Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 752 Secrets of the Ancestral Land

Lu Zheng calmly poured tea for the representatives present and said, "I have always believed that a person should be far-sighted and consider things from a long-term perspective, rather than just focusing on immediate interests."

Lu Zheng looked at everyone and said slowly, "In terms of age, I am not yet thirty. You are all much older than me, and can be said to be my seniors' seniors. The things you seniors have experienced, your knowledge and experience are certainly far richer than that of a young man like me, and you must understand many principles better than I do."

After this explanation, everyone was flattered and no one dared to refute it or think that Lu Zheng's statement was problematic...

"If everyone agrees, we will work together to develop the Northern Region."

Regardless of whether anyone had any objections, Lu Zheng took out a huge map of the Northern Region and placed it in front of everyone.

Lu Zheng pointed to some plans on the map and said, "There are many places in the Northern Region worth developing. For the initial construction of the Northern Region, I have considered these aspects... First, transportation. Everyone should contribute their efforts to connect various places and promote exchanges, which can help establish new commercial towns... and also..."

"Of course, the most important thing is to ensure the basic living standards of the people of all ethnic groups in the Northern Region, such as food and clothing. I hope that all major powers can cultivate more land and distribute more food to the common people..."

Lu Zheng spoke eloquently, "Let's strive to solve the food problem in the entire northern region within a year."

It was not Lu Zheng's fantasy to satisfy the basic needs of the people in the Northern Region within a year.

The world is not lacking in productivity, but rather in effective planning, management, and allocation schemes.

Lu Zheng slowly said, "As long as everyone is willing to put in more effort, this plan can be completed easily. Just imagine, when the people of those great dynasties in the world are still worrying about food and have to sell their children during years of famine, the various demon tribes in the Northern Region are already living a life without worries about food and clothing. How much of a reaction will that cause?"

"Can the Northern Region serve as a model for the world based solely on this?"

Lu Zheng looked at the group of representatives with shining eyes.

The representatives of the various forces subtly changed their expressions, thinking to themselves that Lu Zheng really dared to think that way, but upon closer examination, it seemed that he could actually achieve that level of success.

From a region looked down upon by everyone to a model for the world?

Thinking about it, it really stirred up a bit of excitement in the hearts of the delegates.

A demon representative couldn't help but whisper, "If they could truly unite and achieve that level, I'm afraid all the dynasties in the world would see the Northern Region as a threat. At that time..."

The great demon didn't finish his sentence, but everyone understood what he meant.

No major power wants to see a unified Northern Region, or for the many demon races to rise again and become powerful.

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "Is it possible that because of the prosperity of the Northern Region and the peaceful lives of the people of all races, someone is jealous and wants to raise an unjust army to destroy this place?"

"If such a person really existed, I'm afraid the world wouldn't tolerate him."

"If any dynasty's million-strong army were to set foot in the Northern Region, you would have to cross the Taiping Region and run over my corpse before you could face them."

Lu Zheng's gaze was calm as he said quietly, "Since I, Lu Zheng, dare to discuss the future of the Northern Region with you all face to face, do I have any fear of facing other troubles in the future?"

Feng Xin, who had remained silent, smiled and said, "Young friend, your courage is indeed unmatched. I believe you are thorough in your work... It's too early to talk about such a crisis before we've achieved anything."

The other representatives immediately agreed and nodded in agreement.

After all, a demon saint has said so, and they're still worrying about things that might happen in the future? They're really overthinking it.

Lu Zhengdao said, "One year is my expectation, and I hope to do my best. If you all really can't do it, the Taiping Domain should be able to produce enough food, clothing and other supplies this year, and we can provide you with some assistance then."

The representatives present were all prominent figures, and they all felt somewhat embarrassed to hear Lu Zheng talking about providing such basic supplies.

That makes them seem so backward; they don't even have enough supplies?

At worst, we can simply open up warehouses in various places and distribute grain and other supplies to ordinary people.

Anyway, they don't need those ordinary supplies, so they won't be the ones who feel the pinch.

Gu Feng smiled and said, "Young friend, that's kind of you, but my Gulan Kingdom is quite wealthy and doesn't lack these things..."

Gu Feng changed his way of addressing Lu Zheng and politely declined Lu Zheng's offer, while also subtly elevating his own position.

This was to show that the Kingdom of Qulan was still developing well in the Northern Region and did not need such material assistance; if they wanted to help, they should help other forces.

Representatives from other factions were naturally unwilling to accept such a gesture of goodwill.

Seeing this, Lu Zheng moved on to the next topic, giving a detailed account of the North Region's planning and development in recent years.

Everyone discussed some details and issues, but generally agreed on the major points.

Feng Xin stroked his beard and said, "I am not good at governing. I will have my descendants come to Yongding City to learn more later. By the way, there are my descendants in the city. They may need more guidance from you, young friend Lu."

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "If we leave them in Yongding City and reform them properly, they can learn a lot."

Upon hearing this, the representatives of other forces understood the meaning behind Lu Zheng's words and realized that it was unlikely they could demand the person back from him now.

Lu Zheng stood up and said, "You can stay in Yongding City for a while, or go back to inform your clansmen and discuss today's events. I will stay in the city during this time, and you can come and talk to me if you need anything."

"You can discuss this here as well. I'll take my leave now."

Lu Zheng cupped his hands in greeting, leaving the area to the representatives of these forces.

Seeing Lu Zheng walk away, Gu Feng transmitted his voice to Feng Xin: "It seems you agree with what he said and want to cooperate with him?"

Feng Xin replied, "Aren't you the same?"

Some of Lu Zheng's words did indeed touch him.

Moreover, the Taiping Domain is developing at an astonishing speed. If the Chaofeng Kingdom does not strive for progress, it will probably fall behind others in no time.

The plans proposed by Lu Zheng are all beneficial to the Chaofeng Kingdom, so there is really no reason to refuse them.

Gu Feng said quietly, "This boy is quite extraordinary. It's better to befriend him than to make enemies with him."

In fact, Gu Feng didn't care much about what the Northern Region would become in the future. He just felt that Lu Zheng was a person with great potential and agreed with some of his ideas. Anyway, he could leave things to his subordinates to do, so he didn't have to spend any of his energy.

If he were to stand up against Lu Zheng at this moment, Gu Feng felt that this young man might actually take action against him.

If a real fight breaks out, there's no benefit in winning or losing, so there's really no need for it.

Gu Feng slowly stood up and said leisurely, "Alright, there's nothing good to stay here. I'm going back."

Representatives from other factions all stood up and respectfully saw them off.

Gu Feng disappeared from everyone's sight in an instant.

Feng Xin did not leave immediately, but instead slowly walked down the mountain.

The representatives of the other forces exchanged glances, then took their leave and hurriedly returned home.

They still need to go back and discuss the matters they just discussed with their clansmen in detail, as they involve the development of the entire Northern Region and the future of their own power, so they cannot be careless in the slightest.

……

"Sir, has the matter been settled?" An Dingyuan greeted Lu Zheng excitedly as he approached.

They were genuinely worried that a fight might break out suddenly. Only Lu Zheng could calmly negotiate with those powerful figures; they would never have been able to remain so composed.

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "Pretty much. Everyone will be busy in the future, and there's still a lot to do."

Representatives from most of the surrounding forces came; he had already made his point known, and now the representatives would relay the message back to the various factions.

Lu Zheng felt that he had arranged everything clearly, and if there were still people who were unhappy, he would have to go and visit them to see who was so unreasonable.

Just then, Feng Xin came over with a smile and said leisurely, "Yongding City has really seen a lot of outstanding people these days. Young friend Lu, could you introduce them?"

Upon hearing this, An Dingyuan said, "I am An Dingyuan of the Da'an royal family, and I am your student. This is Brother Qiushui of Yunmengze Yunmeng Sect, this is Daoist Mingyu of Qingyang Palace of Shu Kingdom... and over there is the great scholar Zhang Wencheng, an old scholar from Wu Kingdom."

An Dingyuan happily introduced a group of people to Lu Zheng.

Upon hearing about these people's backgrounds, a strange light flashed in Feng Xin's eyes; they were all indeed people with impressive connections...

I don't know how Lu Zheng managed to build up so many relationships, just based on that appeal letter.

He didn't believe things were that simple. He sensed that Lu Zheng had close ties with these people, and that a single letter could have such an effect.

"Fengxuan pays respects to the Ancestor!"

Fengxuan, who was not far away, stepped forward and respectfully paid her respects to this ancestor who had not appeared in the world for many years.

Feng Xin nodded slightly in response, "Since you are here, cultivate diligently, and don't end up like your great-uncle Feng Ming..."

"Yes."

Feng Xuan quickly responded. She had originally come to inquire about the situation in Yongding City, but it seemed that her ancestor had misunderstood something.

Feng Xin then transmitted a message to Lu Zheng.

The two then went to a secluded place.

Feng Xin casually cast a spell to prevent others from prying into his mind and said, "There are few people in this world who have cultivated such great Dao power as you. I have never heard of anyone who has reached such a level as you."

Lu Zheng smiled slightly and said, "Those who stray from the right path find little help, while those who follow the right path receive much help. I am simply walking on the righteous path, and I have the help of all the saints of heaven and earth. It is not that I am anything special."

Feng Xin thought that being able to get the help of all the saints of heaven and earth was something that others wouldn't even dare to dream of, but Lu Zheng spoke of it so casually.

"The righteous path..."

Feng Xin sighed, "The righteous energy of heaven and earth, the power you cultivate is indeed very pure, so pure that it is difficult for people to get close to you."

Feng Xin couldn't help but think of the sun in the sky. Everyone can feel its warmth, but if you get too close, even the most powerful person will find it hard to bear the sun's heat.

Lu Zheng's righteous aura was so pure that it gave people a sense of oppression.

Even when Lian Fengxin experienced it firsthand, he felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Lu Zheng smiled upon hearing this, "Then it shouldn't be my problem."

Feng Xin remained noncommittal, then said, "Your ambitions are great, and your vision extends far beyond the Northern Region. I hope you can truly lead all the demon races of the Northern Region out of their current predicament and towards a better future, just as you say."

Lu Zheng nodded and said, "I will do my best."

Feng Xin said in a low voice, "I want to give you something as a reward, which is also a favor I would like to ask you to do. However, this matter involves the secrets of my Phoenix Clan, and I hope you can keep it a secret."

Lu Zheng replied, "Okay."

He wasn't concerned about any reward, but it was just that a demon saint-level figure had asked him for help, and it was really hard to refuse.

Lu Zheng didn't sense any malice from Feng Xin. After thinking about it, he felt there was nothing wrong with it, so he agreed.

Feng Xin said, "Alright. I trust a young man like you. After you've finished your business here in a few days, I'll take you to Chaofeng Kingdom..."

Time flies by.

During this time, some demon clan forces also came to respond, confirming that they had reached an agreement with Lu Zheng to coexist peacefully, develop together, and not invade each other's territory...

It's likely that the fact that two demon saints came to Yongding City before but didn't clash with Lu Zheng, along with other factors, led the major demon forces to choose not to cause trouble for Lu Zheng, but instead to make this choice.

Seeing that Yongding City and the surrounding area had stabilized, Lu Zheng and Feng Xin went to Chaofeng Kingdom.

Led by Feng Xin, the two quickly arrived at a secluded place.

Feng Xin used magic to open a passage, from which an aura was released.

It gave Lu Zheng a sense of a particularly ancient atmosphere.

Feng Xin said in a low voice, "This is the ancestral land of my Phoenix Clan. If you trust me, young friend, please go in and take a look."

Lu Zheng's expression shifted slightly, and he asked, "Ancestral land?"

Places like ancestral lands are almost never open to outsiders, except in extremely special circumstances.

Lu Zheng had not expected that this demon saint would bring him to the ancestral land of the Phoenix Clan, and it seemed that the matter the other party had asked for was quite troublesome.

Feng Xin chuckled and said, "No one else would be able to get into such a place, but I trust you and I need your help."

After getting to know Lu Zheng, Feng Xin was certain that Lu Zheng was an extremely righteous person. Even if she told Lu Zheng some secrets of the Phoenix Clan, he would not spread them around.

Upon seeing this, Lu Zheng leaped into the passage.

Feng Xin followed closely behind and closed the passage again to prevent others from entering.

A flash of white light, and Lu Zheng arrived in another world.

Before him stood a strangely shaped mountain, which made Lu Zheng feel somewhat awkward no matter how he looked at it.

Feng Xin quickly appeared beside Lu Zheng and said softly, "That mountain is the ancestral land of the Phoenix Clan. What do you think, young friend?"

Lu Zheng bluntly stated, "It doesn't seem like a place with good feng shui."

The mountain looked like a phoenix pinned to the ground; it was far from being a place of good fortune, but rather a desolate wasteland.

Feng Xin, with a somber expression, said, "It's certainly not a place of auspicious feng shui. One of my clan's ancestors was killed here, and this place later became our clan's ancestral home..." (End of Chapter)