Daming talker

Chapter 514 I’ve never seen anything so disgusting!

Inside the east gate of Wuxi County, there is a site covering an area of ​​more than ten acres. It is the former site of Donglin Academy built by the famous Confucian scholar Yang Shi hundreds of years ago.

But this place has been abandoned for a long time. The paths that can be vaguely seen are covered with lush weeds on both sides, and one can only imagine the original layout through the remaining platforms in various places.

There are also some vacant lots that have been occupied by nearby residents to grow vegetables - this is the fate of many ancient urban gardens after they were abandoned.

Today, the ruins of Donglin Academy, which had been silent for hundreds of years, suddenly welcomed a group of visitors who seemed to be of extraordinary status.

The leader was wearing mourning clothes and was pointing at various places in the ruins while saying something to others.

This person was none other than Gu Xiancheng, a true Confucian scholar who was formerly the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Personnel's Examination and Reward Department and was forced to return home to observe mourning this year.

Although it may not be appropriate to go out during the mourning period, it is understandable if it is for a just cause. It does not mean drinking, eating meat, or getting close to women.

Zou Diguang, who was asked about by Mr. Lin, was one of the only remaining talented people around the old leader Wang, and who in recent years was often regarded as a die-hard fan together with the second master Feng, and was also present at the scene.

As local hosts, Gu Xiancheng and Zou Diguang led others to visit the ruins of Donglin Academy.

The person closest to Gu Xiancheng, with a dark complexion, was Shen Li, the former Minister of Rites who also resigned this year.

Although Shen Li has retired, he still has a position.

First, it was common for high-ranking officials of the Ming Dynasty to be reinstated after resigning and could return to the court at any time.

Therefore, we should not treat these resigned officials as "retired veterans" who are forgotten by people in later generations.

Second, even if Shen Li was not the Minister of Rites, he was still the spiritual leader of the Qingliu forces.

Most of the backbone members of the current Qingliu forces were discovered or promoted by him.

At this moment, Gu Xiancheng said to Shen Li: "After returning home this time, Senior Zou told me that rebuilding Donglin Academy can rally the morale of the righteous people. I deeply agree with it."

Of course Shen Li could hear the hidden meaning in Gu Xiancheng's words, which was that he wanted to strengthen "organizational construction" and establish a more rigorous system.

So Shen Li sighed and said, "We are on the same path because we share the same aspirations, not to form a party."

Gu Xiancheng asked in return: "With the current declining situation, if we don't form a party, can we still defeat the evil villains?

As the saying goes, if the devil is one foot high, then there must be a way that is ten feet higher. "

Although Gu Xiancheng did not mention any specific names, everyone present knew who this "evil villain" was. At least it was not Prime Minister Shen, the traditional target of criticism by the Qingliu forces.

Zou Diguang stepped forward and said to Shen Li: "After I resigned from office, although I am far away from the court, I often hear about the affairs of the court.

Perhaps because a bystander sees more clearly, I may be able to see it more clearly.

Although the righteous and pure stream has a large number of people and power, no, it has many supporters, but in fact it is too loose and its organization is very weak.

Under normal circumstances, they may be able to maintain the situation, but when they encounter a truly strong enemy, they often lack resilience and are often defeated piecemeal. "

Shen Li's face twitched. The word "piecemeal" was really heartbreaking.

After more than ten years of operation, the company took advantage of the "liquidation of Zhang Juzheng" trend and reaped a huge wave of dividends from the times.

The Qingliu forces hold high the banner of morality and have gathered a large number of people, especially among middle and low-level officials. Moreover, new people are often inspired and join in an endless stream.

In this context, the Qingliu forces are really not afraid of "speaking frankly and offending superiors". Even if one person is removed from office, there are still dozens of people to replace him.

But since the appearance of a certain person named Lin, Shen Li felt for the first time that the speed of manpower replenishment could not keep up with the speed of loss.

Gu Xiancheng said: "Faced with new powerful enemies, we must keep pace with the times."

Then he turned to the other two and asked, "Lord Dingyu and Brother Zhou Ting, do you agree with this?"

The two men said together, "That's absolutely right. Why should we be so obsessed with the concept of whether or not to form a clique?"

The person known as Lord Dingyu is Zhao Yongxian, who is currently serving as the Left Vice Minister of the Nanjing Ministry of Rites and the Chief Academician of the Nanjing Imperial College.

He was the ruthless man who opposed Zhang Juzheng's seizure of his lover as a disciple, and after being beaten with a stick in the court, his skin and flesh were made into bacon.

At the same time, Zhao Yongxian's status in the literary world is that he has been one of the five retro figures for two consecutive terms.

As a benchmark figure against Zhang Juzheng, Zhao Yongxian also had a certain status in the heart of the emperor. He was in Nanjing just to gain experience in the Ministry of Personnel and be considered a candidate for the cabinet in the future.
Before the 14th year of Wanli, Zhao Yongxian's political allies were the "Three Reds".

Li Zhi, Jiang Dongzhi and Yang Keli were the first three to attack Zhang Juzheng.

But unfortunately, when the "Three Reds" attacked Prime Minister Shen in the 14th year of Wanli, they were ambushed by the martial arts champion Lin Tailai, and all of them were transferred to other places and left the political center.

Therefore, if Zhao Yongxian wants to make progress, he must find new allies, or a base.

It just so happened that the Qingliu forces were in urgent need of replenishing high-end combat power after losing three positions in succession, including the Left Censor-in-Chief, Nanjing Minister of Personnel, and Minister of Rites.

So he and Zhao Yongxian hit it off immediately, and that is why Zhao Yongxian appeared here today.

The other person whom Gu Xiancheng called "Brother Zhou Ting" was Gong Nai, one of the "Three Great Masters of Shanzuo" and a representative figure in the current Shandong literary world.

The other two people among the "Three Great Masters of Shanzuo" were the Minister of Rites Yu Shenxing and the senior Hanlin Feng Qi.

Although Gong Nai has not yet entered the officialdom, with the identities of the other two of the Three Great Masters of Shanzuo, others will not underestimate him and his potential.

Politically, Gong Nai is very inclined towards the Qingliu forces and is the type who brings his own dry food. He is a bit like Tang Xianzu who was taught a lesson by Mr. Lin, otherwise he would not appear here.

Hearing other people's comments, Shen Li, the spiritual leader of the Qingliu forces, couldn't help but sigh again.

Although he has always been a leader of the Qingliu forces, he does not want to be criticized for "forming a faction".

His original intention was just to promote the moral system and achieve a moral revival from top to bottom, rather than forming cliques.

Over the years, he has always regarded others as fellow travelers rather than followers, even those he has personally promoted.

But Shen Li could tell from everyone's attitude today that everyone was determined to form a party in order to achieve a more rigorous organizational form.

As for the reconstruction of Donglin Academy, it is the carrier and embodiment of this idea, giving a material anchor to the relatively abstract concept of "forming a party".

Shen Li was of course very clear about the reason, and the simple summary was that he was beaten by a certain Lin who had emerged in recent years. It was really hard to imagine that the Qingliu forces, which seemed to have many soldiers and generals, were beaten like this by a newcomer.

And it wasn't just once or twice, it was many times that he attacked me in the face.

Sometimes Shen Li even had some doubts. If the fighting continued like this, would some of his comrades be so crazy as to join the emperor in order to kill Lin Tailai?
Gu Xiancheng led a group of more than ten people and continued forward, gradually reaching the middle part of the Donglin Academy ruins.

He continued to explain the situation, saying: "Senior Zou helped me raise funds to purchase the original site, and then started the reconstruction."

Then he turned to the only person in the crowd wearing official robes and asked, "County Master You! There should be no problem with the county government, right?"

The county magistrate surnamed You replied: "The county government will give its full support!"

Gu Xiancheng showed an expectant look on his face, and pointed to a large area of ​​remaining platform in front of him and said:
"This should be the main hall of the academy back then. After it is rebuilt, I plan to name it Yiyong Hall."

At this time, there were two wooden boards placed on the remaining base, and there was a sentence written on each board.

They are "The sound of wind, rain and reading, each sound is pleasant to the ear" and "I care about everything, family affairs, national affairs and world affairs", which are obviously a pair of couplets.

Gu Xiancheng said with a little pride: "There is a friend named Qian Yunzhi in Suzhou. When he heard that I was going to rebuild Donglin Academy, he specially sent me this couplet.

I think it is extremely wonderful and will hang it in Yiyong Hall someday. Today, I invite you to appreciate it first."

"Wonderful!" "Very good!" After everyone looked at it carefully, they all praised it highly.

To be honest, this couplet is indeed outstanding, and I feel it can be ranked among the best in the history of couplets.

No wonder Gu Xiancheng was so proud after getting the couplet.

After returning to his hometown and secluding himself for several months, Gu Xiancheng felt that he was back to normal and said with high spirits:
“Although I am not talented, as long as you are willing to lend me a helping hand, I have the confidence that within three years, I can turn the rebuilt Donglin Academy into the most famous academy in the world!
I will make Donglin Academy a place that guides public opinion in the world!"

Then Gu Xiancheng asked Shen Li, "When Mr. Shen is not enjoying his leisure time in the mountains and rivers, why don't you come to Donglin Academy to give lectures more often?"

Shen Li was very clear that this was an attempt to use his influence to endorse the "Donglin Academy clique".

After a little thought, Shen Li agreed: "Okay."

As the saying goes, once you enter the world, you have no choice but to do what you want. It is impossible for him to go against the will of the people.

He was well aware that others had become more radical, and if he did not follow suit, he would be regarded as a "traitor" and would be backlashed by the clean forces that he had personally fostered.

Gu Xiancheng felt relieved. If the reputation of Donglin Academy could be spread and it became the center of political opinion, he could exert great influence on the government even if he stayed in his hometown.

If he fails in the court struggle in the future, he will have a way out, so he will not completely lose power after leaving the court.

Another local, Zou Diguang, was thinking that the atmosphere was now right and they could talk about the literary conference.

Regardless of their official positions, the people present are all powerful figures in the literary world and can exert a huge influence at the literary conference.

At this time, Zhao Yongxian pointed to the northeast and asked, "What's going on here?"

When everyone looked together, they saw that there was an independent courtyard in the northeast corner of the Donglin Academy ruins.

Judging from the degree of renovation, this courtyard is still in use and is estimated to occupy one-third of the area of ​​the Donglin Academy ruins.

When they got closer and took a closer look, they saw a plaque hanging on the gate with the three characters "Donglin Temple" inscribed on it.

At this moment, the gate of the courtyard was half open, and an old nun stuck her head out and looked over here.

Everyone: "."

The style, the atmosphere, and the level of the painting suddenly took a sharp turn for the worse.

Gu Xiancheng was furious. He turned to Magistrate You and shouted, "I said earlier that I would buy all the land of the Donglin Academy site and all other idle people would be cleared out. What's going on?"

Magistrate You was also confused, so he immediately called a local official over and asked, "Why hasn't this Donglin Temple been cleared out yet?"

In fact, old Wuxi people know that this Donglin Temple has existed for many years, and it is said to have existed as early as the Yuan Dynasty.

But this is not the problem. Gu Xiancheng just wants to know why Donglin Temple is still here?

The local official quickly replied, "When we were clearing the land of the Donglin Academy, we learned that the Donglin Temple had sold the land three years ago, and the title deed was in someone else's hands.

In other words, Donglin Temple is now renting someone else's land to run this small temple!"

These subordinates really don't know how to do things! County Magistrate You was also angry and scolded: "What idiots! No matter who has the deed, he must be kicked out! Is there anyone in Wuxi County who has more face than Gu Quanbu?"

The local official explained, "You don't know, sir! After asking around, I learned that the land of Donglin Temple was sold to the mother of Mr. Lin from Suzhou, the mother of the Nine Yuan True Immortal!
When I went to clear out the embezzlement, I saw the handwritten note left by Mr. Lin, saying that whoever dared to touch his mother's private temple property would be exterminated for the sake of filial piety!"

Everyone: "."

I've seen disgusting people, but I've never seen someone so disgusting!
If you really want to steal something, can't you just secretly buy the entire Donglin Academy site? It's not like you, Lin Tailai, don't have the financial resources!

He only bought one-third of the Donglin Temple, left a bunch of nuns there, and left the remaining two-thirds empty waiting for others. What does that mean?
In the future, the New Donglin Academy and the Nunnery will be closely connected and in the same area, with you next to me and me next to you?
And in the name of the mother, he is holding high the banner of filial piety!
The heat in Gu Xiancheng's heart instantly subsided and turned cold.

It was as if there was a pair of evil eyes in the dark, staring at me across time and space.

Could it be that three years ago, Lin Tailai knew that he would rebuild Donglin Academy?
Just as there was complete silence, someone suddenly shouted, "I remember it! I remember it!"

Under the dissatisfied gazes of the crowd, the man quickly explained: "When I saw the couplet, I felt it was familiar, but I could not remember where I had seen it before.

When I heard Lin Jiuyuan mentioned just now, I finally thought of it!
I have seen this couplet at the gate of Xinxing Academy in Shijia Lane, Nanhao Street, outside Xumen, Suzhou! "

Everyone was not from Suzhou, and they were all confused. What was this "Genxin Academy in Shijia Lane, Nanhao Street, outside Xu Gate, Suzhou"?
The man explained again: "When Lin Jiuyuan was a member of the sect, this Xinxin Academy was his earliest residence in Suzhou city."

Everyone: "."

Now it is 100% certain that this couplet was deliberately sent by Lin Tailai!

They praised Lin Tailai's work for a long time and even said they wanted to use it in the main hall of the new Donglin Academy!
I've seen disgusting people, but I've never seen someone so disgusting!
This is not just disgusting, it's a wanton insult and mockery from a distance of a hundred miles!
I was originally very excited and motivated to defeat someone named Lin, but suddenly I became like a clown!

(End of this chapter)