NOVPUBAfter finishing, Chen Xi gave Lu Yu a look, and in an instant, Lu Yu understood and opened his mouth to say, "Uncle Wang, I deeply appreciate the shelter you have provided under your command. However, even the eagle must face setbacks to soar high. Without such trials, how can I restore the former glory of the Lu Family?"
Wang Lie lowered his head without responding; he was also pondering this matter. It was clear that Chen Xi had a similar ability to him, both of them could discern a person’s potential. He also knew that what Lu Yu was most suited to learn was the arts of political power schemes, but these were the darkest, filthiest things in politics.
"The lotus emerges from the mud untainted, the pure water not creating the illusion of enchantment." Seeing Wang Lie’s deep frown almost twisting into a knot, Chen Xi had no choice but to speak.
"White sand can turn black along with the ink." Wang Lie’s tightly knitted brows slightly relaxed, but his expression still held some resignation.
"How can one who submits to circumstances and betrays his own heart be called extraordinarily talented and brilliant? Going against the tide and striving forward, the Precious Sword’s sharpness is honed from grinding, the plum blossom’s fragrance comes from the bitter cold. I still have confidence; does the elder not believe so?" Chen Xi said with a smile, the sharpness and confidence emanating from him deeply etched into Wang Lie’s heart.
"Zijia, what do you think?" Wang Lie asked, turning his head toward Lu Yu. By saying this at this moment, he had essentially agreed to the matter.
Taking a deep breath, Lu Yu said proudly, "I, Lu Zijia, believe I can remain steadfast in my heart, not swayed by external factors. After the Lu Family’s downfall, I must personally reestablish it! How can mere temptations contradict my true heart?"
The sharpness that radiated from Lu Yu brought a hint of a smile to Wang Lie’s face. "Good, since that is the case, take my copy of the ’Tao Te Ching,’ and the ’Xunzi’ that Ci Ming gave me. I haven’t taught you much along the way. Although the machinations of officialdom are bloodless killings, when you stand at a high place like this person here, virtue and foresight are far more effective than techniques."
Chen Xi was slightly taken aback. Wang Lie’s relation with Xun Shuang and Lu Zhi was not the ordinary kind of strong! Xun Shuang actually gave Wang Lie the ancestral books of the Xun Family, these original classic books!
"I wonder... Uncle, which book should I study first?" Lu Yu asked, lowering his head to watch the ants on the ground, not daring to look into Wang Lie’s eyes. 𝓷ℴ𝓿𝓹𝓾𝓫.𝓬ℴ𝓶
Chen Xi, however, clearly saw Wang Lie’s resigned expression. "Learn the ’Technique,’" he said, followed by a long sigh laden with unspeakable resentment. "Marquis Chen, convey my regards to Lord Xuande, and take care of Zijia for me. As for my annotated ’Tao Te Ching,’ have it published and give it to whoever likes to read it."
"Since the elder is willing to entrust the ’Tao Te Ching’ to me, Zichuan has no need for further thanks. I saw the elder had intentions of building a library pavilion before; perhaps the proceeds from publishing the ’Tao Te Ching’ could be used to fund the construction of your library pavilion?" Chen Xi said with a smile. This was Wang Lie’s ’Tao Te Ching,’ the genuine article representing an era’s moral model!
"I’ve never heard of someone printing my books and then paying me for it," Wang Lie said calmly.
"The eminent clans will certainly keep your book as a collection, which will naturally bring income, more than sufficient for building a library pavilion," Chen Xi said with a smile. He was not joking—despite it not comparing to the original annotated ’Xunzi’ from the Xun Family, Wang Lie’s current reputation was enough for Chen Xi to make a tidy sum.
"That sounds good," Wang Lie nodded and said. He quickly understood the situation. Even though setting a price on one’s thoughts was obviously unwelcome, compared to the opportunity to educate more scholars, Wang Lie didn’t mind that slight blemish at all.
"In fact, you could also think about rebuilding your estate," Chen Xi said with a smile. "We can advance the funds, and this Prime Minister of Qi State standing behind me will certainly allow you to use the money in advance. Isn’t that right, Xiaoo Zhi?"
"No problem. This courtyard is too small, lacking eight proper classrooms for thirty people each, a basic Library Pavilion for a small-scale collection, a regular storage room, and an area for physical activities. The entire courtyard needs to expand fivefold," Fa Zheng commented calmly on the standard features of the academy designed by Chen Xi. All these required money.
Wang Lie was at a loss for words. The expense for these things was certainly substantial, and he couldn’t help but look towards Chen Xi.
"It’s quite manageable. Very simple, in fact; just build it. Once we review and deem it up to standard, we’ll distribute the foundational books and some adaptable books from the Library Pavilion, as well as the final selection of books chosen by the dean of the academy," Chen Xi explained with a smile.
These conditions were actually designed by Chen Xi to attract local Minor Sect families and landlords to join. These families all had some money to spare, and they could easily afford the construction of an academy—even converting one or two of their own courtyards would suffice. What they lacked was substance, lacking books. Having the freedom to make their own selections was precisely what was prepared for them!
Chen Xi didn’t have that much time to invest in spreading education. As long as education commenced in Mount Tai Commandery and the collected data stayed within the range previously calculated by Liu Ye and Lub Su, Chen Xi would proceed to promote it on a full scale. It would be inevitable then to require the participation of local Minor Sect families.
"If that’s the case," Wang Lie nodded, "then we’ll have to rely on the Prime Minister of Qi State."
"Would you allow the three of us to have a look at your ’Book of Virtue’?," Chen Xi said thoughtfully. He assumed that Wang Lie’s version would definitely differ from the original Tao Te Ching, probably with a greater emphasis on virtue.
Wang Lie gestured to the little girl who had opened the door for Chen Xi and his party. She quickly ran inside and returned, carrying nine bamboo slips and a paper book, shaking a little. Clearly, the nine large bamboo slips were too heavy for the little girl. Chen Xi quickly reached out to support her, then took all the bamboo slips from her.
"Hey, do you think Zichuan would like that kind?" Fa Zheng gestured carefully a couple of times and then looked at Zhuge Liang to speak.
"That’s unlikely, just pity I’d say. I tend more to think it’s a habit, just like Zichuan’s attitude towards Maids." Zhuge Liang glanced at Fa Zheng as he said this.
"You two take a look as well." After handing a bamboo slip to each, Fa Zheng and Zhuge Liang, Chen Xi began to read. After a long while, all three looked up at each other. The author of this book could certainly serve as a paragon of virtue. Their actions were within the reach of ordinary people, not elevated to the level of saints. But precisely because it concerned real, tangible people, it had blood and flesh, it was profoundly insightful.
"What do you think, Xiaoo Zhi?" This time Chen Xi did not ask Zhuge Liang but directly addressed Fa Zheng, who was deep in thought.
"The foundation is your ’Thousand Character Classic’ and ’Disciples’ Regulations’, followed by ’Zhongyong’ and this!" After pondering for a good while, Fa Zheng looked up and said, "Since we had already determined to center around ’virtue’, this fits perfectly."
"I had the same thought. In that case, when I return to Mount Tai, I will propose to include this book in the list of required readings," Chen Xi nodded and said. "Our main focus is to cultivate virtue. I am in the process of solving issues of food and clothing; if we can successfully instill virtue, our path ahead will be much smoother!" (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com), cast your monthly vote, and your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to continue reading.)
