Yu Yuling was filled with admiration. Why didn't I think of Emperor Shun and Zi Gong as examples? I've read the Great Tradition of the Documents and the Records of the Grand Historian too! Clearly, I haven't mastered them well enough! This won't do! I must buckle down and study!
Seeing signs that the situation might be slipping out of control, Yu Qianlou hastily shot his father a questioning look, asking whether they should intervene to stop the argument.
Yu Yi gently shook his head, signaling him not to interfere.
Liu Cheng sneered. "You gloss over your faults and dress up your wrongs, eloquent yet false. You hope to blind and deafen everyone, turning black into white. Such methods are beneath contempt. Wang Yang, if you admitted your mistake outright, I would think better of you. By twisting reason with specious arguments, you have sunk to the lowest grade!"
He straightened in his seat, put away his smile, and said gravely:
"Emperor Shun rose from among the common people. He farmed at Mount Li, fished at Leize Marsh, made pottery at Riverside, fashioned household utensils at Shou Hill, and pursued opportunities at Fuxia. Though he sought profit, he was not yet a scholar-official at the time, so he cannot be blamed. Zi Gong possessed the highest gifts of intelligence, yet distracted himself with profit and clever schemes. Thus he fell short of Yan Hui and could not attain the Great Way! That was why he said, 'The Master's cultural teachings may be heard, but his words on human nature and the Way of Heaven may not be heard.' Those whose desires run deep have shallow heavenly insight! You do not even understand this principle, yet have the gall to place yourself alongside sage-kings and worthies? How laughable!"
Everyone's expression changed