As they drank and chatted, they became familiar with each other and talked more. Of course, he was a Hanlin after all, so his words were elegant and refined. He talked about the Four Books and the Hundred Schools of Thought, which was different from those people like Yan Shifan.
The imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital opposite were also drunk and seemed to be arguing about which prescription was better for treating typhoid fever. One of them said that there is no first in literature and no second in martial arts, and that the pharmacology and properties of the medicine must be clearly discussed, and then they began arguing endlessly.
"There is no first in literature, and no second in martial arts. What do you think about it if you debate it?" The people from the Hanlin Academy heard the debate on the other side, smiled and repeated this old saying, and proposed a topic for the debate.
"Yi Er, each article has its own merits, and it is difficult to tell which is better, so there is no first in literature; warriors compete with swords, spears, sticks and clubs, and it is easy to tell which is better, so there is no second in martial arts." An outspoken classicist at the table put down his wine glass and was the first to express his opinion.
This is probably how many people interpret this sentence.
However, after the classicist finished speaking, Yuan Wei on the side chuckled, "I do have a different opinion. Scholars are modest and polite, and dare not claim to be the best. No one dares to claim to be the best, so there is no first in literature. As for warriors, they are reckless and competitive. They do not recognize that others are better than themselves, and they argue that they are the best. Therefore, there is no second in martial arts."
"That's right. A few days ago, I saw two warriors in Xiwu Hutong drawing their swords against each other because of a disagreement. Blood was pouring out..." another person echoed.
"There is no constant trend in literature. Literary styles vary greatly. Everyone has their own preferences. It is difficult to satisfy everyone, so there is no best in literature. Warriors are just rough men. When two people compete against each other, the winner is win and the loser is loser. It is easy to see." Some people combined the views of the two and put forward their own opinions.
... ...
This kind of debate was not as complicated as the modern one. People could say whatever they wanted to say. Many people expressed their opinions, including Zhang Siwei and Zhang Juzheng.
Zhu Pingan looked at whoever was talking, as if he was listening attentively. But he was actually practicing lip reading.
"Zihou is listening carefully, why don't you say something?" Li Chunfang looked at Zhu Ping'an, and then everyone turned their eyes to him.
Well
Zhu Ping'an was studying lip reading, and after hearing what Li Chunfang said, he was slightly stunned. He had listened carefully to what everyone had said just now, and this topic was very simple, basically without any difficulty, it was just a matter of differences in opinions. In fact, when it comes to literature, there is no first and martial arts, there is no second. I remember reading Gu Long's martial arts novels before and saw another interesting version, so why not bring it up and share it with everyone.
Thinking of this, Zhu Pingan smiled and nodded, then said softly, "There is no first in literature and no second in martial arts. Haha, I think it's better the other way around. There is no second in literature and no first in martial arts."
There is no second in literature and no first in martial arts
This statement was the first time that everyone present had heard of it. At this moment, after hearing Zhu Ping'an's statement, they couldn't help but let out a surprised sound. Why is it better to say that it is better to say the other way around? Just now, when he said that there is no second to martial arts, he meant that martial artists are reckless. Now, when he said that there is no second to literature, did Zhu Pingan mean that scholars look down on each other
Literati look down on each other? This is a taboo among literati. Does it mean that the new champion is too young and a newborn calf is not afraid of a tiger
So everyone looked at Zhu Ping'an, concerned about how he would explain.
"There is no second in literature and no first in martial arts, because there is first in literature but no first in martial arts." Zhu Ping'an said with a smile, "Confucius is the culmination of Chinese culture. He founded Confucianism and it has been passed down to this day, so he should be the first, no difference. As for martial artists, there is no recognized first. So, there is no second in literature and no first in martial arts."
It was almost the first time that everyone heard this statement, and they found it very novel. Confucius was indeed the first. What everyone said just now was almost all old stuff, but Zhu Ping'an's statement that there is no second in literature and no first in martial arts was a brand new proposition, and everyone started to debate again around Zhu Ping's proposition.
From Wenwu, it was extended to Confucius, then to the Four Books and Five Classics, and then to Zhu Xi... ... The people in the Hanlin Academy are indeed people with amazing eloquence.
While the drinking culture was in full swing at the Hanlin Academy, the Imperial Hospital was also arguing enthusiastically. The distance was not too far and their voices could be heard, but they were not clear. However, because Zhu Ping'an was facing them, he could restore their conversation from their lip shapes and vague sounds.
In fact, it was mainly a dispute between the young imperial physician and other imperial physicians. It should be that Emperor Jiajing wanted to achieve immortality, so he assigned the Imperial Medical Bureau to improve the prescription in an attempt to achieve immortality.
"Long-term use of mercury, mixed with appropriate good substances, can prolong life." So said an imperial physician.
"The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine says that refining and eating sulfur can grow the skin and increase energy and strength." Another imperial physician argued by citing classics.
"Many classics have said that Ganoderma lucidum is a magical herb that can prolong life if eaten for a long time. We should issue orders to all places to collect Ganoderma lucidum, snow lotus and other things for His Majesty to use in refining elixirs." Another imperial physician proposed an idea, which was echoed by many imperial physicians.
"Absurd! Nonsense. Mercury comes from sand and is a highly toxic substance. It should not be taken internally, especially by pregnant women. Sulfur comes from mines and is acidic, warm and toxic. It enters the kidney and large intestine meridians. Taking it internally often causes diarrhea, which is a taboo. Ganoderma lucidum is rare, but it increases wisdom, improves complexion, and has the medicinal effects of beautifying and detoxifying. How can it prolong life? Moreover, recruiting people from all over the country will only waste people's energy. Why bother?" the young doctor retorted loudly.
"Mr. Li, what do you know? This is recorded in the classics and what our ancestors said." Many imperial doctors cited classics to attack the young imperial physician.
"Classics, classics, classics have flaws and even many errors. Moreover, the number of medicines has increased since the Song Dynasty. For the sake of His Majesty and the people, we should revise the Materia Medica, delete the errors and correct the mistakes, and conduct on-site research..." The young imperial physician was a little excited.
"Okay, Mr. Li, you come again. You are an imperial physician, not a Hanlin. What do you know about editing books? Studying your prescriptions well is the real thing..."
"Listening" to the debate at the Imperial Hospital, Zhu Pingan suddenly became thoughtful. Materia Medica, edited books, surnamed Li, uh, that young imperial physician could not be Li Shizhen? This is a famous genius doctor, so I must find a chance to make friends with him. Making friends with Li Shizhen is like having an extra life-saving talisman.
As time went by, the several jars of wine on the table were all finished. Although Zhu Ping'an tried to drink less and indeed drank much less than others, he still drank too much after all because he had a low alcohol tolerance.
Poetry was often composed at banquets in ancient times, not to mention this banquet of the Hanlin Academy. For some reason or who proposed it, many Hanlin scholars took up their pens and composed poems to commemorate this welcoming banquet.
Yuan Wei took the lead. While everyone was still pondering, he finished his poem in one go. His poetry was both well-written and had great connotations. It was very beautiful and drew cheers from everyone.
The poems of Zhang Juzheng and others are also very good.
However, the most eye-catching thing about this banquet was the poem written by the drunk Zhu Ping'an: chopped pepper fish head and roast duck, sweet and sour pork ribs and prawns, boiled pork slices and chicken feet, skewers of meat and chicken racks, and stir-fried pork intestines with bean sprouts.
The poem is composed using the names of dishes, and the names of the dishes are all on this table. It is really a poem to commemorate this banquet.
"Haha, Zihou, you're so apt..." Everyone couldn't help but laugh.
Zhu Ping'an's poem "Tian Jing Sha" quickly spread, and soon the poem arrived at the table of Emperor Jiajing. Emperor Jiajing had the Imperial Household Guards to monitor the whole country, and he knew exactly what the ministers ate at the dinner. Naturally, the welcoming banquet of the Hanlin Academy was also monitored by the Imperial Household Guards.
"Haha, interesting. This is the first time I've read such an appetizing poem. Huang Ban, prepare a table like this for me tomorrow." After reading it, Emperor Jiajing smiled and instructed Huang Jin.
"Why tomorrow? I will ask the imperial kitchen to prepare the meal right away."
Huang Jin's affection for Zhu Pingan increased even more at this time. In the past few days, Emperor Jiajing had lost his appetite after taking the elixir, which made Huang Jin very nervous. Now that he saw that Emperor Jiajing had a good appetite, Huang Jin could finally let go of the worry in his throat. (To be continued.)