Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 720 Half-Step to the Dao

In early spring, the ice and snow melt, and the once white earth is now bursting with greenery.

A vibrant scene of life and flourishing diversity is still vivid in my mind.

Construction has been accelerated in various regions of Taiping, with bridges, roads, irrigation canals, farmland, and various workshops springing up like mushrooms after rain, leading this region toward a more prosperous future.

An Taixuan had previously complained to Lu Zheng that Anguo was too large and some areas were too remote to be controlled by the imperial court.

But Lu Zheng never thought so. As long as enough roads are built and some means of transportation are improved, even ordinary people can travel ten thousand miles a day. No matter how vast the territory is, as long as it is managed with care, no decree will be impossible to implement.

The major dynasties of today have not invested significant human and financial resources in infrastructure development that benefits the country and its people.

Either they were unwilling to spend such a huge amount of national treasury funds, or they simply didn't care about such a matter.

Lu Zheng, however, was well aware that convenient transportation would enhance communication between different regions and benefit the overall economic development.

Back when he was still in Kaiyang County, he emphasized that Magistrate Li should spare no expense in repairing roads and pay attention to people's livelihood.

Although he has not returned to Kaiyang County in recent years, he has learned from many people that Kaiyang County is now the most successful county in Anguo's reform, and the people's lives are many times more prosperous than before.

As a result, people in the surrounding counties of Kaiyang County also benefited from this.

Unfortunately, the benefits of the reforms could not reach the entire Anguo; for Anguo, there was still a long way to go.

While Taipingyu was actively engaged in large-scale construction, the Wei court also intensified its efforts to rectify Buddhism.

For a time, the two sides were in a very harmonious state.

Several huge shopping malls are even being built in the unclaimed area between the two sides, specifically for trade between them.

If some officials in Anguo found out, they would definitely accuse Lu Zheng of aiding the enemy and betraying the country.

However, An Taixuan was aware of this matter. After weighing the pros and cons, he realized that he could not only look at superficial things, but needed to take a longer-term view.

The close ties between Taiping Domain and the State of Wei may not necessarily be a bad thing.

An Taixuan had no doubt about Lu Zheng's principles; he would rather suspect that there were traitors in the court.

……

In the northern part of Taiping Domain, in a certain spiritually significant mountain.

The mountains are dotted with pavilions, towers, and palaces, among which a magnificent hall exudes a lively atmosphere.

Inside the magnificent palace, music and dance filled the air, and many guests dressed in splendid attire sat on both sides, enjoying a harmonious and joyful atmosphere.

The guests seated on both sides were quite different; on one side were monks dressed in Buddhist robes, while on the other side were a group of demonic creatures exuding an eerie aura.

On the main seat, a plump monk dressed in a gleaming golden robe sat comfortably.

Beside this fat monk, a powerful demon was smiling obsequiously and raising his cup in a conciliatory manner.

The great demon Hu Feng was originally the master of this region.

A few days ago, a group of eminent monks from the State of Wei arrived, saying they wanted to spread Buddhism in the northern region, and then it seems they've decided to stay on his territory...

Because the northern region is quite chaotic, and there is a certain Taiping Region separating it from the Wei Kingdom, the great changes that have occurred in the Buddhist community of Wei Kingdom have not yet spread to this region.

Many forces in the northern regions are still unaware of the major events that have occurred in the Wei Kingdom.

The great demon Hu Feng was also very puzzled as to why so many monks came to him to spread the Dharma, but he dared not ask in detail.

After all, the high monk sitting next to him was a being close to the Bodhisattva level.

People who come to his place are doing him a favor.

If he dared to say anything negative, he'd probably be exorcised by this fat monk in the blink of an eye...

Therefore, Hu Feng, as the host, could only sit in the second-highest position at such a banquet and dared not claim to be the head of the household.

Hu Feng greeted him with a smile on his face, but deep down he was sighing and lamenting.

No one would be happy if a group of highly skilled monks suddenly arrived and ate and drank for free.

He also thought that when caravans from Taiping Domain came to buy people, they would properly exchange money and grain for people. What was the deal with these monks?

Just then, a figure rushed in from outside and headed towards the main hall.

"Your Majesty! Something terrible has happened!"

The demon stammered, his face filled with undisguised pure terror, as if he had encountered some great horror.

Hu Feng's face darkened upon hearing this. "What kind of behavior is this, all flustered and disorganized! What happened?"

The monster's lips trembled and he couldn't speak for a moment. He quickly presented Hu Feng with an exquisite letter.

Hu Feng casually waved his hand, and a wisp of demonic wind took the letter into his hand.

A pair of sharp eyes scanned the area, and the person's expression froze.

On the letter's cover, a few words seemed branded into his mind, lingering there forever.

"Peaceful Domain, written by Lu Zheng himself..."

A person's name, the shadow of a tree.

Lu Zheng's name is now infamous throughout the entire Northern Region.

This led to numerous rumors, such as that this human scholar killed demons without blinking an eye, leaving corpses strewn everywhere he went, and that his methods were even more ruthless than those of the most famous demons...

Many monsters were transformed into demons by Lu Zheng while still alive, and some of their corpses were even hung up to dry and served as snacks with alcohol...

Various rumors circulated, which is typical of the chaotic Northern Region.

The reputation of some evil demons and ghosts in the Northern Region has been greatly diminished as a result.

Hu Feng opened the letter with slightly stiff movements. It was an invitation to join the Taiping Domain.

He had heard of such a thing before; it was called an invitation, but it was practically no different from a death notice.

Disagreeing means certain death.

If you agree, you might live, but you'll lose almost everything except your life, and you'll have to go to prison or something like that.

Hu Feng estimated that he was on the verge of being sentenced to death.

Previously, seeing that Taiping Domain had not continued to expand northward and had even spent manpower and resources to gather ordinary people, he thought that they did not intend to expand their territory and had settled down in one place.

The invitation that suddenly arrived caught him completely off guard.

Hu Feng turned to look at the monster who had delivered the letter, "Where did the letter come from?"

The monster calmed down a little, but its eyes were still filled with fear and its voice was trembling.

"It was given to me by that scholar Lu; he's waiting outside for the King's reply..."

Upon hearing this, the entire hall fell silent, and all the demons paled.

Hu Feng was so frightened that he stood up immediately, his face full of vigilance and unease.

He subconsciously wanted to extend his divine sense to investigate the situation, but he stopped himself, afraid of angering that person.

Of course, there's also a hint of unwillingness to face reality...

The monks couldn't help but find it strange that these demons were so restless.

The chubby monk murmured, "Is it that Lu Zheng? Why are you so terrified..." The chubby monk had just examined the letter with his mind and didn't think anything of it.

He had heard of Lu Zheng before, and had even passed through Taiping Domain to take a look when he came here.

That place certainly seemed to have some hidden secrets, but in his view, a system without a ruler or subjects, where ordinary people were the only ones who could achieve self-destruction, was a self-destructive act.

Lu Zheng was nothing more than a bookworm obsessed with reading the classics; though he might amaze people for a time, he would eventually meet his doom.

This is his assessment of Lu Zheng, given his extensive Buddhist experience.

Hearing the fat monk's words, Hu Feng thought to himself, "The other side isn't targeting you monks, so it's easy for you to talk without knowing the situation..."

Hu Feng inwardly grumbled, but he concealed his emotions very well.

He couldn't help but ask, "Master Baode, how should we deal with him? Please, Master, make the decision..."

He simply didn't have the courage to face Lu Zheng, after all, he had heard that Lu Zheng's strength was unfathomable and that he had a powerful background, which was not something that a small demon clan force like his could contend with.

Upon hearing this, Baode said leisurely, "This is a private matter between you two, and it is really not appropriate for us Buddhists to interfere."

Hu Feng's lips twitched slightly, but he suppressed his breath and said softly, "Master, have mercy..."

Hu Feng's voice gradually lowered, and soon it became a private transmission.

Upon hearing Hu Feng's words, Bao De's eyes couldn't help but gleam.

"Is this true?"

Bao De looked at Hu Feng, his gaze containing a sharp edge.

Hu Feng quickly replied, "How could I dare to deceive you, Master? After this is over, I will take you there to have a look."

Baode pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "The Buddha is compassionate and cannot bear to see sentient beings slaughtering each other... So this humble monk went to mediate and send that scholar away."

Baode slowly stood up, his loose robe unable to conceal his excessively obese body.

Hu Feng's face lit up with joy, and he quickly stepped forward to see him off. Of course, he only took one step and did not intend to follow him out to face a certain person.

"Master, your virtue and righteousness will be forever remembered by me. I will definitely have a golden statue made for you in the future, and offer incense to you day and night..."

"Oh, there's really no need for that..."

Baode waved his hand, with a kind and amiable expression, and disappeared from the main hall in the blink of an eye.

"Keep playing music, keep dancing!"

A monk spoke up in a loud voice.

So the singing and dancing that had stopped resumed, but the performers were no longer as calm and composed as before.

The monsters were also filled with fear and their hearts remained unsettled.

Hu Feng slowly sat down, a hint of unease in his expression. He felt that even if Master Baode went out, he might not be able to handle the situation.

However, Master Baode came from a major Buddhist sect in the Wei Kingdom, and should have the ability and background to persuade that person to make some concessions.

Maybe……

Hu Feng couldn't help but glance out of the hall out of the corner of his eye.

Although he didn't see anything, he just couldn't stop wanting to look.

Bao De walked out of the main hall, his divine sense rapidly scanning the surroundings, trying to find Lu Zheng.

After a few breaths, Baode paused, his gaze fixed straight ahead.

Because he saw Lu Zheng standing in the air not far away, looking at him calmly.

Ok?

Bao De felt a sense of surprise and doubt; he hadn't even sensed Lu Zheng's sudden appearance.

Seeing this, Baode slightly abandoned his disdain and instead put his hands together in a gesture of respect.

"May Buddha have mercy. May I ask what brings you to our Buddhist temple, benefactor?"

Lu Zheng narrowed his eyes, looking at the chubby monk, then smiled and asked curiously, "A Buddhist temple? When did this become your Buddhist territory?"

Baode said solemnly, "The Buddha's light shines upon the world. We have come to the Northern Region to spread the orthodox Buddhism, as instructed by the Buddha. This place has been designated as a pure land of Buddhism..."

"I've heard that you, benefactor, have also performed great acts of kindness and virtue in the Northern Region. You are a person who has accumulated great merit and good fortune, and you will surely be reborn in the Pure Land in your next life..."

"You've arrived too late; please find somewhere else!"

After hearing these words, most people probably wouldn't have been able to show any displeasure.

But Lu Zheng is no ordinary person; he's not so easily fooled or deceived.

Lu Zheng listened to Bao De's words with a calm expression, then turned and said, "Since you are a member of the Buddhist community, don't you know that one of the ten precepts of Buddhism is that monks should not lie?"

Bao De's fat face twitched slightly as he said, "This humble monk did not understand what you meant, benefactor."

Lu Zheng slowly said, "I went to Wei to attend the Unobstructed Assembly and saw all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, but I didn't see you. Where did you get the Buddha's message that he sent you here to spread the Dharma?"

Coming to the Northern Regions to spread Buddhism? That's quite a bold statement. Did they even get his permission?

Bao De narrowed his eyes, his expression unchanged, and said, "The Buddha appeared in my dream to enlighten me, instructing me to bring people to the Northern Region to spread the Dharma. How could an outsider like you know this? Young man, I respect you as a Confucian scholar of the human race. Shouldn't you at least show some courtesy and reason?"

Lu Zheng chuckled upon hearing this, "Having fled north to this place, you actually speak so elegantly and refinedly. Master, is your Buddhist cultivation all about cultivating your thick skin and smooth tongue?"

Upon hearing this, Bao De's fat face trembled uncontrollably. He could hardly contain his emotions, feeling as if someone had reopened a deep wound.

Lu Zheng's voice was quite loud; everyone in the hall on the mountain could hear it clearly.

The local demons and monsters were still a bit confused. What was this about fleeing north? What was going on?

Even Hu Feng noticed that the expressions on the faces of the other monks in the hall were off, and he began to have some guesses.

Bao De's tone turned cold. "The affairs of my Buddhist sect are none of your business, a mere Confucian or Taoist youth, interfering and spouting nonsense..."

"Are you willing to go against Buddhism just for this small piece of land?"

Bao De felt like he was in an awkward position, but for the sake of his reputation, he still had to be firm in his words.

"To oppose?"

Lu Zheng said coldly, "A bunch of Buddhist traitors, how dare you speak like that? Since you're here, none of you are leaving!"

Bao De was shocked, not expecting Lu Zheng to be so arrogant.

His thoughts had reached extremely far, yet he had not discovered any other powerful figures.

"Young man, you are too arrogant. We have no grudge against you, why must we make such a big enemy?"

He was, after all, a Buddhist monk who had taken a half-step towards enlightenment, yet he encountered such a young man, which made him feel utterly humiliated.

If he didn't have some reservations, he wouldn't have bothered with all this talk, trying to make the other party back down. There was no need to fight to the death.

If it were an ordinary, powerful demon without any background, he would have simply suppressed it with a single Buddhist seal.

Lu Zheng said calmly, "How can we ignore injustice when we encounter it on the road? Do you expect me to let you continue to do evil?"

"They still dare to lie and say this is a Buddhist temple, it's laughable..."

"This region will belong to the Taiping Domain from now on, and even Buddha can't stop it. I said so!" (End of Chapter)