As Great Han's Lords King and High-ranking Marquises carried their blades to Luo-no, brought their tribute to Chang'an-Dong Zhongshu was receiving a merciless tongue-lashing from Luo Jing in the Marquis of Dong'e's Residence.
This great scholar, who could chat and laugh freely even before Liu Che, seemed somewhat humble before Luo Jing. Under pressure on two fronts, Dong Zhongshu had little choice.
Looking at Luo Jing before him, Dong Zhongshu could not help thinking, Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west. Never scorn a middle-aged man for being poor.
Luo Jing's indifferent voice rang out. "Dong Zhongshu?
"You truly are talented. Without entering the Confucian scholarly lineage, merely by attending some lectures and reading the Spring and Autumn Classic yourself, you managed to produce so many theories, even founding your own Dong branch of Spring and Autumn studies. Among all the Confucian disciples today, talents like you are rare."
In this era, addressing someone directly by name was rather disrespectful. But faced with someone who had directly appropriated his ancestor's name, Luo Jing was already showing a good temper by not beating him to death on the spot. Dong Zhongshu was not angry and chuckled. "You flatter me far too much, my lord."
"Tell me your understanding of the Spring and Autumn Classic. I would like to hear it."
Dong Zhongshu had not expected Luo Jing to ask him to expound his teachings. He froze briefly, then began. The more Luo Jing listened, the deeper his brow furrowed. Dong Zhongshu was discussing the Spring and Autumn Classic, and much of what he said was quite illuminating, but something was wrong at the root.
Luo Jing asked bluntly, "Did you come from the Legalist School and the Yin-Yang School? And where did you study the Spring and Autumn Classic?"