Volume 4: Gathering of Sages Chapter 676: Depressed
When the Third Prince of Ciqing Palace finished listening to the lecture given by Yue Shanchang and sent him away, it was already after the morning. It was almost noon when he returned to the palace from the public school. He asked Yue Shanchang to have lunch in Ciqing Palace, took a walk after lunch, and started the afternoon class without taking a lunch break.
After seeing them off, he looked at the sun that was gradually setting in the west, and couldn't help but worry about the Fourth Prince who hadn't returned yet. Of course, he wasn't worried about his own Fourth Prince encountering some kind of situation, but he was worried... that someone would cause trouble for Zhang Shou!
He had a deep understanding of his fourth brother's restless temper. He had accompanied him in Ciqing Palace's classes these days. The classes taught by Dean Yue, Dean Xiao, and Dean Xu were relatively okay, but when the three from the Hanlin Academy taught, it was simply miserable!
It was a rare opportunity for the Fourth Prince to be released from the palace, so he probably either went to Zhang Garden or jumped around in the public school...
After waiting for a long time, as the sun was setting, the Third Prince, who was concentrating on copying calligraphy in Ciqing Palace, suddenly heard Chu Kuan's voice: "Your Highness, the Fourth Prince seems to be back ."
The third prince's hand trembled, and the stroke he had written was crooked, and the paper that had been copied for half a page was wasted. He crumpled it into a ball and threw it into the wastebasket, frowning, intending to turn around and reprimand his fourth brother for being lazy, but after hearing some voices outside, the fourth prince rushed in, and his eyes turned red when he saw him.
"Wow, Third Brother, the scarecrow is so pitiful!"
The Third Prince was completely confused by these nonsense words. When he saw the Fourth Prince rushing over, hugging his shoulders and crying non-stop, he was even more at a loss. He didn't care about anything else and hurriedly patted the man's back and comforted him patiently, just like he comforted people in his childhood. Finally, he roughly understood what was going on from the sobbing Fourth Prince.
After he left, Zhang Shou told two stories. Later, Xiao Shanzhang and another scholar from the Hanlin Academy also had an argument. Then, the Fourth Prince asked Zhang Shou to continue telling stories with great interest. He even ate lunch while listening to the stories. Then, he was abused again and again. The scarecrow was just one of them, but he was also the saddest and most desperate one in the eyes of the Fourth Prince!
Full of curiosity, the Third Prince immediately asked the Fourth Prince to repeat the story. However, the Fourth Prince, who had promised Zhang Shou that he could tell the whole story, was dumbfounded when he actually started.
He only remembered that every plot was sad, and every turn was going in a bad direction, but he was at a loss as to how to organize the language. When he finally stuttered to the end about the barren fields, the carp dying, and the sick child dying, he couldn't help but sniffle and shed tears again, as if his nose was completely blocked.
"Woo woo woo, how could this happen!?"
Although the Fourth Prince's narration was incoherent, Chu Kuan was well-informed and had a general understanding of the whole story. When he saw the Third Prince frantically trying to comfort his emotionally broken brother, he suddenly said, "Fourth Prince, are the other stories by Master Zhang also of this style?"
The sobbing Fourth Prince was slightly startled, then he thought about it carefully, and then said gloomily: "Anyway, it's all such dark stories, and it makes me feel choked up and uncomfortable..."
He continued to tell the stories intermittently, such as "Three or Five More Bushels of Grain", "Medicine", "Young Runtu", "The Fool"... Although some stories were very impressive and I could not remember the details of others and could only give a general idea, the general tone was already very clear in his narration.
The scenes in the story are no longer the peaceful world in the memorials of court officials, nor the long songs of prosperity in the poems of literati, but ordinary life, with many more heavy meanings. Chu Kuan hesitated for a moment, and finally said, "Your Highness, if possible, it would be best if you could ask Master Zhang to type these articles and send them to Ciqing Palace so that you can take a closer look."
The Third Prince had this in mind, and Chu Kuan's suggestion was exactly what he wanted. He nodded immediately, then looked helplessly at his fourth brother who was crying, and finally said, "Eunuch Chu, go get a basin of water. It's really not good for the fourth brother to go out like this. He needs to wash his face and change his clothes!"
Zhang Shou did not think that he had a bad taste or was forcing the issue by telling a series of stories to make the fourth prince run away in tears. Compared with the so-called horror Grimm's fairy tales, Mr. Ye Shengtao's fairy tale collection is just more realistic and darker, but not weird and scary. In fact, in some aspects, it is similar to Lu Xun's articles.
He did not think that he was forcing things to grow. Many of his stories were included in junior high and even high school textbooks, but the overall style was plain, except for the heavy ending of the young boy Runtu, who was a little childish.
However, the young Third and Fourth Princes were not as ignorant as they were in the sixth grade of elementary school. Although they seemed to be spoiled and naive by the Emperor living in the palace, they actually knew all about the world!
Although it is said that one can use copper as a mirror to correct one's attire, history as a mirror to understand rise and fall, and people as a mirror to understand gains and losses, if one only reads classics and history, one can only see emperors and generals, rise and fall, survival and destruction, loyalty and treachery, and can only glimpse a little bit of real life in some descriptions, but that is mostly general talk.
Real life can be found in the notes of literati, but compared with novels, notes and miscellaneous talks are not as vivid and lively.
However, Zhang Shou did not expect that it was not just the Fourth Prince who became depressed after hearing his story. Another had just returned home in the evening after having lunch at the public school, was listless and in low spirits, in stark contrast to her high spirits when she left home in the morning.
After hearing the servants' report, Taifu and Jiuniang, who had long known that Zhu Ying had gone to the public school to listen to Zhang Shou's open class, were puzzled. Zhang Shou's class was said to be complicated and difficult, and many people who applied to audit the class could not even raise any doubts. They fled after listening to the class. It was said that this had a good deterrent effect on these people who were dissatisfied.
If that's the case, why is Zhu Ying acting like this? Did she get mad at Zhang Shou? That's impossible. It's impossible that she would have time to spend alone with Zhang Shou in public school. And Zhu Ying is not the kind of person who would be upset if Zhang Shou ignored her because he was busy with work. So, what's going on?
Although calling Zhu Hong might help to find out the truth, after a private discussion between the Madam and Jiu Niang, they decided to call Zhu Ying to Qing'an Hall to ask in person. But they didn't know until they asked. Once they asked, they were both in a state of confusion.
"So, Zhang Shou had nothing better to do, so he told the Fourth Prince and others stories he had heard from Mr. Ye and Mr. Zhou when he was a child. All of them were so depressing that you felt suffocated after listening to them, so you came back unhappy! Yingying, you are so old, is it that serious?"
"Of course!"
Zhu Ying raised her eyebrows in anger, and then said unconvincedly: "If Grandmother and Mother don't believe me, I'll tell you! Although I'm definitely not as good as Ah Shou, I still remember the most important things!"
As if she was afraid that the Taifu and Jiuniang would not believe her, Zhu Ying actually started to tell the story. The first story, "Three or Five More Bushels of Pile of Grain", successfully made the Taifu and Jiuniang's smiles disappear completely. When the second story, "Medicine", was finished, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had already frowned. When Zhu Ying told the gist of each story, the two of them finally rubbed their eyebrows and sighed.
Jiu Niang endured and endured, and finally let Zhu Ying finish. Finally, she smiled bitterly and said, "I understand your feelings, Yingying. Ah Shou's stories are tragic, and they are indeed tragic, but compared to those tragic stories with blood and flesh flying everywhere, they are completely different... This is like a knife cutting into my heart!"
"Yes, mother is right. I just couldn't describe it well! I feel so aggrieved and uncomfortable. I feel so uncomfortable!" Zhu Ying made a few circles in front of her grandmother and mother, and finally shouted angrily: "I have always thought that Ah Shou has an open-minded and optimistic personality. I never thought he could make up such a sad story!"
"Who said he made it up ? Didn't he say he heard it from somewhere else?" The lady laughed immediately. Seeing Zhu Ying looking at her with disbelief, as if she wanted to say that it must be another excuse, she said earnestly, "You know, human power is limited. Ah Shou is gifted in mathematics, so he is naturally a little lacking in other aspects. He himself admits it."
She paused, as if thinking about how to organize her words: "You just said that what Ah Shou told was not some beautifully written legend, but rather a folk story passed down by word of mouth. But if you savor it carefully, it seems to contain deep meaning. People who have never experienced it cannot come up with these stories out of thin air. So, as Ah Shou said, it was not his idea, but something he heard from others."
Jiu Niang also nodded in agreement with the Madam. "That's right. Although Yingying's retelling is not so clear, some of the sentences seem to be repeated by Shou inadvertently, right? It sounds like colloquialisms, but it has a different flavor when you read it carefully. It is obviously the work of a very knowledgeable celebrity. To write something like this, experience is indispensable."
Zhu Ying certainly didn't think that her grandmother and mother were looking down on Zhang Shou. She widened her eyes slightly and pondered for a moment, then nodded thoughtfully and said, "It seems to be true. Ah Shou has lived in that small village since he was a child and has never left. Even if he is smart, he should not have seen so many things in the world!"
"Oh, it's a good thing that he met these knowledgeable teachers, otherwise wouldn't it have been a waste of time? It's all my fault. He's the son of my mother and my savior, but he was so hesitant that he almost hurt him!"
Seeing her granddaughter habitually defending Zhang Shou, the lady couldn't help but smile. However, she also had to admit that Zhang Shou had lived in the countryside for 16 years, and even though he was born with a good appearance, the reason why he didn't become a complete country boy was definitely due to his education and influence.
"A man of learning is naturally elegant" is definitely not just a saying. There are countless officials in the court who come from poor families. Even if they are honest, as long as they get higher and higher positions and govern more and more people, their bodies will change and their spirits will change. After twenty years, even if they looked ordinary in the past, they will unconsciously become majestic.
As for high-ranking officials with ugly appearance, they simply do not exist. Not to mention that eight out of ten are eliminated in the exams, even if they are lucky enough to pass the imperial examination, it is difficult for them to have a chance to move up. And the appearance is determined by the heart. Zhang Shou can have such a demeanor and bearing today. His own efforts may be important, but the teacher and resources are more important. Without anyone to teach him and books to read, Zhongyong would be mediocre!
Therefore, after comforting Zhu Ying, who was once depressed, and coaxing her to go back to her room to take a bath happily, the old lady saw that Zhu Jing and Zhu Tingfang, father and son, had not returned, and that Zhu Er was the only one at home besides Zhu Ying. She ordered the small kitchen to prepare fewer dishes for dinner, and left Jiu Niang to talk alone, and ordered Mother Li and others to wait outside.
"Although Zhang Shou's master was blocked by Grand Tutor Ge, the emperor knew that there was something wrong but he did not care. However, the more unusual ideas he revealed, the harder it was to hide. This is what is called a crane standing out from a flock of chickens."
Jiu Niang naturally agreed with the Madam's judgment, but she still had doubts in her heart: "But the tenants in Ah Shou's village were all arranged by the government. He was weak and sickly at first and didn't go out. How did they meet Mr. Ye and Mr. Zhou mentioned now, and maybe others?"
This is the second thing. She paused and continued, "How could these people come to a village like the one outside Beijing? How could they avoid the eyes and ears of the villagers? Why did they have to avoid the eyes and ears of the villagers?"
The lady thought this question was incredible: "What you asked is exactly what I want to ask. If someone teaches him political tactics, then they definitely have bad intentions. But you can see it from what Ah Shou has done since he reopened Jiuzhang Hall. Most of the time, others think he is young and easy to bully, so they try to step on him, and end up stepping on a sharp nail."
She found it interesting as she spoke, and the corners of her mouth curled up: "As for him, he really doesn't care much about promotion or wealth."
"Yes, yes." Jiu Niang couldn't help but laugh, "But in the past year or so, you have also seen how he has been promoted and made a fortune."
The lady laughed so hard that she pounded the armrest: "You have been home for so long, and now you finally have the lively and playful personality of a new bride. Finally, I have found a good son-in-law! Anyway, since they have taught our son-in-law mathematics, and have also given him a basic knowledge of classics and history, and taught him about the ways of the world, so that he is not only well-read, but also more capable in dealing with people, we will remember their kindness."
Although Mother Li, who was standing under the eaves, could not hear what the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were saying, she could clearly hear the laughter in the house. So she could not help but chant "Amitabha" in her heart, thinking that now that the lady had returned, the two young masters and the eldest daughter had all been married, and the family would be harmonious and prosperous.
When she saw someone rushing towards the gate, she hurried to meet him, not wanting to disturb the conversation inside. But after hearing the report clearly, she hesitated for a moment and turned back to the door, "Madam, Madam, the leader of the Guangdong Guild Hall, Mr. Song, has come with a letter to ask for an audience, saying that it is extremely urgent! If Madam and Madam are concerned that he is a stranger, he is willing to write a letter and submit the reason!"
