Chapter 52 Section VII

Under this mentality that one thing more is worse than one thing less, spring and autumn come, and autumn and winter come, and the autumn of Xining's four years has passed away amidst the fallen leaves.Occasionally correspond with Su Shi, Tang Di, etc., talk about the implementation of the so-called "Stone Law" in the local area, and listen to their complaints about the Immunity Law and the Baojia Law-after all, this matter has nothing to do with me, and Shi Yue does not have that kind of pain. , he looked at this matter completely from the perspective of a politician: it is not appropriate to confront Wang Anshi at this time.However, due to the smooth implementation of the improved Young Crop Law, Shi Yue has become more and more valued in front of the emperor; on the other hand, Baishuitan College is gradually on the track, and the number of students enrolled in the second academic year has reached 3,000, surpassing Taixue in scale.For this reason, the college had to hold entrance exams to control the number of students in each academic year to around 2,000.It can be said that the only unsatisfactory thing is that his calligraphy has never improved.

On this day, Shi Yue was the same as usual, he got up early in the morning and rushed to Baishuitan College, and soon the Double Ninth Festival, coupled with the heavy rain for several days, finally cleared up, and the city of Tokyo was full of chrysanthemums.Sparse trees have been planted on the side of the cement road leading to Baishuitan College at this time. When you walk near the teaching dormitory of the affiliated primary school, you can see the chrysanthemums arranged by the college. For those who appreciate flowers, it is quite beautiful. When he arrived at Sang Chongguo's "public hall" (office), Shi Yue suddenly became childlike, and walked in on tiptoe, only to see Sang Chongguo frowning, sitting on a chair in a daze, holding a piece of paper in his hand. A large paper filled with densely packed lowercase characters.

"Cough!" Shi Yue coughed, and asked, "Changqing, the autumn is refreshing, why are you in a daze?" Seeing him coming, Sang Chongguo smiled wryly: "Ziming, come and see this." Shi Yue took the piece of paper from him suspiciously, it turned out that all the students' names were written on it.Sang Chongguo said next to him: "This is the list of first-year and second-year exams. Among them, about 1,500 people were admitted to Mingli Academy, 1,193 were Confucianists, more than 200 were from Law, and 80 were admitted to Mingli Academy. There are about 500 students admitted to the Gewu Academy, which is a fraction of Mingli Academy, one-third, ninety students in arithmetic, and more than 200 students in Gewu and Natural History."

"What's so strange about this?" Shi Yue was rather surprised. Although he was surprised that there were fewer people in arithmetic, it was normal that both gewu and erudition had to study arithmetic, and few people specialized in arithmetic.It was beyond his expectation that Gewuyuan could have such a "remarkable" result of 500 people. "I'm not surprised, I'm worried." Sang Chongguo explained. "Worry?" "Yeah, Mingliyuan is too big to accommodate so many people. And Gewuyuan has a lot of space to spare." Sang Chongguo was worried about practical issues, and he had been in charge of specific affairs for a long time. "Also, the students who cultivate Gewu in our college now seem to be modest and gentlemen. Although there are disputes, they are resolved quietly; on the contrary, these students who have been admitted to Mingli almost want to eat each other when debating in the debate hall. It's gone." Sang Chongguo couldn't bear it when he thought about the scene in the debate hall. "Er Cheng, Sun Jue, Shao Yong and others have never been there since they went to the debate hall once. Although they have their own views and opinions, they will not be so hot-faced. These students can defend a sentence. Jingyi, quarrel with others all day long."

When Shi Yue heard Sang Chongguo complain about this, he couldn't help laughing, and said: "Changqing, you are too worrying. There are too many people in Mingli Academy, so we separate their classes and don't need to be so full. Besides, Mingli Academy is in the second year. The professor only What are you afraid of if you have big classes and fewer small classes? As for the debate, it will be good for them in the future..." "That's right, they often debate, and it's a good thing that they can discover new meanings in the scriptures. In the future, the students of our Baishuitan College will be very good when they take the scientific examination. Ziming engraved in front of Mingli Academy, 'Writing to convey the truth, learning to apply 'The eight big characters fit my heart very well." Sun Jue walked in from the outside while stroking his beard.

Er Cheng, who came in together, also nodded and said yes, Neo-Confucianists have absolutely no objection to applying what they have learned.Although some people in later generations often confuse the imperial examination with Neo-Confucianism, in fact, many people at that time switched to Neo-Confucianism because they felt that scientific examinations were of no benefit to the world. Shi Yue turned around in a hurry, saluted and said with a smile: "It turned out to be Mr. Sun, Mr. Bo Chun (Cheng Hao), Mr. Zheng Shu." Sang Chongguo also hurriedly got up to salute. Sun Jue and Cheng Hao returned the salute with a smile, and Cheng Yi also returned the salute lightly.

Cheng Hao smiled and said, "Ziming, we are here to discuss something with Changqing." Sang Chongguo invited everyone to sit down, and explained to Shi Yue: "Master Sun, Mr. Bo Chun, Mr. Zheng Shu, and Mr. Shao and others all said that the students were debating in the debate hall, and many of their remarks were quite interesting. I hope it can be sorted out and printed, not just posted in the academy." Shi Yue said with a smile: "This is a good idea." Sang Chongguo frowned, and gave Shi Yue a dissatisfied look, "It's just that these remarks are quite inappropriate. If they are published, there are many opinions that will make people laugh out loud."

Cheng Yi nodded and said, "What Chang Qing said is true." Shi Yue smiled and said, "It's okay. In fact, we can organize a "Bai Shui Tan Academic Journal", once a month, and let the students write their own experience into articles and submit them. The editorial committee will be composed of gentlemen to review the articles. Can it be published in academic journals? In this way, the quality can be guaranteed. And regardless of students and gentlemen, as long as the article is published in academic journals, they will be given a certain amount of embellishment, which is called manuscript remuneration. Is this good?"

Cheng Hao thought for a while, then smiled and said: "This is another novel and good method." Sun Jue also thought it was very good, but Cheng Yi asked: "What if the editorial committee disagrees?" Shi Yue laughed and said: "This is not a scientific examination. Although it can't be too broad, it doesn't have to be too strict. From my point of view, if there are disagreements, as long as there are two editors and reviewers who agree, it can be published regardless of whether others agree or not." Sang Chongguo has presided over the school affairs for nearly a year, and he has become much more capable. After thinking about it, he said: "You gentlemen are too busy. If you really want to start this journal, among the students who are outstanding and elegant, you can choose one or two people to help handle it." Miscellaneous matters. In addition, since it is a Baishuitan academic journal, the Mingli Academy and the Gewu Academy must not be biased. Two-thirds of the articles of the Mingli Academy and one-third of the articles of the Gewu Academy are fair. The articles of the Mingli Academy are written by Mingli The gentlemen of the Academy will deliberate, and the Gewu Academy will also be selected by itself. How about that?"

Everyone discussed again, and they felt that what he said was right, so it was considered an agreement.Shi Yue waited for Er Cheng and others to leave, then he dragged Sang Chongguo out of the door, and said with a smile: "It's such a beautiful autumn day, let's put aside the school affairs first, and go for a stroll near Baishuitan." The two of them did not take a carriage, each led a horse, and walked slowly along the path of Baishuitan College.Clean concrete paths, good vegetation, classical style buildings looming in the bushes, and Shiyue, who is walking slowly, suddenly has a feeling of "I don't know that I am a guest in my dream".Those who participated in the later planning of Baishuitan College were all people with a lot of hills and valleys in their hearts. From an aesthetic point of view, Baishuitan College is indeed very appreciative.Thinking that he actually created all of this, Shi Yue felt a sense of pride in his heart again.It's a pity that no one can share this sense of accomplishment with him. After all, he is a person with too many secrets.

While appreciating the chrysanthemums on the roadside, He Sang Chongguo walked to the village outside Baishuitan while enjoying the cool autumn wind.Sang Chongguo said with a smile: "Ziming, I'm a little thirsty, let's find someone to ask for some water." As soon as he mentioned it, Shi Yue also felt a little thirsty, so he smiled and said: "Okay." He got on his horse and looked at the distance, then raised his whip and pointed: "Go there, there is a family there." The two drove their horses to a farmer's house, which is a common red brick bungalow near Baishuitan. An eight or nine-year-old boy and a seven or eight-year-old girl were playing in front of the door. Come over, after all, he is a child next to Baishuitan College, so he is not very scared. The boy asked a little shyly, "Who are you looking for?" Shi Yue bent down, touched the little boy's face with a smile, and said, "Let's beg for a drink, why don't you go to school?" The children of the villagers in Baishuitan can enter the elementary school for free. "Oh, Second Sister, go get two bowls of water." The little boy turned around to greet his sister.Seeing the little girl agreeing crisply and running into the house, Sang Chongguo also smiled and touched the little boy's head, and asked, "Where are the adults at home? Why don't you go to school?" "Grandpa, grandma, and mother went to work in the fields, and dad went to Baojia. The family needs someone to look after the house and cook for grandparents, so there is no time to go to school." The little boy spoke in a very orderly manner. Shi Yue was taken aback for a moment, then exchanged a glance with Sang Chongguo, and said nothing.Autumn is a busy season, but you still have to participate in Baojia?This Baojia method is too indecent, forcing the old and weak, women and children to engage in childbirth. The little girl came out with two bowls of water, and handed them to Shi Yue and Sang Chongguo timidly. Shi Yue thanked them with a smile, stood up to drink water, and stopped when the bowl reached his mouth.Sang Chongguo saw his strangeness and asked, "What's the matter, Ziming?" "Look, there are young and middle-aged people working in the field ahead." Shi Yue said while pointing to Sang Chongguo. Sang Chongguo looked in the direction Shi Yue pointed, and there were indeed people working in the field.He looked at the child suspiciously, not knowing what was going on. Shi Yue squatted in front of the little boy, and asked with a smile: "Do you know why there are uncles working in the fields in other people's homes?" "Because their family has money, but our family has no money." The little boy's answer was very incisive. Shi Yue and Sang Chongguo looked at each other and sighed silently.Both of them are smart people, and they know the key point when they hear it.Regardless of the farming season, the petty official forced Ding Fu to participate in Baojia training. In order not to miss the farming season, the peasants had to pay some money for convenience. Seeing all this, the interest of the two disappeared without a trace. After thanking the two children, they slowly walked back from another road. Sang Chongguo sighed: "A few days ago, in order to avoid military service, the villagers attacked Kaifeng Mansion, Wang Anshi's private residence, and Yushitai, which almost caused chaos. Fortunately, the emperor is a benevolent emperor and did not say that they were rebellious. Such a turmoil made Wang Anshi Squeezed down easily." "The exemption law is a good thing, but Zeng Bu and Deng Wan didn't think carefully about the matter." Shi Yue sighed. "Good thing?" Sang Chongguo looked at Shi Yue in puzzlement. "That's right. Actually, Lu Huiqing won't be in such a big trouble if he practiced the service assistant law, but Lu Huiqing, Ding You, and Zeng Bu wanted to establish his own political achievements, so he rashly introduced the exemption law and the Baojia law. Who is Deng Wan? It’s not that he doesn’t know, how can he think carefully for the people. Wang Anshi’s problem is that he is a bit greedy for money, as long as he can increase the revenue of the national treasury without raising taxes, he will not disapprove.” Shi Yue was a little cynical Said. ... The two were talking about the pros and cons of the new law as they walked, when they suddenly heard loud noises in front of a few private houses. I only heard someone shouting loudly: "Your son is in charge of this matter, not to mention Kaifeng mansion, even if it is Wang Chengxiang's place, why should I be afraid?" "Could it be that we met some kind of chivalrous man?" Shi Yue became curious and hurried his horse over.When I got closer, I saw clearly that it was a young man in white with a machete on his waist rushing towards some police officers from Kaifeng Prefecture. Two women beside him were crying softly, and a few children hid behind the door and quietly stretched out For half a head, a middle-aged man stood timidly behind the young man in white, with gauze wrapped around one finger. Shi Yue's dream of being a knight was quickly broken by Sang Chongguo who came after him.When Sang Chongguo saw this young man in white, his face darkened, and he shouted, "Duan Zijie, what are you doing there?" Naturally, Sang Chongguo knew better about the students of Baishuitan College. Duan Zijie saw that it was Shi Yue and Sang Chongguo, who were about to come over to salute, but heard an official call: "Are you really blocking the official work? Brothers, take it for me." Duan Zijie stopped, sneered, and said, "Who dares? I'm a well-known candidate. Let's see who dares to take me." "If you want to raise a son, you must know the king's law. We don't make it difficult for you, just go back to Kaifeng Mansion and talk." Hearing that Duan Zijie was a raiser, the messenger didn't dare to go too far. Sang Chongguo turned pale with anger, and shouted at Duan Zijie, "Duan Zijie, you are so majestic." Seeing that those messengers were about to get rough, Shi Yue hurriedly stepped forward and shouted: "Wait a minute, what's going on here?" The messengers saw that Shi Yue and Sang Chongguo were both dressed in civilian clothes, so they didn't care so much, so they shouted "Take it down" and rushed towards Duan Zijie and the middle-aged man like wolves. Duan Zijie drew out the knife with a "shua", and sternly shouted: "Since you want to use force, I will let you know how fast the master's knife is." Sang Chongguo grew up reading the books of sages and sages. Although he likes Ren Xia, he never thought about what he would really do against the government.Seeing that Duan Zijie dared to be so bold, he rushed to Duan Zijie in anger and anxiety, glaring and shouting: "Put the knife away quickly." Duan Zijie was ten thousand unconvinced in his heart, but Sang Chongguo was also his teacher after all, so he dared not refuse to listen, gritted his teeth, and inserted the knife into the sheath fiercely. Seeing that Duan Zijie was suppressed by Sang Chongguo, Shi Yue also walked over, and said coldly to several messengers: "You don't need to be rough, since you are from Kaifeng Prefecture, then we will go with you, I will Let's see what Han Wei can do to me." These few policemen are actually short-sighted.Some people heard Shi Yue mention Han Wei's name, and they didn't think about it, so they shouted: "Bold, who are you, and you are the one who called Mr. Han's name indiscriminately?" Shi Yue was also faintly angry. After returning to the Song Dynasty for so long, no one had yelled at him. He is quite a man of the city, so he didn't get angry. It’s unbelievable.” In fact, he was also puzzled: Han Wei has a good official reputation. At that moment, Shi Yue and others followed the servants to Kaifeng Mansion.On the way, Duan Zijie told Shi Yue and Sang Chongguo the whole story: it turned out that this family was the landlord of Duan Zijie’s sojourn, because Baishuitan College found a job for the owner of the house, although he earned more money Quite a few, but those who were originally dismissed households were counted as middle households by the government and forced to pay exemption money.That's all, the money earned at Baishuitan College for one year, including Duan Zijie's rent, young crop money, exemption money, and taxes and food, is barely enough.But it was his turn to participate in Baojia again, because his old mother was not in good health, and the family really had no labor, but he couldn't afford to bribe the little official, so he had to cut off his own finger so that he could There is no need to participate in Baojia.As a result, the government learned that he was a traitor and wanted to convict him, so they sent someone to arrest him.Duan Zijie went home to pick up the book, and happened to meet him, so he couldn't help but hug this injustice. After hearing this, Sang Chongguo said to the man, "this self-harm should not be done." He is a scholar with knowledge. The man said in a low voice: "I can't do anything about the villain. If the farming season is delayed, there will be no food next year. This idea was also done by someone in another county, so I thought about it for a while." He knew Sang Chongguo and Shi Yue , I was very respectful when I spoke. Shi Yue was surprised when he heard what he said: "You said there are also other counties?" The man nodded and said: "Thanks to Mr. Shi, we can earn some money in Baishuitan a year, and pay the exemption money and green seedling money elsewhere, let alone cut off fingers, even those who sell their children and daughters. It turned out that there were no servants in the household, so it was okay, but now the government has to collect exemption money even for the household registration, and the household registration is even more distressing. Our Baishuitan is really blessed by Mr. Shi." He said with gratitude. A messenger listened to him and couldn't help but sneered in front of him and said, "I advise you not to say these words, because you can discuss the affairs of the court?" Duan Zijie sneered and said, "Is there anything wrong with that? If it weren't for you corrupt officials who want to make black money and collect money for Baojia, his family wouldn't be in such a miserable situation." The messenger quit and turned around and said, "Master, you must speak with your conscience. Don't say that we confiscated any Baojia money. Even if we did, it is not black-hearted money. In my opinion, collecting some Baojia money is to give to the folks." It is convenient for us. Otherwise, according to the rules of the imperial court, everyone will be trained as a soldier when they reach their age, and they will not be able to do the work in the fields." Some remarks were specious, Duan Zijie wanted to refute, but he also felt that what they said was reasonable.At the moment, he was so angry that he stopped making a sound. Another messenger said: "Fellows in the village, who wants to go too far. However, seeking an official from thousands of miles away is only for money, and the young master wants everyone to be as clean as water. I'm afraid it's wishful thinking. We are poor, and while we are making some extra money, we are also paying attention. It’s not too much for the convenience of the folks. Besides, we also have our difficulties.” When Shi Yue heard these words, he was almost stunned.Han Wei, the magistrate of Kaifeng Prefecture, was introduced to him by the emperor himself. He had a good relationship with Wang Anshi. He was an old man in the East Palace when the emperor was the prince. However, in recent months, I have been very dissatisfied with the Immunity Law and the Baojia Law. I have written many memorials to ask the court to abolish the two laws. Shi Yue has also read these memorials—under the rule of such a person, the Kaifeng Mansion near the foot of the emperor, the Exemption Law There are so many abuses in the Baojia Law.He couldn't imagine what it would be like under the rule of officials from all walks of life who wanted to build political achievements to please their superiors. Not long after, the group arrived at Kaifeng Mansion. This group of people was mixed and nondescript, and someone came to ask about it immediately.Some people who met Shi Yue when Su Shi was an official in Kaifeng Mansion saw Shi Yue coming, and hurried over to show his hospitality: "Oh, Mr. Shi, do you always come to meet Mr. Han? Wait a moment, and I will send you a message right away." " Shi Yue smiled faintly, and Sang Chongguo each took out a name card from their arms, and handed it in to a yamen servant.At this time, the police officers were all shocked, not knowing what Shi Yue was doing, so they turned around and apologized. Shi Yue didn't bother to argue with them, so Han Wei came out to welcome them in after a while.Seeing some family members in the courtyard packing up their things, Shi Yue couldn't help wondering: "Brother Chiguo wants to move? But he's going to Yushitai? It's such a blessing for the country." It turned out that Zhao Xu wanted Han Wei to go because he was an old man in the East Palace. As the censor Zhongcheng, but because his brother Han Jiang was the prime minister, Han Wei avoided it and kept resigning.Now that Han Jiang has been punished, he has no reason, so Shi Yue thinks that Han Wei may become Yushi Zhongcheng. Han Wei smiled wryly and said, "Brother Ziming, to tell you the truth, I invited the county." Shi Yue was taken aback: "Why is this? Brother Chiguo's family members are Zhenglong, and he is also an old man in the Eastern Palace, how can he speak lightly of his appointment?" "Zi Ming is not an outsider, and I don't have to hide it. My political views and Jiefu have many disagreements. I am not a person who is greedy for wealth and honor. Since my words can't be used, I don't want to stay in the court. Out of sight, out of mind." Han Wei was a little disheartened, "Duke Wen please resign as the Privy Councilor. His Majesty intends to let me be the Privy Councilor's Deputy Envoy, but I, Han Wei, really don't want to rely on the old favor of the East Palace to get rich." Shi Yue already knew the temperament of these ancient people, the more gentlemanly the person, the more principled he was, so he didn't try to persuade him, he just asked: "Where is Brother Chiguo?" "Jingxi Road, Xiangzhou...Ziming must be here because something is wrong?" Han Wei didn't want to say more. Shi Yue explained the reason for a while, Han Wei frowned slightly, and said: "I don't want to hide this from Ziming, but I did not do this matter. Most of the common affairs of Kaifeng Mansion are promoted by officials in Kaifeng Mansion, and above the officials, There are also the New Law Commissioner and Sinong Temple suppressing it every day, probably because someone wants to curry favor with the Prime Minister." Shi Yue said sincerely: "No matter how ignorant I am, I know that this is not what Brother Chiguo meant. Mr. Shao Yong once said to his disciples and students that although the new law has something inappropriate, there is no need not to be a county magistrate. When the county magistrate is appointed, if he can get a point of leniency, the common people will get a point of benefit. That's what I mean when I come to you." Han Wei said with a smile: "I understand what you mean. To hear this sentence today, Han will benefit for life. Before I leave Kaifeng Mansion, I will take care of these things myself, but the farmer, as usual, I have to ask one time." In Shi Yue's view, this incident is just a trivial matter.Shi Yue knew that the nature of Wang Anshi's new method of accumulating wealth was also forced out, which can reflect the financial crisis that the country was facing at that time from one aspect!Wang Anshi was even so poor that he contracted out all the ferries in the world to increase the revenue of the treasury, which shows how poor the Song Dynasty was actually.But Sang Chongguo and Duan Zijie can't think so far. They are standard Confucian students who have been educated in "benevolent government" since they were young, so they will oppose anything that ordinary people suffer.The ills of the new law were only heard in rumors before, and there was no real pain, but this time it happened in the vicinity of my own life, and it happened to someone very familiar with Baishuitan. This feeling is completely different.Especially Sang Chongguo, when he thought of the farmer amputating one of his fingers in order to avoid the Baojia Law, he would be filled with anger. But these disadvantages are not so easy to solve.From the perspective of treasury finance, Wang Anshi’s reform has achieved initial results at this time, basically changing the financial dilemma of the Song Dynasty. It also strengthened Wang Anshi's own belief in the reform, and objectively blocked some people's mouths.Therefore, Shi Yue did not intend to shake the original policy at this time.