Not only that.
In the past two days in Kyoto, Lu Tong had heard many rumors about Xia Chen. Lu Tong was not a gossipy person, but he couldn't help but hear some of the widely spread rumors in Kyoto, even if he wasn't interested.
For example, this Consort was praised by Your Majesty. Your Majesty praised him on the spot: "My Son-in-law's talent and wisdom both surpass Grand Secretary Lin Hanpu, and his literary talent is not inferior to The World's Great Confucian!"
Another example is that this Son-in-law fell out with the Xia Family, becoming the first direct descendant of the Xia Family in nearly a hundred years to move out.
These rumors even piqued Lu Tong's curiosity.
He never expected it to be the person right in front of him.
"Greetings, Consort!"
Lu Tong got up and bowed. The three Disciples behind him also quickly bowed. They understood that although this young man in front of them was young, his level was already on par with their teacher's.
More importantly, for some reason, upon seeing this Xia Chen, the other party seemed to exude an invisible aura that influenced them constantly, causing them to feel no jealousy in their hearts, but rather a desire to be close and follow him.
And they themselves didn't even notice this point.
"Great Confucian Scholar Lu Tong is too polite!"
Xia Chen smiled slightly, stood up, his demeanor not arrogant, but rather humble and courteous, making people feel good about him.
"I heard that the Consort spoke the words 'The ruler is like a ruler, the minister is like a minister, the father is like a father, and the son is like a son'. Has the Consort studied Confucianism? These words seem to be derived from our Confucianism!"
Lu Tong chatted with Xia Chen for a few sentences, and then asked curiously.
This was what he was most curious about regarding Xia Chen.
"Slightly familiar!"
"The Consort is too humble. Although these words are simple, they reveal the relationship between our Confucianism's entry into the world and the state in one sentence, possessing the style of our Confucianism's great achievement."
Lu Tong said with a smile of admiration. Like the three Disciples behind him, he was inwardly startled. Who was their teacher? One of the five Great Confucian of Great Wu. Yet, he never expected his teacher to evaluate Xia Chen so highly.
"Just a moment of inspiration!"
Facing the praise, Xia Chen still appeared humble.
"The Consort is so young yet possesses such a temperament. No wonder Your Majesty values you. I remember when I was your age, I was still studying diligently in poverty!"
Lu Tong looked at the gentle and jade-like young man in front of him, and for a moment, couldn't help but feel emotional, feeling that time spares no one, and he was already old!
"If you can settle down properly, focus on studying Confucianism, and perfect the concept in your words, perhaps you can leave a glorious chapter in history!"
Lu Tong deeply knew how important these words were for consolidating imperial power. Moreover, he felt that if these words were truly enlightened by this young man, then this person was a seed for learning. Although he was a bit older now, if he focused on studying Confucianism, perhaps in the future, his Confucianism would produce another sage!
Xia Chen smiled, shook his head, and said, "I do not seek fame after death, I only seek to wholeheartedly benefit The World's common people and make the people live happily. Therefore, I yearn more to go into battle, kill enemies, and defend my homeland!"
Yaoguang had been listening quietly on the side, not interrupting casually. Only after hearing Xia Chen's words, she couldn't help but look at Xia Chen twice more.
"Alas, what a pity!"
Lu Tong shook his head, truly feeling it was a pity. If Xia Chen had been taught by him from a young age, perhaps he would truly achieve great things in the future.
But Lu Tong knew that with Xia Chen's current status, he was not qualified to be his teacher.
"Among the students from White Deer Academy that Mr. Lu has brought to Kyoto this time, is there a student named Fang Zhiru?"
Xia Chen didn't want to delve into this topic further. His goal was very clear: he wanted to know if Fang Zhiru had come.
"The Consort actually knows him? Zhiru did not accompany this old man to Kyoto this time!"
To Xia Chen's disappointment, Lu Tong shook his head.
"I just happened to hear his name!"
Xia Chen smiled, appearing very natural.
"Who is this Fang Zhiru?"
Yaoguang was very sharp. Although Xia Chen seemed to ask casually, it still aroused her curiosity. She was eager for talented people. She went to great lengths and created such a stir to hold this literary gathering precisely because she wanted to recruit heroes.
"This Fang Zhiru is a scholar from my White Deer Academy. He entered the academy ten years ago and was accepted as the last Disciple by the Mountain Master of my White Deer Academy!"
Lu Tong replied when he heard the Princess's question.
"Oh, to be accepted as the last Disciple by Qi, he must be a great talent."
Yaoguang instantly became interested. The Mountain Master of White Deer Academy was the leader of the Confucian path in Great Wu, a Confucian sage who had half a foot in the second-grade Realm of the Confucian path.
Information about the Mountain Master of White Deer Academy automatically appeared in Xia Chen's mind.
Qi Jingfeng, courtesy name Bù Jiù (No rescue), hence known as Mr. Bù Jiù. When he broke through the third-grade Realm, he established his doctrine: A gentleman does not save!
Thus, his name spread throughout The World, gaining great fame among scholars across The World.
But this leader of the Confucian path in Great Wu rarely appeared in public anymore.
After hearing Yaoguang's words, Lu Tong instead showed a wry smile.
"It's embarrassing to say, but after Fang Zhiru entered the Mountain Master's tutelage ten years ago, he has been unremarkable. To this day, he is still only in the eighth-grade self-cultivation Realm!
Originally this time, I wanted to bring him to Kyoto to see the prosperity of Kyoto, and take advantage of this literary gathering to exchange ideas with the young talents in Kyoto, perhaps it would inspire him and help him break through to the seventh-grade Realm. As a result, he refused.
He said that he had not finished reading the collection of books in White Deer Academy and was unwilling to descend the mountain!"
Lu Tong shook his head. In terms of seniority, this Fang Zhiru was still his Junior Brother. He originally had good intentions, but instead received a refusal.
He genuinely felt that the Mountain Master had misjudged back then. This Fang Zhiru had good character, but in terms of cultivation on the Confucian path, he lacked some talent.
Now Fang Zhiru was already in his early 20s. Instead of just burying himself in books in White Deer Academy, it would be better to come to Kyoto to take the imperial examinations and become an official. Perhaps he would achieve some success, thus not wasting his youth!
"He wants to finish reading the collection of books in White Deer Academy?"
Even Yaoguang was a little surprised to hear Lu Tong's words. White Deer Academy has a history of a thousand years. Over a thousand years, the collection of books in White Deer Academy has accumulated generation after generation. It can be said that the books in White Deer Academy are vast like dust and smoke, even the imperial collection is not as extensive as White Deer Academy's.
But this Fang Zhiru actually fantasized about reading all of them. How was this possible!
Yaoguang's interest in this Fang Zhiru immediately waned, but she also felt that things might not be so simple. Who was Mr. Qi? Since he valued him back then and accepted this Fang Zhiru as his last Disciple, then this Fang Zhiru might truly have something special.
Xia Chen smiled slightly and remained silent.
Xia Chen naturally didn't believe that Fang Zhiru was a mediocrity. Looking at the process through the result, how could he be mistaken?
Xia Chen had heard in his previous life that Fang Zhiru was indeed not outstanding in White Deer Academy in his early years, even appearing somewhat mediocre.
He was a very peculiar person. He didn't care about the Confucian Realm, nor did he think about entering the world as an official. He was indifferent to fame and fortune, not like a Confucian person, but rather like a Taoist person.
He spent his days reading in White Deer Academy, but just by reading like this, on a night with thunder and lightning, Fang Zhiru entered the third grade overnight, established his shocking doctrine, and shook The World!
Xia Chen felt that he should find time to go to White Deer Academy as soon as possible. Not to recruit him, but at least to get acquainted first. This was a high-quality stock. While everyone was not optimistic about him now, he could buy at the bottom and invest a little.
Thinking of this, Xia Chen smiled.
...
【During the reign of Emperor Wen of Great Wu, what was valued by the morality of The World was that people held good thoughts and helped others. However, Qi Jingfeng alone put forward a different view, which caused an uproar.
In the ninth month of the thirty-second year of Dexuan, Qi Jingfeng lectured at White Deer Academy. Scholars from all over The World gathered, all wishing to drive this degeneracy of scholarship out of the door.
On the Enlightenment Stone of White Deer Academy, Qi Jingfeng stood facing the scholars of The World and established his doctrine: A gentleman does not save.
Qi said: "A gentleman does not save because he respects order and rules. A gentleman knows that the world is like a complex machine, with its own operating principles and cause and effect.
A gentleman cares about the common good. A gentleman understands that resources are limited and should be allocated well on a macro level. If one saves those who act against value or saves a crowd, it may harm the moral atmosphere of society.
A gentleman does not save, also for self-protection and self-control. A gentleman measures his own strength and does not rush into danger to save, lest he endanger himself. If he encounters a drowning person and is not good at swimming, a gentleman does not impulsively jump into the water, but calls for a professional to save him.
A gentleman also considers the will of the person being saved and the subsequent effects. Excessive saving may lead to dependence. A gentleman does not save, wishing for the person to enlighten themselves, independently solve problems, and grow. If a friend encounters a minor setback in work, a gentleman does not directly help, but encourages him to think and respond on his own.
This is what a gentleman does not save!
All the scholars in The World were convinced, and Qi Jingfeng's name thus spread throughout The World, becoming the leader of the Confucian path in Great Wu.
— "History of Confucianism", Volume 78, Biography 32】
