Prime Minister

Chapter 502

Sima Guang pinched his beard and said to Zhang Yue: "Old man, I really didn't think so deeply. The purpose of my book is to cut down the length, give a summary, and focus on the prosperity and decline of the country. It is about the livelihood and the people. Good can be law, and evil can be done. For ringers."

But Sima Guang cupped his hands to Zhang Yue and said: "But Ting Duzhi just made some witty remarks, the old man has really gained a lot, and I really feel that this trip is worthwhile."

"It can be seen that the old man came to ask Duzhi to come out of the mountain to compile the history book today, and he did not find the wrong person."

Zhang Yue stood up and returned the book to Sima Guang, saying, "Since Sima Gong favored me, I am terrified, but now that I have been dismissed from office, I have no intention of returning to Bianjing."

Sima Guang couldn't hide his disappointment when he heard that Zhang Yue refused.

It was almost time for dinner in the courtyard.

Several cooks are employed by Zhang's family, and they are good at tea and rice.

These cooks came to ask Seventeen Niang for advice.

"My lady, I heard that it was a high-ranking official who had originally ordered good wine and meat to entertain me, but just now I heard that the master said that the food should not be too rich, but that the intention is light. We have no idea to ask my lady for advice."

Seventeen Niang said: "The person who came is Sima Junshi. I have heard about his reputation. He is indeed extremely frugal in daily life. Follow my instructions and prepare a cup, one meal, one side, one meat, and one vegetable. If you follow it, you will never neglect it.”

After hearing this, several cooks agreed and were about to go down to prepare.

Seventeen Niang said: "Wait a minute."

The cooks didn't know what Shiqiniang had to order, Shiqiniang said: "I heard that Sima Gong is from Shanzhou, since he is a must-eat noodle dish from Shanzhou, I will go to the kitchen and make a bowl of noodle soup myself."

Although Shi Qi Niang seldom cooks on weekdays, several chefs admire the dishes she occasionally cooks, even the famous chefs in big restaurants in Bianjing are not as good as her.

……

Smoke was lit in the courtyard, and soon the meals were ready.

The cook held the food plate in front of Sima Guang and Zhang Yue. Sima Guang couldn't help smiling when he saw a glass of drink, a half bowl of corn rice, a bowl of soup pancakes, and a plate of mutton with sauce on the table.

Zhang Yue said with a smile: "There is nothing to entertain in such a poor country, it is really neglectful."

Sima Guang smiled and said, "It's enough, it's enough."

After finishing speaking, Sima Guang took a bite of soup pancakes first, and then couldn't stop praising: "Very good, very good."

Then Zhang Yue watched Sima Guang suck up the noodle soup.

Zhang Yue couldn't help being curious, it seems that Sima Guang's behavior and diet are very decent?Why eat a bowl of soup cakes but suck sound.

Seeing Zhang Yue's expression, Sima Guang smiled and said, "This old man is from Shanzhou, and he doesn't like to eat rice on weekdays, but he has a special liking for this soup cake."

Zhang Yue laughed and said, "If Sima Gong likes to come here often."

Sima Guang smiled, and the cook at the side said, "This soup cake is made by my wife herself."

Sima Guang smiled and said to Zhang Yue: "It's really Mrs. Lao Zun, who is really good at making soup cakes."

Zhang Yue was also happy to hear that Sima Guang praised his wife.

After the two finished their meal, Sima Guang once again asked Zhang Yue to help him.

Sima Guang said: "Duzhi, the old man calls himself a pedantic old man. It is really difficult to understand the changes of the past and the present by writing this pedantic book. It needs the help of a virtuous man like Duzhi to help the old man, otherwise it will be difficult to continue."

Zhang Yue said: "Mr. Sima is called a pedantic old man, and Bai Juyi is also called a pedantic old man. Actually, in my opinion, why are they so pedantic? Is it true that only the emperor is right in the court, and the books written by Jianghu are pedantic?"

"Actually, it seems to me that writing a book and talking about it seems to be circuitous, but serving the emperor in the court is both pros and cons."

Zhang Yue's words aroused Sima Guang's sigh. Both of them are now politically frustrated, and they both retired from the temple.

Sima Guangdao: "What Duzhi said is reasonable. Scholars of my generation often say that there are three principles, that morality is the highest, meritorious service is the middle, and words are the lowest. I will do it from the bottom."

Zhang Yue said with a smile: "Li Yan is not the last thing. Different people have different opinions on the matter of morality. The matter of meritorious service is dangerous in the temple, and it is difficult for ordinary people to reach. Therefore, the first thing we scholars can do is also what we must do. Just to speak up."

"No matter how great the achievements are, but the life is exhausted sometimes, and the glory ends in one body, it is better that the articles can be passed down in the country and the world. Therefore, I wait for scholars to live in this calligraphy, no matter what the people before and after the life say. , there is no need to rely on the power of the rich and powerful, and in this short space, I will leave my hard work to future generations."

Sima Guang couldn't help leaving the case when he heard the words, he cupped his hands to Zhang Yue and said, "Duzhi's words are very good, he is really the old man's confidant, a friend who has forgotten the years!"

Sima Guang sat down again and asked, "Since that's the case, why didn't Du Zhi follow the old man's words?"

Zhang Yue said with a smile, "Because I'm already writing a sketch."

Sima Guang suddenly said: "So that's the case, I don't know what article it is?"

Zhang Yue thought for a while and said: "Not emphasizing the politics of conquest, but emphasizing the study of economics."

Sima Guang's face changed when he heard that, he was not interested in economic matters, for example, the famous Tang Dynasty's tax law, rent and mediocrity regulation, there were only a few dozen words in his Zi Zhi Tong Jian.

"economy……"

Zhang Yue said: "Sima Gong, please listen to me first. The history books of the past are based on individuals. They believe that the rise and fall of a dynasty depends on several emperors and generals. This is a lesson from people. It is also like the Spring and Autumn Zuozhuan and the history books compiled by Sima Gong. , it is based on historical events, and this is to learn from events.”

Sima Guang nodded and said, "Isn't that right? Is there a third party?"

Zhang Yue said: "Actually, the book I wrote puts aside people and things?"

If other people definitely wanted to share it, Sima Guang said seriously, "I would like to hear the details."

Zhang Yuedao: "It's like the reform of the law. Why do most people like it, but most scholars and businessmen don't like it...why do people with the same status come up with the same theory?"

"Why do the people in the grasslands like to do business, but the people in the Central Plains emphasize agriculture and suppress business?"

Sima Guang had countless answers in his heart.

But Zhang Yue said: "Mr. Sima knows that in the Qingtang Dynasty, farther to the west of Dashi, there are dozens of countries over there. There is a sea in the center of the country, so it is very convenient for ships to trade between countries through this sea. What is not enough is exchanged for what is more than enough, so everyone in this country focuses on business.”

"However, in a country as large as the Central Plains, with a population of hundreds of millions, if we focus on commerce, then everyone will engage in commerce, so that if there are fewer people farming, people will starve to death. Therefore, we must instead emphasize agriculture and suppress commerce."

"For another example, why do you want to be strong and respect the emperor, because since Dayu's flood control, the Central Plains has been flooded with rivers. To control the water is not a matter of one county and one state. It must work together. Therefore, the common people think of a promising king. All the land up and down thousands of miles will be under his unified management."

"So it can be seen that the places are different, the systems are different, and the cultures are also different. Therefore, the compilation of history is above the people and things, and it is necessary to check the trend. This is also the intention of my book."

After hearing Zhang Yue's words, Sima Guang couldn't tell whether what he said was good or not, so he said: "I believe in talents too much, please let me be the first to read the masterpiece when the time comes!"

(End of this chapter)