The brick road from Luoyang to Chang 'an was the busiest official road in the world. Unless the snow closed the road for a few days before the new year, there would be an endless stream of carriages and traveling merchants.
A long line of carriages slowly came from the east. They were all two-wheeled carriages, appearing very conspicuous beside the four-wheeled carriages. Everyone could not help but cast sidelong glances at them.
Nowadays, two-wheeled carriages were very rare on the brick road between Chang 'an and Luoyang. They were very strenuous and bumpy. Most of them had been replaced by the more advanced four-wheeled carriages.
"Second Granduncle, in my opinion, four-wheeled carriages are more comfortable. Why must Second Granduncle be so stubborn?"
In the line of carriages, the curtain of a carriage was lifted, revealing Kong Huisuo's young face. He looked at the four-wheeled carriages passing by with envy and shouted loudly. He was already feeling very uncomfortable from the bumpy ride of the two-wheeled carriages.
In front of the carriages, a white-haired old man said angrily, "The four-wheeled carriages belong to the School of Mo. You and I are descendants of Kong Sheng, the orthodox disciples of Confucianism. How can we be favored by the School of Mo?"
Kong Huisuo looked helplessly at the stubborn old man and said, "Four-wheeled carriages have existed since the Qin Dynasty. How can the School of Mo be the pioneer? Besides, we are not using the carriages produced by the Village of Mo. Aren't there other four-wheeled carriages from other workshops?"
"Those won't do. After all, the four-wheeled carriages were developed because of the School of Mo. By traveling outside, we are the face of the Kong Family. What would people think if they saw us riding four-wheeled carriages?" Second Granduncle said stubbornly.
"That brick road was developed because of the School of Mo. Aren't we still walking on it?" Kong Huisuo curled his lips and said.
"You …" Kong Huisuo touched a sore spot and immediately angered Second Granduncle.
Kong Huisuo quickly retracted his head and said, "Second Granduncle, don't be angry. I'm just worried that your old body won't be able to take it."
Kong Huisuo kept rocking along with the two-wheeled carriage. Although the brick road was very convenient, it was not absolutely flat. Furthermore, the two-wheeled carriage did not have any shock absorbers. The effect was obvious.
Kong Huisuo stayed in the carriage and could not help but feel bored. He picked up two thick stacks of newspapers and started reading. One stack was a Confucian magazine, and the other was Mo magazine. Every time he saw news about Meton, he could not help but pay more attention to it.
"It's only been a year, yet I've missed so many things. Even Brother Mo is about to get married." Kong Huisuo sighed. He was like his ancestor. How could he be willing to be a nobody in his hometown? Now that he had a chance to come to Chang 'an City, he naturally would not miss it.
Although the two-wheeled horse carriage was very slow, the road was smooth and the Kong Family's carriage gradually approached Chang 'an City. Soon, a majestic city appeared at the end of the road.
"We've arrived at Chang 'an!" Kong Huisuo murmured.
After a year, he finally returned to Chang 'an City.
…
"Qufu Kong Family's motorcade?"
Outside Chang 'an City, the crowd was stunned when they saw the Kong Family's flag flying high in front of the convoy.
"He's actually a descendant of a Sage?"
Many passersby immediately gave way to them. Kong Sheng's name was well known, and one could imagine the influence of the Kong Family. Every scholar respected the Qufu Kong Family. Every year, the imperial court would reward the Kong Family with a certain amount of money. The current head of the family, Kong Delun, was conferred the title of Marquis Bao. It could be said that they were extremely privileged.
"So it's Marquis Bao's motorcade. Please come in." The guards at Chang 'an City's East Gate did not even conduct a search and directly let them in.
Despite the series of preferential treatment, the members of the Kong Family remained unfazed. Such treatment was something that they would encounter anywhere they went, so it was no longer surprising.
As the Kong Family's motorcade left, the people at the East Gate were in an uproar.
"The Confucian School can't sit still anymore. The entire Chang 'an City is bustling with activity. The Hundred Schools of Thought are about to gather." Many people looked at the Kong Family's motorcade and chuckled.
This was already the fourth Hundred Schools of Thought to enter Chang 'an City on a large scale. The first was the School of Mo. They entered Chang' an City with great fanfare and stirred up a storm in Chang 'an City. The second was the Gongshu Family. The third was the Daoist Sect's Conference. Now, the Kong Family finally entered Chang' an City on a large scale. Not to mention, there was also the School of Legalism in the Mo Family Village and the School of Medicine's rise.
"The descendants of Kong Sheng are already here. Let's see how the School of Mo can still be so arrogant." A Confucian scholar watched as the Kong family's convoy left, and a trace of fanaticism flashed in his eyes. The Kong family's people had given them a shot of adrenaline, and all of the Confucian scholars cheered excitedly.
"Mo Jiazi will be holding the Mo Arts Exhibition on the second of February. The arrival of the Kong Family means that they are not here with good intentions!" A knowledgeable scholar said with a frown.
Everyone knew that the reason the Kong Family entered Chang 'an City on such a large scale was to save the Confucian School of Thought from its decline.
"The descendants of Kong Sheng are naturally unwilling to lose the Confucian School of Thought's supremacy. This time, Chang 'an City is going to have a Hundred Schools of Thought Contend!"
"A Hundred Schools of Thought Contend?" Everyone took a deep breath and looked forward to it.
However, the news of the Qufu Kong Family entering Chang 'an City quickly spread throughout the city.
"Greetings, Second Uncle!"
In the Kong Residence, Kong Yingda bowed respectfully to the old man of the Kong Family. Kong Huisuo sat beside him respectfully.
"Tell me about the current situation!"
Second Uncle Kong said with a frown. Along the way, he had discovered too many things that had changed so much that he could not recognize them anymore.
Kong Yingda smiled bitterly and said, "Second Uncle, you have seen the current situation. With the help of the School of Mohism, the Hundred Schools of Thought have risen again and again. In three years, they have achieved more than they have in the past hundred years. In comparison, our Confucian School of Thought is somewhat lacking."
Second Uncle Kong snorted coldly and said, "It's not just lacking in comparison. We are simply living off our past achievements! The Confucian School of Thought's ancestors have been completely disgraced by us. "
Previously, the Confucian School of Thought was the only school of thought. In just three short years, the other schools had almost caught up to them. They were sailing against the current, and if they did not advance, they would fall behind. However, this was also the case for the Hundred Schools of Thought Contend.
"The School of Mohism's' Mozi's Secret Works' and a bunch of Mohism's secret techniques have appeared. The School of Taoism's Inner Alchemy Sect has written such a wondrous book as the 'Push Back Diagram'. The School of External Alchemy Sect has secret techniques for gunpowder. The School of Medicine's hospitals. The School of Legalism wants to be independent. Even the Gongshu Family has made great progress in the field of mathematics.
Kong Yingda immediately fell silent. In comparison, the Confucian School of Thought was indeed living off their past achievements. It could even be said that ever since Dong Zhongshu had reigned supreme over the Confucian School of Thought, they had been living off their past achievements. Although the Confucian School of Thought had become the most revered school of thought, they had lost their drive to improve. From then on, they no longer had any Confucian classics that could be brought out.
"It's not like they haven't made any achievements," Kong Huisuo muttered softly.
"What did you say?" Second Uncle Kong said sternly.
Kong Huisuo boldly said, "With the birth of printing, a large number of Confucian classics have been widely circulated. Punctuation and punctuation made knowledge more precise. There was also the eccentric scholar Li Fuzi who presided over the Fuzi Academy, determined to spread education throughout the world. Aren't these all the achievements of the Confucian School of Thought?"
Second Uncle Kong sneered and said, "You really know how to flatter yourself. Who discovered printing? It was Mo Jiazi's younger brother, Mochi? Who discovered punctuation? It was Mo Jiazi. Even Li Duo, the abandoned disciple of the Confucian School of Thought, was supported by the School of Thought."
Kong Huisuo suddenly felt a deep sense of powerlessness. Second Uncle Kong was an extremely stubborn person. As soon as he heard that it was related to the School of Thought, he rejected everything.
"Right now, our Confucian School of Thought needs to expand our influence. In the short term, we need to produce a book. That's right, how is the compilation of the Five Classics of Justice going?" Second Uncle Kong turned to Kong Yingda and asked.
Kong Yingda's compilation of the Five Classics of Justice had received the support of the Kong Family. In addition, with the appearance of punctuation, there were many differences in the philosophy of the Confucian School of Thought. Kong Yingda's compilation of the Five Classics of Justice could be said to have come at the right time.
"Replying to Second Uncle, it is more or less complete. Once the revision is complete, it will be ready." Kong Yingda nodded. He had originally wanted to wait a bit longer, but the current situation of the Confucian School of Thought did not allow him to delay.
"This time, I brought quite a few members of the Kong Family. Leave the revision to them. Once it is complete, immediately publish it," Second Uncle said decisively.
To the side, Kong Huisuo curled her lips and said, "Isn't it still going to be printed?"
Second Uncle Kong was so angry that his seven orifices rose to the heavens. Only after a long while did he slowly calm down.
"Grandson knows his wrongs. Second Uncle, please punish me!" Kong Huisuo obediently asked for forgiveness.
"Forget it. It was this Old Man who was biased. As Confucius said, when three people walk together, there is always a teacher. Now that the Mo Family has risen, the Kong Family cannot avoid it," Second Uncle said with a dejected expression.
To the side, Kong Yingda nodded in understanding. He had spent a lot of time in Chang 'an, so he naturally knew how deep the Mo Family's influence was in Chang' an. Their influence had already reached into the basic necessities of life.
"Also, for Li Duo to have such ambitions, he can be considered quite a character. If he wishes to change his mind and leave the Mo Family, the Confucian School of Thought is willing to accept him once more." Second Uncle Kong took a deep breath, thinking that he had made a huge concession.
Anyone with a discerning eye could see that Li Duo's idea of a teacher's college and compulsory education had great potential. If the Confucian School of Thought could bring it to greater heights, its achievements would be limitless. After all, the Confucian School of Thought did not have any good works recently, so they could only reluctantly accept it.
The Confucian School of Thought did not have many bargaining chips to offer, so even someone as stubborn as him had to make concessions.
"This nephew will go and make the arrangements." Kong Yingda nodded.
"No, Old Man will personally meet this person," Second Uncle Kong said with a righteous expression.
Kong Yingda was stunned. Just as he was about to point out that the reason Li Duo was called an eccentric scholar was that he would not be so easily convinced, the Kong Estate's housekeeper suddenly rushed in and reported, "Master, the Mo Family has sent someone to seek an audience!"
"The Mo Family!" Kong Yingda could not help but pause and look at Second Uncle Kong. The Kong Family's convoy had just arrived, and the Mo Family had sent someone over. Clearly, they had also received the news.
Second Uncle Kong coldly snorted and said, "Those who come are guests. Our Confucian School of Thought places great importance on etiquette, and the Mo Family can be considered one of the many schools of thought that are on par with the Confucian School of Thought. Naturally, we cannot be disrespectful. I want to see what the Mo Family is up to."
"Invite them in!" Kong Yingda said.
"Yes!"
The housekeeper hurriedly left, and before long, he led Uncle Fu into the Kong Estate.
"Greetings, Lord Chancellor." Uncle Fu bowed.
"So it's Housekeeper Fu. Housekeeper Fu is too courteous." Kong Yingda courteously said.
Uncle Fu turned around and saw Second Uncle Kong. His eyes lit up as he said, "This is an ancestor of the Kong Family. This Mo Family's Fu greets you."
"I don't dare. I am Kong Desheng of the Kong Family! Greetings to the Mo Family. "Kong Desheng returned the greeting. He was extremely old-fashioned. Although he scrupulously adhered to etiquette, he was also extremely arrogant. He did not greet Uncle Fu, but the Mo Family, which shared the same name as the Confucian School of Thought.
"The 'De' generation. This person is of the same generation as the Kong Family," Uncle Fu thought.
However, he did not lose his manners because of Kong Desheng's arrogance. He said, "My Young Master and Young Master Kong Family are schoolmates. When he heard that an ancestor of the Kong Family would be coming, he naturally would not lose his manners. However, my Young Master is preparing for the Mo Skill Exhibition and cannot leave. He specially ordered me to send an invitation to the Mo Skill Exhibition.
Kong Desheng was expressionless, causing the atmosphere to become awkward.
"Many thanks, Uncle Fu." Kong Huisuo hurriedly received the invitation and returned the greeting. He had been to the Mo Estate many times, and Uncle Fu had treated him extremely well.
Uncle Fu did not make things difficult for Kong Huisuo. Instead, he nodded and said, "This Fu will take his leave!"
"It's a box for the Mo Skill Exhibition!" Kong Huisuo looked down at the invitation and was stunned. There were not many boxes for the Mo Skill Exhibition. He did not expect that they would be directly given one.
"By inviting us to the Mo Skill Exhibition, the Mo Family is showing off!" Kong Desheng frowned.
Kong Yingda frowned. "Before this, Mo Jiazi and Yu Zhining were arguing in the imperial court. They agreed to talk about the path of the Saints on the day of the Mo Skill Exhibition. Now that Mo Jiazi has personally come to invite us, I'm afraid that he has already made preparations. He has not come with good intentions!"
"The path of the Saints! Didn't Mo Jiazi say that the Mo Family does not involve themselves in the matters of the imperial court? It seems that he can't help but reveal his fox tail. He is already prepared to talk about the path of the Mo Family. "Kong Desheng said coldly.
"Second Granduncle, if you know the enemy, you will never be defeated." Kong Huisuo naturally wanted to go to the Mo Skill Exhibition. He could not help but encourage him.
Kong Yingda could not help but glare at Kong Huisuo. He naturally knew what Kong Huisuo was planning, but he did not expect that Kong Desheng would actually slowly nod and say, "That's fine. The Mo Family has been silent for a thousand years, and the world knows very little about them. Perhaps it is time for the Confucian School to get to know the Mo Family again."
Kong Huisuo immediately rejoiced. "Second Granduncle is wise!"
Kong Desheng sneered. "It's still early on the second day of the second month. This Old Man just happens to have some free time. I'll go and meet this strange scholar Li Duo first."
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