Chapter 12: The Man from Xianyang

  Yao Guang slightly raised an eyebrow and returned the courtesy with a bow.

  "He was originally a Confucian."

  Although the Confucian and Taoist schools are not mutually exclusive, their relationship has never been particularly good. Even after a long period of mutual influence, there are still significant differences in their main tenets. As a Taoist disciple, Yao Guang does not have a very favorable impression of Confucianism, and by comparison, she is more sympathetic to the Legalist school's ideas on governance.

  Naturally, at Yao Guang's age, it is still difficult to form her own philosophical views. Many of her ideas are directly inherited from Master Yu Rui. What Master Yu Rui agrees with, she will agree with more, and what Master Yu Rui opposes, she will also oppose. As for the reasons behind them, she may not necessarily understand them all clearly. This attitude of being dissatisfied with Confucianism and only agreeing with it four out of six points is inherited from Master Yu Rui, while her fondness for Legalism is Yao Guang's own proposition, which sets her apart from Master Yu Rui on this point.

  The Confucian school has always advocated for benevolence and righteousness. Yao Guang didn't immediately put the person secretly following her into the role of "plotting something sinister". She thought for a moment, then asked: "Mr. Zhang, are you worried that it's not suitable for Yao Guang to travel alone?"

  Zhang Liang smiled and nodded, "Yes." He sighed with a hint of self-deprecation, "Unfortunately, Zi Fang's abilities are still shallow, it seems that he has instead caused Yao Guang Daozhang to worry even more."

  It has nothing to do with your shallow learning, it's all because that sword betrayed you.

  Yao Guang was thinking this way when he suddenly felt something wasn't quite right.

  The young man opposite claimed to be Confucian Zhang Liang, also known as "Zi Fang". Following the Qin custom, he should be of the Zhang clan, with the given name Liang and courtesy name Zi Fang.

  During the Qin Dynasty, "Zhang Zifang" she seemed to know, and was also very familiar with - that was the person she had always revered as a predecessor of Taoism!

  But this "Zhang Zifang" actually claims to be a "Confucian"?!

  Confucianism?!

  The revered and worshiped predecessor suddenly turned into a Confucian who was not very pleasing to the eye, what kind of magic is this? This is as absurd as Master Lu Chunyang, the founder of the Shan Shi Dao sect, suddenly saying he wants to become a monk!

  Yao Guang's face immediately fell.

  "Are you really Zhang Zifang? The former Prince of Han, Zhang Zifang?"

  Zhang Liang's identity was not widely known, but it wasn't a secret either. Many of the various schools and families knew about his background, so he didn't feel any embarrassment at being exposed. On the contrary, he felt a sense of unease due to Yao Guang's unusual expression.

  Zhang Liang blinked, "Exactly below." After a brief pause, he furrowed his brow and asked in feigned puzzlement, "Could it be that Master Yao Guang still knows another 'Zhang Zifu'?"

  Yao Guang certainly didn't know any other "Zhang Zifang", she only knew that there was a wise strategist Zhang Liang, also known as Zhang Zifang, during the late Qin and early Han dynasties, and had always admired him greatly.

  The problem is that she never thought Zhang Liang would be a Confucian!

  Yao Guang received such an answer from Zhang Liang, the last trace of luck in her heart completely disappeared. Thinking that she had taken a person from a rival school (Confucianism) as her idol for many years, her emotions were truly indescribable.

  No matter how mature Yao Guang looks, she is actually only fourteen years old and a few months older. Although she has experienced more ups and downs than her peers and has been on the verge of life and death, her short fourteen-year life is still mostly happy and smooth. Moreover, as the "little sister" in the family, she has always been spoiled by her parents, uncles, aunts, brothers, and sisters. No matter how mature she is, there are limits to it, and she can't help but retain some innocence and pamperedness. Usually, she does well in cultivating her mind and nature, but when something really touches her heart, she immediately reveals her true self.

  Unfortunately, it was exactly what touched her heart at this moment.

  It's precisely because of Yao Guangsu's daily admiration for "Taoist predecessor Zhang Liang" that seeing "Confucian Zhang Liang" now would make him even more emotionally unsettled.

  Yao Guang stared at the young man in front of her for a while, and as she looked, her brow furrowed, and she coldly threw out a sentence.

  "I don't know."

  Yao Guang finished speaking in one sentence and turned around to leave without giving face, as if there was no one behind him.

  Zhang Liang was stunned.

  Born of noble descent, Han Xiang's early life was one of affluence. After the fall of his country, he devoted himself to Confucianism and came into contact with people from higher social strata.

  The common trait of the upper class is that no matter what they think in their hearts, at least on the surface they will be harmonious. Moreover, Zhang Liang himself has a handsome appearance, excellent temperament, extensive knowledge and interesting conversation. When he wants to get along with people, he usually succeeds, in other words, he has never been rejected like this before...

  Zhang Liang was very perplexed, really very perplexed.

  According to what he had heard about Yao Guang in the Imperial City, plus the battle he had witnessed with his own eyes, he had already formed an impression of "early wisdom and cleverness, calm and firm" for "Yao Guang", which could be said to be a very good impression. So, when Zhang Liang found out that Yao Guang was leaving the city alone, he quietly followed her, on the one hand because he was curious about her plans, and on the other hand because he was worried about her safety, wanting to find an opportunity to get to know her better.

  Yao Guang was not angry even if she was suspected and placed under house arrest in the Imperial City, showing that she was reasonable and open-minded, and not a narrow-minded person.

  Then why did she turn around and leave as soon as she heard her own name?

  Zhang Liang couldn't help but touch his own face, and involuntarily suspected that he had been disfigured without knowing it...

  Yao Guang didn't have the mood to care about the person she had just slapped in the face, and stormed off.

  Confucian Zhang Liang, Confucian Zhang Liang, Confucian, Zhang Liang.

  Hmph.

  These four words put together are really ugly to look at and unpleasant to hear.

  Before long, someone caught up from behind.

  It was probably because he had already been exposed by her that the man didn't bother to hide his intentions anymore, and directly walked up to her side.

  "Yao Guang Daozhang, I don't know where I went wrong, but it seems that my words and actions have caused you displeasure. Could you please enlighten me?"

  Yao Guang indifferently glanced at the young man beside her, she had already endured it, but that anger and resentment stuck in her heart was really unbearable, plus the other party took the initiative to ask, Yao Guang never liked to make herself uncomfortable, so she answered very honestly: "Nothing, I heard that Zhang Zifang is a Confucian scholar, I feel very uncomfortable."

  If this era had those emoticon texts thousands of years ago, Zhang Liang would have definitely wanted to type out "QAQ?!" at that instant.

  Is this still "nothing"? Where is the "nothing"?! This has already risen to dissatisfaction with the master's teachings, okay?! This can't be changed at all, it's not like saying something wrong and being able to make amends...

  Zhang Liang had to probe and ask: "Does Master Yao Guang have some views on Confucianism?"

  Yao Guang shook her head.

  "No particular opinion, just don't like the look of it."

  Zhang Liang's mouth twitched slightly.

  Is this "no comment"? Obviously there are a lot of comments, and it's better to omit one or two sentences.

  He probably... needs to revise his evaluation of Yao Guang.

  Speaking like this in front of the three masters of Confucianism, is it considered honest and bold, or...

  After walking in silence for a while, Yao Guang suddenly stopped.

  "Mr. Zhang, if there's something important, please feel free to attend to it. Yao Guang asks himself and is still able to take care of himself, and doesn't dare delay Mr. Zhang."

  Zhang Liang was still thinking about other things and it took him a while to react that Yao Guang was talking to him, and this time he spoke quite friendly, even polite and considerate. He came back to his senses and immediately smiled and shook his head.

  "There is nothing important on her mind."

  Yao Guang glanced at Zhang Liang and said, "I don't believe it."

  Zhang Liang was choked by this sentence for a moment.

  Even if you don't believe it, don't say it so directly...

  What happened to your previous kindness and thoughtfulness?

  Yao Guang continued calmly, "Mr. Zhang has traveled thousands of miles to come here, and it's unlikely that he just wants to see justice done. The Confucian and Mohist schools have always been at odds, and Mr. Zhang must be carrying a heavy burden on this trip. If the goal is achieved, why not return to the Confucian school earlier? Delaying on the road will not cause trouble?"

  Yao Guang didn't think of hiding anything and just said whatever came to mind. Since she was always clever, this guess of hers was already 80 or 90% accurate.

  Zhang Liang was slightly surprised by the words, and then thought back to Yao Guang's previous words and deeds, as if he had gained some insight. He smiled lightly and replied: "Zi Fang indeed has a plan, but it is not yet time for urgency."

  Is this saying you want to follow along together?

  Well, anyway, it seems like his martial arts skills won't be too bad.

  Yao Guang blinked her eyes and continued walking forward, saying casually: "You don't have any criminal record on you, do you? Don't implicate me."

  Zhang Liang's mouth twitched slightly.

  This is really straightforward...

  If he didn't look at himself with particular dislike, he probably understood a bit - Yao Guang is roughly "doing what one wants, being true to oneself", so whatever he thinks, he does, and whatever he thinks, he says. This kind of "truth" doesn't change because of the other person's identity, it's precisely because they're all "true words" that it sounds especially awkward to respond to.

  "Jade light worries about the long road."

  Yao Guang glanced at the young man beside him.

  "For someone who has rushed to help from a thousand miles away but hasn't even drawn his sword, I have to think carefully."

  You came all the way here, but didn't lift a finger. What's the point of that? Are you just trying to show off your presence? You clearly arrived early, but kept "observing from the sidelines". I'm afraid you're plotting something big. How can we not be vigilant around people like this?

  Zhang Liang was barely getting used to Yao Guang's way of speaking, he smiled and didn't respond.

  It's clear that neither of them is foolish, so there's no need to mention the obvious excuses. The truth doesn't want to be said, and silence is the best answer.

  Yao Guang didn't intentionally pick on him, so after Zhang Liang fell silent, she also stopped talking, treating the person beside her as a puppet.

  In fact, Zhang Liang's evaluation of Yao Guang is not entirely incorrect, but it's also not entirely correct. At least when facing the leaders of the Mohist school, Yao Guang didn't have a "true" attitude to this extent. Her current attitude has three or four parts mixed with resentment. Moreover, unlike when she first arrived at the Organ City, Yao Guang was confused and ignorant of her situation and surroundings. Now she has some confidence, knowing that Zhang Liang is neither friend nor foe, so she doesn't need to be overly cautious, and she has gained a bit more freedom from worry.

  To put it another way, Yao Guang's attitude towards Zhang Liang is: if you don't obey, come and bite me.

  The two of them continued on in eerie silence, before they knew it, they had arrived near the town.

  Along the way, Zhang Liang wasn't without thinking of easing this awkward atmosphere, but no matter what he said, he could only get the following few responses: a cold glance, not even looking at him, or although speaking to him yet making it impossible for him to continue...

  Zhang Liang couldn't help but wonder how that group of Mohists managed to communicate with this Daoist genius.

  Soon, Zhang Liang was no longer entangled in this confusion, because more shocking and confusing things happened.

  Two men were waiting to enter the city when a cavalry unit suddenly rushed out of the city, led by General Meng Tian.

  General Meng Tian dismounted first, and the cavalry quickly followed suit, kneeling by the roadside. Meng Tian walked up to Yao Guang's front and knelt down respectfully, holding a sacred decree in both hands.

  "The Emperor's decree is hereby conveyed: respectfully inviting the True Man of Jade Radiance to return to court!"