After a long journey of more than 20 days, on September 11, the third year of Yuanfu, Su Che, the messenger from the Song Dynasty to congratulate the Lord of Liao on his birthday, finally arrived at Xijin Prefecture in Nanjing, Northern Liao Dynasty.
In Yongqing County, the envoy of the Privy Council of the North Liao Academy, Yelu Asi, who supervised the compilation of the history of the country, and the envoy of the Privy Council of the South Academy, Li Yan, the Duke of Yue, came to greet him on the orders of the Lord of Liao.
When they saw Su Che, they both held the disciple ceremony and were very respectful.
Then I asked about Mr. Da Su's current situation, and learned that Mr. Dongpo was very interested in visiting the mountains and rivers with his friends all day long, and had created many masterpieces. However, they were still being compiled and printed, so I couldn't help but sigh.
"The monarchs and ministers of the Northern Liao Dynasty, as well as the scholars and scholars, are all looking forward to it, wishing they could read Mr. Dongpo's latest masterpiece as soon as possible!"
Su Che's face was full of smiles, but he was muttering in his heart, thank you, my brother is now free and comfortable, and it is all thanks to you.
Chuanshi Literary Publishing House obtained the "exclusive authorization" from his brother, and while using its "special relationship" with the Publications Bureau, the Police Department and other government agencies, it severely cracked down on any literary publishing house and printing house that dared to "infringe and pirate" the brother's collected works; at the same time, it started printing like crazy
, selling a large number of beautifully printed and expensive "genuine anthologies" to various parts of the Song Dynasty, as well as Northern Liao, Xixia, Dali, Li Yue, Goryeo, and Eastern Japan.
Su Che accidentally learned from his brother that Chuanshi Literary Publishing House in Beiliao alone had sold nearly 200,000 guan of "Dongpo's Collected Works" in just over half a year. From then on, his brother earned as much as 20,000 guan from one item.
of “royalty”.
After introducing the deputy envoys Li Kui and Li Gefei and saying a few polite words, the group got on the boat and headed north along the Sanggan River.
Along the way, we can see that the fields are barren, the people are sparsely populated, and the once prosperous land is almost in ruins.
"I didn't expect that in just ten years, the land of Yan would be so desolate. It's really disappointing." Su Zhe said with emotion.
Yeluasi and Li Yan looked at each other, embarrassed and didn't know how to answer.
When the Lord of the Liao Dynasty first came to the throne, he was outspoken, visited and governed, encouraged farmers and schools, and provided disaster relief and relief. However, he became more and more mediocre as time went by. Now that he is older, he is even more confused. The government is muddy and the officials are corrupt. But he also believes deeply in Buddhism and widely spreads Buddhism.
He printed Buddhist scriptures, built temples and pagodas, held literary conferences, recruited scribes, and praised his virtues.
It wastes people, money and national power.
Especially in these years, it has reached its extreme. The people in various prefectures and counties in Nanjing have suffered so much that they have abandoned their fields and hid in the mountains in the west, forming villages to protect themselves.
Su Che noticed the seriousness and said, "Su heard that your master's collected works have been compiled into "Qingning Collection" and are about to be published. Is this possible?"
"There is such a thing," Li Yan replied with a smile. "After seeing many of Mr. Da Su's "Collected Works", the Holy Father felt admiration for him, so he asked the National History Museum to organize and edit his poems and writings, and compiled them into "The Collected Works".
"Qingning Collection".
"Your poems are majestic and have profound artistic conception. Su once heard a poem by your Lord, 'Yesterday, I received a poem from your Majesty Huang Ju, and I cut gold and English into pieces to fill in the sentences. I still feel the lingering fragrance in my sleeves, which the cold west wind cannot blow away.
'"
When Yeluasi and Li Yan heard this, their eyes lit up, especially Li Yan's eyes, which were as round as a bull's eye.
"After my brother heard about it, he praised it again and again. It's a good poem, a wonderful poem! The lingering fragrance lingers, and the wind never blows away. The admiration is beyond words. Especially "I still feel in my sleeves" is written with elegance and charm, and has a special charm.
It has the implicit meaning of "gifting beautiful flowers to others, and the fragrance will linger on the sleeves", and "the cold west wind" is the finishing touch, which is meant in the scenery and has profound meaning."
"Is this poem really praised so much by Mr. Dongpo?" Li Yan was so excited that his face flushed and he stuttered a little.
"It's true! My brother also said at the time that such a masterpiece could not be produced by famous scholars from the Song Dynasty who were well versed in poetry. I don't know which great talent from the Liao Kingdom wrote it. I later found out that it was your noble lord."
"Mr. Da Su's evaluation must be known to the Holy One." Li Yan muttered.
Yeluasi said with some jealousy at the side: "Mr. Xiao Su, this poem written by our lord is called "Ode on Huangju about Li Yan". It was Privy Li who composed a "Ode on Huangju" and dedicated it to your lord. Your Majesty
So I made peace with this poem."
Su Zhe had a look of surprise and surprise on his face, "The king and his ministers get along well with each other, they recite poems in harmony, and occasionally get good works, which can be a story for the ages. Your Lord, this poem will be famous for eternity, and Li Xiang, you should also be famous for generations to come."
Li Yan's face smiled like a flower, and he repeatedly cupped his hands and said: "It's because the Holy Master's poems are well done, and Li just got the glory."
On September 12, Yelu Hongji, Lord of the Liao Dynasty, summoned Su Che, Li Kui, and Li Gefei in the Xian Temple.
Walking up to the hall, Su Zhe saw that there were sixty or seventy people in the hall, divided into two groups, looking at him with different expressions. Most people's eyes were gentle and neutral, but a few people's eyes were a little unkind, especially those hidden in the crowd.
Someone's green eyes showed hatred.
"Song's envoy Su Che/deputy envoys Li Kui/Li Gefei, by the order of our Lord, wish the Emperor of Liao a long and prosperous life. May the Emperor of Liao live long and prosperous lives. The two countries of Song and Liao will always be friends.
Live in peace, the country will be prosperous and the people will be happy!"
After Su Che finished his congratulatory speech, Li Kui took out a formal text written by Huazao and read it out.
"The wind of peace is spread on the four sides. The king's foundation is solid, and his wise questions are carried out. In the past, his bow was in the morning... He likes to give straight advice without any shading, and he cultivates talents and is good at many scholars... He comes and goes in the past years, and he is virtuous.
Even if the divisions and soldiers do not test, there will be no police in the frontier. If a man is brilliant and talented, this is called Ying Yuan. If he is wise and thoughtful, this is called Qi Sheng. If he inspires the scope, this is called showing his merits. If he applies education, this is called
Respecting virtues, harmonizing one's family and helping others, this is called benevolence. Praying for a long life, this is called preserving longevity. Using the virtues from all over the world to support you, you can enjoy the blessing of a long life without borders!"
After hearing this, Yelu Hongji was overjoyed and praised: "After all, he is a figure from Tsinghua University in the South. His articles are so beautiful that they leave a fragrance in the mouth after reading them..."
The next step is to present birthday gifts. In addition to the "secular items" such as gold, silver and jewelry, there are also many beautifully printed anthologies, including Mr. Dongpo's poetry anthology, Ouyang Xiu's "The Drunkard's Collected Works", "Collected Ancient Records",
Liu Yong's "Collection of Movements", "Collection of Liu Sanbian's Poems", and the latest collection of poems by Zhou Bangyan, a new generation of poets currently emerging in the Song Dynasty.
In addition, there is a vast ocean of Buddhist scriptures, beautifully printed, and the images of the Buddhas are even more lifelike. Yelu Hongji was so excited when he saw them that he praised them repeatedly.
"It's so good! Amitabha!"
The final treasure was as tall as a person. When it was put in a wooden box and carried into the temple, everyone watched and talked about it, everyone guessing what the treasure was.
When the box was opened and the protective cotton, silk and other items outside were carefully removed, everyone was shocked when the real person was revealed.
At this time, there is a statue of Medicine Buddha made of glass, with snail hair on top, holding a medicine pot in the left hand, and applying the fearless seal in the right hand. The statue is solemn, compassionate, and full of brilliance, as if the true Buddha is coming with colorful rays of light.
mortal world.
With the Lord of Liao as the leader and the emperor's grandson as his deputy, everyone knelt on the ground and gathered around the Buddha statue, chanting something.
The generous gifts were given with full sincerity, and the Liao Lord's attitude toward Su Che and others was even more amiable.
Li Yan recounted the conversation he had with Su Che on the boat with great excitement. After listening to it, Lord Liao's eyebrows almost flew up.
"To be praised by Mr. Da Su, I have studied poetry for decades. It is enough to have this poem in my life!"
"Your Majesty, your poems are majestic and magnificent. They are truly excellent works. It's a pity that the gold and jade are buried deep in the mountains and the world does not know them. Our country has a literary society that has been handed down from generation to generation. I boldly petition your Majesty to give them the right to publish. I hope that your Majesty's poems can be published.
The "Qing Ning Collection" will be printed and distributed throughout the world, so that more people and scholars can read your Majesty's poems, which will be passed down through the ages."
Su Che's words made Yelu Hongji extremely happy.
Seeing the envoys of the Song Dynasty conversing with their own sages, I'm afraid it would be a bad thing to continue the conversation. Xiao Wuna and Xiao Sengge, father and son, looked at each other and decided to find an opportunity to clarify the topic and settle the matter on the spot.
Yelu Hongji was very happy that his poems could be published and distributed in the Song Dynasty.
The southern country is a country of civilization and etiquette, where literature flourishes. If my poem "Qingning Collection" can sell well there, it means that my literary accomplishment has reached a certain level.
Yelu Hongji had many hobbies, including wine, sex, and enjoyment...but the most passionate thing was advocating Buddhism and writing. He was a devout Buddhist and a passionate literary scholar.
He said enthusiastically: "If your country's literary society can publish my book..."
"Your Majesty, I have something important to report!" The impatient Xiao Wuna couldn't wait any longer and interrupted Yelu Hongji.
A look of anger flashed across Yelu Hongji's face, and he snorted coldly, "Go ahead."
"I ask the Holy One to make a decision on the peace talks between the Song and Xia countries!" When the matter came to this, Xiao Wuna gritted his teeth and insisted.
1. Yelu Hongji, Daozong of the Liao Dynasty, was born on the seventh day of August in the second year of Jingfu year in the Liao Dynasty. For plot reasons, his birthday was postponed by more than a month to September 14th.