Confucian and Taoist scholar

Lu Zheng cupped his hands in farewell to everyone and hurried away.

Cheng Li and the others were even more shocked by Lu Zheng's words and actions, their jaws nearly dropping to the ground.

A teacher from the academy is willing to come here to help, and you have this kind of attitude? Why do you still want people to take the exam?

The master of Jixia Academy, a great Confucian scholar, was treated with respect wherever he went, but was treated like this by a young man.

What could be more important than this?
"This child is utterly disrespectful to his elders! How could he treat you, Master, like this..."

Seeing this, some of the attendants couldn't help but feel indignant.

Gongyang Mingdao said, "One must not be impolite!"

Upon hearing this, everyone thought that the rude person must be someone else.

Gongyang Ming remained calm, knowing that someone like Lu Zheng would not receive any special treatment because of his status.

If Lu Zheng did this in a place like this, then he wouldn't be Lu Zheng.

If he puts on airs because of his status, Lu Zheng certainly wouldn't want someone like him to stay.

So what if he's a great Confucian scholar? People want like-minded people, not some kind of deity to be worshipped.

Gongyang Ming was not angry at all; on the contrary, he admired this young man even more. This was the kind of person who should be able to achieve great things.

Gongyang Ming added, "Let's go, let's find a place to stay first. I see you haven't settled in yet, let's calm down first..."

The crowd fell silent, which actually calmed them down.

Cheng Li was astonished to see Gongyang Ming like this. In his memory, this teacher was a very strict person, but now he was able to deal with this situation so calmly.

It seems they are still too young and can't keep up with the pace of Lu Zheng and Gongyang Ming.

Zhang Mu, standing nearby, blinked and exclaimed excitedly, "Master, are you really going to stay? Then I want to stay here too!"

He already had that idea, but he hesitated because he was afraid it would be difficult to persuade his family.

But now that even Gongyang Ming has made his decision, if he can really stay here, with an elder to look after him, it will be easier to persuade his family.

Upon hearing this, Gongyang Ming said, "This isn't a place you can just stay as you please."

Zhang Mu chuckled and said, "As for the exam, although I don't know what the assessment will be, I'm a hard worker and my learning ability is not bad, so I'm sure I'll pass."

……

After Lu Zheng arranged for the children to undergo testing and screening, he called Su Mei over to give her some instructions.

"Master Gongyang from the Jixia Academy in Qi is coming with some people. They'll probably be taking an identity assessment. I'm letting you know in advance, so don't break the rules just because you know their identities..."

Su Mei's eyes widened upon hearing this. "What? The academy's teachers! Even great Confucian scholars have come!"

Su Mei was shocked and her mind was in a state of confusion.

"This, this, this..."

Su Mei stammered, "They're not here to cause trouble, are they?"

Lu Zhengdao: "It's unlikely that the academy of Qi would send a great Confucian scholar to cause trouble. What good would that do them?"

Benefits? Su Mei thought to herself, how could there be no benefits? This is like eliminating a "hidden danger".

Lu Zheng paused for a moment, then said, "Saint Realm experts don't easily reveal themselves to the world. This Great Confucian Scholar is already a top expert who travels the world. There's no need to worry too much."

"And you still don't need to worry?" Su Mei was speechless. Who gave them this confidence? Even a great Confucian scholar wasn't a threat anymore.

After finishing his business in Nan'an City, Lu Zheng learned that Gongyang Ming and his group had just arrived and that applying for anything would take some time.

He didn't wait any longer and rushed off to the next region to work.

At this moment, Cheng Li and his group of students and followers were holding thick books and flipping through them, trying to memorize them by rote.

Although most of them did not intend to stay here, Gongyang Ming required them to study the exam content.

One of the tests required to apply for local residency is the ability to recite numerous regulations from memory—a thick book of over a hundred pages.

They also inquired with the relevant personnel about the assessment process, and found that not everyone's assessment was like this.

Because they came from a great dynasty, had excellent family backgrounds, and were highly educated, this was the highest level of examination, with strict requirements.

If it were an ordinary local person from the Northern Region who couldn't read or write much, they wouldn't be tested on these things at all.

You don't need to know much about the rules and regulations; you'll get people involved first, and then you'll receive some education.

The power of knowledge to change one's destiny is vividly demonstrated at this moment.

Some attendants wished they were illiterate so they wouldn't have to go through all this trouble of learning.

……

When Lu Zheng arrived in another region, he also received news that Xiao Yan from the Bai Ze Kingdom had come.

When Lu Zheng arrived at the location, Xiao Yan was playing with her two children in a courtyard.

After not seeing her for a while, Lu Zheng noticed that Xiao Yan looked thinner and her expression wasn't good either, probably because she had been overthinking things lately.

The two little ones, however, were lively and full of energy.

Upon seeing Lu Zheng, the two little ones who were playing immediately stopped.

Zerui's eyes widened, and he ran excitedly to Lu Zheng.

"Sir, sir, my sister and I have come to be hostages!"

These words drew strange expressions from the nearby Bai Ze Kingdom followers. Good heavens, is it really possible to say something like that?

Besides, who would be so happy to see a hostage?

Xiao Yan's face darkened upon hearing this. She walked lightly to Ze Rui's side, slapped him on the head, and said irritably, "Who taught you to say that?"

"Oh!"

Ze Rui clutched his head and cried out, then quickly slipped away towards Lu Zheng.

No one taught him this; he came up with it himself.

Because Xiao Yan brought them here this time, she said beforehand that she would let them stay here to study.

Zerui wasn't stupid. After a little thought, he realized that his parents must have chosen to compromise and join Mr. Lu's large group, leaving the two younger children here as hostages...

Xiao Yan looked at Ze Run, who had huddled behind Lu Zheng, and couldn't help but frown.

She turned to look at Lu Zheng and forced a smile. "Rui'er is unruly. I'm afraid I'll have to trouble Young Master Lu to teach her a thing or two in the future."

Lu Zheng smiled upon hearing this, "That's no problem."

Xiao Yan then invited, "I would like to have a private talk with Young Master Lu about some important matters."

Lu Zheng nodded.

The attendants then led the two little ones out of the courtyard, making room for them.

Lu Zheng asked with some curiosity, "Your king didn't come?"

Xiao Yan said, "He can't leave, but there are some things I can decide."

"Ok."

Lu Zheng nodded and asked, "What is it, Madam?"

Xiao Yan said, "I can bring the Bai Ze Kingdom to join you, but the Bai Ze royal family must be preserved. I will be the main administrator of the Bai Ze Kingdom, and you can send people over to guide and supervise..."

This was a choice made after careful consideration by Xiao Yan and Bai Ze Wang.

There was no way to fight against Lu Zheng, who was too powerful and had a group of Tongxuan Realm cultivators who had been recruited by him. The Bai Ze Kingdom simply couldn't stand up to him.

Without hesitation, Lu Zheng replied, "The royal family can have a name, but the national treasures must be given to me."

Xiao Yan's expression changed upon hearing this. "Without the national treasures, how can the royal family be considered to exist? What can you do with the national treasures? Do you still want to establish a new country?"

Xiao Yan then thought of the national treasure of the Di Kingdom. Could it be with Lu Zheng?

Lu Zheng said calmly, "Can you be considered to have joined our group if you don't hand over the national weapons? As for establishing a nation, Madam, you're overthinking it."

Xiao Yan's expression shifted uncertainly as she softly said, "I cannot agree to the matter of the national treasure; I cannot make that decision. I doubt even King Bai Ze would agree..."

Lu Zheng remained calm and said, "So there's nothing to talk about?"

Upon hearing Lu Zheng's words, Xiao Yan felt a sudden tremor in her heart.

Her intuition told her that if the negotiations broke down, Lu Zheng might personally go and retrieve the national treasure.

If a fight breaks out and Bai Ze Wang dies, will the mother and her two children have any chance of survival?
Even if Lu Zheng is magnanimous, their future will not be easy.

Xiao Yan took a deep breath. "I can go back and persuade the King. As for the other conditions, does Young Master Lu have any objections?"

Lu Zhengdao said, "Putting aside the matter of the national treasure for now, you can take full control of the Bai Ze Kingdom, but if you don't manage it well, I will replace you."

Xiao Yan said, "As long as Young Master Lu gives me some professional personnel, not too many, I believe I can build Bai Ze Kingdom better than those other regions..."

"Recently, due to dealing with some people, Bai Ze Kingdom has become somewhat unstable. I'm afraid we'll need Young Master Lu to step in and deter them to stabilize public sentiment."

Lu Zhengdao said, "That's no problem. Not to mention me, as long as you manage it well, I wouldn't have any problem sending a senior at the Dao Inquiry Realm to oversee your area."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan was startled and exclaimed, "The Dao Inquiry Realm! You have such a person here?"

This news is somewhat alarming. A mere Dao-seeking expert could easily crush this region and wipe out the Bai Ze Kingdom with ease.

Although Bai Ze Kingdom was established as a country, its foundation was not strong enough, and it lacked a powerful figure to govern it.

I never expected that Lu Zheng had such a big shot behind him.

She was immediately relieved that she hadn't acted impulsively.

Lu Zheng replied calmly, "Not yet, but it should be soon."

Xiao Yan's expression froze. What do you mean, "not yet"? It should be soon?
This sounds like it contains more information.

Seeing Xiao Yan's changing expression, Lu Zheng smiled and said, "Shouldn't Madam be happy? This is a good thing for us."

"We...?" Xiao Yan thought. "Is this it? It seems that once we're on the ship, getting off won't be easy."

Xiao Yan forced a smile, "May I ask which senior you are? Young Master Lu, could you please introduce us?"

Lu Zhengdao said, "You'll know soon enough once things are settled."

It's pointless to talk about these things now, so Lu Zheng said, "Alright, let's get back to the main topic. What about the national treasure of Baize Kingdom? If this matter is not settled, everything else is just empty talk."

Xiao Yan thought for a moment and said, "Why don't you come back with me, Young Master Lu? The King originally wanted to see you, so you can talk to him. I will persuade him from the side."

Lu Zheng nodded and said, "Okay, I can leave at any time."

Seeing Lu Zheng's straightforwardness, Xiao Yan couldn't help but be taken aback. "Aren't you afraid of what kind of arrangements they might make over there...?"

Lu Zheng scoffed, "First of all, with your cultivation level, you can't fool me. Secondly, who's really afraid of whom?" (End of Chapter)