On the second day of the second month of the 58th year of Qianlong, Yuan Mei, a lay Buddhist in Cangshan, and Zhao Yi, 67, met with Qinggui, a senior official of the Qing Dynasty who was ordered to go to Zhejiang in Yangzhou. After taking a boat to Zhenjiang, he stayed at his female disciple Luo Qilan's house near Chao'an Temple.

Luo Qilan is one of Yuan Mei's most proud students. She became a widow at the age of 30 and then moved to Jingkou. She successively worshipped Yuan Mei and Wang Wenzhi to study poetry. She is one of the few female literati who has broken away from the "Three Subordinates" family relationship.

Yuan Mei's eldest son Yuan Tong is going to marry at the end of this month, and many things need to be prepared in advance, but he is not in a hurry to return to Xiaocang Mountain today. There are many guests and many people and eyes. He came to Zhenjiang this time to wait for someone, a messenger from Beihai Town.

Speaking of Yuan Mei, people's attention in later generations has been on "Suiyuan Food List" and "Zi Buyu", especially the allusion of "women are tigers", which has made countless people talk about.

In the eyes of many people, this old man who lived in history, who not only ate, drank, traveled around the country all day, but also accepted a group of female disciples, which can be regarded as a model of "not doing his job properly".

However, Yuan Mei’s superficial actions were just helpless actions to deal with the high-pressure rule of the Qing Dynasty. He was tired of the welcoming and sending and inaction in the officialdom. In his heart, he always adhered to the idea of ​​"using the world" in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. In short, he was "respecting Zhou and converting to Confucius and denying Cheng and Zhu". From this point of view, he had completely consistent views with the successors of Gu Yanwu, such as Wang Zhong, Jiang Fan, Hong Liangji and even Ruan Yuan.

However, unlike Wang Zhong and others, Yuan Mei was not only a thinker under the influence of this trend of thought, but also a practitioner of lifestyle. He was forced to have any purely theoretical works due to the cultural autocracy of the Qing Dynasty. All his thoughts on "using the world" are contained in his lifestyle and literary works, like salt soluble in water.

As Yuan Mei's friend for ages, Hong Liangji, who likes to joke, commented that he is "an old fox in the sky, and he always reveals his tail when drunk". He seems to be wild and unruly, but in fact he knows it well.

Speaking of which, when the Ming and Qing dynasties were changed, criticizing Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism and promoting practical application, the trend of thinking was actually a great self-reflection movement within Confucianism, and was also called "the cultivation of China's modern thought and culture" by later Western scholars.

True Confucianism is not conservative. Although it has become a tool for rulers since Emperor Wu of Han, it has been seeking change until the Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism, which was empty talk about the nature of the mind, was officially established as the official orthodox consciousness in the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, and everything was in vain.

The purpose of studying is only for the imperial examination. The imperial examination is to be an official, and if you become an official, you will need to be promoted and make money. The intellectuals who were bought by self-interest are collectively lost and become a group of spiritual refugees with knowledge but no culture, body but no soul, only knowing self-interest and abandoning justice, without struggle and sacrifice, and no moral integrity. The most elite part of Chinese civilization is heading towards decay and depravity.

The Yuan Dynasty destroyed the Song Dynasty, and the real culprit, the group of Lixue and the Ministry of Justice surrendered to the Yuan Dynasty; during the Jingnan Campaign, they quickly surrendered to Zhu Di and abandoned Jianwen; the Qing army entered the pass, and the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Justice represented by the Donglin Party surrendered to the Qing Dynasty on a large scale.

Starting from the Jiajing period, the Confucian reflection movement that started with Wang Tingxiang and was only grand in the early Qing Dynasty finally formed a powerful and practical system. It included Gu Yanwu's "broad and conscientious" study, Fang Yizhi's "quality and comprehensive study", Yan Yuan's "practical learning, internship, practicality" thought, Fu Qingzhu's research on the pre-Qin philosophers, Wan Sitong's "History of Ming Dynasty", and Gu Zuyu's historical geography, etc.

However, in order to realize the internal reform ideal of Confucianism, it is necessary to combine it with external political factors. The problem is that the idea of ​​"using the world" during the Ming and Qing Dynasties was based on the anti-Qing and restoring the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, this external condition is completely inapplicable to the Confucians who uphold this idea. They are unwilling and will not be valued by the Qing Dynasty, and can only become academic spiritual leaders.

Yuan Mei pretended to be confused for nearly fifty years. She thought she would be like this in her life, but she didn't expect that Beihai Town suddenly appeared.

In early August last year, Wei San, the upper class of the Songjiang Cao Gang, suddenly came to Suiyuan to ask for a meeting. Although Yuan Mei was impatient to deal with such people, she still met him in a way that she was in a hurry. Unexpectedly, after Wei San passed the greeting, he said a lot of irrelevant compliments, then took out a letter and submitted it to him, and then left.

Because the envelope was not signed, Yuan Mei didn't care at that time, so he put it aside and it took two days to remember this matter. However, when he opened it, he was shocked. It was actually a letter written by a child Hong Liangji. No wonder there was no signature on the envelope. There was no news about this person for several years. He heard that he had defected to the North Pirates.

Yuan Mei read Hong Liangji's letter several times, and the more he read it, the more he felt it. From the solemn and free-spirited narrative between the other person's lines, he could not help but be greatly excited when he saw the realization of the thought of practicality in Beihai Town.

There is no eight-legged essay exam that imprisons the thoughts. The school teaches all worldly knowledge. Everyone learns for practical use. Even farmers who farm must read in order to better farm. No one has the time to do unrealistic empty talk. From Zhao Xin to a minor official in the village, everyone does it to save the people from water and fire.

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, Zhao Yi visited Jiangning, and Yuan Mei invited him to Suiyuan for a banquet. However, Zhao Yi was tired of the fact that there were many people coming to Suiyuan for diners every day, so he wrote "Fujian paper fills the door and serves the altar, and Suiyuan wants to keep the meal. Five hundred Arhats in Lingshan, and one Guanyin is unable to treat him." He sent someone to Suiyuan.

Yuan Mei was so amused and laughed when she saw the poem. After thinking about it, she decided to go to Jiangning City to meet the other party in person. During the meal, he deliberately stepped back and took out Hong Liangji's letter to the other party. Zhao Yi was very surprised when he read it, but then he was furious.

He was not angry that Hong Liangji defected to Beihai Town, but he was angry that this boy did not write a letter to himself first, but actually wrote to Yuan Zicai, an old guy! You should know that Zhao Yi and Hong Liangji are not only fellow villagers, but also have a good personal relationship. Earlier, he joked with Hong Liangji that when I die, you come and write an epitaph for me. Hong Liangji also joked that the gentleman would better die earlier so that I can start writing.

This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting contents below! So after discussing with Yuan Mei, the two decided to write a reply letter each. The main purpose was to test Zhao Xin's attitude, and the second was to ridicule Hong Liangji. As for how to send the letter, naturally, we have to ask Wei San from the Songjiang Cao Gang.

Speaking of Zhao Yi, some people may not know about it, but there is a person among his descendants who is very famous, that is, Zhao Yuanren, who can speak 33 dialects and is the "father of modern Chinese linguistics".

The poems of Li and Du are passed down from thousands of words, but they are still not new. There are talented people in the country and have led the way for hundreds of years.

Many people know this poem, right? It was written by Zhao Yi.

This old man has been teaching at Anding Academy in Changzhou these years and is in a state of retirement. Five years ago during the "Lin Shuangwen Rebellion", he was invited to be an aide under Li Shiyao's account to assist in planning military supplies, and worked for a full year. In his spare time, Li Shiyao mentioned many secrets in the court and asserted that Beihai Town, which was under the banner of "King of Zhao" in the former Ming Dynasty, was the most important enemy of the court.

This is how Zhao Yi learned the truth about the battle between the court and Beihai Town, and was shocked that even a person like Fukang'an was regarded as a "meat ticket" by Zhao Xin and knocked Qianlong for a fierce punishment.

Although Zhao Yi had been accused of Tanhua, was in charge of the Military Affairs Office, and even held the fourth rank of the military official, the 67-year-old man was not pedantic. Moreover, like Yuan Mei, he was a general of the "Spiritual Sect".

There was a saying of the "three great masters" in the Qianlong and Jiaqing era. The chief general Yuan Mei, deputy general Zhao Yi, and the palace army Zhang Wentao. If you talk about Qing Dynasty poetry, you cannot avoid these three. Many people think of Nalan Rongruo when they mention Qing Dynasty poetry. In fact, these three people created the last shining era of classical poetry.

When the development of Sinology in the Qing Dynasty to the middle of Qianlong, Puxue (textual study) had already occupied the mainstream academic position. The so-called "puxue" is actually based on "Poetry", "Book", "Rite", "Book", "Book", "Book", "Book", "Book", "Book", "Full", "Music", and "Spring and Autumn", and examines all aspects of the contents and distinguishes the authenticity. Its scope covers exegesis, phonology, history, astronomy, geography, rules and regulations, metal and stone, proofreading, and collection of annihilation.

The advantage of Park School is that it emphasizes "not believing without authorization", and everything must be cited based on classics and is well-founded. It is precisely because a large number of Park School School students have been continuing their academic careers that later generations can know what the accents of the ancients in various dynasties spoke, how the waterways of the Yellow River changed in ancient times, etc.

However, the shortcomings and advantages of Puxue are as obvious. That is, the purpose of all research is to explain the saints' subtle meanings. As for literary nature, everything is wrong. Let's get away!

The reason why Yuan Mei was criticized by the world is because he took a different approach and advocated that the essence of articles lies in virtue and literature. Just understand the righteousness. As for understanding the trivial matters of the seven aunts and eight aunts, it is completely unnecessary to understand the trivial matters of the seven aunts and eight aunts. Just like the "Guanju" in the Book of Songs, you can understand what Confucius said about sorrow but not hurt. There is no need to study who wrote it. The concubines? The palace servants? The mocking King Kang of Zhou for being slept and not getting up early? For this reason, I will write tens of thousands of words. Are you tired?

This is just like watching "Dream of Red Mansions", just understand the various aspects of life, the love, hate, separation, and family rise and fall. But we have to study the mystery of Qin Keqing's origin, who killed Lin Daiyu, and what King Beijing alluded to the deposed prince, who was just a full person, or just to make money by selling books.

In the early years, Hui Dong, the boss of the Puxue School, lowered his figure twice and wrote to Yuan Mei, advising him to join the camp of the School of Confucianism, and take the Six Classics handed down by the ancients as the basis and not to make tricks on literature. Not only did Yuan Mei not listen, he made a rebuttal in his reply. He even traced the root of the origin and revealed the inferior character of Zhuang Zhou and Dai Sheng, the founder of the Six Classics, denied the sacred meaning of the Six Classics, and almost made Hui Dong's nose crooked.

In the mid-Qing Dynasty, the literati had a strong sense of essays, either one or the other. Yuan Mei was so sarcastic about the Six Classics, which was to declare war for the textual school. If they formed a bond, they would be incompatible in the future!

So do you understand the meaning of the song "Moss Flower"? That is Yuan Mei's cry to this era. Although the spirit school has little words, it is like the moss flower in the corner of the wall. However, in terms of practical knowledge, it is no different from the graceful and noble peony.

When the sun is gone, youth comes naturally; the moss flowers are as small as rice, and they also bloom like peonies.

The most important thing is to carry virtue in writing, and everything else is nonsense!

Back to the point, Yuan Mei and Zhao Yi replied, like a rock sinking into the sea. It was not until late in the first lunar month of this year that Wei Sancai sent someone to Suiyuan in Xiaocang Mountain and agreed to meet. When Yuan Mei heard this, he was going to Yangzhou to meet Qinggui on the 27th day of the first lunar month. Zhao Yi would also go there, and he would not delay the completion of the work.

I went north to Yangzhou to meet Qinggui because of Yuan Mei's relationship with his father Yin Jishan, who was both a teacher and a friend. At the age of 23, Yuan Mei was elected as a Shujishi and went to Shuchangguan to study. The person responsible for teaching him was Qinggui's father Yin Jishan. Later, Yin Jishan was transferred to the Governor of Liangjiang, and the two had close contacts.

The two stayed in Luo's house for four days. In addition to drinking tea and having fun every day, they also told some poetry and paintings to several disciples, and they lived a comfortable life. On the afternoon of the fifth day, a stranger dressed in a boatman sent a message and asked the two to meet at Yinshan Temple at noon tomorrow. The specific location was outside the mountain gate. Yuan and Zhao knew that the other party was afraid of attracting criticism from their master Luo Qilan, so they did not visit them directly. So near noon the next day, the two arrived at the agreed place accompanied by Yuan Mei's eldest son Yuan Tong and Zhao Yi's fifth son Zhao Tingyan.

Later generations knew that there was a Jinshan Temple in Zhenjiang, but they did not know that there was a Yinshan Temple built in the Yuan Dynasty on a small hill called "Suanshan" in the southeast.

According to legend, during the Three Kingdoms, Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang agreed to a plan to break Cao by fire, so it was also called "Suanshan". In the late Eastern Jin Dynasty, Liu Yu also defeated the pirate Sun En here. In another time and space, the entire Suanshan area was designated as the British Concession, and Yinshan Temple disappeared from now on.

This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content later! Because it was early spring, there were not many tourists coming to Yinshan Temple. As soon as the four of them arrived at the mountain gate, a young man walked over with a servant. This person was not tall and looked only in his early twenties. He was wearing a blue robe with rain over the sky, a yellow buckle with a yellow buckle, a royal blue belt around his waist, and his long eyebrows and eyes were beautiful, which made people feel good at it. However, his servant was very thin, with his eyes constantly looking at the four people, and then looked around vigilantly.

The young man stepped forward and arched at Yuan Mei and Zhao Yi with a fist and bowed, "I'm the one below, and the name is Guisheng. I guess the two are Duke Jianzhai and Duke Oubei?"

Zhao Yi nodded slightly, and Yuan Mei smiled and said, "It's me. Judging from the accent, is Brother Shen from Yangzhou?"

"I came from Yangzhou, but I have been in the north for many years." After saying that, the young man raised his hand and signaled: "My boss is waiting in the temple. Please follow me."

Yuan Mei's eldest son Yuan Tong was displeased when he heard that the other party was not the one he wanted to meet. Although the mountain was not high, his father was nearly 80 years old and he carried him all the way, so he said coldly: "Your boss is really a big shot."

Chen Guisheng said apologetically: "It's not that it's dishonest, but that's the matter today. I have always admired Mr. Cangshan, so I specially sent my confidant to come. However, it's best to be careful. I hope Mr. Yuan will not blame me."

Yuan Mei smiled slightly after hearing this and said without any mind: "It's okay, please lead the way with Brother Chen."

Yuan Tongxin said, Dad, it’s easy for you to talk, but the problem is that I’m tired of it! Then he turned around and squatted down, with Zhao Tingyan’s help, he carried his father and walked slowly to the steps.

The six people entered the temple gate and walked straight through the temples. The monks who came and went were all blind. When they arrived at the door of a Zen room, before Yuan Mei could get off his son's back, the Zen room door was opened from the inside. A middle-aged man walked out quickly and bowed to Yuan Mei and Zhao Yi and bowed to him, "Forgive me for your sins! Duke Jian Zhai and Duke Oubei, I'm really sorry! Please both of you to go there. I'm useless."

The speaker is about forty years old, wearing a wide ball of flowery gray poplin robe. His fat figure makes his clothes tighter and looks a little ridiculous. His white and wide face has a beard and two dark little eyes embedded in it. He is careless, just like a nouveau riche.

Yuan Mei and Zhao Yi were both stunned, thinking that why Beihai Town sent such a person to come. Looking at Chen Gui who was not yet pleased with him. However, taking advantage of Beihai Town's reputation, the two of them still greeted each other and then entered the Zen room to sit down. Taking advantage of the time of tea, Zhao Yi finally couldn't help asking: "I wonder what position you hold in Beihai Town?"

Xu Wuying smiled and said, "I am ashamed to say that I am the deputy director of the North Navy Intelligence Bureau. I was fortunate to come to meet the two old gentlemen this time because I was ordered by the king and wrote a letter with King Zhao."

Intelligence Bureau? Deputy Director?

Yuan Mei and Zhao Yi looked at each other and thought to himself, what kind of official is this? I have never heard of it in the official system of all dynasties!

By the way, if Ruan Yuan was present, he would be surprised that the other party was called "Xu Dachun". Why did he change his name to "Xu Wuyong"? However, if he met Liu Quan, the housekeeper of the government, he would definitely curse "the damn Xu Dayong" in his heart.

That's right, the person who came to see Yuan Mei on behalf of the North Navy Intelligence Bureau was Zhao Xin's confidant Xu Dayong. The young man named Chen Gui was naturally Chen Guisheng.

After Xu Dayong ended his trip to the capital a year and a half ago, he returned to Beihai Town and was responsible for internal espionage work. He also trained a group of newcomers for the Military Intelligence Bureau. At the end of the previous year, he got married to the Tea Girl, and now he has become a father and has a big fat boy.

After a long period of calm, Xu Dayong, who had gained more than ten pounds, couldn't hold it anymore and began to calm down again. It happened that Wang Zhong found Wang Changsheng and wanted to send someone to Jiangnan to contact Yuan Mei. Xu Dayong immediately volunteered, which led to this trip to Zhenjiang.

Although this guy has already registered in the Qing government, he is from Chongming, so he has no problem with his accent in Jiangnan. He helped Songjiang Cao Gang fight the Suzhou Cao Gang, so he is very familiar with each other in the Yangtze River and the canal. This time, he arranged a meeting with Yuan Mei at Yinshan Temple because he could go down the mountain immediately and take a boat to run away.

Xu Dayong did not explain to Yuan Mei and Zhao Yi what the Intelligence Bureau was, but said it was a military in Beihai Town, directly under the management of Zhao Xin. This time, meeting the two people was of great importance, so he sent him to go south in person. Fortunately, he didn't say it, otherwise the two old men would be shocked. Isn't this the same as the Jinyiwei in the former Ming Dynasty?

After a while, Chen Guisheng brought the tea and then left the Zen room. Xu Dayong then took out the handwritten letter from Zhao Xin and Wang Zhong from his arms, explaining that all the related matters were said in the letter. Please read it.
Chapter completed!