Chapter 2 The Return of Si He
The next day, as soon as Yu Mingyue finished her breakfast, Chi Hua came to report, "Miss, Si He is back. He said the matter you instructed him to handle is complete."
"Very good. Give him two silver ingots as a reward. Have him continue to keep watch. There will be a generous reward upon successful completion," Yu Mingyue instructed.
"Yes!"
In the morning, Yu Mingyue studied the Four Books with Mr. Xie. Today, they were still learning Mencius.
"To govern the people with ease, though they labor, they will not resent. To slay the people with the way of life, though they die, they will not resent the slayer."
"The meaning of this sentence is that if one governs the people with a focus on their comfort and ease, they will not resent their labor. If one slays evildoers with the principle of preserving life, the people will not resent the one who slays them."
Mr. Xie explained the sentence word by word to Yu Mingyue. Yu Mingyue, resting her chin on her small hand, listened attentively.
"Then, if someone acts as a role model, cherishes their family, generously helps others, protects the peace of a region, and is loved by all, but due to power struggles, they instigate war, causing people in other regions to become refugees, is this person good or bad? Should they be killed or not?" Yu Mingyue asked.
"The world belongs to all people, not to one person, nor to one region. The highest virtue does not act virtuously, and thus possesses virtue. Acting benevolently in this manner is merely seeking fame and reputation, and is even more detestable," Mr. Xie replied.
"But... protecting the prosperity of one's family and the people of a region is already remarkable, isn't it?" Yu Mingyue felt conflicted.
Had Xie Jiayan gained the trust of the sage earlier than in the storybooks, and would those events also happen sooner?
"Since it is due to power struggles, it is evident that he is not innocent. He is not protecting the people of a region, but rather the honor and status of his family."
"Then how can conflict be avoided?" Yu Mingyue looked at Mr. Xie with a tense expression.
"..."
Mr. Xie appeared somewhat troubled, but he had to admit that this question was far beyond the scope of their lessons.
Although he was a teacher sent by the Cui family, he was not like Madam Hua Rui, who had to dedicate her life to the Cui clan. He was a free man.
He shared the same ancestral lineage as Xie Jiayan's father, both hailing from a prominent family in Hedong. However, the Xie family had been massacred by the imperial court during the previous dynasty, leading to their decline.
It was only after the founding of the Great Wei that the younger generation of the clan gradually emerged. He and Xie Yuanlang were known as the Two Heroes of Hedong.
Because he owed Cui Jiulang a favor, he agreed to teach at the Cui family school for one year.
He had only been teaching at the Cui family school for three months when his cousin invited him to the capital.
Coincidentally, the Cui clan had written to request a teacher to instruct Yu Mingyue. With both situations aligning, he transitioned from teaching Cui family disciples to teaching Yu Mingyue, achieving two goals at once.
"Please teach me, sir!" Yu Mingyue looked earnestly at Mr. Xie, genuinely seeking his guidance.
After teaching Yu Mingyue for some time, Mr. Xie discovered that this young lady possessed exceptional talent and a far greater understanding than her peers. Yet, even so, she was still just a child.
However, her current question had stumped him, as it was not something that could be explained in a single sentence.
The good and evil she spoke of were the great good and great evil of the human world, and the power struggles she mentioned had led to centuries of war in the Central Plains.
It was difficult for someone of her age to comprehend, let alone for anyone in the world today to find a solution.
"I cannot give you an answer to this question," Mr. Xie shook his head. "Because many people are searching for the answer, and I hope to witness that day in my lifetime."
For centuries, no one had been able to find a balanced solution.
"It will be possible," Yu Mingyue's eyes shone with an undeniable conviction.
"Very well!" Mr. Xie nodded. "Our lesson ends here for today. Remember to review what we've learned, and tomorrow we will continue with Mencius."
"Thank you, sir. Goodbye, sir!" Yu Mingyue bowed to Mr. Xie, and only then was the lesson officially over.
As soon as Mr. Xie left, Chi Hua rushed in impatiently, "Miss, something has happened."