Respect ghosts and gods but keep them at a distance - The Analects of Confucius. Yong Ye
In the Spring and Autumn Period, Confucius and his disciples traveled around the countries to promote his political ideas. They went to Wei twice, but failed to promote his political ideas. So Confucius had to take his disciples to Chen to try their luck. When passing through Song and Zheng, they encountered a disaster. First, Confucius' disciple Sima Niu fell seriously ill and fainted several times. Then Confucius also got a similar disease and fainted several times. After he woke up from the coma, his beloved disciple Zilu advised Confucius to pray to ghosts and gods. Confucius insisted on the view that "life and death are determined by fate, and wealth and honor are determined by heaven", rejected Zilu's persuasion, and said "respect ghosts and gods but keep them at a distance".
Respect ghosts and gods but keep them at a distance. This is also the mainstream view of the ancients towards ghosts and gods.
If Lord Zhou Houjie had not told the story about the ghost encounter in the yamen, the people in the Hanlin Academy would certainly not have believed it. However, the words that came out of Zhou Houjie's mouth made everyone in the Hanlin Academy believe it a little bit.
You should know that Zhou Houjie's character and ability are well-known throughout the capital, and he has no mental problems. Besides, he has never told a lie.
Zhou Houjie's description was very accurate. Even though the Hanlin scholars present had not experienced it personally, they felt as if they had experienced it with Zhou Houjie, and there was a faint cool breeze behind their necks.
"This..." Li Chunfang was speechless for a moment.
"I didn't expect to encounter such a supernatural thing as usual. I've heard before that wronged ghosts asked Bao Gong to judge a case. This case is probably somewhat similar. It seems that Lord Zhou's reputation for integrity is well-known, even ghosts know it." Yuan Wei held the hot tea and took a sip of it to warm himself. He could feel the coolness just by listening to Zhou Houjie's description.
“No, no…” Zhou Houjie shook his head and smiled bitterly.
Zhang Juzheng stroked his chin in thought, and seemed to have a different opinion on what Zhou Houjie said about the ghost encounter in the government office, but he seemed a little unsure. After all, where was Zhou Houjie's reputation? He was more suspicious and didn't know where to start. So he fell into deep thought.
Zhang Siwei, who was next to Zhu Ping'an, was also skeptical, but seeing how confident Zhou Houjie was in speaking, and knowing his reputation, he probably believed him more than he doubted.
"I hope you will think twice. I have judged this case based on solid evidence and witnesses. The prisoner in custody is undoubtedly the murderer. Zhang Dalin has nothing to do with this case." The Wanping County Magistrate, who was sitting below Zhou Houjie, bowed and advised Zhou Houjie.
"Is it certain? How do you explain the pond mud on the shoes? How do you explain the bloody murder weapon being found in front of Zhang Dalin's house..." Zhou Houjie pointed out several problems he found while reviewing the files and conducting interrogations.
"Sir..." The Wanping County Magistrate tried to persuade Zhou Houjie again.
"Okay, stop talking. The South Mountain can be moved. The North Sea can be filled. This case cannot be reopened." Zhou Houjie refused with firm will.
"Mr. Zhou, this case will definitely become a good story." Yuan Wei highly appreciated Zhou Houjie's approach.
"I am not seeking fame or profit. I just want to have a clear conscience and give justice to the deceased." Zhou Houjie shook his head, his brows full of a clear conscience.
What Zhou Houjie said came from his heart and everyone could feel it. The hall seemed to be filled with righteousness and positive energy.
However, just as this noble spirit was surging, a very discordant voice was heard.
"Um, Mr. Zhou, may I ask how did that dead ghost leave?"
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw the owner of the voice, Zhu Ping'an. Zhu Ping'an's eyes were as clean as if they had been washed with clear water. The corners of his mouth raised slightly as he looked at Zhou Houjie and asked.
Is this the time to be curious about this? How can this child be so ignorant? He ruined the atmosphere, understand? Yuan Wei and others from the Hanlin Academy looked at Zhu Pingan with reproachful eyes, but Zhu Pingan was not affected at all.
"He climbed over the wall and left." Although Zhou Houjie was a little surprised why Zhu Ping'an asked this question, he still answered Zhu Ping'an's question.
As expected
After hearing Zhou Houjie's answer, Zhu Ping'an's mouth corners curled up even more.
Unlike others, Zhu Pingan didn't believe Zhou Houjie's story about the ghost in the government office. Zhu Pingan had received twenty years of atheist education in modern times. Although he couldn't explain his coming to the Ming Dynasty with atheism, he also saw that the luck was very strange. However, his deep-rooted atheism made Zhu Pingan deny the ghost story as his first reaction.
In addition, through personal observation and experience over the years in the Ming Dynasty, I have basically confirmed that this world is also a world without ghosts and gods, at least without ghosts.
Of course, you can't use atheism to explain to them, otherwise the day when you are tied to a pillar and burned to ashes will not be far away!
Good. You dare to say atheism, this is a slap in the face of the emperor, why did our emperor Jiajing practice immortality and make elixirs! This is treason, unforgivable, even gods can't save you, oh, by the way, there is no god to save you, you are an atheist!
Although it cannot be explained by atheism, there are always loopholes in pretending to be gods, and there will always be clues left behind.
Zhu Ping'an also got the idea.
For example, the question Zhu Pingan asked Lord Zhou was the key to solving the ghost story. Zhou Houjie's answer did not disappoint Zhu Pingan, so he raised his lips in understanding.
However, it was obvious that most of the people present did not understand the significance of Zhu Ping'an's asking this question. For example, Yuan Wei looked at Zhu Ping'an with dissatisfaction, feeling that Zhu Ping'an was being unreasonable and too curious!
However, there are exceptions. For example, Zhang Juzheng's eyes lit up at this moment, and the corners of his mouth curled up. For the first time, he looked at Zhu Ping'an with seriousness.
"It seems that this ghost is fake."
After Zhou Houjie answered, Zhu Ping'an smiled and stated the conclusion with great certainty.
What
Are ghosts fake
A burst of surprised voices rang out in the hall, and most people expressed serious doubts about Zhu Ping'an's words, and booed.
"Why do you say that, Mr. Number One Scholar?" Zhou Houjie was also full of doubts.
"Ghosts are visible but have no body. They are erratic, coming and going without a trace. If they were really ghosts, they would have passed through the wall, or it would have floated out of the wall. How could they climb over the wall?" Zhu Ping'an spoke calmly, pointing out the key point.
Zhu Ping'an's words were like enlightenment to Zhang Siwei. He cried out and instantly understood the truth of the matter.
The others also seemed to be thinking about something, and then they all showed an expression of understanding.
"If I'm not mistaken, there should be footprints on the wall of the government office where Lord Zhou is now. It rained that day and the ground was wet, so there must be mud on the shoes. Climbing over the wall would definitely leave footprints. I expect that Lord Zhou will get something when he sends someone to investigate." Zhu Ping'an added, expressing his guess.
"Excuse me for a moment." Upon hearing this, Lord Zhou suddenly came to his senses, apologized, and quickly walked out of the hall with the Wanping County Magistrate.
About an hour later, Zhou Houjie entered the Hanlin Academy again with a grateful and smiling face, and made a special trip to thank Zhu Pingan.
After Zhou Houjie returned, he found fresh footprints on the wall of the back yamen, and also found warm footprints on several other walls outside. So Zhou Houjie ordered the suspect who was released yesterday to be re-arrested. After strict interrogation, it was found that the suspect had bribed a thief with excellent martial arts skills while his family was visiting him in prison, and asked him to pretend to be the deceased. He deliberately staged the ghost's redress drama the night before in order to overturn the verdict.
However, it was also because the suspect was too clever for his own good that he revealed his true colors and admitted to the crime under strict interrogation.
"Today's matter is all thanks to Zihou. Otherwise, my brilliant life would be ruined, but it would be a big crime to handle the case wrongly and wrongly accuse a good person. I have already written a letter to ask for credit for Zihou's work today."
Zhou Houjie is such a down-to-earth person that he can't be stopped. He insists on adding Zhu Ping'an to the memorial for merit, and no one can stop him... (To be continued.)