As Fangjiazhuang approached, a group of children could be seen gathered near the school's playground from afar, engrossed in something.
On an open plot of land nearby, a massive triangular steel frame was erected.
Upon closer inspection, it was revealed that Li Chengqian and his two brothers were each holding a shovel, digging pits in the ground.
Li Shimin pushed his way into the crowd, asking curiously.
What are you doing here?
Li Chengqian, startled by his voice.
He turned to look at Li Shimin, saying somewhat awkwardly.
The headmaster said that if the weather permits, we can use human power to guide lightning to the ground.
Qing Que went to consult with True Man Yuan, who said there would be a thunderstorm this afternoon.
Therefore, we are preparing to conduct an experiment to witness it.
Kong Yingda, who was following Li Shimin, immediately seized upon this as if catching a handle.
Listen to yourself, guiding lightning down, what an absurd idea!
Since ancient times, heavenly lightning only strikes the wicked! How can it be easily drawn down to the mortal realm!
As soon as Kong Yingda finished speaking, a voice came from outside the crowd.
I have long heard that the Kong family of Qufu are descendants of the most sagely teacher, cultivating themselves, practicing virtue, and harboring righteous energy within their hearts!
They are surely impervious to all evils, and spirits and ghosts flee from them! I wonder if what this humble one says is reasonable?
Following the sound, they saw Fang Er walking towards the crowd, his left hand in his pocket, a cigarette in his mouth, and a stick resting on his shoulder in his right hand.
Greetings, Headmaster!
The students bowed one after another and made way.
Provoked by Fang Er's words, Kong Yingda directly responded.
We are naturally impervious to all evils!
Fang Er pointed to the triangular steel frame placed on the ground.
Later, this will be erected to guide lightning.
Since Scholar Kong claims to be impervious to all evils, and heavenly lightning only strikes the wicked, then the heavenly lightning drawn down will certainly not cause you any harm.
Scholar Kong, would you dare to stand beside this iron frame and try it out later?
Looking at Fang Er's confident demeanor, Kong Yingda hesitated.
However, the words had already been spoken in the heat of the moment.
If he retreated now, it would be a slap in his own face.
What is there to fear!
First, I do not believe you can draw down heavenly lightning!
Second, as you just said, I possess righteous energy throughout my being, so heavenly lightning naturally cannot harm me in the slightest!
As soon as he uttered these words, hundreds of students stared at him as if he were an idiot.
When has the headmaster ever been wrong?
Mr. Ma from the workshop, who brought them to see the generator, personally showed them.
When the electric grid was powered, it could kill a bull weighing several hundred catties.
What, are you more capable than a bull?
Along with the Yan Yun riders who had accompanied Fang Er, they jointly erected the steel frame, sinking its base into the pit dug by Li Chengqian and tamping it down.
The steel frame was very tall, over ten meters high.
After the frame was erected, Fang took the stick from behind him.
It was none other than that forty-meter long Luoyang shovel!
He casually handed it to Li Tai, teaching him how to extend and retract it, and said.
Climb up and firmly insert this into the top.
Li Shimin was a little worried, a fall from such a high frame could lead to serious trouble.
Fang Er seemed to have read his thoughts.
He comforted him, saying, "No need to worry. The children in the school not only study but also train, just like the Heavenly Fire Army."
The students in the school have morning exercises, and a physical education class every day.
As for the content of the physical education class, it is basketball!
With good nutrition and appropriate exercise, they are all brimming with energy.
Li Shimin carefully examined Li Tai.
He suddenly realized that not only Li Tai, but also Li Chengqian and Li Ke looked much sturdier than they did a month ago.
Only then did he feel slightly reassured.
Li Tai, nimble as a monkey, tucked the Luoyang shovel into his belt and, in a few leaps, climbed up.
At the very top of the steel frame, there was a pre-reserved socket. He took out the Luoyang shovel, inserted it, and secured it.
Then, using the method Fang Er had just taught him, he continuously pressed the buttons on the shovel handle.
With a series of "swoosh" sounds, the hidden sections inside sprang out consecutively.
The forty-meter length caused the originally straight Luoyang shovel to develop a slight curve.
After coming down from the top, he patted the dust off his hands.
Headmaster, it's done.
Fang Er nodded, then asked.
When did that old Taoist Yuan say the rain would come?
Li Tai scratched his head, thought for a moment, and then said.
It seems like at the third quarter of the hour of the Monkey, there will be heavy rain! It will last for one hour and a quarter, with a rainfall of eight hundred and twenty-one drops, approximately six inches and seven fen deep.
What the…!
Fang Er had only heard them say Yuan Tiangang predicted rain today; he didn't know about these later details.
Damn it!
This is so much better than modern weather forecasts!
Let's not worry about whether it's accurate or not, anyway, no one will count the drops.
Just for daring to say it like this, it's amazing!
He turned and looked at Li Shimin.
It's still a long way until the hour of the Monkey. Shall we go to the school to rest?
Li Shimin was wearing casual clothes, and Fang Er didn't know how to address him.
So, he decided not to address him and speak directly.
The hour of the Monkey is from one to three in the afternoon. The third quarter of the hour of the Monkey is at one forty-five in the afternoon.
It's only noon.
Li Shimin nodded, "Then let's go to the school. Coincidentally, Master Kong wants to ask you for an explanation regarding some matters."
Fang Er was bewildered.
What explanation does that guy want from me?
I haven't offended his Kong family.
Completely perplexed, he led Li Shimin and the three Li Chengqian brothers towards the school.
Kong Yingda and the others followed behind.
After descending to the school, Kong Yingda bowed formally to Fang Er.
This official, Kong Yingda, Doctor of the Imperial Academy, greets the Marquis of Liaodong.
The Crown Prince has been coming to your school to study early and return late every day recently. This official wishes to examine him. Does the Marquis of Liaodong have any objections?
Fang Er casually pulled over a stool and sat down.
He extended his hand, "Please!"
Examine me? What does that have to do with me?
Kong Yingda faced Li Chengqian.
Your Highness, the Master said: "Govern the people with laws, and keep them in line with punishments, then the people will be without shame..."
Before he could finish, Li Chengqian interrupted.
Master Kong, are you referring to the Master's saying: "Govern the people with laws, and keep them in line with punishments, then the people will be without shame and will not be convinced. Govern the people with virtue, and keep them in line with rites, then they will have shame and will be corrected."
The meaning of this sentence is: Confucius said: Govern the people with decrees and restrain them with punishments. The people may temporarily avoid punishment, but they will not feel it shameful to disobey the ruler. If you govern the people with morality and restrain them with rituals, the people will not only have a sense of shame but also correct their mistakes.
I wonder if my answer is correct?
Kong Yingda was not at all surprised that Li Chengqian could answer this question.
He continued.
From the Son of Heaven down to the common people, all must take self-cultivation as their foundation. If the foundation is disturbed, then...
Similarly, before he could finish, Li Chengqian interrupted again.
From the state rulers to the common people, everyone must take the cultivation of character as their foundation. If this foundation is disturbed, it is impossible to govern a family, a clan, a state, or the world well. It is also impossible to achieve good results by disregarding priorities and inverting the order of importance!