NOVEL WEB Chapter 366: Branding_2
In his heart, he had never felt such complex emotions before.
When in poverty, one should focus on self-preservation; when prosperous, aim to benefit the world.
Worry about the world's worries first, delight in the world's joys later.
Man inevitably faces death, either weightier than Tai Mountain, or lighter than a feather.
Establish a heartfelt intention for the heavens and earth, establish a life mission for the people, inherit the legacy of the past sages, and create peace for all generations.
Even though he wasn't a scholar, upon hearing these words, he couldn't help but feel a stir in his heart.
In the past, his only thoughts were to make money and enjoy life. Once his son became a high official, he intended to earn more money, buy more land, hire more servants, and move to a larger mansion. However, in the past two days, he's been considering one question.
How should a person's life be lived?
If he lived his entire life this way, by the time he's old, would his death be weightier than Tai Mountain, or lighter than a feather?
Perhaps, it would be lighter than a feather.
To establish a heartfelt intention for the heavens and earth, establish a life mission for the people, inherit the legacy of past sages, and create peace for all generations... He couldn't accomplish any of these, yet he must do something. Otherwise, how could he prove that Chen Tieniu had truly lived?
Recalling when he left his hometown, even though the villagers couldn't feed themselves enough, they still managed to gather three taels of silver for his travel expenses.
At that time, Chen Tieniu promised them that when he became wealthy, he would help them prosper too.
But he broke his promise.
After becoming wealthy, he forgot the villagers and never returned to Chen Family Village.
In those days, he often joined other tenants in secretly cursing the heartless landlord.
Over twenty years have passed, and he has become the very person he despised the most.
It's likely that many are cursing him behind his back.
At this moment, other scholars gradually walked out of the Imperial Examination Hall.
Their expressions seemed dazed, just like Chen Tieniu, standing before the hall, gazing at the bustling street for a long time.
The street was crowded with people; emaciated beggars huddled at the corners, barely clothed, while noble young men, adorned with golden hairpins and jade pendants, sat in sedan chairs carried by four people, teasing the pet sable wrapped in a golden silk robe.
Two elegantly dressed noblewomen, accompanied by maids, walked out of a gold shop with laughter, showcasing their expensive jewelry to each other. A woman in coarse cloth passed by them, hugging wilted vegetable leaves, turned back to take a glance, a look of envy on her face...
The major restaurants were bustling, with the aroma of wine and meat filling the streets, and just ten paces away, several malnourished children swallowed discreetly and then adjusted the straw stuck in their hair, indicating they were for sale...
The young scholars, observing the spectrum of human life before them, revealed a thoughtful look in their eyes.
This world should not be like this.
Scholars should establish a life mission for the people, but they also understand that they currently lack the ability.
They wouldn't be like those officials who risked their lives to implement reform; their mentor taught them that prosperity should come before benefiting the world. Since they have not yet prospered, they need to focus on self-preservation and secretly amass strength...
Once their strength is sufficient to achieve those four statements, if anyone dares to obstruct them, they will kill them all...
Although their mentor didn't explicitly say so, they grasped his intention.
Some stood at the entrance of the Imperial Examination Hall, faces alternating between flush and pale.
They were born into famous families, knowing their purpose for studying from birth.
Their families sponsored their education, teaching them the Six Arts, naturally hoping that when they become officials, they would repay their family, using the power in their hands to secure enough benefits for their family.
Yet at this moment, it seemed as if two tiny figures occupied their minds.
One figure said that studying was to repay the family's nurturing kindness.
Another figure said it was to establish a heartfelt intention for the heavens and earth, establish a life mission for the people, inherit the legacy of past sages, and create peace for all generations...
The two figures argued tirelessly in their minds, neither able to defeat the other.
Finally, under such torment, a noble young man from a famous family clutched his head and collapsed to the ground, crying in agony, "Ah, my head hurts so much!"
Ningxin Garden.
Li Nuo got off the carriage and rubbed his temples.
While the School of Cross and Vertical had successfully broken through to the Fifth Realm, the headache hadn't alleviated much. This pain couldn't be alleviated by True Qi from the Medical School, so it seems the next class had to be postponed by a day.
In Ningxin Garden, Jiaren and Anning were sunning the children by the lake.
All the maidservants and servants of the Li Mansion and Ningxin Garden had received their contracts of servitude for free. Those willing to stay could continue to do so, with their monthly salary generally being several times that of the outside world.
Those unwilling to stay could also receive an extra settlement payment.
The little girl from the Dongfang Family visited again today.
Since her first visit, she almost came every two days to share a meal, becoming quite familiar with Yiren and Phoenix.
The house was lively today; Song Yu and Yuan Yang were also present.
They came to deliver a wedding invitation to Li Nuo's family; the second uncle finally agreed to their marriage, and they planned to wed next month.
Song Yu's cultivation had advanced one realm in the past few days, entering the Second Realm of the Military family.
With external threats looming over Daxia, the long-dormant General's family showed signs of revival. If all went well, he was sure to be valued in the army in the future.
After dinner, Li Nuo retired to his room to rest.
Only sufficient sleep could alleviate mental fatigue.