If you don't give up, I'd like to be your adoptive father.

Chapter 1363 The Dream of Confucianism

After seeing off the golden-armored deity and dismissing the two Taoist priests from the Imperial Observatory, Grand Tutor Yu led Shaoyao and Chi Miao into the Grand Tutor's residence.

Upon entering, Peony said with slight unease, "Actually, it would have been enough if you had just sent someone to deliver the invitation."

With your invitation in hand, the spirits of the underworld will allow us to leave this blessed land.

When we arrive in the mortal realm, the city gate officials and door gods will not make things difficult for us.

"To now trouble the Imperial Astronomical Bureau Master to personally intervene, with four celestial beings carrying the imperial palanquin, is far too ostentatious and clearly oversteps his bounds."

Grand Tutor Yu laughed and said, "Don't overthink it. These preparations were all arranged by Master Guan of the Imperial Observatory."

He has lived in Xianyang for hundreds of years and knows the rules all too well.

Since he arranged for someone to greet you with this level of formality and courtesy, it means you are perfectly entitled to it.

Sister Peony alone definitely couldn't afford it.

However, it was not the first time in the Qin Dynasty that someone like Grand Tutor Yu had borrowed people or the imperial palace's palanquin to receive guests.

Ultimately, gods and immortals exist in this world, and it's impossible for royalty to be the only ones in power, preventing others from using their possessions.

In fact, when Ying Zheng and Li Si received "non-human distinguished guests," the scenes were far more luxurious than those of Grand Tutor Yu at this time.

What's so special about borrowing the royal palanquin? Li Si's own carriage, specially made to welcome gods and spirits, is a million times more magnificent and precious than that palanquin; it's a true high-grade spiritual treasure.

Grand Tutor Yu's current use of a rented palanquin already seems rather shabby.

When the powerful and influential people of Xianyang learned of this, they all sincerely praised him, saying, "Grand Tutor Yu is as incorruptible as water!"

"Miss, Sister Cui Rong, I never thought I would see you again in this lifetime, sob sob sob~~~" Fat Moller was so excited that he couldn't help but choke up.

"Hey, Fatty, you've grown up! You used to be so small, but now you're so tall and strong!"

Upon seeing her old friend again, Peony was overcome with emotion, her eyes reddening, but her face was full of joy and smiles.

The maid Cui Rong said, "Although she's grown up, she still likes to cry, just like when she was a child."

She was actually wiping away tears.

Xiaoyu said, "If you want to cry, go inside and cry. Why are you reminiscing in the yard on a cold winter night?"

The group wiped away their tears and quickly entered the hall.

The next morning, Grand Tutor Yu sent someone to bring over his adopted nephew, Sha Dan.

After so many years, we finally had a family reunion dinner.

There weren't many people, but the atmosphere was nice.

Xiaoyu cleared her mind of all distractions and, with Peony, Sand Egg, and Fatty Mole, went to experience the prosperity and civilization of the Chinese capital.

Even after serving as the Grand Tutor of Qin for over a year and spending considerable time in Xianyang, this was the first time Xiaoyu had ever truly opened her heart and explored Xianyang freely.

When I first came to Xianyang last year, I was only curious about the street scenes for a few hours. Then I became completely absorbed in the rich heritage of the Qin Dynasty, such as the True Form Map Treasure House and the Great Qin Treasury.

"Xianyang is indeed a divine capital. The foreign market outside Ding'an Gate alone is like a small kingdom."

There must be two or three hundred thousand people?

They were all merchants from foreign lands. I even met a few people from Western Shu, whose business I had seen in Western Shu before. Standing on the glazed pavilion of the 300-zhang-high Qingyun Peak of the Epang Palace, Peony was filled with emotion.

Fat Moller laughed and said, "Miss, you underestimate the population of the West Market. It's more than two or three hundred thousand. What we went to before was just the bustling area near Xianyang."

Continuing westward, it can extend for over a hundred miles, maintaining a total population of 500,000 year-round.

Peony said, "The Celestial Empire truly deserves to be the foundation of all nations. The number of foreigners gathered here is greater than the population of the capital of Western Shu."

Xiaoyu laughed and said, "To become the foundation of all nations, wealth and a large population are not enough. In a couple of days, Sister Shaoyao will also be able to witness the prosperity of the capital's culture."

Xiao Linzi immediately said, "Master, Miss Peony, there will be a grand event on the afternoon of the third day of the month at the 'Phoenix Hall' of the Epang Palace."

The great Confucian scholar Mao Heng arrived in Xianyang with thirty disciples, intending to recite poetry in the Fengyi Hall!

Even prominent figures from Sichuan and Shandong came to pay their respects to the 'Sage of Confucianism' upon hearing the news.

Peony exclaimed in delight, "Could it be the same Mao Gong who compiled the Book of Poetry?"

Mao Heng wasn't very famous in Xiao Yu's previous life, but his uncle, Mao Sui, was known throughout the country.

Mao Heng's achievements actually far surpassed those of Mao Sui, because he was the creator of the "Mao Shi" (Book of Poetry).

Back in Western Shu, Hei Mei Wen Zhiruo taught Xiao Yu Mao poetry. At the time, Xiao Yu was amazed and in awe of Wen Zhiruo's knowledge.

In fact, the "Mao Poems" that Wen Zhiruo recited had been passed through countless hands and were completely inadequate in front of the real Mao Zedong.

Xiao Linzi nodded and said, "Isn't that him? More than a month before the Grand Tutor returned to the capital, the biggest news in Xianyang was that Mao Heng and his disciples were publicly reciting poetry!"
The princes and nobles who remained in Xianyang all sent visiting cards to pay their respects to the Confucian sage, hoping to invite him to their homes for a poetry gathering.

Xiao Yu raised an eyebrow. "Mao Heng dares to openly show his face in Xianyang now. Isn't he afraid that Li Si will harm him?"

Mao Heng, Li Si, and Han Fei were all students of Xunzi and served in the Qin Dynasty. They formed a close-knit group in the Xianyang court and became favored ministers of Ying Zheng.

Later, news came that Li Si had poisoned Han Fei, and Mao Heng, fearing for his life, fled overnight and was not heard from for many years.

When Grand Tutor Yu first arrived in China, she also considered visiting these Confucian scholars to improve her own cultural level. After all, with only her undergraduate degree from her previous life, she was practically illiterate in this era.

Xiao Linzi said, "The rumor that Prime Minister Li harmed Han Feizi is actually a fallacy."

The one who killed Han Fei was none other than the Emperor Ying Zheng! Without the Emperor's decree, how could Prime Minister Li have dared to poison Han Fei?

Han Feizi should also die. The late emperor wanted to unify the world, and everyone knew that his ambition was unstoppable.

He opposed it in a sarcastic and insinuating way, and even tried to sabotage it both openly and covertly; he was completely out of touch with reality.

Xiao Yu laughed and said, "The main responsibility does not lie with Li Si, but Li Si took action, made his stance clear, and started killing. That's what Mao Heng was afraid of."

Xiao Linzi said, "He probably doesn't need to be afraid now. Times have changed, and the Second Emperor is building the 'Sanchuan Academy' in Xingyang, which is completely modeled after the 'Jixia Academy' of that time."

They did manage to hire Mao Zedong as their chief minister. His power and position far exceeded what they had held in the past.

Seeing signs of the flourishing of Confucianism, even Prime Minister Li recruited retainers to prepare for compiling the "Xunzi"!

Master Mao received an invitation from the Second Emperor, but instead of going to Xingyang, he came to Xianyang to give lectures.

At least ten great Confucian and Taoist scholars, including Dong Zhongshu from Zhao, Fuqiu Bo and Yuan Gusheng from Qi, and Shen Peigong from Lu, have come to Xianyang and have already started giving lectures.

Next year, we'll probably have to create a 'Xianyang Academy'.

Xiaoyu was somewhat surprised, "These are all world-renowned grandmasters, destined to be remembered for eternity! Why have they been so active in recent months?"

Xiao Linzi laughed and said, "It's all thanks to you, Grand Tutor! When the late emperor was still alive, although he did not directly suppress Confucianism, he did burn books and bury disobedient Confucian scholars alive."

Now that the Grand Tutor is reforming the corrupt system and promoting benevolence and righteousness, they, who have long been suppressed, are finally free and naturally burst forth all at once.

Xiao Yu felt a surge of emotion, vaguely sensing that the old scholars' collective mobilization was not for pure purposes.

—Are these old fogies also going to "dance" in this great calamity?
Do you think you old bones can even manage to dance like that?
She thought to herself, and a sense of unease began to creep in regarding the behavior of the Confucian and Taoist masters.

Xiaoyu didn't reveal what she was thinking. She smiled at Shaoyao and said, "Look, you've come at just the right time. The poems by Mao, Lu, and the detailed explanation of the Book of Changes that we used to read were all compiled by them."

"I ran into the original author today, shouldn't I meet them in person?"

If she hadn't had an urgent matter, she would have stayed in Xianyang to celebrate the Lantern Festival.

We can not only listen to the lectures of the old scholars to broaden our horizons and increase our knowledge, but also judge the purpose of their collective trip by the content of their lectures.

Peony felt both hopeful and somewhat worried, "After all, I am not a stranger, and I don't know them."

"If we go rashly, I'm afraid even their naturally emanating aura won't be able to withstand it."

Those old Confucian scholars had already moved Heaven with their own hearts, and even if they did not specifically cultivate Confucian techniques, they would surely be filled with a righteous spirit.

Each and every one of them is the source of righteous spirit.

Wherever it goes, space and time are filled with the power of light and purity, repelling all evil and filth.

Xiaoyu hesitated for a moment, then said, "Sister Shaoyao, Cuirong, please extend your right hands."

The two women did as instructed. Yu Taishi dipped her right index finger in the aura of the Ying clan's ancestral dragon and her own righteous aura from the Mingxin Palace, and wrote a golden "Imperial Edict" on their palms.

The word "敕" flashed by in an instant, and the two women looked surprised as they looked down at their bodies.

My appearance hasn't changed much, but I clearly feel much more comfortable physically and at peace mentally.

It was as if the city of Xianyang, the earthly sun, no longer rejected them, but accepted them, making them the "masters" of the city.

There's a sense of security and confidence, like returning to your own territory.

Grand Tutor Yu said, "As long as we are in Xianyang City, within the territory of Qin, let alone meeting those old Confucian scholars, if Emperor Zheng were still alive, we could even meet him directly."

They sat in the glazed pavilion, overlooking the entire city of Xianyang, set off a string of firecrackers, and enjoyed a sumptuous reunion dinner.

The next day was the first day of the Lunar New Year.

In the morning, Grand Tutor Yu received a group of people at his home. In the afternoon, he took Peony and personally went to the "Hexi Academy" in the East City to visit the Confucian sage Mao Heng.

The old scholar was somewhat surprised to see Grand Tutor Yu arrive in person, but he showed no fear or trepidation, only joy and composure.

Grand Tutor Yu wanted to find out the purpose of his visit to Xianyang, but the old scholar remained calm and said that he had brought his students out to lecture and spread the teachings.

He also inquired about opinions on establishing an academy in Xianyang.

Grand Tutor Yu wholeheartedly agreed and also agreed to establish the position of "Chancellor of the Imperial Academy" to oversee the Confucian scholars who emerged from the folk academies in Guanzhong.

Chairman Mao was overjoyed.

Grand Tutor Yu then asked him to teach him the Book of Poetry, and listened to the old man talk about the Book of Poetry for two hours.

They listened with rapt attention, as if someone who hadn't eaten meat for ten years was finally tasting it again—a feeling of satisfaction like spring rain after a long drought.

Besides introducing Sister Peony to Mao Zedong, before leaving, Grand Tutor Yu insisted on taking a box of Confucian classics personally revised by Mao Zedong from the academy.

Old Mao escorted Grand Tutor Yu all the way to the street corner before returning with his disciples.

"Uncle, Grand Tutor Yu is very fond of Confucianism and respects you greatly!"

Mao Chang, nicknamed "Little Mao Gong," poured his uncle a cup of tea, his expression a mixture of excitement and joy, yet also a hint of hesitation. "She came to wish you a Happy New Year on the first day of the Lunar New Year. Moreover, she's the only one in the entire Xianyang who has come to visit you."

She truly understood and absorbed what you said about poetry, and her answers to every question were insightful, unlike those pretentious and arrogant people who pretend to know what they don't.

Before leaving, she took a large box of books with her; I could tell she genuinely liked them.

Mao's old face twitched a few times, and he said irritably, "That's the culmination of half my life's work, which I originally intended to leave to the Mao family as a family heirloom."

He was pleased with Grand Tutor Yu's attitude, but he was truly reluctant to part with the box of books that had been taken away, and it pained him greatly.

This is a fantastical world where words can leave behind the writer's insights and spiritual imprint.

At his current age, it would take him at least ten years to rewrite it.

Moreover, when rewriting, one may not be able to capture the original mood and artistic conception.

Just like Van Gogh's "Sunflowers," if Van Gogh were to imitate himself, he might not be able to recapture the original feeling.

Xiao Mao said, "Grand Tutor also came to offer New Year's greetings with gifts. I just saw a two-thousand-year-old Ganoderma lucidum, which can extend one's life by several hundred years! There is also a copy of the 'Yu Shi Dao Jing' written by herself."

"I need Ganoderma lucidum? That Taoist scripture..."

Old Mao pulled out a brand-new copy of the "Yu Shi Dao Jing" from his pocket, turned to a page, and pointed to the text inside. "Look, the ink isn't even dry yet! It must have been completed instantly using Daoist magic right before he left."

Xiao Mao took the "Yu Shi Dao Jing" and read it for a while, then said, "The book is very new, it must have just been written, but the contents are profound and every word is a gem."

Every single sentence contains the essence of Taoism; one might even be able to comprehend the true methods of immortality!

Mao scoffed, "What kind of Taoist practices do we Confucian scholars cultivate?"

Xiao Mao nodded and said, "We only need to learn the principles behind it! The key is that Grand Tutor Yu made his stance clear today."

Uncle, with her visit today and her request to learn from you, no one in the entire Qin Dynasty will dare to make things difficult for us.

Old Mao understood his nephew's meaning, pondered for a moment, and said, "The Mandate of Heaven of my Confucianism will ultimately lie with the next dynasty, not with the Qin Dynasty."

Yu Taishi studied Confucianism, just like Li Si did, both in order to improve themselves and broaden their horizons.

Today they study Confucianism diligently, and tomorrow they will devote the same effort and enthusiasm to Legalism, Yin-Yang School, and Taoism.

Such people are good students, but they are not like us.

Xiao Mao hesitated and said, "But the 'prophecy' is too exaggerated. How could 'the exclusive veneration of Confucianism' be possible!"
I think those so-called shamans are fooling us.

Let's stay grounded and forget about all this scheming. Whoever studies Confucianism and applies it, that's who we'll support.

"Yes, promoting Confucius, glorifying the Six Classics, and suppressing other schools of thought sounds like an unrealistic dream."

From a bewildered expression to a resolute look, Mao said, "But this beautiful dream is also our ideal, a truth that humanity must realize if it wants to prosper."

He paused, then softened his expression and said, "You don't need to worry too much. We are not raising an army to rebel against the Qin Dynasty."

We are now lecturing in Xianyang, waiting for the true Son of Heaven to break through Hangu Pass, and then we will create momentum for him, help him win over the hearts of the people in Guanzhong and forge the 'Mandate of Heaven'. All of this is in line with the trend.

We are following the will of Heaven, and there is nothing wrong with that.

(End of this chapter)