The First Batch of Reincarnators Descends

"What should a Confucian scholar do?"

"To establish a heart for Heaven and Earth is to be a Confucian!"

"Heaven and Earth possess no heart of their own; by transmitting the Sage's Way, a Confucian expands their own heart, embodying all things under Heaven, until their own heart aligns with the heart of Heaven!"

"To establish a destiny for the living people is to be a Confucian!"

"The people are my kin, and all things are my companions; to keep this thought ever present—this is the greatest pursuit!"

"To continue the lost teachings of the past sages is to be a Confucian!"

"Han scholars obsessed over textual analysis, while Tang scholars indulged in Buddhism and Taoism, drowning in heterodox paths. How can that be acceptable? One must transmit the learning of the Sages and inherit the orthodox lineage of the Confucian school!"

Zhang Zai was of average build with a plain, unremarkable appearance. Yet, as he stood above, elucidating the Great Way, his few words were deafeningly profound. Sitting on a straw mat, Huang Shang felt a genuine sense of admiration rise within him.

As a modern person, one often harbors prejudices against ancient scholars.

"A scholar is useless" is a common sentiment; often, literati are seen as mere hindrances, while generals who protect the nation and expand its borders are the ones who stir the blood and capture the imagination.

But when Huang Shang truly arrived at the school of Zhang Zai and listened to his lectures, he finally understood what it meant to have the spirit of a scholar, the heroic ambition to command the world, and the mission to carry on the past and open up the future.

For the first time, Huang Shang felt that his studies were not for fame or wealth, but for a grand pursuit and a sense of responsibility.

This was a true Great Scholar.

Rejecting Sima Guang to study under Zhang Zai was indeed the right choice.

The current Song Dynasty was a gathering place for brilliant minds.

Looking around, one could see a cluster of the very titans whose works were mandatory reading in modern literature textbooks.

Ouyang Xiu, Wang Anshi, Sima Guang, Su Shi, Su Zhe, Su Xun, Cheng Yi, Zeng Gong...

As for the other famous literary masters, there were simply too many to count.

In terms of current status at court, Sima Guang was undoubtedly far more powerful than Zhang Zai. Zhang Zai had never been heavily relied upon, while Sima Guang was a veteran official who had served four emperors. Had he joined Sima Guang's school, his political prospects would have been far greater.

Yet, Huang Shang stuck to his original plan and chose Zhang Zai as his mentor.

In just half a month, he felt he had made significant progress and truly experienced the feeling of being a top student.

When one cannot grasp the material, studying is a painful ordeal; but when one can rapidly comprehend the teacher's lessons and become the standout of the class, it transforms into a mutual love between the student and the study.

At this moment, as Zhang Zai's gaze fell upon him, Huang Shang rose and replied: "To assist the monarch above, to pacify the common people below, to subdue the barbarians abroad, and to quell the rebels within—to lay the foundation for ten thousand generations of peace. If a Confucian scholar does not shoulder these tasks, who can?"

His resonant, powerful voice was filled with passion and an inspiring force, drawing the eyes of everyone in the hall. Zhang Zai's eyes revealed undisguised appreciation: "Good! Good! Good!"

Students choose their teachers, and teachers choose their students.

Confucianism had developed into many factions by this time, and only by producing excellent students could one bring glory to the school.

Zhang Zai already had many proud disciples, but Huang Shang's talent was top-tier, and he naturally earned his mentor's favor.

After the lecture concluded, Zhang Zai answered each student's questions before departing with a graceful, unhurried air.

As soon as the teacher left, the students in the hall swarmed over, with Huang Shang at the center.

Zhang Zai encouraged his disciples to "expand their hearts"—not through arrogance or empty boasting, but through setting reasonable goals.

Thus, when Huang Shang spoke those four guiding principles, which "unintentionally" aligned with their own aspirations, they naturally regarded him as a kindred spirit.

For a time, the atmosphere was exceptionally harmonious.

These were his peers, people who would support one another in the future, and Huang Shang chatted and laughed with them with ease.

Of course, there were degrees of closeness among classmates. As Huang Shang walked out of the school, only two close friends remained by his side.

One was You Shixiong, and the other was very young—only eleven or twelve—yet he possessed a maturity beyond his years. His name was Zhong Shidao.

Among the famous generals of the Northern Song, he was far more renowned than You Shixiong, having fought against Western Xia, campaigned against the Liao, and resisted the Jin invasion.

Had Zhong Shidao not died, the Jingkang Incident would never have been so tragic.

And Zhong Shidao was not an isolated case; he came from the Zhong Family Army.

When people mention the Yang Family Army of the Northern Song, everyone knows them, but few know of the Zhong Family Army.

Yet, in history, the true family of famous generals in the Northern Song was the Zhong family. Three generations of them performed repeated meritorious services, guarding the Northern Song for a century; their contributions were far greater than those of the Yang family.

So, history and legend are sometimes vastly different.

Having become classmates with this future great general of the late Northern Song, Huang Shang tolerated the little brat's attempt to act like an adult and brought them along with him.

Before they reached his home, You Shixiong saw how dilapidated the courtyard was and couldn't help but say: "Shengzhong, I have a residence in East Yulin Lane..."

Before he could finish, Huang Shang shook his head gently: "Many thanks for your kindness, Jingshu, but this place is sufficient for my studies."

You Shixiong could not help but feel a sense of respect, while Zhong Shidao glanced at Huang Shang with a smile that was not quite a smile.

Huang Shang caught the look from the little brat; he saw through it but didn't call it out—a good kid.

Before he achieved fame, he would not move out of this humble dwelling.

It wasn't out of nostalgia, nor was it merely for show; it was simply to minimize trouble.

Nowadays, in Dongjing City, the reputation of Huang Shang, Huang Shengzhong, was gradually beginning to emerge.

For every scholar who slammed the table in applause for the Four Verses of the Humble Abode, there was another in the shadows, green with envy and gnashing their teeth.

Take the previous two, for example: Liu Yi and Chen Sheng.

In terms of their relationship, Chen Sheng and Huang Shang had actually been closer, but once those four verses were released, Liu Yi turned to admiration and now frequently visited to seek academic guidance, while Chen Sheng had simply vanished.

Human nature is just like that; when you are down on your luck, some will look down on you while others pity you, but once you succeed, those who once looked down on you may turn to sycophancy, while those who once pitied you might become strangers, or even turn hostile with malicious words.

Sour, it was just so sour!

Huang Shang knew that the moment he moved out, a label of "forgetting one's roots" would surely be slapped onto him, and a series of subsequent troubles would follow one after another.

His focus had never been on these inconsequential plot characters; why bother fighting back and forth with them?

As long as he studied diligently here, with his foundation and talent, plus the guidance of his master Zhang Zai, placing on the Golden List was a certainty.

He intended to become the top scholar at the fastest possible speed.

Only then would it truly be...

Ten years of cold study unknown to all, one leap to fame and the world knows your name!

Just as he was preparing to proceed steadily, Huang Shang's heart suddenly trembled.

The Universal Card, which had been quiet until now, began to spin, and an image dropped into his mind.

Nine holes had been drilled through the barrier outside this world.

Those points of light waiting outside, like stars, came swooping down.

Not one more, not one less, exactly nine.

"The first batch of reincarnators has entered!"

Huang Shang's expression darkened.

This was beyond his expectations.

He had assumed that for his first infiltration, the Heavens would at least buy him a significant amount of time.

He hadn't expected the defenses to be breached so quickly!

One had to realize that there was a difference in the flow of time between the inside and outside of the world.

He had been in this world for over a month, but in the outside world, it had likely been only a fleeting moment.

"The time is too short; right now, Huang Shang's reputation is only circulating among scholars."

"Unless by some coincidence, the reincarnators won't pay any attention to him."

"This is trouble!"

Just as Huang Shang was feeling distressed, a knock sounded at the door, and a servant entered to report, his face filled with sorrow: "Attendant Bao has passed away."

You Shixiong and Zhong Shidao rose abruptly.

Huang Shang stood up with them, not reacting for a moment.

But soon, he realized who Attendant Bao was.

Bao Zheng!

Bao Zheng had died of illness!