Chapter 170: The Hundred Generations of the Zong Luo Sect, From the Inside Out

Wang Shizhen's words should have shocked the world, but instead they ended in silence.

Those with profound skills are all greatly inspired. They frown and think deeply, completely forgetting about external things.

Those with shallow skills are just scratching their heads and cannot get the point. They just think they are very good but cannot tell what they are good at.

Sun Jigao, the top scorer of this year's exam, who was sitting in the audience, was caught between the two, dazed and muttering to himself.

Innate Reason… Practical Reason… The Struggle for the Path…

It seemed as if the more he thought about it, the more uncomfortable he felt.

Li Sancai withdrew his gaze from the article that Wang Shizhen had put into his arms, and said solemnly, "Brother Yide, what do you think of this article?"

Sun Jigao came back to his senses and said in a voice filled with an uncontrollable confusion: "I can't say."

"If we talk about creation, it is just to sort out the thread of Taoism, and there is nothing new about it."

Taoism has nothing to do with Taoism, but is the orthodox Confucianism founded by Zhou Dunyi. It is also the context of the article recited by Wang Shizhen.

It originated in the pre-Qin period, was established in the pre-Song Dynasty, and restored the so-called "Taotong" of Confucianism that had been interrupted for nearly a thousand years, also known as the "study of nature and life." It is the unshakable orthodoxy among orthodoxies of Confucianism today.

Whether it is Cheng Zhu or Lu Wang, they all come from the same lineage and cannot escape from this cage.

Sun Jigao paused and spoke again: "But..."

"Just by dredging the river and directing its source, there is a sign that it will merge into a river, and there is even a vague sign that a sequel is about to emerge. I can't stop it for the time being."

"As far as his knowledge is concerned, he is a scholar of heaven and earth, well-versed in history and the present! He can easily quote theories from various schools of thought. His tone is so arrogant and his knowledge is so broad that he must be a master of the time!"

The reason why this sentence could not be refuted was that Sun Jigao had just lost his mind.

There was no new theory, but there was a great momentum. This strange feeling made Sun Jigao feel very uncomfortable.

After listening to what Sun Jigao said, Li Sancai felt that he could no longer agree with it.

He exclaimed: "The sect has been passed down for hundreds of generations, and has learned from the past and present. How can he not be called a master?"

All knowledge is passed down from generation to generation.

Just as this master said, the knowledge of Zhou Zhang, Cheng Zhu, Lu Wang can be said to have the same origin, and the latter all innovated on the basis of the former.

The foundation of sages will not be imported from all over the world, nor will it fall from the sky. Sorting out the context of classics has always been the only way for sages.

And this step is called the Grandmaster of Zong Luo for hundreds of generations!

Sun Jigao was more amazed: "In the past, I could only call someone a master if he made some innovations within the same school. The two professors on the stage, Mr. Xue, Mr. Li, and Mr. Yuan, are all like this."

"Today is the first time I have ever met someone who has made me admire him even before I have seen his teachings."

"Just this one point alone is enough to make me a master even if I haven't created anything new."

As the top scorer in this year's imperial examination, his knowledge must be very high.

Although he couldn't figure out what was so great about him, since he felt that he was extraordinary, he must not be a simple person.

As a child of Li Sancai from a wealthy family, his thoughts are destined not to be so pure.

He just stroked his chin and whispered, "I don't know which master this is. Could it be Lord Chunfang Li?"

He heard that Li Chunfang was also invited to Beijing, but he did not see him today.

Sun Jigao laughed and shook his head.

After all, Li Sancai was less knowledgeable, so he guessed it was Li Chunfang.

But he could tell at a glance that this was not the level that Li Chunfang, the fake Confucian scholar who specialized in writing Qingci, could achieve.

He pondered for a moment and guessed, "It should be a farmer or a woodcutter."

Li Sancai was stunned for a moment, but was convinced by Sun Jigao in an instant and nodded in agreement.

The mountain farmer and woodcutter refers to Yan Jun, a great Confucian scholar of the daily life school.

Because he highly regarded mountain farmers and woodcutters as the way to save the world and gain knowledge, he called himself a mountain farmer and a woodcutter.

Yan Jun was also a master with many labels - the descendant of Yan Zhenqing, the direct descendant of Wang Gen of Taizhou, the teacher of Tan Lun, and the military aide of Hu Zongxian.

When he was young, he lectured all over the world, and Wang Zhigao and Zou Yinglong were both his followers.

Xu Jie specially invited him to the capital to give lectures, and all the officials below the three highest officials in the country came to ask for his advice.

Unfortunately, in the 45th year of the Jiajing reign, Yan Jun was arrested and imprisoned for teaching the view that "modern despotism" resulted in "living beings being helpless and without help" during his lectures. Three years later, he was sent to the frontier. Even if there had been no literary inquisition, he would not have been able to accuse the central government of "despotism."

After he was sent to the border for garrison, he was issued a certificate by Yu Dayou, specially hiring him as a military advisor, and then he was exempted from punishment due to his military merits.

Now he lives in seclusion, studies, and educates the people, and no longer gets involved in worldly disputes.

Compared with Li Chunfang, this great scholar of the time with a legendary experience is more likely to have such a level.

"The young man guessed wrong, it's not Yan Shannong."

A voice sounded from behind the two of them.

They both turned back.

I saw a middle-aged man in his early forties stroking his beard, and it was obviously this man who said the words.

Li Sancai hurriedly greeted him: "Zhou Xima."

After Sun Jigao heard Li Sancai's name, he realized who it was and greeted him half a beat late: "Mr. Jing'an."

It was Zhou Ziyi, who was known for integrating the teachings of Lian, Luo, Guan and Fujian. He was also the Xima of the Sijing Bureau and the editor of the Hanlin Academy, and was famous for his learning and conduct.

Zhou Ziyi nodded slightly as a return gesture, but his eyes were not on the two of them. He seemed to be still savoring the article that Wang Shizhen had just recited.

After a while, he repeated what he had just said: "It's not Yan Shannong, the height is different."

Sun Jigao couldn't wait to ask: "How high?"

Zhou Ziyi nodded, and said with emotion: "Didn't Sun Huiyuan say just now that there is nothing new to introduce, but it always feels magnificent?"

Sun Jigao waited for his next words.

Li Sancai also twisted his neck and listened carefully.

Zhou Ziyi pondered for a moment, both to sort out his own thoughts and to help the younger generation, and slowly said: "People present, even you can read this one, the knowledge of Zong Luo Baidai is naturally not enough to amaze us."

"What really terrifies us is this person's height, which exceeds that of a hundred years ago!"

“This is what weather is all about!”

The surprise in Zhou Ziyi's tone made every word he said turn into a breath.

Li Sancai was stunned: "More than a hundred years?"

This is no small word.

Sun Jigao seemed to be thinking about something, frowning and understanding.

Zhou Ziyi's voice is sexy and magnetic, and he tells the story in a very eloquent manner.

"Of course it will be more than a hundred years!"

"This man's view on Taoism today is just like you and I's view on Taoism before the Qin Dynasty! His words "Since the Song and Ming Dynasties", just made my hair stand on end!"

"In a trance, I almost thought that our dynasty had been dead for a hundred years. This person who was patrolling from the cosmic light carved a tombstone in front of our corpses with compassion in his eyes!"

"If you don't have a vision that is beyond the ordinary, how could you have such a high vision?"

"The third stage of Taoism... With this tone, even if King Zhu were resurrected, he wouldn't be able to produce such a scholarship!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Sun Jigao's body shook.

He suddenly understood everything and murmured, "So that's how it is! So that's how it is!"

Li Sancai was even more puzzled: "Is there anyone in this world who is more knowledgeable than a hundred years ago?"

Zhou Ziyi stretched out a finger, pushed his hair behind his ear, and said with a smile: "His vision is not to say that he is knowledgeable. In terms of knowledge, it is just a tad different from me."

He was proficient in the teachings of Lianxi, Luoyang, Guanzhong and Minzhong, referring to Zhou Dunyi of Lianxi, Cheng Hao and Cheng Yi of Luoyang, Zhang Zai of Guanzhong and Zhu Xi of Minzhong.

He also has the ability to examine Taoism and integrate it into one.

But Zhou Ziyi really couldn't transcend this extraordinary vision even in his dreams.

Li Sancai bluntly asked: "Since your knowledge is only this high, how can Zhou Xima call you a master?"

Zhou Ziyi looked at Li Sancai for a long time and couldn't help but admonish him: "You have a lot of talent, but you shouldn't spend all your time studying the society."

Seeing Li Sancai being scolded by the elder, Sun Jigao could not help but try to smooth things over and explain: "Daofu, Mr. Zhou's point is that innovation requires not only the accumulation of knowledge, but also a transcendent vision, which is also of great benefit to Taoism. Otherwise, Zhu Zi would not be ranked above Lu Zi."

"Now this person's vision, coupled with the knowledge he has shown, is enough for Mr. Zhou to be called the master."

After that, he changed the subject lightly to avoid embarrassing Li Sancai: "Then who does Jing'an think this master is?"

Zhou Ziyi fell silent.

After a long while, he shook his head and said, "Most likely he is a hermit who was driven out of the mountain by the argument between Li and the others."

……

"There are only a dozen or so Grandmasters in the world, and now five of them are on the stage. Yan Shannong is still writing books in Ji'an, Jiangxi, and Pang Song never leaves Tianguan Academy..."

"Monk, I really can't guess which master this is."

Monk Lianchi sat next to Zhang Siduan and shook his head gently.

Zhang Siduan was surprised when he heard this: "How could you not know that the great monk has made friends all over the world?"

The monk put his hands together and said, "It means the opportunity has not come yet. When that person comes, you and I will know who it is."

Zhang Siduan nodded, but became more curious.

He was even more thankful that he had not been as lazy as his nephew and refused to come.

Now this literary gathering is becoming more and more exciting.

The three major schools of Wang's school, Qian and Wang from the Wang school in Zhejiang, Xue Yingqi from the Wang school in Nanzhong, and Li Zhi from the Wang Gen school in Taizhou, all gathered together.

That’s all. It’s no exaggeration to say that Wangxue’s grand gatherings are not uncommon.

But there is also Yuan Hongyu, the orthodox Cheng-Zhu school, and Wang Shizhen, a leader of the literati who came to the fore through unconventional means and relied on his fame.

That can be called a gathering of great talents.

Now there is another master figure who has never appeared before.

The great Buddhist monk in the audience, Zhan Ruoshui, is a descendant of Hong Yuan...

Wang, Zhu, Lu, Buddhism and other schools of thought gathered in one place, which really deserves the words "Ming Dynasty Academic Seminar" at the door.

……

While people were whispering to each other below the stage, a chair appeared on the stage.

But it is a little smaller than the original seat.

This was what Qian Dehong strongly advocated - he was not very convinced.

Qian Dehong looked at Wang Shizhen solemnly: "This article has a lot of potential, but it only summarizes it and does not express any theory or innovation. It should not be ranked with us." "If this person can express his views at that time, he can take the same seat as us."

Discussing the Dao is more than just a matter of academic study.

At the same time, it also emphasizes the momentum of the competition.

If an article puts a person on a par with itself before he or she appears on the stage, then there will be no room for debate about what happens next.

So some superficial work needs to be fought for.

Wang Shizhen looked at the smaller chair and felt that it seemed more suitable for the boy's body shape. Otherwise, it would be funny to sit on it with nothing in it.

Of course, it was also because the emperor had instructed that there was no question of arguing about seating, so he was too lazy to argue with Qian Dehong.

Wang Shizhen waved his hand to brush off his green robe and said earnestly, "Mr. Qian is obsessed. This is a discussion of knowledge, not a ranking of the Confucian scholars. Why are you arguing about the ranking?"

Scholars who are good at expressing public grievances are naturally good at satirizing others.

Qian Dehong was not good at writing, so he was very straightforward. He snorted coldly, "When Alliance Leader Wang promoted people based on seniority and expelled them from the party at will, he didn't say that."

Wang Shizhen smiled and said, "Association is association, and studying is studying. Don't confuse the two, Mr. Qian."

Qian Dehong was seriously ill and was increasingly unable to control his thoughts.

I just felt uncomfortable because of Wang Shizhen's shamelessness.

Wang Ji was silent for a while, then suddenly interrupted, "Alliance Leader Wang has not yet revealed who wrote the article that was just recited."

Compared to Wang Shizhen who wanted to gain fame, he cared more about who this master was.

Is it an old friend who has made great progress in his studies?

Or is he some sage who has lived in seclusion?
It can't be that he is the same as Li Zhi, right? Is he some young guy who suddenly appeared out of nowhere?
Especially the strange vernacular style of this article gave Wang Ji a bad feeling.

This strange feeling has prompted Wang Ji to ask Wang Shizhen several times who wrote the article.

Upon hearing this, Xue Yingqi raised his head from his deep thought and looked at Wang Shizhen.

Wang Shizhen saw that everyone was looking at him, and he laughed lightly: "You will know when the person comes."

Xue Yingqi suddenly sighed: "For such knowledge, why should we hide it and lose our achievements?"

Li Zhi tapped the handle of the chair with his fingers, making a thumping sound that attracted everyone's attention. "I would also like to say this. Mr. Xue is so knowledgeable, why does he have to fight with others and suppress their momentum before the game even starts?"

Xue Yingqi was ruthlessly exposed and was speechless.

Li Zhi was right. He did intend to suppress the momentum of others in order to prepare for an early confrontation.

This is also a helpless move.

After finishing reading the article just now, he felt a sense of pressure and urgency in his heart that he could not ignore.

In particular, what kind of doctrine does this kind of vision that transcends the times hold?
At this time, Yuan Hongyu also interrupted and said, "This person's skills are very advanced. Mr. Xue should not waste his efforts."

Different from Wang Ji's unrestrained and uninhibited approach based on "self", the orthodox tradition of Zhu Xi's Neo-Confucianism is very strict and regimented.

Xue Yingqi smiled implicitly and did not respond.

Wang Shizhen was standing nearby, about to speak up to smooth things over.

Just then.

There was a commotion outside the venue.

The Embroidered Uniform Guards carried swords and knives, and the Imperial Guards held ceremonial weapons, and they entered one after another.

Three whip sounds suddenly rang out.

Snapped!
Snapped!
Snapped!
A shrill, controlled singing voice was heard.

"The Emperor is here! The officials and gentry welcome him respectfully! The common people bow down to him!"

Everyone present was shocked.

The emperor is here?

The Jinyiwei rushed in, clearing the way with whips, and the eunuchs called out the names of the emperors. It was really the emperor who came!
This is a literary gathering, what is the emperor doing here?
This is the question most people have.

Everyone in the museum looked at each other in surprise.

Occasionally, his eyes are solemn and his mind is filled with thoughts.

Only a few people remained calm, as they had expected this.

Of course, the emotions were all in their hearts, and they all moved quickly, walking out of the venue and greeting each other outside the door.

……

The officials and gentry were genuine in their welcome, while the common people were merely bowing down in a routine manner.

But among the dozens of people invited today, there are really no common people.

Qian Dehong and Wang Ji were both Langzhong officials of the Six Ministries; Xue Yingqi was a retired Deputy Envoy of the Censorate; and Yuan Hongyu was the Minister of the Ministry of Rites during the Longqing period, a high-ranking official who wore a scarlet robe.

As for the others, how about the Hanlin editor, the Sijingju Xima, and the current imperial examination Jinshi, which one of them does not have an official position?
Even the great monk Lianchi was conferred the title of Buddha by the Buddhist Registrar's Office.

This is the profile of a user who participates in philosophical discussions. If one is not both professional and knowledgeable, how can one engage in such rootless research?
Therefore, when Zhu Yijun arrived outside the venue and saw these people, he felt that he was not participating in some folk literary gathering, but inspecting the office of some department.

He frowned and looked at Zhou Ziyi: "Mr. Zhou, isn't the Secretary of the Economic Bureau on duty today?"

Many scholars came to the door to help the Jinyiwei clear the area and provide security.

While waiting to enter the museum, Zhu Yijun couldn't help but show off his imperial power.

Zhou Ziyi quickly explained, "Your Majesty, Consort Shi Miao De has passed away, and the court has been suspended for three days. I am not on duty at the Ministry of Finance today."

Zhu Yijun said "oh" and then remembered that he had stopped attending court for the past two days.

He thought about it, but couldn't help but said: "It's good to discuss the Dao, but you can't neglect your duties."

Zhou Ziyi did not make any mistakes but was still scolded. He felt a little aggrieved but could only bow his head and say yes helplessly.

Zhu Yijun ignored him and looked at the monk Lianchi again: "Master Lianchi has come all the way from Hangzhou. Why don't you come to the palace later to preach to my mother?"

A widowed woman like Empress Dowager Li worshipped Buddhism, which was a belief that could never be changed.

All Zhu Yijun could do was to select good monks.

Master Lianchi bowed with a kind look in his eyes and said, "This is my opportunity."

Zhu Yijun signaled to his attendants to invite the monk into the palace later.

At this time, Jiang Keqian walked out of the guild hall and stood behind the emperor.

Zhu Yijun knew that the Jinyiwei had already guarded the key points, so he walked into the venue naturally.

Officials from the Ministry of Rites, the Secretariat, etc. followed on the left side of the emperor, while the people in the literary meeting, led by several masters, followed on the right side of the emperor.

Zhu Yijun looked at Yuan Hongyu and said, "When Mr. Yuan retired due to illness, my father was worried about him for a long time. Are you feeling better now?"

Given Muzong's personality, he certainly wouldn't be worried, but the greetings were just right for this occasion.

Yuan Hongyu had returned home due to genuine illness, but when the emperor asked him about it, he was flattered: "Your Majesty, I only have some pain in my waist and legs, and nothing else is wrong."

After several years of recuperation, what needs to be cultivated has naturally been cultivated.

If he were allowed to come back to life at this time, he might not be able to do the job.

Everyone walked into the venue together.

Zhu Yijun was like a moon surrounded by stars, and he walked towards the center on his own.

He looked around the venue, then looked at Xue Yingqi, and blamed himself, "The case between Xue and Yan Shifan has delayed you for nothing."

The case was about Yan Shifan suing Xue Yingqi, saying that when Xue Yingqi was the deputy governor of Zhejiang Province, he punished a student to death on the grounds that his clothes were in disarray.

Later, the case was rehabilitated many times, but the matter was brought up again and again until the Longqing period, when it was finally rehabilitated.

Xue Yingqi opened his mouth and finally said vaguely: "The late emperor has already given public opinion."

It was Sejong, the unfilial son, who dismissed him from his post and sent him home, but Mujong at least changed his position to "retired" and retained his retirement benefits.

Now his mind is not on this and he doesn't want to bring up the past.

Zhu Yijun nodded and didn't argue.

He gently gestured to Zhou Ziyi, Li Sancai and others to take their seats, saying that it was neither a court session nor a formal ceremony, so there was no need to be so formal.

Everyone returned to their previous seats as if they had been pardoned.

Zhu Yijun led several masters to the stage.

He nodded casually to Qian Dehong and Wang Ji: "Xinjian Bo takes conscience as his principle, and is extremely profound in his understanding of the subtleties of heaven and man. He is good at both literature and martial arts, and has made achievements in every move. His achievements are obvious to all."

"Since you two are the direct descendants of the Xinjian Earl, you should live up to the aspirations of your ancestors."

Xinjianbo is Wang Yangming.

After Wang Ji walked onto the stage, he noticed that the seating arrangement had changed.

The small chair just now has been placed in the middle.

He saw the emperor walking towards the center, his brows furrowed, and he seemed to be hesitant to speak.

Qian Dehong didn't notice it, he just saluted tremblingly: "Your Majesty is right."

Zhu Yijun passed over the matter and smiled at Li Zhi again.

Li Zhi smiled at each other and bowed respectfully.

At this time, Zhu Yijun saw that everyone in the audience had taken their seats, so he waved his hand and asked the eunuchs and the secretaries to wait aside, leaving only the Jinyiwei to guard him.

Seeing this situation, Wang Shizhen finally acted like the host of the literary gathering.

He bowed to Qian, Wang, Qian, and Li, and then slowly spoke to the crowd below: "Everyone is here, let's start."

The voice just fell.

Xue Yingqi looked up suddenly.

Qian Dehong and Wang Ji stared in astonishment.

Zhou Ziyi, Li Sancai, Sun Jigao and others almost simultaneously looked at each other in disbelief.

Master Lianchi put his hands together.

Zhang Siduan opened his mouth and stretched his neck forward subconsciously: "Ah...ah!?"

Aren't there still some Grandmasters who haven't come yet? How come they are all here now?

Unable to wait for Zhang Siduan's slow reaction, Zhu Yijun reached out and pulled the chair behind him, then sat down leisurely.

Zhu Yijun slightly adjusted his sitting posture, looked around at everyone, and said seriously: "My knowledge is shallow, and when I was making this review, I felt that the Song and Ming Taoism from Lu and Wang to the present, this third stage, has reached the time to innovate."

"Please teach me, gentlemen."

(End of this chapter)