Amidst the desolation and dilapidation of the whole courtyard, the Sunburst Chrysanthemum shines with its youthful beauty.
Like the sun scattered from the sky to the world.
An unspeakable joy suddenly broke into Gu Dan's heart.
He was prepared for nothing to be left here—but something was left.
What is gained is lost again, what is lost is found again.
Gu Dan stepped forward and gently brushed the crystal clear stamens with his slender white fingers.
"haven't seen you for a long time."
Gu Dan said.
The subtle fragrance was leisurely and the petals were swaying, as if they were greeting him.
This Fierce Sun Chrysanthemum was planted long before the Xia Dynasty, and it is Xiaoying's most beloved and precious treasure.
It was destroyed by Cang's claws, and was cured by Gu Dan's inner breath technique. After that, it was still given life by Qingmu liquid.
Hundreds of years passed leisurely.
In the Gu family courtyard, those who had stayed, stayed, or even been with each other for many years are no longer there.
Either they live apart, or they sleep forever.
But it is still deeply rooted in the Gu family courtyard.
Whether it is thunder or rain and dew, in a corner that seems to have been forgotten by the years, it stands proudly and admires itself.
"What a beautiful flower!"
Shang was also amazed.
This Sun Chrysanthemum seems to have undergone some changes. It has a sense of beauty that goes beyond exotic flowers and exotic herbs. Its dark fragrance soothes people's hearts. The bright light flows in the blooming stamens, and it contains a unique charm that even ordinary people can detect. .
"Of course. This is Xiaoying's most precious flower, back then."
Halfway through his words, Gu Dan suddenly paused.
He realized that Shang actually didn't know Xiaoying.
When Xiaoying entered her twilight years, Shang was still a somewhat reckless child who dared to question Xun Ke directly in the Tianxia Academy.
Although Shang is now old, he is not from the same generation.
That is already the story of the last hundred years.
"This yard looks like it needs to be tidied up. The old ones won't go away, and the new ones won't come in."
Shang didn't ask any questions, but instead took the initiative to change the topic and said something pointedly.
"It's time to tidy up."
Gu Dan nodded slightly.
A gust of wind blew up in the small courtyard, lifting up the layers of dust on the ground, revealing the simple and true interior.
The bare ground was still mottled, but it didn't look good either.
No amount of wind can erase the traces left by the years.
It was only then that Gu Dan suddenly realized that the small courtyard that he had been accustomed to in the past actually looked a bit depressed and old without the decoration of those exotic flowers and plants.
Even though there is a blazing sun chrysanthemum shining brightly, it also adds a bit of desolation.
The two came to the stone table in the courtyard and sat down.
Gu Dan pointed to the completely dry and dead willow tree not far from the stone table and said: "Many years ago, there was a beautiful willow tree here. In their free time, everyone would come here to sit and taste wine and tea."
"Speaking of tea, I do have it."
Shang's withered fingers touched the inside of his cuffs. After groping for a while, he took out a bag of tea and said, "As people get older, their mouths become less and less tasteful. If you eat too much, you won't be able to taste anything. If there is no more tea, then it will be a waste." It’s so boring.”
"ha."
Gu Dan laughed and said, "Just wait a moment."
He turned back to the house and soon took out the tea set from back then.
With a gentle tap of his finger, an extremely subtle spiritual light shone, and water washed it away completely.
Shang was not surprised when he saw this, as the other party was Mr. Gu.
A hundred years ago, he could fight against more than ten grandmasters. After so many years, he has returned from the Zhoushan Mountains. He is still young and handsome enough to be unbelievable. He can accept such a person, no matter how powerful he is.
As for how powerful he is, that is no longer what he cares about. Anyway, he is on the verge of death and has done what he needs to do, so he doesn't need to think so much anymore.
"To be able to have Mr. Gu make tea for me with his own hands, I really envy others."
Shang Fuzhang smiled.
"How about a taste of your tea?"
The tea was ready in just a moment.
Gu Dan picked up the teacup and took a sip.
bitter!
Extremely painful!
It was like eating a mouthful of Coptis chinensis in one go. Even with Gu Dan's endurance, he couldn't help but raise his eyebrows slightly. Poisoning was nothing more than that.
Gu Dan looked at Shang in surprise.
You call this thing tea?
"Hahaha!"
Shang laughed and said: "This thing is something I encountered when I was young. Its name is 'Bitterness Ghost', which scares even ghosts and gods. It is said that this thing is used by gods and gods in the sky to test mortals. As long as they can endure the bitterness, they will I will definitely achieve great things in the future.”
Shang picked up the tea cup in front of him and drank it in one gulp.
The extreme bitterness broke into his lips and tongue, but he was savoring it carefully.
The tea slides down the throat and into the abdomen, as if someone is pulling a hemp rope inside the body, making the heart, liver and lungs tremble.
All the bitterness in the world seems to be condensed into this cup of tea.
Straight to the heart and spleen.
Even Shang's face couldn't help but wrinkle. The already deep wrinkles were stacked together, like the bark of an old tree that exploded after being exposed to the sun.
But he still swallowed it bit by bit, and there was even a trace of aftertaste on his face.
"Who wants to endure hardship? It's just some hardship and I have to endure it."
Shang put down the cup and said, "If you can't stand the bitterness, you won't know the sweetness in the end."
When the bitterness is so intense that one can't help but want to retching, a hint of sweetness quietly creeps up.
The sweetness is different from any candies and pastries.
In the endless bitterness, every bit of beauty is precious, just like the clear spring in the desert, the cool breeze in the hot summer, and the bonfire in the late winter.
Any words of praise in the world are not exaggerated at this time.
The bitterness has been concentrated to the extreme, turning into a little bit of sweetness.
It's like a new life!
"There are some ways."
Gu Dan nodded slightly.
“When suffering is over, happiness will come.”
Shang smiled, "Just like the Xia Dynasty was reborn in the flames of Dayue, old things grow old and new things will replace them and do better.
We endure hardship today so that future generations can taste more sweetness. Unfortunately, there are not many people who can understand this truth. Many people are unwilling to endure any pain just for the temporary sweetness.
Or maybe just for the sake of the final sweetness, you only care about suffering without leaving any room.
This is the reason why I want to found Legalism. "
Shang began to talk about the official affairs of the Xia Dynasty, using objects as metaphors for people.
As early as when Gu Dan met him for the first time, he noticed the edge that was almost ready to emerge in Shang, which was a deep insight into the evil of human beings.
It's just that the sharp edge is too strong and hurts others and yourself.
So he asked Xunke to accept Shang as his disciple and teach him carefully.
He never asked about what happened after that.
Because he believed in Xun Ke.
Now that he is back and seeing the prosperity of the Xia Dynasty, it proves that what he thought was correct.
At this time, Shang also had to hand over his answer sheet for Gu Dan's review in the Gu family courtyard.
"Everyone has desires. Whether it's wine, sex, wealth, fame, or fortune, why should we distinguish between high and low? If you go too far, you'll be less than good.
When Prime Minister Cang likes prosperity, loves beauty, and eats well, people often criticize him. Is this his evil?
He neither forced women nor plundered the people. He had abundant food but did not waste it. He often took measures to help the people. As the Prime Minister of the Xia Dynasty, couldn't he still enjoy these things?
Nawei Chuangui was the master and the minister of the Ministry of War, and could be called the pillar of the country.
If he doesn't like wine, doesn't love beautiful women, and doesn't indulge in extravagant things, can he be considered a person praised by the world?
But he wanted to fight with all his heart, and he did so at all costs, even disregarding the laws of the country. He keeps saying that Xia Chao and the people will live a better life, does he really think so?
If we only look at it from personal life, if we only look at it from the opinions of others, who is the good and who is the bad among these two people?
How to govern a country is just empty talk? ! "
Shang stood up and pointed to the door of the courtyard, "Back then in the Tianxia Academy, I asked Master Xun why he put etiquette before the Dharma.
Today I naturally understand that etiquette is his kindness and law is his anger.
How many people may understand this truth?
Even in the Xia Dynasty, there are still many people who have not even read a few books. When will they understand the truth behind it? How many etiquette systems do we need to stipulate to suit the situation of the Xia Dynasty? "
He seemed to be asking a question, but in fact he already had the answer.
"Dharma! Only the Dharma lasts forever!"
Shang's eyes flashed, and his tone became sonorous and powerful. Infinite faith filled his heart, which was his lifelong effort in heaven, earth, and human beings. "The law is the rule! The rule is a dead line. Whoever touches the rule , whoever will be hurt by the rules!
If you love prosperity, love beauty, eat well and do not violate the law, no one can accuse you of this.
The world respects those who only speak peace for the common people in the world. Anyone who breaks the law will be punished! "
Shang stood there, looking extremely small, with his slightly rickety back weighing heavily on his body, making it difficult for him to raise his head.
But it was that thin backbone that held up the sky of Xia Dynasty and the countless people of Xia Dynasty.
"The laws are inviolable! They do not depend on people's likes and dislikes!
In this way, you will not be hurt by people's words, nor will you be defeated by empty words.
Act according to the law, act according to the law, and control according to the law!
The whole country follows the same law, and all orders and prohibitions are enforced! Those who are guilty will be punished, and those who have merit will be rewarded! Then the officials will be free from corruption, the people will be selfless, the awe-inspiring righteousness will exist on its own, and the country will be prestige without war! "
Shang looked at Gu Dan with burning eyes and asked, "Mr. Gu, can this method measure the world?"
Listening to Shang's story quietly, Gu Dan neither nodded nor shook his head.
He just picked up the tea cup in front of him and poured another cup of extremely bitter tea.
"A toast to you."
Gu Dan said.
"Okay, okay, in this case, I will take it as Mr. Gu agrees."
Shang laughed and returned to the table.
He began to describe in more detail what happened in the Xia Dynasty during the period when Gu Dan was away from the Xia Dynasty.
In fact, there are not many changes.
After Gu Dan left, Xun Ke became the guardian of the Xia Dynasty.
Together with Shang and Cang, he drafted most of the laws of the Xia Dynasty today.
After that, Xun Ke resigned and Cang became the prime minister of Xia Dynasty.
Two years later, Xunke felt that the Xia Dynasty was ready, and Cang and his descendants had grown up, and they were traveling around the country like birds.
It's just that the two of them have a tacit understanding.
The Buzhou Mountains were in the north of the Xia Dynasty.
However, Qin Lisheng led the Mo family people to the south.
Xun Ke chose the East.
Both of them avoided the immortal path.
Perhaps they also understand in their hearts that a set of things that are effective in the ordinary world can easily fall apart once too advanced a power breaks in.
Spider webs may be able to entangle prey much larger than spiders, but anything too large can easily tear the webs apart.
But the world is so big, there is always some place.
Both Mohism and Confucianism are needed.
In places that the immortals have not yet touched.
As for the Xia Dynasty, they have been operating steadily over the years.
The only major event worth mentioning is that after Xun Ke left, not long after Shang came to kill the Confucian scholars.
To be more accurate, it should be that more than a thousand Confucian scholars were killed in one go.
Among them, the powerful account for more than half, and the remaining small half are even more powerful.
It is no exaggeration to say that as soon as Xun Ke stepped forward, Shang's back foot cut off more than half of the backbone of Confucianism.
It can't be said that people left to cool off, it can only be said that they wanted to kill them all.
This is of course not because Shang has a big feud with Xun Ke, nor is it because Shang hates Confucianism very much - he is a disciple of Xun Ke and can be regarded as a student of Confucianism, but what does that have to do with him attacking Confucian people?
He wants to kill people, and the reason is very simple.
Those people deserved to be cut.
If you ask, you have violated the laws of the Xia Dynasty, and you will deserve to die.
Xun Ke had participated in the compilation of the code before, but it was not implemented well.
There are always people who defy the rules and even refute them.
Because Confucianism is inherently open-minded, you must know that Xunke himself studied under Confucianism, and then established his own family to promote morality. The founders were like this, and his descendants naturally followed suit.
Most of them criticize the code as being inhumane, lacking in "warmth", and not understanding the principles of relaxation and restraint.
Even if you go to the toilet, you have to have a designated place, otherwise you will be punished, and you may even go to jail. Is there such a ridiculous thing in the world?
Therefore, when Xun Ke was in power, many Confucians refused to obey.
This has nothing to do with Xun Ke's ability. It can only be said that the original attempt to refute the influence of the Mohists left behind troubles.
As soon as Xun Ke left, Shang set off immediately.
More than a thousand Confucian scholars were arrested in one breath.
When everyone thought Shang had lost his mind, he chopped off the heads of those people.
From then on, no one dared to take the laws of the Xia Dynasty seriously.
If you can kill him, you really can kill him!
It doesn’t matter whether you are a wealthy family, a famous family, or a relative of the royal family.
If you are caught by the Legalists, you will have to shed your skin even if you don't die.
According to the law, the imperial power is guaranteed!
Use thunderous means to do vicious things.
With the support of Emperor Taiping, Shang single-handedly founded Legalism.
Not to mention Confucian scholars, even if Mohists dare to violate the law, he will catch them!
See if I dare!
With this, the Legalists surpassed the accumulation that required decades or even centuries, and reached the stage where the power of the Xia Dynasty was at its peak.
The laws of the Xia Dynasty were dyed red with the blood of countless people and deeply imprinted in the bones.
Perhaps a small part of the reason why there is no urine and feces flowing on the streets of the imperial capital today is because many people have become more conscious, but the bigger reason is that people who do that will really be punished, and in serious cases, they can even go to jail.
Seeing the big from the small, the coldness of the Legalists maintained the prosperity of the Xia Dynasty.
All this sounds lighthearted to Shang.
It seemed that it was done easily with just a touch of lip service.
But Gu Dan fully understands that all top-down reforms are always extremely difficult.
Fortunately, Xia Chaoshang was still a newborn and had not really been finalized.
The remnants left by Mo Qiu and Xun Ke are still there.
As the second emperor of the Xia Dynasty, Emperor Taiping was not ready to be reprimanded for "violating the ancestral precepts".
Only when the emperor and his ministers are united can they achieve such achievements by cutting through the mess with a sharp sword.
It’s not easy to tell the truth.
The pain of scraping the bones is unavoidable, but it is for thousands of generations, and it is also the foundation of the Xia Dynasty.
"Don't be in a hurry. Speak slowly."
Gu Dan poured Shang a cup of tea and said, "I have time."
Big prayer.
In front of an ordinary village.
Wei Chuanming looked at the stone in his hand and touched his forehead, which was still bleeding. Waves of severe pain hit his heart, and the stone actually slipped from his hand.
It hit the ground with a "bang" and undulated slightly.
He wanted to die.
The master's cultivation has vanished into thin air. What's the point of living in this world as an ordinary person?
Being sent out of the Xia Dynasty intact was the greatest humiliation.
Just like what he said at the beginning, it’s just a death!
Scholars can be killed, but not humiliated!
but.
Why didn't he die directly?
Why does the stone in your hand fall?
Why do you feel such unbearable pain?
How can the pain of a broken head and blood flow be compared to the pain endured when Qi and blood are blocked?
He had endured the obstacles in his energy and blood, but now he was just seeking death, with a scar as big as the mouth of a bowl. How could he miss it?
Wei Chuanming stood there blankly, unable to understand.
When he was a master, he looked down upon death.
Now that he has become an ordinary person, he immediately becomes greedy for life and afraid of death.
How strange and strange!
But it doesn't matter, if there is too much blood, people will always die.
If you die, you will be done with it, and you don't have to suffer such shame.
Wei Chuanming released his palm covering the wound on his forehead.
If you are no longer a master, what are you still doing?
Lying on his back on the ground, a trace of warm blood streaked across his cheek, and the smell of earth came from the tip of his nose.
He had never felt the taste of earth so clearly.
It smells so bad, so vulgar.
There is no room for people to appreciate it. I just want to stay far away. It is best not to step on it at all, so as not to dirty myself.
But he no longer had the energy to curse, so that was it.
Consciousness is gradually becoming blurred, and everything is hazy.
Like a long dream that I don't want to wake up from.
Until a childish exclamation came from my ears.
"Brother Liu! Come on, come on, someone is injured here. As a Mohist, we can't just die without saving him!"
(End of chapter)
