Confucian and Taoist scholar

Shi Hu said, "Please, gentlemen, come to my cave in the mountains. I will prepare a feast to entertain you..."

Lu Zheng's intervention just now could be considered as saving their entire clan. Shi Hu hasn't figured out how to repay him yet, and is thinking of keeping him here first.

Qingyi lifted the corpse in her small hand, then looked up at Lu Zheng with her little head tilted back.

Lu Zheng understood his meaning and smiled, "Then you go ahead and get busy. I estimate I'll be out for a few more days."

Qingyi nodded, then transformed into a streak of red light and disappeared into the distance.

As Shi Hu watched the small figure fly away, he couldn't help but mutter, "How come she seems to have such a high cultivation level?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Zheng explained, "It's a drought demon."

Shi Hu was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized, "So she's a born deity! No wonder she's so tiny, but her cultivation level is almost on par with mine..."

Some people refer to powerful beings directly nurtured by heaven and earth as innate deities. This saying has existed since ancient times and is not necessarily a wrong term.

Thinking of this, Shi Hu couldn't help but calm down. It was normal that he couldn't compare to someone who was born so powerful.

Shi Hu then invited Lu Zheng to visit his cave again.

Lu Zheng did not refuse. He already had some matters to discuss with Shi Hu, and after the unexpected incident, he believed that Shi Hu would do his best to handle things.

Lu Zheng did not stay at Wohu Mountain for long before continuing his field investigation in the nearby areas.

Before leaving, Shi Hu thought of repaying Lu Zheng with some rare and precious treasures, but then he felt that such spiritual items were not that great, and he really didn't have anything else to offer. So he promised there that he would do his best to develop Wohu Mountain and win over all the demon and ghost friends he knew to the Taiping Domain...

Seeing Shi Hu's positive attitude, Lu Zheng gave him some affirmation, saying that if there were any problems or difficulties, he could go to Taiping Domain to find the relevant personnel.

Afterwards, Lu Zheng inquired about the surrounding area and then turned south to return.

The Northern Region is vast, and the area Lu Zheng has set foot in has not even reached the central region.

It is said that the further north you go, the more chaotic the other places become, except for a few great demon kingdoms that barely maintain some order.

In comparison, the demon areas near the Wei Kingdom are considered to be relatively safe and stable.

When Lu Zheng returned to the Taiping Domain, Shi Hu and other great demon kings had already organized some of their subordinates to carry out tasks such as reforming the local customs, undertaking large-scale infrastructure construction, and spreading the Taiping Domain's ideals and principles to nearby forces.

These actions can be seen as indicating that they have sided with Lu Zheng.

This caused quite a stir among the forces in the vicinity that had not yet come into contact with Lu Zheng.

Since such an incident has occurred, it is obvious that it will directly affect oneself before long, so one should naturally pay attention.

As for how those forces will choose, whether to make some changes according to the proposal, ignore it altogether, or pack up and move to another location...

Lu Zheng, however, was not in a hurry at all, giving those forces some time to consider.

Traveling south, Lu Zheng soon arrived at the area where Hu Feng was located.

In just a few days, a brand new and spacious city has been built, and the local humans, demons, ghosts and monsters, as well as the remnants of the previous dynasty from the cave heaven, have all moved into the city to live.

In the surrounding areas of the new city, many places are still engaged in large-scale production and construction, and everything is being carried out in an orderly manner according to the plan.

A short while later, Lu Zheng found Zhao Wei in a workshop that was under construction.

This young general, who has the blood of the former dynasty's royal family, is now working hard there, contributing his own strength.

Judging from how the other person works, they seem quite comfortable with it.

Lu Zheng also stepped forward and pointed out some areas that needed to be corrected.

Zhao Wei was taken aback when he saw that it was Lu Zheng, but then he grinned and said, "You know all this?"

Lu Zheng chuckled and said, "If you don't understand these things, how can you build a good place? If you don't understand, you can learn."

Lu Zheng then asked, "How are you doing? Are you adjusting well?"

Zhao Wei chuckled and said, "It's great. Before, I had a lot of strength but nowhere to use it. Now, I feel like I don't have enough strength and can't do much."

Now that he's involved in production and construction, Zhao Wei feels it has more practical significance than his previous daily swordplay. It's also a way to improve his physical fitness, just in a different project.

Lu Zheng smiled slightly and said, "It's tough now, but once things settle down, everyone can live a good life. By the way, has anyone applied to leave this place?"

Zhao Wei whispered, "Some people wanted to, but the elders of the clan stopped them. Some people are used to being pampered; asking them to do any work would be the death of them..."

"We've learned quite a bit about the situation in the Northern Region. If we let them go out and work on their own, they probably wouldn't even know how they died. Some of them don't even know what's good for them. But they've all been dealt with. At least on the surface, those people are more obedient and willing to work..."

After all, no one here will pamper you; if you don't do anything, you won't even get a meal.

Zhao Wei paused, then whispered, "I heard you intend to unify the Northern Region. Once this place is built up, whatever you're planning to do, take me with you. I'm the kind of person who can't stay idle! I need to put my newfound skills to use..."

Lu Zhengdao: "Who told you that?"

Zhao Wei raised an eyebrow and couldn't help but say, "Everyone's saying it, how could it be false?"

Lu Zheng said, "I want to integrate the Northern Region and bring prosperity and stability to this place. I also want to set an example for the world... but I don't want to lead people to conquer all directions and take over the entire Northern Region. You should keep your martial prowess for yourself."

Zhao Wei asked in surprise, "Weren't you always fighting around?"

Lu Zheng said unhurriedly, "I tried to reason with them first, but they wouldn't listen, so I took action. You probably can't handle someone who would make me take action..."

"Uh……"

Zhao Wei thought about it and realized that Lu Zheng had always acted this way when he occupied such a large territory. He didn't need to lead any people to conquer cities and territories; he could directly capture the leader.

Lu Zheng said slowly, "I've always been a peace-loving person. I try to avoid fighting whenever possible. Wars involving sheer numbers of people are not what I want..."

"One general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand soldiers. I don't want to become a general who achieves fame and fortune. I just hope that everyone can live well."

"I'll face the most dangerous situations alone."

Lu Zheng patted Zhao Wei on the shoulder and said, "Alright, do a good job."

After saying that, Lu Zheng drifted away again.

Zhao Wei watched Lu Zheng's departing figure, his heart unable to calm down for a long time.

He had never seen anyone with such pure and selfless thoughts.

As he looked at Lu Zheng's back, he seemed to see the spirit of the sage who said, "Though there be thousands of people, I will go," and the fearless spirit of the righteous path.

Zhao Wei's expression shifted slightly, realizing that his family's ancestral cauldron energy had chosen such a young man. Perhaps this young man could become a true sage...

……

Lu Zheng went to the new city to find Hu Feng, wanting to learn more about the progress there.

When Hu Feng saw Lu Zheng arrive, he excitedly reported on the matter.

Listening to Hu Feng's report, Lu Zheng felt that this monster was quite capable. He was very familiar with the rules of the Taiping Domain, and his report was quite professional. It was clear that he had studied hard during this period.

Hu Feng rambled on and on, and then talked about the people who came out of the cave.

"I think we need to strengthen the ideological education of those people. Some of them flatter you on the surface, but who knows what they're up to behind your back... We're in Taiping Domain, not some other place, and certainly not some dynasty. We can't tolerate their corrupt and backward thinking..."

Lu Zheng nodded and said, "You're right. We should strengthen supervision. If any signs of trouble appear, we must nip them in the bud immediately. If necessary, we can impose the death penalty according to the law."

Hu Feng's eyes flickered, and he said in a low voice, "There are experts among them. I feel that neither I nor the people we sent can control them."

Hu Feng knew very well that the powerful figures in those caves were far beyond his ability to deal with.

If it weren't for Lu Zheng, who could still command those people for the time being.

If this goes on for too long, Hu Feng worries that he won't be able to suppress certain forces.

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "I'm here, aren't I? Even if I'm not here, I can still sense what's happening. So go ahead and do it."

Hu Feng's mind was stirred. Had Lu Zheng become this powerful?

He dared not doubt it and quickly nodded, saying, "With your words, I am relieved. I will strive to make this the number one district in our Taiping Domain."

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "Then you need to work even harder; you have quite a few competitors."

The current efforts to develop the region are not limited to just one area, but Lu Zheng does not want to discourage Hu Feng.

"How about this, when I go back to the southern region, I'll send a few people from major dynasties or sects to lend you a hand."

Upon hearing this, Hu Feng's eyes lit up. Judging from Lu Zheng's words, there must be some people with powerful backgrounds coming. If he could get closer to them, he might be able to gain some benefits.

Hu Feng smiled broadly and said, "Alright, alright, I'll be waiting."

Lu Zheng stayed in this area for a while, and then continued south to see other areas, especially meeting with ordinary people in those areas and talking about their situations.

Lu Zheng enjoys interacting with ordinary people because this allows him to accurately understand their living conditions and prevents people from paying lip service while failing to deliver tangible benefits to the local population.

He didn't want the area he had just built to become like those dynasties, where the benefits he was supposed to give to the people were exploited by local officials at every level.

Sometimes, policies that benefit the people even lead to more severe exploitation when implemented.

This is something Lu Zheng absolutely will not allow to happen.

If anyone dares to do this under his nose, Lu Zheng will definitely show them methods even more terrifying than falling into the hands of fierce demons and ghosts...

……

Baize District, an office in the main city.

Xiao Yan was leading some newcomers in handling affairs.

These newcomers come from beyond the Northern Regions, willing to dedicate themselves to building a peaceful world or undergo temporary training...

Among them were women who traveled long distances just to see what this place was like.

Suddenly, Xiao Yan raised her eyebrows slightly and saw Lu Zheng appear at the gate.

She couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and said with a smile, "Oh, our busy Lu, it's been a long time!"

After getting to know Lu Zheng better, Xiao Yan found that Lu Zheng was a really easy person to talk to, so she stopped addressing him so formally.

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "Busy?"

Xiao Yan chuckled and said, "Yes, I brought a few newcomers, and some people have been wanting to see you but didn't know where you were. They've been waiting for you here for days!"

As she spoke, Xiao Yan glanced at a woman beside her.

The woman was dressed simply and had no makeup on, but her features were extremely delicate and pleasing to the eye, exuding a special air of a scholarly family.

The woman was surprised to suddenly encounter Lu Zheng here. Feeling a little embarrassed, she straightened her appearance and stepped forward to give a graceful bow.

"I am Kong Lingyu, a member of the Kong family of Qi State. I greet Young Master Lu."

Upon seeing this, Lu Zheng returned the greeting and said, "So you are the talented Ms. Kong, I have long admired your name..."

It is said that there are four great talented women in the State of Qi, and this woman surnamed Kong is one of them.

This woman comes from a collateral branch of the Confucian family, not from the main family.

Upon hearing this, Kong Lingyu said softly, "How could I be considered a great talent? Compared to Young Master Lu, what is my little talent?"

To be honest, Kong Lingyu learned about Lu Zheng's deeds by chance. Later, she heard about some things that happened in the Northern Region, read the call to action, and heard that some people were going to the Northern Region. She also wanted to come and see for herself.

However, due to the disapproval of her elders, Kong Lingyu had no choice but to stay at home and ask around for news from the outside world.

As more and more news about the Taiping Domain came in, Kong Lingyu couldn't hold back any longer. She found an excuse to go out and visit relatives, and then secretly came here.

When she arrived in the Taiping Domain and witnessed all sorts of things, she, like other newcomers, was deeply shocked in her heart and values, and even experienced a period of depression before slowly recovering.

Kong Lingyu looked at Lu Zheng, her eyes sparkling, her heart filled with excitement.

There were so many things I wanted to say to Lu Zheng, but they got stuck in my throat, and I didn't know where to begin.

Kong Lingyu's pretty face flushed slightly, and she felt a little embarrassed. Finally, she spoke again, "How are you so amazing?"

Lu Zheng smiled slightly and asked, "What aspect are you referring to, young lady?"

Kong Lingyu took a deep breath and said, "In many ways! You are skilled in both literature and martial arts, and you also know medicine and agriculture. I heard that you can even... manage this area a hundred times better than the civil and military officials of the dynasty. How did you do it?"

Having witnessed this peaceful region and learned about Lu Zheng from many people, Kong Lingyu simply couldn't imagine that a young man could have accomplished this.

Lu Zheng couldn't help but smile and said, "Aren't the principles all written in the books by the sages? If you follow them, you basically won't go wrong. If there are some interpretations that don't fit the times, just correct them..."

"You think those people are inferior to me? Is it possible that it's not because I'm so outstanding, but because they have serious problems?" (End of Chapter)