Chapter 220: Benevolence is human

Xue Ou brought Liu Kan something that was not good but not too bad: Tian Du, dead!

Liu Kan's sudden attack on Tian Du was tantamount to a huge blow. At that time, Tian Du mistakenly thought that Pingyang City was broken, so he was confused. He even had no intention of resisting and escaped from Tian Du with more than a dozen confidants. At that time, although the East City Gate was broken, Pingyang soldiers were still entangled with the Qin army under the command of Li Zuoche. If Tian Du could organize an attack at this time, it might be able to drive the Qin army out of the city temporarily. After all, Pingyang's city gate was so large that it would be difficult for the Qin army to fully unfold.

However, Tian Du was scared out of his courage.

After the Qin army broke through the city, it was naturally necessary to chase and kill the soldiers of Pingyang. To be honest, Tian Du died unfairly. He did not confront the Qin army face to face, but was shot by a wandering arrow and died on the side of the road. After the Qin army controlled the situation in Pingyang, Xue Ou was ordered by Liu Kan to escort the rich people in Pingyang to come forward to appease him. Unexpectedly, he accidentally found Tian Du's body.

"Behead Tian Du, show his head to the public, send someone to take care of his family, and wait for the imperial court to fall."

Liu Kan issued an order expressionlessly.

In such an era where human life is like grass, he could imagine what a cruel fate that would be placed in front of Tian Du's family. But he had no choice... It was like a gamble. If Tian Du won, the chickens and dogs would rise to heaven. But now he lost and died! Then the sins he committed must be borne by his family. No one can change this.

The three tribes of Yi should be the most normal result.

Liu Kan was powerless to change and didn't want to try to change.

What he has to consider now is how to find a way out for the people of Pingyang.

At noon, the governor of Xue County, Wang Ke, led his troops to Pingyang.

Moreover, the troops scattered in Xue County were also continuously moving towards Pingyang.

"The Sishui County, Langya County, and Donghai County have all received news. The Zhuang County Magistrate and Sima County Magistrate each sent 2,000 troops into Xue County and stationed in Huling, Teng County and Nancheng Township. The southern part of Xue County is very quiet and no abnormal signs are found at present.

Langya and Jiaodong counties also secretly sent troops to Linzi.

I guess there will be good news in the past two days... Before I set off, I also received news that Feng Jing, the right supervisor of the Tingwei, attacked the rebel Chai Sui successfully in Lu County, and the left supervisor Li Chengsima pretended to open the Yingyi city gate. Chai Sui and Tian An died on the spot. The county magistrate Boyang was also taken into custody, waiting for the Tingwei to fall. At present, Feng Du Wei and Li Sima have united their troops and moved towards Yuling."

Wang Ke is over 40 years old and has a fair face and is handsome.

But his eyes were a little cold and his lips were thin, giving people a sense of meanness and mercy, which made Liu Kan not want to get too close.

However, Liu Kan really wants to be grateful to Wang Ke.

If it weren't for Wang Ke's cooperation, Pingyang might be really a trouble. Although people are a little indifferent, they are meticulous in doing things.

Liu Kan discovered that Wang Ke didn't seem to want to stay in Pingyang for too long.

After informing the situation, Wang Ke took out the tiger talisman and handed over all Pingyang's army to Liu Kan. Then, he had to go back to Lu County immediately on the pretext of being busy with official duties and said goodbye that night. Liu Kan felt that Wang Ke appeared in Pingyang this time, as if he was to inform the news, and handed over the army to Liu Kan to control it. The rush of his conduct made Liu Kan inexplicable.

"Mr. Wang is from Xue County!"

Shusun Tong sighed and explained to Liu Kan: "As the head of a county, how can he feel at ease when he has done such a big thing under his rule? Besides, he is also very clear that although Tian Du is dead, the Pingyang affairs are not over. He knows exactly how the people of Pingyang will deal with it. He just doesn't want to face this situation, so he acts indifferent, which seems unreasonable.

Commander, Wang Junzhu is giving you the problem...

You now hold the military power of Xue County and the Chief of the Tingwei, who was appointed by the imperial envoy who was fully responsible for this matter, what will you do?"

Pingyang has really become a hot potato now.

In fact, it is not just Pingyang, Yingyi and Linzi that are also facing the same situation as Pingyang. The three counties together have more than 100,000 lives. Liu Kan also killed many unarmed Huns in Quyan, but he can also comfort himself with the reason that "if not my race, their hearts will be different." But now, these tens of thousands of people are real descendants of Yan and Huang!

"It's really 'prosperity, the people suffer; the people suffer when they die, the people suffer'!"

He couldn't help but sigh in his heart, and Liu Kan thought for a while, "Mr. He, I am going to take your attention and report it to the court. It is recommended that all the people in the three places be moved to Wuyuan County. Maybe there will be deaths, but it is better than all the slaughter. Whether it is Pingyang, Yingyi, or Linzi, they are just a few people who cause trouble. The people are innocent. Since they have already taken down the evil, why do you need to kill too much?"

A strange color flashed in Shusun Tong's eyes, "Prince, you have to think clearly that once this memorial is released, the consequences will be extraordinary."

Liu Kan knew what the "consequence" that Shusun Tong said meant. What a stubborn personality in the First Emperor was, and his killing nature was unparalleled. Other things were easy to say, but they could not tolerate things like treason.

But, you can't watch more than 100,000 people die at your own hands...

It was already dark and the candles in the room were pounding.

Liu Kan walked to the window with his hands, turned his back to Shusun Tong, and said, "Ho Gong, Confucianism often says 'benevolence', so can you tell me what 'benevolence' is?"

The sudden problem made Uncle Sun Tong stunned!

‘Renity’ is the core of Confucianism and the highest moral standard that Confucius regarded.

But what is 'ren'?

But it is not so easy to answer... Perhaps, even if Confucius, who proposed the concept of "benevolence", could not be able to explain it clearly, stand here. The Confucian "benevolence" may be like the Taoist "Tao". It is difficult to explain it clearly, and it is difficult to make a positive boundary.

Confucius said in "The Analects of Confucius-Yan Yuan": Restraining oneself and returning rituals to be benevolence.

In "Duke Ling of Wei", he said: A benevolent man will not seek survival to harm benevolence, and a killer will lead to benevolence...

Even the Taoist Zhuang Zhou came out to join in the fun and gave a unique explanation of "Ren": those who are close but must be broad are also berth.

In short, what is 'benevolence'?

This is the core issue that Confucian disciples have been exploring since Confucius. At this moment, Liu Kan suddenly raised such a question, which made Shusun Tong feel a little confused about how to answer. He lowered his head and pondered for a while, but in the end he could only smile bitterly and shake his head gently.

"The commander, I don't know why he is 'benevolent'."

Liu Kan's back was facing Shusun Tong, and his expression seemed dazed.

"I have some idea, but I don't know if anyone wants to hear it?"

Shusun Tong said seriously: "The sage said: If three people walk, there must be my teacher. Learning is not only of the age, but those who are good at it are the first. You are willing to hear the details of it."

"Ren, that is, people!"

"What?"

Liu Kan turned around, "I also read the articles of the most saints. When a saint was in trouble, rituals and music collapsed and morals were deteriorated... Therefore, the saint talked about etiquette and morality. His lifelong knowledge was passed down, from "Poetry", "Book", "Rites", "Music", and later compiled classics and history and wrote "Spring and Autumn Annals". The purpose was to teach us ignorant boys how to be "people". What is "benevolence"? Since people are "benevolence".

Because the sages enjoyed the way of Yao and Shun, he used the way of Yao and Shun as the basis, and right and wrong were only for 242 years, just to tell us what a person is."

When Shusun Tong heard this, he couldn't help but be stunned.

Liu Kan sat down in front of his uncle Sun Tong and asked again: "Ho Gong, what is the country?"

"Ah, this..."

"The country is human being!"

Liu Kan poured a glass of wine for Shusun Tong, "Ho Gong, if this country is gone, how can it be considered a country? Today, the people are at ease. Although there are turmoil in the three counties of Qi and Lu, they are scammers and chaos. What does it have to do with the people? My future is small, but I cannot ignore tens of thousands of creatures... Water can carry boats, but it can also overturn the boats. If these tens of thousands of creatures make people in the world resent, it will be easier to be used by the little ones. At that time, the war will rekindle and die more than tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands or millions.

Mr. He, I really can't bear this situation. Although I have the pain of moving to the northern border, I can save my life, which is a good thing. If I can really do this, what can I do if I give up my future? Establish a mind for the heaven and earth, establish a life for the people, inherit the unique knowledge for the past sages, and open peace for all generations... Perhaps, the purpose of the most sages spreading poetry, books, rituals and music is this principle."

"Set up your mind for heaven and earth, establish your destiny for the living and the people. Follow your unique knowledge for the past sages, and bring peace to the ages..."

Shusun Tong silently repeated the four words of Liu Kan. After a long time, he stood up and bowed to Liu Kanshen, "Tong thought he had obtained the sage's mantle. Today, he heard the words of the Duwei, and it seemed like he could see the sun before he could see the true meaning of Confucianism... Please accept Shusun Tong's bow."

Liu Kan smiled slightly, got up and walked out of the house.

"I have an appointment with Peng Yue, and there is still something to deal with.

I will report to Xianyang, please give me more care... Oh, I also sent someone to inform Feng Jing and Li Cheng, and ordered them to solve the problem of Tianfu in Linzi as soon as possible, and then stationed in Linzi and Jibei border to wait for the order. It's almost autumn, I really hope to handle the matter here sooner. Calculate the time, I have left Lou Cang for more than a year, and I really miss it."

Shusun Tong nodded and responded.

Speaking of which, Liu Kan can also write this report by himself.

But it’s a pity that his official script is good, but he is not very familiar with Qin Xiaozhuan. He can write it down, but the font cannot be neat and round. Although the First Emperor has recognized the existence of official script, he still requires officials of all sizes to be mainly Qin Xiaozhuan in terms of official documents.

The word is the facade.

Liu Kan knows this truth well.

A good handwriting is like a stepping stone. This is the first time he took the initiative to report to Xianyang, and it is very involved, so he must leave a good impression on the First Emperor. If he is a bad hand, he is afraid that the First Emperor will feel disgusted with him without reading the content of the memorial.

Shusun Tong has extraordinary literary talent and strong writing skills, which can really meet the preferences of Emperor Shi.

Liu Kan handed this matter to Shusun Tong and met Peng Yue again. This time, thanks to Peng Yue's help, he naturally had to thank him.

Although Peng Yue had unexpected conveniences in the attack and capture of the East Gate, the losses were also serious.

More than half of his subordinates who were operating with him were killed or injured. Among them, Lin Su was also killed in the battle at the Dongmen, which made Liu Kan feel very sad.

Lin Su has not followed Liu Kan for a long time, but he is a rare talent.

Liu Kan likes this guy very much, but he is quite concerned about him. The reason is very simple. Lin Su is the leader of the Loufan Cavalry, but at the same time he comes from Meng Tian's tent and is loyal to Meng Tian. With such a person, Liu Kan cannot completely control the three hundred Loufan Cavalry. Moreover, it is always a bit troublesome to keep this person by his side... After all, there are many secrets hidden in Lou Cang.

Lin Su's death is also a relief for Liu Kan.

While sad, I felt an inexplicable joy in my heart. Sometimes, Liu Kan really felt that she was getting closer to the people of this era...

The meeting with Peng Yue went very smoothly.

Liu Kan promised that he would highly recommend Peng Yue in the report. According to Peng Yue's idea, he naturally hoped to seek a job in his hometown.

But Liu Kan felt that this possibility was not great.

There was the Sihong incident a few years ago and the Liangfushan incident today.

Although the time span is very large and the nature of the incident is different, one thing is the same, that is, whether it is Sihong or the Santian incident in Yingyi, Pingyang, all the officials involved are locals. Therefore, Liu Kan feels that the court will likely change the appointment of officials. At least in the past two years, locals are unable to serve in the local area. Peng Yue is not a big problem, but it seems unlikely to take up a position near Juye. Liu Kan did not hide this and explained it clearly to Peng Yue.

Peng Yue was a little regretful, but he did not blame Liu Kan.

The two have not met for four or five years. This time they got together and after the great victory, they naturally had to give some cups and drinks.

It was not until the middle of the night that Peng Yue said goodbye and left.

When he left, Peng Yue ordered people to escort Li Zuoche to Liu Kan.

At this time, Li Zuoche was haggard, with one arm hanging down, obviously broken. His blue shirt was torn, his hair was fluffy, and his face was covered in blood. However, he could not hide his inner heroism. Standing in front of Liu Kan, Li Zuoche was still erecting his chest, not afraid at all.

"If you want to kill and cut, let the horse come over. Li will never ask for mercy from you!"
To be continued...