Chapter Forty-Two: The Debate of Confucianism and Daoism

"My ambition lies in preserving the essence of life in this lifetime!"

Xu You’s body quaked violently. He stared at the azure silk screen, eyes filled with incredulous astonishment. A long moment passed before he finally regained his composure and said, "One who attains true righteousness does not lose the feeling of life! So, Third Lady, you follow the teachings of Master Zhuang..."

This phrase is the essence and foundation of Zhuangzi's philosophy. Simply put, the ultimate truth is to return to one’s true heart and follow the genuine emotions that arise naturally.

Yuan Qingqi laughed and retorted, "What of it? The world is flourishing with metaphysics; if one discusses the profound, how can one not read Zhuangzi?"

"It’s not that one cannot," Xu You replied with a wry smile, "but the Yuan clan of Chen Commandery is the foremost bastion of Confucianism, and I’ve heard that Lord Yuan’s household is governed with great rigor, with the Five Classics and Six Arts held in highest esteem. So it’s a bit… well, a bit strange."

"There is nothing in the Confucian canon that says Zhuangzi cannot be read."

Her tone was light, like a morning breeze brushing over a meadow, casually scattering dew from emerald leaves, refreshing and invigorating to the ear.

Xu You found her argument amusing, never expecting Yuan Qingqi to be so skilled in sophistry. Clearly, she has truly absorbed Zhuangzi’s wisdom. He decided to pay her back in kind: "Some things need not be stated plainly. Mencius and Zhuangzi lived in the same era, one from Lu, one from Song, not far apart. Yet why does Mencius' work never mention Zhuangzi, not even a single word? There’s also no record of them ever meeting. Both were renowned sages who wielded the power of rhetoric in the Warring States, yet they died never having crossed paths. This only points to one thing: they found each other disagreeable. Since you are of Confucian lineage, you should not be reading Zhuangzi."

"Seventh Young Master, your words are mistaken!"

Yuan Qingqi changed her address, from the more distant "Xu Lang" to the closer "Seventh Young Master," and mimicked his tone from earlier: "Mencius strove to serve the world, to correct hearts and suppress heresies, traveling with dozens of carriages and hundreds of followers, seeking sustenance among the princes. Such is the ambition of one who enters the world. Zhuangzi, on the other hand, lived in poverty, weaving shoes and enduring hardship, a recluse who sought inner peace and natural spontaneity. As for the art of debate, perhaps Mencius enjoyed instructing others, but Zhuangzi’s 'On Equalizing Things' makes his position clear: true debate is silent, and in debate, there is no victory!"

Indeed, Zhuangzi was not one to relish debate. When he did, it was only because others provoked him—such as his exchanges with Hui Shi in "Free and Easy Wandering," or with Cao Shang in "Lie Yukou." From this angle, Yuan Qingqi’s rebuttal stands firm.

Xu You suddenly felt as though he were sparring with his girlfriend from a previous life; the only difference being that, back then, it was mere banter, whereas in this era, a dispute between Confucianism and Daoism is a clash of thought and faith, touching politics, military affairs, and the livelihood of the people—not to be taken lightly!

He now understood why Yuan Qingqi had instructed Shui Xi to serve tea; she had intended from the start to engage in a battle of words. Or, as people now like to say, this kind of argument is called "pure conversation."

"Zhuangzi simply dislikes face-to-face debate; that does not mean he truly dislikes debate. Why else would he frequently criticize Confucius’ teachings in his writings, portraying him in all sorts of odd ways?"—splitting Confucius’ character, making him play whatever role Zhuangzi needs. "Sometimes he elevates Confucius to exalt his foresight and correctness; sometimes he relegates him to a secondary position, barely above Lao Dan or Guan Yin, belittling his status and achievements; sometimes, out of compassion, he lets Confucius appear as himself, only to be harshly reprimanded by Lao Dan; and, worse yet, he even mocks Confucianists for robbing graves in the name of poetry and ritual, directing this accusation at none other than Confucius himself!"

Raised in another time and place, Xu You was a typical atheist, with no firm religious convictions. His familiarity with Confucian and Daoist doctrines stemmed from his passion for history. So, despite arguing from a Confucian standpoint against Yuan Qingqi’s Daoism, deep down, he didn’t see the sanctity in such debates. He was merely following the thread of conversation for amusement.

If Yuan Qingqi were to switch sides and become a Confucian devotee, Xu You wouldn’t mind taking up the Daoist banner himself, learning Zhuangzi’s verbal artistry and indulging in a bit of rhetorical flourish.

"Those are Zhuangzi’s double sayings—from the Yellow Emperor, Lao Dan, to Confucius, and even some fictional characters—all are merely instruments for him to satirize the present, to propagate his philosophy and suppress contemporary discourse." Yuan Qingqi chided with a smile, "How did Seventh Young Master’s words turn him into a petty and malicious fellow?"

Xu You could not see her expression at that moment, but his mind conjured the image of a beauty in slight anger, graceful and radiant, making him want to lift the screen and catch a glimpse of this woman whom even the renowned monk Tan Qian could not forget—a lady of dazzling heart and extraordinary talent.

Yet, he did not move an inch.

...

Debates over the differences between Confucianism and Daoism could last three days and nights without conclusion. Fundamentally, Confucianism, guided by the sense of right and wrong, establishes the basic order of the world—benevolence, righteousness, morality—and seeks to expand and cultivate these virtues through heart, knowledge, intention, and nurture, with the ultimate goal that all abide by them.

Daoism, on the other hand, believes that once one develops a sense of right and wrong, one diverges from the Way—abandoning nature for the mind. The more forcefully governance and moral instruction are imposed, the more chaos ensues. Thus, Daoism advocates returning to one’s original nature, letting things follow their course, and realizing the realm of the Way through nature.

One strives to build order for the people, the other urges the people not to let external influences alter their nature. Seemingly irreconcilable, neither can persuade the other!

"Returning to the benevolence and righteousness you mentioned," Yuan Qingqi sighed softly, "Since the end of the Three Dynasties, the world has been in turmoil; rites collapsed, music was ruined. Confucianism encourages with benevolence and righteousness, rallying fervently, but this is precisely 'using benevolence and righteousness to change one's nature,' leading to instability since Qin and Han, never again restoring the clarity and prosperity of the Three Dynasties. The base serves profit, the scholar serves reputation, the noble serves family, the sage serves the world; but fame, family, country, and the world are mere birds on a thousand-foot cliff. Only the life that preserves its nature is the pearl of Suihou. To sacrifice the pearl for the bird—how false!"

Xu You was surprised by Yuan Qingqi’s penetrating insight, truly understanding both the what and the why, grasping the essence of Daoism. He was about to respond when she abruptly shifted the topic, asking, "Do you know that the Prince of Hengyang is coming to stay in Jinling?"

Uh?

This was an unexpected turn! After such a heated debate, she had made her concluding statement and ought to let him sum up as well. But being unreasonable is a privilege of women, and Xu You graciously accepted it, nodding, "When I bid farewell to Lord Yuan this morning, he mentioned it."

"Then, do you know the Prince of Hengyang may propose marriage to my father?"

Xu You could not fathom her intent, so he smiled, "The Prince of Hengyang is noble and refined—a fine match for Third Lady!"

Yuan Qingqi laughed lightly again, neither annoyed nor bashful. "Have you ever interacted with the Prince of Hengyang? How do you know he is noble and refined?"

"No, just hearsay."

"Then you must not know that the Prince’s consort was originally the daughter of the He family from Kuaiji—healthy all her life, but after only a year of marriage, she withered and died..."

Xu You frowned. "Are you implying there’s more to this story?"

"It was a secret matter, involving the inner palace, so few know. The Prince of Hengyang, An Xiu Yuan, had a penchant for handsome boys, keeping many favorites in his household. Among them, one named Qi Xiao Ji was most beloved. They often roamed the gardens and pools, brazenly indulging in debauchery without a stitch of clothing. The Lady of the He family was not prone to jealousy, yet she could not endure such conduct. She repeatedly admonished him, even suggesting Qi Xiao Ji be driven out."

Yuan Qingqi’s tone was calm, devoid of any emotional coloring, nor did she evoke lasciviousness. Though society was open in these times, to discuss such matters with an unfamiliar man without flinching was not something ordinary women could do.

"Qi Xiao Ji, of course, did not stand idly by, slandering her before An Xiu Yuan. One day, after An Xiu Yuan drank too much and engaged in lewd acts with Qi Xiao Ji and others, the Lady of the He family happened upon them. Her words were heated, provoking An Xiu Yuan’s fury; he ordered Qi Xiao Ji and the other favorites to violate her in public. The Lady of the He family, born to a line of scholars and officials, could not bear such humiliation and hanged herself that very night. Afterwards, An Xiu Yuan, to cover up the scandal, had all the favorites and servants present beaten to death. Only Qi Xiao Ji, spared by his favor, survived, but could no longer remain at the prince’s estate; he took the reward money and disappeared into the world, never to be seen again."

Xu You suddenly understood why Yuan Jie would refuse An Xiu Yuan’s proposal without hesitation. He had thought it was due to the rumored affair with the Princess of Haiyan, but now realized that rumors were only rumors; with Yuan Jie’s shrewdness, he wouldn’t shun a prince with imperial favor over an unverified story. There must be deeper reasons.

Listening to Yuan Qingqi, Xu You learned that An Xiu Yuan had committed such lawless and vile acts. It was one thing for a prince in Chu to favor boys—indeed, it was hardly a flaw—but to indulge so far as to abuse the Lady of the He family, driving her to an early grave, was truly incurable! Yuan Jie must have been moved by her tragic fate, preferring to ally with the local Xu clan, whom he had always looked down upon, rather than allow An Xiu Yuan any hope.

Yet, An Xiu Yuan was not the only one to drive his wife to her death over favorites. Xu You recalled reading the "Book of Jin: Record of Shi Jilong," which recorded: "Shi Jilong married the sister of General Guo Rong as his wife. He favored the entertainer Zheng Yingtao and killed Guo’s sister, then married the daughter of the Cui family of Qinghe, but Yingtao slandered her too, and she was killed." Again, a rivalry between wife and favorite, and Shi Hu killed two wives—both from illustrious families, yet neither could outdo a favorite.

Such was the prevalence of male favor!

"If everyone involved is dead, Qi Xiao Ji vanished, and An Xiu Yuan would never mention it, nor would the He family. With such secrecy, how did Lord Yuan uncover the whole story?"

"The answer involves complexities I’d rather not lie about, so I won’t answer."

Xu You did not press, pondering, "I suppose Lord Yuan sent trusted people to investigate. But information gathered by agents, without firsthand witness, may not be entirely accurate..."

Yuan Qingqi’s tone suddenly turned playful: "That makes sense—no, that makes great sense. For example, your own dossier is three feet tall, but almost nothing in it is correct... Supposedly capable of plotting murders, wielding a brush, and composing eloquent verses—none of it matches the crude character described in the reports!"

Xu You was at a loss, laughing: "Does your household enjoy investigating others... hmm?"

He paused suddenly, mouth slightly open, eyes sharp as if piercing the screen to see into Yuan Qingqi’s heart. After a moment, he said, word by word: "So it was you!"