Wang Hua and Wang Shouren were demoted at the same time this time. Wang Hua was demoted from Minister of Rites to Minister of Civil Affairs in Nanjing. It seemed like he was promoted, but everyone understood that the officials who stayed in the capital in Nanjing were almost like decorations.
But there is no reality. This is actually a rise and fall in the dark.
In fact, Wang Hua did not say anything extreme during this impeachment. However, because he was a top scholar, he had a high reputation. Moreover, after the incident, when all the officials from the foreign court came to Liu Jin's sect, Wang Hua remained unmoved.
Therefore, how could Liu Jin allow him to stay in the Ministry of Rites as a minister. To control the six departments of the outer court, all the backbone elements among the civil servants of the outer court must be eliminated.
Of course, it may also be because Wang Hua's son Wang Shouren jumped out to accuse Liu Jin of relegating him. For his son's fault, I will naturally be implicated.
Wang Shouren was even more unlucky. Zhang Yanling knew that he was demoted to the remote and desolate Guizhou. The place he went to this time was where Wang Shouren transformed.
Wang Hua was a little confused. He didn't understand why Zhang Yanling came to see his father and son off. It wasn't until Zhang Yanling and Wang Shouren called themselves brothers that Wang Hua realized that his son had actually made friends with Mr. Zhang.
Wang Hua smiled bitterly. His son's behavior always confused him. I don't know when, he actually made friends with Zhang Houye. No wonder Zhang Houye came to protect him that day. And he
The father and son clearly participated in the impeachment of Mr. Zhang. This is simply a confusing and unclear account.
Along the pavilion, there are rows of green willows. It is already August, and although the surrounding scenery is still lush, there is already a sense of autumn in the lush green. The golden wind blows, the sky is high and the air is refreshing, which is pleasant to the heart.
When the banquet was placed, Wang Hua felt a little embarrassed looking at the table full of food and wine in the pavilion.
"Master Zhang, why do you spend so much money to do this for me and my son? It's embarrassing to say that both my father and my son participated in your impeachment. The marquis ignored the past grudges, but I feel guilty."
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "Master Wang, Brother Shou and I hit it off immediately and have become irreconcilable friends. It is only right that I come to practice for you. Brother Shou, I have to blame you. You want to leave the capital, but you didn't even tell me.
Don’t you consider me a friend?”
Wang Shouren chuckled and said: "My father and son have been in the capital for many years. Especially my father, who has been an official in the capital for more than 20 years and has made countless friends. When the late emperor was here, my father was a Jingyanri
Speaking of being an official, I don’t know how beautiful it is. But look at it, Mr. Hou, today my father and son left Beijing without anyone to see them off, how desolate it was. I don’t need to tell you the reason. I didn’t tell you, just because I didn’t want to implicate Mr. Hou.
.”
Zhang Yanling laughed and said, "Is this a reason? Do you think I'm afraid of Liu Jin and the others? You look down on me."
Wang Shouren shook his head and said: "I know you are not afraid of him. But, precisely because you are not afraid of Liu Jin, I don't want to implicate you. There are not many people like you in the court. I hope you will not become the target of Liu Jin's jealousy.
.In this way, there will still be righteousness in the court."
Zhang Yanling waved her hand and said with a smile: "Don't say it so scary. Don't worry. If I dare to fall out with Liu Jin, I will have my own means to deal with him. Unfortunately, I can't keep you. You and I have only known each other for a short time, and you have to leave."
Beijing. If I don’t come to see you off, will I still be a friend?”
Wang Shouren nodded and said with a smile: "It seems that Shouren is worrying too much. That's all, I was wrong. I will punish myself with a drink later."
Zhang Yanling said: "That's pretty much it. That's all, drinking."
Zhang Yanling picked up the jug and poured wine for Wang Hua and Wang Shouren. He raised his glass and said, "Yanling, here's to you two. With this first glass of wine, I wish you a safe journey."
Wang Hua and Wang Shouren picked up their wine glasses and stood up to express their thanks, and the three of them drank it all in one gulp.
After eating a few mouthfuls of food, Zhang Yanling picked up the second glass of wine and said to Wang Shouren: "Brother Shouren, I heard that you were demoted to Guizhou Longchang Station as a postmaster. Yanling congratulates you."
Wang Hua listened in a daze and thought to himself: Can this kid speak? He congratulated Shouren for being demoted to Yi Cheng? Shouren was originally the head of the Ministry of War, and although he was not a high-ranking official, he was still a sixth-rank imperial official. Yi Cheng
He is a high-ranking official of the ninth grade, and he is in a barren and remote place like Guizhou. That is simply equivalent to being exiled for thousands of miles. I am worried to death for him, but you still congratulate him.
Wang Shouren didn't seem to take it seriously, and laughed and said: "Brother Yanling, why are you making fun of me? My father is worried about this matter, and you are here to make him feel uncomfortable again."
Zhang Yanling asked: "Why does Mr. Wang feel uncomfortable?"
Wang Hua rolled his eyes and said: "Master Hou, you are right. Shouren being demoted is more uncomfortable than my being demoted. I wish I could go to Longchangyi for him. Master Hou is here to make fun of me."
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "Master Wang, I am not making fun of Brother Shou. I sincerely congratulate Brother Shou."
Wang Hua was speechless and didn't want to talk to this person anymore.
"When Heaven entrusts a person with a great responsibility, he must first work hard for his mind and body. Mr. Wang has read poetry and books, so he must know this sentence." Zhang Yanling said with a smile.
Wang Hua didn't know what to say. The words of the sages were of course the best words, but they were the best words in the book, but now his son's future was ruined, so the words of the sages should be given up.
"Brother Shou is extremely intelligent and has been searching for something for many years. However, in the capital city, there is so much chaos and noise that fills the ears. What you see and what you feel in your heart are all messy things. How can you achieve enlightenment?
"This trip to Longchang, Guizhou as a postmaster is a great opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle and realize the truth. This is a blessing rather than a curse for Brother Shou. Naturally, I want to congratulate him." Zhang Yanling said seriously.
Wang Shouren was stunned for a moment, thoughtful.
Wang Hua sighed: "I finally understand why Shouren and you can become friends. Do you also believe in his unrealistic fantasies?"
Zhang Yanling cupped his hands and said in a deep voice: "Master Wang, you are the number one scholar. You should understand some things better than me. The truth should be clearer than me. Naturally, people in this life cannot be satisfied with their appetites. The purpose of many people's studies is
It is the enlightenment of reason and wisdom, entering another spiritual realm. The reason why the sages and saints are admired by people is
It is because they are not satisfied with a simple life, but constantly expand their minds, exhaust their wisdom, understand the universal principles, understand the way the heaven and earth operate, and enlighten the wisdom of future generations. However, the sages and saints are also human beings, and they
It’s not like they are born like this, in their time, maybe they were also regarded as unusual and ridiculous people.”
Wang Hua twisted his beard and pondered, put away his contempt for Zhang Yanling, and listened quietly.
"Brother Shou Ren has a sincere heart and is diligent in thinking. He is a man of great wisdom. If Brother Shou Ren follows the rules, he may become a high-ranking minister of the Ming Dynasty in the future, and his achievements will be the same as or better than Mr. Wang's achievements.
A bit higher. At most, he can be the chief minister of the cabinet, be loyal to the king, and achieve the career that a good minister should have. This should be what Mr. Wang wants Mr. Shou to be, right?" Zhang Yanling said.
Wang Hua said: "If this can be done, is it a bad thing?"
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "Of course it's not a bad thing. A wise minister benefits the court and benefits the people, which is naturally perfect. However, the trajectory of this road is clearly visible. We can even see the end of this road, which is nothing more than assisting the king.*
*Only the people. Achievements are only
Limited to this time, this place, this dynasty and this era. This can only be called a sage. However, if Brother Shou Ren can understand some principles of psychology, it will be a saint's journey that will benefit and enlighten all generations. The so-called transcendence and becoming a saint and being a sage for a moment
, which one is more important? Which one is more meaningful?"
Wang Hua smiled bitterly and said: "Master Hou, are you saying that Shouren can transcend the ordinary and become a saint? Are you kidding? He really wants to become a saint. Is this what a saint is like?"
Zhang Yanling glanced at Wang Shouren, who seemed to be unconcerned and was deep in thought.
"Master Wang, I have never seen a saint, and I don't know what a saint looks like. I don't know whether Brother Shou Ren can understand some great principles. But people always have pursuits, right? The road is long and long.
I will search high and low
.Didn’t the sages of the past dynasties also rise from ordinary mortals to become saints? Didn’t they also use their inquiring spirit to pursue the truth of all things in the world, find and tell us, and only after thousands of years do we realize the light of the sages’ wisdom? If the sages and sages
The path cannot be pursued, so why do so many sages appear? All of us are actually walking in darkness. The brilliance of the sages guides us to move forward. Even if it is just a little light in the end, it will illuminate the future.
Xinghuo. Otherwise, we may still be eating hair and drinking blood, and we may still be in a barbaric world. So, why not let Brother Shouren do what he wants to do. Is it wrong to ask? What if we don't become a saint? Is it shameful?
Something?"
Wang Hua looked at Zhang Yanling quietly and remained silent. Of course Wang Hua was not an ignorant person. How could the number one scholar be achieved by studying hard? He was also a top person in the world, a figure on the top of the tower. Zhang Yanling's words made others
Maybe he doesn't understand, but he understands.
In his heart, he was actually a little ashamed. When he was reading, who didn’t hold pure ideals and aspirations? Every time he read the articles of sages, he was always moved by the essence of wisdom. But later, these moves disappeared. Changes
Being utilitarian and vulgar, he became obsessed with gains and losses of fame and fortune. At this moment, the words spoken by a person who was considered to be an ignorant and ignorant playboy hit his heart hard, making him feel miserable here.
You feel ashamed in front of others.
Wang Shouren's eyes flashed, he picked up the wine glass and drank it in one sip, laughing and saying: "Brother Yanling, I drank this congratulatory wine. I originally thought about resigning and traveling around the world to be a free man. Now, I have
I’m really looking forward to being the postmaster at Longchang Station. Your words deeply touched my heart. You are the first confidant I have met in my life, and maybe the last one.”
Zhang Yanling drained the wine in one gulp, reached over and grabbed Wang Shouren's hand, and said with eager eyes: "Brother Shouren, promise me, no matter what situation you encounter, don't be discouraged or lose hope for the future. If you have light in your heart, you are not afraid of darkness. Right now.
Everything is fleeting, go explore what you want to explore and fulfill your wish. I believe you will achieve something."
Wang Shouren nodded and said, "Okay, I promise you."
Wang Hua looked at the two people from the side, stroking his beard and smiling: "Have a drink, it's getting late. You can go on your way after drinking."
The three of them drank a glass of wine and ate a table of food. Finally, it was time to say goodbye.
Zhang Yanling led his horse over, handed the reins to Wang Shouren, patted a package on the saddle and said: "Brother Shouren, take this horse and five hundred taels of silver to Anjia. In addition, I sent Zhang Yin
Brother, I will escort you to Nanjing and back. I hope you have a safe journey."
Wang Shouren said: "How good is this? How can I accept your gift and ask you to send someone to escort me?"
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "When you leave, your wife and children will also suffer. A little money will help you live a better life, but it is not given to you. Guizhou is a barren land with high mountains and deep forests, misty clouds, and many poisonous insects, snakes and scorpions."
It's so big that we need to buy a lot of things. Don't be polite to me. I just hope that Brother Shou can live and we can meet one day in the future. I send someone to escort you to prevent villains from plotting against you."
Wang Shouren nodded and cupped his hands and said: "Okay, I'll accept it. Thank you very much. Brother Yanling, you must take care of yourself in the capital. The mountains are high and the rivers are long. I don't know when I can see you. I hope you and I can both be alive."
Let’s meet and have fun over wine. You are my only confidant. Now that you are gone, no one will understand me.”
Zhang Yanling laughed and said: "Don't worry about being ignorant in the future. One day, no one in the world will recognize you. My dear brother, Mr. Wang, please take care of yourself all the way. Zhang Yin, please take someone to escort the two adults to Nanjing. Be careful."
Zhang Yin promised in a loud voice, got on his horse, and escorted more than a hundred soldiers. Wang Hua and Wang Shouren and his son immediately handed over their hands and drove away with their family members in carriages and horses.