Chapter 52. After the next dynasty (down).

"In front of you, is Xiao Zirou Xiao's sedan chair?"

Xiao Mo was about to ask Deng Shangquan further about it, when he heard someone shouting behind the sedan chair, and couldn't help frowning slightly. 【】

At this time, Xiao Mo, in the face of the increasingly complex situation in the temple today, only felt that he lacked brainpower, was upset and confused; And because he has been leading troops for several months, he has not returned home for a long time, and he is eager to reunite with his relatives. All of this is the last thing I want to be disturbed.

It is precisely because he understands Xiao Mo's mind that although Xiao Mo is now the hottest upstart in the court, and anyone wants to make friends, but there are countless civil and military forces in the Manchu Dynasty, no one will take the liberty to disturb at this time, it is precisely because he is afraid that doing so will damage his image in Xiao Mo's heart.

Who is it that is so uninteresting?

"No matter who it is, if you reply to him, you will say that I am tired and that I will come back another day if I have something."

Sighing slightly, Xiao Mo instructed Deng Shangquan.

Listening to this person's voice, he was not familiar with it, and Fang Qian did not hear the sound of gongs and drums that should be heard when the important ministers of the court and the central government traveled, thinking that it was a minor official in Beijing who did not even have the qualifications to be ranked in the temple, and with Xiao Mo's current identity, he was not afraid of offending.

In Xiao Mo's mind, such a character wants to meet him, but he just wants to curry favor with himself and seek a relationship with Guanpan.

Deng Shangquan also understood Xiao Mo's mood now, nodded, and walked to the back of the sedan chair.

However, after a while, Deng Shangquan returned to the sedan chair, but his face was serious, and he suggested to Xiao Mo: "Young master, in my opinion, it is better for you to see him." ”

Seeing that Deng Shangquan was a rare violation of his will, Xiao Mo couldn't help but be slightly stunned, puzzled in his heart, and asked, "Why?" ”

"The person who came called himself Steng, and he was a member of the Shi family."

Hearing Deng Shangquan's explanation, Xiao Mo finally came to his senses.

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As mentioned above, after the founding of the Chu Dynasty, Chu Taizu respected the literati the most, although he was born in a soldier and did not know much about big words, he always tried to eliminate the traces of warlords on his body, calling himself "Yajun" and "Wenjun", and showing goodwill to scholars everywhere.

After ascending the throne as the king, Chu Taizu often wore civilian clothes, and, or consulted, during the party, regardless of the status, the speech did not distinguish between merit and crime, so that within a few years, it was already the heart of the world's scholars.

One day, Chu Taizu gathered with a group of literary sages again, and when discussing the word "sage", he asked all the sages "what is a sage".

Accounts differ and opinions vary.

The flatterer said: "Your Majesty has stabilized the world, blessed all the people, and now is revitalizing literature and educating the world, which can be described as a holy monarch and a saint." ”

Another old-fashioned and conservative person said: "Since Confucius and Mencius, there have been no saints." ”

Or someone has a little insight and explained to Chu Taizu: "The so-called saint is nothing more than knowing etiquette, knowing heavenly principles, keeping pure will, and obeying the way of heaven. ”

At this moment, one of them suddenly burst out laughing, and the laughter was full of disdain, which made everyone look sideways.

Everyone looked at it, but it was Shi Liang, the most prestigious historian of the Chu Dynasty at that time.

Someone angrily reprimanded, saying, "Why are you laughing at our talk about virtuous people? But look down on our opinions? ”

Shi Liang ignored the shouts of others, just walked up to Chu Taizu and said, "A saint is also a perfect person, but how can there really be a perfect person in the world?" The world calls Confucius a perfect man, but not to mention that he once blamed his disciple Yan Hui, just that he ran between the nations and made friends with the princes, although there were many setbacks, but also a lot of scenery, but in his heart he only thought about the ambition in his chest, neglected his family, and did not return home for more than ten years, making his wife starving, his son dying of illness, and the resentment of the clan, such a person can be called a perfect saint? If Confucius cannot be called a perfect saint, how can there be a perfect saint in this world? ”

Hearing Shi Liang's words, Chu Taizu felt justified and couldn't help but be silent.

But seeing Shi Liang continued: "However, although there is no saint in the world who is perfect, the world can keep himself close to perfection, grow up and become virtuous, and when he dies of old age, although he does not dare to call himself perfect, he has no regrets." ”

Hearing this, Chu Taizu said solemnly: "Please teach me Xianda." ”

Shi Liang smiled: "Without him." As a person, he introspects every day, and corrects his mistakes; To govern the country, we should take history as a mirror and distinguish right from wrong. All in all, if Your Majesty can consider the rise and fall of the past life and the gains and losses of the present, even if he cannot become a perfect person, he will still become the closest person to a perfect person. ”

Hearing Shi Liang's words, Chu Taizu stroked his palms and sighed, and after pondering for a while, he said: "Although the words of the virtuous are reasonable, I am afraid that as a person in the bureau, I will not be able to understand it, although I reflect on myself every day, in the end I will make mistakes and do not know it." ”

Shi Liang said with a smile: "I am waiting for Sima Men people (Note 1), and at that time, I will take the responsibility for this matter." ”

Hearing Shi Liang's words, Chu Taizu was overjoyed, and immediately worshiped him as Doctor Yinqing Guanglu, the head of the Great Chu Historian, in charge of the royal archives and the records of all affairs in the court; Later, Shi Liang's younger brother Shi Min was appointed as the servant of the Fuwen Pavilion, responsible for screening similar situations in the past dynasties from many historical materials when the emperor encountered difficult things, and concentrated them in one volume for the emperor's reference; Shi Liang's eldest son, Shi Ce, was then appointed as the living officer around him, recording the emperor's daily words and deeds, and making a living record, which was presented to the emperor that night, so that the emperor could reflect on himself every day.

For more than 140 years, the historian has been trusted by generations of emperors, and to this day, these three responsibilities are still in the hands of the descendants of the historian.

In addition, the revision and writing of the annals of the emperors of the Chu Dynasty after the collapse of the dynasty were also the responsibility of the Shi family.

It can be seen from this that although the Shi clan has little power and responsibility, but in the Chu Dynasty, it is a very special existence, even if it is as powerful as Zhang Qian and noble as Wang Han, if it is not a last resort, it will not be easily provoked, because once you offend the Shi clan, although it will not bring any trouble, but who knows how they will write you when the history books are revised a few days later? What kind of infamy did you get into the ages?

Therefore, Deng Shangquan suggested that Xiao Mo meet with Steng and not offend, which is understandable.

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Recalling the duties of the Shi clan in the Chu Dynasty and the meaning it represented, Xiao Mo couldn't help sighing, although he was not afraid, he didn't dare to offend easily, and casually pointed to a tavern on the side of the road, and ordered: "Go there and ask for a private room, although it is inconvenient to take him back to the house today, but you can't just talk on the side of the road." ”

After the entourage around him took the order, Xiao Mo got off the sedan chair and met with Steng under the leadership of Deng Shangquan.

When he first saw Steng, Xiao Mo couldn't help but be stunned.

I saw that Steng was not too old to stand, his face and figure were ordinary, his clothes were ordinary, but his eyes were bright, and he stood there, with a quiet and humble temperament, which made people feel good.

To Xiao Mo's surprise, there was no carriage or sedan chair around Steng's body, and when he looked at Steng's body, he was even more covered with sweat stains, and even his clothes were damp......

Could it be that Steng actually ran all the way to here?

Coming to Steng, Xiao Mo didn't have time to speak, but he heard Steng already bow down and salute first, and said, "Guanglu Doctor Sten, I've seen adults, I took the liberty to disturb, and I ask your forgiveness." ”

Xiao Mo hurriedly held him up and said, "Don't dare, Mr. is polite, Mr. is a senior in the literary world, but he can't salute a junior like me." ”

Steng shook his head and said, "It should be, it should be." On the official position, your lord is a scholar of Hallym University, a scholar of the Ministry of Rites and Rites, a doctor of Zhengfeng, a marquis of Weiguo, and a special goldfish bag, and the official is from the second grade, and the official is high and noble, all of which are far above the lower officials; On learning, my lord, you created 'Xiao Ti', the author of "The New Interpretation of the Mean", "Self-disturbing Words", "Ask Confucianism" three books, but also the lower officials can not reach, on personal feelings, my lord, you will save the building of the general tilt, drive the barbarians to the Shangyuan, the most admired by the lower officials, such a salute, should be. ”

Xiao Mo saw that Steng's words were sincere, humble and sincere, and couldn't help nodding secretly, the previous unhappiness faded away, but he no longer tried to convince, but just said: "In this case, I will no longer be polite and hypocritical, there is chaos on the street, let's go to the clean place and talk in detail." ”

As he spoke, Xiao Mo led Steng towards the restaurant next to him.

After taking a seat in the private room, Xiao Mo looked at Shi Teng for a while, and asked with a smile: "I see that Mr. is faintly sweaty, could it be that Mr. did not take a carriage, but came on foot?" ”

Steng seemed a little embarrassed and said, "If you go back to your words, that's exactly the case. ”

Xiao Mo asked, "Why is this?" ”

Shi Teng's face turned slightly red, and after hesitating for a moment, he finally replied: "In Xiaguan's house, there is no carriage, and there is no sedan chair driver, and every day when he goes out, he walks on foot. ”

Speaking of this, Shi Teng seemed to let go a little, and further explained: "Our clan has been gifted by the Taizu, and after becoming a historian of the imperial court, the ancestors have left all kinds of ancestral precepts, that is, 'the record is not hearty, the silence is silent, the clan is not a party, the remaining sons are not officials and businessmen, and it does not take money, but if there is a violation, the Shi family has to claim to be self-proclaimed'." In addition, the people of my clan all love books, but all spare money is used in this regard, so I and other people of the Shi clan have always been shy in their pockets, and there is not much money left, but it makes adults laugh. ”

Xiao Mo was puzzled: "What does this mean by 'recording without heart, keeping silent, clansmen not party, remaining sons not official and businessmen, and not taking its wealth'?" ”

Hearing Xiao Mo's inquiry, Shi Teng's face showed a little pride, and he explained to Xiao Mo one by one: "The so-called 'recording is not heart', that is, my Shi clan, whether it is recording the affairs of the temple, or revising the annals, or recording the emperor's daily life words and deeds, must not have their own emotions and thoughts, and describe them fairly, and must not be biased; Nor should you open your mouth to interfere in any matter between the DPRK and China......"

After a pause, Sten continued, "...... The so-called 'clan is not a party' means that all members of our Shi family must not form a party with the courtiers, let alone take the initiative to participate in party struggles, which is also for the purpose of recording the fairness of historical events; As for 'it does not take money', it is easy to understand, that is, it does not take money other than its own land and wealth, even if it is the ice and carbon respect that foreign officials routinely come from, or the reward of His Majesty, it is the same......"

Speaking of this, Shi Teng smiled wryly, and then said: "Others are easy to say, but the article of 'Yu Zi is not an official and does not business', but it is a pain to our descendants, over the years, my Shi family has multiplied by blood, the more the population, but there are only three or five people in each generation who can be officials, the more expenses, but the income remains the same, and the more shy it is, to this day, it is no longer possible to raise a carriage and a sedan chair driver, and walking on foot every day is a joke for adults." ”

The Shi family's good intentions, strict family education, and pure intentions are so good that it is no wonder that the emperors of all dynasties have trusted the Shi family.

Looking at Steng's expression again, although there was some complaint, but more of it was still frank and indifferent, which made Xiao Mo feel awe-inspired.

Thinking about the Chu Dynasty's countless civil and military affairs, including Xiao Mo himself, he has always been cautious about the Shi family, for fear of offending and attracting revenge from the book, but he spent the belly of a gentleman with the heart of a villain.

Thinking of this, Xiao Mo sighed and said: "I often hear about the families of the Chu Dynasty, only the historian can be called a rigorous family style, I originally thought it was just an exaggeration, but today I believe it." ”

Stong said humbly: "My lord, Miao, praised. ”

Xiao Mo shook his head and said, "This is by no means a polite word, but a sincere word. But I don't know what is the matter with me today? ”

Shi Teng replied: "That's the case, the battle of Shangyuan City can be called the most important event in my Great Chu in the past hundred years, but the details are not very clear. In addition, although the adult is just over 20 years old, he is already famous in the world, and everyone knows that my historian wants to write a biography for the adult in the future and join the "Biography of the Virtuous Minister", but I also need to have a further understanding of the adult. ”

Hearing that the Shi family wanted to establish a biography for himself in the future, Xiao Mo was not as overjoyed as others, but just nodded indifferently and agreed, and reported all the important details of the battle of Shangyuan City to Shi Teng. As for his own affairs, in addition to many secrets that cannot be said, the rest are also frank.

The reason why he is so honest is that Xiao Mo doesn't want to leave a false self for future generations, but it is also out of admiration for the Shi family.

When it comes to the compilation of the future annals, Shi Teng's expression has changed, he is no longer humble and quiet as before, his face is full of seriousness, and he takes it seriously, occasionally Xiao Mo wants to hear his opinion, but he never answers, it is the ancestral precept of "keeping his mouth shut".

Unconsciously, the sun was setting outside the sky, thinking that there were still relatives waiting at home, Xiao Mo Wanyan proposed to return home, but Steng just thought of the recklessness of today's actions, and after repeatedly apologizing and claiming to be disturbed, he no longer entangled.

What amazed Xiao Mo was that when they broke up, although it was only a few bowls of tea, Steng still insisted on paying for each other.

In this way, after saying goodbye to Steng, Xiao Mo finally settled quietly, and after this incident, he returned to the sedan chair, but he didn't have the heart to think about anything else.

It didn't take long for the sedan chair to fall, Xiao Mo walked out of the sedan chair, and the first thing he saw was not the grandeur and luxury of his new home, nor the hustle and bustle of the surrounding onlookers, but outside the gate, under the leadership of Xiao Mo's grandfather and grandmother, when a group of relatives waited, the anxiety and concern between their expressions.

……

Xiao Mo led the troops to fight outside for several months, and finally returned home today, reunited with his relatives, not to mention his own affectionate concern, just talking about Shangyuan City, at the same time, there was an accidental event that would affect the general trend of the world in the future, but at this time, no one would have thought that this "little thing" that happened by chance would have such a far-reaching impact.

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(Note 1: Even though Confucianism is as exclusive as the Ming and Qing dynasties, there are still some scholars who do not worship Confucius and call themselves Sima Men to show respect for Sima Qian.) ）