"Xiao Xu, do you mind if my old man gives you a name?" Mr. Zhang looked at Xu Guangling and said gently.
Nowadays in China, whenever a child is born, parents will still say "give the child a name." But in fact, strictly speaking, this saying is no longer appropriate, because now only the name is given, not the word. The correct saying is "give the child a name."
Even "take" shouldn't be used, because "take" is used in words, "take a word".
The names and characters of the ancients are mutually exclusive, and of course can also be said to be one yin and one yang.
The first name is used in formal and public situations, while the word is used in private and private situations.
If you are not familiar with a person, or have a casual relationship with him, you should call him by his name, for example, "Hello, Li Shangyin, please excuse me, you are blocking my way." On the contrary, if you have a close relationship with Xiao Lizi,
Okay, very good. If you call him Li Shangyin again, it will seem a bit unfamiliar and foreign. In this case, you should call him by his first name, "Yishan, what is your sister doing at home today?"
And this word was probably given to me by my father and elders.
Because I have read a lot of miscellaneous books, and this kind of names and characters are basic common sense in ancient China. As long as you read ancient books, no matter which one is in the classics and history, you will encounter this problem, not once or twice, but
Often, frequently, so Xu Guangling is quite familiar with some of the things involved.
Now that Mr. Zhang has proposed to give him a title, it is obvious that he is to be treated as a formal junior. Yes, a formal junior, not a general senior or junior.
To be honest, Xu Guangling was a little flattered.
How could he possibly allow an old man, whom he had only known for two days, to take the initiative to give him a name as a sign of closeness? Moreover, this old man looked unusual.
If when they first met yesterday, Mr. Zhang was just an ordinary old man practicing Tai Chi in his eyes, from then to now, after these conversations and exchanges, the knowledge and mind shown by this old man have been silent again and again.
He told Xu Guangling that the old man in front of him was no ordinary person.
"Thanks to Mr. Zhang for his respect, the younger generation dare not take the position, let alone resign. Mr. Zhang, please give me the words!" Xu Guangling said seriously.
"Xiao Xu, have you read the book "Shishuoxinyu"?" Mr. Zhang asked first.
Unexpectedly, Mr. Zhang mentioned this book, Xu Guangling was caught off guard, and his heart suddenly felt dark and painful.
This book!
This is a book that records the words and actions of people during the Wei and Jin Dynasties. The Wei and Jin Dynasties! He didn’t just read it! When he was a child, his literacy started with his father’s Three-Character Classic, Hundred Family Surnames, Thousand-Character Classic, etc.
But after he became literate, the first book he read on his own was "Shishuoxinyu"!
Because this book is Xu's father's bedside reading material.
Xu Guangling still remembers that at that time, he read this "book for adults" with a great sense of novelty and accomplishment, and at that time, he did not recognize many words in the book. - He was
Intermittently in the process of literacy, I "finished" this book bit by bit.
One scene after another seems to have happened just yesterday.
Memories and sadness suddenly hit him, and Xu Guangling almost shed tears. Fortunately, his whole body was covered with sweat, and so was his face, so he inadvertently raised his hand, wiped his face, and then even more inadvertently
, gently wiped the corners of his eyes, and then perfectly concealed the sudden situation by nodding his head.
"It's good that you have read it. This book is a bit biased. I really thought you had never been exposed to it. But Xiao Xu, the books you read are really complex." Mr. Zhang said with a smile, "Xiao Xu, you are that kind of person."
Zhilan Yushu, as soon as I saw it, I wanted to make it grow in my own yard!"
This explains why he proposed to choose a character for Xu Guangling.
Taifu Xie asked his nephews: "How can I predict people's affairs and want to make them good?" None of them had anything to say. Chaqiu replied: "It's like the orchid and jade tree, which I want to make grow on the steps of the courtyard." ("The World")
Speaking New Language·Speech》)
No need to think or remember, this passage in the book is like a stream flowing through the mountains, slowly flowing through Xu Guangling's mind, consciousness, and even heart.
"Xiao Xu, your talent is something my old man has only seen in his whole life. With your acumen, as long as you choose any path to go on, your future will be bright and limitless. But because of this, the old man would like to send a message.
.”
"I have a saying, 'Great skill is like clumsiness, great argumentation is like clumsiness'. Xiao Xu, if you don't object, then I will pick two words for you and call it 'clumsy words'."
If a great achievement is lacking, its use will not be harmful. If a great surplus is rushing, its use will be endless. If a great uprightness is like bending, if a great skill is like clumsiness, if great argument is like indifference, tranquility will overcome impatience, and cold will overcome heat. Tranquility is the right of the world. - This is
Words from Laozi’s Tao Te Ching.
This time, Mr. Zhang did not ask him whether he had read the book, apparently thinking that there was no need to ask.
And in fact this is indeed the case.
I repeated this sentence that Zhang Lao quoted but did not say in full in his mind several times. At this moment, Xu Guangling's heart was really full of gratitude and warmth. Zhang Lao used this sentence to choose the words for him.
, its intentions can be imagined.
It’s a reminder, a warning, but also an expectation, and it’s a pretty huge expectation!
With these two words Zhuoyan firmly in his mind and in his heart, Xu Guangling said: "Zhuoyan, Xu Zhuoyan, Mr. Zhang, thank you very much for the word. From now on, I will be Xu Guangling.
It’s also Xu Zhuoyan.”
As if a big wish had been fulfilled, Zhang Lao nodded happily at this time.
"Sorry, it's time for breakfast again. The old man has worked hard to teach you today and volunteered to pick up words for you. Is it not too much to treat you to another breakfast?" After laughing, Mr. Zhang said like this
Di said to Xu Guangling.
He said he said it after laughing, but in fact Mr. Zhang was still smiling when he said this.
He used to be called Xiao Xu, but now he is called Zhuo Yan. The change in title also means a change in the identity and relationship between the two people. From his expression and attitude, Xu Guangling can also clearly feel that Mr. Zhang is indeed a real person now.
He regarded him as one of his own descendants.
"Don't talk about one meal, even ten thousand meals, no matter how much, is not excessive. Unfortunately, the breakfast here is too simple. I will find a good time in the future and make a sumptuous meal myself. Please
Mr. Zhang, please taste it," Xu Guangling said.
"Oh? Humiliation, you can actually cook?" Mr. Zhang was really surprised now.
"If it weren't for the fact that this junior has a lazy personality and can't bear to be restrained, I would have wanted to be a chef." Xu Guangling said with a smile, half truthfully.
"Chef, tut!"
After hearing this, Mr. Zhang shook his head repeatedly, "Although there is no distinction between professions, Xiao Xu, if you really want to be a chef, it would be a waste of money! Even if you can bear it, the old man will definitely not allow it."
Xu Guangling smiled, then stretched out his hand and said: "Mr. Zhang, please!"