Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 741 Chao Wen Dao

Is this a big problem? Kong Lingyu quickly understood what Lu Zheng meant.

Kong Lingyu thought for a moment and then asked, "If those people have problems, how can we change them?"

Lu Zheng said unhurriedly, "There are wild beasts in the world that eat people, it's out of the instinct for survival, driven by hunger to hunt..."

"Humans are primates, far more intelligent than wild beasts. The nobles in the dynasty are well-read and hold local power. But the vast majority of people are selfish and do things that harm the people. The number of people suffering far exceeds the number of people eaten by wild beasts."

"As the sage once said, 'A harsh government is more ferocious than a tiger.' Those who are hypocritical and despicable must be the ones being satirized."

Lu Zheng's expression was somber as he slowly said, "The ignorant and uncivilized common people can still be educated, but how can we change those who are well-versed in the classics but act against the right path?"

"I think that hanging them all by the roadside would be what the people of the world would like to see."

Kong Lingyu's expression froze; she hadn't expected Lu Zheng to say something so surprising at the end.

This doesn't sound like something a scholar should say.

Kong Lingyu couldn't help but say, "If we really did that, who would manage the local areas? Wouldn't the world become even more chaotic?"

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "If you were to do farm work for a few days, working from dawn till dusk and still not having enough to eat, I think you'd probably wish the whole world would end..."

"Many people even hope to perish with those people rather than continue to endure oppression. If the world becomes more chaotic, there will always be someone who stands up to establish a new order."

Kong Lingyu pondered for a moment, then whispered, "So the only way to solve the problem is to overthrow them?"

Lu Zhengdao said, "Without addressing the root cause of the problem, all measures will only prolong the suffering of the people."

Kong Lingyu couldn't help but say, "But how could we possibly overthrow them?"

She didn't think Lu Zheng could do such a thing, not even with the help of several more saints.

After all, power in this world is in the hands of many strong people.

Even if Lu Zheng organized some patriots, it was still wishful thinking to think that he could contend with a major power.

Moreover, there is more than one dynasty in this world.

Lu Zheng smiled slightly upon hearing this, "As long as someone takes the first step, there will be many more who follow. Constant dripping wears away a stone; nothing is impossible..."

"And sometimes, thought is the sharpest weapon, more powerful than any other force..."

Thoughts? Kong Lingyu recalled a journal she had recently come across, which had indeed changed some of her views.

Using ideas as weapons is almost the same as writing books and establishing theories.

As for the extent of the impact, Kong Lingyu is not yet able to make a prediction.

But she felt that this was not easy, just as so many Confucian and Taoist scholars in the world read the books of sages and saints, yet they also went astray.

Kong Lingyu then said, "I heard that you also dislike those Confucian and Taoist scholars of today, feeling that they do not respect the way of the sages and are mostly self-serving people who seek fame and fortune. But those people rely on Confucianism and Taoism, so I'm afraid they can hardly change anything..."

Overthrowing some powerful figures is at least justifiable, but those Confucian and Taoist scholars are backed by Confucianism and Taoism. We can't just overthrow the entire Confucian and Taoist tradition, can we?

Lu Zheng understood Kong Lingyu's thoughts, so he smiled and said, "I've heard a saying, but I'm afraid it will upset you if I say it."

Kong Lingyu blinked upon hearing this and said, "Young Master Lu, please speak freely. This young lady is not so narrow-minded."

Xiao Yan and the others nearby were also curious about what Lu Zheng wanted to say.

Lu Zheng slowly said, "Down with the Confucian establishment and rescue Confucius."

Kong Lingyu's expression froze for a moment, her mind racing as she pondered Lu Zheng's words.

After a moment, Kong Lingyu asked in confusion, "There are countless Confucian temples in the world, and many of them enshrine the sages and worthies of the past. They enjoy the incense offerings of the world, so how can there be any talk of salvation?"

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "They are receiving offerings, but how can you be sure they are enjoying it?"

Kong Lingyu was stunned for a moment, not expecting such a statement.

Kong Lingyu asked in surprise, "How can you be so sure they aren't...?"

Lu Zhengdao said, "I'm not sure yet, because I haven't asked them. But I feel that the world they expect shouldn't be like this. They are forced to stay in those temples, waiting for someone to rescue them."

Kong Lingyu's beautiful eyes widened slightly, unable to understand Lu Zheng's words for a moment, but also unable to find any reasonable rebuttal.

Forced by circumstances... Kong Lingyu felt it was somewhat absurd.

Lu Zheng said softly, "After all, the world would be worse if they weren't in the temple. If someone had the ability to rescue them and make some changes in the world, I think they would be happy to be rescued."

Kong Lingyu's eyes flickered, and she couldn't help but ask, "Are you talking about yourself?"

Lu Zheng smiled and shook his head, saying, "I can't do it alone; it requires the joint efforts of us younger generations. I wonder, in Miss Kong's heart, which holds a higher position, the family or Confucius?"

Kong Lingyu wrinkled her nose. She felt that these two choices shouldn't be separated, but faced with Lu Zheng's question, she clearly had to make a choice.

Kong Lingyu said in a low voice, "Without the Holy Ancestor, there would be no Kong family as we know it today."

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "It's good that the young lady has such awareness."

Kong Lingyu then said, "I have some more questions..."

Kong Lingyu then asked some more questions about the Taiping Domain.

Lu Zheng patiently answered each question, sometimes quoting classical texts to prove that some of the policies and laws of the Taiping Domain originated from the teachings of sages and were put into practice by him.

As Kong Lingyu listened to Lu Zheng's story and explanation, she felt that all the books she had read before had been wasted.

She had to admire Lu Zheng for organizing those principles and applying them to benefit the people in practice.

Lu Zhengdao said, "What you learn from books is never enough; you must put it into practice to truly understand. I suggest that you learn and do more in the future. Of course, if you just want to be a famous talented woman, then you don't need to go through all this trouble."

Kong Lingyu always felt that the word "talented woman" took on a different meaning when Lu Zheng said it.

Such empty fame was not what Kong Lingyu wanted to pursue; otherwise, she wouldn't have sneaked all the way from the State of Qi.

Kong Lingyu said with a serious expression, "I'd like to stay here and do my part, is that alright?"

In the past few days, she has met some people from other dynasties or powers.

Having a long talk with Lu Zheng made her even more determined to stay.

Lu Zheng smiled and nodded, saying, "As long as you can pass the assessment, you can stay as long as you want."

Kong Lingyu showed little joy upon hearing this, and instead whispered, "I made up an excuse to sneak out. My family doesn't know I'm here yet. I have a family heirloom amulet on me, but I'm afraid it won't be long before someone from the family comes looking for me..."

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "Miss, do you want me to help cover for you? Well, for this kind of thing... I suggest you send a message home. If someone really comes, I can help you... try to persuade them?"

Kong Lingyu smiled broadly and said, "Then thank you very much, Young Master Lu!"

With Lu Zheng's words, Kong Lingyu felt that she no longer needed to worry about troubles from her family.

Lu Zheng said, "It's getting late. If you have nothing else to do, Miss, you can go and rest. I have something to discuss with Madam Xiao."

Kong Lingyu realized that she had indeed taken up a lot of Lu Zheng's time, so she said goodbye and left somewhat embarrassedly.

After everyone else had left, Xiao Yan smiled and said, "I'd heard that this talented woman from Qi was quite remarkable, but in front of you, she's like an ignorant child..."

Lu Zhengdao: "It's good to be eager to learn. You haven't been busy with anything important lately, have you?"

Xiao Yan replied, "I'm not that busy, what's wrong?" Lu Zheng said, "If you have some free time, take some new recruits to visit other new districts so they can get familiar with the place and adapt to it as soon as possible."

Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow. "You've acquired a few more locations?"

Lu Zheng gave a brief account of what had happened recently.

Xiao Yan clicked her tongue in amazement, "This speed is too fast. I have a feeling that you will be able to occupy most of the Northern Region in a few years."

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "I hope so."

He did hope to sweep through the land, but if he really integrated those insignificant local forces in the Northern Region, those major demon kingdoms would definitely not be happy to see it, and conflicts would be inevitable.

Right now, we're still far from those demon kingdoms; we haven't reached that point yet.

Xiao Yan then added, "What you just said to Kong Lingyu, you weren't really planning to do it, were you? Like rescuing those sages..."

Xiao Yan never expected Lu Zheng to have such a plan.

Lu Zhengdao: "It's not actually that difficult. Since I can invite Buddha down, I can naturally rescue those Confucian sages as well..."

"Of course..." Xiao Yan thought to herself, "You're being too natural. This is something that other people wouldn't even dare to think about, yet you make it sound so ordinary."

Xiao Yan couldn't help but say with a strange expression, "Alright, then I'll wait and see what earth-shattering things you can do next."

Ever since witnessing how Lu Zheng invoked the Buddha's will and received the protection of Buddhism and Taoism, Xiao Yan felt that it wouldn't be surprising if something earth-shattering happened to Lu Zheng again.

……

Outside a city in the Taiping Domain.

A horse-drawn carriage was traveling at a leisurely pace on the wide avenue.

Inside the carriage, an elderly man with gray hair leaned against the window, staring intently out the window.

What came to mind were lush green farmlands and workshop buildings.

"parking……"

The old man spoke softly.

The carriage slowly came to a stop, and a man sitting next to the old man tried to help him get off the carriage.

The old man waved his hand in refusal, saying, "I can still move; I'm not at the point where I can't walk..."

The old man slowly disembarked from the carriage and walked along the sidewalk towards the city.

In the fields, some people are doing farm work.

In one of the fields, a group of children were busy at work. The school teacher from the city had organized them to come out and farm, to learn about farming, which was a compulsory course for everyone.

Some children were working enthusiastically, even reciting knowledge to themselves, reviewing what they had learned and gaining new insights.

Sow a single grain in spring, reap ten thousand in autumn...

What about odd changing and even remaining the same...?

Some of the words were incomprehensible even to the elderly, who could not understand their meaning.

As he walked along, the old man saw many people working, some novel buildings or tools, and slogans posted everywhere.

Once inside the city, the old man strolled around, taking slow steps to explore.

Wherever he went, he would stop and pause for a while, closing his eyes to process what he saw.

During this time, some passersby kindly asked the elderly man if he was feeling unwell and if he needed any help.

Late into the night, the old man stood in front of the memorial square, gazing at the stone tablets and statues before him, lost in thought.

The attendants who had accompanied the old man did not dare to disturb him and simply waited by his side.

They looked at the old man with worry in their eyes.

This old man was a great scholar of the Wu Kingdom, quite famous in the kingdom, and had previously held an important position in the court. He was a highly respected figure.

However, the old man is now at the age of nearing the end of his life, with most of his body buried.

Having learned about the Taiping Domain, the old man insisted on coming to see for himself.

The family members couldn't dissuade him, and not wanting to publicize the matter, they assigned a few trusted confidants to escort the old man to Taiping Domain.

Because the old man was too weak, the long journey was quite arduous.

The people who came with the old man said they were really worried that he might die in a foreign land, and they would have no way to explain it back home.

"Is this what a peaceful world looks like? It's really quite different..."

The old man spoke softly, his voice echoing in the quiet night.

"so good……"

The old man smiled. He had pursued this goal for almost his entire life, but he had not been able to bring the people of this prefecture and county the same life he had here.

This filled him with deep emotion, realizing that what he was pursuing did exist, but perhaps his approach was wrong.

The old man slowly closed his eyes, standing motionless in place like a statue.

If it weren't for the fact that they could still sense the old man's faint breathing, his companions would have thought he was already...

Time passed slowly, and a ray of dawn rose from the horizon.

Before long, the warm sunshine shone on the square, dispelling the chill from the old man.

The old man suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze bright and piercing.

He opened his mouth slightly, his voice loud and clear, resounding, not at all like a dying old man on the verge of death.

"The Great Learning teaches us to manifest our bright virtue, to love the people, and to attain the highest good..."

A powerful aura of literary talent emanated from the old man.

At the same time, the sky was changing, and colorful light suddenly appeared and fell from the sky.

The old man was bathed in light, and his aura and vitality increased rapidly.

His once dry and brittle hair turned jet black and glossy at a speed visible to the naked eye, and his complexion became ruddy and oily.

He suddenly looked decades younger, transforming from an elderly person into a middle-aged one.

The old man's aura grew stronger and stronger, with a Daoist charm flowing around him.

The next instant, it was as if the entire world was affected, and a momentary pause occurred.

The old man stood there, exuding a powerful and imposing aura.

Upon attaining enlightenment and understanding the Dao, one enters a new realm, even extending their lifespan slightly. (End of Chapter)