▲ Zhuang Shuhong's "Zhuang Zi Rupeng"
丨 Qian Mu
Confucianism and Taoism are two major mainstreams in the history of Chinese thought. Confucian Confucianism, Taoist ancestor Laozhuang. " The Analects of Confucius ", "Mencius", "Laozi" and "Zhuangzi" four books, for two thousand years, every Chinese intellectuals must read. But from the eyes of modern people, according to various arguments, the book "Zhuangzi" is actually five thousand words before "Laozi".
Before Zhuang Zhou, whether there was an old man, let alone at this moment. However, "Laozi" with five thousand words is definitely a late publication at the end of the Warring States period. In this way, the originator of Taoism, according to his writings, did indeed establish a ideological system of merit statements, it should really be Zhuang Zhou.
Zhuang Zhou is a native of Song Dynasty. Song came after Shang. In ancient China, Eastern businessmen and Western Zhouren were obviously different in character and culture. The ancients said Shang Shang was a ghost, Zhou Shangwen. Merchants believe in ghosts and gods, with a strong religious atmosphere. At this level, just look at the various stories and legends of Shang Tang, and you can guess. What
is related to this is that businessmen have good mysticism. They often value ideals more than the reality of life. Such as Song Xianggong in the Spring and Autumn Period, he kept a few words that gentlemen would not be seriously injured, would not be a bird, and would not be in a row. Regardless of the reality, he was defeated by Chu. In the late Spring and Autumn Period, Song Xiangshu gave out his hair to form the Alliance of Soldiers, which is a proof of Song people's high ideals.
▲ Zhuang Shuhong "Zhuangzi Asking the Crossbones"
But the ancients also said that business is good, Zhou Shangwen. Merchants are religious, value ghosts and gods more important than strangers, and are good at suspending ideals, while ignoring the reality in front of them. How can they be regarded as high quality? Because quality is simple and straightforward. Probably the businessman had a certain idea, so he ignored everything outside and made it straightforwardly in accordance with the idea in his heart. There were no more twists and turns, no more concealment, so he said that they were still good.
In the book "Mencius", there is a story of Song people's encouragement. In the book "Zhuangzi", there is a story of Song Dynasty's Zi Zhang Fu Shi Zhuyue. In the book "Han Fei", there are stories about people in the Song Dynasty who waited for the rabbit. In the book "Lie Zi", there is a story about Song people Bai Zhou grabbing gold. These can also see the temperament of the businessman. They thought this in their hearts, and no longer cared about all the circumstances and conditions outside. This is also their qualitative side! Zhuangzi is a native of the Song Dynasty. We should understand the general temperament of the Song people at that time, which can help us understand Zhuang Zhou's personality and the great foundation of his thoughts.
Zhuang Zhou was from Meng County of Song Zhi. This is a small place name, which is about forty miles north of Shangqiu, Henan Province. At that time, it was biased towards the southeast of China. There is a Meng Zhuze, and Zhuang Zhou often goes fishing. During the Warring States period, water conservancy projects in that area continued to be built. There was a river that was the main route from the southeast to the Central Plains. Zhuang Zhou was born on this traffic tunnel.
Until the Western Han Dynasty, that area was still a good area, with rich soil, beautiful water and wood, and clear scenery. Therefore, Emperor Wen Wen specially named his beloved son Liang Xiao Wang. The famous Dongyuan in Liangguo has Luoyuanyan, Qilongxiu, Yanchi, Hezhou, and Fuzhu temples in the garden. It is full of wonderful fruits and trees, beautiful birds and exotic animals. It stretches for dozens of miles from the garden to the platform. The platform is commonly known as Xiuzhuyuan. There are Jianjiazhou, Fuzaozhou, and grooming lakes.
Liang Kingdom was in Suiyang during the Han Dynasty, which is the south of Shangqiu County, Henan Province. Without the cooperation of the right time and place, King Liang Xiao could not create a center of literary and artistic fusion at that time out of thin air. Zhuang Zhou’s hometown is in this area, but we can’t imagine the dryness and barrenness of that area now as the birthplace of this philosopher of the ancient times while at the same time being the birthplace of great writers!
▲ Zhuang Shuhong's "Zhuangzi Dream Butterfly Picture"
In this area, from the Sui and Tang Dynasties, all the scenery and properties still look like a look. Sui Xue Daoheng's "Laozi Stele" says: To the two cities of suffering and the three waters around the vortex valley. Zhitianliu Road, walk north to Liangyuan. Woye Pinggao, east of Qiaoguo.
said again: Yuan Xi Shuanggao, Ting Gao is full of hope. Mei Liang Guidong, curving threshold Cong Ying. The haze is relaxing, the wind and mist are clear.
This description has always been passed down as Lao Tzu's hometown. As far as the humanities and geography are concerned, it belongs to the same area as the birthplace of Zhouzhuang. From the description of the hometown of Lao Zi by the people in the Sui Dynasty, we can also infer the scenes of Zhuang Zhou's life during the Warring States Period.
Zhuang Zhou once worked as an official in Mongolian lacquer garden. "Historical Records • Huo Shi Chuan" said: Chen Xia Qianmu lacquer, this refers to private business. In the middle of the Warring States period, these were probably all noble officials. Zhuang Zhou was an official in Qiyuan, just as Confucius was an official and Chengtian. But paintAfter all, the garden is a green forest, and it is in contact with the natural business of heaven and earth, and there is not much mundane and complicated. Of course, this was a good job Zhuang Zhou deliberately chose.
Zhuang Zhouzheng and Liang Huiwang at the same time. King Liang Hui was the first great overlord of the Warring States Period. At that time, it was already a period for the traveller to gain power. There was an old friend of Zhuang Zhou, Hui Shi, who was the most respected person of King Liang Hui. Once served as a long-term prime minister in Liang State. King Liang Hui treated him respectfully, learning that Qi Huangong treated him as if he were in charge. He did not call his name directly or treat each other with equal courtesy. Instead, he respected him as the father's father, called him an uncle, and considered himself a nephew.
However, Zhuang Zhou and Hui Shi are not only different in ideology, but also in their attitudes towards life. Zhuang Zhou resembled a Confucian so-called person who lived in seclusion for his ambitions. He believes that the world is muddy and the world is unbearable and unbearable. He is a lacquer gardener, probably his financial life can barely be solved. He also no longer thinks about other activities. He is indifferent to the worldly wealth and fame and career.
He once went to see his old friend, Prime Minister Liang Guoda Hui Shi. Someone said to Hui Shi: Zhuang Zhou’s talent argument is stronger than you. He is here and your aspect is not guaranteed. Hui Shi panicked and ordered a search in Daliang City for three days and three nights to search for Zhuang Zhou's whereabouts. As a result, Zhuang Zhou came to see him.
Zhuang Zhou said: Do you know that there is a bird called the 鹓鶵 in the south? It flew straight from the South China Sea to the North Sea. During such a long journey, he didn't see phoenix trees and no overnight stays, no drink in Liquan, or Dongshi, commonly known as Jinlingzi, so he would not eat anything else. As it flew by, there was a owl underneath with a dead rat in its mouth, which was already rotten and stinking. That owl, for fear that the dead rat would be rare, raised his head in a hurry, and yelled at it, scared! Now you also want to make your Liang Guo's aspect, come and scare me?
Perhaps he has also met Liang Huiwang because of Huishi. He was wearing a hemp sewn garment, and he had already put on the patch. A pair of shoes on the feet, as usual, there should be a blue silk tied to make the shoes, this was called 絇 at the time, and the nose was put on the toe of the shoes. Zhuang Zhou was not so particular, he tied a hemp belt to his shoes and went to see King Liang Hui in the same way.
Hui Wang said: Sir! You fell down like that! Zhuang Zhou said: People can't do things with morality, that's downfall! The clothes are torn, the shoes are worn, this is not downset! And this is the misfortune of my time, and it makes me feel confused. What can I do? This is regarded as robbing Liang Hui in person, and Hui Wang has nothing to say with him.
Later, when the king of Chu heard of his name, he solemnly sent two doctors to hire him. Zhuang Zhou was fishing by the Huai River, and the two doctors bowed and said: Our prince, deliberately trouble your husband with national affairs. On Monday, Zhuang held a fishing rod and said half-heartedly: I heard that there was a god tortoise in Chu country. It has been dead for three thousand years. Your king wrapped it in a brocade and embroidered it and hid it in the Taimiao. When the country has problems, ask it for good or bad. Let me ask: Would this turtle die and leave this set of bone shells to be valuable? Or would you rather live and crawl on the muddy road? The two doctors said: Thinking for the tortoise, I would rather live and crawl on the dirt road with your tail. Zhuang Zhou said: Good! Please come back! I also want to drag my tail and crawl on the dirt road!
Once, there was a Cao merchant in Song State, who was entrusted to Qin by Song King's order, and he was so pleased with King Qin that he received a hundred cars and returned to Song State. He went to see Zhuangzi. He said: If you want me to live under the low eaves of a poor alley, with a yellow face, a shrunken neck, and a life with straw sandals, I don't have this skill. Asking me to say a word to open the heart of the Lord of Ten Thousand Vehicles, and immediately followed me with a hundred vehicles, but I have this ability. Zhuang Zhou said: I heard: King Qin is ill, so he ordered a doctor. For him to get rid of the carbuncle and acne, reward him for a ride. The one who licked hemorrhoids for him, rewarded five rides. The worse you do, the more cars you have. Did you lick hemorrhoids for King Qin? Why do you get so many cars! Okay, please go away!
But Zhuang Zhou’s life is sometimes really embarrassing. Once, he went to a Jianhehou to borrow rice. Jianhehou said to him: Good! When I receive the farm rent and house tax, let me lend you two hundred catties of gold! When Zhuang Zhou heard this, he became angry. He said: I came yesterday, and someone called me on the road. Looking back, there was a small crucian carp in the ditch of the wheel depression. I knew it was calling. I asked: Crucian! What do you call me! The crucian said: I am the Bochen of the East China Sea, and I am lost here. Can you give me a bucket and a liter of water to save me? I said: Okay! Let me lobby the kings Wu and Yue in the south for you, and ask them to raise up the people of the whole country,Impressing the water of the Yangtze River to welcome you, okay? The crucian carp was angry. It said: I only need you to be a liter of water and I will live. If you say that, it doesn't bother you to go to Wu and Yue again. Go to the dried fish stall to find me as soon as possible!
Zhuang Zhou probably lived like this all his life, his wife died first. His old friend Hui Shi heard the news and came to mourn. Zhuang Zhou was stretching his feet, hitting his buttocks and singing. Hui Shi said: She spent a lifetime with you, and gave birth to a son and grew up. She is dead, it is enough for you not to cry. Don’t you think it’s too much to sing while knocking on the pot? Zhuang Zhou said: No! She died, where is there nothing in my heart? But I thought about it again. She was not born, and she was also shapeless, without the slightest trace. Suddenly there was such a form and life, and now she died again. Isn't this like the spring, summer, autumn and winter of the world, which changes at any time? She seemed to be sleeping soundly in a big room at the moment, but I was crying and crying, I think I couldn't figure it out. So I stopped crying.
later Zhuang Zhou also died. Before he died, several of his students were discussing how to bury our husband. Zhuang Zhou said: I think of the world as a coffin, the sun and the moon are like continuous bars, and the stars are like pearls. Everything in the world is my gift. I have all my burials, so don't worry about it! His students said: Without a coffin, we are afraid that the crow and the eagle will eat you. Zhuang Zhou said: Leave it in the open and give it to the crows and eagles to eat. Buried in the ground, given to mole cricket ants to eat. Isn't it the same? Why must we take the food from this side and give it to the other side? This is your partiality!
Zhuang Zhou is really a great philosopher, and also a peerless great writer. As long as you have read his book, he will move your heart. His name has been in people's hearts for two thousand years. He laughed and scolded everyone from all over the world, but the more people laughed and scolded him, the more they liked him. But there are only his thoughts and articles, only his laughs and scolding, which are really like a day in the past, often staying in the world. His own life has been secretly hidden in the past, no longer known in detail by future generations. Just know that there is such a person, that's it. Although his life is not mythological, it is narrative. The above mentioned can only be said to be his story! If we have to study and order carefully, that would be superfluous.
▲ Zhuang Shuhong "Zhuangzi hired pictures"
But Zhuang Zhou's thoughts and articles are really worthy of our attention. It is said that he has read all his previous books. Before him, he had a glimpse of the academic and ideological aspects of various schools and schools. But he never refused to say a serious word with a straight face. He thinks that the world cannot speak serious words to them! So what he said always seemed ridiculous, slanderous, headless, and irrelevant. He looked down on the world, never glanced sideways, nor did he come to argue with the world. He met Hui Shi from time to time, but he would talk happily.
Once, when he sent someone to a burial, after passing Hui Shi's tomb, he was suddenly moved. He told an interesting story to his entourage. He said: In the past there was a Ying Ren who was a plasterer. A drop of white powder soiled the tip of his nose, like a thin layer of fly wings. He asked a carpenter named stone to cut off this thin layer of white powder for him with an axe. The stone carpenter's eyes didn't seem to look like it, and he only squeezed the axe in his hand, as fast as the wind, as it swept over the tip of the plasterer's nose.
The plasterer stood still, as if nothing had happened, let the axe on the opposite side cut it. The thin layer of white powder was peeled off, but the plasterer's nose was not hurt at all. The king of Song Kingdom heard it and summoned the stone carpenter and said: You also try your technique for me! Stone Carpenter said: I did have this hand, but my opponent is no longer there. I cannot try this hand again. Zhuang Zhou went on to say: Since this gentleman died, I also lost the opponent, and I have no one to speak.
The benefits of Shihe Zhuang Zhou, although they can be negotiated, but they are not. Once, the two wandered on the stone beams of Haoshui. Zhuang Zhou said: Look at the three fish on the water, swimming calmly, how happy! Hui Shi said: You are not a fish, how do you know the happiness of fish? Zhuang Zhou said: You are not me, how do you know that I don't know the happiness of fish? Hui Shi said: I am not you, of course I will not know you. But it is true that you are not a fish, so you can't know the joy of fish. There is no doubt about it. Zhuang Zhou said: Don't go on with this turning point! Please follow the sentence you started again. Didn't you ask me? How do you know the happiness of fish. According to your question, you knew that I knew the happiness of fish, but you would ask me how I knew it. I knew it on the stone beam.That's it!
Zhuang Zhou's mind can be seen here. Hui Shi separated herself from the outside, like building a wall, trapping herself. Outside the wall, it's not him. So he doesn't believe it, it can be known from the outside, and it is fun. Zhuang Zhou's heart seemed to extend in all directions, he did not clearly separate himself from the outside. His heart is open, and he sees the light outside, so he often sees the heavens and the earth being happy.
Once again, the two of them argued again. Hui Shi asked Zhuang Zhou, are people really ruthless? Zhuang Zhou said: Yes. Hui Shi said: How can you be considered a person without love? Zhuang Zhou said: With the appearance of a person, how can it not be regarded as a person? Hui Shi said: If you are called a human being, what about ruthlessness? Zhuang Zhou said: This is not the love I said! I want you not to hurt your likes and dislikes internally!
These two arguments should be viewed together. Hui Shi thinks he doesn't know everything on the outside, but he prefers to divide likes and dislikes on the outside, so why bother? In Zhuang Zhou's heart, it was inside and outside, and there was no clear division between me and the outside. He saw minnows traveling on Hao Shang, and thought they were so happy! In fact, the happiness of minnow is the happiness in Zhuang Zhou's heart. That is natural. It's not that Zhuang Zhou has a different preference, that minnow love is mixed in it. According to him, it seems that there should be neither conflict nor sorrow in life.
Zhuang Zhou wants to tell people with his intuitive taste of life, but how can others be convinced? Can't explain it. So he thinks Kun! Peng! Pheasant! Fish! All non-human beings, on the contrary, seem to have no barriers in their hearts, like happier, closer, and more in line with his ideals. He just wanted to tell people this insight in his heart, but he also felt that the world could not speak serious words to them. Therefore, he only had Knock and Peng, and said many fables through birds, beasts and plants. He is holding the Yellow Emperor again! Lao Tzu! Said a lot of tautologies. Tautology just speaks one's own words by emphasizing others. In fact, tautologies are like fables, all based on nothingness. He himself said it was absurd.
Zhuang Zhou’s mood, at first glance, looks pessimistic, but in fact it is optimistic. At first glance it looks indifferent, but in fact it is sincere. At first glance it looks absurd, but it is actually plain. At first glance, it seems to be indulgent, but in fact it is simple. He only had these words, gurgling like water flowing in a 卮子. Just because the water in this 卮子 is full, and the gurgling flow is endless. In fact, it is always the water. One sip is water, and ten sips are still water. Drinking this cup and drinking that cup are still the same. What he said is endless. His articles are endlessly involved. It's really like Yishui, always gurgling. In fact, it is the water that always flows, so he has to call himself his words.
But Zhuang Zhou seems too smart after all. His shui, which has been drunk by people for thousands of years, is too weak and seems too cold, and can't quench his thirst. On the contrary, I feel that this water is ever-changing, and it seems to have various strange smells. You will love to drink more if you drink it all, but it still can't quench people's thirst. I don’t know, for the past two thousand years, a few of them have really quenched the taste. Drinking his water can really quench your thirst!
If you don't believe it, why not take his 卮子 to your mouth and see what it is!
◎This article is excerpted from Qian Mu's "Zhuang Lao Tongbian", source network, the copyright of the image and text belongs to the original author, please indicate the reprint.
