After operating in Chang'an for seven years, although the scale of Xijing Imperial College is not as large as that of Tokyo Imperial College under Chen Chong, it is not inferior to that of twenty years ago.
Xiangyunzhai, where Dr. Sun Yan invited Chen Chong to give lectures this time, was built last month with Chen Chong's investment. Luoyang Imperial College had twenty lecture halls that could accommodate 300 students. Sun Yan discussed this matter with Chen Chong and built thirteen more lecture halls in Chang'an Imperial College that could accommodate 400 students. The largest one is the Xiangyun Zhai. The eaves of the hall are carved with flying dragons and floating clouds, and the railings are decorated with lions, tigers and other beasts. It has its own extraordinary charm.
Although Chen Chong became famous from Taixue, he had been busy with his affairs since he entered Beijing. Unless there were special reasons, he rarely went to Taixue to give lectures. The same is true this time. For him to come to Taixue to give lectures is another major event accomplished in Taixue.
Shortly after the new school was built, the "History of the Nation" Stele Forest, which had been planned for many years at Chang'an Imperial College, was also completed.
The Forest of Steles in the "History of the Country" imitates the "Xiping Stone Classic" carved in Luoyang, using a giant stone stele about one foot long and four feet wide. The inscription on the stele is a chronicle written by Chen Chong himself, from the events of the Three Dynasties to the reign of Emperor Huan of the Han Dynasty. hour. Cai Yong was asked to transcribe it, and another three million was spent to engrave the official script on the stele. There were ninety-eight stone stele pieces, with about 800,000 words. It took four years, and the project was almost three times the size of the Xiping Stone Classic. ”, so that on the day when the forest of steles was completed and opened to the public, the whole city was proud of it, and it was like a blockage to watch, and it was difficult for cars and horses to move.
Everyone thought that the completion of the forest of steles was a grand event in the literary world. The king of Taichang reported it to the emperor, saying that for such an important event, your majesty should join the imperial college with Long Shou to preach and educate together, so as to understand the emperor's heart. Naturally, both of them readily agreed, and this was the beginning of the Xiangyunzhai lecture.
On the morning of the sixth day of September, the emperor and Chen Chong arrived at Taixue by car and worshiped the three holy gods in the front hall of Taixue. The dignitaries, officials, married women, students and even monks from Chang'an gathered together, and it was overcrowded for a while.
After the emperor Chen Chong paid his respects, he lined up on the left and right sides of the altar, and ordered the king of Taichang to recite a congratulatory message in front of the altar. Wang Yi was seen wearing a silk crown, holding a yellow silk, facing the crowd, clearing his throat, and blurted out the words. At this time, the autumn sun is shining, and the gentle breeze blows the mulberry and jujube trees outside the hall. They all fall in the wind, and they rustle for a while, just like the moving sounds of heaven mentioned by Zhuangzi. Not far away, there is a brand-new forest of steles with a radius of a hundred steps. , the spectators present listened and considered it in their hearts, feeling extremely emotional.
Chen Chong listened to Wang Yi for a moment and suddenly smelled a faint fragrance. With a glance from the corner of his eyes, he noticed that the emperor was dressed in red makeup. It turned out that many maids in the palace had also come out, except for the Queen Fu and the noble concubine Dong. , and Princess Wannian was accompanying him, which made him feel moved, and he suddenly remembered that the princess had given him wine.
Soon, the congratulatory speech was finished. Without waiting for the crowd to make noise, Wang Yi coughed and invited Dr. Sun Yan to come up and give a speech. The crowd suddenly became quiet. Just now, Wang Yi read in classical Chinese, with elegant diction. Even though he read it slowly, there was actually something in it. Many people didn't quite understand, but now that Sun Yan spoke in plain English, everyone understood.
Sun Yan said something similar to how the emperor is a sage, assisted by wise ministers, and the country is peaceful and the people are safe. Then he asked Chen Chong to come out and explain the inscription to everyone. Chen Chong walked down from the altar, led the crowd to the forest of steles, and introduced the historical events recorded in the inscriptions to everyone. After the introduction, Chen Chong added his own views and ideas to the discussion and explanation, and so on.
The things recorded in the inscriptions are nearly a thousand years old. Although they are numerous, the people who explain them can often outline them and add interesting worldly stories. If there are questions, they will not tire of it and will not stop until they understand. Therefore, although what is said is simple, there are often surprising words, which always make people listen carefully. After a clear summary, people suddenly feel relieved, like taking a shower in the spring breeze or drinking sweet rain. I also saw Chen Chong walking among the forest of steles, like white clouds on the top of a mountain, connecting the past and the present, as if he was in a state of ecstasy above the nine heavens, and the listeners were all intoxicated.
Seeing this scene, the waiter Xu Qian immediately praised people and said: "The history of the country in Guanxi, and the stone scriptures inscribed in Guandong. The banquets are coming to the sky, and the crowns and crowns are like clouds. The auspicious birds are waiting for the spiritual vultures, and the auspicious beasts are leaning over the platform. Ning Wenlong Sichuan Shi, how could you please ask someone to teach you?"
Soon it was noon, and Chen Chong felt a little tired, so he gave the ceremony and ended the ceremony. The servants in the palace gave Chen Chong and all the officials a banquet to eat and rest.
In the afternoon, most of the ladies and common people dispersed. Chen Chong was surrounded by imperial students and sat on a table in front of the forest of steles. The emperor, the queen and the princess bowed to accompany him, and there were about a hundred cabinet ministers in the court and government sitting there.
Chen Chong said to everyone: "I have already said everything in general in the morning, and there is no need to repeat it now. It is more about learning and understanding by yourself. I know that in teaching, clearing up doubts is the most important. If you have any questions, you might as well tell me listen."
Shang Shulang Mi Heng stood up and saluted, and then asked: "I heard what Long Shou said on the inscription. It was very broad and clear. It is naturally a good history book. But there seems to be one thing that is not recorded. I don't know if it is Long Shou. Is it a mistake, or does it have another purpose?"
Chen Chong said casually: "Let's talk about it."
Mi Heng said: "Dong Zhongshu often said that heaven and man interact with each other, and visions arise from the interaction between heaven and man. However, the inscriptions do not contain any bad or good fortune in the heavens. Why?"
Chen Chong did not answer, but asked everyone: "What do you think?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Yang Xiu, who was in charge of the Household Department of Si Li Mansion, shook his fly whisk and said, "The meaning of the dragon's head should be that God's will is high and difficult to ask. It can be seen from human accidents. For example, when Zhou Wu conquered Zhou, it was especially bad omen. Liu Xin's taboo of Guangwu was bound to die." "It is better to hold the essence and keep oneness, to the extreme of emptiness, to keep quiet and sincere."
Everyone nodded in agreement after hearing this, praised him endlessly, and commented: "Yang Dezu is extremely smart, and he is really unusual."
Only Kong Rong, a member of the Sili Mansion, shook his head and said: "Although what Dezu said is exquisite, there are still flaws."
Yang Xiu looked at Kong Rong, raised his eyebrows and said, "Oh, what is Mr. Wen Ju's opinion?"
Kong Rong said unhurriedly: "It is difficult to ask about God's will, but many things in the world are faked by ordinary people, using the name of God's will to confuse the stupid people. Although the envoy's writings do not contain celestial phenomena, they do contain words about celestial phenomena. , it can be seen that it is not to respect heaven and keep emptiness, but to dispel the charm of history."
Everyone looked at Chen Chong and saw that his eyes were half full and he nodded slowly, seemingly agreeing with what Kong Rong said.
Yang Xiu still did not agree and said: "It is appropriate to dispel charms, but when people are in the world, they must not understand the greatness of nature and the insignificance of life. The so-called Confucius made the Spring and Autumn Period and feared rebellious ministers and traitors, which is to use small words to express great righteousness and blame the desire for profit. If you read history and make people fearless, it is really not the holy way."
Kong Rong couldn't help laughing when he heard this: "Does this boy want to imitate Zheng Kangcheng and write articles to fight?"
After hearing this, everyone applauded and said, "Kong Wenju is a veteran in the literary world, and Yang Dezu is a new talent in the literary world. If each can write a wonderful article, it will be a great thing!"
Yang Xiu also smiled and said, "Although it's good, it only lasts for two months. When things in Hebei are over, the Sili Mansion will be busy, and I don't know when I will have time."
The emperor was sitting on the left side of Chen Chong. Hearing this, he asked Chen Chong softly: "How is the war in Hebei going recently?"
Chen Chong also replied softly: "I just came to report yesterday, saying that all the main force of the general has crossed the river and is confronting the thieves in Leling. The sound of drums can be heard on both sides. Zhong Shangshu, who is in Sheguo, has moved eastward along the Zhang River. We surrounded Yecheng and sent envoys to recruit all the counties in Hebei Province to surrender. General Zhenbei went south and defeated Bao Xin, broke through the military capital, and after a short rest, he is about to attack Zhuoxian County."
The emperor said: "It seems that the war is going well."
Chen Chong saw his gloomy look and knew what he was thinking. Even he didn't know how to comfort him. After a long time, he said, "I heard that Concubine Dong Guifei will give birth to a baby soon. Has your Majesty already chosen a name?"
The emperor glanced at him and said slowly: "If he is a man, let him be named Liu Qi."
Just as the two of them were talking in secret, someone stood up, saluted Chen Chong and asked: "Although the envoy writes to dispel the charm of the people, I observe that in his daily behavior, he is cautious and cautious, and treats himself harshly. I don't know why the envoy is doing it. Why do you respect me?"
Chen Chong looked back and found that the person speaking was Jingzhao Wuhui, the great-grandson of Wuyuanxian, the former governor of Yanzhou.
Chen Chong thought about it for a moment and said to him: "What I said is not disrespectful to heaven. Lao Dan said: 'Heaven and earth are unkind and regard all things as stupid dogs.' God's will is unpredictable, and it is impossible to predict bad luck if it is not based on the human heart. And looking through the history books, there are many There are those who know people's hearts with the celestial phenomena, but there is no one who can know the celestial phenomena with the human will. Even in a person's life, birth, old age, illness and death are not controlled by his own will. It can be seen that human beings are unpredictable, which is the most unpredictable thing in nature. Therefore, I think that when I am in the human world, I should To respect people's hearts, we should also respect ourselves. Putting self-discipline as the first priority, sincerity is promoted in the "Book" to the world. However, for thousands of years, it is not easy for those who can cultivate their moral integrity with sincerity and correct mind."
After everyone listened, they all felt something. After the emperor and Chen Chong both left, the students gradually dispersed. Along the way, many people were still arguing about the words they heard during the day. Three of the students were walking together and talking to each other about today's banquet.
The young man on the left said: "The last time I drove through Luoyang, I didn't go to Taixue to study the "Stone Classics", which was a great pity. But today I saw the "History of the Nation", so I don't have to worry anymore."
The young man on the right said: "It's a pity that we are still unknown. Although His Majesty and Chen Jun are both in the high seat, we don't have the chance to ask questions. I don't know how long it will take before we see each other again."
The young man in the middle was silent, obviously thinking about something. He only came back to his senses after his companion called him twice. His companion asked him with a smile: "Kong Ming, what are you thinking about?"
The tall young man wore a Fulun scarf, put his hands behind his hands and said to them: "I just looked at His Majesty and Chen Shijun from a distance, and both of them looked very handsome. But when Yang Dezu and Kong Wenju were discussing, the emperor often hid his eyes, Chen Shijun It seems that the two of them are not getting along with each other. This is not a good thing! Zhou Ping, I am quite uneasy and always feel that something big is going to happen."
The young man on the right is Cui Zhouping, the youngest son of the late Lieutenant Cui Lie, and the young man on the left is Pang Tong of Xiangyang. Both of them were quite suspicious when they heard this. Pang Tong said: "It is not for us imperial students to talk about matters in the court." Is it clear? It’s better to go and say hello to the teacher first.”
Kong Ming thought carefully for a moment and couldn't help laughing. He joked to Cui Zhouping: "Zhou Pingyan said that he has the ambition to be a governor. How can he say this? Honghu's ambition must be made clear at all times, so he can not fall."
Zhuge Liang, courtesy name Kongming, was born in Langya, Xuzhou. During the Chuping period, Xuzhou was in chaos. His uncle Zhuge Xuan took him to Jingzhou and fled to Liu Biao, who was eighteen years old this year. He has been studying in Nanyang on weekdays, and now he is proficient in classics, but he still feels uncomfortable. Later, I heard that the Imperial College in Chang'an was becoming more and more prosperous, so I went to Xijing with my friends to study. Although he is eager to learn, he is not very talkative, so his classmates do not know what he is capable of, and his reputation is not yet known. Only close friends know that he is extraordinary.
