Chapter 2, Conversations Under the Juniper Tree (Middle)

In a hurry, I said: "Just now, upon hearing what the gentleman said, I thought of this matter and understood some principles, hence I became distracted"

Throughout the several hundred years of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, if one were to discuss the state with the most jokes, it would undoubtedly be the State of Song. The phenomenon of regional discrimination had already emerged during that time.

Who will explain the principles of this world? Who will establish them? Who will determine right from wrong? Ultimately, this world requires a set of rules that everyone can agree upon, which is synonymous with unity. Only with the same world, the same principles, the same notions of right and wrong, and the same values of nobility and baseness can we bring an end to this chaotic era

Despite his doubts, Mozi still asked after a moment: "What is your name?"

Having heard similar jokes many times, the people of the Song state have become accustomed to them. However, if this joke were to borrow from individuals of another country, it might be somewhat jarring to the listeners.

The disciple is named Shi, because his father has been making shoes for others for many years, constantly asking whether they fit well, which is how he got this name

Although Mozi did not directly state that he would accept him as a personal disciple, it is understood that becoming a true follower of Mozi requires much more effort. At the very least, he made Mozi remember his name

This incident occurred not long ago on Shangqiu Street, and all the young people under the tree are Song people, who are certainly aware of this matter

Although Mozi did not ask, he merely nodded slightly; nonetheless, he was still puzzled as to why he understood yet remained furrowed in thought.

However, this young man is merely a superficial learner and is not a formal scholar of the ink tradition

Currently, the Tian family holds the position of Prime Minister in the State of Qi. Yan Zi had long predicted that the governance of Qi would eventually return to the Tian and Chen families, and that day is approaching. The Wei, Zhao, and Han families control nine-tenths of Jin's territory. The State of Chu is plagued by continuous internal strife, with nobles and ministers engaged in mutual slaughter. Han has killed Zheng Bo to seize the city, Song's ministers are causing chaos to seek aid from Chu, the Qin people are attacking Jin to seize land, and the Yue people are raiding Qi and Lu to enslave them. The wars between the states are unrestrained, leading to the suffering of the common people, with rampant plunder and violence. What is the difference between the reasons for war and the actions of Cheng Zi, who forcibly takes the clothes of others?

In any case, there are too many jokes about the Song state, so this one does not make a difference

Mozi nodded with a smile and, after waiting for a while, praised the young people around him, saying: "The uncut jade can be carved, and this is precisely what applies to such individuals. It is rare to be able to perceive the interconnected principles behind all things."

At this time, the various scholars emphasized the principle of stating rather than creating. If in the future one truly becomes a direct disciple of Mozi, when compiling the life and sayings of Mozi, one could always add a phrase: "Master Mozi said, 'The uncut jade is suitable for carving..."

There are still those who find this foolish buyer's joke delightful, savoring it endlessly, and occasionally bursting into hearty laughter

Finally, after the laughter of the young people subsided, Mozi, with a rare relaxed expression, began to share some stories again

It is indeed the case that the State of Song was one of the five founding dukedoms, being a descendant of the Yin and Shang dynasties. Weizi, in particular, acted as a guide for the new regime. In comparison to those of the Ji surname, the State of Song was ultimately an outsider, and moreover, an outsider with its own cultural foundation and * maps * and * books *. ... After King Wu gained the world, he conversed with Weizi, the guide of the Yin and Shang, for an entire night. The next day, he fell gravely ill, his mind in turmoil ...

Mozi truly did not expect that among the group of people under the tree, someone would utter such words, especially the principle of the interconnectedness of all things, which resonated with his own thoughts. He felt, almost intuitively, that what this young man said was akin to the realizations he had after years of contemplation.

Just now, upon hearing this, I recalled an incident that occurred a few days ago. Chengzi lost a black garment and went out to search for it. She saw a woman also wearing black and reached out to snatch it. The woman refused to give it up, and Chengzi said, "I lost a black garment, yours is also black, and mine is made of silk, while yours is merely made of linen. I should be compensated for my loss..." The woman refused to give it up, and Chengzi reiterated, "I lost a black garment, yours is also black, and mine is made of silk, while yours is merely made of linen. I should be compensated for my loss..."

The original protagonist of this joke was a person from the Zheng state, but mentioning it here feels completely appropriate. It is even more fitting coming from a cobbler's family.

This is a simple yet profound appreciation, which made me swallow hard and respond hastily

I have heard that you believe all things in the world are interconnected, and that the underlying principles behind many matters are the same, yet it is difficult for people to comprehend. I originally thought otherwise, believing you were mistaken. However, after listening to your words just now, I realize that it is not you who are wrong, but rather I, in my previous ignorance, did not truly heed your teachings

Furthermore, the State of Song has traditionally adhered to the rituals of the Zhou and the customs of the Yin, sometimes even failing to comply with the Zhou rites. According to Zhou rites, the eldest son inherits, yet the State of Song has retained a primitive system of fraternal succession from the Yin and Shang dynasties; while Zhou rites prohibit and regulate alcohol consumption, the people of Song are quite fond of drinking; whereas the Zhou people discuss the changes in the Mandate of Heaven, the people of Song believe in ghosts and divination; ... even the methods of mourning and burial differ, with Zhou people placing coffins in side rooms, while the people of Song have always kept coffins between the two pillars in the courtyard ... . ... These various customs have further deepened the estrangement of the Zhou people. Even the methods of mourning and burial differ, with Zhou people placing coffins in side rooms, while the people of Song have always kept coffins between the two pillars in the courtyard ... . ... These various customs have further deepened the estrangement of the Zhou people.

Mozi also became interested and asked, "What is the matter?"

Regional discrimination has become so commonplace in our country that even the people of Song can smile about it, making Song a unique case

As soon as the words were spoken, there was silence under the cypress tree, and the old gentleman beneath the tree looked at Shi with a gaze that revealed his approval

Taking advantage of the brief moment of silence, he continued: "After listening to the reasoning presented by the gentleman just now, I was reminded of a story told by my father. It goes that someone came to my house to buy shoes, having measured their size at home, only to forget the measurements. Upon arriving at my house, they realized they had not brought the measurements and thus returned home to retrieve them. My father asked him, 'Aren't you wearing your feet?' He replied that he trusted the measured size more than his own feet."

However, recalling that the gentleman had just spoken about rhetoric, I thought this was an opportunity for them to debate matters such as "clothing is not black clothing, and black clothing is not clothing." Each of them bowed their heads to organize their words in anticipation of the gentleman's inquiry later on

The young man kneeling beside burst into hearty laughter, while Mozi smiled silently.

Upon hearing this compliment, I could not help but feel a sense of joy.

The people of the Song state do not sing, "The vast expanse of Muye, the splendid chariots of Tan. The teacher is still the father, at this time the eagle soars." Surrounding them are a host of the Ji family members who have been enfeoffed, singing all day long, "The mysterious bird of heaven descends to give birth to the Shang. The ancient emperor commanded Wu Tang, to govern those four directions." They are afraid that others might forget that they are not one of their own.

In addition to Duke Xiang of Song, the state of Song has become one of the most prominently marked areas in the eastern Zhou region.

The phrase "early on" indeed raises some questions

However, Mozi sighed and shook his head, saying: "I know Chengzi, and he is not such a foolish and chaotic person. What he is doing is not about taking someone else's clothes. This is merely an excuse to ridicule and mock the world."

Perhaps after hearing the appropriate jokes, Mozi smiled and became interested; perhaps Mozi felt that today's discussion was pleasant and was left wanting more

Why is it that when Chengzi takes the clothes of others, people find it laughable, yet when feudal lords wage wars to seize cities and territories, no one finds it amusing

I was thinking, if it had been the gentleman who bought the shoes, he certainly would not have allowed the buyer to return home, nor would he have let that person try them on with their feet. Instead, he would have taken out a measuring cord, allowing the person to measure the size of their foot indoors, and then he would have explained that since the foot has not changed, the measurements taken here and those taken at home must be the same. If that were the case, the person would not have to wait until the next morning to buy shoes... Therefore, I realized that the rhetorical skills taught by the gentleman can be applied not only to debates about whether something is a horse or not, but also to many other matters.

If this young man were a direct disciple of figures like Qin Huali, Gong Shangyi, or Geng Zhu, it would not be surprising for him to speak in such a manner

The crowd kneeling and sitting under the tree listened to this compliment without any sense of jealousy, still savoring the relationship between the earlier joke about buying shoes and the art of debate, contemplating many of the underlying principles and pondering them thoughtfully

Aren't those reasons for going to war even more ridiculous than Chengzi forcibly taking someone's clothes

Moreover, the people of Qi and Lu naturally know about the State of Qin, but it is too far away; on the other hand, the State of Song is right next to them. The State of Qin, of course, knows about the State of Chu and shares a border with it, but since Chu is a major power, telling jokes can easily astonish friendly nations. In the end, when it comes to telling jokes, if one wishes to make all the people of the Xia dynasty laugh without causing diplomatic disputes, the State of Song, being a neighbor among the various states, is undoubtedly the best choice

It is the people of the Song state who wait by the tree stump for a rabbit to crash into it; it is the people of the Song state who pull up the millet because they find it grows too slowly; it is the people of the Song state who sit by the field basking in the sun, considering this to be the greatest enjoyment, believing that the greatest joy of the ruler is also to sit by the field basking in the sun; it is the people of the Song state who return from their studies abroad and call their mother's nickname directly, saying that they can even call the names of sages like Yao, Shun, and Yu directly, so why should they feel wronged when calling your name... It is still the people of the Song state. It is the people of the Song state who believe that the greatest joy of the ruler is also to sit by the field basking in the sun; it is the people of the Song state who return from their studies abroad and call their mother's nickname directly, saying that they can even call the names of sages like Yao, Shun, and Yu directly, so why should they feel wronged when calling your name... It is still the people of the Song state.

In a world of great chaos and conquest, when Chengzi takes someone's clothing, even women can still reason to reclaim it. However, when cities change hands and lives are lost, where can one still discuss reason?

After pondering deeply, he stood up after a few breaths and said: "I have long understood your reasoning, sir"