Abstract: Attaining argumentation through exegesis constitutes the essential pathway in classical Chinese hermeneutics.Zhu Xi has systematically elucidated his neo-canonical system, with the Doctrine of the Mean as its theoretical framework, through multifaceted exegetical methods, including selecting meanings to clarify argumentation, altering characters to elucidate argumentation, analyzing sentences to reveal argumentation, dissecting chapters to illuminate argumentation, and crossing multiple texts to demonstrate argumentation.These methods have provided textual substantiation for the Neo-Confucian thought that emerged from traditional Confucian doctrines.From characters to words, from sentences to chapters, and then to cross-textual contextualization, Zhu Xi has made meticulous applications and skillful interpretations, further deepening the proposition that “exegesis and argumentation are two sides of the same coin” through the proficient application of a systematic exegetical mechanism.

Key words: exegesis, argumentation, exegetics, hermeneutics