Chapter 7 Visit Shangshu

One afternoon after Qian Qianyi talked with Liu Rushi for a month, in the city of Nanjing, hundreds of miles away from Changshu, he turned out of the Qinhuai River house in a sedan chair carried by two people, hurried past the Gongyuan, and followed the lively The bustling street has been heading west. it's clear.The warm sunlight slanted down from the clear blue sky, casting the shadows of the row of houses on the left onto the spacious road paved with bluestone slabs, and on the heads and shoulders of pedestrians; the row of shops on the right The pavement is bathed in dazzling sunlight.These densely packed shops have low eaves and wide facades, with the words "Old Silk and Velvet Store", "Beijing-style Knife", "Net Towel Faker", "Huazhi Hangfen Famous Fragrance Official Soap", "Sichuan-Guangzhou Groceries", "Northwest Two Ports" There are a lot of signboards with the words "leather goods for sale", "goods from both the east and the west", "Neilang Lexiantang Famous Books Exchange", "Wanyuanhao Tongshang Bank".On the streets, people on sedan chairs, donkeys, and people on foot are bustling; merchants from all over the world gather in the official corridor, hawking loudly and bargaining; in the tea house with lanterns hanging in front of the door and offering seasonal flowers, there are no empty seats. , the business is booming; the restaurant is full of people, the music is full of music, the wind is blowing with the laughter and the tempting fragrance of the food... Although there are "Jianlu" in the north and "rogue bandits" in the south, the situation of the country is changing day by day. It was like a day of chaos; all the prefectures in the south of the Yangtze River suffered from disasters year after year, and news of "sorrows everywhere" and "starvation and death" continued to be heard; moreover, the price of rice in Nanjing City also rose to three taels of silver per stone, which was the first since the founding of the Ming Dynasty. I see, but none of this seems to have cast the slightest shadow on the largest city in the south of the Yangtze River.It is still so radiant, smiling and welcoming, and drunk with gold...

In fact, disturbing shadows are not absent-the number of refugees and beggars on the street has increased significantly, and there is an increasing trend; in rice shops, barley and buckwheat, which were rarely sold in the past because no one eats them, are now suddenly It has become a hot item, and the supply is still in short supply at 5,000 yuan a stone; at the feast of wine and singing, those high-rollers who are laughing and drinking will be disappointed by a sudden lament; even those who have no factual basis The rumors of the city have caused the residents of the city to panic more than once... However, these seem to be harmless.It's like throwing a few dead leaves into the huge vortex of life. Although it makes people feel bleak and desolate, they are immediately engulfed and contained, and become an indispensable part of the city's grotesque daily life. The colors no longer arouse people's attention and surprise.Yes, the sky is so clear, the spring is so bright, and the willows all over the city are beginning to sprout—these willows, which are called "beautiful colors" by poets and poets, are very old, and some of them may still be Emperor Taizu It was planted during the construction of Yingtianfu City.After more than 270 years, they are still as green as ever.If it is said that the unification of the Ming Dynasty is not too late, it is destined to collapse completely in front of their generation, and the infinite prosperity in front of them will be wiped out together with the willows all over the city, how absurd, stupid and unbelievable it is!

Yes, this may be the psychology of most residents in Nanjing in the early spring of the fifteenth year of Chongzhen.Although the news about the "Jianlu" ravaging Gyeonggi and the "rogue bandits" tyrannizing Yuchu continued to come, but in their feeling, it was far away and isolated after all.Moreover, the "Jianlu" came again and again, but didn't they retreat again and again?As for the "rogue bandits", they come and go from time to time, and I'm afraid they won't become a big phenomenon.What is especially important is that neither "Jianlu" nor "rogue bandits", even if they are just their shadows, have never appeared under the city of Nanjing.This shows that Nanjing is reliable and safe. Even if it is really dangerous, it is still far away...

However, not everyone thinks so.For example, among the sedan chairs hurrying north along the bustling street, this young gentleman sitting silently is in a completely different mood. His name was Maoxiang, his name was Pijiang, and he was an important member of Fushe.He was born in Rugao County, a family that has been an official for several generations. He has read poetry and books since he was a child, and his talents developed early. , was praised and promoted by the influential patriarchs, and emerged among his peers; after joining the Fushe, his reputation became even greater.He is only thirty-one years old this year.Like the vast majority of scholars in that era, Mao Xiang also regarded the imperial examination as the fundamental way out of life.Over the years, he has been taking the provincial examinations, but he has failed. Up to now, he is still a scholar.However, neither his peers nor his elders have any doubts that it is only a matter of time before he achieves success.Currently, he, Tongcheng Fang Yizhi, Yixing Chen Zhenhui, and Shangqiu Hou Fangyu are collectively known as the "Four Masters of Fushe".

Mao Xiang has received all these praises, and in fact he is quite confident, but he is by no means the kind of person who is easily confused.Based on what he has seen and heard from traveling around these years, as well as what he has learned from interacting with high-ranking officials and dignitaries, he not only knows how bad the situation in the country has become, but also compares these situations with those of previous dynasties. The historical comparison of the rise and fall of the dynasty proves that there is no doubt that the country of the Ming Dynasty is in a precarious and extremely dangerous situation, and it may be destroyed at any time.He didn't believe at all that in this catastrophe of subjugation that had already been revealed, the city of Nanjing would be a "happy land" that could escape the catastrophe.Although it seems to be very peaceful and reliable at the moment, once the storm comes, it will be a catastrophe that will sweep everything—"The sun is covered with banners, clouds and masts, and bones are like snow!" How many times has this been repeated? historical picture.Therefore, when the sedan chair was walking in the section from Sanshan Street to Neiqiao, where the shops are more concentrated and the atmosphere is more prosperous, Mao Xiang silently watched through the curtain the crowd of passers-by, laughing and joking, and his brows could not help but frown even tighter. .

However, the reason for Mao Xiang's gloomy mood recently is not only because of this.What happened half a year ago when his father was transferred to Xiangyang has been deeply troubled him, making him feel humiliated and painful, but he doesn't know how to get rid of it.Mao Xiang's father, Mao Qizong, was originally an envoy of Hengyong's military preparations in Hunan, and he was a third-rank official.Last autumn, Mao Qizong suddenly received an order to transfer him to Xiangyang, an important military town in Hubei, to serve as the supervisor of Zuo Liangyu, the chief military officer.Zuo Liangyu is a native of Linqing. He was born in the army. He fought against the Qing army in Liaodong in his early years, and was promoted by Hou Xun, a member of the Donglin Party, for his bravery.He is very arrogant and domineering because he has a lot of troops in his hands, and he doesn't even obey the orders of the court.Just a few months before Mao Qizong received the transfer order, Xiangyang City was captured by Zhang Xianzhong's peasant uprising army. The supervisor Yang Sichang urgently dispatched Zuo Liangyu to help, but Zuo Liangyu tried to preserve his strength, and Yang Sichang was desperate. In addition, he committed suicide in fear of crime.Now the imperial court sent Mao Qizong to supervise him.Mao Qizong knew that Zuo Liangyu would never give in easily, and if he failed, his life would be in danger anytime, anywhere, but he was determined by his superiors and dared not disobey, so he had to rush to the post.When the news came, the Maoxiang family was very anxious.Especially Maoxiang's mother, crying day and night, forcing her son to try to rescue him.For this matter, in the past six months, Mao Xiang went around to complain, asked people to clear up and intercede, and asked the court to transfer Mao Qizong away from Xiangyang.Up to now, he has traveled almost all possible relationships that could be used, and spent tens of thousands to twenty thousand yuan, but things have disappeared like stones and seas, and there is no progress... Now, Mao Xiang has come to Nanjing again.But he really didn't know if this kind of entreaty would still work...

The sedan chair shook slightly and stopped.Mao Xiang suddenly woke up.He looked out through the curtain, and what caught his eyes was a long and quiet alley, a black lacquered beast ringed the gate, and a pair of stone lions sat in front of the gate.An old doorman sat on the steps basking in the sun.Seeing the sedan chair coming, he squinted his dim old eyes and turned his face away. When the head class came forward to report with the greeting card, Mao Xiang sat without moving.He has been here three times in the past six months in this old mansion, which has a slightly dilapidated appearance.The host is a kind-hearted elder who always receives him and promises to help.Mao Xiang did not doubt his goodwill and promise, but due to various reasons, the matter has not yet been completed.Would it make the host feel embarrassed and unhappy if he repeatedly came to the door to ask questions?Will there be the kind of embarrassment that often happens in similar situations?This kind of worry was there before Mao Xiang got into the sedan chair, and now it has become serious again.He is a person with strong self-esteem. The good times in his life for many years have made him accustomed to being treated and praised by others. Even a contemptuous look or a hint of irony will make him angry and uncomfortable. comfortable...

"Master Qi, the master welcomes you!" The voice of the head class rang in my ears. Mao Xiang was stunned for a moment before he heard this sentence clearly.He heaved a sigh of relief, nodded, and when the bearer opened the curtain, he slightly arched his waist and stepped out of the sedan chair. He is an unusually handsome Confucian scholar, with a medium build, elegant clothes and a chic demeanor.He first stood by the sedan chair, rolled his black and white eyes, looked around reservedly and indifferently, and then walked unhurriedly towards the convenient door on the right side of the gate.

"My lord, please meet me in your study." Mending, who was already waiting in front of the door, said salutingly, and then led Maoxiang, passed the hall, turned right from the courtyard, entered a small door, and walked along the corridor. After zigzagging for a while, they came to a secluded courtyard.In the courtyard, there is a three-bay study room with one light and two shades; some flowers and trees are planted along the base of the wall, and there is a pool on the west corner, surrounded by green tile railings, and in the pool stand two stone mountains with strange shapes and lush green bamboos.Mao Xiang didn't care to look carefully, he tidied his clothes hastily, waited for the notification from the yard, then lowered his head, arched his hands, walked lightly, and walked in through the door where the curtain was raised in the yard.

Xiong Mingyu, Minister of the Ministry of War in Nanjing, was already waiting for him in the room.Xiong Mingyu was a short, fat old man with fair eyebrows and a round, smiling face, with an air of optimism.He was a Jinshi in the 29th year of Wanli. He served as a Beijing official and was relegated and dismissed more than once.The ups and downs of the officialdom for most of his life have worn away all his edges and corners.When he was most proud, he was the Minister of the Ministry of War in Beijing.Ten years ago, Emperor Chongzhen suspected that he was muddle-headed, so he dismissed him. He was not reappointed until recently, but it was nothing more than letting him come to Nanjing to sit on the bench.In the Ming Dynasty, Nanjing was once the capital in the early years of the founding of the People's Republic of China.It was not until the nineteenth year of Yongle that Ming Chengzu Zhu Di moved the capital to Beijing in order to resist the Mongolian attack in the north.After the capital was moved, the original set of central institutions in Nanjing remained in form, called "Liudu".In addition to not having an emperor, there is also an imperial palace like Beijing, with six ministries of officials, households, rites, soldiers, criminals, and workers, as well as other departments such as Guozijian. However, the six ministries in Beijing have real power, and all affairs are concentrated in Beijing. ; These officials in Nanjing are just idlers. Although they have a high status, it is not their turn to make decisions on major national affairs.Most of them are political frustrations, or people who are considered old and useless.Xiong Mingyu also falls into this category.However, this old man is a nice gentleman, and he gets along well with a group of young scholars from Fushe.Among the people Maoxiang asked for help, he was the one who was sincerely willing to help, so when Maoxiang came to Nanjing this time, he first came to visit him.

Mao Xiang lifted the hem of the straight skirt, knelt down on both knees, and kowtowed: "The old man is on top, my nephew greets the old man!" "Ah, nephew, why be so polite!" Xiong Mingyu smiled all over his face, stepped forward, and helped Maoxiang up.After the two bowed again, Xiong Mingyu made a gesture of giving up his seat, and then moved his fat body to a red sandalwood kang bed with brocade mattresses facing south. Mao Xiang politely waited.After Xiong Mingyu sat down, he asked to sit down first, and then sat down on a hardwood wishful chair opposite. In the past, Xiong Mingyu would immediately start exchanging pleasantries at this moment.But today, for some reason, until a long time after the family brought the tea, Xiong Mingyu still just sipped the tea silently, without even looking at the guests.Maoxiang felt uneasy again: Could it be that the host is already bored with his constant visits, even hated him, and he had to reluctantly receive him because of his sympathy, so he deliberately put on such a face, so as to make the guests feel embarrassed and retreat ?Immediately, a feeling of humiliation and shame came to my heart, and Mao Xiang's face turned red again.He secretly made up his mind: sit for a while, then get up and leave, and never say anything about the entrustment.He feels that only in this way can he maintain his dignity to some extent, and it is tantamount to telling the host that this is just a routine visit purely out of politeness. necessary…… "Hey, nephew, what's the matter with you all this time?" Xiong Mingyu said in a casual and cheerful tone, "Why haven't you come for a long time? Dingsheng and Chaozong didn't come either. Could it be that the old man hates me and talks nonsense?" "Ah, dare not! It's just because my nephew hasn't come to stay for two months, so I've been neglected for a long time, and I'm entangled in all kinds of things, and I don't know how to insult my old man. I'm so ashamed. I pray for forgiveness. !” Mao Xiang answered with arched hands. Xiong Mingyu nodded: "That's it. Let me tell you, I didn't offend you for rehabilitating the society. Why have you disappeared? My old man is so deserted!" He continued in a joking tone As he spoke, he looked at Mao Xiang eagerly, as if to comfort him: Don't be discouraged, little brother, I like you very much, I'm so glad you're here! "Dingsheng, Chaozong and the others only came back to Nanjing a few days ago. Also, Taichong is also here." "Tai Chong?" Xiong Mingyu stroked his white beard and raised his head slightly, "Could it be the son of the late Yuyao Huang Gongzunsu, named Zong Xi? Yes, I know, I know!" "Although Brother Taichong is in the rivers and lakes, he is worried about state affairs. Recently, he is thinking of writing a treatise based on the results of several years of silent research, and writing it to the imperial court. He also wants to be widely known as a businessman with sages in the world before he writes. The old man, Taishan Beidou, respects the group and praises the center for a long time. If he can give him advice in addition to repaying the best, it will be especially hoped by Taichong!" "Oh, I don't dare. As a student, I really want to hear about Brother Taichong's grand plans for saving money. Since he is here, please come and see my nephew." "The old man summoned him, and my nephew thinks that Tai Chong must be delighted to visit him." Mao Xiang answered again, clasping his hands. Now, his mood is gradually relaxing. "Well, the master doesn't seem to hate me," he thought.So he suddenly became grateful and close to this old man who is a high-ranking official but has a surprisingly good temper.

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