Chapter 006: A Universal Perspective on Entering the World, Evoking Nostalgia for Home in the Face of Scenery

Although Qingqiu Town is not large, its city walls are built quite solidly and firmly, perhaps due to its location on the border of the country. The town's walls are over two zhang high, and at the distant city gate, there are obstacles set up, guarded by two squads of soldiers. The soldiers, clad in dark armor and wielding long spears, present a formidable appearance, but this is merely a scene imagined in his mind

Setting aside distractions, I recalled the question posed by the Master: "What is the meaning of the bridge of gentlemanly virtue?" He frowned and said: "Teacher, what is difficult about this? Since it pertains to gentlemanly virtue, it naturally signifies the moral conduct of a gentleman. A gentleman is like water, adapting to the shape of the container, effortlessly present everywhere. He chooses one person to grow old with and one city to spend his life in.

After the gentleman finished speaking, the constable respectfully replied: "In response to your words, recently, for some unknown reason, a group of bandits has appeared near the northern foothills of Qingqiu Mountain, behaving in a strangely ruthless manner. They have already killed several people! The governor has dispatched local troops to hunt them down, but there has been no progress at all. Therefore, we have been ordered to inform the villagers to minimize their travels, and if it is absolutely necessary to go out, they must exercise extra caution."

At noon, under the blazing sun, Luo Yu and his companions finally arrived at Qingqiu Town.

Upon hearing this, Luo Yu immediately felt a chill run down his spine, his face displaying disbelief! Can going to Qingqiu Town be considered as entering the world? This world seems a bit too small! With just this, one can see, hear, and tell stories; how much knowledge can a small border town that can be circled in two hours possibly offer? Although he was filled with skepticism, Luo Yu maintained an appearance of eager learning, fully embodying the good habit of asking questions whenever in doubt.

Having finished speaking, Luo Yu relaxed her brows, feeling confident that her answer was correct. After all, the sages of the original world had said such words; how could the sayings of sages be wrong? ... What a joke ...

On the bluestone path from Taohua Village to Qingqiu Town, an elderly man was walking slowly with his hands clasped behind his back. Following him was a boy of about ten years old. Beside the boy was a little girl, who was playfully teasing him with a twig. This group of three, consisting of Qian Fuzi, Luo Yu, and Qian Ling'er, was currently making their way towards Qingqiu Town under the scorching sun.

Qian Fuzi slightly shook his head and said, "This is not appropriate. Without the noise of the surroundings, how can one see the heart beneath the bridge as calm as still water?"

Just as Village Chief Tao was about to express his hope that Tao De could return to study under the Master, before he could finish speaking, he saw the Master wave his hand to stop him and scolded, "Absurd! Tao De's studies are already complete; what reason is there for him to return?"

He was about to catch up, but not far away came the unmistakable voice of the master admonishing: "Stop on the bridge and observe the world"

Looking at the master who is still moving forward at a leisurely pace, those who do not know might think he is talking to himself! However, Luo Yu has long been accustomed to the master's sudden questions.

Village Chief Tao spoke while secretly glancing at the Confucian scholar. Suddenly, he noticed an expression of impatience on the scholar's face, and quickly stopped his conversation, showing an apologetic and hesitant demeanor as he said: "Well... Confucian scholar, it is like this, you see, my unworthy son is still young, so perhaps we should let him..."

I have a song to sing for you all, esteemed guests. Please be quiet and calm your hearts, allowing me to sing a piece about the scenery of Qinhuai. Let me describe it gently as I sing for you. The Qinhuai River flows slowly, from the time of Pangu to the present, the beautiful Jiangnan and the elegant Jinling. In the Zhan Garden, the hall is spacious and the atmosphere is profound. The waters of White Egret Isle ripple gently, a paradise beyond the world.

After speaking, the Master flicked his large sleeves and, pulling the now obedient Qian Ling'er, walked into the village without looking back. This left Luo Yu and the village chief awkwardly watching the retreating figure. Seeing this, Luo Yu turned to glance at the sighing Village Chief Tao, who seemed to want to say something but hesitated. In the end, he hurriedly bowed and then turned to catch up.

Upon this thought, Luo Yu suddenly awakened

Upon hearing Chen Yayi's words, the village head Tao displayed an even more worried expression and sighed, "These bandits are so rampant, and the government has no countermeasures. If they were to raid our Peach Blossom Village, wouldn't that be...!"

Qian Fuzi inquired: "What is your perspective on the matters concerning the government office's announcements?"

He then waved his hand to stop the moment, and Luo Yu, who was speaking incessantly, said lightly: "Let's eat."

This place truly resembles the banks of my hometown. I remember there was also a stone bridge beside the ancient alley, of similar size. And this river, these small boats and painted pleasure boats, this wooden eave red pavilion blending with the reflections of the glazed blue tiles. But... these people are not the familiar ones, nor am I... I am no longer the person who stood on that bridge. Alas, Guanshi, Guanshi, I can be considered 'fortunate' to have lived two lives, can't I...

Cough, cough ~ Just as everyone was engaged in lively conversation, the sound of the master's cough was heard

These four short characters can be said to treasure words as gold

However, Qianfuzi spoke plainly: "You will know once you go."

Luo Yu replied without a moment's hesitation: "The teacher has not spoken, so the disciple does not know"

Before long, Chen the constable took his leave and departed. Once he saw that Chen the constable had walked far away, Village Chief Tao quickly turned around to catch up with the three scholars who had already entered the village.

In this scorching summer, the soldiers, with their helmets askew and weapons in hand, present a rather...! ... a rather lazy sight...! Observing the soldiers swaying unsteadily, some leaning on their weapons dozing off, while others remove their helmets to casually discuss how luck fared in last night's dice game... it is indeed a scene of leisure.

Under the influence of what she has heard and seen, Luo Yu gradually feels as if she has returned to the riverbank that she has long been separated from. The delicate melodies that once described the riverbank in her previous life seem to echo in her ears... Along with the sound of the clear flowing river, the music from the painted boats on both sides perfectly merges, bringing her soul back to her homeland

It is evident that they are acquainted with the Master. Seeing this, Luo Yu couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow, impressive! I never expected the teacher to have such renown! This must be the reason for his esteemed reputation..."

Before long, the three arrived at the bridge, while Luo Yu leaned against the railing, gazing down at the gently flowing river below. The water flowed softly, shimmering like scales, and its clarity allowed one to see the bottom, where schools of fish played, only to be startled and scattered by the passing wooden boats. The boats moved back and forth beneath them, yet the water showed no signs of turbidity, clearly demonstrating that the river's reputation for clarity was well-deserved. Observing both banks, one could hear the bustling voices, contrasting with the serene and clear river water; in this blend of tranquility and commotion, a unique charm seemed to emerge.

Gazing at the fading silhouettes of an old man and a young boy in the crowd, Luo Yu felt a wave of frustration in his heart. Under this scorching sun, he wondered how long they would stand there

In this unfamiliar Qingqiu Town, Luo Yu found himself completely out of place, not knowing how long he would be punished by standing. Looking at the already vanished figure, he sighed helplessly and turned to gaze at the clear river water that flowed quietly, hearing the commotion on both banks, and could not help but reminisce about the past

The next day, at the hour of the snake

After Chen Xiang introduced himself, the master smiled slightly and, with one hand, helped Chen Xiang up, saying kindly: "Officer Chen, you are too polite. I wonder what announcement you have? I recall that it has been over half a year since any announcements have been made to the village. Could it be that something significant has occurred?"

The main street of Qingqiu Town is nearly 2 zhang wide, flanked by tea houses, fabric shops, pawn shops, restaurants, and taverns. Additionally, there are numerous vendors with yellow oilcloth umbrellas on the vacant land beside the street, energetically calling out to attract customers. Pedestrians pass by in a constant flow, some carrying burdens, some driving carts for deliveries, some herding donkeys and oxen pulling freight wagons, and others stopping to admire the scenery of Qingqiu Town. In short, the street is bustling with a variety of people and activities. The main thoroughfare is centered around a tall city tower, with the roofs on either side arranged in a spectacular manner. As Luo Yu curiously gazes around, he follows his teacher deeper into the street, his steps light on the bluestone-paved road. The brilliant sunlight spills over the green tiles and red wood, highlighting the jutting eaves, the high-flying shop signs and flags, the flowing stream of vehicles and pedestrians, and the diverse expressions on the faces of the crowd, all of which reflect the prosperity of Qingqiu Town. As they walk, people occasionally greet the teacher or engage in conversation, to which the teacher responds courteously each time.

When discussing the benefits of academic titles, the foremost advantage is that those with a title of scholar or above are not required to report upon entering the city, nor must they perform the act of kneeling when entering the government office. If one holds the title of a successful candidate, the distinction is even greater; commoners, including porters and minor officials, must show them respect, and upon entering the government office, they are granted a seat. Additionally, there is a salary to be received at the end of each year, which can be considered a multitude of benefits. Thus, the saying 'After ten years of hard study in the cold window, today I am named on the golden list' aptly reflects the experience of scholars.

At this moment, the soldiers were engaged in lively conversation when they were suddenly interrupted. They turned around, ready to scold, but upon looking up, they were instantly taken aback and at a loss for words, quickly replacing their expressions with respectful smiles.

The Tears of the Lonely Bay is not far from the entrance of Peach Blossom Village, and soon the three of them arrived at the village entrance

Luo Yu was momentarily at a loss for words: "Um? Uh... Oh..."

Listening to Chen Yayi, the scholar, and Village Head Tao discussing the banditry issue, Luo Yu pondered while playfully teasing Ling Er beside him, which made Qian Ling Er, who had been fuming earlier, now laugh heartily.

After the Master finished speaking, he left Luo Yu, who was filled with confusion, and led Qian Ling'er towards the northern bank

Listening to the words of the master, which were somewhat incoherent, he could only scratch the back of his head, his face showing confusion as he pondered and walked into the room

Luo Yu stared blankly at the hand of the Master gently rubbing against the railing, as if it were trying to compete with the stone surface to see which was rougher and more durable.

At this moment, however, Qian Ling'er beside him was completely unrestrained, frequently stepping forward to ask questions without pause. The master would merely smile and pat her on the head, sending her back to alleviate her boredom

Looking towards the distant direction where the two masters had disappeared, I shouted: "Teacher, how long must the punishment last? And how can I... you must tell me where to find you! Alas~"

Seeing the expression of the master, Village Head Tao was worried that the master was displeased, and immediately waved his hand, shook his head, and smiled apologetically: "Oh dear, I would never dare to call you that. In front of the master, a humble person like me cannot bear the title of Village Head. You may simply call me Tao Zheng..."

Luo Yu turned his gaze in response and indeed saw ahead a stone arch bridge over the clear river, approximately one zhang wide. On both banks, merchants and common folk were coming and going without interruption, and there were also talented scholars and beautiful women pausing to admire the picturesque scenery of the clear river. Upon witnessing this scene, Luo Yu was momentarily taken aback, feeling a sense of familiarity, and then his expression turned contemplative as he hurried to catch up.

He could only gasp and shout: "Master, Master... please take your time!"

As he was about to approach the small cottage, Luo Yu was just about to help Qian Ling'er prepare the meal when he was suddenly called by the master.

Upon arriving in the town, the vibrant atmosphere of the city surged forth like the heat waves of summer, intensifying rather than diminishing.

As for Qian Ling'er’s boredom and 'dark humor', Luo Yu had long since grown accustomed to it. At this moment, he was staring at the slowly walking Master ahead, with a look of concern occasionally flashing in his eyes. Watching the Master’s unsteady and faltering figure made him feel a sense of anxiety, fearing that the Master might trip over a stone with a misstep.

At this time, it was noon, and the villagers were returning from their labor. Some were chatting in groups of three or five, some were carrying burdens on their shoulders and hurrying along the road, and others were urging on their ox carts. However, regardless of who it was, as long as they passed by the Confucian scholar, they all respectfully greeted him without the slightest hint of negligence, which clearly demonstrated the esteemed status of scholars and the high regard for the Confucian scholar's virtue.

Alright, the teacher is still keeping it a secret. The weather is so hot that Luo Yu is too lazy to ask further, watching the pine trees by the roadside slowly lean back one by one

Luo Yudun was momentarily taken aback, and then stood there in astonishment, unable to believe it as he exclaimed: "What the heck, am I being made to stand in punishment?"

Thus, he feigned confusion and asked: "Teacher, this student who only reads books understands. But what does entering the world, seeing, hearing, and experiencing have to do with going to Qingqiu Town? Is going to Qingqiu Town the same as entering the world? Can one truly understand the affairs of the world by doing so?"

As soon as Village Chief Tao spoke, the constable Chen beside him quickly stepped forward to pay his respects to the Master, his demeanor even more humble as he said: "It turns out that it is Master Qian in front, I, the constable Chen from Qingqiu Prefecture, pay my respects to you, Master."

Hearing the master's inquiry, Luo Yu had already contemplated this matter earlier. At this moment, he secretly thought to himself, as expected, and then spoke eloquently: "The government has made no progress and there are doubts. Such a fierce act, neither robbing nor seeking wealth, yet with a clear objective of only killing the youth, raises questions... Based on this, it does not seem to be for wealth, nor for revenge, and certainly not like the actions of ordinary bandits..."

At that moment, the voice of Village Chief Tao could be heard not far away: "Master, are you taking Xiao Yu to practice swordsmanship again?"

The Master turned to look at the panting Village Head, his brow slightly furrowed: "Village Head, may I ask what brings you to summon me?"

I heard that this old man is getting on in years, and if he falls, it could be quite serious... However, with the teacher's set of sword techniques, the Dragon and Snake Nine Transformations, he could probably fall a hundred or eighty times and be none the worse for wear... Putting aside the chaotic thoughts in my mind, I also casually shook off the small hand that was gripping the green scarf on my head.

At this moment, although Luo Yu appeared to be calm on the surface, he was inwardly grumbling, "How would I know why? You, having eaten and drunk to your satisfaction, simply utter a single word: 'Go.' If you don't say anything and I ask, you would again say it is improper to look or speak, that it is not the way of a gentleman. Now, it seems, you have come to ask me; what the hell do I know."

However, the Master's words made him realize that there are indeed times when relying solely on quotations and references is inappropriate

Only then did they see that Village Chief Tao was walking out from the village entrance, accompanied by a constable dressed in a dark red and black robe. At this moment, he was looking at Master Qian with a face full of eager smiles, introducing the unfamiliar constable beside him: "Master, this is Constable Chen from the town, who has come to deliver a notice."

At that moment, the Master asked without turning his head: "Do you know why we are going to Qingqiu Town today?"

At the moment when Luo Yu was entranced, the gentle yet slightly aged voice of the Master pierced through the noise and clearly reached his ears. "Xiao Yu, why don't you try to express the meaning of Jun De Qiao?"

Regardless of what Luo Yu is thinking at this moment, the Master raised his voice and said: "Engage with the world, observe, listen, and experience; do not merely read books to the point of lifelessness"

As they walked, a small river appeared ahead. The Master suddenly stopped and introduced to his two young followers behind him: "This river runs east to west through the center of Qingqiu Town, and is called the Qing River. The bridge over the river is known as the Jun De Bridge... Come, let us go up the bridge and take a look together"

Just as Village Chief Tao had not finished speaking, the constable Chen beside him smiled and shook his hand, reassuring him: "Village Chief Tao, there is no need to worry so much. Although Taohua Village is located at the foot of Qingqiu Mountain... it is strange that this group of bandits never robs homes, but only ambushes and kills on the road... and the victims are mostly young people..."

Luo Yu casually posed a series of questions for analysis, while the Master listened and nodded, stroking his beard.