A son who doesn't resemble his father? Love you, old man, see you at Xuanwu Gate!

Chapter 306 Please Zen
“My dear teacher, I fear I am not worthy of such a responsibility.”

Huo Guang's initial joy and passion faded.

This was the first time in his life that he felt he could not accomplish something in his lifetime.

He devoted himself to the affairs of the feudal lords, and revived the spirit of Confucianism.

Huo Guang did not believe he could do what countless sages had failed to do.

This is beyond human capability.

Huo Guang had a clear understanding and pursuit of himself: to become a powerful minister like his mentor.

If there were a chance to go even further and become a powerful minister like Yi Yin, capable of deposing and installing emperors, Huo Guang would be even more willing.

However, Huo Guang felt it was unlikely; he seemed to be far inferior to the current crown prince in terms of strength.

When I first entered the Confucian school, it was merely to better advance my career. To say that I had higher aspirations for Confucianism would be a joke.

At this point in one's studies, one must either submit to imperial power or follow one's own conscience.

If one succumbs to power, the consequences are already clear. If one follows one's heart, emulates the story of Confucius, travels the world, and gathers many disciples, it would be too impoverished, which is not what Huo Guang wanted.

Having done his duty as a prince, Huo Guang was willing to work harder in order to analyze the ultimate principles of all things, make greater progress in his official career, and better serve the country.

Reconstructing Confucianism?
Don't make your brother Guang'er laugh.

In the Han Dynasty today, Confucianism is universally disliked. From princes and nobles to commoners, no one dares to refrain from spitting on it. Preventing Confucianism is more difficult than preventing a river from overflowing.

Even if, as his mentor said, he had read through the affairs of all the feudal lords and possessed unparalleled wisdom, and could summarize unparalleled thoughts, at that point he would be no less than Confucius. If he had that ability, why didn't he establish his own school of thought?

What Confucius or not? If a small "Huo family" were to come to the Han dynasty, wouldn't he become some kind of figure?

Huo Zi!
Huo Guang wasn't one to dream, but the thought of that scene still made him unable to contain his excitement.

So beautiful! So beautiful!
The withered hand slammed down on Huo Guang's head, a blow no less severe than a sudden awakening. The intense pain brought Huo Guang's reverie to an abrupt halt, leaving him completely dazed.

His expression was ferocious, his teeth bared.

Gongsun Hong could see through his disciple's thoughts and said irritably, "Xiao Guang, once you are a Confucian, you will be a Confucian for life. If you want to go against the grain, you should see if the various schools of thought recognize you."
Besides, where do you think this "Portrait of 1,800 Princes" came from?

Huo Guang was stunned.

Yes.

This was drawn by Laozi. Logically speaking, it should be a sacred object of Taoism. How did it end up in my master's hands?
Moreover, based on what I've heard before, this doesn't seem to be a tradition passed down from the Gongyang family.

Then the question arises. Huo Guang lowered his voice and asked, "Master, do you also steal?"

Another knock on the head.

Huo Guang felt like his head was about to split open. Gongsun Hong was completely helpless against his rebellious disciple and said speechlessly, "I'm a thief, how can you talk about your teacher like that?"

Although the Prime Minister's residence contained a large collection of classic texts from various schools of thought, most of them were "borrowed" by him.

It was truly a loan. Once the copying was completed, Gongsun Hong would have it returned, along with a copy of a book of the same level, depending on its value, which would also be returned together.

Of course, the Prime Minister's residence was renowned for its calligraphy, and not everyone would be willing to borrow copies. Gongsun Hong inevitably used some methods to deal with such people.

In general, there was a give-and-take relationship; Gongsun Hong never engaged in the traditional Confucian scholar's act of "taking books."

"In August of the fifth year of Yuanguang, His Majesty issued an edict recommending worthy men. Zichuan Kingdom once again recommended you, Master, to serve as an official in the court. On your way to the capital, you obtained this 'Old Picture' at an inn." Seeing the disbelief in his disciples' eyes, Gongsun Hong did not offer much explanation. The older one gets, the more one understands fate. Perhaps the saying "everything is predestined, and nothing is up to man" is an exaggeration, but the concept of destiny certainly exists.

Putting aside everything else, if he hadn't met the emperor and had only been driven by His Majesty, he would never have achieved what he has today. Even if he had died without making any mistakes, he would have been nothing more than a paperhanger for the empire.

"By passing on this 'Map of 1,800 Princes' to you, you will receive the Confucian tradition, both the good and the bad..."

Having a Confucian identity and doing similar things to Confucians, it would be shameless to say you're not a Confucian scholar. Gongsun Hong reminded him, "Unless you return the 'Map of 1,800 Princes' to the Daoists, your 'Confucian style' will not disappear. Even if you want to establish a sect, you will be regarded as a Confucian sect."

If you acknowledge your Confucian identity, the fragmented Confucianism can at least help you withstand the pressure from the other schools of thought. If you don't acknowledge it, among the other schools of thought, you are a Confucian, and among Confucianists, you are a heretic.

As your teacher, I remind you, before you possess absolute strength, do not easily attempt to fight against multiple opponents alone.

To inherit Confucian traditions without wanting to shoulder Confucian responsibilities—there's no such thing as a free lunch.
As the pain gradually subsided, Huo Guang stopped fooling around and solemnly said, "Master, I can only do my best."

Regardless of what happens in the future, I should first obtain this history of the rise and fall of the feudal lords. Once I have learned the real stuff, I should prioritize my career and position. If I can live to the age of my mentor and no longer be obsessed with or able to hold power, I can reshape Confucianism in the limited time I have left.

Whether it succeeds or not, we can take on a few disciples to pass it on, and trust in the wisdom of later Confucian scholars.

"Xiaoguang."

"Mentor?"

"You are obsessed with power struggles and ignorant of the greater principles; this may be a path to disaster," Gongsun Hong said with concern.

He knew his own disciple well. Huo Guang seemed cautious and respectful of etiquette, but he was power-hungry by nature and would even resort to unscrupulous means for power. This was not a good thing for an individual or a family.

Power is an abyss.

When you stare into the abyss, the abyss stares into you.

Huo Guang paused for a moment, thinking about himself, his elder brother, and then his father. He didn't think there was any potential for trouble. Faced with his master's concern, he solemnly said, "This disciple will remember your teachings!"

Seeing this, Gongsun Hong had nothing more to say. He gently pushed the bronze box forward and said, "It's yours."

Without hesitation, Huo Guang put the unfolded sheepskin map back into the bronze box, closed the lid, and carried it away.

Chen Mo immediately panicked, "My mentor? My mentor? Where's mine?"

"Didn't you take yours a long time ago?" Gongsun Hong retorted.

Mo Zimo and Huo Guang's expressions subtly changed, while Chen Mo was bewildered, "When did my mentor give me something?"

"On the banks of the Yi River, the Gongyang tradition continues."

Gongsun Hong dispelled the tense atmosphere among his disciples, "Aren't you satisfied yet?"

That book, "Tianxia," was the culmination of generations of Gongyang's work. Dong Zhongshu and his disciples spent their entire lives working on it, only to have it all go to Chen Mo.

However, the contents recorded there are forbidden and should not be in the hands of a private school. It is most appropriate for Chen Mo, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, to have them in his possession.

Chen Mo looked embarrassed.

If his mentor hadn't said anything, he would have thought it was his own spoils.

"All right!"

Gongsun Hong was getting tired. "You've all received your things. It's time to get to work. Xiao Mo, Xiao Guang, Xiao Mo, this reform of the court system presents you with an opportunity to rise to the top. Go and use your abilities to persuade His Majesty to abdicate!"

(End of this chapter)