A son who doesn't resemble his father? Love you, old man, see you at Xuanwu Gate!

Chapter 304 Solo Photograph
The silkworm is trapped in its own web, and the beauty of spring is vexing.

The Prime Minister's residence, study.

Perfect.

Gongsun Hong, the last prime minister of the Han Dynasty, the first chief minister of the Privy Council, the Grand Tutor, and the Marquis of Pingjin, was clearly unable to rest in peace amidst the lamentations of his disciples.

Mozi and Huo Guang, their mournful cries like wild geese and crows, were filled with deep affection.

Recalling the days after becoming a disciple of the Prime Minister, working day and night, tirelessly and diligently, burning the midnight oil to keep up with the times, she couldn't even cry.

What kind of closed-door disciple is this? What kind of destiny to become a Han prime minister? The master and prime minister are treating them like Huns. That's why they are so filial.

But, did the master live up to their expectations?
Chen Mo remained solemn and motionless, afraid that any sudden movement would break his composure. He placed his hands on his legs and gripped his thighs tightly, barely suppressing the urge to slap his legs and roar in pain.

Getting past the mentor is going to be tough, hahaha!
Perhaps sensing his little apprentice's inner turmoil, Gongsun Hong could no longer keep up the act and reluctantly opened his eyes, glaring fiercely at him.

This kid dares to leak even matters of national importance and stir up trouble within his sect. He still needs to be taught a lesson.

Sensing his master's "kindness," Chen Mo immediately focused his attention on his nose, his heart, and his breath, pretending to know nothing.

“Your grandmaster once told me about Grand Duke Lü Shang, saying: ‘A person’s ability lies not only in learning, but also in understanding. The foundation of understanding is not in learning less, but in learning again after difficulties. Great difficulties lead to great understanding, and only then can one achieve great success.’” Gongsun Hong said slowly.

Mozi and Huo Guang remained noncommittal, but in their hearts they both thought that people like Taigong and Rushi, who were "talented and lucky in their old age," were far, far away from them.

Moreover, throughout history, most talented and ambitious people have achieved fame at a young age. If everyone were to achieve great things in their old age like my great-grandfather or my teacher, wouldn't the world become a world of old men?

Chen Mo didn't care at all. He had a strong family tradition of learning, and anyone who disagreed could come and challenge him.
Gongsun Hong sometimes felt helpless. It wasn't a good thing that his disciple was too talented. He had no idea what it meant to gain experience through hardships and humiliations, and he also had difficulty understanding that things in the world are not static. Whether one achieves great things in old age or becomes famous in youth, one should experience both great hardships and great enlightenment.

Those who don't understand this will suffer sooner or later, but Gongsun Hong wasn't too worried. His disciples were blessed with good fortune and held prominent positions, so even if they suffered losses, they could get back on their feet.

Gongsun Hong, a descendant of Mozi, a brother of the Grand Marshal and General, and the contemporary pillar of the Yuangong family, felt a pang of sorrow when he thought of the hardships he had endured in the past.

Well, I'm the one playing the role on stage.

Gongsun Hong slowly stood up, refusing his disciples' help, and walked step by step toward the bed. In the book box by the bedside, he found the rusty, unopened bronze box that had not been opened for many years.

To quell the disciples' resentment, I probably need to produce something truly impressive. Oh well, I'm nearing the end of my life, so it's better to pass it on sooner rather than later.

As he carried the copper box back to his desk, Mo Zimo, Huo Guang, and Chen Mo instinctively cast inquiring glances his way.

The box was opened, and a large, worn-out parchment book appeared. Looking at the five large ancient seal characters on the yellowed cover, Gongsun Hong felt a moment of disorientation, as if he had been transported back to those years.

Master Hu Wusheng did not pass on the Gongyang family tradition to him, but gave him something that was no less valuable than the master's teachings. It was with this that he devoted himself to studying it for decades and was able to master the study of worldly affairs.

Now, it's time for the passing on of the torch once again.

"Young Master Mo," Gongsun Hong called out.

Mo Zimo stood up in response, "My esteemed teacher."

"Come closer."

Mo Zimo approached the desk, his eyes fixed intently on the parchment book, examining the words on it. When he saw them clearly, he was almost astonished. It was none other than "The Four Schools of Yin Fu"!
The five large characters are clearly visible, and there are two lines of smaller characters next to them. If you look closely, you can vaguely see the four names: "Yi Yin, Taigong, Fan Li, and Guiguzi".

An ancient and wondrous book has appeared in the world!

There is a legend that this was written by the Yellow Emperor as the "Complete Essentials of Heaven and Man," but there are more records in the Mohist school. It is said that it was written by a wise man from the Yin-Shang dynasty who concealed his identity and attributed it to the Yellow Emperor only to increase its mystery.

The Yin Fu Jing, which is said to contain only 424 characters, holds a sacred status above the Zhou Yi.

During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, Confucius was the only great scholar who seriously studied the Book of Changes and wrote commentaries on it.

However, there are no fewer than ten scholars who regard the Yin Fu Jing as a sacred text and have devoted themselves to annotating it.

What is even more remarkable is that all those who annotated the Yin Fu Jing were renowned generals, ministers, and scholars, such as Yi Yin, Taigong, and Fan Li. Among the scholars outside the officialdom, only Guiguzi was mentioned.

However, those who truly understand Guiguzi will deeply understand that the key to learning lies in quality rather than quantity. With such a rare genius who has mastered the art of learning and governing the world, there are countless mediocre people.

This in itself means that the Yin Fu Jing is neither a book of divination like the Zhou Yi nor a book of philosophical discourse like the Laozi, but rather a book of powerful wisdom that awakens power and is a key for all those who aspire to achieve great things.

The Yin Fu Jing possesses timeless charm.

"God back."

With a gentle call, Gongsun Hong roused Mo Zimo from his reverie, who looked ashamed and said, "Master."

Gongsun Hong shook his head, looked at him with a sigh, and said, "This book is the foundation of my success, but my wisdom is limited and I have not been able to fully comprehend the secrets of heaven. Now, I entrust this book to you, hoping that you can do your best!"

As he spoke, Gongsun Hong flipped his hand, revealing the annotations of Guiguzi on the sheepskin book: "Yin is the origin of life, hidden and difficult to see; Fu is the essence of life, wonderfully in harmony with the Great Dao. This is called the Yin Fu."

The secret harmony between Heaven and Earth and the mechanism of action is the foundation of the Yin Fu. Only the profound and subtle can illuminate it, which is called the hidden. Only the unrestrained and flexible can be called the talisman.

"Illuminating with the heart, harmonizing with the talisman—this is the essence of the *Yin Fu*!"

Mo Zimo's eyes struggled to leave the parchment and the annotations by Guiguzi. "Master, I'm afraid I cannot accept this..."

"You're just too kind."

Gongsun Hong looked at his two disciples, who were practically craning their necks to look into the bronze box, and said helplessly, "Little Mo, you must understand your master's good intentions."

With his exceptional intelligence, he was undoubtedly the best candidate to comprehend the ancient and extraordinary book, and his entrustment of the Yin Fu Jing to Mo Zi Mo had a deeper purpose.

“Master, I understand.” Mo Zimo nodded heavily.

Whipping Junior Brother Huo and controlling Junior Brother Chen—one was blinded by power, and the other had a family tradition that defied the heavens. If they didn't have some extraordinary knowledge, relying solely on the Mo family's heritage and their master's teachings, they really wouldn't have been able to discipline their two senior brothers.

"May you be 'unrestrained in your adaptability and profound in your understanding.'" Gongsun Hong took out the parchment book and handed it to Mozi Mo.

Mo Zimo was about to kneel, but Gongsun Hong stopped him, saying, "Don't let anyone see."

"Disciple thanks Master!"

(End of this chapter)