It seems that Zhong Benhua is going to be jealous with the Wei Dynasty, I wonder if there will be a fight?

Zhang Yuan smiled, entered the Wenhua Gate, came to the main hall of the apse, Zhong Benhua and another eunuch Han Benyong were already in the palace, and after a while, they saw Ke Yinyue, Wei Chao, and Wei Jinzhong accompanied by the emperor Zhu Youxiao, the eldest grandson of the Tsing Yi round hat, Zhu Youxiao saluted Zhang Yuan, Zhang Yuan returned the salute, the teacher and the student sat down separately, Ke Yinyue did not leave, but knelt and sat on the left and right of the emperor's eldest grandson with Gao Qiqian, who used to send snacks halfway, but this time he accompanied him to study, presumably considering that Zhu Youxiao needs her, Zhong Benhua, Han Benyong, Wei Chao, and Wei Jinzhong, the four eunuchs, stood on the side - Zhang Yuan stared at the emperor's eldest grandson Zhu Youxiao, Zhu Youxiao's chin was originally sharp, but he has lost some weight these days, and he looks more like an awl face, and his face is still a little blue, Zhu Youxiao's physique is not good, which makes Zhang Yuan quite worried, so he expects the little carpenter to inherit the throne safely and securely before he can be useful, and said: "Your Highness still needs to take care of your precious body." ”

Zhu Youxiao, who lacked father's love, suddenly burst into tears, and shouted: "Mr. Zhang-", choked up and couldn't speak.

Zhang Yuan stood up and said, "If you don't read today, I'll talk to Your Highness." Signaling Zhu Youxiao to follow him to the long window of the rhombic flower fan on the right side of the main hall, the morning sun shines through, bright and comfortable, there are a few wild okra plants outside the window, the pale yellow flowers are gently swaying in the autumn sun, the high wall is deep and the hall is silent.

Zhang Yuan looked sideways at Zhu Youxiao and said with relief: "Your Highness has a deep brotherhood and sadness, but don't grieve too much, it is most important for you to take care of your body, everyone has a long life, this is irreparable." ”

Zhu Youxiao was silent, and suddenly asked for a long time: "Mr. Zhang, if my third brother dies like this, where will he go?" ”

This is the origin of all philosophy, how many people want to ask the question but never know the answer, Zhang Yuan did not rush to answer, but asked: "What does Your Highness think of himself?" ”

Zhu Youxiao shook his head and said: "I don't know what death is about, I saw that the third brother was motionless, and he couldn't be called, I was very scared." When he said the word "scared", he turned around and shouted: "Mama-"

Ke Yinyue walked over quickly, took Zhu Youxiao's hand, and said softly: "Don't be afraid, brother, grandma is here." His eyes flowed, and he glanced at Zhang Yuan, "Please Mr. Zhang talk to my brother well, my brother asked me, I couldn't answer well, the little woman asked my brother to ask Mr. Zhang, Mr. Zhang is a talent." ”

Zhang Yuan said: "There has never been a person who has died and been resurrected, so no one can say clearly what is going on in death, that is, the first saint Confucius, and he does not say anything strange and chaotic, Confucius only talks about what he knows and firmly believes, Confucianism is the knowledge of those who enter the world, that is, the living people, Confucius said, 'Unknown life, how to know death', we want to live well first, we have not lived well, where to consider death." ”

Zhang Yuan's orthodox answer obviously could not satisfy Zhu Youxiao's curiosity, Zhu Youxiao said: "But I heard some palace people say that people have souls, and they become ghosts after death, what do you think, Mr. Zhang?" "Because the mother of the Wanli Emperor, the Empress Dowager Cisheng, believes in Buddhism, so since Wanli, the wind of believing in Buddhism in the Ming Palace has risen, and most of the eunuchs and palace maids believe in Buddhism.

Zhang Yuan said: "The soul and the ghost are not the same thing, the ghost is one of the six paths of Buddhism, and if a person does evil things, he will fall into the three evil paths of hungry ghosts, beasts and hell——"

"I know that." Zhu Youxiao said: "Mama told me that there are three evil ways and three good ways, good people are reborn in good ways after death, and bad people fall into evil ways, my third brother is a child, how can he do evil things, there seems to be no good things, so what path will he go?" ”

When Zhu Youxiao said this, Ke Yinyue's big beautiful eyes looked at Zhang Yuan, to see how Zhang Yuan answered, Zhang Yuan did not squint and said: "Buddhism guides people to do good, this is good, the people who destroy the great evil in this world are as rare as the people who are good and virtuous, the vast majority of people are neither good nor hateful, it is a pity that the three emperors and grandsons died young, and they must be born as people——"

Speaking of this, Zhang Yuan smiled slightly, and said: "Your Highness, I am your Confucian lecturer, not a monk who teaches the Fa, I only explain to Your Highness what I know and what I believe, first of all, I believe that people have souls, and I don't know what is going on with death, but there was a sage named Lie Yukou who said in the past, 'Death is life, one goes back, so those who die are not born in them?' '——", and explained to Zhu Youxiao in more understandable words, and then said: "So what Buddhism says is also possible, and it is also a relief for the three emperors and grandsons to relieve the pain of illness; Secondly, the Three Emperors and His Royal Highness are brothers, since he went to that unknown place, His Royal Highness can miss him, it is not good to be too sad, or to take care of his body, since he is alive, he must live well. ”

Zhu Youxiao nodded: "What Mr. Zhang said is that if you are reincarnated as a human being, you will have to grow up year by year, it will be so difficult, I really want to grow up quickly." ”

I believe that having an afterlife is a good thing for the benefit of the country and the people, and people with faith have a bottom line for dealing with people, and it is not easy to be hysterical, Zhang Yuan said with a smile: "Your Highness is right to think so, it's good to grow up." ”

But I heard Zhu Youxiao say again: "When I grow up, I can do what I want to do——"

Zhang Yuan asked: "What does Your Highness want to do when you grow up?" ”

Zhu Youxiao hesitated for a moment, looked at Zhang Yuan and said, "Mr. Zhang, if I tell the truth, don't scold me." ”

Zhang Yuan said: "Honesty is always a virtue. ”

Zhu Youxiao said: "If I don't have anything else to do when I grow up, I still want to play games and do carpentry work, thinking that my third brother will die at such a young age, so I have to play more, otherwise I will suffer too much." ”

Twelve-year-old Zhu Youxiao summed up the truth of having fun in time from the death of his younger brother, which is nothing to blame, Zhang Yuan can not talk to the emperor's eldest grandson at this time, "respect the beginning, be cautious at the end, chase the distance" This pursuit of moral crossing of the concept of life and death, Confucian moral ideals are a lofty goal, it is difficult to achieve, the late Ming Dynasty gentry became a hedonistic style, and the awakening of the surname was the first manifestation of selfishness, self-style, and contempt for traditional moral norms - Zhang Yuan could not say to Zhu Youxiao at this time, "You will be the emperor in a few years, You still have to study, otherwise you won't be able to understand the courtiers' recitals in the future, or you will be at the mercy of the eunuchs, Wei Zhongxian is also illiterate, and the illiterate is illiterate, just fooling you. Said: "His Royal Highness loves amusement and carpentry, and there is nothing wrong with this, but the book still has to be read, reading is reasonable, and can argue loyalty, His Royal Highness is the eldest grandson of the emperor, and is the hope of the people in the world. ”

Zhu Youxiao nodded and said: "Yes, Mr. Zhang is a loyal minister, and the previous Zhou lecturer was not very loyal, this is what I only understood after I came out of the cabinet to study." ”

Zhang Yuan smiled slightly: "Thank you Your Highness for your compliment, but sometimes your loyalty is contrary to your ears, and your Highness can't judge loyalty based on likes and dislikes when you hear unpleasant advice in the future, but you must consider it in many ways, listen to the opinions of others, and not listen to one person." ”

Zhu Youxiao said: "What Mr. Zhang said is both loyal and listening, so I will listen to Mr. Zhang." ”

Zhang Yuan said: "I am not a sage, I will definitely do the wrong thing and say the wrong thing, His Royal Highness can't listen to me alone, like Mr. Sun and Mr. Ma are very good speakers, Your Highness also has to listen to their kind words, listen to the opinions of several people on the same thing, and then make your own decisions, which is called partial listening is dark, and listening is clear." ”

Zhu Youxiao nodded and said to Ke Yinyue: "Mama, Mr. Zhang is really modest." ”

Ke Yinyue's flattering eyes looked at Zhang Yuan and responded: "Yes, Mr. Zhang is very modest, and he dares to admit that he has done something wrong." ”

Zhu Youxiao said strangely: "What did Mr. Zhang do wrong?" ”

Zhang Yuan was dry, and listened to the guest Yinyue replied: "Mama is an analogy, it means that Mr. Zhang has good morality." The wind of his eyes gently stroked towards Zhang Yuan.

Zhang Yuan smiled and said: "Thank you for your kind words, didn't Mama Ke prepare snacks for His Highness today?" ”

Ke Yinyue's eyes were flirtatious again, and said: "Brother, I have been restless these days, brother, after listening to Mr. Zhang's words, is my heart more comfortable?" ”

Zhu Youxiao said: "It's much more comfortable, the third brother Youji must have been reincarnated as a human being, and he has been breastfeeding again." ”

Ke Yinyue said: "How can it be so fast, and you have to conceive a baby in October." Seeing Zhang Yuan's eyes, his cheeks, which were as white as condensed fat, were slightly red.

Zhu Youxiao really felt that his heart was much opener, and he also had some appetite, and said: "Then Mama go and bring me some Wosi tiger eye candy, Buddha Polo honey, and flower and fruit puff pastry to eat, and also bring a few pieces of nectar cake for Mr. Zhang." ”

When Zhang Yuan heard the word "nectar cake", he hurriedly said: "I don't eat it." ”

Ke Yinyue on the side smiled on her lips and said, "This manna cake was sent by Guanglu Temple. ”

Zhang Yuan said: "I don't eat either, I'm afraid that the official will impeach me for being greedy for snacks and not being a teacher, Your Highness can eat, Your Highness is a child who is growing up, and he usually says that he should eat more and be more active - okay, let's start reading now, read aloud." ”

Ke Yinyue said to Zhu Youxiao: "Brother, that grandma will go back to the palace first, and I will bring you refreshments when I get to the main stage." ”

Wei Dynasty followed Ke Yinyue back to the palace, Wei Jinzhong also resigned to inspect the Jiazi library, here only Zhong Benhua, Gao Qi Qian waiting, Zhang Yuan began to speak, still reviewed the learned "Analects" chapter, and then opened a new chapter, Zhang Yuan allowed Zhu Youxiao to ask questions at any time during his lecture, and asked if he didn't understand, so that Zhu Youxiao could concentrate - after talking for most of the hour, Ke Yinyue led a palace person to hold a dim sum lacquer box, and Zhang Yuan asked Zhu Youxiao to rest and eat dim sum, Zhang principle practiced Tai Chi twice on the corridor of the hall to stretch his muscles and bones, this is his habit, he also practiced in the Hanlin Academy, but he had never practiced in the palace, now seeing Zhu Youxiao's poor physique, he decided to ignore the criticism that may be caused, and to guide Zhu Youxiao to exercise, the third emperor Sun Zhu Youji died, the Wanli Emperor and the crown prince Zhu Changluo must be in a heavy mood, at this time the time to teach Zhu Youxiao to strengthen the body is just right - sure enough, Zhu Youxiao, who was eating flowers and fruits on the side, looked at Zhang Yuan practicing boxing curiously, and when Zhang Yuan practiced, he hurriedly asked: "Mr. Zhang, What kind of martial arts are you practicing? ”

Zhang Yuan said: "This is to strengthen the body, I am tired of reading and writing, so I get up and practice twice, it is very good for the body, Your Highness also learns with me?" ”

Zhu Youxiao said happily: "Great, Mr. Zhang is really a civil and military all-rounder." ”

Zhang Yuan said with a smile: "What am I doing, Mr. Wang Yangming and Mr. Tang Jingchuan are both great Confucians and proficient in martial arts, Mr. Yangming suddenly roared when he pacified the rebellion of King Ning and meditated at night to recuperate, and several people in the army were thrilled to hear it, Mr. Tang Jingchuan wrote a book on martial arts, called "Martial Arts Edition", where can I write if I don't know martial arts." ”

Zhu Youxiao asked: "Then why didn't Mr. Wang and Mr. Tang come to the East Palace to be lecturers?" No matter how famous Wang Yangming is, Zhu Youxiao doesn't know, a few days ago, Zhang Yuan mentioned Li Bai and Du Fu in a lecture, Zhu Youxiao didn't know who it was, and the little carpenter's knowledge was really pitiful.

Zhang Yuan said with a smile: "Those are all people from a hundred years ago, and they were all loyal ministers when they were alive." Immediately taught Zhu Youxiao a few simple Tai Chi boxing, and asked Gao Qiqian to learn it together, and practice it several times in the morning and evening.

Zhu Youxiao asked while practicing: "Mr. Zhang, why is this boxing so slow?" ”

Zhang Yuan said: "This is to practice slowly, Your Highness has practiced this boxing technique well, it is good for reading and writing, and it is also good for doing carpentry work?" ”

Zhu Youxiao's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly asked: "It's also good for carpentry?" ”

Zhang Yuan said: "The heart is calm, the hands are steady, and there is no disadvantage. ”

At this time, Zhu Youxiao was interested, and he compared with Gao Qiqian with taste, Zhang Yuan stood on the side and watched, whether he practiced correctly or not, it was a good thing to be willing to move, and he thought that it was not very suitable for the little carpenter to practice Tai Chi.

Ke Yinyue came over with a lacquer box and said, "What does Mr. Zhang want to eat?" ”

Zhang Yuan said: "Thank you Mama, I really don't eat anything." ”

Ke Yinyue said softly: "It's all something that my brother can eat, and Mr. Zhang can eat it too." ”

Zhang Yuan said: "Disaster comes from the mouth, and illness comes from the mouth." ”

Ke Yinyue chuckled: "I didn't expect Mr. Zhang to be so timid, so why-"

"Mama Ke," Zhang Yuan interrupted Ke Yinyue's words, "Don't always mention what should be said, that won't be good for me or Mama." ”

Since being touched by Zhang Yuan, Ke Yinyue seemed to have lost her awe of Zhang Yuan and Zhang Xiu, the speaker of the East Palace, and said: "This is what Mr. Zhang mentioned first, what do you say." ”

It was too awkward for this to be so abbreviated by Ke Yinyue, Zhang Yuan shook his head, he couldn't fall out with Ke Yinyue, no one could replace this woman's position in the eyes of the emperor's eldest grandson, others didn't know the important surname of the Ke family, how could he Zhang Yuan not know if he was far-sighted, and said: "Where is Brother Ling now?" Ming said that he would come to the Hanlin Academy to find me, and I would find him an errand. ”

Ke Yinyue was happier with Zhang Yuan's overtures, and said with a smile: "But my brother has already returned to Baoding, and he went back a few months ago." ”

Zhang Yuan said: "Then let's talk about it next time, Mama Ke has something to say." ”

Ke Yinyue said: "Thank you Mr. Zhang, Mr. Zhang is really an honest gentleman." ”

This clock Benhua came over and said: "Zhang Xiu, Ming is the Mid-Autumn Festival, there is no curfew in the inner city, how about the miscellaneous family invite you to drink and admire the moon in Shichahai?" ”

Zhang Yuan said: "I'm sorry, Gonggong Zhong, I have already asked a few friends from the Han Society to have a party, so let's talk about bothering my father-in-law again." ”

Eunuch Zhong said: "Why don't you invite all friends to come together, Zhang Xiushu knows, the miscellaneous family is famous for hospitality in Hangzhou, the literati and scholars are full of friends, and the moonlight of the Ten Seas is better than the moonlight of the West Lake, Zhang Xiuxiu should not miss it." ”

It was difficult to resist the enthusiasm, Zhang Yuan said: "Well, tomorrow evening, I will call friends to disturb my father-in-law." ”

Eunuch Zhong said happily: "I can't ask for it, I can't ask for it." ”

…… At dusk, Zhang Yuan went out of Dong'anmen, but saw his senior brother Xu Guangqi waiting for him, Xu Guangqi said: "Jiezi, I have always wanted to invite you to Xicheng Catholic Church to observe, but you are not idle, how about going to see it today?" ”

Zhang Yuan saw that Xu Guangqi's face was a little wrong, and said, "Okay, let's go with Senior Brother." "Let Wuling go back to the East Fourth Archway, and Wang Dazhui and Mu Zhenzhen will go to the Catholic Church with him.

The Catholic Church is in the east corner of Xuanwu Gate, seven or eight miles away from Dong'an Gate, Xu Guangqi got into the carriage and asked Zhang Yuan to come up, Zhang Yuan glanced at Mu Zhenzhen, Mu Zhenzhen said softly: "Young Master, it doesn't matter, I don't feel it." ”

Zhang Yuan got into the carriage and asked, "Senior Brother Xu, is there something going on with the Jesuits in Nanjing?" ”

Xu Guangqi asked: "Jie Zi has also read today's Di Bao?" ”

Zhang Yuan said: "No, I entered the palace today to speak, and I didn't see the latest newspaper." ”

Xu Guangqi said: "Jie Zi is really like a god, insightful, you said last year that Wang Fengsu will also cause trouble, sure enough, Shen Yu, the waiter of the Nanjing Ministry of Rites, had "Shen Yuan Yi Shu" in September last year to ask for the closure of the Nanjing Catholic Church, and also detained Wang Fengsu, at that time it was you who came forward to temporarily resolve the crisis, but Shen Yu was willing, in May this year, there was "Shen Yuan Yi Shu" sent to the General Administration Department, but because of the attack case, the cabinet had no time to distract for a while, and this month Shen Yu was on "Shen Yuan Yi Sanshu", Shen Yu is menacing this time, uniting Xu Ruke in the Nanjing Ministry of Rites, Yan Wenhui and Yu Maoyu and others in the Nanjing Ministry of Rites, Fang Ge Lao supported Shen Yu, and planned to order the Nanjing Criminal Department to arrest Wang Fengsu and Xie Wulu first, and seal up the Nanjing Catholic Church, and the next step is to issue a ban on Christianity, if it really comes to that point, Li Gong's decades of hard work in China will be in vain. ”

Zhang Yuan frowned, and listened to Xu Guangqi and said: "Shen Yu's recital is really ridiculous, saying that if the Catholics in the Atlantic are expelled and dismissed, the country will be peaceful for thousands of years, and there will be no accidents. ”

Zhang Yuan said: "Those who are short-sighted and self-contained, but they think they are protecting the country when they mislead the country, which is ridiculous!" Contemptible! ”

Xu Guangqi said: "I have written a recital for Western studies and the defense of the Jesuits, you can take a look at it first." As he spoke, he took out a roll of manuscript paper from his arms and handed it to Zhang Yuan.

Zhang Yuan unfolded it, and wrote at the beginning: "The ministers see the Di Bao, the Nanjing Rite Department and the Western courtiers Pang Di'e, etc., and the inner words 'they say that they are immersed in silver, that is, the scholars also have a letter to them'; I also tried to test the calendar with it, and the sparse chapters before and after were in front of the emperor, and the people who spoke about the stars and officials, and the ministers also ......"

Xu Guangqi is to stand up and put himself and Pang Di'e, Wang Fengsu and others together to defend themselves, this requires courage, many people are afraid of affecting themselves, it is too late to clear up, in this thousands of words of defense, Xu Guangqi from his contact with Catholicism to the course of faith one by one, reflecting how a knowledge-seeking scholar does not abandon Confucianism and believes in the spiritual path of God, and analyzes the various misunderstandings of Western Catholic doctrine and followers one by one, and refutes all kinds of rumors. I implore the Wanli Emperor to tolerate the Catholics and the monks and Taoists - after seeing Xu Guangqi's defense, Zhang Yuan was very moved, Senior Brother Xu's open-mindedness and courage to defend the truth made him admire, Senior Brother Xu defended not only the doctrine of God, Senior Brother Xu valued more Western knowledge that is conducive to the national economy and people's livelihood, Zhang Yuan said: "Senior Brother Xu, don't worry too much, Senior Brother Ming said Shangshu, I will also unite several people to help Senior Brother Shangshu, and we must stop the promulgation of the ban on teaching." ”

Xu Guangqi's face was worried: "There is Fang Ge Lao who supports Shen Yu, and I am afraid that it will be difficult to stop this matter." ”

Zhang Yuan understood what Senior Brother Xu meant, Fang Congzhe was already very dissatisfied with him because of Binghe's theory, and supporting Shen Yu's handling of the Nanjing teaching case was a blow to Binghe's theory, wouldn't it be another fuel to the fire for him to defend the Jesus priest, and Fang Congzhe had to deal with it strictly-Zhang Yuan said: "I will try my best to think of more ways and do my best." ”

Coming to the Xuanwumen Catholic Church, Pang Di'e, Long Huamin, and Jinnige came out to greet each other when they heard the news, Xu Guangqi introduced Zhang Yuan one by one, Jinnige was an old acquaintance, and said: "Zhang Xiuzuo, since the end of last year, he and Zhang Xiuzuo arrived in Beijing on the same boat, and it has not been until now that I have said goodbye to Zhang Xiuzuo. ”

Zhang Yuan said: "Priest Jin, there is good news below, "Aesop's Fables" has been engraved and printed by our Hanshe Book Company, and it should be sent to the capital next month. ”

Jinnige smiled bitterly and said: "If the ban on religion comes down, we and the people of Taixi will have to leave the Ming Kingdom, and I am afraid that I will not be able to see the Chinese version of "Yishi Fable". ”

Zhang Yuan was relieved: "Don't be pessimistic, God will grant you good luck, and the spirit of Ligong in heaven will also protect you." ”

Pang Di'e, Hua Huamin and others thanked Zhang Yuan for his blessings, led Zhang Yuan to visit the church by Jinnige, the right side of the church is Matteo Ricci's mansion, which was given by the Wanli Emperor, Matteo Ricci raised funds to build the Catholic Church on the left side of the house, it is the kind of Gothic architectural style, the minaret is towering, the pillars are slender, the doors and windows are embedded with stained glass, the algae painting is gorgeous, the craftsmen, glass, and painters are transported from Italy and France from thousands of miles away, the portrait of Jesus in the church is high on it, Jesus holds the armillary map in his left hand, and points to the person who looks up at him with his right hand, There is the Church of Our Lady on the right, it is the statue of the girl holding the baby, the Virgin looks holy and quiet, which makes people feel at ease at first sight - Zhang Yuan and Mu Zhenzhen, Wang Dazhui watched a mass in the Catholic Church, did not have dinner in the church, hurried back to the East Fourth Archway, today is August 14, as usual curfew, it is not good to return late to violate the ban.

(To be continued)