White-robed Minister

Chapter 101 0099 [Xu Xingzhi Has the Potential of a Prime Minister]

How should we investigate things to gain knowledge?

Of course, we can't just talk about observation, verification, and summarization.

Because the "things" here refer to all material things, events, ethical relationships, morals, and laws in the world.

Xu Lai had always wanted to summarize this, but he felt that he hadn't read enough Confucian classics, and it would be difficult to convince learned scholars if he wrote it down now.

However, it can still fool young people.

Zhang Anji stood to the side, glancing at Xu Lai every now and then. He couldn't see what Xu Lai was writing from his position, but he couldn't help wanting to take a look; he was also very curious about Xu Sanlang.

When Xu replied, he first humbly said that he was not very knowledgeable and that his opinion was only for reference.

After much deliberation, Xu Lai decided to write in a more accessible style so that ordinary scholars could also understand it.

"Things have both substance and illusion. Stone and water are substance; trust and falsehood are illusion. By touching and observing, one can know that stone is hard and water is soft; by learning, thinking, and understanding, one can know to uphold trust and abandon falsehood. Touching, observing, learning, and understanding—this is the investigation of things, and what one gains from it is the attainment of knowledge. The Great Learning says: 'The attainment of knowledge lies in the investigation of things,' which is exactly what this means."

"However, the world is ever-changing; soft water can turn into ice, which can become as hard as stone. Trust is not always kept. As Confucius said, 'Trust is close to righteousness, and words can be fulfilled.'"

"Where righteousness lies, even breaking faith is acceptable. Therefore, investigating things and extending knowledge is not something that can be accomplished overnight, but rather a lifelong endeavor. One should not be biased, but rather value flexibility."

"All things in the universe are subject to change, yet there is constancy within change. This is true of the principles of mathematics and geometry, and of loyalty, filial piety, integrity, and righteousness—these are things that remain unchanged throughout the ages."

The Book of Documents says: "The human heart is perilous, the moral heart is subtle; only by being refined and unified can one truly hold fast to the mean. To uphold the constant and respond to change is called holding fast to the mean. Holding fast to the mean to the utmost is the Doctrine of the Mean. The Doctrine of the Mean says: 'The superior man is timely and in accordance with the mean.' Only by being timely and in accordance with the mean can he adapt to change without losing his correctness."

"The mean is neither biased nor leaning, neither excessive nor deficient. To attain the mean, one must be sincere in one's intentions and rectify one's heart. If one cannot rectify one's heart, then the mean will be mediocre and false."

Zhang Anji happily returned to the Prince Ying's residence with Xu Lai's reply in hand.

Zhao Xu eagerly opened the envelope, and the more he read it, the more sense it made.

Xu Lai's words can be summarized in just a few points:

First, the things investigated can be both real and intangible. Natural matter is real, while ethics and morality are intangible. This is achieved through touch, observation, and...

Learning and thinking lead to the investigation of things and the attainment of knowledge.

Secondly, this method of acquiring knowledge is not necessarily entirely correct, because things are constantly changing. Water, when it turns into ice, is no longer soft; it becomes as hard as stone. For the sake of righteousness, one need not necessarily adhere to integrity; this is how the sages taught. Therefore, one must continuously investigate things to acquire knowledge, recognizing the various changes in all matters. One should learn until old age.

Third, amidst change, there are also things that remain constant. These include mathematical theorems and admirable virtues. By adhering to these unchanging principles to cope with ever-changing circumstances, one can reach the highest Confucian ideal of moderation.

Fourth, it is difficult to uphold unchanging principles, so sincerity and integrity are required among the eight virtues. If one cannot integrity and has no principles for doing things, then one is merely engaging in half-hearted, pseudo-moderation.

Zhao Xu's understanding was—

Investigating things to acquire knowledge is like learning mathematics and geometry. Theorems and formulas are unchanging, while the changing things are like word problems. As long as you master the formulas and theorems, you can solve all kinds of word problems.

The same applies to court politics. The emperor's title and the imperial seal are the formula and theorem. With these two things, there are all sorts of solutions, and it was only a matter of time before the empress dowager was forced to return power.

Guided by Xu Lai, Zhao Xu actually grasped the concept of "grasping the principal contradiction."

The next day, the three teachers came to teach again.

Zhao Xu hesitated for a long time, but finally couldn't help taking out the reply.

The moment he showed the letter, Zhao Xu regretted it.

He realized that he had not stuck to his principles. He had already decided to secretly communicate with Xu Lai, so why did he get carried away and expose himself?

The four words "sincerity and integrity" are easy to understand but difficult to put into practice!

The moment Wang Tao saw the letter's text, his pupils constricted in shock: "Your Highness, you—" He quickly lowered his voice, "How could Your Highness make friends with outsiders without permission?"

Han Wei also solemnly instructed, "Your Highness, this action violates the rules. From now on, please do not communicate with anyone again."

Zhao Xu repeatedly agreed, while also warning himself: In the future, I must not be complacent, and I must not easily let others know my thoughts or the things I do in secret.

Sun Sigong muttered, "Your Highness, burn the letter. Burn all previous correspondence as well, lest we leave behind any future trouble."

"I will definitely burn it," Zhao Xu said. "Why don't the three gentlemen take a look first?"

Wang Tao finally couldn't resist his curiosity and nodded in approval after reading it: "Xu Lai's words are excellent. He truly deserves to be ranked first in the Imperial Academy's annual examination."

""

Han Wei and Sun Sigong also came over to take a look.

Their life experiences were richer, and they had read more Confucian classics. Therefore, when they read Xu Lai's reply, they had more to think about than Zhao Xu.

People with different levels of understanding see different things.

Wang Tao, this scholar, deeply agreed with Xu Lai's explanation. He even believed that Xu Lai's understanding of the principles of investigating things to acquire knowledge, sincerity of intention, and rectification of the mind was profound.

His understanding of upholding the middle way has reached a level close to that of a great Confucian scholar.

Ordinary Confucian scholars may have some understanding of this and naturally put it into practice, but it is difficult to explain it as simply and clearly as Xu Lai.

Han Wei said, "If Your Highness follows the instructions in the letter to investigate things, extend knowledge, and cultivate sincerity and a righteous mind, you will surely make progress in time."

Sun Sigong urged, "Burn it."

Zhao Xu had no choice but to find the old correspondence and burn it along with this reply.

But in the end, I couldn't bear to part with it.

So he copied down the texts he liked, omitting information that might cause trouble. Then, in front of the three teachers, he burned all the original letters.

After finishing their lessons that day, the three teachers left together.

Sun Sigong sighed softly, "That Xu Xingzhi has the makings of a prime minister."

Wang Tao and Han Wei nodded in agreement.

This not only refers to Xu Lai's excellent scholarship and profound thoughts, but also to the prince's great fondness for him. Once the prince ascends the throne, won't Xu Sanlang's fortunes soar?

Wang Tao, who always liked to disagree, was now savoring Xu Lai's words: "Investigating things to acquire knowledge, cultivating sincerity and rectifying the mind—these are actually the foundation for upholding the mean. This statement and this principle are truly wonderful! How come I never thought of this before?"

Han Wei laughed and said, "Not only did you not expect this, but it has also never appeared in the commentaries of great Confucian scholars throughout history."

"But what he said makes a lot of sense, and the more I think about it, the more sense it makes," Wang Tao even went on to make connections, "I suspect that there is an omission in the 'Great Learning' chapter, that is, the omission of the explanation of investigating things and extending knowledge. That omission may fit with what Xu Lai said."

Han Wei said, "Xu Lai wrote that investigating things and acquiring knowledge is not something that can be accomplished overnight, but rather a lifelong endeavor. Isn't this precisely the essence of 'renewing oneself daily'?"

"Stop distorting the meaning of 'close to the people'! That is what 'close to the people' means, not some 'new people'," Wang Tao argued with Han Wei again. "If you want to implement reforms, just say so. There's no need to distort Confucian classics."

Han Wei argued, "Where did I misinterpret it? I used the following text of 'The Great Learning' to explain the preceding text of 'The Great Learning.' Isn't it normal for the context to connect? On the contrary, you're the one who's severing the meaning of the text from its context!"

The two started arguing again, and Sun Sigong just wanted to cover his ears.

Empress Dowager Cao issued an edict relinquishing power, but the matter was not yet over.

The ministers first bestowed honorific titles upon Empress Dowager Cao and raised the standards of etiquette for her, essentially treating her with utmost respect.

They gave the Empress Dowager plenty of face!

Immediately afterwards, Zhao Shu, who had already assumed power and possessed the imperial seal, discussed with his ministers the possibility of promoting Cao Guojiu (the emperor's brother-in-law). They had already drafted the imperial edict, but instead of issuing it immediately, they went to consult Empress Dowager Cao.

Empress Dowager Cao was so enraged that she immediately withheld the imperial edict.

Cao Guojiu was the Empress Dowager's brother. Why was the Empress Dowager angry that he promoted his brother?

Because once Cao Guojiu accepts the reward, it will be tantamount to receiving a favor from the emperor, and he will have to side with the emperor from now on. This will completely sever the last shred of hope that Empress Dowager Cao might have!

Such a decree of promotion could have been issued directly, and Empress Dowager Cao could have pretended not to see it. But the emperor and his ministers, wanting to destroy her spirit, insisted on getting Empress Dowager Cao's personal approval.

After repeated requests for instructions, Empress Dowager Cao reluctantly agreed.

Cao Guojiu was thus promoted to a high-ranking official position, but it's unknown whether he still had the mind to become an immortal.

By the way, has He Xiangu been born yet?

"Reform is needed! Reform is needed!"

Xu Lai was studying the "Shangshu Zhengyi" in his study when Xu Anshi and Lu Zhiyuan rushed over.

Xu Lai was taken aback: "A reform at a time like this?"

Lu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Now that the Emperor has taken personal control of the government and the situation is completely stable, of course reforms are necessary."

Reform had long been a consensus, and almost all ministers supported it.

Because everyone knows that without reform, the economy simply cannot survive.

However, no consensus has yet been reached on who should lead the reform and how it should be implemented.

Xu Anshi said in a low voice, "I have heard that some ministers have already submitted memorials to discuss the reforms. People in the Imperial Academy are also eager for change, and some of the inner students are also planning to submit memorials to express their opinions on the reforms."

Lu Zhiyuan urged, "Sanlang, why don't we also submit a petition to discuss reforms?"

Xu Lai shook his head: "We have no experience in governing. Let alone the entire Song Dynasty, we haven't even governed a small county. What logic can we possibly offer for talking about reform now? It's like physics—how can we draw conclusions without even conducting the experiments?"

That makes sense.

Xu Anshi expressed his agreement and immediately returned to his seat: "I must study hard and strive to become a Jinshi and an official as soon as possible. The reform is a momentous event for the nation; how can we be absent?"

Xu Lai buried himself in his books.

Xu Anshi also began to study.

Looking at the two of them, Lu Zhiyuan could only scratch his head in silence and go back to studying.

However, there were indeed students from the Imperial Academy who submitted petitions to discuss reforms, and there were more than just one or two.

The same was true in the imperial court, where everyone was eager to discuss the reforms.

Where should the first cut of the reform be made?

imperial clan!

Raising the threshold for members of the imperial clan to obtain official positions through hereditary privilege, lowering the rank of the initial official positions granted to members of the imperial clan, and saving financial expenditure on supporting members of the imperial clan.

Many members of the royal family, especially those with more distant ties, now have to work to make a living.

While cracking down on one group, they also recruited another: scholars who married women from the imperial family would be allowed to participate in the imperial examinations in the future!

The act of striking and pulling each other carries a deeper meaning.

Xu Lai paid little attention to these reform measures. To put it bluntly, the fiscal deficit was too severe, so he tried to save money by patching things up in various details.

is that useful?

it works.

But it's not very useful.

Xu Lai simply studied diligently every day, striving to master all the classics and historical texts as soon as possible. He knew that dealing with those bigwigs in the future would be difficult without a solid understanding of the classics and history.

That day, Xu Lai, Yu Shuying, and others chatted and laughed as they walked home from school.

The old gatekeeper looked grim and said in a low voice, "Someone has come to the house; the old master is critically ill."

Xu Lai was taken aback.

He really didn't know which year Yu Jing died; he thought he would live to see Wang Anshi's reforms.

Xu Lai didn't know how many years Han Qi, Ouyang Xiu, and others lived.

(Correction: Zhao Xu was promoted to prince after he assumed personal rule; I mistakenly said it two or three months earlier.)

(This chapter is being updated ahead of schedule. Tonight at 6 PM, Lao Wang will be giving an online interview on Douyin's "Qidian Editorial Department." Those interested can listen in.)