My hotel is full of emperors throughout history.

The silence inside the hall was like a frosty pool, even the sound of breathing carried a heavy, stagnant weight.

Chunyu Yue lowered his eyes and looked at the bamboo slips on the table, his expression complicated.

Throughout his life, he firmly believed in the ways of sages and regarded rites and music as the foundation of governing the country.

But Fusu's words made him waver.

He wanted to refute, but found his throat tighten, and those familiar scriptures seemed pale and powerless at this moment.

An elderly scholar with graying temples sighed softly, raised his hand to stroke the jade pendant on his chest, and looked at Fusu with a complicated expression.

He recalled his travels in his youth, where he had seen displaced disaster victims and the stench of wine and meat in the mansions of the rich, but at that time he always thought that “cultivating propriety” could change everything.

Looking back now, it was all just self-deception.

The reactions of the young Confucian scholars were more direct. Their eyes flickered, sometimes looking at Fusu's tall and straight back, sometimes exchanging glances, their eyes revealing wavering.

Fusu's words, "to find a glimmer of hope for the common people," were like a ray of light, shining into their narrow world where they only read the classics.

It turns out that governing a country is not as simple as just memorizing classic texts.

One of them subconsciously took half a step forward, as if he wanted to say something, but was stopped by the look in his companion's eyes. In the end, he just clenched his sleeves and lowered his head.

Shusun Tong's face turned pale and then bluish.

He was both furious at Fusu's "blasphemy" against the teachings of the sages and had to admit the painful reality reflected in his words.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say again, "Severe laws bring disaster to the country."

But when he thought of the hope that the military merit system brought to the common people when Qin unified the world, he swallowed his words, gave a heavy snort, and turned his face away.

Fusu stood quietly in the hall, without urging him any further.

After a long while, the young scholar who had moved earlier finally raised his head, his voice hoarse but unusually firm.

"Young master... if you can truly bring peace and security to the people of the world, I am willing to abandon my old ways and follow you, even if the road ahead is fraught with thorns!"

As soon as he finished speaking, there was another commotion in the hall. Two young Confucian scholars immediately echoed his words.

"The younger generation is also willing to follow!"

An old scholar suddenly looked up and said sternly.

"Do you all know that this is a departure from the way of the sages! It is... it is heresy!"

The young scholar met his gaze and spoke loudly.

"Sir, the heart of a sage lies in bringing peace and prosperity to the people. To cling to outdated doctrines and fail to alleviate the suffering of the people is to truly betray the essence of sagehood!"

The old scholar was choked speechless, his chest heaving violently.

"No! No, you mustn't!"

Another elderly scholar, with white hair and beard, suddenly stood up and slammed his cane heavily on the ground.

"The teachings of the sages have been passed down for centuries. How can we discard them like worn-out shoes because of a few words from you, young master? If you follow you in doing things that are contrary to the orthodox and unorthodox, how will you face the sages Confucius and Mencius in the afterlife?"

He was so angry that he trembled all over, his white beard stood on end, and his gaze swept over the young scholars who echoed his sentiments, full of heartache and indignation.

"You are young and ignorant, misled by momentary falsehoods; you will surely regret it in the future!"

After saying this, he turned to Fusu and bowed deeply.

"Although your ambitions are lofty, we cannot work together because our paths are different. I would rather return to my hometown to farm than betray the teachings of the sages."

After saying this, he looked at no one and walked out of the hall with a flick of his sleeve.

Several old scholars who were on good terms with him exchanged glances, their faces showing resolute determination, and followed closely behind, sighing as they walked.

"What a pity for the young master's talent, that he has gone down such a wrong path..."

Shusun Tong stood there, his face still grim, but he did not leave immediately.

He looked at the young Confucian scholars, then at Fusu, his lips moved several times, but he finally spoke in a deep voice.

"What you say, young master, has some truth to it, but the path of 'strict laws' and 'profit-driven' is ultimately dangerous. What we seek in learning etiquette and cultivating virtue is peace in the world, not to stir up conflict."

He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, his tone carrying a complex meaning.

"Shusun Tong dares not agree with, nor follow, the path of the young master."

"I hope you will take good care of yourself, my lord, and not let the Great Qin fall into chaos."

Having said that, he turned and left.

Those remaining in the hall were mostly middle-aged Confucian scholars and a few young people who had not yet expressed their opinions.

A middle-aged Confucian scholar with a lean face frowned, his fingers unconsciously stroking the bamboo slips of the Analects on the table, his expression conflicted.

He looked at the departing old scholars, then at the young generation who were determined to follow Fusu, and pursed his lips again and again.

"What you say, my lord...the suffering of the people is indeed true."

He murmured softly.

"But the teachings of the sages are also a good way to govern the world..."

A middle-aged scholar wearing a square scarf hesitated before speaking.

"If...if the young master could truly refrain from using harsh laws to oppress the people, and instead use 'clarifying benefits and harms' to help them, perhaps...perhaps that wouldn't be considered heretical?"

He had barely finished speaking when he was interrupted by another scholar standing beside him.

"But your words, young master, have already shaken the foundation of the sages! If we can abandon rites and music today, we may abandon benevolence and righteousness tomorrow. Once this trend is started, the consequences will be endless!"

The group held differing opinions, but no conclusion was reached, and they grew increasingly hesitant.

I want to leave.

But remembering what Fusu had said before, she didn't want to leave.

Compared to these older Confucian scholars, the younger ones became increasingly resolute.

The young Confucian scholar who had been the first to speak stepped forward and bowed to Fusu once again.

"My lord," said the young man, "I believe that the essence of sagehood lies in helping the people, not in rigidly adhering to scriptures. If we can prevent people from becoming homeless, then we are fulfilling the aspirations of sages!"

"This junior is willing to follow you, young master, even unto death!"

"The younger generation is also willing to follow!"

"Please take us in, young master! We are willing to find a way to survive for the common people!"

The other young Confucian scholars stepped forward in response.

Their eyes were bright, and their faces showed the passion and determination unique to young people. They all stood behind Fusu.

Young people are always like that!

Chunyu Yue sat on the mat, looking at the divided crowd before him, his face turning from green to white, and then from white to red.

He wanted to denounce the betrayal of those young Confucian scholars, but he was also shocked by what Fusu had said earlier.

In the end, he simply slammed his fist heavily on the table, making a dull thud, closed his eyes and remained silent, neither leaving nor expressing his opinion, clearly caught in an unprecedented struggle.

Fusu gazed at the various figures in the hall and slowly spoke.

"Fusu respects all your choices."

He looked at the departing figures of the old scholars, his voice clear and resonant.

"Those who wish to return to their hometowns to teach and uphold the teachings of the sages, Fusu has already ordered that travel expenses and documents be prepared, and that all checkpoints along the way be open to them. From now on, you may freely preach your doctrines within the territory of the Great Qin at any time."

Then, he looked at the young Confucian scholar standing behind him with a bow, and his eyes softened.

"Those who wish to follow me, Fusu does not ask you to abandon what you have learned, but only wishes that you remember the heart of today—to take the people's peace as your own peace, and the country's tranquility as your own tranquility. In the future, you may speak frankly about any advice you may have, and even if it contradicts my words, there is no fear of being held accountable."

As soon as he finished speaking, the eyes of the young scholars lit up even more, and they all bowed.

"Thank you, young master!"

Finally, Fusu looked at Chunyu Yue.

Chunyu Yue was struggling internally.

Seeing Fusu looking at him, he struggled for a long time before finally bowing and saying something.

"The path you speak of, young master, is both a path to survival and a perilous one. I dare not rashly agree, lest I mislead you and betray all the knowledge I have acquired throughout my life."

Chunyu Yue raised his head, his eyes pleading.

"I humbly request that you allow me to return home and contemplate this matter in seclusion for a few days. After a few days, I will return to report back—either I will return to my hometown to live in peace, or I will follow you, without any hesitation."

Upon hearing this, Fusu showed no displeasure whatsoever; instead, he nodded gently.

"Mr. Chunyu is absolutely right. This matter concerns your conscience and all your life's learning, so it should be carefully considered rather than acted on impulse." He gestured to those around him.

"Sir, please go back and reflect quietly. Whatever choice you make, Fusu will treat you with the utmost courtesy."

After saying that, he added.

"If you have any questions while you are thinking about this, you may send someone to find me at any time, and I will answer them in person."

Chunyu Yue bowed deeply, his eyes filled with gratitude.

"Thank you for your understanding, young master."

Having said that, he held the bamboo slips and walked unsteadily out of the hall.

Seeing Chunyu Yue's reaction, the middle-aged scholars who had hesitated earlier breathed a sigh of relief, and one of them stepped forward and clasped his hands in greeting.

"Young master, I also wish to return home and reflect for a few more days. I hope you will grant my request."

The others echoed this sentiment.

"It's alright."

Fusu nodded with a smile.

"You may all return home to reflect quietly. You may return in three days to report back. Fusu will await your good news here. Whether you stay or leave, I will not force you."

So the middle-aged Confucian scholars also left together.

In the end, those few bright-eyed young Confucian scholars remained in the hall. They looked at Fusu with unwavering determination.

Fusu looked around at everyone and bowed solemnly.

"Today, you gentlemen are traveling with Fusu, which means we are sharing the responsibility for the long-term stability of the Great Qin."

"The road ahead is fraught with peril, with potential criticism, violence, and even disgrace, but Fusu hereby swears—that he will never betray you, my lords, nor the people of the land!"

"I am willing to follow you, young master, through life and death!"

Everyone bowed in unison.

Suddenly, a palace eunuch arrived.

"Young master, His Majesty summons you to the palace."