Chapter 202 In front of the Temple of the First Master
After Lin Tailai made up his mind, he asked Dong Qichang: "You said that Gu Jingyang would go to the Taixue Master Temple. How did you find out this information?"
Lin Daguanren had indeed entrusted Dong Qichang to help him inquire about relevant developments. After all, Lin Daguanren did not have a social circle among scholars and the channels were very narrow.
And now he is mainly worried that Dong Qichang's source of information is unreliable, which will make his trip in vain. Because asking for help requires asking for favors, and if they are wasted, they will be gone.
Dong Qichang replied: "He said this after he drank too much when entertaining a scholar from Wuxi.
But he doesn’t know exactly what it is, he only knows that something like this is about to happen, and I feel it should be true.”
Then Dong Qichang asked impatiently: "Friend Lin, you said you had good news for me, what was it?"
Lin Tailai sighed: "I have been fired by Hai Qingtian, and I will no longer be responsible for rectifying the atmosphere. Therefore, I am afraid that the district inspections I appointed will also be ineffective.
Then you can focus on the provincial examination and no longer have to worry about education supervision. Isn’t that good news?”
The reason why this matter was revealed at this time was mainly because Lin Daguan was not at ease with Dong Qichang.
After all, in history, although Dong Qichang was excellent in calligraphy and painting, his character has always been criticized.
What if you heard the news of your resignation first and then had a betrayal of yourself and concealed the information, wouldn't it be a huge loss?
Therefore, Senior Official Lin, just in case, dug out the information brought by Dong Qichang before revealing his resignation.
"No!" Dong Qichang held his head in pain.
Ever since he was responsible for supervising and educating people in a certain area of Nanqu Jiuyuan, he has become a popular figure among his friends.
His friends all admired him, countless scholars tried their best to get to know and make friends with him, and all the beauties in the area greeted him with smiles.
Dong Qichang liked this kind of life very much. He was already the only one in Songjiang Prefecture in calligraphy and painting, and he didn't feel so happy.
Unexpectedly, the good days will come to an end in just a few days.
Lin Tailai advised with a righteous look: "Don't be obsessed with the world of mortals, take exams seriously, practice calligraphy, and paint!
This little sweetness is nothing. When you become famous in the future, you will be famous all over the world, and you will have plenty of wealth in the world to enjoy!"
Dong Qichang raised his head and said in confusion: "How come you said the same thing as Chen Jiru?"
Lin Tailai asked again: "Where are the others? Why can't they see them?"
Dong Qichang replied: "He is studying hard behind closed doors and is determined to win the title of Juren. He will not be detained casually again in the future!"
Official Lin couldn't help laughing and laughed a few times, a little rudely.
I hope Chen Jiru, the most famous Buyishan native in the late Ming Dynasty, will not vomit blood when he sees his friend Dong Qichang pass the imperial examination. They are another pair of abusive friends.
Lin Tailai suddenly said in a wicked way: "If you really miss pink and want to indulge in flowers, I can also show you a way."
If Dong Qichang, a young man in this time and space, was corrupted early and could not succeed in the imperial examination and have a smooth official career, would it be a good thing or a bad thing for him?
It was already late that day when Dong Qichang was sent away, but early the next morning, Senior Official Lin said goodbye to Zhao Caiji.
"In the next few days, I plan to go to the Imperial Academy to be detained." Lin Daguan said seriously.
Zhao Caiji asked in surprise: "You're not going to hide out, are you? You're eighteen or nineteen years old, when you're still full of energy, and you can't do it in just a few days?"
Lin Tailai said angrily: "I just have business, so I need to go there! What do you know about scholar matters?"
In the Ming Dynasty system, county schools, state schools, and colleges were schools, and the Imperial College, known as Taixue, was also a school, but the level was much higher.
Another example is that the "Confucius Temple" that is familiar to later generations is not the Imperial College in Nanjing during the Ming Dynasty. Its predecessor in the Ming Dynasty was just the "Xianshi Temple" of Yingtianfu School.
Yingtianfu School has no status at all, and it is not a famous school. It is just located in an excellent location, next to Gongyuan where the major examination is held, and across the river is the old Qinhuai Academy.
If the students in the county schools and state colleges have always failed to pass the examination, they can go to the Imperial College to study in order of year, become an imperial student and then become an official.
This is a path to fame that is different from the imperial examination, but its status is very low in the officialdom.
Since they are both schools, their layouts are similar, except that the Imperial College is much larger.
However, the overall architectural layout of "Left Temple and Right School" is the same. Every school has a temple for the ancestors and a main hall, Dacheng Hall, so there is also one in the Imperial College.
In the Ming Dynasty, there was no "Confucius Temple, the No. 1 University in the South of the Yangtze River" that boasted internet celebrity attractions. The Imperial College located in the north of the city was theoretically the highest school in the country.
Therefore, even if scholars want to worship Confucius, the Guozijian Temple should be more effective.
Regarding the sacrifice of Confucius, according to the ritual system, there are two grand sacrifices every year, one in the Spring and Autumn, respectively on the Stung Din Day in February and August.
Emperors who were more diligent would also come to the Imperial Academy in person to hold the ceremony of worshiping Confucius on Ding Day, while emperors who were more lazy would forget about it.
And now it happens to be August, and the Nanjing Imperial College has just finished the Confucius Memorial Ceremony on Shangding Day.
Then the Xianshi Temple and Dacheng Hall were opened as usual and remained open until the end of the provincial examination, allowing scholars to come and offer incense to the saint.
As the date of the Provincial Examination approaches, scholars here begin to flock in an endless stream, inviting friends and companions to come and offer incense.
Lin Tai came to the Imperial Academy and visited the director Zhao Zhigao with familiarity.
Old Man Zhao is very leisurely most of the time, and of course he is very happy to have someone accompany him to pass the time.
"I have been fired by Haizhong Cheng, so I have more free time." Lin Tailai said.
Zhao Zhigao sighed: "For a severe and demanding person like Haizhong Cheng, if you work under him, it would be great if you can escape unscathed."
Lin Tailai said again: "I have nothing to do when I am idle. The old bachelor can also give me a temporary job."
Zhao Zhigao said subconsciously: "This is a gentle place, we don't need thugs."
Lin Tailai was very dissatisfied and said: "Old bachelor! I am a double-criminal boy student, and I am from Suzhou City! How can you, a half-literary man, only treat me as a thug?"
Zhao Zhigao replied: "With your talent, you are being wronged by being an errand here."
The Imperial College really does not need people who can penetrate from the back door to the front door and use violence to suppress the prison students.
Lin Tailai said quickly: "I won't be wronged if I don't want to be wronged! There is a place in the Imperial College where I will never be wronged if I work there!"
After all the talk, Lin Daguan finally convinced Zhao Zhigao and became an honorary handyman of the Imperial College.
Then Lin Daguan asked casually, "I have seen many scholars offering incense to Saint Kong recently. Is there any big news?"
Zhao Zhigao thought about it and said: "If there is any big news, it will be that the three leaders of Nanjing will collectively offer incense to the saint Confucius in the future."
Lin Tailai asked in surprise: "What are the Nanjing Three Straits? What kind of combination is this?"
Zhao Zhigao replied: "They are the three honest ministers who were demoted to Nanjing City from last year to this year because they dared to speak out.
They are Wei Yunzhen, Zou Yuanbiao, and Li Sancai. Although their official positions are only fifth grade, their reputations are very resounding and they are representatives of upright ministers."
Lin Tailai: "."
Aren’t these names the Donglin Party members? Don’t think that because the current vests are called Qingliu Force, you don’t know them!
Also, now that these three buddies are here, where is Gu Xiancheng, the spiritual leader of the Donglin Party?
Zhao Zhigao said: "I didn't hear that Gu Xiancheng was going to participate. I only heard that Nanjing Sanzhi will worship Confucius together."
This makes Lin Daguan a little strange. The Qingliu forces are very cohesive. How could these three ministers go to offer incense with great fanfare without bringing Gu Xiancheng, who is also in Nanjing?
Not to mention that Gu Xiancheng is the only Jiangnan surname among this group of people. It would be unreasonable not to include this only "landowner".
Coupled with the intelligence provided by Dong Qichang, Lin Tailai could only believe that Gu Xiancheng would definitely know and would definitely show off on the spot.
But now Gu Xiancheng did not dare to make any announcement in advance, and even asked the three direct ministers to cover him so that outsiders would not notice him.
So in the eyes of Lin Daguan, what is the difference between Gu Xiancheng's actions and sneaking? It's like guarding against thieves, and you don't know what you are guilty of or what you are afraid of?
So Lin Tailai reminded Zhao Zhigao: "Old bachelors should be careful, they like to create political issues.
If you cause any problems in the Imperial College, you will also be punished, for example, if they make fun of the emperor in public or something like that."
Zhao Zhigao said in astonishment: "Isn't that true? They are not crazy."
Lin Tailai advised: "In short, the old bachelor should be more vigilant, send more manpower, and be careful not to make any big mistakes."
Zhao Zhigao said, "It's enough to have you. Isn't it rumored that you can weigh one against a thousand?"
Time flies and the day after tomorrow comes, the Qingliu forces in Nanjing City come out in full force and come to Taixue Xianshi Temple to worship Saint Confucius.
In addition to Nanjing Sanzhi, Gu Xiancheng was also present. In addition, Li Sancai's friend, Wei Yunzhen's fellow villager, and Li Hualong, director of the Nanjing Ministry of Industry, also arrived.
Most of the people who come here are scholars, so this group of people wearing official robes is very eye-catching.
Gu Xiancheng, who did not have the highest political status, was instead crowded in the middle at this time.
Among the stars of the Qingliu forces, Shen Li is from Henan, Zhao Nanxing and Wei Yunzhen are both from Beizhili, Zou Yuanbiao is from Jiangxi, and Li Sancai is from Shaanxi.
However, in the Jiangnan region, which is the most prosperous and prosperous region in the world and has the largest number of scholars, there is not a single political star who can stand out.
Therefore, for the overall interests of the Qingliu forces, they must support Gu Xiancheng.
What does it mean to sacrifice your own reputation a little? They are all gentlemen.
Several people bravely climbed the steps and walked to the platform at the entrance of Dacheng Hall.
At this time, Gu Xiancheng suddenly said "Ah", sat down directly, and then began to meditate with his eyes closed.
Others gathered around Gu Xiancheng, as if they were protecting the law.
These people immediately blocked the entrance to Dacheng Hall, making it difficult for other scholars to enter the hall and they could only gather around at the foot of the steps outside the hall.
Li Sancai said loudly: "I, Li Sancai from the Ministry of Rites, and my friend Gu Jingyang were reading scriptures recently, and suddenly a difficult problem came to mind.
Last night, I suddenly dreamed of Mr. Guishan, a great scholar from the Song Dynasty. In his dream, Mr. Guishan asked him to come and worship Saint Kong today.
Looking at you now, you seem to have realized something in front of the saint's palace, so I boldly ask you not to disturb me."
Unable to defeat him again and again, the others could only watch from below for the time being.
Fortunately, this meditation did not take long. Gu Xiancheng quickly opened his eyes, looked at the sky, and recited:
"In the first month and third month of King Chun, the Duke and Zhu Yi's father made an alliance in Mi.
In the fifth month of summer, Zheng Beke was sent to Yan.
In the seventh month of autumn, the King of Heaven sent his chief minister to return to Duke Hui, and Zhongzi took over. In the ninth month, he and the people of the Song Dynasty allied themselves at the place of residence.
On the tenth day of winter, in the second month of the twelfth month, I came to offer sacrifices to the uncle. The prince benefited from his troops and died."
Anyone who has a little knowledge of the Four Books and Five Classics will be able to tell that what Gu Xiancheng was reciting was the first chapter of the Spring and Autumn Annals, "The Year of Yin Gong".
I just don’t know why I’m memorizing this article. Have I realized the truth?
Gu Xiancheng added: "The sages wrote about the Spring and Autumn Period, which is a subtle statement of great meaning. I can't understand it clearly. What is the main purpose of the Spring and Autumn Period and where is it reflected?
Yesterday, I received a dream from Mr. Guishan, and today I received the sage’s shadow in Dacheng Hall, and I suddenly realized it!
The main purpose of the Spring and Autumn Period is in the first chapter! The first word "天" in the whole sutra highlights the true meaning of the sage!"
Everyone recalled that the first word "天" in the Spring and Autumn Sutra appeared in the third sentence, and the original sentence was "The king of heaven sent Zai Yi to return to Duke Hui, and Zhongzi's successor".
The explanation is that King Ping of Zhou sent people to deliver funeral objects to Duke Hui and Zhongzi of Lu.
But at this time, Hui Gong's funeral was over, and Zhongzi was not dead yet, so the funeral objects were not suitable.
So the implicit meaning is that King Zhou Ping's move is very unethical.
The first chapter of the Spring and Autumn Annals says that King Ping of Zhou was not in compliance with etiquette and law. The deeper meaning requires various interpretations by experts.
Gu Xiancheng still sat without standing up, and said as if he was very excited:
"Here we need to look at the word "Heaven". There is a way to cover the world. It does not mean that the world has a way for itself. Only when the king leads the people to have a way, then there is a way;
There is no way in the world. It is because the world itself is without way. But if the king leads the way, then there is no way.
Before the word "王", the word "天" is mentioned. Doesn't it mean that the world is commanded by the king, and the king is commanded by heaven. If he can obey the command of heaven, he is the one who has the way, but if he cannot lead it, he is without the way.
The main purpose of the Spring and Autumn Period, the true meaning of the saints, is in the first chapter! It is in this sentence! It is in this single heavenly word!"
Li Sancai turned around and shouted: "Gu Jun was awakened from somewhere today and finally understood it!"
The atmosphere was very good, and the readers in the audience were talking a lot. This exegesis is still very sophisticated and worth pondering.
Just as the atmosphere was progressing further, a voice of laughter suddenly came from the hall, "That's all!"
Everyone turned their heads and looked into the hall. Was there anyone else inside?
Suddenly, another broom flew out of the hall and landed next to Gu Xiancheng.
Although it didn't hit Gu Xiancheng, it still shocked Gu Xiancheng and he stood up subconsciously.
Then a figure appeared from the temple, holding another broom.
If you look closely, you will see that this man is tall, wearing a coarse short coat, and is covered in dust, but his majesty cannot be blocked.
After seeing the other party's face clearly, Gu Xiancheng seemed to be even more frightened, "Why are you here?"
The tall figure nodded and said: "I am just a sweeper at the Master's Temple, but when I heard Mr. Jingyang's interpretation of the scriptures, I felt nothing more than that."
This is not Suzhou, and there are still many people who don’t know who that tall figure is.
I just thought, is it possible that even a sweeper in the Imperial College dares to come forward to refute a great scholar?
I spent most of the two days running around on the road. It was so fragmented. It would be good if I could write a few thousand words. It will be normal when I get home tomorrow night.