The Majestic Setting of a Philosophical Confrontation

When the early winter sun finally creeps over the mountain peaks to illuminate the hidden Mozi castle, the scene reveals a striking contrast. Nestled on a mountainside surrounded by towering peaks, the castle enjoys both concealment and shelter from harsh winds, transforming into a spring-like haven whenever sunlight graces its walls. Yet on this particular morning, an air of solemn tension permeates the Mozi headquarters, where the usual martial arts training ground has been transformed into a dramatic stage for intellectual combat.

At the deepest part of the training ground stands a high stone platform draped with rough white cloth curtains. Before it, five large wooden plaques boldly proclaim “Mozi Debate Platform.” Below the platform, the solemn figure of Qin Huazi sits at a long table, his wide sleeves and tall hat marking his authority. Further forward, three more tables form the “Main Debate Seats” occupied by Xiang Liqin, Deng Lingzi, and Ku Huo. Opposite them sits Duke Xiao of Qin at the “Opponent’s Seat,” his face expressionless. Nearby, the restrained figure of Xuan Qi stands in a simple wooden enclosure – the lightest punishment Mozi disciples receive for dereliction of duty.

The scene is completed by 468 Mozi disciples in black and white robes, kneeling in perfect formation with swords across their chests, their gazes fixed coldly on the so-called “tyrant” before them. Flanking banners proclaim Mozi’s core principles: “Revere Heaven, Understand Spirits” on the east and “Tyranny Must Be Killed” on the west. This is the awe-inspiring Mozi Debate Platform that commanded respect throughout the Warring States period.

The Cultural Significance of Debate in Warring States China

During the Warring States era, intellectual debate represented the spirit of the age. Any scholar or school of thought needed to temper their beliefs through rigorous disputation before gaining recognition or influence. Ideas and behaviors only gained widespread acceptance after surviving repeated challenges in such forums. This was truly an era of rhetorical explosion, where thinkers like Mozi himself rose to prominence through such intellectual combat.

As a standard-bearer of justice, the Mozi school maintained a tradition of transparently explaining its positions on major issues. Throughout decades of influence, whenever Mozi disciples executed particularly cruel rulers, they would first construct a debate platform to enumerate the tyrant’s crimes, allowing full opportunity for rebuttal until the condemned either acknowledged their guilt or exhausted all arguments. Even those who remained unrepentant were permitted to seek skilled debaters to plead their case, ensuring they died without resentment. This demonstrated Mozi’s confidence in their principles and earned widespread respect for their fairness.

Duke Xiao of Qin’s solitary appearance before this tribunal made the current debate particularly extraordinary. The wooden clappers sounded urgently like hooves on stone, followed by the resonant gong that echoed through the valley. Qin Huazi solemnly announced: “The tyrannical ruler of Qin, Ying Quliang, has come to our Mozi school to defend his governance, which contradicts our judgment. Today we debate before Heaven to determine right and wrong, life and death. Ying Quliang, you may argue freely – Mozi maintains impartiality.”

The Debate Unfolds: Accusations and Rebuttals

Deng Lingzi sprang up, his face flushed with indignation, but before he could speak, a piercing wail erupted from deep within the castle, reverberating through the mountains. Duke Xiao’s expression darkened as he raised a hand: “Hold. I ask – Mozi preaches universal love and non-aggression, yet treats people like slaves. I would hear your righteous explanation.”

Deng Lingzi sneered: “Do you know who that is? Why he suffers Mozi’s chains?”

“A scholar may be killed but not humiliated. Regardless of who he is, Mozi degrades its own dignity.”

The formation erupted in angry shouts: “Audacious lies! He deserves punishment!”

Duke Xiao smiled faintly: “So this is the famed Mozi Debate Platform? Only prepared to hear flattery?”

Deng Lingzi retorted heatedly: “Ying Quliang, that is Jing Nan, bodyguard to the cruel official Wei Yang and traitor to Mozi! As a youth his tongue was cut out – he knows martial arts but not letters, only qualifying as an outer disciple. After leaving the mountain, instead of following the righteous path, he became a cruel official’s lackey. When Mozi moved to execute Wei Yang, not only did he fail to assist, he warned Wei Yang and came to plead for him. By Mozi law, traitors deserve execution! Our leader spared him considering his harsh origins, sentencing him to hard labor instead. What is improper about this? Ying Quliang, don’t exploit this issue to obscure your own crimes!”

Realization dawned on Duke Xiao, who stood and declared: “Deng Lingzi errs! As Wei Yang’s guard, this concerns Qin. I came through hardship precisely to clarify Qin’s affairs. If Qin truly practices tyrannical governance, I would submit to execution without seeking to survive at the cost of Jing Nan’s suffering. I beg Mozi, in the spirit of universal love, to pardon this loyal warrior. For Qin’s matters, I as ruler accept full responsibility.”

Silence fell over the assembly. The Mozi disciples, all passionate men at heart, felt secret admiration for Duke Xiao’s reasonable, heartfelt words. Qin Huazi waved his large sleeve: “Release Jing Nan and seat him.”

Soon the disheveled, wild-haired Jing Nan was brought before the formation. Duke Xiao bowed deeply with solemn respect: “Warrior Jing Nan, loyal to his state, please accept my bow.”

Stunned, Jing Nan’s lips trembled before he prostrated himself with a great wail, tears streaming. Duke Xiao, eyes moist, helped him rise to a prepared straw mat. The Mozi disciples wore expressions of discomfort.

Deng Lingzi, flushed crimson, demanded sharply: “Ying Quliang, if Qin isn’t tyrannical, why collaborate with roving swordsmen to attack Mozi? Arson, murder, inciting commoners, framing Mozi – what sinister intentions! What say you?”

The crowd roared: “Sinister intentions! What say you?”

Unaware of this incident, Duke Xiao paused before responding firmly: “Deng Lingzi, such claims require solid evidence. As a martial state, however poor, Qin maintains tens of thousands of armored cavalry. Why would we need rogue swordsmen to attack Mozi? Please reconsider this point.”

“Sophistry!” The front rows of swordsmen stood abruptly – these were the “iron workers” who accompanied Deng Lingzi to Liyang, bearing deep hatred for the fire attack.

Deng Lingzi sneered coldly: “Ying Quliang, Mozi acts openly for justice, never engaging in baseless conspiracies! But your Qin, with tyrants and powerful ministers lurking behind, uses exhausted commoners and roving swordsmen to confuse issues and frame Mozi! Even now you threaten with tens of thousands of cavalry – how sinister! Until this is exposed, how can we debate governance?”

“Without clarifying this conspiracy, no debate!” thirty disciples shouted angrily.

Duke Xiao never anticipated this critical juncture. Mozi viewed the fire attack as a vile smear requiring full exposure, while he genuinely lacked details. His reasonable defense now seemed evasion. Yet his inner urgency didn’t rattle him as he declared calmly: “I left Liyang a month and half ago – how could I know the fire attack’s truth? Investigate this later when facts emerge. Why insist on immediate judgment?”

“Evasion!” Deng Lingzi pointed accusingly. “How could a ruler not know of such major events? Leaving Liyang avoids blame while coming here seeks to confuse. Such great deception cannot succeed with Mozi!”

“No avoidance! Explain!” The formation thundered.

Duke Xiao fell silent, trapped in an unsolvable misunderstanding that deepened by the moment. Knowing Mozi’s stubbornness, any explanation would seem excuse, worsening matters. Feeling profound sadness, he resolved to prevent this spiral into irreparable hatred. After contemplation, he rose slowly under their stares…

Suddenly, a aged voice cried from above: “The arsonists are here!”

The Dramatic Intervention and Resolution

The startling announcement in the tense silence sent Mozi disciples springing to their feet as Deng Lingzi and others drew swords. “Who dares intrude on Mozi?” Qin Huazi’s authoritative voice demanded.

Laughter answered: “Old friends of Mozi, don’t be alarmed.”

The voice came from the watchtower where four figures stood – an elderly man in a sheepskin cloak called out: “Qin Huazi, are you well?”

“Open the gates,” Qin Huazi ordered before returning the greeting: “Master Baili, extraordinary times excuse poor hospitality.” Xuan Qi, seeing Duke Xiao’s peril, cried “Grandfather!” through tears while Duke Xiao remained stoic.

The newcomers soon stood in the training ground – the elderly Baili, a gray-haired middle-aged man, a refined young scholar, and a mischievous-looking boy. Baili explained their purpose while Qin Huazi invited them to join the proceedings.

Deng Lingzi demanded: “You claim responsibility for attacking Mozi. Who are you? How did you conspire with the tyrant to disgrace Mozi? Confess truthfully!”

The middle-aged man identified himself as Hou Ying, steward to the Wei state’s Bai family, introducing the young Bai Xue (actually Bai Gui’s daughter in disguise) and maid Mei Gu. He claimed full responsibility for the Liyang fire attack to drive Mozi from Qin, motivated by commercial interests threatened by Mozi’s opposition to Wei Yang’s reforms.

This revelation stunned the assembly. The powerful Bai merchant family, with influence across states, seemed an unlikely adversary for Mozi. Bai Xue eloquently explained their economic stake in Qin’s reforms, arguing that Mozi’s interference threatened their century-awaited business opportunities in Qin’s growing markets.

The sophisticated economic reasoning left the idealistic Mozi disciples at a loss. Their expertise in philosophy, engineering and military arts included no understanding of commerce. Qin Huazi, experienced in worldly affairs, recognized the delicate position and shifted focus to Baili’s unexpected association with merchants.

Baili humorously deflected before producing a bamboo tube from the reclusive strategist Guiguzi for Mozi himself. With this, Qin Huazi declared the fire attack issue tabled to resume the main debate.

Ku Huo, who had previously captured Duke Xiao unsuccessfully, rose with confidence: “Ying Quliang, what defines tyranny?”

Duke Xiao responded: “Tyranny cruelly oppresses commoners with excessive punishments and extortionate taxes.”

“Good! The Wei River executions killed over 700, turning the river red for three days – isn’t that excessive killing?”

Duke Xiao countered passionately with context about Qin’s historical violence and the necessity of these executions to establish rule of law, challenging Mozi to name any innocent victims. When Ku Huo cited scholar Zhao Kang’s execution, Duke Xiao explained his dereliction of duty as magistrate that caused chaos, asking whether scholars deserved immunity from law.

Xiang Liqin then shifted tactics: “Wei Yang’s new laws would burn the Book of Songs and Documents – how do you justify destroying culture?” Catching Duke Xiao by surprise with knowledge of unpublished laws, he pressed Mozi’s duty to prevent such cultural destruction before it occurred.

Qin Huazi joined sternly: “Whatever governing philosophy, all should respect accumulated civilization. Wei Yang’s proposed cultural destruction exceeds even the worst tyrants – though not killing people, it harms more profoundly, representing ignorant ambition to stupefy the world.”

Cornered, Duke Xiao laughed coldly: “Mozi postures as cultural guardians while understanding nothing of governance – what more can I say?”

Xiang Liqin threatened: “If you execute Wei Yang and repeal the book burning, there’s hope. Otherwise Mozi will rally the world against Qin!”

The atmosphere turned dangerous as Deng Lingzi called for Mozi’s sword formation to execute the “tyrant.” As swords surrounded Duke Xiao, Bai Xue and her companions moved to protect him while Xuan Qi, rushing to help, collapsed when restrained.

Duke Xiao calmly prepared to face death when Baili desperately called out: “Old Mozi, are you truly dead?”

Mozi’s Dramatic Appearance and Philosophical Reconciliation

From the shrouded platform erupted laughter as the legendary Mozi himself descended – bald, white-browed, in simple cloth with bare feet. After scrutinizing Duke Xiao with more laughter, he praised the Qin ruler’s composure, declaring: “Good, Duke Xiao of Qin has true kingly bearing – it seems a new world may be dawning.”

Chiding Baili for missing the point of his test, Mozi warmly greeted Duke Xiao and ordered the debate platform replaced with a scholarly banquet. The relieved disciples hurried to prepare while the overjoyed Xuan Qi thanked her teacher, who acknowledged her principled stand that forced him to witness the debate personally.

Under the rising moon, the banquet commenced with Qin Huazi’s toast celebrating the resolved misunderstandings between Mozi and Qin, urging disciples to study Qin’s reforms. The simple meal of tea and mountain pork, with bones saved for later broth, embodied Mozi’s values of frugality and community.

In reflective mood, Mozi admitted to Baili that without Duke Xiao’s visit, he might have mobilized against Qin, now recognizing the quality of Qin’s leadership. When Duke Xiao asked his assessment of Legalism, Mozi – deeply familiar with the school – warned against its tendency toward harshness in seeking rapid results, cautioning that rapid reforms risked enriching the state while impoverishing people.

As the moon climbed higher, Mozi suggested a performance of his new “Ghost Song,” explaining his genuine belief in spirits and heavenly justice – contrasting with Confucian skepticism. The haunting performance, with Mozi himself singing and young disciples dressed as mountain spirits dancing, conveyed his message that spirits observe human affairs, rewarding good governance and punishing tyranny.

The song’s refrain – “Understand spirits, understand spirits – the conscience of heaven, earth and all things!” – echoed under the moonlight as Duke Xiao pondered these profound exchanges that had averted conflict and perhaps altered the course of Qin’s relationship with intellectual traditions. The dramatic day at the remote mountain castle demonstrated how even the most entrenched ideological oppositions might find reconciliation through courageous dialogue and mutual respect.