Guide to traveling through the Northern Song Dynasty

"This is the "Bo Gu Tu", compiled under the leadership of Wang Fu, and all the collections of Hun Jun are in it."

Zeng Yun pointed to a set of books and then pointed to the room inside.

Li Qingzhao followed behind him. Although Zeng Yun was younger than her, she did not dare to neglect him.

Because Zeng Yun is the grandson of Zeng Gong, and it was Zeng Gong who first proposed the word "gold and stone"!

The study of epigraphy was founded by Ouyang Xiu and carried forward by Zeng Gong. They can be called the two founders.

As for Li Qingzhao and his wife, they are proper descendants.

Zeng Yun pointed to another set of books and said: "This is the "Inscriptions on Gold and Stone" compiled by our ancestors. There are more than 500 volumes in total. All the records are inscriptions on stele."

Li Qingzhao flipped through a few pages and quickly became happy. There were two inscriptions that she had never seen before.

Zeng Yun continued to walk forward: "That is the "Archaeological Map" by Long Mianji (Li Gonglin). Maybe you have read it, but this is the most complete one."

Li Gonglin is the originator of Ding and Yi studies, specializing in the study of Zhong Dingwen in the Shang and Zhou dynasties.

Zeng Yun continued to introduce various books and objects, and after working for a long time, he said: "The official meaning is that it is compiled according to the categories of Ding, Yi, stele, etc. If I really don't know how to classify it, it will be classified as miscellaneous... I will leave it to your Excellency! "

"Sir, are you leaving soon?" Li Qingzhao asked.

Zeng Yun smiled and said: "Duanzhou, Xinzhou, Kangzhou, Nan'en and other prefectures and counties were merged by the imperial court into Zhaoqing Prefecture. I will release Zhaoqing Prefecture according to the emperor's order."

Li Qingzhao cupped his hands and said, "Congratulations, sir."

Zeng Yun previously served as the magistrate of Wenzhou. When Li Bao sent troops to attack Zhejiang, he not only brought the entire Wenzhou to surrender, but also demolished Taoist temples and confiscated the land, and ordered all Lin Lingsu's disciples and grandchildren to return to secular life.

As for history, after Yuezhou was captured by the Jin soldiers, civil and military officials were ordered to pay homage. Zeng Yun was the only one who would rather die than obey. When captured by the Jin soldiers, he still regarded death as home. More than 40 members of his family were killed by the Jin soldiers.

Li Qingzhao sent Zeng Yun out of the door, and a little old man walked towards him.

Zeng Yun bowed and said, "May I ask your surname, sir?"

The little old man did not dare to accept the courtesy, so he avoided the courtesy and said in return: "I don't dare to bear the name of Mr. Zhao Guang. I have no words, and I am the book boy of Longmian layman's family. Now I am recommended by the layman's old friend to come to Beijing to help compile books."

Li Gonglin is not only an expert on Zhong Dingwen, but also a very well-known painter.

But many people don't know that most of Li Gonglin's handed down paintings were ghostwritten by the book boy Zhao Guang. There were so many people asking for paintings that Li Gonglin couldn't help but refuse them all, so he asked the book boy to paint one at random to pass them off.

When the Jin soldiers went south, they heard that Zhao Guang was good at painting and forced him to paint the poor captured women.

Zhao Guang refused and had his right thumb cut off. He used his left hand to paint for the rest of his life, and he only painted images of Guanyin Bodhisattva.

Zeng Yun didn't know Zhao Guang's background. Hearing that he was just a bookboy, he was no longer so polite. He handed over his hand and said, "It turns out to be Mr. Zhao, and this is layman Yi An. From now on, you can just discuss it with each other."

Several imperial painters of Song Huizong were transferred to work together, such as Li Tang, Zhang Zeduan, Li Congxun and others.

Li Tang was a disciple of Li Gonglin, and it was he who recommended Zhao Guang to Beijing.

In addition, some epigraphy researchers were called in, such as Lu Dalin's grandnephew and so on.

Li Tang served as the project leader and divided into six working groups, namely: Ding Yi, stele inscriptions, seals, tablets, statues, and miscellaneous items.

"Good news, good news!"

Just two days after starting work, Li Congxun rushed in and shouted: "The official gave me a plaque for 'Epigraphy' and designated a corridor for us!"

Everyone was overjoyed when they heard this.

In the past 100 years, the terms "epigraphy" and "archaeology" have appeared one after another, but no one dared to add the word "study" after them.

Now that the emperor has given "Epigraphy" with his royal pen, it can be claimed to be a serious science from now on.

Li Congxun added: "There are also decrees from the officials that books on epigraphy should be accompanied by text and graphics. All utensils should be painted, with several sides painted and several sides painted with fine brushwork."

Li Tang smiled and said: "No wonder we have to call in many painters."

Li Qingzhao's life here was very fulfilling, with a variety of artworks to appreciate and a group of top epigraphers and painters accompanying him.

After work, we can chat about art and exchange poems and paintings.

"The officials are here, and they are still at the Royal Academy. You should prepare here early!" One day, a eunuch suddenly came to summon him.

Everyone quickly cheered up and carefully sorted out the results of the past few days' work, waiting for the emperor to come and show off their talents.

Waiting and waiting, maybe the emperor was delayed in the Royal Academy and was meeting with the literary calligraphers and painters there. They waited for two full hours and finally heard something.

"The emperor has arrived!"

Li Tang led everyone to the entrance of the hospital to greet them, and Li Qingzhao stood in the second row.

But seeing the emperor's honor guard coming from far to near, the old people who had followed Huizong of Song Dynasty were filled with emotion at this moment, finally being able to serve the emperor again!

"Greetings to Your Majesty!"

Everyone bowed in unison.

Zhu Guoxiang said: "Pingshen, let's go in first."

Dean Zhu glanced at the only woman in the crowd. She was slender and tall, not as weak as she imagined.

She is not very beautiful, but her features are delicate and regular.

Although he often drinks alcohol and stays up late, his skin is still well maintained. Only when you look closely can you see the crow's feet.

After entering the corridor, Li Tang found that the emperor glanced at Li Qingzhao a few more times, and quickly introduced him: "Guan family, this is Li Qingzhao, a lay scholar in Yi'an."

Li Qingzhao stepped forward again and saluted: "Your Majesty, Li Qingzhao, pays my respects."

Zhu Guoxiang smiled and said: "I have admired your name for a long time, and I have read many of Ai Qing's poems."

Li Qingzhao said modestly: "I dare not enter the eyes of the sage because of my humble work."

"No need to be restrained, all my dear friends, please take a seat." Zhu Guoxiang sat on the chair brought by the eunuch. "At the Qionglin Banquet, I wrote a limerick for the new Jinshi. You must all know it. I am not good at it. You are all experts in calligraphy, painting and diction, so there is no need to be too humble in front of me."

Zhang Zeduan quickly flattered him: "Your Majesty cares about the country and the country, so there is no need to indulge in such petty ways."

Li Tang immediately introduced this person.

Zhu Guoxiang said with a smile: "The prince liked your "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" very much and took it from Zhao Ji a long time ago."

"His Royal Highness, I love you so much." Zhang Zeduan felt relieved all over.

Zhu Guoxiang suddenly felt itchy hands: "I also learned painting from the imperial concubine, and I will make you laugh again today."

Everyone did not dare to neglect and quickly got pens, ink, paper and inkstones.

Zhu Guoxiang not only learned to draw bamboos from Wen Xiaomei, but also learned to draw orchids in the past two years.

He first drew a few stones, then a bunch of bamboo, and then painted orchids in the cracks of the stones. An ink painting of bamboo orchids was quickly completed.

"The official painting skills are good, the brushstrokes are experienced, vigorous and powerful, with clear layers and appropriate shades."

"The movement and stillness of this Fengzhu are appropriate, and the unyielding determination to uphold integrity is evident on the page!"

"There is softness in the hardness, and the combination of hardness and softness is truly extraordinary."

"..."

As soon as Zhu Guoxiang finished writing, a series of words of praise came out, and these artists were crazy about flattering the emperor.

Zhu Guoxiang looked at Li Qingzhao: "Why don't you say a few words about Master Yi An?"

Li Qingzhao was not used to lying, so he could only force out a smile: "The official paintings are excellent, and the artistic conception is beyond the reach of others."

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Zhu Guoxiang laughed happily and wrote: "I have been painting bamboo orchids for several years. I can fool ordinary people. I will be like a three-year-old child in front of you. But everyone likes to hear flattery, so you can say it as much as you want. Click, everyone can have fun."

Hearing this, everyone couldn't laugh or cry.

Seeing that the emperor didn't seem to be lying, they all felt relieved and knew that the man in front of them was easy to talk to.

Li Tang took the initiative to report on the progress of the work and submitted the manuscript.

Zhu Guoxiang was not interested in these things. He pretended to flip through a few pages and then went to look at the antiques.

Everyone immediately followed, and they introduced in detail whatever Zhu Guoxiang saw.

After touring for a while, we returned to the courtyard.

Zhu Guoxiang asked the eunuch to bring tea: "I don't like group tea. This is Yangzhou black tea. You can use it to make drinks."

"Thank you for the official reward!" Everyone thanked him quickly.

After Fujian was recovered, the imperial tea gardens there also all had the surname Zhu.

However, the accounts are in a mess. From officials to clerks, everyone is lining their own pockets and exploiting tea farmers frantically.

Zhu Guoxiang has sent the censor of the Inspectorate to several imperial tea gardens in Fujian to clarify the accounts and then directly auction them off. The only requirement is to separately restrict auctions and not allow certain merchants to establish a monopoly.

The clay stove was boiling water to make tea, and everyone sat around chatting with the emperor.

Li Tang followed Song Huizong for twenty years, and kept telling interesting stories about the previous dynasty, and when he talked about absurd and funny things, everyone was amused and laughed.

Li Tang also requested on behalf of everyone to present poems and paintings on site.

Zhu Guoxiang shook his head and said: "Art comes from the heart, and craftsmanship is inevitable when it is made. It is not too late to present a good work in private. However, Master Yi An is good at rhythm and must be good at musical instruments. I wonder if I can listen to a piece today?"

Li Qingzhao stood up quickly: "There is a piano in the house, I will get it immediately."

When he came back, Li Qingzhao already held a guqin in his arms, and began to play it for the emperor.

Li Qingzhao is better at composing music and lyrics, as well as appreciating lyrics and music, but his performance is not at a professional level.

At least, it is far worse than Li Shishi. Zhu Ming usually enjoys listening to music.

After the song was played, Zhu Guoxiang clapped his hands in approval, encouraged everyone with a few words, and then drove away.

The next day, a eunuch arrived and read out Li Qingzhao's appointment.

Well, contract workers have become regular workers.

For example, technical officers in painting academies and academies belonged to the third class in the old Song Dynasty.

The Zhu family and his son thought it was too cumbersome and directly merged it with the title of civil official (Ji Lu Guan).

Li Qingzhao's official title was Tongzhilang (the eighth-rank official of the capital), and his official assignment was given the imperial edict.

This kind of official position can only be promoted internally and cannot be confused with civil and military officials.

In terms of normal promotion, the order is Yixue, Jihou, Zhuluwaiwaizhao, Shifeiwaiwaizhao, Zhuziwaiwaizhao, and Hanlin in a certain academy.

Even if he is promoted to a certain academy, he is still an artistic advisor to the emperor and cannot participate in discussing political affairs.

Those who can really discuss political affairs are those who do not have the prefix of "XXXX Court".

"Congratulations to Li Daizhao!" Everyone congratulated one after another.

Li Qingzhao was very happy and gave a reward to the eunuch who passed the order.

The eunuch said: "The imperial concubine has made a new painting, and the official has invited Li Daizhao to come and taste it."

"Please ask the Japanese people to lead the way." Li Qingzhao didn't think much about it. This is the official job of the painting academy.