On the shore of Xuanwu Lake, there is a pavilion.

The surrounding area is open, and there are many flowers and plants, and the literati and scholars like to gather here.

There is a debate today.

Datong Emperor Zhao Han's argument with pearls, the cause and effect, has been added to the oil and vinegar spread all over the world. In addition, the government did not punish for its words, and now not only is it common to form associations, but there are also people holding debates every three days.

Zhang Erqi was from Jiyang, Shandong, hated the imperial examination and refused to go out. After more than ten years of droughts, locust plagues, military disasters and plagues, Zhang Erqi began to reflect on how to govern the world, and his approach was to find it from the ancient rites.

Only in his thirties, Zhang Erqi is already proficient in the three rites, namely "Etiquette", "Zhou Rite", and "Etiquette".

He taught private school in his hometown, and was often visited by scholars. Since last autumn, primary schools have been being built in various parts of Shandong, and Zhang Erqi is reluctant to be a primary school teacher, and private schools have not been able to recruit any students, so he simply stays at home and studies behind closed doors.

The magistrate of Jiyang admired his talent and visited him in person to ask for advice.

Under some academic exchanges, the magistrate said: "Mr.'s talent should be heard in the world." Now that Shandong is withering and the style of writing is declining, why not go to Nanjing to spread knowledge? ”

So, Zhang Erqi came to Nanjing and found an errand for editing in a bookstore.

He also contributed articles to various literary societies in Nanjing, and published several articles on "rites" one after another. In just half a year, he became famous, but at the same time was besieged by opponents.

At this moment, Zhang Erqi is expounding his point of view: "Husband, suppress people's arrogance, resist people's cowardice, so as to be in the middle." The hostages in the world are inconvenienced, and they cannot be at ease. Uneasy, fearing that the way is broken, and the things that refer to the rites are praised with frank words, so that they are said in the deepest and greatest places, so the heart of the person who adheres to the rites is also ......"

Roughly speaking, etiquette can restrain people's perverseness and resist people's cowardice. People in the world can't understand the essence of etiquette, so they can't really observe etiquette. If we can't keep the etiquette, we may have a moral decline and the etiquette may collapse. People point to gifts (torii, tsuna, vulgar, etc.) and say that the rite is these things, and it is easy to do. Then go to study the Compendium of Rites, study the chastity archway, and use the principles of heaven and earth to package and explain it. In this way, everyone's heart of observance of etiquette will become observance of etiquette and religion in accordance with the rules.

The scholars couldn't help nodding, and even Zhang Erqi's opponents thought that this passage was level.

But then Zhang Erqi said: "Rites are the collection and embodiment of the Tao, even if there is a road of benevolence and goodness, if you don't use etiquette as a way of education, it will not be able to spread to all the people in the world." What the saints support, is what the rites support; What the saints criticize is what they oppose......"

"Ridiculous," a scholar immediately interrupted, "you simply say that a saint is a ritual!" ”

Zhang Erqi said: "The reason why a saint is holy is because he knows etiquette and observes etiquette. Therefore, if a saint is incivil, he is holy if he knows his etiquette and observes it. If you can also know the etiquette, then you can also be saints. This ritual is a real propriety, not a manifestation of the moral norm. Ethics is often an expression of propriety, but not propriety itself. ”

This is incomprehensible, because he himself defines the saint and blocks all avenues of refutation for his opponents.

Another scholar said: "Affection, affection, etiquette is nothing but affection." ”

Zhang Erqi shook his head and said: "There is a difference between good and evil, and there is no difference between good and evil. If there is evil feelings, let them be restrained with courtesy. It's like I love a woman, but she's married. Although this is not a bad feeling, but if it is not in line with etiquette, I can't be a fair lady and a gentleman. If you intercede in everything, you will be morally corrupt and the world will be in chaos. In the old dynasty, civil officials were rampant with corruption, and military generals were tyrannical and cruel to the people. ”

Some scholars sneered: "Strong words! The examples you just gave are about desire, not love. Zhu Ziyan preserves heavenly principles and destroys people's desires. Husband and wife, marriage, food and stomach, heaven and reason; There are groups of wives and concubines, big fish and big meat, and people want to do it. ”

Zhang Erqi said: "To abide by etiquette is to abide by the principles of heaven, which is exactly what I said. ”

Another scholar asked, "Then tell me whether a widow should remarry?" I thought it was time to remarry, but Zhu Zi advised the widow not to remarry. Is Zhuzi a saint? If it is a saint, according to what you just said, what the saint supports is supported by propriety, is it also indecent for a widow to remarry? ”

Zhang Erqi said: "A widow should not remarry according to etiquette, but everything has the right to change. Now the north has experienced wars, husbands have lost their wives, and wives have lost their husbands. If widowers and widows can reorganize their families, they can help each other and prosper at the same time. Humanity is also a courtesy. ”

"Haha, humanity is love, where is the etiquette?" The gentleman laughed and said, "A widower and a widow get married, and it is reasonable to go back to courtesy." What does this mean? Explain the opportunity of contingency, and put love first. The ruthless gift is an evil gift and a crooked reason! ”

Zhang Erqi said: "No, no." The widow and widow got married, and the power of the dynasty changed. If the people are prosperous in the future, the widow should not remarry. If a widow does not marry, she will be like a loyal minister and a good general, and she will end up with the Son of Heaven. These three outlines and five constants must not be changed. ”

"Fart, women are human too. A widower can remarry, but why can't a widow remarry? ”

A scholar shouted: "It is only right for a widow to remarry." His Majesty encouraged widows to remarry, and this should be the best in the world. Could it be that you still want to criticize Your Majesty? I think you are a rebel and thief, and you must be a spy sent by the Tartars to disturb public opinion! ”

Zhang Erqi was also angry: "Hugh has to slander me!" His Majesty encouraged widows to remarry, all because of the turmoil and power changes, and revive the north as soon as possible! ”

The two sides are not clear at all, because everyone has different definitions of love and courtesy.

Don't feel that you are full, this is really a national event, and they want to use their own ideas to build the social values of the new dynasty of Datong.

Zhang Erqi, who was in another time and space, became more conservative in his views due to the Manchu Qing Dynasty's entry into the Central Plains.

In the society of the late Ming Dynasty, the ideological atmosphere was fragmented.

Some are extremely conservative, some are extremely open, and there are more and more people who are open.

Open-minded people advocate self-worth, pursue equality between men and women, and advocate comity and affection. Moreover, the mainstream of academics, in tracing back to the pre-Qin Zhuzi, even those who abide by Cheng Zhu's theory also like to study the value of the hundred schools of thought, and the combination of the prince's theory is also recognized.

Historically, after the Manchu Qing Dynasty entered the customs, the ideological atmosphere took a sharp turn for the worse.

People don't pursue themselves anymore, they don't talk about equality between men and women, and they think that they should suppress feelings with courtesy. The hundreds of schools of thought were rejected and slandered, and only recognized Cheng Zhu Lixue, and Wang Ba was changed to only respect the king.

Now, Zhao Han's establishment of a new dynasty did not emasculate social thought, but instead provoked a more complex and diverse academic trend.

There are even outliers who ask: Men can take concubines, why can't women have multiple husbands? The imperial court should support the freedom of marriage, and as long as the woman is able, she can marry more husbands.

This is an era of a hundred flowers blooming, and it is also an era of demons dancing.

The Manchu Qing Dynasty made Cao Fengji, and at this moment he stood next to Qian Qianyi, listening to these scholars debating love rites.

Cao Fengji sighed: "Nanjing's literary style is prosperous, and it is really far beyond the north!" ”

Qian Qianyi said: "Your Majesty today, although he is stubborn and self-serving, he does not interfere in academic disputes, which is also excellent. It's just that it's too confusing, there are hundreds of theories in various places, and there are quite a lot of treacherous theories. This is not conducive to the rule of the imperial court, and His Majesty should restrain it a little. ”

Cao Fengji asked, "Does Mu Weng think that the Datong Imperial Court can last long?" ”

"Naturally for a long time," Qian Qianyi said with a smile, "Could it be that the thieves in the northwest and the Tartars in Liaodong can still win the world?" ”

Cao Fengji nodded and said, "Later life also thinks so." ”

Qian Qianyi suddenly complained again: "The new dynasty is prosperous, but my generation can only watch. What can I do about such a situation? It's a pity, it's a pity. ”

Cao Fengji took the opportunity to say: "There are countless protégés and former officials, why don't you also form a literary society and teach your own knowledge?" The cabinet elder Li Ge (Li Banghua) heard that the children of the clan are quite powerful in the DPRK and the army. Such a powerful minister, the family is dominant, and sooner or later His Majesty will be jealous. If this person falls, a folk relict like Mu Weng will definitely be reused by His Majesty. ”

This meticulous worker actually wanted to provoke a party struggle in Nanjing.

Qian Qianyi looked quite moved, and sighed again: "The new dynasty is not like the old dynasty, and with my reputation, I can't respond to all the calls." In the past, there were many wealthy businessmen and scholars who donated money, but now how can I have the financial resources to make a big move? ”

Cao Fengji said: "I am not talented in my later life, I have some silver in my hand, and I am willing to help the shepherd." ”

Qian Qianyi didn't agree directly, but asked, "Are you a fine worker sent by Li Zicheng?" ”

Cao Fengji was stunned for a moment, and then smiled: "Mu Weng has good eyesight. ”

Qian Qianyi said: "Li Zicheng can't do anything, but well, if he wants to send me silver, I can also help him do something." Alas, I can't be in a high position in this life, and I can only get some money to live up in my life. ”

Cao Fengji had no doubt, because this kind of operation was normal, and Chongzhen had a large number of similar people under his hands.

Cao Fengji's mission to go south this time was not to lure anyone to surrender to the enemy, because that was obviously unrealistic. His task was to bribe officials and scholars, obtain all kinds of intelligence information, and preferably mess up the Nanjing court, so that Zhao Han would be suspicious of those important ministers who could do things.

The two said no more and went home separately.

In the afternoon, Zuo Xiaocheng came to Cao Fengji's house: "Shopkeeper Cao, the person has been contacted, but this person has no ambition and no ability. ”

"Don't rush, take your time." Cao Fengji smiled.

Zuo Xiaocheng spread his hands: "Shopkeeper Cao, that ...... Under the hand is a little tight. ”

Cao Fengji smiled kindly, asked people to take five taels of silver, stuffed it into Zuo Xiaocheng's hand and said: "Do something for me, the silver is there, and there will be a heavy reward in the future." ”

Zuo Xiaocheng came into contact with the grandson of the concubine of the previous dynasty, that is, the concubine who brought Zhu Cihong and Zhu Yujiao to Nanjing. His family, in the spring of the following year, was also brought to settle in Nanjing.

Cao Fengji planned to engage in the trick of the restoration of the Ming Emperor, not seeking success, but only making trouble, and it was best to involve some important ministers in Nanjing.

As for Zuo Xiaocheng, he met him when he held a literary meeting, and he was the first to be bribed.

The details have been checked clearly, and Daming Jiangxi is talented. When Zhao Han's territory was only one town, Zuo Xiaocheng helped the government suppress it, and took refuge in several governors, governors, prefects, and general soldiers.

Now, Zuo Xiaocheng is completely down, wandering around Nanjing all day long, making a living by doing cultural help for others.

And Zuo Xiaocheng is still good at gambling, Nanjing's casinos have long been banned, but there are always outsiders who gamble in private.

Down-and-out, good at gambling, and having a grudge against Emperor Datong, isn't it easy to buy it?

Zuo Xiaocheng took the silver and went straight to the Qinhuai River, and invited people to drink flower wine with great interest. After closing the door, he said to the people who drank the flower wine together: "This fine work is whimsical, and it actually wants to instigate the concubines of the previous dynasty to restore the prince of the previous dynasty, and also want to involve the children of the ministers of the court." It's generous, and every time you do something, you give it money. ”

The man at the table commanded, "Do what he tells you to do." After the defeat, it would be better if he could escape back to Liaodong together. ”

Zuo Xiaocheng suddenly became anxious: "Don't, Liaodong is bitterly cold, and Tartars are everywhere, isn't this letting me die?" ”

The person at the same table said: "There is an order from above to develop and work carefully in Liaodong." Not an ordinary spy, but someone who can talk to the Tartar nobles. We will take good care of the children born in your outer room, and we will definitely get extra points for exams in the future. If you can come back alive from Liaodong, the whole family will be rewarded with 30 acres of land each. Rest assured, Tartar is very good for fine work, and you can eat and drink spicy food when you go to Liaodong. If you are captured by the Datong Army, you can report your identity and take you back. ”

Zuo Xiaocheng reluctantly agreed: "Okay, let's go to Liaodong for a walk." ”