Name "Reading "The Biography of Lord Mengchang"" Period Northern Song Dynasty Author Wang Anshi Genre Refutation Essay Source "Collected Works of Mr. Linchuan" [1]
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Read "The Biography of Lord Mengchang" ① It is said in the world that Lord Mengchang can win scholars, and the scholars return because of this; and the soldiers rely on his strength to escape from the tiger and leopard Qin ②. Alas! Mengchangjun's crowing of cocks and roosters, as well as the ears of dogs and thieves, are not enough to win scholars? Otherwise, if Qi is strong enough to get a few soldiers, it is better to go south and control Qin. How can it take advantage of the crowing of chickens and the power of dogs and thieves? The man's rooster crows and the dog robbers come out of the house. This is why the man did not come. [2]
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Annotations
① Selected from "The Collected Works of Mr. Linchuan". "Biography of Lord Mengchang" refers to Sima Qian's "Historical Records: Biography of Lord Mengchang". Lord Mengchang, whose surname was Tian Mingwen, was the son of Qi State during the Warring States Period. ②The soldier relied on his own strength to escape from the tiger and leopard Qin: Death, finally. Qi, refers to the corporal. The Qin of tigers and leopards is as ferocious as tigers and leopards. "Historical Records: Biography of Lord Mengchang" records that King Zhao of Qin once wanted to appoint Lord Mengchang as his prime minister. Someone slandered him, and King Zhao of Qin imprisoned him again and wanted to kill him. Lord Mengchang asked King Zhao's concubine for help, and concubine asked for a white fox fur in return. But Lord Mengchang only had a white fox fur coat, which he dedicated to the King of Qin. So the retainer pretended to be a dog and entered the Qin Palace. He stole the fox-white fur and presented it to King Qin's favorite concubine. The concubine interceded for Lord Mengchang. King Zhao released Lord Mengchang, then regretted it and sent troops to chase him. Lord Mengchang fled to Hangu Pass. The pass law stipulates that the door can be opened and closed only when the rooster crows. If the diners can crow for the rooster, they will cause all the chickens to crow. Only then will Lord Mengchang escape from Hangu Pass and return to the state of Qi. ③Special cock crow, dog robber's male ear: special, only, only. Male, long, leader. Ears, that’s all. ④ Good at the strength of Qi: Possess the strong national power of Qi. Good at, possessing. ⑤To conquer Qin from the south: To conquer Qin from the south and become king. In ancient times, when emperors and ministers met, the emperor sat in the north and faced south, while the ministers met on the opposite side. System, uniform. [3]
Translation
Everyone in the world said that Lord Mengchang was able to win Nashi, and the wise men submitted to him for this reason. ) of the Qin State escaped. well! Lord Mengchang is just the leader of a group of roosters and dog thieves. Is it worthy of being said that he has obtained a wise man? If not, (Mengchang Jun) has Qi's powerful national power, and (as long as) he gets a (real) wise man, (Qi) should be able to rely on his national power to become king in the south and subdue Qin, without having to rely on roosters and dog thieves. What about the power? Roosters, dogs, and thieves appear under his door. This is the reason why (real) wise men do not come under his door. [2]
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(1) From "Everyone in the world said that Mengchang could win scholars" to "Escape from the Qin Dynasty with tigers and leopards" - Comic book - Roosters and Dog Thieves
[4] Narrative Everyone said that Mengchangjun was able to win scholars. (Starting) (2) From "Sigh!" to "How can I say that I can win a scholar?" - It explains that Mengchang Jun is like a cock crowing and a dog is stealing. (Inherited) (3) From "No" to "How can we obtain the power of roosters and dogs and robbers" - It shows that if Lord Mengchang can win scholars, he does not need the power of roosters and dogs. (Redirected) (4) From "The husband roosters crowed and dogs stole him out of his door" to "The reason why this scholar did not come" - explain the reason why Lord Mengchang could not get the scholar (when roosters crowed and dogs stole his door). (Together) [5]
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"Reading "The Biography of Mengchang Jun"" is the earliest refutation essay (a type of argumentative essay) in China. The main purpose of this article is to "(overturn the verdict) to explain that Mengchang Jun cannot win scholars." [1]
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1. The turning point is powerful, there are not more than a hundred words at the beginning and the end, it is tight and tight, and it turns around four or five places. This writing is extremely powerful. ("Tang and Song Wenju Yao" quotes Lou Yue Zhai's words); [3] 2. Words change, every word changes, and the tone is unique for thousands of years. (Ibid., quoted from Shen De's subtext); [3] 3. This article has a steep style and powerful words. In just a few short chapters, there are four levels of transformation, which can really be said to be a thousand miles in scope. (Ibid., quoted from Li Gang); [3] 4. Wang Anshi's essay "Reading the Biography of Lord Mengchang" has only four sentences and 88 words. It has refined arguments, rigorous structure, concise wording, and majestic momentum. It has been praised by literary commentators of all ages as a model of "short and long-lasting". Wang Anshi, who had devoted his life to reform and reform, emphasized that articles should be conducive to "governing education" and benefiting social progress. He once said: "The so-called literature of saints is what governs education and government orders." He also said: "The so-called literature is just to help the world." The essay "Reading the Biography of Lord Mengchang" is to "have "To make up for the world". Obviously, criticizing the traditional view that "Mengchangjun can get scholars" will naturally make readers realize that they cannot be like Mengchangjun, who only has the false reputation of "good at raising scholars" but has no ability to help the world and rejuvenate the country. They should be down-to-earth for revitalization. The country makes concrete contributions. The reason why this article "Reading the Biography of Lord Mengchang" has become a "unique tune for thousands of years" and has been recited and appreciated by literary lovers of all ages is because it is extremely short and very long, and it is because of how to treat "Mengchangjun can win scholars" On this issue, Wang Anshi is obliged to come up with innovative, thought-provoking and otherworldly views. Mengchang Jun, surnamed Tian and given name Wen, was a prince of Qi State during the Warring States Period and was granted the title of Xue (now south of Teng County, Shandong Province). He, Pingyuan Jun of Zhao State, Chun Shen Jun of Chu State, and Xinling Lord of Wei State at that time were all famous for being good at raising scholars, and they were called the "Four Young Masters of the Warring States Period".
Mengchang Lord Mengchang and his scholars
[6] At that time, you had thousands of diners. However, Wang Anshi disagreed. He believed that "scholars" must have great talents and strategies to help the country and the world, and those who "crow like chickens and rob dogs" are not worthy of the noble title of "scholars" at all. If Lord Mengchang could really win "scholars", he would be able to "conquer Qin from the south". Why would he have to rely on the power of "roosters crowing and dogs and thieves" to flee back to Qi in despair? He is praised by the world as "Jun Mengchang can win scholars". The story of "roosters crowing and dogs stealing" is a strong evidence that Meng Changjun "cannot win scholars". Therefore, Lord Mengchang is just a "rooster's cock and a dog's robber". Wang Anshi adopts the argumentative method of using the spear of the son to attack the shield of the son, contrary to the traditional view that "Mengchang Jun can win scholars", and irrefutably pushes Mengchang Jun to the ranks of "roosters crowing and dogs robbers", which is refreshing. It is really a few words, the music is as beautiful as possible, a few light strokes, full of momentum, careful consideration, and has very rich political content. "Reading the Biography of Lord Mengchang", as a reversal essay, does not have lengthy citations, but a long discussion, using only four sentences and 88 words to complete the whole process of argumentation, argumentation and conclusion. "Everyone in the world says that Lord Mengchang can win the land, and the soldiers return because of this, and the soldiers rely on his strength to escape from the Qin of tigers and leopards." This is the first point to put forward the central question of the discussion, that is, can Lord Mengchang win the scholars? "Ouch! Lord Mengchang can win the people?" How can a cock's crowing and a dog's robber's ear be enough to win a scholar?" With a sudden twist, it denies the traditional view that "Mengchang Jun can win scholars" and puts forward the author's evaluation of Mengchang Jun, that is, Mengchang Jun is just a "rooster's crowing and dog robber's hero" "It's really a delicate and powerful chop. "Otherwise, if the strong Qi is good at getting a few soldiers, it is better to go south and conquer Qin. It is better to use the power of roosters and dogs to robber!" This is a refutation, refuting "Mengchang Jun can get soldiers" and refuting that Mengchang Jun "relies on his own strength to escape from tigers" "Leopard of Qin" closely follows the main theme and uses facts to refute the superficial and one-sided view that Lord Mengchang can win scholars, and proves very strongly that Lord Mengchang cannot win scholars. "The cockcrow and the dog robbers came out of the door, and the reason why this scholar did not come" is a break, and the break "the scholar returned with his own reasons" categorically affirms that the real scholar will not follow Lord Mengchang. This break is like a decisive and sonorous break. Powerful and every word of warning cannot be disputed. The whole article closely focuses on the main theme of "Mengchang Jun cannot win scholars". It stands, splits, refutes, breaks, and twists and turns. It is rigorous and natural, complete and unified, strong and upright, and extremely powerful. Wang Anshi was very opposed to flashy writing style and overly elaborate diction, advocating that "the meaning should be more and the words should be less." He wrote to Zu Ze: "The so-called speech is like a tool with engravings and paintings. Sincerity makes it skillful and elegant, and it does not have to be practical; if it is sincere and practical, it does not need to be clever and elegant. It must be based on application and engraving. The essay "Reading the Biography of Lord Mengchang" has a rigorous and natural layout, extremely concise words and sentences, and the conciseness and profound meaning fully conform to its principle of "application-oriented". Principles of wording and writing. Mengchangjun fled from Qin and returned to Qi. "Historical Records: Biography of Mengchangjun" has a more detailed and vivid description. It is a story in history with twists and turns that makes people love to read. However, in the article "Reading the Biography of Lord Mengchang", Wang Anshi did not quote any plot in the story of Lord Mengchang's escape from Qin and returned to Qi. Instead, he grasped the most essential content and wrote from the idiom "cocks crow and dogs rob". In this way, Saved a lot of pen and ink. The idiom "cocks crow and dogs robber" is used three times in the article. The first time "Special cock crows and dogs and thieves' male ears" was used to defeat "Mengchang Jun can win scholars"; the second time "It is still possible to use the power of cock crows and dogs thieves" was used to defeat "the soldiers relied on their strength to escape from the Qin Dynasty with tigers and leopards". Used; the third time "roosters crow and dogs steal people out of the door", it is used to break "the soldiers return with their own reasons". Each of the three uses is in its place, and each has its own important and indispensable role. Therefore, when reading, it does not make people feel repetitive and cumbersome, but instead makes people feel that it is rhythmic, catchy, and interesting. It can be seen that Wang Anshi's exquisite use of words has really reached the level of proficiency. [2] 5. Wang Anshi's "Reading the Biography of Lord Mengchang" is less than a hundred words in total. It has been rated as "unique for thousands of years" by literary theorists of the past dynasties and is hailed as a model of "short prose and long breath". Wang Anshi was one of the Eight Great Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties, and he left behind many masterpieces of poetry and prose, which is well known to everyone. However, not all famous works by famous people may be perfect, so don’t be superstitious about famous works. His article "Reading the Biography of Lord Mengchang" is not a good work. No matter how much it is praised for its "rigorous structure, concise vocabulary, and majestic momentum", or how much it is praised for its "twists and turns, rigorous and natural, complete and unified, strong and steep, and extremely powerful", these opinions are all superficial and formal. The essence of the problem is that the argument of this reversal article is unstable and untenable. The main shortcomings lie in two aspects: the reversal of the verdict has no factual basis and the inference is illogical. There are thousands of diners at Lord Mengchang, and there are all kinds of people, including roosters, dogs, and thieves, as well as scholars, such as Feng Huan (huān) and Feng Nuan (xuān). This is mentioned in "Warring States Policy" and "Historical Records" There are detailed records on it. If you want to overturn the case, you must come up with new materials to refute the records in the above two books, otherwise the case will not be overturned. This is exactly the essence of the problem. To avoid it and overturn the case, we can only take it for granted and make arrogant remarks: "Hey! Meng Changjun's crowing of chickens and roosters and robbers' ears, how can it be said that he will win scholars?" Liu Debin did not criticize this kind of argument that has no factual basis. He praised the author for not quoting "Historical Records" and "saved a lot of pen and ink" and captured "the most essential content". It is advisable to read history books without being bound by conventional opinions and to dare to explore issues with a skeptical eye.
This is the only redeeming feature of Wang Anshi's article. But it would be a big mistake for him not to overturn the verdict based on the facts. A scientific attitude requires seeking truth from facts. In this article, Wang Anshi has no scientific spirit at all and is not worth learning from. Of course, the problem of proof cannot be separated from the inference, but the major premise of the inference must be solid and stable. "If you are good at Qi, you can win a few soldiers. It is better to go south and conquer Qin. You still have to use the power of roosters and dogs and thieves!" The premise that to win scholars should not rely on the power of roosters and dogs is untenable. Therefore, the argument that "the cockcrow and the dog robbers came out of the house, the reason why this man did not come" is completely subjective. However, Liu Debin believed that this assertion was "like a decisive statement, sonorous and powerful, every word of warning cannot be argued with". Why can’t we defend unreasonable assertions? [2] 6. Wang Anshi, a famous politician and writer in the Northern Song Dynasty, wrote his masterpiece "Reading the Biography of Mengchang Jun". It is simple in words and profound in meaning, and has been passed down through the ages. Comrade Wang Ziye criticized this in his article "Famous articles may not be correct." He said: "Wang Anshi has no scientific spirit at all in this article." His reason is: "Mengchang Jun has thousands of diners, and there are all kinds of people, including roosters, dog robbers, and scholars, such as Feng Huan. Characters, this has been recorded in detail in "Warring States Policy" and "Historical Records". If you want to reverse the case, you must come up with new materials to refute the records in the above two books." The author is not presumptuous and boldly "looks up". . "Crowing cocks, dogs and thieves" are not considered "scholars". Comrade Wang Ziye agrees with the author, so I won't go into details here. The question is whether "characters like Feng Huan" are considered "scholars". According to the records of "Warring States Policy" and "Historical Records", Feng Huan (also known as Feng Nuan and Feng Xuan) was indeed a very talented person: he "corrected edicts and gave debts to the people", served Mengchang as a "market righteousness", and made When Lord Mengchang resigned and returned to Xue, he was warmly welcomed by the people; he managed the "three caves" for Lord Mengchang, allowing Lord Mengchang to return to his position, and "he had been the prime minister for decades without any trouble" - but that was all. Lord Mengchang has been prime minister for decades. How many achievements have he made in governing the country and bringing peace to the people? As Lord Mengchang's main adviser, how many ideas did Feng Huan give to Lord Mengchang in terms of governing the country and bringing peace to the people? Apart from the objective reduction of the burden of the people of Xuedi by "giving debts to the people", what else is worth writing about? Moreover, whether it is "Shi Yi" or "Three Caves", it is not to enrich the country and strengthen the people, but to consolidate Mengchang Jun's position in Qi State; as for playing and singing "The Return of the Changchai" three times, it is not to enrich the country and strengthen the people. But just for Feng Huan's own satisfaction in life. ——It is precisely based on what Feng Huan did that Wang Anshi expelled "Feng Huan and the like" from the category of "scholars" and classified them as "roosters and dog robbers". In Wang Anshi's view, Feng Huan and the "crowding cocks and dog thieves" are the same kind, and the difference between them is only "fifty steps and a hundred steps". After Mr. Mengchang satisfied Feng Huan's request to "eat fish" and "take a ride", Feng Huan showed off to his friends: "Jun Mengchang, please come to me!" - Isn't this the image of a person who pursues fame and wealth? "Reading the Biography of Lord Mengchang" points out: "If the Qi Dynasty is strong and has a few scholars, it is better to go south and control the Qin Dynasty." It can be seen that the "scholars" mentioned by Wang Anshi are not just people who "die for their friends", but Refers to a person who has a far-sighted vision and serves the country and the people. In Wang Anshi's mind, those who can make contributions to the country and benefit the people are considered "scholars", while those who benefit themselves or a certain person are not considered "scholars". This can be seen from his "Reply to Sima's Remonstrance". He said: "The government of the previous king was carried out to promote benefits and eliminate disadvantages, not to cause trouble; to manage the world's finances, not to collect profits." , then someone knows the crime." It can be seen that Wang Anshi's so-called "scholars" are people like him who can benefit the country and benefit the people. In Wang Anshi's view, people such as Feng Huan who simply provide advice and services for his son's personal safety and honor cannot be classified as scholars. Therefore, he did not need to "produce new materials to refute" the historical facts recorded in "Warring States Policy" and "Historical Records" to logically deny the statement that Mengchang was good at raising scholars. In short, "Reading the Biography of Lord Mengchang" is worthy of being a masterpiece by a famous writer. The preciseness of his arguments, the typical arguments, and the incisiveness of his arguments are "sufficient for future generations" and are worthy of learning and reference. [2] This article also led to a famous idiom: cocks crow and dogs robber. [1]
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Wang Anshi (1021-1086) was given the courtesy name Jiefu, his late name was Banshan, and his nickname was Badger Lang. He was granted the title of Duke of Jing, and is known as a stone statue of Wang Anshi
[7] He is called King Jinggong and Mr. Linchuan in the world. A native of Linchuan, Fuzhou (now Shangchiliyang Village, Dongxiang County, Fuzhou), he was an outstanding politician, thinker, writer, and reformer in the Northern Song Dynasty. He was one of the Eight Great Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties. His posthumous title was "Wen". He was born in a family of small officials. Father Yi, also known as Shuizhi, was a military judge in Linjiang and served several prefecture and county magistrates in the north and south throughout his life. Anshi was good at reading, had a strong memory, and received a good education. In 1042 (the second year of Qingli), he ranked fourth in the Jinshi list of Yangzhen. He successively served as a judge in Huainan, magistrate of Yin County, Tong magistrate of Shuzhou, magistrate of Changzhou, and officials in Tidian Jiangdong Prison and other places. In 1067 (the fourth year of Zhiping), when Shenzong ascended the throne, he ordered Anshi to know Jiangning Mansion and was summoned to become a Hanlin bachelor. In 1069 (the second year of Xining), he was promoted to participate in political affairs. From the third year of Xining, he was appointed Tongzhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi twice to implement new laws. After Xining resigned as prime minister in the ninth year, he lived in seclusion and died of illness in Zhongshan, Jiangning (now Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province), with a posthumous title of Wen. He was hailed by Lenin as "China's eleventh century reformer". [8] Prime Minister during the reign of Emperor Shenzong of the Song Dynasty. He innovated laws, reformed old politics, and became known as King Jinggong in the world.
His main achievements in literature are in poetry. He has not many lyrics, but his lyrics can "wash away the old habits of the Five Dynasties" and have a clear realm. This is the "Collected Works of Mr. Linchuan" and "Collected Works of Wang Wengong".
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