Contrary to his elder brother who was obsessed with learning about emperors, Yang Jun cast himself under the disciple of Master Xiangqi, and devoted himself to learning his poems and essays.My elder brother sometimes told him how my husband interacted with celebrities at that time during the Xiantong years, and how his stomach was full of talents of kings and tyrants, and he seemed very envious.The eighteen-year-old third child of the Yang family disagreed with his elder brother. He believed that Master Xiangqi was a complete failure in the career of emperor, but his achievements in poetry and prose were recognized by the world.What puzzled him was why his brother couldn't see clearly such an obvious fact?What puzzled him even more was that Master Xiangqi himself didn't think so.Yang Jun remembers that one day in class, the teacher was in high spirits, and he taught a class on the analysis of nineteen ancient poems like a goddess scattered flowers, which was brilliant.When the class was over, he smiled and said to everyone: "Anyone who is interested tonight can come to Ming Xingzhai, and I will treat him to a drink!" The students asked: "Sir, what is the happy event today?" Teacher Xiangqi said "I received two hundred taels of embellishment pens today." A student said, "Sir, I often get embellishment pens, and I don't treat guests. Why treat guests this time?" Master Xiangqi said, "You don't know, these two hundred taels of embellishment pens are the same as The usual difference. Jiangnan Admiral Li Chaobin is an old friend of mine. He asked me to write an epitaph for his esteemed man. I told him that you are a veteran general of the Hunan Army who made great achievements in the same year, and you are honest and self-loving. I respect you and write the epitaph for your esteemed person. I agree, and I will not charge you for the touch-up fee. After finishing writing, I will send it. Today he entrusted someone to bring two hundred taels of silver and a letter. The letter said, I am a martial artist, even if I win a few battles, it is nothing, you are the real genius. You can write the epitaph for my late father, both the living and the dead are glorious, as usual, two hundred taels of pen fee cannot No. You see, he allowed me to be a master, and this is my confidant. In the past, Zeng, Zuo, Hu, Ding, Su, Pan, Yan, and Li Zhugong, or praised my economy, or praised my articles, But he didn't approve of me as a talented person. Just because of the word 'superior talent', I couldn't agree with him, so I happily accepted it. Tell me, should we, teachers and students, have a few drinks together?" The students all jumped up and said in unison: "Yes!" That night, more than ten students really went to Ming Xingzhai to drink.Yang Jun didn't go.
In addition to poetry and prose, Yang Jun paints with color.He is very talented in painting.In the past at Shitangpu, without a teacher to guide him, he followed Wang Mian's example, taking nature as a teacher, and describing the shapes and colors of mountains and rivers, flowers, birds, insects and fish.After years of painstaking research, there is actually no teacher.When I came to Dongzhou Academy, the things I drew were already in good shape.Wang Kaiyun is a good teacher with a broad mind and inclusiveness. He does not blame Yang Jun for procrastinating his work because of his love of painting, but encourages him.Wang Kaiyun himself was not good at this, but he collected many famous paintings. He lent Yang Jun all these famous paintings, and found Yang Jun a painting teacher named Yao in Hengzhou City.Every five days, Yang Jun went to the city to learn painting from Master Yao for half a day.In the past year, Yang Jun's painting skills have made great progress.What made him even more gratified was that three months ago, when Yang Du was still in the capital, Wang Kaiyun accepted a carpenter who could draw as a student.That afternoon, Master Xiangqi specially sent someone to call Yang Jun, asking him to go to Ming Xing Zhai immediately.
Yang Jun hurried to Ming Xing Zhai.Wang Kaiyun is writing a diary.Wang Kaiyun's diary is different from ordinary people's diaries. He wrote down a lot of reading experience, some of which are just a small academic paper.He took the matter very seriously, uninterruptedly for decades.He put down his pen and said: "Chongzi, after a while Zhang Dengshou will bring someone to worship me as a teacher to learn poetry and prose. His name is Qi Huang, his name is Baishi, he is also from Xiangtan, he is a carpenter, and he is very good at painting. Seeing that you also love painting, I will definitely be happy to meet you."
"Great!" Yang Jun said happily, "I'll see how his paintings are. If they are really better than mine, I would like to learn from him."
"First you help Zhou Ma make two bowls of tea and put them in the kitchen. After a while they will come, you serve the tea, don't let Zhou Ma come out."
Yang Jun is young, handsome and intelligent, and also has the identity of in-laws. Wang Kaiyun treats him with care and affection.Sometimes when distinguished guests came, or strangers whom they met for the first time, Wang Kaiyun would often ask Yang Jun to serve him tea and water instead of Zhou Ma.Yang Jun knew that this was his husband's respect for him. He was very happy and did a good job.
At this moment, Yang Jun saw Zhang Dengshou leading a person in from the window.
"Qi Huang, this is Mr. Xiangqi, whom you have admired for a long time, why don't you hurry up and pay homage to the teacher!" As soon as he entered the study door, Zhang Dengshou pointed to Wang Kaiyun who was sitting at the desk, and looked at the tall and thin man next to him. said the thin man.
"Sir, Qi Huang kowtowed to Mr., please accept me as your old student!" Qi Baishi said as he took two steps forward, then knelt down in front of Wang Kaiyun, and then he slammed his head three times, smashing the bricks The ground made a loud bang, startling Yang Jun who was preparing tea in the kitchen. He thought to himself: Doesn't it hurt so hard?
Wang Kaiyun sat intently, looking straight at Qi Baishi who was kneeling on the ground, he saw that he was thirty-seven or eighteen years old, his face was thin and thick, and there were deep wrinkles on his forehead. Even though he had no beard, he looked old. A blue and black gown of poorly dyed home-woven color was put on, which looked awkward, as if it was the first time in his life that he was wearing a long gown.Wang Kaiyun also noticed that when he knelt down, he carefully lifted the robe away, for fear that the gravity on his knees would wrinkle and wear it out.There were no socks on her feet, but a pair of thick-soled black cloth shoes.He has the appearance of a rustic old farmer all over his body, except for his pair of crystal clear eyes, which makes Wang Kaiyun, who has read a lot, know that this is a person who is clumsy on the outside and beautiful on the inside.
"Qi Huang, I have long heard that you are eager to learn, but you just refuse to be my student. How can you be willing to have Dongzhou come to worship me as a teacher today?"
Wang Kaiyun smiled and said that he was actually very happy with Qi Baishi's move.Qi Baishi has become quite famous in Xiangtan County over the years.Wang Kaiyun often heard folks say that there was a strange carpenter in Baishipu, and his carving skills were the best in Xiangtan.The ancestors have been farming people for generations, and their family background is very poor, but they have acquired the habit of literati, and they are good at reciting poems and painting paintings.The painted characters, flowers and birds are just like the real ones.Once, Cai Meigong, his brother-in-law who worked in the Imperial Academy, wrote a letter saying that someone from Xiangtan came to Beijing to praise Qi Baishi, a carpenter.Wang Kaiyun was a well-known man, and he wished to gather all the talented people in the world under his sect, but this carpenter was good at reciting poems, but he didn't come to worship him as a teacher, he felt a little unhappy.One day I chatted with Zhang Dengshou and mentioned this matter.Zhang Dengshou had known Qi Baishi for a long time, so he asked someone to send a letter to him, asking him to come to Dongzhou as soon as possible to learn from him.
"My honour, sir, it is my honor to be your old student. There is no reason why I would not." Qi Baishi still knelt on the ground, stretched his waist straight, and said with great sincerity, "It's just that I, Qi Huang, came from a humble background. , is a carpenter, his family is poor, and he only studied with his grandfather for one year since he was a child. Later, he got the care of Mr. Hu Qinyuan and the advice of his tutor Mr. Chen Shaofan, so he began to read "Three Hundred Tang Poems" and learn to compose poems. Those Children from aristocratic families and people who have read poetry and books all take it as an honor to be your old disciple, how can I, a rough man from a poor family, dare to come to join you?"
After hearing this, Wang Kaiyun became more amiable and said, "It doesn't matter if the family is poor. Most of my students are not rich. You say you are a carpenter and a craftsman. I am sorry. I, Wang, never dislike A craftsman, Zhang Dengshou is a blacksmith, I don’t think so, just ask him himself! I still call him Blacksmith Zhang, that’s just a slur, and it doesn’t mean to be contemptuous, and he agrees.”
Zhang Dengshou interjected: "I would like my husband to call me Blacksmith Zhang, kindly, I was originally a blacksmith. What's wrong with blacksmiths? Back then, Tianjia Town was fighting long hair, thanks to the two blacksmith brothers Sun Changguo and Sun Changkai! Later they did it. Admiral, Peng Gongbao still called them Tiejiang Sun in person, and they were very happy to hear that. I never think craftsmen are humble."
Wang Kaiyun nodded and said, "That's an ambitious statement. I see Qi Huang, and you have to learn from Zhang Dengshou."
"Yes, sir, the lesson is correct!" Qi Baishi felt warm in his heart after hearing this.On the outside he is modest and condescending, but in his heart he is very proud.Why did he think in his heart that since he was born as a carpenter, he was humble, and he would look down on those who are easy to be officials!It’s just that he often talks like this, firstly, he is from the secular world, and secondly, he came from a poor family. His grandparents and parents have taught him since he was a child: Press yourself and let others down, you can avoid a lot of trouble.Keeping one's place and being a man is a magic weapon for the poor in that era to protect themselves.
"You may not know that I have a student who was born as a craftsman." Wang Kaiyun said quite proudly, "His name is Zeng Zhaoji, a coppersmith. When he was thirteen years old, he carried a coppersmith's burden from Jiangxi to Hunan. He You are also easy to learn, and you are willing to worship me as a teacher, and I will accept it. Now even you, I, Wang, have three craftsmen under my family. From now on, it will be a good story of my Wang when it is mentioned by future generations!"
Wang Kaiyun touched his slightly upturned long chin and laughed happily.
"Sir, you have accepted me!" Qi Baishi exclaimed in surprise.
"Accept it, get up!"
Qi Baishi hurriedly kowtowed again, took off the black backpack on his back, and opened it, revealing a bundle of greasy paper bags.He held up the paper bag with both hands, raised it over his head, and said reverently: "Sir, the student's family is poor and cannot afford a lot of money. These ten strips of dried meat are dried from the pork loin fed by the student's guest. Please accept it with a smile. "
Wang Kaiyun got up, took it from Qi Baishi's hand solemnly, opened the oiled paper and saw that there were ten pieces of fat and thin, black and red bacon neatly arranged inside, and a pungent fragrance came out.He put the bacon on the desk, and said to Qi Baishi, "Who told you to do this?"
"My grandfather told me before he was alive. He has been a poor school teacher all his life." Qi Baishi replied with trepidation.
Wang Kaiyun said: "You are using ancient rituals. Confucius said that I am not without criticism. If you give ten strips of dried meat to Confucius, he will accept them as disciples. Should I not accept them? Good! I accept these ten pieces of bacon. From today on, you, Qi Huang, will be my Wang's disciple. Get up, get up and talk."
Qi Baishi thanked again, then stood up, lowered his hands, and waited respectfully for Mr. to ask questions.
"Qi Huang, you are already in your thirties. You are not a boy who just tied his hair. You don't have to be so cautious. Sit down and talk more easily." Wang Kaiyun pointed to the wooden armchair opposite the desk, and said to Zhang Dengshou, "Tiejiang Zhang, sit down too."
After Qi and Zhang sat down, he called to the kitchen again: "Chongzi, bring tea!"
As soon as Yang Jun heard this, he brought out a tea tray with two bowls of hot tea on it. First he put a bowl of tea in front of Zhang Dengshou, and then put a bowl of tea in front of Qi Baishi.Qi Baishi thought he was the book boy next to Wang Kaiyun, so he only smiled at him.Wang Kaiyun pointed to Yang Jun and introduced to Qi Baishi: "This is your younger brother Yang Jun."
Yang Jun hurriedly called out: "Senior Brother Qi."
Qi Baishi was startled, he mistaken his junior brother for a book boy just now, he felt very sorry, stood up quickly, and bowed to Yang Jun: "Senior Brother Yang, please take care of me."
Embarrassed by Qi Baishi's actions, Yang Jun blushed and said, "Brother Qi, you are a bit older than me, so I should bow to you. I heard that your paintings are very good. I still want to worship you as my teacher!"
Qi Baishi was overwhelmed by flattery, and kept saying, "I dare not, I dare not. I'm a country painter, and my paintings can't make a big scene. I will ask Senior Brother Yang to give me some pointers."
Qi Baishi's countryman's cautious demeanor amused Wang Kaiyun.He smiled and said, "Carpenter Qi, don't be too polite, let's have some tea!"
Zhang Dengshou also pulled his robe and said: "Sit down, if you don't sit down, Yang Zhongzi will be embarrassed."
While sitting, Qi Baishi said, "Senior Brother Yang, please sit down too!"
Yang Jun also sat down beside Wang Kaiyun.
Wang Kaiyun asked Qi Baishi kindly, "What books did you read at home?"
Qi Baishi hurriedly put down his tea bowl, straightened his waist and replied: "Mr. Hui, my grandfather Wan Binggong taught me how to read when I was three or four years old. When I was seven years old, I could recognize about three hundred characters. When I was eight years old, After the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month, my grandfather took me to the Prince’s Hall in Fenglin Pavilion, where I paid homage to my grandfather Yu Ruogong to study formally. When I started reading, my grandfather taught me to read "Four Characters", then "San Zi Jing", and then "San Zi Jing". "Hundred Family Surnames". This autumn, the harvest in the field was poor, and the family could not live. My mother told me, this year is tight, so keep your mouth shut! In this way, within a year, when "The Analects of Confucius" just started, I I stopped school and cut firewood, herded cattle and picked up cow dung at home. I was afraid that I would forget the words I learned, so I often lit a pine light to draw on the ground at home. Later, I thought that I would finish reading the "Analects" taught by my grandfather, so I went out every day. , hang the "Analects of Confucius" on the horns. As soon as I reached the foot of the mountain, I hurriedly cut firewood and picked up dung. After cutting a load of firewood and picking up a basket of dung, I read "The Analects of Confucius". Meaning, I took advantage of the convenience of grazing cattle, and went to the grandfather’s Meng Pavilion outside the palace of the prince to ask. After two or three years, I finally finished reading a piece of "The Analects of Confucius". I will learn carpentry first, rough carpenter first, and then learn A joiner. In order to earn more money to support his family, he learned portraits by himself. It was not until the age of 27 that he read "Three Hundred Tang Poems" under the guidance of Master Hu Qinyuan."
Qi Baishi narrated his study experience in Xiangtan farm dialect, which moved Yang Jun beside him, thinking: "Brother Qi's family background is so difficult, and at such an age, it is really not easy to study hard. Compared with him, I have to I feel much ashamed, and I must learn from Senior Brother Qi in the future."
Wang Kaiyun was also moved by this, saying: "It is not too late to start studying at the age of twenty-seven. Didn't it say in the "San Zi Jing": 'Su Laoquan, at twenty-seven, began to get angry and read books'? You also began to study at the age of twenty-seven. Be angry, just in line with the old saying."
Qi Baishi grinned when he said that.
"Have you brought your poetry collection?"
"Brought it."
"show me."
Qi Baishi opened another oiled paper bag in the coarse cloth bag he opened just now, and inside were three neatly bound books.He handed the top one to Mr.
Wang Kaiyun saw that the title of the book was inscribed on the cover: Baishi Shicao.There are a few words written on the lower left: Borrowing from the owner of Shanyin Hall, and there is a red seal on the bottom.Wang Kaiyun asked: "What is the meaning of 'chanting on the mountain'?"
"Mr.'s words." Qi Baishi replied, "There is a mountain in front of the student's house. This mountain is green all year round. Students often chant poems to it, but this mountain does not belong to the student's house, so we can only say 'borrow'. The students used this mountain to recite poems, so they named the room where they read "Chanting by Mountain"."
"Interesting." Wang Kaiyun praised, "The name of this study is very elegant. Qi Huang, how many numbers do you have?"
"Back to Mr...."
"Don't say such stereotypes in the future!" Wang Kaiyun interrupted Qi Baishi, "I am a very casual person, informal. From now on, we will be together every day and talk often. How uncomfortable are you always saying such polite words? !"
Zhang Dengshou also said to Qi Baishi: "Mr. Wang is the most easy-going and free-spirited. We talk casually to the old man, so don't be polite."
Qi Baishi said: "It is really magnanimous for Mr. to treat us as students like this."
"Tell me, how many numbers do you have?" Wang Kaiyun said, grabbing the copper hookah on the table.
"When the student was born, my grandfather named me Chunzhi according to the arrangement of the Qi family sect. My grandparents and parents all called me Azhi. Later, I became a carpenter, and everyone called me Zhicarpenter. Some people are more polite. In person, he called me Master Zhi. There was another named Weiqing, and later another named Lanting, both of which were taken by my grandfather. Mr. Chen Shaofan named me Huang, named Bensheng. Master Hu Qinyuan said that after painting You need to sign the name, and the name of the sign should be more elegant. The Baishipu Station is not far from your home, so I will give you a nickname called Baishishanren. Later, when I painted, I signed with the four characters of Baishishanren. But when people call me , I often omit the mountain man, and just call me Qi Baishi. In addition, I often inscribe the names of wooden layman, wooden figure, Xingziwu farmer, Xingtang old house stone man, Xiangshang farmer and other names after the painting to show that I do not forget my origin. .”
Just like when he answered the reading question just now, Qi Baishi answered it in detail from leaf to root.
"Oh, oh!" Wang Kaiyun nodded again and again, and his affection for this unpretentious carpenter increased. "Let me see the poem you recited."
Wang Kaiyun slowly looked through.Qi Baishi stared nervously at his husband's face, trying to judge the quality of his poems from the expression on his face.Yang Jun and Zhang Dengshou also looked at Mr. intently.A smile appeared on Wang Kaiyun's face from time to time, and Qi Baishi's heart gradually receded.Wang Kaiyun's eyes stopped on one page, and he asked, "What is this poem about?"
Qi Baishi stood up and walked behind Mr.Yang Jun couldn't bear it anymore, and walked over to have a look.On that page was written this poem:
Qi Baishi smiled embarrassingly, and said: "The student was in poor health when he was young. The blind fortune-teller said that Mercury is my destiny. Many disasters and disasters can be avoided. My grandmother bought a small copper bell. Tie it around my neck with a red rope, and say, Ah Zhi, take your second brother up the mountain to chop firewood and herd cattle. In the evening, I was waiting at the door when I heard the bell ringing far away. , Knowing that you are back, I will light the fire and cook. In the spring of this year, my grandmother passed away. I saw the small brass bell on the table, and remembered what happened when I was a child, so I wrote this poem."
Wang Kaiyun smiled and said, "Okay, interesting."
Turn it over again and see that it says: