Chapter 582: Let Things Take Their Natural Course

This time returning to Cheng Zhou, Li Er spent many years in peace and stability.

Duke Ganping treated him with extra courtesy, and the duties at the Shou Cang Shi were not burdensome.

He still read, copied, and translated those ancient texts every day; occasionally scholars who had heard of him would come to ask for advice, and he welcomed them all, answering each in turn.

The days passed as calmly as water.

Until this day.

Outside the gate of the Shou Cang Shi, a visitor arrived.

That person stood at the doorway, not rushing in, merely gazing quietly at the half-open door.

He wore dark robes of a scholar, appearing to be around the age of thirty, but his eyes were bright, bright as they were in his youth.

It was Kong Qiu.

Li Er raised his head from the desk, saw that figure at the doorway, and was slightly stunned.

Then he smiled.

"You've come?"

Kong Qiu stepped forward, stopped before Li Er, and bowed deeply.

"Sir, Qiu ventures to visit uninvited, disturbing your quiet cultivation."

Li Er waved his hand, indicating he should sit.

Kong Qiu did as told, sitting on the mat beside him, then lifted his head to look at Li Er.

After not seeing each other for years, Li Er was still the same Li Er.

His calm gaze, his whole being exuding an indescribable aura.

Neither showing off nor revealing itself, like an ancient well whose depths cannot be seen.

Kong Qiu stared and stared, then suddenly felt a bit dazed.

He recalled the first time he saw this master at the gate of Lu State many years ago.

Back then he was young, his heart full of the desire for learning..........

Over these years he took disciples, gave lectures, traveled the states, endured hardships, and witnessed all the facets of the Human World.

He thought he had matured, that he could now stand on his own.

But now, sitting before this master, he suddenly reverted to that young man who once stood at the city gate, eyes full of longing.

Li Er looked at him, saying nothing.

Kong Qiu also remained silent.

After a long while, Kong Qiu finally spoke.

"Sir, these years I have been pondering a question."

Li Er nodded, indicating he should continue.

Kong Qiu weighed his words, then spoke slowly:

"The Duke of Zhou once established rites and music, laying the foundation for eight hundred years of the Zhou Chao."

"I have read the Zhou Rites, the Etiquette and Ceremonials, and the Book of Rites; I understand every detail, yet the more I understand, the more I feel……"

He paused, as if searching for the right word.

"Feeling empty."

Li Er looked at him.

"Where is this emptiness?"

Kong Qiu furrowed his brow, thinking for a long time.

"For example, in the Village Drinking Rite, I know how to arrange the seating, the order of toasts, and what music to play."

"But I want to ask why it is arranged this way, why this order, why this piece of music?"

He lifted his head, looked at Li Er, his eyes full of confusion.

"You once said, sir, that the essence of rites lies in the human heart."

"I understand that saying and have tried to grasp it, but some details I simply cannot fathom, for example……"

He was about to continue when Li Er raised a hand to interrupt him.

Only to see a satisfied expression appear on his face: "You, I too once pondered these questions."

"Not bad, not bad."

"I ask you, who established those things you speak of?"

Kong Qiu was stunned for a moment.

"The Duke of Zhou."

"Where is the Duke of Zhou now?"

"The Duke of Zhou……has long passed away."

Li Er nodded.

"You just mentioned those details, those rules—when the Duke of Zhou established rites, what did he base them on?"

Kong Qiu thought and said: "Naturally, following the rites of the former kings, the order of heaven and earth, and human affairs……"

Li Er shook his head.

"What you say are principles, but when the Duke of Zhou set those concrete rules back then, he certainly had his own considerations."

"Times change, ages shift—are those rules still the same as they were back then?"

Kong Qiu fell silent.

Li Er looked at him, his gaze calm.

"You just said you wish to promote the Zhou Rites; I ask you, are you promoting the Duke of Zhou's rites, or your understanding of them?"

Kong Qiu opened his mouth, but could not speak.

Li Er didn't wait for his answer, continued:

"I when young also read many books in the Shou Cang Shi: the Three Burials and Five Classics, the Eight Bonds and Nine Hills, the oracle bones of Xia and Shang, nowadays bamboo slips............ Later I discovered something."

"Those principles written in books—not speaking of the wrong ones, even the right things—may not necessarily be usable."

Kong Qiu raised his head, looking at him.

Li Er met his gaze, saying word by word:

"I have seen many people, read many books, understood many principles."

"But among these people, some are proud, some arrogant, some full of resentment, some have high eyes but low ability—do you know why?"

Kong Qiu shook his head.

Li Er said: "Because they only saw the principles in the books, not the people outside the books."

He pointed at Kong Qiu.

"These years you have traveled the states, taken disciples and lectured—you must have seen many such people."

Kong Qiu fell silent.

He certainly has seen them.

The so-called gentlemen who mouth benevolence and righteousness but secretly steal and indulge in prostitution; the so-called sages who have read bellyfuls of books yet cannot manage themselves; the so-called scholars who constantly invoke the ways of ancient kings yet turn a blind eye to present suffering……

He has seen far too many of them.

Li Er looked at his expression and gave a faint smile.

"You wish to promote the Zhou rites, to have all under heaven observe propriety—this is good."

"But propriety is not something to be promoted."

Kong Qiu was stunned.

"Propriety is something to be practiced."

Li Er looked at him, his eyes carrying a hint of deep meaning.

"First you practice propriety for yourself to see, for your disciples to see, for everyone around you to see; when they see propriety in you, they will naturally follow."

"When that time comes, you need not promote it; propriety will spread on its own."

Kong Qiu lowered his head, remaining silent for a long time.

In recent years his abilities have been with him, it seems indeed somewhat............

"Master, disciple understands."

Li Er looked at him, saying nothing.

Kong Qiu continued:

"Disciple these years has indeed changed somewhat."

He lowered his head, looking at his own hands.

These hands once only held scrolls; now they have gripped hoists, reins, and many things he formerly would not touch.

The calluses on his hands are the marks left from his journey.

"Disciple has seen too many people, done too many things, his mind holds too much."

He said, "Sometimes disciple himself does not know who he really is."

He raised his head, looking at Li Er.

"Master's words today remind disciple of when he first saw master at the city gate."

He suddenly laughed:

"Back then disciple understood nothing yet felt he understood everything; now he understands some things yet feels he understands nothing."

Li Er looked at him, his eyes gaining a measure of relief.

"You can think like that—very good."

He paused, then said:

"I have heard that true merchants of business do not display all their good goods outside; likewise, truly virtuous people appear rather foolish."

He looked at Kong Qiu.

"Your current state is just fine."

Kong Qiu instinctively lowered his head to look at himself.

This Confucian robe has been worn for many years, washed until pale; his hair not well combed, somewhat disordered scattered on his shoulders; his face more dusty and travel-worn, older and coarser than before.

But he suddenly felt this was good.

"Thank you, Master, for your guidance."

Li Er shook his head.

"No need to thank me; that you can take it in is your own ability."

"If you wish to learn, then as long as you stay here for one day, I will transmit all the Zhou rites I have learned to you."

"If I have no free time, you may also go seek Chang Hong to study music."

"Yes." Kong Qiu nodded, saying nothing more.

The two thus sat, silent.

Sunlight streamed in through the window, shining on both of them, warm and cozy.

After a long while, Kong Qiu stood up.

"Master, disciple takes his leave."

Li Er also rose, looking at him.

"Go."

Kong Qiu walked to the doorway and suddenly stopped.

He turned his head and looked at Li Er.

"Master, I still have one thing I want to ask you."

Li Er nodded.

Kong Qiu looked at him and asked seriously:

"Disciple, how should I live my life?"

Li Er laughed and said: "When the time is right, one drives; when not, one toils onward."

"In life, there's no need to force things."

"It is like water, following its natural course."

After hearing this, Kong Qiu bowed and said:

"Thank you, Master!"

Then he turned and strode out.