At a critical moment, Gongsun Sheng made a major decision. He lied that his mother was seriously ill and needed to return to her hometown to visit. This lie, simple but effective, was enough for him to leave quietly from Liangshanbo without anyone doubting it. But he knew in his heart that if he went, he would never look back.
Just as Gongsun Sheng was about to embark on this unknown journey, a series of questions surged in his mind. Where will he find true freedom? What kind of unknowns and challenges will his future be filled with? And how will Liang Shanbo's brothers face the ensuing turmoil after he leaves?
The answer to all this is hidden in the unknown journey that Gongsun Sheng is about to embark on. And this journey is destined to be full of suspense and challenges, and it will also be the most important turning point in Gongsun Sheng's life.
Gongsun Sheng's enlightenment
Liangshanbo in the dense fog seems to be covered by a veil of mystery, quiet and profound. Gongsun Sheng stood alone on the mountain peak, his gaze piercing through the fog, as if trying to find an answer. The morning light shone through the mist, but it could not dispel the worry between his brows. He recalled Song Jiang's various behaviors, and every decision stirred up waves in his heart.
These days, the changes in Liang Shanbo have made Gongsun Sheng feel deeply uneasy. Song Jiang behaved more and more like a skilled politician rather than a hero. Every decision he makes seems to revolve around how to use his power and how to survive in officialdom, rather than really for the well-being of the people. This made Gongsun Sheng feel deeply disappointed and distressed.
When he first joined Liangshanbo, Gongsun Sheng had ideals and thought that this was a place where heroes gathered and could truly do the right thing for heaven. However, as time passed, he gradually realized that the environment was not what he had thought it would be. Game of thrones and complicated interpersonal relationships made him feel suffocated, and Song Jiang's way of acting made him deeply puzzled.
A breeze blew, the mist gently drifted away, and Gongsun Sheng's vision became clearer. He knew he could no longer get lost in this place full of intrigues.
The inside story of Liang Shanbo
When Wu approached with a light step, breaking Gongsun Sheng's moment of contemplation, the morning of Liangshanbo was still shrouded in a thick fog, as if everything was quietly waiting for some kind of change to come. Gongsun Sheng turned around, his face carrying a deep worry and determination, which Wu Yong had rarely seen in him before.
"Brother Gongsun, why are you here alone in a daze?" Wu Yong's voice was filled with concern and confusion. Gongsun Sheng sighed lightly, his voice revealing endless disappointment: "Brother Wu, don't you think that every day we are here is going against our original intentions?
Wu Yong was stunned, and then responded with a wry smile, there was a hint of agreement in his eyes, but more helplessness: "I also have the same doubts, but what can we do now?" Gongsun Sheng turned around, his eyes were firm, and he seemed to have made an important decision: "I have my plan." ”
These four short lines of dialogue, like a bombshell, exploded in the morning mist. Wu Yong looked at Gongsun Sheng's back, and an inexplicable feeling surged in his heart, as if it was some kind of premonition that he was about to lose.
Gongsun Sheng left Wu Yong and walked alone to the forest path at the bottom of the mountain. His steps are firm, and every step of the way seems to be casting a firm vote for his decision. His heart was full of entanglements and contradictions, but more of a relief and determination. He has seen Song Jiang's true face, a politician dressed as a hero, and a person who only lives for power.
After a long period of thought, Gongsun Sheng decided that he was no longer bound by these hypocritical heroism. He wanted to return to his original self, a pure Taoist priest, a person who pursued truth and justice. He knew that his departure might bring some turmoil to Liang Shanbo, but it was no longer his concern. He needs to find his own way, a path that is not polluted.
Falsely claiming to return to his hometown to visit his mother
A few days later, the sun shone dappled through the clouds and dappled the hall. All the heroes gathered here to discuss the future of Yangsanbo and the upcoming actions. Just as everyone was discussing passionately, Gongsun Sheng stood up, and his eyes revealed a deep determination.
"Brothers, my mother is seriously ill and I need to go back to my hometown to visit. Gongsun Sheng's voice was calm and firm, but everyone present could feel the hidden meaning in it. When Song Jiang heard this, he immediately stood up and showed concern: "Brother Gongsun, this is naturally a big deal, you go, our Liangshan brothers welcome you back at any time." ”
Gongsun Sheng sneered in his heart, he knew that Song Jiang's words were just words, and the care and understanding on the surface did not have much sincerity in fact. He said goodbye to Liangshan's brothers and turned to leave the hall.
The moment he walked out of the hall, his heart was filled with mixed emotions. He once thought that he could find a true hero dream in Liangshanbo, but now, everything has come to naught. He was disappointed in Liang Shanbo's ideals, disappointed in Song Jiang's behavior, and even more disappointed in his choice.
On the way out of Liangshanbo, Gongsun Sheng was thinking about his future. He no longer wanted to be bothered by these strife and deceit, and he longed to find a pure life, a place where he could practice in peace. In his heart, only by staying away from these rights and wrongs can he regain his inner peace.
A choice to never go back
After Gongsun Sheng left Liangshanbo, his heart was filled with confusion about the future and reflection on the past. He did not choose to return to his hometown, but went incognito and began an irregular journey. He crossed mountains and rivers, and every step seemed to wash away the turmoil and fog in his heart.
During this long journey, Gongsun Sheng experienced many different people and events. He met ordinary peasants, felt their tenacity and simple happiness in life, and communicated with the people in the rivers and lakes, and experienced their yearning for freedom and helplessness for fate.
These experiences made Gongsun Sheng gradually understand that the real life does not lie in the struggle for power, but in the peace of mind and understanding of the world. By chance, Gongsun Sheng came to a small secluded village. The village is located in a valley and is surrounded by mountains, which makes it seem to be isolated from the rest of the world.
The people in the village lived a simple life and had a harmonious relationship with each other, giving Gongsun Sheng a sense of tranquility that had not been seen for a long time. He decided to live in seclusion here and start a new life. Gongsun Sheng chose a place near a stream and built a simple dwelling. He grows herbs, studies Taoist scriptures Xi, and sometimes helps villagers with minor problems.
His arrival was quickly accepted by the villagers and he gradually became a member of the village. In this small village, Gongsun Sheng found peace of mind. He is no longer bothered by power and desire, and he is no longer bothered by right and wrong in the rivers and lakes. His life became simple and fulfilling, and every day was lived to the fullest.
In his spare time, Gongsun Sheng would also teach the village children to read and write, teaching them some basic morals and knowledge. He found that in the process of educating these children, he was also re-examining his own life and values. This feeling made him feel very satisfied and happy.
Gradually, Gongsun Sheng won respect and love among the villagers. He is no longer the Liangshan hero who only knows strife and stratagem, but has become a wise man, a person who can give help and guidance to others.
Whenever night fell, Gongsun Sheng would sit alone outside the house, looking up at the starry sky. Under the starry sky, his heart was full of emotion. He thinks about his past and looks to the future. He knew that while his life had been turned upside down, it was the life he had been pursuing.
Reflections on the ending
The small village is far away from the hustle and bustle of the world, and there is no sword and sword shadow of Liangshanbo, nor is there any deceit of the rivers and lakes. Gongsun Sheng found inner peace here and became a wise man respected by the villagers.
Every morning, when the first rays of sunlight shine through the window lattice, Gongsun Sheng gets up and goes about his daily practice. His abode was simple but clean and tidy, with a wooden bed, a desk, and several books on Taoist classics and herbalism. The pace of his life has become slow, but every day is fulfilling.
Gongsun Sheng's role in the village gradually changed. He was not only a hermit, but also a reliant on the villagers when they encountered difficulties. Whether it was the mediation of disputes or the treatment of diseases, he was always able to help with his wisdom and knowledge. His demeanor is calm and he doesn't say much, but every word always hits the nail on the head and solves the problem.
He also often recalls the days of Liangshan. In those days, he used to be enthusiastic and idealistic. But now, looking back, he just feels like everything is in the past. In this small village, he found his true self and found what he was truly seeking deep inside his heart – peace and wisdom.
The children in the village especially like to surround Gongsun Sheng. They gathered in front of his thatched hut and listened to him tell Taoist stories or knowledge about herbs. Gongsun Sheng is full of hope for their future, and he believes that these children will carry his teachings and grow up to be wise and kind people.
Gongsun Sheng's reputation in the village also gradually spread. Someone from a nearby village would hear about his wisdom and abilities and would come to ask questions. He always remained humble and selflessly helped others with his knowledge and experience.
Although life has become dull, Gongsun Sheng feels fulfilled and satisfied like never before. Here he found true freedom, no longer bothered by the distractions of the outside world and the contradictions of his heart. His heart is becoming more and more expansive and able to encompass everything. As the days passed, Gongsun Sheng's hair gradually turned gray, but his eyes were still bright and full of wisdom.
He knew that he had made the right choice. In this small village, he not only found the meaning of life, but also found the home of his soul. At night, when the village is immersed in tranquility, Gongsun Sheng often sits alone outside the house, looking at the starry sky. He thinks about life, reminisces about the past, and looks to the future.
Under this starry sky, he felt connected to the world, his mind and the universe. Compared with other Liangshan brothers who died in the battle or in the hands of the Song Dynasty, Gongsun Sheng's ending is undoubtedly the best.
Resources:
- Feng Lisong.The religious significance of Gongsun Sheng's "superiority" in Liangshan from the perspective of Quanzhenjiao[J].Academic Exchange,2022(7):179-190