Why did Xiao Feng talk to Hai Rui's mother instead of Hai Rui when he first came up?
Because Xiao Feng had seen Hai Rui's information in his previous life and knew that this guy was a mama's boy. He was only four years old when his father died and his mother was twenty-eight.
Hai Rui's mother has been a widow since she was 28 years old, and she raised Hai Rui through hardships. She also comes from a scholarly family and has a very high level of knowledge.
Hai Rui's enlightenment education consisted of his mother personally teaching Hai Rui books such as "The Classic of Filial Piety", "The Great Learning", and "The Doctrine of the Mean".
Books were very expensive at that time, and Hai Rui's mother was unwilling to spend the money. It is said that she actually recited the full text, the church's Hai Rui!
According to this record, it can be inferred that this is why women were not allowed to take the exam to become officials at that time, otherwise, with the level of Hai Rui's mother, she would at least start as a civil servant!
Hai Rui passed the imperial examination, became an official, and became the censor of Youdu all the way to Nanjing, all because of his mother's sincere teachings.
There are records saying that Hai Rui was imprisoned by Jiajing for carrying a coffin and writing a letter. His mother even wrote to him, telling him that life and death are trivial matters and not to give up on his principles!
It was precisely under his mother's strict teachings that Hai Rui, ever since he could speak, ran to be an upright and upright official for eternity until his death.
But according to other records, Hai Rui's life was far from happy.
He must have been unable to laugh since he was a child and had little time to play. His mind was filled with rules and etiquette, and he could no longer contain complex emotions.
Therefore, he was extremely filial. For the sake of his mother's likes and dislikes and to continue his incest, he married three wives and divorced two. He still took concubines in his seventies, which shows that he had no feelings for his wives and concubines, and he only wanted to have children.
There is no historical record of the fate of the first two divorced wives, but
Judging from the results, it is quite a relief.
Because Hai Rui's last wife and concubine both died suddenly in the same year. The cause of death of the wife was unknown, but the concubine hanged herself.
Hai Rui's life was like a candle, lighting himself up and illuminating the people who were like ants in the darkness, giving them confidence in the light.
But no one knew that the few ants closest to the candle flame were mercilessly scorched by the candle flame.
The person who lit this candle was Hai Rui's mother. His mother made his life successful, but also destroyed his life. In the end, he had no children or relatives, and she lay desolately in the history books, illuminating future generations.
So Xiao Feng wanted to see if he could make Hai Rui's life better and more like a normal person. This starts with his mother.
At this time, Xiao Feng, who had just won the Sauce Beef Cup Debate Competition, was taking the mother and son to share the Sauce Beef and Pig Head Meat. When he heard the cries and voices coming from Hai Rui's inner hall, he couldn't help but be startled.
Hai Rui's face was a little confused, feeling that his wife had embarrassed him. This can't be blamed on his wife. It's just that Hai Rui's small yard is too small.
Although they say there are inner halls and outer halls, in fact there is only one row of houses, which is just a bit scattered. Even a fart in the house can be heard outside.
Hai Rui cupped his hands and said, "My lord, I am laughing. My wife is rude. It is Hai Rui who is not strict in running the house. My lord, please continue to eat."
Xiao Feng glanced at Hai Rui: "Brother Hai, since I had dinner at your house, I can be considered a friend.
Madam-in-law cried very sadly, but is there anything difficult? Why don't you tell me, maybe I can help. "
Hai Rui waved his hands repeatedly: "Home
It's just a matter of family, nothing to worry about. "
Madam Hai Rui, who was in the room at this time, heard what was said outside. She struggled repeatedly, but finally her motherly nature overcame her fear of rules. She opened the door and ran out, kneeling in front of Xiao Feng and crying.
"Sir, although I rarely go out, I have heard that you are profound in Taoism.
When adults talk to the master and mother-in-law, there is no rule for the young lady to show her face. However, the young lady’s daughter is about to die. I beg you, sir, to save her! "
Hai Rui's face turned dark and he shouted: "How impudent! What are you doing? Go back to the house! How unbecoming is it for you to show your face and talk nonsense here!"
Xiao Feng glanced at Hai Rui: "Brother Hai, you are familiar with etiquette and law, don't you know that there is a saying that people should obey the authority in urgent matters? Not to mention human life is at stake, even other urgent matters should be put before etiquette and law.
Madam-in-law said slowly, what happened. Although I am proficient in medical skills, I only have experience in certain diseases. If it is really a difficult disease, we have famous doctors in the army who can also diagnose and treat the young lady. "
Mrs. Hai Rui was frightened by Hai Rui's angry shouting, and half of the courage she had built up was frightened away. After Xiao Feng encouraged him again and again, he spoke timidly.
"Four days ago, my servant asked for leave to go home to visit relatives. Before leaving, he bought two kilograms of cakes from the street to take home.
The little girl was only five years old. When she saw a servant carrying a cake, she thought it was her own and reached out to eat it. The servant took a piece from the paper bag and gave it to the little girl, and then went home.
While the little girl was eating, the master came back and asked the little girl where she got the cake. The little girl said it was given by a servant. The master asked me if I had ever bought cakes, and I said no.
The master was furious and said that as a daughter of an official, she was begging for food from the servants.
Destroy the rules and regulations. And as a woman, how can I accept gifts from men casually?
At that time, the master reprimanded the little girl, saying that the little girl had no family tradition and was disrespectful to her moral integrity. If she was not his daughter, she might as well starve to death, but he actually thought she was his daughter.
Unexpectedly, from that day on, the little girl refused to take a bite of food and only drank a little water every day. It has been four days today. The little woman persuaded her in every possible way, even beating, scolding and threatening her, but the little girl refused to eat.
Just now, the little woman took the meat sent by the adults and went to see the little girl. The little girl was unconscious, but still refused to eat. The little woman had no choice but to beg the adults for help. "
Xiao Feng looked at Hai Rui, who had a look of remorse on his face: "At that time, I was so angry that my words were indeed harsh. I didn't expect that my daughter took it seriously. Her family tried to persuade her many times, but she refused to eat. "
Xiao Feng suppressed his anger and asked calmly: "Have you personally tried to persuade her?"
Hai Rui was stunned: "Never. What I said is correct, but I really don't know how to persuade him."
Xiao Feng was furious: "I think it's not that you don't know how to persuade me, but you feel from the bottom of your heart that it wouldn't be bad if a girl could die with her full name!"
Hai Rui's tone also hardened: "My lord, I dare not pretend to accept this. Human beings are not grass and trees. How can I be ruthless? Do I want my daughter to starve to death?"
Xiao Feng looked at him coldly: "Then go and persuade your daughter to eat! Apologize to her and tell her that what you said is all bullshit!"
Hai Rui said angrily: "There is nothing wrong with lowering your rank! Your Excellency is so tyrannical, are you trying to use your power to overwhelm others?"
Xiao Feng looked at Hai Rui's mother: "Old madam, do you also want to watch your granddaughter starve to death?"
Hai Rui's mother was silent for a moment: "Of course I don't want to, but
Hai Rui was not at fault, so asking him to apologize against his will made me feel inappropriate.
Rui'er, just go and persuade your daughter. It would be best if she is willing to obey and eat. If not, it will be her own life. "
When the old lady spoke, Hai Rui stopped holding her head and turned around and walked towards the house. Xiao Feng followed him unceremoniously. Madam Hai Rui wiped her tears and ran inside as well.
Only Hai Rui's mother and Zhang Wuxin were left on the stone table. Zhang Wuxin was full of murderous intent and had a half-withered, half-glorious face, but the old lady showed no fear and continued to eat the soy beef.
Zhang Wuxin ate the pig head meat with his head down, sighing secretly in his heart, this old lady has such a strong aura, if she were a martial arts practitioner, she would definitely become a great person, but it is a pity that she is too old and too late.
A five-year-old girl, wearing a home-woven jacket, huddled on the edge of the bed, a small ball, her round face no longer rosy, but with a withered yellow color.
Beside her bed were a plate of soy beef, a plate of pork head, and a bowl of steaming rice porridge. The fragrance kept getting into her nose, and she swallowed involuntarily, but closed her eyes tightly.
Hai Rui also felt sour in his heart, but his face did not change color. He stepped forward, sat on the edge of the bed, and said softly: "Nanny, get up and eat."
Nannan opened her eyes with difficulty and looked at Hai Rui, with a look of surprise on her face and tears streaming from the corners of her eyes. But she shook her head and closed her eyes again.
"I want to be a good daughter. I want to be the daughter of the Hai family. I won't eat it."
Hai Rui was silent, he didn't know what to say. He always felt that he was doing nothing wrong. What was wrong with educating his children by himself?
This is what my mother taught me when I was a child.
I've never made such a mistake!
Madam Hai Rui was desperate. She leaned against the wall and collapsed on the ground, covering her mouth and sobbing.
In the past few days, Hai Rui refused to come see her daughter. She thought that it would be fine if Hai Rui came, but she didn't expect that her last hope was shattered.
Xiao Feng stepped forward and stood at the head of the bed, looking down at Hai Rui. Hai Rui lowered his head, a little at a loss, and his aura was not that strong.
"Your daughter must regard you as a hero and a role model, so she takes your words as a guideline. As long as you don't personally deny what you said before, she won't be relieved.
Just like you do to your mother, you only blindly follow her and never think about it. In fact, your mother may also make mistakes sometimes. "
Hai Rui suddenly raised his head and looked at Xiao Feng unconvinced. Xiao Feng looked at him coldly.
"You're not convinced, are you? Let me ask you, was your mother not at fault for eating beef just now?"
Hai Rui retorted: "That's just a trivial matter. Even if what you say is right, you can't say that my mother is at fault. You live in a temple, so your knowledge is naturally higher than that of my mother."
Xiao Feng sneered and said: "To put this into perspective, your daughter has been on a hunger strike for four days and you have not even come to the house to persuade her.
Your mother is the only person in the family who can order you, but she still refuses to ask you to persuade her. Is it right? "
Hai Rui was speechless immediately, but in his mind, all the faults of parents must be the fault of their children, so he retorted loudly.
"Even if Hai Rui is cruel about this matter, it can't be blamed on my mother."
Xiao Feng laughed and said: "Everyone in the world has a parent, right?"
The word "Of course" was already on Hai Rui's lips, and suddenly he remembered that old ash-picker was here, and he insisted
He bit back these two words so hard that he almost bit his tongue.
Xiao Feng looked at Hai Rui and said, "You think it is your father's responsibility to educate your children, and that you rely on etiquette and law is the foundation of being an official.
Even if your daughter really starved to death, you would only feel heartache and not feel guilty, because you were not at fault, right? "
Hai Rui raised his head again and looked at Xiao Feng: "Sir, isn't it?"
Xiao Feng suddenly asked: "Hai Rui, do the etiquette and laws differ from person to person, or should everyone be treated equally and follow the etiquette and laws?"
Hai Rui said proudly: "Of course everyone is treated equally and must abide by etiquette and law. I guess you want to ask me, if the emperor breaks the law, is he guilty of the same crime as the people?"
Hai Rui suddenly turned from defense to offense. Xiao Feng just smiled faintly: "If so, how should you answer?"
Hai Rui perked up. This was his sweet spot of knowledge. Even if you, Xiao Feng, are great in other areas, I am very confident in this!
"Your Excellency, you know that in the etiquette and law, the emperor is not equal to the common people. The emperor's sins can only be punished by heaven. The change of dynasties has always been the punishment of heaven!
As a minister, whether he speaks out and remonstrates when he commits a crime, or carries a coffin to write a letter, he is fulfilling the responsibilities of a minister, but there is no punishment for the emperor!
If parents make mistakes, their children will cry blood to advise them and die to stop them. This is filial piety. The emperor and his ministers are like father and son. If the emperor breaks the law, his ministers will do their duty!
In etiquette and law, there are not only special provisions for the emperor, but also corresponding provisions for scholar-officials. Equal treatment means equal treatment for people of the same class! "
Xiao Feng nodded: "What if they are two civilians, they also violate etiquette and law, should they be treated equally?"
Hai Rui cautiously jumped over a small pit: "Sir,
As civilians, there are still seniorities, and those with different seniorities should also be distinguished. As mentioned just now, father and son cannot be treated equally. "
Xiao Feng nodded: "Then if they are two civilians, of the same generation, who also violate etiquette and law, should they be treated equally?"
Hai Rui thought about it again and again, and after confirming that there was no pitfall, nodded. Xiao Feng sighed and looked at his daughter lying on the bed with weak breathing.
"Hai Rui, please tell your conscience, if the person lying on the bed was your son, let alone asking for a piece of cake, even if he stole someone else's cake, would you be cruel enough to starve him to death?"
Hai Rui was immediately confused. He opened his mouth several times, but could not say a word.
Xiao Feng once again caused the two highest priority concepts in his mind to collide fiercely like small gears, creating fierce sparks.
A small gear is: There are three types of unfilial piety, the greatest is not having an heir. This sentence is what his mother repeatedly taught him, and it is also the unfinished business that he has practiced and worked hard for his whole life.
Logically speaking, Hai Rui's family is not very poor. After all, his father was an official and left more than ten acres of land to his family. Hai Rui's mother is also very hard-working. She has been working non-stop from the time she started her family until now, so she is not an extremely poor family.
Although Hai Ruidang's teaching position was not a big one, his salary was not bad, and the aristocratic families in Fujian and other places attached great importance to education and donated a lot to the county school.
Although Hai Rui is not greedy, these donations are often distributed to teachers at all levels in the form of subsidies. As the director of the Education Bureau, Jiao Yu also has a role to play. This is courtesy, not greed.
Therefore, no matter from any angle, Hai Rui should not be so poor that he cannot even eat meat.
I have to wait until my mother’s birthday to buy two kilograms of meat.
Some historians believe that the financial problems of the Hai Rui family stemmed from Hai Rui's frequent marriages and concubines.
Hai Rui married three wives and had two concubines in his life. From ancient times to the present, marrying a wife has been a very expensive act. Although the mother-in-law in ancient times did not necessarily force you to buy a house, the bride price was still indispensable.
Not to mention concubinage. If a good girl becomes your concubine, what else can she do besides making money? You are handsome, so would you like to give your daughter to you to be your mistress?
Of course, for other smart-minded officials, this amount of expenditure may not be a big deal, but Hai Rui is the most honest official in history, and these expenditures are enough to bankrupt him.
Did Hai Rui take wives and concubines just for the sake of beauty? Absolutely not. Although he is also a normal man, he really wants to have a son and continue his legacy.
Therefore, based on the historical performance of Hai Rui's most obedient mother, there are three types of unfilial piety, the most important of which is not having children. This concept must have been instilled in him repeatedly by his mother, and the priority is extremely high.
The second cog is: etiquette is the way of saints and cannot be blasphemed. This is also a career that his mother has repeatedly taught him, practiced throughout his life, and made him famous throughout the ages.
But Xiao Feng's question touched on the Achilles' heel of etiquette: There is no etiquette that says that if a man steals something and a woman steals something, the woman's fault is greater.
Although there are actually many etiquette that favor boys over girls, such as adultery, family conflicts, etc., which favor boys over girls, there really is no such thing as stealing!
Hai Rui's daughter asked for a piece of cake from her servant. The mistake she made was obvious.
However, it is not as good as stealing a piece of cake to eat, so Xiao Feng's question is very logically reasonable.
If your son stole a piece of cake from someone else and made a bigger mistake than your daughter, would you bear to watch him starve to death like this?
At this time, Hai Rui could of course lie and say yes. Anyway, I don't have a son, and if I have a son, I won't necessarily steal things, so you, Xiao Feng, have to listen to whatever I say.
The problem is that if Hai Rui was this kind of person, this kind of thing wouldn't happen, and Xiao Feng wouldn't have to ask him like this. Hai Rui Haigangfeng is a person who will never cheat in his life.
Hai Rui was silent for a long time, and finally said with difficulty: "No."
Xiao Feng didn't bother to mock him as to why he couldn't, and asked directly: "If I need you to apologize in order to save your son's life, will you do it?"
Hai Rui remained silent for a longer time this time, with more gears clicking and sparking in his mind, and finally he said, "Ken."
Xiao Feng took a step back and pointed to Nannan with his hand: "Please."
