Zhongdu, Cheng'an Tower on the bank of Qinhuai River.
This is a large reinforced concrete structure building newly completed this year - Zhongdu New Town has begun to phase out wooden structures.
With the maturity of Ming Dynasty’s steel production and cement technology.
The construction industry has also advanced with the advancement of technology.
Although wooden buildings have their advantages.
But the shortcomings are also obvious - the key is that the fire resistance is too weak.
Therefore, after the emergence of reinforced concrete institutional buildings, Zhongdu took the lead in the emergence of a large number of reinforced concrete buildings with tower structures such as Cheng'an Building.
The six-story Chengan Building has begun to resemble a modern commercial complex.
A large number of stores are stationed here. On the top floor of the sixth floor, Shunxing Restaurant, which is quite famous in China, has been fully booked. It is the most famous restaurant on the Qinhuai River.
Those who receive visitors are naturally high-ranking officials.
In a private room next to the river.
Pastries from Suzhou and rice wine from Huaibei were served in front of several great scholars, but what was different from usual was that there was no little girl playing the pipa waiting on them.
Of course the great Confucians were romantic.
It is not uncommon for a pear tree to crush a begonia on the Qinhuai River.
After all, as the Ming Dynasty unified the world, population movement became more unrestricted than before the Qing Dynasty.
A large number of people are moving into cities.
The Qinhuai River has become far more prosperous than before - not to mention that the Ming Dynasty did not have strict control over officials. At least there were no restrictions on the Ming Dynasty officials who wanted to hold hands with little girls, so these Ming Dynasty officials The officials no longer have the pleasure of fencing with Lord Rabbit.
Qin Ying, Zhang Huiyan, Zhang Wentao and Li Tiaoyuan were all great Confucians of the time.
Either it is a scribe or a poet.
He is very famous among Confucian scholars, otherwise he would not be able to become a bachelor of the Hong Confucian Academy of the Ming Dynasty.
But at this time, all four of them had a somewhat worried look on their faces.
"The mass arrests at Chengdu Gongyuan arrested more than 300 scholars at once. The number of scholars who came to Zhongdu this time was very large. I am afraid there are tens of thousands of them. They are all scholars. If the emperor goes on a killing spree."
Zhang Huiyan said with a frown.
"We won't go on a killing spree! It's absolutely impossible to go on a killing spree! Our emperor is not the kind of character who kills people without blinking an eye. Didn't this mass arrest of Chengdu Gongyuan not kill a single person? What if we let go? In the Qing Dynasty, he must have been accused of Luo Zhi, and everyone in his family was executed." Qin Ying shook his head and said.
He had frequent contact with Emperor Zhu during this period.
Although Emperor Zhu was the founding emperor.
But he is not bloodthirsty, and he will not resort to tricks on ministers, officials, or people easily.
Moreover, if he creates Ming Li, he will naturally not destroy the sanctity of the Li.
Think of this.
Qin Ying said: "As long as the scholars are restrained to act strictly according to etiquette, not to do anything beyond etiquette or indecency, and just petition peacefully, even if the emperor is angry again, he will not break the rules himself!"
The other three nodded.
There is a [gift] hanging above my head.
It is indeed guaranteed for most people.
This [ceremony]. It is not just officials and people who are restrained.
Also restrain the emperor!
The emperor's power has been restricted, and the rules are clearly stated, so everyone does not have to be so restrained when doing things.
"It's okay to make a fuss this time. The reason why the emperor doesn't trust Confucian scholars is simply because he thinks that Confucian scholars are useless and pedantic. Since the emperor started his army, he has relied on strong ships and sharp cannons to produce gunpowder and muskets. Cannons, steam engines, and ships etc., there is no need for Confucianism, so Confucian scholars are naturally irrelevant in the eyes of the emperor."
Sichuan scholar Zhang Wentao said.
"However, you can conquer the world with strong ships and cannons, but you have to rely on Confucian scholars like us to govern the world. The emperor will not understand this unless he has suffered a little. After all, he has lived overseas for a long time and does not understand the national conditions of China."
"This time, the scholars must show their upright Confucian character no matter what! Let the emperor see that my Confucian disciples are not all useless scholars!"
Zhang Wentao finished speaking.
The other three were silent for a moment after hearing this.
Li Tiaoyuan said: "We have to make a fuss, but we can't make it too big, and we can't make it too small. It's hard to control within a small area!"
"There's nothing to worry about. It's just a matter of sitting quietly at the Meridian Gate. It's best to starve for a few times so that the world can see the integrity of the scholar!"
Qin Ying said.
"This time, what matters is the future of everyone. Whether it is the rise of new learning or Confucianism, it depends on this time! In my opinion, the emperor may not hate Confucianism, as long as the Confucian disciples can show their strength in the struggle Let the emperor see that Confucian disciples also have heroes, and Confucianism can flourish again in the world!"
Several people nodded.
This struggle.
They, the older scholars, cannot participate.
This is a fight between young readers!
Are the Confucian disciples more capable, or are the college students from Daohua University more capable?
It depends on how the big guys fight this time!
As long as the struggle is controlled within the regulations of [Li].
Do not exceed etiquette.
It is absolutely impossible for Emperor Zhu and the Ming Dynasty to intervene directly.
This is the opportunity [Li] gives to the scholars!
at the same time.
Several young scholar leaders of this "Scholar Petition" movement.
They were also discussing in another restaurant by the Qinhuai River.
They are Du Ruchong and He Changling from Sichuan, Wu Xinzhong from Jiangxi, Xie Jieshu from Anhui, Shi Chengzao from Shandong, and Fang Baosheng from Hunan.
Collectively known as the "Six Gentlemen"
The gentlemen were also discussing the plan of struggle at this time.
"Slogans must be set properly. Don't shout too much. Everything must be limited to academic debates. You must not criticize the emperor, storm the palace, or conflict with the Forbidden City defenders. Just sit quietly at the Meridian Gate!"
Jiangxi scholar Wu Xinzhong said loudly.
For the scholars,...
What they feared most was that this petition struggle would eventually develop into an attack on the Ming court.
That's it.
After all, according to [Etiquette], you must not speak harshly to the Ming Dynasty court and the emperor, and you must not make any treasonous remarks.
otherwise
Depending on the severity of the incident, he may be imprisoned, sentenced, or even beheaded.
In fact, he went through the iron fist education of the Qing Dynasty.
These scholars rushed to the palace gate to petition, and they were already very cautious.
And before.
It is not uncommon for Confucian scholars to stand in front of the palace and scold the emperor.
And if the emperor cares about his reputation, he usually doesn't have much good options.
After all, if you beat someone to death.
That would help his reputation.
Literary dynasty admonished militiamen to fight to the death.
Leave your name in history!
How many Confucian scholars and scholars who are not afraid of death can this attract to criticize you?
Isn't this asking for trouble?
But in the Qing Dynasty.
But no Confucian scholar dared to point his finger at the emperor and scold him.
After all, the poem "Qingfeng is illiterate, why is he flipping through the book randomly" can make the nine tribes laugh.
All the literati with integrity were killed in the early Qing Dynasty.
Now there is just a slight breath of freedom.
Scholars were not bold enough to directly restore traditional arts.
Gentlemen sit and talk in a restaurant.
The lower class scholars are not so romantic.
After all, most scholars don't have a few words in their pockets.
The expense of a trip to a high-end restaurant is beyond what these poor scholars can handle.
Therefore, most of the lower-class scholars from all over the country live under the old city walls in the south city of Zhongdu.
This was originally the residence of some old city residents, but with the increase in factories nearby and the real estate development in Beicheng, many local middle-aged and elderly people who made a fortune by selling land have moved to Beicheng where the environment is better and they don't have to smell factory exhaust. .
These old houses were rented by many workers, and many people opened some cheap taverns.
The environment is complex, with hook bars and old prostitutes everywhere, as well as the cross-flowing sewage and the sound of factories not far away, which together create a scene of a slum in a modern industrial area.
And those scholars who come from all over the world and wear long gowns have become the targets of ridicule by the workers in the Nancheng slums these days.
The workers are not necessarily poor - but they all come from other places, and housing prices in Zhongdu are expensive, so most workers cannot afford to buy a house in Zhongdu.
So they all like to live in this kind of "urban village" to save on rent and save more money throughout the year to build a new house in their hometown.
These are people who are running around for a living. They wear short clothes that are convenient for work, and their hair is basically shaved. They keep short hair that is convenient for working in the machine workshop-long hair is really practical in the rumbling workshop. It's too dangerous.
Their outfits.
Naturally, he was incompatible with the scholars who wore long gowns and long sleeves.
Out of place in this place.
Chen Chuanjing, who is from Sichuan, is thinking about how long he can stay in Zhongdu, where land is scarce.
The travel expenses from home have almost been spent.
Fortunately, the prices in the urban villages in Nancheng were cheap. Otherwise, these scholars who wanted to petition the emperor would have no choice but to go home in despair.
"The Six Gentlemen have already submitted a petition on behalf of the scholars! According to etiquette, all subjects of the Ming Dynasty have the right to petition! I can go to Zhongdu tomorrow, sit quietly and petition, and show the emperor the integrity of Confucian disciples like us!!"
soon.
A scholar rushed in furiously and announced loudly.
"Okay! Let's go tomorrow! Everyone get up early, maybe we can catch the train to the Meridian Gate!"
"Yes, yes, otherwise it would take a long time to walk there!"
"Everything is ready! This time we must ask the emperor to issue an edict to promote Confucianism and abolish new learning!"
Everyone started shouting.
Chen Chuanjing also breathed a sigh of relief.
Chen Chuanjing from Sichuan is already forty years old, but he was not admitted as a scholar in the former Qing Dynasty and was just an old boy.
The family originally had more than ten acres of thin farmland, but because they had to support his education, they bought several acres of land, and now they only have less than ten acres left.
A blue long gown hung from his body, covering his thin body.
Chen Chuanjing, who has been taking the eight-part essay exam for decades, his only hope is to make a comeback in the imperial examination.
However.
The Qing Dynasty was gone as soon as it was said to be gone.
The Ming Dynasty is back.
Just come back if you say you're coming back.
This imperial examination suddenly said that they would not take the eight-part essay test, but would instead take a test on something new.
As a result, the world of Lao Tongsheng Chen Chuanjing collapsed.
His lifelong hope.
A lifelong dream.
He is the younger brother in the imperial examination and shines at the top of his family.
However.
Today's imperial examination policy of the Ming Dynasty has undoubtedly shattered the dream of the forty-year-old Chen Chuanjing.
The emperor of the Ming Dynasty must have been deceived by his traitorous officials!
This has been the practice of recruiting scholars with stereotyped writing since ancient times. How can we say that this centuries-old rule has been changed as soon as it has been changed?
so.
This time I came to Zhongdu to petition, just to tell the emperor that the old rules are better!
Thinking about it, Chen Chuanjing had already moved his baggage north and started to pack his things.
"Brother Chen, let's take the train together tomorrow."
someone said.
"Oh, let's talk about it tomorrow, I have something to do today."
"What's going on?"
"Little things, little things."
Chen Chuanjing went out carrying his baggage.
Take a train?
Chen Chuanjing can't afford to sit still.
He almost didn't have enough money left to go back to his hometown in Sichuan.
This time when he went out, it could be said that he was risking his life.
For scholars like Chen Chuanjing, what they have learned throughout their lives is basically useless if they cannot pass the imperial examination.
Taking the train is not expensive though.
Just one copper dollar.
but.
This money is enough for Chen Chuanjing to have a meal.
Therefore, he planned to set off on foot now.
It is more than fifty miles from here to the Meridian Gate.
You have to get there when everyone gathers.
Don't you have to travel all night?
Woohoo.
Follow the railway line north.
Chen Chuanjing's side.
A train is coming.
The speed of the train is very slow.
Probably about the same speed as a horse trotting.
But walking is much faster than Chen Chuanjing.
And on this train.
They are Chen Chuanjing's opponents in this fight.
There are several student leaders of Xinxue, including Deng Xianhe, Xiao Yuangui, Guo Rentu, Wang Xuezong and others.
There are also batches of students.
at the same time.
There were also workers "invited" from Songjiang Prefecture to participate in the struggle.
"Hey, have you heard? Those rotten scholars are planning to force the emperor to abolish the new learning, close the factories, and recruit scholars with stereotyped writing!"
"Why should we close the factory? Where will we go if we close the factory?"
"That's right! So this time we are going to petition. If they can petition, can't we? If they want to ruin our jobs, we will smash their heads!"
"Yes! Smash their heads!"
inside the carriage.
A group of industrial workers were excited.
Wu Xianggui was also among them, also looking angry.
He is a skilled worker at Jiangnan Machinery Factory.
He used to be a scholar, but he couldn't pass the imperial examination, so he had to farm at home. Later, Jiangnan Machinery Factory set up a factory and recruited literate young people to enter the factory and set up technical schools under preferential conditions.
Wu Xianggui thus became a member of the glorious working class.
After graduation.
He soon became the technical backbone of the factory.
The monthly salary is 20 Ming Yuan and I signed a five-year contract.
This income is well into the middle class.
In Songjiang Prefecture, Wu Xianggui married a daughter-in-law and gave birth to a baby. The baby is still studying in a new primary school. His future dream is to get into the four major universities in Ming Dynasty!
The future can be said to be bright.
Those corrupt scholars want to abolish new learning and close factories.
That means that he can't live with the future that Wu Xianggui longs for, and can't live with his beautiful life!
So when Wu Xianggui, who looked very strong, heard that he was going to Zhongdu to compete with those rotten scholars, he signed up immediately!
(End of chapter)
