Chapter 768: Chapter 88 The Good Fruit of the Qilin_3
Mr. Wang Tong said softly,
“They co here with many thoughts in their minds.”
“If you say that one idea can make them turn to you, in truth, it is very difficult, because both Chen Country and Ying Country are lacking these young scholars who are knowledgeable but lack the background of an aristocratic family.”
“In this chaotic world, every nation is competing for talents.”
“In Ying Country and Chen Country, there are the Grandmasters of Confucianism, and many scholars are willing to go there. Although Gongyang Su Wang appreciates you, the Academy is not like the secular world, coercive, with a strict hierarchy.”
“Su Wang’s prestige can guide so, but he cannot force people to go to Jiangnan. You need to persuade them…” The thirty-sothing Master lit so pine resin, and the faint scent lingered in the quiet room.
“Before the Emperor’s autumn hunt, there will be a debate at the Academy. Only those who can persuade them will be able to take these people with you.”
Li Guanyi said, “Now my popularity…”
Mr. Wang Tong looked at his young disciple and replied, “Less than ten percent.”
The Qilin’s montum is substantial, but after all, it has only risen for a year, while the nations all have three hundred years of rule, for one thing; the disparity in territorial range is too great, the difference between a thousand miles and tens of thousands of miles of boundaries is not a small one; the military gap is also too large.
Armored Soldiers, fifty thousand compared to five hundred thousand, or even a million, the gap is huge.
More than Li Guanyi had anticipated.
Li Guanyi laughed, “There are still people, huh!”
“However, I want to win over those scholars born of humble origins, those who can read and understand texts,” he said.
Mr. Wang Tong replied kindly, “These scholars rise from humble families, from among the common people, to study arduously in the Academy and to foster good relationships with teachers and elders. What do you think they are striving for?”
Li Guanyi fell silent, then answered, “To stand out among others.”
The Master smiled back, “There are several reasons, but broadly speaking, so of them, casting aside all those pretentious words, simply want to beco superiors among n, while another part still holds pure ideals.”
“In fact, more often, the sa person harbors both the ambition and ideal of a Confucian Scholar and the desire to escape their past suffering, to join an aristocratic family, marry a woman from an offshoot of the aristocracy, and thus elevate their own status,” he continued.
“This is to ‘uphold the family na.’
“Guan Yi, do you know of the theory that ‘human nature is evil’?”
Li Guan replied, “I know a little.”
Mr. Wang Tong explained, “Human nature is originally evil, and goodness is but a deceit. So say the human heart is vile, but that’s not it. It is that human nature is evil from birth and can only manifest goodness through education and guidance.”
“Human nature is inherently lazy and free. Like jade, if not carved and polished, one will not beco a useful instrunt.”
“‘Human nature is evil, goodness is but an act’ is a phrase Confucian Scholars like to boast about.”
“They do not realize that the sage also said, ‘Heaven and Earth combine to give birth to all things, Yin and Yang et to initiate change, innate nature and acquired behavior harmonized bring order to the world.’
“Combining innate nature with acquired education, the world will be greatly governed.”
“Warm and fervent ideals and bleak and dispirited thoughts, when brought together, make a person, like the cycle of Yin Yang, I hope you won’t ‘abandon’ the Confucian Scholars and students here. They will be afraid, weak, and they will crave that kind of prosperous life…”
“But they are also brave, passionate, and pure.”
Sunlight poured in through the window, Mr. Wang Tong’s expression was gentle:
“They are all very good, very good children.”
“Cough cough cough cough…”
Li Guanyi watched his Master who was already in poor health, stood up to support him, and said, “Teacher…” When he touched him, Li Guanyi’s body paused, feeling the frailty of Mr. Wang Tong, who gestured with his hand and said,
“I am like this, an old problem, cough cough cough.”
“You also saw it that day.”
Li Guanyi said, “Please take good care of your health, Teacher.”
Wang Tong laughed and replied, “I know.”
After drinking tea with his disciple, Li Guanyi took his leave, and Wang Tong saw him off, instructing, “Rember to prepare, if you want to win the hearts of the scholars under the vast territories of Ying Country and Chen Country, it’s not just by relying on your dreams.”
“You understand, you also have to keep growing,” he added.
Li Guanyi replied, “Yes, Teacher.”
Wang Tong laughed, “No need to be so nervous.”
“That day, I will help you.”
Li Guanyi bid farewell and left, pondering over the matters that he needed to address. He hoped that Wen He would stay, but even if he resolved the financial issues, the problem of acquiring talent was still extrely serious. Chen Country and Ying Country, such large nations, were far more attractive to talents.
In this chaotic world, when All Schools erge, if he failed to secure enough talents, Jiangnan would once again fall behind. Li Guanyi was especially aware of the importance of talent in this situation.
Mr. Wang Tong watched the young man walk away, with firm steps. He closed the door, coughed a few tis, his expression serene. He knew the road ahead for Li Guanyi would be difficult with every step fraught with hardship. Fang Ziqiao supported him and said, “Teacher…”
Mr. Wang Tong replied, “Afterwards, you’ll go and accompany him.”
Fang Ziqiao lowered his eyes and said softly, “Yes…”
The reason he cared so much for his junior disciple, helping to persuade Yuan Zhi to be the first to arrive in Jiangnan, swaying the thoughts of Wen Lingjun and Feng Xiao, advising and strategizing for Li Guanyi and often seeking Wen He,
was all because of this Master, Mr. Wang Tong. Otherwise, with his nature—gentle yet aloof—he would not take a new disciple so seriously.
Fang Ziqiao said in a low voice, “During the upcoming debate at the Academy, both Chen Country and Ying Country will have their great Confucian scholars.”
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