Southern Ming: A boy soldier at the beginning, supporting the world

Chapter 68 Visiting the Worthy
On the 14th, Cen Danchu and Qu Xuanhui returned to Guilin and stayed in the governor's mansion for one night. This was considered the bride's return to her parents' home, also known as "double horse rotation".

From Qu Xuansi, Danchu had a clearer understanding of the current situation. The victory in Quanzhou did not reverse the situation in Huguang, and He Tengjiao had no intention of launching a counterattack. Although Li Chengdong had sent troops to capture Wuzhou, he had no intention of spying on the west.

The whole state was full of soldiers and horses, but the generals were not united, and He Tengjiao was unable to suppress them. Guilin was too crowded with officials, and it was no longer a place to stay for long. Although Yong'an was remote, Danchu was a man of great influence, and he could show his talents.

On the 16th, Danchu led his army to break camp and head for Yong'an. This time, he was going to guard Yong'an. In addition to the more than 300 soldiers and horses accompanying him, there were more than 300 family members of soldiers and 12 gunsmiths.

Jiao Lian's family members in the army had been settled in Guilin. When Emperor Yongli was stationed in Guilin, the city was crowded, so the families moved to Pingle. Danchu had become an independent town, and like other generals, he also settled his family members in the station to reassure the army.

The eight artillerymen came from Macau and were recruited by Pang Tianshou and Qu Shawei. When Danchu led his army to protect the emperor, he met them in Guni and Liuzhou and recruited them into the army. Bi Fangji, the commander of the central army, was also good at making firearms and was appointed by the Ming court to supervise the manufacture of artillery in Macau. With the technical talents to make firearms, they could try to make muskets and artillery when the conditions were ripe.

In addition, Danchu also recruited a dozen scholars, some of whom were recommended to him by Qu Shisi, and some of whom he found in Guni, Liuzhou, and Xiangzhou. Among them was Yan Wei, a native of Changshu, the grandson of the famous official Yan Ne, who was treated most courteously by Danchu.

With their families, the troops marched slowly. While riding, Danchu chatted with Yu Houji and other advisers to discuss strategies for expansion.

Yu Houji said, "To start a business, it is imperative to attract talents. Now that the governor has obtained Yong'an and has a foothold, he should recruit talents as the basis for expansion. There are many hidden dragons and crouching tigers in the world. There is a noble man in Pingle today who has the wisdom of ghosts and gods and the talent of a prime minister. He is called Monk Hongzhi. Has the governor heard of him?"

Danchu shook his head and asked, "Did you become a monk in the mountains to avoid the order to shave your head?"

Under the Qing dynasty's order to shave one's head, only monks and Taoists were exempted from the need to keep their braids. At that time, many people were pessimistic about the current situation and retired to become monks, living in seclusion in the mountains.

Yu Houji had a great advantage, he was not jealous of others' talents, he smiled and said: "That's right. This person is famous all over the world, his virtue and talent are ten times better than mine."

"Oh?" Danchu was very interested and asked, "What is his common name?"

"My surname is Fang, and my given name is Yizhi."

Danchu knew the story of the Four Young Masters of the late Ming Dynasty. Fang Yizhi was a Jinshi in the 13th year of Chongzhen. He was a thinker, philosopher, and scientist in the Ming Dynasty. He was known as the "Four Young Masters" together with Mao Xiang, Hou Fangyu, and Chen Zhenhui.

Bi Fangji, who was standing by, said, "Fang Yizhi is my fellow church member. He is extremely intelligent. He can study the origins and analyze the meaning of astronomy, geography, rituals and music, rhythm, sound, writing, calligraphy and painting, medicine, and skills and bravery. It is amazing."

Yan Wei had been in Qu Shisi's court for a long time and was familiar with the political situation. He said: "Fang Yizhi was born in the Fang family, a prominent family in Tongcheng. At the age of fifteen, he had read all the classics, history, and literature. He was very talented, but he had no interest in politics. Qu Ge Lao forced him to be the emperor's lecturer, but he was not accepted and resigned. The emperor regretted it and appointed him as the Chancellor, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, and the Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion, but he refused to accept any of them.

"He issued another imperial edict, saying, 'Emperor Dezong of Tang failed to employ Lu Zhi, and will be remembered as a misfit for eternity. Your talent is superior to Zhi's, so don't let future generations think of me as Emperor Dezong.' He declined the offer seven times, but was rejected each time. He was promoted to Shangshu, and then he was allowed to go to Fengtian.

"When Fengtian was captured, Yizhi jumped into Hongjiang and was saved. He left his wife and children to become a monk in Pingle. He was called Hongzhi and was skilled in medicine. He was known as the monk Yaodi. When the Qing invaders arrived, they captured Yizhi and ordered him to leave the mountain. They said, 'Change your clothes and you will live. Otherwise, you will die. The crown and clothes should be on your left and the sword should be on your right.' Yizhi refused and turned to the right. The invaders stood up and thanked him, untied him and allowed him to become a monk.

"This boy has the talent of Liu Bowen. The governor should recruit him into his staff."

Yu Houji was capable and quick to make decisions, and he was born into a scholar family. His shortcoming was that he was not good at writing and had little reputation. If Fang Yizhi could be recruited, he would be able to make up for Yu Houji's shortcomings.

The march was slow. Dan Chu handed the team over to Yu Houji and took Bi Fangji, Yan Hui and others with him, under the escort of a standard-bearer, to visit Fang Yizhi.

The guide led everyone to a remote ancient temple and said, "General, this is where Master Hongzhi lives in seclusion." It was almost evening, and the temple gate was still wide open. Two personal soldiers entered the temple to report, and Danchu dismounted and walked into the temple gate.

A towering old pine tree came into view, with a thick trunk and lush branches and leaves, blocking out the sun. Under the tree was a bluestone path that meandered deep into the temple.

The ancient temple is located in the mountains and forests, deep and simple, far away from the hustle and bustle of the world. The sound of the bells rings slowly, giving people the illusion of tranquility and peace.

The abbot came hurriedly, clasped his hands together, and said, "Your Excellency's presence brings honor to our humble temple. However, Master Hongzhi is currently treating a patient and cannot come to greet you in person. Please forgive me, Your Excellency."

Danchu returned the greeting and said, "No problem. I have long admired the name of Master Hongzhi, and I came here today to bother you. I will invite him to talk after he finishes seeing the patient. If there are guest rooms in the temple, please prepare a few."

The abbot quickly arranged for the guest room and prepared to lead Danchu to the guest hall. He said, "General, to be honest, the prosperity of our temple is all due to the great medical skills of Master Hongzhi. There are a constant stream of people coming to see him every day, and he is still treating people. I will send someone to urge him to come again."

Is Fang Yizhi really busy, or is he just pretending to be so? In any case, he must be a man of real talent and knowledge. Even if he becomes a monk, such a person can still support himself with his minor knowledge and make the temple prosperous. If he can fully display his talent, his future is limitless.

Danchu insisted on seeing Fang Yizhi first, and followed the abbot to the dining hall. There were a dozen monks eating, and Fang Yizhi was sitting in a corner, feeling the patient's pulse and writing a prescription.

Although they had received the news in advance, the monks and patients were still surprised to see Danchu. They thought that Danchu would meet Fang Yizhi in the guest hall, but they didn't expect that he would condescend to come to the dining hall. Everyone stood up to admire Danchu's demeanor.

Fang Yizhi felt slightly displeased, put down his brush and stood up.

He was nearly forty years old, and although he was dressed like a monk, he had an air of nobility, a peaceful demeanor, and a slight arrogance.

Danchu bowed and said, "I am Cen Danchu, the general officer guarding Yong'an. I have long heard of your great name, so I came to visit you specially."

Fang Yizhi returned the greeting and said calmly, "I've heard a lot about you."

The abbot said to the pilgrims, "Dear donors, it is getting late, please go away."

Danchu knew that he was being abrupt, so he said, "It's okay. Seeing the patient is more important. I'll talk to him after he finishes seeing the patient."

Fang Yizhi was shocked when he saw Bi Fangji, Yan Wei and other old friends behind Danchu. Cen Danchu was so young, but he was able to win over Bi Fangji, Yan Wei and other famous people to work for him. He must have something extraordinary.

He was no longer reserved and said to the patient, "I have a distinguished guest today. Please come back tomorrow to see me."

Then the patients dispersed.

Danchu didn't care about anything and ate a bowl of vegetarian noodles with everyone else in the dining hall, then went into the guest hall to discuss matters.

(End of this chapter)