Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

"The distinction between righteousness and profit is the foremost principle for Confucian scholars! Confucius said: 'The superior man understands righteousness; the inferior man understands profit.' This is simply a difference in standards of choice. It is human nature to pursue profit, but one should not forget righteousness for the sake of profit, thus violating morality!"

"When the Han Dynasty Confucian scholar Dong Zhongshu advocated: 'Uphold righteousness without seeking profit, clarify the Way without calculating merit!' he separated righteousness from profit, creating an opposition between them. Later Confucian scholars regarded profit as a monstrous flood and despised wealth!"

"The same applies to this dynasty. Furthermore, figures like Zhang Zihou and the Cheng brothers have divided righteousness and profit into public and private, creating a conflict between heavenly principles and human desires!"

However, Wang Anshi disagreed, believing that righteousness and profit should not be opposed but coexist, and that financial interests should not be concealed, as managing the finances of the country is a matter of great righteousness!

"What I am about to tell you is a way of balancing righteousness and profit, completely different from what was said before. You must listen carefully and not let your mind wander and miss it..."

The old man spoke eloquently, expounding on the differences between righteousness and profit in ancient and modern times.

After listening for a few moments, Gao Zhao suddenly sensed something was wrong and raised his voice to interrupt, but then he noticed the small pile of stone dust on the ground. He quickly swallowed his sarcastic remark and instead raised his hand, asking weakly:

"Sir, Wang Anshi's 'acting righteously and profiting in tandem' and our family's 'harmony of righteousness and profit' sound quite similar. May I ask what the difference is?"

The old man nodded slightly upon hearing this and said, "Good question. Do you remember what I told you the other day? Righteousness arises from profit; the two are inherently one and inseparable. However, Wang Anshi's dual pursuit of righteousness and profit essentially separates the two, believing that profit is merely a means to achieve righteousness!"

"My view on the unity of righteousness and profit is different. Profit is righteousness, and righteousness is profit; the two are inherently one. Profit is the manifestation of righteousness, and righteousness is the essence of profit! Using profit to practice righteousness, and using righteousness to drive profit, are not comparable at all."

That was a very convoluted way of putting it, and Gao Zhao was a little confused, but he still understood the general meaning!

Confucian scholars of the past, from Confucius to Dong Zhongshu, and even to Wang Anshi and the Cheng brothers today, have all separated righteousness and profit, expounded countless principles, and even elevated them to the level of the principles of Heaven, which is quite remarkable!

But now that they've met me, all I can say is that they're just a bunch of ordinary people who still need to practice!

Although Gao Zhao was not well-read and didn't hold these sages in much reverence, he still couldn't help but remind him, "Sir, aren't we being a bit too arrogant?"

"Arrogant? Not really!" The old man stroked his beard and pondered, "Zhang Hengqu was of average talent. He only became a great Confucian scholar after diligently studying the Six Classics!"

The two Cheng brothers were a bit smarter than him, but that was all they amounted to. Mr. Mingdao was a nice gentleman, and Mr. Yichuan was rigid and pedantic. In addition, neither of them had any achievements to speak of, so their accomplishments were ultimately limited!

Dong Zhongshu made contributions to Confucianism, but his own scholarship was just so-so; he wasn't particularly outstanding within our circle of great Confucian scholars!

Gao Zhao was speechless. Three of the Five Masters of the Northern Song Dynasty, plus Dong Zhongshu, who advocated the exclusive veneration of Confucianism, are just so-so in your eyes.

The way he criticizes people is even more arrogant than when I'm drunk and bragging!

If it weren't for your superior martial arts skills, I probably wouldn't be able to defeat you, and I would have made a few sarcastic remarks to you!

"What about Confucius?" Gao Zhao held back for a moment, but couldn't help but subtly stab him in the back. You're a Confucian scholar, you can't possibly disparage your founder, Confucius!

That would be utterly outrageous!

"Aiming for the highest standard, one can only achieve the middle; aiming for the middle, one will only achieve the lowest." The old man, unconcerned about Gao Zhao's question, smiled faintly and replied, "If you want to achieve something, you should compare yourself to Confucius! Even if you can't surpass the sage, you can still be considered a near-sage!"

"Holy shit!"

Gao Zhaoren was completely dumbfounded; this old guy was definitely not a decent person!

They actually thought of trying to scam Confucius! And even a sage like him… should I call you a deputy sage?!

"Doesn't it seem outrageous? Ha, this is what an old friend of mine said!" The old man seemed to read his thoughts from his expression and then explained, "I'm still very serious!"

"Friends... ha..." Gao Zhao expressed his understanding; he also had friends.

The old man continued, "Actually, this principle of balancing righteousness and profit also belongs to him. I'm just relaying it. If you find any errors or omissions later, don't blame me!"

Gao Zhao secretly curled his lip. They're issuing disclaimers before even starting the lesson! Their knowledge probably isn't that great!

"Our faction believes in righteousness and mutual benefit, and we don't engage in empty talk..."

The old man coughed lightly and began his lecture. Gao Zhao quickly perked up, sat up straight, and listened attentively.

The main reason was that he was afraid the old man would notice he was distracted, grab him, and turn him into dust like a stone in an instant!

Gao Zhao felt extremely uncomfortable throughout the class, as if sitting on pins and needles. He finally endured until the bell rang to signal the end of get out of class at the Biyong Hall, at which point the old man stopped, stood up, and smiled, saying, "That's all for today. Come again tomorrow!"

Gao Zhao dared not say no, and could only bow and see him off!

It's not that I'm afraid of his violence, it's just that I've learned from him and I have to respect him!

Only after the old man's figure disappeared into the distance did he breathe a sigh of relief, turn around, and run off to eat!

Inside the public kitchen, the students were discussing the imperial debate and speculating about who would represent the Imperial Academy in the contest!

After Gao Zhao heard this, the most discussed topic was Chen Dong. It seems that this guy has a high reputation in the Biyong!

However, no matter how capable he is, compared to himself, he is just an ordinary person.

What about the talented students of the Imperial Academy? What about the outstanding students of the Imperial College?

From the very beginning, I was sitting on the mountaintop, just waiting for these ants to arrive in this imperial debate!

Let them fight and struggle! The young master doesn't care!

Even after Gao Zhao finished his meal and left the public kitchen, he was still immersed in the loneliness of a master!

Everywhere I look, there are only ants!

Even Chen Dong, who was walking towards him with a smile on his face, was nothing more than a slightly larger ant in his eyes!

Hey, Chen Dong's here!

"Brother Gao, I heard you took leave to go back and take care of your uncle. It's great to see you back now!"

"I'm fine, thank you for your concern, Brother Shaoyang!" Gao Zhao was also moved. Although he hadn't learned much at Biyong, his reputation for networking was well-known!

"That's good!" Chen Dong laughed heartily, patting Gao Zhao on the shoulder and saying, "Now that the Emperor is about to personally preside over the debate on righteousness and profit, your return has come at just the right time!"

Gao Zhao was taken aback, inwardly cursing Chen Dong for being insidious. Knowing that he was not well-versed in knowledge, Chen Dong still made him participate in the debate, which was just making him, the young master, look bad in public!

This scoundrel has malicious intentions and is no good!

He immediately shook his head and said, "I will not participate in the selection process at Biyong!"

Chen Dong had no idea that the man already harbored resentment towards him, and still smiled, saying, "Why not participate? It's a rare opportunity! There's no harm in giving it a try!"

Gao Zhao said calmly, "Even if you win the debate, what difference does it make? Can it change the loser's views on righteousness and profit? Since it can't, why bother? You might as well focus on your studies!"

Chen Dong's face stiffened, and he forced a smile before finally saying, "I saw him today to tell you something. That Xu Qing holds a grudge against you, so you'd better be careful!"