Bearing the blue sky

Chapter 253 He broke through already?

Becoming an apprentice?

Zhu Ge was also stunned.

Under normal circumstances, pursuing education is perfectly normal.

He also prepared to spread the new doctrine throughout the world.

But becoming an apprentice?

The word "master" carries almost the same weight as "father."

My father gave me life, but my master gave me the skills to survive.

Therefore, the significance of becoming an apprentice is greater than simply seeking knowledge.

"I don't accept disciples," Zhu Ge shook his head and said, "But if you wish to learn, that's fine with me."

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man named Cao Zhi sighed and said, "Very well, I was so excited to hear about Master Zhu that I wanted to become his disciple. It was indeed presumptuous of me."

With that, Cao Zhi shook his head, then bowed again and asked, "May I ask, Master Zhu, what method do you wish to use to spread your teachings?"

Preach!

Zhu Ge's new Confucian doctrines are bound to cause a huge uproar, so Zhu Ge has long been prepared for this.

"An equivalent exchange will suffice," Zhu Ge said calmly. "One high-grade Yuan-level item in exchange for one of my teachings. Of course, you cannot pass it on to anyone else."

"Wait, an equal exchange?" Cao Zhi was stunned, not immediately understanding. "This, this is a trade transaction in the commercial system?"

Cao Zhi looked incredulous.

Buy and sell!

Is the new Confucian way actually using buying and selling to spread its doctrines?

Cao Zhi felt it was absurd at first glance.

You know, there have been countless new paths throughout history.

The ancient philosophers opened up the world and fought for the survival of humankind, which led to the prosperous age we enjoy today.

Most of the great sages and virtuous people of ancient times taught their knowledge free of charge.

He even hoped that his teachings would spread wider and wider, bringing the best to all of humanity.

This would not only benefit the entire human race, but also allow their Dao to grow stronger through the refinement and cultivation of countless individuals.

The Confucian concept of "education for all" embodies this idea.

There are also some paths that require certain qualifications and talent, such as the path of immortality.

The order of merit is based on spiritual root constitution, emphasizing background and lineage, and favoring only those with talent, unlike Confucianism which favors everyone.

Even vernacular novels have been compiled, with the words of the Jie Sect's teachings for all and the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect.

The Daoist tradition dictates that one will only be taught profound teachings once they have entered the sect.

Confucianism and Taoism emphasize the imperial examination system and the principle of education for all. Diligent effort can also offer a glimmer of hope.

But no matter what, it doesn't have much to do with money.

Everyone cherishes their reputation.

No great person wants to be looked down upon.

Therefore, Cao Zhi was stunned when Zhu Ge said "equivalent exchange".

Cao Zhi hesitated: "Just a high-grade Yuan-level treasure is enough?"

Zhu Ge nodded with a smile.

Education should be provided to all without discrimination?

In order of superiority and inferiority?

What does it have to do with him?

He wanted to preach, but he knew that things that come too easily are often not cherished.

At the same time, he has no obligations.

He knew very well that he did not do so intentionally in creating the Great Dao.

It was created unintentionally to solve the problem of Redmi Daxian; he himself didn't even know he would create it.

He thought about it for a long time before finally making this decision.

Equivalent exchange!

He doesn't want this place to be full of overgrown children, nor does he want the people here to think that everything is their due.

Is the Great Way so easily passed on to you?

Just because you've created something new doesn't mean you should get it for free.

dream!

Just like the first sentence of the Book of Changes.

As heaven maintains vigor through movement, a gentleman should constantly strive for self-improvement!

The movement of Heaven is ever vigorous; the operation of the Great Way of the Universe never asks about the outcome, but simply continues eternally, never stopping because of external things, and never changing because of gain or loss.

Only when we stop asking "What will fate give me?" and instead focus on "What can I do right now?" can we become participants in fate, rather than bystanders.

The purpose of this song is to tell the world that if you want something, you should strive for it yourself.

One cannot learn the Book of Changes without waiting for handouts from superiors.

It's not because of innate talent that one can stand out from the crowd.

Only through self-improvement can we persevere.

Zhu Ge also has standards for this.

Those with powerful backers and high cultivation levels require Yuan-level treasures.

Those with low cultivation levels need to reach the Spirit level.

Even ordinary people can come if they can gather a certain amount of gold, silver, or copper coins.

As long as he can see the sincerity of this person's pursuit of the Tao and the importance this person attaches to the Book of Changes, that's enough.

Of course, if you want to get something for free, then forget it.

Just as Zhu Ge thought, he was not obligated to teach others anything.

There is no obligation to teach; whether or not to teach is entirely up to one's conscience.

"If that's the case, I have a top-grade Yuan-level Wind-Sheltering Peony here." Seeing that Zhu Ge was not joking, Cao Zhi directly took out a peony bud that was about to bloom from his ring.

As soon as this windproof peony was brought out, the surroundings seemed to quiet down considerably.

"Sheltering Peony?" Zhu Ge nodded slightly: "Okay, I'll teach you first, and then you can give it to me. If you're willing, just tell me about the uses of this Sheltering Peony. Come forward and sit with me in the carriage."

Cao Zhi was still somewhat taken aback by Zhu Ge's straightforwardness.

He stepped forward silently and handed the Peony of Shelter to Zhu Ge: "Master Zhu, please give this to you for now."

97

"That's fine, either way is fine." Zhu Ge smiled.

Then he spoke, saying, "My way is called the Change."

Zhu Ge began her narration.

From the Eight Trigrams of Qian and Kun to the usage of the I Ching, everything is explained in detail.

This lecture lasted two hours and was delivered in a reading-from-memory style.

After listening to the entire text of the Book of Changes, Cao Zhi was deeply shocked.

"This, this is actually Confucianism and Taoism?!" Cao Zhi exclaimed in surprise, then realized his words were inappropriate and quickly stood up and bowed: "Master, I meant no harm."

To be honest, Zhu Ge was somewhat moved to see that this being from the Fusion Realm was so polite.

He waved his hand: "It's alright. This path is inherently difficult. In essence, it's nothing more than a wise man not to stand under a dangerous wall, and to seek advantage and avoid harm."

"Seeking advantage and avoiding harm?" Cao Zhi muttered to himself, "Yes, but isn't this contrary to the principle of righteousness—"

righteous!

Where righteousness lies, even if it means dying nine times, one will not regret it!

This is the kind of integrity that Confucian scholars across the world aspire to today.

All Confucian scholars spend their entire lives waiting for the moment when they can "die in glory".

But what Zhu Ge was talking about was "seeking advantage and avoiding harm"?!

"There's no conflict." Zhu Ge shook his head: "Seeking advantage and avoiding harm, seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune—this is the way of the I Ching. But do you remember what the first sentence of the I Ching is?"

The first sentence?

Cao Zhi's expression shifted dramatically: "Never give up striving for self-improvement!"

Zhu Ge nodded slightly and smiled, "It seems you've figured it out?"

Cao Zhi seemed to be deep in thought, and the next moment his aura surged.

Zhu Ge didn't seem to feel much, but the True Monarch of Annihilation behind him raised an eyebrow: "You broke through?"

Cao Zhi was somewhat surprised, but even more so, he was filled with admiration: "Thank you for your help, Master Zhu. Today, I thought there was no hope for the future, but I never expected to have this opportunity. Thank you!"

Cao Zhi immediately performed the solemn teacher-student ceremony, bowing three times and kowtowing nine times, and then said, "Now that I have achieved a breakthrough, I will also protect Master Zhu. There is no need to trouble True Lord Minmie with anything; I will take care of it myself."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Ge should have refused, but considering that True Monarch Annihilation currently had no cultivation, she nodded.

Upon seeing this, Cao Zhi smiled, then soared into the air and disappeared from sight.