Daming talker

Chapter 637: Poetry Master and Yellow Crane Tower
Although the Yuan family's headquarters is not in Wuchang, as a wealthy merchant in the area, they are still able to arrange for Lin Tailai and his group to stay in Wuchang City.

Lin Tailai chose to take a detour through Huguang when returning home, not because he had nothing better to do, but one of his purposes was to deepen his relationship with the Yuan family.

The importance of grain is unquestionable no matter where it is, and Suzhou has become a grain importing area. Controlling grain imports is an important foundation of Suzhou's industry.

Of course, the cooperation between the Yuan family and Lin Tailai is a long-term win-win situation, so this meeting must be a happy one for everyone.

The next day, Lin Tailai accepted a private reception from Governor Qin Yao, with no other officials present at the table.

Every public move of a big shot has a profound meaning. Lin Tailai's willingness to accept a private banquet is tantamount to expressing his support for Qin Yao to the outside world.

After Governor Qin toasted three times in a row, he said with emotion: "Many people in the world add icing on the cake, but few people like Jiuyuan Jun provide timely help."

Lin Tailai responded: "Let me say a few words in private. Although Jiang Ling Xianggong has made mistakes, he has also made great contributions. The court has been too harsh on Jiang Ling Xianggong.

It has been almost ten years, and some historical issues should be put aside, but some people are still using Jiang Ling Xianggong to criticize him. How shameless! I, Lin Tai, cannot stand this kind of evil trend!"

Several people at the banquet had forgotten that the former top scholar Sun Jigao had been demoted to Nanjing three months ago.

Lin Tailai said, "Although he is the first number one scholar in the Wanli Dynasty, he is also the first number one scholar selected by Zhang Juzheng." Sun's fate as the number one scholar was thus determined.

Governor Qin expressed his gratitude again and again, saying that the support from Lin Tailai was really crucial.

According to the general procedure, after the censor impeached the provincial governor, the emperor certainly could not just listen to one side of the story, so he would approve it and "send it to the next ministry for discussion."

This ministerial meeting is the meeting of the Ministry of Personnel, in which the Ministry of Personnel is asked to give its opinions.

If you have strong connections in the Ministry of Personnel and the problem is not of a special nature, then it will be easy to get through with the Ministry of Personnel helping to defend you.

If you don't have enough connections in the Ministry of Personnel, then you can only leave it to fate.

This is why Lin Tailai’s support is so important to Governor Qin. With Lin Tailai’s influence in the Ministry of Personnel, isn’t it easy for him to protect him?

It is extremely difficult for others to instruct the Ministry of Personnel to do things, but it is a piece of cake for Lin Tailai.

Just like the Yuan family’s hospitality yesterday, today’s banquet was still a great success for both the host and the guests.

Near the end, Lin Tailai suddenly asked, "What do you think of Fang Bo Liu Dongxing?"

If you are a stupid person, you will probably subconsciously ask, "Why do you suddenly mention Liu Dongxing?"

But Governor Qin was not that stupid. He and Lin Jiuyuan were not familiar or close enough to ask questions casually.

Lin Tailai's sudden question obviously showed that he wanted to hear the most "objective and truthful" statement.

So Governor Qin put aside his personal preferences and said as impartially as possible:
"Liu Fangbo was simple and frugal in nature, disliked extravagant customs, had a clear mind, and was good at planning and implementing practical matters.

In recent years, whenever there are water and soil projects in the south and north of the two lakes, they are generally handed over to Liu Fangbo for planning and supervision. "

Lin Tailai smiled and said, "I heard that Li Zhuowu was lecturing in Macheng and was falsely accused and besieged. Liu Fangbo took him to the governor's office and gave him shelter. It seems that Liu Fangbo is also dissatisfied with the current trend."

Governor Qin heard the music and understood the meaning, so he asked, "Does Lord Jiuyuan want to see Lord Liu?"

Lin Tailai said, "No, I want to see Li Zhi and Li Zhuowu."

Governor Qin agreed immediately and said, "Since Lord Jiuyuan is interested, I will send Mr. Shi to pass on the message."

The governor's aide Shi Lun was very efficient in his work. Of course, this was mainly because he had great respect as a provincial governor, and he returned from the governor's office not long after.

"Li Zhuowu said that he would like to invite Jiuyuan Gong to climb the Yellow Crane Tower tomorrow," Shi Lun reported. He thought this proposal was quite elegant and had the style of a famous scholar.

Lin Tailai frowned subconsciously, "What's so good about the Yellow Crane Tower?"

Countless bad memories from my past life suddenly came to my mind - I still had to walk a long way outside the building, the building was made of modern cement, and the worst thing was that I couldn't see any river view from the top of the building.
People around him, such as Governor Qin and Gu Bingqian, were all stunned. How could someone say such a thing?

This is the world-famous Yellow Crane Tower. Cui Hao's poem "Yellow Crane Tower" has become a masterpiece throughout the ages. Lin Jiuyuan, do you think it is so nonchalant?

The superior does not need to explain. After Lin Tailai came to his senses, he did not make amends for his gaffe. He just snorted coldly: "Tell Li Zhuowu to come to the mansion to see me tomorrow! Don't do those pretentious things!"

After bidding farewell to Lin Tailai and returning to the Censorate, Governor Qin discussed matters in detail with his aide Shi Lun.

"In your opinion, why is Lin Jiuyuan, as a leader of the literary world and a great master of poetry, unwilling to climb the Yellow Crane Tower?" Governor Qin asked Shi Lun.

In Governor Qin's mind, no matter how much he values ​​Lin Tailai, it is not excessive and no details can be missed.

How could a scholar not visit the Yellow Crane Tower when passing through Wuchang? How could he not want to leave his poems in the Yellow Crane Tower?

Shi Lun thought for a while and said, "From my contact with him over the past few days, I can see that Lin Jiuyuan is a very proud person.

He was known as the greatest poet of his time, but he was unwilling to climb the Yellow Crane Tower. Perhaps it was his self-esteem as the greatest poet of his time that was at work.

He may think that as the first poet of the time, he cannot write poems comparable to those of Cui Hao and Li Bai, so he is ashamed and does not want to go up to the tower.

Governor Qin scratched his head in a very ungraceful manner. These eccentric geniuses always have all kinds of strange tempers.

"Can you think of any way to make up for Lin Jiuyuan's misfortune?" Governor Qin asked again.

Shi Lun thought for a while and said, "I heard from Mr. Gu, a retainer of Lin Jiuyuan, that in the capital, there are two places where Lin Jiuyuan's poems are engraved, Xizhimen, where Lin Jiuyuan was exiled, and Deshengmen, where he passed by on his way back from the expedition.

The owner might as well follow suit and carve Lin Jiuyuan's poems on the Yellow Crane Tower, with a few more on each floor, and also erect a stele outside the tower. If there are no new poems, find old poems that are more appropriate.

Next time you go up to the tower, read Lin Jiuyuan’s poems first.”

Governor Qin: “.”

I treated my teacher Zhang Juzheng in a similar way back then, and I am still being impeached now. Are you trying to do it again?
Forget it, there is no other big shot to cling to now.

The next day, a sedan chair carried by four people suddenly arrived in front of the mansion where Lin Tailai was staying.

The attendant beside the sedan explained to the doorman, "Mr. Zhuo Wu of my family was invited by Lord Jiuyuan to visit you today.

But Mr. Zhuo Wu was a person who loved cleanliness by nature. No matter how far or near he went, he would always ride in a sedan chair and he did not like to step into dust and mud.

"Mr. Gatekeeper, could you please do me a favor and carry the sedan directly to the steps in front of the hall?"

After hearing this, the doorman was a little confused. He didn't know how to deal with it for a while, so he reported it to the left protector Zhang Wen.

Zhang Wen didn't know what Master Lin was thinking, so he could only go to the classroom to ask for instructions.

Lin Tailai was furious and said, "Don't you know, Zhang Wen, that I hate people who act cool in front of me?

You go and bring the person in yourself! Remember, you have to bring the person in, but you can’t let the person pretend to be someone else in front of my door!”

Although the order was so rough, Zhang Wen was not surprised at all. As the president, he did not have the temperament to be courteous to others.

So Zhang Wen brought a small team of servants to the gate, and without saying anything, he overturned the sedan chair.

Zhang Wen saw an old man in snow-white clothes in the sedan chair, and he guessed it was Mr. Zhuo Wu.

Then several servants worked together to fish the old man in white out of the sedan chair and lifted him up.

Li Zhuowu, who was suspended in the air, screamed, "What are you doing?" Zhang Wen casually bowed and replied, "I heard that Mr. Zhuowu likes cleanliness, so we will carry him in and make sure he doesn't get dusty!"

It was not until they reached the hall that the servants gently put Li Zhi down.

Li Zhi was filled with shame and anger. While tidying up his clothes, he asked, "Is this how the Nine Yuan Immortals entertain guests?"

Lin Tailai explained: "You once said that selfishness is the heart of man. If a man has selfishness, then his heart will be revealed. If he has no selfishness, then he has no heart.

What is criticized is the inconsistency between scholars' words and deeds, referring to the extreme inconsistency between personal actual behavior and the great principles of Confucian sages.

So you have always advocated authenticity and advocated consistency between your daily words and actions, is that correct?

My way of treating guests is actually in line with your advocacy. This is what I mean by words and actions. This is my true inner reaction!"

Li Zhi: “.”

Jiuyuan Zhenxian, since you have taken the initiative to invite Li Zhuowu to meet you, it means that you are not disgusted by my ideas. So can't you give him a little more face?

At this time, Lin Tailai suddenly pointed outside the hall and said forcefully: "If Li Zhuowu thinks what I said is wrong, you can leave now."

Li Zhi sat down calmly, "I wonder what advice the Nine Yuan True Immortal has for you?"

Lin Tailai was a little surprised. Wasn’t it said that Li Zhuowu was a madman?

How is this smooth social interaction crazy?

While thinking about it, Lin Tailai replied, "I am considering whether to invite you, Li Zhuowu, to Suzhou to stay for a long time and give lectures."

Li Zhi said without hesitation: "Okay, when do we leave?"

After being stunned for a moment, Lin Tailai could not help but ask, "Your Excellency does not seem to be as arrogant as the rumors say?"

Li Zhi straightened his back and said proudly: "Being mad at a specific individual is just a little madness; but being mad at the whole world's ethos is the greatest madness in the world.

I am a big lunatic who is pure while the whole world is turbid, and I don't care about being a small lunatic! "

Lin Tailai: "."

Holy shit! I got tricked by this old man before I knew it!
All I can say is that Li Zhi was not stupid. With such extremely anti-traditional views and ideas, if he had not been protected by powerful people, he would have been beaten to death long ago.

And if no one provided material support and assistance, I would have starved to death long ago.

Lin Tailai, who couldn't stand others showing off in front of him, felt a little unhappy and said deliberately:
“When I was in the Imperial Academy, I was in the Zhuangyuan Hall with my senior Zhu Guozhen, who was in the 11th year of the Wanli reign.

He said that nowadays many scholars do not read the original Four Books at all, but regard Li's "Book Collection" and "Book Burning" as rare treasures.

The rampant style of scholars was actually started by Li Zhuowu! It corrupts people's hearts and damages morals, which is a disaster for the world. It is unknown where it will end!

I need to reconsider the consequences of inviting you to give a lecture."

Li Zhi sighed, "Do you really think that if anyone invites me to give a lecture, I will agree?
The reason I agreed today is because Immortal Jiuyuan and I are true fellow travelers.

It can be said that the only sober people in the world today are Jiuyuan and Zhuo Wuer! The rest are just drunken and dreaming and are not worth mentioning! "

Lin Tailai was speechless. It turned out that those who could become celebrities nowadays were all good at talking.

Li Zhi continued, "When you were a nobody in your early years, you dared to raise the banner of the anti-traditionalists, which shows your anti-traditional and contemptuous nature.

Although you have won nine prizes in a row, including the highest achievement of six prizes for scholars!
Logically speaking, you, like Zhu Guozhen, are the biggest beneficiaries of the Neo-Confucian classics.

However, I have never seen you make any achievements in the study of the meaning of the classics, nor have you set an example in the study and promotion of the study of the meaning of the classics.

On the contrary, I have only heard that you are the number one expert on "Jin Ping Mei" in the court. Doesn't this explain the problem?

Speaking of which, I used to think that The Romance of the Western Chamber and Water Margin were the best literary works of all time.
But after hearing your story, I couldn't help but read "Jin Ping Mei". Hehehe, it can be listed as one of the three great novels along with "The West Chamber" and "Water Margin".

Lin Tailai was speechless and could only say that one should not underestimate truly smart people.

Forget it, forget it! There is really no choice, there is only one person in the world who is suitable to give lectures at Hengtang College.

"Have you really thought it over? Are you willing to leave Hubei and go to Suzhou?" Lin Tailai asked.

Li Zhi replied: "Even if Lord Liu can protect me for a while, it is impossible for him to stay here forever. When Lord Liu leaves, how can I stay here?
You are a local tycoon in Suzhou, with deep roots that cannot be shaken, so it is natural that you will be safer in Suzhou."

Lin Tailai nodded and said, “I built a Hengtang Academy in Suzhou, enrolling children from poor families to learn skills, but I never taught the Four Books and Five Classics.

But people always have to have their own thoughts, and we can’t just keep teaching them nothing. Now I’m counting on you!”

Upon hearing this, Li Zhi stood up, bowed solemnly and said, "Now I can believe it. Jiu Yuan Jun is really a fellow Taoist."

After dealing with Li Zhi, Lin Tailai, who was exhausted from the long journey and the series of social engagements, wanted to rest for two days and recuperate in peace.

Suddenly, the governor Qin Yao came in person and said that he wanted to invite Lin Tailai to visit the Yellow Crane Tower with him.

It was also said that as the leader of the literary world, Lin Jiuyuan had the responsibility to inspect and guide the renovation work of the Yellow Crane Tower on behalf of the literary world.

In view of Governor Qin's hospitality, Lin Tailai accepted the invitation and went to the Yellow Crane Tower near Hanyang Gate.

In fact, he was also curious about what the Yellow Crane Tower looked like in this era.

You know, the Yellow Crane Tower has been destroyed and rebuilt many times, and each time it is different. There is an old saying that goes, "As the country prospers, the tower prospers."

When Lin Tailai climbed the stairs and arrived in front of the building, he saw stone tablets standing on both sides.

The stone tablet on the left reads: "A man holds a Wu hook in one hand, and his spirit is higher than a hundred-foot building. Who has written history in the past ten thousand years? He wants to be a marquis three thousand miles away."

The stone tablet on the right reads: "Li Bai rode a whale up to the sky, leaving only the flying pavilion. A hundred generations of time have made me sad for the passing guest, and the smoke and moon of Wuling remind me of the immortal talent.

In front of the eaves, Mount Tai is connected to the Liao Sea, and through the window, the Central Plains is connected to the Chu Terrace. Looking back at the Dragon Palace, the floating clouds should not come to the edge of the sun.

Lin Tailai was stunned for a moment, because these two articles were his works published in the past.

But, but, what do these two seven-character poems have to do with the Yellow Crane Tower?

Shi Lun, an aide to the governor of Qin, commented very professionally: "It is very appropriate to put Jiu Yuangong's masterpiece here!

You see, these sentences, such as "the spirit is higher than a hundred-foot tower" and "the Central Plains is like the Chu Tower through the window", are also perfectly applicable when applied to the Yellow Crane Tower!

Li Bai's line "riding a whale to the sky" also fits the culture of the Yellow Crane Tower! After all, Li Bai and Cui Hao are the two business cards of the Yellow Crane Tower!"

Even though Lin Tailai was considered knowledgeable, he was shocked and speechless.

In the past two or three days, have you searched all your poetry collections using "Lou" as the keyword? And have you also hired countless carvers to carve the stele overnight?
The governor of Qin said earnestly: "The scholars of Chu unanimously believe that only the masterpieces of the contemporary poet Jiu Yuangong are worthy of the Yellow Crane Tower!"

Facing the small capriciousness of power, tourist Lin Tailai felt mixed emotions and said helplessly: "I'd better write two new ones, so as not to be ridiculed for running out of ideas."

(End of this chapter)