Chapter 577 On the Way (Part 1)
In the bronze cauldron of Xianyang Palace, wisps of smoke rise from the agarwood.
When Xunzi, leaning on his lacquered wooden cane, stepped into the Hall of State Affairs, the King of Qin was bending over to examine a map of the six states.
"Several years have passed since we parted. Have you seen any changes in the Qin state, sir?"
Ying Zheng raised his hand to signal the eunuch to offer him a seat, but his gaze remained fixed on Xunzi's graying temples. The last time he saw Xunzi, Xunzi was still by his grandfather King Zhaoxiang of Qin's side. At that time, Xunzi's advice was obviously not accepted, so much so that Xunzi did not come to Qin again for several years afterward.
Xunzi sat up straight, his wooden cane tapping clearly on the gold bricks: "My view remains unchanged. The Legalist principles of 'ease in governance, succinctness in detail' in Qin still hold true." He paused, and seeing Ying Zheng remain silent, he continued, "However, the debate between benevolent kings and hegemonic rulers lies in adapting to the times. Now that the six states are on the verge of collapse, relying solely on the power of punishments will ultimately fail to win the hearts of the people."
Ying Zheng's gaze was sharp, carrying an incomparably powerful aura: "Sir, you always say, 'He who conquers all with virtue will become king,' but now, Qin holds the reins of power, and the surrender of the six states is but a flick of the wrist."
"The will of the people is the inevitable trend," Xunzi said, looking directly at the King of Qin, his aged voice carrying the weight of metal and stone. "In the past, Shang Yang moved a log to establish trust, relying not only on punishment but also on the word 'trust.' Now, if Your Majesty wishes to win the sincere allegiance of the people of the six former states, you must build a foundation of 'rites' in addition to 'law.'"
Ying Zheng remained silent for a moment, not arguing with Xunzi about the matter.
Upon noticing the corner of his robe peeking out from the palace entrance, Ying Zheng's expression softened instinctively, surprising Xunzi.
"Fusu wishes to meet with you, sir. What is your opinion?"
“That is exactly what I wish for.” Xunzi nodded slightly, his attitude gentle.
No sooner had the words been spoken than the sound of footsteps was heard, followed by a cheerful and innocent child's voice.
It's time to show my true charm! Here I come—
Xunzi turned around with slight surprise and saw a bright-eyed, exceptionally lively boy walking in quickly. Although he tried to remain composed, his lively spirit was impossible to suppress as he walked.
"Fusu has met with Mr. Xun."
It's Xunzi! The living Xunzi!
Two voices overlapped in his ears. Xunzi's eyes widened slightly, and he quickly smiled knowingly. It was only natural that the eldest son was favored by heaven and treated differently.
"The child is naughty."
Ying Zheng's eye for people had become exceptionally sharp, and he naturally noticed Xunzi's change. Although it wasn't something that could be discussed openly, he still apologized for Fusu's words.
Of course, even though it was called an apology, Xunzi could easily hear the protective intent in the King of Qin's words, which surprised him somewhat. He was surprised that the King of Qin had such a "benevolent father" side.
"The King of Qin is overthinking things, but the eldest son is quick-witted and natural, which is a blessing for the Qin state."
Xunzi spoke earnestly, and seeing Fusu's smiling face, he was even more delighted, his already gentle tone becoming even softer and more intimate.
In the past, when he saw the young Ying Zheng, he only felt that Qin would have another dignified monarch, which was good in the short term. However, the Qin king's strong-willed nature, inherited from his lineage, was always excessive.
But now, seeing the interaction between the King of Qin and the eldest prince, even without the appearance of the Heavenly Curtain, Xunzi could be certain that the eldest prince would make up for the shortcomings of the Qin state.
"I wonder what the eldest son wants to know when he sees me?"
Xunzi's eyes were kind. He leaned slightly forward, disregarding the so-called etiquette, and spoke to Fusu with an attitude of looking him in the eye.
Fusu was stunned for a moment, then his lips curled up even higher!
[Xunzi...it wouldn't be bad to have another teacher like him.]
Xunzi's lips curled up slightly, while Ying Zheng couldn't help but glance at him. This was only their first meeting. Didn't you hate studying?
Fusu looked around and said, "This place is a bit too simple; it's not suitable for my conversation with you, sir."
Ying Zheng: "This is the Hall of State Affairs."
This was his place for daily rest and political discussions! How come he could stay there, but Xunzi couldn't?
Fusu trotted over to Ying Zheng, tugged at his sleeve, and smiled ingratiatingly, "Father, let's go to Zhangtai Palace, that would be more formal."
Ying Zheng felt even more heartbroken. Zhangtai Palace was the proper place to handle government affairs. If it weren't for Fusu being young, he wouldn't have moved most of the government affairs to the Tingzheng Hall, which was closer to Xingle Palace, to make it easier to raise him.
So, he moved here for Fusu's sake, and Fusu has to move back for Xunzi's sake?
"Father—"
Ying Zheng remained silent with a cold face. An ordinary person would have knelt down to beg for forgiveness, but Fusu had no such awareness and continued to tug at his sleeve and act coquettishly.
Xunzi, who was watching the play from the side, was very interested. He never expected that at his age, he could play Bao Si again. Her charm was as good as ever!
Ying Zheng reached out and gently pinched Fusu's cheek, displeased. "Don't do it again."
"Okay! I'll tell you in advance next time!"
Fusu responded quickly, and Ying Zheng shook his head helplessly, but still got up at Fusu's urging. Xunzi was even more amused. King Qin, King Qin, he suddenly understood why Han Fei had written that admonition.
...
The sunlight slanted across the jade floor tiles of Zhangtai Palace, gilding the two people on the futons with a golden edge.
Xunzi and Fusu, one old and one young, sat facing each other and talked eloquently.
Seated at the head of the table was the King of Qin, flanked by ministers who had come uninvited after receiving the news, from Li Si and Han Fei to Meng Ao and Wang Jian, from Zhang Liang and Meng Yi to Liu Ji and Xiao He...
In short, what was originally an ordinary conversation, with the tacit approval of the King of Qin, turned into such a casual yet solemn discussion.
Fusu was carefree, and Xunzi was easygoing; neither of them minded, and they chatted as if no one else was around.
"The Master said, 'The course of Heaven is constant; it does not exist for Yao, nor does it perish for Jie,' and also, 'Control Heaven and use it'—" Fusu waved his chubby little hand, his usually spirited eyes now unusually calm. He pointed to the banners fluttering in the wind outside the hall, "But Heaven is above, and man is below. How can we 'control' it? How can man contend with Heaven?"
The onlookers gasped, instinctively glancing at Fusu's youthful face. Seeing only a thirst for knowledge in his clear pupils, as if he hadn't recalled any taboos about "destiny," their tense backs relaxed slightly.
Immediately afterwards, dozens of eyes turned to Xunzi. Even though he had long been prepared to "fight against Heaven," he was not without doubts.
Xunzi continued stroking his beard, his eyes, beneath his long, gray eyebrows, as warm and gentle as ancient jade: "My insights are but one of countless sparks. If they can illuminate the path for the eldest son and for the Qin state, then this journey will not have been in vain."
He gestured for a servant to bring over a sand table, his fingertips tracing the model of mountains. "The so-called 'controlling Heaven' is not about opposing the Way of Heaven, but rather 'following its rules and utilizing its benefits.'"
Fusu suddenly interrupted, "Even if Heaven does not favor us?"
Xunzi laughed loudly: "Since the time of slash-and-burn agriculture, has Heaven ever favored man? Everything we wear, live in, do, and eat today is the product of human wisdom."
Fusu nodded.
Okay, it's settled, we're on the same side.
Xunzi's smile widened, and continuing the previous topic, he said, "Just like the Wei River," he dipped his finger in water and drew a winding riverbed on the sand table, "When the floodwaters rise, if people build dikes and dredge canals, that is 'control'; when the water is shallow in winter, if people dig canals to divert water, that is also 'control'."
Xunzi raised his eyes, looking into Fusu's clear eyes, and met the cold yet concerned gaze of the King of Qin behind him. His smile deepened. "But what is more difficult than controlling floods is controlling people. If people's hearts are scattered, even with a thousand clever schemes, it is difficult to accomplish anything."
"In the past, Yu the Great controlled the floods by relying on the unity of the people; Shang Yang reformed the laws by relying on the whole country's faith in the law. If we can unite the people's hearts as a sharp sword, and take advantage of the right time and place, why should we worry about rivers that cannot be crossed or mountains that cannot be moved?"
"To contend with Heaven, one person is not enough, so ten; ten are not enough, so a hundred; a hundred are not enough, so ten thousand; ten thousand are not enough, so what about ten million?"
A startling light flashed in Fusu's eyes, a golden glint that went unnoticed by anyone.
"Sir, you once said that the Qin state should employ both benevolent and hegemonic methods. What then is the way of the benevolent, and what is the way of the hegemonic?"
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