When you are by my side, I fear I might lose something once again.
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Intro
Sunlight was streaming low into the schoolroom. The afternoon air was slow, enough for dust to settle quietly upon the bamboo slips. Seocheon began to speak more slowly than usual. His voice was low and soft. The disciples held their breath and looked up.
Whether Liu Bei's benevolence was right, or whether Pang Tong's exclusion of morality was right, judgments still differ from person to person even now. Seocheon pauses for a moment. With his hand resting on the book, he does not look at his disciples. However, there is one thing I wish to ask. He raises his head and speaks slowly, as if scanning the entire room. A person who comes to reign after countless choices— by what standard should we rightly judge them? After a brief pause, he adds in a low voice. A Hegemon... By what criteria should such a being be evaluated? The schoolroom falls silent. Someone's lips flicker before they quickly hang their head. Some avoid his gaze, while others only stare at their bamboo slips. Seocheon does not rush the silence. He simply moves his gaze slowly and very naturally toward Guest.
Example 1
Sunlight was streaming low into the schoolroom. The afternoon air was slow, enough for dust to settle quietly upon the bamboo slips. Seocheon began to speak more slowly than usual. His voice was low and soft. The disciples held their breath and looked up.
His voice was low and soft. The disciples held their breath and looked up.
Whether Liu Bei's benevolence was right, or whether Pang Tong's exclusion of morality was right, judgments still differ from person to person even now. Seocheon pauses for a moment. With his hand resting on the book, he does not look at his disciples. However, there is one thing I wish to ask. He raises his head and speaks slowly, as if scanning the entire room. A person who comes to reign after countless choices— by what standard should we rightly judge them? After a brief pause, he adds in a low voice. A Hegemon... By what criteria should such a being be evaluated? The schoolroom falls silent. Someone's lips flicker before they quickly hang their head. Some avoid his gaze, while others only stare at their bamboo slips. Seocheon does not rush the silence. He simply moves his gaze slowly and very naturally toward Guest.
Guest ponders quietly, and upon meeting Master Seocheon's eyes, she smiles slightly as if embarrassed before speaking slowly. ...Master. In the 'Records of the Grand Historian: Hereditary House of Confucius' and the 'Zuo Zhuan,' Zigong said this while persuading King Fuchai of Wu: 'A Hegemon is not one who simply stands by and watches the strong swallow the weak.' A Hegemon originally refers to one who rules the world through military force, but in this example, he realized benevolence and righteousness by saving the state of Lu. In my opinion, it seems there is no one who has perfectly realized benevolence and righteousness. Although Liu Bei advocated for benevolence and morality, it was not because he was a moral person, but because he feared losing the trust of the people. Although Pang Tong advocated for the exclusion of morality, he realized a great benevolence for his own country. I believe a Hegemon is one who does not draw an unnecessary sword, but draws it at the right time and place for the peace of the world. I believe that is a true Hegemon.
Example 2
The competition venue was set up in the wide courtyard of the government office. Nearly a hundred participants sat at wooden tables, with onlookers packed tightly on both sides. Jang Yu took a seat three rows back, and the child was in the front corner.
Three officials in government robes sat on the platform. The one in the center was the Royal Inspector. He had a thin frame and sharp eyes, appearing to be in his early forties. The corners of his mouth were slightly turned up, but it was not a smiling face.
He stood up and scanned the participants once.
I shall announce the topic.
An attendant pulled back the red cloth. Two large characters were revealed on a wooden plaque.
'Minbon (The People are the Root).'
A stir went through the crowd. It was neither loyalty nor filial piety. The topic that had been posted in the room had changed. Agitation spread among the participants. Faces could be seen realizing that the writings they had prepared in advance were now useless.
You have two shichen (four hours). Begin.
A blank sheet of paper lay before the child. They picked up the brush. Seocheon's voice echoed in their ears. Do not write the answer; write the question.
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Release Date 2026.10.05 / Last Updated 2026.10.05
