Zhang Rulin's fat body was stuffed into the armchair. He raised his hand and pointed at the official hat chair opposite the desk, then moved his body and sat more upright. The bottles, books, boxes and other utensils in the study were all made by famous artists, elegant and exquisite.
, it was just a little messy and dusty, because Zhang Rulin did not allow the maids to clean it casually. The stacks of books stacked up and down on the desk looked like arrow stacks on the city wall. The morning sun shone in through the glazed tiles, and countless dust particles floated in the beams of light.
——
Zhang Yuan sat down respectfully and waited quietly for his clan uncle to ask questions. He felt that his clan uncle looked more serious today and had something important to say.
Zhang Rulin coughed and said, "Zhang Yuan, my uncle came to you today to say two things -"
Zhang Yuan leaned forward and said, "Please give me some advice from my uncle."
Zhang Rulin smiled and said: "I originally thought that your Han Society was just a literary gathering of a few like-minded scholars to discuss craftsmanship. I never expected that it would be so popular——"
Zhang Yuan looked sincere and waited for his uncle to say what he said next——
Zhang Rulin looked at Zhang Yuan from behind the stack of books and continued: "I already know the spirit of the Han Society that you preached to thousands of people in Longshan. Your ambition is not small. Gao Jingyi and Zou Nangao actually came all the way to support you. This is even more...
What I didn’t expect—”
At this point, Zhang Rulin changed the topic and asked: "What did the two old gentlemen have a long conversation with you last night?"
Zhang Yuan then explained the key points of the conversation with Gao Panlong last night. Zhang Rulin said with a smile: "Gao Jingyi really values you very much, and he actually said this to a weak young man like you!" He also said: "What you said in reply to Gao Jingyi is quite right.
Yes, but I want to ask you, do you know that since the Xinhai imperial inspection in the 39th year of Wanli, the people of Donglin, Zhejiang, and Chu have become independent?
Zhang Yuandao: "My descendants have heard about it."
Zhang Rulin suddenly sighed: "Xiangong Jiaomen passed away to the Buddha Land." Afraid that Zhang Yuan would not understand, he added: "Xiangong Jiaomen was Shen Yiguan, who passed away last month."
Zhang Yuan knew that Shen Yiguan was the chief minister of the Ming Dynasty's cabinet ten years ago and the leader of the Zhejiang Party. He advocated Buddhism. People in the Ming Dynasty called scholars the title of Xianggong, and people in the officialdom called the chief minister of the cabinet also the title of Xianggong——
Zhang Rulin said: "Xiangong Shen was criticized by the people of Donglin. Do you know the reason?"
Zhang Yuandao: "Please ask my uncle for advice."
Zhang Rulin said: "You should know this. You are no longer a little scholar. You are a figure of concern to all parties. Not many ministers in the DPRK and China know your name. I tell you, the Donglin Party members are fully attacking Shen
There are two main reasons for Xianggong. One is that Shen Xianggong believes in Buddhism, and Donglin people respect Confucianism and reject Buddhism. On the surface, this seems to be a private matter of their respective beliefs, but it is for this reason that Donglin people can’t stand Shen Xianggong’s Taoism.
Another reason is that the emperor fell ill in the spring of the 30th year of Wanli and thought that his time was running out. He summoned Shen Guanyi to the palace overnight to take care of the funeral affairs and said that he would recall the mining tax supervisor. Shen Yiguan immediately went back to the cabinet to draft an edict. Unexpectedly
The next day, the emperor's condition improved and he regretted his decision to recall the mine supervisor. He sent internal officials to the cabinet one after another to ask for the edict back. Mr. Shen was forced to have no choice but to return it. This made the Donglin Party members who advocated the removal of the mine supervisor and tax edict resent Shen.
Xianggong is extremely dissatisfied and thinks that Xianggong Shen is too cowardly to persist, otherwise this bad government will be abolished."
The Donglin Party's opposition to mining tax and commercial tax is related to the primitive accumulation of capital. The sprouting of capitalism requires primitive accumulation. Anti-commercial tax has become a conscious or unconscious appeal of the booming business class in Jiangnan. Unfortunately, due to internal troubles and reputation, the country
With the finances on one side and the right on the other side in straitened circumstances, the demands of the Donglin Party members were criticized by later generations -
Zhang Yuandao: "Xiang Gong Shen presides over the cabinet, so of course he has to think more, but the members of the Donglin Chang Party are too pure..."
Zhang Rulin praised: "You are right. You are making a balanced argument, but the Donglin Party members will not see it that way. From then on, they regarded our Zhejiang Party as the enemy and suppressed it whenever they had the opportunity. My uncle suffered greatly from it."
Zhang Yuan asked: "My descendants would like to ask how the Donglin Party and the Zhejiang Party were formed?"
Zhang Rulin said: "It has only been twenty years since Xianggong Shen entered the cabinet. It has only been twenty years, and the same is true for Donglin. After the Guisi inspection in the 21st year of Wanli, the family began to be divided. There were two inspections in Yisi and Xinhai. The parties in Donglin, Zhejiang, and Chu are gradually becoming in conflict, and whoever is in charge of the capital will exclude the other party——"
Zhang Yuan sighed: "Party fighting is harming the country."
Zhang Rulin said: "Everyone knows that party struggle is detrimental to the country, but if you don't fight, others will fight for you. Of course, people like me who retreat to the forest will regard party struggle as a cloud, but since I want to become an official in the court, I cannot escape this. I hear In your conversation with Gao Jingyi, you seemed to be trying to reconcile the party dispute——"
Zhang Yuan said sincerely: "Uncle is wise."
Zhang Rulin smiled, then his face became solemn, and he said: "But you are my descendant, Zhang Rulin, and the brand of the Zhejiang Party cannot be erased. Don't look at Zou. The two Gao people value you now. If they come to power, they will promote and use you." You will still be a member of the Donglin Party. If you disagree with them, you will immediately reject them. Therefore, it is extremely difficult for you to stay in the middle.
Zhang Rulin is a member of the Zhejiang Party, so his views on the Donglin Party members are naturally a bit extreme, but they are generally correct. Donglin does not shy away from his sectarian opinions, and clearly fights for the same party and against those who are different——
Zhang Yuandao: "What my uncle reminded me is that the descendants of the clan will act cautiously and avoid being displeased on both sides - the most important thing for the descendants of the clan at the moment is to prepare for the provincial examination, and the imperial party is still far away from the clan."
Zhang Rulin nodded and said: "This is the second thing I want to tell you. It seems that you are determined to win the Yimao Provincial Examination, but why are you obsessed with women? Don't you know that women are the most misleading people?"
Zhang Yuan thought to himself: "It turns out that this is the second thing. My uncle actually knew about it, so this matter must have spread to Kuaiji. Alas, I have to explain." He said, "My uncle's lesson is correct. Sun Zheng I need to report this matter to my uncle and my father--" I will omit the meeting on the moonlit night at West Lake and start directly with the meeting at Sheshan Mountain residence of Chen Meigong. They entered Nanjing on the same boat. Wang Wei asked him for help when he was in trouble, and then to Shanyin- —
After listening to Zhang Yuan's explanation, Zhang Rulin pondered for a long time and said: "This matter has been widely spread. It is unkind for you to abandon that woman at this time. Instead, people will ridicule you for being frivolous and unlucky. It is said that you have to take a concubine before marrying a wife." It doesn’t matter, it’s just that when scholars take concubines, they usually have achieved success and fame, and they don’t start enjoying themselves until they are over forty. Like my great-uncle, he started to indulge in sex after he was fifty, and he was very cautious when he was young——”
Zhang Yuan looked Weiwei on his face, but thought to himself: "My great-uncle has quite a lot of concubines, and they are all young. It can be said that they are like a tree of pear blossoms and begonias everywhere." He did not agree with this practice of taking concubines for the sake of taking concubines. Approved, but at this time I can only listen to the instructions—ˉ—
Zhang Rulin said: "Young men should be cautious about sex. You are smart, mature and stable. You don't need me to remind you. You can do your own thing. You can go ahead."
Zhang Yuan stood up, but heard his uncle say again: "Where does that girl live in the garden?"
Zhang Yuan hurriedly said: "My grandson has taken the liberty of letting Wang Wei stay in Meihuachan temporarily. Please forgive me, uncle."
Zhang Rulin waved his hand and said: "It doesn't matter, just stay here. The ability of the Qi family depends on you."
Zhang Yuanci left the Beiyuan and went to Xi Zhangzang to look for a few volumes of poems and essays by ancient people to read to Wang Wei. Suddenly he opened four volumes of Xu Wenchang's poems and essays, which turned out to be Xu Wei's manuscripts. The manuscript also contained
There were two unframed freehand ink paintings. One was "Spring Orchid" and the other was "Panana". Both paintings were damaged to varying degrees. Zhang Yuan was both happy and regretful. Xu Wei and Xi Zhang were family friends, and Xu Wei
He was rescued from prison by Zhang Rulin's father, Zhang Yuanbian, who killed his wife. Xu Wei's achievements in calligraphy, painting, poetry and prose were extremely high, but his talent and artistic value were not yet recognized by people at the time——
Zhang Yuan went to the servant in charge to register the books he had borrowed, and then crossed the Toumin River with the books. When he returned to his house, he realized that his sister Zhang Ruoxi and Mu Zhenzhen had gone to the garden. He frowned and thought to himself: "Wang Wei
You are smart, sensitive, and considerate. You should be able to deal with my sister. She may seem a bit aggressive, but she is actually very easy to talk to. I understand her."
Zong Yishan was waiting in the front hall, and went with Zhang Yuan to the Confucian Hall of Fuxue Palace. Hundreds of colleagues from the Han Society were having a lively discussion. Seeing Zhang Yuan's arrival, they all respectfully invited the leader of the Society to ascend to the throne and start the lecture. Zhang Yuan also
He was not polite and said: "The world's religion has declined, and the scholars only stick to the eight-legged tradition and do not understand the classics and history. Even if they are lucky enough to be in the Chinese style, they cannot succeed in becoming kings. The long counties and cities do not know the benefits and people, the talents are declining, and the administration of officials is deteriorating. It is all because of this, Zhang
I am not talented at all, but I am willing to work with my colleagues in the society to develop ancient learning, be in harmony with the world, and aspire to the way of the world——"
Zhang Yuan's so-called revitalization of ancient learning is actually borrowing the banner of ancient learning, putting old wine in old bottles, and the ideas are all new. He started from reading scriptures, reading history, talking about current affairs, and talking about the rapidly changing science and technology of the European and American countries, and he was eloquent and eloquent.
He continued to talk for more than an hour. Many of the things Zhang Yuan talked about were unheard of by everyone here. After lunch, he continued to talk. This time it was in the form of asking questions. Zhang Yuan asked Huang Zunsu and Zong Yishan to help him. Several people present
Bai Zhusheng asked Zhang Yuan and the others questions about stereotypes, history, people's livelihood, and current affairs. The atmosphere was lively and lasted until sunset. Only then did Zhang Yuan find Gao Panlong quietly sitting in the corner of the lobby, listening.
He hurried forward to accuse him, and Gao Panlong said with a smile: "Your company is full of talents. Mr. Zhang even said it very well, which opened Gao's eyes. "The classics can be used to explain the truth, and history can be used to prove things.
Mr. Zhang is very knowledgeable about state affairs. Does Mr. Zhang have contacts with missionaries in Thailand and Spain?"
Zhang Yuandao: "I have been given books such as "Elements of Geometry" and "Taixi Water Method" by my fellow student Xu Zixian. I also had conversations with Wang Fengsu, president of the Jesuits in Nanjing, so I have some understanding of Western learning."
Gao Panlong said: "Wang Fengsu once visited Donglin Academy. His knowledge is not as good as Li Gong's."
Li Gong is Matteo Ricci. Donglin scholars spoke highly of Matteo Ricci and praised him as a great Confucian in the West——
Zhang Yuandao: "Sir, you are right. Wang Fengsu is only enthusiastic about preaching and is not very knowledgeable in moral knowledge." He also invited Gao Panlong, Zou Yuanbiao, to come to Fu Academy tomorrow to give lectures to the students of the Han Society. Gao Panlong happily agreed.
When he left the gate of Fuxue Palace, Zhang Yuan saw Mao Yuanyi and Wu Dingfang waiting for him. Mao and Wu were also attending lectures at Fuxue today. Now Mao Yuanyi invited Zhang Yuan to drink on his white-topped boat. Zhang Yuan politely declined, saying that he still had something to do at home.
, Mao Yuanyi smiled and said: "Is it for Wang Xiuwei?" Mao Yuanyi said that there was no malice in the matter between Zhang Yuan and Wang Wei. He really felt that it was a romantic affair, and there was nothing he couldn't say——
Zhang Yuan, Zong Yishan, and Lu Tao returned to Dong Zhang Mansion and it was already time to turn on the lights. After dinner, they entered the inner house and saw that the lights were on in the study room in the west building. Zhang Ruoxi was sitting inside reading, Mu Zhenzhen was sitting on the side, and Zhang Ruoxi was sitting there.
When Yuan walked in, Mu Zhenzhen immediately stood up and shouted: "Master"
Zhang Ruoxi was looking through the ten volumes of poems and essays that Zhang Yuan borrowed from Xi Zhang, and asked: "Xiao Yuan, are you planning to send it to Wang Xiuwei?"
Zhang Yuan looked at the collection of poems, nodded and said: "Yes, I promised her this morning." He asked Mu Zhenzhen to make tea for him. He almost didn't stop talking in Shaoxing Mansion today, and his mouth was dry when he talked -
Zhang Ruoxi said: "I went to the garden before noon and saw that Wang Xiuwei -" After saying this, looking at Zhang Yuan's expression, he hummed and said, "You seem to be very sure?"
Zhang Yuan smiled and said, "You are my sister."
Zhang Ruoxi couldn't help laughing and said, "If Shang Danran were here, you would be panicking, right?"
Zhang Yuan did not answer and said: "Sister, tell me what happened when you met Wang Xiuwei?"
Zhang Ruoxi said eight words: "I feel pity for you, I can't blame you."
Zhang Yuan smiled and thought: "Xiu Wei has fascinated my sister——"
Zhang Ruoxi added: "I asked Wang Xiuwei to help me manage Shengmei Company in the future, and she agreed."
Zhang Yuan said "uh", and Zhang Ruoxi asked: "Why, you don't want to?"
Zhang Yuan said: "No, as long as she is willing."
Zhang Ruoxi asked again: "Then how do you explain Dan Ran? Although it is not an excessive thing for a man to take a concubine, it is not enough without an explanation -" At this point, he lowered his voice and said: "You must not say this to your brother-in-law.
Otherwise, I won’t be able to bear it if he brings one back too.”
Zhang Ruoxi's attitude should be the common mentality of women who were the wives of scholars in the Ming Dynasty. They agreed with the concubinage system, but they would never be willing to do it if it fell on them -
Zhang Yuandao: "I will write a long letter to Dan Ran later."
Zhang Ruoxi said "hmm" and then said: "They are all excellent women. If you meet them and have such a fate, you should treat them well." Zhang Ruoxi originally wanted to ask about Junior Sister Wang, but she thought
I thought about it but didn’t ask——
That night Zhang Yuan hesitated and thought hard about writing a letter to Shang Danran. This was a hundred times more difficult than an eight-legged essay. All writing skills were useless. It was better to tell the truth. It took him two hours to write two letters carefully, one to his brother-in-law Shang.
Zhou De wrote a letter to Dan Ran, and said in the letter that he would visit him in a few days to explain in person -
Early the next morning, Zhang Yuan asked Lai Wang to send the letter to Kuaiji and give it to Shang Zhoude. He also asked Wu Ling to send the ten volumes of poems and essays and a scroll of rice paper to Wang Xiuwei in the garden, and wrote a short message asking Wang Xiuwei to take good care of Xu Wei.
If he has time, he can make a copy of Wang Wei's manuscript. He can give Wang Wei's manuscript to Yang Shixiang and take it back to Qingpu for printing and printing. The two paintings by Xu Wei are also sent to Wang Wei for study and study. They will be sent to him another day.
Go to a framing shop to have it framed for preservation——
Gao Panlong and Zou Yuanbiao gave lectures to Hanshe students at Shaoxing Fuxue for two days, promoting Donglin's knowledge of managing the world and applying it. On the sixth day of March, members of the Hanshe began to leave Shanyin and return home one after another, but there were still nearly a hundred people staying.
Next, these people are the backbone of the Han Society and have a close relationship with Zhang Yuan. They will stay to attend Zhang Yuan's wedding next month. Gao Panlong and Zou Yuanbiao also returned to Wuxi by boat on the afternoon of the sixth day of March. Zhang Yuan and others respectfully sent them off -
Asking for recommendation votes and encouragement.