Confucian and Taoist scholar

The first day of the ninth month of the fifth year of the Taiping New Calendar.

On a border between Anguo and Weiguo, a newly built city was bustling with activity.

The city was filled with important figures from all over the country.

The emperors and their subordinates from various dynasties, the leaders of many top cultivation forces, and important figures from other races all arrived here to discuss important matters of the world.

This is the first time in hundreds of years since the fall of the previous dynasty that so many figures from various factions have gathered here.

Lu Zheng single-handedly stabilized the world, prompting various kingdoms, dynasties, and cultivation sects to reform their systems and laws. After the various regions had stabilized, he initiated this council.

Those who received the invitation all came as invited, without any pomp or airs, and all arrived at the venue in advance.

It was especially rare for emperors of great dynasties to gather in one city and get along so well.

After all the representatives had arrived, Lu Zheng had copies of the agreement distributed, which was a peace agreement to promote world peace and development.

The content includes promoting harmonious coexistence and non-aggression among various forces, and encouraging open exchanges in culture, commerce, and Taoist arts and crafts...

And so on, a series of good policies that promote development and integration in the world.

There were no objections from any party to the major aspects proposed by Lu Zheng.

However, some people still raised questions about certain specific details of the plan.

After discussions among representatives from all parties, a final peace agreement was reached.

At the end of the meeting, Lu Zheng gave a summary, speaking frankly and directly.

"I understand that many of you are only signing this agreement because of me, but I sincerely hope that everyone will strive to uphold it..."

"This is a moment we should remember, a scene that will be recorded in history and passed down for generations..."

"I hope that in the future, when our descendants learn about this history, everyone here can be a role model for them..."

His words touched the hearts of many powerful individuals who had lived for a long time.

Personnel from the Propaganda Department of the new country quietly recorded all of this.

Before long, a massive amount of images and photos will be disseminated.

After the meeting, the representatives stayed for a few more days to exchange ideas before gradually leaving.

Yun Fuyao stood beside Lu Zheng, watching as some forces departed.

This was Yun Fuyao's first public appearance, representing the Yunmeng Sect in supporting Lu Zheng.

Now, she no longer needs to protect anyone in secret.

Yun Fuyao said softly, "With you here, the world will truly be at peace from now on."

Lu Zheng smiled upon hearing this, and then said quietly, "But there will come a time when I am not here."

Yun Fuyao glanced at her and said, "You're so young, yet you're seeing too far ahead."

Lu Zhengdao: "I want to save as many people as possible while I'm alive, so that even after I die, the people will no longer suffer. I know this is difficult to do, but I still want to do more..."

“I know very well that it is because of me that they bow their heads and those monsters and demons dare not show their faces. After I die, perhaps everything will come back to normal.”

Looking at the azure sky, Lu Zheng said softly, "The sun will eventually set, and there are dark places that the sun and moon cannot reach."

……

In October of the same year, a true scripture appeared in the world, and the Taoist patriarch manifested his divine power, bringing forth auspicious omens.

In the State of Qi, the sages Confucius and Mencius revealed their intentions, establishing that Confucian scholars should cultivate themselves, and that the imperial examinations would no longer bestow literary talent.

The number of Confucian and Taoist scholars in the world decreased sharply from then on, while the number of people who could read and read increased exponentially without being affected.

A new nation's law enforcement officers have emerged to assist all parties in maintaining stability.

……

In the eighth year of the Taiping New Calendar, the Shu Emperor abdicated, choosing not to establish a new ruler but instead appointing the Crown Prince to oversee the state.

……

In the tenth year of the Taiping New Calendar, Lu Zheng, who had not appeared in public for several years, reappeared in the public eye.

On that day, the fate of the world was shaken, and all the countries reacted.

Lu Zheng stirred up the great forces of heaven and earth at the place where the agreement was signed, and condensed the Way of Peace.

That day, an extra sun appeared in the daytime, and an extra star appeared in the night. The sun and moon shone brightly, hanging in the sky, radiating light upon the world, a light carrying a trace of righteousness.

After that, Lu Zheng disappeared again.

Some say Lu Zheng has passed away, while others say he is traveling the world...

There are many different opinions, but no one has provided concrete evidence.

All regions continued to develop steadily, and no one caused any trouble.

Because they knew that the young man wouldn't really disappear.

In the same year, the State of Yan joined the State of Xin.

The new nation, represented by Qing Wan, issued an initiative to form an alliance with all forces in the world, further strengthening relations among all parties.

The world is at peace and prosperous.

……

In the twelfth year of the new calendar, An Jing succeeded An Taixuan and became the first female emperor in history.

She was also an empress who ruled the country with the people, but her power was far less than that of her father.

As for An Taixuan, he happily led a group of people to travel the world.

In early autumn, I revisited Anjing and went to Kaiyang County.

Over the years, she has not been able to find out any news about Lu Zheng, and does not know where he is.

Anjing walked along the old path.

The mountain paths I once walked have now become broad highways.

“What a huge change…”

An Jing was somewhat dazed, and before he knew it, he had arrived at a mountain wilderness.

Looking into the distance, as if sensing something in the darkness, she saw a peach grove.

Her bright eyes pierced through the woods, but a hazy mist blocked her from seeing further.

An Jing was filled with suspicion, thinking that there was a reclusive master here.

On a whim, she went to the peach blossom grove.

As soon as we arrived outside the peach grove, the mist in the grove parted to create a path.

An Jing couldn't help but be curious and ventured deeper into the woods, soon spotting a wooden house nestled among the trees.

In the open space outside the house, a young couple squatted there, guarding a pot of bubbling, fragrant food.

The two glanced sideways at An Jing, who was approaching.

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "Long time no see, Miss An."

An Jing opened his mouth, feeling like he had a thousand words to say but didn't know where to begin.

She quickly noticed that Lu Zheng seemed different from before, and she could even see that he was weak.

An Jing asked in surprise, "What are you doing...?"

Lu Zheng said calmly, "Oh, before, I forged the Dao into the sun and moon, which hollowed out my body. Now I'm pretty much an ordinary person, and I can live a leisurely life for a while."

An Jing suddenly realized and couldn't help but say, "No wonder I haven't seen you. Was it really necessary to go to such lengths?"

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "For the sake of the people, it's all worth it."

Lu Zheng looked up slightly. Besides the sun, there was another ray of light in the sky, which was the sun and star he had condensed.

Although the sun and stars are small, their radiance can dispel evil and bring hope to people.

Qingwan, standing nearby, stirred the soup pot with a spoon, conjured up a clump of pea shoots and threw them in, then ladled two large bowls for the two of them.

Holding the warm bowl of soup, An Jing watched Lu Zheng's rare carefree smile and couldn't help but think that this kind of life wasn't bad.

An Jing said, "This prosperous era is just as you wished."

Upon hearing this, Lu Zheng simply smiled faintly.

"A new struggle has begun." (End of Chapter)