019. Wei Wuji Was Talked Into a Corner

“From what you’ve said, it seems you wish to join the Confucian school?”
Wei Wuji nodded. “That is indeed my intention.”
Wang Yu shook his head. “Forgive my frankness, but it won’t work this way. Even if you force your way in, you’ll have to endure a three-year trial period as an outer disciple. Can you afford to wait that long?”
Clearly, Wang Yu was taking advantage of Wei Wuji’s lack of knowledge.
In truth, once the trial on the Disputation Platform is passed, one can become a full disciple of the Confucian school.
But this rule is strictly forbidden to be disclosed beyond the school, sealed by an order.
This so-called sealing order is an ability called ‘The Master Does Not Speak.’
Once this ability is used, even if you wish to speak, you cannot; nor can you write it down.
For Wang Yu’s affair, Ziyou used ‘The Master Does Not Speak,’ strictly forbidding Confucian disciples from revealing anything.
After all, it is not a glorious matter, and letting it out would diminish the school’s dignity.
Many matters in the Confucian school are covered by such orders; thus, much is known only to the disciples, not outsiders.
Wei Wuji frowned slightly. “Three years—is it really that long?”
Wang Yu saw this and understood immediately.
Now things were settled.
Since Wei Wuji couldn’t wait three years, all the better.
Wang Yu nodded. “Yes, during those three years, you must study on your own. Afterwards, you must pass the trial on the Disputation Platform, stir the heavens, and awaken the literary spirit—only then can you become a true disciple. Until then, you cannot formally take a master.”
Wei Wuji now felt troubled.
In truth, he had snuck out on his own. As the second son of the King of Wei, he could not possibly spend three years in one place learning.
His father needed him, and so did the state of Wei.
Wang Yu smiled secretly, thinking, “You’re still in my grasp.”
But outwardly, Wang Yu appeared concerned. “You seem troubled, sir?”
Wei Wuji answered, “Indeed I am.”
Wang Yu pondered for a moment. “Actually, I do have an idea, though I’m not sure if I should share it.”
Wei Wuji’s face lit up. “What ingenious plan do you have?”
Wang Yu said calmly, “Have you heard of the Jixia Academy in the state of Qi?”
Wei Wuji recalled briefly. “I have heard of it. It’s said to be a holy land of culture, where talents abound. I have long yearned to visit.”
Wang Yu clapped his hands. “If you’ve longed for it, why not go?”
Wei Wuji was taken aback. What did that mean?
He was trying to join the Confucian school, and Wang Yu was suggesting he go to Jixia Academy—wasn’t that heading in the opposite direction?
Wang Yu saw his confusion. “Brother Wuji, may I call you that?”
Wei Wuji shook his head. “Of course, I don’t mind.”
Wang Yu was satisfied. In truth, among the four renowned sons of the Warring States, this one had the best character.
That was why Wang Yu sought to befriend him.
Had it been one of the other three, Wang Yu would have hesitated.
Wang Yu continued, “Brother Wuji, you know Jixia Academy is a place where all schools debate, so there are certainly Confucian masters there. If you debate on the Disputation Platform and perform well, you will surely attract the notice of a great Confucian master and be accepted as a disciple. Why must you insist on the Confucian school itself?”
In truth, Jixia Academy does have Confucian masters who occasionally accept disciples.
However, such disciples are different from those who become formal disciples by stirring the heavens on the Confucian Disputation Platform.
These opportunistic disciples can never become core members.
According to the Confucian school, such disciples are too opportunistic and lack the school’s noble spirit.
Of course, Wei Wuji had no knowledge of this.
Wang Yu was not deceiving him.
Given Wei Wuji’s future, the Confucian way was not suited to him.
The military school would be his true path.
Wang Yu was saving a lost lamb—a deed of great merit.
Wei Wuji listened and fell into deep thought.
Truthfully, though he sensed Wang Yu had an ulterior motive, his words were indeed reasonable.
Most importantly, they suited his current situation perfectly.
He had considered going to Jixia Academy, but lacked confidence in his scholarship, doubting he would be accepted by its masters.
So he had come to Mount Tai, hoping to join the Confucian school, famed for accepting all.
He never expected there would be an ‘outer disciple’ and a three-year trial.
It seemed this was the school’s method of selecting students.
Though justifiable, he could not afford to wait.
After much thought, Wei Wuji resolved to follow Wang Yu’s advice and try his luck at Jixia Academy.
Wei Wuji bowed deeply to Wang Yu. “Thank you, brother, for enlightening me. I shall head for Jixia Academy at once.”
He paused, then unfastened the beautiful jade from his waist and handed it to Wang Yu.

“I left in haste and brought little with me. This jade was taken from the side of Shouyang Mountain and is of the finest quality. Allow me to give it to you as a token of thanks for your guidance. Please, do not refuse.”
This young man was indeed remarkable—a person destined for great deeds.
Look at how he treats wealth with contempt, worthy of his reputation as one of the four illustrious sons of history.
Yet Wang Yu did not accept it, saying, “Brother Wuji, there’s no need. In truth, I have my own reasons for advising you to go to Jixia Academy. I too am headed there, fearing the journey might be lonely, and hoped you would accompany me. Please, don’t take offense.”
Wei Wuji laughed heartily. “Brother, you’re too modest. Whatever your motive, you’ve shown me a path forward, and I must thank you.”
As he spoke, Wei Wuji tried to press the jade into Wang Yu’s hand.
Wang Yu’s mind turned quickly. “Brother Wuji, how about this: I have little money with me, so for our journey to Jixia, you cover all expenses. That counts as repayment, and as for the jade, let it be. As the saying goes, a gentleman does not take what others cherish. I see you value this jade dearly, or you would not have kept it close. This way, both sides are satisfied—how splendid!”
Wei Wuji was touched. He did indeed treasure the jade, which held deep meaning for him.
If he had anything else suitable, he would not have offered it. Hearing Wang Yu’s words, he thought, “This man truly is a gentleman, worth befriending.”
So he no longer insisted, reattaching the jade to his waist, and bowed solemnly to Wang Yu. “I am Wei Wuji of Wei. May I ask your esteemed name, brother?”
Wang Yu was delighted—at last he was regarded as a friend.
Previously, although Wei Wuji had been courteous, he had never asked Wang Yu’s name, treating their relationship as a mere transaction.
Now it was different; by formally requesting Wang Yu’s name, he acknowledged him as a friend.
Wang Yu returned the bow with equal formality. “I am Wang Yu of Qi. Greetings, brother Wuji.”
Wei Wuji, evidently well-read, remarked, “The surname Wang? That’s rare. Are you a descendant of the royal family of former Nie?”
Wang Yu looked at Wei Wuji in surprise, not expecting him to know the story of Nie’s royal family changing their surname. Clearly, this man was ambitious and knowledgeable.
Wang Yu nodded. “The kingdom has fallen; further talk is pointless.”
Wei Wuji became even more enthusiastic. He had assumed Wang Yu was an ordinary noble, but to learn he was from a royal lineage—after all, going back centuries, all such families were connected.
Moreover, such a status made them true peers, able to address each other as brothers—not merely out of courtesy, but as equals in status and rank.
Wang Yu noticed this, and sighed inwardly. Though the world had changed greatly, the distinctions of rank remained unchanged.
A noble is a noble, a commoner is a commoner—these things are written in the bloodline.
So-called noble blood is nothing more than this.
Fortunately, he had crossed into the body of a noble. Otherwise, who knows what troubles might have arisen?