That night, Zhuang Bo announced an exciting news to the children of the families living in Zhuangzi: Although Zhuangzi does not intend to accept anyone as his disciples for the time being, from today on this sage will try to teach the sons of the family.

To put it bluntly, although they do not have the name of master and apprentice, they have the reality of master and apprentice.

Of course, the sects were already very satisfied with this. After all, the title of master and disciple is only dependent on whether Zhuangzi admits that these people are his disciples. However, in the eyes of the world, as long as Zhuangzi is willing to teach them, they are Zhuangzi's disciples - even if Zhuangzi himself did not admit it personally.

Therefore, Xiang Liao, Hua Hu, Mu Wu, Le Jin, Le Xu and Le Xu were happy.

While they were overjoyed, they all looked gratefully at Meng Zhong, because if it weren't for Meng Zhong's relationship, they would probably not have been able to get such a result if they stayed here for a few more years.

Even Wu Ying, who is honest and introverted and not good at speaking, looked at Meng Zhong with respect.

After all, everyone present knew that Zhuangzi, who had been "hiding his knowledge" and "closing his mouth" for nearly twenty years, suddenly had such a big change because of Meng Zhong's contribution.

Just as the sects were happily discussing because Zhuangzi suddenly changed his mind to teach them knowledge, Zhuangzi was sitting alone in the hall in the main house, thinking about teaching.

Zhuang Zhou had taught people karma before, but at that time, Huizi had not passed away, and he did not set a "silent fast". But now, he does not want to break his "silent fast" and wants to teach the scholars who are in the house to learn Taoist thoughts. Even Zhuang Zhou also has a headache about this.

After thinking about it, Zhuang Zhou finally came up with a solution, which was to teach one person first, and then ask this person to teach the other students on his behalf.

As for the candidate who "teaches one person first", he immediately thought of Meng Zhong. After all, among the scholars, Meng Zhong left the deepest impression on him.

Around the next day, Zhuangzi ordered Zhuang Bo to go to the treasury of Ju'er's house and ordered his previous book "Heaven and Earth" to move the people to the main house. He immediately asked Zhuang Bo to call Meng Zhong and explained to the latter that he taught Meng Zhong first, and then Meng Zhong gave the lecture on his behalf to teach the scholars of Ju'er's house.

『Teaching on behalf of the teacher?』

Even Meng Zhong was a little flattered. After all, he taught on behalf of his master, which is an honor that only the "big disciples of the disciples" can get.

Of course, on the other hand, since it is taught by the teacher on behalf of the teacher, in other words, Zhuang Zhou will have higher requirements for Meng Zhong. If Meng Zhong cannot understand the meaning that Zhuang Zhou wants to express in a very short time and delays teaching other scholars, then this teaching method will naturally not be implemented.

"read."

In the hall where there were only two people, Zhuang Zhou put the first bamboo slips of his book "Heaven and Earth" in front of Meng Zhong, and used his eyes and movements to signal Meng Zhong to recite.

Meng Zhong took the book and spread it in front of him. He looked at the contents of the bamboo slips and recited: "Although the heaven and earth are big, their transformation is equal; although all things are numerous, their governance is one; although people and soldiers are numerous, their lords are the lords. The lords were originally formed in virtue and were formed in the sky, so it is said that the Xuangu ruler of the world is nothing, and the virtue of heaven is just... "

During this period, Zhuang Zhou closed his eyes and listened. When Meng Zhong recited the first paragraph, he suddenly raised his hand to stop Meng Zhong from reciting further. At the same time, he placed a bamboo plaque with the words "He Jie" in front of Meng Zhong and pointed the bamboo plaque with his fingers.

Meng Zhong understood the meaning and used his own understanding to explain the meaning of this passage according to Zhuang Zhou's intention: "In the text, the Master wrote that although the heaven and the earth are very large, their movement and changes are balanced; although all things are complicated, they are each the same as their roots; although there are many people, their rulers are all kings. The king should manage the world with the fundamental basis of adapting to things and accomplishing things in nature. Therefore, in ancient monarchs ruled the world, everything came from inaction... Master, what is "heaven virtue"?"

Zhuang Zhou was satisfied with Meng Zhong's explanation, because Meng Zhong's explanation was very correct. Although he did not understand the principle of "Heavenly virtue", it is no wonder. After all, "Heavenly virtue" is a very profound Taoist idea.

While satisfied, Zhuang Zhou wrote a few words on a bamboo plaque to explain the meaning of heavenly virtue: heaven is the way of heaven, virtue is man and virtue, and the unity of heaven and man is a saint.

Meng Zhong nodded with relief.

Seeing his expression, Zhuang Zhou wrote another line of words on another bamboo plaque: You once asked me for advice from Song Zi's "Heavenly Man" and I believe you have some understanding of this.

Meng Zhong was stunned when he saw this line of words. He looked up at Zhuang Zhou, but saw that the master was looking at him with a little bit of stinginess and jokingly - he didn't know what the purpose was.

Fortunately, Zhuang Zhou didn't tease Meng Zhong at all. Seeing the boy's face showing awkward look, he signaled him to continue reading.

Meng Zhong then continued to recite, one paragraph at a time, and explained the meaning of the passage according to Zhuang Zhou's meaning. Sometimes Zhuang Zhou would even ask about some extended principles.

As for the confusion encountered during the period, Zhuangzi also explained the truth one by one to relieve Meng Zhong's confusion.

The "Heaven and Earth" written by Zhuang Zhou has a total of about 4,000 words. The bamboo slips recorded just use nearly twenty volumes. In the current era, it can be called a "long-term theory".

It is precisely because he is a long-term theory that Meng Zhong spent a whole day to understand this article smoothly. This is still the case when Zhuang Zhou explained his confusion one by one. Otherwise, there might not be such a result in three or five days.

But then again, this is the case with Taoist classics. Understanding is the first step, and getting one's own insights is the most important part.

In this regard, Meng Zhong's understanding of "Heaven and Earth" is far from satisfying Zhuang Zhou, but as the first lesson of "teaching on behalf of the teacher", this level is enough - after all, in the first lesson, all Meng Zhong had to do was repeat Zhuang Zhou's explanation so that the rest of the scholars could understand this article.

As for the extent to which the philosophers can understand in the future, it depends on themselves. Anyway, Zhuang Zhou would never force it.

On the sixth day of the ninth month, the day after Zhuang Zhou taught Meng Zhong alone, he called all the scholars in Zhuangzi's residence to the hall of the main house.

After learning about this, Meng Sui, Wu Ying, Xiang Liao, Hua Hu, Mu Wu, Le Jin, and Le Xu all changed into clean clothes and sat cross-legged in the hall respectfully.

At that time, Meng Zhong sat facing Zhuzi on the south side of the low table, holding many bamboo slips from the "Heaven and Earth" in his hand, and explained to Zhuzi the literal meaning that this article wanted to express.

During this period, Zhuang Zhou sat in the main seat behind the low table, closing his eyes to rest while listening to Meng Zhong’s story to see if there were any omissions and mistakes.

What satisfied him was that even after only one day of teaching, Meng Zhong was able to explain the literal meaning of the whole article smoothly, and there were no omissions or mistakes during this period.

It seems that such a way of teaching has great potential, Zhuang Zhou thought in his heart.

After the explanation, Meng Zhong instructed the scholars according to Zhuang Zhou's intention: "Today's teaching ends here. You will copy a copy of the "Heaven and Earth Chapter", go back to the house to study it carefully, and understand the truth. If you have any questions or gain something during the period, record it and ask the Master in person when teaching again two days later."

"Abide by the Master's teachings." The sects said in unison.

There are two reasons why the next lecture is scheduled for two days. First, he hopes to leave enough time for the scholars to understand the content of the "Heaven and Earth Chapter", and second, Zhuang Zhou can also have enough time to think about new works.

The next day, after completing the miscellaneous work he was responsible for, he sat cross-legged in his room and repeatedly recited the "Heaven and Earth" in his own room, trying to understand some great truths. Fortunately, his teaching was taken seriously by Zhuangzi two days later. Although Meng Zhong's status as a "big disciple" should not be shaken, it would be good to compete for the position of the "second disciple". After all, there are eight of them in total.

On this day, Meng Zhong was studying the "Heaven and Earth Chapter" with Meng Sui in the house, but unexpectedly, around Si Shi, Zhuang Bo suddenly came to the house and said to Meng Zhong: "Meng Zhong, Master wants to leave his residence and travel. You prepare and serve the Master."

Meng Zhong and Meng Sui looked at each other, both a little stunned.

You should know that as far as they know, in recent years, Zhuangzi traveled to perfect his works. Therefore, during his travels, others were not allowed to follow him. Even Zhuang Bo rarely traveled with Zhuangzi.

But what I didn't expect was that Zhuangzi would actually ask him to follow him today.

I have to say that when I received this honor, Meng Zhong was actually no different from Zhuangzi's disciples - although Zhuangzi will not admit this for the time being.

"Yes, boy is ready immediately."

He bowed to Zhuang Bo, and Meng Zhong quickly responded.

Zhuang Bo nodded, then looked at Meng Zhong and wanted to speak but stopped.

As an old man who has been with Zhuangzi for decades, Zhuangzi has been silent for nearly twenty years, and Zhuang Bo feels very uncomfortable.

After all, in Zhuang Bo's memory, although his master Zhuang Zhou was arrogant, he was actually a very cheerful and talkative person on weekdays. Even when he was in his forties or fifties, he still debated with his friend Huizi or guests from all over the world. But now, Zhuangzi has become extremely autistic, immersed in the realm of "Tao" alone, refusing to communicate with the world. It was not until Meng Zhong appeared that Zhuangzi had a slight change.

Therefore, Zhuang Bo really hoped that Meng Zhong in front of him would continue to "influence" Zhuangzi and restore Zhuangzi to his previous cheerful and talkative style, but after hesitating, he did not tell Meng Zhong his expectations in the end.

After thinking about it over and over again, he just warned Meng Zhong: "If you follow the Master on a trip, remember not to disturb his thoughts when the Master is deeply thinking."

Meng Zhong certainly understood this.

Under the guidance of Zhuang Bo, Meng Zhong put the hollow bamboo slips, bamboo plaques, pens, inks and inkstones and other items in a bamboo basket, and Hou was waiting for Zhuangzi at the courtyard gate.

Not long after, Zhuangzi walked slowly with a cane.

This time, Zhuangzi would certainly not ignore Meng Zhong anymore, but saw him nodding at Meng Zhong - probably signaling the latter to follow him, and then walked out of Zhuangziju without looking back.

"Where will Mr. Zhuang go when he is traveling?"

To be honest, Meng Zhong is very curious about this.
Chapter completed!