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The Xun family's public lectures were a remarkable initiative in ancient times, especially during the Eastern Han Dynasty. During this period, knowledge was monopolized by a small elite of scholar-officials, while the general populace was largely illiterate and had no understanding of governance or statecraft. By being willing to share their family's teachings with the public, regardless of their motives, the Xun family was undoubtedly ahead of their time in spreading knowledge.
Of course, the Xun family still fell short compared to those great cultural figures who opened their doors to all, regardless of wealth or status. However, they were far better than those who hoarded their knowledge like treasures.
In Yingchuan Commandery, there were four old families and four newer ones. The four old families included the Xun family, along with the Zhong, Han, and Chen families. These families had been prominent since the early Eastern Han Dynasty, with many of their members holding high-ranking positions. The four newer families were the Du, Guo, Zhao, and Xin families.
As for other families that claimed to be part of Yingchuan's elite, their claims were self-proclaimed and not widely recognized by the general public.
This hierarchy was evident in the seating arrangements at the Xun family's public lecture. The incense-burning platform at the front was reserved for the main speaker. The tables closest to the platform were reserved for high-ranking officials and elders, though these seats were usually empty. Behind them, the four old families occupied the four directions around the platform—east, south, west, and north. The four newer families sat further back.
Those like Fei Qian had to sit even further behind, though at least they had mats to sit on. Those from the lower-ranking families, such as the Ding family and others, had to stand. The poorest students were only allowed in after the better seats were taken, and they had to stand at the very back.
Despite the large crowd, the atmosphere was quiet and orderly. Unlike the noisy public lectures Fei Qian had attended in his past life, where the chatter before the teacher arrived resembled a bustling market, everyone here waited in silence.
Fei Qian shared a mat with Zao Zhi and Ying Yu. The previous day, while Fei Qian had been teasing Zao Zhi, Ying Yu had been out visiting someone and didn't return until late, so they hadn't had a chance to talk. Fei Qian and Zao Zhi, being closer in age and sharing a love for food, naturally got along better than Fei Qian did with Ying Yu.
Suddenly, Fei Qian heard the sound of drums outside. After about the time it took for half an incense stick to burn, the drums sounded again. Fei Qian realized this was similar to the preparatory bell in his past life, signaling that the lecture would begin after the third drumbeat.
Sure enough, after the third drumbeat, the doors of the Xun family's hall were closed. Anyone who was late or hadn't arrived by then would miss the lecture.
A short while later, the sound of a stone chime echoed through the hall, and the already quiet room fell completely silent, with only the sound of breathing audible.
A man wearing a tall hat and a long, flowing white robe with a black cloak entered slowly, stepping in time with the chime. He ascended the platform, and as he did, some of the people sitting at the front seemed surprised, causing a slight stir.
The hall monitors stationed at the four corners immediately shouted for silence, quelling the disturbance.
Fei Qian, unsure of what was happening, nudged Zao Zhi and gestured with his eyes, asking if Zao Zhi knew what was going on. Zao Zhi subtly pointed to the man on the platform and traced the character "彧" (Yu) on the mat.
Fei Qian thought for a moment. The man on the platform was Xun Yu? Was there such a person in the Xun family? He didn't recall. Wait, Zao Zhi must have meant "彧" (Yu). The person giving the lecture today was Xun Yu! This legendary figure?
With his knowledge from the future, Fei Qian naturally regarded Xun Yu as a remarkable individual. However, at this point in time, Xun Yu had not yet earned Cao Cao's praise as "my Zifang" (a reference to Zhang Liang, a brilliant strategist of the Han Dynasty), nor had he achieved any notable accomplishments. Thus, it was no surprise that others didn't share Fei Qian's high regard for Xun Yu, which explained the earlier stir.
Xun Yu sat down on the platform, taking in the varied expressions of the audience below. Today's lecture was a double-edged sword. If he performed well, his reputation would soar. But if he made even a small mistake, not only would his reputation suffer, but the position of the next family head that Xun Shuang had hinted at might remain a mere "perhaps."
Since Xun Shuang had lectured on the *Book of Changes* (*Yi Jing*), Xun Yu naturally had to do the same. It would be absurd otherwise, like having a scholar of classical studies introduce a lecture on modern slang.
Xun Yu took a deep breath and signaled to a servant to raise a white banner on the platform. The banner bore six thick, parallel black lines, resembling six horizontal sticks arranged vertically.
Xun Yu's clear voice rang out: "Today, we will discuss the Qian hexagram."
"Qian represents the origin, prosperity, harmony, and steadfastness..."
"The origin is the beginning. Prosperity is smoothness. Harmony is benefit. Steadfastness is correctness..."
Xun Yu's expression was calm, and his voice was steady and resonant. Even though Fei Qian was some distance from the platform, he could hear every word clearly.
Xun Yu continued: "...The origin is the chief of all virtues. Prosperity is the gathering of all that is good. Harmony is the balance of righteousness. Steadfastness is the foundation of all affairs. The chief of virtues is sufficient to lead others. The gathering of goodness is sufficient to align with propriety. The balance of righteousness is sufficient to regulate things. The foundation of affairs is sufficient to uphold trust..."
Xun Yu elaborated on the meanings and interpretations of origin, prosperity, harmony, and steadfastness:
"...What takes form in the heavens is the origin, prosperity, harmony, and steadfastness. This speaks of the heavens' movement through the four seasons, giving birth to all things. What takes shape on earth is benevolence, propriety, righteousness, and wisdom.
The origin, as the chief of virtues, embodies benevolence. Benevolence governs the growth of spring, corresponding to the east and the element of wood.
Prosperity, as the gathering of goodness, aligns with propriety. Propriety governs the nourishment of summer, corresponding to the south and the element of fire.
Harmony, as the balance of righteousness, corresponds to righteousness. Righteousness governs the harvest of autumn, corresponding to the west and the element of metal.
Steadfastness, as the foundation of affairs, pairs with wisdom. Wisdom governs the storage of winter, corresponding to the north and the element of water.
The earth, with its virtue of bearing all things, allows the five elements to interact and generate. The earth occupies the central palace, ruling over the four seasons, just as a ruler, through non-action, governs the world. Fire, water, metal, and wood cannot exist without earth. Benevolence, propriety, righteousness, and wisdom cannot flourish without a ruler. Trust, being the ruler's domain, is why Qian is placed at the head of the hexagrams. The text makes it clear that the gate to understanding morality and righteousness lies here, just as the *Spring and Autumn Annals* begins with the five beginnings.
Embodying benevolence and correcting oneself transforms others. Observing the movements of the heavens and understanding the times allows one to follow the will of heaven. Adapting to the needs of the moment benefits the people. Upholding steadfastness in one's duties stabilizes society.
Disorder leads to the collapse of propriety, and its teachings become corrupt. Rebellion goes against the times, and its efforts fail. Mistakes hinder usefulness, and its affairs are abandoned. Forgetting leads to the loss of correctness, and its officials fall.
The four virtues are what King Wen used to rise. The four faults are what led to King Zhou's downfall."
As soon as Xun Yu finished speaking, the audience erupted in murmurs...
The *Book of Changes* is essentially a book of philosophy. As for divination, it was quite popular during the Three Kingdoms period, much like how modern pop music is today. If you were trendy, you had to know a few lines to show off... Author's note: Seeking recommendation votes and bookmarks... Thank you to cs09 for your support and kindness.
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