There are naturally places to stay in Quzhou City. With so many people in Su Ze's party, they had to find two inns to accommodate them all.
The building where Su Ze and others stayed was called "Lanke Building". The name of this building comes from Lanke Mountain outside Quzhou City.
It is said in "Shui Jing Zhu":
There was once a woodcutter who went into the mountains and saw two boys playing Go. He sat aside and watched. When the game was over, the boy told him that your ax was broken.
When the woodcutter returned home, he discovered that decades had passed and the mountain was also called Weiqi Genting.
Now that we have come to Weiqi Genting, we naturally want to taste the local specialties.
While everyone was settling their luggage, Li Zhi asked his assistant to bring a chessboard and started playing chess with Su Ze.
[I found the chess room where you can learn the skill "Go". Do you want to learn it? 】
Of course Su Ze chose to study, but then his Level 1 chess skills were defeated by Li Zhi. A big dragon was trapped and was already dying.
"Rulin can calculate the movements of the heavenly orbits, but his chess skills are so poor. Haha, it seems that he is not omnipotent in calculations!"
Su Ze said with a smile: "I once heard a story. A scholar named Ke went into the mountain and saw a dog sitting in front of the chessboard. When the scholar saw the dog picking up the chess pieces, he sat down and started playing chess with the dog."
"At the first drop, the dog does not fall on the gold edge, nor does it compete with the silver corner. It only falls on the middle dollar, and the scholar laughs at it."
"The next move, Ke Sheng will be sweating profusely and the move will become slower."
"At the end of the game, Ke Sheng's dragon was defeated and lost to the dog."
"This dog speaks human words, calls itself Alpha Dog, and has disappeared without a trace."
Li Zhi thought this story was incomprehensible, but when he thought of the same story in all the Liaozhai stories written by Su Ze, he said:
"Rulin is comparing himself to a dog? Hahaha."
Su Ze smiled and said: "I'm afraid I'm not as good as a dog!"
At this time Lin Deyang came over to inform that everyone had packed their luggage.
Su Ze immediately swept the chess pieces off the chessboard and shouted: "A draw, a draw!"
Li Zhi sighed and stood up and said: "Ru Lin is indeed familiar with military literature. It turned out that he was using a delaying tactic."
[Game interrupted, Go skill +5, Lv1, 5/100]
In fact, Li Zhi's Go level is only around Level 5. Su Ze is going to buy a set of chess pieces and hit the road. When he gets to Nanjing, he should be able to beat him to death.
Huang Maochong and Zhao Bingzhong could not wait to go to Quzhou Academy, and the group headed towards the academy in a mighty manner.
The closer you get to Quzhou Academy, the more scholars wearing Confucian shirts, and you can see the banners hanging high on the academy from a distance.
"Forbidden Sea Pingwo, this character is written very well!" Li Zhi looked at the flying character flags and couldn't help but comment.
Everyone also nodded. He could write such large characters at this level, and his calligraphy skills were far beyond ordinary people.
Li Zhi said with emotion: "If we talk about calligraphy, I'm afraid only Rulin can compete with this person."
Huang Maochong and Zhao Bingzhong looked at Su Ze. They had never seen Su Ze's calligraphy, but they did not expect that Li Zhi thought so highly of him.
Li Zhi said: "Rulin's calligraphy is like a street paved with stones, and there are mangosteens hidden in it. It is like a painting. It is truly the only one in the world!"
"This Chinese character flag seems to have followed the same path, using paintings as characters?"
Sure enough, Zhejiang is also a place where people gather together. Although Fujian's imperial examinations are good, but in terms of cultural heritage, it is still worse than Jiangsu and Zhejiang.
When they arrived at the entrance of the academy, they only saw the mountain gate open. The academy had set up a pergola and straw mats, and many scholars were sitting on the ground. Su Ze and others also felt it was strange. They had never seen such a literary event in Fujian.
Li Zhi said with some excitement:
"When I was in the Imperial College in Nanjing, I once heard that this was the case when Mr. Yangming was lecturing in Quzhou. Scholars throughout Zhejiang were living in cottages next to Quzhou Academy. Every day when Mr. Yangming opened the door of the academy, people would sit cross-legged at the door. On the straw mat, listen to Mr. Yangming’s teachings on the mind!”
Huang Maochong and Zhao Bingzhong both looked yearning. They had never seen such a formation.
Su Ze thought it was nothing. A popular video in later generations was watched by tens of millions of people. In terms of the spread of ideas in ancient times, it was still far inferior to modern people.
If this is not enough, it also shows Wang Yangming's personal appeal back then. It is no wonder that the emperor was so afraid of him and did not dare to let him enter the capital.
A living saint can be said to be a king's nightmare.
The scholars around him heard the foreign accents of Su Ze and others, and proudly introduced him: "Are you from Fujian?"
Su Ze nodded, and the young scholar said:
"You all have come at the right time. This literary festival will only be held during the academic year. Are you also going to the two capitals of the north and south to enter prison?"
Su Ze and others nodded. The young man knew that they were all Juren and said quickly:
"Fan Congming, a current imperial examination candidate in Quzhou Prefecture, Zhejiang Province, would like to ask your brothers for advice."
"Su Ze of Yanping Prefecture in Fujian Province was also selected as a candidate last year. This is our senior in the examination room. These two are my classmates."
After the three of them revealed their names, Fan Congming said enthusiastically: "Brother Su, Brother Li, Brother Huang, Brother Zhao, this academy meeting is not only a gathering of scholars from Zhejiang, but also welcomes scholars from all over the world to come and study together." The purpose of learning is to inherit the legacy of Mr. Yangming’s lectures.”
"This academy meeting was organized by Xu Wenchang, the tenth son of our Yue Middle School, and the banner was written by him."
Everyone raised their heads and saw the fluttering character flags again.
Everyone was impressed by Zhejiang's rich cultural scene, but only Su Ze was thinking about how high a price such a one-foot-long Xu Wei's calligraphy would fetch in future generations.
Fan Congming was very enthusiastic. His companions had already occupied a seat in the academy. He warmly invited the four of them to squeeze into the academy. This time, the seats were actually near the front. The group of people crowded on the straw mat and looked at the academy. wooden platform in the center.
The wooden platform was about the height of a person, with two shabby futons placed on it.
Fan Congming said: "That was the futon that Mr. Yangming sat on when he was giving lectures."
Even Li Zhi, who was usually the most deviant, straightened his back.
Su Ze secretly sighed. Sure enough, when a person becomes a saint, everything he uses automatically becomes a holy object.
At this moment, I saw a middle-aged man with a long beard and a gray gown ascending the podium. He bowed to everyone and said:
"My dear Xu Wei, I would like to organize this lecture in response to your support. The theme of this lecture is 'Banning the sea and pacifying the Japanese'. If you have any suggestions for pacifying the Japanese sea, you can come on stage and speak freely. If you disagree, you can also come on stage. Argument.”
Everyone applauded one after another. The issues discussed in this literary meeting at Quzhou Academy were all topics that everyone discussed every day. It was also a major event related to the family and the country. Everyone felt that they had something to say, so they applauded one after another.
Although Xu Wei did not win the imperial examination, he had a transcendent status in the hearts of scholars in Zhejiang. Even local officials like Hu Zongxian respected his talent. He sat down on the futon and said:
"Let's start with Xu today. Xu has ten strategies for Jinghai and Japan."
Su Ze listened attentively to Xu Wei's Ten Strategies for Combating Japan, which were basically similar to what he wrote in the County Trial Policy Paper, that is, rectifying coastal defense, organizing local team training, strengthening coastal defense, etc. There was nothing new for Su Ze, but The victory lies in comprehensiveness.
Moreover, Xu Wei is familiar with the geography of Zhejiang and has knowledge of Japanese affairs in various places. The plan he proposed can be said to be watertight.
The Japanese pirates who could be recruited and surrendered were recruited and appeased, and the internal conflicts of the Japanese pirates were divided and disintegrated.
Although Xu Wei's method was nothing new, his "Ten Strategies for Conquering the Japanese" was written in the style of a declaration of war. The writing was so inspiring that Su Ze wanted to pick up weapons and rush to the front line to fight the Japanese pirates.
Sure enough, a good pen can defeat a hundred thousand soldiers. This article alone is enough to unite the scholars in Zhejiang to fight against the Japanese.
Later, Hu Zongxian should use Xu Wei's plan, basically following his strategy to fight against the Japanese.
This "Ten Strategies for Combating Japanese Countries" may also be a propaganda article for Hu Zongxian's policy of eradicating Japanese invaders.
However, since it was a debate at the Literary Society, it was naturally impossible for everyone to agree with Xu Wei's appeal. After a while, a scholar stood up. He squeezed through the crowd and walked onto the high platform. He bowed to Xu Wei again and again, and said:
"I, Wu Xiong, a member of Shaoxing Prefecture, competed for tribute in Ningbo at the beginning of the Japanese Rebellion. The imperial court spent so much money every year to pacify the Japanese, and the people in the southeast were not at peace. It is better to reopen Ningbo to pay tribute, and the Japanese Rebellion will resolve itself."
This statement immediately ignited the powder keg. Before Xu Wei could refute it, scholars from Ningbo naturally stood up to oppose it.
The scholar walked up to the stage and reprimanded loudly:
"I don't think it's allowed to punish people in Ningbo! Since the early days of the Kingdom when the Japanese pirates were allowed to pay tribute, the Japanese have caused countless troubles in Ningbo, and the Japanese are greedy. We, the Ming Dynasty, are the kingdom of heaven, how can we pay tribute just because the Japanese pirates surrender? This is the first example. The sea frontier is restless!”
Next, Su Ze saw a high-end cultural gathering, which immediately turned into a large-scale online political and offline quarrel.
Scholars in and around Ningbo all stood up to oppose the reopening of tribute and the Japanese country to pay tribute again, and strongly advocated continuing to resist the Japanese.
Some scholars who were not from Ningbo supported the reopening of tribute and using the imperial court to pacify the Japanese pirates instead of continuing to use troops to fight wars.
Su Ze looked at Xu Wei with a smile on his face as he watched everyone quoting scriptures and arguing loudly until his face turned red.
Look at Xu Wei, who is standing on the edge of the high platform, stroking his beard and watching the debate.
Su Ze knew that this was also part of Xu Wei's plan. Since the theme of this cultural conference was "Banning the Sea and Pinging the Japanese", it was to publicize Hu Zongxian's next anti-Japanese policy.
And Xu Wei allowed them to debate, probably in order to make a final decision at the last moment and unify the anti-Japanese thoughts of the entire Zhejiang.
Sure enough, those who can leave their names in history are not ordinary people. History books speak highly of Xu Wei, thinking that he was the mastermind of Hu Zongxian's pinging of the Japanese.
Now it seems like this should be the case. Public opinion comes first, and first determines the idea of Zhejiang's anti-Japanese war. After this discussion is completed, it would be capitulationism to reopen Ningbo to pay tribute.
Li Zhi whispered to Su Ze: "Rulin doesn't want to go up and say a few words?"
Li Zhi knew that Su Ze had planned seven strategies for his brother-in-law to defeat the Japanese, and that was why Fang Wanghai rose to prominence. He knew that he had a stratagem, but he didn't expect that Su Ze had already stood up at this time.
Fan Congming looked at Su Ze in surprise. He didn't expect that scholars from other provinces would come on stage to debate?
You must know that those who have just come to power are all well-known scholars in Zhejiang. Fan Congming, a new imperial examination candidate, can only listen to it below.
Fan Congming said to Huang Maochong beside him: "Is Brother Su famous in Fujian?"
Huang Maochong smiled and said, "Brother Rulin is the Jie Yuanlang of our department."
So that’s it!
When he heard that Su Ze was Jieyuan, Fan Congming understood that the Jieyuan of a province was the essence of literary talent in the province, so it was normal for Su Ze to want to go on stage to debate.
But Fan Congming still said: "How good is Brother Su's debate level?"
Huang Maochong thought of Su Ze giving lectures to everyone and debating with Li Zhi along the way, and immediately said: "The eloquence is unparalleled!"
Fan Congming was still a little worried and said, "I, the Zhejiang sergeant, have always been very eloquent. I'm afraid Brother Su will suffer a loss."
Fan Congming only saw Su Ze ascending to the high platform, and his momentum suddenly changed.
With the blessing of the golden skill [Eloquence], Su Ze's charm reached 14 points after taking the stage.
When he was in the audience, Fan Congming only thought that Su Ze was a personable scholar, but as soon as he came on stage, Su Ze's demeanor and demeanor reminded him of those long-famous Confucian scholars.
Xu Wei also looked at Su Ze in confusion. He had seen all the famous scholars in Zhejiang, so why didn't he know about Su Ze?
At this moment, Xu Wei seemed to see his teacher Wang Ji, the second generation true successor of the Wang family and the direct disciple of Wang Yangming!
Su Ze raised his hands and said, "I am Su Ze, a member of the Yanping Prefecture in Fujian Province. I have met all of you brothers."
When they heard that Su Ze was from Fujian, the Zhejiang scholars on stage and off stage all started to make noises.
Although scholars from Ningbo and non-Ningbo people have just been talking nonsense, Su Ze, a foreigner, what qualifications do you have to speak?
If Su Ze hadn't been so magnanimous, someone might have booed him.
But the Ningbo scholar opposite Su Ze felt a lot of pressure when he faced Su Ze. At this time, someone in the audience suddenly shouted:
"Su Ze and Su Rulin! Is this the man Jie Yuanlang who wrote "The Peony Pavilion"?"
"Is this the Su Ze who wrote "Liao Zhai"?"
Fan Congming said in surprise: "Brother Su is the one who wrote "The Peony Pavilion"? I didn't even think of it for a moment!"
Huang Maochong asked: "Is "The Peony Pavilion" also sung in Zhejiang?"
Fan Congming said excitedly: "Not only is it sung, it is popular all over Zhejiang! Xu Wenchang also praised Brother Su as a famous opera master comparable to Guan Hanqing!"
A province named Jieyuan, a famous opera master, made Fan Congming instantly become Su Ze's fanboy. Many people in the audience also forgot about the geographical difference.
I only heard Su Ze say: ""Zuo Zhuan" says: The illustrious Chu Kingdom is here, and the king comes to it. There are barbarians in his care, and he is about to conquer the South China Sea, so he belongs to the Xia."
"In the pre-Qin period, without the contribution of the Xia ancestors of the Chu State, we, Fujian and Zhejiang, would still be barbarians."
This sentence left everyone speechless. Su Ze had destroyed Zhejiang and Fujian, but they were indeed barbarians in the pre-Qin era.
Xu Wei looked at Su Ze, but didn't know what he meant by his sudden words.
Su Ze said: "Zhou You enfeoffed the Xia and civilized the barbarians, so that our southern country returned to China and Jiangnan was free from the troubles of the southern barbarians. The ancestors fought hard to achieve the territory we have today."
"There are Japanese pirates in the south and Ida in the north. Why not follow the example of the ancestors of the Xia and transform the barbarians into the Xia?"
A scholar from Ningbo on the scene turned pale when he heard this and said, "That's ridiculous! All the overseas countries are vassal states registered by Taizu, how can they attack without permission?"
Su Ze said loudly: "In the Spring and Autumn Annals written by Confucius, the princes used barbarian rituals to control the barbarians, and when the barbarians advanced into China, the Chinese were treated as such."
"The Japanese state used the Chinese etiquette to become a vassal, but now it is invading our Ming sea territory like a beast. It has obviously left China and changed its name to Yi Di."
"Why shouldn't the Xia attack the Yi and Di?"
(End of chapter)
