"I am honored that Elder Li values my son so highly. I am hosting this dinner today, and I hope you two will not refuse!" Qin Qiong said happily as he stood up and clasped his hands in greeting.
"I won't stand on ceremony," Li Gang replied with a smile.
"I've long heard that the Qin family has fine wine! I came down the mountain this time specifically for the wine," Wang Ji nodded and said.
"Don't worry, Mr. Wang! The wine at home is quite good! We just happen to have a batch that's ready to be taken out of the cellar! I guarantee you'll be satisfied," Qin Mu said with a hint of confidence.
"Good! Then I'll be waiting for your fine wine!" Wang Ji said with a happy smile.
"Guards! Prepare a banquet!" Qin Qiong ordered loudly.
"Teacher, Mr. Wang, please!" Qin Mu stepped forward and invited.
The group moved to another hall, which was where the Qin family entertained guests. It was also the only place in the Qin family that hadn't changed, still the same old seating arrangement.
"Please take a seat, teacher!"
"You're going to entertain me here?" Li Gang asked Qin Mu, turning back to look at him without taking a seat.
"Teacher, what do you mean?" Qin Mu asked, puzzled.
"Hmph! Ruguilou is your family's business, so why should we sit here at home?" Li Gang glanced at the table, his eyes filled with disdain, and said with some dissatisfaction.
"Teacher, please don't be offended. I was just afraid of being impolite." It turned out that Li Gang found the desk uncomfortable to sit on. Qin Mu understood and explained with a wry smile.
If a large table is to be used to entertain guests, then one's own courtyard is certainly the best place. Every time Cheng Zhijie and his group come, Qin Qiong takes them there to be entertained. Of course, it's also possible that Qin Mu is good at preparing the food.
The four then headed towards Qin Mu's courtyard, where servants naturally ran ahead to prepare.
"It's a bit messy, please forgive me, teacher!" Qin Mu said somewhat embarrassed.
His garden had a large tree transplanted, with a deck chair and a hanging basket under it, and a pavilion and pond nearby, making it the most scenic corner; however, the other places were not so nice, with Qin Mu's iron felt and hammer for training, as well as bows and arrows, targets, and a swing on the edge; there was also a furnace next to it with a pile of ore.
The furnace was for Qin Mu to forge things himself, and the ore was high-purity ore from the Heavenly Mystery Tower. The swing belonged to Qin Yuling, the hanging basket to Qin Yuxin, and as for the archery target, any of the siblings could use it.
"It's alright! Let's prepare some food! I've been to Ruguilou once, and I still miss the taste." Li Gang waved his hand slightly.
"If the teacher likes it, we can go anytime," Qin Mu quickly replied.
"One should not become too obsessed with the pleasures of the palate," Li Gang said with a smile.
"Thank you for the reminder, teacher. I just want to make my life and that of my family more comfortable. I won't deliberately pursue that."
"Very good!" Li Gang nodded in satisfaction.
"Father, elder brother!" Hearing the commotion, Qin Yuxin led her younger sister downstairs.
"Second sister, fourth sister, quickly greet Elder Li and Elder Wang."
"Old Li, Old Wang."
"Grandpa Li, Grandpa Wang!" The two sisters stepped forward to greet them. Qin Yuxin was quiet and polite, while Qin Yuling was much more lively.
"Yu'er, you mustn't be rude!" Qin Qiong said, frowning.
Seeing Qin Yuling shrink back, Li Gang smiled and said, "It's alright, it's alright, everyone can call each other what they want. Besides, at my age, it's not wrong for me to call you Grandpa. Does Uncle Bao think he's a generation younger?"
"Old Li is joking. You are a senior, after all," Qin Qiong said with a wry smile.
"Second sister, take fourth sister to fetch one jar of each type of wine from the cellar," Qin Mu instructed.
"Yes, brother!"
Soon, the servants set out the tables and chairs, and placed the hot pot and wine vessels in their places.
Looking at the four wine jars, Wang Ji took one directly and reached out to peel off the yellow mud sealing the jar.
"This is tiger bone wine! Several medicinal herbs have been added. Long-term consumption can increase bone strength! Of course, it won't have any effect on you, Elder Wang," Qin Mu explained.
Tigers have the highest bone density among common wild beasts, five times that of humans. However, the higher one's cultivation level, the smaller this ratio becomes. For example, Qin Qiong's bone density has long exceeded that of many others.
Among the recipes left behind by Guiguzi was one for simmering bones. Qin Mu thought of using a method from another world—soaking bones in wine. If it worked well, it would be much more convenient than boiling.
"It's alright, it's alright. I really like this fragrance." Wang Ji sniffed it and said with satisfaction.
"This jar has a higher alcohol content; it's pure sorghum liquor. Mr. Wang, see if you like it." Qin Mu then opened another jar.
"Teacher, this is rice wine, which is relatively mellow; this jar is fruit wine, which has a slight alcoholic taste. Which one do you prefer?" Qin Mu asked, opening each of the four jars.
"Whatever you like! I'm fine with anything!" Li Gang said with a smile.
Although he didn't mind, Qin Mu still chose rice wine. He had just poured wine for Li Gang when Wang Ji had already started drinking.
"Don't worry about him. He's just an alcoholic. He has no other hobbies besides drinking," Li Gang said, shaking his head slightly.
"Old Li is right. This is my only hobby. There's no other way. Life is short, like grass and trees in autumn. Everyone has to have a hobby!" Wang Ji said with a smile, seemingly unconcerned.
"If Mr. Wang likes it, then drink more."
Under Qin Mu's attentive service, the meal was enjoyed by both host and guests. Wang Ji left carrying a jar of sorghum wine, slightly tipsy. Qin Mu helped Li Gang to rest under a large tree. As for Qin Qiong, he was driven away by Li Gang.
“Wang Wugong is a member of the Wang family, but not the head of the family. He knows that you have some conflicts with the younger generation of the Wang family. The reason he came is to show that he will not interfere in these trivial matters.” Li Gang lay back in his chair, took the teacup from Qin Mu’s hand, and took a sip.
"So that's how it is!" Qin Mu finally understood Wang Ji's purpose in coming. After all, a dignified Confucian scholar, no matter how much he loved wine, wouldn't come knocking on someone's door for a drink. If he had actually asked, Qin Qiong would have had it delivered to him.
“At our level, we won’t act unless our family is wiped out, let alone towards the younger generation, so you can rest assured,” Li Gang added.
"I understand. I'm not one to cause trouble unless someone provokes me," Qin Mu said.
“It’s excellent that you have this idea! You are unyielding to power, you don’t provoke trouble, but you’re not afraid of trouble either. Tell your teacher, how is your cultivation progressing? What questions do you have about cultivation?” Li Gang asked, half-closing his eyes.
"Teacher, my cultivation method was taught by Master Yu Shinan. It involves using righteous energy to penetrate the heart, and after entering the scholar level, opening up all the major and minor blood vessels in the body. Now, the main blood vessels are completely open, and only the finest ones on the surface of the body remain unfinished." Qin Mu frowned slightly as he pondered before answering. Only after he finished speaking did Qin Mu notice that Li Gang suddenly sat up.
"You... let me see!" Li Gang looked at Qin Mu in surprise, exhaled, and then reached out to grab Qin Mu's wrist.
Qin Mu did not resist and let Li Gang grab him. Then he felt a surge of righteous energy enter his body. However, this righteous energy was very small and only circulated in his blood vessels for a moment before retreating.
"Phew!" Li Gang exhaled again, a satisfied smile appearing on his face, before shaking his head slightly.
"What's wrong, teacher? Is something wrong?" Qin Mu's heart skipped a beat when he saw Li Gang shake his head, and he asked worriedly.
"It's alright! Very good! Excellent!" Li Gang said with a smile. He then explained, "Your righteous energy is already very close to that of a great Confucian scholar. I never imagined that, before becoming a Grand Scholar, you could refine your righteous energy to this level through three divine gifts. Your blood flows powerfully, and your heart cultivation should be perfect. It can be said that at this stage, I have nothing more to instruct you on."
"That's good." Qin Musong said in one breath.
"Yes! Just focus on your cultivation. At your current pace, advancing to the rank of Grand Scholar will be no problem at all. Once you become a Grand Scholar, I will give you further guidance."
"Thank you, teacher!" Qin Mu said happily when he heard Li Gang refer to himself as his teacher.
"Do you know that even among Confucianists, there are differences?" Li Gang asked.
"Teacher, are you perhaps referring to the three Confucian sages, Confucius, Mencius, and Xunzi?" Qin Mu asked respectfully.
“What you say is true, but the distinction I’m referring to is between ancient Confucian scholars and modern Confucian scholars. Ancient Confucian scholars refer to Confucian practitioners before the Han Dynasty, mainly those who followed the cultivation methods of the three sages, Confucius, Mencius, and Xunzi. Those who later studied the ways of these three sages can also be called ancient Confucian scholars.”
After the Qin Dynasty, Confucianism and Taoism flourished, but these can only be called modern Confucianism, which represents the majority of Confucian practitioners today. The ancient Confucian way has a core principle in cultivation: unwavering commitment to one's chosen path. Therefore, cultivation is not only faster, but also results in a purer and more righteous energy,” Li Gang explained.
"Confucian scholars first set their goals, which means following one's true nature, right? Can they change them later?" Qin Mu asked.
"Of course it can be changed! It's just a matter of deceiving everyone; it won't affect your cultivation!" Li Gang said with a sneer.
“Teacher, there must be a flaw in this, right?” Qin Mu asked in a flash of inspiration after seeing the expression.
“That’s right! That’s why we have to be divided into ancient Confucian scholars and modern Confucian scholars. This secret is known to very few people. Heaven is hard to deceive, and one’s original intention is hard to go against. How can a vow made to one’s true heart be changed by a little trick?” Li Gang said.
"Thank you for reminding me, teacher. I understand now. But if that's the case, why hasn't anyone told anyone about this secret? Over the years, surely there must be some people who know about it?" Qin Mu asked curiously, bowing slightly.
"Human hearts are fickle! Or rather, human hearts are no longer what they used to be. Our ancestors never expected this to happen. They despised those who went against their conscience, so they never noticed or paid attention to such things."
After the Qin Dynasty, Confucianism and Taoism flourished, and dozens of Confucian scholars vied for orthodoxy, engaging in deceit and using all sorts of tricks, while simultaneously integrating their own doctrines. And so, gradually, it became apparent that Confucianism had become more resourceful, but unknowingly, it had embarked on a wrong path,” Li Gang recalled.
"As for why it wasn't revealed, it's because very few people know this secret. Mainly because there were too few people who practiced the Confucian cultivation methods from before the Qin Dynasty."
Even among the descendants of Confucius, Mencius, and Xunzi, different schools of thought have different understandings of this situation,” Li Gang explained.
"Oh! I see!"
"Isn't that how it is? Staying true to oneself is simple, but even if you say it, how many people can actually do it? Even if they can, they may not necessarily become great Confucian scholars. Without becoming great Confucian scholars, they won't know the consequences of this matter."
"Only after becoming a great Confucian scholar did he realize the consequences?" Qin Mu asked curiously.
"You'll understand later; you can only rely on yourself for these things."
"I understand," Qin Mu said, bowing thoughtfully as he made a vague guess.
"Do you know what the core ideas of the three sages, Confucius, Mencius, and Xunzi, are?" Li Gang asked again.
"Shouldn't it be benevolence, wisdom, propriety, and trustworthiness?"
“That’s right, but not entirely accurate! Propriety comes first, a point universally acknowledged by all Confucian scholars. Confucius advocated benevolence; Mencius believed human nature is inherently good; and Xunzi believed human nature is inherently evil. However, these are just the teachings of the three sages. If you follow the correct path, you can do the same. You are the purest Confucian scholar! The most orthodox Confucian scholar,” Li Gang said with certainty.
Qin Mu understood. Li Gang's explanation was mainly to remind him that mindset was the most important thing, and even more important was to stick to one's original intention.
“What I cultivate is also the word ‘righteousness’! And righteousness is also the characteristic that best matches the righteous spirit, which is why I took the initiative to come and see if you are suitable to inherit my mantle,” Li Gang explained.
"Thank you for your high regard, teacher."
“I am very happy to have such a fine disciple, but there is not much I can teach you. Which of the Six Arts and Eight Arts do you like? And what else have you studied?” Li Gang asked.
"These students can only be said to have had some contact with us."
"That's good. After you become my disciple, I will teach you the Six Arts and Eight Refined Arts!" Li Gang smiled with a relieved expression. Having such an outstanding disciple was also a problem; he was afraid that Qin Mu might reveal that he also knew other things.
Li Gang then asked Qin Mu which books he had read, and Qin Mu answered them one by one, except for the Ghost Valley Manual, which he concealed.
"I heard a song of righteousness from the princess. Could you read it to me?" Li Gang asked, nodding slightly.
"Good teacher! The world is filled with righteous energy..."
"Excellent! What a wonderful saying, 'Heaven and Earth possess righteous energy'! From now on, our lineage's righteous energy shall be called 'Righteous Energy'!"
"Teacher is right! Righteousness is the characteristic of our cultivation of righteousness," Qin Mu agreed.
"Alright! I'll be leaving now," Li Gang said, standing up.
"Students see their teacher off!" Qin Mu quickly followed.
Qin Mu followed behind Li Gang, saw him onto the carriage, and then went home.
"Mu'er, has Elder Li left?"
"Yes!"
"I was originally going to ask a great Confucian scholar to take you as his disciple, but I didn't expect Elder Li to take you on the initiative. That's wonderful. Elder Li is not only a great Confucian scholar, but also the head of Tianxin Pavilion. You must study hard," Qin Qiong said happily.
"Tianxin Pavilion? What kind of place is that?" Qin Mu asked curiously.
"Tianxin Pavilion is considered a court-appointed institution. It contains not only Confucian scholars but also Daoists, Mohists, and others. Most of them do not hold official positions in the court, or they have reached a high level of cultivation and are unwilling to serve as officials, so they usually live in seclusion and only take action when the court needs them. During your arrest and interrogation this time, it was Tianxin Pavilion that took action to supervise Chang'an," Qin Qiong explained.
"So that's how it is!"
“Not bad! Otherwise, do you think you could capture so many people so easily with just a few of you?” Qin Qiong said with a smile.
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