Chapter 572 Takeoff
"The Tao that can be spoken of is not the eternal Tao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name. Nameless, it is the origin of Heaven and Earth; Existing, it is the mother of all things..."
Recently, a new trend has emerged in Xianyang: everyone carries a copy of the Tao Te Ching and reads it wherever they go, attempting to uncover its mysteries.
It is said that insightful people can discover the secret to immortality and even fly through the Tao Te Ching!
Because the source of the news was related to the eldest son, everyone in Xianyang, from students to ordinary people, believed it without a doubt. Moreover, the Taoist scholars, who were not highly regarded before, now became the brightest stars in the crowd and were honored guests wherever they went.
Many people ask them to explain the Tao Te Ching.
Many powerful and influential people were even eager to join the Taoist school, thinking that Lao Tzu's ideas would surely favor his disciples.
The people of Chu did not agree with this.
...
"I've been looking at it for so long, and I still can't see any difference!"
Liu Ji collapsed onto the bamboo slips inscribed with tadpole-like characters. The bronze lamp trembled slightly, and candle wax dripped between the four characters "Shang Shan Ruo Shui" (meaning "The highest good is like water").
Fan Kuai looked up from the bamboo slips, his eyes vacant, scratching his disheveled hair and sighing, "I never expected that the first thing I would do upon arriving in Xianyang would be to read books!"
Zhou Bo clutched the bamboo slips and said in a muffled voice, "I usually only look at this when I can't sleep."
The group looked at each other and couldn't help but sigh in unison.
Liu Ji shuffled over in his hemp shoes and nudged Xiao He and Cao Can, who were bent over reading intently.
"What did you see?"
Xiao He traced the inscription "The Tao gives birth to One, One gives birth to Two" with his fingertips, slowly setting down the bamboo slips, his eyes filled with admiration: "Laozi is truly talented." Cao Can neatly arranged the bamboo slips and nodded solemnly: "Not bad."
"Of course I'm a great talent!" Liu Ji said helplessly, pacing back and forth with his hands on his hips. "Is it because I'm not a great talent that I wrote the Tao Te Ching? The problem is, we can't understand anything about it!"
Fan Kuai suddenly leaned closer and lowered his voice: "Is this news accurate? Does it really grant immortality and the ability to fly?"
Xiao He stared at the swaying light and shadow for a long time before speaking: "The rumors may be a bit exaggerated, but the actions taken by the court are not fake."
Soon after they entered Xianyang, thanks to Liu Ji's boldness and eloquence, they were quickly and formally incorporated into the Qin state's official system. Because they were young and held low positions, they mainly worked as assistants in government offices, but they still had a secure job.
They have a fairly clear understanding of the movements between North Korea and China.
It's certain that the eldest son has deduced a set of techniques from the Tao Te Ching, and it's also certain that these techniques depend on comprehension; they're simply the result of practice... but no one has mastered them yet.
"Watching this any longer is going to kill me..." Zhou Bo sighed, slumped over the table.
Fan Kuai nodded in agreement, muttering to himself, "It would be good if someone could learn it and demonstrate it, at least then I'd have something to keep learning..."
Upon hearing this, Liu Ji, Xiao He, and Cao Can exchanged glances, and they thought of one person.
"Haha, isn't this Zifang? You're out for a walk too?"
Zhang Liang glanced at Liu Ji and his entourage blocking his way, then looked up at the mansion behind them, and said quietly, "Is it possible that this is my home?"
“Oh dear,” Liu Ji put his arm around his shoulder without ceremony, “Since you’ve invited us so warmly, Zifang, then we’ll come to your home as guests.”
Before Zhang Liang could speak, Liu Ji interrupted him again: "What a coincidence, isn't it? We just happened to bring some pastries and beef."
Zhang Liang: "For the sake of the pastries and beef, I'll do it."
Watching Liu Ji successfully infiltrate the ranks from behind, Cao Can couldn't help but marvel, "Although it's not the first time I've seen this, Liu Ji's interpersonal skills are truly impressive."
Xiao He hummed in agreement. Liu Ji was indeed skilled at socializing. As soon as he arrived in Xianyang, he made a connection with Zhang Liang with just a few words in the sky. After meeting him less than three times, he had already learned about Zhang Liang's preferences: a love for sweets and meat.
Xiao He believed that such a person would have succeeded even without the appearance of the Heavenly Curtain.
The emperor of the new dynasty and the officials of the Qin dynasty... Xiao He did not ask them, but he was willing to trust Liu Ji's choice.
"So, if you learn how to fly, will you really be able to fly?"
Upon hearing Fan Kuai's question, Zhang Liang closed his eyes and suddenly felt empathy for Meng Tian.
Opening his eyes again to meet the expectant and curious gazes, and thinking of the eldest son's anticipation, Zhang Liang gave a kind smile: "It's true. Recently, the court officials' self-study has not been very effective, and His Majesty intends to have the eldest son teach. I would recommend you to him."
"Good brother!"
Liu Ji warmly put his arm around Zhang Liang's shoulder, not feeling at all that there was anything wrong with the 17-year-old Liu Ji and the 8-year-old Zhang Liang calling each other brothers. "We brothers will remember this favor. If there's anything we can do for you in the future, just let us know!"
Zhang Liang smiled sincerely: "It's nothing, I just hope that all of you brothers will perform well. If you can catch the attention of the eldest son, you will be able to realize your ambitions even more."
These words moved Xiao He and the others. They felt that although Zhang Liangnian was young, he was really warm-hearted. They should protect such a good child!
Soon, the internal teaching course officially began selecting students. With Zhang Liang's recommendation, and Liu Ji and his group having also been nominated by Tianmu, either for their outstanding intelligence or strong physical fitness, they were successfully selected into the first batch of students.
In order not to embarrass Zhang Liang, and also to showcase their talents, Liu Ji and the others studied with extra care and successfully stood out, being received by the eldest son.
"You have already mastered the Tao Te Ching. Today, I will teach you its core mysteries!"
Fusu walked around above, hands behind his back, trying to tuck in his belly. The students sitting below watched him intently.
"If you want to test whether you have truly attained enlightenment, it's very simple: have a two-on-one sparring session. The one who takes off first is the one who has learned it!"
"Take off?"
A commotion broke out in the crowd; it really can fly!
The excited crowd failed to notice the barely suppressed gloating looks on the faces of Zhang Liang and Meng Yi, who were acting as assistant instructors.
“That’s right,” Fusu nodded seriously, “You can form your own groups, and whether it works or not depends on whether the other side flies or not.”
Why was it the other side that flew?
Xiao He, who was still a little confused, was pulled up by Liu Ji: "Come on, let's pair up!"
Eager to test their learning progress, the students ignored the inappropriateness in Fusu's words and, with Fusu's permission, went to the training ground to practice their skills.
The moves learned by this group of students were all the same. Of course, they were not created by Fusu, but by Meng Yi, a military general who had also comprehended the core power. He believed that the capable should do more, and combined the basic body techniques of the Qin army to create a set of health exercises that looked particularly impressive.
Yes, Fusu didn't care how the movements were choreographed, but he insisted that the name couldn't be changed; it had to be called "Health Preservation Exercise."
Therefore, many people firmly believe that mastering this skill can lead to immortality. After all, naming is usually subtle, and since it's often associated with health and wellness, it's not unreasonable to connect it to immortality.
With everyone having learned the same moves, the outcome of the contest depended more on the students' basic skills. However, because they wanted to grasp the so-called core essence, everyone moved very cautiously, like chickens pecking at each other.
Until Cao Can, who was teamed up with Fan Kuai, was accidentally knocked away by the excited Fan Kuai!
Zhang Liang reacted swiftly, stepping forward to brace Cao Can against his back to steady him, and then announced to Fan Kuai, "Congratulations, you have grasped the essence."
"I've figured it out?" Fan Kuai looked at his hands in disbelief.
Cao Can, still shaken, turned to Zhang Liang in shock: "Is that how it flies?"
Zhang Liang nodded, suppressing a laugh as he replied, "That's how it flies."
"ah?"
Noticing the situation here, Xiao He, who had been carelessly knocked away by Liu Ji, felt himself being thrown through the air. Looking at Zhang Liang's upturned lips as he caught him, he was speechless.
Who exactly said this kid was innocent? Liu Ji can't even judge people properly these days!
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