When Xu Qing walked into the Zhao Mansion, he saw that the people who came to visit almost lined up from the front yard to the back yard.
It’s still just after morning!
It was still very early, but I didn't expect that they would get the news so quickly and come here to visit and wait.
A person who has been prime minister and half-emperor for more than ten years has accumulated a reputation and connections among literati that have reached a terrifying level.
Fortunately, Xu Qing is either a scholar who does not understand this, or he may not openly oppose such a person on the issue of soft paper.
The belief of a generation of literati from the Chu State.
Zhao Mansion
At this time, Zhao Wen no longer had the energy he had when he was debating scriptures with Zhao people. At this time, Zhao Wen looked like an ordinary old man, as skinny as a stick.
Standing next to the late old man was the Emperor of Chu, and on either side were civil officials headed by Prime Minister Qin and Prime Minister Jiang. Even Xiao Ye was standing aside at this time.
Zhao Wen looked at Emperor Chu with weak eyes and said: "I am already on my deathbed. There is no need to worry about me anymore. There are still political affairs to deal with in my family and country, so there is no need to delay the state affairs for a useless person like me."
Although Zhao Wen was skinny and skinny at this time, he was energetic and spoke clearly.
However, there was not much joy on the faces of those present, because I was afraid that this was just a reflection of the past.
The Emperor of Chu said sadly: "The Taifu is the cultural heritage of our Chu country. I can't bear it."
Zhao Wen smiled freely and said: "I have lived here for more than seventy years, and I am already seventy years old. From the beginning of the founding of our Chu country, I have seen step by step that now our Chu country is fending off powerful enemies abroad and having peace at home. I have lived enough in this life."
Originally, it was time to follow the late emperor."
Then Zhao Wen looked at Prime Minister Qin and Prime Minister Jiang and pretended to be angry: "Is there no important matter to deal with in Zhongshu Province? What are you two doing here? How many affairs of the Chu Kingdom depend on you two prime ministers?"
When Jiang Xiang and Qin Xiang heard Zhao Wen's reprimand, they lowered their heads subconsciously, as if they were two students who had made mistakes. They did not dare to speak or look directly at their former teacher.
At this moment, Wei Zhong's voice came closer and closer: "Reporting to your Majesty, the Marquis of Anding County has arrived."
When Xu Qing walked in from the outside, he saw the officials headed by Emperor Chu standing in the main room. Although there were not many, they were all high-ranking people.
Emperor Chu immediately said: "Quickly declare."
After saying that, Emperor Chu looked at Zhao Wen who was lying on the bed and said: "Master, Xu Qing has already arrived. When the master has finished seeing people, I will go back to handle state affairs. Master, don't worry."
Mr. Zhao looked at the door, with a look of relief and a little expectation on his face. Finally, a figure walked in at the door, and Mr. Zhao said, "Mr. Xu is here."
Xu Qing stepped forward and bowed, saying: "I have seen..."
Emperor Chu waved his hand and said: "I'm sorry, I have something to tell you."
Taifu Zhao smiled kindly and said: "At the beginning, I was still calling on the literati in the capital to oppose the soft paper. Fortunately, Mr. Xu said something to wake up the dreamer. Otherwise, I would have almost made a big mistake."
Xu Qing also showed a gentle smile on his face: "Sir, I don't dare to take it seriously. I wonder if the soft paper master is still used to it?"
Taifu Zhao said: "The soft paper has indeed made the later years of old age much more convenient. Since a dying person like me finds soft paper so convenient, let alone those younger people."
Xu Qing said: "This is true knowledge coming from practice."
Taifu Zhao said with a smile, "Yes, after realizing true knowledge, I thought that I could humbly ask for advice. But unfortunately, as my position got higher and higher, there were fewer and fewer people who dared to give advice. In the end, they all
Speaking according to the old man's opinions also made the old man, who has studied all his life, become a little headstrong. Fortunately, Mr. Xu was able to wake up in time and avoid a big mistake."
Having said this, Taifu Zhao looked at Jiang Xiang and Qin Xiang and said: "Although my words are for self-reflection, they are also meant for you two to listen to. You are already in the high position of prime minister, and there are fewer and fewer people who dare to speak frankly to you.
Zeng Zi said, "I have lived in three provinces for a long time, and there is no one there. You are not as good as Zeng Zi. That is why you should reflect on yourself in time. I don't want my disciples to make the same mistake as a teacher again."
When Qin Xiang and Jiang Xiang heard this, they immediately raised their hands and said, "Students, please remember this."
The officials behind Qin Xiang and Jiang Xiang also bowed one after another.
Even Xu Qing and Emperor Chu felt that Taifu Zhao was not only alerting Jiang Xiang and Qin Xiang, but also everyone present.
Especially Emperor Chu felt it even more.
In the Chu State, there are two prime ministers who are inferior to one person and superior to ten thousand people. They are inferior to two people at best.
Of course the one who is truly subordinate to one person is him, the emperor, and there is an imperial brother above him!
The emperor's position is greater than that of the prime minister.
After Zhao Taifu finished explaining this, he looked at Xu Qing and said, "I am already buried up to my neck in loess. Mr. Xu has a deeper understanding of Wen Zhidao than I do. I want to ask Mr. Xu for advice one last time. I am
Why should scholars study?”
When Xu Qing heard this, he looked at Taifu Zhao and said solemnly: "Establish a heart for the heaven and earth, establish a destiny for the people, carry on the unique knowledge for the saints, and create peace for all generations."
At this point, Xu Qing looked at Taifu Zhao and asked, "I wonder what Taifu thinks?"
The four sentences of Hengqu are from "Hengqu Quotations" written by Zhang Zai, a great scholar of the Song Dynasty, and have been passed down for generations and will last forever.
These four sentences are perfect to answer Taifu Zhao's question.
There was a hint of shock on Mr. Zhao's face at first, and then a look of relief on his face: "Originally, I thought that I had already regarded Mr. Xu's talent very highly, but I didn't expect that my understanding was shallow. If the literati of Chu can do what Mr. Xu said,
If you say so, why should I, the literary master of the state of Chu, be unhappy?"
Not only Taifu Zhao, but also everyone present had a look of shock on their faces. These warning words from the literati are not only catchy, but also make people feel enlightened when reading them.
Literati studied hard in the sages' books in their humble beginnings, no longer for the sake of imperial examinations, nor for being named on the gold medal list, nor for holding a high position.
Rather, we must establish a heart for this world, establish a destiny for the people of the world, carry forward the unique teachings for the saints, and create peace for all generations.
This is a great kindness!
Emperor Chu thought about these words three or four times carefully, turned around and said: "Copy these four sentences on every yamen, in every duty room, and I will also copy them in the Imperial Study Room and Taiji Palace.
We, the kings and ministers of Chu State, should keep this in mind at all times and encourage each other!"
When the surrounding officials heard this, they cupped their hands and said, "Your Majesty is wise!"
After hearing Emperor Chu's words, Taifu Zhao nodded slightly, then looked at Xu Qing, wanting to confirm a guess in his heart, and said: "Your Majesty, I still have something to say to Mr. Xu alone, can you..."