Seeing that a brawl was about to break out, Liu Zhao immediately shouted, "Sit down, all of you! Keep order! No one is to go outside!"
Wang Yang stepped forward. "Sir-"
Liu Zhao put on an air of complete confidence. "Zhi Yan, you needn't concern yourself. Leave everything to me!"
The students erupted in an uproar:
"Teacher, they've brought the fight right to our door! If we can tolerate this, what can't we tolerate?"
"We must guard the entrance! They outnumber us. If they force their way in, we'll lose the initiative!"
"We're all here now. We might as well fight them! Let's finally vent our anger!"
Liu Zhao knew that, with everyone so worked up, a single spark could set the prairie ablaze. Once these hot-blooded youths were let loose, the situation might become irretrievable. He rose at once, his expression and voice stern. "Every disciple of mine will remain seated. Anyone who no longer acknowledges me as his teacher may leave through that door!"
At those words, the students all returned to their seats, though their indignation remained unabated.
Having subdued them, Liu Zhao said, "Continue listening to the lecture. I'll be back shortly."
"Master, you mustn't go!"
"I'll go with you!"
"Protect our teacher! If anyone goes, we all go!"
Hearing that Liu Zhao intended to go out alone, the students immediately boiled over.
Liu Zhao's face darkened. "I'm not going out to fight. What would you come along for? To make trouble? A gentleman's virtue is like jade: he debates without contention, conducts himself with restraint, and lets righteousness govern his actions and his stillness! Is blindly pursuing violence, forgetting one's own safety and endangering one's family, the conduct of a gentleman? No one is to move! I'll go speak with them. Nothing will happen."
Zong