Act According to Circumstances, Know Through Action; Investigate Things and Extend Knowledge

Should one choose a position based on a person's heart?

Upon hearing these eight characters, the scholars were initially taken aback, their doubts not diminished, but they understood the meaning of the words.

This statement actually refers to Emperor Guangwu, which was in line with the people's wishes and involved selecting suitable people for appropriate official positions.

"However, what does this have to do with dividing and ruling the Central Plains and the Grasslands?"

Most people still find it hard to understand and are waiting for Qiu Yan to continue.

Qiu Yan didn't keep them waiting long and said, "The Grasslands are different from the Central Plains. Even if they are all under our command, friction will still arise. Therefore, it is inevitable to follow the will of the people. So we must divide and rule, which means not letting the wrong people occupy positions. The choice between us is related to the social atmosphere. Whom to choose and who to discard is not just about a position, but about the atmosphere of the entire area."

Zhang Shun said, "Sir, are you saying that mixing the Central Plains and the Grasslands together without separating them will disrupt the morale of the entire team?"

"This is just one example. You must understand that once this atmosphere becomes chaotic, it often collapses without a fight, and it's even more likely to cause internal strife and disrupt one's own formation. This is undoubtedly unwise." Qiu Yan glanced back at him.

"So, were the unification and stability sought by the ancients wrong?" At this moment, Zhang Shun's brows furrowed more and more, and the top of his Literary Thought seemed to be crooked, a sign that his thoughts were slightly confused.

"Of course it's not wrong. Those principles are valuable experiences summarized by Sage after witnessing the conflicts between states. However, these words speak of the benefits of unification, so that future generations can take it as a goal, not that we must always use the unification approach to deal with problems." Faced with the rhetorical question, Qiu Yan spoke calmly, "The ultimate goal is to achieve 'unification,' but we cannot use the result to judge the process."

At this point, he smiled slightly, pointed to the crowd, and asked, "Everyone knows that Grand Confucian scholars possess profound knowledge and aspires to become Grand Confucian. But if someone lacking in knowledge acts like Grand Confucian and lectures others with that attitude, do you think that's normal?"

"Of course it's wrong. If you're not Grand Confucian, but you treat others like Grand Confucian, no one will Qi Ingestion." Even Hua She understood this principle immediately.

Qiu Yan nodded and said, "The goal is good, but how can it be achieved overnight? It must be put into practice step by step. It is a process of accumulation; you cannot skip the process and get the result directly. When you see the glory and majesty of the Grand Confucian, you should not complain about why you cannot act like Grand Confucian, but rather set goals and work towards them little by little."

At this point, various memories flashed through Qiu Yan's mind, slowly gathering in his Heart Fire, shining brightly. These memories included those of believers and those possessed by Heart Demon, as well as his experiences in this life and those from his previous life.

Many truths remain unchanged throughout the ages.

"Therefore, the ultimate goal of divide and conquer is still to achieve unification. This process is actually about education." Qiu Yan brought the topic back to the Grasslands. "Education is not about indoctrination. You can't force what you think is right into other people's minds. Instead, you should guide them and let them experience it gradually in their daily lives. It's best if they can figure it out on their own."

As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly felt a surge of power, as if an invisible force was pressing down from all directions!

"So that's how it is. Flood control involves opening up blocked channels and deepening riverbeds, not building dikes and dams. That's the principle. Flood control is like education; the fundamental method is to dredge blocked channels and deepen riverbeds, not to build dikes and block the flow of water..."

On the other side, a scholar in the crowd suddenly showed an expression of sudden realization. It was clear that he had figured out the problem that had been troubling him for a long time, and the pillar of his Literary Thought above his head suddenly surged several times.

Those who witnessed it all looked on with envy, and the man himself seemed to be dancing with joy, but he quickly restrained himself and became even more respectful.

On the steps, Qiu Yan, disregarding the invisible pressure on his body, continued, "We must let the people of the Grasslands experience the benefits of Order, and then guide them accordingly. Things will naturally fall into place. However, this process cannot be rushed, nor can it be shortened. Rushing it will backfire, and shortening it will lead to hidden dangers. I dare not say that I have achieved this in just two months. At most, I have planted a seed, which still needs to be watered in the future."

"I've seen these words before in books, but they've never been so clear. Articles in books are meant to be understood by looking at the words and sentences, which can sometimes seem a bit rigid," Hu Ye said, offering his flattery at the opportune moment.

Qiu Yan glanced at him and said, "Reading books is a form of learning, which can lead to knowledge. Putting it into practice can lead to understanding the Way. If one knows but does not act, then one still does not know. The study of sages is merely a practice. Knowledge and Action cannot be separated. Knowing before acting is the right path. Through practice, one can summarize the principles and thus attain knowledge."

At this point, he pointed to Zhang Shun and said, "Just like Zhang Shun, this morning I told you to think for yourselves, not because I was afraid you would ask questions. Even if you come up with something, you can still ask and do it. Besides, if Zhang Shun hadn't asked, how could I have said these words? How could you have known? This is what it means to know through practice."

These words immediately resonated with many, giving them a new understanding of Qiu Yan's advocacy of "Knowledge and Action".

This lecture was truly unique. Qiu Yan first shared his own observations and experiences, then elaborated on the meaning of the classics. He then answered other people's questions, citing classical texts as if he were having a casual chat. He analyzed the matter thoroughly, summarized the principles, and applied them directly to the present day, relating them to the actions of the Confucian scholars present. His explanations were so insightful that even Hua She felt enlightened and showed excitement.

"So that's how it is! The pursuit of knowledge and its application—that's the principle!" He excitedly wrote down his insights, afraid he'd forget them later. But then he heard Qiu Yan say—

"After all I've said, I imagine many people are still wondering about one thing: how to glean principles and patterns from everyday trivialities."

Upon hearing this, Hua She's hand, which was moving rapidly with his pen, froze instantly. This was precisely the problem that had been troubling him. He had been thinking about it all noon without any results, so how could he not care? He immediately pricked up his ears, waiting for what was to come.

"Actually, the key lies in the heart and the eyes. Think with your heart and see with your eyes. Take Zhang Shun's question, for example. If he hadn't thought it through with his heart, how could he have had any doubts? Qiu, on the other hand, used his eyes to see on the Grasslands, which allowed him to draw some conclusions. Conversely, even in the matter of his question, there are principles to be put into practice. And in my division of the Central Plains and Grasslands factions on the Grasslands, there are also many principles..."

"Heart and eyes?" Hua She looked at the calligraphy brush in his hand, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"As long as you constantly observe with your eyes, think with your heart, and then put it into practice, you will find questions everywhere. The more questions you ask, the more the subtleties will become apparent. This is what the ancient sages called..."

"Investigation of Things and Extension of Knowledge!"

"Investigation of Things and Extension of Knowledge..."

On the way back, Hua She was still pondering this word repeatedly.

This term is familiar to any Confucian scholar with some knowledge, as it has been mentioned by many schools of thought. It comes from the Great Learning, but each has its own interpretation. Today, the interpretation of the Two Chens brothers is the most popular, and it can be called "Investigation of Things and Exhaustion of Principle".

In this respect, what Qiu Yan said today is very close to the theories of the Two Chens.

Therefore, when Qiu Yan uttered this word, the Confucian scholars in the courtyard all thought of the doctrines of the Two Chens, but they quickly discovered a difference and devoted themselves to memorizing it.

"No wonder everyone says that Qiu Xiuzhuan has compiled the Great Cheng of the Two Chens and Ma Xiang. Listening to his lectures, he can readily recall the deeds of the ancients, and with just a few words, he can get straight to the heart of the matter. He must have the foundation of Historians' School. And this theory of Investigation of Things and Extension of Knowledge seems to have originated from the doctrines of the Junior Chen, but it is different from what I have seen before..."

Hua She as he recalled the scenes of lecturing.

During the day, he worked as a servant in the Meng Residence, and at night he would help out at the Meng Clan's Book-Printing Hall. Besides wanting to earn money to supplement his family's income, he also wanted to take advantage of the location to get more access to books and read more.

To carve woodblocks, one first needs a model to copy. Hua She a skilled calligrapher and, besides helping with the work, sometimes helped with copying. Over time, he naturally came across many books and articles. He also came into contact with the theories and articles of the Two Chens during that time, which is why he was able to express his feelings after hearing Qiu Yan's story.

However, after his lecture came to an end, he could not ask Qiu Yan questions like other Confucian scholars. Instead, he ate a little something and hurriedly returned to the Book-Printing Hall.

He could take leave from his daytime work thanks to the help of Meng Wei and others, but the job at the Book-Printing Hall was one he had worked hard to get, and he couldn't easily miss it.

Back at the workshop, Hua She immediately got busy, not daring to slack off in the slightest.

When the moon was high in the sky, he finally had a chance to catch his breath. His face was full of fatigue, but he still refused to go back. Instead, he greedily looked at the many books in the room, taking stock of them one by one, thinking about what Qiu Yan had said.

"True wisdom lies in the details; there is meaning in everything. By Investigation of Things and Extension of Knowledge and comprehend the truths behind them. I wonder what principles are hidden in the things and events around me?"

As he spoke, he walked around the room, his nose filled with the scent of ink, yet he was still pondering, trying to find some principle in his surroundings to corroborate what he had learned that day.

At the end of today's lecture, Qiu Yan suggested that the Confucian scholars present, after returning home, try to find some clues in the small things around them and give it a try.

Now that Hua She has taken Qiu Yan's words as gospel, how could he not give them a try?

However, after looking around, he was still completely confused. Finally, he remembered Qiu Yan's words, "Why not start with what you are most familiar with?" He had an idea, so he turned around, walked through the bookstore, and returned to the printing hall. He walked around, sometimes picking up paper, sometimes smelling the ink, but he still couldn't find a clue.

"Alas! My aptitude is too poor, and my brain is too dull. Even if I obtained the secret, I still wouldn't know where to begin." He took what Qiu Yan said as some kind of trick, feeling that he couldn't understand it.

The more Hua She thought about it, the more frustrated he became. He walked to the table with his head down, his gaze falling on the printing plates on the table. He stared blankly into space, when suddenly an idea struck him.

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