To the east of Bianliang City, there is a high bamboo forest.
Surrounded by pines and cypresses, the scenery is beautiful, and it was a place where the literati of Bianliang climbed up and took in the sights.
Thousands of green bamboos are planted on the hillock, which are upright and graceful. They are free from the wind and shadows, and are elegant and pleasant. From time to time, the sound of loud talks can be heard in the forest, mixed with bursts of heroic laughter, and people are flying in joy.
"My dear friends, I was summoned by Mr. Yichuan today to take advantage of the beautiful scenery of the bamboo forest to imitate the ancestors and hold a gathering in Shanyang. It is indeed a blessing for the literary circles in Bianjing and a grand event for scholars in the Song Dynasty." Geng Nanzhong, a member of the etiquette department, raised his glass and said with a smile.
: "Congratulations to Mr. Yichuan."
All the scribes in the forest responded one after another and said in unison: "Congratulations to Mr. Yichuan."
"I've suffered from old age." Cheng Yi, who is old but well-maintained, holds up the lamp with a smile.
The old man has a silver beard and a bright head, and he is in good spirits and shows no signs of fatigue. But those who know him well know that Mr. Yichuan's body has collapsed this year, and several serious illnesses have suddenly struck him. Now it is more like a return to the past.
Mr. Yichuan was Cheng Yi, the younger brother of Cheng Hao. The two brothers developed a Neo-Confucianism that was later promoted by Zhu Xi.
The two brothers believed that people should "get rid of human desires and uphold the laws of nature". They believed that "starving to death is a small matter, but being unruly is a big thing", and promoted the theory of "qi innateness".
When he was twenty-four years old, he started giving lectures in Kaifeng Mansion. He failed the imperial examination and did not take part in the re-examination.
Xiao Cheng did not pass the Jinshi examination, but according to the old practice, the Cheng family has been officials for generations, and his father Cheng Jue enjoyed the privilege of sheltering his children as officials, but Cheng Yi gave up every opportunity to "benevolent son" to other members of the family.
He did not go out to be an official himself, but he devoted himself to the teachings of Confucius and Mencius as a "virgin scholar" for a long time, and he also accepted a large number of students and engaged in lecture activities.
Today's scholarly literary circles hold him in high esteem and receive praise.
While a group of people were chatting and enjoying themselves together, suddenly a group of people climbed up from the bottom of the mountain.
The leader was Yang Lin's disciple Wu Min, who was tall and handsome.
Behind him were two junior brothers, as well as a group of miscellaneous people wearing various robes.
Everyone gathered around a thin and muscular man, shouting about heaven and ascending. In the eyes of these scribes, this was extremely vulgar.
Wu Min and Cai Sui knew Cheng Yi and had listened to his lectures. Many of the people present were their classmates when they were in Taixue, so they stepped forward to say hello with a smile.
Everyone knew that they were now the disciples of Yang Lin, a famous figure in the imperial court and the most powerful person in the court. Their expressions were full of jealousy and disdain. When Wu Min sensed this, he became a little angry.
My apprenticeship with Yang Lin doesn't interfere with these people and things, so why do I do this?
After all, Cheng Yi was older and more open-minded. He asked with a smile: "Wu Yuanzhong, what are you doing when you gather people on stage?"
Wu Min pointed to a group of people in front who were shouting and preparing, and said with a smile: "That thin young man made a kind of giant wings that can fly down from this high hill without being hurt. Today, we,
Just to test his results."
The scribes present laughed together, pointed, and laughed.
"I'm afraid he's not an idiot."
"If he falls to death, you guys can't count the injuries."
"Wu Yuanzhong, what did you learn that made people stupid?"
Cheng Yi also didn't believe it and kindly advised: "It's better not to do this unnecessary test. This young man is born from his father and his mother. If something unexpected happens, wouldn't it make his parents uncomfortable? Why don't you persuade him?"
Just when Wu Min was about to explain, Xu Shuwei shouted: "Wu Yuanzhong, it's taking off soon, are you coming?"
Wu Min quickly clasped his fists to apologize and ran over to watch. He saw the young man's arms tied to a tapered wooden frame. He jumped down to catch the wind, spread his wings like a big bird, and flew down to the post.
.
A burst of cheers and cheers suddenly erupted from the high hill, and even the literati in the distance stood on tiptoes to look here.
Cheng Yi stood up, leaning on a cane, and walked over. The scholars couldn't help but come over to look. Now that they had the steps, they hurriedly helped Cheng Yi over to take a look.
In mid-air, the figure looked like a huge bat, slowly disappearing from sight and turning into a black dot.
Everyone's hearts were in suspense. Cheng Yi had a look of pity on his face and said: "The body, hair and skin are given to parents, and they dare not be damaged. This is the beginning of filial piety. The sage said that a gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall, how can he be easily put under a dangerous wall?"
Dangerous place, alas"
Xu Shuwei was a little unhappy, frowned and said: "Sir, brother Li Yang is fully confident that he can fly back with his whole body. Why did the old gentleman curse him?"
Cheng Yi himself didn't think anything of it, he just smiled and said: "If he can be safe and sound, of course I will be happiest, but taking such a risk is not good after all. I hope you friends can give him some advice."
Cheng Yi's status in the hearts of his disciples and disciples was too high. Although Xu Shuwei didn't say anything unpleasant, some scholars couldn't bear it.
"Who are you, who dare to talk to Mr. Yichuan like this?"
Xu Shuwei was an arrogant person. He resigned from an official position up to the prefecture level and went home to study medicine. How could he lose his temper?
He stiffened his neck and refused to give in, saying, "Who am I? Do I need to tell you?"
Wu Min quickly stepped forward, acted as peacemaker, and pulled the two sides apart.
Cheng Yi smiled and said: "Today's gathering is originally a happy thing, so why bother meddling in other people's business? Let's go back and continue."
As soon as he spoke, it turned out to be useful. Everyone gathered around him and returned to the pavilion to continue the banquet.
After a while, the scholars seemed to have forgotten the group here, and they all raised their glasses and drank in high spirits. Chen Dong, the Taixue, suggested: "Poetry is rare in the world, but wine in the forest is even better. Since all the virtuous people are here, there is wine."
How can there be no poetry? What would you think if everyone wrote poetry to harmonize it?"
Everyone in the audience sang in harmony and suggested that Cheng Yi should write the topic.
At this time, Geng Nanzhong, a member of the Ministry of Etiquette, sighed: "Although the poems are good, there is an article here. I would like to ask you to appreciate it first."
"I hope there is a new work coming out, and I should read it myself if I am a late scholar." Chen Dong took the article from his hand, lowered his head and glanced at it, and exclaimed: "This is a memorial about Cai Jing and Yang Lin's evil deeds!"
Everyone exclaimed, this was not the boldness of Po Tian. Chen Dong, who was holding the article in his hand, suddenly felt like a confidant. He had written a letter to impeach Cai Jing, Yang Lin and Tong Guan as early as four years ago.
He cleared his throat and began to read in a measured tone. To be honest, this memorial was written in a good literary style, but the content was very empty, and there were no tricks at all. It was all about flattering and slandering the sages.
To overturn the verdict of Sima Guang and others on the monument to Yuan You's traitorous party, if such a memorial was given to Zhao Ji, he would immediately pack up and get out of Bianliang. No wonder Geng Nanzhong looked troubled.
Because Yuan You was a traitor to the Party, and it was under the instruction of Zhao Ji that Yang Lin and Cai Jing set out to do it.
In order to consolidate the legitimacy of Zhao Ji's throne and express his determination to inherit the legacy of his father and brother and commit to reform.
He was reciting it enthusiastically, but it annoyed a group of people on the opposite side. As soon as Chen Dong's impassioned voice landed, Wu Min, Cai Sui, Yuan Tingzhi and others over there rolled up their sleeves and said angrily: "Insult my teacher, I will fight with you."
"
Xu Shuwei couldn't bear it for a long time. His uncle was scolded, so he felt that fighting made sense, so he rolled up his sleeves and joined the fighting group.
The scholars were so excited by this article that their eyes lit up, thinking that they had an opportunity to become famous in one fell swoop.
As soon as a move was made here, it became a group fight, and everyone was having a good party.
Cheng Yi, Mr. Yichuan, was sitting in the pavilion and shouted twice: "Sweep the floor gracefully, sweep the floor gracefully."
Suddenly, Cheng Yi, who was seventy years old, passed away with his eyes glazed over. This time basically coincided with the time of his death in later history.
Someone found Mr. Yichuan lying on the ground and screamed in fright. The people who were fighting in the group also knew the old gentleman's reputation and stopped one after another.
When the atmosphere was sad, Li Yang, who had just jumped off the cliff, went up the mountain happily and shouted: "I succeeded, I succeeded! Haha, I didn't die, I came back alive."