Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 528 Traces of True Law
Yun Xiao felt a pang of emotion. A single sacred artifact was enough to make even experts at the Tongxuan and Daodao levels fight tooth and nail. Lu Zheng, on the other hand, was open-minded enough to avoid sharing such a treasure.

Yun Xiao thought for a moment and said, "How about this, let's go to the Southern Frontier first and look for them there!"

"Southern Xinjiang?" A hint of doubt arose in Lu Zheng's mind.

Wasn't the land south of Shu a barbarian region? How could there be any genuine Legalist teachings there?

Seeing Lu Zheng's puzzled expression, Yun Xiao chuckled and explained, "When the Shu Kingdom was first established, it conquered the southern border, causing the barbarians there to submit. At that time, the court and the local barbarians agreed on laws, and a stone tablet was erected as proof..."

"That stone tablet contains profound Daoist principles, which to some extent suppress and restrain the local barbarians. If we're really talking about it, that stone tablet can be considered a supreme treasure of Legalism..."

"I've never seen that stone tablet before, and I don't know exactly where it is in the southern border region. I'll have to go and look for it. If we can't find it, it's alright. I'll just treat it as a tour of the Shu Kingdom for you."

Yun Xiao was not very familiar with the Southern Frontier region. The stone tablet had been erected hundreds of years ago, and he didn't know its current status.

Yun Xiao paused for a moment, then said, "If it's not there, we'll go somewhere else. If that doesn't work, we'll go back to Qingyang Palace together, and I'll go to Chengdu to inquire about the true teachings of Legalism for you."

Yun Xiao gave a general plan. Although he did not have any authentic Legalist classics on him, if he were to search for them seriously, he would have better information and more connections than Lu Zheng.

He is a real person with a wide circle of friends, so why would he be afraid of not finding any clues?

Lu Zheng nodded upon hearing this and said, "We will follow the Taoist priest's advice. When shall we set off?"

Yun Xiao chuckled and said, "Young man, don't rush things. Wait a couple more days, pick a good day... Tsk, speaking of which, tell me in detail how you got that thing?"

Yun Xiao was filled with curiosity. How did a sage's article end up in Lu Zheng's hands?

Seeing this, Lu Zheng didn't hide anything, "Actually, I have another one..."

"What?" Yun Xiao's eyes widened suddenly.

Lu Zhengdao: "Besides the one I just received, I also got an article by Mencius..."

Lu Zheng calmly recounted his previous experiences, even detailing his struggle with the Moon Goddess.

Yun Xiao looked surprised upon hearing this, his mouth agape.

He thought it was outrageous enough that Lu Zheng had obtained a sage's article, but he actually got something else? What kind of incredible luck was this?

Upon hearing about Lu Zheng and the Moon Goddess, Yun Xiao marveled, never imagining there was such a dramatic and thrilling story behind it.

Yun Xiao couldn't help but stroke his chin, and said quietly, "That Moon Goddess of Chu is no ordinary goddess. You actually managed to intimidate her? It seems she saw that you truly possess extraordinary fortune and dared not touch you..."

"Speaking of which, you've obtained two articles by sages in such a short time; your luck is truly unparalleled..."

“She wants to kill you. Regardless of anything else, the karmic backlash from those two sacred artifacts will be enough to make her suffer.”

Yun Xiao could understand the Moon Goddess's actions. If she really killed Lu Zheng, not to mention how serious the backlash would be, if the matter became public knowledge, even the Sage's writings would probably be hard to protect.

The Moon Goddess, skilled in divination and destiny, would certainly not do something so thankless and exhausting.

Yun Xiao pondered, "She actually cultivated another split spirit. Is she leaving herself a way out? Tsk tsk, interesting... Does she think the Chu Kingdom won't last long, or does she think she won't stay in that position for long..." The reason behind this made Yun Xiao think it was worth pondering. He had just learned another secret.

Yun Xiao turned to look at Lu Zheng and couldn't help but say, "Leaving aside the first article you obtained, the second article by a sage is indeed quite strange. There's no such thing as a sacred object falling from the sky."

It is said that when Lu Zheng was traveling in Guizhou, the Sage's article flew directly into his arms, leaving Yun Xiao completely dumbfounded.

He's been traveling for so long, and nothing has fallen from the sky except bird droppings...

Lu Zheng said, "I also find it strange, but during that time in Chu, we didn't see anyone suspicious, and there was nothing unusual about this article."

Yun Xiao shook his head and said, "Even a saint wouldn't dare to tamper with such a sacred object, so you don't need to worry about that... Just keep an eye out for any strangers who come looking for you in the future. Also, don't let too many people know that you have this article."

After giving some instructions, Yun Xiao asked, "Not many people know that you possess such a sacred object, right?"

Lu Zheng thought for a moment and said, "In Chu, the Moon Goddess probably didn't tell anyone else. In An, it's estimated that only Emperor An and Princess An know... and Qing Wan and the others have seen it, and that's it."

Yun Xiao raised an eyebrow and asked, "How come everyone in Anguo knows?"

Lu Zheng explained, "Anguo is implementing reforms, but there is great resistance. I wanted to use these two articles to negotiate with the literati and gentry in Anguo and have Emperor An act as an intermediary... but Emperor An did not agree to this."

"Good guy..."

Yun Xiao looked puzzled, unsure how to respond, and could only give a thumbs up.

This deal has even reached the emperor of the country. It's likely that all the officials in the imperial court combined are not as generous as Lu Zheng, who has gone to such lengths for the country and its people.

If it were him, Yun Xiao, he wouldn't be able to bear it either.

If you were to trade such an article with the Confucian and Mencian families, who knows how many rare and precious treasures you could obtain in return.

Yun Xiao said quietly, "If you were a citizen of Shu, I would definitely recommend you to the Emperor of Shu."

Yun Xiao thought it was a real pity that Lu Zheng wasn't a local talent. Otherwise, if Lu Zheng were recommended as a great talent, wouldn't it be more interesting for him, a True Person, to follow Lu Zheng around than to cultivate in Qingyang Palace?
Yun Xiao chuckled and said, "Of course, if you want to see the Shu Emperor, I can take you to see him later... Don't worry, I'll keep all your secrets to myself."

Lu Zheng smiled upon hearing this and said, "Let's talk about it when we have the chance to go to Chengdu later."

Yun Xiao nodded and said, "Alright. You must have encountered some things along the way, right? Qing Wan didn't explain it clearly before, could you tell me again?"

Seeing Yun Xiao's reaction, Lu Zheng recounted his travels in detail and discussed many related matters with Yun Xiao.

Of course, Lu Zheng glossed over the matter of the new poems, not wanting to involve too many people, and only talked about his other affairs in the Yunmeng Sect.

On the other side, Zhang Maoyu and his officials finished interrogating a group of demons and ghosts, and the case files piled up huge, involving too many people and events.

With a master from Qingyang Palace in the county town, Zhang Maoyu dared not be negligent in his work.

He ordered an urgent document to be sent to the prefectural capital, requesting the dispatch of more officers and soldiers to various places in order to resolve the series of problems caused by the epidemic in Cang County.

(End of this chapter)