Chapter 1, Conversations Under the Shade of the Juniper Tree (Part 1)

With Confucius initiating the precedent of private education over a century ago, the public intellect of the bamboo slip era gradually began to flourish, leading to an increasing sense of fear among the aristocracy.

A hereditary artisan, ranked just above slaves and sons-in-law in status

This is a fantasy game he often played on various forums before his time travel. Without a second thought, he replied, "Of course, one kilogram of seeds. Planting a single grain in spring yields thousands in autumn; this is the only item that can increase exponentially. Especially if one were to travel back to the early Warring States period, combined with the promotion of techniques such as ridge cultivation, ox plowing, papermaking, and printing, it could accelerate the dismantling of the aristocratic ritual system and the monopoly on knowledge..."

The problem is that he now realizes his journey through time is nothing short of hellish difficulty

Looking back at one's own ancestors, one can only shed tears of sorrow

As she raised her head, she found that the gentleman was staring at her, having just asked that question, and she suddenly felt a bit nervous

As for surnames, this is indeed an era of nobility and high officials, where a surname is far too distant and extravagant for a family that relies on shoemaking for their livelihood

She quietly raised her head to glance at Mozi, thinking to herself: "After all, you are already old, sir... you cannot win against time, while I am still young. As long as I can blend into the ranks and establish my footing, how would you know what changes will be made to the 'Mozi' after your death?"

They fear that, in their subconscious, they know that their status and wealth may not necessarily be related to their qualities and abilities

The Ink Masters are not an unparalleled mystical sect of mechanical arts, but rather a secret organization that is disciplined and somewhat mystical in nature. If one were to draw a comparison, it would be more akin to a brotherhood or a group like the Knights Templar without a fief.

He is unable to do it, and may not fully agree with it either

This is the identity that is suitable for the present.

I am truly foolish, indeed. I should have the surname Ye, the Ye of "Ye Gong Hao Long"! Yes, I often sit in front of the computer discussing ancient and modern topics with others, engaging in idle chatter about time travel and the affairs of kings and hegemons. But that is because I know that time travel is impossible, which is why I enjoy discussing it... If I were to know that I could really travel back to the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States, it would be Sun Tzu who would be talking about time travel... If I were to know that I could really travel back to the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States, it would be Sun Tzu who would be talking about time travel...

The small package in his arms further confirmed the authenticity of his murmurs and the harshness of reality

However, the heart is concealed within the body, covered by a layer that can be hidden. Those around him may think that what he is pondering is not necessarily what he is truly contemplating at this moment

Who would have thought that just yesterday, while passionately discussing the world and crafting eloquent words, today I would truly find myself with an extra kilogram of seeds in my arms, having transformed into a nameless and lowly being

Looking up at the elderly gentleman with graying hair beneath the tree, the respect in his gaze deepens

In the past, one could indulge in rambling, but ultimately, one's worldview has already taken shape. After self-deprecating musings, one can only accept the facts and follow one's own inclinations

From memory, it is clear that I am not a true practitioner of the Mozi philosophy at this moment, nor am I a direct disciple of Mozi; I am merely an ordinary person who occasionally listens to lectures under the tree where Mozi teaches.

Sicheng is indeed the same as Sikong. In order to avoid the taboo of Song Wugong's son Sikong, it was changed to Sicheng. Zihan, also of the Z surname, is truly a powerful vassal of the State of Song

The thoughts in my heart changed hundreds of times in an instant, leading to a swift decision

Not long ago, Mozi was recuperating from a serious illness in Shangqiu. After recovering, he casually lectured under a tree, attracting a large audience. However, these young people beneath the tree still have a long way to go before they can truly become followers of Mozi.

The seeds in the bag include a total of one or two sweet potatoes and potatoes, as well as several corn kernels, cotton seeds, peas, chili peppers, sorghum, carrots, and others

Under the tree, more than thirty young men dressed in linen short robes knelt on the ground, listening to the teacher's words, some frowning in deep thought, while others scratched their heads in confusion

The ink master must achieve consistency in meaning both above and below; the chosen giant serves as the standard for "righteousness"; what is said to be so is so, and what is said not to be so is not so

At this moment, he appeared to be bowing his head in contemplation of the logical reasoning articulated by the old man, yet in reality, his mind was incessantly murmuring, and he even assigned himself a surname.

The heart remains unchanged, the body naturally stands straight and unyielding, the eyes still bright, and the words spoken are as concise and flawless as in youth

In the eyes of every formal member of the Mo family, the organizational discipline of the Mo family is superior to the laws of the state. In an era where the king's word is law, if the son of a prominent figure in the Mo family commits murder, even if the King of Qin grants a special pardon, he must still be executed in accordance with the organizational discipline.

After an unknown period of time, a young person finally slapped their thigh heavily, revealing a look of sudden realization

Only traces remain, becoming a supporting character in the story

A native of the State of Song

Although I do not know what year it is tonight, I am very clear about the energy of this old gentleman, known to later generations as "Mozi," under the tree, and I can even directly recommend outstanding disciples from my school to take office

It is essential for the gentleman before me to remember me, as this will serve as a stepping stone for the future; otherwise, with my current status, any aspirations would be mere delusions

Due to issues with the wall, Zihan wants to forcibly demolish it and have them move out. The suitable great-grandfather then said, if you demolish those who come to me for shoes, they will not be able to find me; if they cannot find me, they cannot ask me to make shoes for them; if I cannot make shoes for them, I will not be able to eat.

It is that cypress tree, which has stood for countless years and perhaps even witnessed the great era of the fall of the tyrant Zhou and the establishment of feudalism, that is now rustling in the wind, producing a soft sound.

Moreover, the material living standards at that time were indeed very low, as the saying goes: Shock! ... The ruler of a certain superpower fell into a toilet and drowned, and his last wish in life was actually to eat a bowl of freshly cooked wheat grains ... This is a true depiction of the life of rulers over a hundred years ago

The elderly man wore a brown short shirt, his head was already bald, with only a few strands of gray hair remaining at the temples.

In the capital city of the Song State, Shangqiu, beneath a single cypress tree nestled between the city walls, words of simplicity and logical beauty are spoken with the unique hoarse and aged voice of an elderly person

So simple, yet so rigorous

A Family of Cobblers

But at this moment, he fundamentally did not think about so many things such as right and wrong, or the limitations of history

As for the prohibitions against lavish burials after death, the indulgence in pleasures during life, the obsession with sensuality and debauchery, the necessity to love all people, and the adherence to the great principles of the Mohist school, these are but a few among countless others

Those of lowly birth can only shudder in horror at their own circumstances. Reflecting on the fates of figures such as Wu Qi and Shang Yang sends chills down one's spine

Thus, Zihan left behind a name that would be remembered through the ages. As for the identity of the neighbor who was given the name, later generations only know that he was a shoemaker.

This story is called "Zihan Youlin". Zihan's great-grandfather was a shoemaker in Shangqiu, and his family lived next to Zihan, which affected the walls of Zihan's home

When this fear is reflected in reality, it manifests as extreme madness in retaliation

My previous state of confusion clearly would not leave a very good impression on this gentleman

The sound of young people slapping their thighs is exceptionally crisp, akin to the thunder of spring, heralding the subsequent continuous rumble of summer. The remaining young people gradually come to understand, nodding and clapping in unison

At this time, it was still early for Zhang Qian's mission to the Western Regions, let alone the more distant circumnavigation of the globe. Not to mention corn and cotton, even sorghum, cucumbers, cilantro, and garlic had yet to make an appearance. If used properly, this one kilogram of seeds could indeed possess the power to move the world.

I greatly admire the temperament of the nobility among my fellow countrymen, yet I tend to sympathize with the working class because I am one of them. However, I have only heard that when it comes to hanging streetlights, one must adhere to their inclinations; I have never heard of being assigned a status based on one's inclinations when crossing over. If I had known that saying this would lead to being a commoner in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States, I would have long since proclaimed my noble lineage and abundant martial virtue.

If the sovereign is like this, how much more so the common people

But he knows that if he does not seize this opportunity, he will have to remain at the bottom in this era where the lives of common people are as cheap as grass

As for whether to believe in the teachings of the Mohist school, that is of no consequence

To attack, to punish... For the Mohists, who demand synonymous interpretations, this is essentially a statement from the master who holds the ultimate authority of interpretation. If the master says you are attacking, then you are attacking; if the master says you are punishing, then you are punishing; if the master says you are upholding the great righteousness to unify the chaotic world, then that is what you are doing.

Although the old man is advanced in age, his back remains straight, and even the scars of time, which no one can withstand, cannot make him bend over

Do you still not understand the reasoning behind it

My family is a lineage of shoemakers, and we do not own any land. We belong to the category of handicraft workers, holding a very low status. In this era, there are almost no avenues for advancement, and we do not even belong to the lowest ranks of the nobility.

Conversely, it can also be understood that the power of the ink practitioners is substantial, so much so that in the later stages, it can infiltrate the grassroots official system of the Qin state. When a crime is committed, it necessitates reforms, and the centralized power of the Qin king personally intervenes to plead for leniency, making it unwise to act rashly.

Every formal scribe must dedicate a portion of their income to the organization, and these funds are used to carry out the "greater good of the world," especially for those who have been recommended for official positions.

As the wind blew past, among the more than thirty young people kneeling on the ground, only one person still bore a contemplative expression on his face, as if he had not understood.

Without a surname, one is of lowly status

Those who make shoes outside the wall continue to live on, inheriting their family trade; although those who have passed away within the wall are gone, their descendants will eventually give rise to figures like Le Yi, Le Yangzi, and Le Chenggong. This is indeed an era where noble lineage and distinguished officials exist.

Before the time travel, he was merely chatting with others on a forum. Someone asked what one should take if they could only bring one kilogram of items when traveling back to ancient times.

The gentleman before us is the key to living a life that is not so mundane in this chaotic world and to effecting some changes

One does not even have a surname, which indicates that for four hundred years, there has not been a person in the family with a fief. In this era where one's father is a nobleman with a surname, aspiring to achieve prominence is but a delusion. Cao Gui was able to engage in debates because he was a citizen capable of discussing state affairs, belonging to a class of scholars that was a rank above. This represents a significant identity gap that is difficult to bridge. Looking back over several generations, one might indeed be a genuine relative of certain monarchs or nobles.

Before this, those who could leave a mark in historical records were either wealthy or noble

At this moment, all he could think about was... finding a way to infiltrate the ranks of the inkers, for only in this way could he have the opportunity to realize his various ambitions, the only chance that could be inferred from his current background.

The young man's name is Shi, where "Shi" means suitable, and it is also the character used in the idiom "to cut one's foot to fit the shoe".

Beneath the brown short shirt, it is no longer the resilient and robust shell that could tirelessly travel thousands of miles for the sake of a noble cause, yet the heart remains unchanged

As for the teacher lecturing under the juniper tree, it has just become clear who that gentleman across from me is, following the earlier discussion on logic.

The reason for this name is that the family comes from a lineage of shoemakers. Apart from making shoes, the father often asked customers whether the boots fit well, which led to the son being given this name

Leave a mark, but not necessarily a name

Before the passing of each Master of the Mohist school, the next Master must be officially appointed. Once elected, the Mohists are required to obey the commands of the appointed Master, demonstrating unwavering loyalty even in the face of danger.

In an era dominated by feudal aristocracy, the ability to openly call for the "selection of the Son of Heaven" and to assert that "the legitimacy of a king's power derives from a contract with the subjects"—extreme ideologies that were not suppressed—clearly indicates the presence of a transnational armed group behind the scenes. Any armed force would not be a naive do-gooder, nor could it possibly be a loose alliance of wandering knights

More than thirty people understood, except for him, who was still mumbling to himself with his head down, inevitably evoking a sense of sorrow akin to a lone crane among a flock of chickens

Today, Zi Han has long passed away, yet that wall still stands. Whenever someone passes by, they will point it out and speak of Zi Han's virtues from years gone by

It is merely due to certain circumstances that the ancestors of the Shi family are recorded as notable figures in historical texts

Gently touching the bag of seeds in my arms, I looked at the elderly gentleman with graying hair sitting under the tree and silently mocked myself with a sense of helplessness: "Mr. Mozi, you can be considered a representative of the small-scale industrialists. This bag of seeds in my possession will surely accelerate the emergence of self-sufficient farmers and new landlords. In this era, where the feudal system divides people by bloodlines and status, the union of these two professions seems to carry an almost fateful sense of mission... However, in reality, a slight misstep could lead to a fate of being pierced by a thousand arrows and torn apart by five horses"

As for the seemingly kind and naive concept of "non-aggression," what lies behind it is the labeling of the execution of tyrannical rulers as "punishment." The Mohists oppose unjust aggression, yet when it comes to punishing the tyrannical, they are the first to jump out and declare that this is not aggression but rather a linguistic game of punishment.

One can disguise oneself; before the passing of Mozi, it was possible to pretend to be a good student, and even to masquerade as Mozi's most steadfast supporter and most obedient student

The bundle in his arms does not belong to the world beneath the juniper tree, and it is also the only connection he has to the world that came before.

In fact, when the gentleman under the tree finished speaking this sentence, he already knew the answer. This was a logic that seemed simple to him, so what he was pondering with his head down was certainly not this matter

This is both an appreciation for the gentleman who once halted the Chu invasion of Song and a fortunate opportunity for myself to hear such worldly wisdom

It is known that an object outside the window is white, and it is also said that the color of the room inside is the same as that of the object outside. Therefore, it can be concluded that the color of the room must be white. This is what my Mohist dialectics refers to as direct knowledge, hearsay knowledge, and inferential knowledge. The so-called inferential knowledge is the unknown derived from the known. Do you understand

The tree seemed to understand, as its leaves danced gracefully, providing a patch of shade to the elderly man sitting beneath it, shielding him from the midday sun

While he was still in shock over his own situation, the voice of the old man under the tree rang out again, interrupting his wild thoughts

After becoming a member of the Mo school, one must regularly participate in rituals to honor the spirits and deities, believing that there are divine beings above one's head, and accepting the existence of spirits. Offerings should be shared and consumed after the rituals, deepening the bonds among members during communal meals and discussing the principles of the Mo school. However, one must also hold a seemingly contradictory belief in the will of the spirits while simultaneously rejecting notions such as "heavenly mandate" or "predestined fate".