Text/Feng Xuanyi
During the Northern Song Dynasty, Wang Anshi presided over the change of law, and during the Yuanfeng period, Fu Bi and Wang Anshi were at odds and were called resignation officials. After Emperor Shenzong approved, he returned to his hometown of Luoyang to relax. In the fifth year of Yuanfeng (1082), Fu Bi and his good friend Wen Yanbo discussed that the two planned to organize some "old leaders" in Luoyang and hold a party. The main purpose of the party is to drink and chat, connect feelings, and further enrich the "retirement life".
So, the two went their separate ways and invited a total of 13 people to the party. Of the 13, the oldest was Fu Bi at 79, followed by his old friend Wen Yanbo at 77. The youngest was Sima Guang, who was still in an official position at that time, and his position was Duanmingdian Bachelor and Hanlin Attendant Bachelor, which was an idle post with no specific affairs. He was in Luoyang at the time compiling the Zizhi Tongjian. These people are all conservative factions who oppose Wang Anshi's change of law, they have the same political views, they have similar interests, they can write poetry, and they have common topics when they talk about the heavens. They imitated Bai Juyi's "Xiangshan Nine Elders Society" in the Tang Dynasty and named it "Luoyang Qi Ying Hui".
Logically, a group of elderly people drinking and partying, there is nothing unusual. However, Chinese literati are very romantic and elegant. They all want to give the party a unique meaning, and on such occasions, it is best to exert the talents of the literati. For example, the "Xiangshan Nine Elders Society" in the Era of Bai Juyi, and the "Lanting Gathering" that is farther away. The "Lanting Gathering" produced the "Orchid Pavilion Collection", and the "Xiangshan Nine Elders Society" left the "Xiangshan Nine Elders Map". Similarly, the "Luoyang Qi Ying Hui" left two things for posterity, one is the "Preface to the Luoyang Qi Ying Hui Hui" written by Sima Guang, and the other is the "Covenant". The Preface to the Luoyang Elderly Society is a beautiful calligraphy work and a treasure in calligraphy. The "Convention" is a specific provision for gatherings, a total of eight articles, the full text of which is as follows:
1. The orderless teeth are not ordered;
2. For the simplicity of the work;
Third, the day and night food can not eat five flavors, vegetables and fruits preserved and so on, a total of no more than twenty utensils;
Fourth, the wine patrol is not calculated, the depth is self-conscious, the host does not persuade, and the guest does not resign;
Fifth, when there is no wine on the patrol, it is forbidden to make vegetable soup;
6. Summoning guests to share a jane, whether the guest note can be under the word, do not make a jane;
7. Go early on the day of the meeting, and do not wait for the rush;
8. Those who violate the law on the right shall be fined a giant for each matter.
Although the "Covenant" is a literary language, the meaning is simple and clear, and the words translated article by article are roughly:
1. When gathering, they are ranked according to age and young, not by position;
Second, the party meal does not talk about pomp and circumstance, concise and pure;
3. When eating together, the main dish shall not exceed 5 kinds, and the total number of preserved fruits and meat sauce accompanied by wine shall not exceed 20 plates;
Fourth, drinking alcohol is self-deprecating, drinking more and drinking less is all according to will, the host does not advise the wine, and the guests do not need to be forced;
Fifth, if the wine is not finished, the dishes on the table have been swept away, and some vegetable soups can be added;
Sixth, in order to save paper, only use a notice, the host sent people to pass from house to house, whether guests can attend, endorsement can be;
7. On the day of the dinner, guests should attend on time, and do not wait for the urge;
8. Violation of one of the above provisions is a fine of one large cup of wine.
Judging from the content of this "Convention", although they are all former high-ranking officials and pillars of the country, they are more pragmatic, and these eight agreements are also very operable, which can reduce extravagance and waste, but also put an end to the competition for luxury, so that the owner of the house has no pressure and burden, and the guests have no contempt and contempt, to ensure that the party can travel freely. This is an important reason to ensure that the party can be held continuously.
I'm not sure how many parties there were, but I think one round must have been over, and that's 13. For a group of "old leaders" who are idle at home, this is a rare thing.
There was another important reason why this gathering was widely spread in the society at that time. That is, Wang Anshi's reform failed, and in 1085 (the eighth year of Yuan Feng), Sima Guang was reinstated and held important positions as prime ministers, and many conservative ministers were successively activated. What a great honor for the conservatives. Therefore, the "Elderly Ying Association" took advantage of this political east wind to spread the word of beauty among the scholars and doctors at that time, and praised it endlessly.