The meeting place was not the palace, but the Gu family courtyard.
Not a single one of the masters from various countries who were sent as 'gifts' at the beginning came. There were exactly five of them.
"I've met your Excellency, I've met Emperor Xia."
Seeing Gu Dan again, several masters seemed quite excited.
Especially after seeing that Gu Dan's appearance has not aged much due to the catalysis of time, the heat hidden in his eyes can hardly be concealed.
The Grandmaster's longevity of one hundred and twenty years is enough for mortals to look up to, but now, the Grandmaster also has someone to look up to.
"You are all the pillars of the country, there is no need to be so polite."
Wang Mang nodded with a smile, without the emperor's arrogance at all, "Over the years, you have worked hard and made great contributions to the Xia Dynasty. Your request will definitely not be ignored."
"Thank you, Your Excellency, thank you Emperor Xia!"
As soon as these words came out, several masters were overjoyed.
On the way here, they had already thought that Gu Dan might have agreed, otherwise why bother calling them over again? Just send someone to tell them directly. You can't just refuse them face to face and then reprimand them, right?
At this time, I really heard the affirmative answer from Wang Mang's mouth, and the excitement in my heart was beyond words.
That is the way to become a master!
Not only will the money not be exchanged, but all the cities will have to move back a little.
Working for more than thirty years just to get a chance is like smoke rising from the graves of ancestors.
"I don't know much about the Grandmaster, so you can just talk."
Wang Mang praised several people for their hard work and then left first.
Only five grandmasters were left, looking at Gu Dan eagerly, their eyes full of desire.
"How many of you are looking for a way to become a master?"
Gu Dan asked.
"Yes."
Even though he knew that the other party was asking questions knowingly, Xue Wenjian did not dare to be negligent in the slightest and nodded repeatedly.
"The Grandmaster has reached the pinnacle of the world. The Grandmaster can obtain all the glory, wealth, fame and wealth. As far as I know, you don't have any enemies that you can't help but need to take risks. In this case, you have reached the status of Grandmaster, and you are about to do so. At the end of the day, why bother to seek such a path?"
Gu Dan asked again.
"Since Grandmaster is not the limit of the world, how can we stand still? If we don't know, that's it. Now that we know, we are willing to give up everything and give it a try!"
"That's right! After being a Grandmaster for so many years, I have long been tired of enjoying all the things that I should enjoy in this world. Living was just waiting for death. Now that I know there is hope to continue to improve, why should I stop?"
"We have heard the Tao in the morning and will die in the evening. We have reached the end of our age, and the word "death" is just on our left and right. If we can catch a glimpse of the scenery above the master before we die, we will be better than countless heroes in the world, and we are worthy of coming. A trip to the human world!”
Several Grandmasters spoke one after another with extremely firm beliefs.
They are both masters and seekers.
"good!"
Gu Dan clapped his hands gently, a hint of appreciation flashed in his eyes.
There are always people in this world who will challenge the peak, because the peak is there.
No matter how lavish and luxurious you were before, when you see hope, you are still willing to give it a try, which is commendable.
"I feel your thoughts. I do have a part in the path to become a master."
Gu Dan said seriously.
Several masters wanted to stand up their ears, and even unconsciously took a few steps forward to get closer to Gu Dan, even closer.
"but"
Gu Dan added: "The founder of this road did not go through that road. I just picked up others' wisdom and took another small step forward. Even I am not confident that I can succeed. So, you still Want to give it a try?”
Several grandmasters looked at each other, and they all saw the confusion in each other's eyes.
Gu Dan only advanced a little bit on that road and was able to overwhelm the grandmaster. How terrifying would it be if he could really get through?
Is this a humble remark or a warning?
"Please give us a chance. Whether it is success or failure, life or death, we are all asking for it."
Xue Wenjian was the first to react and said quickly.
"Well."
Gu Dan nodded and said: "This road was explored by Mr. Ji, the former Grandmaster of Dayue. It shocked me when I was still a Grandmaster. But you must know , even Mr. Ji, who discovered this road, also fell on this road.
If I can easily surpass the master, how can Qin Lisheng and Xun Ke, who are closely related to me, continue to stop the master? "
The masters were not fools, and they understood what Gu Dan meant as soon as they heard it.
He was expressing that he had nothing to hide.
If that path was really safe, he would naturally let Qin Lisheng and Xun Ke, who had a closer relationship and more trust, take it.
If these two Gudans are not willing to share, what do they mean to them? Don't pay any attention to it.
It is precisely because this road is completely unstable and even life-threatening that it remains hidden.
"Please rest assured that we are fully prepared. No matter what happens, we will bring it on ourselves."
Xue Wenjian said immediately, and the other masters also gave their assurances.
If there really is a sure way to become a Grandmaster, how brave do they have to be to dare to ask directly?
It is precisely because that road is dangerous enough that they have the opportunity to try it!
"In that case."
Gu Dan sighed softly and took out a booklet from his sleeve. It was the notes that Mr. Ji had left about the innate realm not long after he had finished writing.
There are all kinds of speculations about being a master.
As for the real notes, they had been burned by Cang, who was still a naughty kid back then. Fortunately, Gu Dan had a good memory and could write them down again word for word.
"You can read this book, but no one knows how to get to that road or the specific method."
Gu Dan handed the book over, "If any of you have made a decision after observing and want to continue to attack that realm, remember to tell me and I will go and observe."
"Thank you, Your Excellency!"
Xue Wenjian took the book with both hands with great care. The book was obviously not big, but in his heart it was as heavy as a thousand pieces.
That is about the path above the master!
"Everyone please excuse me."
Gu Dan watched as he got Mr. Ji's notes, and several masters who ran away quickly, as if they were worried that he would regret it. They shook their heads helplessly, staring at the vast and boundless sky, "Mr. Ji, when you Please do what you asked me to do."
The fire is passed down from generation to generation, and now he has passed on the fire of his predecessors.
It's just that the flames are hot.
Good things can also be hot to the touch.
Even Gu Dan, now, is not sure to attack the innate realm.
After all, the last time he watched Mr. Ji attack the innate realm with his own eyes, the impression left on him was too deep. Once he was bitten by a snake, how could he dare to get involved casually again?
He also reminded Xue Wenjian and other grandmasters with utmost benevolence and righteousness. How to choose depends only on them.
If they still want to give it a try, Gu Dan can also watch and learn from it.
With preparations and psychological expectations, especially after the strength itself has improved a lot, how can the harvest be greater than the last time, right?
He still has a lot of time, so don't be in a hurry.
In the thirty-fifth year of the Xia Dynasty, Wang Mang once again issued a decree to summon Xun Ke to take office.
This time, Xun Ke did not refuse.
Xun Ke, who was the Minister of Rites at the time, no longer fought alone this time. He already had his own crowd, his own disciples, and even the support of aristocratic families.
He said: If people are rude, there will be no life, if things are rude, they will not be successful, and if the country is rude, there will be no peace.
He said: When hungry, one desires food, when cold, one desires warmth, when tired, one desires rest, and one loves benefits but hates harm. This is what humans are born with.
He said: In all things, those who are beneficial to reason should establish them, and those who are not beneficial to reason should abandon them.
He said: If you are good at raising children, people will love you; if you are good at managing people, people will be safe; if you are good at showing people off, people will be happy with you; if you are good at vassaling people, people will be honored by you. ...If you can't give birth to others, people won't be close to you; if you can't manage others, people will be uneasy; if you can't express yourself to others, people won't be happy; if you can't lord it over others, people won't be prosperous.
Etiquette, reason.
He wants to set the rules for the world.
First of all, we must change some concepts.
For example, the concepts left by the Mohists to the people of the Xia Dynasty.
This is not because he has enmity with the Mo family, but because their paths are different, there will naturally be conflicts.
Following Xun Ke's actions and the heroic article "Encouragement to Learning" spread far and wide, many people came to understand.
Xun Ke is going to be better than his predecessor.
In other words, it is to defeat the Mohist family currently run by Qin Lisheng.
Mohism has morality and righteousness, while Confucianism talks about benevolence and righteousness.
What is benevolence?
Benevolence is a human being.
Benevolent people love others.
But there are degrees of love, so the word benevolence means caring for your family, friends, and even others without much harm to yourself. This is enough to be called benevolence.
What is righteousness?
Righteousness is justice.
To be able to treat everything fairly and not to be biased is enough to be called righteousness.
On the basis of Mohism's selflessness, Confucian benevolence and righteousness have undoubtedly narrowed a lot at this time, paying more attention to self-cultivation, and their requirements for people are far less extreme than Mohism.
To put it simply: Mohism expects everyone to help each other, and Mohists must take the lead in doing this, so that Mohists must suffer the most from themselves.
Confucian benevolence and righteousness is to take care of yourself first, live a good life yourself, and help your family as much as you can. Friends, and even strangers, can be said to be benevolent and righteous if they do not do unjust things.
Compared with Mohism's universal love, Confucian benevolence and righteousness are undoubtedly too simple.
After these two core concepts were clarified, the number of Confucian scholars increased greatly.
Mohist universal love is difficult for most people to achieve, while Confucian benevolence and righteousness are much more reliable and simple.
Even the young master who has been in the brothel for more than ten years dares to praise himself for his benevolence and righteousness - hey, he never owes anyone money and has never done anything evil, so how can he not be benevolent and righteous?
As for this kind of person, Xun Ke's evaluation is: accept everything according to the order.
Don't forget his core concept, which is that human nature is inherently evil.
Because human nature is inherently evil, etiquette education is even more needed.
After the evildoers receive the punishment they deserve, in Xun Ke's concept, they can eliminate evil and preserve good.
You can't even have the opportunity to start a new life - unless you make a fatal mistake.
In addition, he also advocated that his disciples can "do one good deed every day."
This good thing does not need to be a big thing.
If you see a hungry and cold traveler, hand him a piece of dry food or a glass of water; if you see an uneven road, fill in a little soil; or even if you see an old man who has trouble walking, escort him for a ride, it all counts.
Even if they can't do these little things, it doesn't matter. Confucian scholars can live a stable life, don't do unfair things, and don't hurt others, even if they are qualified.
Of course, the two words benevolence and righteousness are just the simplest way of saying it, to facilitate the understanding of the people at the lowest level so that they can also understand what Confucianism is saying.
In addition to the two words of benevolence and righteousness, Xun Ke also put forward higher-level and more perfect pursuits: filial piety, brotherhood, loyalty, forgiveness, etiquette, knowledge, courage, respect, tolerance, trustworthiness, sensitivity, and benefit.
After completing the most basic benevolence and righteousness, there are still these paths to continue to improve oneself, which are moral standards and personality realms.
If someone can do all of these, he is enough to be called a saint.
Xun Ke gave everyone the opportunity to participate.
And you don’t have to run towards the highest and supreme avenue right from the beginning. You have to be like Mozi.
Instead, take care of yourself first, and then improve it bit by bit when you have higher personal pursuits. Even if you can't do it, there is no pressure, as long as you stick to the two words of benevolence and righteousness, it is enough.
It is precisely for this reason that along with the spread of that heroic article, the two words of Confucian benevolence and righteousness also became famous far and wide.
Both the underlying logic and the process of climbing step by step to finally reach the realm of the saint are more reasonable and clear no matter how you look at it.
To use an inappropriate analogy: If a carriage can only seat six people, and there are tigers chasing six unknown strangers behind it, then the Confucian scholar riding the carriage can only save five people, which is not harmful. Confucianism is benevolent and righteous. According to Confucian concepts, no one can criticize him for this, and Confucian scholars themselves do not need to blame themselves.
But if you are a Mohist, you have to go down and face the tiger yourself. If you don't go, you won't be called a Mohist.
Of course, this can be used to say that Confucian scholars are not as noble as Mohists, but how many people are really willing to be so noble?
Although criticism is simple in words, it is not so easy to put it into practice.
It is not easy to be able to drive a car without seeing a tiger and instead be willing to do everything you can to save people.
Is the number of Mohists reduced to three thousand really because Xun Ke came out to sing the opposite tune?
It's just because everyone says they like it, but they don't want to do it.
If you go against human nature, you must be educated by human nature.
Human nature is inherently evil, and we seek good from evil.
What Xun Ke took was the path of promoting good and suppressing evil.
As time goes by, more and more people are willing to believe in Confucianism.
There are also some people who are willing to do more "good", building roads and building schools.
And because enough people participated, within a short period of time, the reputation of Confucianism began to rise rapidly.
Xia Chao was baptized by new ideas, which were more in line with their ideas.
Time comes to the thirty-seventh year of the Xia Dynasty.
On this day, the five masters visited the Gu family courtyard again.
Today, some of them are going to attack the innate realm!
(End of chapter)
