Primordial Era: My God, this phoenix is ​​too cunning!

It is said that Laozi intended for his avatar, Li Er, to leave Hangu Pass, convert the barbarians to Buddhism, and seize a share of the Western Buddhist fortune. At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name.

When it came out of Luoyi, the capital of the Shang Dynasty at that time, it saw that outside the capital, the surrounding area was desolate.

Everywhere there were broken walls and ruins, collapsed well curbs, tangled paths, desolate fields, and withered grass rustling in the wind.

There are no horses plowing in the fields, but warhorses gallop endlessly on the main road.

Witnessing this scene, Li Er couldn't help but shake his head, thinking to himself that even though the Shang Dynasty had won the Great Tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods and continued its fortune.

But eventually, its fate has come to an end, and this time, it may be the very end.

Li Er traveled westward for several months, finally approaching Hangu Pass.

Looking out over Hangu Pass, one sees towering mountains on both sides and a mighty river flowing through the middle, making it a natural fortress.

Since the Shang Dynasty moved its capital to Luoyang, Hangu Pass has been a vital strategic location. It guards the throat of the Xiaohan Pass, borders Hengling to the west, a deep ravine to the east, Qinling Mountains to the south, and the Yellow River to the north. Its terrain is treacherous and its roads are narrow, hence the saying that "carts cannot travel side by side, and horses cannot ride abreast."

It is named Hangu Pass because it is located in a valley, deep and dangerous like a box.

Li Er rode a blue ox to the pass. Just as he reached the pass, the gates of Hangu Pass suddenly opened wide, and a Shang Dynasty official with an extraordinary bearing led his men out. He bowed and paid homage to Li Er from afar.

Li Er was slightly surprised, and a thought struck him, realizing that this person was destined to be with him.

Now, this doctor was none other than Yin Xi, the gatekeeper of Hangu Pass. From a young age, he loved studying ancient books, was proficient in calendars, was good at observing astronomy, and had learned the art of astrology and astronomical observation.

Just before Li Er arrived, he observed the celestial phenomena at night and saw purple clouds gathering in the east, stretching for tens of thousands of miles, shaped like a flying dragon, rolling in from east to west.

Knowing it was a sage traveling, we bathed and burned incense, and had the roads swept clean in preparation for his arrival.

That's why we're doing what we're doing now.

Yin Xi welcomed Li Er into Hangu Pass and invited him to stay. That very evening, Li Er came to inquire about the Dao.

He asked Li Er, "Now that the Shang Dynasty is in disarray, with feudal lords rising up everywhere, vying for supremacy and disregarding the imperial court, what should a minister like myself do?"

Laozi (Li Er) taught him to practice non-action, thus governing both himself and the state, even the feudal lords governing the world. "He who does nothing will not win the world." Therefore, "I do nothing, and the people transform themselves; I prefer stillness, and the people correct themselves; I am free from worldly affairs, and the people become prosperous; I have no desires, and the people become simple." Laozi's words were a teaching without words, allowing the people to transform themselves.

Yin Xi understood his meaning, but still sighed, knowing how difficult this method was.

With the world in chaos and warlords rising up everywhere, how could such an ideal method exist? To do nothing and yet not do nothing—perhaps only the sage before us can achieve this.

Just then, Li Er suddenly felt a thought and looked up to see a figure appear as if in a dream.

He took a futon next to him and sat down. Who else could this person be but Lin Yang?

Li Er's eyelids twitched, and he smiled, "Greetings, fellow Daoist." Duo Bao quickly followed suit and paid his respects.

Although Yin Xi did not know Lin Yang, seeing Li Er's demeanor, he knew that Lin Yang must also be a saint-like being, and immediately bowed deeply.

Lin Yang was only using an avatar; his true body was still refining fragments of laws within the Undying Volcano.

He was merely proving the truth in a dream, and seeing Laozi (Li Er) talking eloquently here, he couldn't help but show himself.

Seeing Li Er bow, Lin Yang returned the bow slightly and nodded to Duobao and Yin Xi.

Lin Yang then spoke, "Having heard what you said here, I couldn't help but show myself to discuss this with you. I wonder what your opinion is?"

"I dare not ask, for it is my own wish!" Li Er replied.

Lin Yang then said, "Just now I heard you speak of the Way of Non-Action, teaching without words. It's a pity that the people of the world are so foolish, how can they practice this Way?"

Li Er nodded and said, "That is indeed the case. May I ask what insightful opinion you have, brother?"

Yin Xi couldn't help but stare intently at Lin Yang.

Lin Yang laughed and said, "I don't know the methods of governing the world, but I understand the principle that the strong prey on the weak."

"Heaven creates all things to nourish all living beings, and then governs them through life and death. The so-called survival of the fittest and elimination of the unfit is an age-old principle."

Li Er nodded and said, "This is also the principle of non-action without action. The way of non-action is the way of Heaven."

Lin Yang nodded: "The way of non-action is the way of Heaven, but the way of Heaven is not just this."

"Heaven values ​​life."

"The continuous cycle of life is the way of Heaven. Without living beings, Heaven and Earth would lose their meaning, and what would become of the way of Heaven?"

"But all living beings have seven emotions and six desires, so it is inevitable that there will be conflict. Once the conflict starts, it will never end."

"Thus, concepts such as cause and effect, fortune, and calamity arose. Heaven uses these to balance all living beings, so as not to cause the world to become unbalanced."

"However, of the forty-nine laws of Heaven, one is omitted. All living beings have a sliver of hope. This sliver of hope is also called a variable. This is something that the laws of Heaven cannot take care of."

"The way of Heaven remains unchanged, while the way of humanity is ever-changing. How complex are the principles governing this?"

As Lin Yang spoke, he couldn't help but shake his head.

Li Er also sighed repeatedly.

The way of Heaven remains unchanged, but the way of humanity is ever-changing. Even the way of Heaven cannot govern the way of humanity, let alone a sage?

After all, putting everything else aside, isn't Lin Yang, the man right in front of us, the biggest variable in human nature?

But now that he was sitting next to him, Li Er felt somewhat dazed.

After all, he and Lin Yang had always been enemies. But now, Lin Yang was discussing the Dao with him, which made him feel like he had met a kindred spirit.

This is truly unbelievable!

"If a person doesn't look out for themselves, they'll be doomed. All things and living beings have their own balance; we are just doing our part in human affairs," Li Er sighed.

The two began to discuss and express their opinions, which greatly excited Yin Xi, who immediately began to listen attentively.

Although both of their paths are the Way of Heaven, they ultimately have different understandings.

Lao Tzu believed in non-action, and that everything should be done in accordance with the Way of Heaven.

Although Lin Yang also comprehended the Dao of Heaven, it was also mixed with some principles of humanity.

They believe that while the way of Heaven should be respected, all living beings, in their own way, must also strive for that sliver of hope.

As heaven's movement is ever vigorous, so should a gentleman constantly strive for self-improvement; as earth's condition is receptive, so should a gentleman cultivate virtue and bear all things with magnanimity.

Those who are meant to serve all beings, but merely resign themselves to fate, are not truly living beings.

Only those who strive for self-improvement, persevere, and work hard to survive can be called ordinary people.

The principles of both are largely the same, with minor differences. Yet, it is precisely this small difference that reveals the distinction and the relative merits of each.

Li Er lamented that he was far inferior to Lin Yang.

Lin Yang discussed philosophy with him for a long time, and left satisfied.

Seeing that he had ignored him from beginning to end and left immediately after the discussion, Duobao felt a sense of loss.

Li Er pondered for a long time, and although he gained a lot, he couldn't help but feel somewhat bored.

Seeing Duobao's expression, Li Er knew what he was thinking and laughed, "Although Brother Lin Yang is on good terms with your teacher, you should know from listening to his Taoist teachings that his teachings are more in line with the Way of Heaven than the Way of Man."

"The Way of Heaven comprises forty-nine, while the Way of Man only attains one; ultimately, the Way of Man is inferior to the Way of Heaven!"

Upon hearing this, Duobao seemed to understand but not quite, and nodded blankly.

Li Er ignored him and stayed at Hangu Pass for a while longer. During this time, at Yin Xi's request, he wrote a book called the Tao Te Ching.

It consists of two parts. The first part begins with "The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name," hence it is called the "Tao Te Ching." The second part begins with "The highest virtue is not virtue, therefore it is virtue; the lowest virtue does not lose virtue, therefore it is not virtue," hence it is called the "Te Ching." Together they are called the "Tao Te Ching."

The Dao Jing speaks of the fundamental nature of the universe, containing the mechanisms of change in heaven and earth, and the wonders of the transformation of yin and yang; the second part, the De Jing, speaks of the ways of living in the world, containing the art of advancing and retreating in human affairs, and the way to longevity and long life.

Yin Xi obtained it as if it were a priceless treasure, and recited it silently all day long, as if he were starving. He entered the Dao through this, cultivated great methods, and later became a successor of Laozi, establishing a Daoist lineage and the Wenshi School.

Please remember our domain name. If you like this site, please share it on Facebook.