Chapter 4, Disciples of the Sub-Sage

Mr. Hui, the student's surname is Lin, and his given name is Junxuan

It is not unusual for this academy to have more items, but the simultaneous increase in so many things can only be attributed to those parents sending gifts to Gan Ruye for the winter

Lin Junxuan never brought this book into Lin'an City. A beggar, holding an ancient scroll in hand every day for study, would inevitably attract a lot of attention over time, which was something Lin Junxuan did not wish to see. Moreover, "Qimen Dunjia" was printed in simplified characters, while the books in this world were written in clerical script. Although the two are not vastly different and can be recognized, for those with discerning eyes, it would be easy to identify the discrepancies between this book and the books of this world. Furthermore, "Qimen Dunjia" was printed in simplified characters, while the books in this world were written in clerical script. Although the two are not vastly different and can be recognized, for those with discerning eyes, it would be easy to identify the discrepancies between this book and the books of this world.

This is the place. Lin Junxuan crouched down, took five steps to the west, and then dug out a book from the ground—"Qimen Dunjia"

Although the content of "Qimen Dunjia" is vast and varied, the language is extremely obscure and difficult to understand. It contains many allusions and terms that are well-known yet seldom understood by the general populace. However, "Qimen Dunjia" does not provide any explanations or clarifications; all of this must be deciphered, studied, and comprehended solely by Lin Junxuan. This process proves to be quite arduous. He has been reading this book for over 10 days, yet his progress remains minimal. After more than 10 days of study, he still has not grasped the essentials, and Lin Junxuan feels a growing sense of anxiety in his heart.

As a hint of fish-belly white appeared on the horizon, Lin Junxuan awoke in the tree. He nimbly slid down from the tree, walked to the riverbank, and scooped up a handful of water to wash his face

Your heart is enough. " Gan Ruyue gently patted Lin Junxuan's head, not paying attention to what he had said. She looked out the window and said, "It is getting dark. I still have the food offered by the students today. Let us eat together.

Hehe, Ah, https://www.hetushu.com, "In the name of the holy, the world is known; it is normal if you have heard of it, but what a pity." Gan Ruye sighed and said, "After experiencing three hundred years of turmoil, our 'Meng School' has gradually declined and is far from what it used to be!"

Gan Ruye gently stroked the three strands of black beard under his chin, laughing with satisfaction: "Good, good! Jun Xuan, get up, get up!"

A hint of surprise flashed in Gan Ruye's eyes: "How did you know?"

"Jun Xuan, what is wrong with you?" A concerned voice, sweet as a leaf, reached Lin Jun Xuan's ears. He came back to his senses and shook his head: "It's nothing, I am just surprised!"

From now on, you shall be my direct disciple, Gan Ruye. Jun Xuan, remember this well: my lineage is from the great Confucian scholar Fang Hongyuan of the Imperial Capital, and we belong to the 'Meng School' of Confucianism

The Starfall and the "Qimen Dunjia" were both left by my grandfather. Since the Starfall can emit light at night and also ward off the cold, the "Qimen Dunjia" must also possess its own peculiarities. Taking a deep breath, Lin Junxuan calmed the slight restlessness in his heart and once again focused on his contemplation.

"There are still six hours left." Lin Junxuan glanced at the horizon, estimating in his heart. He searched for a lush tree and sat down beneath it, then opened the yellowed pages of the book in his hand, beginning to read by the light filtering through the leaves. Just as before he came to this world, Lin Junxuan maintained a strict discipline in his daily life.

Lin Junxuan pondered in silence, and after a moment, he still reported the facts: "Students, and also parents"

Boom! Lin Junxuan felt as if struck by lightning, a voice echoing in his mind: "Isn't Meng Ke just Mengzi? The 'Thousand Character Classic' wasn't written by Zhou Xingsi, yet the 'Second Sage' has become a person of this world. What on earth is going on?"

Raising his head, Lin Junxuan looked at Gan Ruye, who had a face full of seriousness reminiscent of Zheng He. In the eyes of this frail teacher, he only saw the noble spirit that a righteous scholar possesses. With this scholarly integrity alone, he was qualified to accept anyone as his student

Meng Xue?" Lin Junxuan looked at Gan Ruye in surprise

Gan Ruye was momentarily taken aback, but soon he seemed to understand something, and a look of pity appeared on his face. He gently patted Lin Junxuan's head and comforted him, saying: "Child, may you find peace in your sorrow"

The old man's stall was desolate, with no customers in sight. As winter approached, there were many poor people in Lin'an City; these individuals were already short of money for winter, so how could they afford to spend such unnecessary money on fortune-telling

Oh? This response greatly exceeded Gan Ruyue's expectations. He originally thought that this child, dressed so raggedly, must have lost his parents at an early age: "Where are your parents?"

"Good, good!" Gan Ruyue exclaimed twice, and he found himself increasingly fond of this child. It is truly rare for someone so young to possess such insight

"Doll, I come to ask you, do you have a surname?" Gan Ruyue said with a beaming face

In the book, there are no days or months; before one realizes it, it is already noon. Lin Junxuan looked at the sky, sighed, set the book down, and, as before, wrapped it in clean fallen leaves, then buried it back into the soil, marking it with a sign for his own identification.

After completing these tasks, Lin Junxuan took a detour and returned to the city of Lin'an from outside the city. Silently blending in among the group of beggars, Lin Junxuan sat down again on the ancient bridge. A few lazy beggars on the bridge occasionally glanced up at Lin Junxuan, only to close their eyelids once more— the beggars had now grown accustomed to his presence.

Lin Junxuan pointed to the suddenly increased items in the academy, remaining silent. He had read in some unofficial historical accounts that in ancient times, students of the academy could substitute their tuition fees with other items at the end of the term. Moreover, as the holidays approached, students' parents would also send some items to the teachers to help them through the winter

Gan Ruyue's proposal was far beyond Lin Junxuan's expectations. After a moment of surprise, Lin Junxuan looked up at the frail teacher. In terms of knowledge, Lin Junxuan was not lacking; in terms of literary talent, he also possessed it. As for the cultivation of character, Lin Junxuan believed he was certainly not inferior to this teacher. He had nothing to gain from this teacher.

"Doll, come in." Gan Ruye sat in the study, clasping his hands, with a brazier in front of him, burning charcoal inside. He seemed to have been waiting here for a long time

Rest assured, teacher, if the students have the opportunity, they will surely revitalize the 'Meng School'! Lin Junxuan said with a serious expression

Ah! The river water splashed onto his face, icy cold, making Lin Junxuan's teeth chatter. Soon, a wave of warmth emanated from the star-shaped pendant, dispelling the chill.

"The teacher seems a bit strange today." Lin Junxuan glanced around and noticed that there was more charcoal in the academy, as well as some rice, and in another corner, there were several clay jars. After pondering for a moment, Lin Junxuan asked, "Is the academy on break?"

Before noon, Lin Junxuan concealed himself in the forest, studying this volume of "Qimen Dunjia". After noon, he would wander through the city of Lin'an, perceiving the world through his own eyes

The old man hung his head, motionless, curled up in the corner of the wall. He neither shouted nor stopped people to tell their fortunes, but simply curled up in the corner, unnoticed by anyone

The demeanor and tone of Gan Ruye left Lin Junxuan greatly perplexed. After a moment of thought, he couldn't help but smile wryly. He had said he was not here, and this teacher would surely think he meant "underground." In ancient times, such obscure expressions were quite common.

Mencius, whose name was Ke and courtesy name was Ziyu, also known as Ziche, was a native of the State of Lu during the Warring States period. In "Mencius, Gongsun Chou I," Gongsun Chou asked Mencius: "May I ask, where do you cultivate yourself?" Mencius replied: "I excel in discourse, and I excel in nurturing my vast and righteous spirit"

The city of Lin'an seems just as it always has, with the shouts and calls of peddlers and laborers as usual, while the shops on both sides of the street remain as desolate as ever. However, Lin Junxuan has noticed some subtle changes—a fortune-teller has arrived in the city of Lin'an

The old man had disheveled hair and was wearing a dirty green long coat, with his hands tucked into the sleeves. He leaned against the corner of a building not far from the river. Behind the old man stood a bamboo pole, on which a cloth strip bore the four characters "No Omission in Calculation"

Lin Junxuan squatted on the ancient bridge for several hours, yet the old man never lifted his head, nor did anyone come to pay him a visit. Standing up, Lin Junxuan headed east towards the city. On that day, Lin Junxuan spent several hours observing the old man, and by the time he arrived at the academy, the children had already bid farewell to their teacher, and it was estimated that most had returned to their respective homes.

Lin Junxuan was momentarily taken aback, then walked into the academy. Inside the academy, it was warm and cozy, with the charcoal fire in the brazier illuminating the space brightly.

"Mr. Hui, the students' parents are not here," Lin Junxuan reported truthfully once again

Hmm. Gan Ruyue looked down at the child beside him, completely unaware of his thoughts: "The founder of our 'Mengxue School' is the sub-saint 'Meng Ke'"

Jun Xuan, if you are willing, consider this place your home from now on. As long as I, your teacher, have a meal to eat, you shall also have a meal. You are exceptionally talented; if you can receive careful guidance, you will surely achieve great things in the future!" Gan Ru Ye said solemnly

With a bitter smile in his heart, Lin Junxuan did not argue, allowing the teacher to speculate freely.

With this thought in mind, Lin Junxuan knelt down and respectfully bowed three times, saying, "Master, please accept this bow from Junxuan"

Gan Ruye pondered for a moment and smiled, saying: "A good name, a good name! ... ... Child, may I ask you, do you have parents at home?"

Upon seeing Lin Junxuan walk in, Gan Ruye raised her head and happily pointed to a small stool beside her, saying, "Child, come, sit here"

After a simple rinse, Lin Junxuan looked around and said, "No one." He re-entered the thicket, wandering around among the trees, and finally stopped beneath a large tree. On the back side of the tree, there were several pieces of broken stone, which exhibited a peculiar shape; this was a kind of mark.

Lin Junxuan stared blankly at Gan Ruye, motionless. He never expected that the sub-saint he used to guide and cultivate himself would actually be connected to a teacher from this unknown world.

Thank you, teacher. Lin Junxuan did not refuse; a meal is actually nothing significant. What is important is that this ordinary meal marks the beginning of their teacher-student relationship

Strange, there was no fortune-telling old man at that location yesterday. Where did he come from? Could it be that he entered the city from outside last night? In Lin'an City, every so often, bodies are discovered by the authorities, either having starved to death or frozen to death. Although there are deaths occurring from time to time, there are always people pouring into the city in search of a livelihood

In the eyes of the many beggars, this fellow never opens his mouth to beg, nor does he compete with them for leftover scraps. Even when some kind-hearted wealthy individuals drop a few coins at his feet, he does not pick them up! Since his presence does not impose any competitive pressure on the other beggars, they have accepted him. In such a cold season, having one more person gathered together means an additional source of warmth