My Lord, you need to stand up!

Chapter 427 When virtue does not match one's position, calamity is inevitable.

This ensured that Wei Dong never believed in gods, Buddhas, or Taoism.

At this moment, I instinctively envy the carefree and leisurely life of the Taoist priest amidst the mountains and rivers.

He couldn't do it in his past life, but in this life he caught two kings and four 2s, so he definitely doesn't want to just hide in a corner and drift through life.

He parked his car at the park entrance, picked up two cans of baijiu he'd casually bought at the foot of the mountain, and strolled up the mountain path. Even in the height of summer, the mountain trails still made him feel refreshed.

So, the mindset of a controller arose in him, and I thought, "I also want to build a natural ecological park in Jiangzhou Economic Development Zone, or at least a riverside park in the industrial park in Shangzhou."

His gaze was no longer that of a carefree wanderer, but rather one of domineering confidence that he could change the entire situation.

But you wouldn't guess it from his appearance. The old Taoist priest, who was still painting and writing by the mountain path, was quite surprised to see him: "I thought you were always surrounded by a large entourage these days."

Wei Dong smiled and sat down on the bamboo chair next to him: "I'm just an ordinary mortal, I don't have any entourage."

It was indeed the case that they needed bodyguards, but in the urban area of ​​Shangzhou, it was basically no problem.

Moreover, the fact that he possessed a weapon meant that Wei Dong still harbored murderous intent.

He put down the two earthenware jars of wine, took the enamel mug full of tea stains handed to him by the old Taoist priest, and drank it down without any hesitation.

It's not a particularly expensive tea, but it has a refreshing and pleasant aroma that lingers on the lips and teeth.

Seeing his demeanor, the old Taoist priest casually wrote "Great virtue carries all things" on the paper in front of him.

“I have seen people who, having obtained some official position or just acquired some academic qualifications, start to pontificate about the country. You have made such a great name for yourself in Shangzhou these past two years, and not a single person has spoken ill of you behind your back. Now you are more down-to-earth and peaceful, which shows that you have a benevolent heart. You are a blessing to Shangzhou. I am presenting you with a piece of calligraphy.”

Wei Dong, unpretentious as ever, commented on the flamboyant calligraphy: "Last summer you helped me tidy up that riverside villa. I used it several times and received a lot of praise. I haven't given you anything in return yet. How about you give me a price for this calligraphy too?"

What he feared most was others shunning him because of his poverty or wealth.

So now, whether intentionally or unintentionally, people are constantly testing people's hearts.

The old Taoist laughed heartily: "I am just a wandering, rootless man from the mountains. What price do I have? What brings you to climb the mountain today? I heard you are very busy repairing those houses. It is truly commendable that you have a place to live and that you have accumulated a lot of good deeds."

Wei Dong was still secretly pleased: "Well, we didn't make money or make a fortune. We just wanted more people to live better lives and to help the city's reforms gradually change. I appreciate your kind words... But why do the people around me feel so much pressure and can't live a good life? They keep complaining that they're not good enough for me?"

His tone became somewhat downcast at the end.

He wasn't a complicated person. From Zhang Lanzhi onwards, he felt that his wife was the one who gave him a sense of security after decades of loneliness.

But unexpectedly, his enthusiasm was always met with a cold response.

Even those who speak frankly and openly are now considered cautious, and people dare not easily entrust their thoughts to them.

Even the greatest wealth and status will be diminished.

The old Taoist priest didn't even look at him, pointing to the words he had written: "Wealth and power are all external things. You need to have enough virtue to bear these things. The principle that water can carry a boat but also capsize it is not hard to understand, is it?"

That's why many societies emphasize having religious beliefs.

There are always moments of confusion about emotions and direction, requiring guidance from someone.

Whether it's the mystical teachings of a master or a psychologist, they can always offer some form of emotional comfort.

This made Wei Dong relax a lot: "Hmm, I've heard that principle before. People can't earn money beyond their own understanding?"

The old Taoist raised his white eyebrows: "Oh my, this is the first time I've heard this saying, but the principle is the same. You made some money but didn't flaunt it or enjoy it. Instead, you used it to develop the market, build factories, and when you made even more money, you used it to build houses for the common people. This shows that your virtue is worthy of you controlling even greater material possessions."

As he spoke, he picked up the stone lock iron staff leaning against the old tree and skillfully swung it: "It's like a three-year-old child who gets this Green Dragon Crescent Blade. Even if he tries to wield it, he will surely be harmed. But you are strong and healthy, so you can wield it with ease, while others around you may not be able to."

This finally made Wei Dong understand a little.

The fact that she's divorced and has kids is just a facade; the real issue is that her family's situation deteriorated too quickly.

In just one year, the entire scale suddenly surged to tens of millions of assets.

Last summer, I was planning to spend over 100,000 yuan to buy a double-row seat. Taking advantage of the Olympics and the National Economic Conference in October, plus the advertising starting to take effect, this year I'm planning to spend several million yuan to build a house.

They rushed to build one building after another, rapidly expanding the neighborhood construction to a scale of hundreds of millions.

It truly soared like a rocket to great heights.

We are aware of the overall future situation, with economic development as the core and the development of manufacturing productivity as the fundamental goal.

If you grasp this line of thinking, you will definitely be full of confidence in the future.

They don't care about the immediate gains or losses, knowing that investing tens or hundreds of thousands now could yield tens or hundreds of millions in the future.

Besides, having become rich too early, there are hardly any extravagant consumption options left; it's practically an obligation to live a simple life.

So I felt completely at ease.

Where is this?

The total economic output of Shangzhou last year, which is what we now call GDP, is data that the director of the Development and Reform Commission can see at any time from the city. No matter how you calculate it, it will not exceed one billion.

As the tax authorities are well aware, this figure surged to 5 billion after the turn of the century, and forty years later it surpassed the 100 billion mark.

Of course, there are factors such as inflation and currency devaluation, but the tremendous development is also undeniable.

Therefore, as long as not a single penny of the approximately 50 million yuan invested in the second phase of housing reform went into their own pockets, they could observe and participate in history with a detached mindset.

What's the panic?

But for the landlady, it's definitely a different feeling.

Like this novice who only knows how to charge and fight recklessly, he may have had his fun, but it's unknown how Dong Xueying feels.

So he swallowed hard: "Is there any way to adjust this mindset and perspective?"

The old Taoist priest put away the iron staff and stone lock that had been used to create illusions: "The way of Heaven is to diminish what is excessive and replenish what is insufficient. The more external things one possesses, the more virtue one must have to bear them. Therefore, this kind of adjustment is very rare. Hmm, it really is as you said. Only when one has enough understanding can one be worthy of earning more money. You have adjusted well in both directions, which is already a rare exception. In this remote and impoverished place, I have only seen You Qili, but he is far less pragmatic and hardworking than you..."

As he spoke, he lifted a large stack of old papers hanging below the cliff.

After searching for a while, I found it: "These are the words he wrote down while chatting with me when he came to climb the mountain two or three years ago."

Wei Dong was unexpectedly curious. He peered out to admire: "With lofty aspirations and a global vision, let us work together to achieve our soaring ambitions."

I immediately burst out laughing. What on earth is this?

He wasn't good at writing, but he felt it was full of doggerel.

Having spent so many years in government agencies, retired cadres especially enjoy engaging in this kind of literary creation.

You can even write a poem about taking a dump.

This has absolutely nothing to do with productivity development.

The old Taoist priest did not laugh: "If you want to establish yourself, you must help others establish themselves; if you want to achieve success, you must help others achieve success. If you want to stand firm, you must also help others stand firm; if you want your career to be successful, you must also help others achieve success. If you can do this, you are no ordinary person. As for others... Why has the whole world always liked to talk about matching social status? Because it is the easiest way to achieve like-mindedness. If the people around you cannot keep up with your adjustments, then you are not worthy of your position, and disaster will surely follow."

This reminded Wei Dong of a conversation he had with Hong Kong businessmen last year, during which one of the older men commented that Dong Xueying was not a good match for Wei Dong's career development.

At that time, Wei Dong still felt that he and his wife had both risen from humble beginnings in the city, and were basically the same kind of people, so how could they not be a good match?

Now I understand.

If they really did set up a barbecue stall called "Sister Dong's Delicious Food," then they would definitely grow old together.

But this rocket-like explosive growth in industry scale, and the strategic alliances and mergers that allowed him to thrive only after gaining supernatural insight.

They widened the gap significantly.

So it's true that the old rich do have something going for them.

The fact that the scale hadn't exploded at that time already hinted at something was wrong.

Now Wei Dong sat there blankly, a wry smile on his face.

At the time, Lao Gui also said that they were not optimistic about investing in Jiangzhou, but they were investing in Rang Weidong himself. Their only concern was his wife.

Indeed, given Wei Dong's temperament, even with Dong Xueying in charge of all the finances and a constant stream of payments, this change is nothing short of earth-shattering.

He didn't even have the slightest thought to busy himself with taking over the assets or ensuring that the funds wouldn't run into problems.

Suddenly I felt indifferent.

Just like when Zhang Lanzhi broke up with him and he joined the sales work in Shanghai, he didn't care at all that his original sales system, on which he relied for survival, was exposed and leaked.

I wouldn't say I'm in pain, but I feel a bit empty inside.

Suddenly I feel like there's no point in working hard.

Is it really that difficult for a lonely old man to start a family?
If we were to say that back then, my bourgeois ways and my incompatibility with Zhang Lanzhi were indeed incompatible.

This time, things just progressed too quickly with Dong Xueying, causing their mindsets to drift apart.

My extensive experience traveling around the world, coupled with the benefits of my rebirth, has indeed led to a rapid advancement in my cultivation level.

Wei Dong himself could feel a tangible improvement in his skills; his temperament, vision, eloquence, persuasiveness, and coping strategies were all improving.

Dong Xueying, a Christian, increasingly stayed in her office.

Aside from the accounts, all they care about all day is the petty, infighting and internal strife within their family of four.

Wei Dong even felt a little sorry for him.

The old Taoist priest didn't inquire about the specifics; he simply placed his brush and ink on the open wooden platform next to him and began practicing his boxing.

It must be Tai Chi, it's slow and rhythmic.

Wei Dong stared at it, somewhat lost in thought.

After a while, the old Taoist priest raised his hand and invited, "I heard that you also like playing ball sports. Of course, you've warmed up your muscles and bones. But you might as well maintain this way of life in your spare time. You are no longer someone who can act recklessly and give up on yourself. Every move you make involves the livelihood and life of many families."

Wei Dong raised his eyebrows as well.

The old Taoist priest resumed his opening stance: "To have a high position but little virtue, to have grand schemes but little wisdom, to have heavy responsibilities but little strength—this is a disaster for oneself and for the common people. If you can comprehend the Way of Heaven through this kind of self-cultivation, then you will not have lived in vain."

Even when Buddhist and Taoist practitioners use clever words to agree, they still subtly employ veiled sarcasm.

This reminded Wei Dong of his previous comment about him being "not within the Three Realms, but beyond the Five Elements."

There was a sense of unease, as if someone was spying on him.

He nodded, got up, and followed.

Don't say it yet, don't say it yet.

If someone had lost a hand in their past life, they certainly wouldn't want to expose themselves and participate in these kinds of square dancing activities.

It's difficult to calm down mentally.

Now, standing on this ethereal cliff, following the old Taoist's slowly unfolding moves, I felt an indescribable sense of comfort.

In particular, as you chant the mantra, focus your attention on stretching your body and feeling the flow of meridians and even blood.

It really helps you forget your worries.

For the past two years, he has been following his physical instincts, either hammering away or soaring through the air on the basketball court. Now, slowing down the pace actually suits Wei Dong's mental age of over sixty.

It really feels like this is the kind of exercise I should be doing.

So, from the bright sunshine of the morning, I diligently practiced this 36-form Tai Chi under the shade of a tree until evening.

Despite the sweltering heat of over 30 degrees Celsius, I didn't feel particularly uncomfortable.

Finally, after descending the mountain, I went with the old Taoist to a restaurant at the foot of the mountain, where I invited some passersby and neighbors to join me for a meal and a few drinks before clasping my hands in farewell and leaving.

Even his every move carried a touch of the carefree spirit of the Taoist priest.

(End of this chapter)