Simulation becomes reality, have I ever looked down upon the eternity?

Chapter 282: Defeat the bandits in the mountains and the lake will be turbulent!
[“The Master said, ‘Only a benevolent person can love others and hate others.’”]

【The Master said that only those who have benevolence in their hearts can truly like or dislike someone. 】

You continued: "A man of high ideals is one who shoulders the heavy responsibility of upholding the moral code and has lofty aspirations and always wants to bring about a great chaos in the world. A man of benevolence is one who has the integrity of heaven and a bright mind, and always wants to uphold the great principles of the world."]

[“But the Confucianists’ definition of a man of high ambition is not to save the people from danger and risk their own lives, but to aspire to be a benevolent person. It is not to aspire to change the world, but to aspire to be a benevolent person, a person with benevolence and integrity.”]

[When Zhuge Jian heard this, he was amazed at the first sentence, but the continuation of the topic was a little ordinary.]

【Xie Renfeng's eyes flashed with contempt, and he thought to himself, such remarks are nothing but clichés and lack novelty.】

[Confucianism emphasizes education, not demanding that everyone in the world have the knowledge of the Master. If everyone in the world can be as virtuous as the Master, how can Confucianism exist? The way of education is to guide people to be good and gradually improve their moral realm, rather than demanding perfection. ]

[Mrs. Yuan's expression eased a little. Although she felt that the words were bland, she did not lose face at least.]

[Mrs. Zhao's expression remained unchanged. It was obvious that these few words were not enough to satisfy everyone present.]

[The light in Xie Hong's eyes dimmed again.]

[The foreign guests present were also somewhat disappointed.]

【It’s just a mediocre statement. 】

【Sima Ting looked expectant, not believing that this was all the understanding of this disciple.】

[There is a hint of doubt in your eyes, and your tone becomes more serious:]

[“One who cannot achieve both ends, but sacrifices his life to serve the good of the world, will have no regrets even if he perishes.”]

[“Or, if you cultivate yourself, you may not be able to sweep the world, but if you are good at yourself, you can sweep your own house and still be worthy of being a benevolent person.”]

[“Then how can one become a truly benevolent person?”]

【You changed the subject and raised this key question: How to become a benevolent person?】

【Xie Yuan sat on the chair, seeming to be drawn into your thoughts.】

【Isn’t this what Confucianism pursues, to teach others to become benevolent people?】

【To date, no one has given an answer. 】

【Zhuge Jian thought about the academy and sighed in his heart. The answers given by the four teachers in the academy were the disputes over the Confucian school of thought, especially the disputes between the third and fourth teachers who were in conflict with each other.】

[This academic dispute caused a rift in the academy of Da Qi, and the great master left Da Qi in anger and went to Da Sui to become the imperial teacher.]

【Mr. Er later lingered on his sickbed.】

【But the teacher has been imprisoned in the small space of the academy for twenty years.】

[The Fourth Master walked out of the quietness of the academy and entered the bustling court, becoming the powerful Prime Minister Su today.]

[When Zhuge Jian was immersed in these complicated thoughts, a vigorous voice, like the sound of a morning bell or an evening drum, suddenly interrupted his meditation.]

[“There is no good or evil, this is the nature of the heart; there is good and evil, this is the movement of the mind. To know good and evil is conscience, to do good and avoid evil is the study of things.”]

[“If you plant a tree, you must cultivate its roots. If you cultivate virtue, you must cultivate its heart. The movement of all things in the world originates from the word ‘heart’.”]

[“The heart is the principle. This heart, without the obstruction of selfish desires, is the principle of heaven. There is no need to add anything from the outside.”]

[The heart is the principle. This heart that is not obscured by selfish desires is the principle of heaven. There is no need to add anything from the outside.]

[“When good thoughts arise, be aware of them and fill them; when evil thoughts arise, be aware of them and suppress them.”]

[“People’s minds are often fickle, with seven emotions and six desires, like cunning bandits hiding deep in the heart. It is easy to defeat a bandit in the mountains, but it is difficult to defeat a bandit in the heart…”]

[The young man stood tall and spoke cheerfully, each word he spoke was sonorous and powerful.]

[Gradually the main hall became quiet.]

[Xie Qiyue is usually annoyed by the empty and meaningless theories in books, and always feels that they are dull and boring.]

[However, at this moment, she could not help but calm down and savor the boy's words carefully. She felt that an inexplicable temperament emanated from him, which was somewhat similar to those talented and learned gentlemen in the academy.]

[Sima Ting lowered his head in deep thought, repeating what Xie Guan had just said, "Knowing good and evil is conscience, doing good and avoiding evil is the study of things..."]

[After saying this, the young man bowed slightly, saluted and said: "This is my humble understanding of the benevolent and ambitious people."]

【Zhuge Jian still looked stunned.】

[There was no sound in the main hall, and even the black donkey lying on the big pillar had its ears erected to show off its strength.]

[Lu Hua looked at the young man seriously for the first time, and he seemed to be thinking about something.]

【Xie Yu thought back to what his brother had just said. Although he was touched, he still felt that he had not yet understood something. It seemed that there were still many things he did not understand.】

【Xie Renfeng, a disdainful smile appeared on his lips. What is this ‘mind is reason’? I have never heard of such a weird theory. I am afraid that Xie Guan only has a superficial understanding of it and just made it up.】

【But he didn't notice! 】

【Father Xie Hong, who had remained silent the whole time, now had a different look in his eyes.】

[He murmured: "It is easy to defeat the thief in the mountains, but it is difficult to defeat the thief in the heart."]

[Although Madam Zhao did not understand what he meant, she knew from Zhuge Jian's expression that Xie Guan had probably understood it very well.]

[Mrs. Yuan was naturally extremely happy, but seeing that the old lady's face was becoming increasingly gloomy, she did not show it.]

[It took several breaths.]

[Zhuge Jian finally came back to his senses and looked at you with burning eyes. The more he looked at you, the more satisfied he became.]

[From the time the young man entered the main hall to his answers until now, he has been polite and courteous, like a modest gentleman.]

[“You are much more outstanding than I thought.”]

[In fact, there was one more thing in his mind that he hadn't said out loud. If the teacher was still the Mr. San who used to think of "the world as a chessboard and all living beings as chess pieces", he would definitely recommend this young man to the teacher as his top student.]

[The teacher never looks at aptitude when accepting disciples. The young man has already missed the best period for cultivation since he has not yet started practicing. The teacher values ​​character and talent.]

[However, the teacher's current state made him hesitate, and he was afraid that this move was not appropriate. ]

[So, Zhuge Jian secretly decided to go to the academy tonight and relay to the teacher exactly what the boy said today.]

【With the teacher's wisdom and accomplishment, I'm sure you will gain some insights from this. 】

【Thinking of this, he couldn't help but sigh, if only the master was still in the academy. 】

【Xie Yuan's face was filled with joy, and he felt proud of it.】

[Mrs. Yuan smiled and said, "It's still pretty good, and it doesn't bring disgrace to the Xie family..."]

[Old Lady Xie, who was seated at the top, gently waved her hand and interrupted the conversation: "Let's start the banquet. I am really tired today."]

[Then the old lady looked at you coldly, and said in a cold tone: "I am a woman, I don't understand the profound principles of the Master, nor do I understand the Confucian classics. I only know that managing a family requires respecting the elders and the younger ones."]

[“Xie Guan, you have mistakenly entered the Grand View Garden today. I will not punish you for now, but you still need to follow the old lady’s teachings while in the Xie Mansion. I hope you will be careful with your words and actions in the future, and don’t learn from your mother.”]

[“Hong’er, let’s start the banquet.”]

【Xie Hong stood up and helped the old lady into the back hall, but he glanced at you one more time before leaving.】

[As a bastard, you have no chance to step into Xie Hongyuan's living room. ]

【Xie Renfeng glanced at you, a cold smile appeared on his lips, and he turned and left. In the Xie Mansion, if you don’t have the favor of the old lady, it will be difficult for you to make a name for yourself.】【You must know that the first hurdle in the official career is the imperial examination, even if it is the first hurdle of passing the examination, you need the approval of the mistress of the mansion and the old lady. Now that Xie Guan is so despised by his grandmother, I am afraid that his future path will be full of thorns.】

[All the ladies, young ladies and young masters of the Xie Mansion also left with the old lady. ]

[Mrs. Zhao's personal maid, Gan Zhi, saw you respectfully bid farewell to the old lady, and bowed slightly, with a bit of regret in her eyes. The intelligence shown by this young master from the big courtyard today is indeed admirable, but there is no one to take care of him in the Xie Mansion, and his future seems to be shrouded in a haze, and he can only be covered in dust in the small courtyard.]

[Mrs. Shang, who was originally curious about you, saw the old lady's cold attitude, so she didn't come forward to greet you and left quietly.]

[In the Xie Mansion, the old lady's wishes are the will of heaven that cannot be violated. ]

【Xie Yuan smiled and returned the chess piece with the character “帅” on it that Wutong brought to you, saying, “Brother Guan, I have returned Wutong to you intact, but you must also explain the theory of the study of things to me in detail, and don’t keep it to yourself.”】

【The Wutong tree was left behind by him.】

【You smiled and said: "Thank you, Sixth Brother, for this time."】

【Xie Yuan waved his hand and left with Zhuge Jian. 】

【Mr. Jingyue nodded to you. 】

[Sima Ting came over with Xie Ying and praised: "Well said, Xie Guan, you are very good."]

[“I will have someone send the martial arts muscle-strengthening technique to you tomorrow.”]

[You also bow and express your gratitude: "Thank you, General Sima, for your help today."]

[Sima Ting nodded slightly, his expression indifferent: "I have been in Bianjing these days. If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to come to me."]

[After saying this, he turned and left to attend the banquet.]

[Wutong looked at Sima Ting's departing back, his heart full of doubts.]

[Why is this powerful Sima Jiedushi so familiar with the young master? 】

[At this moment, the main hall is empty, with only you two, master and servant, left.

[Wutong is not a dull person. Although he does not know the reason, he vaguely guesses that the young master's risky entry into Xie Hongyuan may have something to do with her.]

[Thinking that the young master was almost punished by the old lady because of this, and that his studies might be delayed because of this, she felt full of guilt. If anything really happened because of her, she would be the one who would be blamed. ]

[Wutong's eyes turn red: "Master, it's all my fault..."]

[You smiled gently and were about to speak to comfort her. ]

[A loud donkey bray broke the silence, attracting the attention of both of you.]

[Beside the large pillar in the main hall, a sturdy black donkey was struggling hard, seemingly forgotten here.]

[The black donkey pulled the reins hard, but was unable to break free for a while. Instead, it caused the main hall of Hongjing Courtyard to shake slightly. Its four hooves left several eye-catching scratches on the bluestone floor, demonstrating its extraordinary strength.]

[You are secretly surprised in your heart. This black donkey is obviously not an ordinary creature. It has such amazing power.]

[Just as you and Wutong were worried about this, a crisp and delicate voice came from the backyard: "You bastard, behave yourself!"]

[After hearing this, the black donkey finally calmed down and stopped making noise.]

[The woman wearing a white gauze hat just now came back from the back hall of the main hall. She did not walk towards the black donkey, but walked straight towards the two of you and finally stopped in front of you.]

[You are full of doubts. What is the intention of this woman who came back with Xie Hong, the second master of the Xie Mansion? ]

[The woman's voice came through the veil of her bamboo hat: "You, a mountain thief, are talking about something quite similar to the Taoist concept of beheading the three corpses. Have you ever studied Taoist texts?"]

[Although you don’t understand what he meant, you still answer honestly: “No.”]

[“What a pity! You can also read Taoist classics when you have time. They are not necessarily worse than the Master’s words.”]

[The woman walked to the big pillar and untied the black donkey.]

[The black donkey rubbed against Lu Hua's trouser leg affectionately, but she kicked it away in disgust. ]

[As the woman was leaving, she passed you and said, "Also, my name is Lu Hua!"]

[“I will come to see you in the next few days.”]

[You were startled, and suddenly a voice that only you could hear rang in your ears: "You took the word 'Yuan' from the lake."]

[You were shocked by this sentence, but your expression did not show any abnormality.]

【"Don't worry, I have no ill will towards you."】

[You were shocked, but your expression did not change.]

【Wutong was a little surprised. Just now in the main hall, when the second master introduced her, he clearly remembered that her name was "Hua Lu". Could it be that she remembered it wrong?】

[You turned your head and saw Lu Hua pulling the black donkey into the back hall, leaving only his back. You thought silently, it seems that this person is the one who cultivated the spirit that Sima Ting mentioned, but you don't know her realm.]

[You have a feeling that this woman named Lu Hua seems to be more terrifying than Sima Ting's cultivation, because her behavior is too casual, or in other words, it feels like she is in line with her heart.]

[Please take back your thoughts. Today's matter is over. ]

【I remember what Old Lady Xie said just now, don't learn from your mother.】

[For the first time, Qinglang showed a cold and chilly expression, but he returned to his original state in an instant.]

[“Let’s go, Wutong.”]

[You and Wutong walked out of the main hall. At this time, the ladies and gentlemen in the courtyard had already gone to the back hall for a banquet. The pavilions along the lakeside also became empty, without the previous bustle and noise.]

【The pavilion is empty! 】

[In the lake, there have been several small boats quietly waiting. When they saw you two coming out of the pavilion, the boatmen rowed their oars without delay and carried you two to the other side.]

【Wutong finally had the opportunity to enjoy the scenery by the lake. 】

[When she first entered the mansion with Gan Zhi, she was always very cautious and didn't dare to look up or around.]

[But now that she is with the young master, she feels much more comfortable. ]

[“Master, this lake is full of lotus flowers. It would be great if we could come and enjoy them in the early autumn.”]

[Just as you were about to respond, you inadvertently noticed that in a pavilion not far away, there was an old man wearing a fur hat, holding a lifeless maid, touching her all over, and lying on the maid's back with his hands inside her shirt.]

[An ugly old face, full of greed.]

[It was the old man I saw when I entered the courtyard just now. The young man was not there at this time, only the old man.]

[You look down again and see two dragons swimming and flapping their wings under the boat, being extremely affectionate to you.]

[It is the ink dragon formed by the two characters "Hong" and "Jing" just now. ]

[You are thinking about something, and the two dragons are in tune with you. ]

[You can't help but point at the old man in the pavilion from a distance.]

[The lake suddenly became turbulent, and the experienced boatman almost fell off the bow.]

[You walk over, hold the old man, and say, "Old man, please be careful."]

(End of this chapter)