Chapter 3, this is a thorny issue

In the world, knowing is easy, but acting is difficult. After fifty years, is he still unwilling to accept it?

What kind of person was Xunzi? When he first encountered Zhao Shuang, he understood that someone was setting a trap, and he also realized who was behind it

Very well! As March approaches, I originally intended to take Zhao Shuang back to the Xiaoshengxian Village for further instruction. However, an unexpected event has arisen, and I must return to the State of Qi as soon as possible. It would be quite inconvenient to bring him along, so I will leave him here at the Ghost Valley for the time being

Interrupted by someone, Xun Kuang did not become angry. He was merely a visiting professor, and his students were not Confucian disciples, thus there was no need to adhere to Confucian etiquette

What a fine whetstone

How?

Xun Kuang, on the other hand, did not display much surprise

With the assistance of a group of filial children, even the corpse was not collected after death, which is truly lamentable

Xun Kuang frowned slightly, for it should be known that he had not spared any criticism towards Duke Huan of Qi, the foremost hegemon of the Spring and Autumn period

Since the division of the Jin state into three parts, each state has successively implemented reforms. The dynamics of offense and defense depend solely on the populace, cities, fields, and taxes; can it also rely on benevolence and righteousness

Zhao Shuang yawned and turned her head with a hint of boredom

Zhao Shuang does not understand why Xun Kuang would come to Guigu. Of course, Xunzi is only here to teach, not to take on disciples

Today we will discuss the "Mencius"

However, Xun Kuang did not pay much attention to it; in fact, for renowned teachers like him, the more rebellious the students, the more interesting they found them.

Who is he

Gui Guzi posed a rhetorical question.

Old Zhao Si hopes that this prodigy in the clan receives guidance from a renowned teacher, while Guiguzi desires this whetstone to sharpen his two disciples. Xunzi, on the other hand, cannot bear to see this talented individual waste his abilities mingling with bandits all day long.

Now, they have somewhat understood

A fierce fire ignited within Wei Zhuang's heart, as very few individuals could evoke both hostility and admiration in him simultaneously

Just now, the Master said, "Those who rely on strength to feign benevolence will dominate, and such dominance must be supported by a great nation." I do not understand.

It is merely the heart of love for talent, which exists in both Guiguzi and Xunzi

Zhao Shuang simply could not understand why he also had to attend class with them

Not right

Xunzi let out a faint sigh and shook his head

What is the matter

Guiguzi's expression changed slightly, as if he began to understand what Xunzi referred to as an urgent matter

Today's coursework concludes here

Is he going to leave the mountain?

Zhao Shuang's statement presents a new perspective for Xunzi

It is certainly important for future opponents

Wei Zhuang's expression was quite serious. Although they had been together for nearly three months, they still knew nothing about the identity of this little fat boy

That is impossible

Some have temporarily succeeded, while others are still waiting for the right opportunity

What do you think

Guiguzi smiled and stated a fact

Guiguzi needs a legitimate excuse to allow Zhao Shuang to enter Guigu.

Gai Nie is one, and this little chubby one is another

Encountering such a studious and thoughtful student, Xun Kuang was quite pleased, stroking his beard and showing no concern for Wei Zhuang's defiance

As soon as these words were spoken, Gai Nie slightly raised his head, and a glimmer of light flickered in his eyes; Wei Zhuang narrowed his eyes even further, looking at the seemingly unremarkable little chubby man beside him, his expression somewhat complicated

On one side, Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang were fully engrossed in listening to Xun Kuang's lecture. At this moment, they still appeared youthful, yet there was a faint hint of the heroic figures they would one day become, traversing the world with great ambition.

Zhao Shuang's words drew the attention of both Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang

Xunzi thought carefully, this fellow's words are subtly damaging, quite harsh, even more cutting than Wei Zhuang!

The disciple also wishes to know

Guiguzi raised his head to observe, as the clouds in the sky rolled and unfolded, while the sound of the wind was vigorous beside his ears

The sunlight in Guigu is quite warm, and the wind gently blows, bringing a refreshing feeling on this hot summer day

Benevolence and righteousness serve as a sword, capable of conquering nations and cities without the need for soldiers or armor

Little Shuang, what do you think?

After Xunzi left, the room fell into silence, and Guiguzi stroked his beard. The sky was calm, yet he could already sense the impending torrential rain.

Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang have always been puzzled as to why their teacher would allow an outsider to enter Guigu and study alongside them

You, a Confucian sage, come to teach the two strategists about benevolence and righteousness

It is still somewhat strange

... ...

Zhao Shuang found it somewhat strange that today Xun Kuang seemed a bit distracted, as if his mind was not focused on the lecture

Gai Nie's voice made Zhao Shuang unable to help but smile

What is the difference between this and causing a disturbance

Is he important

In this era of great strife lasting for hundreds of years, countless heroes have emerged, each seeking to change this chaotic world with their own strength

Since the day he was caught by Xun Kuang, he insisted that he was short of a scholar's attendant and found Zhao Shuang quite agreeable, thus requisitioning him on the spot

"Benevolence is the method of forgiveness, and righteousness is based on trust." In ancient times, Guan Zi used the strategy of weighing light and heavy to assist Qi in "uniting the vassal states and restoring order to the world." During the reign of Duke Huan of Qi, the state was unified for thirty-five years, yet the reputation of benevolence and righteousness spread across the seas. Is benevolence and righteousness not like a sword?

This day is about to change

Xunzi smiled faintly and walked out from the side

I also believe that what Xiao Zhuang said is reasonable

Throughout history, the Ghost Valley has only accepted two disciples

If it were another great scholar who heard Zhao Shuang's words, they would undoubtedly scold him harshly and lament deeply, saying things like "the youth are beyond teaching"

The two rivals have always been in opposition, but now, the usually gentle Gai Nie cannot help but stand on the side of Wei Zhuang

Just as Xun Kuang was halfway through his speech, Wei Zhuang, the troublemaker, began to challenge him.

Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang are essentially the same type of person; they appear gentle, yet their competitive spirit is no less than that of Wei Zhuang.

The faculty strength of Guigu is formidable. Although Guiguzi has traditionally only accepted two disciples, anyone randomly selected from those who teach these two disciples, aside from Guiguzi himself, would be a figure capable of astonishing the world.

However, Zhao Shuang was not concerned. After Xunzi finished speaking, he suddenly jumped up, swaying his plump body, and went to eat, showing not the slightest bit of reluctance

"At the tip of the cone, you will eventually find out, everyone go down!"

The academic viewpoints of various schools within the Hundred Schools of Thought differ significantly, with some even being completely opposed to one another

Where is there no understanding

Old Zhao Si, that old fellow, has been retreating to the valley ever since the State of Chu suffered a complete defeat in the southern region. I never expected he would set this trap to lure me in.

Master!

"The old master fishes, and those who are willing take the bait. If you are unwilling, who can force you?"

What does it mean

Nie Er, what do you think

The times create heroes, and heroes can also create the times

I am extremely annoyed by attending classes

The Xiang family has recently been frequently entering and exiting Eguan Mountain, and he has become somewhat intrigued

Guiguzi stood with his hands clasped behind his back, while Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang stood behind him. Although Guiguzi did not explicitly state the matter at hand, the two of them already understood it clearly

Zhao Shuang felt quite depressed; in his current state, he was hardly pleasing to the eye. Of course, when one is under a roof, one must bow one's head

Duke Huan of Qi had many brilliant qualities, but even more dark secrets. He did not heed the dying words of Guan Zhong and appointed Yi Ya and Diao Shu as his ministers, nearly leading to the downfall of the State of Qi

If everyone in this world could be as carefree and accepting of their fate as Zhao Laosi, there would be far fewer conflicts in this world

Guiguzi did not reveal anything, and both Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang felt somewhat unwilling, retreating back.

Although Xun Kuang is referred to as a sage of Confucianism, he is indeed an outlier, as several of his notable disciples, such as Han Fei and Li Si, belong to the Legalist school