infodatos Chapter 579 The True Text of Legalism
Chapter 579 The True Text of Legalism
Chapter 579 The True Text of Legalism
When his second brother asked, Wang Qianyang explained, "It was Father who summoned people to the palace. Young Master Lu did some things, and Father was pleased and rewarded him. He asked me to take Young Master Lu to the Wenhai Pavilion to select a few treasures."
Wang Mingli and the Ninth Princess were both very curious upon hearing this, wondering what Lu Zheng had done to earn such praise from the Shu Emperor.
Wenhai Pavilion was the royal library, and outsiders rarely made an exception to go there.
Wang Qianyang said, "All I know is that it seems to involve the royal family of Southern Xinjiang..."
Few people in Furong City knew about the rebellion plotted by the royal family of Southern Xinjiang.
Wang Qianyang only heard the Shu Emperor mention it once.
Seeing that Wang Qianyang was being vague, the two of them didn't press for details, as the matter involved the southern border and the topic was becoming somewhat sensitive.
Since the Shu Emperor hadn't yet made any statement, they didn't want to pry, even though the person involved was right there.
However, the two also became interested in Lu Zheng's trip to Wenhai Pavilion and said they could go with him and even help him find some books.
Then, the group went together to Wenhai Pavilion.
On the way, Wang Mingli, like Wang Qianyang, asked Lu Zheng what classics he wanted to choose.
Lu Zhengyi answered Wang Mingli in the same way as before.
Wang Mingli asked in surprise, "Legalist, Agricultural, and Medical classics?"
He was a little confused, but he felt that Lu Zheng must have his reasons for making this choice.
Wang Mingli even felt that Lu Zheng must have had an extraordinary Confucian teacher, which was why he did not choose to collect Confucian classics.
Seeing that Wang Mingli was somewhat puzzled, Lu Zheng said, "Studying the law can help the people to seek justice, studying agriculture can ensure that the people have surplus grain in their fields, and studying medicine can reduce the suffering of the people from illness. This is what I pursue."
Wang Mingli was deeply moved and couldn't help but say, "Sir, you have the people in your heart and possess great benevolence. I will learn from your words and deeds in the future."
Lu Zheng smiled slightly upon hearing this, "Your Highness is benevolent and will surely bring blessings to the people in the future. However, it may not be so easy for you to follow my example."
Wang Mingli's eyes flickered, and he asked, puzzled, "Why?"
Lu Zheng said slowly, "Because... you might understand later."
Although Wang Mingli was full of doubts, he did not press for answers.
Before long, Lu Zheng and the others arrived at Wenhai Pavilion.
It was an extremely luxurious and spacious pavilion, covering a vast area and standing dozens of feet tall, like a small mountain, faintly radiating a spiritual aura and protected by a powerful array.
Holding the token given to him by the Shu Emperor, Wang Qianyang led his men into the Wenhai Pavilion.
Upon entering, one is immediately enveloped by the refreshing aroma of books.
To preserve its million-volume collection, Wenhaige underwent extensive protection and maintenance both inside and out.
Upon entering the pavilion, the Keeper of Archives was waiting to the right of the main entrance.
The Keeper of the Archives is a member of the royal family and a highly skilled martial artist.
Upon seeing Wang Qianyang and his group arrive, the Keeper of Archives, who had been sitting there, raised his eyebrows slightly, his eyes bright and piercing. He glanced at everyone and then fixed his gaze on Lu Zheng, scrutinizing this young stranger.
Lu Zheng faced the old man's sharp, hawk-like gaze with a calm and composed expression, responding with a smile.
Wang Qianyang quickly explained the matter, noting that this Keeper of the Archives was two generations older than the princes and princesses.
Upon hearing this, the Keeper of the Archives frowned slightly, somewhat displeased that the Shu Emperor was allowing an outsider to select the treasures here. Many of these treasures were originally very valuable, and even spending spirit stones might not be enough to buy them. The Shu Emperor was simply giving them away to an outsider; it seemed he had no idea how precious things were now.
However, the Shu emperor was a noble ruler who acted according to his own whims and could not be persuaded by a mere keeper of the archives, even though he was a generation older than the Shu emperor.
However, the Keeper of the Archives felt a little relieved after learning about the type of books Lu Zheng was going to select.
The treasures in those few categories of books are not particularly valuable.
Upon hearing this, the Keeper of the Archives asked Lu Zhengdao, "Are you sure you want to choose these three? Don't you want to look at the others?"
Lu Zhengdao: "Let's take a look first."
He can choose twelve books here, and even take two treasured ones away directly. He still needs to choose carefully.
The Keeper of Archives remained calm and said, "Come with me!"
The Keeper of Archives led the way, taking several people upstairs first.
The higher the level of the classic texts, the more precious and rare they become; some are even unique original copies.
Even if experts copy or make rubbings of those rare books, they cannot achieve the same effect as the originals.
Just like the Four Books and Five Classics written by sages, only the one written by a sage can possess the power of a sacred classic.
No matter how much others copy and transcribe it, it cannot become a sacred object.
The Keeper of the Archives walked ahead with his hands behind his back, saying in a calm tone, "If you're looking for agricultural books, there's nothing special here, just ordinary classics. As for medical books, there are a few that contain spiritual energy, which can heal people directly with the books, but of course, only ordinary people..."
"If there are medical books about cultivation, you'd have to learn a lot, including identifying spiritual herbs and studying alchemy. I see you're a Confucian scholar, so there's not much need for you to look for these kinds of books..."
"As for Legalist classics, those are easy to find."
The Keeper of the Archives walked briskly to a bookshelf. The bookshelf was protected by an array, and several thick books were placed inside.
Those few classic books shone with a brilliance, revealing a hint of the extraordinary.
The Keeper of the Archives pointed to the thickest book, "This is the law of our Great Shu, a copy made by a great Confucian scholar..."
Lu Zheng glanced at the Shu Law and could sense the aura emanating from it, which was predominantly Confucian and Taoist.
He couldn't help but turn his gaze to the books next to him, "I want to see the true teachings of Legalism, the books written by Legalists."
The Keeper of the Archives narrowed his eyes, then raised his hand and grabbed a book from the seal.
Suddenly, a special power emanated from it, but it was quickly suppressed by the aura of the Keeper of the Archives.
The Keeper of the Archives said leisurely, "This is the true teaching of Legalism, created by a Legalist scholar from the previous dynasty. However, it is incomplete. Do you want it?"
"Incomplete?" Lu Zheng's eyes flickered slightly.
The Keeper of the Archives explained calmly, “It’s not that the content is incomplete, but rather that the spiritual essence contained within it is lost because Legalist teachings are not the true path. The spiritual essence of books written in this school is easily lost… Moreover, this book was written in the previous dynasty. Even if it was not established as the orthodox law, it is still the law of the previous dynasty. Since the previous dynasty is gone, this book naturally has little effect.”
Lu Zheng didn't quite understand the meaning of these words and asked, "Is this the only true book of Legalism here?"
The Keeper of the Archives said, "If you think this is the only true learning, then all the other books on Legalism are not the originals... However, you can take a look at the other books as well, since you have the opportunity to choose."
The Keeper of the Imperial Archives offered Lu Zheng some advice: if Lu Zheng were to choose these Legalist classics, the loss to the imperial library would be negligible.
(End of this chapter)