The Deepest Affection in Qin's Time

"I am an old man, so let me get straight to the point. Human nature is evil; what appears good is feigned. If there were no propriety, laws, or teachers in the world, everyone would fight and strife, leading to chaos and thus evil. What do you think, young friend?"

Xunzi directly presented his own viewpoint, gave a brief overview, and began with an introduction.

Although it may seem simple and superficial to modern people, it was absolutely insightful during the Warring States period two thousand years ago.

Cao Yuan pondered for a moment and said, “Master, you are mistaken. Human nature is principle. Humans are born from the principle of heaven and earth, so there is no inherent evil in human nature. The ‘four beginnings’ that Mencius spoke of are like the first signs of a spring. Although they are just sprouts, they are rooted in the principle of heaven. If you say that human nature is evil, please tell me: when an infant sees a child about to fall into a well, he will naturally feel compassion without having learned anything. Isn’t this clear evidence that human nature is good?”

In other words, he was not the real Zhu Xi, the sage who is most misunderstood by modern people because of Zhu Yuanzhang.

Otherwise, with Zhu Xi's knowledge reserves of over a thousand years more than Xunzi's, as well as his profound understanding of Confucianism and Xunzi, he would certainly have been able to clearly explain Xunzi's situation.

The hundreds of scholars sitting around held their breath, while the cicadas chirped loudly in the wind.

A true expert's skill is immediately apparent.

Regardless of other factors, Cao Yuan's nonchalant attitude towards contemporary Confucian scholars is enough to earn him the title of a genius.

Xunzi had already read Cao Yuan's essay "Human Nature is Good or Evil" and had already thought about and responded to the "principles" in it.

In response to Cao Yuan's remarks, he calmly replied: "A baby seeing a well may not necessarily feel compassion. If the baby is extremely thirsty, with only food and water in sight, how could it have the leisure to care about anything else? The so-called 'compassion' is actually the beginning of 'artificial' behavior that only emerges after the teachings and moral cultivation of sages. Without teaching, people only know how to pursue their desires; without artifice, the world is only inhabited by beasts. Therefore, it is said: Goodness arises from the artifice of sages."

As a contemporary literary master, he was already very familiar with the chapters of Mencius' "Gongsun Chou Part 1" and had a deeper understanding of them.

Cao Yuan was already in the zone, his gaze calm.

"The Master's words subtly confuse the nature of things with the nature of people. Grass, trees, tiles, and stones only have qi (vital energy), but no li (reason); while people have both qi and li. If human nature is inherently evil, then where do rites, righteousness, and the sage kings Yao and Shun come from? Evil cannot give rise to goodness, just as muddy water cannot become clear on its own. Goodness must have its source, and this source is the principle of heaven, which is the inherent goodness of human nature."

Xunzi stroked his beard and remained silent.

Cao Yuan remained calm and unhurried.

The air seemed to stand still at that moment.

Fu Nian paused, his wrist hovering as he recorded, his hands slightly closed in deep thought.

The nameless man pondered the profound meaning behind it, his expression enigmatic.

Han Fei and Li Si, their faces bruised and swollen, looked at each other in disbelief that Cao Yuan could so easily debate with their teacher.

As for Jing Ni Li Wu and Xiao Meng Jiang, they were just there for the spectacle; they basically didn't understand anything.

I just think Cao Yuan is amazing, he can fight Xun Fuzi, who is not good at martial arts, to a standstill.

“Hehe…” Xunzi laughed, his emotions fluctuating, and a gentle breeze suddenly arose around him.

"Let me ask you, young friend: If human nature is inherently good, why would we need the 300-word Book of Rites and the 3,000-word Book of Ceremonies? Why would we need laws and punishments? Goodness is sufficient; what use is teaching? It is precisely because human nature is inherently evil that sages are needed to establish rites and music, to transform human nature and to create artifice. If everyone would save every child they see, what need would the world have for laws and emperors?"

He was able to teach Legalist scholars like Han Fei and Li Si, so he must have been well-versed in the study of law. This can be said to be one of the reasons why he believed that "human nature is inherently evil".

Few people who have studied the law would believe that "human nature is inherently good".

Cao Yuan seemed to sense the tension and decided to speak freely. Just as there are no fathers and sons on the battlefield, there are no elders and juniors on the debating stage.

"Rites, music, and penal administration are not for 'correcting evil,' but for 'restoring the original state.' It is like a pearl covered in dust; the dust is not the essence of the pearl. Wipe away the dust, and the pearl will shine brightly. Although human nature is good, it is obscured by temperament. Therefore, the sage teaches people to change their temperament, preserve heavenly principles, and eliminate human desires. Teaching is to wipe away the dust, not to reshape its essence. If Confucius takes 'dust' as the essence of the pearl, he is mistaking a thief for his son!"

The hundreds of Confucian scholars in the audience erupted in uproar.

Han Fei covered his swollen face, unable to bear the sight any longer, and said, "Brother Cao is finished."

Li Si nodded in deep agreement, pointing to his still swollen head. His teacher really knew how to beat people.

Fu Nian and Wu Ming silently watched the old man and the young man in the arena, and suddenly felt that times had changed, and changed so fast.

Xunzi sneered, “You are quite the debater! Let me ask you: If a person lives alone in the wilderness, without any manners or teachings, how is his behavior any different from that of a beast? Can such a person be said to have any ‘heavenly principles’? If human nature is inherently good, why must one ‘eliminate human desires’ to see heavenly principles? It is clear that heavenly principles are precisely the overcoming of human desires, not something inherent. Therefore, it is said: good comes from the outside; evil arises from within.”

Cao Yuan sighed and said, “The Master took the ‘nature of temperament’ as the ‘nature of heaven and earth.’ Those who live alone in the wilderness are not without goodness, but their goodness is obscured by desires and selfishness and cannot be used. Dogs and horses are also well-fed, but they cannot learn propriety and righteousness; humans can learn, which proves that humans have the principle of inclination towards goodness, and this principle is their nature. Therefore, goodness is within, not without.”

Both sides got straight to the point, opening up the discussion and leading to a heated debate.

Xunzi's words were sharp and incisive.

Cao Yuan does whatever he wants, and by frequently watching short videos that "defile" or "exaggerate" Confucianism, as well as explanatory videos on Bilibili, he doesn't fall behind.

An old man and a young man fought fiercely in the middle of the day, until the end of the afternoon.

As the summer sunset paints the ground, the cicadas' chirping grows ever more boisterous.

The two on the field were locked in a stalemate, neither able to refute the other, let alone determine a winner or loser.

Xunzi sighed and said, "You are even more outstanding than my two disciples. Let me say one last thing."

Cao Yuan, looking somewhat weary, said, "Master, please speak."

Fortunately, he was still young; otherwise, without any cultivation experience, he might not have been able to outlast the old man.

His brain was practically burning up and smoking.

"Throughout my life, I have encouraged learning, upheld etiquette, and emphasized the law, because I deeply understand that what makes a person human is not their innate nature, but their accumulated efforts (acquired skills). If people believe in the inherent goodness of human nature, they will inevitably become lazy and indulge themselves under the pretext of 'nature.' The theory of the inherent evil of human nature is both a warning bell and a stepping stone."

Xunzi sighed deeply.

Cao Yuan remained silent for a moment.

“My senior brother once said this to me. He spent his life investigating things and cultivating himself with reverence because he firmly believed that what makes people teachable and valuable is the goodness within them. If one believes in the evil of human nature, then one will surely give up on oneself, thinking, ‘I am inherently evil, and there is no use in changing myself.’ The theory of the goodness of human nature is a beacon and a foundation.”

Xunzi was taken aback.

After a long while, Xunzi suddenly smiled and said, “You and I both talk about the importance of ‘teaching.’ I believe that teaching comes from the outside and transforms evil into good.”

Cao Yuan smiled and said, "I believe that education should begin with inner awakening, followed by the preservation of goodness."

The evening breeze blew by, the debate ended inconclusively, and the echoes lingered for a long time.

The old man and the young man smiled at each other, as if they had seen a kindred spirit, or a respected rival.

The students in the audience were completely bewildered and could not keep up with the pace of Cao Yuan and Xunzi.

Han Fei and Li Si were extremely shocked, their faces, swollen from being beaten by Xunzi, filled with disbelief.

"To think that he could fight the teacher to a draw..." Han Fei exclaimed in amazement, "Brother Cao's learning is profound and his influence on the Confucian lineage will surely be expanded."

Li Si sighed softly, "I underestimated the talents of the world."

Without a doubt, Cao Yuan taught him a harsh lesson.

This was even greater than the blow Han Fei had dealt him.

At least they don't yet have the ability to debate and argue with their teachers.

"boom!"

A sudden change occurred.

Fu Nian, who was writing furiously and immersed in the world of "reason", suddenly had his pen break and the desk in front of him explode at the same time.

A powerful aura suddenly emanated from him.

Fu Nian raised his head blankly, only to meet Xunzi's gratified gaze.

"...Master Uncle, I've succeeded?"

Chapter 28 Obtaining the Holy King's Heart Sutra

Under the intense debate between Cao Yuan and Xunzi, Fu Nian, who was already at the peak of the half-step Grandmaster realm, broke through to the Grandmaster realm as if water had naturally flowed into a channel.

Wuming cupped his hands and smiled, "Junior Brother Fu Nian, congratulations on entering the inner sanctum and becoming a Grandmaster."

Cao Yuan said, "Congratulations, Master Fu Nian."

"Congratulations, Senior Brother!"

The hundred scholars in the arena offered their congratulations simultaneously, their voices resounding, causing the elite armored soldiers outside the mansion to tense up, and many of them to feel their legs go weak.

The Confucian scholars of this era were not to be trifled with; they were generally skilled in martial arts, especially Xunzi, who once single-handedly beat up over a hundred royal guards and thoroughly defeated the prime minister, causing a sensation throughout the entire state of Qi.

"Aman is really amazing..."

Jingni glanced at the infatuated Meng Jiang, her delicate brows furrowing slightly.

Fu Nian's breakthrough to Grandmaster level was not good news for her and Luo Wang.

Li Wu's eyes lit up as she stole a glance at Cao Yuan, who was full of vigor in the arena, and thought to herself that if Cao Yuan were to join the Little Sage Manor, his safety should not be a concern.

Fu Nian, always composed, regained his composure after a brief moment of surprise.

"Many thanks to Mr. Cao Yuan. Without Mr. Cao Yuan's 'Neo-Confucianism,' I don't know when I would have made a breakthrough."

Before Cao Yuan could exchange pleasantries, Fu Nian continued, "I heard Junior Brother Zihan say that Mr. Cao Yuan wants to cultivate our Confucian mental techniques but is unwilling to enter the Little Sage Manor?"

Cao Yuan readily admitted, "That's right. I already have a master, so it's inconvenient for me to change schools. And since my master hasn't taught me any mental techniques, I want to learn some Confucian mental techniques."

Fu Nian learned from Zi Han that Cao Yuan possessed the Absolute Spirit Body, and thus understood why Cao Yuan's master had not taught him any cultivation techniques.

He could understand Cao Yuan's resentment.

"Most of the Confucian teachings are passed down from our ancestors, and I cannot make the decisions myself. If Mr. Cao Yuan does not mind, I am willing to offer my own unique teachings, the 'Sage King's Mind Method,' which takes the meaning of 'outer sage and inner king,' to assist you."

Fu Nian pulled out an antique-looking leather scroll from his sleeve, presented it with both hands, and the scroll was covered with densely written text.

Cao Yuan's eyes brightened slightly.

In the original novel, Fu Nian and Xiao Meng discussed the Dao through swordsmanship. Fu Nian, using the Holy King Sword Technique, defeated Xiao Meng, who possessed the appearance of a celestial being, demonstrating his extraordinary abilities.

"The Way follows nature, and only propriety can guide it."

Cao Yuan praised and laughed, "Master Fu Nian has bestowed such a great gift. From now on, let's address each other as brothers, shall we?"

Fu Nian felt as if he had met a kindred spirit and said with emotion, "Brother Cao understands me best."

As darkness fell, Cao Yuan took his leave.

If there's anything he regrets about today, it's the lack of the face-slapping scenes he's seen in online articles.

Those Confucian scholars were quite restrained; not one of them jumped out to cause trouble.

"Holy crap, where did this monster come from?"

As dusk fell, Cao Yuan was startled to see two pig heads suddenly appear at the gate of the mansion.

"Brother Cao, it's me, Han Fei!"

Han Fei was both amused and exasperated. "It's not some kind of monster."

Cao Yuan looked left and right, then asked in shock, "Who did this?"

Li Si hesitated for a moment, "The teacher got angry last night, so..."