Peace Order

Chapter 1671 - 48: Like a Tiger Devouring Wan Li!

Then he returned, picked up the item and ate, his eyebrows relaxing. He ate in a manner that adhered to etiquette, yet was exceedingly fast, showing that he was truly hungry. Nan Hanwen sighed and felt compassionate, saying:

"Shopkeeper, please bring another bowl of vermicelli soup and a pancake."

Qu Hanxiu extended his finger: "Three pancakes, three."

Nan Hanwen looked at him.

Qu Hanxiu chuckled and said: "Three gives birth to all things; the number three is auspicious."

Nan Hanwen, helpless, could only reply to the shopkeeper: "Make it three then."

"Yes, just a moment please."

The shopkeeper turned to prepare, and as a child left nearby, Qu Hanxiu stood and slightly bowed to send them off, appearing quite polite and adhering to etiquette. Others mocked this old man, but he cared not about these gazes.

In this aspect, it seems he is not particularly concerned with reputation.

Nan Hanwen said: "Mr. Qu really is... different."

Qu Hanxiu meticulously seated himself and said: "According to Tao, there’s a precedence; in the profession, there’s an original point of attack. Whatever knowledge is gained from others, it should be in line with the etiquette towards teachers."

"This is also [rite]."

Nan Hanwen asked: "Even if it’s just a child?"

Qu Hanxiu, surprised, replied: "Do you think you are more talented and knowledgeable than everyone younger than you?"

Nan Hanwen didn’t know how to answer, and Qu Hanxiu looked around, saying: "In the city where Prince Qin resides, the citizens have a different aura, this aura makes one feel comfortable here."

Nan Hanwen said: "What?"

Qu Hanxiu quickly devoured a pancake.

Then said: "This bowl of steaming vermicelli soup, this freshly baked pancake, counts as one. In other places, surely there are people who can easily afford such things too, but their brows are furrowed, even children are like that."

"They certainly don’t have the natural liveliness in the expressions seen among the citizens in Prince Qin’s realm."

"It’s as if there is always a mountain pressing down on their foreheads and shoulders."

Qu Hanxiu was silent for a moment, then actively spoke: "In fact, when General Yue dispatched troops, many Ministry of Rites officials protested and condemned it, believing as long as there’s no war between the four directions, the world would be peaceful."

"However, that is merely a scholar’s perception."

"Actually, warfare signifies the hidden undercurrents of the world, powerful and uncontrollable, has come to a point where nobility can no longer suppress it. It is only at such a time that dispatching troops follows the people’s will."

"So, I stopped them."

"Continued promoting Prince Qin’s coming-of-age ceremonies."

Nan Hanwen seemed to see this old man anew; this dogmatic, cunning, fame-seeking old man, meticulously holding a bowl of vermicelli soup, said: "Previously, I was shocked for days and sleepless by Prince Qin’s three arrows, that phrase..."

"[Call to the world to die], I couldn’t sleep for days."

"Do you think I was fearful?"

Nan Hanwen slowly nodded, said: "A little."

Qu Hanxiu said: "Rite is the standard that constrains the world, the foundation of the era. To call the world to die is to destroy such foundation and standard. But, Nan Hanwen..."

This old man who has lived through eighty years of turbulent times used a painful gaze to look at Nan Hanwen, said: "Even a decayed order is still an order, it surpasses a completely chaotic world without rites, justice, integrity, or moral standards."

"If it’s simply urging the world to die, by a martial figure’s bravado, breaking the original order and rite of the world into pieces, it would only lead this era into greater chaos, unless..."

Qu Hanxiu’s voice was firm: "Rebuild a new order."

"Establish new [rite] and moral standards anew."

"With rite to regulate, with law to bind, only then can the world be reborn."

"That is truly letting the old world perish."

"Previously, I didn’t trust him, now I believe."

The disdainful feelings inside Nan Hanwen slowly dissipated, watching the rigid old man before him, a faint tremor in his eyes, perhaps being a scholar in such a time when rites collapse and music is in disarray truly represents something.

He said: "Because of Prince Qin’s grandeur?"

Qu Hanxiu replied: "No."

"Because of the young gentleman I just acknowledged."

Nan Hanwen was puzzled, Qu Hanxiu, this dogmatic, fame-seeking scholar, lowered his gaze, looking at the steaming pancake, a complete pancake, clean, tidy, with a meaty aroma.

He smiled:

"A child, with the mind and time to contemplate the simplicity of food, how it should be eaten, and joyously so, this is the visage a peaceful golden age should have."

"In this child, I glimpsed the [rite] that Prince Qin is about to establish."

Nan Hanwen’s face showed emotion.

Qu Hanxiu paused, suddenly realizing something, his eyes slightly widened, said: "You wouldn’t truly think I’m just an old antique who adheres strictly to rite and disciples to any child who teaches me whatever, do you?"

Nan Hanwen shifted his gaze and calmly replied: "Of course not."

"Mr. Qu, De Gao is towering, with talent beyond heaven, how could I disdain you?"

Qu Hanxiu was irritated and wanted to smear the pancake in his hand onto this old rascal’s face, yet unwilling to ruin the well-filled pancake, ultimately just said: "Enough!"

"Obviously during this time, I have gradually glimpsed new possibilities for the world; otherwise, why would I eagerly borrow money to participate in Prince Qin’s coming-of-age ceremonies? And remain here all this time?"