"Sage's Book says: To punish without teaching is called cruelty.
Instructor Song, as a teacher of the academy, even if this child is not under your tutelage, he is still a member of the academy and thus shares with you and me a bond of incense and fire, a master-disciple bond.
Yet without asking the reason, you declare that his 'inferior roots remain unremoved,' strike his name from the rolls, and even use a cultivator's power to oppress him.
How can the two words 'justice and fairness' possibly be reflected in such conduct?"
Su Shi'er replied calmly.
He did not reveal his cultivation realm. During his years at Songyue Academy, he had also used the methods of Confucian cultivation to cultivate his body, temper his heart, and nourish his nature.
Such a matter naturally ought to be resolved in the manner of a Confucian cultivator.
Su Shi'er's voice was not loud, yet every word rang sonorous and forceful.
In the open space.
The children who had originally quarreled and clashed with the stubborn child all turned their gazes toward Su Shi'er.
Some frowned, some looked suddenly enlightened, while others fell into thought.
In the distance, quite a few instructors and disciples of all ranks from the academy also gathered upon hearing the commotion.
Song Yao laughed from extreme anger. "The academy again, and the academy's rules again. Are you saying that in upholding the academy's discipline, I have instead done wrong?"
"The academy is a place of enlightenment. As instructors, our responsibility is to teach, not to kill," Su Shi'er said calmly again.
"What Instructor Su says is not wrong. But this child has stolen food from the academy more than once or twice. He refuses to mend his ways despite repeated teaching—should we continue teaching him?"
Song Yao snorted