Chapter 99 The first person to open the way
When Yuan Gong watched Jiang Xinghuo blow the ink stains on the letter paper and handed it to him after it was dry, Yuan Gong nervously wiped his palms on the linen clothes before taking it.
Yuan Gong held this light letter, but he always felt that it was heavier than Mount Tai.
Because Yuan Gong knew very well that if what Jiang Xinghuo said before could only have a changing effect on the people and the country, then it did not actually touch on the most important part of the power of this era - Confucianism.
In other words, Neo-Confucianism.
The letter I write today is completely different.
The content mentioned in this letter completely denies something at the foundation of the edifice of Neo-Confucianism, that is, human spirituality.
If the foundation is crooked and hollow, the whole building may collapse.
This will inevitably lead to a crazy counterattack by the defenders of Neo-Confucianism.
What's even more frightening is that other ordinary literati might be afraid of these moral defenders.
Daoyan, the prime minister in black who is called a "demon monk" by the Taoist priests every day, is not afraid!
Once this letter falls into the hands of Dao Yan, it is unknown what impact it will have on the thinking of the entire Ming Dynasty.
After all, people like Dao Yan live not for fame or wealth, but to prove their own value in life.
Rebellion has proven its ability, so in the last period of his life, what could be better than launching a ideological "rebellion" to make Dao Yan feel that he can realize his life value?
When a person who has a small part of the highest power in the empire, who is not afraid of being scolded if he has a bad reputation, and who is not afraid of death when he is over sixty years old, really wants to do something, then he will definitely turn the Ming Dynasty's thinking world upside down. of.
The wind rises at the end of Qingping.
The change in Ming's thinking has occurred unstoppably since Jiang Xinghuo wrote the first word of this letter.
Not to mention Yuan Gong's thoughts, which were constantly changing, Jiang Xinghuo, who had just finished writing this unexpected letter, also met an unexpected person under the notification of the jailer.
When he met this person, Jiang Xinghuo admitted that he really didn't expect it.
A peasant girl with a dusty face appeared in front of him, carrying winter bamboo shoots and wild products from Jingting Mountain.
When he entered the duty room, the stiff smile that complimented the jailer on his thin face had not completely dissipated, and his hair showed a slightly malnourished yellowish color in the sunlight and dust.
"Jiang Xuan? How did you get here?"
"I thought you had."
They both spoke at the same time and then fell silent at the same time.
"You go ahead and say it."
"You tell me first."
Jiang Xinghuo simply put his left hand between his nose and lips and rubbed it, signaling the other party to speak first.
"I took a donkey-cart from Jingting Mountain, then took a carriage to Wuhu, and then went east along the river and landed at the Nanjing Pier. I came here to find you." The girl's words were very concise, and her thinking was obviously very clear.
Jiang Xinghuo nodded. The land route from Jingting Mountain to Nanjing is three hundred and sixty miles. It is not a peaceful time now. It is already very difficult for a half-grown girl not to be abducted on the road. It's over.
"Why are you looking for me? When I sold the property to you and your aunt, I have already left you two shops in the town. You can rent them out so you can eat and drink without any worries."
Jiang Xuan lowered her head and replied: "It's not those. My mother's legs and feet are not flexible, and no one in the clan wants to come."
Jiang Xinghuo suddenly understood almost instantly.
——This is the person who came to collect his body.
When a person dies, he must return to his roots.
But who is Jiang Xinghuo in the clan? He contradicted the clan elders, ruined the family property, and was a prodigal son in a brothel. How could anyone be willing to walk hundreds of miles to collect his body in Nanjing?
For a moment, Jiang Xinghuo felt a little sore and irritable.
[Damn it, time travelers are most taboo about forming bonds]
As long as he breaks away from the absolutely rational state of lectures, Jiang Xinghuo is no different from a normal person most of the time.
As Jiang Xinghuo just wrote in the letter, every real person must be a person living in society.
Jiang Xinghuo's body is neither Sun Wukong nor Malphite. It did not pop out of a stone at all. He also has his own inherent interpersonal relationships and social network.
Otherwise, why was he arrested and imprisoned to punish the ten clansmen?
It wasn't because his unlucky teacher was Fang Xiaoru's registered disciple.
At first, I thought Fang Xiaoru was a great Confucian, and I was licking my face to get the status of master and disciple. But now I feel better and my head has moved.
As a senior time traveler, Jiang Xinghuo knows very well how much trouble various emotions, such as family, love, and friendship, can cause to time travellers.
When the time traveler leaves this world, he can take nothing with him.
And all emotions are destined to become regrets and frustrations.
Since Jiang Xinghuo's ultimate goal is to return to modern society for eternal life and reunite with his real parents, he should not have too deep emotions during the time travel, otherwise this obsession will get worse as time goes by. Hair is thin.
【Damn! ! ! 】
Jiang Xinghuo suddenly covered his head tightly.
Countless images flashed back in my mind like a movie.
Finally, it settled on two pictures.
"Du~"
The ship's whistle sounded.
Seagulls fly freely in the blue sky and white clouds. Sometimes they dive to catch fish on the sea surface; sometimes they rise into the sky and hover at high altitude.
At this moment, it is the time when the sun is shining brightly.
In the waiting hall, people wearing black suits and gray tunic suits gathered together in small groups, chatting animatedly. They were drinking tea, playing cards, or talking about the latest international news.
"Have you heard? This year's federal presidential election in the United States will be held early!" A man said excitedly.
"You don't have to say it! The whole world knows about this kind of thing." Another person responded disdainfully, holding the staff of civilization.
"Ha ha."
Amidst the conversation, a tall, slender man with a clear face sat at the table near the window. He had been drinking coffee and said nothing.
The man looked at the gold watch on his wrist. The minute hand had passed the agreed time, and he looked a little anxious.
He took a sip of coffee, then put down the cup and stood up.
"Everyone, I'm sorry, there are some things that need to be dealt with at the moment." He said politely to the people around him and prepared to turn around and leave.
"Hey, wait a minute." Others quickly stopped him.
"What's wrong?" The man stopped.
"Is that the person you're waiting for?"
A sharp-eyed man pointed to the door.
Looking in the direction the man pointed, everyone saw a woman in a red dress walking in from the outside. Her face was exquisite, her skin was white and delicate, as crystal clear as mutton-fat jade. The long and beautiful black hair is spread freely, giving off a delicate temperament.
"so beautiful."
Everyone couldn't help but sigh.
As soon as the woman in red walked in, she saw a familiar handsome face. After being stunned for a moment, the corner of her mouth turned up with a smile: "Mr. Jiang, long time no see."
"Well, it's been a long time indeed." Jiang Xinghuo smiled and nodded.
He hurried forward to greet her, narrowed his eyes and asked in a low voice.
"Why did you come?"
The woman in red smiled sweetly, held his hand and said openly: "Don't worry, the journey is long, and it's normal to be delayed for a while."
After he was slightly away from the crowd, Jiang Xinghuo took out a boat ticket from the pocket of his vest.
"Come on, the investigation has been very strict recently." Jiang Xinghuo said in a low voice, lowering his throat.
"Then what will you do? Won't you be exposed?"
The woman in red frowned and asked.
"The things produced in the factory, whether they are chemicals or machines, are very important to us now. After some parts are transferred, I will naturally have a way to escape. You can get on the ship first and don't let anyone find you." Jiang Xinghuo handed over the ship ticket. He stuffed it into her palm, then turned around and left in a hurry.
But suddenly, he was tightly held by the woman in red.
"What's wrong?"
Jiang Xinghuo turned around and asked.
The woman in red bit her lip, then stood up on her tiptoes and kissed his lips.
The warm and sweet touch spread throughout their limbs.
Jiang Xinghuo was stunned as if he had been struck by an electric shock. His head was buzzing. He stared blankly at the woman in his arms with his eyes wide open. He was speechless for a long time.
"The time I spent with you during my mission was the happiest time in my life." The woman in red bit his ear and said softly.
The woman in red stepped away a little distance, holding the bag with both hands on her lower abdomen, and said with a smile.
"Mr. Jiang, goodbye then."
When Jiang Xinghuo met her again, it was in the newspaper that she was arrested.
Jiang Xinghuo put down the newspaper, took out his cigarette case and took out a cigarette in the factory, which was much emptyer than before.
Then he carefully took out a photo from the lining of the suit's vest and looked at it.
In the distance, soldiers in yellow military uniforms were driving towards him under the guidance of sidecar motorcycles.
Jiang Xinghuo knew that he had been exposed.
Being exposed means that what awaits him today must be death.
Jiang Xinghuo put away the photos and checked for the last time the explosives produced in the factory and planted by himself. He rubbed the match and ignited the long fuse hidden in the hiding place and used the unextinguished spark to light his own mouth. A cigarette in his mouth.
The factory door was kicked open.
Dozens of soldiers swarmed in, pointing rifles at him.
"Jiang Sang, Wei Junjie, the food washer"
"Fuck you."
After the gunfire.
Explosions and flames shot up into the sky, burning up all the energy.
"Cousin, are you okay?"
When Jiang Xuan stepped forward and tried to help Jiang Xinghuo, who was clutching his head in extreme pain, she found that he suddenly raised his head.
A hot teardrop fell from his eyes, hit the ground, and broke into countless petals.
After another long while, Jiang Xinghuo was freed from memories.
At this moment, he suddenly felt that eternal life was quite painful.
"Go on."
Seeing that Jiang Xinghuo was in a very depressed mood, Jiang Xuan asked softly, "So what's going on today?"
"I have made meritorious service in prison." Jiang Xinghuo also felt helpless. "My sentence has been commuted to thirty years. I will be released from prison next year when I am granted amnesty."
"Really?" Jiang Xuan was a little in disbelief, "That's great!"
Jiang Xuan was immediately overjoyed. She originally thought that what she was waiting for was her cousin's headless body, but she didn't expect that the situation that was originally at the end of the road would take an unexpected turn.
Although it was a bit strange that his sentence was changed for meritorious service, Jiang Xinghuo still felt warm and warm in his heart when he heard the blessings from his relatives in this world.
only……
Jiang Xinghuo suddenly remembered something, and his eyes became much darker: "Auntie, is it difficult in the clan?"
"Fortunately, we all have sisters-in-law and we will always help each other."
Jiang Xuan's words were a little hasty and she immediately changed the subject: "Will you go home next year?"
"Won't come back."
Jiang Xinghuo was silent for a moment and said, "I can't go back home for the time being. I suddenly want to do something, such as establishing a new discipline, starting a sect, etc."
When this idea came out, Jiang Xinghuo himself was stunned.
When did this idea come about?
Is it that during the lectures day after day, you always feel that you should leave something to the world?
Or did the phrase "Mr. Jiang" that the bearded man often said remind him of the past in his memory?
[Mr. Jiang, you should teach and educate people. 】
[Teaching and educating people cannot save the country. Besides, someone has to do the work. 】
[Mr. Jiang, is it okay to do business? 】
[The substances that are actually created are of some use after all. 】
Thinking about it now, Jiang Xinghuo began to reflect a little.
Just like the Westernization Movement, in fact, for a big feudal empire, no matter what utensils you give it, such as flintlocks, artillery, fertilizers, steam engines, etc., the effect is not as great as imagined.
Fundamentally speaking, if we do not initiate a change in thinking, transform the thinking of the ruling class from the root, and overthrow the increasingly rigid and conservative Neo-Confucianism, then in the end we will still follow the old path of "I am the Qing Dynasty."
Temporarily advanced equipment without supporting and synchronized advanced thinking is of no use.
At this time, Jiang Xuan was also shocked by Jiang Xinghuo's words.
"Ah? W-what did you say?"
Jiang Xuan was stunned and looked at Jiang Xinghuo blankly.
Start a sect?
Is he crazy? !
Jiang Xuan still had some idea of her cousin's academic level.
At the age of twenty, he reached the Great Perfection of Childhood.
Commonly known as,
——Half-step to the realm of scholar.
This level is naturally regarded as a young talent of the Jiang family in Jingting Mountain, but in Nanjing and even the Ming Dynasty,
The idea of establishing a sect is so unreliable!
"I have decided." Jiang Xinghuo said with a firm look, "You don't have to persuade me. I have some money saved here. You can take it and hire a carriage from a regular car dealer to go home."
After that, Jiang Xinghuo took out a small cloth bag and handed the money he earned from the lecture to Jiang Xuan.
His aunt was very kind to him, and even though his parents in this world had passed away, she still took good care of him. However, he sold off his family property and betrayed this kindness, which made him feel uneasy.
not to mention……
If he continues to stay in this world and writes articles that offend the gentry, he will be disgraced and killed sooner or later!
Although this was one of Jiang Xinghuo's hidden death intentions.
But he would rather die early and travel through time than bring his aunt and the others down.
As for other things, at least he tried his best and had a clear conscience.
"Cousin..."
Jiang Xuan hesitated to speak, but looking at Jiang Xinghuo's firm eyes, she finally couldn't say anything.
"Go back and live the life you deserve."
After saying these words, Jiang Xinghuo turned around and walked towards the prison, his back looking particularly lonely and desolate.
Jiang Xuan stood there silently, watching his leaving figure, her eyes slightly red, and crystal tears falling down her cheeks.
She didn't expect that Jiang Xinghuo would actually decide not to go home even after he was released from prison.
This news was undoubtedly a bolt from the blue, hitting the girl's not-so-strong heart.
Jiang Xuan always felt that her cousin might have something to hide.
However, she couldn't stop Jiang Xinghuo, so she could only pray secretly, hoping that her cousin could overcome the difficulties and stand up again.
"Even after he is released from prison, does Jiang Lang really not plan to go home?"
Li Jinglong asked curiously as he watched Jiang Xinghuo come out of the check-in room.
"No plan." Jiang Xinghuo shook his head.
"Why?"
Facing his question, Jiang Xinghuo was silent for a moment.
why?
In the end, Jiang Xinghuo gave his answer.
"I used to think that teaching and educating people could not change the world. Doing some real things down-to-earth and creating some real substances might be able to change the world."
"Have you changed your mind now?"
"My thoughts have not changed. I still feel that teaching and educating people cannot change the world, but there may be something that can change the world." Jiang Xinghuo said lightly.
"whats the matter?"
Li Jinglong seemed to have not yet broken away from his role as a lecturer and kept asking questions.
"Since he won't die in a while, it may be God's destined arrangement."
"People live to do meaningful things."
"I want to try to do something meaningful now. I pick up a pen and use my words as a weapon to criticize and transform the world. What is transformed is not material, but thinking, which is inherent in the human brain. I think Only by changing your thinking will it be possible to do other things further.”
Jiang Xinghuo said in a calm tone: "It's not that I'm out of ideas, but it's true that this kind of thing has really existed in my knowledge."
Just as there was the Enlightenment in the West, there was the New Culture Movement in the East.
Changes in thinking are always the driving force that guides people to move forward.
Although Jiang Xinghuo did not witness this vigorous movement when he traveled through time, he did feel the difference in each era.
Only with ideals and beliefs in our hearts can things that seem impossible to become reality become reality.
This is not an idealist argument, nor does it mean that subjectivity determines objectivity. It is not that.
But as Jiang Xinghuo said yesterday, a person is a living person, and he is also an existing individual. So since he is a person, he cannot put aside his own subjective initiative.
But now Jiang Xinghuo has a little bit of subjective initiative.
For example, in the thinking world of Ming Dynasty, open up a new path?
Although Zhou Shuren said that there is no road in the world, it becomes a road when there are more people walking on it.
But there has to be the first person to go and open the way, right?