Xu Xiake, the best donkey friend of the Ming Dynasty, where did he get the money to travel everywhere?

In fact, when we read martial arts novels, we once had such a question: those chivalrous men don't do farm work or trade all day, but they often throw a handful of money on the table in inns or restaurants and then turn around and leave. How did they get so much money? Of course, we all know that martial arts novels are novels, which are fake and cannot be taken seriously.

However, there is a famous figure in history, Xu Xiake. He left home at the age of 22, and was sent home when he was seriously ill at the age of 55. He died the next year. In other words, he has been wandering outside for 33 years. So, where did Xu Xiake get the money to travel outside for so long?

In fact, this question is not difficult to answer. In fact, Xu Xiake's family is very rich, and his family is a local rich man. Although there is no clear record of Xu's wealth in historical materials, it can be seen from many details. What are the details?

1. Xu Xiake's mother encouraged Xu Xiake to travel abroad. This is actually not very easy to understand. Because there is an ancient saying that "parents don't travel far", all parents don't want their sons to travel, unless they go out to study and make a career or be an official outside. But Xu Xiake gave up studying completely and went out to travel. So I think it is very important to understand Xu Xiake's mother's attitude towards Xu Xiake.

First, Xu Xiake's mother's values are different from those of other mothers. After all, Xu Xiake's father is a man who is unwilling to be an official and only willing to travel around. It is likely that this has a great influence on Xu's mother, so she thinks it is acceptable for her son to do so. One more thing, the ancients said, "Learn from thousands of books and follow Wan Li Road", both of which are good ways to learn. Therefore, Xu Mu thinks that traveling can greatly improve her son's knowledge even without studying.

Second, the livelihood of Xu Xiake's family does not need Xu Xiake's consideration. After all, Xu Xiake is a man, and men are the backbone of the family. The livelihood of the whole family needs this man to think. However, Xu's mother asked Xu Xiake to go out, indicating that someone at home was taking care of things, and Xu Xiake did not need to participate.

Third, Xu's mother asked Xu Xiake to travel, indicating that there was enough money at home for Xu Xiake to travel with. You know, a mother must love her son the most. If she knew that her son was suffering outside, how could she let him go out?

Fourth, the wealth of Xu Xiake's family can continue Xu Xiake's life. Xu's mother will definitely worry that after her death, there will be no income at home, and it will be difficult for her son to be outside. In this way, she will definitely call Xu Xiake back earlier. However, Xu's mother has never done this, which shows that the Xu family really don't have to worry about their future livelihood.

Second, Xu Xiake has a special tutor at home. Xu Xiake's travel notes were compiled by his tutor Ji. And this age's knowledge is not low. It can be seen that the Xu family is indeed a very important person to let a highly educated person be the Xu family's mentor and help Xu Xiake sort out the manuscript at the same time.

Third, Xu Xiake's family has a lot of land. There is a passage in Xu Xiake's Travels: "It's a day and a night. If you get more than one hundred gold, you will know. If it is difficult to resign, I will let you keep 20 gold and pay 20 mu of land rent. " It is said that Xu Xiake borrowed money from his good friend Jin Xiangfu, who said no, but one day, Jin Xiangfu got "more than 100 gold", so Xu Xiake borrowed it from him again, and finally borrowed "20 gold" and promised to repay it with the rent of 20 mu of land at home. What everyone needs to pay special attention to is that this passage is actually full of ridicule.

This irony means that Xu Xiake has no money, but that he is rich. Pay back this stingy Jin Xiangfu with the rent of 20 mu of land at home. Why not borrow it? It can be seen that Xu Gutian has indeed made a lot. Of course, even if Xu Xiake's family is not very rich, Xu Xiake is respected everywhere. After all, he is a very learned man, engaged in a noble career and writes well.

Such a person must be a celebrity. Where can't he find food This is equivalent to Li Bai in the Tang Dynasty. His family is not very rich, but everyone will invite him to drink, and everyone will be proud of inviting him to drink. Of course, Xu Xiake can also enjoy such treatment. Why should he worry about the travel expenses? When Xu Xiake was sick in a foreign country at the age of 55, local officials in Yunnan sent him back to his hometown by official ship. It can also be seen from here that the treatment that Xu Xiake can enjoy is really not low. (Reference:

Biography of Xu Xiake and Travel Notes of Xu Xiake)