Chapter 1193 – Attack on Xu Pei, Initial Strike by the Lords (Sixty-Three)
Han Yu didn’t answer directly; instead, he said, “One who hears the Way in the morning can die by evening.”
Xie Ze asked, “So what is the ‘Way’ of the military adviser? Is it the Lord?”
Han Yu smiled slightly, aware that Xie Ze felt uneasy, as if he had asked a foolish question.
Instead of answering, Han Yu posed a question, “Does Xie Xiaowei know about my younger years?”
Xie Ze paused, responding honestly, “I know a little…”
Han Yu’s previously aloof expression softened, making his already striking features even more radiant.
His looks were exceptionally good, and many who were jealous of him had whispered behind his back that Xu Pei favored Han Yu purely because of his good looks. Some shameless individuals even maliciously speculated about the nature of Han Yu and Xu Pei’s relationship, questioning if it was as simple as it appeared, adding a hint of scandal that oddly reached Xu Pei’s wife.
That was because Xu Pei’s wife and Xie Ze’s wife were sisters, and Xie Ze had vaguely heard his wife mention it.
When Xie Ze first met Han Yu, he too was captivated by his appearance.
It seemed the rumors weren’t entirely unfounded; at least Han Yu’s face was genuinely good-looking, explaining the envy aimed at him.
Not noticing Xie Ze’s internal thoughts, Han Yu continued, “In my youth, my family was entangled in a baseless scandal. If not for my benefactor’s intervention, it is likely the entire family would have perished. Although we managed to escape by a stroke of luck, our family gradually declined, falling from glory. People are often sycophantic, favoring the powerful and stepping on the weak. Those who rely on their backgrounds commonly despise the law. The world is chaotic, and justice is obscured. I often question whether my actions are truly correct…”
Perhaps everyone has a moment of confusion in their lives, and Han Yu was no exception to this.
With a heavy heart and countless thoughts, he finally sought guidance from his mentor, Mr. Yuanjing.
“The sage once said, ‘One who hears the Way in the morning can die by evening—so does Wenbin have his own Way?” Mr. Yuanjing said, “Zixiao’s Way is to cleanse the world and rectify chaos; Yumo’s Way is to follow the mandate of heaven and uphold the legitimate; Shaoyin’s Way is for the world to unite, valuing all equally. Once one has their own ‘Way,’ they come to understand their purpose in life and know how to proceed and act—”
Han Yu asked a daring question, “What is the ‘Way’ of the master?”
“Peach and plum blossoms throughout the world,” Mr. Yuanjing chuckled.
Han Yu remarked, “Master is already complete.”
Mr. Yuanjing shook his head, saying, “No, far from complete. The sage Confucius valued teaching by example, with three thousand disciples, yet only seventy-two were truly wise. This achievement is something most people can’t ever reach, but does Wenbin truly think Confucius was complete?”
Han Yu was puzzled, gazing at his teacher, awaiting enlightenment.
Mr. Yuanjing embraced the strengths of various schools, never favoring one over the other. He respected Confucius but was not blind to shortcomings.
Han Yu had the fortune of hearing his teacher critique Confucius.
Mr. Yuanjing chuckled bitterly, “Three thousand disciples, but how many living souls are there in the world? Millions or tens of millions? Against such a vast number, three thousand appear as a mere drop in the ocean, let alone that only seventy-two are truly wise. Confucius wandered the states in his early years, meeting with failures before he was able to settle down to teach. He did well, but not well enough. My life’s ‘Way’ is ‘peach and plum blossoms throughout the world,’ teaching not just three thousand students, but thirty thousand, three hundred thousand, or even thirty million… but currently, I only have one disciple, and now it seems I’m far from comparing to Confucius.”
He had grand ambitions, yet reality was harsh. While Mr. Yuanjing could produce elite students, the sense of achievement was far less compared to enlightening the masses. His energy was limited, but he could pass on his “Way.”
Perhaps generations later, more common people would awaken to wisdom following his “Way.”
After hearing this, Han Yu was left in shock.
Mr. Yuanjing said, “Your ‘Way’ is what you are willing to bet your entire life on, something that makes your life feel fragile in comparison.”
Under the guidance of his mentor, Han Yu felt the thick fog veiling his eyes slowly dissipating, revealing the path beneath his feet.
This thorny path stretched into the distance, and he had no idea where it led.
Snapped from his reverie, Han Yu calmly stated, “My ‘Way’ is ‘Law.'”
Xie Ze was momentarily stunned, seemingly not expecting such an answer.
“Law?”
Han Yu nodded, affirming, “Yes, it is ‘Law’! Fair and just laws! One that does not favor the powerful nor dismiss the powerless. Before the ‘Law,’ all are equal. It is ‘The law does not appease the rich, and the rope does not flex for the bent,’ and ‘Penalties do not avoid ministers, and rewards do not neglect the common man.’ Treachery has no hiding place; all evils, injustices, and filth cannot escape. Only in a world where ‘Law’ prevails can the common people live in peace and not worry about foolish rulers, treacherous ministers, or oppressive officials—this is my ‘Way’!”
No favoritism, no distinctions between rich and poor.
Hearing Han Yu’s words, Xie Ze felt a swirl of emotions.
Han Yu’s pursuit of “Law” and “Justice” essentially stemmed from his desire to use “Law” to bring peace to the world.
Could Xu Pei bear such a heavy ideal and burden?
Xie Ze knew without overthinking that Xu Pei could not shoulder it.
So, this scumbag was bound to disappoint Han Yu.
If Xu Pei fell short, Han Yu would pursue a worthy ruler capable of bearing such heavy hopes—
Xie Ze felt a twinge of sadness for his Lord, lamenting his lack of ambition!
If Han Yu’s ambition was this, then Xu Pei’s previous actions must have tripped over many landmines!
Even if Xu Pei didn’t kneel in Shanweng City, one day he would drift further from Han Yu.
Different paths lead to no collaboration.
Xie Ze looked at Han Yu, seeking answers with his gaze.
“It seems our Lord’s actions greatly differ from the military adviser’s ‘Way’—”
Putting aside everything else, Xu Pei’s completely different attitudes toward commoners and nobility had trampled on Han Yu’s “Way.”
Han Yu smirked slightly but remained silent.
“What use is there in discussing this now? Resolving the dilemma is what matters—”
Even if the “Ways” differ, Han Yu would not easily abandon his chosen Lord.
Sigh, when he first met Xu Pei, this man was not like that; he was the bright lord Han Yu had instantly approved of.
Perhaps it was the oppressive atmosphere, but Xie Ze’s brain snapped, and he couldn’t help but ask Han Yu.
“Military adviser, do you think Liu Xi will be someone who practices the master’s ‘Way’?”
If Liu Xi was, after the city fell, Han Yu would most likely yield to her.
If not—
Given Liu Xi’s temper, she would hardly offer the military adviser a choice of retreat.
It would be either death or submission.
No third option.
Han Yu sighed and said, “I don’t know.”
But internally, he thought—
Anyone able to win Wei Ci’s complete loyalty must have extraordinary qualities.
