Hearing Zhao Wenhua's question, Zhu Pingan was also a little surprised. When you asked the previous gentleman just now, you just asked him to recite a passage from the Spring and Autumn Annals. Although he was surprised, Zhu Pingan adjusted his state immediately, his brain worked quickly, and he responded calmly.
The question Zhao Wenhua asked comes from Mencius: Li Lou Xia: "A great man will not do what is not proper, what is not right."
The topic of "unpropriety" does not emphasize propriety, but unpropriety. When answering, we must distinguish between true propriety and unpropriety. Only in this way can we truly understand this topic and Mencius.
Zhu Pingan quickly grasped the gist of the question, and just a few seconds after Zhao Wenhua finished speaking, he replied calmly:
"The ancients regarded this as propriety, but I must follow it now, which may not be in line with the ancient propriety; the ancients regarded this as righteousness, but I must follow it now, which may not be in line with the ancient righteousness."
Zhu Ping'an chose the perspective of time and started from the differences between ancient and modern etiquette and righteousness, pointing out that things that the ancients believed to be in line with etiquette and righteousness may not be in line with etiquette and righteousness if people today still follow and copy them, and may become improper etiquette and improper righteousness.
According to the opening answering method of the eight-part essay, when answering the question about the non-propriety of etiquette, one can only answer this sentence and cannot extend it. The most taboo thing is to answer the next sentence of this sentence, the non-righteousness of etiquette. The reason why Zhu Ping'an answered this sentence together is that etiquette and righteousness are too closely related and cannot be separated, so he answered them together. This also has precedents in the eight-part essay.
After finishing the first sentence, Zhu Pingan continued to answer almost without pausing:
"Mencius said: 'Rituals that are not proper, and righteousness that are not right. Great men do not do them.' This is what is meant by the same appearance but different reality. Ritual that is not proper is like marrying a wife and bowing to her morning and evening. Righteousness that is not right is like using friendship to avenge a man. Marrying a wife and bowing to her morning and evening, and using friendship to avenge a man are things that ordinary men do not do. How can one not do them when one is a great man? This is also the meaning of Mencius."
"I hope you will correct my humble opinion."
Zhu Pingan answered the question of indecency succinctly, cupped his hands, and said respectfully.
"That's great." After Zhu Ping'an answered, an instructor nearby couldn't help but said something excitedly.
After saying this, the instructor realized that he had been reckless and bowed to Zhao Wenhua to apologize.
"No problem, let's enjoy this great article together." Zhao Wenhua waved his hand indifferently, which was quite graceful.
After Zhao Wenhua comforted his subordinates, he stroked his beard and said to Zhu Ping'an: "You can stand up and talk."
"Thank you, sir." Zhu Pingan stood up and bowed to express his gratitude.
"Ritual arises from righteousness, and righteousness is the reason for ritual. If it is unfair, the difference will be self-evident. You also have unique insights on expediency. You are perfect in spirit and full of energy, which really pleases me." Zhao Wenhua was very satisfied with Zhu Ping'an's answer, and commented while stroking his beard.
"It's all because of your good supervision." Zhu Ping'an said against his will.
Although this guy is a treacherous minister, he still holds the lifeline of his imperial examination. Zhu Ping'an is not a pedantic person, and he still knows when to say what. It is better to be round on the outside and square on the inside. As long as you stick to the bottom line and principles in your heart, it is easier to move forward with a rounded appearance.
As the saying goes: gentle as spring breeze, solemn as autumn frost. It is symbolized by money, which is round on the outside and square on the inside.
Zhu Ping'an's words were quite effective. At least after he said it, Zhao Wenhua's eyes immediately became much warmer when he looked at Zhu Ping'an.
"How can I supervise the school well? It's all thanks to the emperor. You must remember this. Go back and prepare for the imperial examination. Don't let the emperor down."
Zhao Wenhua seriously corrected the mistake in Zhu Ping'an's words. But there was a smile in his eyes. After seriously correcting Zhu Ping'an's mistake, he changed the subject and advised Zhu Ping'an to prepare for the Enke exam seriously in a very elder-like manner.
Preparing for the special examination, I can understand the elegant meaning by listening to the music.
Zhu Pingan's face lit up with joy, and he bowed and said, "I will respect your teachings, sir."
Zhao Wenhua nodded, took the brush and wrote a comment on Zhu Ping'an's test paper:
"Elaborate writing, elegant style,
Tsinghua Langrun is very different from the hustle and bustle;
The two essays are very satisfying, with beautiful words and meanings. The dialogues on stage are extensive and thoughtful, and should be ranked first-rate. "
If you get first class, you will definitely pass the imperial examination and can take part in the special provincial examination. Needless to say, if you get first class top, it goes without saying.
After Zhu Ping'an thanked Zhao Wenhua, he walked down the stage under the guidance of the clerk, and saw that the fat man Xue Chi was standing down the stage waiting. This guy's thighs were still shaking as he stood there, and his fat face was so serious that he couldn't help laughing when he saw Zhu Ping'an coming down.
Zhu Ping'an encouraged him with his eyes, then walked towards the gate under the guidance of the clerk.
There are already eight people at the gate, including me, making nine of us. I think we can let the fat guy in after he hands in his paper.
Zhu Ping'an waited at the gate for less than ten minutes. The fat man came over happily, led by the clerk, with a fat face as happy as a bulldog. He walked as if he was about to fly.
Due to the examination rules, they were not allowed to speak even while waiting to be released, but the fat guy stood next to Zhu Ping'an, grinning and making faces.
You don't need to look to know that this thing passed successfully.
Sure enough, Zhao Wenhua is still the Zhao Wenhua in history. No matter how well he tries on the surface, he cannot conceal his nature as a treacherous minister.
When the fat man arrived, there were ten students waiting at the gate to be released. The instructor near the gate counted the number of students and reported to the platform. Then, a gong sounded, and the gate fence slowly opened. The instructor at the gate checked the identities of the students one by one according to the records of the paper submission list and released them.
After they left the door, the fat man mysteriously took Zhu Ping'an to a remote and deserted place, patted Zhu Ping'an's shoulder with his big bear-like hand, grinned like a bulldog, and said happily:
"Brother Zhu, you are amazing. You are here right away. Hahaha, let's see what my dad can say now. Hahaha..."
"Sister, be gentle!" Zhu Ping'an took a breath and rubbed his shoulders.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I couldn't help it when I thought of my dad's ugly face." The fat man apologized with a grin on his fat face after realizing it belatedly.
"Brother Zhu, what grade are you in? You must be in the first grade." The fat man only then remembered to ask Zhu Ping'an how the exam went.
Zhu Pingan shook his head.
The fat man was horrified and shook his fat face repeatedly, "Impossible, you must be kidding, right?"
Zhu Pingan shook his head seriously and said, "I didn't lie to you."
The fat man seemed to be struck by lightning, muttering to himself, "How could this be? With Brother Zhu's talent, how could he not be first-class?"
"I have one more word 'superior' than you." Zhu Ping'an said lightly.
Hearing this, the fat man's face turned into a look of deep resentment and hatred, "I gave it to you... but you are not as good as me!"
"Be content."
Zhu Ping'an was quite disgusted with the fat man's behavior.
"That's right." The fat man thought about it and turned into a bulldog again. "Although the list has not been announced, you and I are brothers. Come on, brother will treat us. Let's go to the other side... Ah, no, this restaurant. We won't leave until we are drunk." (To be continued)