Chapter 286: Breaking the bandits in the mountains, surging in the lake!

【"The Master said, only the benevolent can love people, and can hate people."】

【The Master said that only those who have benevolence in their hearts can truly like someone or hate someone.】

【You continue to say: "The so-called person of ambition carries the weight of the moral code, and his ambition is high and clean, always thinking of planting the great chaos of the world; the so-called person of virtue meets the perfection of heaven's virtue, and his heart is bright, and he must have the great integrity of the world."】

【"However, the person of ambition mentioned by Confucianism is not saving the common people from fire and water, sacrificing life and forgetting death, but having the ambition to become a benevolent person, not having the ambition to transform the universe, but having the ambition to become a benevolent person, with benevolence and integrity."】

【Upon hearing this, Empress Zhuge Jian felt the opening sentence was indeed stunning, but the part that followed was slightly ordinary.】

【A trace of contempt flashes in Xie Xie Renfeng's eyes, thinking to himself, such remarks are just clichés and lack novelty.】

【Confucianism pays attention to education, not demanding that everyone in the world has the knowledge of a lady; if everyone in the world could be as noble as the Master, why would Confucianism exist? The way of education lies in guiding the world to be good and gradually improving the moral realm, not demanding perfection.】

【Lady Yuan's face clears slightly; although she feels these words are flat, she hasn't lost face.】

【Lady Zhao's expression doesn't move; obviously, these few sentences are not enough to satisfy everyone present.】

【The light in Xie Hong's eyes dims again.】

【The guests from outside clans present are also a bit disappointed.】

【Just mediocre words.】

【General Sima Ting's face is expectant, not believing that this is the full realization of this Brother Guan.】

【You have a few more doubts in your eyes, and your tone is even heavier:】

【"The heart has no two-fold situation, and sacrificing one's life to go to disaster, to benefit the world, even if the body is destroyed, there is no regret."】

【"Or, cultivate oneself, if sweeping the world fails, being alone is enough to sweep a room, and it is not ashamed of being a benevolent person."】

【"However, how can one become a true benevolent person?"】

【You change the subject and raise this key question. How to become a benevolent person?】

【Xie Yuan sits in the chair, seemingly brought into it, thinking with you.】

【Isn't the pursuit of Confucianism just like this, teaching others to become benevolent people.】

【To this day, no one has given an answer.】

【Empress Zhuge Jian thinks of the academy, and sighs in his heart; the answers of the four teachers in the academy are the disputes of the Confucian school's literary context, especially the dispute between the Third and Fourth Teachers who are going in opposite directions.】

【This academic dispute led to gaps in the Great Qi's academy, and the First Teacher left the Great Qi in anger and went to the Great Sui to become the National Teacher.】

【The Second Teacher was later lingering on the sickbed.】

【And the teacher imprisoned himself in the square inch of the academy for a full twenty years of spring and autumn.】

【When Empress Zhuge Jian was immersed in these complicated thoughts, a vigorous voice, like a morning bell and an evening drum, suddenly interrupted his contemplation.】

【"No good, no evil, the body of the heart; have good, have evil, the movement of the will. Knowing good and knowing evil is conscience, doing good and removing evil is investigating things."】

【"Those who plant trees must cultivate their roots, and those who plant virtue must cultivate their hearts. The movement of all things in the world stems from the word 'heart'."】

【"The heart is the principle. This heart is not covered by private desires, which is the heavenly principle. It does not need to be added by one point from the outside."】

【The heart is the principle; this heart is not covered by private desires, which is the heavenly principle; it does not need to be added by one point from the outside.】

【"When a good thought arises, know it and fulfill it; when an evil thought arises, know it and suppress it."】

【"People's minds are often erratic, with seven emotions and six desires, hiding in the depths of the heart like cunning bandits; it is easy to break the bandits in the mountains, but difficult to break the bandits in the heart..."】

【The young man stands tall and talks eloquently, each word and sentence spoken with strength.】

【Gradually, the main hall becomes quiet.】

【Xie Xie Qiyue is usually most annoyed by those empty big truths in books, always feeling they are dry and boring.】

【However, at this moment, she cannot help but calm down and taste the young man's words carefully, only feeling an inexplicable temperament emanating from him, actually having a few similarities with those teachers in the academy who have real talent and learning.】

【General Sima Ting lowers his head and ponders, repeating Xie Guan's words just now, "Knowing good and knowing evil is conscience, doing good and removing evil is investigating things..."】

【After speaking, the young man bows slightly and pays respects: "This is my shallow realization of a person of virtue and ambition."】

【Empress Zhuge Jian is still in a stunned expression.】

【There is no sound in the main hall, even the black donkey lying in front of the big pillar pricks up a pair of donkey ears.】

【Lu Hua looks at the young man in the hall seriously for the first time, thinking thoughtfully.】

【Xie Yu recalls what his older brother just said, and although he is touched, he still feels that there are many places he doesn't understand.】

【Xie Xie Renfeng, he curls his lips into a disdainful smile; what 'heart is principle', I have never heard anyone mention such strange theories; I am afraid this Xie Guan only understands half of it and made it up casually.】

【He doesn't notice!】

【Xie Hong, who has not said a word, has a different brilliance in his eyes.】

【He mutters to himself: "It is easy to break the bandits in the mountains, but difficult to break the bandits in the heart."】

【Lady Zhao doesn't understand the meaning, but looking at Empress Zhuge Jian's expression in the hall, she knows Xie Guan probably interpreted it extremely well.】

【Lady Yuan is naturally extremely happy, but seeing the Old Matriarch's face becoming more and more livid, she doesn't show it.】

【A full few breaths pass.】

【Empress Zhuge Jian finally comes back to his senses, his gaze burning as he looks at you, the more he looks, the more satisfied he is.】

【From the young man's entry into the main hall to his answer now, he is appropriate and polite, like a humble gentleman.】

【"You are much more outstanding than I imagined."】

【He actually has a sentence in his heart that he hasn't said yet; if the teacher is still the Third Teacher who used "the world as a chessboard and all living things as chess pieces," he must recommend this young man to the teacher as a high disciple.】

【The teacher never looks at aptitude when accepting disciples; the young man has missed the best period of cultivation because he hasn't entered cultivation yet, but the teacher values character and talent.】

【However, the teacher's current state makes him hesitate; I am afraid this move is not appropriate.】

【So, Empress Zhuge Jian secretly decides that he must go to the academy tonight and tell the teacher what the young man said today word for word.】

【With the teacher's wisdom and cultivation, he must be able to realize something from it.】

【Thinking of this, he cannot help but sigh; if only the Master were still in the academy.】

【Xie Yuan's face is full of joy, feeling honored.】

【Lady Yuan smiles: "It's still acceptable, it hasn't disgraced the Xie family's lintel..."】

【The Old Matriarch Xie at the head of the table waves her hand lightly, interrupting the conversation: "Let's start the banquet, I am indeed tired today."】

【Then the Old Matriarch stares at you coldly, her tone icy: "I am a woman, I don't understand the profound meaning of the Master's benefit to the world, nor do I understand Confucian classics; I only know that governing the family requires understanding the order of seniority."】

【"Xie Guan, you entered the Grand View Garden by mistake today, so I won't punish you, but in this Xie mansion, you still need to follow the old lady's teachings; I hope you will be cautious in your words and actions in the future, and don't learn from your mother."】

【"Hong'er, go and start the banquet."】

【Xie Hong stands up and supports the Old Matriarch into the back hall, but takes an extra look at you before leaving.】

【As a concubine's son, you naturally have no chance to step into the living room of Hongjing Courtyard.】

【Xie Xie Renfeng glances at you, curls his lips into a cold sneer, and turns to leave. In the Xie mansion, without the Old Matriarch's favor, it is difficult to stand out.】

【You must know that for the official career of seeking knowledge, the first pass of the imperial examination, even the first pass of taking the child scholar examination, requires the consent of the mistress and the Old Matriarch. Xie Guan is now so disgusted by his grandmother, the road ahead is afraid to be full of thorns.】

【The ladies, young ladies, and young masters of the Xie mansion also left with the Old Matriarch.】

【Lady Zhao's head maid, Ganzhi, witnessed you respectfully seeing off the Old Matriarch, and even bowing slightly, a trace of regret flowing in her eyes. This Young Master Guan of the main courtyard showed wisdom today that is truly admirable, but with no one to take care of him in the Xie mansion, his future seems to be covered with a layer of haze, only able to be covered in dust in the small courtyard.】

【Lady Shang of the main courtyard, who originally had curiosity about you, seeing the Old Matriarch's cold attitude, didn't come forward to greet you and left quietly.】

【In the Xie mansion, the Old Matriarch's heart is the heaven's will that cannot be disobeyed.】

【Xie Yuan smiles and returns the "General" chess piece from the chess set Sister Wu Tong brought to you, saying: "Brother Guan, I have returned Sister Wu Tong to you intact, but you must also explain that 'investigating things' theory to me in detail, don't hide it."】

【Sister Wu Tong was left behind.】

【You smile: "Thank you, Sixth Brother, this time."】

【Xie Yuan waves his hand and leaves with Empress Zhuge Jian.】

【This Mr. Jingyue nods to you.】

【General Sima Ting walks over with Xie Ying and praises: "Well said, Xie Guan, you are very good."】

【"I will have someone send the martial arts tendon-refining technique tomorrow."】

【You also bow to thank him: "Thank you, General General Sima, for your help today."】

【General Sima Ting nods slightly, his expression indifferent: "I will be in Above Bianjing for these few days; if you encounter any difficulties, feel free to come to me."】

【After speaking, he turns and leaves to attend the banquet.】

【Sister Wu Tong looks at General Sima Ting's departing back, her heart full of confusion.】

【Why would this Military Governor General Sima, who holds high power, be so familiar with the young master?】

【At this moment, the main hall is empty, leaving only the two of you, master and servant.】

【Sister Wu Tong is not stupid; although she doesn't know the reason, she vaguely guesses that the young master's risky entry into Hongjing Courtyard might be related to her.】

【Thinking that the young master was almost punished by the Old Matriarch because of this, and might even delay his studies, her heart is full of guilt; if something really happened to him because of her, she would truly be unable to die for her sins.】

【Sister Wu Tong's eye sockets redden slightly: "Young Master, it's all my fault..."】

【You smile lightly, just about to open your mouth to comfort her.】

【A loud donkey bray breaks the silence, drawing the two of you to look.】

【You see, beside the big pillar in the main hall, a sturdy black donkey is struggling hard, seemingly forgotten here.】

【The black donkey pulls hard on the rope, unable to break free from the restraint for a while, instead shaking the main hall of Hongjing Courtyard slightly, leaving several striking scratches on the bluestone floor with its four hooves, showing its extraordinary strength.】

【You are secretly surprised in your heart; this black donkey is clearly not an ordinary product, actually having such amazing strength.】

【Just as you and Sister Wu Tong are worried about this, a crisp shout comes from the back courtyard: "You silly beast, be quiet!"】

【The black donkey hears this, and only then calms down, no longer making a scene.】

【The woman wearing the white gauze bamboo hat you saw in the main hall just now returns from the back hall, not walking toward the black donkey, but walking straight toward the two of you, finally stopping in front of you.】

【You are full of confusion; what does this woman who returned to the mansion with the Second Master Xie Hong want?】

【The woman's voice comes through the light gauze of the bamboo hat: "Your remarks about breaking the bandits in the mountains are quite similar to the Daoist concept of cutting off the three corpses. Have you ever studied Daoist classics?"】

【You don't understand the meaning, but you still answer honestly: "No."】

【"What a pity, you can also look at Daoist classics when you have time; they are not necessarily worse than the Master's words."】

【The woman walks to the big pillar and unties the black donkey.】

【The black donkey rubs affectionately against Lu Hua's trouser leg, and is kicked away by her with disgust.】

【When the woman leaves, she brushes past you and says: "Also, my name is Lu Hua!"】

【"I will come to find you in these few days."】

【You freeze in your heart, and a voice that only you can hear suddenly rings in your ears: "You take that 'courtyard' character from the lake."】

【This sentence makes your heart shake, but your face doesn't show any strangeness.】

【"Don't worry, I have no malice toward you."】

【You are shocked in your heart, but your face doesn't change.】

【Sister Wu Tong is a bit strange; just now in the main hall, when the Second Master introduced her, she clearly remembered her name was "Hua Lu," did she remember wrong?】

【You turn your head, Lu Hua has already pulled the black donkey into the back hall, leaving only a back view. You ponder silently; it seems this person is the cultivator of the spirit that General Sima Ting mentioned, but you don't know her realm.】

【You have a premonition that this woman named Lu Hua seems to have a more terrifying cultivation than General Sima Ting, because her behavior is too casual, or rather, it feels like it conforms to her original heart.】

【You withdraw your thoughts; today's matter is over.】

【Thinking of what the Old Matriarch Xie said just now, don't learn from your mother.】

【The clear young man shows a cold look for the first time, but it just returns to its original appearance in an instant.】

【"Let's go, Sister Wu Tong."】

【You and Sister Wu Tong walk out of the main hall. At this time, the young ladies and young masters in the courtyard have all gone to the back hall for the banquet, and the pavilions by the lake have become empty, without the previous bustle and noise.】

【People gone, pavilions empty!】

【In the lake, there have always been a few small boats waiting quietly. Seeing the two of you come out of the main pavilion, the boatman doesn't dare to be negligent, rowing the oars and carrying the two of you to the opposite shore.】

【Sister Wu Tong finally has a chance to appreciate the scenery by the lake.】

【When she first entered the mansion with Ganzhi, she was always cautious, not daring to raise her head to look around.】

【But now with the young master, she has become much more at ease.】

【"Young Master, if we had come to appreciate the lotus flowers just at the beginning of autumn, it would have been great."】

【Just as you are about to respond, you inadvertently notice that in a pavilion not far away, an old man wearing a fur hat is holding a maid with dull eyes, touching her, his whole body lying on the maid's back, his hands reaching into the maid's upper garment.】

【The ugly old face is full of greed.】

【It is exactly the old man seen when entering the courtyard just now; at this time, the young master is not seen, only the old man alone.】

【Looking down at the bottom of the water, two flood dragons are swimming under the boat, fluttering, extremely intimate with you.】

【They are the ink flood dragons transformed by the characters "Hong" and "Jing."】

【You are thoughtful; the two flood dragons share your heart.】

【You cannot help but point from afar at the old man in the pavilion.】

【The lake suddenly surges with waves, and the old boatman who is familiar with water almost falls at the bow of the boat.】

【You walk over and support the old man, saying: "Old man, please be careful."】

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 287 =====

(End of chapter)