I started my academic career.
What I didn't expect was that those great Confucians were very indifferent to me.Among them, the one who treated me the worst was none other than Kong Anguo, the most famous scholar.In Taixue, he never answered any of my questions. I asked a lot, and even laughed at me in public.
I don't understand why this is.
Kong Anguo is a descendant of the Confucian family. He is knowledgeable and well-known all over the world. He is also humble and elegant.When I was a guard of Tianlu Pavilion, Kong Anguo came in and out, and always had a kind attitude. Why does he reject me so much now that I treat him respectfully and respectfully as a teacher?
The attitude of the great Confucians also affected the students in Taixue.
The doctoral students here are all recommended by county officials.Taixue is a shortcut to the center of power. It is conceivable that those who can enter here are either the children of local powerful and powerful, or they are inextricably linked with high officials in the court.
Among this group of dandies who are either rich or noble, I, a barbarian with no background and background, became an outlier.If I really don't know anything about those knowledge, it would be great, they can logically mock and humiliate me, but my foundation is more solid than any of them.I really like this kind of knowledge, and I can learn it easily, but most of them only bite the bullet and learn these difficult ancient cultures after the emperor expressed his intention to respect Confucianism.This caused them to be even more jealous and repulsive to me. Since I entered the Imperial Academy, I can feel their hostility everywhere.
One afternoon, as usual, it was time for everyone to review by themselves.The master was not there, they were noisy in twos and threes, I sat in the corner and read a piece of "Shangshu", I read it for a while, because I stayed up several nights reading in Tianlu Pavilion before, I was very sleepy, and I unconsciously lay down on a few desks to type. Take a nap.
A PhD student put a small snake into my neckline. I jumped up, tore off my clothes three times, and grabbed the snake out.They looked at me in a panic, and laughed.
It's not the first time they've teased me, but this time it went too far.
I couldn't bear it anymore, grabbed the snake, rushed to the mischievous doctor student, grabbed his chin, squeezed his cheek with my index finger and thumb, he was forced to open his mouth on his back, I held the snake, slowly Slowly put it in his mouth.He struggled desperately, but he couldn't break free from my strong hand trained in the barracks.He looked at the twisting snake in front of him in horror, and he had no choice but to kneel down slowly.
I sneered and said, "You like to play, don't you?"
The snake was getting closer and closer to his mouth. The doctor student had a look of begging in his eyes, and shook his head desperately, but his chin was pinched by me, so he could only shake it slightly, and his mouth made a ho-ho sound.
The snake was almost in his mouth.I said, "It tastes good, do you want to try it?"
The doctor student tried his best to shake his head, his eyes almost popped out of their sockets, fear filled his eyes.
I said: "Okay. Then, don't do to others what you don't want yourself to do to yourself. Please really remember this sentence!"
"Ho, ho." The doctor student nodded his head again.
I lifted the little snake away and let go of his jaw. He screamed, stumbled to the side, retched, and kept rubbing his cheeks with a bitter face.
I took the little snake to the side of the door and threw the snake into the grass far away.Affected by Ah Yan, I don't want to casually harm these creatures that haven't harmed me.
When I turned around, I found that the surroundings became strangely quiet, and every doctoral student looked at me with a strange expression.
They looked at my body with a mixture of fear, surprise, disgust, and some inexplicable emotion.
I followed their gazes and lowered my head, seeing the criss-crossing marks and welts on my naked body.
The crowd began to whisper.
"He, is he a prisoner?"
"What did you do?"
"No wonder the brute force..."
A doctoral student hid behind the crowd, and in a voice that was not too loud but enough for me to hear, said extremely contemptuously: "My uncle is Tingwei Zuojian, who specializes in interrogating Jiangyang robbers, maybe this kid was beaten by him! Bah! !"
I walked over to pick up the clothes on the ground, shook the dust off them, and said, "No, His Majesty beat you."
Immediately, the surrounding voices disappeared, and the contempt turned into shock.
I put on my clothes slowly, buckled the belt hooks, and said: "You are studying hard here, so that you will be qualified to drive with the king one day, right?" I looked around at them, and suddenly smiled viciously, and said, "That's right, Work hard! There will be such a day."
There was a dead silence all around.
After a long time, a voice from the crowd timidly said, "For... what?"
"Because," I paused, and said every word, "Your Majesty discovered that I can read!"
After I finished speaking, I laughed out loud and walked away amidst their astonished expressions.
Walking out of the lecture hall, Kong Anguo stood in front of me.
"Come with me." Kong Anguo said calmly.
In Kong Anguo's study, he was sitting, and I was standing in front of him. Kong Anguo said: "Do you know why I don't want to teach you?" I said, "Students are ignorant." Kong Anguo said: "Stupid? No, it's because you're smart! You're so smart!" I said, "I don't understand what you mean, sir." Kong Anguo said: "'Dangtu Gao' is Wei, how smart! How dare I teach my subordinates?" It turned out to be for this!It dawned on me. But then there was a trace of doubt, Kong Anguo is not a person who is jealous of the virtuous and capable, so how could he hold a grudge against me because I said so much? But I still bowed my head and said: "Yes, the student knows his mistake." He is the most accomplished scholar in ancient Chinese literature in the world. If I offend him, I will never expect to understand those heavenly scriptures. "How could you be wrong?" Kong Anguo sneered, and said, "You can't be more right! How many Wei families are there in the world? How many people are there in the Wei land? You are amazing, and for your sake, His Majesty almost wants to kill all the Wei families in the world." ! What is a word of mourning? I have seen it!" I was stunned, and said: "What? Your Majesty wants...to kill all the Wei families in the world? Why?" Kong Anguo said: "Do you know what was written before that sentence?! 'Who replaced the Han? Dang Tu Gaoye.' This kind of thing can also be used to show off your little cleverness?!" I froze for a moment. Kong Anguo said: "Do you know why I would rather be called stupid by His Majesty than tell him the answer? You think that all the great Confucians in the court are fools, and you are the only one who is smart? You have only a half-knowledge, and you pretend to be smart! You know how much it took me to get rid of it. His majesty's murderous intentions?!" For a moment, I just felt buzzing in my head, and stammered: "Why, how could this happen? It's just a line of poetry..." Kong Anguo sneered and said, "A line of poetry? That's not an ordinary poem, it's a prophecy poem! Don't you read a lot? You don't know that King Xuan of Zhou used to go all over the country because of the phrase '檿船箙箙, actually perishing the state of Zhou'. Hunt and kill people who carry mountain mulberry bows and Jicao quiver? You don’t know, did Qin Shihuang send 300,000 troops to the north to attack the Xiongnu for the sake of saying “Hu who died in Qin Dynasty”? Why did your majesty frequently patrol the east of the river during this period? Just to investigate that How powerful is the Wei surname in this area! That is the old place of the Wei State, where the Wei family has the largest number of people. The secret decree to punish Wei has already been drawn up! If I hadn’t used the empress dowager Bo’s mother’s family name as Wei, I strongly advised Your Majesty. At that time, the Sanhe area had already flowed into rivers of blood!" I'm tongue-tied. King Xuan of Zhou, Emperor Qin Shihuang, I have read about those things, but I never thought that they would have any connection with reality.For a long time, those things in the history books were just distant stories in my imagination. Kong Anguo said: "You think history is just history, right? In fact, history is reality! The emperor will do anything for his own safety! Do you read so many books just for fun?" I said in a daze, "I'm sorry, I, I don't know..." Kong Anguo looked at me for a while, and the sternness in his eyes gradually faded away. He sighed and said, "Forget it, I have seen it too. You have suffered a lot. Under the three trees, why can't you ask for more? I shouldn't be demanding on you. It's just After going through so much, you should also understand that this ancient slip is a disaster, the less you know, the better. I don’t teach you, it’s for your own good. From tomorrow onwards, please resign from His Majesty, just say it’s too difficult , I can’t learn it. It’s better to be scolded by him for being incompetent than to die one day without understanding.” I said, "Sir, what exactly is written in this ancient slip? Could it be that you already know, sir?" Kong Anguo shook his head and said, "Don't ask any more, Wei Lu, it's really for your own good. Do you know why Dong Zhongshu was almost imprisoned and executed... Well, knowing too much is really not a good thing. I know you are civil and military. Shuangquan, no matter what you do, you will achieve success sooner or later. This ancient slip was left to us by our ancestors. Whether it is a blessing or a curse, we can only bear it ourselves. You are a barbarian, so don't get involved in this disaster." I saw a trace of sincere love in Kong Anguo's eyes, and I was moved for a while, but I still insisted: "No, sir, you can't make decisions for me. I want to know the truth. If sir refuses to tell I, then I will work hard to learn and read until I understand it!" Kong Anguo looked at me for a long time, finally let out a long sigh, and said, "Do you know the origin of these ancient bamboo slips?" I said: "It was discovered when King Lu Gong expanded the palace and demolished an old wall in the Confucian Mansion." Kong Anguo nodded and said, "That's right, but before that? Who put these bamboo slips in? What's the purpose of putting them in? Do you know?" I said, "I don't know." Kong Anguo said: "Okay, next, I will tell you something, after you listen to it, think about it before answering me, whether you want to learn this ancient Chinese or not." According to the legend of my ancestors, the house that was demolished was the bedroom that Confucius lived in during his lifetime.When the house was demolished, I stood outside and watched, watching the old house being demolished little by little, with mixed feelings in my heart.When the last and strongest wall was removed, an accident happened: a stream of clear water spewed out of the wall! Everyone present was stunned, and then, a strange sound sounded faintly from the wall, and the crowd immediately screamed and fled in all directions.I was jostled unsteadily by the terrified crowd.But when I heard the sound, my heart skipped a beat, it was music!I can hear the sound of gold and stone in it, and the music is a bit familiar!Just as he was about to make a detailed distinction, King Lu Gong's men rushed over after hearing the news and sealed off the place tightly.The music quickly died down as the Royal Guard entered. Everyone present was closely checked.When asked about me, I admitted that I was from the Confucian family.Upon hearing this, a long historian came over immediately and asked me if there were ghosts here before? I shook my head and said that I had never heard of such a thing, but I seemed to have heard the music before, and I remembered it was an ancient song. King Lu Gong, who was standing by the side, was very interested, and hurriedly interjected, "What song is it?" I know that King Lu Gong has a lot of research on sensuality, dogs and horses.I thought for a while, finally remembered, and replied: "That is "Mount Tai" written by my ancestor Confucius before his death. There are only three lines in the lyrics: Mount Tai is broken, beams and pillars are destroyed, and philosophers are withered! This song has long been lost in the outside world. , I just happened to have studied the ancient music of the Confucian Mansion, so I heard it." After listening to my words, King Lu Gong glanced at the collapsed building, and shivered involuntarily.At this moment, his subordinates reported to him: a large number of broken ancient bamboo slips were found in the sandwich wall, which seemed to be a long time ago.Moreover, among the people present, a retainer of the palace disappeared during the haunting. King Lu Gong spat on the ground, disappointedly said: "Unlucky!" Later, the court got wind of it and issued an edict to ask King Lu Gong what was going on.King Lu Gong got those bamboo slips, none of his literati could understand them. Now the court asked about it and heard that I have researched ancient Chinese, so they asked me to go.I could tell at a glance that it was a very ancient text, and it could not be read in a short time. I could only roughly see that it was some Confucian classics, such as "Book of Rites", "Book of Filial Piety", etc., but Some other contents seem to be quite different from those circulating today.King Lu Gong truthfully reported the situation to the imperial court, and soon the imperial court sent people to ask for these bamboo slips and summoned me to Chang'an. In Tianlu Pavilion, I studied these ancient bamboo slips with great concentration, and soon, I discovered that these ancient bamboo slips were not written in the same period.Among them, there are a group of the oldest ones, which are very similar in terms of diction and style, but the content is far more than those circulated in the present world, and there are many unimaginable contents that I have never seen before.Because the bamboo slips are mostly damaged, and the characters are too ancient, I can understand them, but only three or four out of ten.But just a few words that I can understand, connected together, the content is shocking.I understand, these ancient bamboo slips are hidden by Confucius himself!And the most difficult part of this ancient bamboo slip is from an era older than Confucius!It is said that the ancient sage Confucius once deleted three thousand from the "Poetry" to three hundred. I always thought that was an exaggeration, thinking that Confucius just sorted out the ancient books, deleted some tedious and useless chapters, and kept the important classics.But seeing these ancient bamboo slips, I realized that what Confucius deleted was not only the useless parts, but precisely the most important parts.Confucius deleted them because this part of the content is too dangerous. If it is passed on to the world, it will become the source of disaster! This batch of ancient bamboo slips is written "Mandate of Heaven"! Confucius said: I know the destiny when I am fifty. Everyone in the world thinks that Confucius described himself seeing through the world and understanding his own destiny. How many people know that it refers to the real destiny without any additional extensions? Confucius was a person who was very interested in ancient documents. When the Shan family rebelled against the Zhou Dynasty, he got a batch of ancient books lost in Luoyi during the chaos.The characters in ancient books are the oldest tadpole characters. In the time of Confucius, few people knew this kind of characters.Because Confucius was well-read and eager to learn, he loved to study ancient implements and ancient books. After studying day and night, he gradually understood those words, but he always felt that the content was a bit unclear.It was not until he was fifty years old that he suddenly understood the true meaning of these documents. This is a collection of prophetic poems! Before the prophecy becomes a reality, people cannot understand it. Only when the prophecy is realized, people will suddenly realize what those words and sentences refer to.It's like "Yu Qu Jifu, the real state of Zhou", just like "Hu who died of Qin"... When Confucius discovered that some major events that happened in this era were actually recorded in this ancient royal secret book, the shock immediately overturned his lifelong belief. Since then, Confucius has always been far away from strange powers and chaotic gods, and devoted himself fanatically to the study of Yili, so that he couldn't put down the book, and Wei compiled the three masterpieces.Many people do not understand why Confucius' academic direction has undergone such a drastic change in his later years.In fact, that's just because Confucius saw the destiny from this ancient book—there really is a predetermined destiny in this world that cannot be changed.Regardless of the Tang and Wu revolutions, the decline of the royal family, the struggle of the princes for hegemony, and even the life and death of countless common people in the future, it has been predetermined a long time ago.Any sacrifices, killings, power, knowledge in the world... can't change this fixed number, because all kinds of pursuits and hard struggles are also within the setting of destiny.The only thing that can slightly touch the destiny is the mysterious book created by King Wen of Zhou. Confucius saw the truth of the world, but he could not tell the truth to the world. When the real destiny appears, who is the last person to see it?Those who claim to represent the Mandate of Heaven! No matter which dynasty the ruler wants his subjects to believe, he is ordered by heaven to rule the people, and that he can be passed down from generation to generation and infinity. It was a lie that couldn't be safer to lie.Because there is no one to confront, no one to expose, no matter what you say.But now, the existence of the real destiny seriously threatens those fabricated myths. Ye Gong doesn't like the real dragon, and the emperor doesn't like the real destiny.The rulers will never allow more authoritative existence than their secular power, so they will inevitably cover up the destiny at all costs, or even extinguish the destiny! Confucius did not want the truth to be interrupted in his own hands. He wanted to pass on this ancient bamboo slip until an era when the truth could no longer be concealed. After sorting out those classics, he mixed them with the popular classics such as "Book of Rites" and "Shangshu" at that time, and built them into a wall.At the same time, he also passed on his knowledge of ancient characters to his descendants. When I was young, I never understood why it took so much energy to learn a dead script that has long been lost.It is only now that I understand that this is exactly where Confucius' painstaking efforts lie.He handed over the key to the mystery of the ancient bamboo slips to the descendants of the Confucian family in a grand manner, and passed them down from generation to generation. Confucius' collection of books escaped the tyranny of the Qin Dynasty, and also escaped the flames of war in troubled times, but could not escape the harassment of powerful powers in peaceful and prosperous times, and the truth was leaked. This is not an appropriate time to reveal destiny.In this era, whoever knows the destiny is tantamount to putting himself to death. I intend to tell the present that the ancient bamboo slips may have been hidden by Kong Yu, the ninth descendant of Confucius, in order to avoid the calamity of Qin Shihuang's burning of books.The admiral was skeptical today, but he saw something strange: it was only a hundred years ago that the first emperor burned the books, how could the characters have changed so much that they were completely unrecognizable?He no longer fully trusted me, so he summoned some famous Confucians from all over the country to participate in the study of these ancient bamboo slips.Although the Confucian Mansion's study of ancient characters is a family tradition, due to the influence of Confucianism, it has also been spread to the outside world.Therefore, although I carefully controlled the progress of reading the ancient bamboo slips and deliberately avoided the most sensitive content in the ancient bamboo slips, there were still some Confucian scholars who were eager for quick success and quick profit, and reported the fragments they read to Jinshang. These fragmented fragments have already shocked the present.In this collection of poems, the word "appointed person" is mentioned many times. This person is born with the destiny.It seems that only this alien known as the "Ordained One" can escape the nightmare of the cycle of rise and fall. His Majesty was angry. He refused to believe those stories that subverted common sense, and he refused to believe that there was no one in this world who had the support of destiny more truly than him. Do you still remember the edict of seeking talents today?Do you know why he issued such an edict? He was asking about the way of seeking governance, why the emperors in ancient times were able to bring order to the world easily, while today's emperors still have little effect despite their efforts. Among so many people who responded to the imperial edict, only Dong Zhongshu vaguely saw the true meaning of the letter.He's a smart guy.From the worried words in the imperial edict, he can see today's worry about the destiny and anxiety about the credentials of ruling. So, he published "Three Strategies of Heaven and Man", and his point of view is the interaction between heaven and man.Emperors are ordered by heaven to rule the world, and heaven will show right and wrong with auspiciousness and disasters. As long as you cultivate virtue, you can obey the destiny. His policy moved His Majesty. Dong Zhongshu replaced the gift of heaven with "cultivating virtue" and successfully solved the problem of the source of destiny. Today, he was impressed by him and called him to the court to study these ancient bamboo slips. Dong Zhongshu's specialty is "Spring and Autumn", not "Poems" and ancient prose, but he understands a little bit.After reading these ancient bamboo slips, he became interested in the origin of the Shang Dynasty.The term Destiny originated from the birth legend of Qie, the ancestor of the Shang Dynasty.Moreover, these ancient bamboo slips themselves, judging from the shape of the characters, are also very similar to those left by the survivors of the late Shang Dynasty. With the deepening of research, Dong Zhongshu gradually began to suspect that there was something wrong with the origin of the Shang royal family. He is a pragmatic person. Starting from the records of the pre-Shang relocations, he dug bit by bit. Even the Korean prince who descended to Han asked him, and he actually found out that the ancestors of the Shang lived in "Fan", "Whetstone", and "East China". "All" and so on are in the northeast. Because he discovered that Sushen, Puyu, Chosun and other Northeast Yis all have stories about women bathing in water, eating bird eggs and giving birth to children.Those stories are strikingly similar to Jan Dicky's.From this, he concluded that the Shang royal family was probably not from the Central Plains, but migrated from the Northeast! He reported his research to his superiors, and after hearing his conclusion, His Majesty did something unexpected: he ordered to set up a high temple in Liaodong! Dong Zhongshu could not accept this approach at all.It is well known to the whole world that the ancestor Gaozu of this dynasty originated in Peixian County, but he set up the temple of Gaozu in the far east of Liaodong. Isn't this self-deception?Dong Zhongshu is very realistic. His point of view is that the attainment of destiny lies in virtue. He does not approve of forging evidence to cater to those prophecies. Coincidentally, not long after, a fire destroyed the newly built Temple of God.Dong Zhongshu expressed his dissatisfaction in an article, thinking that this was God's punishment for this unethical behavior.Using the method of moving temples to add proof that his rule conforms to the destiny can deceive himself, but not heaven. The worst thing is that his article was seen by Zhu Fuyan, who was jealous of his success, so he stole this article and presented it to His Majesty. His Majesty was furious, and Dong Zhongshu was once imprisoned for his crime and almost executed.After that, he realized that many things cannot be known too clearly.From then on, he devoted himself to studying his "Spring and Autumn" and never mentioned any topics related to destiny. Well, Wei Lu, do you still want to learn from me the characters on this ancient bamboo slip? Everything that Kong Anguo said has far exceeded my imagination.But for some reason, I believed him. Maybe it's because Kong Anguo doesn't seem like a person who can fabricate a big lie; maybe it's because this story just perfectly explains many inexplicable doubts in the history books of the Central Plains; What was extremely painful seemed less important. From then on, I really started to learn ancient Chinese from Kong Anguo.What he taught me was far more profound and difficult to understand than what he taught in Taixue.Only then did I realize that ancient writing is a much more complicated subject than I imagined.Compared with the real knowledge of ancient characters, the six books and eight styles in Taixue, which are a headache for doctoral students, are really not worth mentioning. Although the content was difficult, I made rapid progress, exceeding Kong Anguo's expectations.But soon, he understood that it was because I didn't have a solidified concept of Chinese characters in my mind.I have traveled with my father in business since I was a child, from the Western Regions to Korea, and from various symbols painted on sheepskin to carved on wooden sticks, I have come into contact with them.Therefore, in my eyes, text is just a tool for communication and note-taking, not a sacred and inviolable concept.The key to learning ancient characters is to be able to throw away inherent concepts and accept everything like a blank child. I learn more and more deeply. In private, Kong Anguo answered all my questions, was strict and patient, and was a real good teacher, but as long as there were outsiders present, he immediately returned to his indifferent face.I know he is protecting me.Even though I'm in this deep, he still wants to keep me out of trouble as much as possible. I am very grateful to him, eager to learn the knowledge he taught me. Kong Anguo is rigorous in his studies and open-minded. In front of him, he can put forward any bold ideas for discussion. Only in the origin and development of the Shang Dynasty, he forbids me to dabble.He didn't want me to repeat the mistakes of Dong Zhongshu. However, the more I learn, the more I feel that Dong Zhongshu's guess is not unreasonable. Once, I told Kong Anguo that in the language of the ancient Shang Dynasty, there are indeed shadows of the barbarians in the Northeast.When I was buying furs from the slugs over there, I found that the smears have a characteristic of their speech, that is, they can't roll their tongues. For example, the word "zhu" sounds like "many" to them.However, in "Shangshu", in the chapters involving the pre-Shang, words such as "multiple", "toast", and "multiple sons" often appear, and it is always reluctant to use more or less to explain.But if you look at the word "Zhu", it is very fluent. Isn't it just the "Princes", "Zhushi" and "Zhuzi" of later generations? ! Kong Anguo listened, slowly frowned, and said, "What do you want to say?" "Dong Zhongshu's idea is correct." I pointed to the bamboo slips on several cases and said, "The Shang Dynasty's edicts in the "Shangshu" that have survived to this day are all obscure and difficult, and the terms and expressions are very different from those of today's people. I was very puzzled by this. However, if the Shang royal family came from the north to the south, it would be easy to explain: they were originally a foreign ethnic group, and their foreign accents were mixed with the Central Plains accent, which created this kind of half-understood, half-understood, Weird and incomprehensible language!" Kong Anguo said: "Based on just one word, you suspect that the Shang Dynasty was established by a foreign race?" I said: "It's not just this! The Shang Dynasty is often called 'Bo', what is the genus of South Bo, North Bo, and West Bo. And the family in the area of Xiyao is called 'Bo', which is clearly inherited by the Shang royal family. The language habits of their hometown! King Zhou of Shang once married the daughter of Gui Hou, which shows that Gui Fang has an unusually close relationship with Shang. When King Wu defeated Zhou, Fei Lian was ordered by King Zhou to go to the north. Could it be for the sake of The Shang royal family, facing a catastrophe, is looking for a way out? Also, Boyi fled to Beihai, and Jizi went to North Korea. The world is so big, why did they only choose the north? Because there are their kinsmen there, or because there is their birthplace... " Kong Anguo's face darkened, and he said, "Wei Lu, let me tell you again, don't touch Dong Zhongshu's way! I teach you ancient characters to let you know and read classics, not to teach you to deviate from the orthodoxy!" I said: "It's not that I deviate from the scriptures, the scriptures themselves have records! The "Poetry" says that 'the land is strong, and there are cuts overseas'. It can be seen that the power of the ancestors of the Shang Dynasty did reach overseas. We can't compare the relationship between the Central Plains and the Siyi today. Imagine the ancient times. The hostility between the Central Plains and the northern Rongdi began in the Zhou Dynasty. The "Rongdi is a response" and "thinly cutting down the hunks" may be precisely to chase the remaining forces of the Shang Dynasty who fled to the north..." Kong Anguo said angrily: "Wei Lu! I told you to stop, did you hear that?!" I said: "The words they speak and write are completely different from ours. Why do we believe that the Shang Dynasty belonged to the people of the Central Plains? How can we be sure that Tang Pangeng of Shang was from China? Jian Di It is the daughter of the Youji family, 'Youyu' means Yourong, also known as Di. From the name alone, it can be proved that the ancestors of the Shang Dynasty have a great connection with Rongdi..." Kong Anguo couldn't bear it anymore, grabbed a bamboo ruler, and said, "You, you stretch out your hand!" I looked at him trembling with anger, but it was a little funny.Back then in the official prison in Zhongdu, I was flogged with more than a thousand lashes and iron tongs were burned, and I was not afraid. How could he want to make me obedient like this?Do you take me for Xiangxu's boy?What a gentle and lovely gentleman. I stretched out my hand nonchalantly, and said, "I respect Mr.'s knowledge, so Mr. punishes, and Lu dare not resign. But Mr. is not also seeking the truth? I just go one step further than Mr., why is Mr. so angry?" Kong Anguo grabbed my hand and said, "Do you know what to go further? You jump off a cliff?!" I said: "I only know that learning is endless, and I don't know what cliffs there are in learning!" "You—" Kong Anguo gritted his teeth and raised the bamboo ruler, but it didn't come down.He stared at the old scars on my wrists from the shackles, and a trace of unbearableness flashed in his eyes.Finally, he sighed, put down the bamboo ruler, and said, "Forget it, maybe I made a huge mistake." I was surprised: "What do you mean by that, sir?" Kong Anguo said: "On the first day you came to Taixue, from the questions you asked, I could see that you were the most talented among them. I cherish your talent. In this era, you can learn with peace of mind. There are too few people with this boring and difficult ancient text. From my selfishness, I certainly hope that my knowledge can be passed on to others. But on the other hand, I feel that there is something very dangerous in your heart——I don’t know you What exactly are you going to do. Wei Lu," Kong Anguo looked into my eyes and said in a sincere voice, "I hope you can make me not regret my choice." Kong Anguo's words made me a little uneasy. I forced a smile, lowered my eyes, and said: "It turns out that the master is blaming me for something that hasn't happened. The master is worrying too much, and the student just wants to find out. If it makes the husband unhappy, the student will obey." Kong Anguo sighed and said, "I hope you are telling the truth." The torture in the imperial prison did not make me feel afraid, but this honest and honest elder who had no power to restrain a chicken made me a little afraid to face it.He didn't move a finger of mine, but every word he said seemed to whip my heart. But even so, I will not change my mind. I have made up my mind to solve the mystery of the ancient bamboo slips of the Confucian Mansion.I have a feeling that there are many soul-stirring secrets hidden behind the ancient bamboo slips of the Confucian Mansion. Once unraveled, the world may undergo earth-shaking changes. I crave change! Kong Anguo was right to worry. At this time, I am no longer the naive young man who was dazzled when I first entered Chang'an. I hate those hypocritical and arrogant etiquette and culture. I am willing to make all efforts to subvert this dirty civilization!
One day, I came back from Kong Anguo’s place. I wanted to borrow a few books from Shiqu Pavilion, so I hurried on my way. As a result, I was rubbed by an oncoming carriage outside the palace gate. What kind of injury is it? It's just that the bamboo slips in his hand were taken to the ground. "Hey, isn't this Brother Wei?" A voice said with a strange tone. I looked up and saw Li Yannian. I haven't seen him for a long time.I heard from the outside world that ever since Ah Yan was conferred the title of wife, their brothers have become public, especially Li Yannian, who was promoted to the captaincy of Xie Lv, with two thousand stone seal ribbons.Seeing him at this time, he was indeed dressed in brocade clothes, arrogant and arrogant, with a group of followers behind him. I didn't want to talk to this humble and humble man, so I just bowed and said, "Lord Captain." Then I squatted down to pick up my bamboo slips. "I heard that you have changed your career now?" Li Yannian seemed to be very interested in me, jumped out of the carriage, deliberately stood in front of me, and said, "Are you learning Tadpole Wen from Kong Anguo?" There was a hint of mockery in his voice.I didn't want to offend him, so I just said indifferently: "Yes. It's just an order from God." Li Yannian tilted his head and looked at me, and said, "Someone told me that it's a very deep thing, and many doctoral students can't understand it. You are quite enlightened, but Kong Anguo just doesn't want to see you, right?" I said nothing. Li Yannian waved his followers to stand in the distance, then approached me, and said in a subdued and triumphant voice: "I told you a long time ago that people in this world are supposed to perform their own duties, and wishful thinking will only lead to me. Looking for troubles. How? Look at you, what have you been doing for the past two years? What have you gained? Is it better to be in prison? Sober up, kid! There are some things that you can’t get by hard work.” I calmly said, "Thank you for your lesson, my lord." Li Yannian bent down to pick up a roll of bamboo slips, flipped through them, smiled suddenly, and said, "Let's leave your good business and suffer this crime, why bother? Look, is it useful to delve into this ghost painting talisman?" I looked at the ancient bamboo slips in Li Yannian's hand, then raised my eyes to look at him, smiled faintly, and said, "My lord, I took it upside down." Li Yannian was stung by my smile, threw the bamboo slips to the ground, approached me, and said in a threatening voice: "I know what you want to do—but I warn you, don't try to think of her again, otherwise ..." As he spoke, he stepped on the bamboo slips, and the bamboo slips were creaked by him. "Don't worry," I interrupted Li Yannian and said, "I won't see her again. It's not me who put her in danger now, but your brothers." Li Yannian said: "What did you say?" I said: "It is said outside that the airs of your slaves of the Li family are bigger than those of a thousand-stone official. Do you think your majesty is deaf?" Li Yannian's expression changed, he raised his hand and slapped me across the face. I didn't hide. "A mere official who has been pardoned for a crime dares to teach me a lesson?" Li Yannian scolded, "My Li family's ostentation is bestowed by His Majesty!" "That's because His Majesty is greedy for Ayan's beauty!" I said calmly, "One day his interest fades, and your good days will come to an end!" Li Yannian waved his hand and wanted to smack my face again, I stretched out my hand and grabbed his wrist with two fingers, with a little effort, Li Yannian gasped, and that pampered fair face immediately turned pale. I said: "I let you once, it is for Ah Yan's face. Now many people let you brothers for this reason, don't be self-aware! If you don't know how to restrain yourself and continue to domineering like this, you will trap Ah Yan in danger." I added more strength to my hand, Li Yannian's face turned pale, and he grabbed his arm with the other hand and pulled it out desperately. I lowered my voice, gritted my teeth and said: "Today, I am suspicious and suspicious. Anyone who gave birth to him will be executed sooner or later! You know this, but for your prosperity and wealth, you still want to send Ayan to this kind of place. For Ah Yan, I can't wait to kill you! However, it's because of Ah Yan that I can't kill you—but I warn you, if she gets hurt in any way, I, Wei Lu, will never sit idly by!" After I finished speaking, I let go of my hand, and Li Yannian staggered and fell several steps away. Holding on to his wrist, he grinned and shook his mouth, and shouted angrily, "Come on! Take it down for me..." Only then did his entourage who was standing in the distance react, and rushed forward, pinning me to the ground in all haste. 李延年提脚往我身上狠狠踢来，骂道：“妈的！在太岁爷头上动起土来了！” 一阵拳打脚踢。 我咬着牙一声不吭。 等李延年走后，我从地上爬起来，拍拍身上的尘埃，擦掉嘴角的鲜血，看着那群人消失在宫门外。
黄昏，我独坐在沧池边，吹着用芦叶卷成的哨子。 忽然，有人在我身后叹了口气，道：“已经有一个人不快乐了，何必再多一个人呢？” 我回过头去——是随太医。 “你刚才说什么？”我问，“她不快乐吗？” 随太医道：“你希望她快乐还是不快乐？” 我道：“你这话是什么意思？” 随太医道：“你希望她幸福，对她来说，她的不快乐来自心有所思，可你又不希望她忘了你，所以你很矛盾，是吧？” 我拾起一颗石子掷进池水：“我只希望她快乐。如果忘了我能使她快活起来，我愿意尽一切努力使她把我忘得干干净净。” 随太医微微一笑，道：“你骗得了任何人，骗不了自己。从一开始，你就一直在追随她，她进宫，你也进宫。你看守天禄阁，跟那几个大儒学古文，都是在给自己找个继续留在她身边的借口。你真的对那些老掉牙的学问感兴趣吗？” 我冷冷地道：“人各有志，你怎么知道我不感兴趣？” 随太医走到我身边坐下，低声道：“别以为我不知道。你刚才吹的是什么曲子？我听她忧郁时吹胡笳，来来去去也总是这个调子。我是为你着想，旁观者清，你一直走在悬崖边上，可你自己还不知道。任何一个男人都不能容忍自己的女人被别人所爱，更何况君王？你是聪明人，以你的才华，本该有个好前程，不要自误误人。” 我转过脸来，看着随太医，道：“是李家让你来说这些话的？” 随太医道：“这也是我的意思。我奉事宫中多年，那些耐不住寂寞与外头私通的见得多了，从没一个有好下场。我知道，你怨恨李氏兄弟献妹邀宠，拆散了你和李夫人。可是在这个时代，美色最终都是要按权力分配的。普天之下，莫非王土，李延年把妹妹献给这个国家最有权力的人，难道不是最合适的安排吗？我也知道，你是有胆量带她远走高飞的。可是，浪迹天涯、隐名埋姓、布衣蔬食、荆钗布裙，对夫人来说公平吗？一个那么完美的女人，难道不该得到一个更显赫的人生吗？” 我沉默了一会儿，道：“那是你们的想法。有人问过阿妍吗？她有选择的自由吗？” “选择的自由？”随太医笑了，“这是我听过的最稀奇的话。就算当初她如愿跟了你，如果哪一天她被什么权贵看上，你能保护她吗？” 我道：“你没听明白我的话。在你们眼里，女人只能是权力盛宴上被瓜分的战利品吗？她们自己的意志呢？” 随太医注视了我一会儿，道：“好吧，你听说过本朝王太后的故事吗？” I shake my head. 随太医悠悠地道：“那是一段奇闻，宫里许多上年纪的老人都听说过。王太后在侍奉先帝前，原也是有夫家的，嫁的是长陵金家，夫妻恩爱，都已经生了一个女儿了。后来她母亲给她算了个命，说她该当大富大贵，于是将她强抢回去，送进了太子宫。结果太子很宠爱她，连生三女一男，那男孩就是今上。生子为帝，母仪天下，你说，王太后到底是幸福，还是不幸？当年她那姓金的丈夫，和先帝比起来，谁能给她更多？她母亲所做的，到底是爱她，还是害她？” 我的心慢慢地滑进了一个冰窟。 随太医注视着我表情的变化，眼中掠过一丝不易觉察的微笑。 “好了，”他拍拍我的肩膀，“回去好好想想吧。你和夫人都太年轻，以为感情比什么都重要。老夫是过来人，看得多了。人生一世，真正活在感情里会有几年？” 随太医走了，我还怔怔地坐在池边。 难道我内心里一直不肯放弃这段感情，其实是在拖累阿妍？ 难道我所有的努力，都只是在自我欺骗？ 那些远离现实的古文古简，真的能拯救我的人生吗？ 沙洲上，几只鸥鸟正在觅食。我忽然很羡慕这些可以自由地来去于天地之间的生灵。 几乎世上所有的生物都是自由的，唯有人生活在牢笼之中。
皇帝忽然给了我一个奇怪的任命，他升我为未央宫骑郎，任命我为使节，出使匈奴。 这是一个殊荣，但我不明白怎么会轮到我。据说，匈奴单于刚刚去世，因为时局微妙，朝廷需要一个了解胡地习俗的人去吊唁。 我虽是胡人，但郎官里也有其他熟悉匈奴的人。 后来我听说，这件事里延年兄弟替我说过一些话。也许他们是想用这种办法，使我远离阿妍吧。 我去了匈奴。 事实上，我虽是胡人，但在匈奴待过的时间不及在中原的十分之一。匈奴，在我的内心深处，早已退化为一个遥远而陌生的童年之梦。 汉服儒冠，娴熟的汉宫礼仪，一口流利的长安汉话，我全身上下早已看不出一丝胡人的影子。当我的匈奴向导用胡语和同伴们谈笑风生，我麻木地骑在马上，恍若未闻。这世上再新奇有趣的事都与我无关了。 他们以为我和过去那些使节一样，不过是个来自宫廷不懂胡语的郎官，索性当着我的面毫无顾忌地嘲笑我的身上那股汉儒的酸腐味。 说也罢，笑也罢，我都充耳不闻。 我的内心充满失落。 随太医的话，使我从一直以来给自己制造的迷梦中惊醒过来。 我深深地鄙视自己。 我自以为爱阿妍，可事实上我的爱一钱不值。我既无力救拔她于重重深宫，也无法给予她应得的一切，执著于这样一份感情，到底是爱，还是自私？ 阿妍分明是太善良了，不忍道破真相，我又怎能因为她的善良而继续厚颜无耻地以爱之名伤害她？ 罢了，走吧，走吧。就让我放逐天涯海角、蛮荒绝域，或者能赎我罪孽之万一。
我浑浑噩噩地越过瀚海沙漠，来到单于庭。 刚即位的乌师庐单于根本不接见我，直接就下令把我关押起来。看押我的那些匈奴人以为我不识胡语，相互私下谈论，让我得知了事情的惊人原委： 皇帝在派我为使时还另派了一个使团到右贤王处吊唁，而赴右贤王处吊唁的使团所携带的礼品规格和数量和我的一模一样！ 右贤王是前任单于的同母弟，时任单于的叔父，势大兵雄，本就颇受单于的忌惮。当此人心未定之时，朝廷此举，用意再明显不过了！ 我心中大惊。朝廷要行离间之计，就是准备好了牺牲此行的使节！ 我警告你，不要再打她的主意，否则…… 李延年恶狠狠的话语浮现在我脑海里。 我闭上眼睛，喟然长叹。 怪不得李广利这段时间突然对匈奴事务感兴趣了，三天两头往那些将军的府邸跑。 多么精彩的借刀杀人之计！我真是轻看了这对貌似肤浅无知的兄弟。 一旦威胁到他们的荣华富贵，他们那只知道名利的头脑也会制造出最周密、最有效的计划。
半年多的逃亡，单于庭匈奴人的追捕，沙漠中断水断粮、草原上遭遇饿狼……这其间所经历的种种艰险困苦，远非一两句话所能描述。我九死一生，才得以逃回汉朝。 而当我回国时，我得知了一个消息：阿妍过世了！ 这个消息，对我如同晴天霹雳。 我惊呆了。 上天为什么如此残忍？跟我开这么一个天大的玩笑？ 从匈奴到汉朝，这一路上，多少次穷途绝境，万无生理，只因再见阿妍一眼这个念头的支撑，我千方百计挣扎求生，才得以逃出一条生路。万没想到，我活着回来了，她却永远离我而去了。 No!I do not believe! 我发疯一样找到随太医，一把揪住他的衣襟，抽剑架在他颈间，怒吼道：“为什么？！为什么不救救她？你不是神医吗？” 随太医看着我疯狂的样子，结结巴巴地道：“不、不关我的事，是……李大人他们逼我，说，如有危险先保孩子……” 我惊道：“阿妍难产？” 随太医心惊胆战地看着颈间的剑刃，道：“是，夫人阵痛两天两夜还生不下来，稳婆换了五六个，我、我还开了药帮她，可、可实在没办法……卫君，我已经尽了全力，减少对夫人的伤害。我也希望母子无恙，可夫人本来就体质弱，又是头胎……” 我心痛如绞。 两天两夜生产的痛苦，对我那柔弱如水的阿妍，是多么可怕的酷刑！当她最痛苦、最无助的时候，我却在千里之外，没能为她分担那漫长而剧烈的痛苦，没能抚慰她对死亡的恐惧。 God!我早该料到这一天的。 为了取悦人主，李延年强迫阿妍从小就束腰，以保持体形。乐府那些束过腰的舞姬，日后大多会遭遇难产。阿妍对他们来说，本来就只是博取荣华富贵的一件工具，一个是皇子外甥，一个是后妃妹子，谁更能保障他们的长远富贵？他们当然选择保孩子不保大人！而我对李延年说过，绝不会坐视阿妍陷入危险！所以，阿妍有身之日，就是我下黄泉之时！ 我颤声道：“阿妍……她……就这么走了？” 随太医叹道：“夫人产后失血过多，脉象虚弱，我立刻给夫人开了药调理，好好将养的话，还是可能复原的。可自从那边传来消息，说单于尽诛汉使，她便不再服药。我开的药，她都偷偷倒了。一个一心求死的人，就算扁鹊再世也救不了。你、你别激动，真的不关我事……” 我只觉得眼前天旋地转。“你是说，阿妍她、她是自己……” 随太医偷眼看了我一眼，小心地道：“夫人走得很安详。我也没想到夫人的死志如此坚定。也许、也许你说的是对的，人跟人是不一样的。唉，想不到世上真的有重视感情超过一切的女子……” 如果我知道你已经不在这个世上，我会到另一个世界去找你…… 手一松，长剑落地，我再也忍不住失声痛哭起来。 随太医松了一口气，摸了摸自己的脖子，道：“有件事……说出来也许能让你好受点。夫人去世后，陛下找了个方士为她招魂。听说施术之时，果然见到了夫人，且夫人容颜不异于平时。生死之事，谁知道呢。卫君，你还是……节哀吧……” 我在长安西北找到阿妍的坟茔，避开守墓官吏，远远地大哭了一场。 那长眠在黄土下的女子啊，当年她在乐府翩翩起舞，像一株娇弱的兰花在风中轻颤着开放，我暗暗发誓今生要保护她周全，不让她受半点伤害。然而造化弄人，恰恰是我的感情，给她造成了最大的伤害，直到她孤独地长眠于地下。在黑暗的永巷里，我眼睁睁地看着她离去，伸出双手要挽留什么，却只是抓在了无尽的虚空里。现在我再次眼睁睁地看着她离去，伸出双手，依然挽留不了什么。 我空负一身武艺、满腹文章，却连自己最心爱的女人都无法保护。那种痛楚，锥心刺骨，何以复加！ 我哭得精疲力竭，才踉踉跄跄地回家，却发现我的家早已是一片废墟。 原来，在我出使期间，李广利唆使乡里无赖向朝廷“告缗”。一夜之间，我家倾家荡产，家产、奴婢、田宅尽皆没官，老父活活气死，家人四散逃亡。 我心里的最后一丝支撑崩塌了。 朝廷的“告缗”制度，我早有耳闻，只是没想到有朝一日这噩梦会落到自己头上。 朝廷向来重农抑商，商人冒着亏本的风险，千里转运，流通货物，调剂有无，却被朝廷视作不事生产、坐致千金，因此课税极重。自今上即位，边境多事，开支浩繁，针对商家的苛捐杂税更是无孔不入。钱二千一算，轺车二算，船五丈以上一算。行商坐贾，车船是商人谋生的必需工具，犹如农夫必需的耕犁，学者必需的刀笔。这样征税就意味着，如果你遵守法纪，拼死拼活都只是在为朝廷的税吏干。商人雨雪阻路、货物毁损、途中遇劫、倾家荡产，朝廷不会伸出丝毫援手，而你冒着种种风险所获的盈利，朝廷却绝不会忘了分一杯羹。如果停止贩运，又只能眼看着奔波劳碌一生而得来的财产逐渐减少，坐吃山空。总之，你几乎找不到一个办法来保全自己来之不易的财产。所以，算缗从来没有人愿意如实缴纳。违法是找死，守法是等死，早死晚死都是死。 皇帝任用杨可推行“告缗”，利用最赤贫的民众对财富的渴望，鼓励检举，瓜分富室。一时之间，杨可告缗遍天下，告发者络绎于途，投机取巧的乡间无赖一夜暴富，胼手胝足的辛苦创业者倾家荡产。朝廷获利亿万，府库充盈，修上林苑，凿昆明池，建柏梁台，一座座壮丽宫室树立起来的背后，是天下中人以上人家，大多破产，民间不事蓄积，无心创业，百业凋敝，物价腾贵。 我站在家园的废墟上，明白自己现在已经一无所有了。 只有当灾难降临到自己头上，才会知道自己所拥有的一切是多么脆弱。不管曾经有过怎样的雄心壮志，怎样的文才武略，无非都和蝼蚁一般，随时可能被权力碾压得粉碎。 我潜入李府，李广利已高升贰师将军，到西域逞威风去了，我只找到了李延年。 当时李延年正在内室，失魂落魄地坐在他的琴前，一手撑着下巴，两眼发直。看得出，那琴已经很久没动过了，上面有一层薄薄的灰尘。 李延年看见我，吃了一惊。 “你、你还活着？”他结结巴巴地道。 “是啊。”我说，“真是遗憾，让你们失望了吧？” 这时，李延年做了一个让我吃惊的举动。他不逃不躲，居然扑通一声跪在我面前，道：“卫兄，求你帮帮我。我妹妹她、她怕是阴魂不散了……” 我愕然道：“你说什么？” 李延年哭丧着脸道：“陛下叫人给她招魂，我妹妹不知跟陛下说了什么，陛下把招魂的方士都杀了灭口，还、还叫人用朱砂画了她的像，不知道想干什么。照这样下去，我们、我们李家迟早要出事……” 我看着李延年，此时的他，脸色灰暗，神情憔悴，全没了往日的威风。我几乎不敢相信，他就是那个不久以前还不可一世的暴发户。 我冷笑道：“直到现在，你所关心的，还是你自己的祸福！你有没有想过哪怕一次阿妍所受到的伤害？！人若死而有灵，她必然知道一切了，你居然还指望她显灵，在陛下面前替你们兄弟美言！哈！” 李延年急忙拉着我的衣服下摆，道：“不，不！阿妍她、她不会恨我的，她知道，我、我也是没有办法。她临终前还托陛下善待我们兄弟的。卫兄，我知道你恨我，可、可阿妍心里一直有你，这是天大的危险。你被捕下狱那天，阿妍竟然不避嫌疑为你求情，请陛下看在你曾救过她一命的份儿上，放你一条生路！这、这要换了个人，陛下早就疑心大起，两人都会被碎尸万段。可那次陛下居然真的没杀你。陛下实在是太爱她了。越这样，我越害怕。你一天不死，我们李家就一天不得安宁。我、我只是自保，不是存心要害你，真的……” 我的心再次被撕裂。 阿妍哪，阿妍，你到底有多少牺牲是我所不知道的？我自以为是在为了你而辗转煎熬，自以为是苍天佑我大难不死，却不知道是你在抵押你的生命，换取了我的生存。 我仰起头，不让泪水流出来。 李延年道：“好歹、好歹你爱过我妹妹，就看在阿妍的面儿上，帮帮我吧！” 我咽下一口泪，长出了一口气，道：“要我怎么帮？” 李延年拖着我的衣服，急急地道：“听说那方士招魂的法器是面镜子，陛下把镜子藏在柏梁台上，我可以设法让那里的守卫离开一小会儿。你、你身手那么好，天禄阁密室都能进，八成也能进那里。求求你，帮我劝劝她，让她好好地走吧。阿妍一直爱着你，她、她会听你的……” 我看着李延年，只觉得这个人可鄙又可怜。我用了极大的毅力，才克制住对这个无耻小人的厌恶，扯回自己的衣角，道：“今晚子时，你调开柏梁台守卫。”说罢，便转身离去。 这个人不值得我杀，我有更重要的事要办。 李延年在我身后絮絮地道：“我知道，她是真的爱着你的。她曾为你剪过一缕头发，不知藏在哪里了，我搜过，没找到，一定是给了你了……”
深夜，柏梁台上北风呼啸，我拿到了那面石镜。 石镜背后铭刻着八个奇形怪状的文字，那是一种极其古怪，但又是我无比熟悉的文字——这几年来，我一直在和这种古文字打交道。 这正是孔府古简上的那种文字！ 看到这石镜的瞬间，孔府古简上那许多曾经让我难以索解的、毫无头绪的片段章节，忽然一齐清晰了起来，仿佛一道雪亮的雷电劈开漆黑的天幕，照亮了无数错综复杂的谜团。 那无数不解之谜，都起源于一起离奇的事件： “天命玄鸟，降而生商”！ 一直以来，史家都以为玄鸟生商只是先民们编造的神话。事实上，欺骗与伪造是今人的惯技。上古小国寡民，人心淳朴，那首诗，是先民们对一起奇异事件的真实记录：商王族的祖先，是乘着黑色的大鸟从天而降的！ 崇信鬼神的上古百姓，比今天的人更能接受各种奇事。所以，契和他的后人在世人毫无防备的情况下默默地繁衍扩张，终于在成汤时征服了天下。 玄鸟族拥有得天独厚的天赋，他们能未卜先知、起死回生、呼风唤雨、遣神役鬼。 商汤刚刚灭夏时，人们对于这个出身离奇的陌生族裔尚心存疑虑。这时，一场空前的旱灾发生了。长达七年，滴雨不下，百姓濒临绝境。商汤展示了他作为一个伟大巫师的神奇法力，他亲自作法，祈来了一场浩大的甘霖，挽救了所有子民。这是比武力征服更有力的手段，人们死心塌地地归顺了他的统治。 玄鸟族顺利地统治了这个世界长达六百多年，远远超过夏和西周。他们的君主本身就是法力最高强的巫师，所以，他们在这个世界如鱼得水、难逢敌手。如果不是商纣王那极端的暴虐，也许他们能统治更久。 即使是武王伐纣胜利之后，依然对这个曾经无敌于天下的前朝极为忌惮。慑于前朝在民间的巨大影响，周朝不得不在百姓
In Kong Anguo's study, he was sitting, and I was standing in front of him. Kong Anguo said: "Do you know why I don't want to teach you?" I said, "Students are ignorant." Kong Anguo said: "Stupid? No, it's because you're smart! You're so smart!" I said, "I don't understand what you mean, sir." Kong Anguo said: "'Dangtu Gao' is Wei, how smart! How dare I teach my subordinates?" It turned out to be for this!It dawned on me. But then there was a trace of doubt, Kong Anguo is not a person who is jealous of the virtuous and capable, so how could he hold a grudge against me because I said so much? But I still bowed my head and said: "Yes, the student knows his mistake." He is the most accomplished scholar in ancient Chinese literature in the world. If I offend him, I will never expect to understand those heavenly scriptures. "How could you be wrong?" Kong Anguo sneered, and said, "You can't be more right! How many Wei families are there in the world? How many people are there in the Wei land? You are amazing, and for your sake, His Majesty almost wants to kill all the Wei families in the world." ! What is a word of mourning? I have seen it!" I was stunned, and said: "What? Your Majesty wants...to kill all the Wei families in the world? Why?" Kong Anguo said: "Do you know what was written before that sentence?! 'Who replaced the Han? Dang Tu Gaoye.' This kind of thing can also be used to show off your little cleverness?!" I froze for a moment. Kong Anguo said: "Do you know why I would rather be called stupid by His Majesty than tell him the answer? You think that all the great Confucians in the court are fools, and you are the only one who is smart? You have only a half-knowledge, and you pretend to be smart! You know how much it took me to get rid of it. His majesty's murderous intentions?!" For a moment, I just felt buzzing in my head, and stammered: "Why, how could this happen? It's just a line of poetry..." Kong Anguo sneered and said, "A line of poetry? That's not an ordinary poem, it's a prophecy poem! Don't you read a lot? You don't know that King Xuan of Zhou used to go all over the country because of the phrase '檿船箙箙, actually perishing the state of Zhou'. Hunt and kill people who carry mountain mulberry bows and Jicao quiver? You don’t know, did Qin Shihuang send 300,000 troops to the north to attack the Xiongnu for the sake of saying “Hu who died in Qin Dynasty”? Why did your majesty frequently patrol the east of the river during this period? Just to investigate that How powerful is the Wei surname in this area! That is the old place of the Wei State, where the Wei family has the largest number of people. The secret decree to punish Wei has already been drawn up! If I hadn’t used the empress dowager Bo’s mother’s family name as Wei, I strongly advised Your Majesty. At that time, the Sanhe area had already flowed into rivers of blood!" I'm tongue-tied. King Xuan of Zhou, Emperor Qin Shihuang, I have read about those things, but I never thought that they would have any connection with reality.For a long time, those things in the history books were just distant stories in my imagination. Kong Anguo said: "You think history is just history, right? In fact, history is reality! The emperor will do anything for his own safety! Do you read so many books just for fun?" I said in a daze, "I'm sorry, I, I don't know..." Kong Anguo looked at me for a while, and the sternness in his eyes gradually faded away. He sighed and said, "Forget it, I have seen it too. You have suffered a lot. Under the three trees, why can't you ask for more? I shouldn't be demanding on you. It's just After going through so much, you should also understand that this ancient slip is a disaster, the less you know, the better. I don’t teach you, it’s for your own good. From tomorrow onwards, please resign from His Majesty, just say it’s too difficult , I can’t learn it. It’s better to be scolded by him for being incompetent than to die one day without understanding.” I said, "Sir, what exactly is written in this ancient slip? Could it be that you already know, sir?" Kong Anguo shook his head and said, "Don't ask any more, Wei Lu, it's really for your own good. Do you know why Dong Zhongshu was almost imprisoned and executed... Well, knowing too much is really not a good thing. I know you are civil and military. Shuangquan, no matter what you do, you will achieve success sooner or later. This ancient slip was left to us by our ancestors. Whether it is a blessing or a curse, we can only bear it ourselves. You are a barbarian, so don't get involved in this disaster." I saw a trace of sincere love in Kong Anguo's eyes, and I was moved for a while, but I still insisted: "No, sir, you can't make decisions for me. I want to know the truth. If sir refuses to tell I, then I will work hard to learn and read until I understand it!" Kong Anguo looked at me for a long time, finally let out a long sigh, and said, "Do you know the origin of these ancient bamboo slips?" I said: "It was discovered when King Lu Gong expanded the palace and demolished an old wall in the Confucian Mansion." Kong Anguo nodded and said, "That's right, but before that? Who put these bamboo slips in? What's the purpose of putting them in? Do you know?" I said, "I don't know." Kong Anguo said: "Okay, next, I will tell you something, after you listen to it, think about it before answering me, whether you want to learn this ancient Chinese or not." According to the legend of my ancestors, the house that was demolished was the bedroom that Confucius lived in during his lifetime.When the house was demolished, I stood outside and watched, watching the old house being demolished little by little, with mixed feelings in my heart.When the last and strongest wall was removed, an accident happened: a stream of clear water spewed out of the wall! Everyone present was stunned, and then, a strange sound sounded faintly from the wall, and the crowd immediately screamed and fled in all directions.I was jostled unsteadily by the terrified crowd.But when I heard the sound, my heart skipped a beat, it was music!I can hear the sound of gold and stone in it, and the music is a bit familiar!Just as he was about to make a detailed distinction, King Lu Gong's men rushed over after hearing the news and sealed off the place tightly.The music quickly died down as the Royal Guard entered. Everyone present was closely checked.When asked about me, I admitted that I was from the Confucian family.Upon hearing this, a long historian came over immediately and asked me if there were ghosts here before? I shook my head and said that I had never heard of such a thing, but I seemed to have heard the music before, and I remembered it was an ancient song. King Lu Gong, who was standing by the side, was very interested, and hurriedly interjected, "What song is it?" I know that King Lu Gong has a lot of research on sensuality, dogs and horses.I thought for a while, finally remembered, and replied: "That is "Mount Tai" written by my ancestor Confucius before his death. There are only three lines in the lyrics: Mount Tai is broken, beams and pillars are destroyed, and philosophers are withered! This song has long been lost in the outside world. , I just happened to have studied the ancient music of the Confucian Mansion, so I heard it." After listening to my words, King Lu Gong glanced at the collapsed building, and shivered involuntarily.At this moment, his subordinates reported to him: a large number of broken ancient bamboo slips were found in the sandwich wall, which seemed to be a long time ago.Moreover, among the people present, a retainer of the palace disappeared during the haunting. King Lu Gong spat on the ground, disappointedly said: "Unlucky!" Later, the court got wind of it and issued an edict to ask King Lu Gong what was going on.King Lu Gong got those bamboo slips, none of his literati could understand them. Now the court asked about it and heard that I have researched ancient Chinese, so they asked me to go.I could tell at a glance that it was a very ancient text, and it could not be read in a short time. I could only roughly see that it was some Confucian classics, such as "Book of Rites", "Book of Filial Piety", etc., but Some other contents seem to be quite different from those circulating today.King Lu Gong truthfully reported the situation to the imperial court, and soon the imperial court sent people to ask for these bamboo slips and summoned me to Chang'an. In Tianlu Pavilion, I studied these ancient bamboo slips with great concentration, and soon, I discovered that these ancient bamboo slips were not written in the same period.Among them, there are a group of the oldest ones, which are very similar in terms of diction and style, but the content is far more than those circulated in the present world, and there are many unimaginable contents that I have never seen before.Because the bamboo slips are mostly damaged, and the characters are too ancient, I can understand them, but only three or four out of ten.But just a few words that I can understand, connected together, the content is shocking.I understand, these ancient bamboo slips are hidden by Confucius himself!And the most difficult part of this ancient bamboo slip is from an era older than Confucius!It is said that the ancient sage Confucius once deleted three thousand from the "Poetry" to three hundred. I always thought that was an exaggeration, thinking that Confucius just sorted out the ancient books, deleted some tedious and useless chapters, and kept the important classics.But seeing these ancient bamboo slips, I realized that what Confucius deleted was not only the useless parts, but precisely the most important parts.Confucius deleted them because this part of the content is too dangerous. If it is passed on to the world, it will become the source of disaster! This batch of ancient bamboo slips is written "Mandate of Heaven"! Confucius said: I know the destiny when I am fifty. Everyone in the world thinks that Confucius described himself seeing through the world and understanding his own destiny. How many people know that it refers to the real destiny without any additional extensions? Confucius was a person who was very interested in ancient documents. When the Shan family rebelled against the Zhou Dynasty, he got a batch of ancient books lost in Luoyi during the chaos.The characters in ancient books are the oldest tadpole characters. In the time of Confucius, few people knew this kind of characters.Because Confucius was well-read and eager to learn, he loved to study ancient implements and ancient books. After studying day and night, he gradually understood those words, but he always felt that the content was a bit unclear.It was not until he was fifty years old that he suddenly understood the true meaning of these documents. This is a collection of prophetic poems! Before the prophecy becomes a reality, people cannot understand it. Only when the prophecy is realized, people will suddenly realize what those words and sentences refer to.It's like "Yu Qu Jifu, the real state of Zhou", just like "Hu who died of Qin"... When Confucius discovered that some major events that happened in this era were actually recorded in this ancient royal secret book, the shock immediately overturned his lifelong belief. Since then, Confucius has always been far away from strange powers and chaotic gods, and devoted himself fanatically to the study of Yili, so that he couldn't put down the book, and Wei compiled the three masterpieces.Many people do not understand why Confucius' academic direction has undergone such a drastic change in his later years.In fact, that's just because Confucius saw the destiny from this ancient book—there really is a predetermined destiny in this world that cannot be changed.Regardless of the Tang and Wu revolutions, the decline of the royal family, the struggle of the princes for hegemony, and even the life and death of countless common people in the future, it has been predetermined a long time ago.Any sacrifices, killings, power, knowledge in the world... can't change this fixed number, because all kinds of pursuits and hard struggles are also within the setting of destiny.The only thing that can slightly touch the destiny is the mysterious book created by King Wen of Zhou. Confucius saw the truth of the world, but he could not tell the truth to the world. When the real destiny appears, who is the last person to see it?Those who claim to represent the Mandate of Heaven! No matter which dynasty the ruler wants his subjects to believe, he is ordered by heaven to rule the people, and that he can be passed down from generation to generation and infinity. It was a lie that couldn't be safer to lie.Because there is no one to confront, no one to expose, no matter what you say.But now, the existence of the real destiny seriously threatens those fabricated myths. Ye Gong doesn't like the real dragon, and the emperor doesn't like the real destiny.The rulers will never allow more authoritative existence than their secular power, so they will inevitably cover up the destiny at all costs, or even extinguish the destiny! Confucius did not want the truth to be interrupted in his own hands. He wanted to pass on this ancient bamboo slip until an era when the truth could no longer be concealed. After sorting out those classics, he mixed them with the popular classics such as "Book of Rites" and "Shangshu" at that time, and built them into a wall.At the same time, he also passed on his knowledge of ancient characters to his descendants. When I was young, I never understood why it took so much energy to learn a dead script that has long been lost.It is only now that I understand that this is exactly where Confucius' painstaking efforts lie.He handed over the key to the mystery of the ancient bamboo slips to the descendants of the Confucian family in a grand manner, and passed them down from generation to generation. Confucius' collection of books escaped the tyranny of the Qin Dynasty, and also escaped the flames of war in troubled times, but could not escape the harassment of powerful powers in peaceful and prosperous times, and the truth was leaked. This is not an appropriate time to reveal destiny.In this era, whoever knows the destiny is tantamount to putting himself to death. I intend to tell the present that the ancient bamboo slips may have been hidden by Kong Yu, the ninth descendant of Confucius, in order to avoid the calamity of Qin Shihuang's burning of books.The admiral was skeptical today, but he saw something strange: it was only a hundred years ago that the first emperor burned the books, how could the characters have changed so much that they were completely unrecognizable?He no longer fully trusted me, so he summoned some famous Confucians from all over the country to participate in the study of these ancient bamboo slips.Although the Confucian Mansion's study of ancient characters is a family tradition, due to the influence of Confucianism, it has also been spread to the outside world.Therefore, although I carefully controlled the progress of reading the ancient bamboo slips and deliberately avoided the most sensitive content in the ancient bamboo slips, there were still some Confucian scholars who were eager for quick success and quick profit, and reported the fragments they read to Jinshang. These fragmented fragments have already shocked the present.In this collection of poems, the word "appointed person" is mentioned many times. This person is born with the destiny.It seems that only this alien known as the "Ordained One" can escape the nightmare of the cycle of rise and fall. His Majesty was angry. He refused to believe those stories that subverted common sense, and he refused to believe that there was no one in this world who had the support of destiny more truly than him. Do you still remember the edict of seeking talents today?Do you know why he issued such an edict? He was asking about the way of seeking governance, why the emperors in ancient times were able to bring order to the world easily, while today's emperors still have little effect despite their efforts. Among so many people who responded to the imperial edict, only Dong Zhongshu vaguely saw the true meaning of the letter.He's a smart guy.From the worried words in the imperial edict, he can see today's worry about the destiny and anxiety about the credentials of ruling. So, he published "Three Strategies of Heaven and Man", and his point of view is the interaction between heaven and man.Emperors are ordered by heaven to rule the world, and heaven will show right and wrong with auspiciousness and disasters. As long as you cultivate virtue, you can obey the destiny. His policy moved His Majesty. Dong Zhongshu replaced the gift of heaven with "cultivating virtue" and successfully solved the problem of the source of destiny. Today, he was impressed by him and called him to the court to study these ancient bamboo slips. Dong Zhongshu's specialty is "Spring and Autumn", not "Poems" and ancient prose, but he understands a little bit.After reading these ancient bamboo slips, he became interested in the origin of the Shang Dynasty.The term Destiny originated from the birth legend of Qie, the ancestor of the Shang Dynasty.Moreover, these ancient bamboo slips themselves, judging from the shape of the characters, are also very similar to those left by the survivors of the late Shang Dynasty. With the deepening of research, Dong Zhongshu gradually began to suspect that there was something wrong with the origin of the Shang royal family. He is a pragmatic person. Starting from the records of the pre-Shang relocations, he dug bit by bit. Even the Korean prince who descended to Han asked him, and he actually found out that the ancestors of the Shang lived in "Fan", "Whetstone", and "East China". "All" and so on are in the northeast. Because he discovered that Sushen, Puyu, Chosun and other Northeast Yis all have stories about women bathing in water, eating bird eggs and giving birth to children.Those stories are strikingly similar to Jan Dicky's.From this, he concluded that the Shang royal family was probably not from the Central Plains, but migrated from the Northeast! He reported his research to his superiors, and after hearing his conclusion, His Majesty did something unexpected: he ordered to set up a high temple in Liaodong! Dong Zhongshu could not accept this approach at all.It is well known to the whole world that the ancestor Gaozu of this dynasty originated in Peixian County, but he set up the temple of Gaozu in the far east of Liaodong. Isn't this self-deception?Dong Zhongshu is very realistic. His point of view is that the attainment of destiny lies in virtue. He does not approve of forging evidence to cater to those prophecies. Coincidentally, not long after, a fire destroyed the newly built Temple of God.Dong Zhongshu expressed his dissatisfaction in an article, thinking that this was God's punishment for this unethical behavior.Using the method of moving temples to add proof that his rule conforms to the destiny can deceive himself, but not heaven. The worst thing is that his article was seen by Zhu Fuyan, who was jealous of his success, so he stole this article and presented it to His Majesty. His Majesty was furious, and Dong Zhongshu was once imprisoned for his crime and almost executed.After that, he realized that many things cannot be known too clearly.From then on, he devoted himself to studying his "Spring and Autumn" and never mentioned any topics related to destiny. Well, Wei Lu, do you still want to learn from me the characters on this ancient bamboo slip? Everything that Kong Anguo said has far exceeded my imagination.But for some reason, I believed him. Maybe it's because Kong Anguo doesn't seem like a person who can fabricate a big lie; maybe it's because this story just perfectly explains many inexplicable doubts in the history books of the Central Plains; What was extremely painful seemed less important. From then on, I really started to learn ancient Chinese from Kong Anguo.What he taught me was far more profound and difficult to understand than what he taught in Taixue.Only then did I realize that ancient writing is a much more complicated subject than I imagined.Compared with the real knowledge of ancient characters, the six books and eight styles in Taixue, which are a headache for doctoral students, are really not worth mentioning. Although the content was difficult, I made rapid progress, exceeding Kong Anguo's expectations.But soon, he understood that it was because I didn't have a solidified concept of Chinese characters in my mind.I have traveled with my father in business since I was a child, from the Western Regions to Korea, and from various symbols painted on sheepskin to carved on wooden sticks, I have come into contact with them.Therefore, in my eyes, text is just a tool for communication and note-taking, not a sacred and inviolable concept.The key to learning ancient characters is to be able to throw away inherent concepts and accept everything like a blank child. I learn more and more deeply. In private, Kong Anguo answered all my questions, was strict and patient, and was a real good teacher, but as long as there were outsiders present, he immediately returned to his indifferent face.I know he is protecting me.Even though I'm in this deep, he still wants to keep me out of trouble as much as possible. I am very grateful to him, eager to learn the knowledge he taught me. Kong Anguo is rigorous in his studies and open-minded. In front of him, he can put forward any bold ideas for discussion. Only in the origin and development of the Shang Dynasty, he forbids me to dabble.He didn't want me to repeat the mistakes of Dong Zhongshu. However, the more I learn, the more I feel that Dong Zhongshu's guess is not unreasonable. Once, I told Kong Anguo that in the language of the ancient Shang Dynasty, there are indeed shadows of the barbarians in the Northeast.When I was buying furs from the slugs over there, I found that the smears have a characteristic of their speech, that is, they can't roll their tongues. For example, the word "zhu" sounds like "many" to them.However, in "Shangshu", in the chapters involving the pre-Shang, words such as "multiple", "toast", and "multiple sons" often appear, and it is always reluctant to use more or less to explain.But if you look at the word "Zhu", it is very fluent. Isn't it just the "Princes", "Zhushi" and "Zhuzi" of later generations? ! Kong Anguo listened, slowly frowned, and said, "What do you want to say?" "Dong Zhongshu's idea is correct." I pointed to the bamboo slips on several cases and said, "The Shang Dynasty's edicts in the "Shangshu" that have survived to this day are all obscure and difficult, and the terms and expressions are very different from those of today's people. I was very puzzled by this. However, if the Shang royal family came from the north to the south, it would be easy to explain: they were originally a foreign ethnic group, and their foreign accents were mixed with the Central Plains accent, which created this kind of half-understood, half-understood, Weird and incomprehensible language!" Kong Anguo said: "Based on just one word, you suspect that the Shang Dynasty was established by a foreign race?" I said: "It's not just this! The Shang Dynasty is often called 'Bo', what is the genus of South Bo, North Bo, and West Bo. And the family in the area of Xiyao is called 'Bo', which is clearly inherited by the Shang royal family. The language habits of their hometown! King Zhou of Shang once married the daughter of Gui Hou, which shows that Gui Fang has an unusually close relationship with Shang. When King Wu defeated Zhou, Fei Lian was ordered by King Zhou to go to the north. Could it be for the sake of The Shang royal family, facing a catastrophe, is looking for a way out? Also, Boyi fled to Beihai, and Jizi went to North Korea. The world is so big, why did they only choose the north? Because there are their kinsmen there, or because there is their birthplace... " Kong Anguo's face darkened, and he said, "Wei Lu, let me tell you again, don't touch Dong Zhongshu's way! I teach you ancient characters to let you know and read classics, not to teach you to deviate from the orthodoxy!" I said: "It's not that I deviate from the scriptures, the scriptures themselves have records! The "Poetry" says that 'the land is strong, and there are cuts overseas'. It can be seen that the power of the ancestors of the Shang Dynasty did reach overseas. We can't compare the relationship between the Central Plains and the Siyi today. Imagine the ancient times. The hostility between the Central Plains and the northern Rongdi began in the Zhou Dynasty. The "Rongdi is a response" and "thinly cutting down the hunks" may be precisely to chase the remaining forces of the Shang Dynasty who fled to the north..." Kong Anguo said angrily: "Wei Lu! I told you to stop, did you hear that?!" I said: "The words they speak and write are completely different from ours. Why do we believe that the Shang Dynasty belonged to the people of the Central Plains? How can we be sure that Tang Pangeng of Shang was from China? Jian Di It is the daughter of the Youji family, 'Youyu' means Yourong, also known as Di. From the name alone, it can be proved that the ancestors of the Shang Dynasty have a great connection with Rongdi..." Kong Anguo couldn't bear it anymore, grabbed a bamboo ruler, and said, "You, you stretch out your hand!" I looked at him trembling with anger, but it was a little funny.Back then in the official prison in Zhongdu, I was flogged with more than a thousand lashes and iron tongs were burned, and I was not afraid. How could he want to make me obedient like this?Do you take me for Xiangxu's boy?What a gentle and lovely gentleman. I stretched out my hand nonchalantly, and said, "I respect Mr.'s knowledge, so Mr. punishes, and Lu dare not resign. But Mr. is not also seeking the truth? I just go one step further than Mr., why is Mr. so angry?" Kong Anguo grabbed my hand and said, "Do you know what to go further? You jump off a cliff?!" I said: "I only know that learning is endless, and I don't know what cliffs there are in learning!" "You—" Kong Anguo gritted his teeth and raised the bamboo ruler, but it didn't come down.He stared at the old scars on my wrists from the shackles, and a trace of unbearableness flashed in his eyes.Finally, he sighed, put down the bamboo ruler, and said, "Forget it, maybe I made a huge mistake." I was surprised: "What do you mean by that, sir?" Kong Anguo said: "On the first day you came to Taixue, from the questions you asked, I could see that you were the most talented among them. I cherish your talent. In this era, you can learn with peace of mind. There are too few people with this boring and difficult ancient text. From my selfishness, I certainly hope that my knowledge can be passed on to others. But on the other hand, I feel that there is something very dangerous in your heart——I don’t know you What exactly are you going to do. Wei Lu," Kong Anguo looked into my eyes and said in a sincere voice, "I hope you can make me not regret my choice." Kong Anguo's words made me a little uneasy. I forced a smile, lowered my eyes, and said: "It turns out that the master is blaming me for something that hasn't happened. The master is worrying too much, and the student just wants to find out. If it makes the husband unhappy, the student will obey." Kong Anguo sighed and said, "I hope you are telling the truth." The torture in the imperial prison did not make me feel afraid, but this honest and honest elder who had no power to restrain a chicken made me a little afraid to face it.He didn't move a finger of mine, but every word he said seemed to whip my heart. But even so, I will not change my mind. I have made up my mind to solve the mystery of the ancient bamboo slips of the Confucian Mansion.I have a feeling that there are many soul-stirring secrets hidden behind the ancient bamboo slips of the Confucian Mansion. Once unraveled, the world may undergo earth-shaking changes. I crave change! Kong Anguo was right to worry. At this time, I am no longer the naive young man who was dazzled when I first entered Chang'an. I hate those hypocritical and arrogant etiquette and culture. I am willing to make all efforts to subvert this dirty civilization!
One day, I came back from Kong Anguo’s place. I wanted to borrow a few books from Shiqu Pavilion, so I hurried on my way. As a result, I was rubbed by an oncoming carriage outside the palace gate. What kind of injury is it? It's just that the bamboo slips in his hand were taken to the ground. "Hey, isn't this Brother Wei?" A voice said with a strange tone. I looked up and saw Li Yannian. I haven't seen him for a long time.I heard from the outside world that ever since Ah Yan was conferred the title of wife, their brothers have become public, especially Li Yannian, who was promoted to the captaincy of Xie Lv, with two thousand stone seal ribbons.Seeing him at this time, he was indeed dressed in brocade clothes, arrogant and arrogant, with a group of followers behind him. I didn't want to talk to this humble and humble man, so I just bowed and said, "Lord Captain." Then I squatted down to pick up my bamboo slips. "I heard that you have changed your career now?" Li Yannian seemed to be very interested in me, jumped out of the carriage, deliberately stood in front of me, and said, "Are you learning Tadpole Wen from Kong Anguo?" There was a hint of mockery in his voice.I didn't want to offend him, so I just said indifferently: "Yes. It's just an order from God." Li Yannian tilted his head and looked at me, and said, "Someone told me that it's a very deep thing, and many doctoral students can't understand it. You are quite enlightened, but Kong Anguo just doesn't want to see you, right?" I said nothing. Li Yannian waved his followers to stand in the distance, then approached me, and said in a subdued and triumphant voice: "I told you a long time ago that people in this world are supposed to perform their own duties, and wishful thinking will only lead to me. Looking for troubles. How? Look at you, what have you been doing for the past two years? What have you gained? Is it better to be in prison? Sober up, kid! There are some things that you can’t get by hard work.” I calmly said, "Thank you for your lesson, my lord." Li Yannian bent down to pick up a roll of bamboo slips, flipped through them, smiled suddenly, and said, "Let's leave your good business and suffer this crime, why bother? Look, is it useful to delve into this ghost painting talisman?" I looked at the ancient bamboo slips in Li Yannian's hand, then raised my eyes to look at him, smiled faintly, and said, "My lord, I took it upside down." Li Yannian was stung by my smile, threw the bamboo slips to the ground, approached me, and said in a threatening voice: "I know what you want to do—but I warn you, don't try to think of her again, otherwise ..." As he spoke, he stepped on the bamboo slips, and the bamboo slips were creaked by him. "Don't worry," I interrupted Li Yannian and said, "I won't see her again. It's not me who put her in danger now, but your brothers." Li Yannian said: "What did you say?" I said: "It is said outside that the airs of your slaves of the Li family are bigger than those of a thousand-stone official. Do you think your majesty is deaf?" Li Yannian's expression changed, he raised his hand and slapped me across the face. I didn't hide. "A mere official who has been pardoned for a crime dares to teach me a lesson?" Li Yannian scolded, "My Li family's ostentation is bestowed by His Majesty!" "That's because His Majesty is greedy for Ayan's beauty!" I said calmly, "One day his interest fades, and your good days will come to an end!" Li Yannian waved his hand and wanted to smack my face again, I stretched out my hand and grabbed his wrist with two fingers, with a little effort, Li Yannian gasped, and that pampered fair face immediately turned pale. I said: "I let you once, it is for Ah Yan's face. Now many people let you brothers for this reason, don't be self-aware! If you don't know how to restrain yourself and continue to domineering like this, you will trap Ah Yan in danger." I added more strength to my hand, Li Yannian's face turned pale, and he grabbed his arm with the other hand and pulled it out desperately. I lowered my voice, gritted my teeth and said: "Today, I am suspicious and suspicious. Anyone who gave birth to him will be executed sooner or later! You know this, but for your prosperity and wealth, you still want to send Ayan to this kind of place. For Ah Yan, I can't wait to kill you! However, it's because of Ah Yan that I can't kill you—but I warn you, if she gets hurt in any way, I, Wei Lu, will never sit idly by!" After I finished speaking, I let go of my hand, and Li Yannian staggered and fell several steps away. Holding on to his wrist, he grinned and shook his mouth, and shouted angrily, "Come on! Take it down for me..." Only then did his entourage who was standing in the distance react, and rushed forward, pinning me to the ground in all haste. 李延年提脚往我身上狠狠踢来，骂道：“妈的！在太岁爷头上动起土来了！” 一阵拳打脚踢。 我咬着牙一声不吭。 等李延年走后，我从地上爬起来，拍拍身上的尘埃，擦掉嘴角的鲜血，看着那群人消失在宫门外。
黄昏，我独坐在沧池边，吹着用芦叶卷成的哨子。 忽然，有人在我身后叹了口气，道：“已经有一个人不快乐了，何必再多一个人呢？” 我回过头去——是随太医。 “你刚才说什么？”我问，“她不快乐吗？” 随太医道：“你希望她快乐还是不快乐？” 我道：“你这话是什么意思？” 随太医道：“你希望她幸福，对她来说，她的不快乐来自心有所思，可你又不希望她忘了你，所以你很矛盾，是吧？” 我拾起一颗石子掷进池水：“我只希望她快乐。如果忘了我能使她快活起来，我愿意尽一切努力使她把我忘得干干净净。” 随太医微微一笑，道：“你骗得了任何人，骗不了自己。从一开始，你就一直在追随她，她进宫，你也进宫。你看守天禄阁，跟那几个大儒学古文，都是在给自己找个继续留在她身边的借口。你真的对那些老掉牙的学问感兴趣吗？” 我冷冷地道：“人各有志，你怎么知道我不感兴趣？” 随太医走到我身边坐下，低声道：“别以为我不知道。你刚才吹的是什么曲子？我听她忧郁时吹胡笳，来来去去也总是这个调子。我是为你着想，旁观者清，你一直走在悬崖边上，可你自己还不知道。任何一个男人都不能容忍自己的女人被别人所爱，更何况君王？你是聪明人，以你的才华，本该有个好前程，不要自误误人。” 我转过脸来，看着随太医，道：“是李家让你来说这些话的？” 随太医道：“这也是我的意思。我奉事宫中多年，那些耐不住寂寞与外头私通的见得多了，从没一个有好下场。我知道，你怨恨李氏兄弟献妹邀宠，拆散了你和李夫人。可是在这个时代，美色最终都是要按权力分配的。普天之下，莫非王土，李延年把妹妹献给这个国家最有权力的人，难道不是最合适的安排吗？我也知道，你是有胆量带她远走高飞的。可是，浪迹天涯、隐名埋姓、布衣蔬食、荆钗布裙，对夫人来说公平吗？一个那么完美的女人，难道不该得到一个更显赫的人生吗？” 我沉默了一会儿，道：“那是你们的想法。有人问过阿妍吗？她有选择的自由吗？” “选择的自由？”随太医笑了，“这是我听过的最稀奇的话。就算当初她如愿跟了你，如果哪一天她被什么权贵看上，你能保护她吗？” 我道：“你没听明白我的话。在你们眼里，女人只能是权力盛宴上被瓜分的战利品吗？她们自己的意志呢？” 随太医注视了我一会儿，道：“好吧，你听说过本朝王太后的故事吗？” I shake my head. 随太医悠悠地道：“那是一段奇闻，宫里许多上年纪的老人都听说过。王太后在侍奉先帝前，原也是有夫家的，嫁的是长陵金家，夫妻恩爱，都已经生了一个女儿了。后来她母亲给她算了个命，说她该当大富大贵，于是将她强抢回去，送进了太子宫。结果太子很宠爱她，连生三女一男，那男孩就是今上。生子为帝，母仪天下，你说，王太后到底是幸福，还是不幸？当年她那姓金的丈夫，和先帝比起来，谁能给她更多？她母亲所做的，到底是爱她，还是害她？” 我的心慢慢地滑进了一个冰窟。 随太医注视着我表情的变化，眼中掠过一丝不易觉察的微笑。 “好了，”他拍拍我的肩膀，“回去好好想想吧。你和夫人都太年轻，以为感情比什么都重要。老夫是过来人，看得多了。人生一世，真正活在感情里会有几年？” 随太医走了，我还怔怔地坐在池边。 难道我内心里一直不肯放弃这段感情，其实是在拖累阿妍？ 难道我所有的努力，都只是在自我欺骗？ 那些远离现实的古文古简，真的能拯救我的人生吗？ 沙洲上，几只鸥鸟正在觅食。我忽然很羡慕这些可以自由地来去于天地之间的生灵。 几乎世上所有的生物都是自由的，唯有人生活在牢笼之中。
皇帝忽然给了我一个奇怪的任命，他升我为未央宫骑郎，任命我为使节，出使匈奴。 这是一个殊荣，但我不明白怎么会轮到我。据说，匈奴单于刚刚去世，因为时局微妙，朝廷需要一个了解胡地习俗的人去吊唁。 我虽是胡人，但郎官里也有其他熟悉匈奴的人。 后来我听说，这件事里延年兄弟替我说过一些话。也许他们是想用这种办法，使我远离阿妍吧。 我去了匈奴。 事实上，我虽是胡人，但在匈奴待过的时间不及在中原的十分之一。匈奴，在我的内心深处，早已退化为一个遥远而陌生的童年之梦。 汉服儒冠，娴熟的汉宫礼仪，一口流利的长安汉话，我全身上下早已看不出一丝胡人的影子。当我的匈奴向导用胡语和同伴们谈笑风生，我麻木地骑在马上，恍若未闻。这世上再新奇有趣的事都与我无关了。 他们以为我和过去那些使节一样，不过是个来自宫廷不懂胡语的郎官，索性当着我的面毫无顾忌地嘲笑我的身上那股汉儒的酸腐味。 说也罢，笑也罢，我都充耳不闻。 我的内心充满失落。 随太医的话，使我从一直以来给自己制造的迷梦中惊醒过来。 我深深地鄙视自己。 我自以为爱阿妍，可事实上我的爱一钱不值。我既无力救拔她于重重深宫，也无法给予她应得的一切，执著于这样一份感情，到底是爱，还是自私？ 阿妍分明是太善良了，不忍道破真相，我又怎能因为她的善良而继续厚颜无耻地以爱之名伤害她？ 罢了，走吧，走吧。就让我放逐天涯海角、蛮荒绝域，或者能赎我罪孽之万一。
我浑浑噩噩地越过瀚海沙漠，来到单于庭。 刚即位的乌师庐单于根本不接见我，直接就下令把我关押起来。看押我的那些匈奴人以为我不识胡语，相互私下谈论，让我得知了事情的惊人原委： 皇帝在派我为使时还另派了一个使团到右贤王处吊唁，而赴右贤王处吊唁的使团所携带的礼品规格和数量和我的一模一样！ 右贤王是前任单于的同母弟，时任单于的叔父，势大兵雄，本就颇受单于的忌惮。当此人心未定之时，朝廷此举，用意再明显不过了！ 我心中大惊。朝廷要行离间之计，就是准备好了牺牲此行的使节！ 我警告你，不要再打她的主意，否则…… 李延年恶狠狠的话语浮现在我脑海里。 我闭上眼睛，喟然长叹。 怪不得李广利这段时间突然对匈奴事务感兴趣了，三天两头往那些将军的府邸跑。 多么精彩的借刀杀人之计！我真是轻看了这对貌似肤浅无知的兄弟。 一旦威胁到他们的荣华富贵，他们那只知道名利的头脑也会制造出最周密、最有效的计划。
半年多的逃亡，单于庭匈奴人的追捕，沙漠中断水断粮、草原上遭遇饿狼……这其间所经历的种种艰险困苦，远非一两句话所能描述。我九死一生，才得以逃回汉朝。 而当我回国时，我得知了一个消息：阿妍过世了！ 这个消息，对我如同晴天霹雳。 我惊呆了。 上天为什么如此残忍？跟我开这么一个天大的玩笑？ 从匈奴到汉朝，这一路上，多少次穷途绝境，万无生理，只因再见阿妍一眼这个念头的支撑，我千方百计挣扎求生，才得以逃出一条生路。万没想到，我活着回来了，她却永远离我而去了。 No!I do not believe! 我发疯一样找到随太医，一把揪住他的衣襟，抽剑架在他颈间，怒吼道：“为什么？！为什么不救救她？你不是神医吗？” 随太医看着我疯狂的样子，结结巴巴地道：“不、不关我的事，是……李大人他们逼我，说，如有危险先保孩子……” 我惊道：“阿妍难产？” 随太医心惊胆战地看着颈间的剑刃，道：“是，夫人阵痛两天两夜还生不下来，稳婆换了五六个，我、我还开了药帮她，可、可实在没办法……卫君，我已经尽了全力，减少对夫人的伤害。我也希望母子无恙，可夫人本来就体质弱，又是头胎……” 我心痛如绞。 两天两夜生产的痛苦，对我那柔弱如水的阿妍，是多么可怕的酷刑！当她最痛苦、最无助的时候，我却在千里之外，没能为她分担那漫长而剧烈的痛苦，没能抚慰她对死亡的恐惧。 God!我早该料到这一天的。 为了取悦人主，李延年强迫阿妍从小就束腰，以保持体形。乐府那些束过腰的舞姬，日后大多会遭遇难产。阿妍对他们来说，本来就只是博取荣华富贵的一件工具，一个是皇子外甥，一个是后妃妹子，谁更能保障他们的长远富贵？他们当然选择保孩子不保大人！而我对李延年说过，绝不会坐视阿妍陷入危险！所以，阿妍有身之日，就是我下黄泉之时！ 我颤声道：“阿妍……她……就这么走了？” 随太医叹道：“夫人产后失血过多，脉象虚弱，我立刻给夫人开了药调理，好好将养的话，还是可能复原的。可自从那边传来消息，说单于尽诛汉使，她便不再服药。我开的药，她都偷偷倒了。一个一心求死的人，就算扁鹊再世也救不了。你、你别激动，真的不关我事……” 我只觉得眼前天旋地转。“你是说，阿妍她、她是自己……” 随太医偷眼看了我一眼，小心地道：“夫人走得很安详。我也没想到夫人的死志如此坚定。也许、也许你说的是对的，人跟人是不一样的。唉，想不到世上真的有重视感情超过一切的女子……” 如果我知道你已经不在这个世上，我会到另一个世界去找你…… 手一松，长剑落地，我再也忍不住失声痛哭起来。 随太医松了一口气，摸了摸自己的脖子，道：“有件事……说出来也许能让你好受点。夫人去世后，陛下找了个方士为她招魂。听说施术之时，果然见到了夫人，且夫人容颜不异于平时。生死之事，谁知道呢。卫君，你还是……节哀吧……” 我在长安西北找到阿妍的坟茔，避开守墓官吏，远远地大哭了一场。 那长眠在黄土下的女子啊，当年她在乐府翩翩起舞，像一株娇弱的兰花在风中轻颤着开放，我暗暗发誓今生要保护她周全，不让她受半点伤害。然而造化弄人，恰恰是我的感情，给她造成了最大的伤害，直到她孤独地长眠于地下。在黑暗的永巷里，我眼睁睁地看着她离去，伸出双手要挽留什么，却只是抓在了无尽的虚空里。现在我再次眼睁睁地看着她离去，伸出双手，依然挽留不了什么。 我空负一身武艺、满腹文章，却连自己最心爱的女人都无法保护。那种痛楚，锥心刺骨，何以复加！ 我哭得精疲力竭，才踉踉跄跄地回家，却发现我的家早已是一片废墟。 原来，在我出使期间，李广利唆使乡里无赖向朝廷“告缗”。一夜之间，我家倾家荡产，家产、奴婢、田宅尽皆没官，老父活活气死，家人四散逃亡。 我心里的最后一丝支撑崩塌了。 朝廷的“告缗”制度，我早有耳闻，只是没想到有朝一日这噩梦会落到自己头上。 朝廷向来重农抑商，商人冒着亏本的风险，千里转运，流通货物，调剂有无，却被朝廷视作不事生产、坐致千金，因此课税极重。自今上即位，边境多事，开支浩繁，针对商家的苛捐杂税更是无孔不入。钱二千一算，轺车二算，船五丈以上一算。行商坐贾，车船是商人谋生的必需工具，犹如农夫必需的耕犁，学者必需的刀笔。这样征税就意味着，如果你遵守法纪，拼死拼活都只是在为朝廷的税吏干。商人雨雪阻路、货物毁损、途中遇劫、倾家荡产，朝廷不会伸出丝毫援手，而你冒着种种风险所获的盈利，朝廷却绝不会忘了分一杯羹。如果停止贩运，又只能眼看着奔波劳碌一生而得来的财产逐渐减少，坐吃山空。总之，你几乎找不到一个办法来保全自己来之不易的财产。所以，算缗从来没有人愿意如实缴纳。违法是找死，守法是等死，早死晚死都是死。 皇帝任用杨可推行“告缗”，利用最赤贫的民众对财富的渴望，鼓励检举，瓜分富室。一时之间，杨可告缗遍天下，告发者络绎于途，投机取巧的乡间无赖一夜暴富，胼手胝足的辛苦创业者倾家荡产。朝廷获利亿万，府库充盈，修上林苑，凿昆明池，建柏梁台，一座座壮丽宫室树立起来的背后，是天下中人以上人家，大多破产，民间不事蓄积，无心创业，百业凋敝，物价腾贵。 我站在家园的废墟上，明白自己现在已经一无所有了。 只有当灾难降临到自己头上，才会知道自己所拥有的一切是多么脆弱。不管曾经有过怎样的雄心壮志，怎样的文才武略，无非都和蝼蚁一般，随时可能被权力碾压得粉碎。 我潜入李府，李广利已高升贰师将军，到西域逞威风去了，我只找到了李延年。 当时李延年正在内室，失魂落魄地坐在他的琴前，一手撑着下巴，两眼发直。看得出，那琴已经很久没动过了，上面有一层薄薄的灰尘。 李延年看见我，吃了一惊。 “你、你还活着？”他结结巴巴地道。 “是啊。”我说，“真是遗憾，让你们失望了吧？” 这时，李延年做了一个让我吃惊的举动。他不逃不躲，居然扑通一声跪在我面前，道：“卫兄，求你帮帮我。我妹妹她、她怕是阴魂不散了……” 我愕然道：“你说什么？” 李延年哭丧着脸道：“陛下叫人给她招魂，我妹妹不知跟陛下说了什么，陛下把招魂的方士都杀了灭口，还、还叫人用朱砂画了她的像，不知道想干什么。照这样下去，我们、我们李家迟早要出事……” 我看着李延年，此时的他，脸色灰暗，神情憔悴，全没了往日的威风。我几乎不敢相信，他就是那个不久以前还不可一世的暴发户。 我冷笑道：“直到现在，你所关心的，还是你自己的祸福！你有没有想过哪怕一次阿妍所受到的伤害？！人若死而有灵，她必然知道一切了，你居然还指望她显灵，在陛下面前替你们兄弟美言！哈！” 李延年急忙拉着我的衣服下摆，道：“不，不！阿妍她、她不会恨我的，她知道，我、我也是没有办法。她临终前还托陛下善待我们兄弟的。卫兄，我知道你恨我，可、可阿妍心里一直有你，这是天大的危险。你被捕下狱那天，阿妍竟然不避嫌疑为你求情，请陛下看在你曾救过她一命的份儿上，放你一条生路！这、这要换了个人，陛下早就疑心大起，两人都会被碎尸万段。可那次陛下居然真的没杀你。陛下实在是太爱她了。越这样，我越害怕。你一天不死，我们李家就一天不得安宁。我、我只是自保，不是存心要害你，真的……” 我的心再次被撕裂。 阿妍哪，阿妍，你到底有多少牺牲是我所不知道的？我自以为是在为了你而辗转煎熬，自以为是苍天佑我大难不死，却不知道是你在抵押你的生命，换取了我的生存。 我仰起头，不让泪水流出来。 李延年道：“好歹、好歹你爱过我妹妹，就看在阿妍的面儿上，帮帮我吧！” 我咽下一口泪，长出了一口气，道：“要我怎么帮？” 李延年拖着我的衣服，急急地道：“听说那方士招魂的法器是面镜子，陛下把镜子藏在柏梁台上，我可以设法让那里的守卫离开一小会儿。你、你身手那么好，天禄阁密室都能进，八成也能进那里。求求你，帮我劝劝她，让她好好地走吧。阿妍一直爱着你，她、她会听你的……” 我看着李延年，只觉得这个人可鄙又可怜。我用了极大的毅力，才克制住对这个无耻小人的厌恶，扯回自己的衣角，道：“今晚子时，你调开柏梁台守卫。”说罢，便转身离去。 这个人不值得我杀，我有更重要的事要办。 李延年在我身后絮絮地道：“我知道，她是真的爱着你的。她曾为你剪过一缕头发，不知藏在哪里了，我搜过，没找到，一定是给了你了……”
深夜，柏梁台上北风呼啸，我拿到了那面石镜。 石镜背后铭刻着八个奇形怪状的文字，那是一种极其古怪，但又是我无比熟悉的文字——这几年来，我一直在和这种古文字打交道。 这正是孔府古简上的那种文字！ 看到这石镜的瞬间，孔府古简上那许多曾经让我难以索解的、毫无头绪的片段章节，忽然一齐清晰了起来，仿佛一道雪亮的雷电劈开漆黑的天幕，照亮了无数错综复杂的谜团。 那无数不解之谜，都起源于一起离奇的事件： “天命玄鸟，降而生商”！ 一直以来，史家都以为玄鸟生商只是先民们编造的神话。事实上，欺骗与伪造是今人的惯技。上古小国寡民，人心淳朴，那首诗，是先民们对一起奇异事件的真实记录：商王族的祖先，是乘着黑色的大鸟从天而降的！ 崇信鬼神的上古百姓，比今天的人更能接受各种奇事。所以，契和他的后人在世人毫无防备的情况下默默地繁衍扩张，终于在成汤时征服了天下。 玄鸟族拥有得天独厚的天赋，他们能未卜先知、起死回生、呼风唤雨、遣神役鬼。 商汤刚刚灭夏时，人们对于这个出身离奇的陌生族裔尚心存疑虑。这时，一场空前的旱灾发生了。长达七年，滴雨不下，百姓濒临绝境。商汤展示了他作为一个伟大巫师的神奇法力，他亲自作法，祈来了一场浩大的甘霖，挽救了所有子民。这是比武力征服更有力的手段，人们死心塌地地归顺了他的统治。 玄鸟族顺利地统治了这个世界长达六百多年，远远超过夏和西周。他们的君主本身就是法力最高强的巫师，所以，他们在这个世界如鱼得水、难逢敌手。如果不是商纣王那极端的暴虐，也许他们能统治更久。 即使是武王伐纣胜利之后，依然对这个曾经无敌于天下的前朝极为忌惮。慑于前朝在民间的巨大影响，周朝不得不在百姓