Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 619 Mahayana Buddhism
"Master, all the goods for the shops in the city have been delivered. I went to the city lord's mansion on the way, but I didn't see any activity there..."

A group of merchants returned excitedly to report to Xu Ying.

Xu Ying frowned slightly upon hearing this and said, "Alright, go and get some rest. I'll call you if anything comes up."

Xu Ying originally wanted to go to the city lord's mansion to take a look, but she was worried that Lu Zhengzhen would cause trouble and that her presence would be a hindrance.

At this moment, they couldn't leave, and in the courtyard behind Xu Ying, the sound of Buddhist chanting echoed.

A bald-headed monk was there teaching Buddhism to a group of people.

However, most of those who chose to follow Lu Zheng were children, who were usually too hungry to eat and illiterate. How could they possibly listen to any Buddhist scriptures?

These people finally had a good meal and are now feeling drowsy and wanting to sleep.

Xu Ying was worried that this monk of unknown origin might do something to these people, so she kept watch over him.

After all, not all Buddhist monks are good people, especially those from the Northern Regions. Some monks act more strangely than demons, and can be called demon monks.

Xu Ying stood at the gate, looking out over the street, and finally spotted a familiar figure.

Her eyes lit up, and she quickly walked over, her gaze fixed on Lu Zheng.

Seeing that Lu Zheng's clothes and appearance had not changed much, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Xu Ying asked, "Did you see the city lord?"

Lu Zheng smiled slightly and said, "I met him. That city lord was quite easy to talk to, and the matter was settled."

"what's up?"

Xu Ying was still a little confused and didn't know what Lu Zheng and the city lord had talked about.

Lu Zheng slowly said, "I'll provide the money, and he'll provide the labor. We'll resettle those people from the lower classes, and then some houses and workshops will be built in Beiyu City..."

Lu Zheng briefly explained the situation.

Xu Ying was slightly surprised upon hearing this and said, "This... you've already given them the money? What if they don't do anything?"

Xu Ying didn't think it was a "what if" scenario. Given the nature of these people or demons in the Northern Region, it would be strange if the money Lu Zheng gave out wasn't embezzled.

Lu Zheng smiled slightly and said, "I have already reasoned with them. If they take the money and do nothing, I will kill them."

Xu Ying: ...

These words were unexpected by Xu Ying, yet perfectly reasonable.

She felt that, given Lu Zheng's style of doing things, there was absolutely nothing wrong with what he said.

However, the city lord here is not comparable to the leopard demon from before. If we threaten him like this, do you really think he is willing to compromise?
Xu Ying couldn't help but voice her doubts.

Lu Zhengdao said, "Smart people live longer, and I believe he can make the right choice."

Seeing Lu Zheng's confidence, Xu Ying, though somewhat puzzled, still believed that Lu Zheng had the ability to make the monsters here obey him.

Lu Zheng paused for a moment, then asked, "The business of the young lady's caravan?"

Xu Ying replied, "The transactions with the shops in Beiyu City are all settled. After resting for two days, we will go to the next city... Young Master Lu, where are you going next?"

Lu Zhengdao said, "I'll stay for a while too, and then we'll see how things go."

Xu Ying nodded, then said worriedly, "What kind of birthday banquet is Huai Jun going to hold? I was just thinking about whether I should prepare a gift..."

Their caravan traded in this area, and sending a gift was a way of paying protection money.

That person may not have paid any attention to them, but a gift is still necessary.

If they prepare gifts, they will lose money on this business trip.

Moreover, sending gifts requires sending someone over, which would cause delays. Upon hearing this, Lu Zheng couldn't help but say, "Then there's no need for that; it's a waste."

"Ok?"

Xu Ying sensed that there was a deeper meaning behind those words.

Lu Zheng simply smiled and offered no further explanation. Instead, he walked into the courtyard and met the people inside.

The bald-headed monk noticed Lu Zheng's arrival, leisurely finished reciting a Buddhist scripture line, and then slowly rose, looking at the group of adults and children, saying, "What this humble monk has taught you, study diligently in the future. The Buddha is merciful and will bless you..."

Where is your Buddha?

Lu Zheng interrupted the bald-headed monk, saying, "If you, Master, are truly compassionate, why not teach them some practical survival skills? What can they possibly gain by praying to Buddha or Bodhisattva?"

The bald-headed monk clasped his hands together and said slowly, "As long as you sincerely worship Buddha, the unseen will take care of you..."

Lu Zheng stared at the monk and asked, "Do you believe it yourself?"

The bald-headed monk said solemnly, "Of course I believe!"

Lu Zheng said calmly, "Then why don't you summon your Buddha and let everyone see the world?"

Upon hearing this, the monk paused slightly, chanted a Buddhist prayer, and then said, "Without the right conditions, how can one see the true Buddha?"

Lu Zheng chuckled, "So, your Buddha doesn't care about the masses of sentient beings, then what's the point of having faith in him?"

The monk narrowed his eyes and clicked his tongue, saying, "Hey, you young man. I see you cultivate the path of humanity. Even Buddha can be considered a sage of humanity. For you to say that is utterly disrespectful!"

Lu Zheng said calmly, "Someone like you who constantly spouts the Buddha's words but doesn't act according to them is showing great disrespect to the sages of humanity and is utterly rebellious!"

The bald-headed monk couldn't help but glare, thinking that this was the first time he had encountered such an aggressive young man, whose words were so sharp and yet made a lot of sense...

The bald-headed monk spoke up: "This humble monk is not the kind of monk you are talking about. This humble monk has always practiced according to the Buddha's teachings and has never done anything evil."

Lu Zhengdao: "What kind of magic does the master practice?"

The bald-headed monk straightened up, waved his tattered robe, and shook his head.

"This humble monk cultivates the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism: suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path to its cessation! These are the true truths of this world."

The monk paused for a moment, then said, "This humble monk can see that you understand Buddhism, can't you tell?"

Lu Zheng said, "The Four Noble Truths school of Buddhism, ascetic monks? I can see that you're just putting on a show."

"If you don't suffer, you'll suffer..." The bald-headed monk never expected Lu Zheng to belittle his image like this.

He said unhappily, "What do you mean by 'enduring hardship without effort'? This humble monk is practicing cultivation! Cultivation, do you understand?"

Lu Zheng chuckled and said, "I do not quite understand. If you can become a Bodhisattva and attain Buddhahood by enduring some hardship, isn't your Buddhist practice too easy?"

Lu Zheng paused for a moment and then said, "In my opinion, if one wants to attain enlightenment and become a Buddha, shouldn't one go to relieve the suffering of all sentient beings and suffer on their behalf? This is the true meaning of Mahayana Buddhism."

"A monk like you who practices asceticism, what else can you do but endure hardship without any real suffering? What level of attainment can you possibly achieve?"

"Did the ancient sages of humanity write books and establish doctrines, and open up the Great Way, for their own selfish desires and for their own cultivation?"

"You claim to practice according to the Buddha's teachings, yet your practice has reached such a low-level, Hinayana level. It's utterly laughable!"

Boom!

It was as if a bolt from the blue had struck the bald-headed monk's mind.

His eyes widened in shock, and he took several steps back, his heart filled with turmoil.

(End of this chapter)