It is true that young Ruan Shantao has never killed anyone, but he has also had many fights.
This can also be seen from this strange sword. The marks on the sword are so numerous that they are almost countless. If it were replaced by any ordinary sword, it would probably break on the spot - that is This unusually thick "Founder's Sword" has been able to go through so many battles and yet remain calm and composed, and even become more courageous with each battle.
"So this is not a sword?"
After another day of sword competition, one of the students who had been beaten finally couldn't help but complain.
"This is your mace, right?"
"This is the sword."
Young Ruan Shantao raised his square sword and argued with reason.
"Are you dissatisfied with my Gentleman's Sword?"
"have"
Facing Ruan Shantao, who was holding the heavy sword high, the student who was knocked to the ground nodded.
Then, he raised his hand and patted the belt buckle at his waist.
Cang Langlang's sharp blade was unsheathed, and a bit of cold light cut straight towards Ruan Shantao's wrist!
"And a sneak attack!"
Ruan Shantao's pupils suddenly shrank, and the thick sword blade in his hand suddenly slashed down.
"Despicable villain! Shameless!"
Zheng——
The thick sword blade struck fiercely on that bit of cold light.
But this time, the invincible Founder's Sword failed to break the sword in front of him on the spot.
It turns out that this is a soft sword wrapped around the waist.
The hundred-refined steel turned into soft fingers, and the soft blade popped up in an arc under the student's ingenuity, and touched Ruan Shantao's forearm.
His forearm hurt and he dropped his heavy sword. This time, Ruan Shantao lost.
"Haha! I win this one...what are you going to do!"
The student who wielded the soft sword just got up from the ground, patted his clothes and was about to show off his achievements, but he saw that Ruan Shantao had already clenched his fists and rushed over!
The student was hit hard in the face and became dizzy.
"Despicable villain! How dare you sneak attack with a hidden sword! Today I am going to teach you the principles of life!"
"Hey! You bitch! If you lose, you lose! Why can't you afford to lose!"
Ruan Shantao was good at wielding the epee, and he already had the strength of his arms. The student could control the noodle-like soft blade with ease, but he also had a weird kung fu. For a while, the two of them fought with fists and kicks, and they were fighting to no avail.
If the sword fight only happened in a moment, then this fist and kick fight lasted all afternoon. It was not until late in the day and the moon rose that the two people with bruised noses and faces lay on the ground.
One side is hurting people with the dark sword, and the other side is refusing to admit defeat. Both sides are somewhat at fault, so they won't mention this inexplicable fight anymore.
And young Ruan Shantao also made his first friend in the huge capital of Jiankang.
Although he always wanted to punch his friend in the face.
My friend's name is Xiang Rong, and like Ruan Shantao, he is a poor student studying in Taixue. Just like the word "Xiang Rong", although this friend is slender, he usually likes martial arts. He is almost the same as Ruan Shantao, who has the figure of a military general but is very knowledgeable. They are two completely opposite opposites.
But these two people, who are almost completely opposite to each other, have quite a rapport on many issues.
For example, about the newly developed Guozi studies in the Chen court.
Unlike Taixue, which caters to all students in the world, Guozixue only recruits those students from noble families. Therefore, in order to see the quality of this Guozixue, Ruan Shantao and Xiang Rong also found an opportunity to have several exchanges with the students of that Guozixue.
The way students communicate is nothing more than debating scriptures. If they can't argue, they will just compete with each other with swords. If they think the sword competition is too bloody, they will fight. Anyway, there are many ways to do it, and there are always a few that can be used.
But the result of the exchange disappointed Ruan Shantao and Xiang Rong.
"I originally thought that the Guozixue was a group of aristocratic people who wanted to monopolize the classics, and that they could not have the Taixue path of teaching people without distinction... Who would have thought that they would be even more miserable than I thought."
After ten days of fighting with the students of the Guozi School, Ruan Shantao finally sighed.
"They can't even compare to ordinary imperial students. This is just a way to get them some gold. After all, after all, this imperial scholar is no different from the imperial students. This..."
"What you think is actually correct. After all, Guozixue is just in its infancy. Who knows whether the books and Ph.D.s from this Taixue will be transferred to Guozixue in the future?"
Xiang Rong, who had also been beaten for ten days, also shook his head.
"Okay, Brother Ruan, don't think too much. I think this Da Chen is coming to an end."
"No, it's not that bad yet."
Ruan Shantao did not agree with Xiang Rong's idea, but looked firm.
"Even if something goes wrong with Da Chen, you and I are still here, and there are still many passionate students here. After reading the books of sages for so many years, how can we give up so easily!"
"You... well, you just can't afford to lose."
Xiang Rong sighed.
"But I still have to say, Brother Ruan, it is also said in the books of sages that a gentleman should not stand behind a dangerous wall."
"It is also said in the books of sages that the three principles of a gentleman are: a benevolent man who does not worry, a knowledgeable man who does not confuse, and a brave man who does not fear."
Ruan Shantao still insisted on his own ideas.
"If you can't even practice your own benevolence, how can you be a gentleman?"
After a debate, neither Ruan Shantao nor Xiang Rong could convince the other. After all, this was not only a difference in knowledge, but also a difference in philosophy.
So, after completing his studies, Xiang Rong resigned from his post and traveled around because he had no good impression of Chen Chaotang. Ruan Shantao, however, adhered to his own ideals and chose to become an official. He started as the chief secretary of a state, and successively held the positions of Shizhong, Shangshu of the Ministry of Personnel, Prince Shaofu, Zuopushe, etc., and even was promoted to Situ along the way. During this period Here, Ruan Shantao also continued to recommend talents to the Chen court, which also gave more enthusiastic students the opportunity to display their ambitions.
Thanks to Ruan Shantao's unremitting efforts, Da Chen actually seemed to be showing signs of revival.
However, the good times did not last long.
Seeing signs of gradual development in various parts of Dachen, there were voices in the court to reduce the armaments of various states. As for the reason, of course, now that Hai Qing and Yan Ping should turn swords into plowshares, recuperate and recuperate - but Ruan Shantao can He couldn't listen to this. He had always cared about the affairs of his family and country, but he also knew that whether it was the grassland people in the north, the barbarians in the south, the barbarians in the west, or the pirates in the east... even within the territory of Dachen, bandits from all walks of life were also happens sometimes.
There is no such thing as security in Da Chen right now, so how can we talk about reducing armaments and turning swords into plowshares?
But just when Ruan Shantao wrote one after another to refute this statement, a secret envoy sent by the emperor came to his residence.
"Ruan Situ, Your Majesty has something to ask you."
The eunuch came to Ruan Shantao's study and imitated the emperor's accent.
"Ruan Qing, I already understand what you are talking about. But, Ruan Qing, I also want to ask you a question."
At this point, the eunuch's voice paused.
"Do you want to speak for the border states, or do you want to speak for the court?"
As soon as these words came out, Ruan Shantao couldn't help but become speechless.
After many years of ups and downs in the officialdom, he had already matured into a mature man. At this moment, the words were spoken so clearly, how could he not understand the emperor's meaning.
It is obvious that His Majesty the Emperor has never been at ease with the border states.
Thinking about it, although theoretically speaking, the strongest army in Dachen at the moment must be the emperor's own army stationed in the capital of Jiankang, but if we really want to talk about elite soldiers, it is really possible to train them in border states that have experienced many battles. Gotta come out. If someone becomes disloyal and wants to sit on the dragon throne...how can His Majesty the Emperor sleep peacefully?
Therefore, in the final analysis, weakening the armaments of various states is actually a necessity.
Even if it's just to let His Majesty the Emperor have a good sleep.
"this……"
Even after the eunuch left, Ruan Shantao was still speechless for a long time.
Although he had some vague premonitions before this, until the eunuch arrived, he did not want to believe that the biggest resistance actually came from the emperor.
After all, His Majesty the Emperor is not like the Emperor Taizu Gao of the past, who has a bravery that is far beyond ordinary people and can even be said to crush all living beings. It is reasonable to do this now.
So, let's go.
Since he is no longer needed in the court, why is he still here?
So, after packing up his meager belongings and calling his family members who could only be counted in one hand, Ruan Shantao resigned from his post and returned to his hometown in the mountains of Yanzhou to live in seclusion.
He lived in seclusion, but after all, Ruan Shantao also had a restless temper, so he simply set up an academy to educate the younger students, or to teach those who were older but not proficient in writing, what to do Read and read.
It is like a big tree, rooted in Ziyang Mountain, taking root and sprouting.
As long as more people can read and write, they will naturally understand the principles of benevolence, and these seeds will one day bear fruit.
As the old saying goes, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
As long as he doesn't give up, and as long as more and more people choose not to give up, then things will get better for Da Chen and all the people in the world.
"So it would be better for Yanzhou to be more peaceful."
Saying this, the already old Ruan Shantao took up his pen and wrote the word "benevolence" in the deepest part of Yanzhou's arsenal.
Immediately afterwards, he hung the square sword that had been with him for countless years under the words.
It's just one word, but it embodies all Ruan Shantao's will. It's just a sword that has never killed anyone, but it is a reflection of Ruan Shantao's life.
With each word and sword, all the evil spirits of the swords and weapons in Yanzhou's arsenal were suppressed here, and there was no more fluctuation.
"I'm just going to work hard on you, old friend."
The old Ruan Shantao patted the scabbard and said goodbye.
This sword will work with him to maintain the peace of the entire Yanzhou.
After all, studying requires a peaceful environment.
Even if it's just relatively peaceful.
