As we all know, in the process of cultural circulation, there are always some deviations due to various reasons.

These deviations may not hinder the overall situation, but in the details, there are always some differences.

The most obvious example of this is poetry. There are several different versions of some words, and it is difficult to determine which version is the author's original text. Or rather, none of them.

The phenomenon of clerical errors will definitely exist to a greater or lesser extent.

Some mistakes will not affect the original mood of the poem. However, there are some mistakes, the words are different, and the meanings are diametrically opposite, which is also a headache.

So Qi Xiang is not sure, the Tao Te Ching in his hand now is the words left by Lao Tzu when he sent a letter to Guguan in the west. There are some changes, and it's a matter of course.

Of course, Qi Xiang does not have to read the original text of the Tao Te Ching, the key is the commentary.

During the Ming Dynasty, although Taoism declined somewhat, its momentum was not as good as before. However, the family of the Heavenly Master Mansion of Longhu Mountain is highly valued by the imperial court and is generously rewarded.

Especially during the Jiajing period, Ming Shizong Zhu Houxi believed in Taoism, and during his reign of several decades, Taoism had the appearance of revival. At that time, the official engraving of the Tao Te Ching should also be the trend and norm at that time.

As the pillar of Taoism at that time, the contemporary Zhang Tianshi personally commented on the Tao Te Ching, which is also a proper meaning.

But in the eyes of a thousand people, there are a thousand Hamlets.

The same book, in the eyes of different people, naturally has different understandings and perceptions.

This is true of the I Ching, and so is the Analects.

The Tao Te Ching, of course, is no exception.

The Tao Te Ching that Qi Xiang is holding now is a publication published by a modern publishing house, and the annotations on the contents of the book are naturally understood and interpreted with modern eyes.

But he also wanted to know. How did the ancients view the Tao Te Ching. Especially a Taoist master like Zhang Tianshi, his academic level is definitely not low, how does he interpret the Tao Te Ching?

Therefore, looking at the ancient books in front of him, Qi Xiang couldn't help but feel a little moved.

After a deep groan, Qi Xiang asked, "Just one copy?" ”

"Huh?"

The wanderer was stunned. Immediately overjoyed, and hurriedly said: "No, no, no, this is just one volume, and there are four other books, which are connected into a set." ”

The ancient engraving of the book has a large font, which is convenient for dyeing and printing.

So sometimes, a thousand words are enough to put together a book. Plus. There are large passages of commentary, so a Tao Te Ching is divided into five volumes, which is also a work of conscience, and does not have the meaning of pouring water into the puddle.

If you meet an unscrupulous merchant and directly print a set into ten volumes, you can make twice as much money, and you can only admit it.

"A set of ......"

Qi Xiang weighed it and asked, "Say it." What's the matter with you? ”

"Big brother, it's actually nothing. I just want to be friends with you. ”

You Ziyin naturally understood that his strategy of doing what he liked had worked, and he smiled at the moment: "As the saying goes, there is a confidant in the sea, and if the end of the world is next to each other, you and I will be like old ......friends at first sight."

"Speak human words."

Qi Xiang interrupted unceremoniously: "Don't go around in circles." ”

"Okay......"

Seeing that the set of friendships doesn't work. Youziyin also confessed: "It's a little thing, a small thing...... Well, it's really a trifle for you, and it's easy to get it done. ”

"Say ......"

Qi Xiang has its own measurements. If it's too troublesome, he won't agree.

"A business ......"

You Ziyin hesitated, and then said quickly: "In a few days, I will do a big business with people, and things are more expensive. However, I don't trust them, so I want to ask someone to help with the checks. ”

"Originally, I had already invited a good person, but that person suddenly had something wrong and couldn't go."

The wanderer was very troubled, he had no masochistic tendencies, if it wasn't for this reason, why would he come to the door knowing that he was not welcomed.

His purpose is also very clear. To put it bluntly, I just want to ask Qi Xiang to help me palm my eyes.

However, Qi Xiang didn't speak, his face was expressionless, and he didn't express his position.

You Ziyin glanced at his eyes, immediately gritted his teeth, and said decisively: "Big brother, as long as you are willing to help me, this set of Ming Dynasty officials engraved Tao Te Ching will be regarded as my thank you gift." ”

He is also willing to give up, a set of ancient books of the Ming Dynasty, the price in the market is definitely not low. If the condition is in good condition, it may be able to set a new record for similar goods.

However, being willing to invest and spend money shows that the business he wants to do is definitely not simple.

"Why are you looking for me?"

However, Qi Xiang was a little confused: "We have never known all our lives, do you believe me?" ”

This kind of thing is not just a matter of saying that you can find an appraiser and solve the problem, but it is also related to a question of trust.

Modern appraisal companies are mixed. There are some appraisers, as long as they give money, they dare to open any certificate, and they don't have any credibility at all. In fact, many connoisseurs have always scoffed at the appraisal reports given by some appraisal companies, and they have never believed in them as a piece of waste paper.

In fact, the vast majority of people in this industry generally only trust senior and respected experts whom they feel they trust.

If you don't trust a person, even if this person is a so-called great expert, after appraisal, it is determined that his things are fakes, he will not give up, thinking that the other party has lost his eyes.

After all, no matter how powerful an expert is, there are times when he is eye-catching.

If it's a trustworthy person, tell him that the thing is a fake and worthless. No matter how unhappy he is, even sad, he is convinced, and there will be no doubts.

So Qi Xiang felt strange, he and Youziyin only had one relationship, why did Youziyin believe him?

"Uh......"

This can be regarded as a question to the point. The wanderer was stunned for a moment, and he felt strange, even if the person who promised to help him palm his eyes had something to do temporarily, he couldn't get out.

However, he had another choice, why did he come to Qi Xiang?

You Ziyin thought about it seriously, and felt that it was not just because of Qi Xiang's super strength yesterday. The more important reason is due to......

"Maybe I think you don't care to lie to me."

You Ziyin thought for a while and hesitated: "Don't lie to me, you are naturally trustworthy." ”

“……”

The corners of Qi Xiang's mouth twitched. This reason is really a bit nonsense.

"I'm telling the truth."

Seeing that Qi Xiang didn't believe it, the wanderer said urgently: "My intuition is super accurate." When I see you, I know you're that kind of haughty...... Ahem, the kind of person who is upright, pure, and trustworthy. As long as it is something that I promised, I will definitely do my best......"

"Alright. No need to be a sycophant. Qi Xiang waved his hand: "No matter what your reason is, in short, I can agree to this." But ......"

"I understand, I understand." You Ziyin immediately handed over the book in his hand: "This is a deposit, and after the matter is completed, the other four books will be presented at any time." ”

Qi Xiang took the book, and while flipping through it, he said casually: "When and where did you say the transaction?" I declare it beforehand. It's too far away for me to go. ”

"Not far, definitely not far."

Youzi Yin hurriedly said: "Just three days later, on Dongting Lake." ”

"Good ......"

Qi Xiang closed the book and said lightly: "When the time comes, you will pick me up." ”

"No problem!"

You Ziyin hurriedly agreed, and then just as he wanted to push the boat down the river, he invited Qi Xiang to have a meal. Connect with feelings. But before he could speak, he saw Qi Xiang hanging sunglasses. Lying back on the chair, he was also very interested, and left directly.

Qi Xiang didn't send it, but just opened the title page of the book and studied it carefully.

The beginning of the ancient book is not the main text. Rather, it's a preface.

The preface is simple and shows the causes and consequences of the commentary on the Tao Te Ching.

Of course, it can't be said explicitly, it is to please the emperor, pat the emperor's sycophants, and flatter. Pleasing flattery. Although this is true, there are some things that everyone can say by tacit, and it is counterproductive to say them.

Whenever a book is engraved, there must be a noble reason.

For example, edification!

The gods of the world are based on Lao Tzu.

Lao Tzu is in the world, everything does not fight with others, does not do nature, does not be strange, does not innovate, so the history books are called ancient hidden gentlemen.

"Morality" is 5,000 words, citing ancient sayings to establish arguments.

Governing the world and self-cultivation can also be used.

However, there are many ignorant people in the world, and they cannot understand the deep meaning very well. Therefore, he had the courage to speak for the saints in order to educate all living beings in the world.

Qi Xiang was patient, and after reading the preface that put gold on his face, he cut into the main text.

Chapter 1, first sentence of the text.

The Tao is very good, and it is very good.

Qi Xiang glanced at it, looked away, closed his eyes and pondered carefully, then opened his eyes and continued to read the annotation. He was watching very seriously, pondering intently......

In the blink of an eye, another day passed.

Time flies, three days, in a flash.

In the past three days, he not only finished reading the Tao Te Ching annotated by Zhang Tianshi, but even searched the Internet and roughly read all the famous Tao Te Ching annotations that he could find.

Then, he was confused.

There are too many opinions, some versions are similar, some are opposite, some overlap, and some contradictory.

I saw too much and completely stunned him.

The Tao is the Tao, but what is the Tao? There are a lot of truths, which one is the truth?

Qi Xiang pinched his eyebrows, feeling that he had a lot of ideas, and he couldn't sort out the veins at all.

"Big brother, I'm here."

While Qi Xiang was pondering, the wanderer Yin came out and said with a smile: "How is it, are you ready?" ”

“…… Well! ”

Qi Xiang raised his head, bent down simply, tied the floor into a burden, and then signaled, "Let's go." ”

Even if this ancient book is read, there is nothing to gain from reading it, but taking people's money and eliminating disasters with others.

This is a basic morality, and he will not pay his debts.

"Eh, what a ......"

You Ziyin was very happy, and hurriedly said, "Big brother, I'm here by car." You put the things in the car first, and then we'll go to the dock and get on the boat, and when we come back, you can bring them back. ”

"Oh."

Qi Xiang didn't care: "It's up to you to arrange." ”

"Please ...... here"

The wanderer immediately led the way.

The car is parked on the side of the street, which is low-key and introverted, and it is more comfortable. After the two got into the car, the wanderer drove with ease, and soon came to the pier, where a small boat was already waiting on the shore......

I'm sorry, it's stuck, there are only two chapters, forgive me. (To be continued......)