"In that case, I’m just a new academic gatekeeper."
"The world is changing; things are not simply black and white. Do you rember when I asked you about the theory of human nature’s innate evil?"
Li Guanyi replied, "Heaven and Earth converge, and all things thrive; Yin and Yang et, and change arises; stealth nature combines, and the world is governed."
Wang Tong said, "I rely tapped into the ancient strength of Confucianism to montarily dust off the many schools of thought. But as long as humans exist, there will be selfishness and mixed thoughts. A year or ten years is nothing, but after several decades or centuries, problems will reerge."
"To solve problems once and for all is a child’s wishful thinking."
"After a hundred years, two hundred years, the sa issues will arise again."
"But, fear not. There will always be endless successors."
"Innovate continuously; today’s new will beco tomorrow’s old. Constant renewal and smoothing out accumulated evils can lead us further."
Confucianism’s theory of human nature’s innate evil acknowledges human beings’ natural inclinations but also believes that education and self-discipline can lead toward good. Trees may grow twisted but can be guided to beco towering straight trees. Steel may rust, but honing can make it sharp.
So, too, with people.
Wang Tong remarked, "What I wanted to accomplish in my youth, I have already done. The path ahead is yours." His fingers gently tapped on the bamboo slip, slowly unfurling it to reveal nas one by one.
The first among the scholars for ingenuity, Fang Ziqiao.
First in determination and decision, Du Keming.
With a calm gaze, sincere speech, and penetrating analysis, Wei Xuancheng.
And many more, the pale golden characters emitted a subtle charm in the sunlight: "I have asked my disciples and followers. Among them, 237 are willing to join your Heavenly Strategy Mansion to venture into the world. The rest have their own pursuits."
After a pause, Wang Tong said, "This is quite good."
Li Guanyi received the bamboo slip with both hands and asked, "Teacher, will you briefly reside in Jiangnan?"
Wang Tong playfully replied, "Last night I dreamt of Yan Zi saying to the master’s command: ’Shall I rest?’ Perhaps the Master has summoned , so I won’t go. If I go too far, and the path becos unclear for the First Generation Master, that wouldn’t be good."
"I ca here at the age of five and found it quite good to just study in the academy. As for your Jiangnan, I won’t be visiting."
Li Guanyi said, "Teacher..."
Wang Tong continued, "I’m not doing this for you, but because of you, which led to see the opportunity to clear the accumulated gloom of the academic gatekeepers from this academy. However, students entering all directions will still be influenced by various factors; the world is vast, heroes rise in all quarters."
"It isn’t that simple."
"Against the multitude of enemies, there is one last thing to say."
Li Guanyi placed the bamboo slip containing the nas of Wang Tong’s scholars into his sleeve, stood up, bowed deeply, and respectfully said, "Please, teacher, instruct ."
Wang Tong replied, "A strong nation relies on soldiers; achieving dominance requires strategy; the grand kingly way holds to the righteous cause."
The illustrious emperor needs [virtue], but this [virtue] is not personal morality. To achieve the grand enterprise of the Human Emperor, one needs a grand presence that naturally accomplishes itself.
Li Guanyi, reflecting, answered, "There is no need for so-called strategy or righteous cause, for the highest realm is to keep all the world’s people in one’s heart, hence all the world’s people will rally behind that person."
"Only those who do not seek their own longevity will be placed at the highest by all under heaven. This is the realm above a lasting emperor, the realm of the Human Emperor; in his eyes, it is not his own achievents but the achievents of all the world’s people."
Mr. Wang Tong gazed at the disciple who answered and smiled:
"You have seen."
Li Guanyi paused.
Such great talent can make judgnts in an instant.
Wang Tong said nothing.
He rely lowered his gaze and smiled, pointing to the sky outside the door, saying:
"The world is vast; go forth."
Li Guanyi looked at Mr. Wang Tong, bowed, stood up, and left. Fang Ziqiao personally accompanied him out. The autumn weather changed quickly. Wang Tong continued to read, his voice still calm and clear:
"See what the rich associate with, see what the poor take, see what the successful pursue, see what the destitute do."
"Only with a gentleman can one discuss changes."
"To love fa and cherish profit is petty behavior; I’ve never seen a benevolent person who loves fa and profit!"
The outside sounds seed to gradually fade away.
A silver-haired Taoist paced in, and Mr. Wang Tong seed to have known in advance. He looked up and simply smiled, "Taoist Sect elder, you are a bit late." The one who ca was indeed the Taoist Sect, one of the Four Legends. He sat calmly and said:
"Debating with Red Dragon took so ti."
"I initially did not intend to co."
"But I was invited by Sword Madman Murong Longtu, and had to co. Yet upon returning to Central State, I see you have done sothing so grand, shattering the vast righteous qi of the Great Scholars alone. Such great boldness."
"Aren’t you afraid of future generations concealing you?"
Wang Tong laughed freely and said, "A gentleman hides his na, and it doesn’t matter."
The silver-haired Taoist observed this young generation of Confucian scholars.
To him, Zu Wenyuan and Wang Tong were actually of the sa generation.
When Wang Tong was born, he passed by and cast a divination for him.
It was [Kun] to [Master].
He advised Wang Tong’s parents to let him study, as he would beco a master in the future. Yet even as a Taoist of the Martial Arts Legend, he never expected Wang Tong to reach such great heights, with fierce majesty.
Wang Tong smiled and said, "Taoist elder was the Taoist Sect Palace Master centuries ago, but later, seeing the chaos in the academy and recognizing its filth, you did not want to go along and so left."
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