Confucianism in the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 1 Sword Saint Cao Qiudao

The ornamental trees planted in the courtyard are low and scattered, black pine and green bamboo depend on each other, the bamboo shadows are swaying, and the moss is spread, mottled and scattered, gathering and scattered.

This courtyard seems to contain all the heaven and earth in it. I don’t know how many heavens there are.

A young boy in a blue gown stood with his hands behind his back, looking into the distance with a look of waning interest.

"People are quiet, people are sparse, and the wind moves a garden of flowers..."

He was not from this world, but unexpectedly he lived a new life, and came to the pre-Qin period.

However, this life seemed to be quite different from the world he knew.

"It's a good year. Although it doesn't make a rhyme, it still has some flavor."

Suddenly a voice came, and the young boy raised his eyes and realized that a man in white was already beside him.

White clothes and black hair, nose dimples like eagles, deep-set eyes, face crystal clear like snow, tall, thin and slender.

What is unforgettable is his arrogance looking down on the world, and his hands holding the sword.

As soon as he appeared, the scenery in the entire courtyard was eclipsed, as if everything in the world was captured by his sharp edge.

"I don't know who you are?" The young boy was also calm.

"You don't know me, but I know your name is Lu Nian." The man in white said.

"Your Excellency is here to find my father? I can lead you there." Lu Nian asked quickly.

"Exactly, take me to find your father." The man in white said.

Lu Nian knew that he had an extraordinary background, so he didn't dare to neglect him, so he led him to the mansion.

"Father!" Lu Nian called out, knocking on the door.

"What's the matter?" A gentle but majestic voice came from the room.

Lu Nian respectfully replied, "A visitor is here."

Before he could answer, the man in white opened the door and walked into the room.

I saw the man in the room wearing a green shirt, with a clean face and an elegant temperament, sitting in front of the desk, holding a green slip in his hand.

"It's been a long time since I left Jixia Academy in Jingnian." Lu Yijian put down the blue slip in his hand, stood up and greeted the man in white.

"I came to see you this time just to reminisce about the past." The man in white said.

"Nian'er, step back first." Father Lu instructed.

"No." Lu Nian replied, walked to the door, and backed out.

"He does have your demeanor. I think he has a good foundation and is a good material for sword learning. Would you like me to teach him." The man in white said.

"It's his blessing to be favored by you, and I am very happy." Lu Yijian said, but with a slight hesitation in his tone, "It's just that I have already found a teacher for him, and I will send him there later. "

"You are so eager to make arrangements for him, but that unlucky thing has already set its sights on you." The man in white said.

Lu Yijian's heart trembled when he heard the words, and he said solemnly, "They are pervasive. If they have the intention, there is no one in this world who can hide them."

"I know you have a secret, and that's why they're looking for you." The man in white said, "If they come, one will kill them, ten will kill them, hundreds, thousands, ten thousand, I will kill them all, and I will protect you completely."

In the words, it reveals the arrogance of dominating the world, people are like swords, swords are like rainbows, and they are as powerful as a bamboo.

"They may not be worth mentioning to you, but this matter is not as simple as it appears on the surface, and the relationship is hard to explain. I don't want to involve you, I have my own concerns." Lu Yijian said.

The man in white was not annoyed, he knew his character, if he had made a decision, no one could change it, so he said, "Although that is the case, I will stay in your residence for a while."

"That's fine too." Lu Yijian said.

"It is said that he is coming back." Lu Yijian changed the subject, "Probably he will pass through Dongjun."

"You don't want to see him?" the man in white said.

"Since he has returned, why should I go see him?" Lu Yijian laughed.

The man in white didn't ask any more questions, and then said: "East County controls the five countries with one place, Zhao and Yan are connected to the north, and Chu is connected to the south; Qilu is next to the east. If he enters Wei, he will naturally choose this place. Besides, he has a lot in mind. No worries, Dongjun has always been the residence of farmers, and he has a very close friendship with farmers."

Lu Yijian knew what he meant. The peasant family had always opposed Qin. Now, although he was ordered by the king to return to the country, his future was uncertain. Taking advantage of the power of the peasant family, he could avoid disaster.

"Since the beginning of the year, Meng Ao, the general of the Qin State, has led the army to attack and occupy Gaodu and Jicheng. The Wei army has been defeated repeatedly and is powerless to resist. Only he can regain his strength, fight against the Qin army, and regain the country. "Lu Yijian said.

What he didn't say is that the rise and fall of a country depends on one person, and it will be difficult to support it alone.

The man in white was a little silent, and he said to himself, "The world has been in chaos for a long time, and the conquests continue. The situation where the seven kingdoms stand side by side will eventually be shattered, and the world may be unified by Qin."

Lu Yijian sighed, "It's just to stop fighting and abandon fighting, and rest with the people. In the end, there will be no more than the moon in the water, and the flowers in the mirror."

Although the man in white agreed with his rhetoric, he said: "There is no need to worry, you just need to do what you need to do. As for the destination of the world, it is up to you and me."

Lu Yijian didn't refute, he knew that what he said was the truth, but why didn't Jianghu get involved in this dispute, this chaotic world was just a prelude.

They are just a flat boat under this fission, and they will capsize and sink if they are not careful.

.........

"Young Master, the meal is ready." A servant said.

Pass through the corridor and come to the small courtyard. Just entering the house, the dishes and all kinds of tableware have been set on the table, and the banquet occupies an area of ​​ten feet.

A maidservant holds a copper pan filled with water, and a maidservant holds a copper plate filled with a pan, which is actually rice-washing water. Rice belongs to the essence of plants, and the rice-washing water has good decontamination ability.

Lu Nian took his seat after cleaning his hands.

Although the dishes at this time were not as rich as later generations, they were still exquisite.

Chunao, Paofu, Daozhen, Paozang, Daozhen, Zuan, Boil, Liver, and the meat porridge in the cooking pot, the meals can be described as exquisite.

Lu Nian picked up a braised slice and put it in his mouth, it melted in the mouth, delicious and smooth.

The maidservant at the side scooped a ladle of zhe syrup from the ice mirror into the copper jue, Lu Nianjue took a sip, and tasted the sweet fragrance.

Lu Nian likes Zhejiang very much. In fact, it is a drink made from sugarcane juice, which is usually used to hangover after drinking.

"Young Master, can you keep your mouth shut?" the maid asked.

"I'm very satisfied." Lu Nian said, "There are so many dishes here, it's a pity to throw them away. You can share a share."

Lu Nian came from a later generation, and never regarded these servants as inferior, and never harshly criticized them. He was always approachable and had a very good relationship with them.

After lunch, Lu Nian was resting in the courtyard, when he suddenly heard footsteps approaching from far and near, a figure appeared outside the courtyard gate, it was the man in white.

"I don't know, Your Excellency, why are you looking for a kid?" Lu Nian said.

"Your father ordered me to teach you how to practice swords. From now on, you will practice swords with me in the morning, before class and in the afternoon." The man in white said.

In the pre-Qin period, learning swords, fighting swords, and saber were very popular. He had already learned basic swordsmanship from his master before.

In this ancient world similar to the previous life, there are martial arts.

When he saw this person yesterday, he felt that this person must be a martial arts master, and now he can be taught by him personally, he is very happy, who doesn't have a dream of martial arts in his heart, and walks the world with a sword.

"Student Lu Nian pays respects to Mr. Xi, don't you know his name?" Lu Nian asked the teacher politely.

There is a saying in the book: "If you are alive, you will care about it, and if you die, you will worship it. This is the way to respect the teacher."

The ancients sat on the ground and respected the west side, so they honored tutors as Xixi and Xibin.

"You know how to be courteous. My name is Cao Qiudao. Today I will teach you a few tricks to avoid being bullied in the future." The man in white said, and he took out his sword and handed it to Lu Nian.

This is a simple and unpretentious bronze sword. The scabbard is made of mahogany, and the blade has no decorations. The whole body is smooth and glows slightly cold.

Lu Nian took the bronze sword. This simple sword had a thick and steady feel, and the sharp edge of the sword spine was exposed. It seemed that once the sword was drawn, it could cut down the galaxy.

"Swords also have thoughts." The man in white seemed to be aware of what he was thinking, "You haven't entered the way of swords, but you can feel my sword intent."

"Boy, I just feel something occasionally, so I don't dare to speak out." Lu Nian said modestly, "I hope you will teach me."

"Swordsmanship has two realms, one is the sword style, and the other is the mind style. The sword style is the foundation. Use the mind to draw the breath, and use the breath to attract the spirit. The mind is the heart, the heart is the breath, and the breath is the sword."

Cao Qiudao said: "In terms of artistic conception, you are still far behind, so let's not express it."

"Now, I will teach a sword skill - "Flying Flowers Chasing Leaves". I will only perform it once, and you just remember."

Cao Qiudao wanted to test and teach Lu Nian's comprehension, and he also had to teach students in accordance with their aptitude in swordsmanship.

He broke off a branch casually, as if there was nothing in his hand that could be used as a sword.

In an instant, pieces of flying leaves flew away from the tree like raindrops, cracked from the center, and scattered in the air.

When the flying leaves were all gone, Cao Qiudao discarded the branches casually, and said flatly: "This is the fast sword technique, which emphasizes speed, accuracy, stability, and ruthlessness. As long as you can understand it, you can enter the sword technique category."

"Sir's swordsmanship is already excellent." Lu Nian praised, this was the first time he saw such a miraculous scene, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement in his heart.

"How much do you understand?" Cao Qiudao asked, he knew that Lu Nian didn't understand swordsmanship.

"I seem to see a way, but I know it's hard to use it." Lu Nian replied.

"You don't have the internal energy to attract it right now, so you can't do it." Cao Qiudao didn't doubt his words, "You don't have to worry, I will teach you."

"Mr. Xie doesn't blame the disciple for being dull." Lu Nian bowed.

"The most important thing in sword practice is the basics. Don't be impatient, you must progress step by step." Cao Qiudao said again, "The methods are nothing more than stabbing, chopping, hanging, pointing, collapsing, clouding, wiping, piercing, pressing, etc. On this basis, you can use sword fingers. Adding various footwork, step shapes, jumping, balancing, spinning and other movements constitutes swordsmanship, and from today onwards, you will start practicing swordsmanship according to what I have taught you."

"Yes, sir." Lu Nian replied.

Cao Qiudao then demonstrated it again, and saw that he stabbed straight forward with the flat sword, reaching the tip of the sword, the sword and his arm were in a line, and then the sword drew an arc in midair, and quickly returned to its original position, leaving nothing behind. trace.

Lu Nian studied very seriously and meticulously. From time to time, he raised his own doubts, and Cao Qiudao was able to answer them all.

Seeing that Lu Nian was so serious, young and mature, Cao Qiudao was even more pleased.

After Lu Nian finished practicing, he said, "That's all for today, you go and rest."

"Thank you sir." Lu Nian said.

Seeing that it was getting late, Lu Nian said, "Sir, do you want to have dinner with me? If there is anything delicious, I can ask the inner chef to prepare it."

"No need." Cao Qiudao refused, "I still have something to do, so I will take my leave first."

...

At night, there is a silence, only the moonlight is bright.

The lights on the copper lamp in the room flickered, reflecting a delicate and immature face, Lu Nian was sitting in front of the desk holding a book in his hand.

It's just that there is no paper at this time, and most of the books are bamboo slips and wooden boxes, which is very inconvenient.

"Nian'er, you are also hardworking, so you can save your father a lot of worry." A voice suddenly sounded.

"Father!" Lu Nian turned his head, and his father had arrived beside him at some point.

"Because I learned swords with my husband in the afternoon, I missed my homework and am currently reviewing "Yu"." Lu Nian replied.

"Teach the "Spring and Autumn" to promote the good and restrain the evil, so as to persuade their hearts; teach the "Shi" to clarify the virtues and abolish the gloom, so that you don't be afraid of its movements; teach the "Poetry" and Guide them to show their virtues, so as to brighten their aspirations; teach the rituals, so that they can know the rules of the upper and lower; teach the joy, so that they can reduce the filth and suppress them; The virtues of the people are also enlightened; the teaching of "Guzhi" will make those who know what is wrong and prosperous beware of fear." Father Lu said, "You have read books, but also because you have clarified righteousness and united knowledge and action."

"Save it baby." Lu Nian said.

"Okay, you should rest earlier, don't work too hard, or your body will not be able to bear it." Father Lu said.

Lu Nian promised, and watched his father leave. His figure was still as tall and straight as a pine tree, and his temperament had not changed much. The heroic appearance of his youth could be vaguely seen.

(End of this chapter)