Qiu and Mao stood on the left and right of the court. Sanheng has not been in the court for many days, and anyway, those courtiers are going to their mansion to ask for instructions in the end. Every day, those courtiers divided into three ways at the gate of the palace and went to these three mansions. The number of people is about the same, and they have a tacit understanding of the division of power. Lu Dinggong's instructions on the matter are basically a suggestion, and the final decision is up to them. If Lu Dinggong's instructions were in line with theirs, they would say to the minister, "What the king said is very right, you just do it." If Lu Dinggong's instructions were inconsistent with their ideas, they would say to the minister: "The king doesn't know about this matter, so you can do that, and then reply to the king that I helped the king fill in the gaps." “

The ministers also knew very well that Lu Dinggong would never express dissatisfaction with such an outcome, but said: "Yes, this matter is less than a lonely thought." ”

The matter discussed today is the fact that Qi Guo wants to make an alliance with Lu Guo. Regarding this matter, Sanheng's unanimous opinion is not to go, because it is called Huimeng, which is actually the Qi State asking for benefits from the Lu State. The Qi State is strong, and on the one hand, it claims to be the protectorate of the Lu State, and on the other hand, it constantly wants to encroach on the territory of the Lu State. Although Lu Guo was unconvinced, he did not dare to openly tear his face, so he has always been weak in the alliance. Sanheng's idea for Lu Dinggong was to say that he was sick and sent a stand-in. In this way, what Qi Guo wants, the stand-in will say that he can't be the master, just perfunctory this matter. Lu Dinggong hesitated, so he summoned the ministers to discuss.

The ministers were basically divided into two factions, one was Qiu and Mao, and the other was all the other ministers. All the other ministers thought that what Sanheng said was reasonable, and they could not risk being blackmailed by others to participate in this alliance. Qiu Hemao thinks that since the other party is invited in the form of a national letter, he can't go for no reason, he can hide from this time, but he can't hide from next time, and the monarch of Lu State can't be sick forever.

Lu Dinggong sighed: "It's not that I'm afraid of things, but I'm afraid that when I get to Jiagu, the Qi State will make a request, and the Lu State will lose the land again." “

Qiu said proudly: "The territory of the princes, each with its own fiefdom, is decided by the Son of Heaven. It is already an indecent act for countries to attack each other and seize land. With small favors and strong force, it is even more shameful to insist on territory than to directly attack and rob. Rest assured, Qiu is willing to accompany him, and he will not let Lu Guo lose a city or a place!"

Mao went further: "Jiagu is geographically closer to our Lu country, although the Qi country is powerful, but after all, this is an alliance, not a war, and it will not bring too many soldiers and horses." The king need not be anxious. Accompanied by Mr. Kong Qiu, Qi did not dare to act rashly. In order to report safety, Mao was willing to bring a few warriors who had been trained in person and mix in the accompanying convoy. If the situation is unfavorable, we can at least guarantee that the king will be able to retreat with all his body. “

The courtiers were noisy, nothing more than shouting Sanheng's opinion, persuading Lu Dinggong not to risk his life. Lu Dinggong knew that Sanheng didn't feel so sorry for himself that he was reluctant to have an accident. It's that the strength of the three families is close, and if something happens to them, none of the three families is sure that they can get more benefits, and they will let several surrounding countries carve up their fiefs together. Thinking of this, Lu Dinggong took the case: "How can Lone let Qi Guo see the joke, this time, Lone will go in person." “

After the ministers dispersed, Lu Dinggong left Qiu and Mao, and said worriedly: "Do you two really have a perfect plan?"

Mao nodded: "The king can rest assured, this alliance can not only promote the national prestige of our Lu country, but also have the opportunity to make the Qilu alliance more solid." The king can know that Qi Jinggong has great ambitions and is bent on hegemony. Such people are easy to take advantage of, and I am sure that Mr. Confucius will be able to convince him. He glanced at Qiu meaningfully.

Qiu's gaze did not avoid: "Know it with reason, treat it with courtesy." This is my business, and I can rest assured. ”

Mao chuckled: "When Lu Guo is dying here, I am afraid of Mr. Dacai, but I am bound by etiquette and religion, and I dare not do my best." “

Lu Dinggong gave Qiu Shen a salute: "I believe that Mr. will live up to me." ”

Qiu stood up and returned the salute, with a hint of hesitation in his eyes. Mao caught this glimmer of eyes, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly. He said in a man-like voice: "Sir, those students of yours are really talented, and they are making rapid progress. I will bring them with me to protect the king's safety, and I don't think my husband will object. “

Lu Dinggong looked at the two of them in turn, and Qiu said slowly: "Of course you can, but you have to remember that no matter what, this time it is still an alliance, not a war." Even in the case of war, there are some means that cannot be used. ”

Mao smiled slightly: "Of course, it's best not to fight, but if it's really a war, I'm afraid I won't be able to care so much." Governing the world depends on courtesy, but fighting for the world still depends on armor soldiers. ”

Qiu said coldly: "The world is not fought for, it is the will of the people." A soldier is also a citizen, do you think that when you change your clothes, people's hearts will change?"

I heard that you have a master, the one who rides the green ox, and he taught you?"

Qiu Zhengse said: "Li Er is indeed one of my masters, and each of my masters has been of great help to my etiquette. ”

Mao shook his head: "What a coincidence, I heard that he still knows my master." And the two don't seem to have a good relationship. I wonder if Mr. knows about this?"

Qiu was silent for a long time: "Yes, I know. Their philosophy...... Slightly different. ”

Mao got up and said goodbye to Lu Ding, then glanced at Qiu meaningfully, and turned to leave. Lu Dinggong looked at the distant Mao: "I heard that Mr. and Shaozheng are old people, and the two teachers are naturally very human. I've heard of Lear, but unfortunately I've never met him. I have rarely heard Shaozheng's master mention him, and when I asked him, he only said that he was a master who lived in a secluded mountain village, and he was unknown in the world. Since the gentleman is familiar with him, do you know who his master is?"

Qiu smiled bitterly: "Since Shaozheng is reluctant to say this, how can I say anything." This is also rude, I hope the public will forgive me. ”

Lu Dinggong smiled generously: "It's not a big deal, it's just a lonely curiosity, you go back and prepare well." ”

In the Shaozheng Mansion, Peng Yuer's eyes were slightly closed and she knelt on the couch. Mao walked into the inner room, and when he saw his wife like this, he didn't dare to disturb, but poured a cup of tea and drank it alone.

"You've got the upper hand, haven't you? You can see you're happy. ”

Mao put down the teacup and smiled dumbly: "You snooped on me? I didn't even notice it, it seems that your flying soul is getting more and more powerful." ”

Peng Yuer opened her eyes: "No, I don't need it." We have been married for many years, and I can hear your emotions from your footsteps. You robbed him of a few apprentices a few days ago, and you were so happy, what happened this time?"

Mao smiled: "That's not called robbery, it's obviously the best jade, but he found it out but refused to figure it out, I just can't look past it." Did Master teach the two of us back then, but did he have the slightest reservations? As for today, he is indeed quite angry. I heard that he worshipped Li Er as a teacher, but he never affirmed it, and today when he suddenly asked a question in the court, don't mention his embarrassment. ”

Peng Yuer stood up and took two steps: "He admitted it?"

Mao nodded: "I admit it, and I am ashamed to say that he has many masters, and Li Er is just one of them." ”

Peng Yuer said faintly: "My father told me about this person. It's great, but it's a pity that his way can only be good for himself, but it can't benefit the world. Since Senior Brother worships him as a teacher, how can he be obsessed with etiquette?"

Mao sneered: "It's not that Li Er disagrees with the etiquette, it's just that he thinks that he is not in the etiquette. Didn't they all say that he had ascended? I would like to know, after Master's 800 years of cultivation, he is still sure that there is no heaven and earth for us, and he can fly out of this heaven and earth with his 100-year body?"

Peng Yu'er also took a sip of tea: "Mao, is it really what my father wants us to do? He never said explicitly that he hopes that we people will be the masters of the world." “

Mao held his wife's hand and clenched it tightly, as if he wanted to pass on his confidence and strength to her: "But Master hopes that we can find more people, and I hope that everyone who has the potential to fly souls can be educated and strengthened." If we don't become the lord of the world, once we are discovered, we will be treated as monsters, and after Yao Shun pacified the world, Yin Shang was the last dynasty that people dared to claim to have strange arts. Zhou destroyed Yin Shang, leaving behind so many legends of strange arts, but no one has ever seen any strange arts, why? Because most of those people, those who had skills that ordinary people could not do, were eradicated in that war, and even if there were fish that slipped through the net, they were constantly executed in the name of demons. Those strange techniques, the so-called flying away from the sky and the earth, sprinkling beans into soldiers, the master said that most of them were fake. It's all an illusion created by soul hunting. But the soul hunting technique is real. It's not sorcery, it's a gift from heaven. The reason why Master keeps collecting his soul to escape from the world and choosing the world is to pass on this painstaking effort. Kong Qiu is unreliable, he has no talent, but he wants to cut off the master's hard work. We are the only ones who can continue, so what choice do we have?"

Peng Yu'er didn't speak, just rested her head on his shoulder. Feel the generous and powerful support.

Late at night, Yan Hui sat in front of Confucius, wondering why the master called him alone so late. Kongqiu looked him in the eye, as if he was a little embarrassed by what he was about to say.

In the end, he finally said, "Yan Hui, I want to teach you the art of soul hunting." ”