Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 492 Don’t care about your deeds

Lu Zheng slowly introduced these new grain varieties to Chu Jiangshen.

He had traveled to many places before and knew very well that the local people did not have such crop seeds.

Along the way, he and Qingwan also sowed quite a few seeds.

However, without the promotion by local deities and officials, it would be difficult for more people to benefit.

Lu Zheng wanted to ask the local priests for help, but they had no interest in farming. Even if he sent them some seeds, they were unwilling to put in the effort to plant them.

He didn't have many seeds to begin with, and rather than give them to those indifferent priests, he might as well sow some himself in the people's fields.

Seeing that Chu Jiangshen seemed interested in the seeds, Lu Zheng didn't hold back and took out a portion of all the high-quality seeds.

Chu Jiangshen was somewhat surprised to see Lu Zheng take out so many seeds.

奇。

Hearing Lu Zheng talking eloquently, he seemed to have a great deal of knowledge about farming.

Chu Jiangshen really couldn't understand where Lu Zheng got so much time and energy to devote to cultivating so many grain varieties.

He saw that Lu Zheng had not neglected Confucian and Taoist cultivation, and was clearly even stronger than when he first heard about Lu Zheng's deeds.

Chu Jiangshen couldn't help but say, "I've heard that you're very knowledgeable, but I didn't expect you to put so much effort into this. Doesn't it interfere with your cultivation?"

Lu Zheng smiled slightly upon hearing this, "Does Jiang Shen think that Confucian and Taoist cultivation is simply a matter of reading books?"

"Isn't that right?" Chu Jiangshen asked with a puzzled look.

Isn't this common knowledge? With the rise of Confucianism, even ordinary people without spiritual roots can cultivate themselves through reading.

With the vast Confucian and Taoist spiritual energy bestowed upon him, his strength could rival that of immortals and gods.

The path of cultivation pioneered by the ancient sages of humanity made reading a means for many ordinary people to improve their lives.

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "Before the sages wrote their books and established their doctrines, there were no Confucian Four Books and Five Classics. So how did they cultivate themselves?"

Chu Jiangshen thought about it and realized it was true; the sages came first, then the classics.

Without Confucian classics, does that mean scholars can no longer cultivate themselves?

Lu Zheng said slowly, "The principles in books are the principles summarized by sages, not principles derived from books..."

“Using Confucian classics to cultivate literary style simply provides people with a clearer path to follow…”

"Does not reading mean one cannot cultivate oneself, manage one's family, govern the people, and nurture a righteous spirit?"

Lu Zheng smiled slightly and said, "How could Jiang Shen think that all the things I do are not part of my cultivation? How can one quickly improve oneself if one learns the principles in the book but doesn't put them into practice?"

Hearing Lu Zheng's words, Chu Jiangshen was greatly surprised; these were not words a young man should say.

This inevitably reminded him of the scholars and Confucian masters of Yingdu.

Although the State of Chu did not value Confucianism, it still had some capable scholars, among whom there were even different schools of thought.

Lu Zheng's words are very much like those of the practical Confucian scholars.

Thinking about all the things Lu Zheng had done in the past, he really did put his words into practice.

Chu Jiangshen sighed, "It is said that many of Confucius' disciples were shrewd and capable, and Young Master Lu has the style of an ancient Confucian scholar."

Ancient Confucian scholars were not just skilled in theoretical knowledge; they were all proficient in both literature and martial arts, and their conduct was guided by righteousness.

The world has changed. People can improve their literary skills by reading books and burying themselves in academic research. How many people are still willing to put their efforts into practice? The Confucian and Taoist scholars in Yingdu, who advocated practical learning, have been suppressed and unable to make any waves because their behavior and ideas were too radical.

Lu Zheng smiled upon hearing this. He felt that he was still somewhat different from those ancient Confucian scholars. He was preparing to draw on the strengths of all schools of thought and find another path.

Chu Jiangshen only sighed and did not delve into Lu Zheng's cultivation.

Of course, Lu Zheng's words made him believe that Lu Zheng had cultivated to this level through his own abilities.

He put away the grain seeds and said, "I will try my best to have more seeds cultivated so that they can be distributed to the people for planting..."

Lu Zheng thought that Jiangzhou should have an official in charge of agriculture, but this river god was taking this matter so seriously.

Lu Zheng couldn't help but ask, "Jiang Shen seems very anxious about this matter, but what happened in Jiangzhou?"

"This one……"

Upon hearing this, Chu Jiangshen's expression shifted for a moment before he waved his hand to dismiss those around him.

Seeing that no one was listening, Chu Jiangshen slowly began to speak, "To be honest, I've been feeling rather uneasy lately, and I feel like I can't even sit still in this position."

"Hmm?" Lu Zheng looked slightly surprised.

How could someone who controls thousands of miles of the Chu River be worried about not being able to maintain their divine position?

Upon hearing this, Qingwan turned her head and asked curiously, "You've been caught?"

"Cough cough..." Chu Jiangshen waved his hands repeatedly, shaking his head in denial, "I don't seek merit in my actions, but only to avoid mistakes, so how could anything have happened..."

Chu Jiangshen paused for a moment, then said, "However, the nation's fortunes have been shaken recently, and the world is likely to descend into even greater chaos. In Yingdu, His Majesty's recent actions... well, some people have suffered as a result."

"I'm not trying to do anything to avoid being accused of being unworthy of my position and having my divine status stripped..."

Although the gods of Chu were related by marriage, there were still distinctions of closeness and distance among them.

In ordinary years, things are fine, but in turbulent and disastrous years, there are bound to be people who stab you in the back, using this opportunity to seize or divide the divine position.

Although he is the God of the Chu River in Jiangzhou, he is not the first river god, and he will obviously not be the last.

Especially since Jiangzhou is close to the Shu Kingdom, if a major war breaks out between Chu and Shu, he, as the god of the river, will certainly be the first to bear the brunt.

Recent developments inevitably caused him some anxiety.

He couldn't imagine that one day an imperial edict would suddenly be issued, demoting him or even sending him back to retire.

When the time comes, without enough incense offerings and without a shrine, they will truly grow old and die.

After hearing what Chu Jiangshen said, Lu Zheng roughly understood what was going on.

So the other party's demand for these seeds was because they were worried about the stability of their position as gods, and therefore wanted to win the reputation of the local people.

However, judging by actions rather than intentions, since this river god had such thoughts, he was better off than many other gods and officials.

Seeing the slightly worried look on Chu Jiang Shen's face, Lu Zheng thought to himself that it seemed that the positions of some of the righteous gods in the Chu Kingdom were not so easy to hold.

Chu Jiangshen suddenly said, "I heard that you gave some advice to the City God of Yongzhou before, and as a result, he was questioned by his superiors, but he was not punished... Why don't you give me some advice and make some plans, Young Master Lu, so that I can make more preparations?"

Chu Jiangshen looked at Lu Zheng with eager eyes.

He really couldn't ask other deities or officials for advice; who knew what they were thinking?

Lu Zhengxiu possesses a strong sense of righteousness and is an outsider, so there's no need to worry about him having a conversation with the other party.

(End of this chapter)