April in Jiangnan is a good time for spring and scenery.
The beautiful time, placed in a place like an academy or a private school, becomes more and more beautiful because it is pure and undisturbed.
The warm wind blew through the four gardens of Shoukuan School, causing the flowers on the porch and the willows beside the pond to sway gently, making people's eyes charming and their hearts sweet.
But the woman walking between the gardens in the spring breeze was not intoxicated by the beautiful scenery.
Zheng Haizhu and Huang Zunsu's wife Yao are not outing beauties taking a leisurely stroll, but entrepreneurs who are full of energy and thinking about school affairs.
Early this morning, Yao led Zheng Haizhu, who had returned from a business trip, to look at all the classrooms in the four academies of Bei, Qing, Fu, and Jiao.
The school started admitting students at the beginning of March.
The first batch of children to come was actually not many.
Unlike the gentry or well-off families who insist on taking the imperial examination for their offspring, most of the small handicraftsmen, traffickers and poor farmers living at the bottom of Songjiang would rather have their boys work as servants in wealthy families, or as waiters in restaurants and shops. , clerks, dentists, earn enough money to marry a wife as soon as possible.
The expectations for female dolls are simpler: starting from the age of five or six, they help the family with work and take care of their younger brothers (because the younger sisters are supposed to be drowned at birth).
This kind of handy little labor can be used to get married at the age of fourteen or fifteen, in exchange for a more or less betrothal gift, to supplement the parents' livelihood, or to serve as a wife for the younger brother.
Zheng Haizhu used the language of modern people to criticize, that is, eager to realize the value of his children.
Many ignorant or troubled people in modern society regard this as common sense, not to mention parents in ancient times?
But Yao, who came from an official background and received a good education since childhood, naturally found it difficult to understand.
Why do so few poor families take advantage of such good things as being able to learn to read and learn skills without spending money?
As winter turns to spring, Yao is about to devote himself to his new life with high spirits.
Her enthusiasm was like a prairie fire, and she was just as concerned about school affairs as Guanshi Cao and Zheng Shoukuan, even if it was related to infrastructure and general affairs.
Zheng Haizhu entrusted her with the task of enrolling students before leaving for the south. How could she give up easily?
Fortunately, her husband Huang Zunsu supported her and helped her spread the word and persuade her several times among the poor officials in the government office and the villagers she met during the construction of water conservancy projects.
Those families had always been lying low in the dust. Once they were lucky enough to be chased by an old man with a Jinshi background for business, they were flattered and agreed.
Finally, relying on her husband's support, Yao recruited ten female dolls and five or six male dolls, all between seven and ten years old.
The children are happy and diligent. They happily wear the green shirt uniforms issued by the school every day, walk in the sunshine and shadow of the trees, and come to school on time.
Some of the girls could only come for half a day at first and then had to go back to do housework. Yao came to their doorsteps and gave them a few stones of rice and noodles in exchange for their complete freedom.
Zheng Haizhu came to the school and saw half of the spring uniforms still in the storage room. Instead, she felt that it was a good thing that a strong-minded young lady like Yao, who had always been rich and well-fed, hit a wall when she started her own business.
The young lady needs to be down-to-earth, or at least understand how poor people think about life and how they live their lives.
But at the same time, Zheng Haizhu is convinced that Yao is a very good teammate.
In addition to poetry, weaving and embroidery craftsmanship, calligraphy and art subjects, Yao actually went to find Xu Guangqi's daughter-in-law Gu Lanjie, and through Gu Lanjie, asked his father-in-law Xu Guangqi to send back a scribe from the capital, who was exactly He who once participated in the translation of "Elements of Geometry" joined the school as a teacher.
When Zheng Haizhu was outside the window of the Fuyuan classroom and heard the childish voices of the students inside chanting "Find a parallel-sided triangle on a bounded straight line", she couldn't help but be surprised.
Yao also smiled sweetly and said: "You praised Xu Hanlin's writing (referring to translation) so much. I couldn't help but be curious, so I went to borrow the book from Grandma Gu. I didn't expect that my father and Zong Xi would get involved in each other. I watched it for most of the night, saying that it was beneficial to craftsmanship, construction and other things. So I thought about teaching it in our school."
Zheng Haizhu has been quite satisfied with the school's start since then.
It should be noted that historically, Shanghai's first primary school with modern educational concepts appeared during the Guangxu period. The highlight was that it was co-educational and offered mathematics and physics courses in addition to Chinese language and labor skills courses.
If it could be done in the late Qing Dynasty, why couldn't it be done in the late Ming Dynasty?
At the end of the Ming Dynasty, China's humanistic qualities, open mind, and acceptance of science from the West were closer to modern times.
After Mrs. Yao took Zheng Haizhu on a tour, they had a cup of tea in the parlor in the banana garden. Cao Jingting, the school steward, came to invite him.
"Miss Zheng, Mr. Yao, the guard has taken the distinguished guest to the Beiyuan Library."
Yao asked: "Azhu, is this Yixing talent you mentioned?"
Zheng Haizhu put down the tea cup: "That's right, let's go and see him."
…
North Garden, Library.
Zheng Shoukuan was stroking a purple clay pot in his hand, but his eyes were always on the young master standing in front of the bookshelf.
After my aunt came back from Yuegang a few days ago, she heard that the two Mr. Zhang from Shaoxing had delivered the promised collection of books after the Lantern Festival, so she immediately sent herself to Yixing to do something.
Zheng Shoukuan is already thirteen years old. Before he worships his aunt, he must first ask why.
At first, Zheng Shoukuan was doubtful about his aunt Zheng Haizhu's statement, thinking that it seemed like he was trying to blame the gods.
Unexpectedly, when I arrived in Yixing, I followed my aunt's instructions and found out that there was such a person. As soon as I told him the names of several books in my collection, the person happily took a boat to Songjiang.
At this moment, the look on the face of the young master who was invited reminded Zheng Shoukuan of a proverb: a mouse fell into a rice vat.
Just at this time, there was a sound on the stairs, and Zheng Haizhu and Yao stepped up to the book pavilion.
"My aunt and Mr. Yao are here." Zheng Shoukuan stood up with a smile.
The young master also turned around, preparing to receive the gift, holding a copy of Tang Shunzhi's "Wu Bian" in his hand.
When Zheng Haizhu first saw him in person, it was as recorded in official history that he had a face like a crown jewel, was tall and thin, and looked like a scholar.
She stepped forward and asked, "Is this Mr. Lu?"
The man thought that the "aunt" Zheng Shoukuan was talking about had a property like an academy and was a public dealer for the court, so he must be a majestic elder. He never thought that the woman in front of him looked only three or four years older than him, not to mention pretty. There is not even a hint of sharpness or forcefulness in his good face.
The man woke up from his hesitation and hurriedly bowed and said: "I am Lu Xiangsheng in Zhangzhu Town, Yixing. I have met my aunt, my aunt..."
He was originally going to follow Zheng Shoukuan, who was about the same age as him, and call him "aunt", but he had no nerve to call her "aunt" to such a young face.
He had to change his words to "girl", but then for some reason, he felt his cheeks were slightly warm and felt a little embarrassed.
Zheng Haizhu generously introduced the Yao family to Lu Xiangsheng, and ordered his nephew to hand over the purple clay pot given to Huang Zunsu to the Yao family.
Then, she spoke in detail: "Mr. Lu, although I am a woman, by chance, I have made many friends who are military generals and heroes. When the Zhang family in Shaoxing wanted to donate books, I asked them for all kinds of military books, not only for Curious, but also because of consideration, now that the Jurchen chief of Liaodong Jianzhou has established himself as king, I am afraid that it is no longer a problem for me. The younger generations should also read more about the art of war. I never thought that I dreamed that I was in front of Grandpa Yue Temple in Sheshan Mountain for several nights. , Grandpa Yue said to me, there is a village in Yixing, where the Lu family has lived for generations. The people are both civilized and military. There is a young man named Lu Xiangsheng in the family who especially loves to study the gods, guides and ghosts. You might as well invite him to read these military books. .”
After Zheng Haizhu said this, he walked to the statue of Yue Fei on the shelf by the window of the library, bowed before turning to Lu Xiangsheng and said in a deep tone: "The reason for this must be when my nephew went to invite the young master. It has been made clear, but today, I still want to say it again in front of Grandpa Yue, so that Grandpa Yue knows that we, the descendants, should respect him and trust him, and obey and remember everything he said."
Zheng Haizhu simulated this eloquent article several times on the boat back from Yuegang, and he no longer laughed at being an atheist.
At this moment, when the lines are read out, not to mention the explosive acting skills and the possession of movie queens, they can also rely on two parts of simplicity, three parts of happiness and five parts of piety to make the ancients who have the worship of gods and dream complex interpret what they say. Believe it or not.
At least Mr. Lu Xiangsheng, who was holding the military book, had responded with a solemn and solemn look.
As for today's meeting, Zheng Haizhu has actually been planning it since Zhang Dai suggested setting up a library last year.
Any time traveler with a little knowledge of the history of the late Ming Dynasty, who comes to the end of Wanli and takes the initiative to take root in Songjiang, will run through all the famous people who are in season in his mind and will not miss the Li De. Not far away, Lu Xiangsheng of Yixing, who was only admitted to Jinshi during the Tianqi period.
At first glance, he seems to be a small-town problem solver, but in fact he is an all-rounder who is not lacking in literary skills, military skills, and military skills.
That's Qingtian, who is a Jinshi and a local official for the first time, and can fight against the evil forces for the safety of the people.
He was a ruthless man who wore the robes of a civil servant, but could mount a gun and mount a horse, and used two thousand soldiers to fight against tens of thousands of bandits.
He was a tough man who refused to make peace and fought the invaders to the end.
He was a hero who stood firm in the city and refused to surrender even after being framed by his own people.
He was a hero who, after the city was destroyed, regarded fame and fortune as dirt and sacrificed his life for his country.
That was the last face of the Ming Empire in the eyes of future generations.
…
Lu Xiangsheng is seventeen years old this year. Although he is still too young to be revered as the "Jade-faced God of War" in the future, his eyes are shining and his body is majestic, but he already has a majestic appearance.
His ancestor was Lu Zhaolin, one of the "Four Heroes of the Early Tang Dynasty". A large family moved south to Yixing at the end of the Song Dynasty. During these three to four hundred years, many talents emerged, including many who passed the Jinshi examination and left home to become officials.
Therefore, children of the Lu family are accustomed to going to Yingtian Mansion to take the provincial examination or traveling to famous cities in Suzhou and Hangzhou.
When Zheng Shoukuan followed his aunt's instructions to find Zhangzhu Town in Yixing and expressed his sincere invitation, although Lu Xiangsheng sounded a little weird at first, he looked carefully at the titles of the books listed by Zheng Shoukuan, Liu Bowen's "A Hundred Battles", Qi Shaobao's " "Ji Xiao Xin Shu" was just that. Tang Shunzhi's "Wu Bian", Wang Shouren's "Military Symbols Control", and Hu Xianzhong's "Martial Arts Shenji" also had full engravings, which made me feel very excited.
Lu Xiangsheng's father, Lu Guolin, also had some of the heroic blood of his ancestors in the Tang Dynasty. He knew that his son loved the art of war in addition to his career. He also thought that there was still a year and a half before the autumn of Yingtian Mansion, so he agreed to let his son follow the Zheng family. The young man came to Songjiang Mansion to find out what happened.
Now, Lu Xiangsheng's seeing is believing.
The school, the students, the attic, the book collection, the businessman "Miss Zheng" dedicated to Grandpa-in-law, and the official volume of the young lady beside her who has a good background but became a private school teacher, are all real.
The last bit of doubt in his heart disappeared.
It turns out that in the great Jiangnan, in addition to the Four Books and Five Classics and scientific examinations, there is also such a wonderful little world.
This is a completely different world from Nanjing Imperial College, Wuxi Donglin Academy and Yixing Social Studies.
Lu Xiangsheng couldn't help but recall that when he was a child, there was a sandy land and a pond behind the government office of his grandfather who was the county magistrate. He often wore dolls from his neighbors, used bamboo branches as swords and guns, pebbles as cities, and paper boats as warships. , simulating the land battle of Chanyuan and the battle of Huangtiandang during the Song Dynasty.
Today, Zheng's aunt and nephew's unique academy, oh no, this school, reminded him of the sandy land and ponds of those days.
The future God of War's cheeks were no longer hot. He asked bluntly: "Miss Zheng, can Lu live in this library for half a month?"
Zheng Haizhu said with a smile: "Young master, you can stay as long as you like. When you read at night, just be careful about the candles. If you are called upon during your daily life and traveling, you can ask me, my nephew, to keep you safe, or ask Cao to take care of things."
She paused, glanced at the square scarf on Lu Xiangsheng's head, and then said: "Young master is already a scholar. I guess he will go to Yingtian Mansion in Qiuwei next year, right? Our Mr. Yao's husband, Mr. Huang, the official of our government, left last year." Jinshi, if you want to ask for advice about your career, you can also visit me."
The Yao family had Zheng Haizhu publicize the family background of the Yixing Lu family beforehand, so today they feel that they are a remarkable person. The eldest son Huang Zongxi was currently educated in Dong Qichang's private school. The Yao family, who was very picky about the character of men, was very concerned about the dandyism of the third generation of the Dong family. She was embarrassed to tell her husband that she did not like the Dong family, but she was already worried about it. I was anxious several times.
The Mr. Lu in front of me is very attractive. As the eldest brother to lead Zong Xi, he is really a good choice.
Yao then smoothly took over Zheng Haizhu's words and issued a sincere invitation to Lu Xiangsheng: "My husband is a disciple of Donglin Academy. Since the young master is coming from Yixing, he must come to Yixing for a light meal."
Lu Xiangsheng hurriedly returned the courtesy and responded.
Zheng Haizhu thought to himself, this is right.
As a descendant of my generation, my writings cannot capture the turbulent storm, my poems can turn into weeping ghosts and gods, and my martial arts cannot calmly search for white feathers that disappear in the stone edges.
What I can do is not only rely on a bit of God's perspective to build friendships with you elites of the late Ming Dynasty in advance.
Zheng Haizhu then became more and more interested in pulling strings and said to Lu Xiangsheng: "Sir, as Grandpa Yue said, he is devoted to the art of war and martial arts. But there is an even more coincidental thing. There is a famous general in Sichuan. We will be arriving in Songjiang in the next two days. Young Master, would you like to meet me together?"
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