong. Zigong was quite cultivated. He said: "How can I dare to look back at Hui if I hear one? If I hear one of Hui, I will know ten; if I hear one of Ci, I will know two." In fact, the world has witnessed which one is better, Zigong or Yan Hui. Zigong compared with Yan Hui. In terms of political affairs, Yan Hui had to hand in a blank; in terms of survival ability, Yan Hui could barely maintain his livelihood. The Analects of Confucius said that he was "repeatedly empty". It seems that food shortages also often happen. But Zigong was "rich in wealth"; when it came to promoting the reputation of his teacher, Yan Hui did not have the great energy of Zigong. As for when Confucius was in danger or danger, Zigong could always stand up and show his great wisdom. Dayong. "Historical Records: The Family of Confucius" once recorded that Confucius was trapped in Chen and Cai and had no food. The situation was very critical. At that time, Confucius's disciples all looked at each other and were at a loss. "Zigong sent Chu" and "King Zhao of Chu raised an army to meet Confucius. Then I will be exempted." All these things, not to mention Yan Hui, even among the disciples of Sanqian, who can compete with Zigong? Confucius said to Zigong, a disciple with excellent academic performance, political achievements and outstanding business ability. It is puzzling to think that he is not as good as Yan Hui! It seems that even people as smart as Confucius can sometimes be ignorant. Historical facts prove that Zigong is the most outstanding disciple of Confucius.
Duanmuci died in the Qi State. After his death, he was posthumously named "Lihou" in the 27th year of Kaiyuan of the Tang Dynasty (739 AD); in the 2nd year of Dazhongfu in the Song Dynasty (1009 AD), he was named "Li Gong"; in the 9th year of Jiajing in the Ming Dynasty, he was named "Li Gong". It was renamed "Sage Duanmuzi".