Chapter 272 Chapter 271 Returning the Book

Jingzhe, also known as "Qizhe", is the third solar term among the twenty-four solar terms.

The Waking of Insects reflects the germination and growth of natural organisms affected by rhythmic changes. When the Waking of Insects comes, the yang energy rises, the temperature warms up, the spring thunder strikes, the rain increases, and all things are full of vitality.

After entering February, the temperature in Beijing has risen rapidly, and spring thunder has gradually begun to stir.

"On the second day of the second lunar month, everything is shaken, and the earthquake is like thunder, so it is called the stinging insect. It is the stinging insect that is frightened and runs away."

In fact, insects cannot hear the sound of thunder. The return of spring to the earth and the warming of the weather are the reasons why they end hibernation and "run away in shock."

There are many differences from last year. Wei Guangde has changed out of his cotton-padded clothes now. At this time last year, he was still bundled up to participate in the joint examination and the palace examination.

"Boom boom."

Spring thunder exploded in the sky, and soon a steady drizzle fell, shrouding the heart of the Ming Empire.

The time has quietly entered April, and from time to time the thunder from the sky will startle Wei Guangde at first. It seems that there has been a lot of rain in the capital this year.

Of course, after the thunder, it is uncertain whether it will rain or not. Sometimes it will rain, and sometimes it will thunder for a long time but not rain. This is what the people say, "It's just thunder but no rain."

Wei Guangde is not surprised if he encounters this situation several times.

After entering the Hanlin Academy, Wei Guangde sat in the public room for a while, drank tea and then went to the Procuratorate to check the copied "Records of Xiaozong". The Hanlin Academy was fine. Although Wei Guangde had been promoted to editor, his work remained the same. From learning to assisting.

The book that has been transcribed now is the third volume. It has been revised several times. Wei Guangde flipped through it and found that the several places that needed to be revised have been corrected. It should be considered complete.

"Very good, you can continue with the next book. I will take this book back and look at it. If there are no mistakes, I will send it to Bachelor Wu."

Wei Guangde said a few words to the review, then left the review hall with the book, returned to his office, and read while drinking tea.

After a while, Wei Guangde finished reading the book. After all, he had read it several times before and revised it several times. He could already recite the contents of the book. Although he couldn't recite it backwards and forwards, he could actually do it. It's useless.

It looked right. Wei Guangde picked up the tea on the table and took a sip. Then he took the book and went out to Wu Qing's place.

"Scholar Wu."

After Wei Guangde announced, he entered the door and saluted Wu Qing respectfully.

"Guangde is here."

Wu Qing put down the book in his hand and saw that Wei Guangde was also holding a book in his hand. He naturally guessed what he meant, "Has the third volume been revised?"

"Yes, the students checked it and several errors have been corrected."

With that said, Wei Guangde sent the book in his hand to Wu Qing.

Wu Qing took it and opened it briefly, then nodded and said with a smile: "Okay, I'll take a closer look in the afternoon. If it's correct, I'll put it in the file. You have to urge the remaining books. Those people can't copy the books." It can be copied wrongly.”

“Students understand.”

Wei Guangde nodded immediately. There were several mistakes in the book last time, including skipped lines in the transcription. Fortunately, Wei Guangde had read the original manuscript before, but he was not impressed. He went to Wu Qing and checked again to confirm that he had indeed copied it wrong.

"What are you reading, maester?"

At this time, Wei Guangde saw the book he had just put down in front of Wu Qing, with a yellow cover.

Most of the books these days have clear or gray book covers. There are also books with other color covers, but they are relatively rare, and most of them are used for low-end novels.

When asked this question, Wei Guangde felt that he had made a mistake. In his understanding, Wu Qing was probably reading various novels circulating on the market to pass the time.

The Taoist classics that Wei Guangde had originally prepared for his life in the Hanlin Academy had been thrown aside by him, and the money was wasted. They were so hard to understand that people were dizzy.

"This is a book I borrowed from Wenyuan Pavilion. I will send it back soon."

Wu Qing replied casually.

Hearing that Wu Qing said it was a book collected in Wenyuan Pavilion, Wei Guangde suddenly became interested. He leaned over and took a look at the book cover. Four big characters in the upper left corner caught his eye.

""Yongle Dadian"?"

Seeing those four words, Wei Guangde read them out unconsciously.

"Yes, this is a book recording the 'History' collection in the "Grand Code". I'll borrow it and read it."

Wei Guangde had naturally heard of the book "Yongle Dadian", not in the past life, but in the present. Many scholars regret that they could not see this unique book.

"Yongle Dadian" is a collection of ancient Chinese classics compiled by Zhu Di, the founder of the Ming Dynasty, under the leadership of Jie Jin, Yao Guangxiao and others during the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty.

When the book was completed, it was originally titled "Dacheng Dacheng". Later, Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty personally wrote the preface and gave it the name "Yongle Dadian".

In the first year of Yongle, Zhu Di was full of ambitions after he ascended the throne. In order to demonstrate his civil and military skills, he determined to write a masterpiece to show the country's prestige and benefit all generations.

The purpose of compiling this book is to "collect all the books from hundreds of schools of thought on classics and history since the Qi Dynasty, and compile them into one book on astronomy, geographies, yin and yang, medical divination, monks' Taoism, and craftsmanship." This also determines that "Yongle Dadian" is An all-encompassing book, even books on yin and yang and monks and Taoism that were considered unpopular at the time were included in the catalog.

Initially, Zhu Di ordered Xie Jin to take charge of the compilation. A year later, the "Dacheng Document" was completed. However, Zhu Di was very dissatisfied after personally reading it and appointed Yao Guangxiao as the supervisor. At the same time, the compilation team expanded to 2196 people.

The whole book was finalized in the fifth year of Yongle. Zhu Di personally wrote the preface and named it "Yongle Dadian". It took another year to copy the whole book in the sixth year of Yongle.

Afterwards, Zhu Di chose to move the capital to Beiping and took the Yongle Encyclopedia with him. The original manuscript of the book continued to be stored in the Wenyuan Pavilion in the Forbidden City in Nanjing. Unfortunately, in the 14th year of Zhengtong, the Wenyuan Pavilion in Nanjing caught fire, and the manuscripts collected for compiling the Yongle Encyclopedia were burned.

Many of the books included in the Yongle Encyclopedia were not widely circulated, which is why Yao Guangxiao wanted to include them in the Encyclopedia. The original books were also kept in the Forbidden City for safekeeping, hoping to preserve these books. Unfortunately, the fire was merciless.

Because the Yongle Encyclopedia was too large, only one copy was copied, called the "Yongle Original", which is now stored in the Wenyuan Pavilion in the Forbidden City.

Although there are rumors in later generations that the Yongle Encyclopedia was actually copied in two copies, one of which was stored in the Wenyuan Pavilion and the other was buried in the Yongling Mausoleum, this is just a legend.

As for the Wenyuan Pavilion where the Yongle Encyclopedia is stored, it is actually the Royal Library. Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty, "first built a palace in Nanjing, and built the Wenyuan Pavilion to the east of Fengtian Gate, storing all the ancient and modern books." This is the beginning of the construction of the Wenyuan Pavilion.

Next to the Wenyuan Pavilion is a smaller attic, which is the East Pavilion, and is now the office space of the Ming Dynasty Cabinet.

"I have finished reading this book and am about to send it back today."

Then, Wu Qing said to Wei Guangde.

"I heard that there are tens of thousands of volumes of the Yongle Encyclopedia. I wonder if it is true or not?"

Wei Guangde noticed that there are numbers under the title, but the numbers of this book are only from 720 to 722 volumes, and he doesn't know which volume it is.

"I haven't asked how many volumes there are, but there are indeed a lot."

Wu Qing smiled and said that there are many rumors about the Yongle Encyclopedia in the outside world, and this book is publicly printed, so there are many hearsays.

"Wenyuan Pavilion is also the 'place where the emperor lectures'. The emperor sometimes reads books here or summons Hanlin Confucian officials to discuss classics and history. If I hadn't become a bachelor of imperial studies, I wouldn't have been able to enter Wenyuan Pavilion, let alone borrow books."

Wei Guangde understood Wu Qing's words. He was a low-ranking official and couldn't enter that place.

Showing off, naked showing off.

How could a bachelor of imperial studies who passed the nine-year exam say this in front of a newcomer who had been in office for a year?

Thinking so, Wei Guangde smiled warmly, "That's right."

"Lord Wu is busy with all kinds of affairs, and he also has to proofread the "Records of Emperor Xiaozong". Why don't you let the student do the job of returning the book?"

But Wei Guangde is not stupid. Wu Qing just said that he had finished reading the book and would return it today.

Didn't you say that I couldn't enter Wenyuan Pavilion?

Then I'll go in and show you. As long as you nod, I can go in under the name of returning the book, right?

Wei Guangde suddenly felt very satisfied with his quick wit, so damn smart.

"Oh? Guangde is willing to make this trip?"

Wu Qing was slightly surprised. In fact, he didn't mean to show off. He was just telling the truth. It was not that Hanlin Bachelor could not enter Wenyuan Pavilion, so naturally he could not borrow books.

It was just that his personality was like this. He said whatever he thought of, and Wei Guangde misunderstood his meaning. Otherwise, he would not have stayed in Hanlin Academy all the time and was promoted to Bachelor of Attendant Reading after passing the exam.

In fact, he was too lazy to run, and it was also very troublesome to enter the palace gate. Hearing that Wei Guangde was willing to take him on a trip, he naturally nodded and agreed.

Wei Guangde didn't react to Wu Qing's straightforward agreement for a while, until he took the sign given by Wu Qing and the "Yongle Encyclopedia" out of the duty room, he reacted. Wu Qing was such a person, and those words were probably unintentional. He thought too much.

Looking at the book in his hand, Wei Guangde also felt that it was not a loss for him to make this trip.

Since the palace examination, he seems to have never entered the palace gate again. I miss it so much.

Wei Guangde went back to his official room to pack up first, then he left the Hanlin Academy and headed straight for Chengtian Gate.

With Wu Qing's badge and the book in his hand, he entered the Forbidden City under the guidance of a young eunuch after a simple inspection.

After passing Duanmen and Wumen, the young eunuch took him through Zuoshunmen. On the left was Wenhua Hall, and on the right, close to the palace wall, was the East Pavilion. Perhaps it was the office time for the cabinet elders, and there were many pedestrians in and out of the East Pavilion.

Wei Guangde just took a look there, and continued to follow the young eunuch forward. Not far ahead was Wenyuan Pavilion.

But at this time, he suddenly heard someone calling his name.

"Guangde?"

Wei Guangde looked back and saw a eunuch walking out of the East Pavilion, followed by a young eunuch, holding a manuscript in his hand.

"Eunuch Chen."

Wei Guangde stopped and bowed slightly to him. The person coming was Chen Ju.

The eunuch who led the way immediately saluted when he saw Chen Ju, but Chen Ju waved his hand and ignored him, and asked curiously: "Why are you here?"

Editors like Wei Guangde should not come here unless summoned by the cabinet elders.

Now in the palace, the emperor is in the West Garden. If he wants to summon Wei Guangde, he will go there, but not here.

"I came to Wenyuan Pavilion to return the book."

Wei Guangde shook the yellow book in his hand and said.

"Did you borrow it?"

After hearing Wei Guangde's words, Chen Ju asked curiously.

"The book was borrowed by Wu Qing, the scholar. He is currently compiling the "Xiaozong Shilu". I helped him make this trip."

Wei Guangde could only explain this way, and naturally he would not say that he wanted to enter Wenyuan Pavilion, so he asked for the job.

"I said that you can only come here if you are summoned by the cabinet elders, but the cabinet elders are in the West Garden now, what are you doing here, hehe"

Chen Ju said with a smile, then turned around and told the young chamberlain behind him: "You send the book to Xiyuan first, and I will take him to Wenyuan Pavilion to return the book."

This was said to the little chamberlain behind him. The chamberlain quickly saluted and left with the book in his hands.

"Come on, let's go there."

The former little chamberlain quickly led the way. His words to Wei Guangde were not very friendly before. After all, he was a seventh-grade official.

Now leading the way, he heard the whispers of the two people behind him. He knew that this junior official seemed to have a good relationship with the imperial chamberlain in the palace and could not afford to offend him.

But it's too late, so I can only pay more attention later and ask for mercy when I have a chance to be alone with Wei Guangde.

The eunuchs and chamberlains in the palace were all very vengeful, and the little chamberlains naturally regarded the court officials as the same people as them.

Maybe the adults who work in the East Pavilion will look down upon them, but it's hard to say that for these petty officials.

The process of returning books is very simple, it just takes a little time. You need to find the registration of Wu Qing's borrowed books, cancel it and put a deposit on it.

After entering Wenyuan Pavilion, Wei Guangde would naturally not leave so easily.

"My father-in-law, can I go in and take a look at the collection of books?"

The eunuchs here knew before that he was from the Hanlin Academy. The Hanlin Academy was full of bookworms who liked reading. Seeing Chen Ju on the side, he agreed without hesitation.

Just go in and read the books, as long as you don't ask to borrow them.

The books in Wenyuan Pavilion were all for the emperor's use. The emperor originally held a Sutra banquet and listened to the bachelor's lectures. The books used came from here. The bachelors had to prepare to teach the emperor, so naturally they had to come here often to read and borrow books. Books gradually formed a tradition.

However, those who borrow books can naturally only be officials such as bachelors from the Hanlin Academy.

Wei Guangde entered the Wenyuan Pavilion, and Chen Ju followed him. The two were talking and laughing. Wei Guangde mainly wanted to see what the "Yongle Dadian" looked like. Later generations seemed to have never seen it. Maybe it was destroyed during the war.

Not long after the two entered Wenyuan Pavilion, there were several huge "rumblings" of thunder in the sky.

"There are so many thunderstorms in this capital this year."

Wei Guangde was used to it, but it was still a bit scary to come here so unexpectedly.

"The weather is getting hotter quickly this year, and it seems like it hasn't stopped since March."

The two of them walked around the pavilion. Wei Guangde pushed open the bookcase from time to time and took out two books to read.

"What book are you looking for? There is a catalog over there. It will be faster to look in the catalog and then find it."

Chen Ju said that he thought Wei Guangde was looking for a book.

"And a catalog?"

Although Wei Guangde had no idea of ​​​​looking for a book, he heard that there was a catalog and wanted to see if the all-inclusive "Yongle Dadian" was true to the rumors. "Then go and have a look."

Looking at the hundreds of bookcases neatly stacked in Wenyuan Pavilion, Wei Guangde knew that he couldn't read so many books. He could only read the catalogue, so his trip to Wenyuan Pavilion was not in vain.

“Go to bed early”

But at this moment, there was a faint sound of someone shouting in his ears.