Chapter 420: Chapter 377, Confucian Kong Qiu
Li Er stood in the courtyard, hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the sky where the myriad of stars were outshone by the particularly twinkling Red Bird Star.
Tu Shan Xi Yu walked out from the house and asked in puzzlement, "Where is Bai Jin?"
"I sent him to do something."
Tu Shan Xi Yu walked over to Li Er’s side and involuntarily glanced around before whispering, "Big Brother Dan, for future matters let Duobao handle more. He seems to be free all the time, idling away and just living off us without contributing.
Bai Jin is much better than Duobao. Back when we still lived in the village, Bai Jin often helped me out with chores and he would always praise you in front of me. Today, he even persuaded you for my sake; he truly cares about us.
But Duobao is different. He doesn’t say a word all day and seems rather ominous. Even though he’s broad and chubby, he doesn’t appear to be a good person. You need to be careful around him."
Li Er smiled and said, "Alright!"
He turned around and looked earnestly at Tu Shan Xi Yu, asking, "Xi Yu, are you sure you want to follow me?"
Tu Shan Xi Yu nodded repeatedly, looking at Li Er anxiously, wondering if he was going to send her away. She urgently said, "Big Brother Dan, I’ve already committed to Dead Wood Spring."
Li Er spoke slowly, "If you stay, it means we are destined to have an entanglement for one lifetime, but only one lifetime."
Tu Shan Xi Yu immediately exclaimed, "I am willing!"
"I know you, Big Brother Dan, are fated to become a Saint; I dare not ask for too much, only wish to grow old with you."
Li Er said with a smile, "Alright! Let’s grow old together."
Tu Shan Xi Yu leaned happily against Li Er’s shoulder, a blissful smile on her face as she looked into the distance, memories of the first time she met Big Brother Dan echoing in her mind. Back then, he was reading under a tree when she, being pursued by a demonic wolf and injured, ran to his side. It was Dan who dressed her wounds and took her home to heal. Although she did not know why the demonic wolf disappeared, it was unimportant. It was during that time of healing that she was attracted to Big Brother Dan, his wisdom, his gentle demeanor, his magnanimity.
...
Elsewhere, Bai Jin traveled overnight to reach a small city in the Lu Kingdom.
Outside the city was a large river, now in the cool of autumn, with a thin mist hovering over the waters in the early morning.
A quaint mansion rested by the river, surrounded by blooming chrysanthemums.
Bai Jin landed outside the mansion and walked towards it, familiar with the way, unimpeded by any obstacles.
In the chilly morning within the mansion, an elderly man with white hair and beard sat straight, facing dozens of students.
"Today, I will be teaching you about ’Poetry’. Among the three hundred pieces of ’Poetry’, one word can summarize them: ’pure thoughts’."
"Recite the three hundred ’Poetry’, instruct them in governance, and if they do not comprehend; send them to four corners of the world, and they cannot specialize in diplomacy. Though numerous, what are they good for?..."
After the morning lecture, the dozens of disciples stood up and respectfully bowed, saying, "Thank you, Master!"
Kong Qiu nodded slightly, and only then did the students disperse.
Bai Jin stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Disciple pays respect to Master!"
Kong Qiu looked at Bai Jin and said with a chuckle, "No need for excessive formality; now there is only the ordinary man Kong Qiu, not the Saint Tongtian."
Bai Jin immediately responded with conviction, "In the disciple’s eyes, Master will always be Master. Even if you’re just reincarnated once or turned to dust, I would still recognize you."
Kong Qiu frowned and said, "That sounds a bit strange."
"Cough, cough~ It’s not important, all that is not important. My point is that Master is very important to me in my heart, whether as a Saint or as an ordinary person, you are always my Master."
Kong Qiu nodded with satisfaction and said, "That’s more like it. I have established a new doctrine called the Confucian School; come, let me show you the disciples I have recently accepted."
Kong Qiu took Bai Jin around, introduced his dozens of new disciples, and said proudly, "What do you think?"
"All are talented individuals!"
After breakfast with Kong Qiu, Bai Jin listened as Kong Qiu began to introduce the principles of the Confucian School beneath a large tree.
Moments later, urgent footsteps sounded from outside.
A young man wearing a gray robe entered and bowed respectfully, saying, "Master, the Legalists have once again published a doctrine detrimental to our Confucian School. They claim that our school emphasizes ritual over rules, branding it a harmful and heterodox teaching to the Human Clan."
Kong Qiu frowned and said, "Nonsense. Go notify Yan Hui to respond with a treatise to rebuke them!"
"Yes!" The young man bowed and quickly departed.
Bai Jin looked perplexed and said, "Master, is the Legalist School the one I am aware of?"
Kong Qiu nodded with indignation, "Indeed, it was established by your Second Master, focusing on trivial regulations and neglecting the greater rites, utterly illogical."
"Bai Jin, do you have any strategies to counter the Legalists?"
"Cough, cough~" Bai Jin shook his head repeatedly and said, "I beg your pardon, Master. Your disciple is too dull."
Kong Qiu replied with annoyance, "Timid and useless, no help at all."
"Master, in my opinion, when promoting our ideological doctrines, there’s no need for direct confrontation. It would be better to prioritize harmony."
"Are you teaching me how to handle things?"
"Just a suggestion, merely a minor suggestion."
"He attacked our Jie Sect first, and now he troubles me at every turn. How can I simply plead for his mercy?"
Suddenly, Kong Qiu’s face brightened with a smile, "I’ve got it!"
Bai Jin turned to look at Kong Qiu, Master, what clever plan have you thought of now?
Kong Qiu gestured with his hand, "Bai Jin, go and amuse yourself. Your teacher still has matters to attend to."
"Eh~ Master, take it easy. Provoking your Second Master can be terrifying."
"Would I be afraid of him?" Kong Qiu said proudly.
...
Several days later, Kong Qiu unexpectedly took on another Disciple named Guan Zhong, actively promoting that Guan Zhong was a disciple of his, proclaiming Guan Zhong’s eagerness to study at Kong Qiu’s gate. News spread of Guan Zhong kneeling for three days at Kong Qiu’s doorstep, just begging to become a disciple, and various rumors about the untold stories between Guan Zhong and Kongzi began to emerge.
Confucian Kong Qiu and Legalist Guan Zhong, founders of their respective doctrines, were like superstars to the following generations. Such gossip spread like wildfire in this entertainment-scarce era, becoming the hot topic of conversation among citizens in the streets and alleys. The stories got more exaggerated in the telling, even evolving tales such as Kong Qiu banishing Guan Zhong three times and Guan Zhong fiercely rebutting Kong Qiu, among many other versions.
...
Within Kong’s School, Kong Qiu sat by a pond, fishing.
Bai Jin stood beside him and hesitantly said, "Master, is it really right for you to do this?"
Kong Qiu replied cheerfully, "What’s wrong with that? I indeed have taken a disciple named Li Kui. I never spoke falsely!"
Bai Jin looked up at the sky with a surge of frustration, thinking, Master is getting older, not so easy to manage!
Kong Qiu glanced at Bai Jin and suddenly smiled, "Bai Jin, pay a visit to the Legalist School. Go and see what your Second Master is up to now?"
"Cough, cough~ Master, your disciple has some minor things to attend to; I shall take my leave now."
Turning to leave, Bai Jin thought, When you giants clash, could it possibly spare Bai He? I am really afraid too!