Chapter 29 Discussing Books and Explaining the Tao

  At Shangde Academy, Zhou Tianhao and Jiang Keyue spent their days studying literature and their nights practicing martial arts. Although life was intense, it was fulfilling and joyful. Among the dozen or so students at Shangde Academy, four or five were from all over the country, all of whom came to pay homage to the great name of Master Hong.

  On this day, Mr. Hong was discussing the topic of reading with his disciples. He walked back and forth in the classroom, talking as he went: "Confucius and Mencius are our sages, they are great scholars who have mastered the five classics, and they are role models for each of us who read books. If you want to become a great talent and serve the country in the future, you must constantly strive to improve yourself and never forget to read and learn. I have always advocated that in our academy, we should freely discuss academic topics, discuss life, and apply what we learn. We must get rid of distractions, return to nature, focus on reading, think deeply, and write carefully." At this point, Mr. Hong changed the subject, "Everyone's purpose for reading is different. This affects the effectiveness of reading. Now, each of you talk about your views."

  The disciples looked at me, I looked at you, and no one took the initiative to speak. After a while, a classmate finally couldn't help it, stood up and said: "Sir, isn't this easy? The ultimate goal of reading books is to participate in the imperial examination and enter officialdom, 'learning and then becoming an official' is my only creed when reading books. I wonder if the fellow students present are the same as me?" After finishing speaking, he felt much more relieved and happily waited for everyone's support.

  "Are many of you in support of Jia Sidao's view?" Mr. Hong asked.

  "Yes, sir. From young to old, our parents have always taught us that 'all things are inferior, only reading is superior' and let us study hard from a young age so that we can bring glory to our ancestors in the future." A student named Wu Ji stood up and replied.

  "I'm so focused on my studies, 'deaf to the outside world and only reading the classics', all for the sake of obtaining a high-ranking title in the future. My current hard work is still far from the extremes of ancient scholars who hung their heads from beams or pierced their thighs with an awl... I haven't even become a successful scholar yet, so I must continue to strive..." His words brought laughter to the entire hall.

  A man had been feeling suffocated in the house for a long time, and he couldn't help but stand up. "Excuse me, everyone," he asked, "in the future, will we take part in the imperial examination of which dynasty, and serve which court?" Everyone looked over, and it was Li Yun Tian.

  Everyone suddenly fell silent, staring at each other in shock...

  "What's going on? Are there still several courts?" asked Jia Si Dao's student in confusion.

  "That's right, now there are three courts: the Ming, the Great Shun in the south, and also the Qing from outside. But this matter cannot be casually discussed, it's a capital offense." A student named Wu Shi-xiao whispered.

  "Now we are not discussing state affairs, but only talking about reading topics." Mr. Hong said with a hint.

  Li Yuntian had wanted to continue discussing politics, but upon hearing the teacher's words, he couldn't help but stop and instead continued on the topic of reading books. "In ancient times, there was a saying about 'bitter reading', such as hanging one's head from a beam or stabbing one's thigh with an awl. But this kind of reading is not worth promoting. I suspect that these methods, which imitate prisoners or self-mutilation, are essentially the result of ancient people designing strange behaviors to deceive the world and steal fame. At the very least, it can be said that they are a malicious distortion of the purpose of reading. There's also another perspective: 'Enduring bitterness is what makes one superior' or 'Ten years of suffering in front of the window, one achievement brings fame throughout the world'. These are utilitarian ideas, and people generally pursue not equality for all, but being superior to others!" Listening to Li Yuntian's views, Tian Hao nodded silently in agreement, especially with the latter part, which he strongly agreed with.

  A student nicknamed "Little Poodle" stood up and said, "I'd like to say a couple of things. I've never been very smart since I was young, so I have self-awareness about this. As for seeking fame and fortune, I haven't thought about it, or maybe I did in the past but not anymore. This is what I think: reading books is actually a way to complete oneself! Not everyone is born with a personality. Reading books is meant to shape one's soul. By learning from others' experiences, we can cultivate our own character. The birth of charisma often comes from reading books. If it's a good book, then as long as you persist in reading, it will change your temperament, making men more handsome and women more beautiful. But if it's a bad book, it will make men become lewd and dissolute, and women become disgusting. When your personality is already fixed, reading books becomes a way for you to find like-minded people. This is also why some people love reading poetry collections and classics, while others only read erotic novels."

  His words also brought people's loud laughter...

  "Zhou Tianhao, what's your opinion?" the old man asked.

  Zhou Tianhao stood up, cleared his throat, and humbly said: "Masters, brothers, I may not say it well, and my views may differ from others. I appreciate the saying 'industry is diligent, do not indulge in leisure and think of high-flying swans; learning should be practical, do not waste your intelligence on harming others.' Deep knowledge comes from diligence. Do not indulge in play and think of flying swans; learn for practical application, do not use your intelligence to harm others. Reading is for becoming a person. Teachers teach us how to become people first. Confucius said 'people can carry the Tao, but the Tao cannot carry people', Laozi said 'blunt its sharpness, unravel its tangles, soften its glare, and align with dust', Zhu Xi said 'preserve heavenly reason, eliminate human desire' and so on, all are about becoming a person. Why is it that half of the book can govern the world? I think it's because it tells you how to cultivate your character, become a virtuous person, and only then can you govern the country. Take the principles you read and apply them to yourself, turn the words of the sages into action, this is the effect of reading. Reading good books, understanding the principles of becoming a person, can improve your virtue, and improving your virtue can improve your career. The ancients said 'establish virtue, establish merit, establish words', all of which rely on reading and becoming a person. Reading is the foundation of establishing oneself and one's career."

  Everyone applauded unanimously at this remark, and the most enthusiastic applause came from Jiang Keyue. She didn't expect that Zhou Tianhao, who was usually kind-hearted, humorous, and elegant in appearance, would have such profound insights. Before she could fully appreciate Zhou's words, someone asked her, "Jiang Keyue, what's your opinion?"

  "Oh, I..." Jiang Keyue hastily regained her composure, "I study medicine to cure illnesses."

  Everyone burst out laughing after hearing this... making Ke Yue feel a bit embarrassed.

  She continued: "I am a girl, and since ancient times it has been thought that girls reading books is useless. I also don't have the ambition to take the imperial examination or save the country like my male classmates do. I just treat books as medicine. Whenever I'm feeling unhappy or conflicted, I pick up a book and immediately feel relieved and calm. The medicines we usually see are for treating physical illnesses, but I've discovered that books are medicine for the heart and spirit. Reading can cure illnesses - this is one of the effects of reading that I've discovered. When someone feels empty and bored, idle and without direction, picking up a book immediately makes them feel not so empty. When your eyes have nowhere to look, your mood has nowhere to go, and your hands have nowhere to put themselves, I tell everyone that holding a book in your hands, with your eyes and heart focused on the book, you will have a sense of stability. This is where your heart settles, this is what your spirit relies on. Some people don't like reading books, thinking it's a chore. 'Reading is the most enjoyable thing, but lazy people often think it's bitter; leisure time is the most enjoyable thing, but some people are ill at ease with its quietness.' This is because they lack insight. I hope that by reading more, I can increase my own insight..."

  When they heard this, the mocking laughter of the crowd suddenly stopped, followed by applause. Tianhao was amazed by her profound and philosophical words. He did not expect that such a beautiful and elegant woman could say something so deep, in his heart, she was no longer just a vase, and a vague feeling arose between them...

  The old man nodded proudly, cleared his throat, and interrupted the whispers of others. "It seems that children have their own views on reading books. No matter what purpose they read with, it should be said that it is endless. From emperors to ordinary people, if possible, no one should give up reading. Only then can we keep pace with the times! Reading must be calm. When the mind is calm, you can think carefully. If the heart is not calm, you cannot read books. It is said that 'calmness leads to peace, peace leads to consideration, and consideration leads to gain.' That's the reason. The crux of the matter for everyone present may be that they are troubled by their inability to calm their minds. They have not abandoned their selfish thoughts and treated reading as a means to achieve their own goals, rather than treating it as a friend. Today, several people spoke very well and had a thorough understanding. I hope you will become ideal scholars, both broad-minded and profound. Then you will become the talents that society needs..."

  The applause echoed again in the academy...