Chinese animation: Starting with Bad Guys

The official road leading from Xianyang to Xinzheng was shrouded in dust.

It was late autumn, and the fields along the roadside were desolate. Occasionally, one could see ragged farmers, their bodies hunched over, struggling to survive on the barren land.

The withered yellow leaves twirled and fell, adding to the desolate atmosphere.

An unremarkable blue-canopied carriage slowly traveled along the road.

Inside the carriage, Qin Chuan closed his eyes to rest, his fingertips unconsciously caressing the warm jade hairpin in his sleeve pocket, feeling the connection from Xianyang.

The desolate scene of people's lives outside the car window was fully captured in his calm gaze.

In times of chaos, the common people are the fuel for the fire. This situation only strengthened his resolve to create a new era for Ying Zheng and for all the people of the world.

The coachman gave a soft shout, and the carriage came to a stop.

There seemed to be a dispute ahead, blocking the narrow road.

Qin Chuan opened his eyes, pushed open the car door, and looked out.

In the middle of the road, several drunken noble servants were waving whips and scolding an old farmer who had accidentally knocked over their wine jar. The old farmer was kneeling on the ground, trembling, clutching a tattered bundle tightly in his arms.

"You blind old fool! Do you know how much this wine is worth? You couldn't afford to pay for it even if you sold it!" The servant spat as he spoke.

Just then, a slightly languid yet clear voice broke in:

"Oh dear, what fine wine! What a pity, what a waste of this jar of wine, and even more so, what a waste of this precious time, to bully an old man like this, isn't that a terrible waste?"

The crowd looked in the direction of the sound and saw a young man leaning against a withered tree by the roadside.

He was about twenty years old, with a handsome face and a somewhat cynical and carefree air. His purple robes were slightly wrinkled.

He was also carrying an exquisite wine pot, and his whole demeanor exuded a contradictory aura, possessing both the nobility of an aristocrat and the unruliness of a wanderer.

He swaggered over, seemingly oblivious to the servants' fierce glares, and went straight to the overturned wine jar. He sniffed it, shook his head, and said, "Hmm... excellent Korean wine, but unfortunately it's mixed with mud and water, ruined. How about this..."

He casually pulled a heavy money pouch from his pocket, tossed it to the head servant without even looking at it, and said, "Pay back for your wine. Anything extra is for you all to have some tea and calm down. The old man has it tough, so let it go."

The servant weighed the money pouch in his hand; it was quite heavy. His fierce expression softened slightly, but he still looked at the young man with some hesitation.

Qin Chuan could see it clearly from inside the car.

The young man appeared casual, but his eyes were incredibly clear. His movement as he tossed the money bag was precise, landing exactly where the servant could easily catch it.

This effortless composure is far beyond what ordinary playboys can achieve.

A thought stirred within him: this person must be Han Fei, whom Ying Zheng had been longing for.

Qin Chuan got out of the car and walked over with steady steps.

He was tall and straight, even a bit taller than Han Fei. His dark-colored casual clothes made his face look even more cold and handsome, and his temperament was as calm and dignified as a mountain, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

"One should be lenient when one can." Qin Chuan's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable sense of power. His gaze calmly swept over the servants. "Since this young master has already made compensation, this matter is settled. Blocking the official road and obstructing passage is also a crime."

His words were calm, but the invisible pressure made the servants shudder and involuntarily take a half step back.

A strange light flashed in Han Fei's eyes as he looked at Qin Chuan with great interest.

This man possesses extraordinary bearing and is certainly no ordinary merchant or scholar.

Seeing that things were going badly, the servants grabbed the money pouches, muttered a few curses, and quickly left.

The old farmer thanked him profusely and hurriedly retreated to the side of the road.

The road has been reopened to traffic.

Han Fei then turned to Qin Chuan, his playful smile returning to his face. He cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for speaking up for me, brother. My name is Han Fei. May I ask your name?"

Although he was thanking them, his eyes held a probing look.

"Qin Chuan." Qin Chuan replied succinctly, returning the greeting with a cupped hand, his gaze meeting Han Fei's scrutiny with composure.

Their eyes met in the air, as if an invisible spark flashed, and they both sensed each other's extraordinary nature.

"So it's Brother Qin."

Han Fei's smile deepened, and he shook the wine jug in his hand:

"It is fate that we met by chance. Judging from your extraordinary demeanor, Brother Qin, you must also be heading to Xinzheng. The journey is still long. Why don't we ride together and have someone to talk to and relieve our boredom? This wine of mine is the authentic fine wine of Xinzheng."

He extended the invitation with a touch of overly familiar enthusiasm, but his eyes were sharp as an eagle's, observing Qin Chuan's reaction.

Qin Chuan pondered for a moment. He originally intended to enter Han discreetly, but Han Fei was one of his targets.

Early contact and in-depth observation are a golden opportunity.

Moreover, he was also eager to hear the profound insights of this Legalist genius.

"In that case, I'm sorry to bother you." Qin Chuan nodded in agreement.

The carriage set off again, the carriage now filled with Han Fei and the smell of alcohol. Han Fei seemed completely at ease, pouring Qin Chuan a cup of wine as well.

Looking at the still desolate scene outside the window, Han Fei's nonchalant expression faded, and his eyes became deep and heavy. He sighed softly.

"Brother Qin, what have you seen along your journey? The people are impoverished, there are starving people on the roads, bandits run rampant, and the law is not upheld... This is the current state of my country, and it is also a microcosm of the world."

Qin Chuan picked up his wine glass but didn't drink it. He simply looked at the amber liquid swirling in the glass and calmly said:

"What Brother Han sees is both the surface and the root cause. The cause of chaos lies in the hearts of the people. When the hearts of the people are not settled, the law and discipline are difficult to enforce; when the law and discipline are not enforced, order collapses, and the people's livelihood naturally declines."

"Oh? Brother Qin, do you mean that people's hearts are superior to the law? I'm sorry, but I don't agree! Human nature is inherently evil; people are greedy and averse to harm."

Han Fei's eyes suddenly sharpened. He put down his wine cup and leaned forward slightly.

"Only strict laws and severe punishments, with clear rewards and punishments, like the ruler and ink lines in the hands of a craftsman, can restrain the evil in people's hearts, guide human nature towards goodness, prevent the strong from bullying the weak, and the many from oppressing the few, thus restoring order to the world. Without laws, human desires will run rampant, and the world will descend into chaos!"

His voice carried the distinctive force and power of Legalism, as if he were expounding the ultimate truths of heaven and earth.

"Law is a powerful tool, indispensable. However, those who wield this tool are people. Law is established by people, and it is also enforced by people."

Qin Chuan met his sharp gaze, his expression unchanged, his voice still calm and steady:

"The Legalists' 'techniques' and 'power,' the Confucians' 'benevolence' and 'propriety,' the Mohists' 'universal love' and 'non-aggression,' and even the military, agricultural, and Yin-Yang schools... each of the Hundred Schools of Thought has its own strengths and performs its own duties."

Governing a country is like cooking a small fish; the heat, the seasonings, and the technique are all indispensable. Relying solely on the "law" is unlikely to quell the turmoil within the realm.

He paused, then continued:

"Laws can set rules and regulations, but they cannot determine the hearts and minds of the people; laws can punish evil and eliminate wickedness, but they cannot foster benevolence and moral education; laws can strengthen a country temporarily, but they cannot guarantee long-term stability. Ultimately, what can truly stabilize the world and bring blessings to all people is 'human beings'."

They are the ones who formulate good laws, the ones who enforce them impartially, and the ones who follow the trend and unite people's hearts. The law is the skeleton, the various schools of thought are the flesh and blood, but 'people' are the soul that governs this vast body.

Qin Chuan's words were like a rock falling into a deep pool, steady and powerful, pointing directly to the core of Han Fei's concept of "the law being the only supreme authority".

He did not deny the importance of law, but rather placed it within a larger and more complex system, emphasizing the key role of "rule by man" and the inclusiveness of diverse schools of thought.

Han Fei was stunned.

He had never heard such a brilliant and bold statement.

The young man in front of me, Qin Chuan, actually compared the various schools of thought in ancient China to seasonings, governance to cooking, and placed "human beings" at the height of controlling everything!

This viewpoint is novel and bold, yet it implicitly contains an ineffable grand vision, which is completely different from his own pursuit of the pure path of "rule of law," but not entirely opposed to it.

A brief silence fell over the carriage, broken only by the rumbling of the wheels on the road.

Han Fei's gaze shifted from initial sharpness to astonishment, then to deep contemplation, and finally to a burning intensity born of a worthy adversary.

He suddenly clapped his hands and burst into laughter, a hearty laugh filled with excitement:

"Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! Brother Qin's insightful remarks are truly enlightening! Although they are not entirely the same as Han Fei's philosophy, they are like a sudden awakening, refreshing and enlightening! Haha, meeting Brother Qin on this journey home is a truly unexpected joy! Let's raise a big toast!"

He raised his glass, downed it in one gulp, and looked at Qin Chuan with undisguised admiration and a desire to recruit him.

Qin Chuan nodded slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips.

This Han Fei truly lived up to his reputation; he was not only quick-witted but also incredibly tolerant.

His opinion of Han Fei improved, and his desire to recruit him became even stronger.

Each of them had their own plans, but on the surface, this clash of ideas brought them closer together.

Several days later, the carriage finally arrived at Xinzheng, the capital of Korea.

In contrast to the desolation along the way, Xinzheng City is high and deep, bustling with people and lined with shops, showing the grandeur of a capital city.

However, upon closer inspection, the soldiers checking people at the city gate had shifty eyes, the patrolling soldiers on the streets walked with unsteady steps, and some vagrants and beggars were still huddled in some corners.

Beneath the glittering facade lies a heavy sense of stagnation and unease.

The carriage had just come to a stop near the city gate when a clear, melodious call, like the tinkling of silver bells, yet tinged with a touch of coquettishness, came from afar:

"Ninth Brother! Ninth Brother! You're finally back!"

A beautiful pink figure, like the most vibrant flower in spring, came joyfully running from inside the city gate.

Her jet-black hair was neatly styled into a bun, adorned with a few small beaded flowers.

Her flowing pink dress bloomed like flower petals as she ran, highlighting her snow-white skin, cherry-red lips, and curved eyebrows, exuding girlish charm and vitality.

It was Princess Hong-ryeon of Korea.

Like a happy bird, she flew straight to Han Fei, who had just gotten out of the car, and grabbed his ear without any hesitation, scolding him playfully:

"You stinky Ninth Brother! I sent you to study in Sanghai, and you've been gone for so long! You haven't even bothered to write a single letter! I've been waiting for ages!"

Although it was a complaint, the tone was full of intimacy and joy.

"Ouch! Gently, gently! My little auntie!" Han Fei cried out dramatically, but his face was full of doting smiles as he let Honglian pinch him. "Well, I'm back now! Look, I even brought you a gift!"

He made a gesture as if to take something out of his pocket.

Honglian finally released her grip with satisfaction, her big eyes blinking expectantly.

"Really? What gift? Let me see it!"

Only then did she notice Qin Chuan, who stood half a step beside Han Fei and possessed an extraordinary temperament.

The moment her gaze fell upon Qin Chuan's face, a clear look of amazement flashed in Honglian's eyes.

The man before him stood tall and straight, even a little taller than his ninth brother. His black robes accentuated his handsome features, with sword-like eyebrows, bright eyes, a high nose, and slightly pursed thin lips. His profile was cold and perfect.

Especially his deep, calm eyes, like a cold, ancient well, so deep they seemed to draw one's soul away, creating a unique charm that complemented his young and handsome appearance.

Honglian had seen many handsome men, but the man before her had a unique temperament, a calm demeanor that carried an indescribable allure.

She blinked, her pretty face flushing almost imperceptibly, before reverting to her usual spoiled self. She nudged Han Fei gently with her elbow, tilted her head, and asked in a low voice with a mischievous smile:

"Ninth Brother, who is this...? Where did you find such a handsome young man? He's even more handsome than you, Ninth Brother!"