Section 3: The ring

Seeing that someone was watching from below, Cao Chong pulled Cai Mao back to the table, reached out to catch the chopsticks on the table, and was about to catch the steaming snacks, but he felt that the chopsticks in his hand were a little strange. He couldn't help but look at it carefully, and then he realized that it was ivory. He smiled and said to Cai Mao, "Sir, it seems that Zhongyu has earned you a lot of money, and the chopsticks are all ivory?"

Cai Mao laughed and came over proudly and said, "It is true that Zhongyu earned me a lot of money, but this kind of ivory chopsticks cannot be bought with money. My chopsticks are only five pairs in the entire Xiangyang City. I have three pairs of them alone, right?"

Cai Ji frowned and smiled, "Aweng, you know that you need face. You are really willing to spend so much money to buy ivory chopsticks."

Cao Chong shook his hand and said, "Xiao Yu'er, you are wrong. It is not a bad thing for people to pay attention to one's point of care. You just need to do whatever you want. Don't do anything to do anything for your own sake. Use the money you earned in vain to make yourself feel more comfortable. It is not a bad thing, and the saints don't object. My father-in-law is obedient to the law and pay taxes according to the law. The money comes cleanly and you can feel at ease when spending it. It is not surprising to buy a pair of ivory chopsticks. Is it okay to have everyone be a slave to keep money? Who will make money for those who do business?"

Cai Mao slapped the table and laughed loudly, "Cang Shu, I love what you said. You have to enjoy it when you make money. Otherwise, what's the use of having money? Is it hiding at home to count money every day? How boring that. Come on, try this newly made snack and see how it tastes. This is the result of what you said. Many masters have studied it for several months. Now it is the signature dish in my restaurant."

Cao Chong smiled and looked at the soup dumplings in front of him very happy. He only occasionally sighed that there was no crab roe soup dumplings to eat, so Cai Ji became interested and carefully inquire about the recipe. However, Cao Chong just knew that it was delicious, but he didn't know how to make them. He couldn't explain it clearly. Unexpectedly, Cai Mao knew to find someone to solve the problem and really made the soup dumplings. Although they were a little different from what he thought, they finally had them. He couldn't help but sigh that this person was really smart, just to see if you could use it.

He pushed Cai Ji's hand away and smiled at her, "You don't have to accompany me anymore. We all go to the side to eat, otherwise I will feel uneasy if you smell the fragrance and make you salivate. How uncomfortable it will be."

Xun Wenqian smiled and took Cai Ji and others to sit on the other side separated by a bamboo screen. The three father-in-law and son-in-law didn't even want the servants. They poured tea and took snacks on their own, and said happily about what happened after the parting. Liu Cong briefly introduced the situation after sending Liu Qi back to his hometown, and couldn't help but feel sad. However, with Cao Chong and Cai Mao's conscious comfort, the sadness in his heart faded and gradually showed a smile.

"I brought my third brother Ji Xu to Xiangyang, and I plan to let him study in Xiangyang for a few years before seeing what he can do." Liu Cong smiled at Cao Chong and said, "I hope Cang Shu will give me some advice at that time."

Cao Chong smiled and shook his hand and said, "Zhongyu, why are you so polite? It is natural to be able to help you. However, I have one thing I want to help now."

Liu Cong smiled: "What new ideas do you have to do?"

Cao Chong shook his head, and pointed to the podium opposite with the ivory chopsticks in his hand: "It's a pity to just let these Confucian scholars continue to speak like this. Such a good podium and such a good academy. Can you and the strange man come up with some new ideas and grab their limelight? Don't let these young students plunge into the scriptures, thinking that there is nothing good except those old books."

Liu Cong was stunned, looked at Cai Mao, and said tentatively: "Cang Shu, aren't these things you suggested? Why are you now..."

Cao Chong shook his head: "I have no regrets. Academics are for competition, but it is not only the sages of saints that are the academics. You and Yi Gong, as well as Master Liu's calculations, are also academics. It is not a trick that is not a good place to be a good place. Why don't you come out together? Not to mention anything else, Yi Gong is in Xiangyang, and his agricultural science has increased Xiangyang's output by an average of nearly 30%. How many people can these 30% support and how many families can survive a happy New Year? Such achievements are not more respectable than those who talk big?"

Liu Cong was deeply moved. Although they also brought many students in Xiangyang Academy, to be honest, most of them who followed them felt that their career prospects were not ideal, so it was better to learn a craft and earn a fortune. As for young children with family backgrounds, they were unwilling to learn with them. They themselves did not dare to imagine that one day they would be able to step onto the podium like those great scholars and talk in front of so many people.

Cai Mao shook his head and said, "Cang Shu, do you want Zhongyu, Yi Gong and the others to compete with these great scholars?"

Cao Chong nodded, but glanced at the podium opposite, with a hint of disdain: "That's it."

"Your idea is good. It's a pity..." Cai Mao smiled: "It's a pity that you forgot one thing. If you want to talk about doing things, Zhongyu and the others may not be inferior to these people, but if you want to talk about speaking, Lord Liu can still deal with it, so Zhongyu and Yi Gong are pale in comparison."

Cao Chong was stunned, turned around and looked at Cai Mao, then looked at Liu Cong who felt deeply in agreement, and couldn't help but touch his head awkwardly and said, "It's a good thing my father-in-law reminded me that I almost ignored this matter. In terms of eloquence, Zhongyu and the others are indeed not their opponents. Although Lord Liu is knowledgeable, he has been busy with official duties in recent years, and he probably has no time to do these things. This is really a matter of scratching his head. So what good methods do you have?"

Cai Mao pondered for a moment, Zhan Yan smiled and said, "I think it's better to do this. Zhongyu and the others have made a lot of good things recently. The manor has also produced good harvests recently. The printing shop has recently printed some poetry collections and is thinking about how to develop sales. I know that the other companies are similar to me, and there are many good things, but not many people know it. Why not take them out and show them together, first to show the achievements of Zhongyu and their actual learning, and second to take advantage of this time to make a publicity."

Cao Chong smiled, raised his thumbs up at Cai Mao, and said sincerely: "My father-in-law, if you are devoted to business, it is difficult not to make a fortune."

Cai Mao laughed and said proudly, "How is it, do you think my method is feasible?"

"It's feasible, of course." Cao Chong smiled and said, "But don't worry, father-in-law, please discuss with them first, take out all the good things that can make money, and let the news be released through your words before displaying them, so that all the merchants from the surrounding counties can come over. I will ask someone to return to Chengdu to inform Shi Yuan, ask him to prepare some goods from Yizhou, and by the way, let those merchants from Tianzhu and Daqin who came from afar come together to take a look."

Cai Mao had a random idea, but he didn't expect Cao Chong to support him and acted so interested, so he naturally became a little excited. The three of them talked and laughed and decided to hold an expo in a few months. Cao Chong also suggested that Cai Mao change the paper to a newspaper, named Xiangyang Monthly, which not only publishes the content of these great scholars' debates, but also mentions some good things produced in their workshops. He focused on telling Cai Mao that this is called advertising. It has a killer weapon for doing business. It can not only publish the Cai family, but also other families, but it has to be charged money.

Cai Mao woke up in his dream. He was not making money by saying anything, and he gave it for free, basically just a deposit. If it weren't for Cao Chong's proposal, he would have stopped doing this non-making business. Unexpectedly, Cao Chong made him discover another way to make money. He couldn't help but be overjoyed and laughed.

Seeing him happy, Cao Chong mentioned casually: "Father-in-law, you can't just focus on doing business and forget about the navy. You are still the commander-in-chief of the Navy in Xiangyang. What's wrong with this warship? I'm waiting to go to Jiangnan."

Cai Mao agreed: "Don't worry, if the business is done well this time, the originally scheduled business can be shortened in five years, and maybe three years will be about the same. But you also know that this shipbuilding costs too much money. Lord Liu, you have to say hello. This payment cannot be too stingy, otherwise it will delay the construction period."

Cao Chong smiled and said, "I will reply to you after I discuss this with Lord Liu. I will not be able to decide for a while."

When they were discussing how to make a fortune, the podium opposite was already surrounded by people. Some people who had no chance to squeeze into the academy climbed up the wall, and some climbed up the big trees beside the courtyard wall. A few children with braids were giggling and riding bamboo horses to run around the crowd. The crisp laughter was particularly clear in the chirping and talking inside and outside the wall. There were a few empty brocade mats on the podium, which I thought were left for those big names. There was a bead curtain in front of a seat next to it. Cao Chong didn't understand it at first, but later he felt relieved. This must have been left for Cai Yan. She was a woman. Although he wore the hat he designed, it was still inconvenient to show up in front of these great scholars. It was reasonable to set up a bead curtain for her.

While tasting crab roe soup buns, Cao Chong chatted with Cai Mao and Liu Cong who were immersed in his dream of making money, and occasionally glanced outside. When the water was being refilled for the third time, a gong sounded in the academy. A young man in deep clothes stood by the podium with a little youthful voice, and said in a voice with some childish voice: "Everyone, today's debate is about to begin, please be quiet."

The scholars next to them immediately calmed down, and a square face and big ears in the crowd shouted loudly: "Mr. Xiao Wang, what are you talking about today?"

The Mr. Xiao Wang glanced at him and bowed and said, "Today I am talking about the Spring and Autumn Period of the Five Classics."

Someone shouted, "Today I talk about the Spring and Autumn Period, but the Three Propagandas are all talked about? I still only talk about the modern texts and not the ancient texts."

Mr. Xiao Wang smiled slightly: "Since it is a debate, it is naturally a three-learning. Don't worry, you will know after a while."

There was a chuckle below, and someone asked loudly: "Cai, can you come today?"

Someone immediately interrupted him and pointed to the bead curtain on the podium: "Don't you have eyes, you will keep asking questions. Since the bead curtain on it is set up, everyone Cai is naturally coming."

The man said unconvincedly: "What do you know? I heard that General Xiao Cao has returned from Jiangling. Cai is his husband. Maybe he is going to see General Xiao Cao, so he may not be able to start talking. You don't know, I came for everyone Cai. If she doesn't come, I don't want to listen."

"Then come out and give me the seat." A young man crawling on the wall shouted.

"Hahaha..." burst of laughter.

Cao Chong smiled and took a sip of tea, turned around and looked at Cai Mao and Liu Cong and said, "I didn't expect that Mr. Cai is so famous now and has fans?"

"Fans?" The two of them looked at Cao Chong blankly: "What are fans?"

"Oh." Cao Chong was stunned and smiled quickly: "It means the worshiper."

"Oh——" The two of them suddenly realized, and Liu Cong smiled and said, "Cang Shu, you don't know. My Ji Xu is also a fan of Mr. Cai... Fan. He has read Yanzhi several times shortly after he arrived in Xiangyang. He only has a special liking for Mr. Cai's articles and wants to join Mr. Cai's disciples. I would like to ask you to speak more beautifully. I heard that because there are too many people who want to join Mr. Cai's disciples, the requirements have been raised. If you want to pass Mr. Cai's exam, you cannot follow Mr. Cai's classes."

Cao Chong smiled: "Why, my father-in-law intends to include all these great scholars in Xiangyang Academy?"

Cai Mao smiled proudly and said, "Of course, since they were invited, how could they let them go for nothing? I offered them a high price, willing to teach like Song Zhongzi and Qi Wu Guangming. I offered their salary of 1,000 stones, and I didn't want to do it here for full-time work, or if I had official duties, I would like to ask them to discuss, pay for the day, reimburse the carriage and horse fees, and give away the latest books in the printing press shop. How about it, the conditions are quite generous."

Cao Chong sighed with emotion: "Gaoming, the Xiangyang Academy has the liveliness of today, which is closely related to the Gaoming of his father-in-law."

Cai Mao shook his head and smiled, "This is not my idea. It was Xiao Yuer who listened to the advice of Miss Xun's family. She said that although this amount of money does not care about those who have official positions, it may be a way to make a living and go to school without any mistakes. As expected, this method took two months and the problem of insufficient teachers was solved."

Cao Chong nodded and was very happy. When Xiangyang Academy was established, Song Zhongzi was the only one who was in charge. Those who did not have any worries about food and drink had officials, and on the other hand, they felt that it was embarrassing to teach and educate people with carpenters like Liu Cong. They were unwilling to come to Xiangyang Academy, which made old Song Zhong very busy. Later, they invited Qi Wukai to help, but they were also very tired. Now, using this method not only solved the teaching staff of Xiangyang Academy, but also supported the life problems of some people who did not seek official career and devoted themselves to academic research, which was also a good thing. He remembered that there were many people who were willing to study in Yizhou, and thought that they would build a college after returning to Yizhou, or introduce them to Xiangyang.

"Who is that Mr. Wang?" Cao Chong pointed at the boy and asked.

"Wang Jingxing's son Wang Su and Prince Yong, this young man is not simple." Cai Mao smacked his lips and said, "He is one year older than you, but he is already familiar with ancient Chinese and modern classics, and has the potential of Zheng Kangcheng. However, he doesn't like Zheng Kangcheng's knowledge. He said that Zheng Kangcheng still has shortcomings and wants to find a different way. He followed Wang Jingxing to Xiangyang to learn the Taixuan Sutra of Yangziyun (Yangxiong) from Song Zhongzi. Song Zhongzi said that this son is extremely intelligent and can learn from one example and is a talent that can be created."

Cao Chong was quite interested. He knew that Yang Xiong finally said in the inscription of the humble room, "Xi Shu Ziyunting", which is the place where Yang Xiong studied. When he was in Mianyang, he went to worship him specially. Some people said that he was to buy the hearts of the scholars in Shu. It is undeniable that he did have this intention. So based on his heart, he was more to pay attention to the remains of this great master of the Western Han Dynasty. Just as he put a cow wine in front of Zhang Heng's tomb in Nanyang and erected a monument. Kings, princes, generals and ministers may turn into bones, but the thoughts of these great masters can shine through the ages. For a time traveler like him, it is even more obvious that he is worried about it.

Taixuan Jing is a masterpiece written by Yang Xiong imitating the Zhouyi system. It takes "Xuan" as the center, blending the three schools of Confucianism, Taoism, Yin and Yang, and is a mixture of Confucianism, Taoism and Yin and Yang. Yang Xiong uses Yin and Yang, Five Elements, and astronomical and calendar knowledge to depict a world diagram in the form of divination. There are some dialectical views, which explain the unification relationships of misfortunes, good news, movement, stillness, cold and heat, and the mutual transformation of the relationships of opposites, such as fortune and fortune, movement, heat, and reform, and their mutual transformations, but it also reflects Yang Xiong's metaphysical view. Using the number "nine" to copy and imply all things in the world, it seems a bit formalistic. Song Zhongzi conducted in-depth research on Taixuan Jing and made notes for him. In this era when cultural circulation was not yet very developed, it is obviously a better choice to learn Taixuan Jing and find Song Zhongzi.

However, Cao Chong did not agree with Taixuan Jing. Yang Xiong's world model is advanced compared to the Han people. Compared to him, it seems too pediatric and too philosophical. He looked at Wang Su, who was on the podium and answered the students' questions in an orderly manner and wasted time before the big names came on stage, and he became interested. He turned around and waved to Dian Man at the door. Dian Man walked over and bent down. Cao Chong said to him: "You send someone to invite this Wang Su to me in a while."

"No!" Dian Man raised his eyelids and glanced at Wang Su outside, nodding in agreement.

There was a cheer outside, and Cao Chong and others looked out, and saw Song Zhong and Qi Wukai heading, guiding Xun Yue slowly walking. Wang Lang and Xu Jing followed closely, followed by Zhou Qun, Zhong Changtong, Cai Yan wore a green gauze hat and walked at the end with two maids, like a female hero walking in the world. Everyone sat in the seats. Song Zhong stood up first, coughed, and laughed loudly: "Everyone is here so early. Be careful, don't knock down the tiles again. Governor Cai has changed this section of the wall three times."

There was a burst of laughter below.

Song Zhong smiled and stretched out his hand to arch around: "The topic I talked about today is Spring and Autumn. Spring and Autumn is a classic of saints, but only 18,000 words, but the meaning is profound. There are five originals, Zou Family's Genealogy and Jia Family's Genealogy have been destroyed by war, so we can't hear it. The current generation is Gongyang, Guliang and Zuo family. Gongyang and Guliang are modern scriptures, and everyone is familiar with it. Zuo family is an ancient scripture, but not many people are proficient in it. Many people only hear its name and do not know its study. There are actually two types of Zuo family: one is the Zuo family of Kong'an Kingdom, and the other is the Zuo family of Xun's Genealogy, and Mr. Zhongyu is a master who is proficient in the Zuo family of Xun's Genealogy. Therefore, in the following days, you will hear a wonderful conversation about the Spring and Autumn Period... "

"This Song Zhongzi is indeed a witty word on the podium, and his spirit is so good that he is not as embarrassed as Liu Xuande's sword as before." Liu Cong looked at Song Zhong who was speaking happily on the stage and burst out laughing.

Cao Chong looked at him with a smile, then turned his head to look at the podium outside and said, "This person is not omnipotent. He has strengths and weaknesses. Only by being good at it can he be at ease and gain both fame and fortune. If he insists on doing what he is not good at, he will not only waste his talents in vain, but may also bring shame on himself."

After hearing this, Cai Mao thought, he picked up the teacup and took a sip, pondering without saying a word.

Cao Chong was about to speak again, but Xun Wenqian smiled behind the screen and said, "Husband, I don't know which one you are going to." Cao Chong smiled, knowing that Xun Wenqian was worried that he would speak too straightforwardly, which would hurt Cai Mao's heart, so he smiled and said, "My Spring and Autumn Period was learned from Congbo, and of course he tended to be more speculative in ancient scriptures. Gongyang and Gu Liang were all over-speculated in order to explain the saint's subtle meaning, and they were inevitably far-fetched. In fact, what the saint thought at that time? It was not easy for the saint to explain the saint underground. The so-called "more words can be historical, and fewer words can be understood. It is not easy for a person to explain his ideas clearly. If he speaks vaguely, it is even more difficult to make people guess riddles. So I have never believed in the so-called subtle meanings. On the contrary, the historical materials in the Zuo family have certain reference value."

Xun Wenqian burst out laughing: "Shangxiang, Xiaoyu'er, listen to it. He obviously refused to learn it with all his heart, but he criticized the saints' classics here to liberation for his own family. Fortunately, they are all their own family here. If there are outsiders here, wouldn't they be laughed at?"

Cai Ji laughed pretty and said, "Sister is right, but my husband has to do so many things, so how can I have time to read these subtle words and guess these riddles. It is already extremely difficult to understand the Zuo family's birth."

Sun Shangxiang said, "I think my husband is right. Why can't the saint speak clearly, but he wants future generations to guess riddles. Isn't it a cause for trouble? Since I don't want to explain it clearly, just don't say it. Is it tiring to go through so many turns? It's obvious that someone is forced to the riverside, but I say it's patrolling the river. I think it's just to suffer if I want to live a life of face."

Xun Wenqian and Cai Ji were stunned and laughed silently. Cao Chong and Cai Mao and Liu Cong were also stunned when they heard this. They looked at each other, and then the three of them laughed in unison.

Liu Cong clapped his hands and smiled, "My wife's words have won my heart. I will be happy and happy, and it will be clear."
Chapter completed!