Sima Guang is also a man of idleness now. Even the morning court and the daily affairs of the official family are exempted by grace, otherwise the officials in the imperial court in Beijing will not have peace of mind.
In the early morning, the smoke of birds rising from the farmyard, the villagers all went to work in the fields after breakfast.
Because Zhang Yue is an official, the villagers do not have to pay taxes. The villagers are all servants of the Zhang family, and the government's labor is not inferior to them. Therefore, for the villagers, they can live a leisurely life without any disturbance.
For the bankers, Zhang Yue and Qi Niang are both kind masters, unlike those evildoers who take the initiative to beat, scold and enslave the bankers, making their life worse than death. Therefore, the bankers' faces are filled with joy when they work in the fields.
The color of joy.
The real rural pastoral life here, living here can also realize the true meaning of what Tao Yuanming said.
It cannot be said that he does not know about the Wei and Jin Dynasties, regardless of the Han Dynasty, but as long as there is no change of dynasty, continuous war, or some years of famine and disaster, Zhang Yue seems to be able to live in seclusion in this manor for the rest of his life until the end of his life.
Sima Guang stayed one night and was not in a hurry to leave. Instead, he persuaded Zhang Yue for the third time to go with him to Bianjing to study together.
Sima Guang said that he had invited Liu Shu, and Liu Shu and Liu Shu assisted him. Liu Shu is a famous historian today, especially good at the history of the Five Dynasties.
As for Liu Yun, who was Liu Chang's younger brother, he was as talented as his elder brother and was particularly proficient in the history of the Han Dynasty.
These two men were both well-known officials, and their writing and history were among the best in the world. It would not be wrong for Zhang Yue to study books with these two men.
Sima Guang also promised Zhang Yue that as long as he joins his bookstore, Zhang Yue can serve as his deputy and take charge of the bookstore, and at the same time, he can be promoted to a higher level.
Sima Guang's third invitation really made Zhang Yue feel his sincerity.
However, Zhang Yue still refused, and instead recommended Fan Zuyu and Guo Lin to Sima Guang's bookstore.
Fan Zuyu had been classmates with Zhang Yue for many years, and he knew that he was particularly knowledgeable in Tang history. As for Guo Lin, who was eager to learn and tireless, and now that his wife and children were in Bianjing, he could also study books as a way to advance into the profession.
After listening to Zhang Yue's words, Sima Guang expressed his willingness to consider the two of them.
However, Sima Guang was still a little disappointed when he saw Zhang Yue's refusal again, but it was only three things. Sima Guang felt that he had done his best and didn't force it anymore.
After lunch, Sima Guang decided to leave immediately after eating the noodle soup cooked by Qi Niang one night.
Before leaving, Sima Guang and Zhang Yue said: "Dude, you and I will have a chat, and I will say a few words from the bottom of my heart to you."
"Please also ask Mr. Sima for advice."
Sima Guang said: "Every word of a saint is based on the word human feelings. Since the rule of Yao and Shun, it must be based on human feelings. Do not regard your intentions as high, and do not go against the feelings as your reputation."
"Our generation not only studies based on human feelings, but also governs based on human feelings. If government comes from human feelings, everything will be clear and easy, and it is also the direction of the people's hearts."
Zhang Yue listened in silence for a moment. He knew the reason for Sima Guang's visit.
Sima Guang said: "It's like wine. Drinking too much consumes food and is harmful to the body. In the past, King Zhou of Shang Dynasty perished due to wine. Duke Zhou once issued the "Edict on Wine", which stipulated that there was no Yi wine, so only drink in groups, and avoid Burmese wine.
"
"Therefore, I never drink alcohol, and I am also following the teachings of the saints, but I never advise others to drink. Because how can a person who never drinks alcohol advise a drinker not to drink too much?"
Zhang Yue said: "For example, if a person likes drinking, it is humaneness. If a non-drinker advises others to stop drinking, it is unkindness."
The personal experience of Sima Guang, a non-drinker, is far more effective than any rhetoric.
Sima Guang nodded and said: "Of course, if you look at the cooks, since ancient times, all cooks have eaten secretly."
"But there are some things that are forbidden in the master's house, and some things that are not forbidden. Since no one in the cooks eats the food secretly, how can it be brought to the master's house? What will happen if the master's house strictly prohibits the cooks from eating it secretly?"
"I've learned a lesson!" Zhang Yue said.
Sima Guang said: "Of course it is better not to drink alcohol than to drink alcohol, and a cook who does not steal food is better than a cook who steals food. However, we can use morality to punish people, but we cannot use criminal law to stop them."
"When I first became an official, I also had the intention of eradicating the long-standing abuses. However, as I have been an official for a long time, I know that even though there are many long-standing abuses, there are still human feelings. I don't know why if I suddenly eradicate them, the world will be in chaos."
If Sima Guang's political views are close to human nature, then Wang Anshi is not close to human nature. No wonder conservatives are not born, but mostly acquired. Even the most stubborn conservatives were once members of the reformists.
Sima Guang was once an upright young man, but now...
But this time he came to see him personally and made himself a member of his bookstore, because he was worried that he would become his opponent and his political enemy in the future.
Although Zhang Yue did not agree with what Sima Guang said, he still felt that what he said had its own truth and the logic was self-consistent.
What's more, although he is now politically marginalized, his reputation and status in the court are far above his own. To be able to condescend to go so far to make this trip and persuade him to join the bookstore three times shows that Sima Guang has great respect for him.
Take your own seriously.
If Zhang Yue were to argue with Sima Guang about any point at this time, it would appear to be too 'unhuman'.
Don’t talk too much about right or wrong in everything, but also talk about people’s likes and dislikes. If you understand this, the path of life will go much smoother.
Therefore, Zhang Yue bowed to Sima Guang and said respectfully: "Thank you very much, Mr. Sima for your kind words. I really benefited a lot from it!"
Sima Guang nodded, then boarded the carriage and left the village as Zhang Yue watched.
In the bright spring weather, a handsome young man on the outskirts of Bianjing was riding his horse back to Bianjing.
When he saw a middle-aged couple and a dozen servants at the pavilion, the young man jumped off his horse from a distance and kowtowed to them.
"Father, mother! The child is unfilial."
"Brother Dun!" The middle-aged couple both had tears in their eyes.
The middle-aged couple are Zhang Yu and Yang, and the young man is Zhang Dun. Zhang Dun previously served as a military officer in the Xiongwu Army, and now he has just returned to Beijing after completing his term.
The young man refused to stand up and said: "Since ancient times, children have welcomed their parents. How can parents welcome their children?"
Zhang Yu and Yang both wiped away their tears.
Zhang Dun saluted and stood up, and said to a young man standing beside him, "Brother Kai."
This young man's name is Zhang Kai. He is Zhang Dun's younger brother, but he is not from the Yang family.
Zhang Kai smiled and said: "Okay, okay, everyone at home is looking forward to you, otherwise they will stare at me all day long."
When Zhang Yu saw Zhang Kai talking like this, he got angry and said: "You incompetent person, if you had the slightest bit of courage from Brother Dun, I wouldn't worry about you day and night."
Yang glanced sideways at Zhang Kai without any intention of speaking for him.
Zhang Yu said to Zhang Dun: "You come back and discipline him more for me."
Zhang Dun said yes and then said to Zhang Kai: "I bought a lot of things from Ren Guicai this time. When I go back, I will give you two good Xixia horses and a sword!"
Zhang Kai said with great joy: "Brother Dun has been so kind to me. I would like to express my gratitude here."
Zhang Yu was happy in his heart, but frowned on his face and said, "I told you not to spoil him, so as not to get bored by playing with things, and you buy him such expensive things as gifts."
Zhang Dun said: "Dad is right, but it's too late to teach him how to study slowly. I think brother Kai will be in a better mood and he will learn to study harder."
Zhang Kai said repeatedly: "Dad, look how well Brother Dun understands me."
Zhang Yu sighed and said to Zhang Kai: "Don't use these to show off in front of your classmates."
As Yang listened, his face gradually became more smiley, and he no longer looked so disdainful towards Zhang Kai.
Foreign officials like Zhang Dun were supposed to stay in Jijiyuan when they returned to the capital. However, after the new emperor came to the throne, he did not strictly control the officials below him, so he turned a blind eye when enforcing the rules.
Immediately, the family returned to the mansion. When they arrived at the mansion, Zhang Dun's wife Zhang came to greet Zhang Dun with his children. Then the Zhang mansion prepared a dinner for Zhang Dun to welcome him and wash away his dust.
Zhang Yu said: "Now that you have arrived in the capital, you should move around more."
Zhang Dun was the fifth person to become a Jinshi in the fourth year of Jiayou's reign. According to logic, after serving two terms abroad, he could take up a post in the capital and try for a post at the imperial court at the same time.
Zhang Yu said: "Ouyang Governor and I have always had a good relationship. I have been to his house several times before, and he has half agreed to recommend you to try out the library job. If you go to his house in person again, it will be done.
Already."
After hearing what Zhang Yu said, Zhang Dun also knew that the friendship Zhang Yu said was good, but it was probably limited.
When Zhang Yu saw that Zhang Dun was silent, he knew that the knowledge and concerns of his recognized son sometimes surpassed his own.
So he asked: "Are you satisfied with dad's arrangement?"
Zhang Dun said: "Dad, I heard that there has been an uproar in the court recently because of the Puyi issue. Ouyang's decision to take charge of the Puyi has been criticized by the whole court. If he recommends me to try for the imperial position, I'm afraid that
Others will think that I support Yu Puyi, which will hinder my future career."
Zhang Yu said: "Don't pay attention to those words in the court. After we test the hall, who will remember it?"
Yang felt sorry for Zhang Dun and said: "Sir, I think what Brother Dun said makes sense. Ouyang has offended too many people during his many years in power. He also impeached three people who had just passed the imperial examination for carefully selecting their posts.
I'm afraid it won't be a good idea to ask him to recommend Dungeerguan as an official. How about you look at it and find someone else?"
Zhang Yu said: "Who else can we turn to? Apart from Ouyang in charge, I can't think of anyone else in the court who will help our Zhang family."
After a pause, Zhang Yu said again: "Aren't you on good terms with Su Zizhan? Why don't you ask him to come forward and ask for your help, Mr. Zhaowen! He passed the third-class examination before, and I heard that even the officials valued him."
Yang coughed lightly when he heard this and said: "Why bother an outsider with this matter? Let's talk about it later."
After dinner, Yang found Zhang Dun alone. The two had many words after not being together for many years.
Yang regarded Zhang Dun as her own son, and Zhang Dun treated her as a filial mother.
After a while, Yang said: "The matter of trying for a position in the library is a big deal. It would be best if Su Zizhan can help. If not, why don't you consider your biological brother?"
Yang emphasized the word "brother".
"He has a very good relationship with Wen Shuxiang, the envoy to the Privy Council, and Han Jixiang, the envoy to the Third Division. These two people are also well-known in the court and have not intervened in this Pu discussion..."
Zhang Dun listened to Yang's words and said: "Mother, I have my own opinion on this matter, but for Brother Yue, let alone whether he still hates me... Even if he doesn't, I don't want to disturb him.
There is no reason in the world for an elder brother to seek help from his younger brother."