Chapter 164, Tiger Hill Conference
The fifteenth day of the first lunar month of the seventh year of Chongzhen, Suzhou, Huqiu
The history of Suzhou City can be traced back to the Spring and Autumn Period. As early as when Wu and Yue were fighting for hegemony, it was the capital of the Wu Kingdom. Li Taibai, a Tang Dynasty man, wrote in a poem: "When Wu was sitting on the stage in Gusu, Xi Shi was drunk in the palace of King Wu." Therefore, Suzhou has many historical sites: Huqiu, Panmen, Shihu, Lingyan, Tianping, Yushan... There are also exquisite gardens built by the past dynasties - such as the Humble Administrator's Garden, the Liuyuan, Canglang Pavilion, Lion Grove, etc. Everywhere is a place that literati from all over the world yearn for.
The Tiger Hill outside Suzhou City is the most famous scenic spot in Wuzhong. King Helu of Wu in the Spring and Autumn Period was buried in Tiger Hill after his death. After Qin Shihuang wiped out the six kingdoms and unified the four seas, he once visited Tiger Hill to see the sights. When the poet Bai Juyi of the Tang Dynasty was the governor of Suzhou, he dug mountains to divert water and built a seven-mile embankment on Tiger Hill. Later dynasties also built many buildings on this place, making the scenery of Tiger Hill even more beautiful, so that later generations of literati believed that if you go to Suzhou, you should not visit Tiger Hill. It's a pity.
At the end of the Ming Dynasty, the Fushe scholars headed by Zhang Pu held many grand literary gatherings in Huqiu to discuss current affairs, just like the election speech conferences of later generations. The reputation of the Huqiu Conference was instantly famous all over the world. Seeing this, the senior figures of the Donglin Party did not want to let the junior members of Fushe excel in their predecessors. They held various cultural gatherings, poetry gatherings, wine parties, and tea parties in Huqiu, where they recited poems, composed poems, and commented on the government.
As a result, Huqiu in Suzhou in the late Ming Dynasty became one of the famous political symbolic places, just like the capital squares of many countries in later generations.
At this moment, under the convocation of Mr. Qian Qianyi Qian Muzhai, the leader of Donglin, another Tiger Hill Conference was held during the Lantern Festival. On the official road from Suzhou Lumen out of the city to Huqiu, there is an endless stream of scholars and scribes wearing Confucian robes. However, at this time, the demeanor of these participants no longer had the leisurely demeanor of scholars, let alone the leisurely elegance of admiring snow and plum blossoms, but was filled with some indescribable anxiety and fear.
On Shantang Street, which is only seven miles away from Tiger Hill, the most prosperous commercial port in Suzhou, all the shops and restaurants that used to be lined up in rows have closed their doors. There are no pedestrians or vendors on the streets that used to be crowded with people, and there is not even a single lantern that is essential for the Lantern Festival.
——Although the iron hooves of the "Master of the Qing Dynasty" have not yet set foot here, the refugees who have fled from Nanjing, Zhenjiang and other places have already told the people of Jiangnan that the Qing government is ready to demolish them through their mouths. The terrorist policy of slavery spread to the ears of Suzhou people.
The wealthy gentry families in Suzhou were horrified to see that the current situation had changed drastically, and they all thought hard about how to protect themselves, but they were at their wits' end. Finally, under the leadership of local celebrity and Donglin leader Qian Qianyi, the Huqiu Cultural Conference was held again to discuss ways to deal with the crisis.
As a result, Tiger Hill, which had been deserted for a long time outside Suzhou City, was once again crowded with people, and there was an endless stream of warm sedan chairs. Behind most of the sedans, there are a group of domestic slaves, some holding charcoal stoves, some holding umbrellas, some carrying food boxes, some holding tea sets, and some even carrying red lacquer toilets...
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Like the previous Huqiu literary conferences held by Jiangnan scholars, this conference was still held at Qianrenshi in Huqiu. The Thousand Man Stone is a large naturally formed dark purple stone, about two acres square, sloping from south to north, as flat as a stone, and majestic. There are two protruding rocks in the middle, the top surface is flat, and the four walls are like cut. It can seat thousands of people, which is really rare. It is said that after the tomb of King Helu of Wu was built in the Spring and Autumn Period, more than a thousand tomb builders were summoned here. They set up crane dances to entertain and secretly gave poisonous wine. The craftsmen vomited blood and died of the poison, which stained the big stones red, so the stones are usually red. Dark purple, when it rains, it becomes as red as blood. Later, in the Jin Dynasty, another eminent monk, Zhu Daosheng, gathered people here to lecture on Buddhism. Rumor has it that even stubborn people nodded their heads.
Thousand People's Stone is located halfway up the mountain, right in the center of Tiger Hill. At this time, the Thousand People Stone was filled with scholars in Confucian uniforms of different ages, which actually seemed a bit cramped. In the center of Thousand People Stone, the organizer built a platform with wooden boards. There were two chairs in the center of the platform, and the chairs were covered with brocade. On one of the chairs, naturally, the convener of this Tiger Hill Conference, the world-famous Donglin leader Qian Qianyi, was sitting. This old man with a clear face, although cloth shoes and white socks, simple clothes, but his beard and hair were There is no mess at all, and a pair of eyes are so bright that no one dares to look closely.
On the chair next to him, there was a fat middle-aged man sitting, who was Qian Qianyi's disciple Qu Shichun. He had a long beard and a tall body. At first glance, he looked like a man leading troops on the battlefield. A military commander, it is difficult for people to think that he is actually a powerless scholar.
Because Qian Qianyi is not young anymore and is not in good health. As the saying goes, "When the master has something to do, the disciple will obey him." Therefore, at this Huqiu Conference jointly held by members of the Suzhou Donglin Party and Fushe, Qian Qianyi just In one name, all kinds of specific matters were basically handled by Qu Shiqi, a disciple.
Although the situation was critical at the moment and the Tartars' front was not far away, as a disciple of a saint, the etiquette should not be neglected. Qu Shichun saw that everyone was almost here, so he stood up and shouted: "...the auspicious time has come. ~~~~" There were several servants on both sides shouting together: "...please take the throne~~~~"
Immediately afterwards, a few more young and strong scholars carried a large offering table with noisy sounds, placed it on the "rostrum" in the center of the Thousand People Stone, and set it up. A glittering copper incense burner was fixed on the offering table in advance, with an incense burner inserted inside. The incense stick is filled with fine sand that has been carefully sifted.
At the same time, more than ten young men in Confucian uniforms lined up, each with their hands hanging on their chests, holding a wooden tablet. The tablets read Gu Xiancheng, Li Sancai, Ye Xianggao, Zou Yuanbiao, Yang Lian, Zuo Guangdou in order. , Wei Dazhong, Yuan Huazhong, Gu Dazhang, Gao Panlong, Huang Zunsu and other official titles of Donglin seniors. The young men carried these tablets with solemn faces, placed them neatly on the altar table, and then turned and left.
Then, along with Qu Shichun's voice of "...burning incense~~~~" there was a burst of joy to welcome the gods on Tiger Hill. Qian Qianyi and Qu Shishu each washed their hands with silver basins and burned incense to pay homage. Everyone in the audience cheered and knelt together, and knelt down to worship the sages of Donglin on the tablets.
Next. With another "...Le Zhi~~~~The ceremony is completed~~~~", everyone just stood up and sat down. Naturally, there was a brief exchange of greetings first. All the gentlemen of Jin Dynasty complimented Mr. Qian Muzhai for his unique style and unparalleled magnanimity. Qian Qianyi also bowed to each of them in a graceful manner.
It was already late when Qu Shichun looked up and saw that the sun was setting. He didn't dare to delay any longer and urged Qian Qianyi to get to the point. Qian Qianyi stood up slowly, stroked his beard, raised his arms and made a gesture, and everyone in the audience gradually became quiet. Start listening carefully.
I saw Qian Qianyi cupping his hands downward and saying: "...I remember that in the thirty-second year of Wanli, Mr. Jingyang advocated the construction of Donglin Academy and Daonan Temple, together with his younger brother Gu Yuncheng, Gao Panlong, An Xifan, Liu Yuanzhen, Ye Maocai, and Qian Yi Ben, Xue Fujiao and other eight gentlemen of Donglin gathered together to discuss virtues. Scholars from all over the country responded to the news, and the whole world looked at him with concern. Before Wei Zhongxian was eunuch, he tried to use his reputation as a gentleman to win over the people of the country. Use both kindness and power to win over the East Lin. Donglin refused to join him, so the gangster held a grudge and waited for revenge. After he took charge of Dongchang, he was imprisoned repeatedly and the names of Donglin Party members were listed all over the country. Those who are famous in the world, the living have reduced their positions to serve the people, the dead have Chasing the title. For a time, the world was silent, the gentlemen were frustrated, Donglin's vitality was severely damaged, and his talents were withered, and he was dormant for several years. Alas, these past events have happened in a blink of an eye, but they still feel like yesterday. At the moment.”
After reviewing the glorious history of the Donglin Party members, Qian Qianyi lowered his head and sighed, looking back on the past as if he was overwhelmed with emotion. Then he raised his head and continued: "...Then in the early years of Chongzhen, the Donglin gentlemen finally had their fortunes turn. Dismiss the eunuchs and traitors, and use this The whole generation was expelled from the imperial court, and everyone in Beijing was filled with joy, thinking that the world was about to be restored, but it turned out to be an illusion! Donglin first made the remnants of the eunuchs die again The ashes resurrected, but the gentleman Donglin was expelled from the court. Afterwards, many earth-shaking changes happened, and the whole world fell apart. To this day, it is still unclear who is right. In short, it is not just Donglin now. The party members are already dead and injured. , only a few old people like me are left, like lonely ghosts, no longer capable of turning the tide. Even this place where Jiangnan is a gathering place of culture is in danger! If those old friends in Donglin know better, I really don’t know what will happen. How to think.”
After nagging until this point, Qian Qianyi finally got to the topic of the day, "...Nowadays, the Tartars are running rampant in the south of the Yangtze River and are doing the opposite, and there are also traitors such as Zhou Yusheng (Zhou Yanru) who are working for them. Their intentions are to be punished! What they have done is destructive!" what he did , It’s simply outrageous. We are all facing a catastrophe, and we ask you to speak freely and brainstorm a solution. I only hope that one day Jiangnan will be cleared up, and the old man can live his life in Fushui Villa..."
Seeing Qian Qianyi, the leader of Donglin, behaved so humbly, all the gentlemen of Jiangnan Jin Dynasty suddenly looked high-spirited, "...I live in the scholarly world, self-restraint, read the books of sages, and serve the country. It is your duty to sacrifice your life for the sake of the people! How can you refuse?”
But the question is, facing the cavalry and swords and guns of the "Master of the Qing Dynasty", what can these pretentious scholars do?
When it comes to messing around, stirring up trouble, and even setting up a boot formation to intimidate the Ming Dynasty officials, they may all be good at it. But the Eight Banners uncle won't reason with you at all. He just comes over with a knife and wants to steal your pastoral mansion and gold and silver treasures. What's the use of you being able to talk again?
Indeed, the members of the Jiangnan Donglin Party used to be extremely powerful and had huge influence on both the government and the public under the Ming Dynasty. They could even take advantage of the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty for their own use. But now that even the imperial court is gone, and the Ming Dynasty seems to be almost over, what is the use of their personal connections?
Of course, they could also use their sharp tongue to go to Nanjing to persuade the barbarian emperor to "return to his lost ways" and return to the "right path" of treating the Jin gentry well. But I heard that many crazy students have tried this before, and either their heads were chopped off on the spot, or they were sent into slavery!
In short, this group of scholars discussed and discussed in Huqiu, and finally found that the only slightly feasible way at the moment was to mobilize their servants and tenants to organize volunteers in various prefectures and counties in Jiangnan that had not yet fallen, to resist those who wanted to invade the Jiangnan people. The brutal northern barbarians who were demoted to slaves—although such a ragtag group of people would definitely not be able to form battle formations in the wild, if they could hold on to the city and wait for change, there might be some chance of improvement.
As a result, the Suzhou gentry prepared to form a "Resistors Alliance" in Huqiu to lead the overall effort to resist the Qing Dynasty and save themselves in Jiangnan. After some discussion, it was decided to name it "Zhengqi Alliance". Originally, everyone planned to recommend the world-famous Qian Qianyi as the leader of the alliance, but Qian Qianyi immediately said that he was old and frail and lacked energy, and he was afraid that he would not be able to take on such a big responsibility, so he proposed that his student Qu Shishu should be the leader.
Qian Qianyi's proposal was immediately approved by the collective. Qu Shishu declined a little, and then officially assumed the position of leader of the "Righteous Alliance" and presided over the "Jiangnan National Salvation Conference". He then elected five deputy leaders and more than 20 elders... After a full hour of discussion, Finally, the entire "right" decision was finally made. The organizational structure of the "Qi Alliance", but where the specific soldiers, horses and ordnance came from has not yet been determined... On the other side, just as everyone was pointing out the country on the Thousand People Stone, outside the mountain gate leading to Tiger Hill, someone came Got an unexpected guest...