In the Qin Dynasty, the Tiger of the Empire

Chapter 142 Li Si Needs a Target

After the contemporary leader of Confucianism announced the start of the debate, the disciples who were about to take the stage began to show their talents.

One day's debate has winners and losers, and the winner will have a new opponent tomorrow.

"How does it feel?"

Xunzi asked Ying Zifei, who was traveling with him, and Ying Zifei said, "Confucianism is the best outer garment of Legalism. With Confucian skin and Legalist bones, the world can be governed."

Hearing this, Xunzi's eyes sparkled and he asked, "Is the Great Qin Academy prepared for this?"

Ying Zifei shook his head and said, "Master, you know very well that once Confucianism gains power, it will be difficult for other schools of thought to gain a foothold in the court."

"Confucians value the past over the present. If this continues, their thinking will inevitably be suppressed."

"Confucius devoted his entire life to the restoration of Zhou rituals, but people and times have changed, and the times are no longer the same."

"If you say so, I will give you three more volumes of books." Xunzi smiled inexplicably. Ying Zifei was a little surprised and asked: "Master, why is this?"

As Xunzi walked, he said: "Although I criticize the saints and Confucianism, I also understand that Confucianism should also be used."

"You said that Confucianism values ​​the past and despises the present, which is very true."

"Legalists are the opposite. They value the present and the past, and change with the times."

“It’s good and it’s bad.”

At this point, Xunzi added: "Adapting to the times can treat symptoms but not the root cause. Change leads to movement, and movement leads to chaos."

"If people's hearts are unstable, chaos will inevitably occur. Some things of Confucianism can stabilize the overall framework and give Legalism space and time for change."

"Every time the Legalists passed a law, it meant that a group of people's interests were harmed. This is the worst evil of human nature."

Ying Zifei nodded slightly. Isn’t there a saying that the ways to make money are all written in the law?

"I don't know the specific layout of your Qin State, but it is not easy to unify the various schools of thought."

As he spoke, Xunzi shook his head and said to Ying Zifei: "Don't underestimate the disputes among the various schools of thought, power, and scholarship. They are full of human malice."

"The Qin State is doing well now. The Great Qin Academy has stabilized the various schools of thought, and the Legalists are still the main body of the court."

"I am looking forward to the changes in the future. There is only a fine line between destruction and rebirth."

“What will the future hold?”

The two men parted at the fork in the road and returned to the courtyard, where Ying Zifei sat down.

Master Xun's words just now made him guess that the layout of the various schools of thought was accelerating.

"Don't be impatient. This is not the time to take action."

Ying Zifei calmed his inner restlessness. It would be difficult to integrate the various schools of thought, but there was a solution.

"Perhaps, it's time to reveal something." With a gleam in his eyes, Ying Zifei wondered whether he should push forward the dispute among the various schools of thought.

Thinking of the Taoist's work, Ying Zifei touched his chin, it seemed that it was time to add some fuel to the fire.

Having made up his mind, Ying Zifei let out a sigh of relief.

The debate and dispute in Xiaoshengxianzhuang is still going on. Some people have been recruited, while others are still watching.

Five days later, except for Han Fei and Li Si, everyone else ended the debate and became spectators as losers.

The two debated with no clear winner. They talked about everything from the current situation in the world to Confucianism and Legalism, and the spectators were amazed.

"The final debate will be decided tomorrow."

The head of Confucianism asked the last question and announced the decision.

Han Fei and Li Si bowed, looked at each other, and then stepped down.

As night fell, in the pavilion halfway up the mountain, the fire flickered and the wind and snow blew, but Li Si did not feel the coolness.

It seemed that the two debates were tied, but he knew that he was actually at a disadvantage in today's debate.

"Brother, will Si never be able to catch up with you?"

Li Si murmured and smiled bitterly. After becoming Han Fei's apprentice, he saw Han Fei's talent and his hard work.

He tried hard to learn and catch up, but he always felt that he could not catch up with his senior brother Han Fei. It seemed that every time, he was just a little bit behind.

"Want to drink?"

A voice brought Li Si back to his senses. He turned his head and saw Ying Zifei carrying something.

"Si, meet you, sir."

Li Si met him once a week. Ying Zifei smiled and said, "I like to be at ease. Sit down and drink with me."

He took out the wine, the wine glasses, and two plates of snacks.

Li Si picked up the wine pot and poured two cups of wine. The two of them drank one cup each.

"Good wine."

Li Si praised him, and Ying Zifei smiled and said, "It's good that you like it. This is the first time we drink together, so we have to leave some memories for future recollections."

Hearing this, Li Si was stunned. After reacting, he smiled bitterly and said, "It's hard for people to recall such memories with a good mood."

"You look a little discouraged. You haven't lost yet." Ying Zifei poured the wine and ate the snacks casually.

"I've already lost." Li Si shook his head and said, "I'm upset and have already lost the first game."

"Why don't you suppress your frustration?" Ying Zifei asked calmly.

"I can't suppress him." Li Si drank the wine in the cup and said with an inexplicable look: "In fact, when I decided to go to Qin, I had already lost to him."

"I chose the advantage, but he faced the challenge head on. Deep down, I was afraid of his talent."

At this point, he looked at Ying Zifei, smiled bitterly and said: "Sir, you met him first and then met me. Isn't this also a kind of evaluation?"

Ying Zifei didn't look at him, but picked up the wine jug and poured wine, then motioned for the two to drink another glass.

After drinking the wine in the glass, Ying Zifei said: "You are wrong. My target when I came to Xiaoshengxianzhuang this time is not Han Fei, but you, Li Si." Hearing this, Li Si was stunned. Under the flickering firelight, he saw the affirmation on Ying Zifei's face.

He felt a little dazed, and subconsciously asked: "Young Master, you know that Senior Brother's talent is far better than mine, so why did you choose him like this?"

"Is that really the case?" Ying Zifei asked calmly, looking at Li Si and smiling, "I can see that you and Han Fei are equally talented, and each has his own strengths."

"Not only did I see it, your teacher, Master Xun, also knew it."

Li Si frowned, his thoughts racing. At this moment, Ying Zifei said again: "Li Si, in fact, what you lack is just a goal."

"You saw Han Fei's determination and his choice to overcome difficulties, but you didn't see yourself clearly."

"Li Si, is what you want in your heart really just what you think in your heart at this moment?"

Li Si was silent. In his mind, he recalled some things that happened when he was a minor official in the State of Chu, and thought of his own thoughts on the rat theory.

He thought about the teacher's teachings after he became his apprentice, and everything was so clear.

It seemed like a very long time had passed before Li Si came back to his senses. There was a light in his eyes that was hard to look at directly.

"It seems that you have gained something."

Ying Zifei smiled with satisfaction. Li Si nodded heavily, bowed and said, "Thank you for your advice, young master."

"You are right, sir. It is Li Si who underestimates himself."

"Because of the difference in status between me and my senior brother, I feel timid and inferior."

"Because my senior brother Han Fei is a genius in the world, I became jealous and envious, which clouded my mind."

"Because of my utilitarian heart, I only seek shortcuts and have no heart to seek the truth. As a result, I have learned a lot now, but it is the knowledge of the predecessors and sages, not my own way."

Li Si's mentality was changing, his momentum was shifting, and Ying Zifei smiled.

"Li Si, how about I give you a goal?"

Hearing this, Li Si looked expectantly at Ying Zifei.

Ying Zifei reached out and took out a token from his bosom, handed it to Li Si, and said with a smile: "This token can see the King of Qin, enter the Prime Minister's residence, and even visit the Qin Academy."

"With this token, you can know most of the Qin's secrets."

"Go and see something, then think about it, and walk out of your Li Si's path."

"I hope that one day in the future, the legal framework you, Li Si, have established will be able to usher in a new era."

“Whether it’s ten years, a hundred years, or a thousand years, your method, Li Si, will still shine brightly and pave a broad path for the people of the world and for future generations.”

Li Si's body was as straight as a pine tree, and the light in his eyes became more and more determined.

He carefully placed the token in his arms and then bowed deeply.

"Sir, Li Si understands."

Yes, he understood. It was not him, Li Si, who was moving towards the new era, but he, Li Si, who was creating the new era.

"Establish a mind for heaven and earth, establish a destiny for the people, carry on the lost knowledge of the ancient sages, and bring peace to the world."

"Li Si, go and find your own path."

Ying Zifei left, the wind and snow were still as strong as before, but Li Si only felt his blood boiling.

"Establish a mind for heaven and earth, establish a destiny for the people, carry on the lost knowledge of the ancient sages, and bring peace to the world."

He murmured softly, his eyes shining like stars, and then he laughed heartily.

He, Li Si, is no longer confused about the road ahead, even though there are many obstacles along the way.

"Brother, I finally understand your choice."

"Just this time, I won't lose."

Li Si went down the mountain in the snow and wind. The night was dark. What would the light of tomorrow look like?
……

People from Xiaoshengxianzhuang are all present in today's debate. Although they have many opinions about Xunzi and his disciples' inclination towards Legalism, they still respect the talents of Han Fei and Li Si.

Han Fei and Li Si arrived, bowed, and then knelt down.

"Ok?"

As the sound of humming went on, the leaders of Confucianism, Xunzi, Han Fei and others, all set their eyes on Li Si.

Li Si's aura was different. He knelt quietly, yet he seemed to have the courage to overlook the changes in the world.

Xunzi thought of something, he looked at Ying Zifei, saw Ying Zifei closing his eyes to rest, there was a gleam in his eyes.

"Li Si's depression has dissipated, and he no longer has the desire to kill Han Fei out of jealousy."

He knew he was not wrong and would not be wrong.

In other words, this kid Ying Zifei really solved the problem that he couldn't solve.

Xunzi, overjoyed, looked at his two disciples with a smile on his face. The following debate would be interesting.

"Junior brother, you seem to have some understanding." Han Fei narrowed his eyes and asked with a chuckle.

"Indeed, I have gained something." Li Si nodded and looked at Han Fei. He said, "Brother, today we will debate on literature."

"The choices you and I make will each lead to a different future. From now on, when we fight, whether it's literary or physical, there will be no room for holding back."

"Senior brother needs time to do some things, and junior brother also needs time to do some things."

"In the future, I just hope that what Senior Brother does can give Si more validation."

Hearing this, Han Fei's body trembled. He looked directly at Li Si, and his heart was greatly shocked.

"Junior brother, you really gave me a big surprise."

(End of this chapter)