The five thousand words emerged, shaking Hangu Pass and everything within and beyond it.
"An earth-shattering masterpiece! An earth-shattering masterpiece indeed!"
Pass Commander Yin Xi stared at the five thousand words covering the wall, utterly stunned and filled with emotion.
The surrounding crowd also looked at Laozi with admiration.
"May I pass through now?"
Laozi asked calmly.
Yin Xi nodded and gave a deep bow. "Please name this earth-shattering work, sir."
"A name?"
Laozi pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "Let it be called the Classic of the Way and Virtue."
Five thousand words, the Classic of the Way and Virtue, divided into upper and lower sections.
The upper section, the Classic of the Way, described the origins of the chaotic universe, the laws of nature's operation, and the ultimate truths of the Great Dao—mysterious beyond mystery, the gateway to all wonders.
The lower section, the Classic of Virtue, described self-cultivation, governing a nation, and the way of conducting oneself in the world.
"The Classic of the Way and Virtue? A fine name! What a fine name!"
Thus, the Classic of the Way and Virtue came into being.
Laozi drifted away, heading west through Hangu Pass.
"Farewell, Saint!"
Yin Xi knelt and kowtowed.
Seeing this, the officials of Hangu Pass hurriedly followed suit.
"Farewell, Saint!"
Riding his Green Ox, Laozi gradually vanished into the distance, while the Dao aura emanating from him grew ever more profound and natural.
"The Dao followed nature; govern through non-action."
"Master, please bestow a name upon this volume."
Confucius's disciple—Zixia—looked fervently at the pile of Bamboo Slips containing Confucius's new work.
"A name?"
Confucius thought for a moment. "I have it!"
"Let it be called Lun Yu."
Upon hearing this, Yan Hui silently used a carving knife to inscribe the first line of