Song Lian (1310-1381) was one of the “Three Great Poets and Writers of the Early Ming Dynasty”. He took it as his duty to inherit the Confucian tradition, and advocated “zongjing” and “shigu” in his writings, following the example of the Tang and Song dynasties, and wrote extensively. Zhu Yuanzhang, the founder of the Ming Dynasty, called him “the first of the founding scholars” and Liu Bowen praised him as “the best writer today”.
The ruler had the wisdom to recognize the wise men
After Zhu Yuanzhang established the Ming Dynasty, he wanted to promote Song Lian to be involved in state affairs. Song Lian said: “When I was young, I did not learn other strengths, but I was good at writing and ink. Today I have the honor to be an official in the Hanlin Academy, so I have already received a great favor from the emperor.” He said he did not want to take up any other important position in the court. Zhu Yuanzhang understood him and treated him well, giving him tea and a seat whenever he was summoned.
Zhu Yuanzhang repeatedly asked Song Lian to accompany him to breakfast, to explore the old rules and rituals together, to consult Song Lian and to discuss the ways of governing the country, and only at night did he ask him to retire. At that time, sacrifices to heaven and earth, the ancestral temple, the mountains and rivers and other sacrificial rituals, as well as court meetings, banquets, rituals and music, the legal calendar, the system of clothing, rewarding the four barbarians and vassal states of the etiquette of the development, almost all from Song Lian’s hand.
Manna from heaven, shared by rulers and ministers
After Zhu Yuanzhang established the Ming Dynasty, he was frugal and never slacked in dealing with state affairs. It is recorded that he had to read more than 200 pieces of zhengzhi and deal with more than 400 pieces of state affairs every day on average.
Perhaps the heavens rewarded the wise ruler by sending down manna in the fifth year of Hongwu. Zhu Yuanzhang summoned Song Lian, gave him a seat, and personally took a golden ladle, boiled soup in a pot, and put the manna into the soup, then personally poured it into a goblet (an ancient vessel for holding wine) and gave it to Song Lian, saying to him, “This is the manna condensed from harmony, which can cure diseases and prolong life. So share it with Aiqing.”
As for what manna is, there have been many sayings throughout history. According to Ming Dynasty Li Shizhen quoted “Rui Ying Tu” explained to: “Manna, delicious dew, is the essence of the gods, the benevolence of Ren Rui, condensed stop like cream, taste sweet and like caramel, so manna is also known as ‘sweet, cream, wine, pulp.” In ancient times, it was believed that manna from heaven was an auspicious omen for the emperor to carry out benevolent policies and benefit all the people.
Poetry and Fugue, the Emperor and his ministers are in harmony
On the seventh day of the eighth month of the eighth year of Hongwu (1375), the minister presented Yin Cheng’s “Autumn Water Fugue”. Looking at the flowing river, Zhu Yuanzhang felt that the text did not fit well with the Tao, so he revised it with his own hands.
After writing it, he summoned the literary officials of the Hanlin Academy and ordered them to write one piece each. Songlian led his colleagues to create a literary assignment, and each of them offered their own work one by one.
After Zhu Yuanzhang evaluated the articles one by one, he ordered the ministers to be seated and ordered the chamberlain to serve a banquet with delicious food from the imperial kitchen to treat his ministers.
During the banquet, Zhu Yuanzhang saw that Song Lian was not drinking and asked him why. He said, “I am too old to drink, and I am afraid that I will lose the Emperor’s favor by being rude in front of him.” Zhu Yuanzhang said, “This may not be worthwhile. You can try it.”
Song Lian drank a cup and was about to withdraw it when Zhu Yuanzhang said to him, “Aiqing, you’d better have another drink.” Song Lian insisted on resisting. Zhu Yuanzhang said, “Can one cup make you drunk? But there is no harm in drinking.”
I think Song Lian’s capacity for alcohol is really not much, pick up the glass of wine to the mouth, and then hesitate. Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said, “A man should be brave and generous!” Song Lian replied, “The majesty of the Son of Heaven is close at hand, so I dare not blaspheme.” So he reluctantly drank it all, and the emperor was pleased to see this.
At this time has been slightly drunk Song Lian face red ears, suddenly feel the spirit of drifting, as if walking in the floating clouds. Zhu Yuanzhang laughed again: “Aiqing, now better do a poem. I also write a drunken song for Aiqing.”
At this time, the two imperial attendants into the yellow damask case, the emperor waved his brush like a fly, a moment to write a chapter of “Chu”: “Chu”.
The west wind is soughing and the gold Zhang, the meeting Confucian courtiers and raise goblets.
The willow is curling up, and the water in the Chengjiang River is oceanic.
I’m not sure I’m going to be able to get a good deal on this.
The company’s main business is to provide a wide range of products and services.
The company’s main business is to provide a wide range of products and services.
The company’s main business is to promote the development of the company’s products and services.
The first thing you need to do is to get a good idea of what you are getting into.
This is the first time I’ve ever seen a woman in the world. Zhu Yuanzhang ordered the editorial officer Zhu right rewrite this text, and then give Song Lian, and said: “Aiqing treasure, in the future to take to the children and grandchildren to see. Not only can you see that I love you, but also witness a time when rulers and ministers are in harmony and share peace and happiness.” Song Lian bowed down and thanked the emperor for his kindness.
Facts
Yutang Conglomerate, Volume 3
History of Ming Dynasty. Song Lian’s Biography, Volume 128
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