Chapter 9: Master, one final question

Inside the academy.

Everyone's eyes were surprised.

In their eyes, although Gu Jin Nian is the duke's grandson and generally arrogant, he is only arrogant within his own circle.

But this is the Wenxin Study.

Not to mention being the duke's grandson, even if he were the current emperor's great‑grandson, he must be more honest.

Therefore, on ordinary days Gu Jin Nian is relatively honest in the academy, at least in front of Liu Fuzi.

But they didn't expect that today, as if he had taken the wrong medicine, he grabbed Zhang Yun and scolded him, which was rather odd.

Thought‑provoking.

"Gu Jin Nian, you're twisting arguments."

Zhang Yun, being rebuked by Gu Jin Nian, felt his scalp tingle; for a while he didn't know what to say, and could only utter this sentence.

"Twisting arguments?"

"Who exactly is twisting arguments?"

"The sage said, to benefit any matter one must first know it; you speak of the common folk, yet you are unaware of the people's basic food and clothing."

"Isn't this just idle talk on paper, adding only a joke?"

"May I ask Liu Fuzi, does the student's statement have any merit?"

Gu Jin Nian didn't care about that; he already bore a grudge against Zhang Yun, and now he needed more resentment, so he naturally wouldn't miss this chance.

As for whether this sentence is a sage's saying, Gu Jin Nian didn't care; as long as it's a great principle, saying it came from a sage is fine.

Throughout history, it's the same: if you state a great principle and others doubt it, you just claim someone famous said it, and the weight of the words instantly rises.

It's the same in this world.

As long as you don't know whether it is, you can claim it's from a sage; besides, a sage has spoken so many words in his life that you can't be certain he ever said this.

"Hmm."

Facing Gu Jin Nian's question, Liu Fuzi nodded; he did not choose to side with Zhang Yun.

From this, one can see that Liu Fuzi still has professional integrity.

As soon as he said that, Zhang Yun's complexion instantly turned extremely unpleasant.

Even Liu Fuzi sided with Gu Jin Nian; what could he say? He was somewhat angry and resentful, yet could not refute.

Zhang Yun took a deep breath, looked at Liu Fuzi and said.

"It is the student's fault."

Zhang Yun was clever; he did not quarrel loudly with Gu Jin Nian in the academy, but instead promptly admitted his mistake, leaving a good impression on everyone.

"Jin Nian's words are not without reason, Zhang Yun, remember well; this is not a bad thing for you."

Liu Fuzi nodded.

Then he turned his gaze to Gu Jin Nian, his smile gentle.

"You all should learn well from Jin Nian; the world's common folk are not just spoken of, but kept in heart."

"Not even knowing the people's firewood, rice, oil, and salt, yet putting the people on one's lips, indeed sounds pretentious."

"Jin Nian, then tell me, how many wen for a pound of coarse rice?"

Liu Fuzi smiled.

What Gu Jin Nian just said was indeed quite good; it deserves commendation and praise.

But hearing Liu Fuzi's words, Gu Jin Nian fell silent.

Ah... this.

After a brief stunned moment, Gu Jin Nian calmed down.

"Reply, Master."

"The student does not know."

Gu Jin Nian is very honest; he has no idea how expensive firewood, rice, oil, and salt are.

Even setting aside the recent transmigration, even after ten years of transmigration, Gu Jin Nian still wouldn't learn about this.

Being a Great Summer Nobility, why should he care about this? Eat his fill and have nothing to do? He just...

The academy fell silent instantly.

Especially Liu Fuzi's smile on his face appeared somewhat stiff.

Zhang Yun was even more stunned on the spot, not knowing what to say for a while.

Your grandpa!

You don't know why you ask me? Yet you act as if you're raising an army to bring charges?

Are you sick? I *** of **.

Zhang Yun was so angry he felt dizzy.

He looked straight at Gu Jin Nian, his voice trembling, and said.

"Gu Jin Nian, you yourself don't know, why ask me?"

He was somewhat frantic.

However, Gu Jin Nian remained calm.

"Aren't you the one who constantly mentions the common folk?"

"I never put the common folk on my lips."

"What is the point of knowing this?"

Gu Jin Nian's answer left Zhang Yun completely speechless.

He was silent.

His face flushed red.

His anger made his face turn red.

At this moment, Zhang Yun felt a mouthful of blood in his chest, nearly spitting it out.

In an instant, a wisp of black qi again spread out from Zhang Yun's body and entered his own mind.

The fruits on the ancient tree also glowed golden, as if they were about to ripen and fall.

"Fine."

"Stop the noise."

Liu Fuzi also felt a bit of a headache; he had thought Gu Jin Nian truly understood some principles, but didn't expect such an outcome.

However, Gu Jin Nian was not wrong; he hadn't mentioned the common folk, so it's understandable.

He suppressed the clamor in the academy.

Liu Fuzi continued, saying.

"Next month, Da Xia Academy will begin a new round of admissions."

"You must review well and study earnestly; each Da Xia Academy intake admits at least three students from the study hall."

"This time, be sure not to lose the study hall's face."

"Especially Zhang Yun, your talent is outstanding, and your father is a contemporary Great Scholar; just give your all, and you can enter Da Xia Academy."

"But you are restless, sometimes losing the big picture over small matters; by the count, you're already nearly seventeen this year."

"If you don't reach the Condensation of Qi stage before eighteen, it will be troublesome thereafter."

Liu Fuzi spoke up, shifting the topic while also reminding Zhang Yun of the most important matter.

Condensation of Qi.

Inside the academy, everyone who heard this became invigorated.

To make them study, their interest is ordinary, but upon hearing about the Confucian‑Daoist system, they naturally became interested.

Especially Gu Jin Nian.

He knows this world is not an ordinary one.

It is a world where immortal martial and chivalrous cultivation coexist.

Immortal, Buddha, Confucian, martial, sword, and demon arts.

There are seven major systems, each divided into seven realms.

As for the immortal and Buddha categories, Gu Jin Nian is not particularly curious; they're just about flying swords and seeking immortals, and those systems involve karma and karmic retribution, with various restrictions.

What interests Gu Jin Nian most is the Confucian‑Daoist system.

Now that Liu Fuzi mentioned it, Gu Jin Nian can finally ask about it.

"Master, what specific abilities do the seven realms of the Confucian‑Daoist system have?"

"Does reaching the later realms allow one to lift a brush and quell a million troops?"

A voice sounded, interrupting the words Zhang Yun was about to say.

But Gu Jin Nian's words made Zhang Yun scoff.

"Truly laughable, you're still studying in the study hall, unaware of the seven realms of Confucian‑Daoist, yet claim you could lift a brush to quell a million troops?"

"What do you think of us scholars?"

"Or are you always looking at strange curiosities, pulling folk nonsense to embarrass us?"

Zhang Yun spoke, his words passionate and stirring.

Having been suppressed by Gu Jin Nian all day, he finally found a chance and naturally wanted to retort.

However, Zhang Yun's outburst seemed petty to Gu Jin Nian.

Just look at Liu Fuzi's expression; his eyes were full of disappointment toward Zhang Yun.

"Then do you know how many wen a catty of coarse rice costs?"

Gu Jin Nian looked at Zhang Yun and said slowly.

Zhang Yun: "…" "What does this have to do with coarse rice?"

"Besides that, can you ask anything else?"

Zhang Yun was fuming.

"Then do you actually know how many wen a catty of coarse cloth costs?"

Gu Jin Nian continued.

Zhang Yun: "…"

"I don't know!"

"I'm telling you this, why do you keep bringing up coarse rice and coarse cloth?"

"If you have the ability, ask something about studying."

Zhang Yun became somewhat frantic.

Gu Jin Nian nodded and said.

"Alright then."

"What is this year's imperial examination question?"

Gu Jin Nian continued.

Zhang Yun: "…"

The crowd in the academy: "…"

Liu Fuzi: "…"

Silence.

As quiet as death.

Even Wu An and Li Ping outside the hall fell silent.

How come after half a month apart, Gu Jin Nian has become this fierce?

He wasn't like that before.

"Insolent brat."

Finally, Zhang Yun clenched his fists, pointed at Gu Jin Nian, and shouted loudly.

He was really about to vomit blood.

Damn it, are you deliberately looking for trouble?

What are the imperial exam questions? Do I need to know that I'm standing here bullshitting with you? Ugh.

Zhang Yun felt like vomiting, really, really wanted to vomit.

But before he could vomit, Zhang Yun couldn't help but let out an angry roar.

But just as his voice fell, Master Liu's angry voice sounded.

"Impudent."

"Zhang Yun, what kind of conduct is this."

In an instant, Master Liu on the chief seat became angry.

He had always valued Zhang Yun; in his view, the conflict between Gu Jin Nian and Zhang Yun was merely childish ignorance.

A little forbearance would suffice.

But who would have thought Zhang Yun would lose composure like this? Consider his status—he couldn't even match a finger of Gu Jin Nian; if not for his Great Scholar father, what would he amount to? Usually he'd just argue when he was in the right, but now he's in the wrong and still dares to act like this—isn't that courting death? Master Liu's reprimand instantly woke Zhang Yun.

In that instant, his face grew even uglier.

But Gu Jin Nian ignored him; having resentment is fine, but there's no need to keep feeling nauseous, after all Master Liu is present.

"Master, could you please elaborate on the Seven Realms of Confucian Dao?"

Gu Jin Nian spoke, looking at Master Liu.

He also didn't want things to escalate; seeing Gu Jin Nian offer a way out, he spoke up at once.

"Jin Nian."

"The Seven Realms of Confucian Dao are: studying to condense qi, clarifying intention to nurture qi, knowing sageliness to establish speech, cultivating conduct to establish virtue, writing books to transmit the Dao, establishing oneself in heaven and earth, and attaining sagehood to obtain the Dao."

"Thus they are also divided into: Qi-condensing child scholars, Qi-nurturing recommended persons, Speech-establishing presented scholars, Virtue-establishing Confucian teachers, Dao-transmitting Great Scholars, Heaven-Earth Half Saints, and Dao-obtaining Sages."

Master Liu spoke, explaining the seven realms to Gu Jin Nian.

Gu Jin Nian already knew these; what he was curious about was their power.

"Master, I've heard that in the Immortal Dao, the higher the realm, the greater the control over heavenly and earthly power—able to overturn rivers and seas, shift stars—what about Confucian Dao?"

"Can a single poem or piece of prose suppress a million-strong army?"

Gu Jin Nian raised his question.

"That is indeed true of the Immortal Dao: they consume the mist and drink the qi, cultivate themselves, yet they cannot involve themselves in worldly karma—there are advantages and disadvantages."

"The Confucian Dao system is not meant for killing enemies; your earlier claim that a single poem could slay a million troops is utterly impossible."

"However, Confucian Dao is blessed by heaven and earth; possessing a breath of righteous qi in the heart, one fears no heavenly or earthly demons."

"In other words, for us scholars, the higher the realm, the stronger the righteous qi within."

"Take me, for example: although I am only in the Establishing Speech realm, within a radius of a hundred zhang, demons see me as the true yang; with a single word from me, all demons below the fourth realm are struck as if by lightning."

"Moreover, we scholars possess the blessing of heavenly and earthly qi luck; whoever acts against us will suffer a backlash of that qi luck, be it an individual or a dynasty—slaughtering scholars will cause heaven and earth to reject them, cutting off their qi luck."

"This is Confucian Dao."

"Therefore, scholars may speak frankly."

Master Liu spoke, saying this, thus laying out the benefits and drawbacks of Confucian Dao.

And Gu Jin Nian came to a complete understanding.

"That is to say, in this world Confucian Dao cultivates righteous qi, and righteous qi is linked to the heavenly and earthly qi luck; killing scholars will bring retribution from heaven and earth."

"At the same time, Confucian Dao inherently restrains demons; there is nothing else."

But soon, Gu Jin Nian thought of another question.

"If scholars cannot be killed, then the founding emperor and the present sovereign certainly haven't killed few of them."

He had some doubts, but Gu Jin Nian dared not ask directly, for doing so would surely earn him a rebuke.

Therefore, Gu Jin Nian asked in a different way.

"In that case, aren't scholars invincible under heaven?"

Gu Jin Nian asked feigningly.

But as soon as he said that, Master Liu shook his head and said.

"There is nothing invincible there."

"Scholars must purify themselves, upholding their inner hearts; if they mix with the corrupt, they will destroy their own futures."

"Furthermore, those of higher rank and realm in Confucian Dao can suppress lower ones, but that still doesn't amount to invincibility."

"Moreover, what I just said was merely a metaphor; if you are only in the Establishing Speech realm yet provoke those you shouldn't, under the dynasty's qi luck, like a flood bursting forth, your personal strength is still insufficient."

Master Liu spoke, giving a special reminder.

"The gist is, even after becoming a scholar, one must observe the rules; although blessed by heavenly and earthly qi luck, truly going head-to-head with a dynasty is still a dead end."

"What is the concept of dynastic qi luck? What is personal qi luck? Unless you are a sage."

"This remark has cleared up Gu Jin Nian's doubts."

"Master Liu, if Confucian Dao cannot kill enemies, then reciting poetry and composing lyrics—wouldn't that cause a radiant aura to surround?"

"What about the Wenqu Star's nine movements or such?"

Gu Jin Nian continued to ask.

Upon hearing that, Liu Fuzi shook his head.

"Jinian, if there's nothing, indeed don't go look at some folk wild works."

"To compose a poem that summons heavenly-earthly phenomena, at least a Great Scholar is needed; furthermore, the poem must fit the occasion, be superb, and be rare."

Liu Fuzi spoke, sounding somewhat tactful.

At that very moment, suddenly, the bell rang.

It is the study hall's literary bell.

Ringing the literary bell means the morning class ends.

"Alright."

"Everyone go rest; in an hour, the afternoon class will begin."

Liu Fuzi spoke; everyone immediately rose and bowed to Liu Fuzi.

However, as Liu Fuzi was about to leave, Gu Jin Nian's voice sounded.

"Master."

"There is still one matter."

The voice sounded, and Liu Fuzi felt somewhat vexed.

"Are you done or not?"

"You're sick, huh?"

"How can you have so many questions all day?"

"Not only Liu Fuzi, but the others were also curious, not knowing what medicine Gu Jin Nian had taken wrong, asking all sorts of questions."

"Considering his role as a teacher, to dispel his doubts, Liu Fuzi could only suppress his vexation and look at Gu Jin Nian."

"Master, the lesson hasn't been assigned yet."

Gu Jin Nian spoke, with a solemn expression.

In an instant, the hall fell silent.

(End of chapter)