Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 700 Suppressing Buddhism and Promoting Buddhism

Yun Xiao looked at Lu Zheng and said with a smile, "I heard that you are doing great things in the Northern Region and want to create a prosperous era. You even sent out a call to action to Furong City. Tell me what you have done there."

Qingwan, standing nearby, said excitedly, "Well, that's quite a story! Let me tell you..."

Qingwan gave a general description of the situation in the Northern Region and revealed who was helping in the Northern Region because of the call to action.

Yun Xiao was astonished. The news he heard from Qing Wan was far more exaggerated than what he had previously known.

"You guys are really something, even the teachers at Jixia Academy..."

Yun Xiao stroked his beard and sighed, then continued, "Speaking of which, Empress Furong praised your call to action after reading it, saying that you young people have ideas and ambitions..."

"The Empress wants to select a few royal offspring to train with you, but she is a little worried about their identities and is afraid that you will not accept them. I am also entrusted to go to the Northern Region to see the specific situation."

Qingwan blinked and said, "That's a good thing! As long as they're willing to follow our rules, we can send as many people as they want. Why don't you send your Qingyang Palace disciples to the Northern Region too, so we can all build a peaceful world together?"

Yun Xiao said quietly, "You prohibit Buddhism where you are, but don't you prohibit Taoism?"

Qingwan shook her head and said, "We used to ban Buddhism because it wasn't properly regulated. Now that Mahayana Buddhism is in place, we'll loosen the restrictions a bit and treat everyone equally."

Yun Xiao couldn't help but laugh and said, "You weren't frightened by the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas you just saw, that's why you made this decision, right?"

Qingwan raised an eyebrow and said, "I'm not easily intimidated; I'm a reasonable person!"

Yun Xiao clicked his tongue and said, "Speaking of which, you're calling on all the patriots in the world. I feel like you're playing a pretty big game. Tell me honestly, do you actually want to unify the Northern Region?"

Yun Xiao looked at Lu Zheng with a questioning expression.

Lu Zheng said, "Do your best. Even if we eventually unify the Northern Region, everyone will be in charge, and no one will claim to be a king or a tyrant."

Yun Xiao narrowed his eyes. "I believe what you say, but not everyone is as selfless as you, not wanting to be superior. If, when that time comes, some people fight for power and profit, but that's a matter for later..."

Yun Xiao paused for a moment, then said, "Moreover, with such a big fuss, aren't you afraid that the demon kingdoms of the Northern Region and the Wei Kingdom will unite against you? The Wei Kingdom certainly doesn't want to see another powerful force rise in its north."

Lu Zheng smiled slightly and said, "We have reached an agreement with the Crown Prince of Wei and the others. They will not interfere with the development of the Northern Region in the future, and have even agreed to give up some of their existing interests in the Northern Region."

Upon hearing this, Yun Xiao's expression changed slightly, and he seemed somewhat incredulous.

He couldn't help but say, "You reached an agreement with them? Why would they agree to something like this? Don't tell me your words moved them..."

Lu Zheng glanced at Qing Wan beside him.

Qingwan understood and said with a smile, "Daoist Master is no outsider. There are some things I can tell you, but you mustn't spread them around!"

Yun Xiao's eyebrows twitched, his curiosity piqued. "I'm not a big mouth, so tell me."

Qingwan raised her hand and waved it, and a golden Buddhist mark appeared in her palm, faintly radiating a holy aura.

"This is……"

Yun Xiao's eyes widened. If he wasn't mistaken, this aura was clearly of the same origin as the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas who had just appeared, and was the sacred power of the origin of Buddhism and Taoism.

Yun Xiao asked in surprise, "How did you get such a mark?"

Qingwan waved her little hand and chuckled, "It was given by Buddha. We'll help Buddha establish Mahayana Buddhism; it's mutually beneficial..."

Yun Xiao was stunned; he felt like his mind was a little slow to process what was happening.

Seeing Yun Xiao's bewildered expression, Qing Wan began by talking about the true scripture.

Upon learning the whole story, Yun Xiao was deeply shocked, and his worldview was somewhat overturned.

So, all those Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the sky were invited down by Lu Zheng?

Upon learning this truth, Yun Xiao was even more shocked than when he had just met the Buddhas.

"Wait, let me sort this out..."

Yun Xiao walked to the side, closed his eyes and pondered for a long time before accepting reality.

"So, you've conspired with all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to set up a trap for the Wei Kingdom and Buddhism?"

Yun Xiao looked at Lu Zheng and the others with a complicated expression, feeling that the matter was terrifying upon closer examination.

Qingwan said, "What you're saying, Daoist, is wrong. We're trying to correct the current state of Buddhism and establish correct Buddhist views and values... Even Buddha agreed to this, so how can it be called a scheme? Oh dear, do you have a prejudice against Buddha?"

Yun Xiao coughed lightly and waved his hand, saying, "No! I have always held ancient sages in high esteem, let alone the Buddha who established the Great Way for the human race."

Yun Xiao said quietly, "I never expected you to have such abilities. Even high-ranking Buddhist monks couldn't invite you. What conditions could you possibly negotiate with them?"

He had never read any ancient books that recorded such a thing.

Yun Xiao's mind raced, his eyes gleaming as he looked at Lu Zheng with a smile, and said, "Young friend Lu, why don't you come back to Qingyang Palace with me? We can pay our respects to the ancient sages of Taoism and ask them to bestow upon us a scripture or two..."

Lu Zheng couldn't help but say, "With so many experts in your various sects of Taoism, it shouldn't have come to this, right? None of the Taoist saints have appeared to me in my dreams, so going back with you would probably be a waste of effort."

Yun Xiao sighed, "I just wanted to try it out. What if it works? Wouldn't that save me a lot of trouble?"

Yun Xiao thought about it and felt that the matter was indeed not very reliable. Their Daoist sect had not lost any important classics, so it would be useless to ask the Dao Ancestor.

Qingwan asked, "Does the Daoist Master still wish to visit the Northern Region?"

Yun Xiao said, "Go ahead, it's a rare opportunity to get out... We should go to the Northern Region in person to see for ourselves so we can convince them later. When are you going back? I'll go with you."

Yun Xiao wished he could stay away for a while longer, but the imperial court gave him a deadline, requiring him to return and respond, and participate in the compilation of the classics.

Lu Zhengdao said, "Let's wait for news from the Crown Prince of Wei. He should be negotiating with the Buddhist sects. We'll return to the Northern Region once some matters concerning Buddhism are settled."

Yun Xiao stroked his chin and murmured, "Establishing the orthodoxy of Buddhism and promoting new Buddhist precepts will likely cost the Buddhist community in Wei a lot of money this time. Wei will probably be in for some time to come..."

Everyone can see that even though the Wei court and Buddhism have reached a consensus and want to establish Mahayana Buddhism as the orthodox religion, the establishment of the religion and the promotion of those strict precepts will easily affect the interests of many people, not just those in Buddhism.

This can be described as a major upheaval for the entire Wei Kingdom. In the future, some major conflicts will inevitably occur in the Wei Kingdom. The monks who were just executed in the Garan Temple are just the beginning.

For Buddhism, this was both a movement to revive Buddhism and an act to destroy it. Yun Xiao's feelings were somewhat complicated. Thinking about it carefully, Lu Zheng had started reforms in Anguo a few years ago, and now he had caused such a commotion in Weiguo, and even created a peaceful world in the Northern Region.

It feels like wherever he goes, he can stir up a storm.

He single-handedly influenced the overall trend of the world.

No… Yun Xiao thought about it for a moment, and realized that there were still quite a few people supporting Lu Zheng behind the scenes.

Putting aside everything else, even ancient sages have come to their aid, so their backing is quite substantial.

To reach this level, one must rely on their own abilities... Yun Xiao sighed inwardly.

He went to pay homage to the Taoist patriarchs, hoping that the sages would give him some guidance, but there was no response at all.

Is it right that this person, who has been enlightened by a Confucian sage and possesses a strong sense of righteousness, can actually invite the Buddha to reveal his intentions and make agreements with all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas?

Some people worship Buddha all day long but never see Buddha.

But some people can attract the help of countless Buddhas.

Yun Xiao even started thinking that when he had free time in the future, he might as well follow Lu Zheng to cultivate.

He used to want Lu Zheng to join the Daoist sect, but now it seems the roles have to be reversed.

The two young girls, Qingwan and Qingyi, have followed Lu Zheng to cultivate, and over the years they have encountered many great opportunities.

As a Taoist master, if he were to gain even a little benefit, he could advance even further.

……

"Brother Gongyang, I heard from the Chancellor that you won't be returning to the academy to teach for the time being?"

Gongyang Ming looked at the person in front of him, a refined middle-aged man dressed in fine clothes.

Kong Yu was a descendant of Confucius from the Kong family of Qi, a teacher at the Jixia Academy, and a world-renowned Confucian scholar.

Kong Yu was also invited to attend this Wuzhe Assembly.

The two had met briefly in the temple, but hadn't had a chance to speak until the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas disappeared, at which point they left the temple to talk alone.

Upon hearing Kong Yu's question, Gongyang Ming nodded and said, "I won't go back for now. In the future, I'll have to trouble Brother Kong to take care of teaching those students."

Kong Yu frowned slightly upon hearing this and lowered his voice, saying, "What exactly is in the Northern Region that would make you give up everything in Qi and the academy, just because a young man spoke of a peaceful world?"

Gongyang Ming smiled gently and said, "Yes. I'm old now, but in this life, one should always strive for their dreams, so that one's life will not have been in vain."

Kong Yu said with some dissatisfaction, "What peaceful world? That's something even sages can't achieve! What can you people possibly accomplish in the Northern Region? In the end, you'll only bring disgrace and become a laughingstock. By then, it will be too late for regrets. Brother Gongyang, come back to the Jixia Academy with me!"

Upon hearing this, Gongyang Ming calmly replied, "I don't care about that reputation."

Kong Yu glared and said, "You don't care? What about the reputation of Qi? What about the reputation of Jixia Academy? You even took several students from the academy with you, and some students from Qi are planning to go to the Northern Region after hearing about your deeds. What kind of talk is this!"

Kong Yu's face darkened with displeasure, and he advised again, "This isn't just your problem. Do you know how much of an impact you've had? Come back with me and explain things properly to the Chief Priest, and try to downplay the matter..."

Kong Yu, once again adopting a painstaking and earnest manner, tried to persuade Gongyang Ming to return to the Jixia Academy.

Kong Yu.

Gongyang Ming interrupted Kong Yu, his expression turning serious.

“As the sage said, the blessings of a virtuous person last only five generations. As a descendant of Confucius, you have not inherited the sage’s benevolence. This statement is indeed true.”

Upon hearing this, Kong Yu's face darkened, and he said with hidden anger, "Gongyang Ming, what do you mean?"

Gongyang Ming remained unfazed and said calmly, "Confucian sages pursued peace and order in the world, and thus established the Confucian way. What you just said was questioning the ancient sages and your ancestors, which can be described as disloyal and unfilial."

“I act in accordance with the words of sages, cultivate myself, govern the country and bring peace to the people... But you disregard right and wrong, worry about damage to your reputation and your own, and advise me not to pursue a peaceful world or inherit the teachings of sages? How much benevolence and morality do you have in your heart?”

"Besides having the surname Kong and being blessed by a family of sages to become a great Confucian scholar, do you truly possess the qualities of a great Confucian scholar as described by the ancient sages?"

Gongyang Ming's words were like knives piercing the heart.

Kong Yu's face turned red with anger, almost dripping with sweat, and he was so angry that he could hardly breathe.

"Very well, Gongyang Ming, you're so high and mighty, so amazing. What, you went to the Northern Region and now you're trying to achieve enlightenment and become a saint? How dare you say such things?"

Kong Yu was furious and shouted, "I am not worthy of being called a great Confucian scholar. Do you think that going to the Northern Region with you to create a peaceful world and doing some absurd thing like the people of the world governing together is what makes a true great Confucian scholar? You are no longer loyal to the emperor and the country, and you want to rebel against the Great Qi?"

Gongyang Ming calmly said, "Because of my loyalty to the ruler and my love for the country, I don't want to be like some of you, occupying a position without doing anything and corrupting your own country. I just want to explore a path to a peaceful world with them. You think I betrayed the State of Qi, and I can't argue with that now."

Kong Yu's face flushed red. "I won't accuse you of anything, but you're saying I'm just holding a position without doing my job? Over the years, I've worked diligently at the academy, cultivating countless talents for the Great Qi. Don't you know that?"

Gongyang Ming said, “I didn’t say you’re just a figurehead, but you should know that there are many people like that in the Great Qi. Some of the talents trained by the academy are among them, and some are even worse than that, pursuing fame and fortune and acting greedily and excessively. They are the cause of the Great Qi’s corruption.”

Kong Yu's lips trembled, and she was unable to refute anything.

He was a renowned scholar in the academy and held an official position in the Qi court. He was not blind; how could he not see certain things?

Even he couldn't control such things, or perhaps he could but simply let them be.

Kong Yu said quietly, "It seems you've made up your mind?"

Gongyang Ming looked up at the sky and said softly, "Can't you see? The world has changed... Even the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of Buddhism are showing signs of regulating Buddhism, and so many eminent monks have died all at once..."

"Do you think that one day, the will of those ancient Confucian sages might become angry and manifest themselves to cleanse the sect?"

Upon hearing this, Kong Yu's throat bobbed, but he didn't utter a single word.

Gongyang Ming then asked, "Did the Chief Priest ask you to deliver any message?"

Kong Yu remained silent for a few moments before speaking: "The Chancellor will tell you to take care of yourself. Your position as a tutor will always be reserved for you."

Gongyang Ming couldn't help but sigh inwardly. He feared he could no longer regain his position unless even the Jixia Academy made changes. (End of Chapter)