Ninth Year: The Invisible Foundation
That morning, Li Qingshan stood in the expanded backyard of his home, observing twelve children and teenagers seated in a circle on a woven mat. A-Ming, now fifteen years old, sat with his back straight like a flexible yet strong bamboo tree. Xiao Hua, thirteen, had sharp, thoughtful eyes—just like his own had been when he first heard the old scholar speak of the meaning behind words.
"My children," Li Qingshan began in a voice as calm as an unhurried river, "today we will start something different. Not just learning to read or write, but learning... how to become a whole person."
Jin, now sixteen and the tallest among them, raised his hand. "Uncle Qingshan, what does it mean to be a whole person?"
The same question I once asked myself centuries ago.
"Imagine a tree," Li Qingshan replied, walking around their circle. "A whole tree isn't just one with dense leaves or a large trunk. A whole tree is one with deep roots, a flexible yet strong trunk, leaves that can breathe with the wind, and one that knows when to grow, when to be still, when to let its leaves go."
He stopped in front of Liu-er, a fourteen-year-old girl who was always quiet but deeply observant. "A whole person is one who understands themselves—their strengths and weaknesses, who can stand firm in their principles yet be flexible in the face of situations, and who knows how to give as well as to receive."
Just as my father taught me. Just as I learned from the old scholar. Just as I discovered on the long journey towards understanding.
"Starting next week," Li Qingshan announced, "we will have three types of lessons. First, lessons on life wisdom—how to make good decisions, how to understand others, how to calmly overcome difficulties."
The young eyes before him shone with enthusiasm and curiosity.
"Second, lessons on the body and breath—not for fighting, but for understanding oneself, for staying calm in difficult situations, for protecting oneself if needed."
A-Ming blinked with interest. "Like martial arts, Uncle?"
"The foundation of martial arts," Li Qingshan gently corrected. "The most important thing isn't how to defeat others, but how not to need to fight at all. How to bring peace within yourself so that peace spreads to those around you."
Just as I have practiced for many years with my Ganjing comprehension. Bringing stillness, bringing healthy doubt, bringing a calm presence.
"And third," he continued, "lessons on serving the community. How to see the needs of others, how to help without being asked, how to lead by example rather than by command."
Tenth Year: The Wisdom Curriculum
The small classroom beside Li Qingshan's house was now filled with the sound of lively yet orderly discussion. A simple whiteboard at the front had a question written on it: "Today's Question: What is the difference between strength and violence?"
Xiao Hua raised her hand. "Strength is the ability to do something. Violence is using that ability to hurt."
"A good answer," Li Qingshan nodded. "Who can add to that?"
Jin thought for a moment. "Strength can be used to protect. Violence is always for attacking or dominating."
"And what about invisible strength?" Li Qingshan asked, sitting among them, bridging the gap between teacher and student.
A-Ming, who had grown into a wise young man over the past two years, answered softly. "Like Uncle's ability to make people feel calm? Or Sister Lin's ability to make people feel welcome?"
He's starting to understand. They are all beginning to see beyond the obvious.
"Exactly," Li Qingshan smiled. "The most powerful strength is often the one you can't see. The strength to listen with your whole heart. The strength to stay calm when others panic. The strength to speak the truth gently rather than hurting with harsh words."
In the corner of the room, a small book lay open showing a list of topics they had discussed over the months:
The difference between confidence and arrogance
When to speak up and when to stay silent
How to distinguish genuine help from interference
The art of saying "no" with respect
Finding courage without losing compassion
Each lesson is a seed I'm planting, Li Qingshan reflected, observing these focused faces. Seeds that will one day grow into wisdom they will share with others.
Eleventh Year: Breath and Balance
In the yard, now surrounded by a bamboo screen for privacy, Li Qingshan stood before his fifteen students—eight of his foster children plus seven other children from Hexin who had asked to join.
"Close your eyes," he said in a soft yet authoritative voice. "Listen to your breath. Not just the air entering and leaving your lungs, but... the rhythm of life itself."
They followed the instruction with a seriousness that showed deep trust and respect for their teacher.
"Now, without opening your eyes, feel the ground beneath your feet. Feel the connection between your body and the earth."
Exactly as my father taught me. Foundation before movement. Understanding before action.
"Now, slowly, lift your right foot. Don't think about balance—just trust that your body knows how."
A few of them wobbled slightly, but most of them maintained stability with natural grace.
"Good. This is the true foundation—not just physical balance, but inner balance. The ability to stay steady even when circumstances change."
Li Qingshan then taught them basic positions: standing meditation, simple breathing exercises, and most importantly—how to recognize tension in the body and release it without losing alertness.
"Uncle Qingshan," Liu-er asked after the session ended, "why don't we learn fighting moves like they teach at the martial arts schools in the city?"
A crucial question. It's time to explain a deeper philosophy.
"Because," Li Qingshan answered, sitting on the grass with them, "true martial arts isn't about defeating others. True martial arts is about mastering yourself. A person who is truly strong doesn't need to prove their strength with violence."
"But what if we're attacked?" Jin asked with practical concern.
"The first line of defense is awareness. A person who is aware rarely gets into dangerous situations because they can sense and avoid potential conflicts before they escalate."
"The second line of defense is presence. A person who is truly calm and confident rarely becomes a target because predators look for victims, not for people who are secure in themselves."
"And if both of those fail?"
Li Qingshan stood up and demonstrated a simple movement—not a punch or a kick, but subtle shifts of weight and position that could redirect force or create an opportunity to escape.
"Then, use the minimum force necessary to create safety, not to create damage. The goal is to end the conflict, not to win the conflict."
Principles I learned from centuries of observation. Violence begets violence. But wisdom and calmness can often defuse a situation before violence becomes necessary.
Twelfth Year: The First Student to Leave
A-Ming stood at the front door with a travel pack on his shoulder, his face a mixture of excitement and sadness. In the seven years living with Li Qingshan, he had grown from a scared street child into a confident, wise young man, ready to contribute to the wider world.
"Uncle Qingshan," he said in a voice slightly choked with emotion, "thank you for everything. For saving me, for raising me, for teaching me... for being the father I never had."
Li Qingshan felt a familiar tug in his heart—the same feeling as when he had to leave his father long ago, or when he left Ziran for a broader journey. Pride mixed with sadness, joy for the growth that had occurred mixed with the pain of separation.
"A-Ming," he said, placing his hands on the young man's shoulders, "you are not leaving home. You are extending home. Wherever you go, whatever you do, the values we shared here will go with you. And one day, you will create a new home for others, just as we created one here."
Exactly like the circle of wisdom that continues from generation to generation.
A-Ming would go to Dongyang, a small city about a two-day journey from Hexin, where he would work as an assistant to a village coordinator who was familiar with the network of communities Li Qingshan helped establish. A perfect position for a young man trained in community service and conflict resolution.
"Promise me," Li Qingshan said, "that you will remember: leadership isn't about being important. Leadership is about making others important. Help people discover their own strengths, rather than making them dependent on you."
"I promise, Uncle."
They embraced with deep warmth, and Li Qingshan watched with mixed emotions as A-Ming's figure slowly disappeared into the distance.
The first fruit from the tree I planted, he reflected. Now to see how he will grow and contribute in a new community.
Thirteenth Year: The Growing Reputation
Sister Lin entered Li Qingshan's study with an expression of excitement mixed with concern. "Qingshan, there's news from Dongyang about A-Ming."
Li Qingshan looked up from the letters he was writing—correspondence with various community leaders in the region about coordinating resource sharing for the upcoming winter.
"Good news or bad news?"
"Good news! A-Ming has successfully mediated a serious conflict between two neighboring villages over water rights. The approach he used—exactly like the methods you taught. He brought both sides together, helped them find a solution that was beneficial for all, and now the two villages are actually cooperating on several projects."
Li Qingshan felt a warm glow of pride. Seeds planted with care, growing into fruits that nourish others.
"But," Sister Lin continued with a slight frown, "now people are starting to ask... who is A-Ming's teacher? How did such a young man develop such mature wisdom and effective techniques?"
Ah. The inevitable consequence of success. Unwanted attention.
"And it's not just A-Ming," Sister Lin went on. "Xiao Hua, who now helps at the medical clinic in Nanping, is also gaining recognition for her compassionate and effective approach to patient care. Jin, who works with the merchants in Xishan, has developed a reputation as a fair and creative negotiator."
Li Qingshan felt a complex mixture of pride and concern. Pride because his students were thriving and contributing positively. Concern because their success was reflecting back onto him, potentially creating a level of attention that could complicate the low-profile existence he maintained.
"People are starting to refer to this approach as the 'Hexin Method' or even the 'Li Qingshan Way,'" Sister Lin added. "Some communities are even specifically requesting young people trained here to come and help them."
Success that brings its own challenges. Just as what happened in Qinlu with Chen Weiqi and the attempts to systematize my approach.
"Sister Lin," Li Qingshan said in a thoughtful tone, "we need to be careful about this. The good work must continue, but we don't want to create an unhealthy expectation or dependency."
"What do you mean?"
"People must learn to solve their own problems, not depend on specific individuals or methods. The approach we teach must be flexible and adaptable, not a rigid system that could become dogma."
Exactly the same concerns I had when leaving Ziran centuries ago. How to ensure that wisdom continues without being corrupted or oversimplified.
Fourteenth Year: The School of Harmony
The building that was once Chen Wei's warehouse had now expanded into a small complex of three buildings connected by covered walkways. A simple sign at the entrance read: "The School of Harmony - A Place for Learning Life."
Li Qingshan walked through hallways filled with the sounds of various classes: there was a room where younger children learned basic literacy and numeracy, another room where teenagers discussed ethical dilemmas and practical problem-solving, and an outdoor area where physical training and meditation took place.
Most significant: there was a room dedicated to training future teachers and community leaders—young adults from various towns who came for intensive three-month programs in wisdom-based education and community service.
From a single classroom to a recognized institution. Organic yet rapid growth.
Master Shen, who was now officially retired from the House of Words but still active as an advisor, approached Li Qingshan with the monthly report.
"Qingshan, enrollment for next semester is full. We have a waiting list from fifteen different communities that want to send their young people for training here."
"What about the quality of the teaching?" Li Qingshan asked—a concern that was always primary for him.
"Excellent. The former students who are now teachers maintain the same standards you established. A focus on character development alongside academic learning, an emphasis on practical wisdom rather than theoretical knowledge, and a commitment to service orientation."
Li Qingshan nodded with satisfaction. A sustainable system without depending completely on me. A good sign.
"There's an interesting development," Master Shen continued. "Governor Liu has requested to send official observers to study the methods used here. He's interested in implementing similar approaches in the provincial education system."
Higher-level attention again. It could be beneficial for spreading positive impact, but it could also bring complications.
"And," Master Shen added with a slight grin, "a delegation from the Mirror Academy will visit next month. It seems they are curious about a school that is producing graduates with character qualities similar to those they value."
Li Qingshan felt a slight chill. The Mirror Academy. Founded based on the teachings I gave centuries ago in Ziran. If they recognize the similarities...
"Interesting times ahead," he murmured, his mind already calculating how to handle increased scrutiny without compromising the authenticity of the work being done.
Fifteenth Year: A Living Legacy
On a quiet evening in his study, Li Qingshan sat with correspondence from twelve of his former students who were now working in various communities across the region. Each letter contained updates about their projects, the challenges they faced, and success stories from their work.
Liu-er now coordinates youth programs in three neighboring villages, with a focus on environmental conservation and sustainable farming practices. Xiao Hua has established a small clinic that combines traditional medicine with a compassionate care approach, serving rural communities that were previously underserved. Jin is working with merchants and traders to develop fair trade networks that benefit producers and consumers equally.
Every one of them applying the principles we discussed years ago, but in ways that are unique and appropriate to their situations. Exactly what I had hoped for.
Most meaningful: they have all begun teaching others—not formal schooling like he did, but informal mentoring, sharing wisdom through daily interactions, and modeling the behaviors they learned.
A chain of transmission that continues naturally. Wisdom that spreads through living example rather than formal instruction.
A soft knock on the door interrupted his reflections. Chen Wei entered with a thoughtful expression.
"Qingshan, there's something I want to share with you. This afternoon, I overheard a conversation between two visitors from the provincial capital. They were discussing the School of Harmony and the impact of its graduates in various communities."
Li Qingshan gestured for Chen Wei to sit.
"One of them said that the approach developed here has begun to influence policy discussions at the provincial level about education reform. The concept of integrating character development with academic learning, the emphasis on practical wisdom and a community service orientation."
"Interesting," Li Qingshan responded carefully.
"But what was more interesting," Chen Wei continued, "is that they referred to the overall philosophy as something 'revolutionary yet ancient'—as if these approaches are rediscovering fundamental values that are often forgotten in modern education systems."
Revolutionary yet ancient. An accurate description, considering that this is based on principles I have cultivated and practiced for centuries.
"Chen Wei," Li Qingshan said in a thoughtful tone, "what is your opinion on this increasing recognition?"
Chen Wei considered the question with seriousness. "Honestly? I'm proud that the work that started in this small community is having a wider positive impact. But I'm also slightly worried about... the expectations that might develop."
"What kind of expectations?"
"That people might expect miracle solutions or try to copy the methods superficially without understanding the underlying principles. Or that political attention might change the nature of what we're doing here."
Wise man. The same concerns I have.
"Those are valid concerns," Li Qingshan acknowledged. "How do we handle these challenges wisely?"
"Continue doing good work with a focus on authenticity rather than recognition? Maintain an emphasis on developing principles within individuals rather than promoting systems or methods? And always remember that true success is measured by the positive impact on people's lives, not by fame or official endorsements?"
Li Qingshan smiled with deep appreciation for the wisdom Chen Wei had demonstrated. The community that raised him, in turn raised him to genuine wisdom.
"Exactly right," he agreed. "We will continue focusing on the essentials: helping people discover their strengths, develop their character, and contribute positively to their communities. Recognition is a byproduct, not a goal."
Fifteen years in Hexin as Li Qingshan. From a single lonely man to a father figure for dozens of young people, a respected teacher, and a catalyst for positive changes that spread beyond all expectations.
Fifteen years remaining to deepen these roots even further, ensure the sustainability of this work, and prepare for the eventual transition when the time comes to explore other parts of this vast world.
Seeds planted with patience and care, now growing into a forest of wisdom that will provide shelter and nourishment for generations to come.