The idiom "commonplace" means that everyone understands and does not need to be elaborated. Today, I mainly talk about what "Sikong" really refers to, and the Tang poems that are the source of this idiom, and the stories behind them. By the way, learn a little about traditional culture in history.
First, in ancient times, there was an official position of "Sikong", and Dayu once served as a Sikong under Emperor Shun.
Sikong is an official name in ancient China. The history books record that as early as the time of the Yellow Emperor Yandi, more than 4,000 years ago, there was a saying that "the Shaohao tribe took the Mingjiu clan as the common space".
The Shang Shu Yao Dian wrote that in the tribal alliance council, Emperor Da Shun set up nine official positions, one of which was "Sikong", which was held by Dayu, who was responsible for "Pingshuimu", that is, in charge of water conservancy construction.
Sima Qian further described in the Records of History that Emperor Shun once asked Siyue, "Is there anyone who can become a beautiful official?" As a result, everyone said, "You can let Dayu be this official, he has this talent and morality."
And Dayu did live up to expectations in the position of Sikong, "three over the door without entering", and completed the task of water control excellently.
The image comes from the Internet
Second, Confucius once achieved extraordinary achievements in the position of Sikong and was appointed by the king of the State of Lu.
By the time of the Western Zhou Dynasty, Sikong, together with Sima (司馬), Si Kou (司寇), Si Shi (司士), and Situ (司士), and was known as the "Five Senses", in charge of the country's water conservancy and construction, including handicraft manufacturing, which represented the most advanced technology of the country.
In the late Spring and Autumn period of Confucius, on this day, lu Dinggong, the monarch of the state of Lu, summoned Confucius, decided that this person was extraordinary, and decided to use Confucius to enter politics.
As a result, at the age of 51, Confucius was appointed as a lieutenant in Zhongdu (中都; present-day Wenshang County, Shandong). During his tenure, Confucius made outstanding achievements, and Lu Dinggong attached more importance to him, and summoned Confucius and asked:
"How about this law of students to rule the country?"
Confucius replied, "Although the world is also possible, why is the country of Lu only?"
As a result, Confucius was promoted to the position of "Sikong" of the State of Lu, managing all the land owned by the State of Lu, a position roughly equivalent to that of a modern high-ranking official at the deputy ministerial level in construction or water conservancy. Nearly a year later, Lu Dinggong continued to give Confucius the post of "Grand Sikou".
From then on, Confucius began to take charge of the judicial work of the whole country of Lu. Later, at the age of 54, Confucius was ostracized by some powerful people in the country of Lu, and resigned from it, beginning a career of "traveling around the world" for more than ten years.
In the early Qin Dynasty and the Han Dynasty, there was no Sikong, and in the twenty-seventh year of the Guangwu Emperor of the Han Dynasty, the post of Sikong was re-established.
During the Sui and Tang dynasties, Sikong was a righteous official, but it was only an honorary official, and it did not open a government to place officials and subordinates. During the Five Dynasties and the Song Dynasty, Sikong was still a Zhengyipin and an official. The Yuan Dynasty was abolished after that.
Third, the idiom "commonplace" comes from a Tang poem written by Liu Yuxi, and there is an interesting story behind it.
Liu Yuxi, an outstanding poet of the Tang Dynasty, is known as "Shihao". His poems are excellent and cover a wide range of subjects, and he is called "Liu Liu" with Liu Zongyuan and "Three Jie" with Wei Yingwu and Bai Juyi.
Liu Yuxi himself was ups and downs in the sea, and he was repeatedly belittled, which can be described as a bumpy fate. Legend has it to do with the "arrogance" of the poet whose character is bohemian.
This time, he was demoted to the title of Suzhou Assassin and left the capital. There is a local celebrity in Suzhou named Li Sheng, who once served as a high-ranking official of "Sikong" in the imperial court. Admiring Liu Yuxi's poetic name, he prepared a luxurious banquet, invited him to drink, and invited several singers to accompany him.
During the banquet, Liu Yuxi immediately gave full play to the arrogance of "Shihao", opened his mouth without any obstruction, and improvised a poem:
"New makeup for high-bun cloud sideburns,
Spring breeze song Du Wei Niang.
Commonplace and idle things,
Cut off the Suzhou thorn intestine. ”
In the poem, Liu Yuxi is deeply dissatisfied and deplored by the banquet, which means that you Li Sikong have been an official for many years and have cultivated a luxurious atmosphere.
However, you put up such a big pomp to greet me, but I "cut off my intestines" ~ As a party's thorn history, how dare I ignore the lives of ordinary people?
Fourth, the epilogue ~ the poet's arrogance, since some people appreciate.
Because of this poem, later generations have the idiom of "commonplace". Moreover, did the poet Liu Yuxi's unique "poetic hao" personality of "fast people and fast language" also leave a deep impression on future generations?
Fortunately, his pride was appreciated by some people, and soon after, Liu Yuxi was reassigned to the capital by the chancellor Pei Du and appointed as a senior official. Is it because of the pride and "righteousness" in this poem that he has a turn?
This author has indeed not examined, so there is no way to know.