People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 350, Gongyang Ru's Purpose, A Second-Rank Opportunity (Bonus Chapter! Requesting Monthly Tickets!)

Upon hearing Lü Buwei's explanation, Xu Qing couldn't help but recall the time when Wuming helped Xunzi deliver a letter to him.

Xunzi originally intended to visit him in person, but due to internal matters within the Confucian school, he was delayed and had to send a message to him through Wuming.

It is estimated that Gongyang Ru made him a disciple of Gongyang Ru without prior consultation, probably because, as Lü Buwei said, he had some connection with Xunzi.

"If this matter is truly related to Master Xun, then the Qin state will owe him a great debt of gratitude," Xu Qing said with a sigh.

"This is a good thing for Confucianism, Gongyang Confucianism, Qin State, you, me, and Your Majesty. However, the only requirement is that you acknowledge the identity of Gongyang Confucianism and allow him to enter Qin, thereby providing a way out for Confucianism and easing relations with Qin State."

Lu Buwei took a sip of tea and said with a light laugh.

Xu Qing nodded in agreement. Gongyang Ru's assassination of Ji Wuye to bind him was not for revenge, but to establish a relationship with the Qin state through him.

The relationship between Confucianism and the Qin state was not good. When Confucius did not enter Qin, it was said that Duke Xiao of Qin blocked him at Hangu Pass, which led to the great Confucian scholar not entering Qin.

This is why the cultural and moral virtues of the Qin state have declined further.

Later, Xunzi appeared out of nowhere and, in order to put his doctrines into practice, took the initiative to break this unspoken rule, becoming the first great Confucian scholar to enter Qin.

King Zhaoxiang of Qin warmly welcomed Xunzi, but after they met, King Zhaoxiang thought Xunzi's words made sense. Qin's laws and military merit system would indeed bring great drawbacks to Qin. However, in this era of great contention, what Qin needed was not the way of the king, but the way of the hegemon.

Whether Qin's system was good or bad is another matter, but it was definitely the most effective system for fighting.

Thus, Xunzi could only return disappointed. Both of the two great Confucian sages were rejected by the State of Qin. No matter how powerful the State of Qin was, or how much the Confucianists wanted to enter Qin, they could no longer openly support the State of Qin.

After all, scholars value their reputation the most.

However, as the Qin state grew stronger, many Confucian scholars wanted to serve as officials in Qin. Therefore, they could only enter Qin discreetly in their own names, and even so, there were very few such people.

Historically, the relationship between the Qin state and Confucianism improved after Ying Zheng (Qin Shi Huang) had his eldest son, Fusu, become a Confucian scholar.

However, now, Gongyang Ru and he have become the mediators for easing tensions between Confucianism and the Qin state.

“It makes sense that the Gongyang Confucianists chose the State of Qin. The Gongyang Confucianism is too domineering, and their doctrines require a strong country, which Qin happens to fit the bill,” Xu Qing said.

Besides the most famous themes of unification and revenge, the Gongyang School of Confucianism also includes themes such as being cautious at the beginning and rectifying the root, strengthening the trunk and weakening the branches, changing the era name and system, exercising power in a proper way, maintaining the right position, respecting the king's way, advocating virtuous governance, valuing the virtuous and talented, the interaction between heaven and man, and warnings of disasters and anomalies.

Most of these were what the Qin state needed, and the Gongyang School of Confucianism also needed the support of a strong state to escape its increasingly declining position within Confucianism.

Although the Gongyang School of Confucianism was strong and its doctrines were solid, it was the only school of Confucianism that could confront the pragmatic Mohist school, including in terms of physical confrontation.

However, the Gongyang School of Confucianism did not produce a systematic written record. The Gongyang Spring and Autumn Annals, which they were so proud of, was also scattered and disorganized, with a considerable portion being oral traditions that were not written down.

This is also why, despite the Gongyang School's considerable strength, it had few disciples and its status gradually declined.

To change all this, they needed a powerful nation to support their writing and dissemination of knowledge, and the Qin state was the most suitable nation.

After learning that he had entered Qin, Gongyang Ru set his sights on him and attempted to assassinate Ji Wuye. By sacrificing a disciple, he bound Ji Wuye to Gongyang Ru in exchange for Gongyang Ru's future.

“And the Qin state also needs Gongyang Ru. This is a win-win strategy, which is very much in line with Gongyang Ru’s style,” Lü Buwei said.

Gongyang Ru had calculated everything. Once Xu Qing accepted Gongyang Ru, Gongyang Ru could smoothly enter Qin, and the Confucian school could also legitimately ease relations with Qin and send disciples to Qin. Qin had such a vast territory, but few talented and capable officials. Once the Confucian school entered Qin, they could quickly occupy many official positions.

Confucian disciples achieved their ambition of entering officialdom, while the Qin state was able to solve its problem of lacking officials—a win-win situation.

“That’s why Your Excellency thinks I must be a Gongyang scholar,” Xu Qing said helplessly, looking at Lü Buwei.

Although this matter was also beneficial to him, and a great one at that, the feeling of being arranged by someone else still made him feel somewhat uncomfortable.

“That’s right, everyone is ready now, all that’s missing is the Grand Chancellor’s approval.” Lü Buwei’s expression remained calm, but he couldn’t help feeling a little nervous inside.

Xu Qing is a disciple of He Guanzi, a high-ranking member of the Taoist Tianzong sect. Suddenly becoming a disciple of Gongyang Ru will inevitably affect Xu Qing himself, and he might even be expelled from the Tianzong sect.

Therefore, it was normal for Xu Qing to hesitate, but Lü Buwei still hoped that Xu Qing would agree, since it would be extremely beneficial to the Qin state.

Just as Xu Qing was pondering, the ball of light in his mind lit up again, and two fortune sticks flew out from it.

Seeing his cheat system activating again, Xu Qing couldn't help but exclaim "Holy crap!"

Since he entered Qin, his cheat code seemed to have disappeared, and even when he came to see Lü Buwei, he didn't give him any hints.

Although she couldn't help but complain in her heart, Xu Qing still patiently checked the fortune slip.

Choosing a master or sect can lead to either meteoric rise to power or a life of quiet obscurity.

[A moderately auspicious sign. A disciple of the Gongyang School of Confucianism, destined for rapid advancement, but harboring resentment from petty people, with hidden dangers lurking. A second-rank opportunity may be obtained; auspicious. This matter concerns the future and involves karmic entanglements; choose carefully.]

[A moderate result, rejecting the Confucian interpretation of the Gongyang School; nothing gained, nothing lost, but troublesome and bothersome; a draw.]

Looking at the two fortune slips, Xu Qing sighed helplessly.

The outcome of the divination is already quite clear: a medium-to-high-level divination indicates a willingness to cooperate with Gongyang Ru and complete this mutually beneficial plan. The second-rank opportunity obtained is likely related to Gongyang Ru's legacy.

If he agrees, Gongyang Ru will definitely make him the leader after entering Qin, and he will have a team directly without having to bother training him.

Moreover, both the Qin state and the Confucian school would remember his favor, which could be described as a meteoric rise in rank.

As for petty people holding grudges, they are most likely from within the Confucian school. The assertiveness of the Gongyang School of Confucianism offended many people, and there were also quite a few within the Confucian school who criticized the Qin state.

If he were to break the ice between the Qin state and the Confucian front, those within the Confucian school who were hostile to the Qin state would certainly hold a grudge against him.

Even some people within Qin would hold a grudge against him, such as that traitor Xiong Qi.

As for the Taoist Tianzong sect, Xu Qing wasn't worried at all. Before becoming a disciple of the old man He Guanzi, he had already mentioned that he was educated in Confucianism, and He Guanzi didn't care at all.

Moreover, once he ascended the Guanmiao Platform, he became an indisputable disciple of the Heavenly Sect.

As for the second divination, given Gongyang Ru's extreme personality, if he refuses this time, the other party will probably come up with a new way to pester him. If he keeps refusing, the other party will keep pestering him until he agrees.

(End of this chapter)