The Deepest Affection in Qin's Time

"To be able to write such a treatise at the age of eighteen... what a genius boy..." Xunzi pondered and said, "Go and call Han Fei and Li Si, and have them go to Linzi together, so that they will know that there are always people better than you."

Even though he was already a scholar, he was still moved by the thought of being in a state of deep stillness. He wanted to see for himself what kind of person Cao Yuan was.

Of course, we must also debate with him to solidify his position on the doctrine of "human nature is inherently evil"!

However, before that, he needed to carefully consider the meaning of the word "reason" that Cao Yuan had mentioned, lest he be embarrassed by the younger generation.

"Yes."

Fu Nian respectfully took his leave and departed from the back mountain.

After informing Han Fei and Li Si, Fu Nian did not stop there. Instead, he gathered almost everyone at Xiaoshengxianzhuang to study "Human Nature is Good and Human Nature is Evil" and write down their reflections.

He really liked this "principle".

As a result, the entire Xiaoshengxianzhuang was in an uproar in less than half a day.

"Senior Brother Sect Leader has succeeded!"

"Senior Brother Fu Nian has succeeded!"

"It's done!"

……

Congratulations and well wishes echoed throughout Xiaoshengxianzhuang.

Even with Fu Nian's composure, he couldn't help but feel his blood boiling, wishing that this essay was truly his own work.

But Fu Nian was ultimately an upright and principled person, and he immediately stepped in to clarify the situation.

"This is an essay written by Brother Cao Yuan. You should not mention me again."

As soon as Fu Nian spoke, even the chickens in Xiaoshengxianzhuang stopped crowing.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

"Who was it then? Turns out it was written by a non-Confucianist! What 'reason'? It's utter nonsense!"

"Who is Cao Yuan? Who is he?!"

Doubts and disdainful looks appeared in an instant.

But more than anything, it was unbelievable, and it prompted further questions.

Faced with these enthusiastic junior brothers, Fu Nian had no choice but to tell the truth, adding that his uncle intended to go to Linzi.

This addition is significant.

"Then what are we waiting for, everyone! I'll be going first!"

"I'm going too, I want to have a good debate with Cao Yuan!"

……

Confucianists advocate for spontaneous travel, embodying the spirit of Confucius's travels throughout the states.

Before long, nearly half of the people had agreed to go to Linzi the next day, and another twenty or thirty people left on the spot with their bags.

Fu Nian stared blankly at his fellow disciples, who were behaving like they were shopping at a market. Was this really the disciple group of Little Sage Manor?!

……

Sunlight and cloud shadows at the entrance of Xiaoshengxianzhuang.

A handsome and dashing young man led a flamboyant white horse, gazing at the beautiful mountain forest.

"Junior brother, wanna have a drink?"

Han Fei slightly raised the wine pot, speaking with a meaningful tone.

The young man, with a solemn expression and burning eyes, politely declined Han Fei's offer of wine, cupping his hands and smiling, "If Senior Brother is so kind, Junior Brother will gladly oblige, but I'll pass on the wine."

Han Fei teased, "You're not waiting for your teacher? Disobeying your teacher's orders, that's not like you."

Li Si smiled faintly and said, "The teacher said he was going, but he didn't say when he was going, and he didn't specifically ask my senior brother and me to go with him. Junior brother is not disobeying the teacher's orders."

Han Fei fed the wine that Li Si hadn't drunk to the white horse, saying, "Junior brother, I've always felt that you shouldn't have come here. You should have gone to the famous master Gongsun Long in Handan, Zhao, or to Guiguzi Gongsun Yan in Yunmeng Mountain, Wei, to learn the art of diplomacy."

Li Si gazed leisurely at the vast天地 (heaven and earth), "I have thought about it, but their path cannot help me, my junior brother, realize my ambitions."

"Even Confucianism is not allowed?"

"Didn't you also choose law, senior brother? I admire your essay on the Five Vermin."

Han Fei laughed and said, "Junior brother, have you made your choice?"

Li Si's eyes were piercing. "Let's see how the alliance is formed this year."

Han Fei said with emotion, "I hope we will not fall into the same situation as Sun Quan and Pang Tong."

Pang Juan, Sun Bin... were both trendsetters of their time, and also tragic figures in that era.

Li Si silently looked at his senior brother and sighed softly.

My senior brother's ambition lies in serving his country... while his ambition lies in serving the world...

It's better to be an opponent than a mortal enemy than a friend.

……

At this moment, Cao Yuan was unaware that a large group of super Confucian scholars were on their way to destroy his Crystal Tower.

After listening to Wuming's brief account of the current situation of the seven kingdoms, he gained a general understanding of their current state.

The State of Chu initiated the alliance against Qin, and the State of Zhao responded by taking the lead in organizing it.

As a stumbling block at the gates of Qin, although it had already submitted to Qin and paid tribute ten years ago, it was known for its disobedience and tendency to switch sides. Upon hearing about the alliance, it was the most enthusiastic, responding to Zhao and Chu without hesitation, clearly determined to gamble on the future.

After hearing the news, the Qin state began to slow down its pace of conquering cities and seizing territories, and turned its attention to consolidating the large areas of territory it had just captured.

Because of Wei Yong's interference, Lord Xinling lost the trust of the State of Wei, which led to his ambiguous attitude towards the alliance.

The Yan state, on the other hand, would actively join in as long as the alliance could be formed, giving the impression that it was out of place if it didn't work with the others.

As for the remaining state of Qi...

Although the policy of "being cautious in serving Qin and trustworthy with the other states" was followed, and Qin's envoy, Lord Chang'an Cheng, had also arrived, Wuming asserted that the other states would not give up on persuading Qi.

The reason was simply to ensure that when the states united to attack Qin, Qi would not help Qin, thus preventing them from interfering in the affairs of other states.

Chapter 19 The Old Prostitute

For two or three days in a row, Cao Yuan shamelessly stayed at Wuming's place and listened to Wuming's lectures.

This gave him a great deal of knowledge about the latest developments in the seven countries.

For example, Han, Zhao, and Chu had already joined the alliance, with the King of Chu serving as the leader of the alliance and Lord Chunshen in charge of military affairs. However, Zhao was not satisfied with the alliance leader Linwu, whom the King of Chu and Lord Chunshen had initially agreed to, so they sent Wei to join Chu.

Zhao sent Wei Jia to use the metaphor of "a bird startled by the twang of a bow" to point out that Linwu Jun was like a wounded goose, "flying slowly and crying sadly, the pain of the wound has not yet subsided, and the twang of a bow can fall." He emphasized that the defeated general of Qin was not capable of taking on the responsibility of leadership. Therefore, the leader of the alliance was changed to Zhao general Pang, who was over eighty years old, highly experienced, had made great military achievements, and had written three chapters of military strategy and two chapters of the strategy of alliance and counter-alliance.

These messages are of immeasurable value to Cao Yuan, who is currently unable to "surf the internet."

After listening to Wuming's lecture, Cao Yuan was deeply moved and felt that this was how a true man should be.

Which man doesn't dream of galloping across the battlefield, achieving great deeds, wielding power over the world, and indulging in the company of beautiful wives?

Jingni and Liwu, however, showed little interest. For two consecutive days, they secretly investigated the nameless mansion but found nothing.

If we're talking about where the treasure box is most likely located, then it's only in the two wooden houses where the Nameless One usually lives.

But precisely because of the namelessness, they had no chance to enter, let alone sneak in under someone's nose.

End of Shen Shi (3-5 PM).

Cao Yuan, holding Xiao Mengjiang's hand, and Jing Ni Liwu left the nameless mansion and returned to "Golden Key".

"Did you find it?"

Cao Yuan took the initiative to start a conversation.

Jingni whispered, "No, I've looked at everything except those two wooden houses."

With her search skills, she could spot even someone buried underground.

However, no trace was found, and the meaning was self-evident.

Cao Yuan smiled with relief; it was good that he hadn't found it, otherwise he would have been in a difficult position.

"It's okay, I'll find a chance to go in and take a look after some time."

Jing Ni nodded slightly. They had already visited for two consecutive days. If this continued, Wuming would become suspicious.

As the sun sets, a pale golden hue is cast over the streets.

As Cao Yuan was about to return to the lock shop, he suddenly noticed a group of young people dressed in Confucian robes and wearing Confucian hats outside the shop.

They looked travel-worn and exhausted, some even disheveled and with dark circles under their eyes.

Just as Cao Yuan was hesitating, the group of Confucian scholars suddenly burst into continuous shouts.

"Look, that's Cao Yuan!"

"Charge!"

"Ahhh!!! Cao Yuan, I missed you so much!"

Jing Ni subconsciously took a step forward, intending to make a move.

Cao Yuan's expression changed immediately, and he grabbed Jing Ni's fair wrist.

"withdraw!"

Faced with a group of super Confucian scholars, Cao Yuan ran away without a second thought.

He could figure out what these super-Confucian scholars were up to even with his ass.

But it was precisely because he knew this that he dared not stay.

He's afraid he'll lose his job!

"Quick, chase after him! Don't let him get away!"

"Cao Yuan! Why are you running!"

……