Chapter 26 3. The night is getting deeper, and the sound of the piano is floating in the distance

After eating, the old man took them to another house.The house is located beside the Songshui Pavilion, where the Shanli Spring circles a semicircle and surrounds the courtyard on three sides.On the other side is a barrier-like stone wall.There are lush flowers and trees in the courtyard wall, and there is a small fish pond.There is running water flowing in the fish pond, which is drawn from the Shanli spring outside the wall.There are more than a dozen houses, large and small, scattered in the yard, all of which are beautifully and comfortably furnished.Zhang Zhidong was placed in the largest and best room among them.He was very surprised: why there is such a good house in such a remote Jinci, and whose family property is this?

Bao Geng smiled and told him: "Master Zhang, you have not come to Shanxi not long ago, and the subordinate officials have not had time to tell you. When you were the governor of Shanxi, you were the owner of this house. Tonight we will all be honored by you." "How do you say that?" Zhang Zhidong was quite surprised. "It's like this." Bao Geng explained, "When Bao Yuanshen was the governor of Shanxi, he had a headache and couldn't hear the noise in the city, so the vassal took out a sum of money from the vassal treasury and gave him the money in the Jinci Temple. He built this house and let him live here to do business. At that time, between Taiyuan City and Jinci Temple, horses and horses galloped every day because Bao Yuanshen was in Jinci Temple. Soon, Bao Yuanshen left, and Zeng Jiushuai When he came to Shanxi, Jiu Shuai had been on the battlefield for many years. He suffered from severe wind paralysis and often needed to rest in bed, so this house became Jiu Shuai’s resting place. He spent all the summers here when he was a Jin Fu Jiu Shuai likes spring water, flowers and trees, and now the fish ponds and trees in the yard are all planted by him. Jiu Shuai took down Jiangning and returned to his native place, Zeng Hou gave him a pair of couplets..."

"I know this couplet." Zhang Zhidong interrupted, "Qianqiu Xiaoyi left me alone, and read after returning from a hundred battles." "That's right, that's right." Bao Geng clapped his hands in praise, "Your Excellency is very knowledgeable and powerful. Jiushuai likes this couplet very much, so he named this courtyard and read it again." "Du Zhai again!" Zhang Zhidong said, "This name is a good choice. I never thought that Zeng Yuanfu still has such elegance." "Jiu Shuai reads well. He was born in Bagong." Bao Geng had a great affection for Zeng Guoquan. After staying for a few days, I also think this place is a good place to study and rest. In the past six months, Zaidu Zhai has been empty. Because I want to invite adults to come to Jinci Temple for an outing, I just cleaned it temporarily. The next official plans to arrange a few more people here. Renovate and repair it. Summer in Taiyuan City is difficult, adults can come here to escape the heat, and you can often come here to rest.”

He was really a local important official for the first time. Zhang Zhidong never imagined that a governor would have such privileges. Compared with the common hunger, cold and poverty of Shanxi people, and the displacement of many people, there was such a big gap!I didn't pay attention to it when I was studying politics in Hubei and Sichuan in the past. Maybe those governors also have several villas in famous mountains and rivers in the suburbs.No wonder there is an instinctive confrontation between the people and the government.Facing millions of hungry and cold folks, as the lord of a province, he can enjoy such a beautiful house and luxurious residence with peace of mind. How can the people not hate to be spat and even hate?

In normal times, Zhang Zhidong would have walked away immediately and would not have cared about others' embarrassment and embarrassment, but today he is in a particularly good mood, not to mention that this house was not built for him.He only said to Bao Geng "no need to repair it" and then sent Bao Geng and others away. At night, Zhang Zhidong was lying on a comfortable bed, thinking of the famous temples and ancient trees he saw during the day, and his spirit was still in a state of excitement.He didn't feel sleepy, so he put on his clothes and stood under the wooden screen window, admiring the night view of Jinci Temple.

Dagen had already fallen asleep, and the surroundings were extremely quiet, only the gurgling sound of the Shanli Spring flowing, which further set off the tranquility of the Jinci Temple.The bright moon shines through the leaves and petals, weaving a black and white mottled picture on the ground.In the distance, the dark mountains are pasted on the bottom of the clear night sky like paper-cutting, adding a mysterious and alluring atmosphere to the ancient Sanjin land. There seems to be a fragrance of flowers coming, faint and faint, and when I try to smell it, it seems that there is no smell at all.In the blink of an eye, another fragrance seemed to come from afar.Zhang Zhidong thought of Han Yu's famous saying: "The light rain on Tianjie is as moist as crisp, and the grass looks far away but there is nothing." The distant fragrance of this late spring night seems to be the same as the early spring grass, between existence and non-existence: inadvertently, then The fragrance is overwhelming; if you look for it, it will disappear without a trace.

Zhang Zhidong had been the governor of Shanxi for half a year. To be honest, Shanxi did not give him a good impression.Tonight, he seems to have discovered another side of Shanxi: beautiful, warm, magical and charming. Shanxi, you are so cute! Suddenly, the sound of the piano came from the quiet night.The sound of the piano was soft and light, intermittent, and it immediately attracted Zhang Zhidong's heart.He listened intently. This Guqin is played really well: it is like the flowing water of the Shanli Spring in front of the gate, soft and gurgling; it is also like the mist surrounding the mountains outside Xingyi Mansion, continuous and long; it is like the twilight in western Sichuan The smoke rising from the farmhouses in Bazi is tender and curling; it is also warm and smoky like the gentle breeze blowing over the fields in the suburbs of Beijing in early summer.The sound of the piano reminded Zhang Zhidong of his wife, Shi Shi.

Shi's piano sound back then was so light and sweet, gentle and heart-warming.She sometimes hums alone to the sound of the piano.The singing voice was sweet and tender, circling the room.The sound of Shi's piano and singing brought joy to the children, enriched the poor life, brought warmth to the small family, and brought inexhaustible happiness to the young Zhang Zhidong. Shi's piano sound is Zhang Zhidong's eternal memory! "Ten years of life and death are boundless. If you don't think about it, you will never forget it. There is nowhere to talk about the bleakness of a lonely grave... It is expected to be a heartbroken place every year, a moonlit night, and a short Songgang." Su Dongpo's eulogy is in his mind again tonight. float.The sound of the guqin coming from a distance, could it be played by Shi Shi?Is she missing the sweet days of the past, and loving her husband and children in the world?

Is it hallucination?Where is the sound of the piano in the wilderness where everything is silent?Zhang Zhidong held his breath and listened attentively.No, this is not an illusion. It is true that someone is playing the piano, but the sound of the piano has changed. The sound of the piano at this time is different from the one just now. It moves slowly, desolately and coldly, like resentment like admiration, like weeping like complaints, and the lingering sound is lingering and endless. Zhang Zhidong suddenly remembered that it wasn't Shi Shi playing the piano, it was his mother playing the piano.

For more than forty years, in Zhang Zhidong's memory, to be precise, in his imagination, most of the mother's piano sounds are like this: it is full of sorrow, full of resentment, and it seems to have endless words. To tell, there seems to be an infinite love to give.The image of the mother in Zhang Zhidong's mind is both holy and noble, but also full of sorrow.All of these turned into endless strings of zither sounds, which lingered in his chest for a long time.Now, the intermittent sound of the piano from afar reminded him of his deep thoughts of his mother. Read Zhang Zhidong in front of the screen window again, indulging in searching and reminiscing about the past for a long time.This piano is played so touchingly and excitingly, the player must be skillful and skilled in rhythm.Is this person a smart and elegant scholar, or a delicate and beautiful woman?I'll have to ask tomorrow.

Early the next morning, Zhang Zhidong told the old guard of the Notre-Dame Hall about someone playing the piano last night.The old man said: "This is played by the old man Li's daughter. There is an old academy in the Jin Temple, named Jinxi Academy, which was established during the Qianlong period. Years ago, old man Li was hired as a private school teacher in the Mengguan. Old man Li has three members in his family: his wife and a daughter who is a widow at her natal home." The old man looked at Zhang Zhidong, and said in a very pitiful tone: "One day, old man Li came to the Notre Dame Hall to chat with me and talked about his daughter. Her daughter was named Peiyu, who was married at the age of eighteen. The family is a wealthy family. A son was born in the second year after marriage. Life was sweet. Unexpectedly, her husband and son-in-law suddenly fell ill and died suddenly. Peiyu, 21, suddenly became a widow. She was already very sad, and all kinds of gossip made her even more sad. Many people pointed at her back and said that she was a bastard. Fortunately, she had a son. Peiyu endured the pain with tears in her eyes, and put everything All hope is pinned on the son. Unexpectedly, the son died of smallpox when he was three years old. At this time, all hopes of Peiyu were defeated, and her husband's family did not regard her as a human being. In desperation, Peiyu had to return to her parents Aside. She has been fond of playing the piano since she was a child. In the past two years, because of too much depression in her heart, she often borrows the piano as a relief. Guest Palace, Peiyu's piano sound disturbed you last night!" "No, she plays the piano so well, I want to see her." Bao Geng hurriedly said: "A widow who lives in her natal family, how can I ask you to go and see it in person, just call her over." Zhang Zhidong pulled Baogeng aside, and said softly: "I said yesterday that when we come to Jinci Temple, we become outing tourists, and we are no longer Futai or Fantai. What's wrong with going to see what's wrong? What's more, this A woman can play the piano so well, she can be considered a talented woman, even if I go to see her as a Futai, I should, and it does not disgrace the title of a second-rank official." Bao Geng changed his words with a smile: "Your Excellency is right, let's all go and see her." The old man said: "Since all the guest officials insist on going, I will go first and ask Old Man Li to clean up." After a while, Zhang Zhidong came to Jinxi Academy accompanied by Bao Geng and Wang Ding'an.It is true that this academy has been abandoned for many years. It is deserted and overgrown with weeds, but the courtyard is spacious, and the Wenxingfang and Panchi are still intact. It is conceivable that when it is prosperous, there are also books and songs here.Zhang Zhidong, who was a student of politics, was greatly moved by this: The former governors of Shanxi could spend a large sum of money to repair and study, but they did not expect to revive this academy. It is really a waste of reading the books of sages; After you have a clue, you must restore Jinxi Academy. Just as he was thinking, the old man brought old man Li up.The old school teacher seemed a little cautious in front of the guests.He repeatedly greeted the guests to sit down, handed over tea bowls himself, and repeatedly claimed that there was no preparation, no pastries, melons and fruits to entertain, and he was very sorry. Zhang Zhidong saw that although the school teacher's clothes were old, they were still tidy, and although his face was thin, his facial features were also regular.Zhang Zhidong is very familiar with the tutor.He knew that many of the school teachers were well-educated people. In terms of knowledge, they were not much worse than Juren and Jinshi, but their fate was not good and the examination field was not going well.As far as character is concerned, because they read the teachings of sages all day long and have not been polluted by the black vat of officialdom, they are more innocent, and they usually do not do immoral things that harm others.Qianxuetai has an instinctive affection for the tutor.The tutor in front of him, judging from his demeanor, is a responsible person, plus he has a daughter who can play the piano, Zhang Zhidong treats him even more kindly. "May I ask the old man's name?" "Don't dare." The school teacher replied respectfully, "Don't have a noble surname Li, and a humble name to govern the country. In fact, this old man is sixty years old and has never governed a country. This is not worthy of the name." Zhang Zhidong laughed and said: "Mr. Li, don't have to regret it. It's not necessarily a good thing to shoulder the burden of governing the country. Like you, you use your tongue to support your family. You earn a penny and a penny. You spend it with peace of mind. You don't have to contend with the world. God Jun Tairan, wouldn't it be great!" Hearing this, Li Zhiguo was pleased: "The guest officer is very good. I have always thought this way for decades. I don't complain or hate, and live my life calmly. It's just that my family is poor and there are many things to do. Get up and feel powerless!" This is the truth.The teachers in the Mengguan School are poor, except for the very few students who have become high-ranking officials and rewarded, most of them do not have much face and status. It is really difficult to do something.Zhang Zhidong nodded, expressing his understanding of the words. After a while, he asked again: "How many students are there in your Mongolian house?" "Fifteen. I will be on spring break for two days, and I will help my parents with spring plowing at home." "Is the tuition fee enough to support the family?" "Where can I support my family?" Li Zhiguo said with a wry smile, "The guest officials don't know that most of the villagers around Jinci Temple are poor and cannot afford much tuition. There are a few children whose families are poor, and their parents have long wanted them to drop out of school. I think They are also eager to learn, so they stayed and their tuition fees were waived." This is a real human teacher!Zhang Zhidong is well aware of the difficulty of studying for poor children.When he was in school administration in Hubei and Sichuan, he paid special attention to the distribution of school tuition fees in various states and counties.Whenever there is an opportunity, I always persuade those wealthy merchants to donate more money to the school.In the Jingxin Academy and Zunjing Academy directly managed by the Provincial Academy of Taiwan, every time he inspected and lectured, he would ask the students about their academic, clothing and food conditions. To subsidize them, he does not expect the slightest benefit from these students.This is based on the nature of loving and cherishing talents, and he cannot just watch a talent be destroyed because of lack of education.One is also out of the sense of responsibility as an academic officer.Cultivating talents for the country is the sacred mission of academic officials.This Li Zhiguo is not an academic officer appointed by the court, but he has such a benevolent heart, which should be out of his nature of loving talents.Qianxuetai respected this old school teacher spontaneously. "Then how are you doing?" "It's barely enough to survive." Li Zhiguo said flatly, "The thousands of literary fees collected every year are used to buy wheat noodles, oil and salt. My wife grows vegetables and feeds chickens, and can also subsidize the family. In the past two years, my daughter Go back to your mother’s house to live, and I can help you.” Speaking of the daughter, the guard of the Notre-Dame Hall hurriedly interjected: "Old man Li, the guest officer heard Peiyu playing the piano last night, and he praised Peiyu very much. He insisted on coming to see Peiyu. Go and ask Peiyu to come out and meet the guests. !" Li Zhiguo waved his hands and said with a smile: "The little girl's piano skills are poor, and the guest officer has given me a wrong award." Zhang Zhidong said: "Your daughter plays the piano wonderfully. I stood by the window and listened to the end last night. I didn't go to bed until she stopped playing. I lay in bed for a long time and felt the lingering sound lingering in my ears." "Where, where! The guest officer speaks so kindly, my little girl can't bear it." Li Zhiguo smiled happily, "My little girl is from a poor family, and her behavior is vulgar. How can I meet a distinguished guest?" "You don't have to be modest, old man." Zhang Zhidong said earnestly, "Since ancient times, there have been stories about high mountains and flowing waters, which make Aiqin skillful. She also hopes that someone will truly appreciate her piano skills. Don't make decisions for her, I think She would be willing to meet me, a visitor to Jinci." Seeing what Zhang Zhidong said, Li Zhiguo stood up and said, "I'll go into the back room and ask Peiyu to see what she thinks?" "Okay!" Wang Ding'an slapped his hands lightly and said, "You said we were waiting for her." Soon, Li Zhiguo came out, followed by a young woman, obviously his daughter Peiyu. Li Zhiguo pointed to Zhang Zhidong and said to his daughter: "Peiyu, this guest officer listened to your piano last night and said that you played the piano well. He came to see you this morning. He is your bosom friend. You have to thank him face to face." yes." Peiyu came over, saluted Zhang Zhidong generously, and said softly, "Thank you, sir." Zhang Zhidong saw that Peiyu was about twenty-five or sixteen years old, with a well-proportioned, medium-sized body, wearing a home-woven jacket of blue and white floral coarse cloth, with a pair of slender eyes and a small nose and mouth on an egg-shaped face. There is no jewelry on the head, and there is no makeup on the face.From top to bottom, there is a natural, simple, delicate and intelligent spirit. Zhang Zhidong, who has been in the officialdom for a long time, usually sees wives and wives with heavy makeup, and his three wives in the past, if they see foreigners, they must also deliberately dress up.Dressed up women are certainly beautiful, but they cannot be compared with this natural essence.One is like the twists and turns of the plot on the stage, and the other is like real life in the world.Zhang Zhidong, who has always been straightforward and willful, prefers this kind of pure nature. He said to the female qin teacher with a smile on his face: "I listened to your qin in the middle of the night last night. Your qin sound brought me into your music world. Let me tell you a few words about listening to your qin, look at me Does it count as your bosom friend?" Peiyu smiled slightly and said: "The little girl's qin skills are poor. She insulted the guest officer and listened to it for half the night. I am really ashamed. The guest officer wants to talk about how I feel about listening to the piano, but I am willing to listen to it. Please give me your advice!" Hearing what Peiyu said, Zhang Zhidong said happily: "The piano you played last night, the first half of the piece is like the flowing water of a spring stream, like the mountain flowers facing the sun, cheerful and joyful, like recalling the carefree years of youth and the happiness of adulthood Time. The second half of the piece is like the state of mind of a Chang’an girl at the head of the Xunyang River. It sounds like a scene of the boundless river and moon rustling in the autumn grass. I think that after you play it, it is likely that many bitterness and sorrow of the world are welling up in your heart. The sound of the piano changed unconsciously. Look, am I right or wrong?" Zhang Zhidong's analysis hit Peiyu's mind.Last night, when she picked up the piano, she was in a good mood.The bright moon and clear wind, red flowers and green leaves brought her the joy of life.She plays the piano, her heart is like a white crane, her hands are like a flowing spring, and the tune is smooth and harmonious.Slowly, the deep grief of losing her husband and son suddenly emerged from the depths of her heart.She was full of sorrow and sighed why her fate was so painful.Now you can live with your parents, but when your parents pass away, where will you go?Thinking of this in my heart, the tune that popped up became more and more sad and sad. Peiyu nodded and said, "The guest officer is right." Zhang Zhidong was very relieved: "The ancients said that the origin of all sounds is born from the heart. It is also said that emotion moves in the middle, so it takes form in sound, and the text of sound is called sound, so music is the expression of people's mood. I I can know your mood by listening to the sound of your piano, can it be regarded as your bosom friend?" Peiyu said a little shyly: "In this way, the guest officer can also be regarded as my bosom friend." Zhang Zhidong laughed out loud.Bao Geng, Wang Ding'an and Li Zhiguo all laughed.Zhang Zhidong said to Li Zhiguo: "Old man, I have an unfeeling request. How about asking Ling Ai to play another song in front of all of us?" Without waiting for her father to ask her, Peiyu immediately said: "Since the guest officer is so discerning about music, I am willing to play another song for you." After all, he turned and went back to the back room. After a while, no one came out.When everyone was wondering, suddenly the sound of the piano came from the back room.Li Zhiguo said apologetically, "The qin stand is too big and clumsy to move, and the little girl has never played the qin in front of strangers. Now she is playing for the guests in the back room." "That's fine, that's fine!" Zhang Zhidong said hastily, "It's better to listen to the piano next door." The sound of the piano came out from the back room clearly and crisply.First, it is melodious and beautiful, graceful and gentle, like a colorful horse dancing in the sky, going up and down, left and right, dancing in many gorgeous gestures; it is also like a garden full of spring flowers, colorful, charming, and full of spring, attracting swarms of bees and butterflies.Then the rhythm is quickened and the tone is passionate, like a river of spring water flowing eastward, with waves and waves splashing; it is also like a hundred beasts running through the mountains and forests, worshiping the tiger king, with rapid hoofbeats and a spectacular scene.Next, the horns were whistling, like spring thunder, like flash floods, like war horses neighing, like knives and guns colliding... Just when everyone was firmly attracted by the sound of the piano, there was no sound at all. , the entire Jinxi Academy was silent. Peiyu came out with a high spirit.The situation is quite like a female general of the Yang family who has returned from victory. Zhang Zhidong boasted: "This piece of music is better than last night's. I can't imagine that a weak woman can play such a vigorous piece of music. Excuse me, what kind of piece is this?" Peiyu smiled and replied: "This is an ancient song from the Tang Dynasty. When Emperor Gaozu of the Tang Dynasty rebelled in Taiyuan, he sent his daughter Princess Pingyang to station at the pass between Hebei and Shanxi. This pass is today's Niangziguan. Princess Pingyang Successfully defended. Tang Gaozu ordered the musician to compose this piece of music for Princess Pingyang, and the score is called "Princess Pingyang's Triumph". Zhang Zhidong liked this female qin teacher so much, a thought popped into his mind: Zhun'er is eight years old but can't play the piano, why not hire Peiyu to the house and ask her to teach Zhun'er?It would be a good thing for her to inherit grandma's piano skills in the future! Zhang Zhidong stood up, walked to Li's father and daughter, and said sincerely: "To be honest, I am the governor of Shanxi, Zhang Zhidong." Hearing that the person standing in front of them was the majestic Master Futai, Li's father and daughter were stunned for a moment and were at a loss.The old guard of the Notre-Dame Hall was also surprised.Wang Ding'an said at the side: "This is really Mr. Futai Zhang." He pointed to Bao Geng and introduced: "This is Mr. Fantai Bao." In the dilapidated Jinxi Academy, in the poor Mengguan school, a few big figures suddenly appeared who could only be heard but not seen by ordinary people, as if joy fell from the sky, Li Zhiguo hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed: "I don't know if the adults are here, it's a sin!" Zhang Zhidong hurriedly helped the old school teacher up: "Get up quickly, it doesn't have to be like this!" When Li Zhiguo got up, Zhang Zhidong said, "I have something to ask the old man to do." "If you have any instructions, please tell me." "My first mother liked playing the piano the most. Unfortunately, when I was four years old, my first mother passed away. She only left a guqin and did not pass on the art of playing the piano. I have a daughter who is only eight years old. I hope she can Like a grandmother who can play piano and music, I would like to ask the old man to let your son-in-law come to my house to teach the little girl to play the piano, and secondly, to teach the little girl how to read and write. In a word, please ask your daughter-in-law to be the master of the little girl I wonder if you will give me this face?" This is really a great good thing. Li Zhiguo was about to agree, but Peiyu pulled the corner of his father's clothes. The old school teacher had to change his words: "My lord thinks highly of my little girl. This is the honor of my little girl. It's just that my little girl came from a poor family and doesn't know how to be polite." , and didn't study much since childhood, how can I be the master of the young lady?" Zhang Zhidong smiled heartily: "You don't have to worry, since I have invited your daughter-in-law to go, I can trust her. My daughter will not arrive in Taiyuan until the beginning of next month, and you and your daughter can discuss it calmly in the ten days or so. Alternatively, the daughter-in-law can also stay at my servant's house for a month or two to see if she can adapt. If she can stay, she can stay. If she can't stay, she can return to Jinci Temple anytime. As for the salary, I will be slightly higher than the teachers usually hired by the yamen Please be a virtuous father and daughter, be considerate of my love of talent." Seeing that the governor spoke sincerely, Li Zhiguo glanced at his daughter.Seeing that her daughter had no intention of completely rejecting it, she said, "Thank you so much for your love, Mr. Futai. Let us, father and daughter, discuss it again." "Okay." Zhang Zhidong said happily, "I will send someone to pick up the female master in half a month." After finishing speaking, he said to Bao Geng and Wang Ding'an, "Let's go back to the city!"