Chapter Sixty: This is indeed the true Land of Bliss

  The disciple listened, his face also becoming solemn, and said: "Master's teachings are indeed correct. Looking at the farmers singing in this land, it is indeed as Yu Shu said that the gods of this land protect all living things."

  As they spoke, the carriage drew closer to the fields. The fields and roadsides were different, with a thin layer of water covering them. Many farmers, crouched in the fields, planted seedlings one by one, dense and lush.

  The younger brother still saw such farming for the first time, and couldn't help but take a closer look. Seeing these fields, there were indeed seedlings that had been inserted, all in neat rows, dense and lush.

  Compared with the rough and extensive farming in this world, there is a big difference. In the distance, farmers are driving cattle to plow the land.

  There was also a robust woman carrying a basket, with clear water and food inside. A fragrance wafted out from it. Seeing the vehicle, she hastily stepped aside to make way.

  The two of them set out early in the morning, before dawn. By this time, their stomachs couldn't help but rumble, sniffing the aroma, that young and strong monk's belly started growling loudly.

  The disciple felt a bit embarrassed and covered it up by saying: "I don't know what this thing is, but it smells so good!"

  But then he saw that his master hadn't even noticed him, and was instead gazing out at a large mulberry tree in the distance. More than a mile away, faintly but unmistakably carried on the breeze, came the sound of children reciting their lessons aloud.

  The disciple knew the master's intention and hurriedly drove the cow cart over. Under the big mulberry tree, there were fifty or sixty young children sitting under the shade of the grass, shaking their heads and reciting loudly:

  "Heaven and earth are mysterious and vast, the universe is immense. The sun and moon shine brightly, the stars and constellations are arranged in order. Cold comes and heat goes, autumn harvests and winter stores. The remaining days make up a year, the law of music regulates the yang energy. Clouds rise to bring rain, dew condenses into frost. Gold is born from beautiful water..."

  This is a great surprise! What kind of article is this? The meaning is simple, yet it's so easy to read aloud. It's simply the best reading material for beginners!

  "Calamity results from accumulated evil, good fortune comes from accumulated good deeds. A small jade is not a treasure, but an inch of shade is worth competing for. Serving one's father and ruler with severity and respect. Filial piety requires exhausting one's strength, loyalty requires sacrificing one's life. Approaching the deep as if it were shallow, treading on thin ice as if it were thick..."

  The disciple listened, and the more he listened, the more shocked he became. He felt that this enlightening text seemed to contain countless principles, not just for those ignorant children to learn. Even he himself, after listening, seemed to have countless feelings.

  But saw that his own master's demeanor became more and more dignified. His heart skipped a beat, he didn't dare to be distracted, and listened attentively.

  Always seeing these disciples recite: "Square steps lead, bowing and looking up at the corridors. Binding belts with dignity, wandering and gazing. Lonely and ignorant, foolish and ridiculed. What is said to help, how can it be?"

  Then cheers and applause filled the air, a chorus of excited voices. The young monk was quickly drawn to the food offered by these children, who poured out white rice from bamboo tubes, added soup, and immediately filled the air with fragrance.

  He just took a glance and hastily helped his own master down from the carriage. Then he saw that middle-aged man who was teaching the child, apparently noticing them. Having just finished teaching, he walked over.

  "With gentle voice, the great Confucian recited: 'Marching in rectangular steps, bowing and rising in the temple corridors. With dignified demeanor, strolling and gazing around...'"

  These sentences are the requirements for Confucian scholars: hold your head high and walk with a broad stride, have a heart that is upright and bright, have great ambitions, take the world as your own responsibility. Dress neatly, move with ease. Be cautious and dignified, look far ahead.

  The great Confucian lightly chanted these two sentences, adjusted the high crown on his head, and then solemnly bowed. This suddenly scared Zhao Cheng, who hastily stepped aside and did not dare to accept this bow. Although he didn't know the great Confucian, judging from his attire, it was clear that he was a Confucian scholar.

  Zhao Cheng was just wearing a hemp robe and short boots, with his feet in grass shoes. He looked like an ordinary farmer.

  The disciple was somewhat perplexed, not knowing why his master would show such great courtesy to this rustic old man. But then he heard the great scholar say: "This essay could only be written by a great sage! The grand principles of our Confucian school are all contained within its meaning!"

  That disciple was startled, this article seems to be just for enlightenment of children who have just started reading books! Is it necessary to say something so serious?

  But thinking about the reasoning in this article, for a moment, I couldn't refute it. All I could say was: "Master..."

  The great Confucian raised his hand to stop the disciple from speaking: "May I ask who wrote this article? I am He Wen of Donghe, and this is my disciple Zhai Leng. We have come to pay our respects!"

  Zhao Cheng listened, and his heart smiled bitterly. He hastily bowed and paid respects: "It turns out to be the great scholar of Donghe, Mr. He Junzhi! In my younger years when I was traveling and studying, I had already heard of your esteemed reputation. I, Zhao Cheng, am just a humble villager. This article is not something I could have written; it was actually written by the local land god!"

  "Is this also the work of the Land God? But it says 'Qian is called Father, Kun is called Mother; I am humble and live in the midst of them' - is that what you mean by the Land God?" He asked sternly.

  These Zhao Cheng didn't know, but since it was said that the Land God had done it, there wouldn't be a second one. That's right! At this point, he said: "Exactly!"

  "Thank you!" He Junzhi listened, showing a joyful expression, and bowed again, saying: "You are in the countryside, but still not forget to teach and educate children, and promote good customs. This is a great achievement! I am not as good as you!"

  Zhao Cheng was moved in his heart, and He Junzhi is a famous Confucian scholar of the time, with thousands of disciples. He can say such things, it's really humble. He hurriedly said: "I don't dare, I don't dare. This is the order of the Land God, I just listen to orders and do things!"

  Having heard this, He Junzhi was even more excited. Originally, it was just a coincidence that he had heard the Western Inscription and the poem "Sympathy for the Peasants" from Yu Shu's mouth, and he had come to see the Land God especially because of this. But he hadn't expected that before he even arrived at his destination, he would be able to witness such a scene - it was truly not a wasted trip, not a wasted trip.

  He Keji is now even a little impatient to see Liu Yi.

  "The temple of the Land God is in each of the three villages under Fenglai Mountain. There's also one halfway up the mountain." Zhao Cheng pointed out the route.

  He also said: "If Master He is not in a hurry, why not have something to eat here first and then go? It's getting late!"

  He sniffed the fragrance, and secretly swallowed a mouthful of saliva. This fragrant food seemed to be much better than the cold, hard dry rations he had on him!

  He Junzhi said with a serious expression: "A wise man is hard to come by! At this moment, I regret not being able to meet the Land God on horseback. How dare I hesitate here!"

  He said, and then bowed again, ordering Jia Leng to drive the carriage towards Fenglai Mountain.

  At this time, most of the villagers were in the fields. The village gate was locked, and He Junzhi didn't go in either. Hearing that there was a temple on the mountain waist, he headed towards the mountain waist.

  All along the way, farmers are busy everywhere, and women are delivering water and food. A scene of spring plowing in full swing.

  Furthermore, the warm sunshine brings a gentle fragrance. After closing his eyes for a long time, he turned around and sighed, saying: "This is indeed a land of happiness!"