The Deepest Affection in Qin's Time

"The seventy disciples of Confucius only spoke of the governance of the Three Dynasties; the founder of Mohism advocated 'universal love and mutual benefit,' taking the will of Heaven as the standard. They all failed to understand that the Great Harmony is not an unchanging template, but a continuous process of life."

The Six-Fingered Black Knight solemnly declared, "The round must be guided by a compass, and the square by a ruler. If all people in the world were to embrace the principles of Mozi, what trouble would there be in not bringing order?"

The courtyard fell silent for a moment.

Six-Fingered Black Knight's question directly escalated the casual conversation into a debate between Confucian and Mohist philosophies.

This is both extremely common and extremely rare among the various schools of thought.

What's common is a clash of ideologies, but it's rare to see a leader personally getting involved in such a debate.

Often, if not handled properly, it can lead to a violent conflict.

At best, it will damage the harmony.

In severe cases, it could lead to sectarian divisions within Taoism, eight schools of Confucianism, or three factions within Mohism...

Of course, many more, like Xunzi and Gongsun Longzi, would fight each other to the bitter end.

For a moment, Xue Nu and Duanmu Rong looked worriedly at Cao Yuan, who remained calm and composed below the pavilion.

Can he do it?

Chapter 63 Universal Harmony

Beneath the pavilion, the tea was boiling.

Cao Yuan slowly stood up, walked to the steps of the pavilion, and looked up at the clear sky and flowing clouds.

“I observe these clouds; they are white during the day and red at dusk. Their shape sometimes resembles a greyhound, sometimes a flying dragon. Which is the real one? The Book of Changes says: ‘All under heaven return to the same destination by different paths, and share the same goal with a hundred different considerations.’ The Great Harmony is not about ten thousand people having the same face, but about ten thousand people having the same direction.”

After speaking, Cao Yuan turned to look at the Six-Fingered Black Knight who was still kneeling.

"So, sticking to the old ways, believing that nothing can be accomplished without rules, is good, but not appropriate. Does the Grand Master understand?"

The six-fingered black-clad swordsman frowned in deep thought.

"According to what you say, how can you unify differences? In the past, Shun banished the Four Evils, and Confucius executed Shaozheng Mao. Were these not examples of seeking common ground while eliminating differences?"

In the courtyard, everyone was shocked by the change in Six-Fingered Black Knight's attitude.

From addressing each other as "little friend" to now addressing each other as "sir".

Snow Maiden's beautiful eyes sparkled with admiration. She knew Cao Yuan was talented, but she hadn't expected him to be this talented.

It really gave her a feeling of being startled.

That little thief is really...

Cao Yuan casually picked up the bamboo slips from the bookshelf and spread them out on the tea table.

He used his finger as a pen to draw eight horizontal and eight vertical lines on the bamboo slips, creating a crisscrossing pattern.

"This is the difference between ancient and modern times. Master, look at this diagram: the vertical lines represent ancient and modern times, and the horizontal lines represent the universe. Modern education must make children know that the Zhou Dynasty had eight hundred years of rites and music, and also know that there are eight principles of optics in the Mozi. In this way, we can see that 'differences' are the contention of a hundred schools of thought, not the beginning of aggression."

The six-fingered black-clad swordsman's eyes gleamed with a sharp light, as if he had gained some insight.

"This is the principle of non-aggression. However, to say that education can eliminate the calamities of war is nothing but a fool's dream."

Cao Yuan picked up the bamboo slips of the Book of Poetry and gently stroked them, as if he were reminiscing or deep in thought.

“In the past, Duke Shao heard lawsuits at Gantang. It was not because of his superior wisdom that he was able to make “people from the west and the east, from the south and the north, submit without hesitation.” Today, if we teach children to recite the Book of Poetry to understand human nature, to practice mathematics to understand calculation, and to observe the stars to understand the vastness of the universe, then even if people from Chu and Yue do not understand each other’s languages, they can see the unity of all things by observing the same star map. The Doctrine of the Mean says, “When harmony is achieved, heaven and earth are in their proper places, and all things flourish.” This is the very power of education.

Suddenly, the Six-Fingered Black Knight slammed his fist on the table and shouted, his words sharp and incisive.

“I still remember what the patriarch once said: ‘If the granary has no grain reserves, it cannot withstand famine; if the granary has no weapons reserves, even the righteous cannot conquer the unrighteous.’ Now, sir, you are abandoning practical benefits for empty knowledge. Isn’t this putting the cart before the horse?”

When granaries are full, people know etiquette; when food and clothing are plentiful, people know honor and shame.

It's a simple truth that everyone knows.

But Cao Yuan just smiled faintly.

He picked up the boiling teapot and carelessly poured the boiling water onto the ground.

"Your Excellency, observe this tea. When it enters a river, it flows for thousands of miles; when it enters the ground, it dries up in a single day. In the past, when Zigong asked about governance, Confucius said, 'Sufficient food, sufficient military strength, and the people's trust.' However, he ultimately emphasized 'Since ancient times, all men have died, but a state cannot stand without the people's trust.' Modern education does not disregard practical benefits, but it places even greater emphasis on establishing 'trust.' With trust, the people can treat each other rationally."

The six-fingered black-clad swordsman clapped his hands in admiration.

"As you said, the Prime Minister of Qin, Lü Buwei, now sells his 'Lüshi Chunqiu' at the gate of Xianyang for a thousand gold pieces, under the name of 'a thousand gold pieces for changing a single word.' This is the wonderful use of 'trust.'"

He stood up and said, "Further discussion is pointless; let's end it here for today."

From their brief discussion, they realized that there is no right or wrong, only different directions.

Although they take different paths, they all aim to create a bright future for the people of the world.

Yan Dan's gaze towards Cao Yuan has changed; it's like a lecherous lapdog seeing a beautiful woman, or Cao Cao seeing his Chen Gong...

But Cao Yuan, like the beautiful woman and Chen Gong, didn't even glance at Yan Dan.

“Your words are wise, Master. I shall take my leave.”

He marked the Mohists in his mind.

He now leans more towards Mohism than Confucianism.

Simply put, the Mohists possessed a more romantic idealism.

Unlike Confucianism, which prioritizes practical considerations and caters to the rulers before considering the common people, Confucianism does not.

The Mohists, on the other hand, considered the common people first, then the rulers, and finally grounded themselves in reality.

Different orders naturally lead to different mindsets and philosophies.

……

Snow Maiden followed Cao Yuan away, saying excitedly, "You actually managed to discuss the Dao with the Grand Master!"

Cao Yuan chuckled and said, "What, you never believed it before?"

The Snow Woman stuck out her little tongue slightly, and said somewhat embarrassedly, "Who knew that someone like you would actually have such profound knowledge?"

"It's not too late to know now. How about it? Come with me, I'll take you flying high and let you eat and drink the best food."

Cao Yuan chuckled softly, like the Big Bad Wolf trying to coax Little Red Riding Hood to open the door.

He's not bragging, but with the brains that made him a "locksmith king" and the knowledge he's been crammed into through modern systems, he's more than capable of fooling any school of thought in this era.

The Snow Woman sneered, "As expected, you gave yourself away in just a few words."

Cao Yuan said dismissively, "A beautiful and virtuous woman is what a gentleman seeks."

The snow woman narrowed her beautiful sky-blue eyes and whispered, "Want to marry me?"

"I really want to."

The Snow Maiden said softly, "Leaving aside Jing Ni, what about Li Wu? Don't you want her anymore?"

"So you... are willing?"

Cao Yuan looked at Xue Nu with a half-smile.

The Snow Woman pursed her full, pink lips and remained silent.

She felt conflicted, and couldn't help but think of her mother who had driven her father to his death.

If my mother had been more understanding, tolerant, and forgiving of my father back then, would everything have been different?

she does not know.

All she knew was that her mother was a madwoman with unpredictable tempers, who had harmed her father and herself.

Her neighbors called her a jealous woman, but she didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

"Prince Dan just told me that the dance hall is ready and will open in three days."

The Snow Woman changed the subject, no longer wanting to discuss feelings with Cao Yuan.

"Three days later..." Cao Yuan calculated that it would be around the sixth day of the ninth month.

If nothing unexpected happens, Lord Yanchun will definitely come that day.

Either disrupt the event or book the entire venue.

……

After Cao Yuan left.

Yan Dan asked, "Teacher, what do you think of Mr. Cao Yuan?"

The Six-Fingered Black Knight said, "He is an anomaly."

"An anomaly?" Yan Dan asked, puzzled. "What an anomaly?"

Nian Duan and Duanmu Rong also became curious.

Six-Fingered Black Knight closed his eyes and pondered, "He doesn't belong to this era. He might be the one who changes this era, or perhaps he already has..."

Yan Dan did not ask any further questions. He made up his mind that he would find a way to keep Cao Yuan in Yan to assist him.

"Teacher, Dan has prepared a room for you. Please stay for a few days so that Dan can do something to show her appreciation."

As the Six-Fingered Black Knight hesitated.

A Mohist walked in carrying a letter.

"Master, a letter from Puyang."

Six-Fingered Black Knight took it apart and frowned slightly.

"Teacher, what happened in Puyang?"

The Six-Fingered Black Knight said, "Gongsun Yu and I have a past relationship. He wants me to go to Puyang. I suppose he wants the Mo family to provide some more mechanical weapons for defending the city."

"In that case, I will stay in Yandu for a while longer."

He did not tell the truth.

Last year, Gongsun Yu had actually asked him for help, wanting the Mohists to help defend the city.

However, he was not keen on involving the Mohists in the wars between various countries.

Because the Mohists suffered too many painful lessons back then.

But he couldn't bear to see his few old friends die in battle, so he had to postpone it for now.