Let’s talk about Liaozhai at the beginning, I scared all the fans on the Internet to death

Chapter 214 The Eight Great Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties. (Please subscribe)
  "Let me first introduce to you the two examiners of this scientific examination. The main examiner is Ouyang Xiu, who is also a prime minister and a well-known historical figure. The deputy examiner is called Mei Yaochen, although Mei Yaochen is not as well-known as Ouyang Xiu , but he was good at writing poetry and was called the founder of Song poetry."

of course.

These two are examiners, not students taking the exam.

After briefly talking about the two examiners, Jiang Ning continued: "I won't talk about the two brothers Su Shi and Su Che in this list. Of course, neither will his father. If he doesn't talk about it, it doesn't mean that his father has no The main reason for his fame is that his father failed to win the Jinshi exam for his two sons. This time he failed to pass the Jinshi. Not only did he fail this year, Su Xun has never passed the Jinshi in his life. "

"So, let's talk about the top pick in this subject first."

"The number one scholar in this subject is called Zhang Heng. Although many people may not know who he is now. But Zhang Heng was a pretty good official and his life was relatively stable without too many ups and downs. In the end, he was named the founding father of Wuxing County. Uncle, he died a good death. At the same time, he and Su Shi were also good friends. Especially when Zhang Heng was the number one scholar in high school. Even Su Shi was willing to bow down to Zhang Heng. He believed that Zhang Heng’s talent would be unmatched by anyone within a hundred years. .”

"Let me tell you a little story. Although Su Shi built the Su Causeway, it was not Su Shi who proposed the construction of the Su Causeway, but Zhang Heng. When it came to managing the West Lake, Su Shi also wrote a letter to Zhang Heng. Letter of help. The letter said that you advised and encouraged me to manage the West Lake, which has now begun and begun to take shape. I believe you will spare no effort to continue to help me. Please give me all the ships confiscated by your government. The more the better, I We need about four hundred, please send someone to deliver them. Everything else in this state is fine, but we are short of soldiers, so please help us too. Very sincerely, very sincerely."

Speaking of this, Jiang Ning smiled: "It has been said in history books that Su Shi did not have high emotional intelligence. In fact, when I talked about Su Shi before, I said that Su Shi actually had very high emotional intelligence. Otherwise, how could he have so many friends. It’s not just his talent, it’s his ability as well.”

"It turns out there is another champion named Zhang Heng, which is interesting."

"Hahaha, I find it interesting too."

"Yes. I had no interest in history at all before, but now after listening to Su Shi, I am also interested in a series of other historical figures."

Of course, when Jiang Ning was talking about Su Shi before, he had already talked about the general environment of the Northern Song Dynasty.

in this way.

Although I am talking about some other historical figures that everyone does not know, but put it into the background of the time, everyone can quickly accept it.

"The second one is called Zeng Gong. He is one of the Eight Great Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties."

Jiang Ning continued to speak.

just.

The second Zeng Gong just said, and everyone couldn't help but be stunned: "Teacher Jiang Ning, what are the Eight Great Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties?"

"The Eight Great Masters of Tang and Song Dynasties are the collective name for the eight masters of prose in the Tang and Song dynasties."

Jiang Ning is not surprised by everyone's confusion.

Maybe everyone will say.

Isn’t it common sense to everyone in the Tang and Song dynasties? Why don’t everyone know about it yet?

This is so normal.

In fact.

Titles like the Eight Great Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties were not given to him from birth.

He is a name summed up by later generations.

Even in the previous life.

The title of the Eight Great Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties only appeared after the Ming Dynasty.

In other words.

Before the Ming Dynasty, no one would talk about the Eight Great Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties.

If you ask who the Eight Great Masters of the Tang and Song dynasties are, no one will know.

undoubtedly.

In this parallel world.

Although there are indeed characters in history, because the records recorded by historians are not the same, there is no such title.

"There are eight people in this collective name. There were two in the Tang Dynasty and six in the Song Dynasty. Zeng Gong was one of them. It is said that his prose was very good. Therefore, when Su Shi was taking the imperial examination. Ouyang Xiu When I saw Su Shi's article, I immediately felt that it might have been written by his disciple, Zeng Gong. In order to avoid suspicion, I ranked this article second."

"Oh, I see."

This statement has become increasingly clear to everyone.

"Teacher Jiang Ning, besides Zeng Gong, who are the Eight Great Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties?"

"Here, I can tell you briefly. There were two people in the Tang Dynasty, one was Han Yu, and the other was Liu Zongyuan. There were six people in the Song Dynasty, namely Ouyang Xiu, Su Xun, Su Shi, Su Che, Wang Anshi, and Zeng Gong we just talked about."

"I'll go. Among the eight families, there are three from the Su family."

Seeing this list, everyone said in surprise.

Jiang Ning also nodded: "So historians also call the three of them one father and three sons. Although Su Xun did not pass the Jinshi examination, his talent is still very powerful. Otherwise, it would be impossible to teach two such outstanding sons. At the same time, Su Xun also writes very good prose, with great momentum and strong muscles. As for Wang Anshi, everyone is more familiar with him, and his prose is also very powerful. As for Ouyang Xiu, let alone that."

of course.

We are not talking about the Eight Great Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties. Jiang Ning just mentioned them.

but.

When the Eight Great Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties were briefly mentioned, the netizens in the live broadcast room became even more excited.

"As I go, history becomes more and more interesting."

"Well, I guess Wang Anshi also writes excellent prose. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to become prime minister."

"Being a prime minister has nothing to do with whether the article is good or not. However, good writing is still very helpful for being a prime minister."

This kind of analysis is still very logical.

look.

Ouyang Xiu and Wang Anshi, including Su Che, all wrote excellent prose.

and so.

All three became prime ministers.

Even Su Shi.

If he had been as restrained as Su Zhe, he wouldn't be able to escape the position of prime minister.

"Well, we just digressed. Let's continue talking about Zeng Gong. Zeng Gong's family background is relatively good. His father was a county magistrate and his grandfather was a transfer doctor. When Zeng Gong was 18 years old, he went to Beijing with his father and met Wang Anshi through literature. After becoming close friends with Ouyang Xiu, he recommended Wang Anshi to Ouyang Xiu. At the age of 20, he entered Taixue and wrote to Ouyang Xiu and presented "Current Affairs Policy". After that, he not only met Ouyang Xiu and made friends with Wang Anshi, but also had a close relationship with Du Yan and Fan Zhongyan They all exchanged letters, contributed articles, discussed current affairs, and stated their attitudes towards the world. Since then, they have become famous all over the world. However, because they are good at policy and argumentation, they are less interested in current essays, so they failed in many exams. Until the age of 39, he once Only then did Gong pass the Jinshi examination."

"Compared to some other great figures, Zeng Gong seems relatively low-key. He is good at writing prose, but his articles tend to be more rational, more argumentative and narrative. At the same time, during Wang Anshi's reform at that time, Zeng Gong did not express much . Therefore, Zeng Gong was neither hostile to the new party nor overly favored by the old party. In this way, although Zeng Gong was very talented, he mostly served in local offices. At the age of 65, Zeng Gong died in Nanjing, Jiangsu."

It can be said.

Among the eight great masters of the Tang and Song dynasties, Zeng Gong was the most low-key.

Compared with Su Shi's father Su Xun, he is even more low-key and inconspicuous.

But actually.

Zeng Gong's talent is not weaker than theirs, but his personality is relatively peaceful and he does not participate in political struggles.

In this way, Zeng Gong never became a high official, nor did he suffer too much persecution. He lived his life peacefully.

……

"However, compared to Zeng Gong, his younger brother Zeng Bu is much more awesome."

"Teacher Jiang Ning, Zeng Bu is Zeng Gong's younger brother?"

"Correct."

Jiang Ning nodded: "Zeng Bu is Zeng Gong's younger brother. He and Zeng Gong also passed the Jinshi examination that year. But Zeng Gong is relatively neutral politically, so Zeng Gong has always been a local official. But Zeng Bu is one of the new party members. He was an effective backbone and always supported the new law. Later, Zeng Bu also became prime minister all the way. However, it is controversial that Zeng Bu was listed as a traitor in "The Biography of Traitors in the History of Song Dynasty". But what is very funny is that, Later, Zeng Bu was labeled as a traitor to Yuanyou by Cai Jing, and he was engraved on the "Party Monument" together with Sima Guang of the old party. In fact, Cai Jing was also a member of the new party."

"Thus, Zeng Bu was just like Su Dongpo in his later period. He was disliked by people in the new party and hated by people in the old party. But no matter what, it is really unjust to say that Zeng Bu is a traitor to the party. From now on, Zeng Bu is wrong. Under the promotion of the new law, he made a lot of achievements. At the same time, he also made contributions in the fight against Xixia. Although he insisted on the new law, he did not completely agree with the content of the new law.

When Zeng Bu promoted the new law, what he valued most was not whether it benefited the people, so he promoted it selectively. It's a pity that the whole environment at that time was a dispute between the new party and the old party. Once someone gains power among the new party and the old party, he will be promoted quickly. Once he loses power, he will be demoted quickly. Because Zeng Bu supported the new law, he became prime minister all the way. But because of his support for the reform, he offended many high-ranking officials, such as Cai Jing... In his later years, he was removed from the local government and took up the position of household registration administrator. "

In fact, the history of the Northern Song Dynasty is relatively simple.

Because in the Northern Song Dynasty, many times, it basically revolved around Wang Anshi's reform.

Just like these officials.

Basically, the ups and downs of their lives were also due to Wang Anshi's political reform.

"Third place, Zhang Dun."

After talking about Zeng Bu, Jiang Ning started talking about the third person who ranked first in the thousand-year imperial examination, that is, Zhang Dun.

"I don't know if you all have memories, but I talked about Zhang Dun before."

"Teacher Jiang Ning, I remember, did this Zhang Dun plead for Su Shi before?"

"Correct."

Jiang Ning nodded: "That's the one. However, what is very dramatic is that Zhang Dun had a very good relationship with Su Shi before, and they were close friends. But later, the two of them were in the same boat. Even when Su Shi was demoted later, both It was Zhang Dun who did it." "Ah... no way."

The crowd was stunned.

No one thought that Su Shi, who was demoted all the way, would be his good friend.

even.

This good friend also helped Su Shi plead for mercy and even saved Su Shi's life.

"So, history is so interesting."

If we just talk about Su Shi.

Although Su Shi was indeed very talented, he did let everyone see the romantic side of the Northern Song Dynasty.

But actually.

The Northern Song Dynasty was not the Northern Song Dynasty of Su Shi alone.

In the same sky.

Su Shi lived there, as well as many other historical figures, large and small.

Some of these historical figures have no intersection with Su Shi.

Some have been separated for a lifetime.

As for Zhang Dun, for Su Shi.

It can be said that apart from Su Che, he is the person who has the deepest distance from Su Shi.

"Let's start from the beginning."

In fact, Jiang Ning is very interested in Zhang Dun.

Because in Jiang Ning's opinion.

Like Zeng Bu, he is a very promising talent.

even.

He also had more personality and courage than Zeng Bu.

But a pity.

History has not rated Zhang Dun and Zeng Bu well, and they were also classified as traitors.

"Zhang Dun was born in a family of officials and has been smart since he was a child. This year, Zhang Dun, Su Shi, and Su Che took part in the imperial examinations in the same year, and they all won the Jinshi. However, they are different from others. Generally, those who win the Jinshi are the merits of their ancestors. , were all very happy, and then went to become an official. But Zhang Dun was different, he was very high-spirited. Although he won the Jinshi this year, Zhang Dun felt that he had not done as well as his nephew, Zhang Heng, in the exam this year. Good test."

"Zhang Heng?"

Everyone was stunned.

"Yes, this Zhang Heng is the number one scholar in this period and is also Zhang Dun's nephew. Zhang Dun resigned in anger and went home to repeat his studies. Three years later, Zhang Dun took part in the imperial examination again and became the first in Kaifeng's imperial examination. , and finally ranked first, fifth, and then Zhang Dun entered his official career."

Judging from this historical event.

How awesome would it be to be ranked first in the imperial examination in this millennium?

This guy is not just someone as powerful as Su Shi and others.

Even their temperaments are not comparable to ordinary people.

Such as Zhang Dun.

People like Zhang Dun.

Up to now, he is simply a top student.

But Xueba is different from others.

Even though this top student got 985 in the exam for the first time, he felt that he did not do well in the exam.

why?
  Because he thought he could get into Tsinghua University and Peking University, he repeated his studies.

result.

This reread.

Damn, he actually got admitted to Tsinghua University and Peking University.

"I didn't expect that you can also repeat the imperial examination. Hahaha, interesting."

"It's really interesting, and this Zhang Dun is really awesome. Damn it, it's hard to get a Jinshi. If you get it, you all think it's the good deeds of your ancestors, so you obediently go to become an official, but this girl actually repeats the exam."

"Teacher Jiang Ning, continue, continue..."

really.

When you are familiar with the background of the Northern Song Dynasty, you will have great interest in a series of characters in it.

Not to mention.

This is such a charming Zhang Dun.

"Okay, don't worry, everyone."

Jiang Ning smiled.

really.

He knew that the character Zhang Dun must be very attractive to everyone.

"After the second imperial examination, although he did not become the number one scholar, he still passed the first and fifth places, which is equivalent to ranking fifth in the country. His results were very good. Therefore, Zhang Dun accepted the imperial appointment. And, in At the beginning, Zhang Dun and Su Shi were officials together in Chang'an, and they were even close when they were in the capital, so the two had a good relationship."

"Later, Wang Anshi implemented reforms. Su Shi and the old party officials believed that in order to govern the country well, as long as the king remains loyal, governing the country with Confucianism can make the country prosperous and strong. However, the new party believes that such a concept is too naive. To If you want the Song Dynasty to become strong and prosperous, you can only go through top-down reforms. Soon, Zhang Dun was reused, while Su Shi was suppressed."

"But just like Su Shi, as the old and new parties continued to gain power in the court, their fates also had ups and downs. When Su Shi was demoted, Zhang Dun became a high official in the court. When Zhang Dun was demoted, Su Shi made a comeback. But generally speaking, Zhang Dun is more courageous than Su Shi and everyone in the old party in terms of political governance."

"At that time, there was a crisis on the border of Xixia. The old party, Sima Guang's faction, had always advocated suing for peace or even ceding territory. However, Zhang Dun severely fought back, believing that suing for peace was betrayal. In his strong political line towards Xixia, he finally forced Xixia to He made a great contribution by professing himself to the Song Dynasty."

to be frank.

If it weren't for the fact that the old party also had many well-known historical figures, Jiang Ning would not be interested in the old party at all.

Really something to say.

The new party is much more powerful than the old party in terms of courage, ideas, and political level.

But most of the time, the old palm just fights for the sake of competition and doesn't do much at all.

"Teacher Jiang Ning, can you tell me about his grievances with Su Shi."

At this time, a netizen asked in the live broadcast room.

"of course can."

Jiang Ning nodded: "Zhang Dun and Su Shi have known each other for 40 years, and they both know each other very well. Even, as mentioned before, after Su Shi's Wutai Poetry Case, many friends who had been good friends with Su Shi avoided him, but As Zhang Dun of the New Party, he interceded for Su Shi. Later, after Su Shi escaped death, Su Shi wrote a letter to thank Zhang Dun."

"Then why did Zhang Dun demote Zhang Dun again and again?"

"This, it's a bit complicated to say. At that time, the old and new parties were constantly gaining momentum in the court. When the old party gained power, Su Shi's younger brother Su Che joined Zhang Dun, and then the court demoted Zhang Dun to a local position. But the old party Only a few years after the Party came to power, after the death of Empress Dowager Gao, the New Party came to power again. At this time, Zhang Dun was once again activated. In fact, Zhang Dun already hated Su Shi when he was demoted. He felt that Su Shi almost died. He even went to plead for mercy. But when he was demoted, Su Shi didn't say anything nice. It was fine if he didn't say nice things. Later, Su Shi also participated in Zhang Dun's book. At this point, after Zhang Dun came to power again, he demoted Su Shi one after another along the way. , and was eventually demoted to Danzhou."

If we talk about logic, Su Shi's actions are indeed somewhat unreasonable.

After all, Zhang Dun saved Su Shi back then.

Logically speaking, Su Shi should not impeach Zhang Dun.

But Su Shi himself did not consider himself a member of the old party.

or.

He wants to be his true self more.

Whether it is the new party or the old party.

It doesn't matter which side Su Shi is on.

As long as he feels that one side is not doing well, he will write a letter.

Impeachment of Zhang Dun does not stop him from impeaching him just because he is his friend or because he has saved his life.

(End of this chapter)