Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 678 features a great Confucian scholar debating scriptures.

In Nan'an City, staff members led Gongyang Ming and his group to an office.

Upon entering a spacious room, one would find several people waiting inside.

Gongyang Ming glanced at them and recognized most of them, including the acting city lord who had given a speech at the conference and the examiners who had recently participated in a series of exams.

However, he did not recognize one of the pretty girls.

But judging from where those people were standing, it was clear that this girl was in charge.

When Qingwan saw Gongyang Ming and his group approaching, she stepped forward with a smile and said, "Mr. Gongyang, you've come! My name is Qingwan, and I'm the chief interviewer for your final assessment!"

Upon hearing this, Gongyang Ming realized that this was the girl who had been traveling the world with Lu Zheng.

He noticed that the city lord and others still seemed very reserved when they saw him, clearly intimidated by his status.

Qingwan, on the other hand, was poised and graceful, just like Lu Zheng, and did not show any awe or reverence for his background.

Gongyang Ming smiled and nodded, saying, "Hello."

Qingwan then said, "Please sit down! You came with Mr. Gongyang, and although you're not participating in this interview, you can still listen in!"

So, both sides found seats facing each other.

A stack of documents was piled on the table in front of Qingwan.

She looked at Gongyang Ming and said slowly, "I've reviewed your previous assessments, and you performed very well. However, due to your special status, I need to conduct a final interview..."

Cheng Li and his students, along with their entourage, listened with strange expressions.

The master of the prestigious Jixia Academy was someone that countless schools across the land would want to invite to lecture.

However, upon arriving here, Gongyang Ming found himself just like any other student seeking higher education, having to undergo rigorous examinations to obtain an identity.

No one would believe such a thing if I told them.

Not only Cheng Li and his group, but even Su Mei and the others felt it was a dream.

This is a great Confucian scholar! He's willing to come and apply for an identity. If it were them, they would have approved him immediately. There wouldn't be so many tests...

However, since Lu Zheng had warned them earlier, they dared not show favoritism.

When Gongyang Ming faced Qing Wan, he inexplicably felt as if he had returned to his youth when he was studying.

Time really flies...

Gongyang Ming was momentarily filled with emotion.

Qingwan said slowly, "You may already know some of the rules, but I still have to emphasize them again here."

"Mr. Gongyang, whether it's you or those behind you, because of your status as members of a great dynasty, your situation is somewhat special. Therefore, we can grant you a grace period: after joining here, if you wish to leave or break away later, we will not make things difficult for you. You can part ways amicably at any time..."

These were the requirements that Lu Zheng had previously set. He knew that some of the people he had recruited might not be able to stay here for long due to their status or other reasons.

He doesn't have that much power to truly restrict certain individuals.

For example, even if a great Confucian scholar like Gongyang Ming were willing to come here to make contributions, it would be difficult for the Jixia Academy in Qi to allow him to stay for life.

Fortunately, some restrictions are relaxed for certain special groups, which can reduce the pressure in all aspects.

There's a saying that goes, "When gathered together, they are a blazing fire; when scattered, they are countless stars."

He also needs some people to return and spread the seeds of new ideas to various places.

Qingwan paused for a moment, then said, "Of course, once you join our big group, you have to abide by the rules here. Does Mr. Gongyang understand?"

Gongyang Ming nodded and said, "I understand."

"very good."

Qing Wan smiled slightly and said, "We are calling on people of ambition not for personal gain or fame, but for a unified purpose. We want to fight for a great cause..."

"Master Gongyang, as a great Confucian scholar, you should be knowledgeable and well-versed in both ancient and modern times, and know many things..."

"In this world, ordinary people make up the vast majority, while the powerful and wealthy and those who cultivate themselves are only a small fraction. Yet, this small group enjoys a great deal of wealth and resources, much of which is plundered from countless people at the bottom of society..."

Do you agree with this current situation?

Upon hearing this, Gongyang Ming nodded and said, "What you said makes a lot of sense."

Qingwan continued, “If the strong in this world did not exploit and plunder ordinary people, but instead created wealth, even if they only used one-tenth of their abilities, our whole world would become a much better place. Those strong people themselves, their descendants, and millions of other people would all be able to enjoy the benefits and convenience brought about by the change, but very few people have this awareness.”

"What we need to do is try to change this situation. As for how to do it specifically, we need to keep exploring feasible paths..."

"This is where we ignited the flame of hope."

Qingwan looked intently at Gongyang Ming, "For such a cause, you may have to pay a heavy price in the future, are you willing to do so?"

Gongyang Ming smiled upon hearing this, "The sage said, 'Sacrifice one's life for righteousness.' I am old as I am; if the cause is just, what does it matter if I give my life?"

Qingwan nodded and said, "Speaking of which, when sages create classics, whether they are Confucian sages or Buddhist Buddhas... they are all talking about the same principle and the same thing."

"Oh? What is it?"

Gongyang Ming was curious. It was the first time he had heard such a statement.

Qing Wan said, "Oppression and counter-oppression."

Upon hearing this, Gongyang Ming's heart was filled with turmoil, and he suddenly understood many truths.

"So that's how it is! I see..."

Gongyang Ming's eyes shone brightly, as if he had suddenly realized something.

A purple aura emanated from its body, and an invisible pressure enveloped the area.

Qingwan reacted quickly, raising her hand and waving it to protect Su Mei and the others with her righteous energy.

Gongyang Ming reacted quickly, suppressing his aura, and said apologetically, "I was momentarily overwhelmed with emotion, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

Since a great scholar has apologized, they really can't refuse to apologize.

Gongyang Ming sighed, "To my shame, I have read extensively from various classics, yet I never thought of such a principle. I am ashamed to be a scholar."

Having studied for most of his life, he can be considered a defender of Confucianism as a great Confucian scholar, and he did not pay much attention to other schools of thought in the past.

After hearing Qingwan's words, he was suddenly enlightened and realized the truth.

Qingwan said, "It's not too late to know now. If Mr. Gongyang has any questions, you can ask me now."

Gongyang Ming couldn't help but say, "How can this system be extended to the whole world? No dynasty in the world would be willing to do that..."

This was a pointed question, and even the others perked up their ears, eager to hear what Qingwan had to say.

Qingwan remained calm upon hearing this and slowly said, "It's all up to us. Let's get things done here first."

Others felt that these words were as good as saying nothing at all.

Some believe that Qingwan also doesn't know how to deal with those powerful dynastic forces, and even Lu Zheng, who controls everything here, probably can't do anything about it.

Gongyang Ming's expression shifted slightly. He sensed that Qingwan wasn't without an answer, but rather unwilling to say it.

Reflecting on what he had seen and heard in the past few days, as well as what he had learned, Gongyang Ming had a vague idea in his mind, but he was not entirely sure.

Next, Gongyang Ming raised some questions, which were about certain aspects of the situation in this place that he did not understand.

Qingwan answered them patiently one by one.

Finally, Gongyang Ming asked a question that had puzzled him greatly, "How did you come up with these rules and plans?"

"This..."

Qingwan blinked. "You need to learn and summarize. I learned a lot from Lu Zheng. If you want to get to the bottom of things, go ask Lu Zheng later."

Gongyang Ming thought to himself, "Just as I thought."

He nodded and said, "Okay. I have no other questions."

Upon hearing this, Qingwan took out a confirmation form and handed it to Gongyang Ming.

"Sign here, and you'll be part of our group from now on."

Gongyang Ming looked at the confirmation letter; there was no trace of magical energy on it, just ordinary text.

Upon seeing this, Gongyang Ming did not hesitate and wrote down his name.

Qing Wan happily put away the confirmation letter. Now they had a great Confucian scholar to debate the classics with, which was a significant step forward.

Qingwan then took out another identity token and gave it to Gongyang Ming, which was considered to give him a formal identity.

Qing Wan turned to Cheng Li and the others and said, "Since you came with Mr. Gongyang, and now that Mr. Gongyang has joined us, he can act as your recommender and guarantor, which will reduce the number of tedious assessments for you and allow you to apply for an identity as soon as possible."

Zhang Mu's eyes lit up. "Really? Then... Master, look at me..."

Zhang Mu couldn't help but look at Gongyang Ming with longing.

Gongyang Ming thought for a moment and said, "I can guarantee anything you're willing to do now. Of course, I won't force you."

That's what they say, but even Gongyang Ming has obtained an identity here, so some of them, even if unwilling, find it really hard to refuse.

Someone couldn't help but whisper, "If my family asked me to go back and inherit their business in the future, would I really leave?"

Qingwan smiled and said, "Even if you're busy with your studies, it's fine if you go back in a month or two. If you go back to inherit the family business and leave this place, we won't take a share of your inheritance. Like before, as long as you follow the rules, we can part amicably..."

Even if someone couldn't stand the rules here and left after a month or two, Qingwan wouldn't be angry.

Those who go back will become their mouthpieces, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Upon hearing this, everyone expressed their willingness to take the test.

With Gongyang Ming's guarantee, these students and their followers joined smoothly.

Having acquired a new identity, Zhang Mu couldn't wait to ask, "What will our work involve? What are the arrangements?"

Qing Wan said, "We brought you in not so you could enjoy yourself, but because there are some things to do. Mr. Gongyang, why don't you take them with you to do some work?" (End of Chapter)