Xia Hongsheng 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 they felt uncomfortable. What do these literati value the most? Face! If Xia Hongsheng is not respectful, and makes them feel that giving the manuscript remuneration is like giving money, then I am afraid that no one will contribute in the future.

Not only Li Yifu, but also the people around him who were reading books also shifted their attention from books at this moment. Xia Hongsheng understood that no matter whether the person opposite was Li Yifu or someone else, this was an excellent opportunity.

Xia Hongsheng was silent on the surface, but secretly paid close attention to Li Yifu, and sure enough, he saw a trace of greed flashing in his eyes, but he soon controlled himself again, took a deep breath, and said: "This, please also ask the owner of the house to take back this money, although he is from a poor background, he also knows that he can't talk about wealth." I handed over these clumsy works to the owner of the house, just hoping to 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 approving.

Xia Hongsheng smiled and asked, "But I don't know how Brother Li lives now?" ”

"In the lower Quartet, I have only been in Chang'an City for less than a month, so I have not yet settled down." Li Yifu said.

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

But seeing Li Yifu's expression, he said: "Although Yifu is from a poor family. But since childhood, he has read through the books of the sages. Hear the words of the sages. He also knows that wealth cannot be adulterous. The lowly cannot be moved, and the mighty cannot be bent. If the owner of the house forcibly asks for it, it will be an insult to him. Immediately take back the manuscript and leave immediately. ”

Li Yifu's righteous words immediately attracted the applause and echo of the literati around him. Li Yifu straightened his chest, but Xia Hongsheng noticed that there was a hint of smugness in his eyes inadvertently.

"Brother Li is high. I am ashamed of myself! Xia Hongsheng arched his hand with a smile, raised his voice a little, and said, "I want to tell Brother Li a story." ”

"I want to hear about it!" Li Yifu replied.

Xia Hongsheng 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 at that time, there was a law in the Lu State, 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 known for his words. Eloquent and eloquent. And he is capable of helping talents, is proficient in doing things, is good at doing business, and is rich in money, and is the richest man among the disciples of Confucius. 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." Xia Hongsheng 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 ......" Li Yifu rolled his eyes and said, "Please also ask the owner of the house to make it clear." ”

Xia Hongsheng looked at Li Yifu, then at the scribes around him, and then said loudly: "Actually, the law of Lu is to encourage the people, every citizen, as long as he has the opportunity, can do a great deed, even if he has no ability to pay the ransom for the time being, he should borrow the ransom to redeem his compatriots, because you will not lose anything, because the country 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? ”

Looking around, seeing that everyone showed a contemplative expression, Xia Hongsheng continued: "The consequence must be that on the surface, the standard of morality has been raised, and everyone has to learn from Zigong to redeem slaves, but they don't want the state's money. But in reality? In fact, morality has declined, because there is Zigong in front, and if the latter redeems his compatriots and then goes to receive the state's ransom, he will be considered inferior to Zigong and immoral. However, how many people have enough financial resources to guarantee the loss of this ransom without accepting compensation from the imperial court without affecting their own lives? Very little! So the end result? For if you do not receive the money for compensation, you will suffer yourself if you redeem the slaves. But if you receive it, it will be compared with Zigong, so you don't redeem it at all. As a result, what was originally something that everyone could do became something that only a few people could do with kindness. Therefore, Confucius said that Zigong did something wrong. As for Zilu, he saved people and accepted the man's thanks. This makes others look at it, and they will follow the example, and when they encounter a drowning person in the future, they will also have the courage to save it - because they can be thanked! Therefore, Confucius praised Zilu's approach. ”

"Even though Brother Li can refuse these remunerations that should be Brother Li's remuneration for the sake of Qinggao, but in this case, what can those poor scholars who have no home or job and no parents, relatives and friends sponsor them? What do you rely on to buy grain and rice, and what do you rely on to exchange for travel expenses, paper and pencils, so that you can have the means to support your family in the future? Today, Brother Li has this remuneration, and the children of the poor families who submit his manuscripts will be able to accept the reward of his hard work calmly. And if Brother Li is not subordinate today, he will have Brother Li in front of him in the future, and the other children of the poor family really need this money, but how dare they accept it? Xia Hongsheng said: "In this way, isn't Brother Li also a ransom move by Zigong?" ”

After speaking, Xia Hongsheng looked around with a light smile and saw that everyone was enlightened. I saw a scribe come out of it, bowed down, and said, "Thank you for waking up, we almost ruined the life of countless poor scholars because of our own face!" This Brother Li, since this is the case, Brother Tai should accept it! An article is a piece of hard work, this is not ill-gotten gains, but the reward of brothers' hard work, that is, to accept it, and it should have a clear conscience. ”

Li Yifu nodded, bowed and saluted: "In this case, this is the reward for the next article, not for injustice, then I will accept it below!" ”

In the bookstore, many people high-fived and applauded. (To be continued.) )