'China in the Classics': Young Laozi gets the name 'Mr. Question'

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In this episode, Sa Beining, a contemporary reader, travels back to the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-256 BC) and arrives at the Hangu Pass. Yin Xi, the commander of the Pass, delayed Laozi, who wanted to go through the Pass, and Laozi wrote the 5,000-character "Dao De Jing." Sa Beining and Yin Xi consult Laozi about Dao, or the "way," he explains that it can't be heard or seen, but its existence is eternal; and it's the origin of all things.

Laozi's real name was Li Er. When he was a little boy, his father was bothered by the fact that he often asked strange questions. But when he took Li to Shang Rong, Shang was very pleased by the questions Li asked and took him as his student. In the Imperial College, the teacher was infuriated by the questions Li asked. Li and his friend Qi Qing were both nicknamed "Mr. Question" by their classmates.