Volume 2: The King's Way Chapter 194: We still need to support the Han Dynasty
When Zhou Yu came out of the prefect's mansion angrily, he was holding the poem "The Peacock Flies Southeast" in his hand.
Thinking of the opening line "During the Jian'an Period at the end of the Han Dynasty", Zhou Yu wanted to laugh - otherwise why would he look down on his character? This guy clearly had his rebellious intentions exposed, but he was still "supporting the Han Dynasty" all day long...
Of course, Zhou Yu had already polished this sentence before it was announced, and by the way... Zhou San also polished it into Sun Er.
In addition, in the preface, add words like "This story is purely fictional."
As for the name "Qin Luofu", Zhou Yu did not change it. After all, the reason why he discovered this matter was that Qin Gu secretly sent someone to propose marriage. If the "plot development" really followed, Jiao's mother would have said so, and she did not wrongly accuse him.
The name "Luofu" is very common, because there is a poem "Moshang Sang" in the pre-Qin period, which praises the beauty and character of a woman named Luofu. Therefore, many families like to name girls "Luofu"... just like Zhang Meili and Wang Meili later.
However, leaving behind the word "Qin" is enough to shock the people.
It has more than 1,700 words and although it is a fictional narrative poem, it is still considered a masterpiece among Yuefu poems, especially in terms of its appeal and ability to easily resonate with people.
Moreover... it was created by the great sage Bai Tu. With the deliberate spread of the General of Chariots and Cavalry, it became popular in Lujiang in just a few days , and quickly spread to Huainan and Jiangdong, and Jingchu and Central Plains were also affected.
Although Confucianism was flourishing at this time, the shadow of etiquette had not yet completely covered the earth, otherwise the elegant conversation of the Wei and Jin dynasties would not have become popular.
Just like "The Peacock Flies Southeast", it was also written during the Wei and Jin Dynasties, but the whole article undoubtedly expresses sympathy for Jiao Zhongqing and Liu Lanzhi, as well as an accusation against feudal ethics, and finally the theme is "Thank you, future generations, and be careful not to forget it."
It can be seen that even though Confucianism was in the lead at this time, the reformists still had a huge market. For example, according to the "Book of Rites", women should cover their faces when going out - but in the Han Dynasty everyone subconsciously ignored this point and would not enforce it, and no one would easily come out to argue.
On the contrary, it was only after the rise of Neo-Confucianism in the Song and Ming dynasties that it became more inclined towards fundamentalism. When it came to Neo-Confucianism in the Song and Ming dynasties, the poem "The Peacock Flies Southeast" itself was already quite unorthodox.
When this virtual narrative poem came out, most people did not think much about it after reading it, but were simply saddened by the love tragedy depicted by Bai Tu.
Many enlightened parents, and even young boys and girls who will become parents in the future, really want to "be careful and don't forget" as the poem says.
There are indeed some old stubborn people, especially those who know some "trivial" rumors about Bai Tu, and they wonder whether Bai Tu wants to "declare war" on the ritual system, but... Bai Tu wrote it very clearly that this is a fictional story, and there is no direct criticism of Jiao's mother throughout the article. It was all the readers who criticized it themselves, so it is not easy for them to attack him directly.
After all, there were a group of "Eagle Claws" from the General's Mansion, led by Kong Rong, who had previously challenged Bai Tu in the Confucian Academy, and now had feces thrown at their doorsteps...
However, in Lujiang, a few people became even more uneasy after reading this story!
County Magistrate Gao and Commandant Qin are now almost at their wits' end. Bai Tu's "The Peacock Flies Southeast" is like a knife handed to them.
In Gao's mansion, a group of people were in a panic. Some said they should apologize, some suggested resigning immediately, and some wanted to make a last attempt.
In the end, Gao Biao played a huge role again - how else can we say that one can be strong without desire? Others only think about their own interests, so it is easy for them to be indecisive, but Gao Biao... from the beginning to the end was motivated by personal grudges, and his purpose was very clear.
"Everyone, listen to what I have to say! After Bai Gong wrote this poem, it undoubtedly warned us and touched the nerves of many famous scholars. Even if you retreat now, you will inevitably be remembered by Bai Gong. It is better to take this opportunity to show your attitude thoroughly, so that you can at least get some support from the scholars.
Even if Bai Gong gains power in the future, he will still use Confucian scholars to rule the world, and we will naturally have a chance to revive. Otherwise... Haha, you can just rest assured and enjoy the rest of your life!" Gao Biao said.
It has to be said that Gao Biao’s thinking is very similar to Bai Tu’s - neither wants to discuss the matter at hand, but wants to make their stance clear.
But there are other big differences...
Bai Tu wanted to make a more thorough change, and using the love between husband and wife to fight against clan etiquette was actually the first small step. Bai Tu understood very well that the more husband and wife were recognized as the basic unit of the family, the smaller the living space of clan etiquette would be.
Why was it so difficult to be a daughter-in-law in ancient times, when a word of criticism from the brother-in-law or elder uncle could be used as proof that the daughter-in-law was not virtuous?
Precisely because the basic social unit at that time was the clan, the clan system would have a crushing effect on the daughter-in-law who was an "outsider".
In modern society, even brothers will not easily criticize other people's wives, because after all, husband and wife are "family". If you use distance to alienate the relatives, it's good enough if they don't hit you, and there is no need to worry about clan relations or not.
The reason why Gao Biao was so tough was because he was blinded by personal grudges.
Another important difference is...
Bai Tu was the General of Chariots and Cavalry of the Han Dynasty. Although he sometimes made typos, he was supposed to support the Han Dynasty. Do you understand what he meant by support the Han Dynasty? It meant to support the Han Dynasty!
Gao Biao... a mere clerk, and he wants to seek wealth and fame by taking risks? Don't you consider the size of both sides?
Of course, Gao Biao really wasn't seeking wealth and fame, he was simply venting his anger...
However, when everyone was in a panic, a person who was able to analyze things calmly and firmly did play a guiding role. Others were gradually convinced, but they ignored the fact that this guy's purpose was completely different from theirs.
Bai Tu was trying to scare the enemy by making a threat, so they directly brought out the conflict.
Of course, it does not refer to a "head-on conflict", but rather... a conflict over the matter of Jiao Zhongqing. By restoring the fictional story, we can see whether Bai Tu will really stand on the side of violating etiquette and filial piety!
In this way, they have also completed their alignment, and even if they are dismissed now, someone will remember their nobility.
Judging from Bai Tu's past deeds, he doesn't seem like the type who would kill someone out of personal grudge...
"However, will Jiao Qing divorce Liu's daughter now?" Qin Gu said in a deep voice. His previous outrageous actions had already buried him in trouble.
"It doesn't matter, as long as Jiao's mother remains firm. If Jiao Qing feels that he has Mr. Bai's support and does something unfilial, it would be better. Let Jiao's mother go to the general's mansion to complain, and then... Anyway, our goal will be achieved!" Gao Ming said, looking at the Shaofu Shi.
In fact, if Jiao Qing and Liu Lanzhi had really committed suicide for love at this time, they would have been completely buried. However, before it happened, they could not imagine that the couple would be so strong-willed, and they just thought it was nonsense.
And this Shaofu Shi was also promoted by Liu Xun. He was an official who assisted the prefect in managing finances. Moreover... he was also Jiao Qing's cousin, but his relationship was much more distant than that of Gao Ming and Gao Biao, otherwise Jiao Qing would not have been bullied by Gao Biao before.
"Don't worry, everyone. I'll go talk to my sister-in-law." Jiao Ling was very confident. After all, he knew very well what kind of person Jiao Qing's mother was.
