A thousand-year-old family that began with the Battle of Makino

Chapter 56 Private study, old friends and new friends

The seventh year of Duke Zhao of Lu, the two hundred and thirty-sixth year of Bai Kingdom
When Confucius was seventeen years old, his mother Yan Zheng passed away.

This year, the Jisun family hosted a banquet for the first-level nobles. At this time, Confucius had already studied with Taishi Crucian for two years. During this period, Confucius inherited the sword from his uncle Liang He and officially became a scholar. So Confucius went to the banquet, but was turned away by Ji's retainer Yang Hu.

Confucius said: "The Jisun family invited all the scholars in the city, and I, Kongqiu, am also a scholar. This means that the Jisun family invited me, Confucius. If they invited me, but I didn't come, it would be rude of me." , Now, I was invited to come, but you blocked the door. This is Ji Sun's discourtesy. I have fulfilled my courtesy. Please tell Dr. Ji Sun that I, Confucius, have already been here." After saying that, he turned around and left.

In the ninth year of Lu Zhaogong, in the 238th year of Bai Kingdom
Confucius married Qi Guan, a native of the Song Dynasty, as his wife after being introduced by someone else.

The tenth year of Duke Zhao of Lu, the two hundred and thirty-ninth year of Bai Kingdom
Qi Guan gave birth to a son. After five years of study, Confucius had learned a lot of knowledge from Taishi Crucian Carp, especially the knowledge of etiquette. Now everyone in Lu knew that there was a man named Confucius in Qufu who was very good at etiquette. As long as someone asked him, he would not get an answer. Come up.

This incident reached the ears of Lu Zhaogong. Because Lu was a feudal state of Zhou Gongdan, the etiquette was very strong. He heard that there was a talent in his country who was good at etiquette, and he heard that Cai Cai was blessed with a son. So he He ordered a carp to be given to Confucius.

Confucius was very excited, thinking that this was the king's recognition of him, so he named his son Li, Kong Li.

In the same year, Confucius was appointed as a commissioned official and was responsible for managing the warehouse.

In the eleventh year of Duke Zhao of Lu, the two hundred and fortyth year of Bai Kingdom

Because the Kongqiu warehouse is well managed, not only the goods are clearly separated, but also no items or grains have been discarded in the past year, and the grains have not been damaged due to any problems. Therefore, it was converted into a farm to manage livestock.

When he was working in the field, Confucius met a coachman whose driving skills were very outstanding, so Confucius learned from him how to drive a carriage.

The seventeenth year of Duke Zhao of Lu, the two hundred and forty-sixth year of Bai Kingdom

Tan Zi came to the state of Lu to meet with him. Confucius asked Tan Zi about the ancient official system of Tan state. Tan is a vassal state of Lu.

"I'm going down to Confucius to pay my respects to Tan Zi." After Confucius saw Tan Zi, he performed the courtesy of a foreign official meeting the viscount.

"I wonder what business you have with me, sir?" Tan Zi returned the greeting.

"I want to ask you about the official positions in ancient times, including before King Ping, the Shang Dynasty, the Xia Dynasty, and even the ancient emperors' era, including their roles."

Tan Zi was very happy to communicate. The two of them communicated for a whole day, but they were still not satisfied. Agree to continue the communication tomorrow. Tanzi said: "Actually, my knowledge is not very complete. The most complete and true knowledge should be in the Bai Kingdom. Do you know the Bai Kingdom?"

"I know that my husband Fang Xiang is the Bai Kingdom Ranger. I heard from him that there is a library there, which has been collected by the Bai family for hundreds of years. There are more documents in it than the Zhou royal family's collection room."

"Exactly, that's where the things I know come from. If you have the chance, you must go there and have a look. No matter when you go, you will gain something."

In the same year, because Confucius continued to teach the common people free knowledge, some people suggested that Confucius should openly recruit disciples so that more people could receive Confucius' teachings.

Confucius agreed, and the first private school in Lu was officially opened, and the first batch of disciples such as Zeng Dian and Yan Lu officially became teachers.

The 20th year of Duke Zhao of Lu, the 248th year of Bai Kingdom

Confucius was thirty years old. At this time, Confucius was already quite famous. At least people around the state of Lu had heard that there was a man named Confucius in the state of Lu.

This year, Qi Jinggong and Yan Ying visited Lu State. Confucius, as the best etiquette person in Lu State, arranged the reception etiquette. Qi Jinggong and Yan Ying saw that Lu State’s etiquette was not only appropriate but also very strict, so they asked Lu Zhaogong Ask to meet the person who arranged the ceremony.

So Lu Zhaogong summoned Confucius, during which Qi Jinggong discussed with him the issue of Qin Mu Gong's dominance. Qi Jinggong thought that Confucius was a talent and wanted Lu Zhaogong to give it to him, but Lu Zhaogong refused. Confucius also got acquainted with Qi Jinggong.

The twenty-fourth year of Duke Zhao of Lu and the two hundred and fifty-second year of Bai Kingdom
Meng Xizi of the Mengsun family, one of the three emperors of the Lu state, was humiliated because he was ignorant of etiquette in his early years. He asked his sons Zhongsun Heji and Nangong Yue to go to Confucius to learn etiquette from him.

This year, Fang Xiang came to the state of Lu and met Confucius.

"Master, long time no see. Before you left, Qiu was only thirteen years old. Now that you are back, I am already thirty-four years old!" Confucius said excitedly.

Fang Xiang laughed and said: "Haha! Qiu! Don't be so sad, isn't it a happy thing to meet again? What's more, I am a ranger, and it is normal to live without a fixed place!

By the way, I heard about your virtuous reputation as soon as I arrived in the State of Lu. You don't know, when someone says: "Confucius, I know, he is a wise man in the State of Lu. He is not only good at etiquette, but also recruits people from the countryside." As a disciple, this is an uncommon person! '

How proud I am after hearing this, how proud I am? I knew I had seen the right person! "

Confucius was also very happy, and suddenly thought of a question and asked: "Master, I would like to ask you whether it is correct for me to accept people from the countryside as my disciples?"

Fang Xiang said: "Of course, you can just call us rangers. We support justice and help the weak. Do we still have to do it according to our status?
When a prince is in trouble, we will come to his rescue, but shouldn’t we save a slave in trouble? If so, are we still called heroes? "

"Confucius understands! By the way, how long will Master stay in Qufu this time?"

"This time I came to Qufu specifically to visit you. I will stay for about ten days. When my comrades meet, I will go back to the Bai Kingdom. I am old and I have to go back to the country to spend my old age in peace!"

"Then Master, please stay a few more days and let me fulfill my filial piety for you. In addition, can you help me teach my disciples the shooting ceremony?"

"Haha! Okay, I couldn't have asked for it!" Outside Qufu City, the place in front is where Confucius taught. It's the same place, the same people, but the number of people has changed, and their ages have also changed.

The strong young man at the beginning now has silver hair, and the childish boy before has become the master of hundreds of disciples. Time is really powerful.

In front of him, he talked about his experience and understanding in detail. Below, Mianqiu, Zhong You, Zeng Dian, Yan Lu, Qi Diaokai, Zhongsun Heji and Nangong Yue all listened attentively to Fang Xuan's explanation.

In addition to teaching skills and experiences, Fang Xiang also told some stories about his encounters as a ranger, which were so exciting that Zhong Yu and others praised him.

When the class ended, Zhong You and others were still in high spirits, hoping that Fang Xiang could talk more, but Fang Xiang had no choice but to talk tomorrow.

After talking like this for five days, Zhong Yu and others had some new understandings of archery skills and archery rituals. Confucius was very happy when he saw this. He even thought about finding a few more knowledgeable sages to teach them. It would definitely be useful. benefit.

But then I thought about it, I would only limit it to people who share the same views and opinions as me, otherwise it would be bad if Zhong Yu and others were taught something that was different from my own views.

On this day, Confucius came to visit Fang Xiang as usual. After all, Fang Xiang could not stay for a few days, so he would see as much as he could.

At Fang Xiang's temporary stay, Confucius met a stranger who was dressed the same as Fang Xiang but had an extra forehead band. This man was younger than Fang Xiang. Confucius thought to himself, this must be the master's comrade!

Fang Xiang saw Confucius coming, so he introduced him to the person next to him: "Young Master, this is my disciple Kongqiu. He is polite and moral. The most important thing is that he does not care about the status differences between common people. He has accepted him as a disciple." There are many country people among them.”

Then he introduced to Confucius: "This is our comrade, Prince Yu of the Bai Kingdom."

"Confucius met the prince."

Bai Yu returned the greeting, and then the three of them took their seats.

Confucius asked curiously: "Why did the prince come to Qufu? Is it to discuss important matters with the state of Lu?"

Bai Yu shook his head and said: "No, I did not come as the crown prince, but as a Bai family ranger. No one knows that I am the crown prince except you two."

Confucius said hesitantly: "Concealing your identity is not what a gentleman does!"

Fang Xiang smiled and said: "Zhongni! You may not understand the system of the Bai Kingdom. The prince of the Bai Kingdom can become a ranger and go to other countries to eliminate violence and bring peace to the people, hoe the strong and help the weak. At this moment, he is just a ranger, not the prince. That's it. Can you understand?"

Bai Yu added: "That is to say, as long as Qufu does not bully the weak too obviously, I will not take action. I came to Qufu this time just to return to Bai Kingdom with Fang Xiang. After all, I have served as a ranger for many years. arrive."

"Confucius understands, I only saw the ranger Bai Yu, not the prince Bai Yu."

"Haha, that's right, please tell me more! Your disciple is really smart!"

When Fang Xiang saw Bai Yu praising his disciple, he was even happier than praising himself.

Later, Bai Yu chatted with Confucius again. Gradually, the topics they talked about became larger and larger, and the scope became wider and wider. The two found that except for some minor issues, their positions, thoughts, and opinions were similar. The degree of fit is super high. And Bai Yu also figured out some things that he couldn't figure out before from the conversation with Confucius.

When it gets dark, the candle light goes on. When it gets bright, the candle light goes out. It goes on again, then goes out again. The two of them chatted like this for two days and two nights.

In the end, the two of them couldn't hold on anymore, so they had to sleep at Fang Xiang's place. After sleeping well, they got up and continued chatting until Fang Xiang couldn't stand it anymore. After Zhong Yu and others came to Confucius many times, the two of them still couldn't get enough of each other. separate.

After Confucius left, Bai Yu said to him in detail: "I feel that I, the Bai family, have found a way."

Fang Xiang had a question mark on his face. Bai Yu then said energetically: "I dare to assert that this son of Confucius has the qualifications to become a saint. If I were not old and wanted to return to the Bai Kingdom to inherit the throne, I would definitely learn from him and even worship him. He is a teacher.”

Fang Xiang looked in disbelief and said, "No way!"

"You know who I saw in him?"

"Who?"

"Zhou Gongdan!"

Fang Xiang exclaimed: "Zhou Gongdan? Is it possible?"

Bai Yu couldn't wait any longer. He pulled Fang Xiang and said, "Let's go back to Bai Kingdom right away. I want to send Ting'er over. I, Bai Shi, have a way out. In the past, my Bai Shi's thoughts were only scattered. This is a little bit, that is a little bit, but it cannot be a system at all. This time with Confucius here, it will definitely work."

After saying that, he took Fang Xiang to say goodbye to Confucius and headed towards Bai Kingdom.

Confucius looked at the shadow of Bai Yu's car driving away and said to the disciple next to him: "My way is in the Kingdom of Bai!"

Zhong You and others looked at each other, not knowing how to answer.

(End of this chapter)