As far as Meng Zhong knows, Duan Gan actually has at least two branches, and their ancestral origins are not the same.

One of the branches was from the Ying surname. According to legend, his ancestor was Li Zong, a descendant of Lao Tzu. He called himself Duan Gan because he was enthroned in the "Duan" and "Gan" in Wei State. Later, Li Zong defected to Zhao State and became the general of Zhao State. His descendant was Li Du, the Fengyang Lord of Zhao State.

The other branch comes from the Ji surname of Zheng. Its ancestor was Ji Shuduan, the second son of Duke Wu of Zheng. Because he failed to compete with his brother Duke Zhuang of Zheng for the monarch of Zheng, he fled to a place called "Communist". Therefore, Ji Shuduan is also called Gongshuduan. In order to commemorate his ancestors, his descendants changed their name to Duan.

The Duan family was passed down to the sixth generation, namely Duan Ganmu, an important official of the Wei State during the reign of Wei Wenhou. It is said that his original name was Duan Mu. After the three families divided Jin, they were called Duan Gan family by the world because they lived in Duan Guigan, which became the ancestor of the Duan Gan family.

Meng Zhong also asked Song Lei about Duan Ganmu and learned that Duan Ganmu was the sixth generation descendant of Ji Duan. Because his family was poor when he was young, he had walked in the market of Jin. Although he was a righteous man, he was quite merciful. Later, he waited for Wei Wenhou to invite Confucius' disciple Zixia to Xihe. Duan Ganmu gave up on his studies and joined Zixia's disciple.

It is worth mentioning that although Duan Ganmu was known as an important official of the Wei State during the reign of Wei State, he did not serve in Wei State for his entire life. He was just a personal aide of Wei State and gave him advice. He lived in seclusion in the market most of the time, which was quite a bit like "common generals and ministers". Although Duan Ganmu was actually not a "commoner" because before he became a disciple of Zixia, he was already a big merchant in Jin State who was in charge of livestock and had a wealth of wealth.

As for the "Confucianism in Xihe", it actually refers to the branch where Zixia opened a museum and accepted disciples in Xihe.

Zixia, whose original name was Bu Shang, was one of Confucius' most respected disciples, but his thoughts were contrary to Confucian orthodox thoughts and were quite "heretic". Therefore, after Confucius' death, Zixia was excluded by his fellow disciples, so he left Confucius and was invited by Wei Wenhou to Xihe in the State of Wei. According to legend, Li Ku and Wu Qi were all his disciples, and even Wei Wenhou also regarded him as his teacher.

It is no exaggeration to say that the "Confucian Confucians of Xihe" had prestige in the Wei State at that time, and later only the thoughts of Guigu, Wei State could compete with the Confucians of Xihe.

It is worth mentioning that for a long time, the Confucian Confucian orthodox in the West River had no connection with Confucian orthodox. It was basically that the water of the well did not interfere with the river. After all, the former is a heresy and alternative type of Confucian, while the latter is the orthodox of Confucianism. It was not until several generations later that the relationship between the two was slightly harmonious, but to be honest, there was no intimacy. For example, Meng Zhong had visited Mencius and his disciples several times. At that time, he had never heard of the fact that there was a branch of Confucianism in Wei. Until this year, before and after he got married, Mencius learned that he wanted to come to Wei, so he told Meng Zhong that Confucianism had such a branch in Wei.

And this is also the reason why Meng Zhong was not sure what attitude Duan Gan would treat him.

But there was no way. When Tian Wen did not sincerely reconcile with him, he had no choice but to seek help from Duan Gan. Otherwise, he, who was not familiar with the land of Wei, would have no way to contact the high-ranking officials and nobles of Wei, let alone the King of Wei.

Around the evening of that day, Meng Zhong, Meng Sui, Le Yi and Rong Fen, finally found the mansion of "Duan Ganyin" in Daliang City after a series of inquiries.

Duan Ganyin is the current patriarch of the Duan Gan clan. The reason why he is not in Xihe but in Daliang City is because Duan Gan clan has always been responsible for teaching the princes of the Wei royal family, such as the late Wei Xiang King Wei Si, who is currently the King of Wei Wei and the Crown Prince Wei (yu). Although he does not hold power in the court, I believe that even Tian Wen has to give Duan Gan a little face.

"Wow……"

Before and after coming to Duan Gan's mansion, Rong Fu couldn't help but sigh at the size of the mansion in front of him: "This mansion is probably no less than Tian Wen's mansion, right?"

Meng Zhong smiled faintly and explained: "The Duan Gan family, from his ancestor Duan Ganmu, has been a wealthy businessman in the Wei Kingdom. In terms of wealth alone, it is no less than Tian Wen with Xue Yi in hand. It is said that the Duan Gan family's children have always been low-key and are not as keen as Tian Wen."

"So that's it." Meng Sui, Le Yi and the others nodded.

He was dressed and straightened his clothes in front of the mansion. Then he stepped up the stone steps in front of the mansion and bowed to the guards guarding outside the mansion and said, "Meng Zhong, a disciple of Master Meng of Xia, came from the State of Song. He wanted to see Duan Gan, and beg for a notice."

The guards standing in front of the mansion looked up and down at Meng Zhong. Seeing that although Meng Zhong and his men were young, they were wearing sharp swords and were extraordinary intent. They were definitely not ordinary civilians, and they did not dare to make any decisions. They immediately went to the mansion to inform on Meng Zhong.

"A Zhong, do you think Duan Gan meets me and wait?"

While waiting, Meng Sui asked with some concern.

"It should be?"

Meng Zhong was actually not sure, but considering that Mencius was the leader of Confucianism in the world today, even if the Confucianism in Xihe was alienated from the orthodox Confucianism, he would not be able to save Mencius's face.

Just as Meng Zhong and his group were waiting outside the mansion with a nervous mood, they saw a young man in his twenties hurriedly walking out of the mansion. After looking around for a few glances, they immediately saw Meng Zhong and others.

"Oh."

I saw him chuckling, and greet him, "I wonder which of them are Meng Zhong, a disciple of Master Meng?"

Meng Zhong took a step forward after hearing this, bowed and said, "It's Meng Zhong who is here."

"Haha." The young man immediately bowed and replied, "In the lower Duan Gan Chong."

Hearing this, Meng Zhong asked cautiously: "I don't know if Brother Xian and Doctor Duan Ganyin are..."

The young man did not hide it and said with a smile: "Duan Ganyin is his father... His father learned that Mr. Meng's disciples were coming to visit, so he specially ordered Brother Yu to come and greet him."

"It turns out to be the son of Duan Gan." Meng Zhong quickly made up his greeting.

Seeing this, Duan Gan Chong waved his hand and said with a smile: "Why are you so distant as a Confucian disciple? I think my brother should not be as old as me. If I don't dislike you, I will call you "Brother" and you and my brothers to be together."

"How dare you..."

Although Meng Zhong was grateful for the enthusiasm of Duan Gan’s son to treat him and others, he was also a little puzzled: How could Duan Gan Chong in front of him determine that he was indeed a disciple of Master Meng, rather than a liar who cheated him?

Out of confusion in his heart, he couldn't help asking: "Brother Chong, why do you conclude that you are indeed a disciple of Master Meng, and not a fraud?"

"Hahaha." Duan Gan Chong smiled when he heard this, and then looked at Meng Zhong with a puzzled look and said, "A while ago, my father had received a letter from Master Meng. At that time, Master Meng said that in the future, a young man who claimed to be Meng Zhong might come to visit me Duan Gan and ask me Duan Gan to take care of me... Isn't this a virtuous brother?" As he said, he saw Meng Zhong's face showing a look of surprise and asked in confusion: "What? Didn't Master Meng tell you?"

Meng Zhong opened his mouth and said in a complicated mood: "I haven't heard Master Meng mention it..."

I have to say that his mood is really complicated at the moment: he never expected that for his visit to Wei State, not only did his teacher Zhuangzi do his best to help him, but even his other teacher, Mencius, paved the way for him early.

"After talking about it in the palace, my father is still waiting in the main hall." Duan Ganchong urged slightly.

"I'm rude and rude." Meng Zhonglian said a few times, and then, under the leadership of Duan Ganchong, he walked into the mansion with Meng Sui, Le Yi, Rong and others.

It has to be said that the Duan Gan family is worthy of being a wealthy family in the Yin Dynasty. The mansion in Daliang was large and deep, so when Duan Gan Chong led them to the main hall of the main house in the inner courtyard, Meng Zhong and others wandered around the mansion for a long time.

After a long time, Duan Ganchong led Meng Zhong and others to the main hall in the north room of the inner courtyard.

"My father is waiting for a few people in the house. Please, please."

"Please, Brother Chong."

Walking into the main hall, Meng Zhong saw an old man who was nearly fifty years old sitting in the hall with a tea bowl. When he saw Meng Zhong and others approaching the main hall, the old man also stood up to greet him, and smiled and said, "I guess it is Meng Zhong, a disciple of Mr. Meng, right?"

Next to him, Duan Ganchong introduced: "My brother, this is my father."

"Dr. Duan Gan."

Meng Zhong and his friends hurriedly saluted respectfully.

Maybe he guessed what Meng Zhong thought, Duan Ganyin said with a smile: "I got up to greet Master Meng, but it was because of my respect for Master Meng. Nephew doesn't have to care... Please sit down."

"Thank you."

After thanking me, Meng Zhong and others took their seats one after another.

It is worth mentioning that because he was used to sitting cross-legged, Meng Zhong subconsciously sat cross-legged in the table after he sat in the table. Until he found Duan Gan, Duan Gan Chong and his son were both sitting upright, he realized his rudeness and was about to change his sitting posture. However, at this moment, Duan Gan Yin smiled and said, "You have no need to be restrained. I also know that my brother has been worshipped by Master Zhuang since he was a child, and later became a disciple of Mencius..."

Next to him, Duan Gan Chong also smiled and said, "My brother is sitting in a heartless manner, which makes Brother Yu even more convinced that his brother is the disciple that Master Meng said."

"Mr. Meng even said this in his letter?"

Meng Zhong was a little surprised.

Later, during a chat with Master Duan Gan, Meng Zhong gradually discovered that although the Xihe Confucian School had a bad relationship with orthodox Confucianism in the past, Duan Gan and his son still respected Mencius very much, especially because Mencius refused to become the golden signboard for King Xuan of Qi to recruit talents from all over the world. He resolutely returned to Professor Zou Guo's disciples to spread Confucianism, and such measures to regard fame and fortune and devote themselves to spreading Confucianism, which made Master Duan Gan highly praised.

By the way, Duan Ganyin is the grandson of Duan Ganmu, Duan Ganmu is the disciple of Zixia, Zixia and Zengzi are brothers of the same school, and Mencius is the re-transmitted disciple of Zisi, Zengzi's disciple. Therefore, Duan Ganyin and Mencius are actually of the same generation in Confucianism, so Duan Ganyin called Meng Zhong a virtuous nephew, and Duan Ganchong was therefore commensurate with Meng Zhong's brothers.

After learning about this, Meng Zhong felt relieved: Fortunately, Duan Ganyin and Meng Zi are of the same generation, otherwise if they were a generation shorter, or even twice as shorter, the atmosphere would be bad.

After all, Confucianism pays great attention to family and generation. If Duan Ganyin is really shorter than Meng Zhong, he would have to call Meng Zhong to call him uncle and imagine what kind of awkward atmosphere would be.

After chatting for a few words, Duan Ganyin stroked his beard and asked, "Is it because of Tian Wen's visit this time? According to Master Meng's letter, what kind of grudges do you seem to have with Tian Wen?"

After hearing this, Meng Zhong did not hide it and told Duan Ganyin about his grudges between him and Xue Gong Tian Wen in Zhao State. Duan Gan Chong and his son. Duan Gan Yin did not say a word after hearing this, while Duan Gan Chong sneered and couldn't help but say, "Father, I have said a long time ago that Tian Wen is used to being arrogant and domineering, and he has only a false reputation!"

"alright."

Duan Ganyin raised his hand to interrupt his son, then turned his head to Meng Zhong and said, "My nephew, I, Duan Ganyi, have never been aggrieved with outsiders, but I will not bully them. Although my nephew is not a disciple of the Confucian family in Xihe, he is my Confucian disciple and Master Meng's master. If Tian Wen really dares to make things difficult for you, I, Duan Gan, will definitely provide protection."

Speaking of this, he pondered for a moment and said, "However, Tian Wen is very powerful in our Wei Kingdom now. With my Duan Gan clan alone, it is unlikely that Tian Wen will be afraid... After a few days, I will recommend Tian An and Uncle Gongyang to my brother..."

Tian An in his mouth was a descendant of Tian Zifang, and Tian Zifang was a disciple of Confucius' disciple Duanmu Ci (Zigong).

Once upon a time, Zixia, Tian Zifang, and Duan Ganmu all served as Wei Wenhou's teachers in the State of Wei. They were known as the Three Sages of Hedong and were extremely famous.

The uncle of Yang Shi refers to Gongyang Ping, the son of Zixia’s disciple Gongyang Gao.

Although Tian An or Gong Yang Ping actually has no power in the Wei State. At best, he is the guest of Wei, but he is really famous. I believe that even Xue Gong Tian Wen would not dare to offend these great sages of the Confucianism of Xihe.

After learning the details, Meng Zhong was quite grateful and repeatedly claimed to thank him.

Seeing this, Duan Ganyin smiled and said, "You don't have to be too polite. All Confucian scholars in the world are all family. You are a disciple of Master Meng, and we will take care of you."

That night, Duan Ganyin and Duan Gan Chong and his son were entertaining Meng Zhong, Meng Sui, Le Yi, Rong Fen and others.

The next day, Meng Zhong originally planned to say goodbye to the inn in the city for a while, but Duan Ganchong stopped him and said, "Since my brother has come to Daliang, how can I let my brother live in the inn in the inn with grievance?"

He tried his best to invite Meng Zhong and others to live in the mansion.

Meng Zhong refused several times but failed, so he had to tell the truth: "It's not that I'm not just a matter of being out of the way, but I'm actually a foolish brother still has some companions and soldiers who follow him in the city."

Hearing this, Duan Gan Chong said with a smile: "What's the matter? Just come to my house together to live there. I, Duan Gan, dare not say that I am rich, but it is enough to entertain my brothers and others."

As he said that, he refused to let Meng Zhong and others live back to the inn, and sent his servants to the inn to invite Wu Ying, Hua Hu, Xiang Liao and the twenty Song soldiers who followed him. Meng Zhong could not resist Duan Gan Chong's enthusiasm, so that in the end the group of people all lived in Duan Gan's mansion.

Not to mention that Duan Gan is hospitable and hospitable, which has been the case since his ancestor Duan Ganmu.

A few days later, Duan Ganyin invited Tian An, the descendant of Tian Zifang, and Gong Yang Ping, the son of Yang Gao, to introduce the two to Meng Zhong.

After learning that Meng Zhong was a disciple of Mencius, Tian An and Gong Yang Ping were extremely enthusiastic about Meng Zhong.

Tian An is a fellow Duan Gan Yin, and Meng Zhong had to call him "Master Uncle", while Gong Yang Ping was two generations higher than Meng Zhong in terms of seniority. Meng Zhong had to call him "Master Uncle", both of which were wise men from the Confucian lineage of Xihe.

It is worth mentioning that when we learned that Meng Zhong was actually the disciples of Zhuangzi and Mencius, two current great sages, Tian An excitedly told Meng Zhong about the master's master Tian Zifang.

Yes, Tian Zifang was also a disciple of the Taoist and Confucian family. His Confucian teacher was Confucius's disciple Zigong, while the Taoist teacher was the wise man of Wei State "Dongguo Shun", known as Dongguo Shunzi.

Because of the special inheritance of our ancestors, Tian An himself also learned the academics of Taoism and Confucianism, and was the most speculative about Meng Zhong's conversation.

After several conversations, Tian An, Duan Ganyin, Gong Yang Ping and others were all very satisfied with Meng Zhong, the junior, and agreed that the three of them would come forward to meet King Wei, and recommended Meng Zhong in front of the monarch of Wei.

It has to be said that after understanding the purpose of Meng Zhong's visit to Wei State this time, Tian An, Duan Gan Yin, and Gong Yang Ping could guess that Meng Zhong hoped to be an official in Wei State for the time being, that is, he hoped to consolidate the alliance between Wei State and Song State. After all, Meng Zhong, Meng Sui and others did not trust Tian Wen.

Tian An, Duan Gan Yin, and Gong Yang Ping did not mind. On the contrary, they were more inclined to be a vocational officer in his country of Wei. After all, Meng Zhong is also a Confucian disciple. If he can gain a place in the country of Wei, it would be a good thing for the Confucians in Xihe.

After all, although the Xihe Confucian Sect has many talents, most of them are knowledgeable in economics, and there are few generals who know how to lead troops to fight. This is why the influence of Xihe Confucian Sect has never been able to penetrate into the Wei army. It is because it is impossible to cultivate famous generals like Tian Zhang from the orthodox side of Meng Ru and orthodox.
To be continued...