At dinner time, as usual, only three people came to the table: Gao Gong, Gao Gong's wife, Mrs. Zhang, and Gao Pragmatic. Gao Gong's two wives, Mrs. Cao and Mrs. Xue, ate separately in the side hall according to etiquette.
Gao Gong's wife Zhang and Gao Pragmatic's mother Zhang are not from the same family as the Zhang family in Puzhou. Gao Gong's wife was born in Zhongmu County, Linxian County, Xinzheng. The Zhongmu Zhang family is also an official family in the local area and has been a wealthy family for many generations - The eleventh generation ancestor of Mrs. Gao's Zhang family was Zhang Gui, the Minister of Rites of the Yuan Dynasty. The past few years have been pretty good, too. My great-grandfather was the governor of Tunliu. His grandfather Zhang Song accumulated good deeds of filial piety and was famous for his filial piety in Henan. His father also served as a judge for the Zhou government. There is even an outstanding figure among his juniors: Mrs. Gao's nephew Zhang Mengnan. He was a Jinshi in the 44th year of Jiajing reign. He first served as a promotion official in Guangping Prefecture and is now a member of the Ministry of Justice, Wai Lang.
In Gao Pragmatic's eyes, Mrs. Gao was a very traditional and typical lady who came from an official family in the Ming Dynasty. She usually followed her husband's will in everything, was gentle and dignified, and treated others with courtesy. Unfortunately, for some unknown reason, she had no children in her life. Maybe it was because she was childless that she had a good attitude towards Gao Jingshi, her nephew. However, Gao Jingshi observed that she also had a good attitude towards Gao Gong's other nephews and nieces, but in any case, Gao Jingshi felt that she is a good person.
Gao Gong's two concubines, Cao and Xue, were actually not very familiar with Gao Jingshi. He only knew that Cao had given birth to three daughters. Unfortunately, all three daughters died at the age of fourteen or fifteen, and Xue had one daughter. Zi Gaolai also died at the age of thirteen - speaking of it, Gao Gong's family was indeed a bit miserable.
The Gao family has a strict family tradition, and it is a basic requirement to eat without talking or sleep without talking. This meal is of course no exception. I just finished it quietly, with nothing to show for it. The first person to finish eating was Mrs. Gao, but after she finished eating, she just waited quietly for Gao Gong. Of course, this was also the rule. Gao Gong actually eats relatively quickly, but because he takes care of Gao Pragmatically, he has been deliberately eating slowly recently - because according to etiquette, if Gao Gong, the head of the family, puts down his chopsticks, no one else on the table can continue eating. , and Gao Pragmatic is the time when his body is growing, and after all, his body is still that of a child. Even if he wants to eat quickly, he can't get anywhere fast. Although Gao Gong has a strong temper, it doesn't mean that he can't understand things. , so deliberately chew slowly and be pragmatic when you are full.
After Gao pragmatically finished eating, Gao Gong took the last sip of clear soup slowly, put down his chopsticks, took the white handkerchief handed over by the maid, wiped his mouth, nodded to Madam Gao and said, "Madam, if you want to take a walk, go ahead first. , I have something to talk about with pragmatism as my husband."
In recent times, Mrs. Gao has become accustomed to her husband's habit of doing practical homework or chatting after meals. She was not surprised when she heard this, nodded and stood up.
Gao pragmatic stood up quickly and bowed slightly: "Auntie, walk slowly."
Mrs. Gao smiled gently: "No need to be polite." Shi Shiran went with his personal maid.
Gao pragmatic waited for Mrs. Gao to go out. He looked up at Gao Gong and saw that he had his head lowered and his brows were furrowed. He couldn't help asking, "Third uncle, is there something going wrong in the court?"
Gao Gong seemed to be deep in thought just now. After hearing this, he looked up at Gao Pingshi and smiled: "Things in the court have never been smooth, and Zhao Zhenji has always disliked me. Don't care what I say. He has to object anyway, and I have long been used to it...Why, do you have any 'advice' for a stone in a pit like Zhao Dazhou?"
Seeing him making fun of himself, Gao Pingshi smiled helplessly: "If the third uncle finds it difficult to handle, my nephew has only read a few books, and he has little talent and knowledge. Naturally, he won't have any good ideas."
"You little devil, when did you become so humble?" Gao Gong smiled brightly, stood up and made a gesture: "Don't mention him, let's go to my study."
The servants and maids of the surrounding Gao Mansion looked at each other after hearing this, thinking that the young master (referring to Gao Lai who had died in infancy) was not allowed to enter the master's study until his death. He was already twelve or thirteen years old at that time. Only three or four servants in the mansion are allowed to enter the master's study to clean. This shows that the eldest son of the sixth master's family has a very high status in the master's mind!
Gao pragmatic didn't know about this situation, and he didn't think it would be wrong to enter the study room... When he was in his hometown in Xinzheng before, there was no day when he didn't enter Gao Gong's study room?
Of course, he also knew that Gao Gong's study room had quite a few rules, mainly because Gao Gong was a person who kept writing. Many manuscripts were kept in the study room all year round. Some of those manuscripts were elaborations of his political ideas and expressions of some economic thoughts. , some are records of state governance, and some are reflections on academic research. Later generations compiled them into the "Collected Works of Gao Wenxiang"... Gao Gong did not sort out these manuscripts every day, but wrote down what he thought of. Just put it there randomly at first, take it out after a while and look at it again. After reading it, if there is anything that needs to be modified, modify it again. Only those that are confirmed to be correct will be organized and put away in a special location. Therefore, no one is allowed to move around in his study.
After entering the study room, Gao Gong asked Gao pragmatic to sit down first, while he was picking through several piles of manuscripts on the desk, as if he was looking for something. Gao Gongshi was very relaxed in front of Gao Gong, and he sat down when he was asked to sit down. He even picked up the big red robe that the steward personally sent and blew it gently - his child was afraid of being burned, even when drinking tea in winter. I prefer drinking something cooler.
Gao Gong finally found what he was looking for, which was also a manuscript, and it was obviously a draft. He looked at it, walked over and handed it to Gao Pingshi, and said, "Just take a look." After a slight pause, he added : "You are reading "The University", look at this manuscript, and tell me what you think."
Gao pragmatically put down his tea cup, stood up and took the manuscript. After Gao Gong sat down, he sat down, took the manuscript, and started reading.
"Ask: Why does "The Great Learning" talk about making money? He said: This is the useful knowledge of sages! "Hong Fan" eight policies, the first one talks about food and goods; "Yu Han" three things, finally, wealth. Financial management is the most important thing of the king's government! Later generations will be pedantic. Those who are fond of fame flow around, do not understand justice and benefit, and do not distinguish between public and private affairs. They only regard profit without mentioning it as high, and even make people unable to serve the country. Little do they know that gathering people is called wealth, and managing money is called righteousness. It is also said that righteousness is the sum of benefits, and righteousness has not been achieved. Unfavorable... The difference between righteousness and benefit lies in the judgment of public benefit. If you go beyond righteousness, then all benefits are righteous; if you go beyond benefit, then righteousness will also be beneficial. But if you don't talk about benefits, you will not be able to serve the country. , this is also a name for profit, but it is not called righteousness."
After Gao pragmatically read it, he raised his eyebrows and praised: "Great advice, Third Uncle! Financial management is by no means a frivolous matter. I still remember that when my nephew was reading "The Supplement to the Extensions of the University", he saw Qiu Wenzhuang's words: "Yi said: Why?" Gathering people? It's called wealth. Wealth comes from the land and is used for people. The reason why people are human is that they need wealth to survive, and they cannot live without it. The so-called wealth is just grain and goods. Grain is used for people's food, and goods is used for capital. If the people have food and are useful, then the people will have the means to support themselves and live in peace." He paused for a moment and continued: "However, although Qiu Wenzhuang Gong discussed wealth clearly, if he raised the theory of financial management to Third Uncle is probably the first person to enlighten people by debating righteousness and interests!"
Gao Gong listened carefully to what he said, and then smiled and said: "It seems that your "Explanation of the University" is indeed not in vain. However, you said that I am the first person to elevate financial management to the debate between justice and benefit. I But I don’t dare to take it seriously... You probably haven’t finished reading the "Extensions of the University" yet, right?"
Gao Pragmatic was slightly startled, and Hao Ran said: "Qiu Gong's masterpiece contains more than a million words, and it must be read patiently and carefully. My nephew is stupid and has not finished reading it."
"Yes, you are right. At your age, you have other homework on weekdays, so it is normal for you not to finish reading." Gao Gong nodded and said: "Actually, my theory is based on the words of Qiu Wenzhuang Gong. Explain, Qiu Gong once said in Volume 160 of "The Supplement to the Great Learning": The ruler is in charge of governance, and he should not use it to control the country. The reason why the country is used is wealth. Wealth is born in the sky and produced in the earth. , it comes from people. So the one who controls its use is the king. Although the king controls its use as a country, it is actually as a people. Therefore, if the king is not enough, he will take from the people, and if the people are not enough, he will take from the king. The top and bottom are accommodating and mutually beneficial. When it is collected and dispersed, what is there and what is not, it is covered by one person to control its use, and it is not dedicated to one person. Therefore, the benevolent kings in ancient times knew that it is to protect wealth for heaven and to gather wealth for the people. Whatever is used is not for heaven. If you are not for the people, you will never dare to spend anything lightly. If you spend money, you must consider it to be enjoyed by the gods and the peace of all the people. You dare not take it for your own selfishness. What is this? Five talents are born, and the people use them. It is specially for the ears of the people. It is not owned by the king but is privately owned. If you think it is your own property and use it privately, you don't know that it is inherently limited and the people's power is difficult. It can be accumulated for a hundred years and it is not enough. It will be scattered in a day and there will be nothing left. The sun will disappear and the moon will disappear. Once the consumption is tamed to the point where the treasury is empty and the national resources are scarce, there is no support for officials, and there is no cover for the people. At that time, all the plans will be in vain, and how can the throne be relied on? An, why does the country deserve to be governed?"
When he said this, he smiled and looked at Gao Pingshi: "Look, although Duke Qiu Wenzhuang explicitly advised you to be frugal to love the people, he actually expressed what he was thinking in his heart: It is righteousness for you to be frugal for the people."
Gao Pragmatic also laughed: "In the final analysis, it all comes from the perspective of 'the people are the most important, the country is the second, and the king is the least'."
Gao Gong laughed heartily, sat on the Taishi chair and leaned back slightly: "So it is said that knowledge is universal. You see, the people are precious, and managing finances for the people is a great righteousness, but what do the people need? Wealth? and goods. Therefore, doing good things for the world and managing money is the most righteous thing in the world."
