Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 761 An Unprecedented Change

Tian Jiu didn't leave for long before quickly returning to greet Lu Zheng.

When she returned, a hint of doubt still lingered in Tian Jiu's eyes.

Upon seeing Lu Zheng, Tian Jiu smiled and said, "There's been a problem at the Confucian Temple, but the reason is still unclear."

Lu Zheng simply nodded upon hearing this.

Tian Jiu took a sip of tea and said with a smile, "Aren't you curious about what happened, young friend?"

Lu Zheng smiled calmly, "If even you, senior, don't know the reason, why should I ask any more questions?"

Tian Jiu said leisurely, "You're not a Confucian or Taoist... Oh, I heard you don't only practice Confucianism. By the way, what are you majoring in now?"

Tian Jiu suddenly remembered that this was no ordinary scholar; he never claimed to be a true successor of Confucianism, and even openly stated that he had studied the methods of various schools of thought.

Even in Taiping Domain, which manages such a large area, no temples were built to worship Confucian sages, and it was even criticized by some Confucian scholars as a great act of rebellion.

Thinking about it this way, Tian Jiu felt that it was reasonable for Lu Zheng not to care about the Confucian Temple.

Lu Zheng replied, "The great principles that govern the country and bring peace to the people are all things I need to study and practice."

Tian Jiu smacked his lips. "Although I have never been to your place, according to my clansmen, in terms of governing and maintaining peace, you are the only one in the world who has truly achieved this, even surpassing those wise and virtuous rulers of ancient times."

Lu Zheng couldn't help but say, "I'm merely standing on the shoulders of giants to put their principles and experiences into practice. Anyone can do what I've done; it just depends on whether they're willing to. This peaceful world isn't something I, Lu Zheng, can achieve alone..."

Upon hearing Lu Zheng's words, Tian Jiu's eyes flashed with a strange light. It had been a long time since she had seen such a humble young man, and one who truly put knowledge into practice and was capable of great things.

In the past, when he met those scions of noble families, they all outwardly treated him, the head of the Tian family, with utmost respect, but their faces still couldn't hide an air of arrogance, the kind of arrogance that comes from being born to think they are superior to others.

A true gentleman cultivates himself with humility.

Tian Jiu thought of those people, especially the outstanding students from various universities in Qi. He wondered where all the Confucian classics they had studied had gone.

Tian Jiu sighed, "Young friend's words are thought-provoking. If I were younger, I would surely have helped you carve out a new world in the Northern Region..."

Unfortunately, he is now the head of a family and cannot abandon his entire family to pursue any business with Lu Zheng.

Tian Jiu paused for a moment, then said, "Young friend, it's rare for you to come all this way. Why don't you stay a few more days? Many of the younger generation in my family admire you greatly and would like to meet you. I'll invite them over later and ask you to give them a lecture so they can learn something from you..."

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "I'm afraid the principles I usually teach are not suitable here. Senior, don't worry that I will teach them bad things."

Tian Jiu laughed and said, "Everyone knows what's right and wrong. This place isn't an academy or a government office, so I won't punish you for what you say. You can teach whatever you want, young friend, just speak your mind."

Tian Jiu knew that some of Lu Zheng's words would make even princes and nobles tremble with fear, and might even lead them to label Lu Zheng as someone who intended to rebel.

However, it was precisely because Lu Zheng dared to say what ordinary people dared not say and do what ordinary people dared not do that Tian Jiu admired him so much.

Moreover, this young man also possesses a strong sense of righteousness.

Therefore, it is worth pondering who is truly on the righteous side.

Compared to those powerful and influential families that use their names to justify their actions, Tian Jiu prefers to befriend genuine people.

Although, in terms of social standing, the Tian family was a prominent clan.

Because the Tian family rose from a small clan and accumulated power over generations, and because few Confucian figures had emerged from the clan, even though there had been a martial arts saint among them, they were still at the bottom of the social hierarchy among the prominent families in Qi.

Therefore, Tian Jiu also disliked certain so-called aristocratic families with a thousand-year history.

If the State of Qi also talked about equality of status, Tian Jiu would really be happy to join those powerful clans in achieving equality, and then see what those people looked like after being brought down to earth.

Tian Jiu added, "Of course, I won't let you teach for nothing. If there's anything lacking in the Taiping Domain, I can find a way to prepare it for you... We can also deepen our business dealings in the future... It's mutually beneficial..."

When this topic came up, Tian Jiu simply chatted with Lu Zheng about business matters and the current situation in the Northern Region.

Tian Jiu was surprised to learn that Lu Zheng had reached cooperation agreements with some major forces in the Northern Region.

He had not received such news before.

Tian Jiu clicked his tongue in amazement and said, "That place in the Northern Region has been in chaos for many years. I never thought you could get them to cooperate so quickly. It's truly unbelievable."

Lu Zheng explained, "The reason why the Northern Region is so chaotic is because all the ethnic forces are vying for profit. I'm not going there to compete with them for profit, but to help them coexist peacefully, cooperate for mutual benefit, and develop together... If someone can't even weigh the pros and cons like this, then I have nothing more to say."

Tian Jiu stroked his chin, pondered for a moment, and it seemed to make sense.

In that case, it would be suitable for any location.

It all depends on whether a strong person will emerge to take control of the situation.

Tian Jiu couldn't help but think of Lu Zheng in the State of Qi, and felt that Lu Zheng was quite lacking.

The State of Qi has too many powerful and influential families that Lu Zhengneng cannot handle.

……

In a large hall of the Jixia Academy, a group of people gathered together.

These were all renowned Confucian and Taoist scholars in the State of Qi, some from the imperial court and others from high-ranking positions in other academies.

Now that these people are gathered together, everyone has a somber expression, and the atmosphere is somewhat oppressive.

In the past few days, the Qi court and various academies have been inquiring about the situation and have learned that, apart from Qi, the Confucian temples of other states have also experienced unusual activity.

The thoughts of those ancient sages and worthies have all left the Confucian Temple and returned to the world.

As a result, the fortunes of Confucianism and Taoism throughout the world were greatly diminished, and the impact was unprecedented.

Even when Confucianism and Taoism were not prevalent in the previous dynasty, such a situation did not occur.

Many great Confucian scholars and almost saintly figures have tried to communicate with those sages who have departed and no longer enjoy offerings, but have received no response.

Some even asked other sages to investigate the cause, but those sages were also unable to communicate with Confucius and the others.

Even Yan Jue returned to the Yan family and went to the Yan Clan Ancestral Hall to worship the Sage Yan, but his ancestor still did not appear.

Yan Jue sat in the main hall, her heart sinking to the bottom.

Someone said gravely in a low voice, "Confucius and his companions left without saying goodbye, and the reason is still unknown, but we must prepare for the worst..."

Those sages who have departed can be said to be the foundation of Confucianism and Taoism.

Without the protection of those sages, the decline of the fortunes of Confucianism and Taoism was inevitable.

The number of Confucian and Taoist scholars that various countries can support will decrease sharply in the future.

In particular, Confucian scholars who were promoted through the imperial examinations based on Confucianism and Taoism.

Those Confucian scholars who rose through the imperial examinations lacked literary talent and needed to be bestowed with Confucian and Taoist literary spirit by the Confucian temple to break through.

Now that this has happened, it is clearly unlikely that we will be able to select so many Confucian and Taoist scholars through the imperial examination system in the future.

University palaces will probably have to reduce their student numbers...

And this is only one of the impacts.

If this story about Confucianism and Taoism were to spread, it would surely become a legendary tale and a laughing stock for some.

In fact, the reason why the other states disliked the Buddhist sect of Wei was because they felt that the Buddhist sect established by Wei was not orthodox, and even the Buddha, the origin of Buddhism and Taoism, did not enjoy the offerings of incense.

So much so that many Confucian and Daoist scholars in Qi looked down on Buddhists, considering them nothing more than heretics masquerading as Buddhists. But to their utter surprise, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas suddenly appeared and descended to earth in Wei, while the Confucian sages passed away…

The balance of power has now shifted between offense and defense.

Some people couldn't help but ask, "Could this matter be related to Buddhism or Taoism?"

Saying that is really like bringing up a sore spot.

Some people frowned upon hearing this.

Someone asked, "Why do you say that?"

The person who spoke said softly, "I have read in ancient books that the fortunes of heaven and earth are subject to change... Could it be that the descent of Buddhism and Taoism has stolen the fortunes of Confucianism, thus causing Confucius and the others to pass away, in order to contend with Buddhism and Taoism?"

Upon hearing this, everyone had different expressions, thinking to themselves, "You really have a knack for making connections; you can even link this to Buddhism."

Some people couldn't help but ponder, "This statement doesn't seem to be without merit..."

"How could Buddhism and Taoism, which are newly emerging, possibly have such great power to counter Confucianism and Taoism..."

"This statement is a bit outrageous. If that were the case, why did Confucius and the others leave without explaining?"

……

Immediately, the crowd erupted in discussion, each holding their own opinion.

Yan Jue frowned. He actually felt that this matter might be related to Lu Zheng.

But he had no real evidence, nor the courage to seek answers from Lu Zheng.

Because if it really has some connection with Lu Zheng, just thinking about it is terrifying.

After all, Lu Zheng was just a young man; if he could actually make Confucian sages leave the world, it was something Lu Zheng couldn't even imagine.

If this is confirmed, it may also confirm some of the things Lu Zheng said to him.

That is, the Confucian sages were very disappointed in their descendants...

"Yan Jijiu, what do you think?"

Seeing Yan Jue deep in thought, someone couldn't help but ask.

Yan Jue suddenly came to her senses. Facing the gazes of everyone, she couldn't help but cough to calm her inner turmoil.

Yan Jue said in a low voice, "I think it's best not to involve Buddhism before we have evidence. Spreading these words out would only give Buddhism more momentum..."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed, and upon reflection, they realized it was indeed true.

To say that Buddhism and Taoism have stolen the fortunes of Confucianism and Taoism doesn't mean that Buddhism and Taoism will prosper for some time to come, while Confucianism and Taoism will decline!

Trying to find a scapegoat to shift the blame might actually benefit someone else.

"What Minister Yan said is not without reason..."

"Yes, yes, let's not talk about Buddhism anymore, let's think about the future..."

"Perhaps it's just a problem with Confucianism and Taoism, which Confucius and his followers have dealt with and will return soon, so there's no need to make any explanations."

"This matter still needs to be covered up with a reason; we can't..."

"If we were to lose the protection of those Confucian sages, the future of us Confucian families would probably not be as peaceful as before... We must all work together to overcome this difficult time..."

"Brother Kong is absolutely right. The more critical the situation, the less we can afford to make any mistakes..."

So, the group started discussing other topics.

In a corner of the hall, an elderly man with white hair and beard sat there, listening to the conversation with a furrowed brow.

The old man, with a strong voice, interrupted everyone's conversation.

Is it possible that this is our problem?

Upon hearing this, the entire room fell silent.

Everyone looked at the old man, their expressions varying.

The old man's name was Zhang Haoran, a great Confucian scholar from the State of Qi, who possessed a righteous spirit.

He once served as an official in the imperial court, where he was known for his integrity and outstanding achievements, making him a truly virtuous minister.

However, due to his overly upright character, he often criticized some of his colleagues, which made him disliked by many people.

As a result, Zhang Haoran was ostracized by his colleagues, and in middle age, he resigned from his official post and returned to his hometown to live in seclusion.

In the past, some academies invited Zhang Haoran to take up positions, but he refused them all.

Zhang Haoran felt that the students in those academies were already set in their ways and difficult to teach, so he preferred to educate some poor students and ordinary children.

In light of this upheaval in Confucianism and Taoism, someone invited him to come out of seclusion and discuss important matters.

Knowing that such a major change had occurred, Zhang Haoran could not turn a blind eye, so he came to the Jixia Academy.

Seeing the way these like-minded people talked and acted, Zhang Haoran really couldn't stand it anymore.

Someone looked at Zhang Haoran and asked curiously, "What do you mean by that, Brother Haoran?"

Zhang Haoran sighed with a melancholy expression, "Is the Confucianism of today the same as the Confucianism of the past?"

"The sage said, 'Cultivate oneself, regulate one's family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world...'"

"Having cultivated ourselves to such a level, what have we actually accomplished? Have we truly cultivated ourselves? Managed our families? Governed the country? As for bringing peace to the world, that goes without saying..."

Zhang Haoran, with a look of deep sorrow and compassion, said, "The affairs of the world are all reduced to selfish schemes!"

“You all know in your hearts what a mess Confucianism is these days! If it were me, I would be ashamed to continue to enjoy the offerings of this world…”

"You still hope that Confucius and the others will return, but I think they won't be coming back!"

These words shocked everyone and left them speechless.

Some people were staring at Zhang Haoran in shock, as if he were a complete stranger.

Someone said, "Brother Haoran, did you read those journals to say such things...?"

Zhang Haoran's words were so harsh that they couldn't help but think of some of the opinions expressed in thought journals.

Zhang Haoran said coldly, "Is there something wrong with those articles? Isn't that the principle that the sages taught you?"

Zhang Haoran suddenly stood up, a bitter smile on his face. "Even now, you haven't even considered what problems you might have caused. Instead, after the sages have departed, you're still trying to make up for the benefits you've missed... How pathetic, how pathetic..."

"Haha, even the sages have abandoned us; we are all sinners for all time! Hahaha..."

Zhang Haoran threw his head back and laughed loudly, then went straight out the door, no longer wanting to stay there.

For a moment, the entire hall fell silent; everyone remained quiet. (End of Chapter)