"Taoism is still the best! Most martial artists don't live long," Luo Cheng sighed.
"What about Confucianism?" Qin Mu asked.
"I don't know!" Luo Cheng answered directly.
"Don't know?" Qin Mu was dumbfounded by this unexpected answer.
"Confucian methods are incredibly diverse, but they all share one thing in common: cultivating righteous energy. Even the cultivation of righteous energy is quite unique; many things are shrouded in mystery, only to be understood intuitively, not explained in words. Otherwise, with so many scholars in the world, why are there so few Confucian scholars?" Luo Cheng shook his head and said.
“Yes! We are all educated people, but we have no idea how to cultivate the righteous energy. Even if a great Confucian scholar gives us guidance, it will be in vain.” Lu Ce nodded in agreement.
"Could it be that the righteous energy is incompatible with the power of blood and qi? Can only one of the two be chosen?" Qin Mu guessed.
"No! There are people who cultivate both Confucianism and Taoism, and there are people who cultivate both Confucianism and martial arts." Lu Ce pouted and shook his head.
“The most peculiar thing about Confucian cultivation is that some young children become Confucian scholars, while others become great Confucian scholars in a single day,” Luo Cheng exclaimed.
They didn't understand, but Qin Mu understood quite a bit. Although it was just a guess, he estimated it to be pretty close to the truth.
Confucianism is likely related to comprehension and experience. Those with a deep understanding of knowledge find it easier to grasp the concepts, while those with more experience will certainly have a more profound and easier understanding of knowledge.
After eating their fill, the group dispersed to continue hunting. Luo Cheng clearly wanted to get more game, since no one ever complains about having too much good stuff.
Luo Cheng explained that his life was not leisurely either. He not only had to stand guard in the army, but sometimes he also had to go to the Great Wall area to sweep through.
Every autumn, the orcs attack various checkpoints, so clearing them out in advance can reduce the pressure during autumn.
Of course! This is risky, and quite risky; there's a high chance of being counter-attacked.
They didn't call it a day until evening, and all the horses were laden with game. Qin Mu even had a rabbit hanging from his arm, though it had run into a tree by itself.
A bear was a gift from Luo Cheng to Luo Yi, who also said that the bear skin would be used to make a robe for Qin Mu to wear during the winter.
Just imagining sitting there in a bearskin coat in winter, looking like a bear, is such a vivid image that Qin Mu couldn't help but shiver. However, he still really liked bear paws.
Qin Mu was content with his stable life. Although he felt a little awkward looking at Luo Tong every day, he felt much better after someone hung a square scarf around Luo Tong's chest.
…………………
Chang'an! The capital of the Tang Dynasty! Although the Tang Dynasty has only been established for ten years, it is already very prosperous. The city is bustling with people, and there are many restaurants. Young girls wave handkerchiefs on the upper floors, while groups of young people enter the lower floors from time to time. Inside the restaurants, people sing and dance, and the atmosphere is very lively.
Having just returned to Chang'an, Li Chunfeng went to the palace to deliver his orders. He was heading towards his residence, but then stopped and turned to walk towards Zhuque Avenue.
The half of Suzaku Avenue closest to the Imperial Palace is lined with wealthy and powerful families.
"Please go and inform Duke Yi that Li Chunfeng has come to pay his respects."
"Please come in, esteemed guest. I will go and report right away." The guard led Li Chunfeng into the gatehouse and had him sit and wait, while another guard ran to the back.
Before long, the servant returned and led Li Chunfeng to see Qin Qiong.
Qin Qiong was dressed in casual clothes, but this did not diminish his majesty; even Li Chunfeng felt some pressure.
"I wonder what important matter brings you here at this hour, General Jiang?" Qin Qiong asked curiously.
"I was sent out on His Majesty's orders and encountered a matter that I don't understand. I have come to ask the Duke of Yi for advice," Li Chunfeng said after a moment's hesitation.
Qin Qiong looked at Li Chunfeng curiously, wondering what question he had come back to ask him.
"When I went out, I visited my master and encountered three people who came to ask for lodging. One was a wet nurse, another was an old servant, and I won't go into details. The other was a young man, about fourteen or fifteen years old, surnamed Qin! He said he was going to Youzhou to find his relatives. He said the Prince of Yan was his uncle." Li Chunfeng kept staring at Qin Qiong's expression as he slowly spoke.
As expected, Qin Qiong stood up abruptly at the end, his expression excited and his voice trembling as he asked, "What is this young man's name?"
"Brother Qin's name is Qin Mu, courtesy name Huaidao. Although he is young, he is exceptionally talented and self-taught. Without any guidance, he is determined to enter the field and become a Confucian scholar." Li Chunfeng understood what was going on from Qin Qiong's expression and explained with a smile.
"Good! Good!" Qin Qiong said twice, his lips trembling with tears in his eyes.
Li Chunfeng waited quietly, understanding the situation perfectly.
"I'm sorry you had to see this." After waiting a while, Qin Qiong calmed down and said with a somewhat embarrassed smile.
"It's only human nature; Duke Yi's words are a genuine expression of his feelings."
"Thank you for bringing back the news, General. To tell you the truth, Qin Mu is indeed my long-lost son. Back then, due to the war, he and his mother disappeared without a trace. I searched everywhere but couldn't find them, and I thought they had been killed. Thank God, they are still alive. By the way! Why didn't you mention his mother?" Qin Qiong took a deep breath and then cupped his hands in greeting.
"My condolences to the Duke of Yi!" Li Chunfeng felt apologetic for bringing back two pieces of news, one joyful and one sorrowful.
"You mean...?" Qin Qiong was somewhat incredulous, looking at Li Chunfeng with a hint of expectation, hoping that she had misheard.
"According to Brother Huaidao, he went to seek refuge with relatives on his mother's dying wish," Li Chunfeng said apologetically.
"Yes! If she hadn't been desperate, why would she have sent her son to Youzhou? But didn't she and her son even think of inquiring about me?" Qin Qiong said dejectedly.
“Brother Huaidao said that his mother took him to live in a secluded mountain village to escape the war,” Li Chunfeng explained.
“That makes sense,” Qin Qiong nodded and said.
Seeing Qin Qiong's face full of self-reproach and regret, Li Chunfeng didn't want to disturb him.
"I've had dinner prepared, and I hope you'll do me the honor of attending, General!" Qin Qiong said, pulling himself out of his reverie and bowing respectfully.
"That is exactly what I wish!" Li Chunfeng knew that Qin Qiong still had questions, so he did not refuse and nodded with a smile.
Qin Qiong was a seasoned warrior who had seen all kinds of situations. He had lost his composure just now because he suddenly heard news of his long-lost relatives, but he had now completely calmed down.
He rose and ordered a banquet to be prepared before sitting down again to explain: "The Qin family and the Luo family were old friends during the Northern Qi Dynasty. However, they later broke off relations due to differences in ideology. The two families did not have any deep-seated hatred, so it was quite normal for his mother to send him to seek refuge with them."
"So that's how it is." Only then did Li Chunfeng understand the origin of the relationship between the two families.
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