WUSHU XUANXUE 1

Gao Qing turned out to have an incredible ability that did not lose to his brother. The difference was, if Gao Qi was an expert in literature and poetry, then Gao Qing was an expert in metaphysics - Five Arts of Chinese Metaphysics, which is called Wushu Xuanxue in Chinese.

Not only Zhu Su who became Gao Qing's disciple. Zhu Youdun and Hu Nayin also studied with him. At this moment Zhu Youdun had been completely healed, as if he had never been hurt. So did Zhu Su and Hu Nayin. The three of them had totally regained their vigor, just like usual, thanked to Gao Qing's treatment. This made them change their mind towards Gao Qing since they paid high respect for him right now.

"No wonder why he is so talented, I see. He is a Wushu Xuanxue expert!" Zhu Youdun said in admiration.

"If I'm not mistaken, Wushu Xuanxue is a science of divination, right?" Hu Nayin asked curiously.

"Not only divination. Wushu Xuanxue is broad in scope. Medical science is also one of major disciplines in Wushu Xuanxue," explained Zhu Su. "Well Nayin, you can study with us!"

Hu Nayin's pupils went huge. "Ca... can I, Your Highness?! I am a woman after all..."

"Why not? In Daoism, women are not perceived inferior to men, since Daoism recognizes women's transcendental abilities to communicate with deities. Moreover, you have supernatural powers, even in some cases you are more versatile than us."

Hu Nayin soon replied cheerfully, "Wow, thank you very much, Your Highness! What a blessing, I have a chance to study this marvelous knowledge!"

"I also want to join!" Zhu Youdun chimed in. "I believe that Mr. Gao Qing is very talented at Wushu Xuanxue. He has fulfilled the requirements of a Grandmaster in Wushu Xuanxue since he has shunned the world and lives anonymously in a remote forest!"

Meanwhile, Zhu Su did not reply to them. His chaotic mind was still full of the conversation he and Gao Qing had last night.

"You aren't just daydreaming. I will give you weapon."

"The weapon, is knowledge. That will give you help far more effective than an ordinary military weapon."

Zhu Su had completely understood right now, why Gao Qing was so confident to state that he was not only daydreaming, and even said that he could get a powerful weapon to accomplish his mission. He indeed knew, if somebody wanted to become outstanding military strategists, then he must master Wushu Xuanxue. Metaphysics was a must for the military to learn. Jiang Ziya * , Zhuge Liang * , and Li Chunfeng * were some of those who were well-known as the brilliant grandmasters in Wushu Xuanxue. His father also had a deep knowledge of Wushu Xuanxue. Although the emperor discriminated against Confucius and Mencius, he paid special attention to Wushu Xuanxue as well as Daoism, even had compiled a book about Daoism. Moreover, the emperor somehow got a "special hunch" with this knowledge, since his key advisor, Liu Bowen * - who was famous for his talent in this knowledge - helped him with this knowledge so that he could ascend the throne to become emperor.

By mastering Wushu Xuanxue, you had mastered the future. When others were still groping in the dark, we had gotten the exact points for our success and it would astonish everyone as they saw us achieving the victory. No wonder if someone said, once you mastered Wushu Xuanxue, you would be able to conquer the world...

If he succeeded in mastering this knowledge, then it could be, he would imitate his father's steps - overthrowing a dilapidated dynasty and established a new dynasty.

The first session of their lesson this morning was not inside a house, but in the outside. At the natural surroundings - precisely, near the waterfall.

"Are we studying here?" Zhu Youdun looked at the waterfall whose water swashed noisily and would definitely disturb their learning session.

Gao Qing sat cross-legged on the grass which was still wet of dew. "Do you know what is the basis for Wushu Xuanxue?"

"Definitely. It is the philosophy of Xuanxue." Xuanxue is a metaphysical post-classical Chinese philosophy from the Six Dynasties in China.

"Then, you know for sure, that the essence of Xuanxue philosophy is the balance between human and nature?"

Zhu Youdun soon understood what Gao Qing really meant. He turned to silence, stared at Gao Qing seriously.

"We won't be able to grasp the essence of Wushu Xuanxue if we separate ourselves from nature. Therefore, we will not use the mainstream way of learning, instead, we will learn directly in the natural surroundings. And the reasons are; first, as a form of our appreciation for Nature as our teacher. Second, to get the true essence of Wushu Xuanxue."

Gao Qing's explanation so made sense it immediately pushed Zhu Su, Zhu Youdun, and Hu Nayin not to comment anymore, and instead now sat cross-legged on the grass.

...

* Jiang Ziya = a Chinese noble who helped kings Wen and Wu of Zhou overthrow the Shang in ancient China. Following their victory at Muye, he continued to serve as a Zhou minister. His treatise on military strategy, Six Secret Strategic Teachings, is consideredvas one of the Seven Military Classics of Ancient China. In Chinese and Daoist beliefs, Jiang Ziya is sometimes considered to have been a Daoist adept. In one legend, he used the knowledge he gained at Kunlun to defeat the Shang's supernatural protectors Qianliyan and Shunfeng'er using the blood of a black dog. (Wikipedia)

° Zhuge Liang = courtesy name Kongming, he was a Chinese politician, military strategist, writer, engineer, and inventor. He served as the chancellor and regent of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period. He is recognized as the most accomplished strategist of his era, and has been compared to Sun Tzu, the author of The Art of War. (Wikipedia)

° Li Chunfeng = a Chinese mathematician, astronomer, historian, and politician during the Sui and Tang dynasties. He was first appointed to the Imperial Astronomy Bureau to help institute a calendar reform. He eventually ascended to the deputy of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau and designed the Linde calendar. His father was an educated state official and also a Daoist. (Wikipedia)

* Liu Bowen = a Chinese military strategist, philosopher, politician, and poet who lived in the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties. He served as a key advisor to Zhu Yuanzhang (the Hongwu Emperor), in the latter's struggle to overthrow the Yuan dynasty and unify China under his rule. Liu is also known for his prophecies and has been described as the "Divine Chinese Nostradamus". He and Jiao Yu co-edited the military treatise known as the Huolongjing (Fire Dragon Manual).