Chen Taiqiu's family was poor and had no servants. When guests came, Mr. Chen chatted with them all night and ordered his eldest son Yuan Fang and his second son Ji Fang to cook for the guests. The two little brothers put the rice in the pot and went to listen to the adults talking. They were so fascinated by what they heard that they forgot to continue fishing and steaming the rice, and cooked the dry rice into gruel. When Mr. Chen came to ask, he answered honestly and just listened to the adults talking. Mr. Chen then asked them: "Tell me, what did you hear?" The two brothers quickly recounted all their feelings and remembered all the key points clearly. Mr. Chen was very satisfied after hearing this. He said: "Let the porridge be gruel. Why should it be steamed rice?" ("Suhui" No. 1) A guest visited Chen Taiqiu, who sent Yuan Fang and Ji Fang to cook. The guests discussed with Taiqiu, The two of them went into the fire, and they both eavesdropped. The cooking basket was forgotten, and the rice fell into the cauldron. If you forget your basket, your rice will turn into rice cakes." Taiqiu asked, "Do you know something?" He said, "I seem to have remembered it." The two sons both knelt down and said, "They took it from each other." Taiqiu said. : "If you can just do it yourself, why do you need to eat?") Mr. Chen is a father who teaches his children well. He is very pleased to see his sons love to learn so much, and he does not blame them for some minor omissions caused by diligent study. I believe that the guests that day, since they were all people who could chat with Mr. Chen all night long, their standards should be very high, and they would definitely not feel that the Chen family was being disrespectful because the two children did not cook a good meal. They might still be eating. When the time comes, call both children over to eat together, and continue to talk about knowledge and conduct while eating. This story is the first item in the "Suhui" chapter of "Shishuoxinyu", which shows the author's high regard for it. The Chen Yuanfang brothers later became famous all over the world for their erudition and talent. This is most directly related to the good learning atmosphere they had since childhood, as well as their diligent study and active learning.

Story 3: Chen Yuanfang comes from a wealthy family, and his father is a government official. He has been very aware of the cunning of the world and the officialdom since he was a child. Someone once tried every means to use words to induce him to comment on the current dynasty and his father. Chen Yuanfang had his own opinions, but he would not speak out when the other party had sinister intentions. Instead, he would comment on the ancients instead, which was not against his will and made the other party unable to catch him. What's the reason? (See Chapter 6 of "Yu". Kun Chen Zhonggong, the prefect of Yingchuan. A guest asked Yuan Fang: "How is the ruler of the government?" Yuan Fang said: "You are a wise ruler." "How is the ruler of your family?" He said: "Loyal minister. "A filial son." The guest said: "It is easy to say: "If two people are of the same mind, their sharpness will break through metal; if they speak of the same mind, they will smell like orchids." How can a wise king punish a loyal minister and a filial son?" Yuan Fang said: " What a ridiculous statement you made! So I didn't answer." The guest said, "I can't answer because I am respectful." Yuan Fang said, "In the past, Emperor Gaozong put the filial son to be filial to oneself, Yin Jifu put the filial son to Boqi, and Dong Zhongshu put the filial son to be Fuqi. Only these three kings are wise kings; only these three sons are loyal ministers and filial sons." The guest retreated in shame. This shows his wit and adaptability. When he was 11 years old, one day Duke Yuan asked him to comment on the political achievements of his father, Mr. Chen, in Taiqiu. Chen Yuanfang commented on his father's achievements in a very proud and proud tone, thinking that his father was great. After hearing this, Mr. Yuan smiled slightly and said, "I have done this before. Did your father learn what I did, or did I imitate your father?" This question is difficult to answer. If you are not careful, you will lose your face. I think Yuan Gong did not really want to know who learned from whom, but he wanted to embarrass Chen Yuanfang. Unexpectedly, little Chen Yuanfang blurted out: "The Duke of Zhou and Confucius were from different eras, and their ways of serving as officials are both understandable, but neither is the teacher of the other!" (See "Political Affairs" No. 3, Chen Yuanfang's eleventh year, Hou Yuan Gong. Yuan Gong asked: "The wise king is in Taiqiu, and he is called far and near. How can he perform it?" Yuan Fang said: "My father is in Taiqiu. The strong should be treated with virtue, and the weak should be cared for with benevolence. Let him be at ease. Over time, we will gain more respect." Yuan Gong said: "The one who has passed away alone is the Ye Ling, and he is doing this. I don't know that the king of Qing's family is alone, and the father of Qing is alone?" Yuan Fang said: "The Duke of Zhou and Confucius came out of a different world and went around. Movement and stillness are the same for thousands of miles. The Duke of Zhou did not learn from Confucius, and Confucius did not learn from the Duke of Zhou.

") Such a clever answer not only takes care of the dignity of the other party, but also preserves one's own dignity. It is neither humble nor arrogant, generous, and does not harm others or oneself. I think Mr. Yuan will nod secretly in surprise after hearing this. There is another intriguing thing about this story: the protagonist of this story is a child, but the category it belongs to is neither the "Suhui" category that specializes in stories about precocious children, nor the "Yu Hui" category that records general opinions. door, but in the "Political Affairs" door that specifically records officials' administrative methods, which shows how highly descendants evaluated this matter.

Story 4: Chen Yuanfang is also a sweet-tempered person. After his father passed away, he cried until he died. He became so thin due to excessive grief that his mother took pity on him and rolled up his body with a brocade quilt. It happened that a friend came to pay his respects. When he saw Chen Yuanfang in this state, he accused him of being imprisoned after his father's death, which was unethical.