The Happy Life of Small Officials in Northern Song Dynasty

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Su Jin looked at the crowd and said: "Basic clothing, food, housing, and transportation are the most common things in the world. Everyone cannot live without these four things. Therefore, in our minds, this matter is so common that there is nothing to say about it. As for I am afraid that it will be difficult for you to agree to link elegant things with these four things."

All the men and women nodded in agreement, and Su Jin smiled and said, "May I ask you, Tao Qian lived in a hut under the South Mountain, picked chrysanthemums under the eastern fence, and plowed several acres of square fields. Is it elegant or vulgar?"

Everyone chattered and said: "Of course it's an elegant thing. If Mr. Tao is not elegant, who dares to talk about this elegant word."

Su Jin nodded and said: "Everyone is right, but if Tao Gong didn't cultivate himself, how could he come up with the elegant poem "Harves Early Rice in Xitian in the middle of September of the Gengwu Year": Life has its own way, and food and clothing are solid; No matter what is right, but to seek self-safety! Tao Gong’s poem just shows that the relationship between food, clothing, housing and transportation and the “Tao” that people pursue is complementary. If you leave any side, you will lose its brilliance. "

After everyone thinks about it, it does make sense.

Su Jin continued: "In ancient times, the sages pursued a lot in terms of basic necessities of life, food, housing and transportation. Could it be that the sages were pursuing indecent things? Mencius said: "The fish is what I want, and the bear's paw is what I want. You can't have both." And taking bear paws. That is to say, Meng Shengren has a more refined pursuit of 'food', and in his opinion, eating bear paws is naturally more elegant than eating fish."

"The sage Confucius said: You can't get tired of fine food, and you can't get tired of fine food. If it's not an elegant thing, why should the sage say this?"

"Mozi said: Food must be full, and then seek beauty; Clothes must be always warm, and then seek beauty; Living must be long and safe, and then seek happiness. Although what is said is to first seek satiety, warmth and security, and then think of beauty and happiness, but we can also It can be seen that the Mohists clearly have a higher pursuit of food, clothing, housing, and transportation, and the sages are like this, so what qualifications do we have to belittle the basics of clothing, clothing, housing, and transportation?"

Su Jin quotes extensively from all over the world, quotes from the scriptures, and the poems in his stomach come out like flowing water, and everyone in the room is dumbfounded when they hear it. The small official of the Su family is not only as simple as being able to write a good poem, but also full of knowledge and talent .

Su Jin came to the final conclusion with a smile: "The so-called basic necessities of life are 'rituals' in a nutshell. Needless to say in a troubled world, my Song Dynasty was in this peaceful and prosperous age. The clothes were bright and beautiful, the food was well-cooked, and the living If the house is tall and the house is big, the walk is peaceful and comfortable. Otherwise, how can it highlight this peaceful and prosperous world? It is rude to wear rags and eat leftovers while holding a gold ingot in your arms, and it is rude to the country and the people. Never do it."

The simple four things in life were abruptly put on the line by Su Jin and raised to the height of "ritual". Su Jin himself also had a big headache. Isn't this publicly advocating "extravagant glory, simplicity is shameful"?But I have already detoured to this road, and I can't go back, so I can't slap myself in the face; fortunately, this is a small-scale gathering, and I only need to brainwash dozens of people present. The purpose of ordering clothes from the top and bottom of these dozens of households has been achieved.

There was a lot of discussion among the people. Although some people felt that Su Jin's point of view was a little weak and one-sided, they couldn't find words to refute it for a while, and more people were successfully brainwashed by Su Jin, and they greatly agreed with Su Jin's opinion.

Li Chong has a wide range of knowledge. Su Jin's out of context quotation of the words of sages is full of loopholes in his opinion, but he will not refute. On the contrary, he appreciates Su Jin even more; Li Zhong even thought vulgarly, even if there is shit on the ground now, this Su Xiaoguan can fool you into treating shit as gold; this guy is too good at breaking.

Taking advantage of this momentum, Su Jin hurriedly showed the clothing renderings one by one, detailing the highlights, materials, styles, accessories, and occasions, and the group of hot-headed people began to lose their minds. There are innovations in the style and accessories of the clothes, which are more eye-catching than the ordinary clothes on the market, and it is more noble and natural to match the exquisite painting style of Rou Niang Huan Niang.

After a lot of excitement, Su Jin accepted it as soon as it was good, and could not turn the "Luo Hua" poetry club into a "Luo Hua" hypermarket. Seeing Li Chong's expression slightly displeased, Su Jin announced that it was over, but Bowing again and again to greet everyone tomorrow to go to Su Ji to choose materials and styles.

The poetry club is going on normally. In order to appease Li Chong's wounded heart, Su Jin not only allows Li Chong to take a few of his poems to Bianliang to compete with other poetry clubs, but also promises to be there in person when he is needed. Only then did the tense black face smile.

As the sun was setting, everyone returned home in high spirits. Li Zhong blocked many literary and artistic youths who wanted to join Su Jin in the same boat, and took a small boat with Su Jin alone, dragged to the end, and then slowly rowed to the shore.

The old man in the cao boat gently shakes the oars, and the boat moves lightly. The "squeak" sound made by the friction between the old oars and the oar holders makes people feel calm. After a noisy day, neither of them wants to say more. One point to the right, sitting on the side of the boat, watching the lake and the water from both sides, silent.

Su Jin stretched out his hand into the lake, let the water flow past his fingers, couldn't catch anything, and sighed in his heart.

"The dead are like gentlemen." Li Chong said.

Su Jin looked at him in surprise, but he didn't expect that Li Heizi would be able to observe his words and emotions, and the sigh in his heart would be hit by him as soon as he said it.

"Young Master Su, I have something to say that may offend me, but I will not vomit it." Li Zhong said solemnly.

Su Jin smiled and said, "Please tell me."

Li Chong lowered his head and thought for a while, as if he was considering his words, and finally said: "Young master Su may be able to become an official, and it is unknown if he will become a minister under the official family in the future. Why waste his good years in the camp What about Gougou's profits coming and going?"

After speaking, looking at Su Jin's face with some worry, Su Jin tilted his head and thought about it: "There is no high or low in business, does brother Li really think that being in business is a shameful thing?"

Li Chongdao: "I don't have any such intentions, I just feel that it's a pity to be overqualified. With the talent of a young master, you may benefit the common people and do more things in the future. Besides, the lintel of the Su family can also use this to make it bigger. It's a matter of killing two birds with one stone. Hu Bu For what?"

Su Jin put away her smile and said seriously: "Brother Li, I haven't really considered this matter seriously. The most urgent task now is to revive Su Ji's family business. Being in business can also be an act of 'charitable business'. It may not be beneficial To the common people; what's more, I don't have the talent that Brother Li admires, so the official career may not be suitable for me."

Li Zhong said solemnly: "Young master Su is talented, eloquent, and he is superior to everyone. Why should you be overly modest? I can't force you to do anything, but I really respect you. Your official career may be difficult or dangerous, but you have great ability and great responsibility. It’s all like Mr. Su’s thinking, why is the Song Dynasty a country? The Song Dynasty puts the most emphasis on civil society, and is more lenient to scholars. If Mr. Su really has the idea of ​​being wise and protecting his life, the officialdom will be more comfortable.”

Su Jin was a little surprised at what Li Chong said, such words as great ability and great responsibility may be said casually by anyone in later generations, but it is very positive for people in the Song Dynasty to think so. As for the officialdom, it is more comfortable than other industries. The statement is even more unbelievable.

"Since that's the case, why didn't brother Li go to become an official, instead set up a poetry club to travel around the mountains and rivers?"

"I'm in Ding You's time, and Ding You's term will expire in October this year, and I will fill in the vacancy. Otherwise, how can I have the right to speak of you?" Li Chong said seriously.

Su Jin knew that Ding You was a system in the ancient officialdom. When the parents or elders in the family passed away, they were all in charge of the Taichang. You can come back every month, which is actually a system of etiquette and law that follows filial piety.

Li Chong's father passed away three years ago, so he was suspended from his post as Tianchang County Magistrate and returned home until October this year.

Su Jin was silent, he really hadn't considered this matter, in Su Jin's impression, the ancient officialdom was a place of intrigue and danger, he only wanted to live a happy life, he really didn't want to do something shocking and weeping ghosts and gods However, listening to what Li Chong said, it is interesting to describe the officialdom like an ivory tower.

It is a common ideal among Song people to be an official and honor their ancestors. This is just like the fact that later generations of college students try their best to make money from the system. That's why Li Chong has this idea.

"Maybe I will consider it, but definitely not now, there is still a lot of things at hand." Su Jin thought.