Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 670 Unapproachable

"There's something I'm not sure if I should ask..."

Su Mei found Qing Wan and, looking nervous, pulled her aside to whisper something.

Qingwan noticed that Su Mei's mood was off and couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"

Su Mei hesitated before asking, "Um, will we really go back in the future?"

Upon arriving here, Su Mei discovered that the management style was very different from what she had imagined; it felt like another unfamiliar world.

Sometimes, she could even hear slogans that sounded almost like a rebellion.

What about destroying the old society and creating a new world...?

It truly terrified her.

Qingwan looked Su Mei up and down and asked, "Are you not used to living here?"

Su Mei said, "Uh, no, although it's a bit tiring here, I feel very free."

Qingwan nodded and said, "Oh, I thought you were used to being a servant and missed life in Anguo."

Su Mei: ...

Su Mei couldn't help but whisper, "Actually, the princess is quite nice to me."

Qingwan patted Su Mei on the shoulder and said earnestly, "You can repay her kindness later. We can't have any slave mentality here. You have to think about how you used to be a free and romantic little fox in the mountains. You can't be thinking about finding a master for yourself back then, can you?"

Su Mei said, "Ah...no, not at all."

"Isn't that right?"

Qingwan shook her head and said, "Let me tell you, when I met Lu Zheng, I was so small, and everyone treated me like a friend... Whether you're human or demon, you have to have your own thoughts, you can't..."

Su Mei's lips twitched, and she couldn't help but say, "Isn't this getting a bit off-topic? You haven't answered my question yet."

Upon hearing this, Qingwan changed the subject and said, "Of course we have to go back, it's just not the right time yet. When we have the ability to change Anguo in the future, we should go back."

Su Mei's eyelids twitched. "Are you saying this because you're planning to go back and rebel?"

Qingwan stared at Su Mei and clicked her tongue, saying, "You're even more audacious than me. Do you think such a large dynasty can be easily overthrown?"

"Besides, is rebellion something that only one or two people can do? If the people live a prosperous and peaceful life, who would want to fight to the death with someone for no reason..."

Su Mei wondered if the lives of the people of Anguo could be considered prosperous and stable.

Even the small landlords there don't necessarily eat meat every day.

On the contrary, in the area they now manage, everyone can eat their fill and has meat every day.

She wasn't making this up; she had seen beggars in Tai'an City, but they simply didn't exist here.

The situation here was so unusual that Su Mei wanted An Jing to come and see for himself.

Qingwan then asked, "Why are you thinking about these things? Are you under too much pressure lately? Should we change your job?"

Su Mei shook her head and said, "No need. I just wanted to ask about some things to put my mind at ease. I actually quite like life here..."

Qingwan said, "Alright then, it seems we'll need to organize a meeting later so we can all have a good chat. Is there anything else?"

Su Mei said, "That's all, I have to go now."

Su Mei left in a hurry again.

As soon as the person left, Qingwan stroked her chin and muttered under her breath, "Rebellion?"

She wasn't sure what the future held when facing those great dynasties, but it certainly wouldn't be peaceful.

Moreover, she didn't know what Lu Zheng's specific thoughts and plans were, but she just needed to follow along and didn't need to worry too much.

Qingwan murmured, "These newcomers aren't determined enough. Have they not suffered enough before? I need to talk to Lu Zheng about it when I have time."

……

At this moment, Xiao Yan was having people pack their things, preparing to leave Di City.

She stayed here for a while and learned a lot of new management experience, which she can try when she goes back to Baize Kingdom.

As for her two little ones, after attending some classes at the school here, their personalities have changed a lot. They are no longer as spoiled as before, have corrected some bad habits, and have matured considerably.

Xiao Yan didn't know whether this was a good thing or a bad thing, because sometimes the two children even dared to contradict her.

When Zerui learned that he was leaving, he wondered if he could stay and study here.

Xiao Yan clearly could not agree to this. If Ze Rui were to stay in such a place to study, even a monarch could be turned into an ordinary person.

And what's the point of staying here? To be a hostage?

As soon as Xiao Yan led her people out, she saw Lu Zheng waiting not far away.

She couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Lu Zheng had only met her once before, and hadn't been seen since.

She didn't even have a chance to discuss some things with Lu Zheng.

When Lu Zheng saw Xiao Yan, he smiled and said, "I heard that Madam Xiao is going back, so I came to see her off."

Xiao Yan replied, "Young Master Lu is a very busy man, how could we take up his time?"

Lu Zhengdao: "It won't delay you, I've come here on business."

Xiao Yan thought to herself, "So he won't come if there's nothing wrong? This person is really too busy to pay attention to her?"

Didn't we think about bringing her in before?

Xiao Yan suddenly remembered what Qing Wan had said. She had already said everything that needed to be said, and Lu Zheng probably wouldn't say anything more.

Lu Zheng pulled out a thick document. "This area has been in chaos lately. I've heard that many people have fled to your Bai Ze Kingdom for refuge. These are some typical examples. I'll trouble you, Madam, to go back and deal with them. If I were to take men there, it might not have a good impact, and it would be troublesome going back and forth..."

"Of course, we won't let you work for nothing. We can split the valuables these people took 80/20." Hearing Lu Zheng's explanation, Xiao Yan couldn't help but ask, "Whose '20'?"

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "It can't be me, can it?"

Xiao Yan's lips twitched upon hearing this. Good heavens, how could she say such a thing? She would be embarrassed to say that she would only give 20% of the benefits.

Lu Zheng said unhurriedly, "After deducting the losses of your troops, that's 20%. That's not a small amount, is it?"

Lu Zheng thought the suggestion was already quite good.

Xiao Yan said calmly, "Fifty-fifty."

Lu Zheng shook his head and said, "Just 20%. If I were to go there personally, you would probably have to pay me back more than 20%."

Xiao Yan narrowed her eyes slightly and said in a low voice, "Is Young Master Lu bullying or threatening a woman like me?"

Lu Zheng's expression remained unchanged as he said, "If someone with low strength says this, it can be considered intimidation. If the strength is equal, it can be considered a threat."

"As for what Mr. Lu said, he was simply stating a fact."

“There are people in your Bai Ze Kingdom who are protecting criminals. I’m already giving you face by having my wife handle it.”

Lu Zheng paused for a moment, then said, "Don't think I'm heartless. I think I'm already very heartless. You should know what will happen when there's no heart."

Xiao Yan remained silent, feeling that Lu Zheng's words were incredibly forceful. Despite not revealing any aura, he made her hesitant to confront him directly.

Seeing this, Zerui's big eyes widened in disbelief. How dare someone speak to his mother like that! This was simply... incredibly powerful!

Lu Zheng turned his head slightly, saw the two little ones' gazes, and took out two boxes of colorful candies shaped like various cute animals.

"Here, have some. These are our newest candies. Come over and play sometime..."

"Ah, thank you, Mr. Lu!"

"Thank you, Mr. Lu..."

The two little ones solemnly accepted the heavy candy box, their hearts filled with both surprise and joy.

What do adult matters have to do with children?

In any case, they didn't sense any malice from Lu Zheng; instead, they felt close to him.

If it weren't for their mother's displeasure, they would have been all smiles.

Xiao Yan calmly put away the document. She understood that Lu Zheng had come here to take out such a thing because he wanted to see her attitude.

If Bai Zeguo protects those people, then Lu Zheng will have to personally intervene, and the problems to solve will not only be those wanted criminals.

Xiao Yan then said, "Master Wuqiu is a disciple of a high-ranking monk from Baima Temple. Do you really dare to order him around like this?"

These days, she's seen Wuqiu busy inside and outside the city, practically never taking a break.

Lu Zheng said, "We didn't force him to stay. He came to work voluntarily, and it's his freedom to decide when to leave... We can't expect the White Horse Temple to be so unreasonable, can we?"

Xiao Yan couldn't help but smile and said, "It's hard to say. Some people don't care about so much, they only care about what they see, and that has already affected the reputation of Baima Temple."

"Oh……"

Lu Zheng disagreed, saying that the impact could be both good and bad, and who could say for sure?

He also has eminent monks from the Dharma Sect here.

If someone wants to smear him, it won't make a difference if one or two things happen.

Lu Zhengdao said, "There's no need for Madam to worry. More people will definitely come here in the future."

Xiao Yan's heart stirred, realizing that the person Lu Zheng was talking about was no ordinary person.

Xiao Yan continued, "I've heard that Young Master Lu has attained the initial stage of Buddhist practice, so he can be considered a Buddhist and a believer..."

Lu Zheng shook his head and said, "I don't believe in Buddhism."

Xiao Yan said, "Don't you believe me?"

Lu Zheng said calmly, "Even some heretical sects can cultivate Buddhism. If you ask me to believe, who should I believe?"

Xiao Yan was speechless for a moment, unable to put it into words.

Lu Zheng slowly said, "The sage said that all living beings can become Yao and Shun, so naturally they can all become Buddhas. If I want to believe, I believe in myself as a 'Buddha'."

Xiao Yan was surprised to hear this; most people wouldn't dare to say such a thing.

Even some eminent monks dare not compare themselves to Buddhas.

"Young Master Lu's understanding of Buddhism is truly unique."

Xiao Yan could only offer this assessment, and she couldn't continue the discussion with Lu Zheng. She felt that if they continued to talk about scriptures and Buddhism, her faith would crumble...

Xiao Yan said softly, "We should be on our way now. Thank you for your hospitality during this time. As for the wanted notice, please wait patiently for good news, Young Master Lu. I will not let you down."

Before parting, Xiao Yan tried her best to show her sincerity, not wanting to antagonize someone like Lu Zheng.

What an eventful year... Xiao Yan sighed inwardly.

Earlier, when she visited a Buddhist master in the State of Wei, she heard a high monk say that the celestial phenomena had changed unusually in recent years, and that there would be some unrest.

Now it seems that things are more than just a little unsettled.

She hasn't been married into the Northern Region for many years, and even her current position is becoming increasingly precarious. (End of Chapter)