Fan Zhongyan. This famous minister of the Song Dynasty not only had political foresight, but also had his own unique views on the selection of cemeteries. A feng shui master told you that this piece of land can cut off children and grandchildren, do you dare to choose? Fan Zhongyan dare! Not only did he dare, but he also had his own deep meaning.
Fan Zhongyan, this name is as loud as thunder in Chinese history. He was not only a famous politician in the Song Dynasty, but also the author of "The Story of Yueyang Tower", which can be described as talented. But today we are not talking about his political achievements, but about the time when he chose the cemetery for his mother.
It is said that after Fan Zhongyan's mother died, he faced the problem of choosing a cemetery. According to common sense, people will want to choose a place with good feng shui so that future generations can prosper. But when Mr. Feng Shui recommended him a "desperate place", he chose it without hesitation. Why is that?
Fan Zhongyan's family background is quite complicated. His mother, Xie, was originally a concubine of a large family, and she did not receive due respect after giving birth to Fan Zhongyan. The mother and son have been oppressed by the main room of the family. Despite this, Xie insisted that Fan Zhongyan be educated, hoping that he would make a difference. Fan Zhongyan did not live up to his mother's expectations, he was smart and hardworking since he was a child, and eventually became a generation of famous ministers.
The reason why Fan Zhongyan chose the "desperate land" was not unfilial piety, but out of a sense of responsibility and sacrifice. He learned that the feng shui of this land was indeed not good, but he would rather his family no longer reproduce than that this unfavorable place would affect other innocent people. This kind of selflessness of "worrying about the world first, and enjoying the joy of the world after the world" is a portrayal of Fan Zhongyan's life.
Fan Zhongyan's life is full of ups and downs and hard work. His path to learning was not all smooth sailing. In his early years, due to the poverty of his family, he could only write on the ground and learn with wooden sticks. Even so, he did not give up, and devoted himself to books, hoping to change his fate through knowledge. His intelligence and diligence were appreciated by the famous teacher at that time, Master Huitong, and he was able to enter Liquan Temple for further study.
The study and life in Liquan Temple was even more difficult, but Fan Zhongyan still adhered to his study plan and supported his studies with an extremely simple life. His hard work was touching, and even his classmates couldn't help but take the initiative to help him replenish food when they saw his almost simple lifestyle. Although Fan Zhongyan is grateful, it is more of a self-reliance, and he knows that only by himself can he truly change the future.
This perseverance stems from his deep affection for his mother and deep reflection on the fate of his family. Throughout his life, he has tried his best to change the injustice of fate, both to himself and to others. Choosing the "desperate land" as his mother's resting place may seem like a pessimistic choice at the time, but in Fan Zhongyan's view, it is a kind of responsibility for the future and a relief from his mother's miserable life.
Fan Zhongyan's thinking is in line with the policies he pursued throughout his life. He advocated reform and pragmatism, all of which reflected his deep sense of responsibility to the country and the people. His political philosophy has long transcended personal gains and losses, and has reached a realm of serving the country and the people. This sense of responsibility from the individual to the family and then to the country is the theme of Fan Zhongyan's life.
Under the influence of Fan Zhongyan, his political ideas and attitude towards people have influenced generation after generation. He not only left a strong mark on politics, but also left a deep influence on Chinese culture. His poems, his policies, and his stories are still celebrated today.
But going back to the story of his choice of a cemetery for his mother, it's not just a simple choice, it's a deep philosophical question. Through this choice, he sends a message that in the face of injustice, we can choose to accept it, or we can choose to sacrifice ourselves to protect others.
Fan Zhongyan's choice also makes us think: in today's society, do we also need this spirit of courage to take responsibility? When we face difficulties and challenges, do we choose to avoid them or choose to bear them? Fan Zhongyan gave us an answer, and this answer may be exactly what we need.
In general, Fan Zhongyan's life and his choices embody a value that transcends the times. He is not only for himself or his family, but also for the long-term consideration of the whole society. Although his choice seems pessimistic, it is actually a selfless consideration for the future. This spirit is worth learning and inheriting from each of us. Fan Zhongyan's story is not only a historical record, but also a force that inspires us.