The Lord who use immortals as food

Fang Jidao seemed to always stay with books. When Pei Ye opened the door of his small room, he saw him sitting upright at the table and reciting some article in a low voice. Even though there was no one around, his clothes and bootlaces were neat and tidy.

He was a little surprised by Pei Ye's sudden visit. He folded his books and stood up, bowing his head first: "Why is Young Master Pei here here?"

Pei Ye never paid attention to his polite etiquette. He casually handed over his hands, walked over and leaned against the table: "How are you preparing for the admission test?"

Fang Jidao sat down again, smiled and shook his head: "I miss you, Young Master Pei... I have been working hard day and night, but there is nothing to prepare."

"What you say sounds so crazy. It's not like the Brother Fang I know." Pei Ye smiled.

"I must have been teased several times in these three or five sentences, but it's still the Pei Shaoxia I know." Fang Jidao also laughed.

After coming to Shenjing, this scholar's eyes have indeed become darker and brighter, and he still treats others with humility and sincerity, but the feeling of powerlessness and weakness seems to have gradually disappeared, and he seems to have gradually understood the boundaries of his abilities, and seems to have seen The direction of your life.

It's just that before the big event, it's still hard to hide the tension and melancholy. In fact, compared to the young swordsman who is active everywhere, this scholar is truly alone in Shenjing. He comes from a remote small state and buries himself every day. Surrounded by classics and ancient sages, the night lights are like beans in autumn and winter. This is probably the first time anyone has visited this cabin since November.

Pei Ye pulled him up by his arm: "Since there is nothing to prepare, don't lie down here. We finally have some free time after coming to Shenjing. Let's go find a balcony while it's getting late."

"What balcony?" Fang Jidao was surprised.

Pei Ye thought for a while: "How about the West Lake Green Terrace? I heard the night view there is very beautiful. It seems to be raining today, so the view is even better."

Fang Jidao was a little embarrassed: "Actually, there are many balconies in the Imperial College... Wutong and ginkgo trees, and yellow leaves all over the ground are also very beautiful..."

"What time of year is it and the ground is covered with yellow leaves? Why don't you go out?" Pei Ye smiled and looked him up and down, "Are you short of money?"

The scholar apologized and said: "I am a little shy in my pocket."

"I'm treating you!" Pei Ye said, leading him out. "I just have some questions to ask you."

West Pool.

The scenery became clearer in winter, and the bloody battle that night left no visible traces. The lake was calm, and the Flying Mirror Tower still hung upside down in the lake, like a bright sword.

Opposite of it is the bustling balcony, with lights like daylight and people flowing in. Fang Jidao must have not been out of the Imperial College for a long time. When he came out, he only wore an extra coat. Within half a mile of going out, he was soaked by the air-conditioning and stood still. Looking at Pei Ye blankly, it meant that he wanted to go back and change clothes.

Pei Ye laughed and raised his hand to give him some Qi to protect him from the cold.

Now that he is here, the scholar is still crossing his arms, looking around curiously as a stranger in the crowd.

"People say that there is a lot of romance in the Jhanxi Pond on the south bank. It is really lively." He laughed.

"Okay, you came a month earlier than me, and you have never been here."

"Actually, I haven't been anywhere." The scholar sighed softly, and the white air dissipated in the street. "That time I went to Zhai Xing Tower to cleanse Pei Shaoxia, it was one of the few times I went out."

Pei Ye gave him a thumbs up, and the two of them went up to the green terrace, looked for the small table in the corner, and ordered sake and snacks. Outside the fence next to it was the West Pond.

"I'm just the opposite of you. I hardly have any time to stay quiet. I'm always running around." Pei Ye turned her head and looked at the water in the distance, smiling, "I have been here before, but I just stood there. People were fighting to death from above... Many people stood here to watch that night, but it's a pity that you weren't there. "

"I've heard about it." Fang Jidao smiled and said suddenly, "Many people who heard about it asked what the scene was like, but as soon as I heard it, I felt like I was seeing it in front of my eyes. I guess it was when I was in Bowang, I always sat on the stage and watched Pei Shaoxia use The heroic figure of the sword.”

"But this time it seems like it's your turn, Brother Fang." Pei Ye looked at him, "I heard that this dispute about natural principles seems to want you to sing a literary opera - what exactly is going on?"

Fang Jidao quickly shook his head: "Who am I? Rather than asking me to sing, it's better to say that this opportunity was given to me and it was promised to me."

"A humble person like you can only believe half of what you say." Pei Ye said, "Let me ask you, Guan Xu asked me to go to Tianli Courtyard to stay for a while. What is the situation in this courtyard."

"Ah." Fang Jidao looked at him in surprise, and then suddenly realized, "...That's it."

"What?"

"It's nothing, I just lament that Master Xu's eyes are always in the distance that I can't wait for." Fang Jidao poured a glass of wine and sighed, "Actually, Tianliyuan is nothing special, it's probably just a smaller Imperial College."

Pei Ye picked up the wine glass and handed it over. Fang Jidao held the glass with both hands and touched it lightly. They each took a sip.

"Pei Shaoxia also spent some time in the Imperial College. In your opinion, what do those of us who read books about sages do?"

"...Xu Chuo just takes a test on me. When I meet you, you have to take a test on me too."

Fang Jidao smiled slightly, but still only looked at him.

"If you have learned literary and martial arts, you can go to the emperor's house. Everyone goes to a common place. You take scientific examinations, serve as officials, and govern the country, isn't that the case?"

"Yes, that's where most scholars go." Fang Jidao said with a smile, "But there are still some people who study not to become officials. After they have gained more knowledge, they annotate scriptures and exegete words, hoping to solve some historical questions. These people are not where Pei Shaoxia said they would go."

"...That's right. It's not that they lack ability, they just have other ambitions."

"There are still some people who feel that delving into knowledge and interpretation of scriptures is a layer away. They are interested in the 'truth' behind the sages' books. They deeply analyze people's hearts, understand the world, approach the truth of heaven and earth forward, and guide back. In the direction of interpretation of scriptures, these people are at the forefront of 'Confucianism', which is naturally not the place that Pei Shaoxia said."

"……right."

Fang Jidao took another sip, and his expression was relaxed and quiet when he told these things: "So Pei Shaoxia asked me what Tianliyuan is. I can't be like an outsider and just say that Tianliyuan is the head of Confucianism. In fact, if Pei Shaoxia wants to go and see The word "Confucianism" learned by scholars all over the world needs to be divided into three parts, namely "political system", "xue system" and "dao system".

"..."

"In terms of status, Tianliyuan is like Yunlangshan in Kendo in Shilin. However, none of the people in it hold any official positions, and most of them are not relatives of the royal family. However, they can influence the court and decide the theory of heaven. Because "That's it." Fang Jidao said, "Since the scholars in the world read the books of sages, the 'Taoist tradition' must exist. Once the Taoist tradition exists, it must determine the direction of thought. Therefore, it is a wise move for this dynasty to establish the Tianli Academy and respect it. ”

Pei Ye took a sip of wine and roughly understood: "Being in Shenjing is better than being in the wild, and it can also be used as a tool for the Tang Dynasty to understand the way of heaven."

"That's right." Fang Jidao was quiet for a while, "I have always wanted to enter Tianliyuan, that's why."

Pei Ye asked again: "Then what do you mean by asking you to sing literary opera?"

"It's very simple, because the "Two Heavens Theory" that Master Xu wants needs to be established as a flag in the Tianli Court." Fang Jidao looked at Xichi, "I just want to be the flag bearer."

"You?" Pei Ye didn't quite understand, and he didn't need any tact in front of this fellow countryman. "Is your reputation enough?"

Fang Jidao smiled: "Of course it's not entirely me. I am a necessary mouthpiece, or... I understand, you actually don't know the structure of Tianliyuan."

"certainly."

"Like the Imperial College, it is the teachers and students who make up the Tianli Academy; but what is different from the Imperial College is that there is a true teacher-student relationship between them."

"..."

"Of the four philosophers in Tianli Academy today, the one with the most disciples only has four, and the disciple only has two or three disciples, so now there are only about thirty people in the entire Tianli Academy." Fang Jidao looked at him, " Disciples truly follow the path of masters, so every time you recruit someone, it is an extremely careful and difficult matter; every quota is also of great importance. "

"I see." Pei Ye was stunned for a while, then suddenly became curious, "Hey, which philosopher do you want to be a disciple of?"

Before Fang Jidao could speak, a scholar beside him smiled and raised his glass: "Are you two also talking about the 'admission test' in the future?"

Pei Ye, who had been away from public opinion for a long time, really didn't expect that this matter would spread so widely, but when he thought about it, it was indeed reasonable. He raised his glass and smiled and said, "How about a casual chat?"

"My friend and I were talking about this matter, and we couldn't argue." He pointed at Fang Jidao's clothes with a smile, "I see that this brother is wearing Imperial College clothes. I think you two are also knowledgeable people. I don't know what you think about this time. Who can be selected?"

Fang Jidao lowered his head to drink. Although Pei Ye was confused, he didn't feel embarrassed and said with a smile: "I just talked about it casually, I don't really understand - are there many people here for the admission examination?"

"Ah, there are six 'philosophers'." The man laughed, "But it is true that only one was recommended by the Imperial College. The remaining five include philosophers from the family, famous Confucian students, and imperial prodigies. Anyway, we are all over the world. They are all geniuses.”

It was the first time that Pei Ye knew that the competition was so fierce. He looked at the scholar in surprise and looked back: "Is there only one person to be recorded?"

"Of course!" The man laughed, "Then brother must not know either - this recorded subject is divided into four categories, [Reading], [Knowledge of the World], [Discrimination of Reasons] and finally [Answering Questions] by philosophers, each of which It's as difficult as climbing to the sky. If there is no one who is satisfied after the trip, Tianliyuan would rather choose nothing than give in. "

"What do philosophers ask questions?" Pei Ye was curious.

"...Good question." The scholar held it in for a long time and gave a thumbs up, "Brother, you think highly of me."

"But I heard that Zhu Zhezi will be here for the first time this time." Another person at his table said curiously, "This Mr. Zhezi seems to have not paid attention to the admission test for many years."

"...Maybe he is old enough, and..." The scholar paused, "I want to accept more disciples, but who will become his disciple?"

Pei Ye was stunned for a moment and asked, "Why is this?"

"Why?" The scholar sighed softly, "If we talk about Zhu Zhezi's knowledge, it is really admirable. He is also the first among the four philosophers. But he was born in a poor family and had no friends. He has the name of a philosopher and has no one. What kind of power..."

Pei Ye frowned: "This Tianli Academy is for seeking Tao, what does it have to do with power?"

The scholar choked for a moment: "This...just think of me as a layman."

Another person laughed and said: "Of course there are those who sincerely seek the truth, and there are also those who have other thoughts. Even the four philosophers... each have their own life background. How can they really be cut off from each other in this mortal world."

"That's right, that's right." The scholar said, "But this is not a big deal. The current situation is not that worshiping Zhu Zhezi will not bring any benefits, but that one's life will be in danger."

"…What do you mean?"

"Nowadays, the controversy over the theory of human nature has become irreconcilable. The person who is vaguely the platform for the 'Two Heavens Theory' in Tianliyuan is none other than Zhu Zhezi. He has only one disciple in his life, and he made a mistake in the debate a few days ago. Hell... I pray at this time Isn't his disciple standing right in front of the five surnames?" The scholar sighed, "The whirlpool of swords encountered in Shenjing every few years will break the intestines when it touches it, and it will turn around if it is not far away. Jump in... It would be better to find a tall building and jump off. "

Pei Ye was slightly startled and subconsciously looked at Fang Jidao next to him. However, the scholar just quietly held the cup and looked at the Xichi Lake.

"I see, you are not a scholar. That's why you don't know many of these things." The scholar smiled and turned to Fang Jidao, "This brother is wearing the imperial uniform, and I want to ask you for your advice—— In the admission test tomorrow, who do you think will stand out among the six?"

There was silence on the stage.

The scholar moved his eyes away from the lake, turned around and raised his hands to bow politely, but he didn't seem to look at the two of them. He only said softly: "Guozijian, Fang Jidao."

…

The scholar was so drunk that he drank a pot of wine slowly for a long time. As expected, cold raindrops fell from the sky. Pei Ye thought that this must be the last rain of the year.

The people on the Green Flower Terrace also gradually disappeared. Pei Ye and Fang Jidao sat side by side with their legs crossed, with the water of the West Pond at their feet. They chatted leisurely, from Tianliyuan to Shenjing, from Bowang Wubi to Guanlu Terrace that day. , after chatting for a long time, the topic always tends to return to ideals and life.

"... If Pei Shaoxia really thinks about it, he will find that some problems are all the way up. After thinking about it for three steps, he couldn't think anymore, so he went to read. After reading for five steps, he couldn't find the answer, so he Go and ask for advice, ask for advice and understand the eight steps... No one can tell me anymore The answer is there, but the question still leads straight to the deep sky, and I can’t see the appearance clearly, so I have to go to Tianliyuan.” His breath dissipated in the night, Fang Jidao said softly, “However, I feel that the sadness that I can’t get rid of in my life... is just possible. The answer to it will never be found.”

"Pei Shaoxia asked me why I was confused. In fact, this is true." He lowered his head, "It's not that I'm worried about the admission test or anything, or that I'm not determined about the path I chose. I just put my limited life on seeking a way out. After such an end...the worry of inevitable failure will always be with you."

"..."

The night rain made the entire West Lake become vast and vast, as if the boundary could not be seen. Pei Ye also felt the vast and weak despair in the scholar's heart.

He let out a long sigh and suddenly took off the sword from his waist to show it to his friend.

Drawing the blade out, the winter night was cold, the sword was even colder, and the rain quickly condensed into tiny droplets on it.

"……how?"

"I used this sword to kill the third leader and the fifth leader of the Taiping Cao Gang on this lake." Pei Ye said, "When I drew the sword, I didn't think I would be able to defeat him."

"...I've been in Shenjing for a few days, and I've heard about those people playing with human lives." Fang Jidao smiled slightly, "But I couldn't pick up the sword. It was because of my incompetence and powerlessness that I didn't kill Pei Shaoxia until he took the sword to the lake. Killing evil people and turning over huge waves - Pei Shaoxia's sword has always been able to create miracles."

"You also have your sword."

Fang Jidao was startled.

"You are the only one in the Imperial College who knows all the five classics. After a few months in Shenjing, Master Xu has determined that you can raise this flag. There are many sentences that I can't understand, but you can understand them as soon as you understand them. It seems that nothing can Stop you—let me tell you a secret, I actually think you are much better than Changsun."

"..."

Pei Ye patted his head and said seriously: "This is your sword. It makes me dizzy just looking at it, but you can easily penetrate it with it."

"..."

"Really?" Pei Ye said with a smile, "There is nothing to be afraid of, you are so powerful."

Fang Jidao lowered his head and smiled, looking at Xichi and sighing softly: "Thank you, Mr. Pei, everything depends on human effort. Regardless of victory or defeat, it is a blessing to be together for life."

"good!"

"but……"

"Um?"

The scholar lowered his head and said apologetically: "Young Master Pei, it's not polite to slap someone on the head like this. You can pat me on the shoulder next time."

"..."

Pei Ye did not return to his old home tonight, and he accompanied Fang Jidao to stay in Guozi prison for two nights.

He showed the letter of recommendation to the scholar, and the scholar told him not to worry too much, and they would meet Zhu Zhezi together then.

As expected, the admission test began on the morning of the scheduled day. Pei Ye came to the unfamiliar and quiet front of the hospital and stood with other people's cars and horses.

As the sun rises, there are crowds everywhere waiting for the results. There are relatives and friends of the "Philosophical Selectors", people from all walks of life waiting for the news, and more scholars watching the excitement - in any case, this is the entire Shenjing. , and even major events in the entire Tang Dynasty.

Pei Ye stood on the edge with his sleeves wrapped up. It was the first time for him to play such a role, and he didn't know what to do. He kept thinking in his mind. At this time, he also felt that Xu Chuo's situation was not very good, because she had gone Every step seems to be a narrow path - for example, if Fang Jidao chooses one of the six here, he can't enter Tianliyuan?

And amid the chaotic moods of countless people, before noon, the results came out.

The assessment of only six people originally did not take long.

One person posted the big list on the pillar in front of the door. Since there were only six names, it was naturally written very large and conspicuous.

"Fang Jidao is the first in [Reading], the first in [Knowledge of the World], the first in [Discrimination], and the first in [Question and Answer]. Enter it, worship under Zhu Gongkao, and follow him to seek the Tao."