Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 667 Meeting with old friends

Qian Yishan sat there pondering for a moment, then nodded emphatically and said, "This is not a difficult matter. Let's use this as the basis for the transaction..."

The two continued to discuss and deliberate, drafting some specific details.

Late into the night, the two sides finally reached an agreement and settled everything.

During this time, Qian Yishan also proactively revealed some information to Lu Zheng.

According to the intelligence provided by Qian Yishan, it seems that recently, no one in the Wei court really cares about this place.

At least for the time being, no one is targeting this area, and the Wei border troops have not shown any unusual reaction.

Having finalized the deal, Qian Yishan was beaming. Suddenly, he remembered something and quickly pulled out an exquisite gift box.

"This is my first visit to Young Master Lu, so I've brought a small gift..."

Seeing this, Lu Zheng waved his hand and said, "Our rule here is that we don't accept gifts. Manager Qian, please take it back."

"Uh……"

Seeing Lu Zheng's serious expression, Qian Yishan had no choice but to put it away. "It was my rudeness, Young Master Lu, please don't take it to heart."

Lu Zhengdao said, "Let me make this clear from the start: your people should not bring any bad habits from outside here. If they break the rules here, I will deal with them according to the law. I hope Steward Qian can understand."

Qian Yishan nodded and said, "I understand, I understand! I will remind them! If they make a mistake, Young Master Lu, please feel free to deal with it!"

Lu Zheng stood up and said, "Now that the matter has been settled, I have other things to attend to. Manager Qian can stay here and relax for a few more days."

Qian Yishan also stood up and said, "Business is important. I plan to go back tomorrow morning. We can talk again next time."

"By the way, Xiaoying and the others are still young, and they may not be very mature in business matters sometimes. Please be more understanding, Mr. Lu."

This time, when the decision to establish a branch was made on a whim, Qian Yishan decided to keep Xu Ying and her group.

After all, those people knew Lu Zheng earlier and had a better relationship with him.

Doing this can also be considered a promotion for those people.

Lu Zheng nodded and said, "Okay."

The two then left the room together and each summoned their own people to give them instructions.

When Xu Ying learned that she had been left behind to build some branch, she was a little confused, after all, she had also seen the huge profits involved.

Staying here as the branch manager is much better than running a business before.

To be honest, Qian Yishan and she were not direct superiors or subordinates, and their relationship was not very close at all.

To receive such a promotion is like a windfall.

After handing over the affairs to the acting city lord of Qingcheng, Lu Zheng hurriedly left.

As Qian Yishan watched Lu Zheng leave, he couldn't help but sigh, "He's such a busy man!"

The next day, early in the morning.

Qian Yishan, accompanied by several of his trusted confidants, returned to the State of Wei by flying boat.

Looking down at the construction projects underway on the ground below, Qian Yishan's gaze was deep and thoughtful.

He suddenly turned to look at someone next to him, "Are there really selfless people in this world?"

The man was taken aback by this and said in a low voice, "There should be, right? Isn't that the saint that everyone talks about?"

Qian Yishan said, “I have never met the saints who are praised in legends. But I have met this Lu Zheng. He really made millions of poor people live a good life... I can’t believe there is such a person in the world.”

Those around him sighed in disbelief, "I thought it was just boasting at first, but... we brothers searched the city and its outskirts and couldn't find a single beggar or slave. We even went to teahouses to listen to songs, but we couldn't order anyone. There wasn't even a woman selling smiles, let alone a courtesan..."

Qian Yishan glanced at him sideways and said, "This is not some other place. You'd better tone it down, or you'll end up like some monsters or demons hanging in the city. I won't be collecting your corpses."

The person next to him chuckled and said, "How could we be so disrespectful? That person is capable of reducing a powerful demon to ashes; how dare we act recklessly?"

"Hey, that guy seems to have a lot on his plate and a lot of pressure. I'm afraid this place won't last long. The Northern Region isn't exactly a safe haven; it's not going to accommodate someone like him."

Qian Yishan's eyes flickered, and he sighed inwardly that there were ultimately too few good people and too many bad people in this world.

Qian Yishan held a consecrated jade pendant in his hand, pondering whether he should report the events here to his superiors in detail.

Perhaps at some point in the future, we can still use Lu Zheng to do something.

Qian Yishan's eyes flickered uncertainly, his mind filled with a multitude of thoughts.

He is a businessman who values ​​profit, but also a man who awaits the great cause of revival...

……

On a sunny day, Xiao Yan sent her two children to class and had a guard stand outside to keep an eye on things.

The teachers at the school didn't pay any attention to these things and continued teaching as usual.

Xiao Yan led her people around to continue learning about the situation and gaining insights from the local experience.

On the street, a handsome young monk dressed in a coarse cloth robe walked slowly, his eyes gleaming as he observed his surroundings.

When Xiao Yan saw the young monk coming towards her, she was momentarily dazed. After looking closely, she was sure she hadn't mistaken him for someone else.

She quickly stepped forward, put her hands together in a gesture of respect, and said, "Xiao Yan, daughter of the Xiao family, greets Master Wuqiu."

Wuqiu, a monk at Baima Temple, specializes in the Buddhist art of speech and is eloquent despite his young age.

Even at a young age, he could speak eloquently, surpassing his fellow disciples in debates and even making the elders of the sect feel inferior. A few years ago, at a grand assembly, Xiao Yan personally witnessed this young monk debating with representatives of the top Buddhist sects of Wei.

One man can outwit a group of people with his words, and none of them can gain the upper hand.

After that, the young Wuqiu left the State of Wei to debate and discuss doctrines in various states. Occasionally, some news would come back, but no one knew his exact whereabouts.

Xiao Yan was quite surprised to see this young monk appear here.

When Wuqiu saw Xiao Yan, a thought flashed through his mind, and a face that matched the woman in front of him appeared.

He recalled that he had met this woman from the Xiao family a few times.

Wuqiu returned the greeting, saying, "So it is Benefactor Xiao."

Xiao Yan smiled and said, "I never expected to meet a master here."

Wuqiu remained calm and said softly, "This humble monk's cultivation is shallow, and I am not worthy of the title of Master."

Xiao Yan couldn't help but say, "How could that be? The younger generation of Buddhism today is even more advanced; Master is arguably the most outstanding among them. I've heard that Master has traveled the world discussing the Dao without ever suffering a defeat..."

Wuqiu said, "How can rumors be taken seriously? Even I have people I can't argue with, and they are younger than me."

"how is this possible?"

Xiao Yan stared wide-eyed, her face filled with disbelief.

This person can be said to be a peer whom she admired and respected during her youth. In addition, she is a Buddhist, so she has a deep faith.

She simply couldn't believe that there were people who could argue without ever losing.

Wuqiu smiled slightly and said, "As the saying goes, there are heavens beyond heavens and people beyond people. Speaking of which, I have come here to see that old friend..."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan immediately thought of someone, but found it unbelievable.

"You, you've come to see Lu Zheng?"

Besides Lu Zheng, she couldn't think of anyone else here worth seeking out without asking for anything in return.

Wuqiu nodded and said, "It is indeed Benefactor Lu."

Xiao Yan felt her mind was a bit confused and murmured, "When did you ever debate with him and still not win?"

Wuqiu recalled the past and slowly said, "Back then, he was still in Hongzhou, Anguo, having just received the Qi bestowed by the Sage. This humble monk saw that he was extraordinary and wanted to discuss the Dao with him, but I lost a match..."

Xiao Yan was deeply shaken. Back when Lu Zheng was still in Hongzhou…

Lu Zheng was only slightly famous back then, yet he still managed to defeat Wu Qiu.

Wuqiu sighed, "Later, when I returned to Wei, I came to the Northern Regions to seek the Dao. I learned that Benefactor Lu had actually established a pure land here. I was amazed."

"I was already ashamed of my own inferiority before, but alas, after several years, I am far inferior to Benefactor Lu..."

"Having learned that he still needs help here, I wonder if there's anything this humble monk can do to assist him..."

He rambled on and on, seemingly talking to himself.

Xiao Yan looked at the young monk she admired, but his eyes showed worship for another person. She was shocked and couldn't accept it for a moment.

"Hey, you monk! What's your name again...?"

Qingwan, who was passing by, suddenly saw Xiao Yan and Wuqiu and stopped in her tracks.

When Wuqiu saw Qingwan, his eyes lit up slightly, and he bowed and said, "This humble monk Wuqiu greets Benefactor Qingwan. It has been several years since we last met, and your cultivation has improved considerably."

Qingwan slapped her forehead. "Ah, I remember now! It's you! Oh dear, I was too young back then, I can't remember much..."

Wuqiu smiled, clearly recalling Qingwan's appearance back then. She had indeed changed a lot, and her cultivation speed could be described as terrifying.

Qingwan approached and sized up Wuqiu, then said familiarly, "You seem to have entered the fifth realm? Your cultivation is a bit slow. Aren't you supposed to have high talent? How come you haven't become an Arhat yet?"

Xiao Yan, who was standing next to him, was speechless. Wu Qiu was already considered exceptionally talented to have entered the fifth realm at his age. How easy was it for a sixth-realm Arhat to advance?

Without seeking anything, he was neither angry nor ashamed, and said, "This humble monk is still seeking the Way, searching for the true path of Buddhahood, and it is difficult for me to enter the profound realm for the time being..."

Qingwan clicked her tongue and said, "It sounds complicated. It's a pity I don't know much about this. By the way, did you learn what Lu Zheng taught you?"

Wuqiu solemnly said, "If you wish to become a great Buddha, you must first serve all sentient beings like a horse or ox. This humble monk has always kept this in mind."

Upon hearing this, Qingwan smiled and said, "Really? That's perfect. I have some things to do here. Would you be interested in helping out? It's voluntary, though, and there's not much pay..."

Wuqiu couldn't help but say, "Please speak, benefactor."

Qingwan, with her hands behind her back, said cheerfully, "Let's go, we can talk as we walk. I think you have a lot of questions for me too."

So, Qingwan took Wuqiu and went to do some work.

Xiao Yan stood there, not quite reacting yet, feeling a bit dazed and confused.

If you wish to become a great Buddha, first be a horse or ox for all sentient beings.

Xiao Yan pondered this Buddhist saying carefully, feeling that Wu Qiu (无求) had been brainwashed; otherwise, how could he have become like this...?

Xiao Yan turned to a maid beside her, "Is there such a saying in Buddhism?"

The maid thought to herself, "If you don't know, how could these servants, who haven't practiced much Buddhism, possibly know?" (End of Chapter)