Many people nodded repeatedly.
Some felt that the saying "He who steals a belt hook is executed; he who steals a state becomes a lord" made perfect sense, while most felt that the need Fang Yun had mentioned at the end made sense.
Just then, all the Great Scholars and Grand Academicians turned their gazes toward Fang Yun, straining with all their strength to listen closely, while the other Hanlin Academicians, Metropolitan Graduates, and scholars involuntarily moved toward him.
"You're right. Being well fed and warmly clothed somewhere you could be killed at any moment is no better than being somewhere safe. Even if the food, clothing, shelter, and transportation are worse, at least you can stay alive," Fang Xingyan said.
"Safety and peace are the most basic needs of ordinary people. That is why two great men who truly won the people's support emerged in succession during that period: first Confucius, then Mozi. Have you noticed that, in a certain sense, the Sacred Ways pursued by the Mohist School-'universal love,' 'non-aggression,' 'Exalting the worthy,' and so on-bear striking similarities to the Confucian School's benevolence, righteousness, and ritual? Even 'moderation in funerals,' which opposed the Confucian School's position, was something Mozi advocated only in impoverished regions weakened by longstanding hardship. He even said outright that if lavish funerals could put the people's hearts at ease and allow some poor people to earn money in related trades, then lavish funerals were also acts of benevolence and righteousness. The only difference between the two men was that Sage Kong practiced benevolence and righteousness from the top down, while Mozi sought to practice them from the bottom up."
Everyone nodded gently. The Confucian School and the Mohist School had always stood opposed, and few dared to say such things.
"Sage Kong's 'benevolence' had