Chapter 399: There has been no retribution for a hundred years, how many white hairs do I have now?
In the ninth year of Zhengde, the Confucian sage was already forty-three years old. It was normal to have regrets at this point in life.

He was promoted to the position of Nanjing Honglu Temple Minister, which sounded like a third-rank official, but in fact it was still an idle position.

In this ancient capital of six dynasties and the metropolis of ten dynasties, the work content is still not very important, which gives him plenty of time to do his own things.

Such a leisurely life made the Minister of the Ministry of Rites in the capital very envious.

In fact, before Wang Shouren came to Nanjing, this place was about to develop into a stronghold of the School of Mind.

Wang Shouren's eldest disciple was named Xu Ai. He was a three-good student with good character, good personality and good knowledge. In addition, he was almost crazy about spreading the philosophy of mind. He made full use of his aura as a schoolmate and started to spread the philosophy of mind whenever he met someone.

When I speak, I think of my master, and when I speak, I think of my Xinxue. I strive to be the first in the debate. My master is the best, and my Xinxue is the coolest!
If the master doesn’t publish a book, I will help him publish it!
If the master doesn’t come to Nanjing, I will help promote it!
He built a empire for his master with his own efforts.

If Wang Shouren is Confucius, then Xu Ai is Yan Hui.

Unfortunately, Wang Shouren's Yan Hui could not stay with him until the end.

When the news of Xu Ai's death came, Wang Shouren cried out in grief: "Heaven has forsaken me! Heaven has forsaken me!"

If Teacher Yue had such a capable, responsible, accountable and conscious disciple, why would Huashan not prosper?

It was only because of Xu Ai, a doctor in the Ministry of Works in Nanjing, that the School of Mind developed so rapidly in Nanjing.

When Wang Shouren came to Nanjing in person, the students here were excited.

Nanjing has many advantages at this time.

We usually listen to the teacher's lectures together and digest the knowledge on our own after class.

When I feel confused but don’t want to disturb the teacher, I will happily ask the senior brother for help.

Although Xu Ai's physical condition was not much better than his teacher's, whenever his junior fellow students came to ask for advice, he would warmly receive them and carry out his job as an 'assistant teacher' to the end.

Wang Shouren also gained something from teaching in Nanjing. He is a saint who has opened the human body's limiter. He is growing every moment. His current self is always stronger than his yesterday self, and his tomorrow self will definitely be stronger than his today self.

After summarizing the gains and losses of his lectures in Chuzhou, Xiao Wang focused his lectures on letting his disciples practice self-discipline by "preserving Heavenly principles and eliminating human desires."

At that time, a disciple named Lu Cheng received a letter from home and learned that his son was seriously ill. He then fell into a state of despair, worry, and impetuousness.

Xiao Wang told him: "This is the time for you to practice and work hard. The love of parents for their children is common and the most sincere and important emotion. However, the principles of heaven must have a limit and be moderate. If they are excessive, they will become selfish. Studying the saints and becoming saints does not mean that people should destroy their human nature. On the contrary, it means that they should maintain their human nature and keep their heart nature."

In addition to teaching, Xiao Wang is also a ranger.

He did not go to the Qinhuai River, where the hustle and bustle of the world made it difficult to find a secluded paradise, so he hid among the green mountains and clear waters.

Deep in the mountains and forests, take a leisurely rest, sweep away the dust on the stones, burn a wisp of incense, take things as they come, and sleep in the embrace of nature.

When you wake up from a dream, a close friend may come to visit you and you can talk about the mystical truths with him, and you will feel relaxed and contented.

The beauty of the mountains lies in their quietness and tranquility, away from the hustle and bustle of the world, and a scene that is detached from the world.

At this moment, Wang Shouren picked up a brush and wrote on the fan:

Since I moved my home into the purple mist, I have lived in the deep forest for so long that I have forgotten my age.

Don’t say there is no supply in the mountains; the bright moon and fresh breeze are free of charge.

A friend who came to visit saw Wang Shouren's inscription and couldn't help laughing and said, "Then I must feel more of your free moonlight and fresh breeze."

"Hahaha, the more the better." Wang Shouren said with a big laugh.

While he was chatting with his friend, his disciple Ji Ben hurried up the mountain and searched for half a day before finding his teacher.

"Sir, Brother Yokoyama asked his disciple to give you this letter."

Wang Shouren took the letter, opened it and read its contents:

"Recently, Ou Jingyu, the Chancellor of the Chancellery, recommended you as the governor of Gansu. He believed that Gansu was a complicated place, and only you could solve it." "The cabinet had no objection, and Your Majesty also agreed. I think the imperial edict will arrive in Nanjing soon."

'In addition, the governor of Shaanxi is Zhao Jian, the former right governor of Shaanxi.'

The letter was not long, and Wang Shouren finished reading it quickly, and a strange feeling arose in his heart.

A few days ago, he was inspired and composed a seven-character regulated verse "Lion Rock":
The remaining summer heat must be cleared away by a rain, and the high peaks are about to clear up.

The sound of the river is urgent as the tide recedes at Haimen, and the foot of the trees in Wu Garden are bright in the deep autumn.

The beacon fires are being lit to prevent the intrusion of the Hu cavalry, and the feathered letter is sending me sorrowful messages seeing the northern clouds crossing.

There has been no retribution for a hundred years, how many white hairs do I have now?
At that time, he wanted to serve his country, but he failed to make any significant contribution, and he was quite depressed.

It hasn't been a few days yet.
He received the news that the court intended to let him go to Gansu to realize his ambitions.

Wang Shouren returned to the city from the mountains, and within five days, the imperial edict arrived at his house.

In addition to the imperial edict, there was also a private letter written by Ou Zanghua, which was quietly delivered to Wang Shouren. This was the first time the two exchanged letters.

In the letter, Ou Zanghua explained in every word why he recommended Wang Shouren.

It was because Ou Zhanshi knew about his performance in Guizhou that he believed that only Wang Shouren, with his wisdom and courage, could handle the complex situation facing the Gansu border in one fell swoop and eliminate future troubles forever.

In addition, Ou Zanghua also promised that if Wang Shouren needed any assistance, he would do his best to help, whether it was military supplies or civil and military talents.

At the end of the letter, the Minister of the Imperial Household concluded:
The decline of Zhou, Qin, Han and Tang all began with the loss of their northwest, but they were unable to secure their southeast. They were able to spread their power and influence among the mixed tribes, making the thousands of miles of Qiusuo as solid as a rock. With the blessing of heaven, their national prosperity lasted for a long time.

I would like to work side by side with you and devote my wholehearted efforts to the glory of the Ming Dynasty.

After reading the letter, Wang Shouren couldn't help laughing and said to Xu Ai beside him, "I didn't expect that Ou Zhanshi knew so much about my past. It's appropriate for me to go to Gansu."

Xu Ai read the letter and said with some shame: "I have followed you for many years, but I don't understand you as well as Ou Zhan. I was negligent in my daily life."

"The one who understands me is Hengshan," Wang Shouren shook his head and said seriously, "Ou Zhanshi only cares about the overall situation of the country. His perspective may be different from ours, so what he sees and feels is naturally different."

Xu Ai looked at the letter and asked hesitantly, "Sir, what do you think of what Ou Zhanshi said about the decline of Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties, all of which were first abandoned in the northwest?"

Wang Shouren stroked his beard and said leisurely, "This view was also mentioned by Sima Qian. Things are born in the east, and mature in the west. Those who do things must be in the east and south, and those who reap the fruits of their labor are usually in the west and north. Therefore, Yu rose from the Western Qiang, Tang rose from Bo, the King of Zhou also conquered Yin with Fenghao, the Emperor of Qin rose from Yongzhou, and the rise of Han started from Shu Han."

Translated, the words of Taishigong mean that the East is the place where all things are born, symbolizing the beginning and germination, while the West is the place where all things mature, representing completion and harvest.

Therefore, those who start a business often choose to start from the east or south, because these two directions are associated with new life and vitality.

Harvesting results and achieving goals often occur in the west or north, because these two directions symbolize maturity, stability and harvest.

Historical examples also confirm this:
Dayu rose from the land of Western Qiang and founded the Xia Dynasty.

Shang Tang started his army from Bo and eventually overthrew the Xia Dynasty.

The Zhou Dynasty was established by conquering the Shang Dynasty from the west with Fenghao as its base.

The Qin Dynasty's great cause of unification originated from the western land of Yongzhou.

The prosperity of the Han Dynasty began in the Hanzhong area of ​​Bashu. Although it is located in the southwest, it can also be seen as a country that gradually grew stronger and eventually unified the world by relying on the power and resources of the west.

Xu Ai recalled what he had learned. At this moment, history seemed to be a fixed script, but the actors kept changing.

Wang Shouren continued, "In fact, there is no need to think so deeply. From the perspective of terrain, the mountains in Shaanxi and Gansu are high and dangerous. They can be used for attack or defense. Whoever occupies them will have a commanding position over the Central Plains."

"Heroes emerge in troubled times, and this is the right time. Occupying the high and dangerous mountainous terrain of Shaanxi and Gansu is the right location. If you have two of the right time, right location, and right people, there is no need to worry about not achieving great things."

(End of this chapter)