Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 83: The Virtues of a Gentleman
Lu Zheng slept until he woke up naturally, feeling refreshed.

It was already bright outside. He heated up the bowl of porridge left over from last night, had a simple meal, and then paddled away from the river.

The journey was smooth and Lu Zhengxing arrived at the pier he had visited before.

When some boatmen saw Lu Zheng, they recognized him as a handsome and fair young man at a glance.

Someone then asked loudly, "Sir, did you really go to Bailuze?"

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "The monster in Bailuze has been eliminated. You can go fishing there from now on."

"Is it true?" Someone was surprised and confused when he heard this.

Lu Zheng thought to himself that he had forgotten to keep the monster's head, otherwise he would have taken it out and displayed it to reassure these people.

Seeing this, Lu Zheng released a bit of his righteous spirit, "I am a scholar from Kaiyang County. I came out to study and kill some demons and monsters to eliminate harm for the people. If you don't believe me, you can go to the Bailuze area and take a look. You may find some large crocodile carcasses..."

After seeing Lu Zheng show off his skills, some boatmen already believed it to about 70%.

Someone couldn't help but cup his fists and said, "I heard that quite a few students have come out of the county to study recently, but I don't know your name, sir!"

Lu Zheng returned the greeting with a smile, "Excuse me, I am Lu Zheng."

"Lu Zheng!"

Someone exclaimed in surprise, "But he's the new scholar from Kaiyang County!"

"Uh, it's me!" Lu Zheng nodded slightly without hiding anything.

Everyone looked sideways when they heard this, curious and a little excited.

If Lu Zheng's boat was not still some distance away from the shore, many people would have wanted to squeeze onto the boat to get close to Lu Zheng and take in the literary aura of this great scholar.

Someone shamelessly said, "They say Mr. Lu is the god of literature who has descended to earth. Could you please write a word for me and let me have some luck? This basket of fish is for you."

As the man spoke, he patted the basket of fish at his feet.

This man had communicated with Lu Zheng before, and seeing that Lu Zheng was an easy-going person, he shamelessly brought up the matter.

Lu Zheng smiled upon hearing this and said, "No need for the fish, I can't finish it all by myself... You all taught me how to sail before, so I'll write some words on your boat as a token of my gratitude. How do you think?"

When everyone heard this, they all applauded.

Lu Zheng drove the boat to the shore, took out his pen and ink, and went to the nearest boat.

The boatmen all respectfully made way.

Someone couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Lu, where is that girl?"

Lu Zheng explained, "She was a female knight I met on the road. She also came with me to slay the demons, but she had her own things to do, so she left me."

Everyone was suddenly enlightened upon hearing this, and they all admired that there were still many chivalrous and righteous practitioners in the world.

Lu Zheng stepped onto the boat, picked up his pen and wrote four words in the appropriate place with literary grace: smooth sailing.

“It’s smooth sailing!”

Someone who could read a few words read it out loud.

Everyone couldn't help but cheer when they heard this. For ordinary people like them who make a living by fishing and rowing boats, these four words carry a lot of weight.

"Thank you, Mr. Scholar!"

The owner of the boat on which the inscription was written was beaming with joy and kept bowing to express his gratitude.

Lu Zheng went to other ships to write inscriptions. He did not miss any ship. He wrote the same words on all ships without any distinction.

All the boatmen were extremely grateful and happy.

An old woman who came to the dock to pick up small fish saw the situation and squeezed in front of Lu Zheng, bowing repeatedly and saying, "Scholar, my grandson is frail and sickly, and now he is bedridden. Can you give me a few words to help cure my grandson's illness..."

Lu Zheng quickly supported the poorly dressed thin woman in front of him.

He said, "You don't have to do this, Auntie. I'm just a scholar and I can't treat illnesses... But I can write you a few words, but if you're sick you still have to see a doctor."

As he spoke, Lu Zheng took out a piece of paper and wrote a few words.

If the child was infected with an external evil, it could be cured. Otherwise, he would have to go to a doctor and get medicine. Then, Lu Zheng took out another piece of silver and gave it to the old woman.

Seeing this, the old woman expressed her gratitude repeatedly and was very excited.

Lu Zheng was also afraid that some villain would do something bad and steal the treasures and money he had given to the old woman.

He cupped his fists and said to the others, "This lady is having trouble moving around. Which brave man can help take her home?"

"I go!"

A sturdy boatman stood up, and he looked like an honest and simple man.

The man grinned and said, "I also caught some fish today, and I'll give them to you, Auntie, so that the family can have some meat to nourish their bodies!"

A bystander said in a loud voice: "My uncle is a doctor. I can ask him to treat this lady's grandson."

Under Lu Zheng's influence, these simple people also showed their kindness.

The old woman couldn't help but have tears in her eyes, and she bowed repeatedly to thank everyone.

Then, several people helped the old woman leave the dock.

"Scholar, my wife's health is not very good... I don't want money, I just want a word, okay?"

Seeing that Lu Zheng was so easy to talk to, some people also opened their mouths to make requests.

Hearing this, Lu Zheng couldn't help but laugh helplessly and said, "I really can't cure illnesses... Well, I'll write a word for each family present."

Lu Zheng took the trouble to try his best to meet everyone's requirements.

Fortunately, he brought a lot of paper and ink, otherwise it wouldn't be enough.

After working for a long time, Lu Zheng even used spirit stones to restore his energy and spirit before he finished writing a single character for the people present.

He also wrote a letter and asked someone who was going to the county town to take it to the county government office.

After doing these things, Lu Zheng was ready to leave.

The small boat was temporarily out of use, so it was parked on the shore and the boatmen were asked to look after it.

Afterwards, Lu Zheng said goodbye to everyone, carrying a small bag.

"I still have much to travel, so I won't stay here any longer. I wish you all peace and success."

Everyone also said goodbye to Lu Zheng, their eyes full of respect and reluctance to leave.

[You are kind to the people and are respected by them. You possess the virtues of a gentleman. Your Elegance +10!]

Lu Zheng left with a smile on his face. Compared to obtaining literary energy by slaying demons and ghosts, gaining literary energy by doing this kind of thing made him feel more refreshed.

Of course, even if he didn't get the Wenqi, he would still be willing to help others and promote good deeds.

It is not done intentionally, and he is not a hypocrite, but a gentleman.

This is Lu Zheng's Confucian way, learning the words of sages and practicing them, not just empty talk about it in the imperial examination essays.

……

In the distance, An Jing stood there quietly.

She had gone to pursue the dragon energy before, but lost the sense along the way.

He returned to observe Lu Zheng again, and saw what was happening at the dock.

"Kaiyang County has such a man, and our country is fortunate to have such a man."

An Jing felt emotional, she turned around and left, no longer observing Lu Zheng, there was no need anymore.

She just wanted to wait until the time was right before recruiting Lu Zheng.

An Jing murmured, "It seems that my Anguo is really going to have another person who is selected as a candidate by the Heaven and Earth Juren. I wonder how long I have to wait."

(End of this chapter)