Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1284: Chapter 1238: Heresy Beneath the Mainstream

For the great Confucian scholars of this era, retreating from society to write books is not an unfamiliar thing; to be accurate, they often do this.

Moreover, Fenggao has indeed become more prosperous than these great Confucian scholars could have imagined. Wherever you go, there are people buying things, and there are people everywhere, which is indeed a scene of governance and prosperity, but obviously, such a place is not suitable for writing books.

Even though Jian Yong allocated very secluded courtyards for this group of people, going in and out, seeing the crowdedness, would cause even the mindsets of great Confucian scholars to waver somewhat.

There’s no helping it; flourishing prosperity can distract the eyes. Writing books requires finding a secluded place to think and write, which is most in line with their mindset.

Thus, Jian Yong gathered everyone and said, ”Fenggao is really not suitable for writing books. We should head into the depths of Mount Tai to find a secluded valley, where we can take refuge and recuperate, and write books leisurely.”

Naturally, all the great Confucian scholars agreed to this proposal. They didn’t care much about food and accommodation; more than half of these people had previously farmed their own plots.

Living in a valley posed no problem whatsoever, so Jian Yong led this group of people, along with their finest second and third disciples, bringing food, clothing, and escorts, to a certain valley in Mount Tai to retreat and write books.

Jian Yong suggested that since they wanted seclusion and remoteness, they should travel further in. With over twenty elite troops escorting them, it wasn’t a problem at all, so they kept on walking until they couldn’t discern the direction themselves, finally finding that secluded valley.

This valley was found by Zang Ba and others after a long search in Mount Tai. It’s extremely remote; without a guide, the average person can’t find their way there, and likewise, without guidance, they might end up feeding the tigers if they try to leave.

Without a doubt, this place is highly suitable for reclusion, especially after over twenty troops blocked the entrance of the valley, eliminating any danger. After setting up food, drink, and living supplies in the valley, all the great Confucian scholars began painstakingly writing books.

Even after six months of residing in these picturesque surroundings, they found their thoughts flowing like a fountain; some of the great Confucian scholars lost interest in coming down from the mountain, especially people like Wang Lie who had no children, no attachments, and simply loved writing books and cultivating Qi and virtue.

Dwelling in these deep mountains and old forests, without worrying about food or supplies, untouched by mundane affairs, reading the classic books of sages with a profoundly peaceful heart, and recalling their past insights, there was nothing that brought Wang Lie more happiness.

Of course, when they realized their Confucian school was nearly overshadowed by the Hundred Schools of Thought, maintaining such a mindset was truly rare.

”What? Lord Kang Cheng went deep into Mount Tai to write books?” A Confucian scholar looked frantically at Zheng Xuan’s student standing before him.

”May I ask what business you have in seeking the teacher?” Zheng Xuan’s disciple asked calmly, with an air of unperturbedness.

”Where are Duke Wang and Master Guan?” The scholar immediately inquired about Wang Lie, Guann Ning, and their whereabouts, ”And Duke Pang and the others?”

Speaking of Lord Pang De, he was quite peculiar; previously, because of Pang Tong, he hadn’t planned to leave Jingzhou at all. But when Oracle Bone Script was discovered and called upon all great Confucian scholars to identify it, Lord Pang De unhesitatingly rushed to Mount Tai, without worrying about being caught.

Also arriving were Sima Hui from Jing-Xiang. In sum, the excavation of Oracle Bone Script and exploration of the Hundred Schools’ root and pre-Easy origins, as well as dictionary source work, had indeed captured all the celebrated and influential Confucian leaders worldwide, making this a grand event for Confucianism!

”They all went. My teacher found Fenggao too noisy and went deep into Mount Tai to retreat and write books several days ago, and my two fellow apprentices also went along.” Wang Jingg, Zheng Xuan’s student, looked uncomprehendingly at the now somewhat panicked Confucian scholar.

”It’s over!” The scholar smiled bitterly, Confucianism wasn’t late in realizing, perhaps not noticing the secret hidden in Xuu Zijiang’s official announcement initially, but given a little more time, how could they not have detected it? Yet, it turned out to be too late!

Zheng Xuan’s student was quietly writing books behind closed doors, naturally unaware of the Civil Official List stirring up the world. Strictly speaking, Chen Xi also hadn’t planned for the official announcement to be known prematurely in Mount Tai Region.

Fortunately, at this time, the speed and channels of information transmission were very limited, and the official reach was able to cut off the spread, so not a single great Confucian scholar in Mount Tai knew about the matter.

The scholar watched Zheng Xuan’s student with an unaware expression and quickly explained the entire situation and its background to him, ”We need to urgently find someone to lead the situation.”

”Well, if Qu Hanmo can succeed in this matter, my Confucian school might say to take a step back, even take three steps back, retreat to the early Han dynasty, so what?” After hearing the explanation, Wang Jingg didn’t feel surprised at all.

”Why do you think like this? This matter is no longer the sole responsibility of Qu Hanmo; it has become a concerted effort of the Hundred Schools against my Confucianism!” Jiao Xian rebuked.

”Isn’t it perfectly fine for the Hundred Schools to correct our errors?” Wang Jingg replied with a smile, ”If we know our mistakes, why don’t we change? If we are wrong, why can’t others point it out? Matters of right or wrong, why conceal them?”

Wang Jingg had one thing left unsaid: that although Confucianism has its faults, it also has merits. At least Confucianism establishes virtue, and during the three hundred years of exclusive Confucianism, it hasn’t committed unforgivable errors. Since this is so, how could the Hundred Schools defeat it in one go? It’s merely the cycle of Feng Shui.

”Why are you so foolish? Do you want those commoners to trample on us?” At this time, some Confucian scholars had already seen through the implications of the official announcement, which aimed to elevate the farming, commerce, and industry—such lowly fields!

Unlike the Hundred Schools, who were barefoot, unconcerned about shoes, both knew very well that if they continued without struggle, sooner or later, their ideas would vanish entirely!

The School of Yin and Yang turned into feng shui, dragon vein locating, digging ancestral graves; Famous Family’s infinite concept and elemental concept became the peddlers’ argumentations; Mohist’s Universal Love, non-aggression theory, mechanical theory, and mathematics research all turned into lowly undertakings...

Fine, since apart from you Confucians, we are all lowly, why should we care about your Confucian school? Rather than waiting for one day when the ideas of the Hundred Schools we represent all become errors and the inheritors of our ideas labeled as lowly by your Confucians, it’s better to go all out now!

”Farming, commerce, and industry are commoners?” Wang Jingg raised an eyebrow and asked.

”Aren’t they?” The Confucian scholar, unperturbed by appearances, replied.

”No wonder our Confucian school is targeted by the Hundred Schools; with such thinking, I also think it’s justified.” Wang Jingg turned to leave, ”When speaking to you, I was first a farmer, after feeding myself, I followed my teacher to learn and became a scholar. Scholars come from farming, commerce, and industry; the sages taught according to ability, heaven-sent, really?”