Chapter 2: Sage, I Come from Over Two Thousand Years in the Future

“I see.”
“I got lost in these mountains. I walked for half a day yesterday but couldn’t find my way out.”
“I wonder if you could help me get out.”
Lu Ge spoke up, seeking help.
He felt it would be quite difficult to escape on his own.
He might even starve before finding the way out.
The woodcutter, however, was earnest and nodded, saying, “Of course.”
“When someone is in trouble, it’s only right to lend a hand.”
“Come with me.”
He beckoned and led the way.
Lu Ge hurried to follow behind.
The path twisted and turned, leaving Lu Ge breathless from exhaustion.
The woodcutter couldn’t bear to see this and made him rest several times along the way.
“Brother, I don’t even know your name, nor where exactly we are.”
While resting, Lu Ge asked in a modern tone.
Fortunately, with the power of the ancient mirror, the woodcutter could understand him.
The woodcutter smiled, “I’m the eldest at home, so they call me Li Da.”
“This place is Lixiang, Ku County, Chu State.”
“You’re lucky to have met me.”
“If you’d been somewhere else, with someone else, your fate might be uncertain.”
Lu Ge asked curiously, “How so?”
Li Da nodded proudly, “Our Lixiang produced a sage.”
“Have you heard of Lao Dan?”
“Many important people come to see him—always respectful, calling him the Sage.”
Lu Ge’s eyes lit up.
“You mean, Laozi lives just below the mountain?”
Li Da nodded, “Yes. He’s old now, retired from office, and lives here in the village.”
“Do you want to meet him?”
Lu Ge eagerly nodded, “I do, I do.”
Li Da was not surprised by Lu Ge’s reaction.
Many nobles had sought Lao Dan over the years.
It was natural for Lu Ge to want to meet him.
“Alright, I’ll take you to see him.”
“That’s only possible with me. No one else can bring you to him.”
Lu Ge was puzzled, “Why is that?”
Li Da said proudly, “Everyone here is from the Li clan.”
“But even among kin, there are degrees of closeness.”
“I and Lao Dan are within five degrees of mourning.”
“To put it simply, I still call him ‘Uncle Great’.”
Lu Ge was surprised—being within five degrees meant their relationship was quite close.
After resting, they set off again.
Finally, rounding a bend, Lu Ge saw the scene ahead.
Fields and paths, smoke curling from chimneys.
They had made it out—finally out.
Lu Ge breathed a deep sigh of relief.
He turned and bowed deeply to Li Da.

“Thank you, brother. If it weren’t for you, I might have starved in these mountains.”
Li Da waved it off, “No need to thank me. I’d help anyone.”
“We must uphold the honor of the Li family, and not disgrace the Sage.”
“Come on, I’ll take you home to eat.”
“You must be starving.”
Lu Ge rubbed his stomach and followed Li Da.
They descended the mountain and entered the village.
Arriving at Li Da’s home, there were three or so thatched cottages and a small fenced yard.
Li Da’s family was not wealthy, so the food was modest.
The taste was average, even poor by modern standards.
But Lu Ge was hungry—hungry people find any food delicious.
Having something to eat was enough; no complaints.
After the meal, Lu Ge looked at Li Da.
“Shall we go visit Lao Dan now?”
Li Da nodded, “Sure.”
“Follow me.”
Lao Dan’s home was not far and was equally humble.
At a glance, it was similar to Li Da’s—a thatched hut with a fenced yard.
The only difference was a blue ox in the yard.
“Uncle, Uncle, are you home?”
Li Da called out loudly across the fence.
The blue ox didn’t lift its head, focused on grazing.
“It’s Li Da.”
“Why aren’t you out gathering firewood today? Why come here?”
An elderly man came out of the house, his face gentle and smiling warmly.
Li Da cupped his hands, “Uncle.”
“Today I rescued someone in the mountains.”
“He wants to visit you, so I brought him here.”
“What do you think?”
Lao Dan had already noticed Lu Ge beside Li Da. He glanced at him, then smiled, “Guests are guests—come inside first.”
He then looked at Li Da.
“You better go gather firewood quickly.”
“Otherwise, you might go hungry tomorrow.”
Li Da grinned foolishly, bowed again to Lao Dan, then looked at Lu Ge.
“I’ll go get firewood now.”
“You don’t have a place to stay since you just arrived. You can stay with me for now.”
“When I’m done, I’ll come get you.”
With that, Li Da hurried off.
Saving Lu Ge had cost him some time; he needed to hurry.
Watching Li Da’s departing figure, Lu Ge thought to himself, this brother is really a good person.
He pushed open the fence gate and entered the yard.
“Young man Lu Ge, greetings to the Sage.”
Lao Dan smiled, “No need for formalities. Come in and let’s talk.”
Lu Ge followed Lao Dan inside, and they took their seats.
“I notice your clothing isn’t typical of the Central Plains.”
“And you still have short hair.”
“Where do you come from?”
Lao Dan asked.
Lu Ge initially thought to bluff, as many time travelers in novels do.
But then he considered the man before him—not an ordinary person.
He wasn’t sure if this reality leaned more historical or mythological.
What if it was mythological?
Lying here would be dangerous.
Even if historical, what credentials did he have to befriend a Sage?
If he was worthless, the Sage might politely show him out.
His only advantage was knowledge from two thousand years in the future.
With that in mind, Lu Ge no longer hid anything.
“I won’t hide it. I’m not from this era.”
Hearing this, a flicker of surprise crossed Lao Dan’s eyes.
“Not from this era?”
“Are you some ancient sage?”
“Or are you born in the future?”
Lu Ge answered honestly, “By time calculation, I was born more than two thousand years later.”
A sparkle appeared in Lao Dan’s eyes.
No fear, no panic.
Only a thirst for novelty.
“From over two thousand years later?”
“Could time really flow backward? Could spilled water be gathered again?”
Lao Dan murmured to himself, joy in his heart.
Lu Ge listened and thought quietly.
This seemed historical.
If it were mythological, someone of Lao Dan’s stature would traverse time and space as easily as a stroll.
He wouldn’t be so surprised.
“My young friend, would you tell me about the next two thousand years?”
Lao Dan cupped his hands respectfully, as if seeking to learn, but also probing the truth of Lu Ge’s words.
Lu Ge hurriedly waved his hand, “Please don’t be so formal. I’m not worthy.”
Lao Dan smiled, “Confucius said, when three walk together, one can be my teacher.”
“Now I seek your wisdom and treat you as my teacher.”
Lu Ge blinked. Were all the great men of this era so humble?
“So I’ll tell you—please sit, please sit.”
Lu Ge began slowly.
“In the two thousand years to come, though dynasties rise and fall, things remain mostly the same.”
“Until a great upheaval occurs.”
“The world then changes beyond recognition.”
“Heaven is conquered by man, the sea tamed like a dragon, towering buildings rise, and carriages and horses never rest.”
“Everyone can eat their fill and keep warm.”
“If nothing unexpected happens, my China no longer has people starving or freezing to death.”
“Though I dare not claim universal peace, it is not far from reach.”