Bringing the Railway to Daming

Chapter 201: Watch the Three Kingdoms for the Qing Dynasty wars, and watch the Dream of the Red Chamber for love stories? [Please subscribe]

Liu Kuan explained, "The main plot of the early Water Margin is that the Song Huizong was incompetent and unjust, and the common people, landlords, petty officials, and low-ranking military officers were forced by the dark world to gather together and fight against the government to uphold justice."

"The reason why His Majesty banned Water Margin in later generations is just a rumor, with no historical evidence to support it, is mainly because the Liangshan group, the protagonists of Water Margin, never raised the banner of rebellion, and ultimately accepted the amnesty offered by the Song Dynasty, even helping the Song Dynasty in its wars."

"After being recruited, they first helped the Song Dynasty suppress Fang La in the south of the Yangtze River, and then went to the north to help the Song Dynasty fight against the Liao Dynasty."

"From this point of view, it seems to be intended to guide the strong and unruly to serve the court. However, in the end, most of the Liangshan group did not have a good end after they surrendered to the Song Dynasty. From this perspective, it seems to be dissuading the strong and unruly not to surrender to the court."

At this point, Liu Kuan realized he had strayed from the topic. He paused and said, "Although I have always used the term 'strong and unruly' to describe the Liangshan gang, in reality, there are both true heroes among them, and quite a few are thugs who commit all sorts of evil deeds, such as rape, looting, and robbery."

"Robbery and murder for money are considered minor offenses. There are also people who run illegal shops and make human meat buns. There are also people who kill entire families and rape women."

"In the book, Song Jiang, Wu Yong and others resorted to extremes to force several officers and soldiers in the Song army to join their group, causing their families to be broken up and suffering injustice, forcing them to join the Liangshan bandits."

"All these things are against morality and conscience, which are difficult for later generations to accept. As a result, the evaluation of "Water Margin" in later generations has been greatly reduced."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said, "They gathered together to fight against the government, so it's understandable that they recruited brave men and talents."

"But if you only recruit based on ability and not moral character, not only will your reputation gradually be damaged, but you'll also allow bad apples and black sheep to corrupt the atmosphere."

"According to what you said, it was inevitable that the Liangshan group would be recruited into the army - because they behaved in the way they did, even if they rebelled, they would not be able to succeed."

Look, it’s Zhu Yuanzhang who sees things clearly.

When Zhu Yuanzhang broke away from Guo Zixing and formed his own faction, he was able to rise rapidly not only because of his fighting ability, but also because Zhu Yuanzhang enforced military discipline and ethos the most strictly and treated civilians relatively better.

In terms of pure fighting ability, Chen Youliang is no worse than Zhu Yuanzhang, and Zhang Shicheng also has many capable generals under his command.

After Zhu Yuanzhang had a general understanding of the content of "Water Margin", he lost much interest in it.

He then asked, "What are the names of the other three masterpieces? What are they about?"

Liu Kuan pointed at the delicacies on the imperial table and said, "How about after your Majesty finishes eating, I will continue the discussion."

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Okay, but first you have to teach me how to replay only the video of Journey to the West."

Liu Kuan did not correct the mistake in Lao Zhu's words, but carefully taught him how to drag the video progress bar.

After Old Zhu learned it, Liu Kuan went back to continue eating.

Then, an interesting scene appeared - Lao Zhu was eating while watching the Black Myth: Wukong video repeatedly and listening to the suona music. He was so happy.

Zhu Biao, Zhu Di and other sons and grandsons of Zhu Yuanzhang were so envious that their eyes turned red.

Speaking of which, before Liu Kuan traveled through time, the topic of "Black Myth: Wukong" was very hot, and he had several related videos on his computer.

A few days ago, he wanted to choose the "Nirvana Mantra" for Old Zhu to listen to, but then he thought that the "Nirvana Mantra" is used by Buddhists for salvation after all. Even if it is the "Nirvana Mantra" that has been changed by later generations, it would be too much to offer it to Old Zhu during the Mid-Autumn Festival when his family reunites.

Not to mention, he is now considered half of Lao Zhu's family. What if he is cursed to the underworld to reunite with Lao Zhu's family?

So I chose "Suona Yin".

It took about half an hour for Lao Zhu to finish eating.

Empress Ma asked the palace maids to clean up the Dashan Hall, while Old Zhu went straight to find Liu Kuan with a tablet.

"Huilan, take this tablet and show the song video to your brothers and sisters—look how greedy they are, their eyes are red."

Old Zhu smiled and handed the tablet to Zhu Huilan.

When Zhu Huilan brought the tablet over, the women and children of the Zhu family cheered and began to sit in rows to watch the video.

Zhu Biao, Zhu Di and others looked embarrassed.

It was obvious that Old Zhu wanted to talk to Liu Kuan about future events. Wouldn't it be a pity if they missed it because of watching the song video?
The video is on the tablet and I'll have a chance to watch it later.

However, there are not many opportunities to hear Liu Kuan talk about later events, and if you miss it, you may not be able to hear it again.

Thinking of this, Zhu Biao, Zhu Di, and Zhu Su were the first to come over to Old Zhu and Liu Kuan. Seeing this, the other princes Zhu Chong, Zhu Xing, Zhu Zhen and others reluctantly looked away from the tablet and came over.

In the end, eleven princes over the age of ten and Zhu Xiongying all became Liu Kuan's audience.

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at his sons and said with a smile, "Liu Kuan, tell me about the other three famous books."

"Yes." Liu Kuan responded with a cupped hand, recalling, "The second most famous novel born in the Ming Dynasty should be The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, written by Luo Guanzhong..."

"Luo Guanzhong?" Zhu Yuanzhang interrupted Liu Kuan.

Liu Kuan was surprised, "Your Majesty knows this person?"

Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes and said, "Of course I know. This man is also a counselor under Zhang Shicheng. He once offered advice to defeat one of our generals."

Liu Kuan only remembered that Luo Guanzhong had also been an adviser to Zhang Shicheng, and he really didn't know that he had registered with Zhu Yuanzhang.

After a brief silence, he decided to continue: "Luo Guanzhong was a student of Shi Naian in literature. As for whether the book "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" has been written yet, I don't know."

"The Romance of the Three Kingdoms is set in the late Eastern Han Dynasty and tells the historical story of the three kingdoms of Cao Wei, Shu Han, and Sun Wu, from their founding to their eventual return to the Jin Dynasty." "Although this book is a historical novel, the political intrigues, military affairs, and decisive battles between generals involved in it have endeared it to later generations."

"It is said that the Qing generals loved to read Romance of the Three Kingdoms, even studying the military strategies in the book, and they admired Guan Yu very much."

For example, although Zhu Su, Zhu Zhen, and Zhu Gui were listening to Liu Kuan talk about later events for the first time, they had already learned some things from Zhu Biao, Zhu Di, and Zhu Ying, and knew that the Qing Dynasty was the dynasty that replaced the Ming Dynasty in later generations.

Therefore, after hearing Liu Kuan's words, these princes all had complicated expressions.

They never imagined that someone would use historical novels as military books to study.

What was most difficult for them to accept was that the Ming Dynasty was replaced by the Qing Dynasty.

It's such a shame.

Zhu Yu was a bit outspoken and couldn't help but say, "Brother, the Qing Dynasty used the tactics from the novels to fight wars and was able to replace the Ming Dynasty. Aren't your descendants really useless?"

Zhu Biao didn't know what to say for a moment.

Zhu Di blushed at the side, but fortunately he had dark skin now, so his brothers didn't notice it for a while.

Zhu Yuanzhang glared at Zhu Yu and said, "How can you talk to your elder brother like that? You have no respect for your elder brother!"

Although Zhu Gui was naughty, he was afraid of Old Zhu. He curled his lips and dared not say more.

Seeing this, Liu Kuan continued, "The third book is Wu Chengen's Journey to the West. It's a truly wonderful book, but unfortunately it was completed during the Jiajing reign, more than a hundred years ago."

"Although this book is based on the story of Tang Sanzang's journey to India to seek Buddhist scriptures, the real protagonist is a monkey."

"This monkey was transformed from a magical stone, born and raised by nature, and naturally intelligent. Later, seeking the truth from the gods, he entered the Three Stars Cave of the Slanting Moon, where he was taught by his master, Bodhi Patriarch, and was given the name Sun Wukong."

"After Sun Wukong acquired immortal abilities, he returned to his hometown, the Flower-Fruit Mountain in Aolai Kingdom, and became known as the Great Sage Equaling Heaven. Together with his six demon brothers, he fought against the Heavenly Court."

"He then accepted the amnesty from the Heavenly Court and became the Horse Keeper. Feeling that the Jade Emperor's appointment was unfair, Sun Wukong caused chaos in the Heavenly Palace, and was eventually suppressed by the Buddha under the Five Finger Mountain for five hundred years."

"Later, under the arrangement of Buddhism, he, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing, two other characters with similar stories, protected Tang Sanzang on his journey to the West to obtain Buddhist scriptures."

"The four masters and disciples went through eighty-one trials and tribulations, finally obtaining the true scriptures and returning to the Tang Dynasty, and attaining the Buddhahood."

After listening to Liu Kuan's story, Zhu Yuanzhang was the first to speak: "This Journey to the West sounds quite interesting."

Zhu Biao continued, "This story is related to Buddhism, and the Queen Mother will probably like it."

At this time, Zhu Tan said, "Teacher, can you elaborate on this story? It sounds very interesting."

Liu Kuan was speechless. "Your Highness, Prince Lu, Journey to the West has nearly a million words. I can't remember it all. Even if I did, how long would it take to recite it all?"

Zhu Tan's disappointment was beyond words.

Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Alright, Liu Kuan, continue talking about the novel that was created during the Qing Dynasty. We'll see if we can get Ming Dynasty scholars to write it later."

Liu Kuan stared when he heard this.

I thought to myself, who are you, Old Zhu? Why do you want to steal other people’s famous Qing Dynasty works?
But think about it, there will definitely be no Qing Dynasty in this time and space, and Dream of the Red Chamber will probably not exist anymore, which is a bit of a pity. If Lao Zhu can get someone to create a similar work, that would be fine.

But the difficulty of writing "Dream of Red Mansions" should be the first among the four great classics, right?
The most important thing is that he couldn't get into Dream of the Red Chamber no matter how many times he read it. This was the case with both the novel and the film and television version. Therefore, he only understood the general content and could not provide much guidance to the literati of the Ming Dynasty.

"Why don't you tell me?" Old Zhu urged Liu Kuan when he saw him in a daze.

Liu Kuan said: "This novel is called "Dream of the Red Chamber", and the author is Cao Xueqin - his ancestors were from the Qing Dynasty bondservants..."

"A bondservant?" Zhu Yuanzhang was puzzled.

Liu Kuan said uncertainly, "Baoyi is a transliteration of the Jurchen language, and Baoyi slaves means household slaves."

Old Zhu nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

Although Liu Kuan asked himself if he could talk about the Manchu slaves for hours, he had no intention of talking about it now - it was too off topic.

He continued, "Cao Xueqin's ancestors helped the Qing Dynasty manage the Jiangning Weaving House and were extremely wealthy, but by the time of his father and grandfather, the family had fallen on hard times. He was even more destitute in the latter half of his life."

"So, on the surface, 'Dream of the Red Chamber' tells the story of the rise and fall of the four major families of Jia, Shi, Xue, and Wang, set in a similar context to the late Ming Dynasty, as well as the love stories of the younger generation of the Jia family."

"But in fact, it is about the love stories of the younger generation during the decline of a group of powerful families in the early Qing Dynasty, such as the Cao family."

"In terms of literary attainments, this Dream of the Red Chamber can be regarded as the first of the Four Great Classics. However, I do not like to read it, so I don't know much about its content."

Old Zhu shook his head at first, then said with a hint of pride: "It's ok that the Qing Dynasty only produced one famous novel, and it was about love. Their culture and governance are indeed far inferior to our Ming Dynasty."

After hearing this, Liu Kuan hesitated to speak.

Lao Zhu said, "Isn't what we said right?"

　Second update.

　　Good night~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)