In the end, we repaired the courtyard walls and added some necessary decorations in the courtyard and rooms. We'll wrap up work at six o'clock sharp.
There wasn't much work today, and he wasn't too tired. I asked my parents to cook a few simple dishes and invited Old Sun to drink with us. Old Sun didn't want to come at first, but since we finished cleaning up, he had been looking around the house as if he couldn't get enough of it. In the end, he was still invited to eat with us. After a few glasses of wine, Geezer Sun was happy at first, but then he was so excited that he shed tears and thanked us profusely. It was so real that I recorded it too.
I was afraid that he would drink too much later, so I quickly took out the ancient book and the letter.
I said that I found it when I was cleaning up your house. I didn't know if it was useful, so I kept it. I took a quick look and found that it was all in classical Chinese and traditional Chinese characters. I couldn't understand it with my level. I want Master Sun to tell us the story here and broaden our horizons.
Old Man Sun took the ancient book and looked at it. He said," I know this book. It was left behind by my grandfather. As for whether it was my grandfather's, I don't know either. A few years ago, I looked for some people, but no one could say anything. In the end, I put it in a paper box and gradually forgot about it. I thought I had lost it long ago. I didn't expect this book to be found again. Since you like it, I'll give it to you."
I quickly declined, saying that this book and this letter were not like ordinary things. They might be very precious. If possible, I could borrow them for two days, but if this book was too precious, I definitely could not take it.
Old Man Sun said," What precious? Do you think I have any use for such a book and letter? If they are precious, I should give them to you. Otherwise, they will be lost to me. Don't be polite."
After delaying it for a while, I finally said that I would study it first. If it was really good, I would give it to Old Sun at a discount. Old Sun reluctantly agreed.
I repeatedly advised him not to drink too much today and to rest early. However, Geezer Sun was too excited and drank too much. In the end, Liu Xin and I sent him home. We helped him to the brick bed, took off his coat, covered him with a thin blanket, and then we left.
When everything was done, it was already past nine o'clock. We're still a little tired. They agreed to do the video editing work the next day.
At night, before he went to sleep. I checked who Zeng Jize was. It doesn't matter. Among the famous people in history, Zeng Guofan had a son named Zeng Jize. I really don't know if the Zeng Jize in this letter is Zeng Guofan's son.
I took this book, letter, and clothes and lay down. Then, I went to the space-time concept with this question. As expected, I brought the letter and the book to the Yuan Universe. And the real letter and book were still in the real world. It was amazing.
This time, my goal was very clear. I wanted to visit Zeng Guofan, whom I had admired for a long time. I checked and found that Zeng Guofan was indeed here. Thinking of this, I directly used my consciousness to teleport to the front door of the Zeng residence.
The Zeng Residence was very conventional. It was a traditional Chinese courtyard with a wide and bright door. There was a pair of stone lions in front of the door.
I knocked on the door knocker and a doorman opened the door. He looked at me and smiled." You must be the new Emissary Yuan. Welcome to the Zeng residence. What's the matter?"
I told him directly that I've heard a lot about Mr. Zeng. I'd like to visit Mr. Zeng. I wonder if Mr. Zeng is at home and if it's convenient for you.
The doorman contacted Zeng Guofan with his consciousness and said that Mr. Zeng was not at home, but he heard that the messenger was visiting. He was very willing to receive him, but he needed to wait for a while.
When I heard that Zeng Guofan could meet me, I couldn't care less about waiting for a while, so I quickly agreed.
Seeing that I agreed, the doorman led me into the Zeng residence. We passed through two courtyards and arrived at the study room of the Zeng residence. The Zeng residence gave off a simple and elegant feeling. It was neat and quiet, but not luxurious at all.
The study was even simpler. There was a desk, an armchair, a bookcase, and two guest chairs. Unsurprisingly, Zeng Guofan's motto was hung on the wall. Things come and go, the future does not welcome, the time is not mixed, and the past does not love. Other than that, there were no other decorations.
I only waited for less than five minutes. Hearing the footsteps outside the door, I quickly got up. As expected, it was Zeng Guofan.
I know a little about Chinese etiquette. I stepped forward and cupped my fists. I've long heard of your name. It's my honor to meet you today. Then, I bowed and fell to the ground.
Zeng Guofan quickly extended his hand and said,"Emissary Yuan, there is no need to be so formal. You must have something to discuss with me today. Please sit down."
After both parties sat down and exchanged a few pleasantries, I said,"Thank you very much for meeting me, Senior Zeng. I've always admired Senior Zeng. Today, I've come here because I have a letter and a book for you to read. Second, if I have the opportunity to chat with you and receive your guidance, I would be honored."
There's no need to be so polite. I'm also very willing to communicate with the envoy.
I took out the book and the letter and presented them to Zeng Guofan. Of course, the real book and letter are still at my house.
Zeng Guofan took the book and letter and looked at them carefully. After reading for a while, he said to me,"Yes, this book belongs to the Zeng family. That letter is indeed written by his second son to an old friend."
I asked curiously, Sir, could you tell me the meaning of this book and this letter and the story behind them?
Zeng Guofan said with a smile. There was no backstory at all. This book was translated by a good friend of mine from some Western classics for me to read. It was an entry point for me to come into contact with Western civilization and also one of the theoretical foundations for my insistence on the Westernization Movement. Later, this book was passed down to my son. He should be a good friend of my second son. He wanted to borrow the book when he heard about it. My second son wrote back to him and lent the book to him. Perhaps it was because of the war that they never returned it to the Zeng family.
I thought there was some secret, but it turned out that this story was too common. However, being able to see Zeng Guofan here is already my biggest harvest. I am not disappointed at all.
I said humbly. It seemed that I had to return this book to its rightful owner. However, what should I do with this book in the real world?
Zeng Guofan also smiled and said,"There's no need. Times have changed. It's enough for you to treasure it well."
He made sense, so I didn't decline. I continued. There are still a few things I'm not clear about Senior Zeng.
Zeng Guofan motioned for me to continue.
I said, whenever I think of Senior Zeng disbanding the Xiang Army after he destroyed the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, I feel sorry for you and the Chinese people. If you could replace the Qing Dynasty at that time, with your civil administration and martial arts, the way of employing people, and now it seems to be the most advanced philosophy of doing things, the Chinese people would have been able to avoid the bullying of the Western powers and revive sooner. Why didn't you think of doing this at that time?
Zeng Guofan shook his head and said," Everyone has their own beliefs. Since I have read the books of Confucius and Mencius, I will certainly reach the etiquette of the Duke of Zhou." The Qing court has treated me well. I can't imitate Dong Zhuo and An Lushan. Besides, I'm loyal to the king. How can I violate it first?
Your approach is indeed loyal to the monarch, but the corruption and decay of the Qing Dynasty did not happen overnight. For the sake of the Chinese nation, why can't you be bolder?
Zeng Guofan still shook his head, unwilling to discuss further.
I also tactfully stopped talking about this topic. I changed the subject and said that I had heard an interesting story about you. It was said that you recited an ancient text at night, but you couldn't recite it for a long time. The thief happened to be lying on the beam. He couldn't stand it anymore. He came down and recited it directly before leaving. Was this true?
Zeng Guofan smiled like a child. In the end, I am indeed not particularly smart. Even my disciple Li Hongzhang said that I was a little slow, but this story is definitely not true. How can there be such a boring thief?
Your reaction is slow? I said in surprise, you are the half perfect person among the two half perfect people in Chinese history? Moreover, your famous sayings are very popular in modern society.
Everyone has their own characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses, and I'm no exception. There were two standards for good grades. One was that some people were especially smart. They could learn it immediately and had a photographic memory. They would also get good grades. The second type was that some people had slow reflexes, but they worked very hard. As long as they learned it, they would let the knowledge take root in their minds and truly become one with the knowledge.
You must be the second type.
Zeng Guofan smiled but did not say anything.
I will continue to say that your image in my heart has always been great, but I also have a question and regret. Why did you choose to compromise in the Tianjin case?
I will briefly talk about the Tianjin case here. The Tianjin case was a case that shocked China and foreign countries in the ninth year of Tongzhi. The people of Tianjin attacked the institutions of the Roman Church to oppose the wanton preaching and child trafficking activities under the protection of the French armed forces, resulting in dozens of people being killed. After the incident, France, Britain, the United States, Russia, Pu, Bi, and the West jointly protested to the Qing government and mobilized warships to Dagukou to threaten it. The Qing government sent Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang to deal with this matter. Zeng and Li compromised with the outside world after seeking the opinions of the Qing court. They suppressed the inside world and executed many people. They also dismissed Zhang Guangzao, the magistrate of Tianjin, and Liu Jie, the magistrate of Tianjin, and sent Chonghou to France to "apologize" and compensate more than 500,000 taels of silver to various countries.
Zeng Guofan looked out of the window thoughtfully and said meaningfully," You may be saying that weak countries have no diplomacy." I made this decision after careful consideration. I chose to tolerate for a moment in the hope of buying more time for the Imperial Court to work hard. This kind of strategy of retreating in order to advance is not rare, but I did not expect…sigh!
Obviously, this was also Zeng Guofan's eternal sore spot. I didn't continue this topic but brought up another matter. I said,"When I mention you, I have to mention the Taiping Rebellion. I know that your evaluation of the Taiping Rebellion is to poison the living. If you mention the thousands of years of etiquette, righteousness, human relations, poetry, and books in China, once it is swept away, I, Confucius, and Mencius, will cry bitterly in the underworld." However, modern people believed that the Taiping Country also had a certain positive meaning, especially the land system of the Celestial Dynasty, which had the idea of equality for all. How do you evaluate the views of modern people?
You are using the modern point of view to evaluate ancient things. I can't judge whether it's right or wrong. However, I still believe that there is no meaning in the Taiping Country making any progress. Regime, theocracy, and personal desires are intertwined, and history is regressing. Even in modern times, Confucianism has its own meaning of progress. I'm not against reform, but it should be for the better. Taiping Country definitely couldn't represent the power of progress.
Finally, I asked,"Your philosophy and letters to your family have become the most popular theories. If you look at it from a modern perspective, what other aspects will you give advice or enlightenment to modern people?"
Everyone's situation was different. Education emphasized on teaching students according to their aptitude. The philosophy of life also varied from person to person. Any philosophy of doing things was not universal. One should not pursue these things too much. However, modern people in the information age really needed to think more about their outlook on life. They should not let too much information replace their own thinking. In addition, within the scope of morality and the law, he might as well be bolder. Especially for young people, those cautious life philosophy were not applicable. In life, one should first have an open-minded and bright knowledge, and then have the interest of being indifferent and harmonious...
Actually, I also wanted to ask about the shaved head. To be honest, it might be even harder to answer from the modern point of view. But I didn't mention it because I still respected Zeng Guofan very much in my heart and didn't want to raise more objections in front of him. As for the most famous Zeng Guofan's letter to his family, I didn't ask much. The Internet has already introduced it very thoroughly, so I don't want to go into detail. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, I got up and said goodbye. Zeng Guofan expressed that he would welcome me to visit again at any time. I was extremely grateful.
Then, he would return to the real world.
The next day, Liu Xin and I started editing the video at eight in the morning. Because she was not familiar with the software, she only finished editing at noon. In the end, it was edited into a short three-minute video. Because this material was not bad. The comparison before and after, even we ourselves were a little shocked.
After that, we sent it to XX, hoping for a good result. He only came over for the review at six o'clock in the evening. After that, the two of us kept staring at the click rate. To our disappointment, it was not until 8pm. The number of viewers did not exceed 800. This kind of click rate was almost no income. Liu Xin also went home to sleep in disappointment.
Early the next morning. I was woken up by Liu Xin's phone call. Liu Xin said excitedly. The click rate had already exceeded 10,000 and was still growing rapidly.
I quickly turned on my computer to check. As expected, the number of viewers was increasing rapidly, and the comments were all very positive.
Liu Xin also came to my house to check on our results. Around five in the afternoon. The number of viewers had already exceeded 30,000. According to the number of viewers, we have nearly 200 yuan in revenue.
Liu Xin was very excited and said that he did not expect such an effect. After that, we started recruiting. We told everyone about this in the WeChat group. There are more than 10 villagers who really want to join us. In the end, we selected a bricklayer and a former renovation worker. The salary was set at 200 yuan per day, and the bonus at the end of the month was based on the results.
In the next month, we repaired 10 farmers, two streets, and a 200-meter-long river. The number of viewers of the Short videos ranged from tens of thousands to 200,000 to 300,000. We also joined XX's advertising promotion plan. Excluding the expenses, we earned a net profit of more than 8000 yuan. Our studio has also become a small internet celebrity, but it's still not very popular.
The effect wasn't particularly good, so I took some time to go to the meta-universe and find Zi Gong. I reported my situation to Zi Gong. In the end, I said, forgive me for being blunt, but the idea of this video isn't very new. Many people are also doing it, so it's unlikely to have any big development. Do you have any new suggestions?
Zi Gong said with a smile," I know that. This is just the first step of my plan. I will let you gain some fame and familiarize you with the work process. You have to be patient. I will tell you the second step in two days." Actually, the third step is the key. However, you won't be able to carry out the third step of my plan for the time being because you'll soon have other development directions.
What other development direction? I just want to cooperate with you.
You know the rules here. I can't tell you yet.
Then can we continue with the third step you mentioned?
The plan will still be carried out, but the two of us will not be the ones carrying out the plan.
I wanted to continue asking, but Zi Gong obviously wanted to change the topic. After exchanging a few pleasantries, I helplessly returned to the real world.
Two days later, Liu Xin and I were making a Short videos at home when my phone suddenly received an unfamiliar number. Ever since my studio had gained some fame, these kinds of calls had gradually increased. I didn't mind and directly pressed the answer button. A sweet female voice came from the other end of the phone. Are you Li Yuan? I'm the host of our city's television station's Village World. My name is Wang Xinya.
Hello, what's the matter? I asked suspiciously.
Yesterday, my colleague saw the Short videos you made on the Internet and recommended it to me today. I think it's very innovative and meets the requirements of the country's policy on the construction of a new countryside. It also fits well with the program I'm hosting. I want to work with you. Can we meet and talk about it in detail?
When I heard this, I immediately felt that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I immediately replied, Of course. Where are you? I can put down my work and go find you now.
That's great. I'm in Room 507 of our city's television station. We can meet and talk.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, we hung up.
I told Liu Xin everything that I said on the phone. Liu Xin also felt that this was a great opportunity to increase the popularity of our Short videos. The two of us immediately took action. We tidied ourselves up and then left the village to take a taxi to the city television station.
The security guard of the TV station checked the information and allowed us to enter the TV station building. The television station's efficiency had obviously declined over the years. The renovation was still more than ten years old. Although it still looked dignified and generous, it was obviously a little old. We entered the elevator to the fifth floor and found Room 507 according to the house number.
I knocked on the door and a dignified beauty immediately came out to welcome me. I rarely watch local TV programs, but I still have some impression of this Wang Xinya. She should be a fresh graduate of university. She looks dignified and beautiful, and her voice is especially sweet.
Today, he saw her in person. She was more lively than on TV. She was dressed professionally and looked very capable. She also had a good figure.
After she let us into her office, she poured us two cups of tea and then began to discuss the cooperation with us. Originally, I was the main author, but ever since Liu Xin met Wang Xinya, Liu Xin stole my limelight and eagerly talked to Wang Xinya about various collaboration matters.
Wang Xinya generously explained the original intention of inviting us here. According to her, the television stations had been hit hard by online videos. Compared to online videos, the television stations 'program lists were old-fashioned, so the viewership ratings were almost terrible. In recent years, the television station had also made some corresponding adjustments to adapt to the current situation.
The leaders of her station had also repeatedly stressed that each program team had to increase the novelty and new requirements for the program to suit the audience's tastes within the scope of the policy. She watched our Short videos and found it to be in line with the country's requirements for the construction of a new rural area. Not only can it beautify the original dirty and messy environment in the countryside, but it's also very down-to-earth and meets the tastes of the audience, especially the rural audience. That's why she wanted to work with us and release some Short videos of us on television.
This is also a win-win situation. Firstly, it can help the television station increase the viewership ratings. Secondly, it can also help us promote our Short videos so that more viewers will recognize and click on them. At the same time, it would also allow some healthy Short videos to better occupy the market.
Before I could say anything, Liu Xin immediately agreed and praised Wang Xinya for her advanced thinking. No matter how stupid I am, I know that this kid is interested in her. However, this idea was indeed very good. Although our Short videos was slightly famous, it was obviously not very well-known. If we could have a television station's program to promote it, it would be equivalent to giving me free advertising. Therefore, I fully agree and will fully cooperate.
After that, we began to study the process of the TV show. I handed our Short videos and behind-the-scenes footage to Wang Xinya. She also requested to go to the village to do some interviews and asked us to help contact her. We readily agreed.
For the next two days, Liu Xin and I fully cooperated with Wang Xinya and the TV station staff to record the video. Especially Liu Xin, who was always by Wang Xinya's side, either intentionally or unintentionally, serving tea and water. He was always busy, and he always liked to put on a decisive and capable image. In front of Wang Xinya, he always liked to treat me as his little brother. When she left, he would suck up to me. I knew it well. Although I was unwilling, I tried my best to cooperate with him. I admire him for being so familiar with him.
Two days after meeting Wang Xinya, Liu Xin found out that Wang Xinya didn't have a boyfriend yet. He was so happy that he didn't sleep all night. He called me at three in the morning to say that he fell in love with Wang Xinya at first sight and asked for my opinion. I'm so sleepy, what else can I say? After scolding him for being a lunatic, she went back to sleep.
It wasn't until the next morning that I realized this kid's intention. He was afraid that I would also like Wang Xinya, so he gave me a heads-up at three in the morning.
Actually, Wang Xinya was indeed good-looking, but I only had a good impression of her in the general sense. I didn't want to pursue her. Since Liu Xin had already made it clear to me that he wanted to pursue her, I might as well do him a favor.
However, this kid's performance these past two days was obviously more important than his friends. He liked to pretend in front of Wang Xinya. When he spoke to me, it was like a leader lecturing me. He ordered me around. For the sake of his face, I could only hold back my anger and not flare up. Looks like I have to teach him a lesson when I have the chance.
In the following week, Liu Xin and Wang Xinya's relationship developed at a rapid pace. This kid's nature of valuing sex over friends was getting more and more obvious. Other than continuing to take Short videos with me, he didn't even call me at all. He was so lovey-dovey with Wang Xinya every day. Sometimes, Wang Xinya would also make Short videos with us and look for program materials. When the two of them were together, Wang Xinya was fine, but this Liu Xin was simply a reincarnated pug. He used all kinds of fancy ways to curry favor and showed off his affection without any conscience. I have no place to put my tired hands and feet. From time to time, I reminded Liu Xin that there was an old saying that showing off love would die quickly. You'd better restrain yourself. Liu Xin did not think much of it, saying that he was just saying that grapes were sour.
One morning after another week, Liu Xin came to my house with a sad face. Before I could ask, Liu Xin asked me directly if I could lend him 200,000 yuan. I asked him what was going on. At first, this kid was too embarrassed to say it, but after I pressed him, he stammered and said it.
It turned out that Wang Xinya had a younger brother named Wang Xinqiang. He was still in university and wanted to get the latest iPhone last year. His parents thought that he had just gotten a new phone and didn't need to follow the trend, so they didn't give him money. Who knew that Wang Xinqiang actually found a small loan on campus and borrowed 10,000 yuan with his ID card. At that time, the agreement was to borrow for a month and repay 12,000 yuan. Unexpectedly, after a month, he took the 12,000 yuan he borrowed from his classmate and contacted the loan company, but he could not contact them no matter what. He didn't contact them until the next day, but the loan company said that the expected repayment was a breach of contract, so he had to pay 20,000 yuan in two days. Of course, Wang Xinqiang wouldn't do it. However, the people in the loan company were all scheming. He couldn't afford to offend them as a student. He had no choice but to sign a new loan contract under the coercion of these people.
From then on, Wang Xinqiang fell into the trap of a routine loan. Later, Wang Xinya's parents also found out about this, but it was useless. In a year, the Wang family scraped together a total of nearly 500,000 yuan. Not only did they not pay it off, but they also owed the loan company 400,000 yuan. The loan company threatened the Wang family that if they did not repay the loan within a week, they would go to court. I asked Liu Xin,"Why don't you call the police or hire a lawyer to file a lawsuit?"
Liu Xin said that the Wang family had also consulted the public security and related lawyers. Such companies had specialized legal advisors who specialized in exploiting various legal loopholes. The loan company had various loan contracts signed by the Wang family and related bank accounts, but the Wang family had no evidence of repayment. Therefore, although the country severely cracked down on conventional loans, there was no way to punish such unscrupulous companies. In the end, Liu Xin said that the Wang family had accepted their fate and gathered another 100,000 yuan, but they were still short of 300,000 yuan. Liu Xin had 100,000 yuan in his hands. Liu Xin didn't want to tell his parents that he had just gotten a girlfriend and wanted to borrow money from them, so he first came to me and asked me to lend him 200,000 yuan to solve his urgent needs.
I asked Liu Xin again, how can we let the Wang family win the lawsuit and let this kind of unscrupulous loan company receive the punishment they deserve?
Liu Xin smiled bitterly and said that it was basically impossible unless he could get evidence of the Wang family's repayment and the ins and outs of the various contracts signed.
I pretended to be mysterious and said that I had a classmate who was a police officer in the provincial public security department. He was especially powerful and had all kinds of resources. I could help you ask him how to deal with such a matter. We couldn't just suffer silently like this.
Liu Xin seemed to have seen his savior. He quickly said,"Why didn't you tell me earlier that you had such resources? If you succeed in this matter, you will be my great benefactor. I will do whatever you ask me to do in the future."
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]