"All under heaven bustle for profit; all under heaven stir for gain." This line comes from Sima Qian's 'Records of the Grand Historian', specifically the "Biographies of Merchants."
Originally, it meant that people across the world travel far and wide in pursuit of a livelihood. At the same time, it also acknowledged and affirmed commerce and the act of making money. However, after thousands of years of evolution, the meaning of this sentence has shifted into the idea that everyone in the world acts solely for profit, and that without benefit, no one would do anything…
Of course, whether we take the original meaning from the 'Records of the Grand Historian' or its evolved interpretation over millennia, this statement holds across all times and places, even in this world. By opening with this thousand-year-old line from Sima Qian, Huang Yifan, just like when he began writing 'The Way of Great Learning', used his grand philosophical weight to crush his opponent outright.
After writing the opening, Huang Yifan continued:
This friend, named Nianhua, you were merely giving an interview as a writer. It would have been perfectly fine to talk about your own work, so why go out of your way to attack someone else's?
I only want to ask: is that really appropriate?
Putting aside your character for the moment, let's talk about your claim: "The Master does not speak of strange forces and spirits."
Yes, among the philosophers, Zengzi did indeed say something along those lines. But, classmate Nianhua, I don't know whether you even graduated from middle school. Zengzi's statement cannot be interpreted literally. To fully understand it, one must consider the context.
The phrase comes from 'Lord Ye Asked Zengzi Through Zilu'. Translated, it means: Lord Ye asked Zilu about Zengzi's character, and Zilu couldn't answer. When Zengzi found out, he said, "Why didn't you tell him this: when he studies diligently, he forgets to eat; when he is joyful, he forgets his worries; he doesn't even realize old age is approaching." Zengzi also said, "In truth, I was not born with knowledge, but rather I love ancient culture and strive diligently and quickly to acquire knowledge."
Only after all this does the original text mention, "The Master does not speak of strange forces and spirits." And yet, do you really think that this one sentence means we should never discuss such things?
If that were truly Zengzi's intent, then his words would be utterly illogical and disconnected.
He had just been talking about diligence in learning and seeking knowledge from others, and then suddenly jumped to ghosts and spirits?
Even a child wouldn't speak like that.
Therefore, the true meaning of this sentence is not to forbid discussion of the supernatural, but simply to advise against distraction.
And another thing, classmate Nianhua. Since you chose to use the words of the sage Zengzi to attack authors who write supernatural fiction, I must point out another mistake. Zengzi was a Confucian sage and a representative of Confucianism. Like other Confucian figures, he believed in the existence of spirits. In fact, among the Hundred Schools of Thought, nearly all schools acknowledged the existence of ghosts and spirits. Even the Legalists, who were the most skeptical, still said: "Better to believe they exist than to believe they do not."
Of course, this stems from thousands of years of traditional feudal beliefs. Modern science has long proven that ghosts and spirits do not exist. If I were you, I would rather use scientific reasoning to argue against them. Why misuse Zengzi's words just to make yourself seem more knowledgeable?
That said, let's return to the main point. As I said at the beginning: all under heaven bustle for profit; all under heaven stir for gain. What puzzles me is this: if you're going to attack someone, could you at least use a different pen name? Using your own name, Nianhua, to criticize others' work… am I supposed to point out that 'A Chinese Ghost Story' has completely crushed your 'Left-Handed Nianhua' in sales?
Classmate Nianhua, next time you attack someone, try using a different pen name. Otherwise, people won't even need to think to realize that you're simply jealous, lashing out through an interview with zero sophistication.
Finally, let's talk about your prose.
Your 'Left-Handed Nianhua' should count as prose, right?
I spent two hours specifically reading your work. I won't even bother questioning whether you actually read 'A Chinese Ghost Story' before making your earlier remarks. But unfortunately, after reading your work, I discovered something astonishing: prose can apparently be written as endless, directionless rambling.
Your entire book spans over a hundred pages, dozens of essays, yet I couldn't find a single one with any real substance. Forgive my ignorance, but as far as I know, prose emphasizes "a loose form but a unified spirit." That is, the structure may be free, but the core remains cohesive. Yet your writing truly captures the "essence" of prose, both form and spirit have scattered so completely that no one knows where they've gone.
Alright, I won't say more. If I go on, people might accuse me of bullying a younger writer.
However, this old man still wants to help you a bit, so you don't go on misleading others in the future. I've even written a poem for you.
It's not very good, so don't laugh.
"The ancients spared no effort in learning;
Only in old age does mastery come from youth's toil.
What one gains from books is always shallow;
To truly understand, one must practice."
Classmate Nianhua, take care of yourself.
After finishing the article, Huang Yifan privately messaged Ji Ziping, the editor-in-chief of 'Youth Literature'.
"Editor Ji, I've written a piece recently."
Not long after sending the message, Ji Ziping replied.
"Wonderful, Mr. Qiushui, you finally had time to write again."
"Heh, sorry about before, I've been busy. Could you take a look?"
"Mr. Qiushui, you're too polite. It's we who should be apologizing. For a master like you to contribute to our 'Youth Literature', everyone here is deeply grateful. There's no need to review your work at all."
"Come on, stop flattering me. Just review it."
"Yes, yes, I'll review it right away."
Just over ten minutes later, Ji Ziping sent a flurry of messages.
"Wow, wow, wow, Mr. Qiushui, you were incredible today."
"Th-this… this line, 'All under heaven bustle for profit; all under heaven stir for gain,' practically sums up thousands of years of human pursuit of profit. It's even more classic than 'Friendships fade over money, and even father and son part for profit.' And that final poem… my god, Mr. Qiushui, I don't even know how much to pay you. Five thousand per thousand words? Ten thousand?"
This article had completely stunned Ji Ziping.
No wonder Sun Zaian had talked so much before finally recommending this master, even giving up tens of millions in subsidies from 'Youth Daily'. With such a figure supporting them, 'Youth Literature' could even compete with the state-run journal 'Truth'. But that was for later. Right now, business comes first.
"But Mr. Qiushui, did that Nianhua offend you?"
"No, he didn't. I don't even know him."
"Ah… he didn't offend you, and you don't know him, then why did you…"
"I just don't like him. What about it?"
Seeing that line, Ji Ziping nearly choked on his food. Both amused and speechless, he could only reply, "Well, well… Mr. Qiushui, I was just asking casually, just asking. Please don't take it seriously."
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