A Chance Encounter of Great Figures

The traveler and his companion both sigh, having experienced poverty and prosperity. One is a wandering poet, one a farmer. If they had not met then, they would be old heroes.

Tang Wu meet by chance. Tiger and Dragon meet in the wind. The rise of kings is but a jest.

Now, a thousand years later, who contends for merit?

Inside the resting place.

The decor was elegant, several tables arranged neatly, and carved wooden chairs exuded an antique charm.

Everyone sat down, host and guests arranged accordingly. Attendants swiftly served hot tea and exquisite pastries. The tea's aroma wafted, filling the entire room.

Tai Yuan carefully observed Wang Shou Ren before him. He was very young, appearing almost like a university student of later generations.

However, Tai Yuan harbored no contempt whatsoever; this was Wang Yangming!

Wang Yangming, a renowned thinker, literary figure, philosopher, and military strategist of the Ming Dynasty, the great synthesizer of Lu Wang School of Mind, proficient in Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism.

Wang Yangming (the great synthesizer of the School of Mind), along with Kong Zi (founder of Confucianism), Meng Zi (great synthesizer of Confucianism), and Zhu Xi (great synthesizer of the School of Principle), are collectively known as Kong, Meng, Zhu, Wang.

Wang Yangming's philosophical thought—the Wang School (Yangming School)—was the most influential philosophical thought of the Ming Dynasty. His academic ideas spread to the Celestial Dynasty, Japan, the Korean Peninsula, and Southeast Asia. He established virtue, achieved merit, and articulated ideas, becoming the foremost figure of the Ming Dynasty. His disciples were numerous, and his school was known as the Yaojiang School.

In establishing virtue, achieving merit, and articulating ideas, he stood at the pinnacle.

Not to mention the evaluations within his own country, just consider foreigners.

His philosophical ideas spread to Japan, and a great general, Tōgō Heihachirō, even said, "I bow to Yangming my entire life."

Of course, all of that was after Wang Yangming's enlightenment at Longchang. As for the current Wang Shou Ren, he was still too naive.

Though he possessed a passionate and loyal heart, he had not yet embarked on an official career or controlled world affairs.

Just like the plum blossom, only after enduring the bitter cold does its resilience and proud spirit become apparent; so too with people, only by enduring the pain of shedding skin and breaking bones can one experience the joy of rebirth.

Experience is not vicissitude, but precipitation; endurance is not hardship, but tempering.

Comprehending amidst tribulation, maturing through tempering, welcoming a gathering wind, blooming with a trace of fragrance, calmly savoring the subtle.

Passing through the warmth and cold of years, understanding the weight of life, having suffered, having tasted sweetness, having loved, having hated, having cried, having laughed—that is life.

Perhaps Tai Yuan had stared for too long, for Wang Shou Ren asked, "Daoist Master has been continuously staring at Bo An. Is there something inappropriate about Bo An?"

His gaze carried a hint of inquiry. He leaned slightly, his sitting posture unconsciously straightening.

Tai Yuan was drawn back from his thoughts by Wang Shou Ren's voice, his eyes sparkling as he looked at the other party, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned, revealing a gentle smile: "This humble Daoist has a rudimentary understanding of Qi Huang Arts. After a brief observation just now, Young Master Wang, your heart is as brave as ten thousand men. However, looking at your physique, you can't even truss a chicken. May I ask about your physical condition?"

As he spoke, he gently swirled the teacup in his hand, his gaze continuously falling upon Wang Shou Ren.

Wang Yangming was startled and said, "Growing up eating grains, it's hard to avoid some ailments."

Tai Yuan chuckled, his tone inexplicable, "The ancients who accomplished great deeds had their minds tormented and their sinews and bones toiled. The body is the capital, after all."

Tai Yuan recalled that Wang Yangming died at over fifty years old in history. The exact cause, whether his own weakness or harsh circumstances, was unknown, but in Tai Yuan's view, for a scholar of Wang Yangming's talent to die at such an age was absolutely a great loss to the Chinese nation. Thus, he offered a reminder.

"Consider Kong Zi, Meng Zi, and Master Zhu; all of them lived past seventy. Young Master Wang should also pay attention to the Dao of health preservation in your daily life."

As soon as these words were spoken, Wang Shou Ren's heart suddenly skipped a beat, then he quickly regained his composure. Zhou Xun's hand, which was about to raise his teacup, paused, and Jia Yun Yu lightly covered her small mouth, her expression also changing.

Tai Yuan's words were undoubtedly hinting that Wang Shou Ren's future achievements would reach the realm of sages.

If not flattery, then it was extreme veneration.

Wang Shou Ren did not know whether Tai Yuan's intentions were good or malicious. He could only weigh his words, saying, "Daoist Master praises too highly. Bo An may not necessarily achieve great things, and as for my body, I believe it will gradually improve."

His words carried much politeness, but also seemed more distant.

Tai Yuan, being sensitive, instantly understood their concerns, and a hint of apology appeared on his face: "This humble Daoist was abrupt; Young Master Wang, please do not blame me. It is just that upon meeting Young Master Wang for the first time today, this humble Daoist immediately felt that you will surely achieve eternal fame in the future. I was momentarily excited and somewhat lost my composure."

With that, he bowed slightly, showing his apology, his eyes filled with sincerity.

Seeing Tai Yuan's earnest words and solemn expression, Wang Shou Ren's guard lowered, but he still did not completely relax his vigilance, secretly wondering if this was an enemy of his father sent to him.

However, he still politely replied, "Daoist Master is too kind!"

Tai Yuan, seeing this, continued, "Observing Young Master Wang's countenance, there should be three achievements, which will not be sullied."

Tai Yuan was naturally referring to Wang Shou Ren's future achievement of the Three Immortalities: "Establishing Virtue, Achieving Merit, Articulating Ideas."

Wang Shou Ren heard this, his mind bewildered, and asked, "Which three achievements?"

Tai Yuan smiled faintly, playing coy: "Heavenly secrets cannot be revealed in advance; you will know in due time."

Wang Shou Ren thought this Daoist was being evasive, so he did not press further, but instead asked him, "Where does Daoist Master come from?"

Tai Yuan's gaze retracted, and he slowly said, "This humble Daoist is from the Buddhist-Daoist origins region. As I wandered, seeking fellow Daoists, I arrived at this spiritually rich land of Wuyi, where Master Zhu once taught and founded the Wuyi Hermitage. I have a temporary desire to stay and do not wish to leave in a hurry."

As he spoke, he raised his teacup and took a small sip, feeling the warm tea spread in his mouth.

Wang Shou Ren pondered, then asked, "Is Daoist Master from Tiantai?"

Tai Yuan nodded and replied, "A fellow countryman of Zhang Ziyang."

Wang Shou Ren heard this and sighed, "The Quanzhen Dao lineage, passed down through generations."

Tai Yuan's interest grew, and he recited, "Li Taibai once said: Travelers speak of Yingzhou, the misty peach blossoms are hard to find; even more, people speak of Tianmu, where purple clouds and bright butterflies might be seen. Tianmu leans towards the heavens, its peaks obscuring the red city. Tiantai is 48,000 zhang high, threatening to fall and tilt to the southeast."

Wang Shou Ren immediately continued, "Rainbows for clothes, wind for steeds; clouds are banners, arriving in throngs. Tigers roar, iron-clad; phoenixes return to chariots, immortals are arrayed like hemp."

Tai Yuan immediately recited, "And let the white deer roam in the green cliffs. When it is time to travel, release it to the famous mountains."

With that, he exchanged glances with Wang Shou Ren, and the two, understanding each other implicitly, simultaneously exclaimed loudly, "How can I bow and bend my waist to the powerful and noble, preventing me from smiling freely!" Having spoken, the two looked at each other and burst into laughter.

"Hahahaha..."

"Hahahaha..."

Hearty laughter echoed in the room. At this moment, the knot in Wang Shou Ren's heart regarding Tai Yuan completely dissipated.

Perhaps it was a dry mouth after such a heartfelt conversation, so Wang Shou Ren picked up his cup and took a small sip of green tea.

The tea's aroma spread in his mouth, carrying a hint of clarity and sweetness.

"Hmm?" His voice carried a hint of doubt and pleasant surprise.

"Esteemed Uncle, the taste of this tea seems different from ordinary Wuyi tea. Its aroma is elegant, its taste sweet and pure upon entry, and its aftertaste long-lasting. Could it be the precious Gong Mei from Wuyi Mountain?"