Yidu.
This is a small county town located in Qingzhou. It is ordinary, neither big nor small. Among many cities, there is nothing special.
The sky has just dawned, and the city is gradually waking up from its sleep.
The farmers walked out of their homes, carried their farm tools, greeted their neighbors, and walked to their farmland with a smile.
There were sheepherders driving their sheep on the path outside the city.
Everything is so quiet and peaceful.
The west side of the city used to be a gathering place for wealthy families.
At this moment, the glory is no longer what it used to be, and it is even worse than the other corners of the city, which are lifeless and lifeless.
When Liu Taozi led his troops, most of the wealthy people here had fled.
The few who didn't run away suffered the iron fist of the Land Equalization Order, and lost a lot of farmland, industry, and tenants. This is still good. There are those who do all kinds of bad things and are lawless on weekdays, and half of them have grass on their graves.
High.
The door of a large house was pushed open, and an old servant came out, holding water in his hand, and began to sprinkle water on the street. After sprinkling the water, he did a little cleaning.
The alley was quiet, and there was only one person.
After busy for a while, the old servant entered the courtyard.
The courtyard is extremely huge, and it would take half an hour just to walk around the courtyard wall.
There are countless houses inside, but most of them are empty now.
Only when we walked into the backyard could we hear some sounds.
An old man was sitting in the pavilion in the front yard, with five or six young people kneeling around him. The old man was holding a yellowed ancient book in his hand and was seriously explaining the classics to everyone.
The young people were old and young, the older ones were already adults, and the younger ones were no more than 10 years old. They all listened in confusion and shook their heads, but the old man didn't care whether they could understand or not, he just said it.
.
After being influenced by metaphysics and Buddhism, the classics became more obscure and difficult to understand. Many people struggled to master them after studying them all their lives. They became more and more isolated from the masses and even began to alienate themselves from the elite.
Many of the great Confucians of this era, especially those in the north, were fearful about the future.
They cannot see where the future of classics lies, nor where the way out is.
There is nothing worse than the collapse of rituals and the destruction of music.
The original Confucian scholars wanted to use classics and etiquette to restrain the emperor, but now they can't even restrain the scholar-bureaucrats. No one believes in the righteousness of the classics anymore, let alone the morality of the ancients. Naked desires have replaced the belief in the classics.
The old man talked a lot, his mouth went dry, and he slowly put down the book in his hand.
He looked at the few disciples in front of him, but saw that everyone was absent-minded.
The old man suddenly became a little angry.
"How many people want to read it but no one explains it, how can you despise it?!"
"You must know that the classics are the great road! How can you be a human being if you don't know the classics?!"
Listening to the old man's words, an older student smiled bitterly and said, "Uncle, what's the use of studying the scriptures now?"
"The temple selects scholars by subject. The first is the scholar subject, and then the scholar subject. There are many Mingfa, Mingshu, Mingshu, Mingjing is the least valued."
The old man was furious, "What do the barbarians know about the outline of governing the world?"
"Our family has passed down classics from generation to generation. Since ancient times, I have never heard of anyone who despises classics and emphasizes miscellaneous studies."
The young man retorted: "Uncle, I remember that this is my great uncle."
"It's because there are too many people like him that my family has declined to where it is now!!"
The old man vented a few more words, his face turned red and his eyes were full of grief and anger.
"Our family used to be so famous in Yidu. Now, the fertile farmland in the southern suburbs is gone, and only less than half of the dozens of shops are left. I'm not teaching you to read the classics to make you work for the barbarians.
!I want you to know right from wrong and understand the principles in the classics!"
"The Hu people falsely claim the destiny of heaven and appoint people like Zu Jue as their chief ministers. They will be defeated sooner or later. This classic can be used one day!"
"Those who manage classics should not pay so much attention to fame and fortune, but should be guided by the great righteousness of the Spring and Autumn Period."
As the old man was talking, the old servant suddenly ran over in a hurry and looked at everyone, "Master!! It's not good!"
"Many soldiers came outside the door, and there was also an official."
The old man's expression changed greatly, and he stood up quickly, leaving a few older disciples behind and letting the others go back to the backyard.
He led these people to the front door and said as he walked: "This group of people is endless and they have made it clear that they want to eat us up. However, we are people who are familiar with the classics and cannot argue with barbarians with swords.
Otherwise, it will be a surrender of status. If he wants it, just give it to him. Don’t contradict it!"
Everyone hurried to the door in such a hurry.
The door of the house was open, and there was a man who looked like an official standing there, looking around with a smile.
Seeing the group of people approaching, the official hurriedly bowed his hands.
"Meet my father-in-law"
The old man nodded slightly in return, without being polite, and asked directly: "Your distinguished guest is here, what are your orders?"
The official opened his mouth and said: "I am Wei Changxian, the secretary of the Imperial Palace. I came here to visit your mansion on the orders of my ancestors."
There was some surprise on the old man's face, and the indifference on his face immediately disappeared.
"Ah, it turns out it's Mr. Wei. What are you doing here? Why don't you pay your respects quickly?!"
Several of his disciples behind him hurriedly bowed to see him.
Wei Changxian smiled and nodded, and the old man hurriedly saluted and warmly invited him into the house.
The two of them walked on the road one behind the other. Wei Changxian looked at the inside and outside of the mansion, "I don't want Mr. Jia to be so diligent and frugal."
The old man's lips trembled, and then he said: "My family has always been diligent and frugal in running the household."
The two of them walked into the house, and the old man treated the distinguished guests with the true etiquette of a wealthy family. He ordered animals to be slaughtered and several of his direct descendants to come out to pay homage.
Then the normal rich family etiquette and relationship building began.
"I wonder where Wei Gong is from?"
"People from Quyang."
"Oh? I don't know if the Duke of Wei in the imperial court belongs to you."
"In terms of seniority, he is my nephew."
"Ah! So that's it!!"
"Oh, then our two families have a connection. My father once gave lectures to Duke Wei."
As long as both parties are from wealthy families, they can have some relationship no matter what.
The two exchanged pleasantries for a few words and became closer and closer. Old Man Jia just asked: "I wonder what Grandpa has ordered? If something happens, why don't you just send someone to tell him? I will go and visit myself. I also admire Grandpa."
Long"
Wei Changxian said seriously: "Actually, this is what your Majesty meant. Your Majesty heard from others that there was a distinguished scholar in the Jia family in Yidu, named Jia Sixie, and he specially sent me to inquire about his situation."
Old Man Jia was stunned for a long time and murmured: "The person you are talking about is my clan uncle. He has been dead for eight or nine years."
Old Man Jia quickly wiped away his tears and said sadly: "It's a pity that he has never met Mingjun in his life. Now that Mingjun has ascended the throne, he is no longer here. It hurts! It hurts!!"
Wei Changxian sighed. Before coming, he probably thought that if the other party was still alive, it would be impossible to directly cut off contact with Gao Jun.
Wei Changxian said: "Your Majesty heard that he wrote a book on agriculture and many manuscripts. He paid special attention to these. Does he still have disciples alive? Is there any manuscript at home?"
Old Man Jia was very excited, "How can he be so valued by His Majesty?! My uncle, the spirit under the spring, must have fulfilled his wish. I have always carefully preserved his manuscript!"
He stood up and said, "Sit here for a while and I'll go find the manuscript for you first!"
Before Wei Changxian had time to dissuade him, the old man had already left in a hurry.
After walking out of the guest room door, the old man's excited face suddenly became panicked.
He called several young men over.
"Quick! Quick!"
"Now drive to the residence of your uncle who studies miscellaneous studies and find his manuscripts!! Get in the car! Get in the car!"
No one dared to delay, got in the car, and headed there quickly.
Looking at the uncle next to him who was almost vitiligo, the young man was a little shocked.
"Uncle, didn't you just say that barbarians are in power?"
"Well, how can such a wise gentleman be said to be a barbarian when he is able to treat virtuous corporals and send people all the way to invite them?!"
The group arrived at Jia Sixie's residence.
Jia Sixie was born into a wealthy family, the Jia family in Yidu. Several brothers in his family were high-ranking officials, the most famous of whom was Jia Sibo.
And they were originally from the Wuwei Jia family, yes, Jia Xu, the Wuwei Jia, and Duan Shao, the Wuwei Duan, were fellow villagers, and they later migrated here due to the war.
Jia Sixie's status in the clan is actually not too high. Jia Sixie is not from the main branch, but from a small clan.
Moreover, he resigned from his official position very early and began to engage in his own research.
From the Qin and Han dynasties to the Southern and Northern Dynasties, the "sages" holding classics shouted every day to put agriculture first, but in fact, they despised agriculture and mulberry trees.
They look down on farmers and agricultural technology.
Check out the correct version one by one!
A person like Jia Sixie, who puts aside his classics and works in the farmland every day, chatting and laughing with the old farmers, does not have a very high reputation within the clan.
It wasn't until Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty came up and began to spend a lot of money to collect folk books that "Qi Min Ya Shu" received the treatment it deserved. Then its status continued to improve, becoming an agricultural masterpiece that has influenced thousands of years, even if it is compared with several other famous books.
Compared with agricultural books, Qimin Yaoshu can also compete for the top position.
Jia Sixie had no son, only a daughter. After his daughter got married, the couple passed away one after another. There was only an old servant responsible for cleaning the place. This servant was also old and could hardly hear what he said.
After everyone arrived, the servant led them to the study.
Although Jia Sixie has passed away a long time ago, his residence has still been cleaned up, including his collection of books, many of which have been taken away by his son-in-law. Only the agricultural books and related materials written by him remain.
here.
These documents are also well preserved, with no damage or stains overall.
After seeing these things, Old Man Jia finally breathed a sigh of relief, and he hurriedly asked a few young men to pack up these documents.
He also gave the old servant some money to reward him for his hard work over the years.
They started walking back again.
While walking on the road, Mr. Jia seriously warned everyone around him, "Not only do I want books, but I also want his disciples!"
"This disciple must be found as soon as possible."
Several young students were very embarrassed, "The books are okay, but his disciples have been here for more than ten years. His disciples have been traveling to various places for a long time. Where can I find them?"
"Bastard thing!"
"Isn't it hard to find a disciple? You, you, and you, the three of you will be his disciples from now on!"
"ah?"
Several young students looked at each other and said, "Sir, we have never learned anything about farming."
Old Man Jia pointed at the documents, "Don't you see these? Copy them down, and you will learn from them in the future!"
"I will allocate some of the family's farmland to you. You can move there later and learn how to farm while reading."
The descendants were shocked.
"Sir, are you saying that these are all miscellaneous subjects?"
"What miscellaneous knowledge?! Food is the most important thing for people! Farmers are a major issue for the country. How can we despise it?"
"I don't care how long it takes you, ten or twenty years, but you have to learn these books thoroughly for me. The Secretary Cheng of the Imperial Guard comes here in person. Do you know how much of an honor this is? Your Majesty seems to think it is very important.
Nong Sang, if our family can have another uncle like him, even half as good as him, our family can be revitalized again!"
"Listen to me!"
Several people had no choice but to lower their heads, and Old Man Jia returned to the guest room with his things.
Wei Changxian sat for a long time, and finally waited until he came back. As soon as he stood up, without saying a word, Old Man Jia ordered people to move everything over and put it aside.
There are a lot of these books. Although Jia Sixie only wrote one book, he did countless research for this book. There are many manuscripts of content and knowledge that were not compiled into the book. These are original manuscripts, piled aside, like
A hill.
Wei Changxian was overjoyed. He hurried forward and flipped through the books, his eyes becoming brighter.
"OK!"
"Very good!"
"There will definitely be a big reward for you!"
Old Man Jia cleared his throat and said in a low voice: "These are my uncle's lifelong efforts. If they can be valued by the emperor, it will be an honor for my family. I will never ask for any rewards! Please go back and tell Grandpa that our family does not want rewards.
."
Wei Changxian was still smiling, and Old Man Jia continued: "As for the disciple you are looking for for more than ten years, I am afraid it will be difficult to find. However, our family has always attached great importance to agriculture. There are many children in the family who study day and night, but
They are still very young, and it is useless to go there. If one day they can learn and achieve something, they will definitely be allowed to visit."
Wei Changxian somewhat understood what the other party was thinking and nodded.
"I understand, thank you Mr. Jia."
Old Man Jia asked Wei Changxian to stay for one more day, and then hurriedly took his disciples to copy, leaving many copies of the original manuscripts.
In the afternoon of the next day, Wei Changxian finally got into the car with these manuscripts and left here.
Old Man Jia and his clansmen sent him far away.
His eyes were full of longing, and he said impassionedly to his left and right: "Your Majesty, you are truly a sage! The world will be in great order!!"
Everyone pursed their lips. If they didn't know what you said about the emperor in the palace on weekdays, they would really believe it.
Wei Changxian walked very fast, first by car, then by boat, and then by horseback. He was not young, almost fifty years old. But his body was very strong, and a sudden march was nothing to him. After all, he was still young this year.
Got a new concubine.
Although Wei Changxian and Wei Shou are relatives, their personalities are different.
Wei Changxian is not the kind of person who bullies the weak and fears the strong. When Gao Yang was in power, he dared to write a letter to refute the temple, and then he was dismissed and exiled, and has been working at the bottom.
Until Liu Taozi came up, Wei Shou and other ministers secretly sought positions for their relatives and recommended each other.
Of course, among the people they recommended, there were scum, but there were also good people, like Wei Changxian. Zu Jue thought he was upright enough, so he kept him by his side to help him with some clerical work.
Wei Changxian walked for a long time and finally returned to Pingcheng within the specified time and met Zu Jue.
Zu Jue got these books, but he did not rush to hand them over to the emperor first. Instead, he read through them all night in the name of revision.
There were a lot of these documents, but Zu Jue was a very fast reader. When he stole several thousand volumes of books from his friends, he didn’t know whether the thousands of volumes were considered stealing or robbing. Anyway, after he got it, he finished reading in less than half a year.
I just read it, but I didn’t give it back to anyone.
Zu Jue hurriedly read through these documents, memorizing the important things in them, and then hurriedly handed them to Liu Taozi.
Liu Taozi, Gao Jun, and Zu Jue were reading these books in the main hall.
Zu Jue pretended to pick it up and look at it for a few times, then stroked his beard and said, "This Duke Jia, he thinks about the same thing as I do."
"I also feel that Nongsang first pays attention to change and cannot follow the example of the ancestors, just like Shennong. Although he was a saint, compared with the current situation, he mastered very little technology. Therefore, to manage Nongsang, we must first pay attention to change.
, we must encourage new technologies and new tools, we must not refute or suppress these people, we must support them and reward them.”
Zu Jue said and turned to the next page.
"Ah, Your Majesty, look, Duke Jia actually said the same thing! He also used Shennong as an example!"
"We really have the same ideas!"
Gao Jun narrowed his eyes and looked at Zu Jue faintly, "Did Zu Gong read it last night?"
“How can I read so many manuscripts in one night??”
"If it's someone else, it won't work. If it's my grandfather, it's hard to say."
Zu Jue was somewhat unhappy, "Why should I bother? Secretly reading his books just to show off in front of His Majesty? How can I be so boring?"
Liu Taozi glanced at Zu Jue, "If it were someone else, it would definitely not be so boring. If it were Zu Gong, it's hard to say."
Zu Jue laughed loudly and put away the book in his hand.
"Your Majesty is wise!! You can see through me at a glance!!"
Gao Jun was hesitant to speak, what kind of person was he? Even though he looked normal at first, why did he feel more and more abnormal?
Zu Jue then quickly became serious, "However, I read it in advance just to understand the quality of his book as soon as possible."
"Your Majesty, this book "Essential Techniques for Elevating the People" is a book that can help govern the world!"
Chapter completed!