Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 686 - 627: Let the Master Teach You a Thing or Two!

Chapter 686: Chapter 627: Let the Master Teach You a Thing or Two!

"Do you know what I teach?"

As soon as these words came out, all the students in the classroom shut their mouths, and no one spoke.

Zhang San slightly furrowed his brows and continued, "You don’t even know this?"

The students all silently lowered their heads.

Seeing everyone’s expressions, Zhang San felt that there might have been some misunderstanding.

"Well... What I mean is, even I don’t know what Kaihuang wants me to lecture you on. Does anyone know?"

Only then did everyone realize that Zhang San’s earlier remarks were not a reprimand but merely a question.

"Teacher, we are in Law Class A. There are four law classes in total, A, B, C, and D, all specializing in the study of laws."

Seeing that no one else was speaking, Wen Bi could only speak up himself.

Zhang San listened and nodded slightly, indicating that he understood.

"If that is the case, then let everyone share their understanding of the laws. Speak freely, and talk about what you think laws really are in your eyes."

Zhang San wanted the students to express their views first, but he found them to be more reserved than one another.

Clearly, they still hadn’t accepted the fact that their class teacher was Zhang San.

"Ma Bi, you speak."

Ma Bi, seeing that Zhang San had called on him, had no choice but to answer.

"Teacher, I think that the law is the standard for everything in a country, a scale for all people to comply with and reference."

Zhang San nodded slightly, uncertain whether he was approving or just found it acceptable.

Then, Zhang San glanced at the others and continued, "Who else wants to answer? You should know that I am not only the teacher of Law Class A, but also your academic supervisor. I can give you excellent grades, or I can give you poor grades. I don’t want my class to be lifeless."

Upon hearing this, someone immediately began to volunteer to answer.

"Teacher, I think the law is a tool of governance, a tool used by those in higher positions to manage those beneath them. Otherwise, Confucianism would not have proposed the idea ’laws do not apply to high-ranking officials.’"

Zhang San heard this answer and smiled, nodding, "That’s also an interesting perspective. Keep going, on my class, nothing is off-limits. Speak up when you think of something, and ask if you have doubts."

Originally, everyone thought that since everyone had bad-mouthed Zhang San before, he would be very strict with them.

But now, at least when it came to lecturing, Zhang San was taking it seriously and had an open attitude.

Soon, many students began to speak their minds freely.

Some said that the law was a tool for the state to become wealthy and powerful, otherwise, Shang Yang’s reforms would not have made the State of Qin prosperous.

Others said that law was a standard above morality, with the Spring and Autumn period’s allegiance to the sovereign and enmity against the barbarians being the best proof.

Suddenly, every student was defining and discussing their own thoughts on the law.

After listening to everyone, Zhang San pondered for a moment, then said softly to all the students present, "Everyone has shared their views on the law. Now, I have a question for you, as I am the teacher of Law Class A and your supervisor. I can give you grades and determine whether you are good or bad based on my subjective judgment. Tell me, is what I’ve just said the law?"

Everyone was startled and had never expected their class teacher to play the authority card.

Someone immediately said it was.

But there were also those who immediately shook their heads in disagreement.

Zhang San felt that the majority, who believed it was true, mostly came from noble families.

But those who said no, were largely students from humble backgrounds.

"Very well, let me ask another question. I establish a covenant with everyone for ten clauses, stipulating that performing certain five actions would result in punishment whereas executing another five would lead to commendation. Tell me, is what I just described considered law?"

Upon hearing this question, everyone instantly realized that what Zhang San had mentioned in his previous question was not law.

What he was speaking of now, that was law.

Seeing that everyone seemed to agree, Zhang San asked, "Then is that previous statement I made law?"

Out of the twenty-five students in the class, twenty-four shook their heads no, with only Wen Bi nodding affirmatively.

Zhang San asked with a smile, "Wen Bi, let’s hear your thoughts. Why do you believe that my previous statement also constitutes law?"

"Isn’t power essentially undefined law? Or rather, isn’t law simply power that has been explicitly interpreted?"

Hearing this response, Zhang San felt as if a light had dawned on him.

"Excellent, each of you has presented your own views. Now, allow me to share my thoughts. Of course, my views may not be correct either, as this is inherently a subjective question, with no right or wrong answers. What is important is not to become fixated on your own answers but to understand and attempt thinking from multiple perspectives and dimensions during this process."

"In my view, law is both a set of rules and a tool."

"The so-called rules are what we must abide by as we navigate this world. At the same time, they can be broken by some. After all, for those who stand before the rules, they can only be constrained by them. Yet, there are those who, in the face of rules, can treat them as if they were non-existent."

"But do not forget, law is also a tool. It is a tool that you can employ. With this tool, you can make the world a better place, but you can also make it worse."

"The rules are there, like runes, but how you use them ultimately depends on yourself."

"You have come to the Imperial College to study, and moreover, you all primarily focus on jurisprudence. This means that if you truly rise to walk the halls of power someday, you will likely often engage with the law. Therefore, consider how you can leverage this tool called rules in your hands to improve the world, as that is what you ought to contemplate."

After hearing Zhang San’s words, many students nodded in agreement.

Because Zhang San’s perspective encapsulated all the views and ideas expressed by the students just now.

Then, Zhang San posed another question.

"Now, the real challenge arises. You all seek to be individuals who wield the rules, and some even wish to be the ones who make the rules. How can one become such a person?"

At that moment, all the students were stupefied.

Although many understood that as long as they became powerful, they could make, control, and even in some situations evade the rules,

no one dared to voice this.

Zhang San knew that they were afraid to say and wouldn’t say it, so he directly provided his own answer—"Get stronger!"

"I know some among you are descendants of noble families, while others are from humble ones, and there are even those whose backgrounds are so humble that they can hardly be considered humble anymore. However, what I must tell you is that since you are all in my Law Class A, you are united as one. I want you to become stronger, to mutually support each other in becoming stronger, not by undermining others to elevate yourselves. When you trip someone else, you fall behind as they do. But if you progress even an inch, you surpass all those who have not progressed at all!"

"How to use rules to bring about the results you want in the world is your own business. As your teacher, I simply request that you become stronger. In this world, it is only by becoming stronger that you can achieve any goal you desire. Understand?"

The students seemed to grasp yet not fully comprehend.

Because although it was a lesson in jurisprudence, why did it feel like it had turned into a class on Martial Studies and Techniques Studies?

"It’s alright, on the first day of class, I don’t expect you to understand everything I say. Since sitting in the classroom doesn’t bring understanding, now, follow me. I will take you out to understand what it means to be a powerful practitioner of the law and what it means to control the rules!"