Chapter 36: Pointing Out Flaws

Wang Yang also found it inappropriate and was about to change the subject casually, but Liu Zhao said: "Zhiyan is from Yixing, right? I heard that the customs of Yixing are to knock on the table with fingers during banquets to help the conversation, which also means to signal everyone to listen quietly."

There is also this statement?!

Wang Yang smiled and didn't commit, saying casually: "Mr. is indeed knowledgeable and has a wide range of interests. Since I left home, I won't talk about things at home, it's better to talk about the *Book of Documents* happily." Then he continued to talk about the *Book of Documents*.

The first half of what Wang Yang said was just a casual compliment at the wine table, but because Liu Zhao already knew the custom of "knocking on the table," he took it for granted that Wang Yang must be related to Yixing. So Wang Yang's compliment to him turned into Wang Yang's default to this matter in his ears.

As for why Wang Yang avoided this topic, it is also easy to understand.

Most of the orthodox Langya Wang clan live in the capital Jiankang. This young master lives in Yixing, obviously a branch of the family that has fallen. Otherwise, he should go to Jiankang for study, why come to Jingzhou? I am afraid that the prosperous clan in the capital cannot accommodate him, or he is unwilling to rely on others and look at people's faces.

There was no time to think about it, and hearing Wang Yang talk about key issues, he immediately listened carefully.

Wang Yang talked and talked, and seeing the strong man peeking outside the door, he knew the time was up, so he changed his tone and said:

"Actually, ancient books were written on bamboo slips. Due to the breaking and rotting of the connecting ropes, the order of the vertical slips was reversed, or even a certain piece was directly missing. This is a very normal thing. The *Book of Han* says 'the classics may have missing slips, and the commentaries may have misplaced compilations.' Missing slips means missing, and misplaced compilations means misplaced. People today do not understand the study of bamboo slips and use paper to copy and fix the text of bamboo slips, thinking it is a fixed version, not knowing that it might have been wrong text copied originally."

He put down his chopsticks, looked at the master and disciple who were listening with wide eyes, and said slowly:

"For example, the *Gao Yao Mo* chapter of the *Book of Documents*. The previous text says 'Yun Di Jue De, Mo Ming Bi Xie,' this is what the historian described, not Gao Yao's words. The following text says 'Yu' when Great Yu spoke. Yu means 'yes.' Who is the 'yes'? There must be missing text between the two sentences! First Gao Yao had words, and then Great Yu agreed, and asked. This is reasonable."

Liu Zhao and Yu Yuling nodded together, only feeling that this Wang Yang is a genius in doing learning, and can actually "generate doubts where there are no doubts"! This ability is not something that can be learned by reading how many books, but relies more on talent.

Seeing the two people's admiration, Wang Yang knew that Su Shi's strange theory had captured two "fans." He drank the wine in the cup and continued:

"There are many such examples in the *Book of Documents*, wrong slips and wrong characters, not just one end. Unfortunately, scholars today are mostly ignorant of errors and have lost the true meaning of the *Book of Documents*."

After finishing, he stood up, arched his hands and said: "Thank you for your hospitality, it is getting late, the city gate is about to close, I should say goodbye."

This person actually pointed out that the original text of the current *Book of Documents* might be wrong! And not just in one place!

What kind of big event is this for scholars?!

Liu Zhao and his disciple were holding their breath and focusing their attention, ears pricked up in anticipation of what would follow, but instead of hearing the rest, they heard that Wang Yang was leaving, and they instantly exploded!

The two hurriedly stood up to stop him, saying that they must let Wang Yang stay, and they almost didn't take action and directly pressed Wang Yang on the seat.

Wang Yang pretended to be embarrassed and said: "But I still have to go to the clothing store to settle the bill, this..."

"I'll go!" Yu Yuling volunteered.

"That's not necessary. Let my attendant go." Wang Yang looked outside the door and called: "Strong man!"

The strong man ran over, bowed and cupped his hands in a decent way: "Young Master."

"Is it two thousand coins or three thousand coins that I owe the clothing store?"

Wang Yang wanted to say ten thousand directly, but borrowing so much money just after meeting was easy to arouse suspicion. Besides, ten thousand coins is a large amount, and borrowing such a large sum of money just after meeting might cause some twists and turns. Wang Yang wanted to control the amount of money to a "small amount" that "is not much" for the gentry, so that Liu Zhao could borrow money from him without deep thinking.

The strong man was clever and replied: "Three thousand coins."

Actually, according to the strong man's own wishes, he wanted to say three thousand eight hundred coins, but he didn't dare to make his own decisions, fearing that he would make Wang Yang unhappy, so he "honestly" chose the big head.

Wang Yang, taking advantage of the wine, bit the bullet and began an awkward performance: "Oh, is it too late to go out of the city to get money and come back?"

Yu Yuling asked very honestly: "Where do you live?"

Liu Zhao said directly to Yu Yuling: "Go find Steward He, let him draw three thousand coins from my private account and give it to this little brother."

Wang Yang said sincerely: "Thank you, Mr., I will definitely return this money to you in the future!"

Liu Zhao pulled Wang Yang and said: "Don't talk about these! Go! You and I continue to discuss learning!"

Wang Yang asked: "Are there any sweets here?"

"Yes, Zhiyan wants to eat something sweet? Do you like sugar crabs, sugarcane, or honey cakes?"

Wang Yang thought for a while, and said with a thick skin: "I want them all, and make a few of the dishes I just ate, let my attendant take them back and give them to a friend, is it troublesome?"

"Not troublesome, not troublesome." Liu Zhao didn't care about this at all, "Zijie, pay the money first, then notify the back kitchen, today Zhiyan and I will have a long night of drinking!"

The strong man knew that Young Master Wang wanted sweets because he promised Ah Wu before leaving. Thinking that he even remembered such a small thing, he couldn't help but be greatly moved.

Although the meal he ate tonight could not be compared with Wang Yang, the Commandery School gave him a good meal for Wang Yang's sake. He didn't dare to ruin Wang Yang's business, so he resisted the impulse to "pack," just secretly hid a sesame cake, ready to take it home to his daughter. Now it seems that his daughter will have a treat tonight...

Clouds are light and stars are sparse, dawn wind hits the moon.

When little Ah Wu was tearing the big chicken leg with tears, Wang Yang was talking about the *Book of Documents*...

When little Ah Wu was biting her tongue because it was fragrant, Wang Yang was talking about the *Book of Documents*...

When little Ah Wu was standing on a small stool, stacking the remaining Guo Zha in a pottery jar one by one, Wang Yang was still talking about the *Book of Documents*...

In the quiet of the night, as the wine ran low, Liu Zhao felt his blood boil and slapped the table, saying, "To have such an insightful view that opens new paths and benefits the academic world, it would be a real pity not to write it down! Someone! Bring brush and ink! Zhiyan, you speak, I will write, and the title of the book shall be, shall be..."

Wang Yang said: "How about *Pointing Out Flaws in the Book of Documents*?"

There are flaws in the *Book of Documents*, just like small flaws in white jade. Pointing out flaws means pointing out the flaws.

"This name is not appropriate!" Liu Zhao immediately corrected, "The *Book of Documents* has no, and cannot have flaws. What has flaws is the version of the *Book of Documents* passed down by later generations, so it cannot be called *Pointing Out Flaws in the Book of Documents*, but should be called *Pointing Out Flaws in the Modern and Ancient Texts of the Book of Documents*."

Mr. Liu is very steady!

Okay.

Wang Yang followed the trend: "Good, let's call it *Pointing Out Flaws in the Modern and Ancient Texts of the Book of Documents*!" ===== CHAPTER 37 =====