Cai Shiyuan

Cai Shiyuan

Cai Shiyuan (1682-1733), whose name is Wenzhi, is called Liang village. He was born in Zhangpu County in Qing Dynasty. Because he lived in Liangshan, Zhangpu, scholars call him "Mr. Liangshan". Cai Shiyuan was born in a scholarly family for generations. He was the descendant of CAI Yuanding, an acting scholar in the Song Dynasty. His grandfather, Cai Eryu, was a student of Huang Daozhou, a famous scholar in the Ming Dynasty. His father, Cai Bi, was appointed as a teacher of Luoyuan county. Later, he was employed by Zhang boxing, governor of Fujian Province, to preside over Aofeng Academy in Fuzhou.

Personal introduction

The exact time of CAI Shiyuan's birth and death is that he was born on March 11 (April 18, 1682) of renxu in the 21st year of Kangxi and died on February 22, 1733 in the 11th year of Yongzheng.

experience

As a child, Cai Shiyuan received family instructions and studied the works of Zhou Dunyi, Zhang Zai, Cheng Hao, Cheng Yi and Zhu Xi. He also studied a wide range of Confucian classics and emphasized the study of Confucian classics. Following the example of ancient celebrities, he believed that his learning should at least be similar to that of zhenxiwen (Dexiu) in the Southern Song Dynasty, and his career should be similar to that of fan Xiwen (Zhongyan) in the Northern Song Dynasty, so he took "Erxi" as his own reputation.

In 1705, Cai Shiyuan won the examination. The next year, seeing that he was young and talented, Zhang Bo Xing asked him to revise the works of the pre Confucian scholars. In 1709, he went to the capital to take part in the examination. He won the imperial examination and was elected to the Imperial Academy. During his stay in Beijing, he was appreciated by Li Guangdi, a fellow of Fujian Province and a Bachelor of science. Under the inspiration of Li, he made a further study of Cheng Zhu Neo Confucianism and gained profound attainments.

In 1710, Cai Shiyuan asked for leave to return to his hometown to visit his relatives. When he heard that there was a famine in Zhangzhou and Quanzhou, he personally borrowed money from his fellow villagers in Zhejiang, and persuaded them to donate money to buy thousands of meters and stones to relieve the victims. He also asked the governor of Zhejiang to relax the ban on import and export, and transport grain from the sea to Zhangzhou and Quanzhou, and sell it to the people at a low price. During the visit, his father died, so he stayed at home to govern the funeral. During this period, the family rules were set up, and the large and small ancestral temples were set up to offer sacrifices to the old people. The old people were given food monthly so that they would not be frozen or hungry.

In 1714, Cai Shiyuan returned to Beijing at the end of his mourning period, but he had already exceeded his original family leave. According to the new imperial edict issued by the imperial court, those who have not returned from their official leave will be treated as automatic overtime. Shiyuan was worried about Ding's father and took extra leave. He should have been treated according to Ding's leave rules, but the imperial court didn't know about it and took him as an automatic extra leave. Some people urged him to explain the situation to the Ministry of officials and ask for reinstatement, but Shiyuan said: "I heard that the ancient people were given a title, but I didn't hear that they had given an ultimatum to declare themselves. How can I falsely return?" As a result, he was retired. At that time, Kangxi ordered Li Guangdi to be the president to compile the essence of human nature, and Li recommended Shiyuan to be the sub editor. The next year, when the book was finished, the world was far from taking credit for its compilation. It happened that she received the news that her biological mother Wu was ill, so she asked Li Guangdi for leave and went back home to serve her mother.

After returning to Fujian, Cai Shiyuan was employed to preside over Aofeng Academy in Fuzhou, the provincial capital, to train talents for Fujian. After he arrived at the Academy, he made a learning contract: "to learn by observing in order, to be honest and sincere" and "to be honest and sincere". But he changed his mind from "upholding moral integrity, upholding filial piety, loving economy, and being honest and sincere". Therefore, "the scholars of Fujian are interested in learning with emotion.". Under his cultivation, many people have made achievements, such as Lei Cuiting, a famous scholar in Qianlong (1736-1795) and a native of Ninghua, who came from far away. Shi Yuan taught in Aofeng Academy for a period of time, and then went home to mourn for his mother's death. During his stay in Zhangpu, he was invited by the county magistrate to give lectures in schools, often with hundreds or even thousands of listeners.

In 1721, the uprising of Zhu Yigui broke out in Taiwan. When Cai Shiyuan learned that the imperial court was going to leave Taiwan, he wrote to governor man Bao and advised him not to kill people at will. After the situation in Taiwan became stable, it was suggested that some departments should choose honest and talented people to serve as local officials, so as to ensure peace and order. These suggestions were adopted by governor manpao, so the people of Taiwan benefited a lot from them.

In the first year of Yongzheng (1723), the imperial court selected scholars with excellent skills and morality to serve the princes. Cai Shiyuan came to the capital under the imperial edict and was awarded the title of Hanlin editor. He went straight to the study to serve the princes. Soon, he moved to be a minister. In the fourth year of Yongzheng (1726), he was promoted to youshuzi, and then moved to shishushi. The next year, he moved to Zhan Shi, then to the cabinet, where he was a bachelor. In 1728, he moved to be the Minister of rites and presided over the affairs of the local examination and the joint examination. At the same time, he served as the lecturer of the Jingyan banquet, and was also in charge of the land and farming, as well as the reading of the examination papers and literature and art in the Wenwu palace. During this period, he devoted himself to tutoring the princes and seldom participated in the court discussion. Shiyuan taught the princes four books and five classics and the Neo Confucianism of "five sons" (namely Zhou, Zhang, Ercheng and Zhu) in the Song Dynasty, "they must be close to each other and lead the body and mind", explaining that people must "set up commandments and practice" in dealing with affairs. When he tutored the princes to study various histories and literary works of the past dynasties, "he paid three respects to the rise and fall of the emperor, the rise and fall of the gentleman, the rise and fall of the villain, the similarities and differences of the mind, and repeated display." At that time, Baofu was concurrently held by some ministers in power. They had no time to give lectures at the same time. Only Shiyuan entered the palace at Mao time every day and left the palace at you time. For more than 10 years, he was praised by Shizong and praised by the ministers in power.

In Beijing, Cai Shiyuan had a close relationship with Fang Bao, a great master of ancient Chinese literature. They often talked about "the diseases of people's livelihood, the gains and losses of officials, the consumption of things, and the evils of scholars". When Tao Taichang was first in office, he went to visit Shiyuan with some of his contemporaries. Shiyuan pointed out to them that the main purpose of the book of songs min Lao Pian was to "pay attention to abstinence from deception", to explain that an official must love the people, and to be shameful of relying on power and intrigue.

In 1730, the governor of Fujian Province Gao Qimao impeached Cai Changhan, the eldest son of CAI Shiyuan, for violating the regulations and giving the ship photos privately. Shiyuanzou said: "minister Chang Han is now in the capital residence. I don't know who did it, but there are official titles and books. They are not the surnames of the officials, that is, the relatives of the officials. Please rule by imperial edict." After the Ministry's discussion, he was demoted to another level due to negligence. The following year, Emperor Shizong ordered Wen to resume his official post. Shi Shiyuan was already bedridden and couldn't afford it. Shizong ordered the imperial doctor to treat him. All the precious medicines he needed were supplied by the imperial court. Shiyuan was ill for more than a year, but he died at the age of 53.

evaluate

Although Cai Shiyuan is in a high position, he is modest and self-sustaining. He is indifferent to others. Most of his salary supports his family's affinity to the old days. "His wife and son are only free from cold and hunger. They wear coarse food and clothes, depending on what they need." He only set up a bed and an account in the living room of the capital. When his friends came, he gave up his bed and slept in the back compartment. In summer and autumn, the ant flies are restless with their skin. Once, Tao Taichang went into Shiyuan's bedroom to see his wife. When he saw that the old mosquito net was mended and the coarse cloth quilt was mended, he could not help sighing. After Shiyuan died, he had almost nothing except a few old clothes. His family members were unable to mourn. Shizong gave him 500 liang of silver, and the princes also gave him 300 liang of silver. Only then could the coffin be buried in Zhangpu, Fujian Province. Fang Bao wrote his epitaph. During the reign of Emperor Qianlong, he posthumously presented the Minister of rites to Wenqin, and Gaozong wrote a poem "reminiscence", which called him "Mr. Wen Zhi" and ordered him to be worshipped in Xianliang temple.

Character career

Cai Shiyuan's name is Wen Zhi, which is called Liang village. He was born in 1681. His father, Cai Bi, selected tribute and gave Luo Yuan a teaching instruction. Later, he was employed as the dean of Aofeng Academy. As a child, Cai Shiyuan was familiar with the four books and five classics and Cheng Zhu Neo Confucianism. He followed his father's instruction and worked hard.

In the 44th year of Kangxi (1705), Cai Shiyuan was elected. In the following year, he was invited by Zhang boxing, governor of Fujian Province, to revise the works of the former Confucians in Aofeng Academy. Kangxi 48 years (1709), in the Jinshi, election Shu Ji Shi. He was deeply appreciated by Li Guangdi, the prime minister. Under the inspiration of Li Guangdi, he studied Cheng Zhu's Neo Confucianism.

In 1710, Cai Shiyuan begged for leave to return home to visit his relatives. The next year, his father died and stayed at home. In April 1713, at the invitation of Wei Litong, the governor of Zhangzhou, he majored in Zhangzhou Fu Zhi. In the first month of the next year, he basically completed the compilation and wrote a preface for it. At this time, Li Guangdi, the prime minister, was appointed as the president of the compilation of the book, so he recommended Cai Shiyuan as the sub editor. In the 54th year of Kangxi reign (1715), the compilation of the essence of Xing Li was completed. Cai Shiyuan did not want to say goodbye to Li Guangdi and return to his hometown to serve his mother.

Not long after, Fujian governor Lv Youlong learned that Cai Shiyuan was decent and knowledgeable. He hired him to preside over Aofeng Academy in the provincial capital, inheriting his father Cai Bi's lecturing. During his tenure, he trained many successful people for Fujian. Hou Ding's mother was worried and went home to watch the funeral. After that, he was employed by Wang Shenwen, the magistrate of Zhangpu County, to give lectures at the Zhangpu County school. Scholars rushed to listen to the lectures.

In the first year of Yongzheng (1723), the imperial court selected scholars who were proficient in Confucian classics and had both excellent learning and practice to serve the princes. Cai Shiyuan was sent to Beijing by special edict to teach the Imperial Academy to edit, and went to Zhishang study to serve the princes. Before long, Sheng Hanlin said. In the fourth year of Yongzheng (1726), he moved to zuoshu son of Zhan Shifu, and then became a scholar of Imperial Academy. In the fifth year of Yongzheng (1727), he was promoted to the rank of Shao Zhan Shi in Zhan Shi Fu, and then he was promoted to the rank of cabinet bachelor and right Minister of rites. Yongzheng six years (1728), turn the Ministry of rites left Shilang, Ren Jingyan lecturer. Emperor Yongzheng praised him for his experience and dedication in his lectures: "when we talk about the Scriptures, we are diligent in speaking; when Jin Dynasty is in the rank of Rongtai, we are in the state of propriety, and we are in the position of Yinqing.".

In 1730, kechen impeached Cai Changhan, the eldest son of CAI Shiyuan, for violating the regulations and giving private ship photos. Emperor Yongzheng passed on the impeachment to Cai Shiyuan, who said: "my son Cai Changhan is now in Beijing. This matter should be done by the people or relatives. Please rule by imperial edict.". After the Ministry's discussion, Cai Shiyuan was demoted to another level for "oversight"

Chinese PinYin : Cai Shi Yuan