Chapter 27 The second dignified Qing Dynasty is like a centuries-old Jia mansion

Zeng Guofan can hand over all the political affairs in Liangjiang to Ma Xinyi. There are only two things that he can't worry about, and he has to explain them in person. The first is the matter of the Jiangnan Machinery Manufacturing Bureau. He plans to go to Shanghai in person.Rong Wing got the news that he drove a new steamer from Shanghai to Nanjing.Zeng Guofan was very happy.He boarded the boat with great interest and ordered Rong Hong to drive towards Caishiji. Rong Hong turned on his horsepower, and the boat moved forward like flying across the river, nearly 200 miles of water, and arrived in less than two hours.Zeng Guofan sat in the cabin, feeling a little high-spirited.After arriving at Caishiji, Rong Hong turned the bow again and drove back to Jiangning.Because it was launched, it was faster, and it took an hour and a half to return to Xiaguan Wharf.Zeng Guofan said excitedly: "Chunfu, this ship is much stronger than the Huang Hu built by Anqing Nei Ordnance, and it is almost on par with foreigners' ships."

Yung Wing said: "Compared with the ships of the foreigners in the past few years, the speed is about the same, but the ships built by the foreigners in the past two years are much faster. The things of the foreigners are changing with each passing day, and there is never much to learn." "We Chinese are not stupid. As long as we have ambition, we can always surpass foreigners in the future." Zeng Guofan said firmly, and then asked, "What is the name of this ship?" "I don't have a name yet, I'm waiting for my lord to name it." Standing on the deck, Zeng Guofan watched the Yangtze River rushing eastward, concentrating on it for a long time, and said, "Let's call it Tianji! It means Tianji in the four seas, Anji in public affairs. What do you think?"

"The best!" Yung Wing said happily. "Chunfu, when I go to Zhili, the one I am most concerned about is the Shanghai General Administration of Machinery Manufacturing. It is just on track and immature. The establishment of a machinery manufacturing bureau in China is an unprecedented thing that I once did. , it may or may not be successful, and it may attract a lot of criticism in the future. However, according to my humble opinion, this business must be successful. China's self-improvement of Xu Tu can only be based on this. Chunfu , I value you not mainly because you have stayed abroad and are familiar with foreigners, but because you can endure hardships and have a strong character. You must not disappoint my expectations. Keep going. You are still young, and you will have a long time to come. You can see a successful day, but this old man may not see it."

"Master Zeng, I feel the kindness of you, and I know very well that this matter is important. I will try my best to handle it well." Yung Wing has been in the machine manufacturing industry for five or six years. Move the full set of machinery from the United States and Britain to China, and make the country strong immediately.Over the years, in the process of handling his affairs, he felt that everything was difficult and difficult to move. He wanted to give up many times, but finally he persevered.He wanted to vomit his bitterness to Zeng Guofan, but after hearing what Zeng Guofan said, he didn't dare to say any more, and bravely took up the burden entrusted by the governor.

"Chun Fu, I know you have difficulties." Zeng Guofan knew Rong Wing's difficulties from the four words "try to do well". "The old man has lived for more than fifty years. He has experienced a lot. Half of the people who know the world's affairs are stimulated and forced. Difficulties can be regarded as encouragement and persecution. You bring a piece of paper, I will I send you two words as a souvenir of the temporary parting." Rong Hong hurriedly took out a piece of cotton paper that he carried with him, and Zeng Guofan wrote two large characters: "Suffering".Then he wrote a line of small characters on the side: "General Yu will go to Zhili, and I will write this two characters to Chunfu, so that we can meet each other in times of adversity." After writing, he handed over the paper with his own hands.Yung Wing was so excited that he opened the cowhide box he brought back from the United States and kept it in the box.Later, Yung Wing settled in the United States, and Western friends offered to buy this calligraphy for one hundred thousand dollars, but Yung Wing resolutely refused.This is of course a later story.

The second is the matter of Jinling Book Company.The printing of Chuanshan's suicide note is about to start.The "Book of Books" and "The Preface to the Spring and Autumn Family" engraved in the 19th year of Daoguang had many errors, and the manuscript Wang's family had been accidentally burned. Zeng Guofan asked Liu Kun to copy it out in the Wenyuan Pavilion of the capital. It has been sent to Jiangning.He squeezed out time and personally wrote a preface for the printing of Chuanshan's suicide note, and now they are handed over to the bookstore to engrave the board quickly, so he doesn't have to worry about it.It's just that there are still a large number of translations by foreigners and manuscripts by domestic senior Confucians, which are still waiting to be published.Zeng Guofan went to the bookstore in person, and saw stacks of Chuanshan's suicide notes with excellent engravings piled up in the poorly equipped bookstore. He happily flipped through them, brought the books to his nose, and sniffed greedily, feeling the smell of ink Really fragrant.Ouyang Zhaoxiong, who was accompanying him, smiled and said: "The predecessors said that Tang poems can be served with wine, but you really seem to want to devour this book!"

"Brother Cen, to tell you the truth, my biggest wish now is to get rid of all worldly affairs, to build a thatched hut in the deep mountains and old forests like Hou Li Ye did back then, and to read all the books in the world." Zeng Guofan said, with an extremely expression on his face. pious. "That's really a great enjoyment, but it's a pity that you don't have this blessing." Ouyang Zhaoxiong laughed, and Zeng Guofan also laughed. When leaving the bookstore, Zeng Guofan held his old friend's hand and said earnestly: "Chuan Shangong's book is almost finished printing, this is a big project, you and I have fulfilled our long-cherished wish.

The translated manuscripts of other bureaus must also be engraved.The ingenuity of foreigners and the secrets of building guns and boats are all contained in these books. If you want to make China prosperous and strong, you must read these books.As for the writings of those senior Confucians, they are also devoted to my whole life.Most of them are poor and unable to print them. If we don’t print them, they will hold grudges all their lives, and their academic achievements will be annihilated, so they have to be printed.If Ma Gushan does not support it, you can write to me and I will send you money. "

Ouyang Zhaoxiong said emotionally: "Disheng, my heart and yours are connected. You are big, and you can do big things. I am weak, and I do small things. In short, you have to do something useful for the world. Don't worry about going to Zhili, I will spend the rest of my life in this bookstore.As long as I am here, Jinling Bookstore will not be closed, Ma Gushan will not give money, and my property sales shop will also engrave and print this batch of manuscripts stored in the bureau! " Two pairs of old hands are tightly held together! Not long after returning to the yamen from the bookstore, Zhao Liewen ushered a man in.The man was carrying two large wooden boxes.

"My lord, Mr. Ouyang gave you a load of gifts." Zhao Liewen said with a smile. "Which Mr. Ouyang?" Zeng Guofan frowned and said, "If you ask him to pick it back, I won't accept any gifts!" "Which other Mr. Ouyang is Mr. Cen from the bookstore!" Zhao Liewen said as he asked the man to let go of his burden. "What gift did he give me? I just came from him." Zeng Guofan was puzzled. The man wiped the sweat off his face with his sleeve, and said, "As soon as your lord left, Mr. Ouyang said, "Look at how I am now. Master Zeng was transferred to Zhili and traveled thousands of miles. From now on, it will be very difficult to carry things with you." Inconvenience, Chuanshan Gong’s suicide note is only two copies unfinished, why don’t we give him a set of printed ones! Everyone said it should.

So I filled two boxes and sent them to me. As he spoke, he opened the wooden box, revealing dozens of neatly folded books. Zeng Guofan said with a smile on his face, "Okay, okay!"I accept this gift.You have worked hard, eat in the big kitchen before leaving. " After the man went out, Zhao Liewen helped Zeng Guofan take out the books one by one and put them on the desk, almost filling up the entire bookcase. "Mr. Chuanshan was in a situation of hunger and cold, and he worked tirelessly. It was really not easy to write such a good book!" Zeng Guofan looked at the book in front of him and sighed. Zhao Liewen flipped through "Du Tong Jian Lun" by hand.During the process of engraving this book at the bookstore, he borrowed it and read it sporadically. He admired Chuanshan's brilliant insight and profound discussion.At this time, looking at this masterpiece of more than 500,000 words bound into ten volumes, I really couldn't put it down, and I felt a sincere admiration for Chuanshan in my heart. "My lord, Mr. Chuanshan talked about his own creation, breaking the long-standing and absurd talk since ancient times. If he is humble, if he gets a position, it will have a great effect on health." "Not necessarily." Zeng Guofan shook his head lightly. "Why?" Zhao Liewen was quite surprised.He knew that Zeng Guofan had always respected Wang Fuzhi, but why didn't he agree with this point of view? "Chuanshan's learning is indeed profound and profound, but some of them are too harsh. For example, in the evaluation of people, there are more accusations and blames, and less tolerance and understanding. If Chuanshan is allowed to handle state affairs, there will be no one available in the world." Zeng Guofan left After taking a few steps in front of the desk, he said, "Composition is not the same thing as being an official. It is better to compose with insight and knowledge, and it doesn't matter if the argument is harsh or biased, because it will not hurt a certain person." , and don’t expect it to receive actual results immediately. As long as it is self-explanatory, it is a theory, and it is a master craftsman. Being an official is different. , things need to be more tactful, twists and turns, detours, when you do what you do, when you stop when you stop, you must not be arrogant, just for a moment. Even those who have suffered a crushing defeat, Gein doesn't know the difference!" Zhao Liewen kept nodding his head in agreement.After a while, Zeng Guofan said with emotion: "People in the world are not too far apart in their intelligence and ability. If one is dark, the other is bright, and if this is long, the other is short. It's up to those who employ people to judge what is appropriate. Mountains cannot be masters." Don't give birth to a strange tree, and the sky cannot regenerate a strange person for a virtuous lord." "Great, the prime minister's theory!" Zhao Liewen couldn't help admiring loudly. "Huifu, how could you catch him by surprise!" Zeng Guofan laughed out loud, feeling very happy. "I have followed the adults for many years in a humble position. I have learned a lot from listening to the adults talk about classics, history, and figures on weekdays. Sometimes I think that if these conversations of the adults are sorted out and engraved into a book, it will definitely be a great inspiration to the world." Zhao Liewen said sincerely , he has actually done so quietly.Every time he talked with Zeng Guofan, he quickly wrote it down in the diary of the day, trying not to miss a word, not to be the same, and keep them on the paper.Zeng Guofan talked with him about the meaning of "quietness" many times.From the various schools of thought in the Spring and Autumn Period to King Cheng Zhulu of the Song and Ming Dynasties, he explained the knowledge of "quietness" vividly and vividly, which made Zhao Liewen mesmerized.So he called himself Nengjing, named his study Nengjingju, and his daily diary was also called Nengjingju Diary.This diary of being able to live in peace has been recorded for twenty years, and there are many remarks of Zeng Guofan in it. "Hui Fu, I was originally a material for reading and writing poems, but who knew that I went the wrong way." Zeng Guofan was very happy talking today. He drank a sip of tea and talked about the past with great interest. "When I first served as an official in the capital, I met many famous people. At that time, Mei Boyan was famous for his ancient prose, and He Zizhen was famous for his learning and calligraphy. I always checked their attainments, and I was unwilling to let them go. I think I have nothing to accumulate, but read a lot. That's all, I thought in my heart that Yirimei and He's generation were not good enough to be friends. Unexpectedly, I have not completed my studies but I have reached an official position. Since then, I have been with books and books, and put poems and essays in the high cabinet. Two years later, Xianfeng was ordered to hunt down thieves and drive soldiers and horses. I have no time to learn. Looking back today, I read Mei Boyan’s article again, and I feel that it is superior to others. What I have seen in the past is really a young man’s extreme. However, I still don’t admit defeat. If I have time to study, I must compete with May Boyan." After all, with a serious look of indignation.Zhao Liewen applauded and laughed loudly, and said: "Human nature is unpredictable. There are those who are thin on the emperor and like to be ministers. They are the Fupinghou of the Han Dynasty and the Zhenguogong of the Ming Dynasty. The career of adults has lasted through the ages. After the Tang and Song Dynasties He has no equals, but he still cares about everything, and if he wants to compete with Han Ru, he will be in the same category as Emperor Cheng of the Han Dynasty and Emperor Wuzong of the Ming Dynasty!" Zeng Guofan smiled and said, "I'm telling the truth." Zhao Liewen said: "I saw the heroic appearance of the adults when they were young, and they must be invincible. Later, when they competed with Hong Yang, it was probably because of this desire to win." "I'm really right, Huifu." Zeng Guofan said, "At the beginning of the army, there was also agitation. Not only did he have to compete with Hong Yang, but also with the officials in Hunan. At the beginning, he was ordered to be the minister of regiment training. In order to punish some brawlers in the Jufu Office, the Changsha Green Camp went so far as to enlist the entire army, which almost killed them. Therefore, they went to Hengzhou to recruit thousands of people. At that time, it was just to gain popularity, but it is not what it is today. It's really a laugh." At this point, Zeng Guofan stopped, and then sighed: "It's a pity that the battle was in vain, and the country has not yet rejuvenated. The credit for Ping Changmao is really insignificant." "Li Zhongtang succeeded in suppressing Nian, using the master's strategy of river defense. His victory is the victory of the master." Zhao Liewen comforted, "I thought of the humble position, the master recruited the Hunan Army, and later Li Zhongtang recruited the Huai Army, and Han Shizhong, the Northern Song Dynasty, and the Huai Army. There are similarities between Yue Fei and others recruiting troops. Back then Han and Yue Zi formed their own armies and asked for their own pay, and the success of the Xianghuai Army is based on this.” "Yes." Zeng Guofan let go of his hand holding his beard, leaned on the armrest, and straightened his body. "Mostly, the military is used but the power is not in hand, and no one will respond to it. Therefore, since I started the uprising, I have striven for self-improvement. become." Zhao Liewen said with a smile: "When adults succeed, they will succeed, but the atmosphere will open up new paths. From the perspective of humble positions, adults have worked hard over the years, and the ones who fight against thieves are only three or four out of ten, and they are no more than five or six out of ten with secular grammar fighters. Today, adults are one If we win, the world will follow suit, and I am afraid that this situation will not be changed for hundreds of years. After a long period of unification, the phenomenon of division has already begun. Although it is a human matter, it is also God's will." Zeng Guofan was silent for a long time, and slowly sighed: "I didn't intend to do so! Success or failure is due to luck, and today's situation is also caused by luck." At this time, a servant came in and handed Zeng Guofan a note.After seeing it, Zeng Guofan asked Zhao Liewen: "What is it, can you guess it?" Zhao Liewen shook his head. "This is the old man's dinner menu." Zeng Guofan has been dining with his staff for many years.After Mrs. Ouyang led his children to Jiangning, the family had more meals together, but he also often went to the big kitchen to chat with his staff while eating.In the past year, he often likes to eat alone in the study, and occasionally Mrs. Ouyang also comes to the study to accompany him to eat. "Menu?" Out of curiosity, Zhao Liewen took the note over and looked at it, only to see that it said: "A small bowl of boiled white tofu with fish fillets, a small bowl of shredded scallions and radishes, a medium bowl of spinach soup, and a small bowl of chili beans. A small dish of drums and a small bowl of rice." Zhao Liewen sighed: "My lord still eats frugally! I heard that the salted duck restaurant in Shengzhou often sends salted duck to the various yamen in Jiangning. You might as well cut some and eat." "I don't have salted duck from the Shengzhou store here!" Zeng Guofan said decisively, "They gave it away several times before, and every time I gave it away, I asked someone to return it once, and they didn't give it away anymore. I don't have many chickens and ducks in the kitchen." Fish and even Shaojiu are priced at the price of a pound." "For two hundred years in the Qing Dynasty, there must be such a governor's yamen!" Zhao Liewen sighed deeply. Zeng Guofan said: "Well, I will write the epitaph for the old man in the future, this is the material!" Saying that, both of them laughed. "Jiang Liu, there are guests for dinner tonight, you add a bowl of bacon, a bowl of cured fish, a plate of ham, and then get three catties of Shaojiu." Zeng Guofan ordered the servant.Jiang Liu went out in response, and Zhao Liewen got up to leave. "Don't go, I've already left you for dinner." "The guest is me!" Zhao Liewen was flattered, and had dinner alone with Zeng Guofan. This was the first time. Although he had eaten together in the past, it was in a big restaurant with everyone. "Ouyang Xiaocen will also come later. Tonight I will be the host, please both of you." Zeng Guofan treats guests very rarely. Tonight's meal is not only to say goodbye to Ouyang Xiaocen, but also to thank him for sending this set of Chuanshan suicide note .Zhao Liewen was brought to accompany him. Zhao Liewen sat down again, caught a glimpse of a stack on the bookshelf, and said with a smile: "Unexpectedly, there is also private salt in the yamen of the Governor of Liangjiang, and I took it today!" After all, he got up and walked to the bookshelf. Zeng Guofan was startled for a moment, but then suddenly realized, and said: "A few days ago, the imperial censor Wang Dajing played the forbidden pornographic book, and it ranked first. It's really ridiculous. This is a wonderful book, have you read it?" "I read it quickly five years ago, and it was really well written. I really want to read it again." "You have to read it several times before you can understand the true meaning of Cao Xueqin. To tell you the truth, this is the third time I've read it." Zeng Guofan also walked to the bookshelf, picked up the first book stacked on it, and flipped through it a few times. Page.Suddenly, a picture floated down from the book, and Zhao Liewen hurriedly bent down to pick it up.The photo shows an exquisite garden picture: in the distance are small bridges, rockery, pavilions and corridors, and near is a pond. A handsome nobleman is sitting on a porcelain pier, playing flute against the water, with an elegant and comfortable expression. Zhao Liewen stared at it for a long time, and asked, "My lord, who is this young man playing the flute?" "Look at the back of the photo." Zeng Guofan said, the book in his hand was closed and put back on the shelf. Zhao Liewen turned the photo over, and saw a line of words "Lao Zhongtang Huicun. Presented by the owner of Jianyuan." "Is he Prince Gong?" Zhao Liewen asked suspiciously. "Exactly." Zeng Guofan sat down on the grand master's chair again, picked up the tea bowl and took a sip.Zhao Liewen turned over the photo again, stared at it carefully, and said, "What a handsome and beautiful boy." After a while, he said to himself again: "Beauty is beauty, but it is not enough to suppress all officials without respecting Yi's heavy weapons." Zeng Guofan replied casually: "Although the appearance is not heavy, the intelligence is extraordinary." "It's true that you're smart, but you're just a little witty ear." Zhao Liewen put the photo on the coffee table and said without hesitation, "Seeing the current situation, we have to rely on the outside, that is, the gap is bridged. Forward and Japanese, there is no way to fight." When he turned around, he suddenly explained. This is the cleverness of King Gong. However, he is a talent for weighing the situation and judging the situation. As for who he is, where he lives, and how he should make aspirations, he seems to have no idea Everyone who achieves success is determined by ambition. King Gong is in the position of Ji Dan, and he has no aspirations to stand on his own. His position is extremely high and he is worried about not going out of court. can be spared." Zeng Guofan felt the same about Zhao Liewen's remarks, but he couldn't bear to criticize Prince Gong. After all, Prince Gong had greatly favored him, and he also had his own difficulties, which no outsider could know.He avoided talking about Prince Gong, and turned to another topic: "The ruler of this dynasty is very virtuous. Take diligent administration as an example, no matter how big or small, it must be done on the day. That is, at this end, it can surpass the previous generation. Jiajing of the former Ming Dynasty The emperor reigned for forty-five years. Adding up the previous and subsequent periods, the days before his reign would not exceed three years. The emperors of this dynasty never missed a single day unless they were seriously ill, which is rare in previous dynasties. Reimbursement will be exempted on the day when the salary is exhausted. None of the counts is an act of subjugation, so what do you think?" Zhao Liewen was quite surprised by the words "None of the few are acts of subjugation". He peeked out Zeng Guofan's anxiety and dissatisfaction with state affairs, and tentatively said: "My lord, I ask the humble official what he thinks of the emperor's morality, please forgive me. A low-ranking official who doesn't know the heights of the sky and the earth is rampant." "There are no outsiders here, so you can just rest assured." Zeng Guofan smiled slightly. Encouraged, Zhao Liewen became more daring, so he made a frank statement: "The way of heaven is far away and difficult to know, so I dare not be arrogant. I believe that since three generations, no one cares about benevolence or violence in terms of strength or weakness, nor virtue in terms of situation. For example, Zhuge Liangfu In Shu, we are loyal and do our best, supported by the hearts of the people, but the dead cannot restore the extinct Yan Liu; Jin Aizong is in Bian, and he is eager to seek governance, but in the end he cannot resist Fang Zhang's strong Tartar. People can't see too far, and they can't make a decision with one word It will prosper, and it is not allowed to let it go unresolved for one thing. The reduction of levy is said to be a benevolent government, but it was created by foreign ministers, and it was not the imperial court's will. Exempting reimbursement, of course, seems tolerant, but the salary is originally raised by each province. There is no need to be serious, it is better to be a follower of favors. These are tricks. As for diligence, it is indeed rare in previous lives, but small things are good at doing things quickly, and big things are often sloppy. It’s not bad, but ZTE’s atmosphere is the most important thing. People are the most valuable. Looking at today’s central area, there are no such people as Fang, Du, Yao, and Song. If we only seek ZTE’s prosperity in the form of diligence, we may not be able to achieve what we want. .” Zeng Guofan deeply believed in Zhao Liewen's arguments.King Gong is smart but unable to control all officials, Wen Xiang is upright but narrow-minded, Bao Jun is flexible but dissatisfied with the population, and only Wo Ren has integrity, but he has little knowledge.The current situation depends on the military aircraft, and this group of important officials in the military aircraft is like this. How can we count on state affairs?Although I thought so in my heart, I couldn't agree with Zhao Liewen's disrespectful words.He wanted to listen to the views of this experienced staff member on the government, so he said with a smile: "This dynasty has a monopoly on the government, which is also unprecedented in previous lives. All memorials, no matter how big or small, go straight to the imperial court, without obstruction. That is to say, Yuanfu’s counselor, Xiufeng, sent a report to the imperial throne, and the empress dowager sent a message to Hu Jiayu to ask him face-to-face, only pointing to a compromise and reading, but not to read the full text. Later, Tan Tingxiang and Miansen were sent to Hubei to investigate and deal with it, while the Military Aircraft Department I don't know the whole story yet. It's rare in ancient times for a heroine to be so authoritative in front of the imperial court." Zhao Liewen sneered and said: "The Queen Mother today is doing things exactly as your lord said, the level of secrets is so secret that even the minister of military affairs cannot know, and the Queen Mother is also reserved and happy about her tricks. However, after all, the female class doesn't understand. , and will be deceived in the future. Face-to-face, they are obedient and obey, and when they go out, they will deceive and deceive without any fear. One book, this kind of face is completely written. I sometimes think that the majestic Qing Dynasty is like a hundred-year-old Jia's mansion, although the outer shelf is not quite down, but the inner bag is full. Soon there will be a day when the building suddenly collapses and the lights are dying out." Zhao Liewen's words were so clear and terrifying that Zeng Guofan was depressed and uneasy. He was about to defend the Queen Mother when Ouyang Zhaoxiong was invited.He hastily interrupted the conversation and ordered the dishes to be served.The farewell dinner, which was originally a very interesting meal, was not very enjoyable because of it. After Ouyang Zhaoxiong and Zhao Liewen said goodbye and went home, Zeng Guofan's heart still couldn't calm down. At this time, Mrs. Ouyang was suffering from cough and asthma and could not travel long distances.Zeng Guofan left Ji Ze and his wife in Jiangning to take care of them, and with Ji Hong and his staff, they braved the severe winter and the north wind to leave Liangjiang in a hurry. ①Emperor Cheng of the Han Dynasty called himself the family of Marquis Fuping, and Emperor Wuzong of the Ming Dynasty called himself Duke of Zhen.