Confucianism under Heaven

Chapter 99 The Essential Techniques of Peace

Chapter Ninety-Nine: The Essential Techniques of Peace

Upon hearing this, Ye Ru was startled, then nodded to himself and said to Kong Hexuan:

"Let me think about it and I'll give you an answer tomorrow."

"In that case, I will wait for good news tomorrow. Today is April 1st, and the day after tomorrow there will be a Qingming literary gathering. At that time, people from all the holy families will gather at Xiaoyaojin. There will be a small competition first."

"Of course, this kind of small competition is meaningless. First, it is a means for disciples of various families to improve their literary reputation, and second, it is also to enter the legendary Liuan Secret Realm."

Kong Hexuan said to Ye Ru.

"Xiaoyaojin?"

Ye Ru then understood. Back then, when the three kingdoms of Wei, Shu, and Wu stood in a tripartite balance of power, Luzhou belonged to Wei and was a strategically important military location, the throat of the Yangtze and Huai Rivers.

Sun Quan and Cao Cao fought a war for sixty years over Hefei. Taking advantage of Cao Cao's westward expedition against Zhang Lu in Hanzhong, leaving Hefei vulnerable, Sun Quan personally led an army of 100,000 to attack Luzhou.

Zhang Liao, one of the five great generals of Wei who was stationed here, faced a critical moment when his forces were overwhelmingly outnumbered. Undeterred, he resolutely led his troops to attack the enemy. In this battle, Eastern Wu deployed all its elite troops, but they were defeated by Zhang Liao, and even Sun Quan was almost captured again.

Zhang Liao, also known as Zhang Wenyuan, gained great fame in this war!

"Okay, I will definitely attend the Qingming literary gathering then."

Ye Ru nodded. Since it could enhance his literary reputation, he had to go.

Once you become famous, whether it's a family of saints or the Left Prime Minister's lineage, anyone who wants to make a move against you will have to think twice.

Be

"Alright, please excuse me for a moment. The Meng and Dong families should have arrived by now. I'll go and meet with them first."

After a few rounds of drinks, Kong Hexuan said something to Ye Ru and then left apologetically, while Ye Ru fell into deep thought.

"Xiao Bai, why do I have to go to this Six Saints Secret Realm?"

"These narrow-minded, pedantic scholars know that while it's true the Liuan Dynasty was initially occupied by demons but was later defeated by humans, during the Three Kingdoms period, Zhou Yu, the Grand Commander of Wu, possessed the *Taiping Yaoshu* (Essential Techniques of Great Peace). During the Battle of Red Cliffs, he used this technique, along with Zhuge Liang's favorable east wind, to set fire to Red Cliffs, reducing Cao Cao's 800,000-strong army to ashes. However, when Zhuge Liang angered Zhou Yu three times, the *Taiping Yaoshu* disappeared in Luzhou. I fear it must be in the Six Sages' Secret Realm."

Xiao Bai said with a sense of disappointment.

"Is the *Taiping Yaoshu* here?"

Ye Ru's eyes widened. He knew how powerful the "Taiping Yaoshu" was. The book was based on the principles of following the laws of Heaven and conforming to Yin and Yang and the Five Elements. It extensively expounded on the way of governing the world, the rules of ethics, as well as the techniques of longevity and immortality, healing diseases and health preservation, communicating with the gods and making divination. It could even summon wind and rain. At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Zhang Jiao of the Taiping Dao once possessed it, but it was later acquired by Zhou Gongjin.

"If I'm not mistaken, it should be here, and the Taiping Yaoshu should also be known to all the great sage families."

Xiao Bai spoke slowly, then added:

"If you obtain this 'Taiping Essentials', it will at least make you invincible among those below the rank of Juren."

"If what you say is true, I have to go to this secret place in Liuan."

Ye Ru took a deep breath, a burning glint in his eyes.

"I apologize for keeping Chief Ye waiting. Let me introduce you all. This is Brother Meng Qingyang from the Meng family, and this is Brother Dong Qi from the Dong family."

While Ye Ru was pondering, Kong Hexuan arrived with two neatly dressed young men, causing Ye Ru to suddenly stand up.

"Brother Meng, Brother Dong."

Ye Ru sized up the two men; they showed no arrogance whatsoever, only composure.

It seems that he has also grasped the essence of the Doctrine of the Mean.

"This must be Chief Scholar Ye? Seeing is believing, he is indeed a man of great bearing and talent."

Dong Qi bowed to Ye Ru, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

If I'm not mistaken, this person is the modern text Confucian scholar his father asked him to find.

"I have long heard of Ye Anshou's teachings that enlighten the people, especially his few amazing poems, which make us feel ashamed of our own inferiority. His great reputation is well-deserved. Today, I have seen him, and he truly lives up to his reputation. He is indeed a role model for us scholars."

Meng Qingyang also bowed.

"You two gentlemen, please don't flatter me too much, as I am neither boastful nor arrogant."

Ye Ru quickly returned the greeting.

"Brother Ye, if I may be so bold as to ask, where did you learn the New Text School of Confucianism from?"

Dong Qi pondered for a moment and then asked.

"The New Text School of Confucianism? I have never written about it."

Ye Ru was taken aback, then said in confusion.

"Oh? I was being presumptuous."

Dong Qi replied, but he was somewhat puzzled. The prompt came from Qingyun County. Only the interaction between the ancient and modern schools of Confucianism could cause this sacred temple to tremble.

If it wasn't the other person, then who else could it be?

"Stop arguing, everyone. Let's eat first. The dishes at Zhongshenglou are truly renowned. The two sages, Laozi and Zhuangzi, once ate here and praised the 'Xiaoyao Chicken' and 'Wushan Tribute Goose' highly."

Kong Hexuan smiled and said as the food was served.

"Wang Xizhi, the Sage of Calligraphy, loved geese. He once traded a handwritten copy of the Tao Te Ching for a goose from a Taoist priest. If Wang Xizhi knew that we were cooking his goose today, what would he think?"

Meng Qingyang joked with a smile.

"Brother Meng, be careful what you say. If the Sage of Calligraphy is alive, he might punish you."

Dong Qi rolled his eyes and threatened, which made everyone laugh.

During the meal, Kong Hexuan and the other two asked Ye Ru many questions about poetry, literature, and classical texts, and Ye Ru answered them all, speaking freely and without reservation.

Ye Ru had a good impression of these three people. Although Confucius overemphasized the importance of "rites" and neglected the need for historical development and change, he still stood firm after the burning of books and burying of scholars and the New Culture Movement, which shows his importance.

"I am very grateful for your guidance today, Brother Ye Ru. If you ever visit my Meng Sheng family in the future, I will certainly treat you with the courtesy due to a guest."

"And my Dong family too."

After the wine was finished and everyone was in high spirits, Meng Qingyang and Dong Qi both stood up excitedly. They were deeply impressed by Ye Ru's mastery of poetry and prose, as he had many unique insights.

However, to Dong Qi's dismay, Ye Ru personally denied some aspects of the New Text School of Confucianism.

After saying goodnight to each other, the four of them went their separate ways and headed to their respective bedrooms.

Song Tao and the others finished their meal on the first floor and returned to their respective rooms.

Back in the bedroom, Ye Ru used his talent to expel the effects of the alcohol from his body, then washed his hands and face, and finally fell asleep with Xiao Bai.

Meanwhile, in a room opposite Ye Ru's room, two people were talking, one of whom was none other than the wealthy Li Chi.

The other person had a somewhat sinister expression.

“Brother Han, our ancestor was a disciple of the Sage Xun. Although our ancestor did some bad things, we are still of the same lineage. That fellow has gone too far!”

Li Chi's face was gloomy as he cursed angrily.

"Ye Ru? Is that the fifth-ranked scholar who won the small-scale Confucian-Legalist debate with Han Dingsheng in Qingyun County?"

Han Lu narrowed his eyes. The small-scale Confucian-Legalist dispute was reported to the Holy Temple by the people of the Four Mirrors and Three Bright Halls. The Legalists were also attacked by the Confucians at that time. That time, it shook the entire Legalist leadership.

He never expected that the source of the debate among the saints would be here.

After a moment of contemplation, a hint of coldness appeared on Han Lu's youthful face:

“I will write a letter immediately to inform my elder brother that he is currently studying in Jiangcheng, which is not far from here, and I hope he can lend me a hand.”

Upon hearing this, a barely perceptible cold glint flashed in Li Chi's eyes, followed by a sneer, and he muttered:

"Ye Ru, you injured me during the day. We'll see what happens. I hope you'll be alive enough to leave the Liuan Secret Realm!"