Chapter 1306: Master Zhu! (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
Li Junxian stood at the entrance, sweeping a glance over the 'students'. He noticed that there were quite a few major civil officials, but in this place, they did not put on any of the airs they had in court, all of them focused on reciting the books before them.
”This is… the Grand Preceptor!”
Li Junxian stared in alarm at the elder wearing a simple robe kneeling at the very front row.
This elder seemed no different from any of the other venerable Confucians, but it was none other than the Grand Preceptor of the Great Tang, Zhan Zhongmi. This man who was respected and revered by even the Sage Emperor was kneeling here and studying just like any other student.
If word got out, it would probably stun the entire realm.
The Grand Preceptor was nearly eighty years old, and there were very few people that had the right to be his teacher and make him act like a student.
But Li Junxian knew that the person within the thatched hall just so happened to be a person with the right to teach the Grand Preceptor, because this was the spiritual leader of the Confucian school, and also the only existence since the time of the Eastern Han Dynasty to be referred to as 'Master'1.
Master Zhu!
The man worshiped and revered by the Confucians as the teacher of all Confucians.
Emperor Gaozong had been an ardent admirer of this man and had tried every method possible to invite him to the Imperial Palace, but he was denied every time. With no better method, Gaozong built a palace for this man so that the 'Leader of the Confucian School' would remain at his side.
This man had lived for more than one hundred and twenty years, and had even made commentaries on the Four Books and Five Classics2, including the work of the Supreme Sage, the 'Analects'. These commentaries were even today studied and pored over by the Confucians of the world. The Four Books and Five Classics, particularly the 'Analects', were the sacred texts of the Confucian school.
These were the books written by the sages of the Spring and Autumn Period!
These were not books that just anyone could write commentaries on. If one did not possess sufficient learning and still wrote and published a commentary, one would be criticized by all the people of the realm, and when that time came, there would be no place left for that person in all the vastness of the land. One who could write a commentary on the 'Analects' had to be incredibly erudite and virtuous.
He was born in the era of Emperor Gaozu of the Great Tang. At the age of eight, he was invited by Gaozu into the palace to look over memorials with him.
Later on, he had a dialogue with Emperor Taizong, upon which he was invited to become Prime Minister, but he once more refused. Thus, he was hailed as the Living Sage of the Great Tang.
Although he had never once entered the Imperial Court, many of his disciples had served as Prime Minister, Grand Preceptor, or Grand Tutor. One could say that almost all the civil officials and illustrious Confucians of the realm were his students!
This was 'Master Zhu'!
This was also the important person that Li Junxian had come to meet.
Li Junxian turned in the direction that all these renowned Confucians were looking and spotted a thin elder wearing a wide-sleeved white robe, a tall hat, and a broad belt, his hair and beard entirely white. He was seated on a raised platform as he lectured on the classics. His face was solemn and inflexible, and he gripped a black iron ruler in his hand.
This old man had gone past the age of ninety some time ago, and though the Confucians down below were white-haired and wrinkled, they immediately seemed like young men in contrast to this elder.
And even though this elder did not know martial arts, his energy was as lofty and as thick as a high mountain. His profound aura of learning was so vast and boundless that any scholar in the world would be awed.
”…I like fish, and I also like bear paws. If the two cannot be had together, I would give up on the fish and take the bear paws. I like life, and I also like righteousness. If the two cannot be had together, I would give up on life and take righteousness3!
”…Kong spoke of seeking benevolence while Meng spoke of taking righteousness. Kill the body to achieve benevolence; give up on life to take righteousness! Benevolence and righteousness are the foundation of the ideas espoused by the Supreme Sage and the Second Sage, the origin of the theories of our Confucian school. By delving into and understanding the essence of these two words, you will comprehend the essence of all the books and classics of the Confucian school.”
The elder's voice was calm and gentle, comforting the minds of those who listened as it drifted through the air. Each word seemed to be reaching deep into the minds of the students and enlightening them.
All the learned and renowned Confucians down below, including the Grand Preceptor, reverentially listened and pondered, not daring to show the slightest neglect.
This thatched hall was a place of learning, a holy ground. Li Junxian stood at the door, not daring to intrude, and silently waited.
After some time, an ancient and melodious chime sounded, and then there was a rustling of robes as class concluded and these illustrious Confucians stood up and filed out in an orderly manner. At the same time, a voice came from within.
”Master Zhu is of advanced age. Do not take up too much of his time!”
The Grand Preceptor stopped and aimed a profound glance at Li Junxian. Li Junxian froze, and then he nodded.
”Understood!”
The Grand Preceptor did not say anything more, and stepped past Li Junxian. This exchange garnered little attention. At this time, Li Junxian heard a familiar voice.
”Junxian, come in!”
The voice was mellow and deep, imbued with a strength that could peer into hearts, making one feel as if one's secrets were all revealed before one had even said a word.