Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 363: Planning for the Throne
Lu Zheng knew that his words would not have much effect, but he chose to say it, mainly because he wanted to see the attitude of the people present.

These young people were all selected from top families.

Their attitude, to a certain extent, also represents the attitude of the family behind them.

The expressions of the audience seemed to indicate that few people agreed with Lu Zheng's words.

Even though the princess of the Demon Country applauded in response, it was only because she valued talent and did not truly agree with Lu Zheng's ideas.

After hearing this, Murong Dan sneered and said, "You Confucian scholars, you talk a lot about benevolence, righteousness, and morality, but you can't unify the world just by talking. You are really nerds..."

Murong Dan shook his head slightly, with contempt in his eyes.

This sentence made some people present change their expressions.

After all, Lu Zheng was not the only one who practiced Confucianism. Even people from the Confucian and Mencian families were present.

The young man from the Meng family couldn't help but speak up, "Prince Murong is wrong. We Confucians cultivate ourselves, manage our families, govern our states, and bring peace to the world! We possess both civil and military virtues and talents, and are no less capable than others. We are not just good at studying."

Murong Dan chuckled, "Both civil and military? Confucian scholars like you aren't the only ones who can be considered scholars. Others are equally capable of literary virtue, but as for martial virtue, you're still a little lacking. Confucianism governing the country? Peaceful world? Of the nine kingdoms in the world, less than half truly govern with Confucianism, and I've never heard of a founding father pacifying the world with literature."

The young man from the Meng family couldn't help but say, "Only by governing the country with Confucianism can the country be kept in long-term peace and stability..."

Murong Dan chuckled and said, "How many people here think you agree with what you said? We, Great Yan, rule the country with military force and law, and our country will still last long."

In various countries, Confucian and Taoist scholars are not always well received.

This involves the distribution of power and interests, and some countries may even deliberately suppress Confucian and Taoist scholars.

This is similar to the reason why medicine was not popular in the Chu State.

The man from Chu said calmly, "There aren't many Confucian scholars in our Great Chu either, but they are still capable of governing the country."

"Buddha has mercy on us..." A monk from the Wei Kingdom put his hands together with a look of pity for all living things.

A certain Shu prince sat in a corner, watching the quarrels leisurely without joining in.

All of a sudden, everyone started arguing again about how to best govern the country.

None of the arguments were convincing, and some even suggested going to the martial arts arena to spar and determine who was better.

But in the end, no one went to the martial arts arena.

A simple gathering ended in a not very pleasant atmosphere.

Liu Changan stayed until the end and directed the maids in the painting to clean up the party scene.

He stood aside, his eyes deep, and murmured, "These people from the royal families of the eight countries are just so-so. The princess of Anguo does seem to have some abilities, but it's a pity that she's a woman..."

"As for the people sent by other aristocratic families, they aren't that outstanding either! That Lu Zheng has some unique ideas, so I'm afraid he really comes from an ordinary background..."

Liu Changan thought about it and gave a general evaluation of the people attending the party.

On a mountain path, Qing Wan was walking slowly, holding a cup in one hand and a spiritual fruit in the other.

Her little face was flushed, and she sipped the wine in the glass from time to time, her expression intoxicated and dazed.

Lu Zheng and An Jing followed slowly behind, enjoying the scenery along the way.

An Jing suddenly said, "I saw that Meng family member, he seemed to approve of you."

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "Maybe it's because of my righteousness that they didn't really take my words to heart."

"I think you're right," An Jing said seriously, "but your ideal is too high, as difficult as climbing to the sky."

Compared to others, An Jing had more contact with Lu Zheng and learned a lot of new ideas from Lu Zheng, so he was more receptive.

Lu Zhengdao: "Nothing is difficult in this world as long as you are willing to climb."

"If we don't do anything, the world will only get worse." Lu Zheng looked up at the sky. "I don't see the word 'common people' in their eyes. They are the young leaders of their respective countries. They will surely hold high positions of power in the future. If even they are like this, how can our country last long?"

An Jing couldn't help but say, "You seem to be more concerned about the country and the people than before."

An Jing felt that as a princess of a country, she was not as worried as Lu Zheng was. It was as if the country of An would suddenly be destroyed one day.

Lu Zhengdao: "People who have seen the sun find it hard to endure darkness."

Huh? An Jing didn't quite understand what Lu Zheng meant when he heard this.

Lu Zheng didn't explain much, but asked: "What's your choice?"

An Jing's eyes moved slightly, and he whispered, "Go to my place and talk."

Although she had made up her mind, she still wanted to discuss it with Lu Zheng.

"Okay." Lu Zheng nodded slightly.

Lu Zheng looked at Qing Wan in front of him and said softly, "Don't get drunk. Go to Miss An's place later and drink some tea to sober up."

"I'm not drunk!" Qing Wan responded quickly.

As she spoke, Qing Wan's steps became unsteady and she almost fell down.

Lu Zheng couldn't help shaking his head and grabbed Qing Wan's collar, "Why do you like drinking now?"

"The fruit wine is very spiritual! I feel like drinking it can help me grow taller!" Qing Wan said.

Lu Zheng thought to himself that Qing Wan was always treated like a child and wanted to grow up quickly. Lu Zheng couldn't help but laugh and said, "Drink less. If you drink too much, you won't be able to digest it, and the spiritual energy will all come out of your body."

"Huh?" Qing Wan looked at herself and found that it was true.

She had no choice but to put away the spiritual fruits and spiritual wine with a lingering feeling, waiting to consume them later.

Lu Zhengdao: "Compared to other monsters, you are growing faster. There is no need to rush."

Qing Wan thought about it and it seemed to be true. The two demons who had been sitting on her left and right were not sure how much older they were than her, and their realms were not much higher than hers.

The three of them quickened their pace and soon returned to An Jing's residence on Yuyue Peak.

Arriving in the tea room, An Jing brewed a pot of soothing tea.

The three of them drank some tea to sober up before getting down to business.

An Jing said solemnly, "I've made up my mind. I want to fight for that position."

Across from her, Qing Wan held a teacup in her small hands, staring at An Jing with sparkling eyes.

Lu Zheng was not surprised to hear this. It is difficult for people who have always held power to give up the power they have, especially if they are extremely strong.

Lu Zheng smiled slightly and asked, "What does Miss An plan to do?"

An Jing said softly, "What you said before makes sense. I will go back and tell Father about this, but I don't know how to say it so that Father won't oppose my idea."

The current Emperor An is also an extremely strong and wise man.

Not to mention getting An Taixuan to support An Jing in his fight for the throne, it would be quite difficult to even get An Taixuan not to object.

After all, it has never happened in any dynasty that a princess fights for the throne.

This move is likely to cause shock to the entire royal family and the country.

Upon hearing this, Lu Zheng said, "Young lady, do you know why a country rarely has a leader who can revive it?"

"Why?" An Jing asked.

Lu Zheng said slowly, "Because power is solidified, even a wise ruler would find it difficult to shake the powerful and privileged. Reviving the country can only slow down the country's decline, but it cannot solve the problem at its root."

"To achieve true prosperity, we need either top-down change or bottom-up change, but either choice is difficult."

"If you can ascend to the throne, perhaps you can use this opportunity to open a new chapter for Anguo. The benefits will outweigh the disadvantages."

An Jing heard this and said, "The resistance will be even greater, and it's also very risky. Father is unlikely to support it..."

Lu Zheng smiled slightly and said, "There's a saying: when you want to open the window for some fresh air, the people in the house won't agree. But when you say you want to lift the roof, they'll agree to let you open the window."

"Why don't you, young lady, fight for the throne in the name of asking His Majesty to implement certain decrees?"

"It's like cutting meat with a blunt knife. By the time someone realizes what's happening, the new policy has already been implemented. And if you perform well, you might even lose that position."

"I believe that with your majesty's wisdom, you should be able to understand these principles."

An Jing's eyes flickered. What kind of thing was this? Using her as a shield? However, the two things could indeed be connected, and there was a lot of room for manipulation.

Lu Zheng added: "Of course, I don't know much about the situation in the Anguo court, so I can't give more reasonable suggestions."

An Jing couldn't help but ask: "Can I tell you, do you have time?"

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "I'm tired of reading recently, so I'll just listen to some stories as a break."

Upon hearing this, An Jing slowly explained the situation in the court and even took out some files for Lu Zheng to read.

Lu Zheng and Qing Wan listened carefully and learned a lot of secrets that were not passed on to others.

They talked like this for two days and two nights, and combining the knowledge from the two lives, Lu Zheng came up with a lot of plans.

The strategies proposed by Lu Zheng made An Jing feel at ease, and he felt that the throne was within reach.

An Jing sorted out the information he had copied, looking a little excited. "I didn't expect you to have so many ideas in your head. I really don't know why you know so much..."

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "Maybe it's because we look at things from different ways and angles."

"Many of your ideas are indeed unique." An Jing couldn't help but say, "I will work hard for them. You have helped me a lot, I wonder if there is anything I can do to help you. I heard that the spirit of salvation is difficult to cultivate."

Lu Zhengdao: "Let's talk about it if you can really sit in that position."

Only by taking that position can I help him? An Jing's mind turned, and it was hard to imagine what Lu Zheng was going to do.

An Jing suddenly remembered something and couldn't help asking, "Have you figured out how to do it? Truly serve the people."

Lu Zhengdao: "I have some idea, but it's not very mature yet."

An Jing raised his eyebrows, "Can't you tell me?"

Lu Zheng shook his head. "There's nothing to be sure of yet. There's no point in saying more."

Lu Zheng turned around and stood up and said, "Okay, I'll go back and rest for a while, and then go to the Wanjing Building to read some books."

An Jing said, "If I had known you liked reading so much, I would have asked someone to bring you some books from Tai'an City. I have quite a collection of books."

Lu Zhengdao said, "I just came up with this idea on a whim. Even I don't know which books would be useful, so I don't want to bother you. I can't ask you to move the entire library to me."

(End of this chapter)