Chapter 90

Daxia Academy.

Gu Jinnian looked at Su Wenjing, somewhat curious.

"Please enlighten me, sir."

Although he didn't know what Su Wenjing wanted to say, the seriousness and earnestness made Gu Jinnian humbly seek advice.

"Jinnian."

"You have displayed unparalleled talent today, and I am deeply impressed."

"In poetry, you can be the best in the world, but you must remember that the Confucian path requires more than just poetry."

"It's not just about the classics."

"But the Three Imperishables."

Su Wenjing spoke, very seriously, mentioning the Three Imperishables.

After hearing this, Gu Jinnian fell silent.

He knew about the Three Imperishables.

Establishing virtue, establishing merit, and establishing words.

These are the Three Imperishables of a sage.

Achieving these three makes one a sage.

But achieving these three is extremely difficult, none of them are easy.

Establishing virtue means maintaining high moral standards throughout one's life, which is not just a matter of words. When you want to establish virtue, you must constantly remind yourself that some things can be done and some cannot, being constrained by the framework of a sage.

Therefore, Gu Jinnian would not consider establishing virtue for now, not because he lacks virtue, but because it is too long-term. He hasn't even thought clearly about his future path, so establishing virtue is not feasible.

The Confucian path has many branches, and only by choosing the path you want to take can you establish virtue.

Establishing merit is still manageable, even if no one says it, Gu Jinnian would still do it.

Establishing great merit for the country is also beneficial to oneself, expanding territory, suppressing rebellions, and seeking justice for the people, all of these count as establishing merit, it's just a matter of the size of the merit.

As for establishing words.

This is truly terrifying. Establishing words is not just shouting slogans about what one wants to do.

True establishment of words means creating new knowledge, revealing true Zen, and bringing new changes to the Confucian path.

This is what it means to establish words.

Establishing knowledge.

The third realm of the Confucian path, establishing words, is not the same as the Three Imperishables, but rather establishing the words of reading, and the two should not be confused.

Regarding establishing words, Gu Jinnian had some ideas and thoughts, but he was not yet ready to truly establish words.

Without fame, one cannot establish words.

The reason is simple, without fame, without influence, even if you establish knowledge, who would listen to you?

Only with sufficient influence can you establish knowledge, otherwise it would just be a laughing matter.

This is why the sage of the Mandate of Heaven established the Confucian rites, allowing scholars to become officials and spread their ideas through influence.

"Sir, the Three Imperishables are still too distant for me."

Gu Jinnian shook his head, understanding Su Wenjing's meaning, but also seeing the reality clearly.

Before Gu Jinnian could continue, Su Wenjing shook his head and looked at him.

"Jinnian, do you know why it is difficult to become a sage?"

Su Wenjing asked.

"I do not know, sir."

Gu Jinnian answered seriously.

"It's because everyone says it's difficult to become a sage, making you focus on the present, taking one step at a time, and not aiming too high."

"But the more you do this, the more you give yourself reasons."

"It's just that you think becoming a sage is difficult, believing you can't do it, and not wanting to bear the immense pressure."

"Regardless of whether it is difficult or not, there are people in this world who have become sages, which means it is possible."

"Jinnian, if you have the idea of becoming a sage, you must start thinking about the Three Imperishables from tomorrow."

"When you look up, your eyes should no longer see the world, but the sage's position."

"Do you understand?"

Su Wenjing's voice was like a great bell, resonating in Gu Jinnian's mind.

Su Wenjing's words were profound.

Why do I know it's difficult to become a sage?

Because everyone tells me it's very difficult, as difficult as reaching the sky.

When people face difficulties, their first reaction is to avoid them. If they can't avoid them, they try to reduce the difficulty.

The idea of scholars is to choose the latter. Why choose the latter?

They say it's to divide the goal into several levels, completing a part today and a part tomorrow.

But in reality, the more you do this, the less likely you are to achieve it.

It's like quitting smoking. Starting to quit from tomorrow, but not being able to quit all at once, so reducing the amount gradually.

Generally, those who do this can't achieve it.

Especially for becoming a sage.

It must be done all at once.

Don't have any illusions.

Under immense pressure, one can break free and reach the top, without losing heart.

"Jinnian."

"Before you, there are only two paths to choose from."

"Like the masses."

"Or face the difficulties with great wisdom and great perseverance, and reach the sage's position directly."

"Today, you composed four poems, and had the courage to speak of different classics. I believe you have the qualifications and the ability to become a sage."

"And all of this depends on your choice."

"Jinnian, I am not asking you to make a choice now."

"But you need to think about it, from now on, you need to think clearly and understand."

Su Wenjing was not asking Gu Jinnian to set a goal now, but hoped that Gu Jinnian would start thinking about it from now on.

Otherwise, when you want to do it, it will be too late.

"Sir, I understand."

Gu Jinnian nodded, he had an idea, but everyone has their own judgment.

It's impossible for Gu Jinnian to immediately set a goal just because Su Wenjing said so.

He still needed something to inspire him.

At this moment, Su Wenjing continued.

"I will tell you everything about the Mandate of Heaven today."

Su Wenjing spoke, mentioning the second matter.

"Alright."

Gu Jinnian replied.

"Jinnian, do you know about the Mandate of Heaven?"

Su Wenjing asked.

"I know."

"In books, it is recorded that every five hundred years, a Mandate of Heaven is born. If one has the Mandate of Heaven, they can reach the eighth realm."

"Confucians become sages, Daoists become immortals, monks become Buddhas, demons cause chaos, and monsters become dragons."

Gu Jinnian slowly spoke, answering the question about the Mandate of Heaven.

In the world of Shenzhou, there is the concept of the Mandate of Heaven. Any system has only seven realms, and these seven realms are within the normal range, generally speaking, the seventh realm is already the limit.

To reach the eighth realm, one must be recognized by the Mandate of Heaven.

Without the recognition of the Mandate of Heaven, for example, Gu Jinnian, people say he has the potential to be a sage, but this potential refers to a Confucian sage, not a sage of the Mandate of Heaven.

There have been only four sages of the Mandate of Heaven throughout history.

Being recognized by the Mandate of Heaven to become a sage has great significance, and it is believed to possess unimaginable power.

"Indeed, the sage of the Mandate of Heaven is the highest realm of the Confucian path. If one becomes a sage of the Mandate of Heaven, a single word can destroy a country."

Su Wenjing spoke, somewhat emotionally.

"A single word to destroy a country?"

Hearing this, Gu Jinnian was somewhat taken aback. Isn't this a bit terrifying?

No, not terrifying, but rather shocking?

"The sage of the Mandate of Heaven is recognized by heaven and earth, and can reach the ears of heaven. For example, if you become a sage of the Mandate of Heaven and believe that the actions of the Xiongnu are too cruel, you only need to speak, and your words will be followed by law, bringing disaster to the Xiongnu."

Su Wenjing spoke calmly, but his words left Gu Jinnian thoroughly shocked.

Words followed by law.

A single word to destroy a country?

With such power, why would I worry about anything?

Why didn't you say this earlier?

To be honest, Gu Jinnian knew very little about the Confucian path, mainly because no one had told him. Most books on the market only talk about the Confucian path of cultivating righteous energy, who talks about how strong the Confucian path is?

For example, when he asked the master before, he specifically asked if he could use words to defeat enemies.

The answer he got was to read less nonsense.

"Mr. Wenjing, if I have a Mandate of Heaven, does it mean that if I become a Confucian sage, I will be a sage of the Mandate of Heaven?"

Gu Jinnian asked.

"No."

Su Wenjing shook his head.

"Having the Mandate of Heaven only means you have the qualifications to strive for the sage of the Mandate of Heaven."

"Moreover, this Mandate of Heaven is different from before. This time, it is a Mandate of Prosperity, and many outstanding individuals will emerge in the world."

"In the Jin Dynasty, the Xia Dynasty, the Fulu Dynasty, and the Zhongzhou Dynasty, all have the Mandate of Heaven. Your competitors will become stronger."

"Moreover, among so many outstanding individuals, only one can stand out and become the Mandate of Heaven."

"The Confuc