Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 254 Hundred Characters

"As the saying goes, 'The Tao begets One, One begets Two, Two begets Three, and Three begets all things.' All things have their roots. If we can trace them back to their source and understand their fundamental characteristics, we can also master this ever-changing Tao..."

"Well, what Fellow Daoist Lu said makes sense..."

Lu Zheng and Yun Xiao held the books and discussed in low voices.

Qingwan jumped onto Lu Zheng's shoulder and listened carefully.

Yun Xiao took out a pen and added and deleted some words in the book based on his own experience.

After a while, Yun Xiao said excitedly, "This book is very good. It gave me some inspiration. I need to think about it more carefully."

He turned to look at Lu Zheng again, his eyes sparkling, and asked, "Do you have any other rare books like this?"

Seeing how knowledgeable Lu Zheng was, Yun Xiao was sure that Lu Zheng must have more than one book.

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "Indeed, there are some. I can give you a few books on mathematics and the study of things. If you read them together, perhaps you can deepen your understanding."

After that, Lu Zheng took out a few mathematics books and said to Qing Wan, "Show the Taoist priest your notes."

"Oh!"

Qing Wan took out a notebook that was bigger than herself.

Among them are the physics knowledge copied and organized by Qingwan, as well as her various experimental notes.

Yun Xiao took it curiously and took a look at it, but he couldn't understand it for a while.

"I can't believe a little kid like you is already studying such profound principles!"

Yun Xiao flipped through Qing Wan's notes and said with a smile, "These questions are quite interesting. I'll help you study them when I get back..."

As he spoke, Yun Xiao cast a spell to copy all the books, and then happily put them away.

Afterwards, Yun Xiao took out a jade slip with some pain.

"I am a very particular person. I will not read your book in vain. This is an article on the Five Thunders Orthodox Method. There is also a thunder in it. You can practice it on your own. Whether you can comprehend and master it depends on your own ability."

Lu Zheng took it with a smile upon hearing this, "Thank you, Taoist Priest."

"Hey, it's awkward to say these things..."

Yun Xiao rummaged through his sleeves again and handed a booklet to Qing Wan. "Here, this is a wood-type technique, suitable for you to practice."

Qing Wan happily collected the booklet and said with a chuckle, "Thank you, Taoist Priest."

Yun Xiao stood up and said, "You don't need me to make cakes now, right? I'm going back to retreat, right?"

Having received so many books, he had to read them carefully.

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "I don't think so, but if the Taoist priest is not busy, let's celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival together."

"It's a holiday..."

Yun Xiao thought about how he had long since stopped celebrating these secular festivals, but he still nodded and said, "Okay, I'll come see you on Mid-Autumn Festival."

After saying that, Yun Xiao floated away.

After Yun Xiao left, Zhang Bo lowered his voice and said, "I didn't realize he was such a great man before, but it turns out he's quite a master."

Yun Xiao showed off some of his skills, and judging from his aura, he was clearly a master of the fourth realm, and had practiced Taoism for at least three hundred years.

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "He said he was a Taoist priest from Qingyang Mountain in Shu Kingdom."

Zhang Bo's expression shifted slightly, and he asked in surprise, "Qingyang Mountain in Shu Kingdom? I've heard a little bit about it. I heard there are many Taoist masters there. No wonder they can so easily pull out the Five Thunders Method..."

At this time, a servant came in from outside and reported: "Master Lu, there is a girl named Ruyu outside looking for you. She said she is your friend."

"Hmm?" Lu Zheng nodded and said, "Please ask her to come in."

After a while, Ruyu came in with a maid.

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "Miss Ruyu, why did you think of coming to see me?"

Ruyu Yingying bowed and said with a smile, "I just received Mr. Lu's mooncakes and came to return the gift..."

Ruyu took a gift box from the maid's hand and said, "It's just a little snack. I hope Master Lu doesn't mind."

"How could that be? Please come in and have a seat, young lady." Lu Zheng took the gift box and said, "This is Master Zhang Bo, and this is Qing Wan..."

Lu Zheng introduced them to each other.

Ruyu smiled and said, "Master Zhang is the newly-conferred Juren, right? I remember that..."

Ruyu couldn't help but look at Qingwan again. She didn't expect that there was a little monster following Lu Zheng.

When they arrived at the living room, they sat at the tea table and Lu Zheng began to make tea.

Ruyu said quietly, "How can we let Mr. Lu do this? Let me do it."

"What's the big deal?" Lu Zheng said disapprovingly, "How's business going at your study lately, young lady?"

Ruyu smiled and said, "No, those scholars are all staying at home and not daring to go out. How could they come to my study to buy things?"

"It's Lu's fault," Lu Zheng said with a smile. Ruyu covered her mouth and chuckled, "I dare not blame you, sir. It doesn't matter how you get up. After all, I'm just a small business, and I just want to be safe."

"I was strolling on the street today and got a mooncake. It's the first time I've received such a special Mid-Autumn Festival gift. I heard that it was made by Master Lu, so I shamelessly came over and wanted to ask for a few more."

Lu Zheng smiled, knowing that the other party was just looking for an excuse to talk to him and get closer to him.

"I have a lot here, you can eat as much as you want, girl."

Lu Zheng poured everyone a cup of hot tea, opened the gift box of snacks, took out a few mooncakes, cut them, arranged them on a plate, and handed them to everyone.

Lu Zheng had been busy for a while and had no time to rest. He was drinking tea and eating pastries.

Seeing this, Ruyu did not hesitate and just drank tea and savored the mooncakes.

She said slowly, "I heard that the county government has started to try the case. Notices have been posted. Many people have been sentenced, and some have been released..."

Lu Zheng nodded slightly. "After all, we've arrested so many people. If we don't convict them soon, what will happen if the government's rice reserves are completely depleted?"

Ruyu was stunned when she heard this, then chuckled, "I thought Mr. Lu was always serious, but he can also joke."

Lu Zheng smiled lightly and said, "Just telling the truth."

Ruyu said, "It seems that several heads of large families were also released, and some were let in by Master Lu himself."

Lu Zhengdao said, "You two gentlemen handled the case fairly and strictly. I can trust you. Those people were released because their crimes were minor and not enough for sentencing, or because there wasn't enough evidence to prove their guilt... Regardless, they were punished. I hope they behave themselves in the future."

Ruyu was a little surprised when she saw that Lu Zheng didn't care about this matter at all. Isn't he really afraid of revenge?

She then whispered, "Because of these things, I have also taken over some businesses. I will be more considerate of the people in the future."

Ruyu raised her hand and handed a piece of paper to Lu Zheng.

Lu Zheng took a glance at it. There were quite a few names of shops and businesses listed. Was this considered a briefing to him?
Lu Zheng couldn't help but say: "The fact that the girl can take over these is her ability."

Ruyu smiled slightly and said, "I can't manage so many properties by myself. If Mr. Lu likes any of them, I can sell them to him at the purchase price. We are all friends after all."

Ruyu knew that if she offered it as a gift, Lu Zheng would definitely not accept it. If it was a fair trade, the other party might be more likely to accept it.

Lu Zheng was thinking that he would not live in Hongzhou City for long, so he did not need any property, and he was not short of money.

He glanced around and saw a printing house, which gave him an idea.

Lu Zheng then said, "Come to think of it, there is something I need to trouble you with."

Upon hearing this, Ruyu couldn't help but say, "Master Lu, please speak."

Lu Zheng took out a small book and said, "This is a book I compiled in my spare time. It's an enlightenment reading material. I'd like to ask you to help me print it. The more copies the better, and we'll try to keep the cost down. If it's for ordinary people like slaves or farmers, I'll give it away for free. For others, I'll sell it at cost, and I'll give them a subsidy..."

Lu Zheng had just recently finished editing this little book, and was planning to find someone to print some copies to distribute to the public when he had some free time.

Since Ruyu is here, I can ask her for some help.

When Ruyu heard this, her expression suddenly became serious.

She took the booklet with both hands and flipped through it gently. The booklet was very thin and had easy-to-understand pictures and texts. They were all common words, and there was also the most basic mathematics at the back.

Compared with those enlightenment reading materials on the market, this kind of booklet can make people easy to learn even without anyone teaching.

Ruyu understood very well what this meant. In the future, even ordinary people who could not afford to go to school would have the opportunity to learn to read and write.

She said sternly, "Mr. Lu cares deeply about the people. Even the wise men of old might not be as good as you. I will handle this matter as soon as possible. As for the subsidy, please don't worry about it... I have some money and am willing to do good things for the people and accumulate blessings."

Ruyu paused, then said, "This book has no title. Mr. Lu, please give it a name."

Lu Zheng thought for a moment and said, "Let's just call it Hundred Character Essay. It's just a small book, there's no need for a complicated name."

"Okay." Ruyu nodded. "By the way, Mr. Lu, do you still need the Five Thunder Technique? I have a few business deals coming up recently and will be sending people to other states. I can help you find out."

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "That's not necessary, I already have it."

"Really? Mr. Lu has a lot of connections."

Ruyu smiled slightly, but was a little surprised in her heart. The authentic Taoist Five Thunder Method was not so easy to obtain.

Ruyu then asked, "Master Lu, do you have any other instructions? I will do whatever I can to help you."

"No." Lu Zheng shook his head and said, "There will be a Mid-Autumn Festival celebration on Wenmiao Mountain. If you have time, you can go and relax."

"Okay." Ruyu smiled, "I will definitely come when the time comes."

After saying that, Ruyu stood up gracefully and said, "I dare not disturb you any longer, sir. I will take my leave now."

Lu Zheng stood up and saw Ruyu out the door.

Seeing the person leave, Zhang Bo asked curiously, "This person is actually the owner of Ruyu Study. I've never seen him before!"

Lu Zheng smiled faintly and said, "He is a cultivator, a master of the fourth realm, why would he show his face everywhere?"

Lu Zheng did not say that Ruyu was a big monster, so as not to scare Zhang Bo.

Zhang Bo was surprised when he heard this, and wondered why Lu Zheng always knew some powerful people. He also had to work hard and not fall behind others.

(End of this chapter)