Chapter 170

170. Chapter 169: Standing on High Ground, Establishing the Profound and Nurturing the Bright

As the leader of the contemporary literary world, holding the grip of the world's scholars, Wang Shizhen carried considerable topic value in every move.

For example, the villa where this literary gathering was held was just renovated and rebuilt, and it was lively for a while in Beijing.

Last year, Wang Shizhen entered Beijing and purchased a villa from the hands of the Shuntian Prefecture—the ill-gotten gains of the former Shuntian Prefect Sun Yizheng naturally had to be auctioned off—Qian Gu and You Qiu personally visited to paint and draw; Zhang Nanyang traveled thousands of miles to stack stones and create scenery for Wang Shizhen; even if Wang Shizhen declined guests, enthusiastic scholars still entrusted people to send their own poetry and songs as congratulations, and just the poems alone reached more than fifty.

Renovating a garden had such liveliness, let alone a proper literary gathering.

The sky was just beginning to brighten.

Early in the morning, a large number of scholars, imperial students, poets, old masters, and classicists came one after another to Wang Shizhen's Yanshan Villa.

The luxurious carriages of officials and gentry, scholars who had passed high examinations and those waiting, and thick local accents from afar collided and converged at the Yanzhou Villa.

Wang Shizhen was widely versed in anecdotes, down to books, paintings, lyrics, music, gambling, and chess, and was proficient in everything, so the literary gatherings he held naturally had many names.

Today's literary gathering was based on the poetry, fu, prose, and discourse of Wang Shizhen's "Four Collections of the Yanzhou Mountain Man", adding a "Classic" section, which was the five venues of today's literary gathering.

The first four were mainly for reciting poetry, composing couplets, and appreciating poetry, prose, and novels—this was Wang Shizhen's main business, especially prepared for scholars who needed to brush up on their reputation with each other.

And the latter "Classic Section" was obviously for analyzing classics, and the standing sign at the entrance of the venue clearly indicated this point.

【Great Ming Dynasty Yanzhou Academic Seminar on Defining the Ontological Category of Conscience and Exploring Ways to Understand the World from Different Ontological Perspectives】

With a slightly strange name, every guest who wanted to enter the venue stopped to watch.

Seeing this line of words, Li Sancai and Sun Jigao looked at each other and frowned.

"Exploring is fine, but the word 'defining' is a bit too arrogant." Sun Jigao could not help but shake his head.

The wording was a bit strange, but the meaning was still very shallow.

Ontology is the origin of substance, the foundation of objects, and belongs to the innate existence prior to acquired experience, which is a priori.

And the ontology of conscience refers to the great foundation of man, where man's innate attributes lie.

Discussing morality from the perspective of morality, its central problem lies first in its nature of mind, which is also where Li Zhi and Xue Yingqi are arguing endlessly today.

But Wang Shizhen used the word 'define' as soon as he came up; arrogance was a euphemism.

Li Sancai smiled, "Master Yanzhou's spirit covers a hundred generations, his intention seems to be unparalleled; having this posture is within reason."

This time, several large Buddhist temples even invited Wang Shizhen to hold the venue in the temple to increase his popularity.

As a result, the Alliance Leader Wang took on the posture of a famous scholar, returning poems to mock them, one sentence "Filling the sand with the marrow of Jambudvipa, decorating the image with the blood of the Ganges", another sentence "Why be greedy and angry, hoping to connect with the holy truth", leaving no face at all.

It could be said that after Wang Shizhen returned to the court, not only did his mind become active, but his arrogant original intention seemed to have been rekindled.

Sun Jigao looked at the standing sign title again, and until he turned to enter the venue, he was still shaking his head with his hands behind his back, "I thought Master Yanzhou would at most rub off some reputation, but I didn't expect him to really plan to intervene."

"I don't know where the confidence comes from."

Wang Shizhen is a great talent, but that does not mean he is an all-around talent.

Although his scholarship is rich and his scale is ultimately large, he may not be better than those who specialize in one path, let alone things like debating classics.

If the ability is not enough, and he is pressed and beaten at that time, it will be a joke.

Hearing this, Li Sancai thought thoughtfully, "Since Master Yanzhou has set the theme of today's literary gathering, it will certainly not be rootless duckweed."

"Moreover, although this sentence at the door is a bit arrogant, it lightly points out the key points of the current debate, which shows true skill."

People who manage reputation are naturally the most cautious about reputation matters.

Li Sancai regards Wang Shizhen as a model for forming societies and has unusual confidence in him.

The two walked inside and chatted casually.

As soon as they entered the venue, they saw a bald monk in a cassock on the stage, talking eloquently.

The crowd below sat or stood, and some people on the second floor stood by the railing, listening intently.

Sun Jigao showed surprise, "Has it already started?"

Sun Jigao on the side naturally did not know either.

The two were not shy people, so they grabbed a scholar from the side and asked politely.

The scholar who was asked looked at the two for a while before whispering, "It hasn't started yet. Those masters want to sit on the stage, and they are proving their scholarship according to the rules of the literary gathering."

The two were suddenly enlightened.

Wang Shizhen had already said this before.

Wang Shizhen understands rankings.

Although there is no first place in literature, the gap in scholarship naturally exists.

Among the various schools of classics, what professors, great scholars, grandmasters, and titans, a long list of titles, how can they not be distinguished?

Therefore, Alliance Leader Wang thoughtfully distinguished the seats on and off the stage for this literary gathering.

In short, only those sitting on the stage are qualified to throw out arguments to debate; as for those sitting below? Just listen.

And the invitation had already said that Li Zhi, Xue Yingqi, Qian Dehong, Wang Ji, and others were all "keynote speakers" and had grandmaster seats; as for other people, they all had to prove their scholarship, and after being recognized by the attendees, they would be qualified to go on stage.

The two arched their hands and thanked, then found a seat and sat down.

"Is that Master Lianchi?"

Sun Jigao was somewhat nearsighted and could not see the face of the person on stage clearly.

Hearing this, Li Sancai nodded, "It is Master Lianchi, but it seems he has already finished speaking."

Master Lianchi was almost passed down as an Arhat among the people, and his reasoning and Buddhist scriptures were recognized by the scholarly world as a unique skill.

After the old monk finished speaking, the crowd below either shook their heads without speaking or bluntly said it was shallow, and only about ten people requested the master to take the seat.

Wang Shizhen's younger brother, Wang Shimao, smiled apologetically at Master Lianchi and invited the master to take a seat below the stage.

Li Sancai knew that Sun Jigao's eyesight was not very good, so he explained, "There are only four chairs on the stage now, obviously not a single one has been added."

Hearing this, Sun Jigao nodded, "The Arhat's cultivation is not shallow, but he cannot discuss any ontology."

The ontological conscience of Fomen is the spiritual mirror platform.

Although his reasoning is not bad, the current Confucian school's reasoning on the ontological conscience has already integrated the three teachings, and the level is already a big step higher than Fomen and Daoism.

If Master Lianchi wanted to take the seat, he could no longer convince the crowd.

As soon as he went down, another young scholar went up.

He took a piece of paper from his bosom and said loudly, "My teacher is touring in the garden, so let me read an article for him. If I can take the seat, I will invite him to enter the hall; if I cannot convince the crowd, the two of us, master and apprentice, will return home."

He did not say who his teacher was, bowed to the crowd, unfolded the article, and read it loudly.

"Between heaven and earth, there is principle and there is Qi. Principle is the Dao that is above form, the foundation of all living things; Qi is the vessel that is below form, the tool of all living things."

"The ontology of Qi is called principle; the transformation and application of principle is called Qi, this is the debate between principle and Qi of Master Zhu."

"It inherits Shao Yong's 'innate', Zhou Dunyi's 'Supreme Ultimate', Zhang Zai's 'Qi theory', and the Cheng brothers' 'Heavenly Principle'. Master Zhu passed it to my teacher, my teacher passed it to me, and now I have also gained something."

"Where is the ontological category of conscience?"

Zhu Yijun sat on the edge of the bed and said slowly: "The teacher's obituary was written by me personally. If it's not needed, so be it; if it is needed, the Ministry of Rites will not change it."

He could see that a person near death, seeing the Emperor again, had reached the peak of their desire to express themselves.

Facing a dying man, Zhu Yijun was very tolerant and simply spoke heart-to-heart with this old official.

Tao Dalin did not shy away from the fact that he was dying and said frankly: "Your Majesty, I want to hear it."

Zhu Yijun pondered for a moment and recited: "Dalin, a native of Kuaiji County, Shaoxing Prefecture, Zhejiang Province, a Jinshi of the Bingchen year of the Jiajing reign, appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, served as a reader, reader-in-waiting of the Nanjing Hanlin Academy, head of the academy, Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, and Junior Assistant to the Grand Secretary..."

He paused: "Steady and resolute in character, sparing in speech and laughter, pure and upright in conduct."

Tao Dalin twitched the corner of his mouth: "It was hard for Your Majesty to find good words for me."

This meant he had no achievements, no outstanding ability, and his only merit was that his personal integrity was not a problem.

This evaluation made Tao Dalin's expression somewhat complex.

Zhu Yijun shook his head and replied earnestly: "When the teacher encountered matters, you always chose to retreat at the height of your career. Isn't this the verdict you sought in your heart, teacher?"

They were both daily lecture officials.

Chen Dong volunteered for the affairs in Southern Zhili; Yu Youding was sent to Shandong to assist in the empire's salt administration; Chen Jingbang lowered his status to supervise the military examinations.

Compared to these people, Tao Dalin's subjective initiative was much worse; whenever he encountered matters, he would shield his colleagues in front of him. Zhu Yijun was not blind to this.

Tao Dalin took advantage of the Emperor's speaking time to gasp for air, his breathing rapid.

After the Emperor finished speaking, he slowed his breathing and said with difficulty: "Your Majesty's lesson is correct; I have indeed failed Your Majesty's trust."

Zhu Yijun asked curiously: "Does the teacher have an opinion about me?"

He was purely curious.

He himself was not doing a bad job as Emperor, but Tao Dalin had never completely surrendered his heart, and he did not know what the man was thinking.

Tao Dalin was silent for a moment.

After a long while, he shook his head: "Your Majesty... is quite good."

Zhu Yijun looked at Tao Dalin, waiting for his explanation.

Tao Dalin, whether because he had no more scruples before death or because he was already dazed, slowly began to explain: "Your Majesty, my grandfather, Tao Xie, reached the rank of Vice Minister of the Ministry of War."

"When serving Emperor Wuzong, he was slandered by Liu Jin, listed as a member of a traitorous clique, imprisoned by Emperor Wuzong's edict, beaten twice at court, and demoted to commoner status."

"Restored to office during the Shizong reign, he encountered the palace fire, was suspected by Emperor Shizong, and resigned to return home."

"My brother, Tao Dashun, reached the rank of Right Vice Censor-in-Chief and Governor of Guangxi, performing his duties faithfully and stabilizing the region."

"When serving the late Emperor, he was framed by others, the treasury lost silver, and he had to use his family assets to make up for it, yet he was still dismissed."

Tao Dalin rambled on about the experiences of his father and brother.

Finally, he sighed: "Your Majesty, I am not dissatisfied with anyone; I am just afraid."

The official career is not easy to walk.

Jealousy from the Directorate of Ceremonial, suspicion from the Emperor, framing by colleagues—that his father and brother did not lose their lives immediately was due to luck.

Especially after he became a Jinshi, young and ignorant, he was almost dragged into the major case of impeaching Yan Song by Wu Shilai.

Since then, he had been walking on thin ice, careful and cautious.

He dared not form cliques, nor did he dare to do things, fearing that he would be doomed at any moment.

Don't look at how good the Emperor is now.

When Emperor Shizong first ascended the throne, he restored his grandfather; wasn't he also polite to the virtuous, with warm words?

In a family of officials, the hardships their predecessors walked through were all seen by them.

Therefore, it made him "steady and resolute, sparing in speech and laughter," not daring to take the challenges thrown by the Emperor, only seeking a stable retirement.

Zhu Yijun did not know how to respond after hearing Tao Dalin's words.

As a subject, it was obviously inappropriate to say such things in front of the Emperor; Tao Dalin must have been experiencing a life review, his mind somewhat unclear.

Thinking this, Zhu Yijun did not make much comment, only nodding: "I understand."

It is difficult for a monarch and subject to be in harmony, especially those who have both ability and willingness.

If one wanted to unite these court officials like selecting mobilized soldiers, that would be an impossible task.

Wasn't Tao Dalin's state of mind the true state of mind of some court officials today?

Therefore, Zhu Yijun did not fly into a rage or scold him, only simply saying he understood.

Tao Dalin was dazed: "What posthumous title will Your Majesty give me?"

Posthumous titles were originally selected by the Ministry of Rites, but since his obituary was written by the Emperor himself, he obviously would not let the posthumous title go.

Zhu Yijun stood up from the edge of the bed: "I haven't decided yet; I am hesitating between 'Wenbi', 'Wensi', and 'Wenmi'."

Historically, Tao Dalin's posthumous title was 'Wenxi'.

In the "Compendium of Ming Posthumous Titles," 'Xi' means cautious and fearful.

In the "Yi Zhou Shu: Interpretation of Posthumous Titles," it says 'Xi' means having made mistakes.

This was not a good posthumous title.

Zhu Yijun still wanted to leave some face for his Eastern Palace daily lecture official, so he personally picked three satisfactory posthumous titles.

Tao Dalin heard the three posthumous titles given by the Emperor, and like a flash of light before death, his face suddenly flushed red.

He gripped the edge of the bed, speaking with difficulty, his voice sounding hoarse and exhausted: "'Mi' means to make up for past mistakes; 'Si' means to regret past mistakes."

"Is Your Majesty annoyed that I was a parasite?"

Peng Hua, a Grand Secretary during the Chenghua reign, formed cliques with his fellow townsmen Li Zisheng and Deng Chang'en, squeezed out colleagues, and later regretted and corrected his mistakes, so his posthumous title was 'Wensi'.

Zhu Yijun shook his head earnestly: "I don't blame you. If court officials had the teacher's character, I would wake up laughing in my dreams."

Integrity is not lost, and doing one's job well is enough.

It is impossible to expect everyone to want to progress and revolve around the Emperor.

He pondered for a moment and said slowly: "Sudden awakening is a great virtue of man. I just feel that after the teacher took charge of the Imperial Academy, you did better than before."

Although Tao Dalin was not proactive, it had to be said that the influence was subtle.

After Zhu Yijun ascended the throne, he was generally much more dedicated than before.

The flush on Tao Dalin's face faded, and he muttered: "No wonder it was put together with 'Wenbi'."

Zhu Yijun nodded: "'Bi' means to choose the good and follow it. Compared to before, since I ascended the throne, the teacher has done very well in your duties."

"If the teacher feels the first two posthumous titles are inappropriate, then let it be 'Wenbi'."

Whether a posthumous title is good or bad depends on the precedents of predecessors.

Since Tao Dalin minded that Peng Hua had ruined 'Wensi', then choose 'Wenbi'—the latter had not been used by the dynasty yet.

As for choosing the good and following it... it refers not only to his duties but also to him, Zhu Yijun.

This was a special treatment for the Eastern Palace daily lecture official.

"Whatever the Emperor wishes. The Emperor does better than me, does even better..." Tao Dalin's voice grew smaller and smaller, "First-class talent, first-class political skill, first-class character, even the scholarship is first-class."

Tao Dalin slowly closed his eyes, his voice like a mosquito: "When you were in the Green Palace, your aptitude was mediocre. I couldn't help but feel disdain when I gave you lectures. Who knew you were so precocious, and had already learned to hide your clumsiness back then."

"Hiding it back then was fine, but you are still hiding it now. After I took charge of the Imperial Academy, I often communicated with Li Zhi; you can't hide it from me... You probably already have the accumulation of a grandmaster now."

"I still wanted to see in three days how you would deal with Wang Ji and the others, but unfortunately I... unfortunately I..."

Halfway through speaking.

Tao Dalin's leaning body suddenly went limp and fell directly off the bed, looking like he was about to hit the floor.

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Zhu Yijun was quick-witted and caught him.

He reached out and touched Tao Dalin's nose, then sighed, immediately laid him down on the bed, covered him with a quilt, and then turned to leave.

Zhu Yijun pushed open the bedroom door, and everyone rushed up to meet him.

He shook his head: "Chancellor Tao has passed away."

Zhu Yijun said it lightly, but his heart was filled with emotion.

Especially, the passing of such an old companion made him feel blocked in his heart.

However, that was all.

Tao Dalin's family heard this and burst into tears.

The officials saw this and all wrung their hands.

Zhu Yijun's thoughts turned a hundred times, and he looked at Ma Ziqiang: "Chancellor Tao served with lectures and readings, educating the world; his merits and hardships are all complete."

"Shade one son as a student of the Imperial Academy, grant additional paper money and rice, specially permit sacrificial burial, posthumously award the title of Minister of the Ministry of Rites, posthumous title... Wenbi."

As soon as the Emperor's voice fell, Ma Ziqiang was somewhat surprised: "Wenbi?"

Choosing the good and following it is a good posthumous title, at least better than the 'Wenxi' discussed within their Ministry of Rites.

He hesitated for a moment: "Your Majesty, should the Ministry of Rites examine it first..."

The wording of the obituary is fine, outsiders don't pay much attention to it.

The posthumous title is different.

This is to be written on the epitaph and passed down for ten thousand generations.

How can the Emperor decide on a matter that differs from the Ministry of Rites' opinion in one word?

It is the established law for civil officials to give posthumous titles to the Emperor; how can it be reversed for the Emperor to set posthumous titles for subjects?

Even if he, Ma Ziqiang, didn't care, there was more than one person in the Ministry of Rites.

Zhu Yijun heard this and nodded: "Then Minister Ma, discuss the result I want; don't delay me from painting a portrait and casting a stele for Chancellor Tao."

Ma Ziqiang stalled, opened his mouth, and didn't know what to say.

Is the Ministry of Rites run by my family? Doing these things every day?

Zhu Dashou, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites on the side, caught the second half of the Emperor's sentence and asked subconsciously: "Painting a portrait and casting a stele?"

He had no dissatisfaction with the posthumous title chosen by the Emperor.

Tao Dalin was his in-law, and he himself wanted Tao Dalin to have a good posthumous title; now that the Emperor said this, he was happy to see it happen.

Zhu Yijun showed a trace of sadness: "Driving talent, treating scholars with sincerity, now that the restoration is not yet half done, Chancellor Tao has passed away suddenly, and I cannot help but feel moved."

"It just so happens that the inner treasury still has some spare money, so I will take the opportunity to build a palace pavilion, hang a portrait, and cast a stele, so that I can cherish his memory."

Buying horse bones with a thousand gold—this was also because Tao Dalin's timing of death snatched the lead.

His merits were not obvious, which was just right for expressing an attitude; later, when positions were crowded, I'm afraid there wouldn't be such a good opportunity.

As soon as these words came out, the officials of the Ministry of Rites present were all shocked and looked at each other.

Ma Ziqiang glanced at the Emperor; this was truly wanting to build another Lingyan Pavilion!

No!

Even so, what virtue and ability does Tao Dalin have? He is not as loyal and dedicated as I, Ma Ziqiang!

Zhu Yijun patted Ma Ziqiang on the shoulder, expressionless: "Let's go, back to the palace."

Ma Ziqiang scratched his head and ears, silently following along, absent-minded.

The tenth day of the third month.

At this time, it was past the Yin hour, and the sky was dark.

Xue Yingqi withdrew his hand testing outside the eaves and nodded with satisfaction—it had rained for two days after Qingming, but it had really stopped today; the Imperial Observatory was rarely reliable once.

He walked back into the tea room and sighed to Gu Xiancheng, who was kneeling and pouring tea: "The Emperor's treatment of his subjects can already be considered sincere. Tao Dalin's reputation is not obvious, yet he can still receive such courtesy from the Emperor."

"In the future, when you become an official, you must fully assist the Emperor."

Gu Xiancheng heard this and nodded respectfully: "I understand, teacher."

Seeing that his disciple was not frivolous after passing the examination, Xue Yingqi could not help but nod.

Then, not knowing what he thought of, he sighed: "It was also my haste that made you come to the capital to take the examination this year."

"Otherwise, with your level, after polishing for another three years, you could at least touch the edge of the first rank."

Gu Xiancheng's rank in the Metropolitan Examination was not high, three hundred and twenty-fourth.

It could be said that if it weren't for the first subject of the Long Fei year this year, and the Emperor's grace in expanding the enrollment by one hundred people, this would be a failing level.

That was why Xue Yingqi said he was too hasty.

Gu Xiancheng pushed the poured tea in front of his teacher and said earnestly: "Teacher, what are you saying? Since there is an expansion this year, there is no reason not to come and try."

"Although the rank in the Metropolitan Examination is not high, whether I can reach the second rank still depends on the Palace Examination."

"Taking a step back, even if I am a fellow Jinshi, I am only twenty-five years old; it's not impossible to be selected as a Shujishi."

He spoke unequivocally, clearly not regretting his decision to take the examination this year.

Seeing that his disciple could stabilize his character, Xue Yingqi was even more satisfied.

He sighed: "I hope so."

"This time, although you were debated down by Li Zhi, you at least accumulated reputation and occupied a place among the scholars."

"Relying on these accumulations, if you can be selected as a Shujishi, the road ahead will be easy to walk."

Reputation is too precious.

Don't look at how Gu Xiancheng suffered a loss now.

But as long as he cultivates reputation, everything is worth it.

Mentioning Li Zhi, Gu Xiancheng finally had waves on his face.

He looked at Xue Yingqi with some worry: "Teacher, are you really confident about Wang Shizhen's literary gathering today?"

Today is the tenth, which is also the time Wang Shizhen invited them; Gu Xiancheng was a bit worried for his teacher.

During these days, he had been defeated by Li Zhi.

But he was only a junior after all; losing was not shameful, but rather beneficial for him to accumulate reputation.

His teacher Xue Yingqi was different.

If he were defeated in public, he would truly become a stepping stone for Li Zhi.

Especially since Xue Yingqi was already seventy-five this year, and his thinking was slower, how could he compare with others in quick-wittedness?

Xue Yingqi drank tea to himself and answered nonchalantly: "I will teach you one last lesson."

"Scholarship, besides doing it for oneself, is even more for the world to hear."

"Your scholarship can be mixed, can grow, can be repaired."

"But never doubt that you are inferior to others."

"If even you don't believe it, why should the world follow you?"

After speaking, Xue Yingqi looked at his disciple, only to see Gu Xiancheng frowning and lost in thought.

Xue Yingqi continued: "The stage was set up by you, me, and Li Zhi first; no matter how bad the reputation is, it should be gained by us and Li Zhi."

"Now Wang Shizhen has come to intervene; why? Regardless of whether he wants to sing himself or has other intentions, we cannot give up the stage."

"As for whether the debate is good or not, and where the orthodoxy falls... there is still your grand-teacher present to hold the line."

Gu Xiancheng seemed to understand and nodded thoughtfully.

The two chatted for a while longer.

Xue Yingqi estimated that the time was almost up and said: "It's almost Mao hour, let's go."

Gu Xiancheng hurriedly stood up: "I'll go prepare the sedan chair."

Xue Yingqi hummed, walked to the eaves, and waited with his hands behind his back.

He looked up at the sky, seeing the morning light faintly, a stream of light cutting through the morning.

He waved his sleeves and asked the stage and the crowd below, "Gentlemen, should this fellow Daoist take the seat on the stage or listen respectfully below?"