Chapter 532: Breaking Bandits in the Mountains, the Lake Churns with Fury!

【The Master said, "Only the benevolent can truly love and hate."】

【The Master said that only those with benevolence in their hearts can genuinely like or dislike someone.】

【You continued: "A man of aspiration bears the heavy burden of moral order and holds lofty, pure intentions, ever seeking to rectify the great chaos of the world; a man of benevolence embodies the fullness of heavenly virtue and possesses a luminous heart, determined to uphold the great moral standards of the world."】

【"But the Confucian ideal of the man of aspiration is not about saving the people from fire and water, sacrificing one's life without hesitation—it is about aspiring to become benevolent, not about Lizhi transforming heaven and earth, but about Lizhi becoming a benevolent person, one with virtue and integrity."】

【Zhu Ge Jian, upon hearing this, felt a moment of awe at the opening line, yet the development that followed was somewhat ordinary.】

【Xie Renfeng's eyes flickered with disdain; he silently thought: these words are nothing but stale clichés, lacking originality.】

【Confucianism emphasizes moral education, not demanding that all people possess the scholar's depth of knowledge. If everyone in the world were as virtuous as the Master, why would Confucianism even exist? The path of education lies in guiding people toward goodness, gradually elevating their moral realm—not demanding perfection.】

【Lady Yuan's expression softened slightly; though she found the words unremarkable, at least they had not brought shame.】

【Lady Zhao remained expressionless; clearly, these few sentences were insufficient to satisfy those present.】

【Xie Hong's eyes dimmed once more.】

【The foreign guests in attendance also looked disappointed.】

【Merely mediocre words.】

【Si Ma Ting's face, however, remained expectant; he refused to believe this was the full extent of this younger brother's insight.】

【Your eyes grew more puzzled, your tone growing firmer:】

【"The heart cannot hold both good and evil; yet to sacrifice oneself for the sake of saving the world, even if it costs your life, you will have no regrets."】

【"Or, cultivate yourself—even if you cannot sweep the world clean, to sweep your own room alone is enough to be worthy of the name benevolent."】

【"Then, how does one become a true man of benevolence?"】

【You shifted your tone, posing this crucial question: How does one become benevolent?】

【Xie Yuan sat in his chair, seemingly lost in thought alongside you.】

【Is this not precisely the Confucian pursuit—to teach others to become benevolent?】

【To this day, no one had offered an answer.】

【Zhu Ge Jian thought of the academy, sighing inwardly: the academy's four masters' interpretations were the very source of Confucian doctrinal disputes, especially the fierce conflict between the third and fourth masters.】

【This intellectual rift fractured the Great Qi academy; the First Master, offended, left Great Qi for Great Sui and became the state tutor.】

【The Second Master later lay bedridden, consumed by illness.】

【And your master had imprisoned himself within the academy's tiny confines for twenty full springs and autumns.】

【The Fourth Master stepped out from the academy's quiet seclusion into the bustling court, becoming the powerful Su Xiang.】

【As Zhu Ge Jian sank into these tangled thoughts, a vibrant voice—like a morning bell or evening drum—suddenly shattered his reverie.】

【"No good, no evil—that is the nature of the heart. Good and evil arise with intention. To know good and evil is innate conscience; to do good and eliminate evil is to investigate things."】

【"To plant a tree, you must nurture its roots; to cultivate virtue, you must nourish the heart. All movement in the world stems from the word 'heart.'"】

【"The heart is principle. When this heart is free from selfish desires, it is heavenly principle—no addition from outside is needed."】

【The heart is principle. When this heart is unobscured by selfish desires, it is heavenly principle—no extra ounce need be added from without.】

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

【"The human mind is ever restless, swayed by the seven emotions and six desires, like cunning bandits hiding deep within the sea of the heart. Breaking bandits in the mountains is easy; breaking the bandits within the heart is hard…"】

【The boy stood tall, speaking with vigor, each word and phrase delivered with force.】

【Gradually, the main hall fell silent.】

【Xie Qi Yue, who normally despised the hollow, abstract maxims of books, found them tedious and dry,】

【Yet now, she could not help but quiet her mind, carefully savoring the boy's words; she sensed an inexplicable aura emanating from him, strangely reminiscent of the academy's truly learned masters.】

【Si Ma Ting lowered his head in thought, repeating Xie Guan's words: "To know good and evil is innate conscience; to do good and eliminate evil is to investigate things…"】

【Having finished, the boy bowed slightly and said: "This is my humble insight into the man of aspiration and benevolence."】

【Zhu Ge Jian remained frozen, stunned.】

【No sound stirred in the main hall; even the black donkey, dozing beside the great pillar, lifted its large, flapping ears.】

【Lu Hua regarded the boy below for the first time with serious attention, his mind deep in thought.】

【Xie Yu recalled her brother's words; though moved, she still felt no clear awakening—much remained unclear.】

【Xie Renfeng smirked disdainfully: "The heart is principle? I've never heard such a bizarre notion. This Xie Guan must have half-understood something and made it up."】

【Yet he did not notice!】

【His father, Xie Hong, who had remained silent until now, his eyes glowed with unusual brilliance.】

【He murmured softly: "Breaking bandits in the mountains is easy; breaking the bandits within the heart is hard."】

【Lady Zhao did not understand the meaning, but seeing Zhu Ge Jian's expression, she knew Xie Guan's answer was exceptional.】

【Lady Yuan was overjoyed, yet seeing the old matriarch's face grow even darker, she held back her delight.】

【Several breaths passed.】

【Zhu Ge Jian finally came to himself, his gaze fixed intently on you, growing more satisfied with every moment.】

【From the moment the boy entered the main hall to his answer now, he had been courteous, refined, like a true gentleman.】

【"You are far more impressive than I imagined."】

【He had another thought unspoken: if your master were still the Third Master of old—who saw the world as a chessboard and all beings as chess pieces—he would have immediately recommended this boy as his top disciple.】

【Your master never chose disciples based on talent; the boy had not yet begun cultivation and had already missed the optimal time—your master valued character, temperament, and ability.】

【But now, your master's condition made him hesitate; this move might not be appropriate.】

【Thus, Zhu Ge Jian silently resolved: tonight, he would go to the academy and recount every word the boy had spoken to his master.】

【With your master's wisdom and cultivation, he would surely gain insight from it.】

【At this thought, he sighed: if only the Master were still at the academy.】

【Xie Yuan's face shone with pride.】

【Lady Yuan smiled: "Not bad—has not brought shame to the Xie family…"】

【The old matriarch on the high seat waved her hand gently, cutting off the words: "Let the banquet begin. Today has been tiring."】

【Then, her gaze turned cold upon you, her voice icy: "I am but a woman, unfamiliar with the Master's profound teachings that bless the four seas, ignorant of Confucian classics—I know only that governing a household requires understanding of seniority and hierarchy."】

【"Xie Guan, you have wandered into the grand hall by accident; I shall not punish you today. But within this Xie Fu, you must still follow the old matriarch's teachings. I hope you will henceforth speak and act with caution, and not emulate your mother."】

【"Hong, open the banquet."】

【Xie Hong rose and helped the old matriarch into the back hall, glancing at you once before leaving.】

【As a Shu son, you had no right to enter Xie Hong's courtyard.】

【Xie Renfeng glanced at you, sneering, then turned away. In the Xie Fu, without the old matriarch's favor, it would be nearly impossible to rise.】

【Remember: the first hurdle on the path of study and officialdom—the imperial examination—is the Tongsheng exam, which requires the consent of the household's mistress and the old matriarch. Xie Guan is now despised by his grandmother; his future path will be strewn with thorns.】

【The other ladies, young ladies, and young masters of the Xie Fu followed the old matriarch away.】

【Zhi Zhi, Lady Zhao's personal maid, watched you respectfully see off the old matriarch, bowing slightly, her eyes filled with regret. This young master Guan of the main courtyard had shown remarkable wisdom today—but without protection in the Xie Fu, his future seemed shrouded in shadow, destined to gather dust in a small courtyard.】

【Madam Shang, who had earlier been curious about you, seeing the old matriarch's coldness, said nothing and slipped away quietly.】

【In the Xie Fu, the old matriarch's will was unchallengeable fate.】

【Xie Yuan smiled and returned the "General" chess piece from the wutong set to you: "Brother Guan, I've returned Wu Tong to you untouched—but you must explain this 'investigation of things' to me in full detail. Don't keep secrets."】

【Wu Tong was left behind.】

【You smiled: "Thank you, Sixth Brother."】

【Xie Yuan waved his hand and followed Zhu Ge Jian away.】

【Master Jingyue nodded to you.】

【Si Ma Ting approached with Xie Ying, praising: "Well said, Xie Guan—you've done well."】

【"I'll send you the martial art for strengthening tendons tomorrow."】

【You bowed in thanks: "Thank you, General Si Ma, for your help today."】

【Si Ma Ting nodded slightly, his expression calm: "I'll be in Bianjing these next few days. If you encounter any trouble, come find me."】

【With that, he turned and left for the banquet.】

【Wu Tong watched his retreating figure, her mind full of confusion.】

【Why would this powerful Si Ma Military Governor be so familiar with the young master?】

【Now, the main hall was empty, leaving only you and your servant.】

【Wu Tong was no fool; though she did not understand the reason, she suspected your risky entry into Xie Hong's courtyard might be connected to her.】

【Thinking that you might have been punished by the old matriarch—or worse, that your studies might be ruined because of her—she was filled with guilt; if anything happened to you because of her, she would deserve a hundred deaths.】

【Wu Tong's eyes grew slightly red: "Young Master, it's all my fault…"】

【You smiled gently, about to speak words of comfort.】

【A loud donkey bray shattered the silence, drawing your attention.】

【Beside the main hall's pillar, a sturdy black donkey struggled fiercely, seemingly forgotten.】

【The donkey tugged at its reins with all its strength, unable to break free, yet shaking the main hall of Hongjing Courtyard slightly; its four hooves left deep grooves on the blue stone floor, revealing its extraordinary power.】

【You were inwardly astonished: this black donkey was clearly no ordinary beast—it possessed astonishing strength.】

【Just as you and Wu Tong grew concerned, a sharp, clear voice rang from the back courtyard: "You brute, behave yourself!"】

【At the sound, the donkey quieted instantly.】

【The woman who had earlier worn the white gauze hat returned from the back hall—not toward the donkey, but straight toward you two, stopping before you.】

【You were filled with confusion: what did this woman, who had returned with Xie Hong, want?】

【Her voice drifted through the gauze of her hat: "Your words about breaking bandits in the mountains bear resemblance to the Daoist concept of severing the three corpses. Have you studied Daoist texts?"】

【Though puzzled, you answered honestly: "No."】

"What a pity—you could also take some time to read Daoist texts; they're no worse than the Confucian sayings."

The woman walked to the large pillar and untied the black donkey.

The black donkey nuzzled against Lu Hua's pant leg, and she kicked it away with disdain.

As the woman left, she brushed past you and said: "By the way, my name is Lu Hua!"

"I'll come find you in the next few days."

Your heart startled, and suddenly a voice only you could hear echoed in your ears: "Take the character 'courtyard' from the lake."

These words shook you, but your expression showed no sign of disturbance.

"Don't worry—I mean you no harm."

You were startled inside, yet your face remained unchanged.

Wu Tong found this strange: just moments ago in the main hall, Second Master Dong Shao had clearly introduced her as "Hua Lu." Had she misremembered?

You turned your head; Lu Hua had already led the black donkey into the back hall, leaving only her back view. You fell into silent thought—this woman must be the one Sima Ting spoke of, the one who cultivates the primordial spirit. But you didn't know her realm.

You had a feeling this woman named Lu Hua was even more terrifying than Sima Ting's cultivation base, for her demeanor was far too casual—or rather, perfectly aligned with her true nature.

You shook off your thoughts; today's affairs were done.

You recalled what Grandmother Xie had just said: don't learn from your mother.

For the first time, the youthful scholar's face revealed a chilling coldness—though it vanished instantly, returning to his usual expression.

"Let's go, Wu Tong."

You and Wu Tong stepped out of the main hall; the young ladies and gentlemen in the courtyard had already moved to the back hall for the banquet, and every pavilion by the lake had grown empty, stripped of its earlier bustle and noise.

People gone, pavilions empty!

In the lake, several small boats had been waiting quietly. Seeing you two emerge from the central pavilion, the boatmen hurriedly rowed toward you, ferrying you across to the opposite shore.

Wu Tong finally had a chance to admire the lakeside scenery.

When she first entered the estate with Gan Zhi, she had always been cautious, never daring to look around.

But now, with the Young Master, she felt far more at ease.

"Young Master, if only we'd come to admire these lotuses just as autumn arrived."

As you were about to reply, you noticed, in a nearby pavilion, an old man wearing a fur hat, clutching a dazed maid, his hands roaming over her body, his entire frame pressed against her back, fingers slipping beneath her blouse.

His ugly face was twisted with greed.

It was the same old man you'd seen upon entering the courtyard—now the young master was gone, leaving only the old man alone.

You looked down again at the water's depths, where two jade dragons swam beneath the boat, thrashing playfully, utterly affectionate toward you.

They were the ink dragons formed from the characters "Hong" and "Jing."

You pondered—these two dragons resonated with your will.

Without thinking, you pointed toward the old man in the pavilion.

The lake suddenly churned with violent waves; even the seasoned boatman at the bow nearly lost his balance.

You walked over and steadied the old man: "Elder, please be careful."

(End of Chapter)