Confucian and Taoist scholar

Lu Zheng looked at this former emperor. Compared to when they met last year, he had lost his imperial majesty and his demeanor had become somewhat ordinary.

"His Majesty."

Lu Zheng stopped and spoke softly.

Yuan Si slowly turned around and looked at the familiar young man in front of him, his eyes revealing a complex expression.

"I underestimated you. You've won..."

Yuan Si spoke softly, recalling that he had discussed the state of the world with Lu Zheng last year, and they talked about many things.

I never imagined that in just one year, I would have ended up like this.

Lu Zheng slowly said, "I haven't won anything. But to be honest, His Majesty did lose a move..."

"With the rise of orthodox Buddhism and the changing situation in Wei, Your Majesty should be more attentive and fulfill your duties. Otherwise, you wouldn't have driven some people to their current predicament..."

Lu Zheng said softly, "I am also very sorry that Your Majesty has come to this point so quickly. I thought that you and your son could work together to make Wei prosperous and strong."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Si raised an eyebrow, feeling inexplicably displeased.

During this period, he did indeed neglect the changes in the domestic political situation, thinking that by entrusting certain matters to Yuan Tao, he could avoid making mistakes and achieve nothing.

Unexpectedly, this put Yuan Tao under immense pressure, so much so that he had no choice but to take drastic measures against powerful figures, such as "purging the court of corrupt officials," to eliminate any potential threats.

Yuan Si said calmly, "Wei is prosperous and strong? Don't you wish for Wei to perish?"

Lu Zheng smiled and explained, "When a country perishes, the people suffer the most. When a country prospers, the people always enjoy some benefits. A country that is reformed and becomes prosperous can also gradually change its power structure... In an era that moves forward, some backward things will eventually be eliminated."

Lu Zheng paused for a moment, then said, "His Majesty may not understand some of what I'm saying. But now that you've stepped forward, you'll understand many things from an outsider's perspective."

Yuan Si gazed at Lu Zheng and said softly, "It seems that I have never truly understood you from beginning to end."

Lu Zheng opened his hand, and a Buddhist scripture appeared.

In Lu Zheng's other hand, a Buddhist mark was faintly visible, radiating a mysterious Taoist charm.

"Your Majesty, let me help you attain enlightenment in Buddhism!"

After the Buddha appeared in the world and descended to earth, he issued some decrees in the name of Emperor Yuan Si of Wei, which benefited the people of Wei and can be considered to have accumulated a great deal of merit.

Based on this, coupled with Lu Zheng's relationship with all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, it would not be difficult for Yuan Si to obtain the Bodhisattva status by having the power of the Buddha and Tao empower him.

This was also done to stabilize the unstable situation brought about by the change of the throne in Wei, and to enhance the influence of Buddhism in Wei.

Yuan Si looked at the methods Lu Zheng used, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

"Some of the rumors are true; you also have a very profound understanding of Buddhist and Taoist practices..."

Lu Zheng simply smiled and said, "Not at all. I am merely one of the Buddha's kindred spirits, borrowing his power."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Si raised an eyebrow. These words were even more exaggerated than those that were being spread.

After all, no one dares to compare themselves to a being like Buddha, a fellow traveler.

Yuan Si murmured softly, "Fellow travelers..."

Lu Zheng explained, "We are carrying on the legacy of the ancient sages and virtuous men to bring peace to the world."

Yuan Si stared intently at Lu Zheng and suddenly understood something. The changes in the world's situation were probably largely related to Lu Zheng, because he had assistance unlike anyone else.

"I have heard that Confucianism and Taoism are prevalent throughout the land..."

Yuan Si looked at Lu Zheng, trying to figure out something.

Lu Zheng remained calm, but the Buddhist scripture in his hand suddenly shone brightly.

The entire hall trembled, and an invisible aura spread in all directions.

Outside, Yuan Tao and his group sensed the change in atmosphere.

Someone hurriedly approached the palace to check the situation.

A strange light appeared in Yuan Tao's eyes, and he said in a deep voice, "No need to be nervous, it's just that Father is about to become a Bodhisattva."

Those around them were all surprised to hear this. Although they had heard about Yuan Si's pursuit of Buddhahood and his desire to attain the status of a Bodhisattva, they had not received any confirmation and assumed it was just a pretext to imprison Yuan Si in the palace.

The skies above Luoyang were suddenly filled with turbulent and ever-changing winds.

An invisible force of fortune is gathering.

However, in a short while, a colorful beam of light appeared out of thin air and directly enveloped the main hall where Lu Zheng was.

Streams of colorful energy surged toward Yuan Si in the palace, enveloping him in a hazy mist.

Yuan Si stood there motionless, sensing the changes within himself.

As a former emperor of the Wei Kingdom, Yuan Si possessed extraordinary power and fortune.

However, after he abdicated, the national treasure changed hands, and his power was greatly reduced.

Now, with the blessing and refinement of Buddhist and Taoist power, Yuan Si has completely embarked on the path of Buddhist and Taoist cultivation.

Yuan Si could even sense the purity of the power he had gained, unlike the Buddhist energy he had felt before. This was a power that was close to the origin of Buddhism and Taoism.

A moment later, the colorful aura surrounding Yuan Si subsided, and a mysterious aura emanated from within.

It's fortunate that Yuan Si was no ordinary person; otherwise, elevating a mortal to the Bodhisattva realm would not have been so quick and would have required much more effort.

Yuan Si's expression was calm, his mind more peaceful and serene than before, without excessive joy or anger, his heart as still as water.

Yuan Si said softly, "This is a Buddhist bodhisattva? He does have some merit."

Yuan Si clearly felt that his strength had become much greater.

He couldn't help but look at Lu Zheng, his eyes shining brightly.

But soon, he discovered that he could not see through Lu Zheng, whose cultivation seemed to be even more profound than his own.

Yuan Si couldn't help but frown. "What level are you at?"

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "Just like you. At the realm of seeking the Dao."

Even within the same realm, there are differences in strength.

Yuan Si was promoted by Lu Zheng through special means.

Yuan Si naturally couldn't see through Lu Zheng's true strength, and Lu Zheng could easily suppress Yuan Si.

Yuan Tao was in such a hurry to have Yuan Si cultivate into a Bodhisattva because he thought someone could restrain Yuan Si.

Yuan Si concealed his aura and said, "I don't want to stay in Luoyang anymore. Let's go back to Taiping Domain. I haven't seen the place you created yet."

Now that the situation is settled, Yuan Si has resigned himself to his fate and no longer wants to fight for power. He might as well do something else.

He had been in Luoyang for too long and didn't want to stay there any longer; he'd rather go out and see the world.

Upon hearing this, Lu Zheng thought for a moment and said, "We should inform His Majesty about this."

Yuan Si said calmly, "I am his father, how could he disagree?"

Yuan Si paused, then said in a deep voice, "He probably wishes I would leave Wei with you, since he feels more at ease with you than with other places."

Lu Zheng sighed softly, "If His Majesty goes to my place, I'm afraid I won't be able to rest easy." This person's identity is too unusual, and having Yuan Si stay in Taiping Domain is actually a bit troublesome for Lu Zheng.

Yuan Si simply smiled and strode out.

The palace doors opened, revealing a large group of people waiting outside.

Yuan Tao and the others clearly sensed that Yuan Si had become somewhat different from others.

In particular, those eminent Buddhist monks discovered that Yuan Si carried a trace of the same aura.

Yuan Tao's eyes flickered, and he quickly said, "Congratulations, Father, on attaining the Bodhisattva's enlightenment! This is a blessing for the Great Wei!"

The people around also offered their congratulations.

Yuan Si looked at Yuan Tao with a calm expression and said in a low voice, "From now on, I will devote myself to Buddhism. I entrust everything of Wei to you. Do not disappoint me."

Yuan Tao couldn't help but say, "I will certainly not disappoint Father."

Yuan Si then transmitted his voice again, saying, "I intend to go to the Taiping Region with Lu Zheng. You should take care of yourself in Luoyang."

Yuan Tao was taken aback for a moment, then couldn't help but look at Lu Zheng. Seeing that Lu Zheng didn't do anything, he nodded in response.

Yuan Si then said, "Is Yuan Zhong still in Luoyang? Have him come to see me; I want to speak with him."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Tao immediately sent someone to find Yuan Zhong and ordered the others to leave.

Once everyone was out of sight, Yuan Tao spoke up: "Father, when you go to the Taiping Region, should I send some people to serve you...?"

Yuan Si said calmly, "I have already become a living bodhisattva. Do I need anyone to serve me? You should take care of yourself!"

Yuan Tao thought about it and decided that he should send more trusted confidants to the Taiping Domain, and take the opportunity to cultivate more new talents under the guise of exchanges.

Not long after, Yuan Zhong arrived at the palace. He was a little nervous when he learned that Yuan Si wanted to see him.

However, he also heard that Lu Zheng had arrived at the palace, which made him feel a little more at ease.

Soon, Yuan Zhong arrived at the main hall and saw the three people waiting there. He couldn't help but step forward and bow.

Yuan Si looked at Yuan Zhong and said frankly, "I have figured some things out. I am where I am today because of you, Yuan Zhong. You two, uncle and nephew, are quite capable."

Yuan Zhong stood there without saying a word, feeling a bit sweaty despite the cold weather.

Yuan Si then said, "No matter what, this is a family matter of my Yuan family. I hope you can assist Yuan Tao well. He is still young and doesn't understand many things."

Yuan Zhong hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, I will certainly fulfill my duties and live up to your expectations..."

Yuan Si didn't say much; he just wanted to see if Yuan Zhong was reliable.

Now, looking at it with the heart of a Bodhisattva, he found that Yuan Zhong was quite reliable, and that the other party also had a heart that turned to Buddhism.

Yuan Si turned to look at Lu Zheng and said, "Let's go."

Lu Zheng nodded to Yuan Tao and Yuan Zhong, then left gracefully with Yuan Si.

Yuan Tao quickly bowed and respectfully saw him off.

Yuan Zhong also bowed, and after the others disappeared, he couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, what are they doing...?"

Yuan Tao said softly, "Father has gone to Taiping Domain. He will probably stay there for a while."

Yuan Zhong was slightly surprised and asked, "This... won't there be any problem?"

Yuan Tao said, "What problem could there be? If Father Emperor could stay there, it would save us a lot of trouble."

Yuan Zhong thought about it and felt there was something wrong, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was.

However, with Yuan Si gone to Taiping Domain, it was indeed difficult for certain powerful figures in Wei to make a fuss about it.

Yuan Tao said, "Have someone spread the word that the strange phenomenon in Luoyang just now was because Father Emperor had attained enlightenment, and let the title be spread as well. Guangde Pushi Bodhisattva..."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Zhong's face showed a hint of eagerness, wondering when he could accumulate enough merit to attain a Buddhist status.

If one can be granted a title while still alive, it will allow one to live longer.

……

Lu Zheng and Yuan Si soon left Luoyang and headed north.

Yuan Si looked back at the receding city of Luoyang and felt a surge of emotions.

Perhaps because he had attained the status of a Bodhisattva, Yuan Si's state of mind was somewhat different.

Now that we've left Luoyang, we've lost all the rights we had in the past.

Instead, it evokes a feeling of being trapped in a cage for a long time and finally returning to nature.

Lu Zheng said, "Your Majesty has always stayed in Luoyang in previous years and rarely travels to various parts of Wei alone, has he?"

Yuan Si said leisurely, "In your eyes, what kind of emperor am I now? It's not a big deal for you to call me by my name..."

Yuan Si paused for a moment, then said, "Speaking of which, I have visited many prefectures and counties of Wei when I was young, but I was always accompanied by a group of subordinates and never really traveled anywhere alone. I'm afraid I'm not as familiar with the world of Wei as you are."

Yuan Si knew that last winter, Lu Zheng had traveled south to provide relief to the people of Wei who were suffering from disaster, saving many lives.

This young man probably knows more about the Wei region than he does.

Lu Zheng said, "Since we're not familiar with it, let's go and experience the hardships of ordinary people together!"

Lu Zheng was not in a hurry to take Yuan Si to Taiping Domain, but instead went to some towns and villages.

Compared to Yuan Si, he was indeed more familiar with some parts of the Wei Kingdom.

Those places were far less prosperous than the capital city of Luoyang, and appeared dilapidated.

During this winter season, Yuan Si witnessed many scenes he had never seen before.

One family of several people had to share a single tattered cotton-padded coat, and they huddled together for warmth in their dilapidated thatched hut.

Elderly people living alone beg for food and gather firewood in the freezing cold.

Some wealthy families were feasting and drinking, with newly purchased maids serving them.

Buddhist monks chant scriptures and discuss Buddhism in warm temples, spouting words of benevolence and compassion, yet they do not offer any help to the poor.

Some people, dressed in rags, froze to death by the roadside, and no one cared.

What I saw along the way was mostly human suffering.

Lu Zheng said in a low voice, "This year is already considered good. Last winter, and even earlier, I witnessed much more suffering and saw many more dead people in various parts of Wei..."

"There are many things, probably things you can't even imagine. Even cannibalism is commonplace. Your Majesty, living in the palace and Luoyang for so long, how could you possibly see these things?"

"Were these people born to suffer like this? Is the root cause of all this simply that they didn't try hard enough to survive?"

Lu Zheng looked at Yuan Si, "A ruler's every joy and anger is recorded by historians. Yet, countless ordinary people die in poverty, and no one cares..."

"Does Your Majesty think this is right? How should the world be like this?"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Si remained silent, unable to answer the question.

Lu Zheng said quietly, "This world should never be like this. Your Majesty feels you have lost a lot, but how much have these common people lost? Some people are truly penniless, they have nothing left to lose." (End of Chapter)