Chapter 84 3. "The discussion of old learning becomes more refined, and the cultivation of new knowledge becomes deeper." These two lines of Zhu Xi's poem inspired Zhang Zhidong

As Sang Zhiping expected, Nian Feng soon sent congratulatory letters from Wuchang to the two old people, congratulating them on their beautiful twilight love. At that time, he will attend the wedding ceremony on behalf of his younger brother and the Chen family, and deliver a congratulatory speech.Qiu Ling was extremely pleased by his son's attitude.After everything was in place, Sang Zhiping formally bid farewell to Zhang Zhidong. "Brother Zhongzi, this really surprised me." Zhang Zhidong never thought that his good friend who had been with him for more than ten years would suddenly bid farewell to him. "If you have any dissatisfaction with the governor's office or other people, you can just bring it up, everything can be discussed, but please don't leave here."

Zhang Zhidong's sincerity made Sang Zhiping a little uneasy about his decision.He pondered for a moment, and could only tell the truth: "In these days, I often think of Taifu Jia. Taifu Jia blamed himself for not fulfilling his duties as a master, and even died of sadness. Ren Bing died unexpectedly. I am a teacher. Shirking responsibility. My heart is sad, my square inch has been messed up, and every time I see the pond in the West Garden, I feel sad. I should return to the farm and retire to the mountains and forests." As Ren Bing's father, how could Zhang Zhidong feel better during this period?But he is strong by nature, and he knows the heavy burden on his body, so he has to brace himself to deal with daily affairs.Knowing that Sang Zhiping's resignation was due to benevolence, Zhang Zhidong was grateful and ashamed.He said sadly: "Brother Zhongzi's feelings made me feel ashamed and thankful. I am Ren's father, and Ren's father passed away at the age of twenty-five. Can I not feel bad? He died unexpectedly, and I can't help it." Are you responsible? Seeing that your daughter has become a widow at a young age, and your grandson has become an orphan before his first birthday, my heart is extremely painful."

Zhang Zhidong's voice choked up unknowingly, he paused, took a sip of tea, and forced back the tears welling up to his eyes. "But I can understand myself when I am in extreme pain. First, life and death are God's will, not human force. I have experienced too many such blows in my life. I lost my mother at the age of four, my father at the age of twenty, and the death of my father at the age of two. Losing three wives and a beautiful daughter for more than ten years, I hate God for being too cruel to me. When I hate it, I can only explain myself. Second, Ren Bing has grown up, married a wife and had children, and died an untimely death. The father is naturally responsible, but it is no longer the main responsibility. The responsibility lies first with himself. Today I also use these two reflections to advise you. First, you don’t have to be too sad, and second, you don’t have to blame yourself for failing in duty. He is not a schoolboy studying in front of you, he is different from the King Liang of Han who fell from his horse and died, so you must not leave here because of this."

Sang Zhiping originally wanted to tell Zhang Zhidong that he had lost confidence in the cause they were currently engaged in together. Whether it was the Western Affairs Bureau factory or the self-improvement new army, it was probably impossible to lead China to prosperity.The words were on his lips, but he still swallowed them, he really couldn't bear to hurt Zhang Zhidong's heart.He knew that the Bureau Factory and the Jiangsu New Army had exhausted Zhang Zhidong's efforts and were already a part of his life.Saying such words at this time is tantamount to stabbing a knife in his heart.He also wanted to simply tell the story of his relationship with Qiu Ling and get Zhang Zhidong's understanding.As soon as the idea came up, he couldn't feel it.Telling about that period of the past will undoubtedly reveal his identity as "suppressing the remnants of the party".How can Zhang Zhidong accept the governor who is greatly favored by Cixi?But without giving any reason, wouldn't this move be unbelievably sudden?After much deliberation, he decided to reveal his relationship with Qiu Ling with some reservations.

"Brother Xiangtao, let me tell you something! Nian Reng's mother is my cousin, and we were married when we were young, but we were unfortunately separated. It wasn't until that year when I went to Nian Reng's hometown, Xiangshan County, that we were married. A miraculous reunion. Now I am alone, and I am going to marry her. A marriage that should have been completed more than 30 years ago, unexpectedly postponed until later in life." Sang Zhiping smiled helplessly. Zhang Zhidong only knew that Sang Zhiping was his mother's distant cousin from Nian Reng, but he didn't expect that there was a layer of "baby relatives". Zhang Zhidong said happily: "In this way, you and I are the same It's a great thing for you to marry Nian Reng's mother, but it has nothing to do with your leaving here!"

Sang Zhiping said: "Nian Reng's mother has been away from home for more than 40 years. It’s good to return home together, she and I are old together and good to return home.” After all, he smiled wryly. Zhang Zhidong said: "Going home to visit relatives is the right thing to do. I won't stop you. How about giving you half a year's leave?" Sang Zhiping paused for a moment and said, "Mother Nian Reng wants to stay in her hometown for a few more years." Zhang Zhidong was silent, thinking to himself: He wants to live with Nian Reng's mother in his hometown, no wonder he has to resign.The baby relatives who have been separated for decades should be cherished even more.Although the boss was reluctant, Zhang Zhidong had no choice but to agree: "I really can't bear to disturb your feelings, so I can only follow orders. It's just that you have been helping me do things for the country wholeheartedly for more than ten years. You are indescribably grateful."

Hearing this, Sang Zhiping felt a strong sadness in his heart.He swallowed and said: "Brother Xiangtao, let's not talk about these things. The gathering and parting of life is fate. I have limited talents and can't do more for you. The Great Victory at Nanguan won a great victory for the Qing Dynasty, which has been exhausted for many years. Although later generations will not think of this war when they talk about this war, there is a Sang who sneaked to Vietnam to meet Liu Yongfu, but I am still very pleased with my selfishness. Yes. If I want to say gratitude, I would like to thank you, it is your great talent in latitude and longitude that made me more or less taste the pleasant feeling of ambition."

Zhang Zhidong could hear the emotions of the screen friends who appeared and disappeared in the words.Some of the people in the shogunate really gave good ideas to the master, and some even personally participated in the success of the matter, but no matter what, they would not get the honor of being the number one at the end of the matter.They are always facilitators, and some are not even mentioned.Suppressing the feeling of grievance and sighing as a marriage is the unique atmosphere of the shogunate.This is the mood of friends.For a generous master, the mood of the friends will be more peaceful; for the friends who have an unusual relationship with the master, the emotions will be more peaceful.Zhang Zhidong's treatment of his friends is considered generous, and Sang Zhiping's relationship with him is extraordinary. Therefore, in the fourteen years of his relationship with him, Zhang Zhidong felt for the first time that Sang Zhi actually had the usual feelings of friends.He secretly blamed himself for being careless and neglecting on weekdays.Zhang Zhidong recalled a story two hundred years ago, and said with emotion: "During the reign of Emperor Kangxi, the friendship between Jin Fu, the governor of the river and his friend Chen Huang, left a good story between the host and the guest for later generations. In 2011, Jin Fu, the minister of the Ministry of Rites, was released to the governor of Anhui. After leaving Beijing, he passed the Lv Dongbin Temple in Handan and saw a poem on the wall of the temple: Forty years, the Duke and the Marquis, although it is a dream, is also romantic. I am down on the road in Handan, and I want to Mr. Borrowing a pillow. Jin Fuzheng wanted to find a good friend. From the poem, he saw that this was a down-and-out man with talent and learning but no luck. Seeing that the ink on the poem was not dry, he knew that he had not gone far, so he sent people to look for it. Sure enough, they found it. The person who wrote the poem was Chen Huang, a failed scholar in Qiantang, Zhejiang. Jin Fu talked with Chen Huang for a day and a night. Jin served as governor of Wanzhou for six years, and Chen Yisui for six years. The two were both master and guest, teacher and friend, and there was little distinction between superiors and inferiors. Later, Jin was promoted to the governor of the river, and Chen followed him. He assisted Jin in governing the Yellow River. Great results. Jin did not miss Chen Zhigong. When Kangxi visited the river in the south, Jin played Chen Zhigong in front of Kangxi, and Kangxi taught Chen Qian the way. Later, Jin was caught by a villain and was dismissed. Chen was also implicated and died unjustly. In prison. Four years later, Jin was reinstated. The first thing he did after his reinstatement was to avenge Chen Huang’s grievances and commend his achievements. Preface, to spread Chen Huang's achievements in river control to the world. I have read the history books of the previous generation to this point, and I can't help feeling over and over again."

Sang Zhiping interjected: "I've heard people talk about the friendship between Jin Fu and Chen Huang, and it's really touching." "In these years, I have often regarded you as a person like Chen Huang, and I am willing to be Jin Fu who cherishes talents and loves talents and treats friends sincerely. It's just that you have repeatedly refused to recommend, so you are still a commoner. This is from me to you There are disadvantages." Sang Zhiping smiled and said, "I have refused this time and again. Don't feel indebted." "There are many turmoil in the officialdom. Even a person like Jin Fu who is dedicated to the country is harmed by others, and Chen Huang is involved. In fact, I often have the idea of ​​​​resigning from home and returning home, but as a border official, I cannot be free. I have to force myself Going on with a scalp, and I don’t know when I will meet someone like Xu Zhixiang who will come out against me. You can retreat at any time, this is where you are better than me. I agree with your choice, but I have two You must accept the request."

Seeing that Zhang Zhidong had already agreed, Sang Zhiping felt a sense of relief.He said: "If you have any request, just say it, as long as I can do it, I will spare no effort." "First, for more than ten years, you have done a lot of things for me and helped me a lot. The contribution is far greater than that of other screen friends, but you have never received more money than them. You received it a few years ago. It’s a teacher’s salary, and I will also get the salary of ordinary friends in the next few years. You don’t agree to ask for a title for you, and you don’t agree to raise your salary. Now you are going back to your hometown to recuperate. I will give you five thousand taels of silver, please be sure. To accept."

"Brother Xiangtao, I accept your kindness, but I cannot accept the five thousand taels of silver." Sang Zhiping said sincerely, "For more than ten years, my salary has not been low, and besides daily expenses, I still have some surplus. , the days to come will be able to survive. Besides, when gentlemen meet, morality is the most important thing. As your friend, I originally wanted to use your name to do something for the country and the people, not for profit. Wan Mo apologized for the low salary." It seems understandable that the recommendation is not accepted, but this white money is not accepted, it is a bit too pedantic.How many people are there in this vast world who don't care about fame and wealth?As the official of the imperial court who is in charge of fame and fortune, he cannot be allowed to succeed to those who ask for fame and fortune, even by all means.And for those who really do things for the country but are indifferent to fame and fortune, he can't be wronged.This is what a sensible official does.Thinking of this, Zhang Zhidong said solemnly: "Brother Zhongzi, I really admire you for not asking for anything, but the five thousand taels of silver have their own basis, please listen to me clearly. First of all, the two thousand taels , not for you, but for Qiu Ling. Qiu Ling is your child-in-law, and also my son-in-law. When she encounters such a happy event, I, the in-law, have to express it. The two thousand The two silver coins are my congratulatory gift and the cost of buying clothes for her. You have no right to refuse." Sang Zhiping knew that this was Zhang Zhidong's improvisation, but it was really hard to refuse, so he smiled and nodded. "When you were in charge of the daily affairs of the shogunate in the eleventh year of Guangxu, I wanted to increase your salary by ten taels of silver per month. You did not agree, but I ordered the accountant to make monthly payments and deposit them in Nanyang Bank. A total of two thousand five hundred and eighty taels of silver including interest. Third, I am concurrently serving as Governor Jiang, and the imperial court gave me a concurrent salary. Of course you should also be paid. , These several sums of silver add up to a total of 4,940 taels, and the other 60 taels are the travel expenses I will send you. All Muyou have travel expenses when they return home, and you are no exception. Brother Zhongzi, you said the five thousand taels Should you accept the money or not?" Sang Zhiping smiled and said: "It's hard to be kind to you. How about this, you still keep the two thousand five hundred and eighty taels of silver from the bank, which is my donation to the shogunate. If you encounter any trouble in the future If you need money, you can be the master on my behalf, give them two hundred or three hundred, and I will accept the rest of the two thousand four hundred and twenty taels of silver." "Okay, okay, I'll follow you!" Zhang Zhidong said with a wry smile, "Second, I would like to ask you not to stay in Linquan and not care about state affairs after you leave the supervisory office. You watch it coldly as a bystander. The world situation, if there is a major event, please give me advice at any time. I will give you ten seal letters with the customs and defenses of the governor of Huguang. The above Yamen, they will expedite the express delivery to me overnight, so there will be no delay. Please don't refuse this matter." Sang Zhiping replied with concentration: "Okay, I accept. As long as I think I should tell you something as soon as possible, I will use these treasures." "Okay!" Zhang Zhidong said, "Then I will thank you first. You must take care of yourself from now on." "Brother Xiangtao, please cherish it for the country." Sang Zhiping looked affectionately at the governor who looked even more haggard and aged due to the loss of his son, and said, "You have obviously grown older in the past few months. You are responsible for the five provinces, you can be called the pillar of the imperial court, you must not fall ill. Are you eating and sleeping well recently?" "It's okay to eat, but sleep is much worse than before. This month, I dare not even take a nap." "why?" "If you sleep at noon, it will be harder to sleep at night. But if you don't sleep at noon, you don't know how to spend this hour, and you will always feel depressed." Sang Zhiping suddenly had an idea: "If there is a very knowledgeable and eloquent person who comes to the mansion to talk with you at noon every day, how about helping you pass the time?" Zhang Zhidong said: "Where can I find such a person! To tell you the truth, in the years since I left the capital, I haven't met many people who are as knowledgeable and talkative as Pan Zuyin and Zhang Peilun. Near Jiangning Such a person?" "Yes." Sang Zhiping thought of someone. "There is a teaching in Zhongshan Academy. If you do a good poem, you can taste it more accurately. Once I went to the academy to see the lecturer Kuai Guangdian, and he happened to be there. Hearing him talk with Kuai Guangdian about the poems of the past and the present is quite interesting. The smell of coughing up saliva." Zhang Zhidong said: "Zhongshan Academy still has this kind of talent, what's his name?" Sang Zhiping replied: "His name is Chen Yan, and the students all call him Mr. Shi Yi, a native of Fujian Houguan." Zhang Zhidong said happily: "It turns out that Chen Yan is in Zhongshan Academy, but he didn't know it was so close!" Sang Zhiping said, "You know him?" "I have never met him. Three years ago, Lin Zanyu Yushi Wai Fangzhao came to see me when he passed by Wuchang. I saw three quatrains inscribed on his paper fan, so I borrowed it to read. The poem is written Very good, the signature below is "Chen Yan", so I asked who Chen Yan was. He told me that he was from his hometown, and he was known as the number one poet in central Fujian. I wanted to meet him at that time, but I couldn't think of him He is also in Jiangning. I would like to trouble you with a message, asking him to come to the supervisory office at noon tomorrow, and I will listen to him talk about poetry." Sang Zhiping got up to say goodbye, Zhang Zhidong held his hand for a long time, and said, "When you leave Jiangning, let me know two days in advance, and I will see you off with all my friends." Sang Zhiping nodded gratefully. At noon the next day, Chen Yan came to the supervisory office, and the police brought him to Zhang Zhidong who was watching fish by the lake.Zhang Zhidong saw that Chen Yan was about forty years old, dressed in an old cloth robe, with a pair of large black-rimmed glasses on his face, and looked full of pedantry from head to toe. After Chen Yan sat down, Zhang Zhidong asked casually, "How long have you been in Zhongshan Academy?" Chen Yan replied, "Almost three years." "What origin?" "Guangxu Renwu imperial examination person was born." "Oh." Zhang Zhidong nodded. "What did you do before?" "I have been teaching at Minjiang Academy in Fuzhou, and because of the invitation of Mr. Kuai Shan, Jiang Ning came here the year before last." Zhang Zhidong squinted his dizzy eyes, took a closer look at Chen Yan, and said, "Do you know what I called you to the supervisory office for?" "I heard from Kuai Liqing that my lord wants to hear me talk about poetry." Zhang Zhidong nodded. "But I don't know what aspects of poetry my lord wants to hear from humble officials?" Zhang Zhidong lazily loosened the belt of his loose robe, and said: "For an hour and a half at noon, I want to relax. I heard that you are erudite and eloquent, and you are very insightful in poetry tasting. You can taste poems in front of this old man!" Pick what you are best at and talk about it, just like those who sing songs, sing the wonderful ones first." Zhang Zhidong's metaphor made Chen Yan quite unhappy: How can I, the "No. 1 Poet of Fujian Province" be compared with the person who sings the melody?I wanted to walk away, but I didn't dare to offend the governor.If he takes the blame and removes his position as a teacher in the academy, how will the whole family live?Chen Yan decided to speak loudly in front of this arrogant governor, and let him see my knowledge, Mr. Shi Yi, will he dare to be so frivolous next time? "The humble job can be said casually." "Speak!" Zhang Zhidong took out a snuff bottle from his cuff, and sniffed it back and forth under his nose. "Since ancient times, scholars and talented scholars have wanted to make good poems, but it is difficult, and they all want to appreciate poems, but it is even more difficult. For example, there are three thousand disciples of Confucianism, seventy sages, and those who can talk about poetry with them are no more than sons. Gong and Zixia are just two people, and even Ziyou, who is good at literature, can't enter this threshold. How to appreciate poetry? Mencius has a good saying, saying that poets should not use words to harm their words, and do not use their words to harm their ambitions. It is for the purpose of obtaining it. But it is not easy to know people and talk about the world! Therefore, there are so many ancient and modern poems and talks, and those who can have the value of handing down to the world are only one of the hundred. The humble staff intended to write "Shi Yi Poetry Talk" ten years ago, and planned to use four It took me ten years to complete this great book, and if God gave me a seventy-year lifespan, then this book can be completed." Zhang Zhidong smiled and said, "You plan to spend forty years writing your poems, and your ambition can be described as lofty. You have been preparing for ten years, and you must have learned a lot. Can you tell me a little bit about it?" Chen Yan thought for a while, and said: "It has been a long time since the famous poems were mentioned in the poems; this is the origin of the poems. In the past, Xie An and his nephews discussed poems in their spare time. "The two poems I think are the best. My nephew Xie Xuan said that my favorite two lines are 'I am going in the past, Yangliu Yiyi'. My niece Xie Daoyun said that the best should be 'Jifu made the chant, Mu Such as Qingfeng'. Xie An said, what you said is good, but in my opinion, the best two sentences are "polluted deserts are destined to be destined, and Yuanyou expresses admonition". Later generations said that from this story, we can see that tasting poetry is actually a I am tasting myself. Xie Xuan is a great general, and he goes out to fight all the year round, so he has a deep impression on the phenology of the prisoner. Xie Daoyun is a woman with a gentle temperament, so he likes the breeze and bright moon. As for Xie An, he shoulders the important task of prime minister. his longing." Zhang Zhidong nodded and said: "The story you just told is very appropriate to explain that your poems are really about yourself. You said poems to quote famous lines. It seems that you have studied famous lines. Let me tell you about you." Experience it!" Chen Yan said: "In my opinion, most of the famous lines in the poem are the scenes. This is mostly influenced by Zhong Rong's "Poetry". He cited four poems: "Climb the Longshou in the morning", "The bright moon shines on the snow ', 'The sad wind on a high platform', 'Thinking of the king is like flowing water', saying that these verses are all seen by the eyes, not from the classics. Under his advocacy, poets often work hard on the situation. Tang people are good at this way, so There are many famous lines in the poems, and people in the Song Dynasty put more emphasis on reason, relatively speaking, there are fewer." Zhang Zhidong said: "Your statement is biased. There are also many famous lines describing scenery in Song poetry, such as Lin Hejing's sparse shadows and slanting water, clear and shallow water, dark fragrance floating in the moon and dusk', Dongpo's 'three or two peach blossoms outside the bamboo. , Spring River Plumbing Duck Prophet', Lu You's 'Mountains and rivers are full of doubts and no way, willows and flowers reveal another village', Chen Jianzhai's 'Ke Xiaoguang's poem volume, apricot blossom news in the rain', aren't they all famous sentences about the situation? ?” Chen Yan thinks that people in the world say that Zhang Zhidong prefers Su Dongpo, and because of Su Dongpo, he prefers Song poetry. It seems that this is true.So he smiled and said: "My lord's citation is indeed a famous sentence in Song poetry. There are many poets in the two Song Dynasties, like Su Huang Xinlu and others, who are all giants in the poetry world. How can it be said that there is no famous sentence in Song poetry, but it is slightly inferior to Tang poetry. That's all. As for the good lines of reason and reason in Song poetry, they are far superior to those in Tang poetry. Among other things, there are only two lines in Zhu Xi's "consulting with old learning and deepening, and cultivating new knowledge into deep", and there is much to be savored!" Zhang Zhidong often thought during the years of Westernization that the learning of foreigners should not be in opposition to Chinese learning, and that the two could complement each other.It would be best if it could be blended.These two lines of Master Zhu’s poems recited by Chen Yan suddenly inspired Zhang Zhidong: If we regard foreign learning as new knowledge and Chinese learning as old learning, then Zhu Xi has already integrated it: Learning from old knowledge can make knowledge refined, and cultivating new knowledge can make knowledge more profound. He stopped arguing with Chen Yan, and instead asked with an equal attitude: "I have heard people say that poetry is valuable in style, but also in color, and I only focus on tasting it. Can you say something about it?" Chen Yan said: "My lord's remarks are very interesting. Poets can be distinguished not only by their style, but also by their color." "Try to say goodbye to the old man?" Chen Yan pondered for a moment and said: "This color is not the color of ordinary makeup, but a natural color. It is the color of flowers, landscapes, and Yiding books. Wang Youcheng is like a golden tower, Chen Houshan is like light indigo, and Huangshan Valley is like ocher. Cinnabar, Chen Jianzhai is like camellia and wintersweet. As for Wu Bo not moving, Chu Mountain is green and green, Li Taibai is enough; the leaves are slightly off, the stone is white and green, Meng Haoran is enough; the empty mountains are empty, the water is flowing and flowers are blooming, Wei Suzhou is enough Dangzhichuan..." Chen Yan was very excited, and the more he talked, the more complacent he was, but Zhang Zhidong interjected: "Han Tui's pink and green are enough for it; lingering green and white, Liuzi's thickness is enough for him." Chen Yan was taken aback for a moment, then laughed happily, and said again and again: "Your Excellency is really talented. The river is white and the waves are high, the mountains are tall and the moon is small, Su Dongpo is enough to be him..." "Forget it, I think you can paint all the famous Tang and Song Dynasties with colorful colors in one breath, and I don't know if they approve or not." Zhang Zhidong laughed happily, although there was a sarcasm in his words, There is a light of appreciation in his eyes.He got up while talking and said, "I'm going to work, and I had a very pleasant talk today. You will often come to my place as a guest in the future, and I am happy to talk about poetry with you." Chen Yan hurriedly said, "Thank you, sir, for your kindness." "It is said that you are knowledgeable and knowledgeable. Do you understand the meaning of Buddhism and Zen?" Chen Yan suddenly remembered that he had promised someone yesterday. Isn't this the opportunity?He hurriedly said: "The lowly class has no interest in the Shi family. My lord wants to listen to the Shi family's studies. Recently, a famous person came to Zhongshan Academy. He also has research on this. You might as well ask him to come and talk to you with your lord." "Who is this big celebrity?" "He is Kang Youwei, the head of the Ministry of Industry who wrote a letter to the bus in the capital this spring." "Oh, Kang Youwei has come to Jiangning!" Zhang Zhidong is no stranger to Kang Youwei.As early as when he was appointed governor of Guangdong, he received a letter from Kang Youwei forwarded by his friend Zhang Dinghua from Hanyuan. Kang suggested opening a translation bookstore in Guangzhou.Zhang thought this suggestion was good, so he asked Liang Dingfen to see Kang.Liang brought back a large number of Western bibliographies listed by Kang, and believed that they were all included in the translation.Zhang intended to let Kang Lai preside over the book translation bureau, but soon he was transferred to Huguang, and the matter was over. "You can accompany him to see me tomorrow!"