Chapter 63: The Noble Person (Part 2)

  Seeing them coming, Fang Xin had only saluted, but saw the old man waving his hand and saying: "..."

  Since that's the case, Fang Xin didn't decline either. After bowing his hands and dusting off his clothes, he sat down properly. Just as he sat down, the old man began to speak and asked: "May I ask, was it you who wrote the poem on the mountain just now?"

  Ancient pines, rocky outcrops, people sitting on them, mountain winds blowing clothes, indeed having a feeling of drifting away from the mundane world.

  "Fang Xin said casually: 'It's just because I'm a student, and earlier when I went up the mountain, I saw that all things are born, grow, decay, and die in cycles. I had some feelings about it at the time, so I recited this poem. It was nothing more than just talking to myself.'"

  The old man listened, fixed his eyes on Fang Xin, smiled and said: "Young man, you are really a good poet. In just a few sentences, you have expressed an extraordinary idea. Are you still a child? How many years old are you?"

  Fang Xing smiled and said with a bow: "At eight years old, I began to learn characters, at twelve years old, I became a child student, this year I was just thinking of taking the county examination."

  "Today I paid homage to the Buddha, and saw you going up the mountain, but soon came down. What's the reason?"

  "The students went up the mountain, just to pay respects to the earth goddess, not to worship Buddha, so they came down early."

  "Houtu Niangniang?" At this time, a middle-aged man sitting nearby with an old man asked with a curious look.

  He looked at the man with rapt attention, and saw that he was calm and composed, with a gentle and prolonged breath. For a moment, it was impossible to discern his depth, although they were separated by several steps, yet he could still feel the powerful energy emanating from him. He then said: "Yes, I started reading books at the age of eight, but due to poverty, I had very few opportunities to read. Whenever I saw a book, I would rush to memorize it. At the age of eleven, I chanced upon an old book at a small stall, which told the story of Hou Tu Niang Niang. Although it was only a few words, it left a deep impression on me and I couldn't forget it for a long time. Unfortunately, I couldn't afford to buy the book at that time, and it has been a regret of mine ever since. However, every day I would recite the passage several times. In the past, due to poverty, I was unable to come out and pay respects to Niang Niang, which has also been a source of regret for me. This year, I managed to accomplish something and earned some money, so I came to pay my respects to Niang Niang. I didn't expect that her incense would be so weak. In the future, if I were to gain wealth or become an official, I will definitely build a temple for Niang Niang."

  As soon as these words came out, the middle-aged man was moved in his heart, looked at him and asked: "What did that old book say?"

  "The Queen of Heaven governs yin and yang, nurtures all things, and dominates the mountains and rivers, it is the earth god." Fang Xin said that this point is actually also a saying in this world, without much difference. Everyone nodded silently, and the middle-aged man showed a knowing expression, saying: "The Heavenly Emperor and the Earthly Empress are the masters of heaven and earth, you recite them every day, with your heart feeling the spirit, no wonder, no wonder."

  Although it sounds like a casual remark, Fang Xin has been thinking about it day and night, and has gained spiritual insight, which is why he can be so calm.

  The old man also came to a realization, but before he could speak, he heard Fang Xin say: "Please forgive the student's arrogance. The student was ignorant in his youth and revered Niangniang, not because of her high status."

  "Oh, why is that?" The middle-aged man said with some surprise.

  "This scripture says that the Queen of Earth gave birth to all things and is the mother of all things. At that time, there was no underworld, and when people died, their souls dispersed in the heavens and on earth, which was a great suffering. The queen saw this and transformed her body into six paths to contain all living beings, each with its own exit and entrance, circulating endlessly. This is the great saint, great compassion, and great mercy. When I read this during the day, I understood the meaning of Earth."

  "The earth is where all things come from and return to. The goddess uses this to guide and transform." Fang Xin said calmly.

  "The earth is the origin of all things, and the return of all things. The goddess uses this to enlighten." The middle-aged man muttered to himself, and for a moment his heart seemed to be shaken, as if a gentle bell rang out in his heart.

  As Fang Xing saw this person's spiritual machine start, he immediately seized the opportunity to say: "Dust returns to dust, earth returns to earth, and the soul returns to Hou Tu. However, you don't need to suffer and grieve, death is a cycle of life, without any cover-up, hypocrisy or darkness."

  I have incarnated in the six paths, just to prevent you from dispersing and falling. The Tao does not despise anything, it is for the sake of chaos, looking down from above, even more so without despising, height is not for abandoning the low to exist, but only for guarding and guiding, to let you know that you are eternal seeds, I am your father and mother, guiding you on the path of true righteousness. Before this, I am willing to be reborn life after life, guarding you.

  "This vow is my great practice and also my fundamental dharma gate."

  As soon as this sentence was spoken, others might have just let it go, but middle-aged people suddenly saw that the air responded with boundless light falling down, sprinkling on the young man's body, and responding to the light in his body. The light carried the Tao of great compassion and the principle of life and death cycles. At this moment, I only felt that the worldly dust in my heart was washed away, a layer of membrane was broken, and it was full of light. I was stunned, just repeatedly reciting this sentence silently.

  The old man slightly furrowed his brow and said, "Houtu Niangniang governs the mountains and rivers of the earth, I've heard of it before. But transforming into six paths is unheard of, what book are you reading? You're completely on the wrong path."

  Fang Xin heard this and immediately raised his voice, saying: "This elderly gentleman, I have a differing opinion."

  The old man was slightly angry, but after a moment's thought, he looked at the young man in front of him and smiled, saying: "What different opinions do you have? Speak up and let me hear."

  This tone is already very official, ordinary people wouldn't speak like this.

  "I dare not, please forgive the student's disrespect." Fang Xing bowed and after seeing the old man nodding, he said: "The student reads the books of saints and sages, the thousands of words and phrases I've read, all boil down to one word: benevolence."

  "On that day, Confucius' disciple Fan Chi asked what 'ren' (benevolence) is. The sage replied: 'Loving people!' His secondary saint also said: 'Ren is human', and also said: 'What the people desire, heaven will follow; therefore, when the people are happy, the world is peaceful, and when the people resent, heaven's intention is chaotic.' This is the heavenly way. Generally speaking, all teachings only need to explain this principle, and once you understand the meaning of 'ren', there will be no more heretical teachings, but only the right path. The goddess transforms into six paths, protecting all living beings; this is great benevolence and virtue, peaceful and without deviation."

  The old man spoke with a firm tone and a resolute expression, as if he was trying to convey the profound meaning of the word "ren" (benevolence). Although it's hard to fully explain its significance, this is what those in power strive to promote. The young man, on the other hand, argued his point with reason, his eyes shining brightly, and a good impression was born within the old man's heart. He said, "Well, it's rare for someone as young as you to have such insight. I hope that when you become an official in the future, you'll remember these words today."

  Fang Xindun suddenly knew that he had successfully created a good impression, and then nodded his hands seriously and said: "What the old man said is true, students should love themselves, love their relatives, love their neighbors, love their lord, and love their country."

  The old man was about to smile and stop the conversation, but upon hearing this, he looked surprised and said, "Why is that?"

  It means the arrangement seems out of place.

  Students think that most people in the world are mediocre, even if they are students and scholars, they may not have the opportunity to serve the country and the people. However, everyone can start from themselves, start from small things, so loving oneself can cultivate one's nature and virtue, and avoid violating the law. Loving one's parents is about being filial to them, loving one's brothers is about being kind to them, and teaching children is also something that ordinary people can do. As for neighbors, it is the same. If there is an opportunity in the future, with great heavenly grace, one can enter the imperial court and love the ruler and the country. In this way, human relationships will naturally become good and benevolent.

  Fang said, "Even if one becomes an official, they must start from small things, start from reality, start from oneself. Only then can one cultivate the spirit passed down by saints and sages. If one's own house is not swept clean, how can they help the world?"

  The old man listened to this and suddenly became solemn and surprised: "What a wonderful thing, starting from childhood, what a wonderful thing, starting from oneself, what a good person, self-cultivation and benevolence, is this what you have come to realize?"

  Although he was prepared, Fang Xin still jumped in fright. At this moment, everyone's eyes were fixed on him, with surprise and admiration in their eyes, as if they had suddenly come to a realization. He smiled awkwardly and said: "Students study like this, but have never spoken out, today I spoke too much, I was flustered for a moment, it was really impolite, please forgive me, sir."

  "You can think this way, indeed you have obtained the true essence of a scholar. What fault is there? From now on, study hard and in the future, you will have your own say." The old man listened, smiled slightly and said: "I've spent thirty years without daring to put down my books... Ah, I still haven't reached the depth of understanding from these simple sentences!"

  At this moment, the middle-aged man also woke up and saw this scene, his eyebrows couldn't help but lightly twitch...

  He said a few more words and Fang Xin knew that the fire had reached its peak today, so he stood up to bid farewell, saying: "It's getting late, and I still have to return to the city, lest my mother worry, so I'll take my leave now."

  "Alright, you can go now!" The old man waved his hand.

  "How was it, Mr. Yan? What realization did you come to just now?" The old man said with a smile as he saw him leave.

  "The Marquis of Lu, the passage just now is not false, every word is true. In the next passage, you will see its energy, it can be seen that it must be a true transmission. This young man's fate was originally only a small official blessing, but as he reads and recites it today, he cultivates his nature and changes his energy, and has already become a vessel. If he truly practices the Way of Benevolence, Heaven will grant him something beyond his original fate." The middle-aged man sighed and said: "I have deeply studied the method of calculating one's destiny, and I have also heard about the way of reverence, but it wasn't until today that I truly saw it. This child is not included in the calculations, he has obtained this point, however, this is only the beginning, later on, he still needs to cultivate virtue and accumulate good deeds in order to last long."

  The old man listened, smiled and said to those around him: "Alright, today we meet, it's also fate. Go, investigate who this young man is. If he really has talent, I'll help him out a bit. It won't be in vain. From now on, it's up to his own luck."

  He certainly knew that in the imperial examination, all sorts of strange things could happen, and there were many cases where talented people did not pass, which is why this saying came to be.