That day, Master Zhao and Luo Rufang had a very pleasant chat, and they indeed found many common points with each other.
For example, they both have the perspective of the common people, and the research objects of science and the Taizhou School are all daily affairs and all matters related to people's lives; they both attach importance to basic education, oppose the authority of Neo-Confucianism, and attach importance to industry and commerce, etc.
Although there are still essential differences between the two parties, it no longer prevents them from developing a sense of understanding with each other.
Speaking of the entrance to the alley, Luo Rufang suddenly sighed with regret, "If my teacher, Mr. Shannong, were here, and saw a confidant like you, he would definitely pat his thigh with satisfaction and say, 'My way is not alone, my way will never end.'"
"I also admire Mr. Shannong." Mr. Zhao finally understood the other party's intention and asked with concern: "I heard that he has been in trouble for many years. I wonder where he is now?"
After Wang Gen's death, Yan Jun and Yan Shannong became the standard bearers of the Taizhou School. This kind of school that would seriously shake the foundation of the rule and disrupt social order would of course be regarded as treason by the rulers, and imprisonment and execution would be justified.
In the 45th year of Jiajing, Yan Jun went to Yangzhou to buy a boat and returned to the south. He was lured to Taiping Prefecture by Geng Dingxiang, the governor of Yingtian, to give lectures. A few days later, he was arrested and sent to Nanjing Prison. However, there was no thought crime in the Ming Dynasty. The authorities could not execute him just because he was called "Shao Zhengmao". They had to find a suitable crime.
So they charged him with "reselling official ships in Huai'an", but after repeated verification, "there was no truth in it", so they tortured him severely in an attempt to force him to confess. Yan Jun was imprisoned and tortured. He was beaten with sticks like pulp, starved for seven days, died three times, and then suffered from plague and dysentery for nearly a hundred days, but fortunately he survived. Finally, Zhao Zhenji, Luo Rufang and others tried to rescue him, and in the third year of Longqing, he raised money to "collect the stolen goods and leave the garrison"... He admitted the crime, paid the fine, and was sent to Lingnan to garrison.
Hearing Luo Rufang's tearful story, Mr. Zhao couldn't help but sigh. Counting the time, Yan Shannong and the painter and writer were cellmates. When he went to the Southern Ministry of Justice Prison, he probably saw him, right?
He couldn't help but sigh, why didn't he know about this earlier? Otherwise, with Li Chunfang's note, he could have rescued him as well. He could have escaped from the sea of suffering a year earlier and avoided the pain of guarding the border.
"Alas, I didn't know you at that time." Luo Rufang said, and then he thought, Li Zhi was already hanging out with Zhao Hao at that time, and if he had spoken up, he could really help. Unfortunately, Li Zhi didn't know that this kid had so much power, so he missed the opportunity.
"But fortunately, my master was lucky. He had only been in Lingnan for seven days when General Yu of Guangdong issued a letter to recruit him as a military advisor and cured his injuries. After that, my master made very effective plans for General Yu and was recommended to the staff of the Guangxi governor. The strategies he offered were all extraordinary and helped Yin Zhongcheng to quell Wei Yinbao's rebellion."
"We all hoped that he would be released and return to Jiangxi based on this achievement." Luo Rufang said with great pride, and then sighed sadly, "However, when the list of meritorious service came out last time, my master's name was not on it..."
"This is normal. It is common for the commander to take credit for his staff's work. What's more, Yin Zhengmao is a corrupt villain." He Xinyin said coldly, "Yu Dayou is a kind man, but it's a pity that even his farts are silent."
"Does Lord Zhao know about this?" Zhao Hao asked softly. He knew that Zhao Zhenji had a deep connection with the Taizhou School, and he and Luo Rufang were always regarded as the two pillars of the Taizhou School.
"Of course I know," Luo Rufang sighed, "but his situation is a bit delicate now. If he doesn't speak, there may still be hope, but once he speaks, there will be no hope."
"So what Mr. Jinxi means is..." Zhao Hao asked, nodding slowly.
"Please come to the capital this time to see if you can say a few fair words for my master?" Luo Rufang looked at Zhao Hao eagerly and said, "If it's not convenient, forget it."
He also knew that the dignitaries did not want to have anything to do with thought prisoners...
"Is that so..." Zhao Hao looked thoughtful.
"It's just that Elder Zhao is not in a position to speak up about this matter. If you were to come forward, it would probably be very different."
"Don't worry, Mr. Jinxi. I will take care of this matter!" Zhao Hao finally nodded heavily. In fact, he was just pretending to be embarrassed. Otherwise, how could he make the other party feel that he owed him a favor?
"I will do my best to redress Mr. Shannong's injustice!" How could he let go of this opportunity to flatter the Taizhou School? Besides, Gao Huzi still needs his help...
"Thank you so much, sir!" Even though the Taizhou School was unruly and unrestrained, Luo Rufang was moved to tears and stood up, bowing to Zhao Hao and saying, "Sir, you are really as kind-hearted as Zhuo Wu said! Luo Rufang is deeply grateful for your kindness. If you have any orders, I will go through fire and water without hesitation!"
Zhao Hao quickly supported him and said with a smile: "Don't be polite. Since we are fellow practitioners, of course we should help you."
~~
After everyone sat down again, Mr. Zhao looked at He Xinyin and asked, "What's the matter, Mr. Fushan?"
With He Xinyin's personality, he would only come aboard if he had something to do, and it was impossible for him to accompany someone else to see him. Although he was also Yan Shannong's disciple...
"Well..." He Xinyin showed a rare shy expression and said, "I want to learn from you."
"Oh, it's an honor." Zhao Hao refilled his cup of tea and asked with a smile, "Which aspect?" After all, Mr. Zhao has many strengths, and he didn't know which one of his was interesting to him.
"This, this..." He Xinyin was arrogant by nature, and he was very embarrassed to ask for advice from a boy who was his grandson's age.
"Let me speak for him." Li Zhi was arrogant to the extreme, but compared with He Xinyin, he was like Wang Dada meeting Mrs. Wang, with a difference of more than a little bit. So he told He Xinyin the whole story.
He Daxia's original name was Liang Ruyuan, and he was a top scholar in Jiangxi in the 25th year of Jiajing. He was supposed to be on the path to becoming an imperial scholar, and high positions and generous salaries were just a thing. However, at this time, he came into contact with the ideas of the Taizhou School, and was deeply influenced by Wang Gen's idea of "loving all people and all things". He believed that he should contribute his strength to the rural areas and farmers who made up the vast majority of the population of the Ming Dynasty, instead of going to the court to seek wealth and luxury.
So he resolutely gave up the imperial examination, took Yan Shannong as his teacher, and began to "use the Tao to take responsibility" and practice the arduous practice of transforming the countryside. After a period of exploration and preparation, he imitated Yan Jun's Cuihe Society and established a more complete organization, Juhetang, in his hometown Yongfeng, based on the Liang clan, to try out his ideal rural construction model.
Zhao Hao thought to himself that the place they chose was unlucky. Yongfeng and Yongfeng, could there be anything good about that?
However, he still knew a lot about the Juhetang. This should be the first social history experiment with communist tendencies in human history.
Liang Ruyuan gathered all the small farmers in the surrounding villages and established a small farmer cooperative management mode with precise division of labor, strict organization and fair distribution. The Juhetang dealt with the local government and coordinated various matters such as taxes and grain to ensure fair taxation and avoid arbitrary levies by the government and exploitation by clerks.
Li Zhi introduced to Zhao Hao that Liang Ruyuan broke the model of a single family internally and transformed the huge Liang clan into a "association" where members were equal to each other, shared the fruits of labor fairly, and took care of the elderly together.
In order to realize the Great Harmony in the future, he also carried out collective education for the young and the young in the hall. In this way, when they grow up, they can get their wedding, clothing and food from the ancestral temple, without the concept of private property, and naturally achieve complete equality.
"Unfortunately, the Juhe Hall only existed for twelve years before the government sent troops to ban it." Li Zhi was obviously very envious of He Xinyin's feat, and sighed with regret: "This guy led the people to resist, but ended up killing and injuring the government troops. He had no choice but to change his name and live a life of exile from then on."
During his days in exile, He Xinyin was not quiet at all. He traveled all over the country, tackling both the black and white worlds, and even helped Xu Jie overthrow Yan Song... It was with his skills that Lan Daoxing used the spirit writing to alienate the emperor and Yan Song.
Afterwards, the Yan Party launched a frantic hunt for He Xinyin, but he remained safe and sound, which shows how powerful he is and how he can be regarded as a top dangerous element.
This is why Gao Wu would feel like he is facing a formidable enemy.
~~
After listening to Li Zhi's story, Master Zhao could not help but stand in awe. This He Xinyin had both theory and action, and was also an extremely rare organizer and conspirator. If he was born in troubled times, he would definitely be a hero who brought chaos to the world and dominated one side.
Unfortunately, the world is not in chaos now, so he can only become a wanted criminal in exile.
"Mr. Fushan is so wise. Is there anything you need my advice on?" Zhao Hao poured another cup of tea for He Xinyin and asked with a smile.
"Li Zhuowu only knows one side of the story." He Xinyin scratched his head in embarrassment and gritted his teeth and said, "In fact, even if the government didn't ban it, Juhetang would still have continued to operate."
"It was said to have lasted for twelve years, but in the last few years it had become plagued by problems and could no longer be sustained. It was only because I sold my property that it managed to survive for another two years." At the beginning, He Xinyin told the truth:
"Since ancient times, the imperial power has not extended beyond the county level. As long as we pay the county taxes on time, the county magistrate doesn't care what we do. But that year, the county suddenly wanted to levy an additional 'imperial wood silver'. In fact, the total amount was only 2,000 taels of silver, but Juhetang couldn't afford it. So we had no choice but to resist the government, which resulted in bloodshed and was eventually banned."
After saying this, he stood up and looked at the bleak autumn scenery of the riverside passing by slowly in front of him. He sighed and said, "Over the years, I have been unable to figure out what my problem is. Why are everyone so united and supportive of me? There is harmony and peace in the hall. It can be said that the original intention of 'gathering and harmony' has been achieved. Why can't the Juhe Hall continue?"
"I once worked as a briquette presser at your Lugouqiao coal yard for a month, and also worked at your farm in Kunshan for a year. I know that you are the only one in Daming who can help me solve my problems." He Xinyin looked at Zhao Hao with clear eyes, bowed deeply and said, "Please give me some advice."