The Moon in the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 235: The Two Heroes of Confucianism and Legalism

Xunzi opened his eyes with a serious expression. Normally he wouldn't mind flirting with Han Fei, but today he was not in the mood.

Xunzi said slowly: "You two are ready to go out."

Li Si's eyes narrowed.

Han Fei's face turned bitter, and he said awkwardly: "Teacher, I'm just asking a question, you don't have to send me back home directly, right?"

Li Si said respectfully: "Teacher, I am a student with limited knowledge. I need to learn more from you."

Xunzi glanced at them, then slowly said, "Last year, the world was in turmoil, and some time ago, the four countries were in conflict. What do you think?"

Han Fei chuckled and said, "Let Junior Brother talk about this first. I don't know much about disputes."

Xunzi looked at Li Si, and Li Si said respectfully: "Teacher, Senior Brother is ten times more talented than me. Let Senior Brother express his opinion first. How dare I speak first with my limited knowledge?"

Xunzi shook his head and said softly, "You go first."

Han Fei echoed and said with a smile: "Right, right, right, Junior Brother, you go first. You are too modest. In this world, ten of me cannot compare with you."

Li Si smiled slightly and said, "Then I will show you my ugliness. If there is anything wrong, please let the teacher and senior brothers correct me."

"Last year's war caused chaos throughout the country. The situation was so complicated that it was hard for me to judge. This year's war involved all four countries, but it has now ended. The cause of the war seems simple."

"However, I discovered a common point between these two wars, which is that in the end, Qin benefited the most."

"And the biggest enemies of Qin, Wei and Zhao, were both badly damaged and suffered heavy losses. Yan also suffered heavy losses."

"Qin was originally the strongest, while the other states were weaker. Now one is gaining strength while the other is losing strength. In addition, Qin has acquired the land east of the Yellow River, so its hinterland is no longer in danger. With this situation, we can only say that the fog that shrouded the world has begun to dissipate."

Xunzi nodded: "Well said."

He looked at Han Fei and said, "It's your turn. Go ahead."

Han Fei smiled and scratched his head, his face gradually becoming serious: "In today's world, the system of the six countries is corrupt, the nobles are arrogant and extravagant, squandering money without restraint, and acting recklessly without anyone to control them. Coupled with the years of chaos, the common people can be said to be living in poverty. Moreover, even if the nobles are incompetent and immoral, they can still hold high positions, but talented people often find it difficult to advance if they do not have a distinguished family background."

"Although the Qin law was somewhat harsh, it was implemented fairly; everyone, from the highest to the lowest, acted according to the law, and its rewards and punishments were measured and clear and strict."

"The current King of Qin is not an easy person to deal with no matter how you look at it. With such a King of Qin and such a Qin State, the fog in the world has indeed begun to dissipate."

Xunzi nodded, no longer looking at the two, and said leisurely: "I have been to Qin twice, and my evaluation of Qin was the same both times."

"Master is very sure that there will be a third time. Although I don't know when it will be, it will definitely be different."

"Because the second time I met the King of Qin, he was still the Crown Prince."

Han Fei was very surprised and asked with a smile: "Teacher, you never told me the details of your meeting with the King of Qin. What kind of person is he?"

Although Li Si did not ask the question, he pricked up his ears and listened attentively.

Xunzi sighed and said, "He was a king without precedent and probably no one will be like him again."

"A destined monarch."

"I still remember him as extremely intelligent and powerful, with a resolute, confident, rational, and ruthless temperament."

"He treats people and things impeccably."

"I can't believe that he was only ten years old when I met him then." "Since he ascended the throne, the changes in the world in the past few years have further proved his ability."

Han Fei's smile disappeared and he became extremely serious.

Li Si was secretly fascinated by it.

"It is the Qin Kingdom's luck to have such a king, but it is definitely a disaster for the six kingdoms, and perhaps the end."

"Han Fei, you go out first."

Han Fei bowed and walked out of the door, closing it behind him.

After Han Fei left, Xunzi looked at Li Si and said slowly: "Tonggu, although you come from a poor family, you are diligent and studious, modest and prudent, and you are also talented and intelligent. You are shrewd and good at dealing with the world. All you lack is an opportunity. If you seize an opportunity, your future will be limitless."

Li Si hurriedly said: "Teacher, I am back..."

Before Li Si could finish his words, Xunzi waved his hand to interrupt him.

Xunzi went on to say, "Now the opportunity has arrived. We must not miss it. Once we lose it, it will never come back. The King of Qin is too fast. Those who want to be loyal to him will be slow to act."

"With your current abilities and talents, there is nothing left for me to teach you. It is time for you to go and find your future."

Li Si was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Thank you, Master. I have heard that we should not let down our guard when we encounter an opportunity. Now is the time when powerful countries are fighting for the world. Even lobbyists can gain power and show off their wealth."

"This is a good time for lobbyists of common origin to travel around and display their ambitions. My disciple's origin is humble, and the six eastern countries are all humble. Only Qin State selects people based on their talents and employs scholars from the seven countries."

"People who are in a lowly position but do not try to change themselves or do anything are like animals kept in captivity. They only want to eat meat when it is ready. They have the appearance of a human being, but they are just animals that can barely walk upright."

"The greatest disgrace of a man is to be humble, and the greatest sorrow is to be poor."

"Having been in a lowly position and poverty for a long time, one sneers at wealth and fame, despises official positions and fame, and comforts and relieves oneself by relying on inaction. This is nothing but incompetence. This is definitely not the sentiment that a scholar should have. I, as a disciple, will never do such a cowardly and foolish thing."

"Now that the King of Qin has annexed all the other states, his intention to rule the world is known to all those who are knowledgeable. I also have the intention to lobby and serve the King of Qin."

"The teacher understands me and is willing to let me go and support me. I am grateful to him. I will never forget his kindness in teaching me."

After saying this, Li Si bowed deeply and kowtowed heavily.

Xunzi raised his hand to support him: "Tonggu, get up."

"I have a few more words of advice for you. I hope you can remember them."

Li Si stood up and waited respectfully. Hearing this, he bowed deeply and said, "Teacher, please teach me. I will keep it in mind."

Xunzi sighed softly and said, "Tonggu, your talent is not inferior to your senior brother, and what makes you better than your senior brother is that you are cautious and flexible, and you are good at worldly affairs and keep yourself healthy. This is your advantage, but it is also a disadvantage."

“Being cautious and flexible means that sometimes you can’t insist on doing the right thing, but there are certain risks.”

"To be good at worldly affairs and to be good at one's own business means that you will attach too much importance to what you want to have, but ignore the benefits of giving up something that you should give up, and will cling to things that are wrong but temporarily beneficial to you."

"I have only two words to say to you."

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(End of this chapter)