September is a happy time.
The sky is high and the clouds are light, and the sun is shining brightly.
The golden sunshine shines on the golden crops, and the whole earth is a heart-warming golden yellow.
Under such colors, people will be in a good mood and full of hope.
Spread across the fields, the farmers’ songs and laughter after work are the best portrayal.
Zuo Maodi, Shen Xun, Jiang Cai, and Jiang Gai were walking on the dirt road in the countryside, feeling the unique vitality of Linqing, and their moods were complicated for a while.
After joining the New Army, the four of them followed Huang Zongxi to learn how to work.
On the way back, what they learned the most was ideological propaganda.
Watching the unruly people who followed the White Lotus Sect in rebellion slowly change under the propaganda and inspiration of the Political Department led by Huang Zongxi, the four people felt very magical.
Under the influence of their ears and eyes, the four people already have an understanding of how the New Army operates.
After arriving in Linqing, during this period, they met Li Banghua, Bi Maokang, Qu Shichun, Zhang Jimeng, Huang Daozhou and other Donglin sages whom they had only heard of and admired in the past.
However, unlike what they imagined, these wise men seemed to disdain to talk about poetry and articles, and they rarely talked about their family, country and world.
Each of them is very busy, and there always seems to be endless things to do.
Forget about them, the same goes for Zuo Mao’s fourth person.
Huang Zongxi did not give them preferential treatment just because they were newcomers. On the contrary, he drove them like donkeys and made them work hard every day and hit them on the back of the head.
This kind of life is completely different from the leisurely life of the four of them in the past. They couldn't adapt to it at all at first and made mistakes frequently.
However, after more than ten days, they gradually began to recover and were no longer so afraid of work.
In addition, the clothing of the four people has also undergone great changes.
When they set out from Laiyang, they were still wearing scholar robes. But as time goes by, the dirty and damaged clothes can no longer be worn, and clothing must be replenished.
And what Huang Zongxi threw to them was the most ordinary New Army uniform.
Several people wanted to protest, but Huang Zongxi pointed at himself and Zuo Mengeng, leaving them speechless.
Even Zuo Mengeng, Huang Zongxi, and even Li Banghua and Bi Maokang wear such clothes. What qualifications do they have to remain noble?
If we want to say that the biggest impact the four people felt in Linqing was the discussion meeting that day.
Everyone's writings and speeches at the meeting made the four of them feel a little bit of danger.
"Zhongji, we seem to have entered a den of thieves."
Jiang Gai carefully observed his surroundings and found that no one was near, so he dared to express his worries.
He originally thought that there were many wise men and women here, and if he asked for help every day, his knowledge would improve. As a result, after a few days of feeling, these wise men seemed to be preparing to rebel.
Zuo Maodi looked solemn.
"I had my doubts when I entered the army that day. The left officer has even changed the military system. If he is not daring, he has some conspiracy."
When he said this, the other three nodded.
During the Ming Dynasty, although the military system was not always consistent, they were all changes made by the court according to the situation. But the system in the new army is obviously completely different from the current army of Ming Dynasty.
Jiang Cai was puzzled by this matter.
"Tell me, these people in the East Forest are originally gentlemen that the world looks up to, so how could they do this?"
Shen Xun understood this quite well.
"Since the present day, Donglin has suffered repeated setbacks, loyal ministers weeping blood, and the country is in turmoil. It cannot control the captives externally, and it cannot quell the chaos internally. The people are getting poorer and poorer, and there are many tragedies of leading beasts and cannibals. I guess they are disappointed with the Ming Dynasty. Bar?"
Jiang Gai couldn't help but said: "But the Ming Dynasty is the orthodoxy of the world. As a scholar, you should advise the king to follow the right path."
Compared to the three of them, Zuo Maodi was the one who thought the most.
During these days, he not only quietly observed the words and deeds of Huang Zongxi and others, but also always asked for advice. He also had the deepest understanding of the theory here.
He asked: "But what if the king does not follow the right path? How many loyal ministers were innocently wronged when the Donglu invaded? In the past, everyone in the world thought that the new king was the coming of the Holy Lord. After these three years of twists and turns, they should have realized something. .”
Jiang Cai asked cautiously: "Zhongji, do you plan to join them?"
For these scholars who had read poetry and books since childhood, rebellion... was always a topic that frightened them.
Zuo Maodi did not immediately strengthen his belief, but seemed confused.
"Do you still remember what Dali did in Laiyang that day? At that time, Huang Taichong said that people wearing long gowns are human beings, and barefoot mud legs are not human beings. This sentence has made me think about it to this day. The sage said, Governance is based on virtue, and the world is for the public. But what we have seen and heard over the years, have the words of the saints been realized? Which saints and famous ministers in the past dynasties have achieved it? "
Shen Xun and the other three had nothing to say.
They are all proficient in history books and naturally know that even in those so-called prosperous times, real ordinary people lived a very difficult life.
That is to say: when it prospers, the people suffer; when it dies, the people also suffer.
Zuo Maodi said again: "I don't know whether the world can achieve great unity here, but as far as I can see, Zuo Shenzuo and others can share the joys and sorrows with the common people. Just based on this, Isn’t it worth following us?”
Speaking of this, the other three couldn't help but smile bitterly.
On the way back to Linqing, the three of them underestimated the hardship because they had been following Huang Zongxi. However, after eating several simple meals in a row, the four of them were a little confused.
They all came from well-to-do families and never had to worry about food and clothing. Not to mention the fine clothes and fine food, but they can still be considered exquisite.
In their opinion, although the food in the New Army was adequate, it could only be regarded as dross.
In the past few days, the four of them couldn't even eat and were so hungry that they were delirious. Later, under the heavy work, my physical strength was extremely exhausted, and I couldn't care about so much, so I slowly accepted the simple food.
They originally thought that this was because they were fighting outside.
But after arriving in Linqing, I discovered that the diet of Zuo Mengeng, Huang Zongxi and others was still the same.
Seeing that everyone in the cafeteria was eating to the same standard was a scene that the four of them would never forget.
Throughout the ages, many sages have left valuable and wise words. However, if we look closely, how many of these sages have achieved the unity of knowledge and action?
If you look into the life of Cheng and Zhu people, you will know that they are definitely separated from the people.
In contrast, these living practitioners right in front of us are undoubtedly greater.
"Everyone, Huang Taichong is right. The choice between the dynasty and the world, the monarch and the people, our generation of scholars should not hesitate. Even if we die for it, our family will be destroyed, isn't it just the right thing to do?"
Zuo Maodi decided.
He wants to stay and pursue the great road.
Perhaps there should be a new interpretation of the traditional principle of loyalty and filial piety.
"You are not afraid, so what should we be afraid of? Perhaps, in the future, we can really surpass the ancient sages and create great unity in the world."
Shen Xun is determined and can't help but feel relieved to see someone who shares the same goals with him.
When brothers Jiang Cai and Jiang Gai saw this, they put aside some of their doubts.
Their thoughts were deeply influenced by Zuo Maodi, and they were also very convinced of Zuo Maodi. When they are confused, it is almost their instinct to follow Zuo Maodi.
Zuo Maodi was very happy to see that his friends were indeed like him.
"Let's go find Huang Taichong. I haven't understood many of the theories he said yet."
The four young people put aside their burdens, returned to their high spirits, and gathered together to find Huang Zongxi's residence.
Huang Zongxi is writing an article and welcomes the four people's visit.
That's how he is, aloof and arrogant on the outside, but actually cold on the outside and hot on the inside. Once you get his approval, treat others with sincerity.
He had seen the struggles and adaptations of Zuo Maodi and others during this period. I am really happy to see another talented person join our camp.
"You are all great sages from Lu. Come and help me read this article. What do you think of this article?"
Huang Zongxi has a convenience that no one else has.
That is, he is basically the first person to contact and listen to any new ideas or theories that Zuo Menggen comes up with.
Under the influence of Zuo Mengeng, Huang Zongxi's ideological realm improved rapidly.
In the past few days after returning, he had several debates with Li Banghua, Dang Huanchun, Liu Yiyuan and others. Under the blend of new and old knowledge, he had some breakthroughs, so he couldn't help but write down his own opinions.
Zuo Maodi is now a real fan of Huang Zongxi. When he heard that his idol had another work, he was the first to pick it up and read it carefully.
Another change that Huang Zongxi made under the influence of Zuo Menggeng was that his writing habits completely abandoned the Zhihuzheye style and all were narrated in vernacular.
Moreover, his writing habit changed to horizontal writing, and he even learned to use a quill pen from Deng Yuhan.
This way of writing made Zuo Maodi look tired, but he also forced himself to adapt.
[Among the various structures of human society, interests are the basis and core of maintaining relationships. In societies and countries composed of many people, it is the monarch who maintains the interests of everyone...]
Huang Zongxi has realized the side effects of the monarch, and his understanding of the monarch has begun to become more comprehensive and advanced.
This is beyond the scope of his original "Yuan Jun".
Although he is not as smooth and evolved as he would be decades later, his understanding of political phenomena such as monarchs is undoubtedly much more profound and accurate.
The fourth person, Zuo Mao, was greatly inspired after reading this article and immediately gathered around Huang Zongxi for advice.
Huang Zongxi explained his knowledge eloquently, and also learned some of the people's sentiments on the ground from the fourth person Zuo Mao, which made up for the missing parts in his thoughts.
"Gentlemen, since you have such profound knowledge, how about you follow me to break through the fog and create new policies?"
Huang Zongxi hadn't expressed his views so heartily for a long time. He was so excited that he extended an invitation to Zuo Mao's fourth person.
In the current debates, he has been relatively lonely.
Only Zuo Menggeng silently supported his theories and opinions. But Zuo Menggeng, as a leader, obviously cannot clearly choose which side to support.
Huang Zongxi urgently needs his own helpers, and the newly joined young people like Zuo Maodi are undoubtedly good helpers.
