Top Scholar

Chapter 621 Let's emerge from seclusion, teacher!

While the north remains frozen and shows no signs of spring, Guizhou is already bursting with spring flowers and teeming with life.

Inside the Guizhou Provincial Academy of Civilization, the vast Panchi Square was packed with over two thousand people listening attentively to Master Yangming's lectures. Most were young scholars, but there were also local gentry, chieftains, officials, and even merchants and farmers mixed in…

Following Confucius's principle of education for all, Mr. Yangming opened his doors to all seekers of knowledge and treated them all equally.

Everyone here had only one identity: students. They held their breath, completely silent, except for Wang Shouren's loud and powerful voice echoing across the square.

"Today I will discuss with you the distinction between 'hearing and seeing' and 'true knowledge,' and the integration of the three schools of thought. Most people are preoccupied with what they hear and see, engaging in empty talk about famous sayings and rigidly adhering to old rules, and then claiming to have grasped the Great Way—this is what I, Wang Suzong, criticize as 'empty talk about hearing and seeing.' Without practice, it is difficult to understand the 'principles of things.' You must know that the mind cannot create seedlings, and things cannot show you the method of cultivation. The mind can only understand the true meaning through 'action'!"

"This is the 'integration of mind and matter'—using 'action' as a bridge, connecting mind and matter, with the mind understanding the nature of matter and matter verifying the mind's knowledge." He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping over the attentive learners below, before continuing his lecture:

"Furthermore, the Book of Changes says 'essence and function are one,' which in the study of Taoism is 'the integration of power and responsibility.' Essence is the principles of Heaven and conscience, which endow me with the power to save the world; function is daily practice, which prompts me to fulfill my responsibilities—Shennong's domestication of rice, enjoying the five grains is his power, teaching farming is his responsibility; you chieftains, governing your region is your power, ensuring the safety of your people is your responsibility; you students here, receiving provisions is your power, practicing the Great Way is your responsibility. Remember—power and responsibility are one, only by fulfilling responsibilities can you enjoy power, and enjoying power inevitably requires fulfilling responsibilities!"

"..." For nearly two hours, Wang Shouren's eloquent speech captivated the audience, who listened as if they were receiving sacred teachings.

Finally, Master Yangming earnestly said: "Gentlemen, the great way is simple. My teachings are extremely simple. The core of them is the integration of 'mind and matter,' 'knowledge and action,' and 'rights and responsibilities'! By adhering to these three integrations, one can avoid becoming an empty talker and a pedantic scholar, and become a gentleman of conduct, a practitioner of knowledge and action, and a person who uses knowledge to benefit the world—this is the foundation for learning, self-cultivation, and bringing peace and prosperity to the country!"

"Yes, we will heed your teachings!" the crowd below replied respectfully in unison.

At this time, civil unrest broke out all over the country, and people in various provinces were suffering terribly. Only Guizhou became a paradise on earth.

This stability is inseparable from Mr. Yangming's meticulous teachings. After arriving in Guizhou, he devoted himself to spreading the Way and teaching, not only educating people of all ethnic groups to understand the principles of things and abide by etiquette, but also using the principles of Taoism to permeate people's hearts and resolve the barriers between different ethnic groups.

The various chieftains, led by An Guirong, the Pacification Commissioner of Guizhou, also greatly admired Wang Shouren. Every time he came to the provincial capital to lecture, they would personally come to listen to his teachings. Even when there were conflicts or disputes between different tribes, they would go together to Longchang Post Station to ask Wang Shouren to mediate.

Master Yangming was always able to persuade people with reason and move them with emotion, resolving disputes one by one, and gradually winning the respect and trust of people of all ethnic groups and chieftains.

Officials in Guizhou also held him in high esteem, and the provincial education commissioner even took him as his teacher, inviting him to take charge of the province's only official school so that students throughout the province could learn Wang Suzong's teachings.

This scene of "the guest usurping the host's place" once made the governor of Guizhou very jealous... It was truly outrageous that Wang Shouren, who was merely demoted, could win the support of students throughout the province and the respect of various local chieftains, and that his words carried more weight in Guizhou than his own.

He tried to make things difficult for Wang Shouren several times, but Wang Yangming resolved the situation with great wisdom, leaving Wang Shouren both impressed and ashamed, and too embarrassed to cause him any more trouble.

However, starting from the second half of last year, seeing the chaos in the country escalating and the provinces in turmoil, only Guizhou remained stable thanks to Wang Shouren's teachings. The Grand Secretary also changed his attitude in time, no longer caring about being overshadowed. Instead, he regarded Wang Shouren as a treasure of the province, frequently visiting him to seek his advice, asking him to give more lectures, appease the people, and protect this pure land of Guizhou...

~~
After finishing his lecture, Wang Shouren let out a weary sigh, took the teacup offered by his disciple Chen Wenxue from Guizhou, and gently blew on it to warm it.

Just as he was about to take a sip of tea to moisten his dry throat, Wang Shouren suddenly fixed his gaze on a long-lost figure.

"Mr. Yangming, how have you been?" The visitor was in his thirties or forties, dressed in a long blue robe, looking travel-worn, yet his elegant demeanor remained undiminished. Beneath his black gauze hat, a handsome and refined face was revealed—it was Su Youcai.

"Haha, Brother Yunwen, it's been a long time." Wang Shouren happily stood up to greet him and said to his disciples, "This is your eldest brother's... father."

"Greetings, Uncle!" Chen Wenxue and a group of Guizhou students greeted Su Youcai in unison.

"Greetings, my nephews." Su Youcai hurriedly returned the greeting.

"Great! Great! When we parted last time, you and your son were just scholars. In less than two years, Hongzhi has passed the imperial examination with top honors in all three levels." Wang Shouren warmly pulled Su Youcai inside for a chat.

"Brother Yunwen is still as dashing as ever."

"Master Yangming looks even more robust than he was back then." Su Youcai looked Wang Shouren up and down and saw that he was indeed in much better condition.

“Of course, Guizhou has beautiful mountains, rivers and scenery, it’s a great place to live.” Wang Shouren laughed: “What I thought was an exile turned out to be a recuperation trip. Life is so unpredictable.”

"I really shouldn't have come," Su Youcai said, somewhat embarrassed.

"Since you're already here, take it out." Wang Shouren laughed heartily.

"Nothing can be hidden from you, sir." Su Youcai chuckled and pulled two letters from his sleeve, one from Wang Qiong and the other from Su Lu. Wang Shouren took them, opened Su Lu's letter first, and after reading it, laughed, "Good lad, you've only been an official for a few days and you're already bossing around your teacher?"

"Hongzhi wanted to find a helper for his maternal grandfather so that peace could be restored to Sichuan as soon as possible, and he also hoped to help you get out of your predicament," Su Youcai hurriedly explained.

"Haha, Brother Yunwen, you misunderstand. What I mean is, I'm going to be bossed around by that kid for the rest of my life." Wang Shouren laughed loudly, "I estimate that his position as the Grand Chamberlain will replace the Cabinet in just a few years."

"Oh no, can it be?" Su Youcai exclaimed in surprise, "They are all helping the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations)."

"Emperor Wu of Han established the 'Shaofu Academy' next to the Wenshi Palace to train teenage officials. These young men served as attendants to the emperor during the day and practiced government affairs at the Shiqu Pavilion at night. Then, they were gradually pushed to the forefront, replacing the Nine Ministers and seizing power." Wang Shouren, however, clearly understood this:

"Hongzhi and his classmates from the same year are none other than the current emperor Huo Guang, Sang Hongyang, and Jin Ridi..."

Of course, Su Youcai couldn't easily engage in these conversations, so he just kept chuckling.

Wang Shouren opened Wang Qiong's letter again, and said with a smile as he read it: "I always thought your father-in-law's surname was Cheng, but I never expected him to be the famous Wang Jinxi!"

“There’s no conflict between a first wife and a second wife.” Su Youcai was even more embarrassed. “A father-in-law can be more than one…”

After reading Wang Qiong's letter, Wang Shouren readily agreed, "Since Hongzhi invited me and you personally delivered the letter, I'll accept this task."

"Ah, that's wonderful!" Su Youcai exclaimed with delight, "The people of Sichuan are saved!"

He then asked impatiently, "When do we set off?"

Then, embarrassed, he said awkwardly, "I shouldn't have urged you, sir, but the military situation is urgent..."

“No rush, we can still make a contribution here.” Wang Shouren smiled and said, “The Grand Chancellor said in his letter that he was worried that the various chieftains would take the opportunity to cause trouble, and hoped that I could explain the advantages and disadvantages to them and try my best to appease them. Although I am just a demoted official and my voice carries little weight, I can only do my best.”

~~
When news of Master Yangming's departure from Guizhou spread, the academy's disciples, local people, chieftains, and officials were all filled with reluctance and gathered at the academy, choking back tears as they pleaded with him to stay.

"Sir, we can't live without you! Please don't leave!"

Seeing his disciples' reluctance to part, Wang Shouren's eyes reddened, but he still gently comforted them, "Don't be too sad... I am an exiled person. Wherever the court orders me to go, I must go. I have no choice in the matter. Besides, I was invited by the governor of Sichuan to serve as his advisor. You don't need to worry too much."

He paused for a moment, then addressed the crowd in a loud voice: "Furthermore, all good things must come to an end. Fortunately, I have passed on the essence of Wang Suzong's teachings to you. As long as you put them into practice and seek truth from facts, you will be able to carry on this teaching in Guizhou. Those with ambition can also use this knowledge to help the world and bring peace to the people, and accomplish great things, so as not to fail what I have taught you, nor to fail what you have learned!"

“Waaah…” The disciples, knowing that there was no way to save Master Yangming, all burst into tears.

~~
Soon after, An Guirong, the Guizhou Pacification Commissioner, also personally came to bid farewell, naturally bringing with him all sorts of valuable gifts.

Wang Shouren naturally refused them all, keeping only a jar of Duyun Maojian tea as a souvenir.

“Sir, your contributions to Guizhou over the past two years have exceeded those of all the previous Han officials combined, yet you only accept a can of tea. How can I be at ease?” An Guirong said, covering his face and weeping.

"I am deeply grateful for your care over the past two years, especially when I first arrived in Longchang. I was able to establish myself entirely thanks to your help, and I am extremely grateful," Wang Shouren said solemnly. "Furthermore, I am still in exile and must follow the rules and regulations. I cannot cause trouble for the person who recommended me."

"Alright..." An Guirong had no choice but to stop insisting.

Seeing that he hesitated, Wang Shouren asked, "Does Your Excellency have anything else to say?"

"Nothing can be hidden from you, sir." An Guirong then solemnly clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, seeking your guidance.

"Sir, with frequent natural disasters and widespread uprisings, if the world descends into chaos, how should Shuixi cope?"

“It won’t come to that, it won’t reach the point of chaos.” Wang Shouren waved his hand, reassuring him, “The country is suddenly in this state mainly because of three consecutive years of severe drought, and the situation this year is still not optimistic… This would be unbearable in any dynasty, but Heaven will not let the drought last forever. Once the drought eases, the court will exempt people from rent and corvée labor, allowing them to rest, and the situation will improve.”

"I see..." An Guirong's expression remained grave upon hearing this. After stammering for a while, he finally said in a low voice, "Furthermore, to be honest, the Yang family of Bozhou has sent a letter inviting me to join them in an uprising and seize Sichuan. Of course, I will not betray the court, but I really don't know how to deal with the Yang family. Whether I refuse or play along, it seems that both options will lead to endless trouble."

(End of this chapter)