After listening to Gu Xun's long words, the people in Little Saint Xian Manor all fell into their own thoughts, with solemn expressions on their faces.
Only Xunzi, Zhang Liang, and Yan Lu still looked calm and relaxed.
Especially Xunzi, as if the sect rejected by the emperor in Gu Xunhua was not Confucianism, he took a sip of tea in a relaxed and comfortable manner, and then responded calmly:
"According to what the Imperial Master said, His Royal Highness the Eldest Young Master's visit is ultimately a good intention."
"In this regard, Confucianism will make appropriate representations and will never lose etiquette."
When the time comes, the scene will definitely be in place for you, and you will be worthy of His Highness’s reward!
"Ha!" Gu Xun laughed and shook his head, "Etiquette is not important... Master Xun should be very clear about what Confucianism needs to do."
Master Xun stroked his beard and smiled, and responded slowly:
"Confucian disciples have always done what Confucianism should do. I feel... there is nothing that needs to be changed."
Gu Xun paused with his chopsticks, smiled thoughtfully, and looked at Xunzi, "Master Xunzi, the world has changed. Is it appropriate for Confucianism to remain unchanged?"
"Why not?" Xunzi asked back, "I think the Legalists are still as virtuous as before. Why can't the Confucians be the same?"
"This..." Gu Xun laughed and replied, "Legalism hasn't changed much, that's why Master Xun is so disliked by the Legalists!"
"Since you can't stand Legalism, why do you insist that Confucianism and Legalism be the same?"
It is not difficult to hear from Xunzi's words how dissatisfied he was with Legalism, but in fact, as an alternative to Confucianism, he was not so dissatisfied with Legalists before.
At any rate, he also single-handedly taught two of the most famous Legalist masters of our time.
Of course, this does not mean how much he recognized Legalism.
Xunzi can be said to be the most outstanding figure among all schools of thought. Except for Confucius, the sage sage, there is no one who does not criticize him, and Legalism is no exception.
However, in the past, he was at odds with the Legalists at most in terms of theoretical concepts. Now, he is disliked by the whole view.
In short, in the past, I was right about things but not people, but now I am right about people... and things.
Regarding Gu Xun's suggestion, Xunzi still insisted on his opinion, shook his head and replied, "Confucianism is different from Legalism, and it has been different from the beginning."
"Legalism that does not make changes is definitely not a good thing for the people."
"But Confucianism might be better if it remains unchanged."
"I don't know if it's good not to change, but if Confucianism insists on not changing, there will be no need to continue to exist." Gu Xun lowered his head, his eyes seemed to be focused on the delicious food in front of him, and responded in a quiet voice.
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere suddenly became much stiffer.
After a moment of silence, Xunzi gave his response:
"Heaven's behavior is constant. It will not exist for Yao, nor will it perish for Jie."
"Uh...don't you use your words incorrectly? We are talking about human affairs, not the laws of nature?" Gu Xun was stunned for a moment, then subconsciously retorted.
Xunzi smiled, "Of course humans are also a part of nature, how can they be separated?"
"Let us have free time to decide what the future of Confucianism will be."
Gu Xun put down his chopsticks and looked at Xunzi with puzzled eyes:
"Master Xun, what you said does not sound like you at all. You are the person who proposed the theory of 'man can conquer nature'. Why are you so... decadent?"
"Ha!" Xunzi smiled heartily, stroking his beard and replied matter-of-factly, "Because I am already old."
"Young man, don't ask too much of an old man, okay?"
"Uh..." Gu Xun pondered for a moment, "In principle, I agree with what you said, Master Xun. You really shouldn't be harsh on an old man, but I still hope you will consider what I said."
Xunzi shook his head simply, "For these matters, it would be better for the Imperial Master to talk to Fu Nian directly. He may be very willing to support you."
"Ha!" Gu Xun laughed and asked, "Master Xun, your nephew, you must know better than me, right?"
"Although his personality is very different from that of Zifang and Yan Lu, in some aspects, his persistence may be more stubborn than your old man."
Xunzi didn't say a word to Gu Xun's statement and responded calmly, "This is the problem that the national teacher needs to solve. If you want to change anything, you have to put in some effort."
"Ha!" Gu Xun gave a bitter smile, folded his fingers, looked at Xunzi and said, "To be honest, the outcome of this conversation surprised me a little. I didn't expect Master Xun that you... would be so insistent."
"Maybe it's because I'm too old and my mind has become rigid." Xunzi responded with a smile, "Please don't blame me, Master."
"There's nothing to blame." Gu Xun smiled bitterly and sighed, "It's just that I'll probably have more trouble if I turn around."
At this time, Cook Ding appeared again, bringing the remaining dishes:
"The food is here again!"
The plates were arranged in order as usual, and the cook had to go back and forth twice before serving all the remaining dishes.
After that, everyone finished the meal in silence in their own thoughts.
After the show ended, Master Xun took most of the people from Xiaoshengxian Village back to the mountain, but Zhang Liang and Yan Lu did not leave.
They were waiting for Gu Xun, who was talking to Cook Ding.
Pao Ding thought he was used to facing Gu Xun alone, but in fact he was just used to facing Gu Xun, who he thought didn't know his identity.
Facing Gu Xun, who most likely knew that he was the Mo family's spy, Cook Ding's calves couldn't stop spinning, and he felt like he might cramp at any time.
"Shopkeeper Ding is nervous?" Gu Xun looked at Chef Ding, who had a stiff smile on his face and couldn't stand still, and couldn't help but tease him.
Cook Ding twitched the corners of his mouth and replied with a forced smile, "Hey, isn't this... wasn't this the battle that Li Xiangguo caused earlier that scared me?"
"I hope you will forgive me, Imperial Master. Please forgive me."
"Ha!" Gu Xun grinned. Seeing his virtuous behavior, he didn't tease him much and asked instead, "You have offended Li Si to death with this matter today. What are your plans in the future?"
Cook Ding scratched his head and couldn't believe it, "That's not the case... Today's matter has nothing to do with Fatty Ding... I'm just a cook!"
"It doesn't matter what you are. In short, it's a fact that the dignified Prime Minister showed up in your store... You can't run away just because you hate Wu Jiwu." Gu Xun shrugged and replied.
"Uh..." Cook Ding looked at Gu Xun, who was smiling, and asked carefully and tentatively, "Master, do you mean... you still want me to be a cook in your house?"
"Why, you still don't want to?" Gu Xun asked instead of denying it.
"It's not that I'm unwilling." Cook Ding hurriedly explained and replied with a sneer, "The main reason is that I'm a rough guy and don't know etiquette. It would be bad if I bumped into the nobles in your house."
"It would be more suitable for me to open an inn and be an ordinary cook."
"Ha!" Gu Xun smiled and shook his head, "Okay, okay, since you don't want to, I still won't force you."
"If you don't want to run away, just keep opening your inn."
"With my name covering it, even Li Si can't find any trouble with you, but you have to know that my name is not a panacea, especially when you... have problems."
Cold sweat began to fall down on Cook Ding's face, in flakes. He wiped it on twice in a panic, and nodded hurriedly:
