The Supreme Being

Chen Guo, Shangying City.

At dawn, a middle-aged man who described himself as ordinary hurried toward the west gate. His original temperament was groveling and flattering, but as he walked, he held his head high and looked straight, as if he was superior to others.

He is Tian Jian, Siko Tian Heng's servant. Now he has received an order from the Lord to go to the bamboo forest in the west of the city to investigate something.

Although Shangying is not a famous city, it still has tens of thousands of households. The city is divided into areas for palaces, nobles, markets, and civilians. Each area has many neighborhoods, each of which is organized into a group. Often, what happens in one neighborhood can be affected by just one street. The lack of hearing clearly shows the state of the big city, and although Tian Heng is a criminal who catches thieves, it is difficult for him to know about ordinary trivial things. As long as there is no big disturbance or someone reports him, he is happy and free.

More than a month ago, several people from Chu State came to give lectures in the bamboo forest in the west of the city. Tian Heng had never heard of it until recently when he heard a servant mention it, and he realized that the momentum seemed to have become a bit loud.

Originally, he did not support the lectures, but he would not suppress them. After all, this has been a popular trend in various countries in the past ten years. He did not take it seriously and had a reputation for being stubborn. However, as the momentum of the Zhulin lectures grew, He was shocked when he finally heard about various things, so he sent a trustworthy servant to investigate.

Tian Jian walked briskly, and everyone who met him on the street would stop and salute, which gave him great satisfaction. However, as he approached the bamboo forest in the west of the city, this situation gradually disappeared. There were more people walking with him and less people walking opposite him, and most of the steps were in a hurry, for fear of missing him. Something important.

"They all went to listen to the lecture in Zhulin?" Tian Jian was slightly startled, gathered his thoughts, and quickly followed.

The bamboo forest in the west of the city is said to be a bamboo forest, but in fact there is only a sparse bamboo, which has nothing to do with the forest. At this time, a half-person-high rammed earth tower stands in the center, and a woman is sitting on it. She is dressed in white, with a cold expression, noble temperament, and exquisite appearance. Gorgeous, like a fairy from the Moon Palace descending into the mortal world.

She looked a little green, as if she was only in her twenties, but seeing Tian Jian's mind wavering, she almost couldn't control herself, and couldn't help but sigh: "I'm afraid my praise in the past was nothing more than this..."

He was a servant of Sikou's family. He was literate and well-read.

Looking around, he found that many of the people sitting around looked admiring and respectful, but none of them were frivolous.

There was a lyre placed in front of the woman who was sitting upright. Suddenly, with a gentle touch, the music hit the ears. It was extremely clear and refreshing, making people feel energetic. Then Tian Jian found that the people around him all straightened their bodies, changed their attitudes, and stopped whispering. Voice.

"Today we will talk about the second chapter of "Mo Shu"..." The woman's voice sounded like the sound of a piano.

Tian Jian frowned. It was only the second chapter? Or how many times has it reached Chapter 2?

He had a proud and serious posture, but as he listened, his expression gradually changed involuntarily, as if the dull mask had been shed, revealing his vivid and exciting true face.

"The Book of Ink" turned out to be a secret book of martial arts!

She actually taught secrets to all the listeners in public?

And while teaching the exercises, he also taught people how to read!

Tian Jian felt that this was ridiculous and abnormal, as if he was trapped in a funny dream. As a trusted servant of the family master, he naturally had to teach the martial arts a long time ago. His strength was not bad, and he didn't care much about the martial arts contained in "Mo Shu". , but how can this be done?

The difficulty of acquiring skills and writing is a sign that nobles are different from the lowly. How can they be taught without any reward or even the slightest assessment?

It’s simply the most ridiculous thing in the world!

I have worked so hard, working like a cow and a horse, and finally learned how to read and practice martial arts. Are these lowly people worthy?

Looking around blankly, he seemed to see some scholars and some run-down nobles.

What happened next made Tian Jian even more angry. In addition to teaching, there were also guidance and even demonstrations in person. People around him either listened with interest, compared what they had learned, or were so absorbed in it that they wished they had four pairs of ears and two hearts. , and some find bark boards and other objects, and from time to time carve symbols they understand at key places to facilitate their recall later.

As time passed, after some questions and answers about cultivation, Tian Jian was in a state of shock, anger and confusion. The woman ended the teaching of the second chapter of "Mo Shu" and turned to "Mo Yi".

"Mo Yi?" Tian Jian gathered his thoughts and forced himself to listen.

But just as he had calmed down from the previous turmoil, another wave of shock hit him. He was so frightened and angry that he almost jumped up and blurted out curses.

"Universal love? There is no difference between heaven and earth, and so do people. Although there is a difference between closeness and distance, we must always have kindness and compassion? The noble should not despise the humble, and the rich should not humiliate the poor?" Tian Jian's expression suddenly became ferocious, and he held back. He felt the urge to curse angrily, "Absurd! The princes and nobles are born to be noble. How can they stand side by side with the poor and the lowly and love them all?"

"Don't start an unjust war? There are no unjust wars in the world today!"

"It's not fate? The merits match the will of heaven, and there are rewards from ghosts and gods. Is fate not destined? This, this seems to make sense..."

When Tian Jian heard this, he sometimes glared, sometimes raised his eyebrows. When he was ferocious, he wanted to tear the woman on the stage to pieces. When he was happy, he wanted to worship her. He felt that she had spoken to his heart. It turned out that this was the real truth. As long as he worked hard, he could still return the favor. There are opportunities to continue to improve!

"The disputes between the princes often last for hundreds of miles without anyone inhabiting them. The fields are full of bones and no one collects them for burial. This is not a special case. I believe that many of you here have experienced it. Only by loving each other and benefiting each other and not starting unjust wars can we Avoid..." Ruan Yushu on the stage breathed a sigh of relief. It was her turn to lecture today, but she was not good at it. After finally finishing speaking, she felt as relaxed as eating ten pieces of dried arowana in one go.

She did not preside over a meeting to tell the story of suffering, nor did she talk about the gods, Buddhas, immortals, saints, princes, and generals. She only had some meaning in her words, so as not to intensify the conflict with the nobles before the matter was completed. And it cannot be said that the intention of annihilating all the countries, unifying the world, and restoring peace to the people cannot be said. Chen Guo is a small country and has no ambition in this regard. If it is said, it will only be counterproductive, and a simple "non-attack" is enough.

For more than a month, they have not directly asked to see King Chen. After all, he is not a "courteous and virtuous corporal" Bole Lord. As an unknown person, the possibility of being dismissed directly is very high. Therefore, they spend time, concentrate on teaching, expand their momentum, and build their reputation. It can enhance one's own strength, and can also induce King Chen to take the initiative to summon him.

And the effect is surprisingly good. With the publicity and efforts of Zhao Bai and others, the lectures have gone from being ignored at first to now not only common people come to learn, but also many knowledgeable officials and scholars will listen, praise and admire them. .

As a result, the reputation of Meng Qi and others spread wider and wider, and gradually nobles came, including some from nearby cities. The titles "Five Sages" and Mr. Su became popular in the streets and alleys.

Seeing Ruan Yushu finishing his lecture, each of the listeners stood up hurriedly, cupped their hands to send him off, their eyes were filled with admiration and their attitudes were extremely respectful.

Tian Jian's heart was filled with waves, and he was frightened, angry and confused. He didn't know how to leave the bamboo forest and return to the Sikotian Mansion.

"Teaching writing, teaching skills, no reward, and letting everyone watch?" Tian Heng, who had a black beard, glared angrily just after hearing the previous paragraph of Tian Jian's report.

Tian Jian buried his head deeply: "Yes."

"Bold, arrogant, and rebellious!" Tian Heng was so angry that he paced back and forth and said sadly, "The rituals are ruined and the music is ruined. The rituals are ruined and the music is ruined. It's true that the rituals are ruined and the music is ruined!"

According to Zhou rites, how can one teach skills and writing at will? This is a privilege only enjoyed by the children of princes and nobles!

Seeing the chaos in the world, many countries began to disobey etiquette and have no scruples in order to become stronger. Tian Heng had already sighed similarly, but when such a huge impact happened under his nose, he was still furious. I feel more and more that the rituals are broken and the music is broken, and the world is dark.

He took a few steps and suppressed his emotions: "Continue talking."

Tian Jian looked at his master's face and started talking about non-aggression and unjust warfare, and then moved on to universal love, honoring the virtuous, heaven's will, bright ghosts, and economical use.

Tian Heng's face became more and more livid, but he did not burst into anger again, but endured to listen to the end.

"Using talented people regardless of their status... Huh, this is digging up the tombs of our ancestors..." Tian Heng said a sentence from between his teeth.

Tian Jian hurriedly said: "My lord, do you want to expel them?"

"Expelling them for giving lectures? Will it give Tang an excuse? Wait, they are from Chu?" As a vassal of Chu, Chen was often hostile to Tang, and Siko Tian Heng did not dare to act blindly.

"Yes, he is indeed from Chu." Tian Jian didn't hide it.

Tian Heng took a few steps and said in a deep voice: "Anyway, it's just a lecture, not a lobbying. I'll send someone to the Chu State to inquire first, and then expel them after getting the exact information."

"Yes." Tian Jian turned around and left.

At this time, Tian Heng's youngest son Tian Kuo happened to pass by and murmured to himself: "Heaven and earth are unkind...there is no difference between love...the virtuous and the equal...love all but not attack...what a great talent..."

"Niezi, what did you say?" Tian Heng suddenly became furious and slapped him in the face.

Tian Kuo had good strength and was close to the location, but due to etiquette, he did not dare to dodge, so he was slapped hard, causing blood to flow from the corner of his mouth.

"Shangxian? Does the real Shangxian still have a chance for a fool like you?" Tian Heng cursed angrily.

Tian Kuo frowned and looked at Tian Heng stubbornly: "Father, the power of the world has changed a long time ago. Even if those without strength and talent seize high positions, they will not be able to last long! You cannot rely on etiquette to restrain others from coveting!"

“Today’s way is only for the ‘virtuous’!”

"Mr. Su said that the general trend of the world is like a surging river. Those who go with it will prosper, and those who go against it will perish. We can't block the carriage with the arms of a mantis! We must not stick to the direct descendants, but only the talents. This is the way to survive and grow. !”

Tian Heng looked at his son who no longer dared to recognize him, and pursed his lips: "Evil son, evil son..."

…………

A few days later, Tian Heng, who had not yet received a reply from the Chu State, heard shocking news. King Chen summoned the Zhulin Lecturer!

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty actually summoned them..." Tian Heng's legs went weak and he fell down on the straw mat.

Inside the palace of Chen State.

Meng Qi and others had just paid a visit to King Chen, and after sitting at the table, they heard King Chen say: "You are all great talents, I have heard about it, but the Chen country is happy and the nobles and people are in harmony, so I am afraid that your knowledge will not be of use. "

He has the iconic long beard with five veins and is full of energy. He is a master.

This is exactly the small country that Meng Qi and others carefully selected, a small country where the king is stronger than the nobles!

After King Chen finished speaking, Meng Qi smiled slightly, his face became serious, and he said in a deep voice:

"The state of Chen is in dire straits. Disaster is just around the corner. How can there be peace and happiness?"