Bearing the blue sky

"Practicing martial arts?"

"Confucianism and Taoism?"

The group looked at each other, and then all turned to look at Scholar Yu.

Yu Xiucai agreed, saying, "I've discussed this with Zhu Ge, and it is indeed a method. Moreover, with the Awakening of Insects approaching, we all need to have the ability to protect ourselves."

"However, you can't learn the cultivation techniques that Zhu Ge practices; you can only start with the most basic training."

The cultivation conditions for the Great Sun Glass Body are extremely demanding, requiring the ability to separate the soul from the body during one's mortal life.

Even in the realm of immortals and Taoists, one must reach a certain level before the soul can leave the body.

However, martial arts, like Confucianism and Taoism, are not something that can be achieved solely through practicing techniques.

Confucianism and Taoism encourage reading extensively, even daily, thereby enhancing one's character and willpower.

Martial arts can also be used to train the body, hone martial skills, or practice the techniques of swords, spears, and staffs.

Therefore, both of these can be practiced.

Moreover, Zhu Ge felt that the reason why many people in the village were unable to practice Confucianism and Taoism in the past was mainly because they started learning late, and because they were not well-nourished and did not have enough time.

If we're talking about science subjects, there might be a distinction between not knowing math and not knowing physics.

However, in the humanities, even reaching the top often requires talent and inspiration.

However, most people don't actually need to be at the top; being average, above average, or below average is sufficient.

Moreover, there are also those who achieve great things later in life.

In short, the village now has enough supplies for the six of them to last a long time.

The best course of action is to seize this opportunity to strengthen ourselves.

"Confucianism and Taoism? Martial Arts?"

The group of people were somewhat stunned.

"Yes, practicing these two paths will help us protect ourselves..." So Zhu Ge patiently explained his thoughts and plans, and everyone, including Yu Xiucai, listened attentively.

After this incident, they all really admired Zhu Ge.

Without Zhu Ge, Jianshan Village would have been completely wiped out.

My savior!

After Zhu Ge finished explaining the plan, everyone felt as if they had been enlightened.

Ji Fuhui's eyes were filled with deep admiration: "Persist in practicing a weapon until it becomes second nature to you?"

Duan Lei sighed, "This is what it means to read a book a hundred times and its meaning will become clear. I heard my teacher say this before, but I didn't know what it meant."

Scholar Yu seemed to understand something as well: "Zhu Ge, your so-called unity of knowledge and action, learning while practicing and experiencing, seems to contain profound truths!"

Sui Niang patted her daughter's head and said, "Xianxian, did you hear that? You need to study hard."

Upon hearing this, Xianxian obediently nodded in agreement.

Seeing that the others understood his words, Zhu Ge said, "The sooner the better, let's start making preparations today."

No matter what you cultivate, laziness is never acceptable.

If you want to be lazy today and want to rest tomorrow, then you won't get anything done.

"Practice physical exercises in the morning, read books in the afternoon, and review in the evening!"

Zhu Ge casually ate a few bites of the stir-fried vegetables, then stood up: "Now, let's read and study together Xiucai's 'Notes on the Terraced Fields of Jianshan'! Please give me your guidance, sir!"

As he spoke, he bowed deeply to Scholar Yu.

The others also bowed in a somewhat unorthodox manner.

Scholar Yu nodded slightly: "Very well, I will certainly impart all my knowledge to you!"

……

Yu Xiucai's "Notes on the Terraced Fields of Jianshan" is mostly written in a style similar to a diary, excerpts, and quotations.

For example, what did you hear someone say or see someone do today, and then you have some insights and reflections.

In terms of writing style and genre, it naturally cannot compare with literary classics.

However, its strength lies in its genuine emotions and the fact that it tells stories about Jianshan Village, so the characters all have some understanding of it and can comprehend some of it.

However, it is difficult for people to maintain a high level of concentration for an extended period of time.

Therefore, Zhu Ge referenced the practice of his previous life and used a water clock as a clock, with each class lasting about forty minutes.

Moreover, he also has to teach classes.

After attending one class, Zhu Ge roughly understood why Yu Xiucai and his teacher had not made any breakthroughs for many years.

That's too rigid!

Yu Xiucai's teaching method mainly focused on reading aloud, which meant teaching everyone to recognize characters one by one from the book, recognizing each character as it came to him.

However, this method is actually very difficult and tiring, and lacks any set rules.

Zhu Ge's previous life's Chinese teacher was actually a very good teacher, so he did have some teaching methods.

"Our characters are usually composed of radicals and components, and each character can be approached from these two aspects."

"For example, the character '把' is composed of the hand radical and '巴', so it is pronounced 'ba'..."

"...For example, the character '后' (hòu) has a mouth radical that represents the belly of a pregnant woman, hence the terms 'descendants' and 'future generations,' and its extended meaning is 'afterwards' or 'later'..."

"...For example, the character 'horse'..."

The knowledge Zhu Ge learned wasn't particularly profound, but it was enough to give the group a deeper understanding of language.

What is Chinese language?

It includes language, discourse, terminology, language types, as well as writing, culture, literature, and civilization.

To understand a civilization, one must begin with its written language.

See how they define "human being," "culture," and "spiritual will."

The so-called profound and extensive nature of Chinese culture is not just empty talk.

Even the simplest written characters have a long and rich historical context.

Under Zhu Ge's narration, not only Duan Lei and the others, but even Yu Xiucai benefited greatly.

"So there are such principles in writing." Yu Xiucai was deeply shocked as he looked at the radicals and components that Zhu Ge was writing on the ground.

His gaze towards Zhu Ge shifted from surprise before the lecture to awe now, his heart undoubtedly churning with even greater emotions.

"Zhu Ge, this is the great path of literature. How did you come to know it?" Yu Xiucai asked, his face filled with shock.

Zhu Ge then offered his explanation:

"I broke free from the control of the mushroom god and pondered deeply in the terraced fields. I watched fish leaping out of the water, snails slowly crawling, and shrimp nibbling on sand. I felt that this was quite similar to the written word, and thus I had an epiphany."

"I see." Scholar Yu exclaimed, "There is great terror between life and death. Perhaps it was under the threat of death that you had an epiphany. It is truly gratifying."

Zhu Ge smiled, but felt a little regretful inside.

Humans have studied Confucianism and Taoism for so many years, how could they not have researched the "Shuowen Jiezi" (a dictionary of Chinese characters)?

The ancients were simply ancient, not foolish.

But this was the first time that a young scholar like Yu Xiucai had heard an explanation of the characters in the Shuowen Jiezi (a dictionary of Chinese characters), whereas previously he had spent a lot of time memorizing them by rote.

This is enough to illustrate the current disconnect in education and knowledge transmission.

Otherwise, if teaching is done in a more understandable way, people like Yu Xiucai could spend more time studying and researching other knowledge.

"By the way, Zhu Ge..." Yu Xiucai's tone suddenly became somewhat hesitant.

The others looked on with curiosity, knowing that Yu Xiucai rarely showed such a hesitant expression.

Zhu Ge raised an eyebrow: "Scholar, please speak freely."

"This isn't a question I should be asking you, after all, it concerns your future cultivation in Confucianism and Taoism, and also our understanding of Confucianism and Taoism." Scholar Yu slowly shook his head, then hesitated and said:

"If you have no ideas, there's no need to rush to explain. You can come up with your ideas later. This question has actually troubled me for quite a while, but now that I see how well you understand Confucianism and Taoism, I can't help but ask you."

"Speak freely." Zhu Ge said nonchalantly, "All roads lead to heaven... Shengjing is not only a place where Confucianism and Taoism can reach the pinnacle. I won't be influenced, don't worry."

"All roads lead to Shengjing, a very good saying. You truly are a genius." Scholar Yu slowly exhaled, then asked with a mixture of anticipation, curiosity, and even a touch of fear:

"Do you know...?"

"Where did the character '儒' (Ru) come from?"