I studied in modern times

Chapter 1074 Veteran Minister (1)

Cai Mao took the document he received from the official and returned to his ancestral home.

"My lord... this is the command that the Emperor ordered me to bring back for you..."

Cai Mao respectfully and carefully delivered the letter to his father-in-law.

Feng Jing took it without saying anything, but glanced at the throne at the head of the table before solemnly opening the letter.

He stared at the words above, his cloudy old eyes gleaming with an inscrutable light.

Just as Feng Jing was about to give Cai Mao some instructions, the sound of drums and music in his ears suddenly changed.

Upon hearing the music, Feng Jing swallowed back the words he was about to say, and simply told Cai Mao, "You wait here!"

"Yes, sir!" Cai Mao didn't quite understand what Feng Jing meant, but he still obediently bowed and accepted the order.

Feng Jing listened to the sound of drums and music, and slowly closed his eyes.

He recognized the name of the changed piece of music – Zheng'an Music!
It was composed during the reign of Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty by Wang Gongchen, then serving as the Grand Master of Ceremonies, who brought together renowned musicians from both the court and the common people.

It was used exclusively for the emperor's ascension to the throne, his duties, and his travels.

This piece of elegant music has very distinctive characteristics.

So much so that anyone who understands music theory can immediately tell that the music uses the music theory of merchants.

What are the rules of music theory for merchants?
The Three Rites Diagram states: Merchants add a chime on the left and a response on the right to create a joyful occasion for the masses!
This means that the music of the merchants was directed by the left hand on the left and the right hand on the right.

The rhythm of all other instruments must follow the rhythm of the left chime responding to the right chime.

So what does the merchant mean by "left empty, right responding"?

Historical records state that Tang Yujian built a tall drum, six feet and six inches high, with a pillar in the middle and two smaller drums on the sides, the one on the left called "Qing" and the one on the right called "Yin".

Therefore, the "left chime and right response" actually refers to two drums placed on either side of the palace/hall platform.

The left is small and the right is large, the left is clear and the right is long.

The elegant music played in this hall was the proper music of the imperial court, hence the name Zheng'an.

Now that Zheng'an has finished speaking, the younger generation should naturally leave the stage!
This is a gift!
What's more...

The current peace and happiness are still connected to Feng Jing by fate!
Moreover, it is a connection with the late emperor!

According to popular legend, when the late emperor was educating the current emperor, he introduced him to the nature and talents of both the inner and outer ministers, and each minister had his own comments and stories.

and so……

Feng Jing guessed that after Cai Mao returned to his side, the music in the courtyard changed to Zheng'an, which was likely a reminder or an urging for him.

Holding the note in his hand, Feng Jing's mind raced over the words on it.

The Grand Canal, Jingdong, Yuhe, Xuzhou...

A grand blueprint unfolded in his mind.

Also unfolded was a piece of yellow paper pasted into the note.

The imperial calligraphy on the yellow paper is still clearly visible.

Undoubtedly, Feng Jing knew that if he went to the Emperor's court and accepted this task, he would definitely offend people.

And it's a lot of people!

But if he doesn't answer...

Even though it will only offend one person!

But that person now holds supreme power!
Moreover, he is extremely narrow-minded towards those who disobey him!
So narrow—not even a needle could fit!

There is no way!

Feng Jing could no longer hesitate. He stood up, refused the service of those around him, and, leaning on the imperial cane, walked toward the emperor's throne in the courtyard.

Upon reaching the throne, Feng Jing bowed deeply and said, "I, Feng Jing, the retired Military Governor of Baoning Army and Co-Supervisor of the Yuan You Grand Ceremony, respectfully wish Your Majesty a long and healthy life!"

"May the Emperor grant you many blessings!" The Emperor at the head of the table said with a smile, "Governor, you may dispense with the formalities!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Feng Jing bowed again in gratitude, then raised his head to look at the young emperor on the throne, and said, "Your Majesty does not consider this old and senile minister to be incapable, and has bestowed your virtuous words upon me, giving me your command. This old minister is deeply grateful for your divine grace... I only fear that this old minister is too old and senile to assist Your Majesty's virtue..."

Feng Jing's biggest regret now is that in the eighth year of Yuanfeng, after returning to the capital and seeing that things were not going well, he chose to run away with a bucket, just like Han Zhen.

This escape marked the end of his association with central authority.

This also allowed that old scoundrel Wen Yanbo to rise to power—because at that time, Wen Yanbo chose to stay and quickly aligned himself with the current emperor.

This emperor, with the Empress Dowager's cooperation and assistance, employed a series of dazzling political maneuvers and tactics to first win over the hearts of the three military commands and stabilize the entire capital.

Then, the court was stabilized, and Han Jiang was appointed prime minister, which quickly calmed the hearts of people both inside and outside the court.

Immediately following this was Zhang Dun's southern expedition and the great victory in the northwest in the first year of the Yuan You era.

These two military victories not only brought unprecedented prestige to the young ruler who had hastily ascended the throne, causing doubts both at home and abroad, but also making the world uneasy!
One victory settles all doubts!

What's more, two consecutive resounding victories?

What was even more shocking was what happened after the victory.

Whether dealing with Jiaozhi or Western Xia, this young lord displayed astonishing composure.

After the victory, he did not act impulsively, but chose to stop while he was ahead.

Whether facing the nearly collapsed Jiaozhi or the almost exhausted Western Xia with its available troops, this was a formidable challenge.

The Song Dynasty did not continue to kick a dog when it was down.

Instead, he chose to pull his fist back.

Even the eight prefectures of Jiaozhou that they had acquired were all granted to local chieftains.

Let local officials guard the land and share the spoils with powerful clans.

Later, cotton from Xihe Road and sugarcane from Jiaozhou began to be sold all over the world, becoming the hot commodities they are today.

At this point, Feng Jing suddenly realized that he had become an outsider.

A marginal figure in the power structure.

The imperial court and the literati were both quickly abandoning him.

I didn't even greet him!
This prompted Feng Jing to hurriedly begin preparations for returning to the capital.

It's easy to go out, but hard to come back!

He spent countless hours, effort, and favors, but in the end, he only managed to return to the capital thanks to Wen Yanbo.

From then on, he could only be subordinate to Wen Yanbo.

Thinking about all this, Feng Jing felt a mix of emotions.

In particular, Wen Yanbo's current status makes him extremely jealous and envious.

Grand Tutor, Grand Councilor of Military and State Affairs, Commissioner for the Compilation of the Yuan You Dictionary, Commissioner for the Compilation of the Yuan You Grand Ceremony... and... very likely the future Empress's grandfather!

Feng Jing both admired and loved any of these titles.

I just wish I had that!

Hearing the music of Zheng'an echoing in his ears, Feng Jing bowed slightly: "Indeed..."

"The late emperor once summoned this old minister and inquired about matters concerning the ancestral temples and the rites and music..."

"This old minister offers his advice..."

"When the former king established music, the singer was above, and the gourd and bamboo flute were below, representing the voice of a noble person! And when the gourd and bamboo flute were in front, and the bells and drums were behind, representing the aura of a noble person!"

The book says: "Play the zither and lute to sing!" It also says: "The lower pipes and drums, combined with the zhuyu and sheng, are played in between!"

"The first part speaks of the joy within the hall, the second part speaks of the joy outside the hall!"

"The music played in the hall follows the regulations of the imperial court, while the music played outside the hall reflects the natural order of all things!"

"The rites and music of today have lost the true essence of antiquity. Singers are in the hall, and bells and chimes are also set up; musical instruments are set up in the courtyard, and zithers and lutes are also set up..."

"Therefore, we beseech the late Emperor to follow the ways of the former kings and adopt the systems of the past sages to re-establish the rites and music system of our dynasty!"

"The late emperor was overjoyed upon hearing this, and immediately issued an edict to the officials: 'Singers are in the hall, and no more bells or chimes are set up; palace pavilions are in the courtyard, and no more zithers or lutes are set up...'"

"Now, this old minister humbly beholds Your Majesty, who has implemented the system established by the late Emperor and followed the ways of the former kings, playing the 'Music of Zheng'an,' without singers in the hall, without the decadent sounds of zithers and lutes..."

"Divine martial prowess arises from innate nature, and supreme sagacity stems from a benevolent heart!"

"Though this old minister is like a piece of rotten wood, with loose teeth and failing teeth, I am still willing to serve Your Majesty like an ox or a horse!"

"I beg to be appointed as Your Majesty's envoy!"

As he spoke, he bowed deeply.

(End of this chapter)