Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 294 The Law of Twelve Equalities

Zhu Zaiyu, the prince of Duanqing Dynasty, was an important figure in the development of music rhythm. He made important contributions in aspects such as the law of twelve equals.

What’s especially rare is that Zhu Zaiyu not only made contributions to music and calendars, but was also a sage—

Like Liu Zongzhou, he is a sage who can only be seen in ancient books.

In the twenty-ninth year of Jiajing, Zhu Zaiyu, who was only fifteen years old, was still the eldest son of Prince Zheng. His father, Prince Zheng Zhu Hounan, was deposed because he offended Emperor Jiajing and was imprisoned in Fengyang.

Zhu Zaiyu hated his father for being arrested despite being innocent. He built an earthen chamber outside the palace and Xi Gao lived alone for nineteen years. It was not until the first year of Longqing, when Zhu Hounan restored the title of King Zheng, that Zhu Zaiyu returned to the palace to live.

After Zhu Houtan died in the 19th year of Wanli, Zhu Zaiyu insisted not to seize the title of King Zheng. He went to court seven times in fifteen years to give up the title of King Zheng to others.

Emperor Wanli could not withstand his request, and approved the matter in the thirty-fourth year of Wanli, allowing Zhu Zaiyu and his son Zhu Yixi to "live their lives with descendants and descendants who will still be granted the title of King of Dongyuan."

Therefore, after Zhu Zaiyu died, he was still called the crown prince. Because his posthumous title was Duanqing, he was called Prince Duanqing.

This kind of transfer of nobility is rare in the Ming Dynasty, and it is also rare in history. Anyone who can do this can be called a sage.

After Zhu Youjian learned about these things, he admired Zhu Zaiyu very much. He knew clearly that he could not do these things and could not give up the throne to anyone else.

Not to mention Zhu Zaiyu's "Complete Book of Musical Rhythm" and "Shengshou Perpetual Calendar" and other works are all obscure and difficult to understand in his opinion. He realized more clearly that apart from his knowledge from later generations, his knowledge was far inferior to that of Zhu Zaiyu.

Therefore, when Zhu Youjian decided to remake ritual music, he planned to use his works as a guide to remake Ming music:

"Prince Duanqing's Twelve Equal Laws are very consistent with Zhou etiquette."

"I think we should remake the music of the Ming Dynasty with the twelve equal temperaments as the core."

"What does Mr. Liu think of this? Is there a better way?"

It is not easy for a wise man to appear in the Ming Dynasty clan, and it has been determined that he will not pose a threat to the throne. Of course, Zhu Youjian will raise Zhu Zaiyu's status and establish him as a role model for the clan——

It is better to let those clans who are full and have nothing to do to study academics than to do evil in the local area or even seek the throne.

Liu Zongzhou can talk a lot about governing the country with rituals and music, but he is not very good at specific music.

When he heard that the emperor wanted to use Zhu Zaiyu's twelve equal laws, he did not object, but asked a question:
"If there is a conflict between the Twelve Rhythms and the Five Tones and Eight Tones, how should we decide?"

Zhu Youjian said without hesitation:

"Of course it's based on the Twelve Laws."

"These twelve rhythms correspond to the twelve earthly branches and the twelve months. They are in line with the rhythm of heaven and earth."

"The music of the Ming Dynasty must be based on the twelve rhythms!"

Thinking about the piano, the king of musical instruments in later generations, and then thinking about the classical music handed down from generation to generation, Zhu Youjian was very convinced that the twelve equal temperaments could be used in music and he could write good-sounding music.

What he wanted to do was to use Zhu Zaiyu's theory as a guide to transform the musical instruments of the Ming Dynasty and improve the recording method of music scores, so that musicians could use new instruments to compose beautiful music.

After clapping his hands, Zhu Youjian asked the young eunuch to bring up the harpsichord presented by Matteo Ricci, pointing to the harpsichord and saying:

"This kind of harpsichord is of the same origin as the dulcimer introduced during the Wanli period, and is a commonly used musical instrument in Europe and the West."

"It has many strings and can make a lot of sounds. I thought it could be modified with twelve equal temperaments to make it produce twelve temperament sounds." "This instrument can be played by one person, and even a well-off family can afford it. It makes it easier for people to enjoy music.”

"Whoever can transform this piano into a more perfect piano will be conferred the title of Master of Music and the rank of Grand Master."

The master mentioned here is the official position of Zhou Li mentioned by Liu Zongzhou before, responsible for controlling the six laws and six tongs.

Although Zhu Youjian has no intention of re-establishing this position, it does not prevent him from using this title to praise those who have made contributions, while also conferring medals on them and giving them actual rewards.

The status of the piano was also directly designated by him as the core instrument in the future——

After all, although chimes sound good, they are not suitable for popularization. Unlike the piano, which can be used both as a soloist and as the core of a symphony orchestra.

As the king of musical instruments, Zhu Youjian cannot find any other instrument to replace him. The effect of using the dulcimer, which was introduced to the Ming Dynasty not long ago, is not as good as it. Guqin, guzheng and other musical instruments can hardly replace the role of the piano.

Therefore, Zhu Youjian thought about it and designated the status of the piano. Let the musicians of the Ming Dynasty develop a piano with the characteristics of the Ming Dynasty based on the harpsichord.

At the same time, the copper tempered pipes left by Zhu Zaiyu, as well as the suona and other musical instruments he modified, must continue to be developed to see if we can combine suona, flute, guqin, guzheng, erhu, pipa and other traditional instruments to develop into Full band.

These specific musical instruments are obviously not what Liu Zongzhou and others are good at. Unlike Zhu Youjian who had seen the symphony orchestras and folk orchestras of later generations, they could only listen to the emperor saying things they didn't understand and specify the direction of development.

Zhu Youjian actually doesn’t know much about music. He only briefly explains it and points out the direction of development. After explaining everything he knew, he thought about the concert halls of later generations and said:
"Music must be enjoyed by the people. I plan to choose a place in the capital to build a concert hall for orchestras to perform."

“In the future, orchestras that have made great achievements can be invited to perform in concert halls and collect tickets to gain income.”

“Let everyone enjoy beautiful music in the concert hall.”

This approach of having fun with the people was praised by the ministers who participated in the sutra banquet. They did not feel that the construction of the concert hall was a waste of money and money. Instead, they felt that the emperor respected rituals and music.

Then Zhu Youjian thought of the dance score written by Zhu Zaiyu and said:

"Dancing is also part of music."

"The Jiaofang Division wants to build a song and dance hall for the people of the Ming Dynasty to enjoy."

"The Ministry of Rites will set up a Yuefu to collect poetry, music scores, dance scores and other music."

Incorporate poetry, songs, music, dance and other arts into music.

If we expand it further, we can say that the entire entertainment industry is within the scope of music.

Thinking that Le (le) and Le (yue) have multiple sounds, Zhu Youjian suddenly realized something. I think we can refer to the practices of later generations to develop the entertainment industry.

This can reconcile social conflicts and divert the attention of ordinary people so that they don't always stare at the court and think about important affairs in the court.

As a result, the most suitable opera to be sung was targeted by Zhu Youjian. He plans to develop the opera industry and divert people's attention.

　"Pengchuang Sequel": There was a foreign Taoist named Matteo Ricci... The Taoist also invented the Fanqin, which was made differently from China. It used copper and iron wire as strings and did not use fingerpicking. It only used a small board and its sound was clearer and clearer.

　　"Tongkao of Xuwenwen": The qin is three feet long and five feet wide. It is hidden in a casket. It has seventy-two strings made of gold, silver or wrought iron. Each has a column, and the end is connected to the outside. The end is drummed to respond. …

　　
　
(End of this chapter)