Chapter Sixty: The Sixth Sunday Teacher

  I just refreshed the page and saw five update tickets of 12,000 words. Originally, I planned to update three chapters today, but this is the first time Da Bai has received an update ticket, so I couldn't not give face to Muzi and book friends, so there will be five updates today, thank you everyone.

  After a flurry of commotion, Longsun Wuji brought the carefully prepared six gifts and got into the carriage headed for Li Gang's residence, pinching Longsun Chong's ear.

  Li Gang returned home after finishing his lesson with Crown Prince Li Chengqian, waiting for Zhangsun Wuji to bring Zhangsun Chong to pay respects. Because he knew that Zhangsun Chong had not attended Confucius' lecture in the morning and left early, presumably to go home and prepare.

  Li Gang drank cup after cup of tea, and ran to the outhouse time and again, but he didn't see any sign of Zhangsun Wuji or Zhangsun Chong. He couldn't help feeling angry - this stinky little brat really didn't put him in his eyes at all.

  But as time went on, Li Gang suddenly wondered if something unexpected had happened to Zhangsun Chong. However, thinking again that the security in Chang'an City was very good and no one dared to do anything unfavorable to Zhangsun Chong, he could only continue waiting. It would be better for Zhangsun Chong to lose faith with him than for him to lose faith with others.

  They waited until sunset but still didn't see the figures of Zhangsun Wuji and Zhangsun Chong, just as they were about to make a forced march, they heard an announcement from outside.

  Li Gang was so uncomfortable from holding his urine that he went out to relieve himself. He met with Zhangsun Wuji and Zhangsun Chong for a while, but his father had been waiting all afternoon, so it's only fair that they wait too.

  Li Gang's face didn't look good, Chang Sun Wuji knew that Li Gang would be back home around this time, and he had probably been waiting for an entire afternoon, his face not looking good was also normal.

  Chang Sun Wuji pressed one foot against the crook of Chang Sun's leg, and Chang Sun knelt down to the ground, knocking his head and saying: "The disciple has given three head knocks to the master." On the way, Chang Sun Wuji had instructed him to knock his head three times, and Chang Sun did not dare to be lazy, so he knocked his head three times with a loud noise.

  Chang Sun thought it was clear that no matter what, his father would make him acknowledge this master today. Chang Sun's thoughts were simple: anyway, he didn't know how much longer he'd be under Li Gang's thumb, so becoming his disciple must have some benefits!

  Changsun Wuji made a mistake in this calculation. If Li Gang hadn't accepted Changsun Wuji as his disciple, he would have turned a blind eye to many things and let them slide; but after accepting Changsun Wuji, he wanted to make him the next generation's great Confucian scholar, so he was even more strict, even stricter than with Crown Prince Li Chengqian.

  Li Gang saw that Zhangsun Wuji's face was tense, and since Zhangsun had already kowtowed and accepted the gift, this disciple could be considered to have submitted.

  "Since you are my disciple, Li Gang, from now on you must study diligently. A day as a teacher is a lifetime as a father. In the future, I will teach you with all my heart just like your father would. This ordinary jade pendant was given to me by my respected master in the past. Now, I give it to you, hoping that you can make progress in your studies and continue our legacy."

  Chang Sun Chong, although not knowledgeable about antiques, knew that this was Li Gang's most treasured item. He gave Li Gang three loud kowtows before reaching out to take the large jade pendant and saying: "Thank you, Master!"

  Chang Sun Wuji looked at the ordinary jade pendant with red eyes, but it was just for his son, and there was no difference between giving it to him or not, it was just something that belonged to the Chang Sun family.

  "Get up, don't be late or leave early for tomorrow's class. Today, I had to explain a lot to Master Kong." Li Gang said, handing over the task. For his disciples, he valued their spiritual nature and moral character, as the saying goes: "The master leads the way, but cultivation depends on the individual."

  Changsun Wuji and Changsun Chong came out of Li Gang's house, the sky was already dark, it was already curfew time. Fortunately, the coachman had prepared early, hung up the lanterns unique to the Changsun family, the Jinwuwei on patrol opposite saw the lanterns of the Changsun family, but did not let go of the inspection, only more respectful than usual, and sent someone to escort Changsun Wuji and Changsun Chong back to the mansion.

  The news of a great Confucian scholar accepting an apprentice spread like wildfire and by the next day, everyone in the imperial court knew about it.

  Cheng Yaojin spoke the most sourly, and what he was most resentful about was that his five children at home all liked to dance with knives and guns, not one of them could quietly stay at home reading books and writing words, this destined that in the future his five sons would all have to go onto the battlefield to fight for fame.

  But on the battlefield, swords and guns have no eyes, changing in an instant. In the past, he was alone at home, to make his family proud, he had to fight bravely without regard for his own life. Now he has five sons, if they all go to the battlefield, it's uncertain when they will be gone. He must hold back, and let one or two of his sons take the literary path.

  Everyone envied and hated Long Sun Wuji, as the Crown Prince's study companion, these people were just a little envious, but becoming the inner disciple of the great Confucian Li Gang, these people not only envied but also hated.

  "Assistant Xiao, what kind of soul-searching medicine did you give to Lao Li, and took in that little rascal from your family as a disciple? Give me two pointers, brother. I want to teach those useless goods at my house a lesson." Cheng Yaojin couldn't help but speak up first.

  "I don't think it's necessarily the credit of Eldest Grandson, and his family's young master, even if he has turned over a new leaf, what can be done? It must be that Your Majesty issued an edict, and Lord Li Gang had no choice but to comply!" Xiangyu thought back to last year when he took his son Xiangru to visit Lord Li Gang to ask for tutelage, but was politely declined. He felt extremely displeased in his heart, and even held a grudge against Lord Li Gang.

  Cheng Yaojin usually didn't get along with Xiao Yu, saying: "I think you're jealous, after all Li Gang accepted Chong Xian as his nephew, but he didn't accept your son."

  Xiao Yu's anger caused him to tremble, his thin and bony fingers shaking as he pointed at Cheng Yaojin, with an expression of disdain for Cheng's petty calculations, saying: "My son has already made great progress in his studies, naturally he is not someone who can be compared to just anyone, nor is he someone who can be taught by just anyone."

  Xiao Yu is a remarkable figure in the Tang Dynasty, being the younger brother of Empress Xiao and the brother-in-law of Emperor Yang of Sui. Since childhood, Xiao Yu has been renowned for his filial piety, and he is also well-versed in literature and calligraphy, with a strong sense of justice and a deep understanding of Buddhist teachings. Born into a noble family, Xiao Yu looked down on Du Ruhui, Fang Xuanling, Wen Yanbo, and Wei Zheng, and even more so on Qin Qiong, Cheng Yaojin, and Yuwen Huaji, who were all generals from humble origins, often leading to clashes with them.

  Due to his temperament being stubborn and argumentative, he was like a stone in a latrine, both smelly and hard. He couldn't tolerate even half a grain of sand in his eyes, and would bite whoever he could catch. Several times, he was dismissed by Li Er, but Li Er remembered old favors. When he was the King of Qin, he had been afraid of calamity, and Xiao Yu had spoken fairly on his behalf to Li Yuan, saying: "This man cannot be tempted with heavy benefits, nor can he be intimidated with punishment; he is truly a minister for the sake of the state." Therefore, after being dismissed and demoted, he was soon reinstated.

  Li had just accepted a disciple from the humble family of his eldest grandson, which made him feel uncomfortable and speak in an unpleasant tone.

  "Xiao sir, this statement is wrong. Li Gang sir accepts disciples based on their character and spiritual nature. Our Changsun family has a good reputation, having produced virtuous empresses and loyal officials in the past. Naturally, we can also produce great scholars for future generations." Changsun Wuji became angry, what's so special about him? Even if he held a high position before the Sui dynasty, now everyone is serving together as officials, and are equal as chancellors, why should his words be taken as commands?

  Xiao Yu felt that he had misspoken, but to admit his mistake was impossible, so he rolled up his sleeves and quarreled with Changsun Wuji.

  Li Jing and Li Ji, two unscrupulous generals, were watching the play on one side, not intending to participate, but they were also very envious that Li Gang's adopted son Sun Zhong was so capable, and wondered why their own unfilial sons did not have such abilities.

  Wei Zheng had always been looked down upon by Xiao Yu, and he had never gotten along with him. He said: "Li Gang is a man of our generation who is worthy of respect. Now that Li Gang has found a worthy successor, we should be happy about it. Xiao Yu is being too petty."

  It's all over, Xiao Yu originally wanted to fire at Zhangsun Wuji, but now that Wei Zheng has said this, he immediately turned his cannon and said: "I don't have a small belly, I think you're not very envious with your two red eyes?"

  Wei Zheng did not directly take Xiao Rui to Li Gang's home to request apprenticeship like Xiao Yu, but he had also privately asked Master Li Gang if he could accept his son Shu Yu as a disciple, and was similarly declined. However, only heaven knows, earth knows, Li Gang knows, Wei Zheng knows, so they don't feel embarrassed.