That night, Zhuang Bo announced an exciting news to the children of the families living in Zhuangzi's residence: although Zhuangzi did not plan to accept anyone as a disciple for the time being, from today onwards, the sage would try to teach the sons of Zhuangzi.

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, Zhuzi was already very satisfied with this, after all, the status of master and apprentice only depended on whether Zhuangzi recognized them as his disciples, but in the eyes of the world, as long as Zhuangzi was willing to teach them, then they were Zhuangzi's disciples, even if Zhuangzi himself did not admit it himself.

Therefore, Xiang Yi, Huahu, Mu Wu, Le Jin, and Le Xu were overjoyed.

In addition to the joy, they cast grateful eyes on Meng Zhong, because if it weren't for Meng Zhong's relationship, they would probably not be able to get such a result if they stayed here for a few more years.

Even if it is a simple and introverted martial artist who is not good at words, his eyes are full of respect when he looks at Meng Zhong.

After all, everyone present knew that Zhuangzi, who had been 'hiding his knowledge' and 'keeping his mouth shut' for nearly 20 years, had such a big change suddenly because of Meng Zhong's contributions.

And while the princes were delighted and talking about Zhuangzi's sudden change of heart and intention to teach them knowledge, Zhuangzi was sitting alone in the hall of the main house, thinking about teaching.

Zhuang Zhou used to teach people karma, but at that time his Huizi had not yet died, and he did not make a 'closed-mouth' fast, but now, he did not want to break his 'closed-mouthed' fast, and he also wanted to teach the sons in the house to learn Taoist thought, even Zhuang Zhou felt a little troubled by this.

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

And this candidate for "teaching one person first", he immediately thought of Meng Zhong, after all, among all the sons, only Meng Zhong left the deepest impression on him.

Around midnight the next day, Zhuangzi first ordered Uncle Zhuang to go to the treasury of Junei, and ordered people to move his previous book "Heaven and Earth" to the hall of the main house, and then asked Uncle Zhuang to summon Meng Zhong and explain to the latter, that is, he first taught Meng Zhong, and then Meng Zhong taught on his behalf to teach the sons of Junei.

"Substitute teaching?"

Even Meng Zhong was a little flattered, after all, teaching on behalf of the teacher, this is a privilege that only a 'disciple' can get.

Of course, on the other hand, since it is a substitute teacher, then in other words, Zhuang Zhou's requirements for Meng Zhong will be higher, if Meng Zhong cannot comprehend the meaning that Zhuang Zhou wants to express in a very short period of time, and delays the teaching of other sons, then this method of teaching will naturally not be implemented.

"Read."

In the hall where there were only two people, Zhuang Zhou put the first bamboo slip of his "Heaven and Earth Chapter" in front of Meng Zhong, and motioned Meng Zhong to recite it with his eyes and movements.

Meng Zhong took the book, spread it out in front of him, looked at the contents of the bamboo slip and recited: "Although the heaven and the earth are large, their transformation is also even; Although there are many things, they are governed by one; Although there are many people, so is their lord. Jun Yuan is in virtue and becomes in the sky, so it is said that the ancient monarch of the world, there is nothing to do, and the virtue is only ......"

During this period, Zhuang Zhou closed his eyes and listened, and when Meng Zhong had read the first paragraph, he suddenly raised his hand to prevent Meng Zhong from reciting further, and at the same time placed a bamboo plaque with the words "He Jie" in front of Meng Zhong, and pointed the bamboo plaque with his finger.

Meng Zhong understood this, so he explained the meaning of this passage with his own understanding according to Zhuang Zhou's intentions: "The master wrote in the text, that is, although the heavens and the earth are large, their movements and changes are balanced; Although all things are complex, they all have their own place, but in the final analysis, they are the same; Though the people were numerous, their rulers were all kings. The monarch should govern the world in accordance with things and do things in nature, so the ancient monarch ruled the world, and everything came from inaction...... Master, what is "heavenly virtue"? ”

Zhuang Zhou was satisfied with Meng Zhong's explanation, because Meng Zhong's explanation was very correct, although he didn't understand the truth of "Tiande", but it was no wonder, after all, "Tiande" was a very profound Taoist thought.

After being satisfied, Zhuang Zhou wrote a few words on a bamboo plaque to explain the meaning of Tiande: Heaven is the way of heaven, virtue is human virtue, and the unity of heaven and man is the saint.

Meng Zhong nodded in relief.

Seeing his expression, Zhuang Zhou wrote another line of words on another bamboo plaque: You have used Song Zi's "Heaven and Man Chapter" to ask me for advice, and you must have some understanding of this.

Meng Zhong was stunned for a moment when he saw this line, and looked up at Zhuang Zhou, but saw that this master was looking at him with a little bit of narrowness and banter—he didn't know what the intention was.

Fortunately, Zhuang Zhou didn't play a little trick on Meng Zhong, and when he saw that this kid had a mocking look on his face, he motioned for him to continue reading.

Meng Zhong then continued to read, stopping one paragraph at a time, explaining the meaning of the passage according to Zhuang Zhou's meaning, and even sometimes being asked by Zhuang Zhou for some extended truths.

As for the confusion encountered during this period, Zhuangzi also expounded the truth one by one, relieving Meng Zhong's confusion.

Zhuang Zhou's "Heaven and Earth Chapter" has a total of about 4,000 words, and nearly 20 volumes of bamboo slips alone are recorded, which can really be called a 'long theory' in the current era.

It was precisely because he was writing a long story that it took Meng Zhong a whole day to barely understand this article smoothly - this was still when Zhuang Zhou explained his confusion one by one, otherwise, I am afraid that there might not be such results in three or five days.

But then again, the Taoist classics are like this, understanding is the first step, and getting your own understanding is the most important part.

In this regard, Meng Zhong's perception of the "Heaven and Earth Chapter" is far from satisfying Zhuang Zhou, but as the first lesson of 'teaching on behalf of the teacher', this level is enough - after all, the first lesson, all Meng Zhong has to do is to repeat Zhuang Zhou's explanation, so that the rest of the sons can understand this article.

As for how far the princes can comprehend in the future, it depends on themselves, anyway, Zhuang Zhou will never force it.

On the sixth day of the ninth month, the day after Zhuang Zhou gave Meng Zhong a job alone, he summoned all the sons of Zhuangzi to the main house.

After learning of this, Meng Sui, Wu Ying, Xiang Yi, Hua Hu, Mu Wu, Le Jin, and Le Xu all changed into clean clothes and sat respectfully in the hall.

At that time, Meng Zhong sat on the south side of the low table facing Zhuzi, holding many bamboo slips from the "Heaven and Earth Chapter", explaining to Zhuzi the literal meaning of this article sentence by sentence.

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

What made him quite satisfied was that even though he had only been teaching for one day, Meng Zhong had been able to explain the literal meaning of the whole text smoothly, and there were no omissions or mistakes during the period.

It seems that this kind of teaching method has a lot to offer, Zhuang Zhou thought secretly in his heart.

After the explanation, Meng Zhong instructed the princes according to Zhuang Zhou's intentions: "This is the end of today's teaching, you each copy a copy of the "Heaven and Earth Chapter", go back to the house to study carefully, understand the truth, if you have any doubts or gains, record them, and ask the master in person when you teach again in two days." ”

"Follow the Master's teachings." The sons said in unison.

There were two reasons why the next lecture was scheduled for two days later, first, he wanted to leave enough time for the princes to peruse the contents of the "Heaven and Earth Chapter", and second, he could also get enough time to think about the new work.

The next day, after the princes finished their own chores, they sat in their respective rooms and recited the "Heaven and Earth Chapter" repeatedly, trying to understand some great truths from it, so as to attract Zhuangzi's attention when teaching two days later—although Meng Zhong's status as a 'disciple' should not be shaken, it would not be bad to compete for the position of 'second disciple', after all, there were eight of them in total.

On this day, Meng Zhong, like the rest of the sons, studied the "Heaven and Earth Chapter" with Meng Sui in the house, but he didn't expect that around the end of the day, Uncle Zhuang suddenly came to the house and said to Meng Zhong: "Meng Zhong, the master wants to leave the house and travel, you should prepare and serve the master." ”

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

You must know that as far as they know, in recent years, Zhuangzi has traveled to improve his writings, so during his travels, no one else is allowed to follow, even if it is Zhuangbo, he rarely travels with Zhuangzi.

What I didn't expect was that today Zhuangzi would actually name him to follow.

I have to say that after receiving this honor, Meng Zhong is actually no different from a disciple of Zhuangzi - although Zhuangzi will not admit this for the time being.

"Yes, kid get ready."

Arching his hand towards Uncle Zhuang, Meng Zhong hurriedly answered.

Zhuang Bo nodded, and then looked at Meng Zhong and stopped.

As an old man who has followed Zhuangzi for decades, Zhuangzi has been silent for nearly 20 years, and Zhuang Bo is very uncomfortable in his heart.

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 forty or fifty years old, he still debated with his friend Huizi or the guests who came to him, but now, Zhuangzi has become extremely autistic, immersed in the realm of 'Tao' alone, refusing to communicate with the world, until Meng Zhong appeared, so that Zhuangzi changed slightly.

Therefore, Zhuang Bo very much hoped that Meng Zhong in front of him could continue to 'influence' Zhuangzi and let Zhuangzi return to his previous cheerful and talkative nature, but after hesitation, he finally did not tell Meng Zhong what he was expecting.

After thinking about it again and again, he just admonished Meng Zhong and said, "When you travel with the Master, remember not to disturb the Master's thoughts while he is pondering. ”

Of course, Meng Zhong understands this.

Under the guidance of Uncle Zhuang, Meng Zhong put the empty bamboo slips, bamboo cards, and pen and ink inkstones in a bamboo basket, and waited for Zhuangzi at the gate of the courtyard.

It didn't take long to see Zhuangzi walking slowly on crutches.

This time, of course, Zhuangzi would no longer ignore Meng Zhong, only to see him nod towards Meng Zhong—probably signaling the latter to follow him, and then walked out of Zhuangziju without looking back.

"Where will Master Zhuang go when he travels?"

Seriously, Meng Zhong was very curious about this.