"Sir, do you also like Ding Daru's books?" Chen Qingxuan was obviously a little surprised, and then he was undisguisedly surprised. In a remote place like Ningguta, he rarely met soulmates. He sat on the edge of the kang and chattered with Zhong Mingwei. "This "Ancient and Modern History" is Ding Daru's most proud masterpiece. Ding Daru was only in his early twenties at the time. He had already written such an incredible masterpiece. Qingxuan has always admired Ding Daru the most. I didn't expect that you also like Ding Daru's books. You are really my soulmate."
The great scholar Ding mentioned by Chen Qingxuan was Taifu Ding Yunwen, the most famous scholar in the Great Zhou Dynasty, and he was very prestigious among scholars. Naturally, Ding Yunwen was also the Taifu of Zhong Mingwei, and also Zhong Mingwei's former father-in-law Taishan.
"This is not the masterpiece that Mr. Ding is most proud of." Zhong Mingwei stared at the yellowed book, gently turned a page, and continued.
Although this book is only a thin volume, it is all-encompassing. It covers everything from the reigns of Emperors Yao and Shun to the present dynasty, and can be said to have written about all the dynasties and famous figures of the past and present. When the book was completed, Ding Yunwen was only in his early twenties. Such writing skills and broad-mindedness are unparalleled in the world, and this book has established Ding Yunwen's position in the literary world of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
However, as Ding Yunwen's disciple, Zhong Mingwei knew this literary great scholar who was adored by many stars better than others. Ding Yunwen never mentioned this book "General History of Ancient and Modern Times". Zhong Mingwei was always curious about it, but Ding Yunwen never explained it. It was not until he got drunk that Ding Yunwen told him the whole story. "General History of Ancient and Modern Times" tells the glory of thousands of years*, but it does not involve the overthrow of dynasties and the suffering of the people. Ding Yunwen, who was born in an aristocratic family and young and energetic, did not realize this at the time. However, Ding Yunwen, who was middle-aged and served in the court at that time, became more and more ashamed of it. Therefore, he never mentioned this world-famous "General History of Ancient and Modern Times".
"Sir, do you know Mr. Ding?" Chen Qingxuan was startled and looked at Zhong Mingwei.
Zhong Mingwei didn't say anything. He looked up at Chen Qingxuan and then continued to flip through the book "General History of Ancient and Modern Times", which was considered as his agreement.
Chen Qingxuan's mind was a little confused. He remembered that Ah Chou had said they were from the capital. He also guessed that they were demoted to Ningguta by the court. Now he thought again, it was not impossible that Zhong Mingwei knew Ding Yunwen. However, Ding Yunwen was a first-rank prince's tutor. Naturally, anyone who could know Ding Yunwen was not an ordinary person.
Chen Qingxuan looked Zhong Mingwei up and down. In the past, he only felt that Zhong Mingwei was full of the oppression of being in a high position for a long time, which he could not hide. Now he felt that he was even more unfathomable, but...
What does this have to do with him?
Now, they are neighbors and people of the same status. No matter how high-ranking and wealthy Zhong Mingwei was in the past, it has nothing to do with the present, and will not affect their neighborly interactions.
"Don't be afraid of being laughed at, sir. The reason why I have studied so hard all these years is that I can go to Beijing to take the exam one day and have the honor of meeting Mr. Ding," Chen Qingxuan said with a smile, but he couldn't help but sigh, "But now Mr. Ding has left Beijing and traveled all over the world. Even if I can really go to Beijing to take the exam, I won't be able to see him."
Zhong Mingwei was startled, and suddenly looked up at Chen Qingxuan: "Ding Daru left Beijing? When did it happen?"
"It happened more than half a year ago," Chen Qingxuan said, "It is said that after the fall of the deposed crown prince, Ding Daru asked to resign. His Majesty tried to persuade him to stay several times but failed. In the end, he had to agree to Ding Daru's resignation. Ding Daru left Beijing and there has been no news since then."
"Is the news reliable?" Zhong Mingwei frowned, his tone a little heavy.
"It's reliable. It was said by the prefect Fang himself. It must be correct," Chen Qingxuan nodded. He shouldn't have said this to Zhong Mingwei, but seeing Zhong Mingwei's expression, he said it anyway. "Prefect Fang and Ding Daru are old friends. He was very worried about Ding Daru's situation and wrote to the capital to inquire about him. But Ding Daru had already left Beijing at that time and didn't receive the prefect's letter. Therefore, the prefect also knew that Ding Daru had left Beijing, but didn't know where Ding Daru had gone."
Zhong Mingwei looked at the yellowed "Ancient and Modern History" absentmindedly, and sighed softly after a while: "It's better to go home."
…
The fifteenth day of the first lunar month in the thirty-third year of Jiasheng
Lantern Festival.
Ningguta.
Jixian Book House.
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