Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 258 Extraordinary Talent
Ruyu paused, then smiled faintly, "Mr. Lu is so perceptive that even a little secret of mine cannot be hidden."

Lu Zheng explained with a smile: "I have traveled around and seen many monsters and ghosts before, so I am very sensitive to various auras."

Ruyu understood what he said, but did not talk much about this topic.

She examined the portrait for a while and said, "This is a really good painting. Master Lu's painting skills are extraordinary. In fact, there are probably not many painters in the whole of Hongzhou who can compare to him."

"Miss, you're too kind," Lu Zheng said. "It's mainly thanks to my previous discussion with Painter Zheng that I was able to draw something like this."

Zheng Yu? Ruyu had heard about the past and present affairs between the two.

She also collects Zheng Yu's works, but when comparing their paintings, it is clear that they are not from the same painting style.

Ruyu was very satisfied with the painting and handed it to Lu Zheng. "Please sign it, Mr. Lu. When I show it to my friends, they will know it's Mr. Lu's work."

Upon hearing this, Lu Zheng added his own name, but did not stamp it. He had never made such a thing for himself.

Ruyu stopped smiling and suddenly her ears moved slightly, hearing a slight noise coming from outside.

Soon, someone knocked on the door.

"Sir, can I come in?"

A young man's voice came from outside.

"Sir?" Ruyu was surprised. It was the first time she heard someone address Lu Zheng like that.

Seeing Ruyu didn't react, Lu Zheng said, "Come in!"

An Dingyuan gently pushed the door open and walked in. "I heard that the gentleman was with his friends. Did I bother him?"

An Dingyuan smiled and looked at Ruyu, then at Lu Zheng.

Lu Zhengdao said, "No problem, please take a seat. This is Ruyu, the owner of Ruyu Bookstore, helping me print my new book... This is Governor An."

Governor An? Ruyu was stunned, unable to comprehend the situation for a moment.

An Dingyuan suddenly realized what was going on and said, "So it's Miss Ruyu!"

He quickly remembered that this person was said to be a big demon?
Ruyu quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "My humble servant greets the Governor!"

An Dingyuan waved his hand and said, "Well, since you are my friend, there is no need to be polite."

An Dingyuan sat down happily and moved closer to Lu Zheng. "The case at the government office is almost done, so I came to see you, sir, and to discuss the arrangements for the Mid-Autumn Festival."

Ruyu originally wanted to say goodbye and leave, but after hearing this, she sat down again.

If she could help, she could also get closer to these two people.

She was also very curious about how Lu Zheng became the husband of the new governor?

This was even more surprising to her than seeing the legendary work come out last night.

Everyone in Hongzhou City knew that when An Dingyuan came, he scolded the previous governor in the street and asked him to resign and retire.

Now he is so respectful to Lu Zheng and calls him "Sir", which is shocking.

"This Mid-Autumn Festival celebration will be open to the people. It doesn't need to be too elegant, it can be down-to-earth, but of course it can't be understated or explicit..." Lu Zheng presented a plan. "This is what I wrote in the past two days. I thought I'd show it to you now that you're almost done with your work, and it's just in time for you to come."

An Dingyuan took it curiously and looked at it, then read it with great interest.

Because Lu Zheng also added several performance scripts to the plan, some of which depict family feuds and national hatreds, and some depict love entanglements, all of which are very novel stories.

An Dingyuan said with a sigh, "The story you wrote is very good. It can indeed be performed to entertain the people."

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "I don't have such a brilliant mind. I heard these stories from other places and then adapted them a little bit."

Ruyu was curious, but she didn't want to use her spiritual sense to investigate the plan in An Dingyuan's hand.

An Dingyuan noticed Ruyu's gaze and gave her part of the plan.

Ruyu took it and read it. When she read a story, her eyes couldn't help but turn red.

"Uh, Miss Ruyu, this is..." Lu Zheng couldn't help but say softly.

Ruyu wiped her eyes sheepishly and asked, "Is the story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai true?"

The performance arranged by Lu Zheng includes the love story of Liang Zhu.

As for stories about lingering love between humans and demons and ghosts, there are none.

After all, in a world like this, it is not easy to publicize such things.

"It's just a rumor." Lu Zheng paused, then added, "But I think there are many stories like Liang Zhu in the world."

An Dingyuan glanced at Ruyu and thought to himself, what's so touching about such a love story?

He thought Mulan's story of joining the army was very good and his aunt would definitely like it.

An Dingyuan said excitedly: "Sir, this is a sir. These arrangements are very good. I will have someone do it right away."

Ruyu next to him said, "I know some people at the theater. They're definitely willing to perform. I can invite them..."

An Dingyuan thought for a moment and said, "I'm not familiar with Hongzhou City yet. It would be great if the young lady is willing to help. Come on!"

An Dingyuan called his officials and gave them instructions.

Ruyu stood up and said goodbye, then went to help the officials prepare matters. An Dingyuan looked at Lu Zheng, "Sir, will you come back to the Governor's Mansion with me?"

"Okay." Lu Zheng nodded.

So, the two of them went out.

When he came outside, Lu Zheng saw several fierce-looking wolves.

An Dingyuan explained to Lu Zheng with a bit of pride, then asked, "Sir, would you like one as a mount?"

Lu Zheng shook his head. Such a giant wolf mount was too ostentatious and troublesome to raise. At his current level, he didn't need a mount for transportation.

Seeing this, An Dingyuan said, "These mounts really don't match your temperament, sir. What kind do you want? I can get it for you."

"No need to bother, it's not necessary." Lu Zheng said.

"OK then."

An Dingyuan didn't say much. He asked these Wolf Guards to leave first, and he and Lu Zheng went back by car.

As he walked along, Lu Zheng could still see some passers-by reading and studying the Hundred Character Classic.

An Dingyuan beside him smiled and said, "Sir, your works will probably spread throughout the country in no time, allowing even the illiterate people to recognize a few words. By then, you will surely receive commendations from the imperial court..."

In fact, at the beginning, An Dingyuan did not expect that Lu Zheng's book would have such a great influence.

Lu Zheng smiled faintly, "Awards or something, it doesn't matter, I don't care."

"Hey, this is what you deserve, sir." An Dingyuan's expression straightened. "You are from Hongzhou and have done so much. You are a role model for Hongzhou. Not to mention the Imperial Confucian Temple, our Hongzhou government should also give you some rewards. Lord Su and I have discussed the idea of opening a new academy in your name to educate poor students free of charge."

An Dingyuan knew that Lu Zheng would definitely not ask for any reward, so he discussed this method with Su Ming.

Lu Zheng thought of the story of Zigong redeeming someone, and nodded, "That's good."

Andingyuanjian was overjoyed when Lu Zheng agreed.

He said cheerfully, "Don't worry, sir. I will definitely make the new academy the best academy in Hongzhou."

Lu Zheng couldn't help but say, "You just arrived, take your time and don't expect to accomplish everything in one go."

An Dingyuan's expression froze, and he instantly felt that Lu Zheng had a bit of his aunt's shadow, but there were differences between the two.

"Then would you like to teach in the academy?" An Dingyuan asked in a low voice.

Lu Zhengdao said, "I won't stay in Hongzhou for long. Besides, as I said before, I'm traveling and studying myself. How can I be qualified to teach students?"

"Oh, I see." An Dingyuan felt a little regretful, but also a little relieved.

The two of them soon arrived at the governor's mansion.

When I arrived at the study, I saw An Jing still busy handling official business.

An Dingyuan came over with a smile on his face, serving tea and water, "Aunt, you are still busy!"

An Jing didn't even raise his head. "Are you done?"

"No, there are still some cases that can only be dealt with after the holidays." An Dingyuan said, "After that, we have to investigate and confiscate some family properties, so we'll be busy for a while. Aunt, you don't know, those families are really greedy..."

An Dingyuan chattered for a long time, saying that he had done a lot of things.

An Jing finished his official business and asked the maid to send it out quickly.

She took a sip of tea and looked at Lu Zheng, who was flipping through a book not far away. She said quietly, "Lu Zheng, you really know how to surprise people. You quietly wrote a masterpiece that will be passed down through the ages. You seem to be busier than me all day, busy with this and that. Where do you get all the energy?"

"There are enough pills. I have plenty of medicine." Lu Zheng said with a smile.

An Jing said, "Some things require more than just taking more medicine to accomplish them. Let me calculate. I heard you're proficient in mathematics, painting, music, swordsmanship, medicine, and... you're practically proficient in everything. You must have abilities I don't know about. Did a saint unlock all your talents?"

An Jing stared at Lu Zheng, feeling increasingly confused.

It has only been two months, and Lu Zheng's changes are so amazing.

Lu Zheng thought for a moment and said, "Everyone has different talents. I might be a little bit special."

An Jing thought that it wouldn't be such an exaggeration. She even suspected that Meng Sheng had accepted Lu Zheng as his disciple.

An Dingyuan next to him blinked and couldn't help asking, "Sir, you have so many skills?"

"Basically, these are just the basics." Lu Zheng said, "Learn more skills, it's always better to have more skills."

An Jing's eyes sparkled, "I kind of want to spar with you."

When An Dingyuan heard this, his eyes narrowed and he subconsciously stepped back, wanting to slip away to avoid getting into trouble.

"Uh..." Lu Zheng couldn't help but say, "I've seen the girl's abilities before, but I'm no match for you now."

"Really? Why do I feel like you're capable of fighting?" An Jing raised his eyebrows slightly, "You were surrounded and attacked by so many people before and remained unscathed."

Lu Zheng said, "I just restrained myself. They couldn't resist my righteous spirit, so I had some advantages. The girl is naturally different from them."

An Jing nodded and said, "That makes sense. Well, wait until you reach the fourth realm, and then we can discuss it. By the way, when do you think you can become a Confucian scholar? I'm looking forward to seeing you become a Jinshi of the Heaven and Earth."

(End of this chapter)