Chapter 293: Unhealthy Trends and Worldly Cultivation
When he saw that it was Gong Mengbi, his eyes immediately showed joy and he bowed and greeted him from a distance.
Gong Mengbi bowed in return. Seeing Yan Chixia winking in the direction of Mr. Liu Nan, indicating that it was inconvenient for him to come, Gong Mengbi nodded and stood outside Mingdao Hall waiting.
Yan Chixia bowed and greeted, which attracted the attention of the people around him, and they looked in the direction of his hand.
When he looked over, he saw Gong Mengbi and immediately felt a sense of pleasure.
Mr. Liu Nan asked, "Chixia, who is that?"
Yan Chixia said, "It's my old friend, Gong Mingfu."
The headmaster of Wansong Academy praised him, saying, "He is so handsome and has a good appearance."
Such good looks are not just about beauty in appearance, but also beauty in spirit and temperament.
Mr. Liu Nan couldn't help but feel happy and said, "If it's okay, you can invite him to come and listen to the lecture."
Yan Chixia bowed and walked towards Gong Mengbi.
Mr. Liu Nan, surrounded by the dean and others, entered Mingdao Hall first.
Gong Mengbi smiled and said, "Why are you here? Don't you want to listen to Mr. Liu Nan's lecture?"
Yan Chixia sighed and said, "Brother Mingfu, Brother Mingfu, I used all my connections to seek advice from Lord Liu Nan. Finally, Lord Liu Nan took one look at you and asked me to invite you to attend the lecture."
Gong Mengbi laughed and said, "It's all thanks to you that you are now a disciple of Lord Liu Nan?"
Yan Chixia said, "I'm just asking for advice, I haven't become your disciple yet. Master Liu Nan is incredibly talented and knowledgeable, well-read, and good at everything, but he just doesn't think much of me."
The two of them walked as they entered the Mingdao Hall and sat down next to Mr. Liu Nan.
As soon as Gong Mengbi came in, he attracted the attention of many students. If Mr. Liu Nan had not been there, those who wanted to make friends with him would have come forward immediately.
Yan Chixia said sourly, "Brother Mingfu's beauty is so stunning, like a cart full of fruit. It's truly incomparable."
Gong Mengbi knocked him, "Shh."
The dean is already introducing Mr. Liu Nan.
Gong Mengbi didn't know much about Mr. Liu Nan, but Mr. Liu Nan was indeed very famous.
He once served as the Prince's Junior Tutor and was appointed Minister of Rites. Later, he returned to his hometown due to illness and devoted himself to education.
After the new emperor ascended the throne, he tried many times to re-employ Mr. Liu Nan, but Mr. Liu Nan was in poor health and was unable to handle state affairs.
Wansong Academy put a lot of effort into inviting Mr. Liu Nan to give lectures.
Mr. Liu Nan spoke slowly, starting from his own experience, talking about his experiences when he was in office, and using these experiences as an introduction to explain his own views.
It means that the people's hearts are the basis and the government should be honest, and it denounces those who make big promises without any proof.
Liu Nangong criticized the current problems and spoke many heartfelt words. Gong Mengbi listened with some admiration.
But when he looked at the students in the classroom again, he lost most of his interest when he heard that the lecture had nothing to do with the exam or the scriptures.
Looking at what Liu Nangong said about less empty talk and more practical work, I understand this truth in my heart, but I don’t believe it deeply.
Gong Mengbi understood that the people were gradually losing their support.
The carnivores in power do not value practical work, nor do they value the people's hearts. Perhaps the unruly people are not considered the people.
As the saying goes, "What goes up must come down." It is not possible for Mr. Liu Nan to just give a lecture to reverse this unhealthy trend.
Gong Mengbi, an outsider, could see it clearly, and Mr. Liu Nan could see it even more clearly.
But he still wants to talk and talk. Some people don't believe it, but some do.
As long as there are people willing to listen, he will continue to speak, speaking to those who are still passionate and full of vigor.
When Mr. Liu Nan was moved, he coughed a few times.
The servant beside him quickly patted his back to help him calm down.
Mr. Liu Nan took a breath and saw that everyone in the hall had different expressions. Even though he had expected this, he still felt a little bored.
This lecture felt a bit anticlimactic.
When Mr. Liu Nan came, he attracted everyone's attention, but after he finished speaking, everyone lost interest and looked quite cold.
After sending away the audience, the headmaster bowed before Mr. Liu Nan and said with shame, "It is my fault that you have been neglected."
Mr. Liu Nan helped him up and said, "You've done quite well. I've seen quite a few promising young people, so this trip wasn't in vain. You must cultivate them well and not let these ambitious people down."
The headmaster nodded seriously.
Gong Mengbi and Yan Chixia had already left Mingdao Hall and were walking slowly in the back mountains.
Yan Chixia sighed, "Mr. Liu Nan is willing to make changes, but he is old and lacks the energy."
Gong Mengbi said, "How can he alone save the world from all its ills?"
Yan Chixia was stunned and said, "Everyone, from top to bottom, is motivated by profit, but they don't know sincerity and righteousness. I want to follow the human way, but I don't know if humanity will tolerate me."
Gong Mengbi said, "Humanity is vast, encompassing all living beings. Humanity can certainly tolerate you, but the kingly way may not."
Yan Chixia glanced at him and said with a smile, "Indeed."
Gong Mengbi asked, "Brother Yan, have you made up your mind to enter the secular world and practice cultivation?"
Yan Chixia said, "My master said that my earthly ties were not yet resolved, and asked me to come down the mountain. I fought demons and monsters all the way to Qiantang, and finally realized that the ills of this world are not caused by demons, but by humans themselves."
"Demons can eat people, but immortals and gods can still punish them. But when people eat people, who can punish them?"
Gong Mengbi looked at him steadily and said, "Brother Yan has such a broad mind, so he won't have to worry about cultivating in this world."
Yan Chixia smiled bitterly and said, "I'm already facing a dilemma. Lord Liu Nan said that the people's will is the foundation, which is very much to my liking, but Lord Liu Nan has retired and has lost his influence in the court. Lord Liu Nan is reluctant to obey the new emperor's orders not only for health reasons, but also because once he enters the court, he will be trapped in the situation and be constrained at every turn. It is better for him to stay outside the court, where he can identify and promote young talents."
Gong Mengbi understood: "You want to become a disciple of Liu Nangong, but becoming his disciple may not necessarily help your future."
Yan Chixia nodded, a look of shame on his face, and said, "Brother Mingfu, I can't see clearly anymore."
Gong Mengbi said, "In terms of spiritual practice, one must naturally follow one's heart. But since you want to govern the world, you hesitate."
Yan Chixia nodded again.
Gong Mengbi said, "But in my opinion, governing the world also requires following one's heart."
Yan Chixia looked at Gong Mengbi and made an expression as if he wanted to hear more details.
Gong Mengbi said, "Your joining Lord Liu Nan's school is to establish your own reputation and let the world know your ambitions. While the future may be difficult, it does not mean you cannot walk shoulder to shoulder with men of insight. If you hide your ambitions, suppress your true nature, associate with jackals and wolves, and get caught in the mire, you will be trapped and unable to escape. Even if you want to, you may not be able to do so."
"Brother Yan, after all, you are not simply serving as an official. You are cultivating yourself as an official. If you go against your true heart, be careful not to go astray and get stuck in the mud."
As Yan Chixia listened to the words, his eyes gradually became clearer. He bowed and said, "Thank you, Brother Mingfu, for clearing up my confusion."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
