Chapter 28 9. Building a museum "courteous to the virtuous" finally won the four outstanding talents in Zhejiang

Although Zhu Yuanzhang pacified most of eastern Zhejiang and gained the magi Liu Bowen, the other three of the Four Heroes of Zhejiang were reluctant to leave the mountain. Liu Bowen from Qingtian and Zhang Yi from Longquan, Ye Chen from Lishui, and Song Lian from Pujiang are known as the Four Heroes of Zhejiang Province and have great local prestige. They all served as officials in the Yuan Dynasty. Or organize "village soldiers" to protect themselves, which is very influential.For example, Ye Chen once served as a judge in the general manager's office of Chuzhou Road, the shogunate of Yuan general Shi Moyisun, from officials to provincial marshals, and helped the Yuan army suppress peasant uprisings. He did not resign and return to his hometown until Zhu Yuanzhang captured Chuzhou.Song Lian was once employed by ancient writers such as Wu Lai, Liu Guan, Huang Mo, etc. Emperor Yuan Shun called him to edit for the Imperial Academy. Invite, to practice Taoism and write books as a career.Zhang Yi once persuaded Shi Moyisun not to kill the rebels in Longquan area when Yuan general Shi Moyisun sent troops to kill them. Zhang Yi didn't want to serve the decadent Yuan Dynasty, so he retired to Kuangshan on the border of Longquan and Pucheng.

When Zhu Yuanzhang had just captured Chuzhou, he sent Hu Dahai to beg them in person.Although they didn't have any dislike for Hu Dahai himself and Zhu Yuanzhang's army, they were unwilling to go out to help and repeatedly shirked.In fact, it was Liu Bowen who hesitated the first time. Liu Bowen had some political ideals in his heart, and he had been observing the actions of the rebels from all sides. In the process of gathering and talking with the other three people, he couldn't help but praise Zhu Yuanzhang, but he also had his hesitation.When he was hesitating, he suddenly realized that Zhu Yuanzhang had killed Su Tanmei, and his attitude changed a lot. He and the other three people more firmly rejected Zhu Yuanzhang's request, and wrote many poems expressing dissatisfaction with Zhu Yuanzhang.However, Zhang Yi, Song Lian, and Ye Chen did not expect that Liu Bowen would be the first to be persuaded, but these three still refused to come out.

After Liu Bowen arrived in Yingtian, Zhu Yuanzhang respected him very much and gave him very high courtesy. Zhu Yuanzhang said to Liu Bowen: "It is Zhu Yuanzhang's honor to come to Yingtian, sir. However, the other three who are also known as the Four Masters with Mr. have not yet come out of the mountain. Yuanzhang thinks that they have buried their talents." Liu Bowen said: "Actually, living in seclusion also has the fun of living in seclusion. Bowen is overwhelmed by the general's demeanor, and is willing to do his best for the peace of the people in the world."

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "We think that talented people should actually show their talents. The reason why literati live in seclusion is because they are dissatisfied with reality. Yes, when we are born in troubled times, how can we study and study in peace?" Seeing that Zhu Yuanzhang paid so much attention to literati, Liu Bowen couldn't help but nodded. Zhu Yuanzhang said in a questioning tone: "Sir, we have an idea, I don't know if it is suitable or not." Liu Bowen hurriedly said: "I don't know what the commander-in-chief is referring to?" Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Just now we said that scholars can't devote themselves to academics because there is no good environment. Then we think it's better to build a decent house in Yingtian for scholars. Of course, we don't want to raise scholars, but I want to gather talented people in this chaotic world, give them sufficient conditions and a stable environment, and let talented people have a place to study."

Liu Bowen was overjoyed, and quickly said: "Good! The commander-in-chief's move will become the first move in the rebel army. Those who win the hearts of the people will win the world. The commander-in-chief loves the people and talents, and has the air of a king. The talented people in the world will definitely come here after hearing the news. what." Hearing that talented people came, Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile: "We have to invite the real great talents. If the husband refused to come, Yuanzhang would rather go three times. Liu Bei visited the thatched cottage three times to win Zhuge Liang. We are not as good as Liu Bei. Therefore, Yuanzhang is willing to devote more sincerity and effort to solicit wise men in the world."

Liu Bowen said earnestly: "The commander-in-chief is by no means inferior to Liu Bei. If a museum can be built for academic study, literary talents will definitely be gathered." Zhu Yuanzhang said firmly: "Okay! We have decided to build this restaurant. We were poor and did not read any books. This regret cannot be made up for. Since so many literary talents in the world have no fixed place to live, it is difficult to study. If there is no environment, Zhu Yuanzhang will build an elegant and elegant restaurant for scholars to study, discuss major issues, and unyielding talents."

Zhu Yuanzhang quickly built a magnificent courtyard in Yingtian. After thinking for a long time, he decided to name this courtyard "Lixian Pavilion" to express his desire for talent and respect for talent. When Zhu Yuanzhang told Liu Bowen that he really built such a house and named it "Lixian Pavilion", Liu Bowen was very moved, and the reason why Zhu Yuanzhang discussed this matter with Liu Bowen and did not discuss it with Li Shanchang was because of Zhu Yuanzhang I want to move Liu Bowen with sincerity, and let Liu Bowen come forward to invite another three heroes from Zhejiang.Zhu Yuanzhang knew that if all the four masters from Zhejiang came, then the literati would not have to invite them in person, they would definitely come to be famous.And if you really get the Four Heroes of Zhejiang, then in the Jiangnan area, first of all, you have a counselor to lay a broader foundation for future development, and third, it will be of great help to win the hearts of the people.

In this conversation with Liu Bowen, Zhu Yuanzhang has already revealed the meaning of asking Liu Bowen to come forward to help Zhang Yi, Song Lian, and Ye Chen.After all, Liu Bowen is a smart man. He knows that although Zhu Yuanzhang is a fairly wise master, politics has been a vortex since ancient times. Such pure literati are also involved in the whirlpool of politics.Therefore, he avoided talking about Zhu Yuanzhang's hints. Knowing that Liu Bowen was worried, Zhu Yuanzhang decided to use his actions to prove his sincerity and respect for literati. This action is that Zhu Yuanzhang spent several days practicing writing in the study. What kind of characters should he write, not many, just three characters-"Li", "Xian", and "Guan".Because I didn't have the basic skills of calligraphy since I was a child, and I was used to leading troops to fight, it was really awkward to write this character.However, Zhu Yuanzhang is a strong and persevering person. He must write the inscription for the newly built house with his own hand. It took him several days to write a few decent words.

On this day, civil and military officers and men, as well as gentry in the city, were summoned to the "Hall of Rites and Sages" to participate in the unveiling ceremony of the "Hall of Rites and Sages".It took such a lot of work to build a "Lixian Hall", of course Zhu Yuanzhang would not let go of the opportunity to use the "Pavilion" to promote it.When the time came, Zhu Yuanzhang asked Liu Bowen to be the first to climb the steps of the "Lixian Hall", and said to everyone: "Mr. Liu is the most talented scribe in Yingtian. Today, I would like to ask Mr. Liu to unveil the red plaque on the plaque." cloth."

Everyone applauded, Liu Bowen did not back down, and took off the plaque generously and happily.Tang He and Xu Da all knew that it was Zhu Yuanzhang's inscription. In their view, it was not easy to be able to write, especially Zhu Yuanzhang could write such a good character, so they repeatedly praised: "This character is really bold! ""Good words!" Everyone was talking, only Liu Bowen didn't speak, but smiled at the words. All these were in Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes, and he said modestly to Liu Bowen: "Sir, what do you think of the words on this plaque?"

Liu Bowen looked at it again, smiled and said nothing. His demeanor really made Zhu Yuanzhang anxious. Seeing Liu Bowen's reaction in this way, everyone dared not speak for a while, feeling uneasy. Of course, Liu Bowen had already guessed that these were written by Zhu Yuanzhang. Although Zhu Yuanzhang valued himself very much, Liu Bowen wanted to know how much Zhu Yuanzhang's patience and respect for literati was.He looked at the plaque, then at Zhu Yuanzhang, then at Li Shanchang and the others, as if he didn't know who wrote it, and then said: "Are you telling the truth, or are you lying?" As soon as this remark came out, the audience fell silent, wondering what Liu Bowen would say on this happy day.Especially Tang He, Xu Da, and Li Shanchang looked at each other, as if to say: "Don't say anything depressing to make the commander-in-chief unhappy." Hearing what Liu Bowen said, Zhu Yuanzhang was a little embarrassed, but he had no choice but to say: "Of course listen to the truth, it's best to be blunt." Liu Bowen said: "This character has momentum, but it is indeed not well written. It is really not a good character." When everyone heard it, they were even more dumbfounded.Liu Bowen looked at Zhu Yuanzhang indifferently, waiting for Zhu Yuanzhang's answer. Zhu Yuanzhang's face became even more embarrassed, but he still didn't look sullen, and said embarrassingly: "Hehe, this word was written by us, and we have practiced hard for a few days. Look, it's written like this. So , there must be sages in this 'Lixian Hall', otherwise Yingtian's handwriting will be even worse in the future." Hearing Zhu Yuanzhang's words, everyone's tension relaxed and they all laughed. I saw Zhu Yuanzhang pointing to the three characters: "If we had the opportunity to study and practice calligraphy back then, we would not be what we are today. Therefore, this is a lesson. I hope everyone will think about the importance of literati when they see these three characters, especially Soldiers in our barracks, don’t think that only by fighting can we win the world, and only by fighting can we make achievements. These literati and sages are the intellectual helpers for great achievements, and the teachers who educate our children and grandchildren.” Everyone applauded after hearing this, and Liu Bowen knew it in his heart. At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang went to Liu Bowen and said: "This 'Lixian Hall' only invites you, one of the four outstanding figures in Zhejiang, it is Yuanzhang's mistake. .” Liu Bowen saw that Zhu Yuanzhang had said such things to himself publicly, and that Zhu Yuanzhang was really thirsty for talents, so he decided to help Zhu Yuanzhang and invite Ye Chen and the others to come to Yingtian. On that night, Liu Bowen came to see Zhu Yuanzhang, and he said, "Commander, with the 'Lixian Hall', Bowen and the commander will invite Ye Chen and the others out of the mountain together." Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang was very happy. He knew that with Liu Bowen's help, more than half of the success was achieved. Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Okay, Yuanzhang will invite the three gentlemen in person. However, the military affairs are urgent and it is difficult to get out." Liu Bowen said: "Please don't worry, Commander. Bowen will go to persuade you to find out the situation. You can start tomorrow." Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Let's do this. Although our handwriting is not good, it has its own characteristics. Hehe, let's write three autographed letters tonight and send them to Mr.'s residence tomorrow morning to show Yuanzhang's heart." Early the next morning, Zhu Yuanzhang's wife Ma Xiuying took a cloth bag and came to Liu Bowen's residence. Liu Bowen was shocked and said, "Ma'am, what are you?" Mrs. Ma smiled and said: "Master, he wrote these three letters all night yesterday, and he is fast asleep now." As he spoke, he took out three letters and was about to hand them to Liu Bowen.Suddenly I heard a voice: "Who said we are sleeping, let's see Mr. Liu off." It turned out that Zhu Yuanzhang had already arrived, and his hearty laughter immediately filled Liu Bowen's courtyard, and Ma Xiuying looked at him angrily. Zhu Yuanzhang went on to say: "These three letters of seeking talents are not very well written, but they represent our whole heart. Please send them to me, sir." Liu Bowen took the letter and weighed the three letters, which were so heavy. He knew that Zhu Yuanzhang's respect for literati and Confucian scholars came from the bottom of his heart, and in order to win the world, Zhu Yuanzhang also worked hard. After a moment of silence, Liu Bowen said: "Don't worry, Commander, Bowen will try his best to persuade you. Please return to the residence to rest, Commander and Madam." Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Hehe, it's like this. If we can't go there in person, let my wife visit on our behalf. Otherwise, it will appear that we are not sincere enough." Liu Bowen hurriedly said: "These three letters are enough, don't bother Madam to drive. It's a long way to go, mostly mountain roads, Madam doesn't need to go there in person." Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Mr. can run around for us like this, of course we can too. This matter is settled like this, let Madam go with you." Liu Bowen was about to resign, but Ma Xiuying said, "Sir, there is no need to resign. Last night, the commander-in-chief and I thought about it for a long time. The children are already grown up, and there should be teachers to teach them how to read. The family members in this military camp are also looking forward to setting up a school. Let's go this time, not for the world war, we are for the children, for the children to learn true knowledge, we are seeking teachers for the children together with Mr. Hearing these words, Liu Bowen couldn't make any further excuses, so he set off with Ma Xiuying and several guards. The first person they met was Song Lian. When Song Lian heard what Liu Bowen and Ma Xiuying said, and saw Zhu Yuanzhang's hundreds of words of seeking merit, he decided to go to Yingtian with Liu Bowen; They were all moved by Zhu Yuanzhang's sincerity.The Four Heroes of Zhejiang gathered under Zhu Yuanzhang's door. Whether it was the battle between Zhu Yuanzhang and the heroes, or at the beginning of the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, they all made very critical contributions.