Xiao Meng's immediate departure announced the end of the farce between her and Gu Xun.
Although all the onlookers were full of curiosity and the fire of gossip was burning brightly, no one dared to say anything. They all acted as if nothing had happened just now.
Even Fusu, who was focused on watching the show, couldn't make fun of his teacher at the moment. He coughed lightly and said as if the competition just now didn't exist:
"Ahem!"
"Confucianism deserves to be the world's most famous school, and Xiaoshengxianzhuang deserves to be the holy land of Confucianism. This sword debate really amazed Fusu."
Fu Nian, the leader who had already rushed over, quickly bowed and said modestly when he heard this, "Young Master is too flattering!"
"This sword discussion has allowed us to see the real talents in the world. Only then did we realize that the Little Sage Village still has shortcomings, which is really shameful."
"Master Fu Nian doesn't have to be too modest. You have to make your own decisions about success and failure, right and wrong." Fusu heard this and responded with a meaningful smile.
Fusu's words caused different reactions from Fu Nian, Li Si and others.
Of course, it's all very subtle, and it's hard to see what exactly they are thinking.
After Fusu said this, he stopped talking about swords and turned to Fu Nian and said:
"Mr. Fu Nian, I have been neglectful of Master Xun before. I would like to pay him a visit in person again. Is it convenient?"
"This..." Fu Nian pondered for a moment before replying, "Young Master is too polite."
"But Uncle Master is now withdrawn, and I don't know if he will..."
Fusu smiled and waved his hand and said, "I understand this. Mr. Fu Nian can just go and ask. If Master Xun doesn't want to be disturbed, forget it."
"Thank you for your understanding, sir. Please wait a moment."
Fu Nian immediately called his disciples to find Xunzi.
The final result is definitely something you would like to see.
Xunzi may have a bad temper, but his brain is fine.
Li Si is his student, so even if the other party is the Prime Minister, he can give him casual treatment.
But Fusu is not.
The dignified eldest son of the empire comes to visit you, and you are not too ill to see him. If you deliberately do not see him, you are clearly showing that you are not giving face.
However, not everyone can participate in this meeting.
Xunzi was willing to meet, but he only wanted to meet Fusu. Li Si and others could only wait outside.
Li Si and Zhao Gao naturally tried their best to stop this. They did not want Fusu and Xunzi to meet privately.
They also had their reasons. Fusu had a distinguished status and his safety could not be compromised. He could not be allowed to meet Xunzi alone under any circumstances.
"Your Highness, the son of a rich man cannot sit down in the hall. Although it is unlikely that something will happen to the Little Sage Manor, but... you must not take risks!"
Li Si immediately persuaded him with sincerity.
Zhao Gao also followed up and advised, "Sir, the Six Sword Slaves have returned to support the Tooth-gnawing Prison. The defense here is quite empty, so it's better to be careful."
Unfortunately, this reason could not stop Fusu, because Gu Xun proposed that he would go there together.
"Let's go, I'll go with you to see Old Master Xun."
Fu Nian said nothing, apparently tacitly agreeing to allow Gu Xun to accompany him.
Li Si and Zhao Gao were speechless.
With Gu Xun accompanying him, there is no safety issue. If they still hold on to him, they may be the ones in danger.
The two of them could only helplessly watch Fu Nian leave with Gu Xun and Fusu. As for them, Confucian disciples would naturally lead them to the guest room to rest.
The three of them came to the bamboo forest behind Xiaoshengxian Village, where Xunzi lived in seclusion.
Xunzi, who was wandering outside before, has returned and is making tea inside the house, waiting for the arrival of Fusu and Gu Xun.
Although he said he only saw Fusu, he already knew that Gu Xun would definitely come - not only because Xunzi guessed Li Si's reaction, but also because he knew Gu Xun.
What happened today has nothing to do with Gu Xun. He must have something of his own when he comes.
Fu Nian took Gu Xun and Fu Su into the door. Xunzi stood up and saluted:
"I have met His Highness the Young Master and the Imperial Master."
Fusu stepped forward quickly and supported Xunzi:
"Master Xun is so polite."
"It's Fusu who's presumptuous and wants to bother you again. I hope you'll forgive me, Master."
Xunzi straightened his back, stroked his beard, smiled and replied, "Haha, you are willing to condescend to see me, you are so radiant, so why bother?"
"Please take a seat!"
"Master, please also."
The four of them sat down.
There were not so many rules in Xunzi's hut, but he still let Fusu sit at the east table, while he and Gu Xun lived in the north and south respectively, and Fu Nian sat at the west table.
After sitting down, Fusu looked around and said immediately:
"In private situations, Fusu speaks more directly."
"I won't tell you the hidden meaning behind today's visit. Master Xun and Mr. Funian should also know it."
"Now that the empire has been established, the government is in chaos, and the place is in a state of decay."
"The imperial court applied the principles of legalism, implemented harsh laws and severe punishments, and its power became stronger day by day, but the situation did not improve at all."
"This is the fundamental reason why I came to Confucianism."
After Xunzi and Fu Nian heard this, they first looked at Gu Xun, who was just pouring and drinking tea by himself, with no intention of getting involved. They knew that they only had to deal with Fusu now.
Fu Nian was the first to speak and replied:
"Listen to the young master, could it be that you intend to reform the law?"
Fusu shook his head and replied solemnly, "The laws of the empire and the laws of the non-family are the inheritance of our ancestors, the foundation of all generations, and cannot be changed - this is the attitude of His Majesty the Emperor!"
"What I want to say is that the whole world is the land of the king, and the shores of the land are the ministers of the king. Confucians are also members of the world, and they should share the worries of the country and the king."
"But..." Fu Nian looked embarrassed and couldn't speak.
Fusu nodded and said, "I know what Mr. Fu Nian means, but I have also said that you must not practice Confucianism, but Confucians must not deviate from the monarch."
"How to make a difference is a problem that Confucians need to solve, not the emperor's."
"Besides, the problem for Confucianism now is not how to do something, but how to not do something."
"I think Mr. Fu Nian and Master Xun should also know what the Confucian doctoral officers headed by Dr. Chunyu are doing now."
"This..." Fu Nian's words came to his lips and he didn't know what to say.
Of course he knew what Chunyu Yue's bunch of Confucian doctors were doing. After all, Confucian people were famous for not having high official positions and having extremely loud voices - they had high reputations.
As for what they did... in short, they were playing against Ying Zheng.
To be more specific, their main business recently is promoting a return to the enfeoffment system.
Clearly speaking against the emperor, given Ying Zheng's character, it is easy to imagine why Confucianism was targeted.
The meaning of Fusu's words was to ask Xiaoshengxianzhuang, a Confucian holy place, to come forward to suppress those feudal Confucian doctors who were dancing happily.
It stands to reason that Fu Nian is absolutely loyal to the emperor and believes that the imperial power cannot be questioned. He must not be able to deal with Chunyu Yue and his group.
In fact... he really didn't like Chun Yuyue's behavior, but at the same time, it was difficult for him to confront Chun Yuyue.
Because the enfeoffment system was part of the Zhou rites, Confucius advocated the restoration of the ritual and music system of the Zhou Dynasty throughout his life.
