Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 53 Students pay their respects to Master Xu
"They fight for food and drink without shame, without knowing right from wrong, without fear of death or injury, without fear of the strong, and are obsessed with the only benefit of food and drink. This is what it means to be human."

"Humans are inherently petty by nature; without teachers and laws, they are driven solely by self-interest. But can they be free from self-interest if they have teachers and laws?"

"The evil of man is like a deep abyss and a vast ocean; even the ancient sage Xunzi did not see its full extent."

At this point, Qian Zhongyu stood up, excitedly kicked over the table, causing a chorus of screams.

Xu Xuan waved his hand, dismissing the girls. He figured this already deranged scholar was about to say something outrageous.

Compared to Xie Yu's composure, Qian is more like a person of strong emotions.

The swaying scholar leaned against the pillar and sneered.

"Then let's leave it at that if Qiao Feng studies the theory of the inherent goodness of human nature. Confucianism advocates the teachings of Confucius and Mencius, and the imperial examinations guide people to follow the teachings of Confucius and Mencius. There are people who need the teachings of Confucius and Mencius."

“Judging from his various words and deeds, he actually practices this way. Isn’t that ridiculous?”

"Without extraordinary abilities or a powerful background, one will surely die without a burial place!"

"Ridiculous! Ridiculous!"

Perhaps he had drunk a lot of wine, perhaps he was resentful, or perhaps it was because Xu Xuan behaved differently from ordinary Confucian scholars.

Qian Zhongyu poured out the emotions that had been building up inside him for a long time.

Finally, he said dejectedly.

"Teacher Xu, do you think that scholars who follow the teachings of Confucius and Mencius can really change the world?"

After saying this, he fell silent, preparing to receive a barrage of lectures from the other party.

After all, what he had just said was quite rebellious, questioning the academy, questioning reading, and questioning morality.

Xu Xuan understood what was going on halfway through the conversation.

It's broken down.

He was defeated one after another by himself, Xie Yu, Zhu Erdan, and Qiao Feng, and the debate on good and evil stirred up some unbearable memories of the past.

Even the story itself can be guessed.

"Do you see a reflection of your past self in Qiao Feng?"

Qian Zhongyu's body trembled.

"The boy who believed in kindness and justice was hurt by the evil in human nature and slid to another extreme."

Another earthquake.

"Seeing that there is still someone in this world who maintains their inner beliefs, I feel jealousy, worry, anger, and regret."

The shaking has stopped.

"Mind reading!"

Qian Zhongyu felt a chill in his heart, recalling one of the rumors about Instructor Xu: to go down the mountain to slay demons and monsters.

"Of course not, it's just a small guess."

"Without a deeply unforgettable past, how could one's heart be broken by a scholar who upholds the principle of inherent goodness?"

"I didn't realize you were such a good person, Qian."

The term "good person" seems to be extremely insulting.

Before the other party could refute, Xu Xuan continued the treatment; after the blow, strong medicine was needed.

Moreover, each time I discuss the principles and truths, I feel that my own spiritual practice is progressing, which is a win-win situation.

"Actually, I don't believe in the theory of inherent goodness either."

"Emotions and desires such as food, sex, joy, anger, likes and dislikes, and greed are the same for both 'gentlemen' and 'petty men.' However, Xunzi also said that the difference between a gentleman and a petty man lies in whether or not they do something."

"You become despondent because you are not strong enough."

"Reading is useful. Anyone who says reading is useless can be slapped."

"The sages have left us the methods, but most people just can't do it."

Qian Zhongyu would have scoffed at what others said, but when it came to what Instructor Xu said, he had to reflect on whether he hadn't studied diligently enough or what he had overlooked.

Next, Xu Xuan retrieved the necessary information from his memory, citing classical texts, to provide supporting evidence.

The Huainanzi, in its chapter on the art of mastery, records: "Confucius's wisdom surpassed that of Wang Hong, and his courage was inferior to that of Mencius."

Meng Ben, a man from the State of Qi, possessed immense strength and unparalleled courage. He was unafraid of tigers and wolves, and did not shy away from dragons. He could subdue two wild oxen at the same time.

He is still considered by the world to be less brave and martial than Confucius.

Records of the Grand Historian: The enemy, along with their followers, surrounded Confucius in the wilderness. Unable to proceed and without food, his disciples fell ill and could not rise. Yet Confucius continued to lecture, recite, and sing without ceasing.

The Lüshi Chunqiu states: "Confucius possessed such strength that he could lift the gates of the state, yet he refused to be known for his physical prowess."

Confucius possessed the strength to open city gates with his bare hands, yet he did not wish to be known for his great strength.

The Book of Rites, in its chapter on archery, states: "How does an archer shoot? How does he listen? He shoots according to the sound, and never misses the target. Only a wise archer can do this!"

Confucius said that only the wise can fire in time with the music and hit the bullseye.

In the twelfth year of Duke Ding's reign, as recorded in the Zuo Zhuan, the Ji family planned to destroy Fei. Gongshan Buniu and Shusun Zhe led the people of Fei to attack Lu. Duke Ding and his three sons entered the Ji family's palace and ascended the platform of Wuzi. The people of Fei attacked them but failed. They then entered to Duke Ding's side. Confucius ordered Shen Juxu and Yue Qixia to attack them, and the people of Fei fled north. The people of Lu pursued them and defeated them at Gumei.

Confucius commanded two generals from the State of Lu to launch a preemptive attack, defeating the rebel forces and quelling the rebellion.

"You see, besides reason, you also need courage, strength, stamina, archery, horsemanship, and military strategy. Once you have these abilities..."

One hand represents reason, the other represents ability, and behind him are numerous disciples who have received the Way and reason.

Even if the world is in chaos, morality collapses, and people's hearts fall into the realm of ghosts, what difference does it make?

One can travel the world by relying on one's own will, which compels people to be gentlemen, good people, and inherently kind.

The premise for the emergence of the theory of inherent goodness is to change hypocritical people, eliminate those who are inherently evil, and establish a new order.

"How will you learn these methods if you don't read books?"

"Therefore, reading is useful."

Qian Zhongyu remained silent. How did Instructor Xu read this book? How come he had never paid attention to these details before?

but
"How can you compare me to Confucius? He was a sage."

Xu Xuan ate a couple of bites of rice and said casually.

"Before becoming a saint, a saint was a human being."

Qian Zhongyu, even with his arrogance, was somewhat bewildered.

These are just a few simple words, much simpler than ancient sayings like "Heaven has bestowed a great responsibility upon this person," and they can't even be interpreted in much deeper terms.

It's just a simple and honest statement.

But this one sentence was more treasonous, more terrifying, and more exhilarating than the words that a scholar had shouted all night.

Zigong praised Confucius as "a sage of unparalleled talent."

Mencius said, "Since the beginning of humankind, there has never been a Confucius."

Then Sima Qian said: "From emperors and kings to those in China who discuss the Six Arts, all agree with Confucius. He can be called the sage!"

Finally, after Dong Zhongshu led the effort to suppress all other schools of thought and exclusively honor Confucianism, the orthodoxy of the Gongyang School was established, and the "Spring and Autumn Annals: The Diagram of Confucius" was born from the union of man and god.

The saint has ascended to the altar.

However, there was a man named Xu Xuan who praised Confucius for his greatness as a human being, while rejecting his divine status.

Perhaps Confucius did have some extraordinary status in this world where there were once immortals and gods, but scholars only need to admire and learn the principles of human life.

Such courage and magnanimity are beyond human comprehension.

After he finished speaking, even the image of the White Lotus Holy Father trembled, and his soul and blood were passively enhanced.

Even Xu Xuan himself didn't know that, although he had just entered the Daoist path, his heart was unruly and could be considered the greatest demon in the world.

After a moment of silence in Mingyue Pavilion, Qian Zhongyu awoke from his shock, feeling as if his whole body was being roasted by a furnace and his heart was being struck by thunder.

Recalling his dissolute behavior in the past few days, his admiration for Xunzi's words, and his use of the opportunity to vent his incompetence, he suddenly felt ashamed.

Raise your still-bleeding hand and swear an oath.

"What is said here is known only to me; if I reveal even half a word, heaven and earth will condemn me."

After finishing this task, Qian Zhongyu did not stop, but instead looked intently at the person opposite him who was only a few years older than him.

Perhaps, since the beginning of humankind, there has never been anyone like you.

You are my true teacher.

He straightened his disheveled clothes and bowed respectfully.

"Master Xu!"

　I haven't come up with a suitable Dharma name yet. I'd appreciate any suggestions. See you in the comments section.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)