Chapter 1, what a beautiful day it is
The story of young Zhang Yuan in Shaoxing during the late Ming Dynasty, focusing on his studies, friendships, and leisure activities
Waking up to find oneself back four hundred years in time, who can remain calm
The young master sat upright, squinting at him for a moment, then closed his eyes and said: "Alright, help me tie it up."
Zhang Cai said her voice is hoarse, and you said it's heatstroke, so what should I do? Am I not going to suffocate!
"Haven't you already prepared the mulberry, chrysanthemum, and almond tea? It is very soothing for the throat. Recite it, don't be lazy. Finish this volume today, and I will reward you with one silver coin. From now on, recite one volume each day. The 'Collected Exegesis of the Spring and Autumn Annals' consists of a total of thirty volumes. Once you finish all of them, I will reward you with three silver coins." The young master, hidden in the dimness behind the screen, tempted him with profit.
A small frog leaped out from the tangled weeds and stones of the riverbank, hopping closer and mistaking the motionless Zhang Yuan, who was wearing a blindfold, for a clay sculpture or wooden carving. It boldly jumped onto Zhang Yuan's pigeon-toed shoe. The shoe shifted slightly, and the small frog, feeling the danger, quickly leaped up. Unexpectedly, a fan as large as half the sky suddenly swooped down, striking the frog on the head and sending it back to the ground. A large foot was already raised, ready to stomp down.
"It’s nothing." Zhang Yuan gently lowered his foot, slowly shook his head, and a faint smile appeared at the corners of his lips. The words in his heart seemed to be directed at no one in particular: "In such a world, what can I do? I am only fifteen years old, and I don’t even know if my eyes can be cured—Late Ming Jiangnan, a time of flourishing yet approaching ruin, with renowned scholars and their charm. I will take my time to appreciate it first, and then consider other matters"
Zhang Yuan listened attentively, accompanied by the melodious sound of the xiao and di, the tones soft and graceful, each word clear and resonant
"Xiao Wu, the jasmine under the eastern fence must have bloomed by now," the young master, who was slowly walking while supporting his shoulder, suddenly spoke.
His body is no longer the original one; it has transformed into that of a youth. However, his name remains the same: Zhang Yuan. He now also has a courtesy name, Zhang Yuan, courtesy name Jiezi. He was born in the 26th year of the Wanli era, which corresponds to the year m. hetushu. comcom, and he is currently fifteen years old in nominal age. The two souls of Zhang Yuan have merged, resulting in his present self, with the soul from later generations being the dominant one.
Little Xinu Wu Ling tilted his head and glanced at the young master, whose blue cloth eye mask had not been removed. Wu Ling thought to himself: "The young master's hearing is very sharp now; he can hear even the slightest sound clearly. However, this seems rather concerning. It is said that the blind have particularly acute hearing—can the young master’s eyesight really improve?"
Xiao Xinu guided the young master towards the back door as if leading a blind person, feeling quite at ease. Not having to study was a relief. Over the past month, he and Zhang Cai had taken turns reading the Four Books and Five Classics aloud. It was not that he and Zhang Cai were particularly diligent in their studies, but rather because the young master wanted to hear them read. The young master had an eye ailment, and the renowned physician Lu Yungu from Shaoxing had stated that the young master needed to rest his eyes in a dark room, away from light, for at least one hundred days for his vision to gradually recover. Thus, the young master, feeling bored, had them read to him all day long.
Morning flies and evening rolls, clouds and rosy clouds in the green pavilion, rain threads and wind pieces, misty waves and painted boats
It is currently the summer dry season, and the Tola River bend is only slightly more than 2 zhang wide. There is no water beneath the two arches on either side of the San Gong Stone Bridge, making it a great place to enjoy the coolness of midsummer.
Xiao Xinu, unable to refuse Wuling's insistence, could only take a couple of sips of mulberry, chrysanthemum, and almond tea. Wiping the sweat from his brow with his sleeve, he began to read under the dim light of the oil lamp. After reading four or five pages, he felt parched, and the sweat on his forehead dripped onto the pages, causing several drops to blur together, soaking a large portion of the paper. His palms were also clammy with sweat; the day was too hot, and the doors and windows were tightly shut. With the oil lamp right beside him, Wuling found it inconvenient to fan himself, while the young master behind the screen rhythmically waved his folding fan.
Wuling turned his head and indeed saw that the row of jasmine by the eastern end of the backyard had bloomed. The petals were snow-white, complemented by green leaves, and there were a few purple jasmines, which were very striking
Why is it different? It is as if the young master has suddenly grown into an adult, evoking a sense of unfamiliarity and reverence in the young servant Wuling.
The people of Jinping cherish this fleeting moment
Young master, how did you know that the jasmine has bloomed? It seemed like it hadn't opened just yesterday
Xiao Xinu, fearing that the young master might change his mind, quickly found the blue cloth eye mask and walked to the back of the desk
Young master, I will go fetch the fishing rod, to enjoy the cool breeze while fishing
... ...
The wind blows from the western shore, bringing with it ethereal melodies, as if a lotus flower emerging from the mud, evaporating a decayed sweetness under the scorching sun
In the sweltering heat of midsummer, the study's doors and windows are tightly shut, creating a stifling atmosphere akin to a steamer. The square window with its willow-patterned grille is covered with curtains, as if fearing that even a sliver of light from outside might seep in. Thus, while the sky outside is bright and clear, the study resembles a dark night. A white porcelain lamp with a tall stem sits on the mahogany desk, lit with just one wick, its flame small and flickering, casting a warm yellow glow that barely illuminates the scroll of "The Spring and Autumn Annals" in the hands of the young servant, Xi Nu.
Xiao Xinu Wuling thought this as he quickly tied the blue cloth eye mask for the young master. The young master then stood up, placed one hand on his shoulder, and said, "Let's go"
On the large mahogany desk stands a painted screen, dividing the desk into two halves. On this side are the young servant from Wuling and a white porcelain lamp, while the young master remains in the shadows on the other side of the screen
The large foot was suspended in mid-air, and the little frog, regaining its senses, quickly leaped away to escape.
... ...
Wuling is somewhat worried. If the young master’s eyes do not improve, it will be difficult to serve him. Not to mention anything else, just the daily requirement of listening to books is enough for both him and Zhang Cai to endure. It is truly strange; the young master used to have good eyesight but did not like reading, and now that his eyes are ill, he suddenly wants to read. Isn’t this tormenting? If his eyes do not get better, what use is there in reading more books? Can he still participate in the imperial examination?
Zhang Yuan listened to the footsteps of the young servant running back and forth, feeling an unprecedented calmness within him. He had never experienced such tranquility since he inexplicably became a member of the Zhang family from Shanyin County in Shaoxing two months ago, and with an eye ailment as well. One can only imagine the terror, anxiety, pain, and confusion that Zhang Yuan felt.
Wuling stood behind the young master, helping him tie on the blindfold, while observing the back of the young master's head and his figure. The young master was fifteen years old this year, only one year older than him, but he was much taller than Wuling. Even while sitting, he was not much shorter than Wuling.
Originally, the vibrant hues of purple and red bloomed everywhere, yet such beauty has now been surrendered to the remnants of broken walls and desolate ruins
It seems that a scholar's attendant should be somewhat shorter; the young masters in Shanyin County are all at least half a head taller than their attendants. Occasionally, there is a taller attendant, but he has a hunchback. There is no way to compare with the young masters in height.
Isn't there an eye mask? I will find one for the young master
Young master, is it possible to only read the large characters and not the small ones
Zhang Yuan sat on a large bluestone beneath the arch bridge, listening to the sound of flowing water, inhaling the scent of moisture and wildflowers, and feeling the gentle cool breeze. The blue cloth covering his eyes emitted a refreshing medicinal aroma; this eye mask was specially made for him by the renowned physician Lu Yungu from Shaoxing, containing herbs that clear heat and brighten the eyes.
( Such scenery, my grandfather and grandmother no longer mention )
The sunlight outside is too intense, and I am concerned it may be harmful to my eyes
The Tiao Lao River flows through the Hexi Tongfu River, connecting to the Miao River to the south. After passing through the Shaoxing Academy, it makes a significant bend. In the twenty-first year of the Jiajing era, the Zhang clan invested in straightening the river, and this bend became the inner river in front of the Zhang residence. The Zhang clan settled on both banks of the river bend, connected by a three-arch stone bridge. The eastern bank is referred to as Dongzhang, while the western bank is known as Xizhang. Xizhang is affluent, whereas Dongzhang is impoverished. Aside from the winter solstice ancestral worship and some clan meetings, interactions between Dongzhang and Xizhang are infrequent. After all, the blood ties have faded beyond three generations, and familial affection has gradually diminished. Furthermore, due to the disparity in wealth and status, Dongzhang tends to feel timid, while Xizhang may exhibit arrogance, making harmonious relations difficult. Thus, there is little communication between them.
Xiao Xinu Wuling bore the weight of that hand, slowly walking over to open the door. As the door swung open, a large expanse of sunlight surged in with a "bang," instantly filling the dim study with brightness. The young master said, "The sun is shining brightly today!"
The young servant, around thirteen or fourteen years old, had a somewhat delicate appearance. At this moment, he was frowning and looking at the scroll in his hands, lamenting: "There are so many small characters, young master. My throat feels like it's on fire; I fear I might lose my voice."
The young servant, Wu Ling, who was fishing by the river, turned around and asked, "Young master, what is the matter? What should I spare?"
Let you go
Zhang Yuanxin said: "This is Tang Xianzu's Southern Drama 'The Peony Pavilion: The Return of the Soul', a masterpiece among the 'Four Dreams of Linchuan'. By this time, had it already begun to circulate and be performed everywhere?"
Little Xinu Wuling excitedly said: "Young master, listen, the 'Ke Can Ban' in the West Zhang mansion has started singing again"
In his previous life, Zhang Yuan enjoyed reading and had studied "The History of the Late Ming" by Professor Fan Shuzhi from Fudan University, gaining some understanding of the history during the reigns of Wanli, Tianqi, and Chongzhen. He had also read Huang Renyu's "The Fifteenth Year of Wanli" and knew that the fifteenth year of Wanli corresponds to the year 1587 AD. Now, he was born in the twenty-sixth year of Wanli, and at the age of fifteen in terms of his nominal age, which means it is now the year 1612 AD, leaving thirty-two years until the fall of the Ming Dynasty
Young master, I can no longer endure this. The weather is too hot, I feel dizzy and nauseous, and I fear I may be suffering from heatstroke, uh—uh—
No, first read the large characters, then read the small characters below the large ones. Do not mumble; speak clearly.
Wuling felt that after the young master developed an eye condition, his temperament changed significantly. Initially, he cried and made a scene, displaying great agitation. This was understandable; who wouldn't be anxious if they suddenly lost their sight? Later, the young master became taciturn, and eventually, he had Zhang Cai and another person take turns reading to him. Moreover, his tone of speech was very different from before
More than two months have passed. In the darkness, Zhang Yuan has contemplated much. As the clamor settles and the frenzy returns to calm, looking back on the past may evoke a sense of helplessness. However, since he has arrived at this point, he will live well.
Wuling also felt that the sun was quite intense, but it was certainly better than being cooped up in the study, and he didn't have to read endlessly. He said, "Young master, follow me; it is definitely cool under the stone arch bridge at the back door—be careful of your step, young master."
What a beautiful time and scenery, yet who in their courtyard enjoys such delightful moments
Listen, the bees are buzzing, and smell, the jasmine is fragrant
Young master, why not take a break? Listening to books all day can be tiring for your ears, can't it? How about I accompany you to the stone arch bridge at the back door to enjoy the cool breeze? It is particularly refreshing there, and we can also hear the opera troupe singing from the big house in the west. What do you think, young master?
Late Ming, Jiangnan, Zhang family of Shaoxing, what else is there
Xiao Xinu Wuling decided to learn this move from Zhang Cai, otherwise, when the young master starts reading, it would go on endlessly, and who could bear it? It would be better to forgo today's reward of one tael of silver.