A heavy snowfall on November 11th made Zhang Yuan's "glacier theory" once again a topic of discussion among the sergeants and commoners in Beijing. The elderly people said that the weather was really extremely cold. It was not so cold in Jiajing.
, it is only in the past twenty years that snowstorms, freezes, and droughts have become so frequent. Last year, the victims of Shandong and Henan suffered unrest and have not yet subsided. As far as the people in the capital are concerned, the rising price of coal for the winter alone every year has made them very sad.
Worry, life in the Ming Dynasty was difficult——
Since Dong Zhongshu's theory of "response between heaven and man" became popular, Confucian officials often regarded natural disasters as warnings from heaven to the people in the lower world. Ordinary people had nothing to warn, but it was the monarchs who were warned. Confucian officials used natural disasters to exhort the emperor to practice virtue and diligent government, and to
To correct erroneous government decrees, we must implement policies that benefit the people and love the people. The emperor is the supreme, and we can only use the power of heaven to make him fearful. This is of course a means of restricting the imperial power. Sometimes the emperor will pretend to obey the advice, but in the last years of Wanli, disasters
Frequently, Emperor Wanli should be considered average among the emperors of the past dynasties. He was not so cruel and cruel. Why did God have to warn repeatedly? After the rise of party strife, natural disasters were often used to attack opponents and force the emperor to achieve the selfish interests of a certain party.
, there is no way to save the country, only endless internal fighting——
Now Zhang Yuan seems to have the intention to deny the "induction theory between heaven and man" with the "glacier theory", which makes some ministers headed by Fang Congzhe, the first assistant, quite dissatisfied. Of course, more courtiers are indifferent to this, because it is inconsistent with
Their interests have nothing to do with it.
…
The heavy snow started to fall in the afternoon on the 11th day of the winter lunar month. It started to fall hard and slow for a while, and it continued to snow until the morning of the next day. On this day, it was Zhang Yuan's turn to enter the palace to give lectures. At three o'clock, Zhang Yuan entered the palace despite the snow.
There was no waiter waiting at the Donghua Gate, so he went straight to the Wenhua Hall. Along the way, he could see the little fireman sweeping the snow. The snow was still falling, and the efforts to clear the snow seemed in vain -
When he arrived at the Wenhua Gate, he saw that the palace door was closed tightly. Cheng Jiming, the concubine of Youchunfang who was giving lectures to the crown prince, was also waiting under the gate. After the ceremony, Zhang Yuan looked at the white snow on the ground and the falling rain from the sky.
Xue Hua said: "In this snowy day, I'm afraid the crown prince and the emperor's eldest grandson will not come out of the cabinet to listen to the lecture."
Cheng Ji Ming said: "If you want to skip the lecture, the decree will be announced. Let's wait." He asked Zhang Yuan how he was preparing for the debate in the future.
Zhang Yuandao: "I have read some books, but I'm afraid it's still difficult to argue with Mr. Qidong and Master Lianchi."
Cheng Jiming smiled and said: "I also bought a few books such as "Elements of Geometry" published by the Han Society and read them. I feel ashamed that they are very difficult to understand. Only "Aesop's Fables" is quite interesting, similar to the Buddhist "Hundred Parables"
through"."
Zhang Yuandao: "Taishi's learning is very different from our Ming Dynasty's learning. Although the Ming Dynasty's learning also attached great importance to the study of things to achieve knowledge, it still focused on ethics and morality. However, the mainstream of Taiyishi's learning in the past two hundred years has been to emphasize rationality and empirical evidence. They passed
A series of experiments are used to summarize, such as "Elements of Geometry". There is a clear sequence of reasoning, and the size and height of things can be calculated according to the methods provided in the book. "Taishi Water Method" has practical answers to irrigation and drainage problems.
A real solution, very practical, which is beneficial to the ethics of the Ming Dynasty. My participation in this debate is not to strongly support Catholic missionaries, nor to exclude the Chinese culture of the Ming Dynasty with Western learning. I just don’t want Nanjing to sink.
The minister is so indiscriminately xenophobic because he just wants to gain a place for Western learning. He is also trying to find a way out of the difficult current situation in the Ming Dynasty."
Cheng Jiming was a disciple of Ye Xianggao. Ye Xianggao had a good relationship with Matteo Ricci. Cheng Jiming did not reject Catholicism and Western learning. He nodded and said: "Zhang Xiuzan has the ambition to make practical use of the world, which makes people
I admire you very much. I will also attend the Imperial College Debate on the 15th. I am one of the judges appointed by the James House."
Zhang Yuan said with a smile: "Sir, please judge impartially."
Cheng Jiming smiled and said: "Of course, if you can't argue, I won't dare to cover you."
After waiting in front of the Wenhua Gate for half an hour, Cheng Jiming and Zhang Yuan's feet were almost numb from the cold, and then they saw Han Bennyang, the eunuch of the East Palace, delivering an edict from the East Palace, saying that the crown prince and the emperor's eldest grandson would not leave the cabinet to speak today.
Inviting the two gentlemen to leave the palace on their own, he added: "It is extremely cold in the middle of winter. Mr. Chitose will not give lectures again this year. He will deliver the message when the lectures begin next spring."
Zhang Yuan thought to himself: "If you don't go out to give lectures, you should inform us earlier. It's very cold in this snowy day." Then he walked back with Cheng Jiming. As soon as they reached the high wall of the royal palace, they heard someone calling from behind.
Said: "Mr. Zhang, please wait a moment."
When Zhang Yuan looked back, the young chamberlain Gao Qiqian quickly caught up with him. Gao Qiqian saluted Zhang Yuan and said, "Elder brother wants to see Mr. Zhang. He is waiting at the Imperial Pharmacy."
The eldest brother is the eldest grandson of the emperor. The imperial pharmacy is between the back door of Wenhua Hall and the gate of Ciqing Palace. Zhang Yuan handed over his hand to Cheng Jiming and then dived away. From a distance, he could see the snow beside the imperial pharmacy.
There were several people standing on the ground. When I quickly approached, I saw clearly that it was the emperor's grandson Zhu Youxiao, the eunuchs Zhong Benhua, Wei Jinzhong, and the wet nurse Ke Yinyue. Zhang Yuanchang bowed and saluted——
Zhu Youxiao, wearing a brocade hat and a mink fur coat, was holding a brass heater in his hand. At this time, he handed the heater to guest Yinyue and said politely: "Mr. Zhang, I won't be giving lectures today. I will wait until spring warms up next year before starting lectures.
I haven't seen Mr. Zhang for two or three months, so I came to see Mr. Zhang off today. Knowing that Mr. Zhang's family has arrived in Beijing, I asked Master Zhong to prepare a small gift for Mr. Zhang's family."
Zhang Yuan couldn't help but be moved. The emperor's grandson Zhu Youxiao was very humane, and he expressed his deep gratitude at the moment.
Zhu Youxiao asked: "How old is Mr. Zhang's son, and what is his name?"
Zhang Yuan replied: "Seven months old, his name is Zhang Hongjian."
"Zhang Hongjian." Zhu Youxiao praised: "What a name." He added: "In two days, Mr. Zhang will have a debate with others. I want to come and see how Mr. Zhang can make others speechless."
Zhang Yuan said with a smile: "The people I am debating with this time are famous Confucians and eminent monks. The outcome is unpredictable."
Colonel Zhu You had great confidence in Zhang Yuan and said: "Mr. Zhang, don't be too modest. Mr. Zhang will definitely win."
Snowflakes were falling and the cold wind was biting. Zhang Yuan said: "Your Highness, hurry back to Ciqing Palace. Take good care of yourself. Don't delay reading and practicing calligraphy every day. Do exercises in the morning and evening. Listen to Eunuch Zhong, Auntie Ke, and Wei Daban."
Advice, these people are loyal to His Highness."
Not only Zhong Benhua, Wei Jinzhong and Ke Yinyue were also very happy after hearing this. Zhu Youxiao nodded and said: "I know, Mr. Zhang, please take care of yourself - Xiao Gao, you brought a gift box to send Mr. Zhang out of Dong'an Gate."
…
At the beginning of the hour on November 15th, Zhang Yuan first came to the Hanlin Academy, and then went to the Imperial Academy of Beijing, the Imperial Academy of Beijing, and the Imperial Academy officials, including Guo Wei, a bachelor, and 24 common people.
Zhu Guozhen greeted him outside the triple gate. The Western priests Xiong Sanba, Pang Di'e, Long Huamin and others had already arrived first. After a while, the officials of Zhanshi Mansion also arrived under the leadership of Shao Zhanshi Qian Longxi. They were bowing to each other and giving way.
, several more warm sedans arrived, and down came Shen Que, the minister of the Nanjing Ministry of Rites, and Xu Ruke, the doctor of the Nanjing Ministry of Rites. Shen Que helped out an old monk with white eyebrows from a sedan. It was Master Lianchi, one of the four eminent monks in the Ming Dynasty.
Master Lianchi’s common surname is Shen, and he and Shen Que are from the same clan——
Zhang Yuan and Shen Que had met once in Danyuan, Nanjing. Master Lianchi had also heard of him for a long time. When Jiao Hong was lecturing at Juran Caotang in Hangzhou, he often went to Yunqi Temple to study Zen and discuss Taoism with Master Lianchi. At this time, he came forward When he greeted Shen Que, Xu Ruke and Master Lianchi, Shen Que's eyes were slightly sunken, his cheekbones were slightly raised, and he laughed out of his nostrils and said: "Last year, Zhang Xiuzhuan asked Eunuch Xing in Nanjing to come forward to release Wang Fengsu, the two Thai and Western cultists. High School The number one scholar is even more powerful, and he can actually make the emperor go beyond the cabinet to issue decrees to hold debates. Shen is really impressed by these methods." The sarcasm was clearly revealed.
Zhang Yuan smiled and said: "Master Shen, when Buddhism was spread to the south, it took many great monks to debate and preach, so that Buddhism spread in the Central Plains. After the disaster of three martial arts destroying Buddhism, Buddhism finally penetrated into the hearts of the people in the Central Plains. I I heard that Mr. Shen also believes in Buddhism, and I would like to ask Mr. Shen about the essence of Buddhism. I wonder if Mr. Shen can teach me?"
Shen Que asked: "Zhang Xiuzuan wants to ask for Buddhist advice. Is there anyone more suitable than Master Lianchi?"
Master Lianchi is nearly eighty years old. He is still bald in the middle of winter. His short stubble is like a thin layer of frost that has fallen on the fields after harvesting. He has an ancient appearance and a kind expression. When Zhang Yuan and Shen Que were talking, Lianchi The master smiled slightly, put one hand in his sleeve, and kept turning the rosary beads with the other hand——
Zhang Yuan bowed to Master Lianchi again, but said to Shen Que: "I would like to ask Master Shen for advice first. Master Lianchi will ask for advice later."
Shen Que sneered and said, "Zhang Xiuzhan can't wait until he enters the Imperial College and wants to argue with me. He's too impatient."
Zhang Yuan said calmly: "Shilang Shen has been studying Buddhism for many years, but his ego is still so strong. Can't I talk about Buddhism? Shilang Shen has come thousands of miles away, and he only insists on debating."
Shen Que was at a loss for words. Shen Que wanted to expel the Jesuits and ban Catholicism. He had political selfishness. He wanted to use this to become famous and gain a good reputation among scholars so that he could smoothly enter Beijing and become an official. At this time, Zhang Yuan caught him. It pays attention to getting rid of self-grasping and the key point of Dharma-grinding. With a slight blow, Shen Que, who had selfish thoughts, was unable to move. He reluctantly said: "I am participating in this debate as a Confucian scholar. Only Master Renchi can use Buddhism and Catholic doctrine." Debate each other."
Zhang Yuandao: "That's it." He looked around and asked, "Isn't Mr. Qidong here yet?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw a carriage approaching. It was Liu Zongzhou who got out of the carriage. After paying the driver, Xiao Ran came to the gate of the Imperial College and met him three years ago when Zhang Yuan saw him riding a donkey northward at the head of Yuewang Bridge. Nothing has changed since then. He is still poor, happy, upright and pedantic——
Zhang Yuan, Zhang Dai, Ni Yuanlu and several Shaoxing fellow villagers came forward to pay homage to Liu Zongzhou. Liu Zongzhou looked at Zhang Yuan and said solemnly: "Zhang Jiezi, four years ago at Dashan Temple, you wanted to worship me as your teacher. I asked you not to do it until you were twenty years old." You refused to agree to participate in the imperial examination, saying that Zuo Zhuan has three immortal causes, establishing virtue, meritorious service, and establishing reputation. You want to perform meritorious service, and now you have been named on the gold medal list and your wish has been fulfilled. And this meritorious service is to promote the glacier theory and condone Catholicism to deceive people in the troubled world? "
Zhang Yuan showed no embarrassment and said: "Mr. Qidong should have read the students' Wanyan Tingce. Are the students just promoting the Binghe theory? The Binghe theory is only for disaster relief and famine preparation."
Zhu Guozhen, who was offering wine at the Imperial Academy, said: "Everyone, go to the gate of Taixue and wait. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will be here soon."
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