The two returned to the inn, but Zilu and the others had not returned.

It was getting dark, and people were coming back one after another. Seeing that Mr. had been retrieved by Zigong, they all asked excitedly.

"Sir is a fool, huh? Yes? You don't wait where you are, what are you running around? Is! I went to the east gate again just now, but it still didn't ......" It was dark for a while before Zilu came back scolding.

After Jizilu, Yan Hui and Min Ziqian also returned.

Min Ziqian was the last to come back, he didn't scold, he was just worried. When everyone saw him like that, they all hurriedly stepped forward to report to him, saying that Mr. had been found by Brother Zigong.

Hearing that Mr. had returned, Min Ziqian's expression improved.

"Sir! Where did you go? It's hard to find us! Whining! After seeing Mr., Min Ziqian was so excited that he wanted to cry.

"I'm not going anywhere! I'll be waiting for you to come back at the east gate, and that's the result! I just didn't wait! Confucius explained with a smile.

"We went there before dark yesterday and didn't see him?" Min Ziqian asked.

When Zilu and they came back, they also asked the same question. Everyone was asking the same thing over and over again, and Confucius had to repeat it again.

"After I arrived at Zheng Palace, I submitted the paperwork, but Zheng Gong was not in the palace, so he didn't see me. I walked back. When I arrived at the original place, I was shocked to see that the house had burned. I searched there and found no signs of a fight, so I came to the east gate. I don't think you'll be going far, and you'll definitely be back waiting for me.

This is not? I waited until it was dark, and I was hungry, so I went to buy food and left the east gate for a while. That's probably when you came to me! As a result, we missed out. I waited until the second half of the night last night to find the inn. The inns were all closed, and I almost didn't live there.

This morning, I waited from morning to afternoon without eating a single bite of food. I was afraid that when you came to me, I went away again. Outcome! You didn't look for it! It was Zigong who found me first! ……”

"Sir! We went to the east gate and didn't find you, so we went to the gate of Zheng Palace to wait for you! Just now! I went to the East Gate again, but I still couldn't find it, so I came back. I think? Maybe I didn't find it, but someone else did? So I'm back! Mr! Min Ziqian said.

The people talked for a long time before they went to eat.

When we came back from eating, we sat around and talked again. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Confucius was able to use the topic to explain his doctrine and ideas to his students.

I don't know who it is, and I brought up the old thing again, talking about the matter I was looking for in the afternoon, and asked Zigong, how did I find Mr.? No! How did you first come up with the idea of going to the East Gate? They searched around the capital, and when they didn't find it, they all went to the east gate like Min Ziqian, before coming back.

"Zigong just came to the capital, maybe he went to the east gate according to what you said, maybe he wanted to find some clues from there! What about you! You went there yesterday and didn't find it, so you thought I had left the east gate, so you didn't rush there. Confucius explained.

Zigong didn't want to say what Zheng Ren said, and Zheng Ren's words were disrespectful to Mr. As a student, it is not convenient to speak directly to the gentleman. Seeing that Mr. also guessed, he couldn't bear it anymore and said Zheng Ren's original words.

Zheng people said: There are people at the east gate, their cheeks are like Yao, their items are like Gao Tao, and their shoulders are like children, but they want to be less than three inches below Yu, and they are tired like a dog who has lost his home. I'm very angry! Think about it? He shouldn't have lied, probably having seen Mr. at the East Gate. And! I am very familiar with my husband. Otherwise? He can't say that! ……”

When Confucius heard this, he first shook his head, and then said with a smile: "The shape is the end." And it is like a lost dog, yes! Oh yes! ”

Meaning: It's still very vivid, that's the case, I'm like a lost dog. Lu Guo couldn't go back, so he fell into the streets of Zheng Guo's capital.

When Zigong heard this, he thought about the image of Confucius squatting there at that time, and suddenly turned into a crying and mournful face.

"Who? Who says that sir? As soon as Zilu heard this, he was angry on the spot.

"It seems! This Zheng person, he knows me! It's just that I don't know him! And! This man was not an ordinary man, he not only knew me, but he knew me very well. He compared me with Yao, Gaotao, Zichan, and Yu, and lifted me up! Hehehe! ......" Confucius laughed self-deprecatingly.

He knew in his heart that it was not the Zheng people who exalted him and compared him to a sage, but laughed at him. Laugh at his deplorable appearance, as homeless as a dog that has lost its home, with no master to rely on, no source of food, no one to feed.

Dogs are very loyal and brave. The lost dog is different, and can only be a dog with his tail between his legs, and a wild dog.

When Zigong, Yan Hui and the others heard this, they were so sad that tears rolled in their eyes, their throats twitched, and they almost cried.

"How can I compare with Yao, Gaotao, Zichan, and Yu? He is also inspiring and spurring me!

Yao ruled the world, formulated laws, and gave the emperor the throne, so that the world praised and passed on from generation to generation. Maybe he is hinting at me, or is it that my Confucian fall into the three capitals is intended for the world? Where did I, Kongqiu, have such thoughts?

Gaotao is one of the "Four Saints of Antiquity" with Yao, Shun and Dayu. According to legend, he was a native of Qufu, Lu State. A politician, thinker, and educator in ancient times, Gaotao was a virtuous minister. Legend has it that he was born during the reign of Emperor Yao, and was once appointed by Shun as a scholar in charge of criminal law, and was known for his integrity. His main merit was the formulation of criminal law and education, and the help of Yao Shun and Dayu in the implementation of the five punishments and five religions. Use unicorns to govern prison and insist on justice; It requires both punishment and education, requiring father's righteousness, mother's kindness, brotherhood, brotherhood, and filial piety, so that society is harmonious and the world is under great rule.

Needless to say, he is from Zheng Guo. Govern Zheng Guo very well. That means: they Zheng Guo has a child, or! Ask me if I can have the ability to have children and govern Zheng Guo well?

The story of Dayu's water control has been passed down to this day, and he passed the door several times without entering. That means: If I want to do practical things, I am not qualified enough, and I haven't walked enough of the road that Dayu has taken......"

Confucius took advantage of the topic and gave the students a vivid moral education lesson.

"He's definitely a Taoist hermit!" Min Ziqian said.

"He's a master!" Confucius nodded.

"I heard that when Lao Tzu lived in seclusion in his hometown of Chen, the wise people around him went to visit and follow the Tao. This Zheng person should also be one of them, right? Zigong nodded.

"Chen Guo! I'm going! High hermit, I'm going to visit! Confucius looked at Zigong and nodded. Later! When you meet a master, you must be humble and seek advice, and don't miss the opportunity. Be sure to come back and tell me that I, Kongqiu, will visit in person. ”

(End of chapter)