r18novel Chapter 41, Question 3: Xunzi of the Qin Dynasty
Chapter 41, Question 3: Xunzi of the Qin Dynasty
The Trisolaran civilization produced these bamboo slips in a short time, without much effort at all.
But for Xiaoshengxianzhuang, this was a very valuable gift, even though the bamboo slips did not contain any records.
Fu Nian said, "This gift is too precious; please forgive Xiaoshengxianzhuang for not being able to accept it."
Cheng Yuan, controlling the lifelike robot, said, "Since ancient times, fine swords have been paired with heroes, and good steeds with famous generals. These bamboo slips will only be of their proper use once they reach Xiaoshengxianzhuang. Please accept them, Master Fu Nian!"
Since they had said that, Fu Nian didn't refuse anymore and relaxed his guard against the four people. They had brought gifts when they came to visit, so they probably didn't come with any ill intentions.
"In that case, we'll accept Little Sage Manor. Gentlemen, please come inside for a chat!"
Four lifelike robots followed Fu Nian into Xiaoshengxianzhuang. Noticing that the group was not carrying any weapons, Fu Nian's wariness of them lessened somewhat.
As he led the way, Fu Nian introduced the scenery of Xiaoshengxianzhuang to the four of them. The corridors were winding and meandering, the eaves were high and pointed, there were waterside pavilions and singing stages, and the scenery of wind-blown forests and bamboo groves at dusk was very beautiful.
The sound of students reciting aloud, which could be heard outside the village, became even clearer at this moment: "Confucius said: 'When three people walk together, there must be one who can teach me. I will choose their good points and follow them, and correct their bad points.'"
Before they had gone far from the manor, four people approached. The one in front was an old man, followed by two young men in plain white robes, and then Ziwen, the disciple of Xiaoshengxianzhuang whom they had met before.
Through the perspective of the simulation robot, Cheng Yuan immediately recognized the old man as Xunzi, and the two young men in white robes as Han Fei and Li Si.
Seeing Xunzi approach, Fu Nian stood respectfully in place. When Xunzi drew near, Fu Nian bowed and said, "Fu Nian greets his senior uncle!"
Xunzi returned the greeting to Fu Nian, then looked at Cheng Yuan and the other three without any change in expression, seemingly unaware of anything special about them.
"Are you guests from the Three-Body School? I am Xun Kuang, a Confucian scholar."
As he said this, Xunzi bowed to Cheng Yuan and the other three.
Cheng Yuan and his three companions returned the greeting and said, "Cheng Yuan of the Three Body School greets Master Xun."
"Shen Yi of the Three-Body School has met Master Xun."
"Haqi of the Three-Body School greets Master Xun."
"The Three-Body Problem's Hydrogen 3 has met Master Xun."
These three people are not Cheng Yuan's security guards. He controls a bionic robot and does not need any security guards. In fact, the three are three lifelike robots controlled by the Life Ruler, the Science Ruler, and the Psionic Ruler.
Xunzi replied, "Fu Nian, you may go now. Since these guests have come to see me, I will receive them!"
"Yes, Uncle-Master!"
Fu Nian obediently left, understanding that his uncle had deliberately sent him away so that if anything happened later, he would have a chance to stay out of it.
Led by Xunzi, Cheng Yuan and his three companions arrived at a secluded bamboo forest.
There is a thatched hut here, which should have been Xunzi's usual residence. Outside the hut is a stone table and several bamboo stools, which are now covered with fallen bamboo leaves.
Xunzi flicked his sleeve, and a gentle breeze arose out of nowhere, blowing away all the bamboo leaves on the stone table and bamboo benches.
Inside the LV-223 safe house, the psionic governor said, "This Xunzi's martial arts skills are much stronger than that Jing Ni's. Whether it's the amount of internal energy or the precision of his control over it, he far surpasses her."
The four simulated robots were equipped with a newly developed internal force fluctuation sensor. Using Jingni's internal force as the standard value of 1.0, Xunzi's internal force reached 5.9. Not to mention the quality, the difference in quantity alone was nearly 6 times.
What is Jing Ni's strength?
According to the latest assessment of Jing Ni's strength, after learning about the characteristics of the aliens, Jing Ni easily took down more than thirty aliens using the firearms she had just learned to use (human firearms from the Prometheus).
There were over thirty aliens, enough for the director of "Alien" to make several movies.
The Life Administrator said, "Anyone who can stand at the pinnacle of a world is extraordinary, even in a seemingly backward world like the Qin Dynasty world."
In the bamboo grove, at Xunzi's invitation, Cheng Yuan and the others had already taken their seats, while Han Fei and Li Si, the two fellow disciples, went to make tea.
Xunzi cut to the chase: "In all my years, I have never heard of the 'Three-Body School' among the Hundred Schools of Thought. Could this be a reclusive school of thought? What brings you gentlemen to visit me?"
Cheng Yuandao said, "The origins of the Three-Body School will be known to Master. As for 'why we have come to visit'..."
"Before answering your question, I would like to ask you some questions."
Xunzi did not mind Cheng Yuan's behavior of asking questions instead of answering them, and said: "Go ahead and ask."
Cheng Yuandao: "First, what is the Master's view on the current situation of the world? Second, what does the Master believe is the right path for all people under the current circumstances? Third, can Confucianism bring about great order to the world?"
At this moment, Han Fei and Li Si returned after making tea. The two brothers couldn't help but stop when they heard Cheng Yuan's three questions.
Xunzi did not spend time thinking about it; he had already pondered these three questions many times in his mind.
He said, "The current situation in the world appears to be a seven-state balance of power, but in reality, it is one strong state and six weak states. Although Qin has internal strife, it is still the strongest state. No matter what the final outcome of the struggle is, Qin will launch a war to destroy the six states and unify the world."
"Since the Spring and Autumn Period, this chaotic world that has lasted for hundreds of years has come to an end. If Qin were to conquer the six states, it would surely first wage war against Han. Han is close to Qin, weak in strength, and strategically important to Qin. Qin would definitely take Han first."
Upon hearing his teacher's words, Han Fei stood silently, while Xunzi revealed a fact that he had always been reluctant to face.
Han Fei took a deep breath, walked out, and said firmly, "What my teacher said is true, but the state of Han will not be destroyed!"
Xunzi glanced at the disciple, ignored him, and continued: "After Han, there will be the states of Zhao and Wei. Zhao has the strongest will to resist Qin, and Wei's territory is too important. After that, there will be the states of Chu and Yan. At this time, Qin has become the dominant force. Even if Chu and Yan can put up some resistance, they will find it difficult to reverse the trend and will eventually be destroyed."
Xunzi did not mention the State of Qi, but since the other five states were all destroyed, Qi could not escape either.
Li Si came out, served the brewed tea to Cheng Yuan and the others, and said, "Senior brother, this is the inevitable trend, beyond human control!"
Han Fei said, "The great trend is created by people; why can't it be changed?"
Seeing that his two disciples were about to begin a debate, Xunzi said, "Silence! We have guests here; we must not be impolite."
Han Fei and Li Si quickly bowed and said, "We have been impolite; please punish us, teacher!"
Xunzi did not punish the two disciples. He raised his teacup slightly to Cheng Yuan and the other three, saying, "This tea is called 'Frosty Silver Needle.' It comes from the depths of the mountains west of Shu. It grows in steep, snow-covered areas and is very difficult to harvest."
"After the tea is made, it is covered with white down, shaped like fine ropes, hence the name 'Frosty Silver Down.' I have only been fortunate enough to obtain a small amount. The water used to brew this tea is the morning dew that I collect from the forest every morning."
"Gentlemen, please have a drink!"
Inviting Cheng Yuan and the other three to tea was a pretext; his real intention was to test whether they were as he suspected.