Primordial Era: Humanity's Supreme Ruler, Abolishes Nuwa's Position as Holy Mother

Chapter 191 Confucius studied under Laozi and founded Confucianism

The tenth year of King Jing of Zhou.

Laozi went to the State of Lu to preside over the funeral of his friend, and the person who helped with the funeral was Kong Qiu, who was the reincarnation of Tongtian, Confucius.

At that time, Confucius was seventeen out of ten years old.

At this time, Laozi had already awakened the memories of the Supreme Sage. He only glanced at them briefly before learning that Confucius was the reincarnation of his second brother, Tongtian.

After the funeral was overseen, many literati and scholars surrounded Laozi, but Laozi, being tall and imposing, stood out like a crane among chickens.

Confucius did not step forward, but as he was leaving, his eyes met Lao Tzu's. Not wanting to refuse, he immediately inquired about etiquette.

From the chaotic crowd, Xu Jia's voice rang out, shouting, "Quiet down, don't make a scene! My master will not neglect you."

Xu Jia, as an attendant, navigated the situation.

At that moment, watching Confucius leave, Lao Tzu opened his mouth, sighed, and stopped, realizing that the time was not yet ripe, so he did not force it.

After that, Lao Tzu greeted everyone and said, "Today is the funeral of my old friend. I hope you will all forgive me. In seven days, I will sit down with you and discuss the Dao."

"We were rude, please forgive us, sir." The scholar was startled, bowed and apologized to the relatives and friends of Laozi's old friend.

Upon hearing this, everyone followed suit, and the scene gradually returned to silence.

the other side.

Confucius returned home, used the money he had earned from the funeral to get medicine from the pharmacy, and hurriedly returned home.

Seeing that Yan Zhengzai's complexion had darkened considerably again, he quickly stepped forward and asked, "Mother, how are you feeling? I'm a little late coming back."

"It's alright. Did you see the gentleman you wanted to see today?" Yan Zhengzai asked weakly, his face ashen.

Confucius lost his father at the age of three, and his family fell into poverty. He was later driven out by his first wife, and the mother and son depended on each other for survival, living a poor life.

Not long ago, Yan Zhengzai fell seriously ill. Left with no other choice, Confucius had to help with the funeral in exchange for money to buy medicine.

When Confucius went to that house, he learned by chance that Lao Tzu would also be there, and he was overjoyed.

But when I went there today, I found that there were too many people, all of them literary giants from various fields, making it difficult to approach them.

"I have seen it, and it is just as others have described and the book has written. It is grand and restrained, and its greatness is boundless. It is a pity that there are so many people visiting today that I have no chance to get close to it," Confucius said with a wry smile.

"My child, you are familiar with etiquette. If your mother falls ill, you should seek some employment based on that." Yan Zhengzai coughed repeatedly.

Confucius hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Mother, you're talking nonsense. I'll go and brew the medicine right away. Please don't say such things again, Mother. You haven't seen how renowned I am yet."

Yan Zheng smiled bitterly and said "okay" repeatedly.

however--

The illness was like a tiger; Yan Zhengzai's body was already weak, so it worsened and he ultimately did not survive the winter.

Winter has arrived, and Confucius is alone at home.

He opened his mouth, staring at the empty house behind him, feeling depressed and unsure how to relieve his frustration.

"Mother, Father"

Confucius murmured to himself, gazing at the two memorial tablets, seemingly lost in thought, his gaze growing increasingly resolute.

The next morning, candles were lit early in Confucius's house.

When the firelight filled every corner, Confucius put on thick winter clothes and respectfully offered incense before the memorial tablet.

He knelt on the prayer mat and said, "Your unfilial son is about to embark on a long journey; I beg my parents for their protection."

From that day forward, Confucius began to understand the world's dynamics.

After traveling far from home, Confucius read famous books from all over the world and learned about classics from ancient times to the present, enriching his own knowledge day by day.

However, his life was not as illustrious as his learning suggested. To make a living, Confucius took on minor official positions managing granaries and herding livestock.

But Confucius had ambitions. After accumulating enough wealth, he continued his travels and, relying on his familiarity with the rites, became famous in Lu during his youth and began to pursue a career as a Confucian scholar.

During this period, he made a living by performing funeral rites.

In his middle age, Confucius began to gather disciples and lecture, and began to travel to various places to discuss education and philosophy.

At the age of fifty, he served as the Minister of Justice in the State of Lu, and established the position of Acting Prime Minister.

The following year, he sought out Lao Tzu again. At that time, he only wanted to ask one question: What is the Tao?

When Lao Tzu arrived, he had already prepared hot tea, as if he had been waiting for a long time. Upon seeing him, Lao Tzu smiled and said, "You've come? I've heard that you are now a sage in the North. Have you attained enlightenment?"

Confucius greeted him respectfully and said sincerely, "I am dull-witted and have not yet grasped the meaning."

He was somewhat surprised. Although he had only met Lao Tzu when he was young, he didn't know why he felt an extraordinary sense of closeness to Lao Tzu.

Confucius was puzzled.

At this point, Lao Tzu asked with a smile, "Then how did you seek it?"

"I sought answers in ancient books and classics, but after five years I still could not find the way," Confucius sighed.

"And then?" Lao Tzu handed over the tea, gesturing for Confucius to sit down and discuss the matter further.

Confucius valued propriety, yet at this moment, as if possessed, he sat down without saying a word. He said, "I have sought the changes of Yin and Yang for twelve years, and still have found nothing."

Lao Tzu chuckled, for he also understood why Confucius's enlightenment had been so slow.

Confucius's previous incarnation's divine spirit had been destroyed by Hongjun, so he could no longer attain enlightenment. For Confucius, this was destined to be a long and arduous process.

Lao Tzu spared no effort in answering Confucius's questions, teaching him everything he knew. This conversation lasted for seven days and seven nights.

During this time, the attendant Xu Jia stayed by his side the whole time, and did not leave even when he was tired. Although this surprised Confucius, he did not ask any questions.

In the time that followed, Confucius inquired about two major issues: rites and classics.

Confucius was familiar with the rites and rites from a young age, and later studied the Six Classics. He also claimed to be familiar with various ancient systems and regulations, but no ruler adopted them, which made him feel helpless.

Lao Tzu jokingly remarked that Confucius was fortunate not to have encountered a ruler who brought peace and prosperity to the land, and then shared his thoughts and insights with him.

After listening, Confucius fell into a long silence.

He carefully considered every word Lao Tzu said, and for this reason, Lao Tzu even instructed Xu Jia to prepare a superior room for Confucius to live in.

When Confucius entered the room, he did not come out for a long time.

Three months later.

Xu Jia found Laozi and said, "Sir, are you really not going to go and see him? I've noticed that Master Kong hasn't left his house for three months."

"It'll be soon, it'll be soon." Lao Tzu chuckled as he flipped through the classics, a bitter smile playing on his lips. He murmured, "My third brother is incredibly talented; otherwise, why would our teacher have favored him so much?"

Xu Jia had no choice but to continue sending meals to that house every day.

That very afternoon, Confucius laughed heartily, pushed open the door, and excitedly walked up to Lao Tzu, saying with a smile, "I apologize for my rudeness, I have already succeeded."

Immediately—

Confucius then shared what he had learned and understood.

After listening, Lao Tzu nodded and smiled, "Yes, Qiu has grasped the meaning!"

After saying this, Laozi looked at the excited Confucius under the corridor and sighed, "Third brother, even though your teacher severed your primordial spirit and destroyed your foundation of the Heavenly Dao, your talent still far surpasses that of others."

After this, Confucius recalled what he had learned and recorded it down, thus establishing Confucianism.

From the time he founded Confucianism, he traveled far and wide to teach Confucian doctrines, and he still retained his belief in the teachings of his predecessors, which included all students. He also took in many disciples.

Over the years that followed, Confucius's ideas spread, and he was revered by people all over the world and by later generations as Confucius, the sage of Confucianism.

He and Lao Tzu are considered the two sages of the human race.

(End of this chapter)