Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 580 Those who achieve great things

Chapter 580 Those who achieve great things

Lu Zheng came specifically to find Legalist doctrines, so he asked the custodian of the archives for details, wrote down the names of these Legalist classics, took two treasured originals, and selected several other classics that could not be bought elsewhere.

After that, Lu Zheng looked at other books and found several medical and agricultural books that he hadn't read before, thus completing the required number.

Seeing that Lu Zheng had chosen his books in a short time, and that the selected classics were not of very high quality (even the historian of the archives found them hard to read), the scholar suggested that Lu Zheng choose more carefully and even recommended several commentaries on Confucian classics by great Confucian scholars.

According to the Keeper of the Canon, each of the books he recommended was more valuable than those selected by Lu Zhengxuan, and they were also useful for cultivation.

Lu Zheng didn't even ask for a single rare book of the Xuan grade. If word got out, people would think that the Wenhai Pavilion of their Shu Kingdom didn't have any good books to choose from.

So-called profound classics are cultivation methods or other types of books that contain profound techniques. They are usually works created by cultivators who have reached the sixth level of profound understanding or above.

However, Lu Zheng is not very interested in other classic texts containing profound Daoist principles, and he can only choose one over the other.

Of course, in Lu Zheng's eyes, the books he chose were like bear's paws, but others just didn't think they were of much value.

Seeing Lu Zheng's insistence, the Keeper of Archives took out a booklet to record it and even had Lu Zheng sign and leave his seal.

Upon seeing Lu Zheng leave his name, the Keeper of the Archives raised an eyebrow. "So your name is Lu Zheng! Hmm? Are you the scholar from Anguo who slew the god in Chu?"

Wang Qianyang didn't mention Lu Zheng's name directly just now, so the Keeper of the Archives thought that a talented Confucian scholar named Lu had emerged from the Shu Kingdom, and that he had gained the favor of the Shu Emperor and come here to select some books.

Wang Qianyang, who was standing nearby, said, "Brother Lu is the very person the Keeper of the Archives mentioned."

Upon hearing this, the Keeper of the Archives glared and exclaimed, "Why didn't you say so earlier!"

The Keeper of the Archives turned to Lu Zheng, a broad smile on his face, and said, "You're quite promising at such a young age! What other books would you like to read? I'll print a few copies for you!"

When he was young, the Keeper of Archives had fought alongside the army against the Chu people and even personally killed a Chu priest.

After learning about Lu Zheng's deeds, the Keeper of Archives had a very good impression of him.

Seeing the Keeper of Archives staring intently at him, Lu Zheng couldn't help but say, "Isn't this against the rules?"

The Keeper of the Archives chuckled and said, "What's wrong with the rules? As long as it's not the original or printed version of a Xuan-grade classic, I can give you some books of other grades. If you don't believe me, ask the others."

Wang Qianyang and the others nodded slightly in explanation.

The Keeper of the Archives at Wenhai Pavilion wielded considerable power. If the royal offspring had a good relationship with the Keeper of the Archives, they could borrow books from here without incurring any cost, as long as the books weren't too valuable.

Seeing this, Lu Zheng didn't stand on ceremony and asked for several more printed copies. These were all works unrelated to cultivation, but they were not easy to buy outside, so the Keeper of the Archives helped print them.

The keeper of the archives couldn't help but say, "Young people really shouldn't choose better books. How can you improve by reading these books? We do have some good Confucian books and articles here."

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "There's really no need to trouble yourself."

Studying Confucianism is not difficult for him at all; he can improve his spiritual practice by learning the words of sages and practicing their teachings.

Then, Lu Zheng and Wang Qianyang took their leave and returned to the Imperial Garden.

Wang Mingli and the Ninth Princess were not summoned, and not wanting to disturb their father and mother, they parted ways.

Only after Lu Zheng disappeared from sight did Wang Mingli turn his gaze away.

The Ninth Princess, standing beside him, looked at Wang Mingli, seemingly wanting to say something but hesitating. Wang Mingli turned to look at the Ninth Princess and smiled, "What, do you think I was too impulsive and shouldn't have addressed him as my teacher on our first meeting?"

Upon hearing this, the Ninth Princess said, "Second Brother's actions just now really frightened me."

Wang Mingli chuckled softly and said, "It is said that Mr. Lu only entered the Xiucai realm last year. Whether it is true or not, he is younger than me, yet he has accomplished so much in just one year. It is astonishing! Those so-called prodigies are probably no match for him..."

"When we first met, he looked at us as if we were ordinary people, which shows that he has experienced great things and will also achieve great things in the future. He also shared his good strategies for governing the country with me without reservation. Why shouldn't I address him as 'sir'?"

The Ninth Princess pouted and said, "Then Second Brother should befriend him. Otherwise, I'll be a generation younger than him."

Wang Mingli smiled and said, "I am ashamed of my inferiority, and I don't have any outstanding skills to befriend him. Do you think I can rely on my status as a prince? He certainly wouldn't care... Ninth Sister, you haven't formally become his teacher, so we can still treat each other as equals in the future."

Wang Mingli was still thinking about a good plan, so he didn't chat with the Ninth Princess any longer and hurriedly returned to his residence.

When Lu Zheng returned to the Imperial Garden, he saw the Shu Emperor and Yun Xiao sitting together discussing Taoism, while Empress Furong was chatting with Qing Wan and Qing Yi in another flower garden.

When the Shu Emperor discovered that Lu Zheng had returned so quickly, he didn't pay attention to what classics Lu Zheng had chosen. He simply instructed Wang Qianyang to treat Lu Zheng well and then continued to discuss Taoist philosophy with Yun Xiao.

The emperor was fond of cultivating the Tao, and cared not for the common people but for immortality.

Empress Furong, on the other hand, had a friendly expression and raised her hand to greet Lu Zheng and Wang Qianyang.

By now, Empress Furong had heard more details about the events from Qingwan.

She looked at Lu Zheng and said with a gentle smile, "When my child was your age, they didn't dare to take risks like you. Are you truly fearless?"

She was curious about what was supporting Lu Zheng, who seemed to disregard his own life at all during his travels and studies.

Upon hearing this, Lu Zheng replied, "If a person has a mind, it is impossible for them to be truly fearless."

Empress Furong asked curiously, "Oh? What are you afraid of?"

Lu Zheng solemnly said, "The people of the world suffer greatly. I have learned from the sages and predecessors and have a single thought to save the common people. I only fear that I have not done enough or done well enough."

Lu Zheng's tone was calm, but the righteous aura he exuded made even the palace servants around him turn their heads.

The smile on Empress Furong's face faded, and a hint of pity appeared in her eyes, which were as clear as autumn water.

She said softly, "You are still so young, but I feel that you already have a heavy burden on your shoulders."

Lu Zheng smiled slightly and said, "Perhaps, but this is my choice. The road may be winding, but the future is bright."

Lu Zheng paused for a moment, then said, "To struggle with Heaven is endless joy; to struggle with Earth is endless joy; to struggle with Man is endless joy!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a burst of colorful energy descended from the sky and instantly entered Lu Zheng's body.

Lu Zheng's righteous spirit was once again greatly enhanced.

Not far away, both the Shu Emperor and Yun Xiao noticed the abnormality and turned their gazes towards it.

(End of this chapter)