Wei Renshi said with a smile: "I watch Brother Ma's pen and ink, it's really rare. Brother Ma's article was accepted by the bookstore. ”

After that, Wei Renshi greeted the shopkeeper, and the shopkeeper immediately came over, took the pieces of paper from Wei Renshi's hand, walked to the counter and counted them carefully.

Soon, the shopkeeper's Fu raised his head again and shouted: "Back to Xiaolang, this Ma Langjun has three manuscripts, with a total of 4,324 words. ”

Wei Renshi nodded and said, "Brother Ma is brilliantly written, and if this article is published, it will definitely be famous in Chang'an." When settled in Class A. ”

"Yes, Xiaolang!" The shopkeeper nodded, and calculated in a voice that could be heard by everyone around: "Grade A first-class articles, where there are ten thousand words, Ma Langjun's three articles have a total of 4,324 words, so you can get 45 yuan of money!" ”

As soon as these words came out, everyone in the tree house was in an uproar, and even Maas returned to himself, so he was stunned.

The shopkeeper took out the copper coin from behind the counter, wrapped it in cloth, and then walked over and handed it to Wei Renshi with both hands.

Wei Renshi took the package, and brought it to Ma Sigui again, and said with a smile: "Brother Ma's article is the best manuscript I have received in this period of time, this is the remuneration, please accept it from Brother Ma!" ”

Wei Renshi put the package containing forty-five copper coins in his hand and presented it with very polite hands. The tone is respectful, and the attitude is respectful - after all, there are so many readers watching in the bookstore, and it would not be good if it made them feel uncomfortable.

What do these literati value the most?

Face!

If Wei Renshi is not respectful, and makes them feel that giving the manuscript is like giving money, then I am afraid that no one will contribute in the future.

Not only Ma Sigui, but also the people around him who were reading books also shifted their attention from books at this moment. Wei Renshi understands that whether the person on the other side is Ma Sigui or someone else, this is a great opportunity.

Wei Renshi was silent on the surface, but secretly paid close attention to Ma Sigui, but saw that in addition to the consternation in his eyes, there was no trace of greed, so he paused and said: "This, please also ask the master's family to recover this money. I handed over these clumsy works to my master's house in the hope that I would be fortunate enough to publish them, and I wanted to discuss the sages and current affairs with people of insight in the world, but not for money. ”

As soon as these words came out, sure enough, many people next to him nodded frequently, looking quite appreciative of what he said, and looking at Wei Renshi's eyes, there was also a slight disdain.

Wei Renshi smiled and asked, "But I don't know how Brother Ma is living now?" ”

"It's been less than a month in Chang'an City below, so there is no place to settle down." Ma Sigui said.

Wei Renshi listened, nodded, and said, "In that case, why don't Brother Ma take these forty-five runs?" Wouldn't it be better if Brother Ma could get through the current predicament? “

But seeing that Ma Sigui's expression was solemn, he said: "Although Sigui is displaced, he has never delayed reading through the books of the sages and hearing the words of the sages. I also know that the rich and noble cannot be lewd, the humble cannot be moved, and the mighty cannot be bent. If the master forcibly asks for it, it will be an insult to him. Immediately take back the manuscript and leave immediately. ”

Ma Sigui's righteous words immediately attracted the applause and echo of the literati around him.

"Brother Ma is high, it's better to be ashamed of yourself!" Wei Renshi arched his hand with a smile, raised his voice a little, and said, "I want to tell a story to Brother Ma." ”

"I want to hear about it!" Maasgui replied.

Wei Renshi nodded, and then spoke aloud: "In the "Lü's Spring and Autumn Period, First Knowledge, and Investigation of Micro Chapters", there is such a story - it is said that there was a law in the Lu State at that time, if the Lu people saw their compatriots in a foreign country suffer misfortune and become slaves, as long as they could redeem these people and help them regain their freedom, they could get monetary compensation and rewards from the state. Confucius had a student named Zigong. Zigong is famous for his words, eloquent words, good at eloquence, and has the ability to help people, is well-versed, good at business, and is rich in money, and is the richest man among Confucius's disciples. After learning of this law, Zigong ransomed the Lu people from foreign countries, but he did not receive money from the state. Zigong felt that he had done a good deed, so he told his teacher Confucius. Unexpectedly, Confucius said, Zigong, you have done something wrong! The things that the saints do can be used to change the customs of the people, and they can teach and teach the people, not just their own actions. Now there are few rich people in Lu Guo and many poor people, and the money and finances that receive compensation from the state do not have any loss to you; But if he does not receive compensation, there will be no one in Lu to redeem his compatriots who have been killed. Confucius had another disciple named Zilu, and he also heard Confucius's words, so one day he rescued a drowning man, and the man thanked him for sending a cow, and Zilu accepted it. When Confucius learned about it, he happily said that the people of Lu would definitely have the courage to save those who fell into the water from now on. You are all learned scribes, so you know this story, right? ”

"Yes, it is Zigong's act of ransom." A reader next to him said.

"However, since you all know this story, I would like to ask you a question below." Wei Renshi looked around and said, "Zigong lost his own property, ransomed the slaves, and did a good deed. This should be a manifestation of benevolence, but why did Confucius criticize him instead? Why do you say that if Zigong does not receive the reward, then there will be no one in the Lu country to redeem his compatriots who have been killed? ”

"This ......" Ma Sigui rolled his eyes and said, "Please also ask the master to make it clear." ”

Wei Renshi looked at Ma Sigui, then at the scribes around him, and then said loudly: "Actually, the law of the Lu State is to encourage the people, every people, as long as they have the opportunity, can do a great deed, even if they do not have the ability to pay the ransom for the time being, they should also borrow the ransom to redeem their compatriots, because you will not lose anything, because the state will reward you." In this way, everyone will go to redeem the slaves of the Lu country and save the people of the Lu country. How many people like Zigong have a solid family and don't need state compensation? How many people like Zigong are willing to take the initiative to give their own money to help unrelated slaves? Zigong's mistake was to raise the moral standards of what everyone could have done to a height that most people could hardly reach. Princes, imagine what the consequences would be if the monarch of the Lu State set the example of Zigong's ransom as a model and spread it widely? ”