Chapter 424: Chapter 381, The Mo School, The Conflict Between the Yin Yang School
Bai Jin, the Vice Sect Leader of the Confucian School and the Vice Family Master of the Legalist School, kept running back and forth between his Masters. Today he would advise one to establish an academy, and tomorrow another to establish a court.
Seeing his Master idle, he found tasks for him, having Kong Qiu compile teaching materials.
When seeing his Eldest Uncle with a bit of free time, he also found tasks for him, having Guan Zhong draft laws.
Once everything was on the right track, the Confucian and Legalist schools showed extraordinary vitality, and in one leap became the leaders among the Hundred Schools, overshadowing the brilliance of many other philosophies.
...
Within a grand city, men in black robes and carrying swords walked about.
In the City Lord Mansion at the city’s center, a graceful and elegant middle-aged man sat in the seat of honor, with over ten people sitting on both his left and right.
An old man to the right frowned and said, "Mozi, the Yin Yang School has suddenly attacked us, capturing a city protected by our Mo School."
A strapping man angrily shouted, "Mozi, we must retaliate in kind, I propose we immediately drive the Mechanical City and suppress the Yin Yang School."
Seated in the place of honor, Mo Di calmly said, "Our Mo School is not afraid of the Yin Yang School, but we can’t just fight recklessly and lose our strategic advantage."
A young swordsman unwillingly said, "Mozi, are we to just endure this?"
Mo Di thought for a moment, then said with a smile, "Of course not, I already have a plan."
"Please enlighten us, Mozi!"
"The Yin Yang School was established by Zou Yan of Qi State, and now in Qi State, the Legalist School is on the rise, governing by law.
With just a slight manipulation on our part, we can engender a conflict between the Yin Yang School and the Legalist School. Then, will there still be a place for the Yin Yang School in Qi State?"
The people sitting below all brightened up; what Mozi said made perfect sense! The ideologies of the Legalist and Yin Yang Schools were indeed in conflict.
Unable to contain himself, the strapping man excitedly asked, "Mozi, how should we manipulate the situation? Should I go and kill some Legalist Disciples and blame it on the Yin Yang School?"
Mo Di frowned and said, "Rein in your bloodthirstiness. We only need to collect evidence of the Yin Yang School’s law-breaking and hand it over to the Legalists; no further action is required."
The strapping man quickly responded, "Understood!"
The old man expressed his doubts, saying, "Wouldn’t such a scheme by Mozi be too conspicuous, and wouldn’t the Legalists simply see through it?"
Others also looked towards Mozi, thinking that with the insight of the Legalist Guan Zhong, such a crude tactic would surely be seen through at a glance.
Mozi looked around at everyone, "As long as we have concrete evidence of the Yin Yang School’s lawlessness, the Legalists, in their enforcement of the law, must act against them.
If the Legalists back down from the Yin Yang School, the law would no longer be seen as stringent, leaving a loophole in Guan Zhong’s Legalism. So, even if the Legalists see through our strategy, it does not matter. This is not about subterfuge."
Everyone rose to their feet and, bending at the waist, joyfully said, "Brilliant view, Mozi!"
"Go prepare!"
"Understood!" Everyone turned and quickly left the hall.
Mo Di stood up from his seat, hands clasped behind his back, gazing northward: into the water, one becomes a kun; flying in the sky, a peng; from shadow into light, transformations endless, Zou Yan, if you are the kun, then law is the fishing net; if you are the peng, then law is the bird net—no matter what, you cannot escape the Legalists’ entrapment. The vengeance for my friend’s death, inflicted in the past, shall now be settled together.
The Mo School moved quickly, stirring up conflicts between the Yin Yang School and the Legalists. Harnessing the full power of Qi State, Guan Zhong suppressed the Yin Yang School.
Zou Yan made a decisive choice, abandoning his base in Qi State and fleeing to Qin State, thus evading the fate of being wiped out by the Legalists.
Afterward, the Mo School and the Yin Yang School constantly plotted and schemed against each other tirelessly, and the other Hundred Schools also presented smiling faces while brandishing knives behind their backs, creating an outwardly harmonious and joyous atmosphere.
...
Outside the national capital of Chen Country, in a tranquil spot, there was a fenced-in small courtyard; within it, Li Er was reading books, and Tu Shan Xiyu was watering the vegetables in the garden, both serene and natural.
Bai Jin stood outside the fence of the small courtyard and called out, "Eldest Uncle, your disciple has come to see you."
In the courtyard, Li Er set down the book and looked up, saying, "Come in!"
Tu Shan Xiyu also walked out from the vegetable garden, flicked the water droplets from her hands, and said with a smile, "Bai Jin is here! Come in quickly."
Bai Jin pushed open the wooden gate and walked into the small fenced yard, smiling as he said, "Master, you seem to be at ease."
Li Er waved his hand and said, "Come and sit."
Bai Jin went over and sat down on the simple wooden chair next to Li Er.
Li Er said with a smile, "I hear you’ve become the Vice Sect Leader of the Confucian School and the Vice Family Master of the Legalist family."
"Disciple had no choice! The Legalists and Confucians were fighting too fiercely, I could only try my best to mediate between them, but unexpectedly I carelessly ended up as the Vice Family Master of both schools."
Li Er praised, "You did very well, with the Confucian Academy enlightening minds and the Legalist Court meting punishment, one internal and one external, this is the method of great governance."
"Master flatters me, I just put forward an idea, it was Master and Second Master who worked hard to perfect it, in fact, my contribution was limited."
"The beginnings of all things are difficult," Li Er observed Bai Jin and said with a smile, "Why not also become the Vice Family Master of our Taoist family? While at it, give me an idea for perfecting our Taoist school."
"Cough cough~ Master, you’re putting me in a tough spot! Under Master’s leadership, the Taoist school is flourishing, what good ideas could I possibly have."
"Don’t make excuses, just speak your mind~"
Bai Jin pondered for a moment and said, "Disciple feels that the Taoist school is different from other schools of thought, the Taoists should stay away from court, establish Taoist Temples to worship The Three Pure Ones as well as all gods, those who practice within should be called Taoists, the Taoists should universally save the populace and cultivate themselves."
Li Er remained calm, it was clear that these ideas were only satisfactory.
"Master, Disciple thinks that the future of the Taoist school lies in faith, by spreading faith through Taoist Temples, hence, a completely new system and rules need to be established. On this point, the Taoist school can fully cooperate with the Heavenly Court."
Li Er showed a hint of a smile and said, "Very good! I’ve taken in a disciple named Xin Wenzi, go help me train him. You’ll be the temple master of the first Taoist Temple!"
Bai Jin said in surprise, "Master, you want me to be the temple master?"
"What? You’re not willing?"
"Disciple is afraid of letting down Master’s high expectations."
"There are no high expectations; just don’t mess up the Taoist school."
Bai Jin was speechless, Master, your words are really hurtful.
"Yes! Disciple will go to find Xin Wenzi right away."
"Taoist Temples are places of religion, and you need to establish various rules. Think it through yourself, do not bother me with it."
Bai Jin helplessly said, "Yes! Disciple understands." You just want to be lazy, Disciple gets it.
Tu Shan Xiyu came out from the kitchen, smiling and saying, "Li Er, it’s time to eat."
Li Er got up chuckling and said, "Come, taste Xiyu’s cooking skills."
Bai Jin praised, "Auntie’s cooking skills are naturally excellent."
Shaking his head in admiration, he said, "I really envy Master for finding such a virtuous wife like Auntie!"
Tu Shan Xiyu, smiling, said, "Among our people, there are also some outstanding younger females who are not yet married. If Bai Jin is interested, I could introduce you to some."
Bai Jin’s eyes lit up.
Li Er waved his hand and said, "Don’t worry yourself over nothing. All marriages under heaven are under Yue Lao’s control; without Yue Lao’s permission, no matter what you do, it will be in vain. When fate arrives, things will naturally fall into place."
Tu Shan Xiyu wrinkled her nose and huffed, saying, "As if you know so much."
The three of them ate lunch amidst laughter and chatter. Afterwards, Bai Jin bid farewell and left.