People in the Qin Dynasty, entertained during the Warring States period

Chapter 108 The Ying Zheng Development Plan

After mid-October, the autumn winds begin to blow.

On the streets of Handan, fallen leaves are occasionally blown up by the wind.

And around the Hundred Schools Forum, the number of disciples from various schools of thought is no less than before.

Furthermore, merchants, travelers, and students from other countries gathered around the disciples of the Hundred Schools.

For the past month, the novel about Journey to the West has spread almost throughout Zhao, and even those with good connections in distant countries have gradually heard about it.

Cao Ze stepped onto the podium.

Kong Chuan, a great Confucian scholar of the Zisi School, said: "Young friend Cao Ze, let me introduce you. This is the senior disciple of Xiaoshengxianzhuang, Xun Qing's nephew—Fu Nian."

Cao Ze looked at Fu Nian.

She wore a jade pendant at her waist and her clothes were gorgeous, elegant, and colorful.

He has a dignified and composed appearance, and an elegant and extraordinary temperament.

With every gesture, he exudes an innate air of nobility.

Compared to the nameless swordsman he had met before, the young Fu Nian was much more dignified, almost disproportionate to his actual age.

"Confucian scholar Fu Nian greets Mr. Cao Ze."

I bow respectfully in reverence.

Zhao Jia, in the name of King Zhao, summoned all the schools of thought in the land.

His uncle Xunzi was also among those invited.

However, his uncle did not want to come, so he sent him over instead, since the latter had just mastered the Holy King Sword Technique.

During his visit to the senior Kong Chuan, he unexpectedly heard about Cao Ze's philosophy of mind and began to eagerly await its development.

He could only treat this person, who was younger than him, with the utmost respect, who had already won over the renowned master Gongsun Long.

Cao Ze cupped his hands and said, "Brother Fu Nian, please feel free to do as you please. There's no need for such formalities."

Fu Nian, speaking methodically, said, "The Book of Poetry says, 'The valiant King Wen established order and discipline in all directions. Only through propriety could he uphold it; propriety could not be abandoned.'"

"Please, Mr. Cao Ze, begin your lecture. I am all ears."

Cao Ze didn't say much.

Seeing the hidden, yet unreleased, sword intent emanating from Fu Nian's body, which was described as "skillful yet unpretentious, dignified and majestic," was no less than when he first encountered Jing Ni.

He must have just broken through to the half-step Grandmaster level, and may even have comprehended swordsmanship on his own. No wonder he is the senior disciple of the Confucian school.

Kong Chuan glanced at Fu Nian, then at Cao Ze.

Before meeting Cao Ze, he always believed that among the various schools of thought, Fu Nian was the most insightful and talented.

Perhaps his cultivation speed isn't top-tier, and his strength isn't particularly outstanding or astonishing.

But they are the ones with the best chance of breaking through to the Grandmaster realm.

Compared to the major schools of Confucianism, Xiaoshengxianzhuang is truly teeming with talented individuals.

Cao Ze wrote "Four Sentences on the Philosophy of Mind" on a large wooden board.

As the saying goes, if you understand the four phrases about good and evil, you will understand Yangming's philosophy of mind.

This is the most suitable starting point for teaching the philosophy of mind.

Fu Nian silently recited the four lines of the philosophy of mind once again, which he had heard from Master Zigao before.

The Confucian school has debated the nature of human good and evil for a century. Even though they believe that human nature is evil, it does not prevent them from appreciating the idea that human nature is good.

Today, I am greatly surprised and amazed to see someone who takes the essence of Confucianism as their foundation, yet transcends the debate between good and evil.

Confucius said, “When three people walk together, one of them will be my teacher.”

The patriarch was sincere and never lied.

I just don't know what's so profound about this philosophy of mind.

Cao Ze began to speak slowly.

Compared to the dry and boring nature of logic, the philosophy of mind is much more interesting.

He could even apply his knowledge to Confucian disciples.

Not only can it increase knowledge, but those with outstanding talent can even achieve enlightenment.

For example, in this moment of mindfulness, one directly falls into a state of neither joy nor sorrow, and one's mind sinks into the darkness.

Cao Ze took a break halfway through, and it was a bit of a pity that the Black and White Sisters weren't there.

At this time of day, the sisters would usually bring him a cup of good tea to soothe his throat.

He was a little disoriented when he suddenly stopped coming, and didn't know where he had gone.

Hey~

This damn habit.

Fu Nian stood up and asked, "Mr. Cao Ze, I have a question."

Cao Ze said, "Brother Fu Nian, please ask."

Fu Nian pondered for a moment and said, "Mr. Cao Ze said that people are born without any distinction between good and evil. It is only through people's actions after birth that the distinction between good and evil is created."

According to Mr. Cao Ze, conscience is the standard for distinguishing between good and evil.

"Investigating things is about doing good and eliminating evil."

"Through this investigation of things and extension of knowledge, this is the essence of the mind."

"So, how do we investigate things, and how do we extend our innate knowledge of things?"

Cao Ze smiled slightly and said, "Brother Fu Nian is truly meticulous. Now that you've finished speaking, that's a good opportunity to talk about it."

"How to investigate things and extend one's innate knowledge? In short, it is called the unity of knowledge and action."

Fu Nian sat with his hands at his sides, listening quietly.

Cao Ze said slowly, "What is knowledge? What is action?"

"Knowledge is the awareness of the mind, and action is the actual behavior of a person."

"These two are one and inseparable."

"That is, knowledge is the beginning of action, and action is the completion of knowledge."

"If one can reach such a level, one can achieve the investigation of things and the extension of knowledge."

……

While Cao Ze continued to lecture on the philosophy of mind.

Li Si traveled day and night and had already arrived in Xianyang, the capital of Qin.

After scouting the area, he successfully intercepted Lü Buwei and, through a self-recommendation, became one of Lü Buwei's retainers.

In the Prime Minister's residence in Xianyang, Li Si went to Lü Buwei's study.

He clearly saw that Lü Buwei wrote the five large characters "Logic: Cao Ze" on the blank bamboo slip.

"I have heard that Cao Ze of Handan expounded on logic on the Hundred Schools Forum and was highly praised by the master of the school, Gongsun Long."

"You said you once passed through Handan and learned this art."

"Now that the compilation of the original Lüshi Chunqiu is nearing completion, the supplementation on logic will be entrusted to you."

Lü Buwei handed the letter with his name on it to Li Si.

Li Si respectfully accepted it: "Li Si understands."

"Well, let's go down."

The study fell silent. After a long pause, Lü Buwei asked Old Man Zheng, "Where did Yanri go after returning to Qin?"

Old Master Zheng said, "According to intelligence, it seems that Yan Ri went to the Yin Yang School's headquarters to meet Donghuang Taiyi."

"What is it for?"

"This old servant does not know."

Lu Buwei said with some regret, "It's a real pity that Shen Leping died. If I could, I would rather Xuan Jian die in Handan than have him die."

For someone like him who likes to be in control of everything, Shen Leping is an excellent informant.

"Prime Minister Lü, what should we do with Xuan Jian?"

"Keep the sun under control and prevent any further accidents."

"clear."

Lü Buwei stood up. "Prepare the carriage. I'm going to the palace."

Old Master Zheng draped a cloak over Lü Buwei's shoulders.

A moment later, Lü Buwei boarded the carriage to the palace.

His gaze lingered on the bustling traffic outside the window.

Three days ago, his proposed system of righteous soldiers, despite some obstacles, was successfully implemented in the army with the assistance of the Wang and Meng families.

However, this was not a good thing for him.

This allowed him to see from the side that the Wang and Meng families were close to the Qin royal family.

Now we can only abandon the unrealistic idea of ​​the Lü clan replacing the Qin dynasty.

So the next step is to focus on cultivating Ying Zheng into the Qin King he envisioned.

It's October now, and there are still two and a half years until the King of Qin comes of age and assumes full power.

He hoped that after the King of Qin assumed personal rule, he would still listen to his uncle and follow the path he envisioned.

May he be able to peacefully fulfill his wish—to be remembered for generations, just like his great-grandfather.