The literary giants of the late Ming Dynasty began by copying books

Chapter 143 Review of The Wealth of Nations

Unlike calligraphers, many gentlemen sitting in Fuzhou highly praised Wang Wenlong's "European Regular Script 92 Methods", saying that this book is "complete and practical. If you follow this book, you can draw each stroke according to the frame." , how can there be someone who fails?"

"It is an enlightenment teacher for beginners. It should be a household name, a copy in everyone's hands, and a must-have on the desk of all students."

The person who admired Wang Wenlong the most was Li Xun, a student from Fuzhou. Wang Wenlong had never heard of this person's name. After asking about it, he found out that he was a gentleman who ran a private school in a Guanyin Temple in Fuzhou.

This person had admired Wang Wenlong's works very much before. As soon as Wang Wenlong's calligraphy book came out, he took the initiative to use it in teaching. After having Wang Wenlong's "European Regular Script 92 Method", his teaching results were greatly improved.

Ordinary business people don't expect any students to be admitted to the Jinshi. They just see that their children's calligraphy is becoming more and more beautiful, and they have face when they take out paper to write couplets. They know that their children have developed skills and are interested in Li Xun. Thank you very much sir.

With figures like Li Xun greatly promoting it, the reputation of "European Regular Script 92 Method" in Fujian is getting better and better.

If the enlightenment and practical books written by Wang Wenlong still have mixed reviews, as for "History of Portugal", it has received overwhelming praise.

The popularity of this book among businessmen and scholars last year has finally settled among the people. Many ordinary readers even read "The Theory of Heavenly Evolution" first and then had the opportunity to read "History of Portugal".

Nearly a year after Wang Wenlong wrote "History of Portugal", it finally spread among the people, and many serious review editions also appeared one after another.

At this time, He Qiaoyuan, the most famous local chronicler in the country, "Mr. Jingshan", spent less than half a year reviewing "History of Portugal". He praised Wang Wenlong's work in the preface: "The study of Western anecdotes has never been done before. Read This book is better than reading thousands of Yi local chronicles."

Yang Daobin, the Minister of Rites, who was born in Jinjiang, Fujian Province, was also a famous historical figure at this time. He advocated learning from the past and had several times submitted "Three Kingdoms" and "Five Dynasties History" to Wanli, hoping to advise him on government affairs.

While he was out presiding over the provincial examination, Yang Daobin received a copy of "History of Portugal" from a friend in his hometown. After reading it, he almost lost sleep and food, and then started to write commentary. At this time, he also sent his commentary version back to his hometown in Fujian for publication.

He praised it in his review: "Looking at this Western book, you can understand the nature of Western countries' pursuit of strength, and it can be used as a reference for the situation of the Ming Dynasty."

As "History of Portugal" spread among ordinary people and literati, Wang Wenlong's reputation became increasingly famous.

His fame finally crossed the Yangtze River and entered the north. Many people in Shandong, Henan and other places talked about Wang Wenlong's works.

The commodity economy in these places is not as developed as that in the south of the Yangtze River, and they still have to worry about the invasion of border barbarians. However, the literati in the north saw the hope of strengthening the army from the "History of Portugal".

Because there are many places in the book that praise Portugal's naval offensive, some people think that Wang Wenlong is also a staunch militant, or at least familiar with overseas military affairs.

Many people identify Wang Wenlong as a scholar with military vision.

Wang Wenlong became more and more famous, and even his two pairs were copied by many people.

"Who is in charge of the mountains surrounded by clouds? I am confused and don't know the sect."

"The sound of the wind and rain, the sound of reading, the sound of reading; family affairs, state affairs, world affairs, and everything is concerned."

These two pairs are so well written that the story of Wang Wenlong has also been circulated. Wang Wenlong had both vision and literary talent, and even quite a talent for mathematics. He was invited as an aide by Fujian Zuobu Zhengshi, and was naturally regarded as a joke. The scholar in white in this book.

Then the life experience he described in Changzhou gradually spread, so readers added many legendary backgrounds to Wang Wenlong.

The image of a famous official and scholar who was born into wealth, lost his family at a young age, studied hard, and eventually became successful was gradually established.

……

Just when Wang Wenlong was becoming famous and making money again, and was feeling happy, Yuan Wuya finally returned to Suzhou from Henan.When he went to Henan, he thought he could get some manuscripts, but he didn't expect that Li Zhi had already gone north and his disciples were also scattered.

Dong Qichang and others from Anyang, Henan Province, as well as Zhu Zaiyu and Wang Jide, all entered the research state again, and there was nothing to publish for a while.

Yuan Wuya thought that his publishing house could only search for inferior works.

At this time, when he returned to Suzhou, he received Wang Wenlong's manuscript from Xu Shupi, and he was instantly overjoyed.

Wang Wenlong is very popular at this time. I heard that he went to Changzhou to host a lecture a few days ago. Although I don't know why the content of the lecture in Changzhou is not obvious, but if his new book can be published, he will definitely gain profits.

"I just hope that Jianyang's works can maintain the original level...Jianyang writes too fast. It takes him several months to publish a book. Don't rush it out for me."

Yuan Wuya thought in his heart.

Wang Wenlong is so sincere, even if the writing is not good, in order to keep this friend, he must print it, but if that is the case, it will be a bit unsightly.

Yuan Wuya opened the manuscript paper and first saw that the name of the book was "The Wealth of Nations". Then he saw the preface written by Wang Wenlong himself, saying that this was a book on the study of business. Yuan Wuya nodded.

Gui Youguang described the situation of scholars and merchants at this time decades earlier: "In ancient times, the four peoples had different industries. As for later generations, scholars and farmers and merchants often mixed."

By this time, situations where "scholars became businessmen" and "businessmen became scholars" abounded, and there were many books on the market with scholars and businessmen as common readers.

"Essentials for Scholars and Businessmen", "Essentials for Scholars and Merchants", "Essentials for Scholars and Merchants"... These books generally talk about some principles and tips for doing business. Yuan Wuya felt that given Wang Wenlong's current status, it was appropriate to publish some such books. , after all, where is Wang Wenlong's reputation, he is already qualified to guide others.

But as he read, Yuan Wuya gradually frowned.

What is Wang Jianyang writing?
The development of the porcelain industry in Dehua, research on the Maritime Silk Road cluster in Quanzhou, analysis of the background effects of the Kaizhong method...

The more Yuan Wuya read, the more uncomfortable he became. He couldn't read fast at all. It took him a whole morning to finish reading one chapter. He just felt that a lot of new knowledge was being filled into his head. The amount was so large that it made him dizzy.

And he finally tasted the true taste of this book.

It left him stunned.

The word "economics" had already appeared at this time, and ordinary people could understand it. It was generally considered to be the knowledge of "economic management of the world".

The specific content involves the governance of the country, the development of agriculture and mulberry trees to benefit people's livelihood, etc.

But those who studied economics in the past all started from the general principles.

The word "jingshi" in "Jingshijiyong" comes from "Jingshijiyong in the Spring and Autumn Period, the ambition of the ancestors", and the word "jiyong" comes from "the essence of the world is absorbed into the spirit, so that it can be used".

Therefore, at this time, economic researchers often discussed the aspirations and essence of the former kings.

They are all within the scope of philosophy, and although Wang Wenlong discusses similar issues, they do not involve high-level philosophy at all.

"The Wealth of Nations" only discusses on the ground and analyzes the various factors that affect the economy. This way of discussing the economy has never been seen before.

(End of this chapter)