Chapter 117 1. Yang Du wrote elegiac couplets for his teacher in perplexity

Yang Du was really in trouble.The first is that all sources of income have been cut off.If you become a wanted criminal by the government, you will naturally have no salary.Previously, it was not the salary that provided his huge expenses, but the dividends remitted by Hunan Huachang Antimony Smelting Company.In the past year, the company has been in a downturn, and the profit is very small, and the dividends remitted every time are barely scraped together.Since Cai E announced Yang Du as the culprit of the imperial system during the power-up, the company's shareholders took this opportunity not to send him money.Yang Du has nothing to do about it.A family of ten people, old and young, has a lot of daily expenses, and they have put together things to the present, and they have come to the end of the mountain.

Then there are newspaper articles condemning him every day, urging the government to quickly arrest the remnants of the imperial system, and there must be no mercy.There are also reporters from tabloid newspapers and idlers in tea houses and restaurants who often come to ask about this and that, making Yang Du restless every day.Some ignorant neighborhood children, under the instigation of their enemies, yelled at Yang's house all day long, what is the culprit of the imperial system, Yuan's lackeys, it is really unbearable. Yang Duru is between the thorny sky and the thorny earth.He wants to leave Beijing.There used to be a house in Qingdao, but when Yuan Shikai died, the house was confiscated by the local government.In addition, he has no other real estate.Of course, you can buy a house, but now the daily expenses of the family are difficult to sustain, how can there be a large amount of money to buy a house!At this time, Yang Du couldn't help admiring Yuan Shikai.When Yuan dismissed from office and returned to his hometown, his large family of more than a hundred people lived comfortably, relying on the huge amount of money he accumulated on weekdays.If the 200,000 silver dollars had not been used to redeem the wealth, but had been deposited in a bank in Hunan in the name of Yang Jun, it would have come in handy at this time, but now it is empty of people and money.Absurd, really absurd!

When he was at a loss for what to do, he remembered the waist knife given by Qian Huizi when he was parting.At that time, Qian Huizi said that this special waist knife of the Tengyuan family, the Big Dipper on the handle is inlaid with seven precious gemstones, and it can be sold for urgent use. Nearly ten years have passed since leaving Japan, except for the letter from Mitsuko, Yang Du never got any news from Chieko.He guessed that Qian Huizi must have married the cousin who accompanied her to study abroad, and that cousin was probably not bad.Now that she's married, Qian Huizi doesn't want to bring up old stories and rekindle her old love out of loyalty to her husband and small family.Yang Du could understand this feeling.Whether it is for Chieko herself, for the Tengyuan family, for the old couple of Tanaka Kametaro, and for Chieko's small family, this move is wise and appropriate.Yang Du has always loved Qian Huizi deeply in his heart.If you love her, you must think about her and hope that she will be happy in her life.It is precisely because of this that Yang Du no longer asks people to go to Tokyo and Yokohama to inquire about Chieko's current situation; also because of this, Yang Du has always cherished this waist knife, and even in today's field, he is still unwilling to take this waist knife. Take it out and sell it.

There is always a way out.Yang Du met a savior when he was in distress.The savior was a man who had never had any contact with him—General Zhang Xun of Anhui. Zhang Xun was born in Jiangxi, he was born in a poor and humble family. When he was a child, he was a book boy in the family of Xu Zhenwei, a friend of Zeng Guofan.He was kicked out by the Xu family for committing a crime, but he had no choice but to serve in the army in Changsha, under the command of Su Yuanchun, a veteran general of the Hunan Army.After fighting for several years, he was promoted to a general, and later he was favored by Yuan Shikai and transferred to the small station to serve as the engineer battalion leader.Then he went to Shandong with Yuan, and was promoted to the general army because of his hard work in suppressing the Boxer Regiment.He was also transferred to Suwei Duanmen in Beijing, and served Empress Dowager Cixi many times.Although Zhang Xun was illiterate in Chinese and ink, he was handsome, and was very much in the favor of Cixi.Before Cixi died, he was promoted to the admiral of Yunnan.On the eve of the Revolution of 1911, he served as the admiral of Jiangnan and was stationed in Pukou.When the Revolutionary Party attacked Nanjing, he stuck to Yuhuatai and fled to Xuzhou after the defeat.Instead of dismissing him, the imperial court promoted him to be governor of Jiangsu, concurrently governor of Liangjiang and minister of Nanyang.Zhang Xun is grateful to the court for being a martial artist who was born as a book boy and became a great official in the frontier.Although the Republic of China was established and President Yuan Shikai had great trust in him, he and the officers and soldiers of his former Wuwei Army did not cut their braids to show their loyalty to the Qing Dynasty.Therefore, his Wuwei Qianjun was called the braided army, and he himself was called the braided commander.He gladly accepted the title.

Seeing the chaotic political situation in the past few years after the founding of the Republic of China, Zhang Xun always had the dream of restoring the Qing Dynasty.He imagined that if he helped the overthrown Qing Dynasty to rise again, he would not only repay the kindness of Empress Dowager Cixi, but also manipulate the court.As a meritorious official, he will be famous forever; as a powerful official, he can be compared with Yiyin Zhougong.At that time, his status in history will surely surpass that of Sun Yat-sen and Yuan Shikai. Zhang Xun conceived the great cause of restoration very beautifully, so he always had a good impression of those who advocated the constitutional monarchy.When the whole country was discussing the remnants of the imperial system, he made a public speech as a former minister of the Qing Dynasty, a duke such as Hong Xianyi, and an Anhui general.It is said that no matter whether the constitution of the monarchy or the constitution of the people is nothing more than a political opinion, since it is a democratic republic, citizens have the right to express their own political opinions, so the Chou Anhui and others are innocent, and they should not be held accountable after the failure of the imperial system. responsibility.He called on the government to cancel the arrest warrants for Yang Du and others.

After Zhang Xun's speech was published in the newspaper, it brought great comfort to the young and old of Yang's house and Xia Shoutian who lived here.At this time, Zhang Xun sent another letter to Yang Du in his own name, praising him as a talent for constitutional government, but his luck was too bad to be able to use it.He was also invited to enter the curtain to support military affairs, and said that there was an empty house in Tianjin, where he could move to live. Yang Du, who was in political frustration and economic difficulties, was really grateful to Zhang Xun for this move.He wrote back to Zhang, saying that he accepted the kindness and moved his family to Tianjin, but he was in a bad mood and in poor health, so he could not go to Xuzhou to take up his post for the time being.Zhang Xun was very generous. He immediately sent people to Beijing to take Yang Du's family to live in a magnificent mansion by the Haihe River in Tianjin. He was given a monthly salary of 300 yuan, and he was not required to go to Xuzhou.Yang Du's family together with Xia Shoutian lived in Tianjin.

The Beijing government at that time was in a mess.Externally, it faced the big problem of breaking off diplomatic relations with Germany. Internally, it was busy negotiating with the Military Council in the South and dealing with factional disputes within Congress.Li Yuanhong's presidential palace and Duan Qirui's State Council also had many conflicts due to the struggle for power and profit.In such a chaotic political situation, who would take seriously those few powerless and notorious remnants of the imperial system?What is the difference between arresting them in prison and letting them live at home?There are still many people muttering in their hearts: It is not good for these few people to support Yuan Shikai as emperor, but what is so good about these republican rulers now?In this way, people's hatred of the culprit and the remnants of the imperial system will be greatly reduced.So, the wealthy Liang Shiyi returned to his hometown in Sanshui, Guangdong, and lived a pampered life. Zhu Qiqian, who made a fortune, was at ease in his villa in Qingdao. Zhou Ziqi, who could speak fluent English, traveled abroad and traveled around the world. Still rich and beautiful, Gu Ao and Xue Dake, who are good at reading, recite scrolls in Beijing courtyards, while Yang Du and Xia Shoutian spend their time peacefully in Tianjin foreign-style buildings.

One morning in late autumn, Yang Zhai received a letter from his hometown in Xiangtan.The letter was written by Yang Jun, reporting a sad news to everyone: the old man Xiangqi died of no illness at Yunhu Bridge at the age of 84.On the eve of Yizheng, the old man still misses his students and daughter-in-law far away in the north with deep affection. He hopes that Baizi and Wuyi will not be depressed because of political frustration. It is indeed a lucky thing in life to do a vigorous career in peace and prosperity in the world; if the fortune is not good, and you have not met the Lord, you will not be able to display your life ambitions, or set up accounts to teach students, or write books and talk, or work hard Acres of land, or traveling in forests and springs, are all good choices in life; between family members, between husband and wife, between teachers and students, between friends, there is a place for the true nature of life; watching the rising sun in the morning, watching the stars in the night, Boating on lotus in summer, stepping on snow in winter to find plum blossoms, you can realize the spirit of good fortune and enjoy the blessings of the universe.Between the world and the crowd, there is great joy in life everywhere, and I hope Xizi and Wuyi will appreciate it.Zeng Wenzheng said it well, doing things in the world depends on one's mind.If you have a broad mind, you can enjoy the joy of life no matter you are in good times or in adversity, whether you are proud or frustrated, whether you are a general or minister, or a woodcutter and a fisherman; There must be many knots that cannot be untied and sorrows that cannot be shaken off, and this life has been spent in depression.The old man regretted that he could not make up for the learning of Lao Zhuang and Zhuangzi for his students, and hoped that they would study and study the "Nan Hua Jing" by themselves.And especially to ask Yang Jun to tell Uncle Ji, hoping that she will also study Lao Zhuang with her brother and Xia Da, expand her mind, and the husband and wife can reconcile as before.

After reading this long letter, grief filled the entire Yang residence.In the afternoon of that day, a mourning hall was set up in the main hall of the Yang family for their husband-in-law and teacher.Mrs. Li, Mrs. Huang, Yi Zhu, and Jing Zhu all bowed to the old man in silence in the mourning hall.Uncle Concubine put on a heavy filial piety, weeping for her father-in-law's sudden death.Yang Du and Xia Shoutian put on plain clothes, bowed and kowtowed to the spirit tablet amidst the candles and cigarettes, praying for the old man's peace and safety in the spirit of heaven.Then sit on the straw mat all night and keep vigil for the teacher.

Yang Du looked sadly at the dark red spiritual tablet that was more than a foot high. The road he had traveled for more than 20 years was unfolding in front of his eyes like a dream: In Ming Xingzhai of Dongzhou Academy, Master Xiangqi explained the three kinds of knowledge of Wangmen to the new students-the study of fame, poetry and prose, and the study of emperors; in the Mawang Temple in Hengzhou City, Master Xiangqi With his disciples, he took over the "Secret History of the Great Zhou Dynasty" entrusted by Hu Sanpai; it was another summer night in Mingxingzhai's study room, which was choking with mosquito incense, and Master Xiangqi recalled the thrilling past during the Qixiang coup; Xingzhai, the all-night autumn wind and autumn rain, Master Xiangqi gave a speech on the history of the rise and fall of the Aixinjueluo family; Poetry; in Zhongnanhai, Master Xiangqi dreamed of Song Xianggong’s ridicule; on the day of leaving Beijing, in Siruchun Restaurant, Master Xiangqi intentionally pronounced Xinhua Gate as Xinmang Gate; at Qianmen Station, the train started, and Mr. Return to the south with your mother as soon as possible, and I will make up for you in Xiangqilou with the learning of Laozhuang...

Yang Du has followed his mentor for more than 20 years, from teaching the emperor's knowledge to supplementing the old and Zhuang's learning, from strongly recommending to be an official in Beijing to urging his mother to return to the south.Tonight, in the mourning hall of the Western-style building by the Haihe River, he deeply reflected on the course of the past twenty years. The words of his teacher before his death conveyed by Chongzi are very inspiring.The true interest of life is multi-faceted, and the key to obtaining this true interest lies in the mind.This is indeed the words of the benevolent, the words of the wise.But Yang Du couldn't get rid of his career troubles.During the War to Protect the Nation, when Yuan Shikai died, he still insisted on the political belief that the constitution of the monarch could save China.Now, when he compares the starting point and the end point of his more than 20 years of following his husband, he can't help but feel a little dazed again.More than 20 years ago, Mr. Wang introduced himself into the study of emperors with great expectations, and created conditions for himself to be among the highest in the political arena.More than 20 years later, the master teased the current emperor, gently abandoned the unique knowledge that he had been pursuing all his life, and told his successors to stay away from the capital and return to the Jianghu.What is the reason for this?Is it the harmony of time and people that is necessary for the study of emperors, or is it that the study of emperors is out of date, and the gentleman who has been fighting for it all his life already knows it in his heart, but he just doesn't want to deny himself? Yang Du picked up his pen in confusion and wrote an elegiac couplet for his teacher: He decided to follow his teacher's instructions and start studying Lao Zhuang's learning together with Wu Yi and Shu Ji in the mourning hall from tomorrow. A few days later, bad news came from Shanghai: Huang Xing, the founder of the Republic of China, who had made great achievements in many battles, suddenly had a massive stomach hemorrhage and died of illness in Shanghai.Yang Du was horrified.Huang Xing is only forty-two years old, usually strong, how could he leave his comrades-in-arms in distress and the motherland he sincerely loves at this time?Although Huang Xing and Yang Du completely parted ways after the Battle of Ning-Gan, Yang Du always respected and admired the character and talent of this long-time friend.He didn't think he was guilty of the crime and was hated by the revolutionaries, so he took a photo of the regret from the bottom of his heart to Shanghai Huang Keqiang's funeral planning office: The message of condolence had just been shot, but suddenly there was a bolt from the blue: Cai E died of a throat disease in the Affiliated Hospital of Fukuoka Medical University in Japan.The news came from the East, shaking the land of China. Cai E is now the greatest hero in the hearts of 400 million Chinese people.It was because of his great courage that he raised the banner of righteousness in the southwestern corner, shattering Yuan Shikai's dream of imperial restoration, defending the sacred democratic republic, and also defending the personal dignity of 400 million Chinese people. People admire and love him.He is only thirty-four years old, handsome and in full bloom. The future of China will be pinned on him. He should not leave!For a time, from the capital to the border, from the city to the countryside, from the high-ranking government officials to the opposition revolutionaries, from the gentry merchants to the foolish people, the whole country mourned for Cai E's untimely death, and for the Chinese people. The nation shed tears for losing an excellent son. Yang Du's mood was extremely complicated.Cai E is the promising young man he admires the most. He wholeheartedly hopes that this fellow from his hometown will be the god of armor for the constitutional monarchy, but unexpectedly, it is this person who broke the important affairs of the constitutional monarchy. The head of the Thirteen Taibao.These, Yang Du can understand: different political views!What makes him intolerable is that Cai E opposes the imperial system and can publicly express why he should use a series of false appearances to deceive a friend who has been a friend for many years and a sincere recommender?Now, although the Republic has been preserved, the country has not embarked on a smooth road, and the people have not benefited from it.Songpo, Songpo, I will still have a heart-to-heart debate with you in Jiuquan in a hundred years.He also wrote an elegiac couplet for Cai E: A tabloid reported that at the public memorial ceremony in Beijing, Xiao Fengxian, dressed in plain white flowers, cried and fell down in front of Cai E's portrait, and sent an elegiac couplet to her beloved General Cai: Xiaofengxian's special identity and the tacit cooperation between her and Cai E set up a series of fan traps together, adding a lot of gorgeous legendary colors to the heroes of the army and horses.This pair of elegiac couplets has been widely recited, and it is the most popular among thousands of elegiac couplets mourning General Cai. Even Sun Yat-sen and Liang Qichao's elegiac couplets cannot overshadow it.Yang Du knew that as the culprit of the imperial system opposed to Cai E, his elegiac couplets must not be made public.After he chanted and sighed, there was nothing to write, he could only remember it in his heart.