It seems that Zhong Benhua is jealous of the Wei Dynasty. I wonder if there will be a fight?
Zhang Yuan smiled, entered the Wenhua Gate, and came to the Lord Jing Hall of the back hall. Zhong Benhua and another eunuch Han Bennyong were already in the hall. After waiting for a while, they saw the guests Yinyue, Wei Chao, and Wei Jinzhong.
The emperor's grandson Zhu Youxiao, who was accompanied by a round hat in green clothes, arrived. Zhu Youxiao saluted Zhang Yuan, and Zhang Yuan returned the salute. The teachers and students sat down separately. Ke Yinyue did not leave, but stood up and dived with his companion, Gao Yuan.
They knelt down beside the emperor's eldest grandson to accompany him. In the past, Ke Yinyue only brought snacks on the way, but this time he accompanied him to study. He must have considered that Zhu Youxiao needed her, Zhong Benhua, Han Benyong, Wei Chao, and Wei Jinzhong.
A eunuch stood aside——
Zhang Yuan stared at the emperor's grandson Zhu Youxiao. Zhu Youxiao originally had a pointed chin. He has lost some weight these days and looks more like an awl. His face is also a little blue. Zhu Youxiao's physical condition is not good.
This made Zhang Yuan quite worried. He hoped that the little carpenter would be able to use him only after he successfully inherited the throne. He said, "Your Highness, you should take care of your body."
Zhu Youxiao, who lacked fatherly love, immediately shed tears and shouted: "Mr. Zhang——", choked with sobs that he could not speak.
Zhang Yuan stood up and said, "I won't study today. I'll talk to His Highness." He motioned to Zhu Youxiao to follow him to the long window of the Linghua lantern on the right side of the hall. The morning sun shone through, making it bright and comfortable. There were several windows outside the window.
A wild okra plant, with its pale yellow flowers swaying gently under the autumn sun, is surrounded by high walls and deep palaces, silent.
Zhang Yuan turned his head to look at Zhu Youxiao and said comfortingly: "Your Highness has a deep brotherhood and is deeply saddened by his death, but don't be too sad. The most important thing is to take care of yourself. Everyone has his or her own life span. This is something that cannot be undone.
"
Zhu Youxiao was silent for a long time and suddenly asked: "Mr. Zhang, if my third brother died like this, where would he go?"
This is the origin of all philosophy. It is a question that many people want to ask but never know the answer to. Zhang Yuan was not in a hurry to answer. Instead, he asked: "What do you think, Your Highness?"
Zhu Youxiao shook his head and said: "I don't know what death is about. I saw my third brother motionless and he didn't respond to calls. I was very scared." When he said the word "scared", he turned around and called out.
He said: "Mom——"
Ke Yinyue walked over quickly, took Zhu Youxiao's hand, and said softly: "Brother, don't be afraid, grandma is here." His eyes moved. He glanced at Zhang Yuan. "Mr. Zhang, please be nice to me."
"Tell me, brother asked me, but I couldn't answer well. The little woman asked brother to ask Mr. Zhang, Mr. Zhang is a great talent."
Zhang Yuandao: "No one has ever been resurrected from the dead, so no one can explain clearly what death is like. Even the sage Confucius did not talk about strange powers and chaos. Confucius only talked about things he knew and firmly believed. Confucianism
Knowledge is the knowledge of those who live in the world, that is, the living. Confucius said, 'If you don't know life, how can you know death?' We should live well first. If we haven't lived well, why should we think about death."
Zhang Yuan's orthodox answer obviously could not satisfy Zhu Youxiao's curiosity. Zhu Youxiao said: "But I heard some palace people said that people have souls and become ghosts after death. Mr. Zhang, what do you think?"
Because the Empress Dowager Cisheng, the mother of Emperor Wanli, believed in Buddhism, Buddhism became popular in the Ming Palace since Wanli, and most of the eunuchs and maids believed in Buddhism.
Zhang Yuandao: "Souls and ghosts are not the same thing. Ghosts are one of the six realms of Buddhism. When people do evil things, they will fall into the three evil realms of hungry ghosts, animals and hell -"
"I know this." Zhu Youxiao said: "My mother told me that there are three evil ways and three good ways. Good people are reincarnated in good ways after death, and bad people fall into evil ways. My third brother is a child. How can he do anything evil?
There seems to be no good deeds or good deeds. So where will he go?"
When Zhu Youxiao said this, Ke Yinyue's big beautiful eyes looked at Zhang Yuan to see how Zhang Yuan would answer. Zhang Yuan said without squinting: "Buddha teaches people to do good deeds. This is good. There are many things in this world."
The most evil people are as rare as the good and virtuous people. The vast majority of people are neither very good nor very hateful. It is a pity that the grandson of the Three Emperors died young, and he will probably be reborn as a human being——"
Having said this, Zhang Yuan smiled slightly and said: "Your Highness, I am your Confucian lecturer, not a monk who teaches the Dharma. I will only explain to Your Highness what I know and what I believe. First of all, I believe that people have souls."
, I don’t know what death is all about, but once upon a time there was a sage named Lie Yukou who said, ‘Death is like life, going back and forth, so if you die like this, how can you know that you will not be born there?’——”,
He explained it to Zhu Youxiao in more understandable terms, and then said: "So it is possible as Buddhism says. It is also a relief for the three emperors and grandsons to be relieved of the pain of the disease; secondly, the three emperors and grandsons are brothers.
Since he has gone to that unknown place, it is okay for Your Highness to miss him, but it is not good to be too sad. You should take good care of your health. Since you are alive, you must live well."
Zhu Youxiao nodded: "Mr. Zhang is right. If I were reincarnated as a human being, I would have to grow up year by year. It would be very difficult. I really want to grow up quickly."
Believing in an afterlife is a good thing that benefits the country and the people. People with faith have a bottom line when dealing with others and are not prone to hysteria. Zhang Yuan smiled and said: "Your Highness is right to think so. It will be better when you grow up."
But Zhu Youxiao said again: "When I grow up, I can do what I want to do -"
Zhang Yuan asked: "What do you want to do when your highness grows up?"
Zhu Youxiao hesitated for a moment, looked at Zhang Yuan and said, "Mr. Zhang, don't scold me if I tell the truth."
Zhang Yuandao: "Honesty is always a virtue."
Zhu Youxiao said: "If I have nothing else to do when I grow up, I still want to play games and do carpentry. Thinking that my third brother died at such a young age, I have to play more, otherwise I will suffer too much.
"
Twelve-year-old Zhu Youxiao concluded from the death of his younger brother that he should take pleasure in time. There is nothing to criticize. At this time, Zhang Yuan could not talk to the emperor's grandson about "respect the beginning, be cautious about the end, and pursue the future."
A view of life and death that pursues moral time travel. The moral ideal of Confucianism is a lofty goal that is difficult to achieve. In the late Ming Dynasty, it was common for the gentry to enjoy themselves. The first manifestation of the awakening of human nature was selfishness, going one's own way, and contempt for traditional moral norms.
At this time, Zhang Yuan could not say to Zhu Youxiao, "You will be the emperor in a few years. You still have to study. Otherwise, you will not be able to understand the memorials of the officials in the future. Otherwise, you will be completely at the mercy of the eunuchs. Wei Zhongxian is also illiterate."
, Illiterate to illiterate, just to fool you." He said: "Your Highness likes entertainment and carpentry, there is nothing wrong with that, but you still have to read books, be sensible in reading, and be able to distinguish between loyalty and treachery. Your Highness is the eldest grandson of the emperor, and he is the hope of the people in the world. Your Highness
Doing a little bit of good will be a great good to the world and can benefit all people."
Zhu Youxiao nodded and said: "Yes, like Mr. Zhang, he is a loyal minister. The previous lecturer Zhou was not very loyal. This is what I understood after I came out of the cabinet to study."
Zhang Yuan smiled slightly: "Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness. However, sometimes good advice is hard to hear. When Your Highness hears unpopular advice in the future, you should not judge loyalty and treachery based only on your likes and dislikes, but should consider many aspects. You should listen more to other people's opinions and not be exclusive.
Listen to someone."
Zhu Youxiao said: "What Mr. Zhang said is both good advice and pleasing to the ear, so I will listen to Mr. Zhang."
Zhang Yuandao: "I am not a sage. I will definitely do wrong things and say wrong things. Your Highness cannot just listen to my words. Mr. Sun and Mr. Ma are both good officials. Your Highness should also listen to their good words."
"Listen to several people's opinions on the same matter, and then make your own decision. This is called listening to one side to gain darkness, and listening to both sides to gain clarity."
Zhu Youxiao nodded and said to his guest Yinyue: "Mom, Mr. Zhang is so humble."
Ke Yinyue looked at Zhang Yuan with her charming eyes and replied: "Yes, Mr. Zhang is very humble and dares to admit when he has done something wrong."
Zhu Youxiao asked curiously: "What did Mr. Zhang do wrong?"
Zhang Yuan felt dry all over and listened to the guest Yinyue's reply: "Mom is using an analogy to say that Mr. Zhang has good moral character." He glanced at Zhang Yuan lightly.
Zhang Yuan smiled and said: "Thank you Auntie Ke for your kind words. Didn't Auntie Ke prepare snacks for His Highness today?"
Ke Yinyue winked again and said, "Brother, I have been restless these days. Brother, after listening to Mr. Zhang's words, do you feel better?"
Zhu Youxiao said: "I feel much better. My third brother Youji must have been reincarnated as a human being and started feeding again."
Ke Yinyue said: "How can it be so fast? It will take ten months to conceive." Seeing Zhang Yuan's eyes looking over, his cheeks as white as gelatin turned slightly red.
Zhu Youxiao did feel a lot more relaxed and had some appetite, so he said: "Mom, go and get me some tiger eye candy, Buddha jackfruit, and flower and fruit pastries to eat, and also bring a few pieces to Mr. Zhang."
Here comes the manna cake.”
When Zhang Yuan heard the word "manna cake", he hurriedly said: "I won't eat it."
Ke Yinyue on the side said with a smile on her lips: "This nectar cake is sent by Guanglu Temple."
Zhang Yuandao: "I won't eat either. I'm afraid that officials will accuse me of being greedy for snacks and not being a role model. Your Highness can eat it. Your Highness is a growing child. He should eat more and move more on weekdays. Okay, let's start studying now.
Read aloud."
Ke Yinyue said to Zhu Youxiao: "Brother, grandma will go back to the palace first and will bring you tea when she gets there."
The Wei Dynasty followed guest Yinyue back to the palace. Wei Jinzhong also excused himself to inspect the Jia Zi Library. Only Zhong Benhua and Gao Qiqian were left here to wait on him. Zhang Yuan started to lecture, still reviewing the chapters of the Analects that he had learned, and then started to lecture on a new chapter.
, Zhang Yuan allowed Zhu Youxiao to ask questions at any time during his lectures. If he didn’t understand something, he could ask it immediately, so that Zhu Youxiao could concentrate on——
After talking for more than half an hour, Ke Yinyue led a palace servant to come with a lacquer box of snacks. Zhang Yuan asked Zhu Youxiao to rest and eat snacks. Zhang Yuanprin practiced Tai Chi twice on the corridor to stretch his muscles and bones. This was
He also practiced his habits in the Hanlin Academy, but never in the palace. Now seeing that Zhu Youxiao was in poor physical condition, he decided to guide Zhu Youxiao to exercise regardless of the possible criticism. Zhu Youji, the grandson of the third emperor, died young, and Emperor Wanli
and Crown Prince Zhu Changluo must be feeling heavy, so it is the right time to teach Zhu Youxiao how to strengthen his body——
Sure enough, Zhu Youxiao, who was eating Huaguozi snacks beside him, curiously watched Zhang Yuan practice boxing. After Zhang Yuan finished practicing, he quickly asked: "Mr. Zhang, what kind of martial arts are you practicing?"
Zhang Yuandao: "This is for physical fitness. When I get tired from reading and writing, I get up and practice twice. It is very good for my body. Will Your Highness also learn with me?"
Zhu Youxiao said happily: "Excellent, Mr. Zhang is really versatile in both civil and military affairs."
Zhang Yuan smiled and said: "What do I mean? Mr. Wang Yangming and Mr. Tang Jingchuan are both great scholars and proficient in martial arts. When Mr. Yangming put down the rebellion of King Ning, he suddenly roared while sitting quietly at night to recuperate. Tens of thousands of people in the army could hear it.
It's thrilling. Mr. Tang Jingchuan wrote a book on martial arts called "Wu Bian". I don't know how to write about martial arts."
Zhu Youxiao asked: "Why don't Mr. Wang and Mr. Tang come to the East Palace to give lectures?" No matter how famous Wang Yangming is, Zhu Youxiao doesn't know. Zhang Yuan mentioned Li Bai, Du Fu and Zhu Youxiao in his lecture a few days ago.
I was also confused and didn't know who it was. The little carpenter's knowledge was really pitiful.
Zhang Yuan smiled and said: "Those were people from a hundred years ago, and they were loyal ministers when they were alive." He immediately taught Zhu Youxiao a few simple Tai Chi styles, and asked Gao Qiqian to follow him and practice them several times in the morning and evening.
Zhu Youxiao asked while practicing: "Mr. Zhang, why is this boxing so slow?"
Zhang Yuandao: "This means practicing slowly. Your Highness has mastered this boxing skill. It is good for reading and writing, and it is also good for doing carpentry work?"
Zhu Youxiao's eyes lit up and he asked quickly: "Is it also good for carpentry?"
Zhang Yuandao: "With a calm mind and a steady hand, everything will be unfavorable."
Now Zhu Youxiao was interested, and he gestured with Gao Qiqian in a lively manner. Zhang Yuan stood aside and watched, no matter whether he practiced correctly or not, it was a good thing to be active. He also thought that the little carpenter didn't seem to be able to practice Tai Chi.
It's perfect. Let's teach a set of radio gymnastics in a few days. One, two, three, four, two, two, three, four are easier to practice. He has high hopes for the little carpenter.
Ke Yinyue came over holding a lacquer box and said, "What would Mr. Zhang want to eat?"
Zhang Yuan said: "Thank you, Auntie Ke. I really don't want to eat anything."
Ke Yinyue said softly: "Brother can eat them all, and Mr. Zhang can eat them too."
Zhang Yuandao: "Misfortune comes from the mouth, and disease enters from the mouth."
Ke Yinyue chuckled and said: "I didn't expect Mr. Zhang to be so timid. How did that day-"
"Auntie Ke," Zhang Yuan interrupted Ke Yinyue: "Don't keep mentioning the events of the day. It will be neither good for me nor for Auntie."
Since being touched by Zhang Yuan, Ke Yinyue seemed to have lost awe of Zhang Yuan and Zhang Xiuzhuan, the lecturer of the East Palace, and said: "Mr. Zhang mentioned this first, saying that it comes from the mouth."
It was too awkward for Ke Yinyue to speak so briefly. Zhang Yuan shook his head. He couldn't fall out with Ke Yinyue. No one could replace this woman's position in the heart of the emperor's grandson. Others didn't know that the Ke family
How could Zhang Yuan, his far-sighted man, not know the importance of this? "Where is your brother now? Let him come to the Hanlin Academy to find me tomorrow, and I will find him a job."
Ke Yinyue was quite happy with Zhang Yuan's overture, and said with a smile: "But my brother has already returned to Baoding, a few months ago."
Zhang Yuandao: "Let's talk about it next time. If you have anything to do, just ask me."
Ke Yinyue said: "Thank you Mr. Zhang. Mr. Zhang is really an honest gentleman."
At this time, Benhua came over and said, "Zhang Xiuzhuan, there is no curfew in the inner city during the Mid-Autumn Festival tomorrow. How about the Zajia invites you to drink wine and admire the moon at Shichahai?"
Zhang Yuandao: "I'm sorry, Eunuch Zhong. I have made an appointment with some friends from the Han Society to gather together. I'll come back to bother Eunuch another day."
Eunuch Zhong said: "Zhang Xiuzan why not invite all your friends to come together? Zhang Xiuzan knows that the Za family is famous for hospitality in Hangzhou. They are literati and elegant people. They are full of friends. The moonlight of Shishahai is comparable to the moonlight of West Lake. Zhang Xiuzan
do not miss it."
It was hard to refuse such hospitality, so Zhang Yuan said: "Well, I will call some friends to disturb my father-in-law tomorrow evening."
Eunuch Zhong said happily: "I can't get it, I can't get it."
…
At dusk, Zhang Yuan went out of Dong'an Gate and saw his senior brother Xu Guangqi waiting for him. Xu Guangqi said: "Jiezi, I have always wanted to invite you to the Xicheng Catholic Church to observe, but you have no time. How about going to see it today?"
Zhang Yuan saw that something was wrong with Xu Guangqi's face and said, "Okay, let's go with senior brother." He asked Wu Ling to return to the East Fourth Archway, and Wang Dachui and Mu Zhenzhen went with him to the Tianzhu Hall.
The Catholic Church is in the east corner of Xuanwu Gate, seven or eight miles away from Dong'an Gate. Xu Guangqi got on the carriage and asked Zhang Yuan to come up. Zhang Yuan glanced at Mu Zhenzhen, and Mu Zhenzhen said softly: "Master, it's okay, it's okay.
How does it feel?"
Zhang Yuan got on the carriage and asked: "Brother Xu, is there something wrong with the Nanjing Jesuit Society?"
Zhang Yuandao: "No, I went to the palace today to give a lecture, but I didn't see the latest newspaper."
Xu Guangqi said: "Meson is really knowledgeable and insightful. Last year you said that Wang Fengsu would cause trouble. Sure enough, it happened. In September last year, Shen Que, the minister of the Ministry of Rites in Nanjing, asked for the closure of the Nanjing Catholic Church in "Shenyuan Yishu"
, and also detained Wang Fengsu. It was you who stepped forward to temporarily resolve the crisis, but Shen Guo was unwilling to do so. In May of this year, "Revisiting the Foreigners Again" was sent to the General Affairs Department, but because of the attack on the case, the cabinet was temporarily unavailable.
On the other hand, this month Shen Que published another article in "San Shu Yuan Yi San Shu", calling for the expulsion of all Thai and Western missionaries in China. This was published in Di Di newspaper today. This time Shen Que was aggressive and united with the Nanjing Ministry of Rites
Xu Ruke, the doctor, and Yan Wenhui, Yu Maozhi and others from the etiquette department discussed the matter several times. Mr. Fang Ge supported Shen Que and drafted an order to ask the Nanjing Criminal Department to arrest Wang Fengsu and Xie Wulu first, seal up the Nanjing Catholic Church, and the next step was to issue a ban on Christianity.
, if it really comes to that point, Li Gong’s decades of hard work in China will be in vain.”
Zhang Yuan frowned and heard Xu Guangqi say again: "Shen Que's memorial is really ridiculous. He said that the Catholics in the Atlantic Ocean were expelled and dispersed. The country would be peaceful for tens of millions of years and there would be no risk of accidents. Then Xu Ruke can be considered a famous Confucian, but
They also echoed the sentiments, and their memorial also mentioned your Glacial Theory, believing that this is the poison of the Western Xingguan theory, saying that officials in the DPRK and the Central Government, as well as scholars from all provinces, are poisoned by Chinese and Western learning, and must be eradicated in order to restore the world to a bright future."
Zhang Yuandao: "People who are short-sighted and stuck in their own ways. They harm the country but think they are protecting it. It's ridiculous! It's despicable!"
Xu Guangqi said: "I have written a memorial in defense of Western learning and the Jesuits. Meson, please read it first." As he said that, he took out a roll of manuscript paper from his arms and handed it to Zhang Yuan.
Zhang Yuan unfolded it and read it, and wrote in the beginning: "I saw the newspaper in Di. The Ministry of Rites of Nanjing consulted the Western minister Pang Di'e and others, and said internally, 'It is so immersed in his theory that even the scholar-bureaucrats also believe in it'; he also said, 'It is the words of a star official.
"Scholars also fall into the clouds and mist." He is called a gentleman. He is called a scholar. The ministers are afraid of being implicated, so they will not name them. However, among the court ministers, I try to talk to the ministers about the truth. There are many books published, and those who believe in them
, I am also a minister; I also tried to test the calendar with him, and both the front and back chapters were in front of the emperor, so I talked to the Xingguan, and I was also a minister..."
Xu Guangqi stepped forward to put himself, Pang Di'e, Wang Fengsu and others together to defend themselves. This requires courage. Many people are afraid of incriminating themselves when something happens, and it is too late to say goodbye. In this few thousand words, In his defense, Xu Guangqi recounts the journey from his contact with Catholic teachings to his faith, reflecting how a scholar-official who sought knowledge and progress could not abandon Confucianism but also believed in God. He also analyzed the Ming Dynasty scholars' attitude towards Western Catholicism step by step. Various misunderstandings of the Yihe believers, and refuted various rumors. Please ask Emperor Wanli to tolerate Catholics, monks and Taoist priests together——
After reading Xu Guangqi's defense memorial, Zhang Yuan was very moved. He admired Senior Brother Xu for his magnanimous mind and courage to defend the truth. What Brother Xu defended was not only God's teachings, but what Brother Xu valued more was Western learning that was beneficial to the national economy and people's livelihood. Knowledge, Zhang Yuandao: "Senior Brother Xu, don't be too worried. Senior Brother will go to the temple tomorrow. I will also unite a few people to go to the temple to support the brother. I must prevent the issuance of the ban on teaching."
Xu Guangqi had a worried look on his face: "With Mr. Fang Ge supporting Shen Que, I'm afraid it will be difficult to stop this matter."
Zhang Yuan understood what Senior Brother Xu meant. Fang Congzhe was already very dissatisfied with him because of the Binghe theory. Supporting Shen Que in handling the Nanjing religious case was a blow to the Binghe theory. Wouldn't it be adding fuel to the fire if he defended the Jesus priests at Shangshu? Fang Congzhe wanted to We will deal with it with all our strength——
Zhang Yuandao: "I will try my best to think of more ways and try my best."
When they arrived at the Xuanwumen Catholic Church, Pang Di'e, Long Huamin, and several priests from Jinni Pavilion came out to greet Zhang Yuan after hearing the news. Xu Guangqi introduced Zhang Yuan one by one. Jinni Pavilion was an old acquaintance and said: "Zhang Xiuzhuan, I have been with Zhang Yuan since the end of last year. Xiu Zhuan arrived in Beijing on the same ship, and I didn’t see Zhang Xiuzan again until today.”
Zhang Yuandao: "Priest Jin, I have good news to tell you. "Aesop's Fables" has been printed by our Hanshe Bookstore and should be sent to the capital next month."
Jinnige smiled bitterly and said: "If the ban on Christianity comes down, we and other Thai and Western people will have to leave the Ming Dynasty. I'm afraid we won't be able to see the Chinese version of "Yishi's Fables"."
Zhang Yuan said with relief: "Don't be pessimistic, God will give you good luck, and the benevolent spirit in heaven will also protect you."
Pang Di'e, Hua Huamin and others thanked Zhang Yuan for his blessing, and Jinni Pavilion led Zhang Yuan to visit the church. To the right of the church is Matteo Ricci's mansion, which was given by Emperor Wanli. Matteo Ricci also raised funds to build a house on the left side of the church. The Catholic Church is in the Gothic architectural style, with towering spires, slender columns, stained glass inlaid in the doors and windows, and gorgeous paintings. The craftsmen, glass, and painters were all brought from Italy and France thousands of miles away. The portrait of Jesus is placed above it. Jesus holds the map of the cloudy sky in his left hand, and points with his right hand to the people who are looking up at him. On the right is the Virgin Mary Church, which is a statue of a girl holding a baby. The Virgin's expression is holy and tranquil, which makes people feel at ease at first sight——
Zhang Yuan, Mu Zhenzhen, and Wang Dachui watched a mass at the Catholic Church. They did not have dinner at the church and hurried back to the Dongsi Archway. Today is August 14th, and the curfew is as usual. It is not a good idea to break the ban by returning late.
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The 6,000-word update has arrived, and my ideas are gradually opening up. I will continue to update the chapter tomorrow. Please vote!
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