According to historical records, after Confucius returned to Lu, he retired from poetry, writing, etiquette and music for 15 years. The age is between the ages of 36 and 50, which is the most important time in life.

During these fifteen years, Confucius's private learning was vigorously developed.

Confucius, who did not have an official position, still had to eat. So! There must be a way to make money. His savings were not much, so he saved some money during the period of Lu Zhaogong. And! The money that came back from the Qi Kingdom.

Although Qi Jinggong did not reuse him, he only made him a ceremonial official. But! There was a lot of money to be given. In particular, treasures such as jade are old and valuable.

Confucius relied on these savings to increase the tuition fees of his students, and barely lived a moderate standard of living.

In terms of substitute teachers, they no longer pay salaries casually, and only Zilu and others are hired. The other substitute teachers, all of them are free, and they are all the kind of voluntary self-paying. Furthermore! Kong Lili is also substitute and can also receive a salary.

Other than that! As a teacher's wife, Qi Guanshi often accepted money and belongings from students' parents without telling Confucius. These belongings, ostensibly received privately by the Qi Guan family, turned out to be used by the Qi Guan family to subsidize the family.

Confucius was very dissatisfied with Qi Guan's "bribery" behavior, but under the oppression of real life, he could only open one eye and close his eyes. If he was caught, he said that he was a big deal. If you don't catch it, you don't see it.

During these fifteen years, Confucius also experienced these things: Kong Li's marriage with Fang Qin, Meng Pi's daughter and his own daughter's marriage, and other major events.

There are also regrets! After Kong Carp and Fang Qin got married, they have not given birth.

Because of the relationship between Confucius's family and Fang Jishi's family, both parents are anxious and looking forward to the day when Fang Qin can get pregnant. So! There is no plan to consider remarrying Kong Li.

Furthermore! Kong Carp and Fang Qin have a good relationship with each other, Fang Qin does not give up, and Kong Carp is unwilling to give up, so he did not renew a room.

And also! Fang Qin was deeply liked by Confucius and Qi Guan, and Confucius and Qi Guan couldn't speak.

Fang Jishi's side often came over to persuade Confucius, let him be the master, give Kong Li's new room, and hug his grandson as soon as possible, but neither Confucius nor Qi Guan's family agreed. The number of times they talked about it was too much, and it was not easy for the Fang Jishi couple to say more. They also hope that Fang Qin can conceive a baby as soon as possible.

And also! Confucius's family situation was like that, not a wealthy family. If you want to renew a house for Kong Carp, it will cost you. So! Confucius's family has no plans in this regard for the time being. After all! Kong Li and Fang Qin are both young and have the possibility of giving birth.

Ideologically, after returning from the defeat of the Qi State, Confucius spent a long time thinking about Lao Tzu's Taoism and sorting out Lao Tzu's Taoism. I have a deep understanding of Lao Tzu's Taoism. But! He still does not accept, or is unwilling to accept, many of Lao Tzu's views.

Beg to differ!

In terms of materialism and idealism, he began to doubt. But! He was still not sure: This world evolved from the Tao? Or was it created by the gods?

In terms of managing society, he still persistently adhered to his own views, and was unwilling to accept Lao Tzu's Taoist thoughts. He still insisted that it would be more practical to improve the old system. And dare not and are unwilling to accept Lao Tzu's thoughts, first socialize the whole into parts, and then combine.

In terms of self-cultivation, he still insists: from the perspective and position of catering to social management. And to deny Lao Tzu's point of view: from the perspective of human nature.

He still thinks that Lao Tzu's self-cultivation or the method of managing society is too passive and not active. He thinks! If you don't take the initiative, you will be passive! If you don't take the initiative, you are irresponsible to society, the country, and others!

After thinking about it for a long time, Confucius still strengthened his belief and took the line of reform. 1 self-denial 1 plus 1 salute! So! He picked up ancient books such as poems, books, rituals, and music, and studied them in depth.

And also! After the experience of the Qi state, Confucius was deeply aware of what he lacked in dealing with politicians. How did Duke Qi Jing and his courtiers treat him? Why did you treat him like this? He thought deeply.

Combined with his relationship with Ji Pingzi, he finally had an understanding.

Benefit! Selfish personal interests and honor are the pursuits of those people. Although you are careful, you will inevitably infringe upon or affect the vital interests of others. Therefore! You will inevitably be framed and ostracized by others.

If you want to mix in politics, you have to have a relationship with these people and get to know them. And then! Come up with ways to target and deal with them.

After the experience of Qi State, Confucius profoundly realized: no matter how big your official position is, you have your own difficulties, even if you are the Son of Heaven!

So! He corrected his old thoughts!

Past! He believes that as long as he has a certain amount of power, he can promote his own ideas and spread his ideas to the world.

Right now! He doesn't think so anymore! Right now! He believes that no matter how big your official position is, as long as you work hard, you can spread your ideas and influence others!

No matter how big your official position is, you can only influence the people around you, you can't influence the people in distant places, and you can't influence the people you can't see.

Right! is saying to Lao Tzu: Even if it is the Son of Heaven! What can you do?

According to Lao Tzu and his eldest brother Fang Jishi, today's Great Zhou Tianzi, he is a Taoist. But what about him? He can't spread Taoism to the world!

Therefrom! Confucius realized a truth! That is: real power!

Only when you have practical power can you spread your ideas.

In this thinking, Confucius felt! If he had a fief, he would definitely manage the people in his fiefdom. Let them abide by the weekly rites and the weekly system, and restore the style of the heyday of the Great Zhou.

If you don't have real power! Even if you are today, you can't do anything about it!

With this idea, Confucius honestly set up his own private school.

Teaching! It's visible!

Lao Tzu said: We can't save the world, can't we save ourselves?

Teaching and educating people, at the very least: I can train my students to become talents, and cultivate them to become another self! Cultivate a person who understands the etiquette and abides by the weekly system......

And then! Let my students spread my ideas again!

And then! Chickens lay eggs, eggs lay chickens, endlessly!

No matter how small an individual is, he has his own brand!

As long as my thinking is correct, as the spread is deeper and wider, there will be more and more people of faith!

Just like the self-media in modern society, don't think that you are not famous and cannot get fans. But! As long as you insist, as long as your ideas are correct and popular, there will definitely be more fans. Your fans change from one to two, two to four, four to eight, eight to sixty-four......

The number of fans who are hyped up is large, but most of them eventually become "zombie fans". Because! Fans who don't get "nutrition" from you for a long time will eventually become "zombies".

(End of chapter)