Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 718 Emperor An's Choice

Qingcheng was originally a great demon city under the jurisdiction of the great demon Huaijun.

Today, this area has been developed into the core city of the Taiping Northern District and was the first area to be included in the planning and development.

There is also a commercial area in the city that is rented out by outside forces.

Qingwan took the books of legendary stories she had created and negotiated sales agreements with the merchant guilds. Then she waited for the workshop to print a sufficient number of books.

Qingwan walked beside Lu Zheng and said cheerfully, "They really dare to take these kinds of books back and sell them. It seems that it won't be a problem for us to print some more promotional brochures in the future."

Lu Zheng nodded and said, "That's a good idea. We don't lack people here who study Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. Let them write some easy-to-understand articles to explain Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism from a new perspective, focusing on the common people and social issues..."

"The periodical will be printed, with each issue lasting three months, and the name of the periodical will be..."

Lu Zheng paused for a moment, then slowly said, "Thoughts."

Qingwan's eyes lit up. "That's a great idea!"

She took out her notebook and wrote it down, thinking that she would later have Qingyi inform certain people of the news so that they could write some articles about it, and publish the best ones.

Qingwan said gently, "It seems like the New Year is coming soon. Should we start making some preparations?"

In fact, they haven't celebrated any holidays during their years of travel, always running around and busy.

Lu Zheng thought for a moment and said, "Let all regions hold New Year celebrations and have a good time. Many children in Taiping Domain have never experienced birthday celebrations before, and some patriots from other places can't go home for the New Year... Those who are guilty should also be given a few days' leave, and those with families should be allowed to celebrate with their families..."

Qingwan nodded and said, "It's good for everyone to get together and celebrate, which also helps to promote unity and harmony."

The two went to an office and sent someone to prepare for the relevant matters.

At this moment, Su Mei arrived in a hurry with one person and found Lu Zheng and the others.

When Lu Zheng saw the people Su Mei brought, his eyes lit up, and he stepped forward to greet them, saying, "Senior Xu."

Xu Shou looked at Lu Zheng with a smile in his eyes and said, "Young friend Lu, it's been a while since we last met. I'm quite impressed with you."

Xu Shou paused, then transmitted his voice again: "His Majesty has come here and wishes to see you."

An Taixuan and his group passed through several cities but failed to find Lu Zheng's location. However, they met Su Mei in another city near Qingcheng.

Xu Shou then brought Su Mei to find Lu Zheng, while An Taixuan stayed there and found a place to stay temporarily.

Upon hearing Xu Shou's purpose, Lu Zheng nodded and said, "Alright. Please lead the way, Senior Xu."

Lu Zheng also invited Qing Wan and Qing Yi.

Seeing this, Xu Shou used his magic to take the group away with him.

Before long, the group arrived at another city hundreds of miles away.

Xu Shou did not break the local rules and stopped outside the city. The group passed through the city gate and entered the city, arriving at a courtyard that was rented out to the public.

As soon as they entered, Lu Zheng and the others saw An Jing standing there, seemingly waiting.

An Jing laughed heartily, "Young Master Lu, it's been a long time. And Qing Wan, you've grown up! You've really become a young lady! You must be Qing Yi..."

Despite being apart for several years, neither of them felt like strangers.

In fact, there were still occasional correspondence.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, An Jing led the way, taking Lu Zheng and the other two to the living room.

In the living room, only An Taixuan sat there, leisurely enjoying some of the local delicacies.

An Jing said, "Father, Lu Zheng and the others have arrived."

When Lu Zheng saw An Taixuan, he bowed respectfully and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

The two little ones next to them also followed suit and bowed.

An Taixuan looked at Lu Zheng and the other two and said with a smile, "Please sit down, don't be shy. Actually, I'm the guest, and this isn't the first time I've met you."

Lu Zheng didn't stand on ceremony and led Qing Wan and Qing Yi to sit down.

Lu Zheng slowly said, "Oh? I wonder when Your Majesty first met me?"

An Taixuan chuckled and said, "I was sitting next to you at the very beginning of the Mid-Autumn Festival party in Hongzhou City!"

Upon hearing what An Taixuan said, Lu Zheng quickly remembered.

An Jing, who was sitting in the hall, was stunned for a moment. She only just learned about this matter.

Looking back, it seems she even tried to take a seat from Ahn Tae-hyun back then...

Thinking about it now, An Jing felt her face getting hot.

"Oh! That's you! I never would have guessed."

Qingwan suddenly spoke, recalling the past.

An Taixuan sighed, "I remember you were just a little kid back then. You've changed so much in just a few years."

Qing Wan chuckled and said, "I'm just lucky; I cultivated quickly."

An Taixuan said, "Luck is also a person's foundation."

Qingwan nodded slightly and said, "That's right. As the emperor of the dynasty, His Majesty inherits the fortune of the nation and is certainly much more outstanding than us."

An Taixuan smiled and said, "I heard that you act like lightning here. You don't seem like someone who knows how to praise people, nor do you seem to have learned it from Lu Zheng."

Qingwan couldn't help but say, "Since Your Majesty thinks you are so outstanding, then you shouldn't bury your abilities. You should govern the country even better."

An Taixuan's smile froze. Well, how could someone who could be by Lu Zheng's side possibly say anything flattering or fawning?

"What do you think, Your Majesty?"

Qingwan stared at An Taixuan with bright eyes, looking on with an innocent and inquisitive expression.

An Taixuan had never seen anyone dare to look him directly in the eye like that.

However, faced with such a burning gaze from a young girl, An Taixuan finally gave in and couldn't help but cough.

“A person’s energy is limited. I don’t have any talents like you under my command. It’s not up to me to govern such a large country.”

Qingwan composed herself and said leisurely, "Anguo is so large, how could it lack talented people?"

An Taixuan sighed inwardly. An Kingdom was indeed not lacking in talent, but some people, once they entered that murky officialdom, would become corrupt even if they were otherwise pure. It was difficult to gain a foothold in officialdom without going along with the crowd and blending in with the crowd.

Qing Wan paused, then continued, "But it's true, with powerful families monopolizing all kinds of resources, it's hard for people from poor families to rise up, and those who are truly dedicated to the country and its people also find it difficult to demonstrate their abilities..."

Upon hearing this, An Taixuan said, "Since you are so knowledgeable, do you know any solutions? Any methods suitable for An Kingdom?"

Qing Wan turned her head and looked at Lu Zheng. Lu Zheng knew more about this than she did, so it was better to let the more professional person handle it.

Without hesitation, Lu Zheng said, "I have only one suggestion, and that is to kill! Not killing is not enough to appease public anger, not killing is not enough to make some people restrain themselves. If the situation does not improve significantly, it means that not enough people have been killed, and not enough haste has been done."

An Taixuan raised an eyebrow and said softly, "You really don't seem like a scholar anymore."

An Taixuan now felt that Lu Zheng's hidden murderous aura was too strong. He estimated that the number of people Lu Zheng had killed over the years was more than the number of heads that the court's military generals had chopped off.

He was nothing like the refined and cultured Confucian scholar he had met before; it was as if everything had changed.

Lu Zheng calmly said, "It is precisely because I have read many books that I understand such principles. Sometimes reasoning is useless, and then force is needed. As for those hypocritical people who only corrupt the country and harm the people, talking to them about benevolence, propriety, and morality will not make them learn it themselves. Instead, they will take advantage of the situation and even use morality to blackmail others..."

“Sages love all people, but not everyone can be called a human being. Even Confucius, who loved to talk about benevolence, personally eliminated evil.”

Upon hearing Lu Zheng's words, An Taixuan's expression shifted, and he remained silent for a moment.

After a moment, An Taixuan sighed, "How I wish I could take action against those people, but if I were to actually draw my sword and draw blood, and if I couldn't stop in time, the country would be plagued by internal troubles, and be surrounded by wolves from the outside..."

Lu Zheng spoke up: "If there were no external threats, would Your Majesty dare to draw your sword?"

An Taixuan's eyes flashed. "The Wei Kingdom in the north is preoccupied with the Buddhist issue, but it is bordered by the Wu Kingdom to the east, the Han and Yue Kingdoms to the south, and the Chu Kingdom to the west. These four dynasties are temporarily stable, so we must be wary! How can there be no external troubles?"

Judging from the map of the world, Anguo can be said to be stuck in the middle, surrounded by enemies on all sides, and its position is very unfavorable for development.

If there were fewer potential rival powers, An Taixuan felt he could implement sweeping new policies and improve the situation in Anguo.

For example, if he were to switch places between the Northern Region and Anguo, he could implement reforms and eliminate the powerful clans that wreaked havoc in those areas without fear of causing any major upheavals.

Unfortunately, it can't be replaced...

Lu Zheng asked, "Does Your Majesty trust me?"

An Taixuan remained silent for a moment after hearing this, then slowly said, "To be honest, I can't see through your thoughts. I admire you for governing this region so well... However, is it true that the world you envision truly unable to accommodate royal families?"

Lu Zheng smiled faintly, "The world is so vast, it's not something that can be just as I wish it to be. There can be monarchs and powerful families in this world, but there shouldn't be so much power, nor should there be such exploitation of ordinary people..."

An Taixuan gazed at Lu Zheng and said softly, "Can I trust you?"

Lu Zheng calmly replied, "If Your Majesty cares about the people, you can trust me."

An Taixuan laughed heartily, "Although I am not a particularly benevolent ruler, I do not wish to be a mediocre or incompetent one. I believe you! What do you want me to believe?"

Compared to the princes and nobles in the country, An Taixuan was still willing to believe in Lu Zheng, who dared to confront the powerful for the sake of the people, even though he was also among the powerful.

If one side is to ultimately win, An Taixuan would prefer it to be an ordinary citizen rather than the powerful and wealthy people he finds repulsive.

Having reigned as emperor for so many years, he spent most of his energy on scheming against powerful figures in order to govern the country well, without bringing much benefit to the people. This left him feeling quite resentful.

Even though Lu Zheng proposed so many new policies before, the results were too many obstacles and the effects were minimal.

Lu Zheng said unhurriedly, "If Your Majesty is worried that the measures are too harsh and that the country will suffer from both internal and external troubles, then go back and sharpen your swords first, and wait patiently."

An Taixuan's eyes flickered, "Wait, wait for what?"

Lu Zheng said calmly, "Let's wait for a good opportunity. With Wei in such a predicament, who knows when the Confucian school might also face some kind of upheaval?"

"what!"

An Taixuan's heart skipped a beat, and his eyes showed a strange light. "What do you mean? What kind of changes could possibly happen to the Confucian school? How do you know..."

Lu Zheng said calmly, "I only have this guess, but no one has told me anything."

A guess? An Taixuan didn't quite believe that a mere guess would make Lu Zheng say such a thing.

He knew very well that Lu Zheng was the one who compiled that new poetry collection. Could it be that Lu Zheng was going to write something else and then target Confucianism?

Thinking about it this way, An Taixuan felt that it was very likely.

After all, Lu Zheng had previously advocated new policies that explicitly stated that most Confucian scholars were merely charlatans, and he had proposed some measures to regulate the scholars of Anguo.

Unfortunately, because it involved the interests of too many people, none of those measures were implemented.

An Taixuan knew that given Lu Zheng's personality and actions, if he had the ability, he could indeed do some unexpected things.

An Taixuan couldn't help but ask, "What exactly do you want to do?"

Lu Zheng smiled faintly upon hearing this, "Some things are unpredictable. I cannot give His Majesty a definite guarantee, but only a suggestion."

An Taixuan felt that Lu Zheng did not fully trust him, so he did not want to make things too clear.

However, since Lu Zheng has revealed some information, he should indeed go back and make some preparations, just in case.

"Okay, I understand."

An Taixuan then sighed, “When I first saw your strategies for governing the world, I felt that you were a great talent and a pillar of our An Kingdom. However, your ambitions are greater than we thought. In your eyes, it’s not just An Kingdom, but all the people of the world… No matter what, if one day you can’t make a living here in the Northern Region, An Kingdom will always have a place for you to settle down.”

Lu Zheng smiled slightly and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty, but I am a person who can't stay idle. Now that I have embarked on this path, I will keep moving forward."

If he were simply looking for a place to settle down, he wouldn't have ended up on this path.

From the moment he chose the path of saving the world and helping people, Lu Zheng left himself no way out.

An Taixuan could hear the determination in Lu Zheng's tone and couldn't help but sigh, feeling that this young man was truly stubborn.

An Taixuan then changed the subject, saying, "I came here to relax. Do you have anything new and fun to do here to change my mood?"

Lu Zhengdao said, "Fun? I'm afraid not. But we have many labor projects here. Would Your Majesty like to try them out? Labor can also improve a person."

Labor projects? An Taixuan narrowed his eyes slightly. To put it bluntly, it's just doing manual labor. They really don't treat him like the ruler of a country.

An Taixuan chuckled and said, "Don't underestimate me. In previous years, I would personally go to the fields to farm and encourage agriculture. Come on, take me to see. I also wanted to talk to you about specific matters of governing the people..."

So, Lu Zheng took An Taixuan out.

Qingwan stayed behind and chatted with Anjing, inquiring about the recent situation in Anguo and offering some advice to the extremely busy princess. (End of Chapter)