A Single Confucian Classic Can Bring Peace to the World
The Spring and Autumn Annals contains twenty-eight volumes and one hundred and thirty-three chapters covering various topics.
The Resonance Between Heaven and Humanity is a key chapter, which involves Yin and Yang and the Five Elements, encompassing the cultivation path derived from Confucian School, especially the Yin-Yang School.
Whether it's studying literature or martial arts, the content compiled by Dong Zhongshu can be used as a reference, and some people can even promote both literature and martial arts like Dong Zhongshu.
This is almost a summary of Dong Zhongshu's life experiences, covering not only self-cultivation but also his philosophy and even chapters on his ambitions to govern the country.
Dong Zhongshu had previously mentioned that he would teach Gongsun Hong the art of policy inquiry for entering the court. Zhang Xuezhou was able to see what he needed from Dong Zhongshu's compilation, and Gongsun Hong also gained insights and knew how to deal with things prudently.
This can be described as a lecture by Dong Zhongshu, or even a lecture based on his own current knowledge.
This was an important gift presented to the emperor, Dong Zhongshu treated it with utmost respect and seriousness, unlike the evasiveness often seen in the teaching of other schools of thought.
Aside from the strategic arts that Dong Zhongshu dared not transcribe, and the numerous and complex Confucian School Technique Method that he had not recorded, Dong Zhongshu had transcribed almost all of his other learning.
"Zhongshu's scholarship is truly profound; a single Confucian classic could bring peace to the world!"
Dong Zhongshu wrote for three days and two nights, reaching a peak of passion and enthusiasm. Gongsun Hong, the bystander, watched intently with bloodshot eyes, offering suggestions whenever Dong Zhongshu needed corrections.
Only after Dong Zhongshu finished writing did Gongsun Hong, swaying unsteadily, repeatedly praise him.
In literature, there is no first place; in martial arts, there is no second. It is extremely difficult to get someone to admit that someone else is better than oneself, especially in the case of those from the same school of thought.
Even seventeen or eighteen-year-olds believe they will surpass their teachers in the future, and when they are inferior to others, they will say that so-and-so is more capable, and that so-and-so is worse than so-and-so in their own school of thought.
This perception has existed throughout history.
After reading "Luxuriant Dew of the Spring and Autumn Annals," Gongsun Hong was completely convinced and had no further thoughts of comparison.
He not only believed that he was far inferior to a pioneering master like Dong Zhongshu, but Gongsun Hong also believed that there were few people like Dong Zhongshu in the Confucian school, and only the two sages who founded Confucian School could surpass him.
This is the culmination of Confucian School. If Dong Zhongshu were to achieve his goals and enter a state of Resonance Between Heaven and Humanity, Dong Zhongshu would undoubtedly possess unparalleled power that would dominate his era.
The Spring and Autumn Annals was Dong Zhongshu's first draft, but Gongsun Hong could already see the future.
Theoretically speaking, Dong Zhongshu's words point to a supreme path.
More importantly, this is not just Dong Zhongshu's way, but a way that others can repeat, or even innovate upon.
The founders of some sects enjoyed a period of great success, but their influence was difficult for later generations to replicate, let alone continue to innovate, ultimately leading to their demise.
But Dong Zhongshu's Dao is not like that; it is a tree that can contain all things and can bloom with different flowers.
The inclusiveness and diversity of Confucian School allow each inheritor to possess unique qualities, moving beyond the rigid, mold-like training methods found in sects. One can study Confucian classics alongside martial arts, literature, water magic, fire magic, Incantation Technique, earth magic, and more...
Each Confucian scholar could demonstrate different skills.
There are many schools of Confucian School, each of which is inclusive and can accommodate various Technique Method, but none can accommodate them all like Dong Zhongshu.
Having personally experienced the dual cultivation of literary and martial arts, Dong Zhongshu undoubtedly possessed the commonalities of both, and accomplished many things that the Confucian School school could not.
This takes into account the vast diversity of spiritual practice, while also achieving unity.
If the imperial court takes Confucian classics as its guiding principle, it will not be limited to one discipline like other schools of thought, but will be able to accommodate the learning of other schools of thought, thus minimizing the resulting conflict and resistance.
The only drawback is that Dong Zhongshu's current system is theoretical; only when Dong Zhongshu succeeds can the accuracy of this path be proven, thus guiding others.
It's no wonder that Dong Zhongshu said when he mentioned it, "My cultivation is not yet at its peak, so it's hard for people to believe what I say. Even if I write a book, it will just be piled up in the library."
This was Dong Zhongshu's understanding, and also the situation that Gongsun Hong could see.
Under these circumstances, it would be difficult to get the new emperor to promote Confucian School classics, but as a gift presented by the King of Jiangdu, it would be very likely to gain the new emperor's attention and praise.
"Conquering the world is difficult, but this embodies the culmination of Mr. Dong's life's work; it should be more than sufficient as a gift!"
Gongsun Hong's praise was heartfelt, but Dong Zhongshu knew his own situation best.
It was either a great Confucian scholar like Gongsun Hong who did not hold prejudice against him, or someone like Zhang Xuezhou who had no hope of spiritual cultivation and saw a glimmer of opportunity. It was very difficult to gain the same recognition from others, and some high-ranking officials of certain schools of thought would even criticize and condemn him.
Only when Dong Zhongshu truly ascends to a higher position will those dissenting voices subside.
He politely declined Gongsun Hong's praise and gently put down his pen.
"Dongfang Shuo, what is your opinion on this?" Dong Zhongshu asked.
"I hope that Master will achieve his goal soon, so that we may also follow in his footsteps and learn from him!"
Dong Zhongshu finalized a draft, Zhang Xuezhou felt that he was probably just like Qimeng Haige when he saw the basic longevity elixir.
This is a longing that cannot be fulfilled, and one can only wait patiently.
But the limited time made Zhang Xuezhou somewhat anxious.
The things he felt in his heart were almost impossible to express to others, and only Chimmon Hagrid and a few others could empathize with him.
"Although this is a first draft, and there may be some revisions later, it is generally fine," Dong Zhongshu said. "If you also want to try the cultivation of the Resonance Between Heaven and Humanity, it won't be a bad idea to try it now. You don't need to wait for the final draft when I enter the True Self Realm!"
"Then I'll adjust it next time I use the technique," Zhang Xuezhou said, "And see if I can apply it!"
"When facing an enemy, don't think about the Resonance Between Heaven and Humanity," Dong Zhongshu admonished. "I myself have never achieved oneness with Unity of Celestial Person and Heaven when facing an enemy. Only during our battle with the Water Ape Great Sage did I risk breaking through to Realm Entry, but that time taught me a painful lesson that I still regret to this day!"
"I'm not that stupid," Zhang Xuezhou waved his hands repeatedly, then suddenly came to his senses and said, "Master, I didn't say you were stupid back then!"
"Being foolish is better than dying. Oh well, you're a clever person, how you learn and apply it is up to you!"
Dong Zhongshu reflected on his own experience, and then he thought about Zhang Xuezhou. He felt that Zhang Xuezhou was a troublesome fellow, and all his instructions were far from meeting the needs brought about by the changing circumstances.
"I've always valued peace, and I prefer to run away when I'm outmatched; I wouldn't do something so risky!"
The Technique Method until it reaches perfection is to increase its power and shorten its casting time. If they add a prefix auxiliary spell before casting, wasting time, it will kill them when they are actually fighting.
When Dong Zhongshu looked over, Gongsun Hong waved his hands repeatedly to indicate that he would not do anything foolish.
It's normal to think about not doing anything foolish, but with the groundbreaking content from Dong Zhongshu, Gongsun Hong felt that if he achieved success in his cultivation, it would likely help him truly step into the ranks of the great Confucian scholars of his time, rather than just being the second or third in command of the Confucian School school.
He will be able to be pushed to the forefront by Dong Zhongshu in the future, and Gongsun Hong will be able to truly stand firm at the front.