My subjects are too rebellious!

As you step into the back hall, an ancient atmosphere hits you.

The tea table in the center is particularly eye-catching. It is not made by ordinary craftsmen, but is made by cleverly utilizing the natural shape of a huge tree root and is carefully carved and polished.

The old Taoist priest sat on one side of the tea table, holding a teapot, and was concentrating on brewing tea, as if all the troubles in the outside world had nothing to do with him.

Qin Chuan slowly approached and said, "Junior Qin Chuan, I am sorry for disturbing your meditation. Please forgive me."

The old Taoist priest smiled slightly, put down the teapot in his hand, and raised his hand to signal Qin Chuan to take a seat.

The old Taoist priest opened his red lips slightly, and his words revealed a profoundness that transcended the mundane world: "Your Majesty, there is no need to be polite. Your Majesty's visit to Laojun Mountain today must be a destiny that has brought you here. It is beyond human power to force."

Qin Chuan was shocked when he heard this.

But he didn't show it on his face at all.

The old Taoist smiled gently, as if he could see through the doubts in Qin Chuan's heart.

"Everything in the world has its own path. Your Majesty's trip may be destined by heaven. You want to borrow the spiritual energy of Laojun Mountain to understand the way to govern the country and maintain peace."

There was something mysterious in the old Taoist's words, which shocked Qin Chuan.

Qin Chuan said softly: "Senior, I heard that Tao follows nature, which is the root of all things. However, how should this Tao be reflected in governing a country?"

The old Taoist smiled and said, "Your Majesty is right. Tao follows nature, which not only refers to the laws of the operation of the universe, but also implies the true meaning of governing a country. The ancients said, 'Governing a big country is like cooking a small fish', which is a metaphor for governing a country in accordance with the will of the people, not rushing for quick success, and not interfering arbitrarily."

"Your Majesty, think about it. The people of a country are like birds in the forest. Each has its own nature and ambition. The ruler of a country should take care of each tree as carefully as a gardener, allowing each tree to grow according to its nature, rather than forcibly pruning it and making it lose its natural beauty."

“Just like mountains and rivers, each has its own trend and its own path, and governing a country also requires taking advantage of the trend.”

Qin Chuan was thoughtful after hearing this.

"What you said has made me suddenly enlightened. The way to govern a country is indeed to follow the will of the people. However, the world is ever-changing. How can we always stick to this path in a complex and ever-changing situation?"

The old Taoist smiled slightly, as if he had expected Qin Chuan to ask this question: "Don't worry, Your Majesty. Tao follows nature. Although it seems to be inaction, it actually contains infinite power. The key lies in the word "heart". A ruler must have a pure heart and few desires, so that he can see through the essence of all things in the world. He must have an unyielding will, so that he can stick to the right path in adversity. He must also have compassion for the world, so that he can truly understand the people's sufferings and joys, and thus formulate national policies that are in line with the people's wishes."

Qin Chuan gently stroked the ancient patterns on the tea table and spoke slowly: "What the senior said is the essence of governing a country. A word from the senior is worth ten years of reading. Qin Chuan will definitely remember the senior's teachings, learn from history, and govern the country with heart."

The old Taoist smiled and waved his hand gently: "Your Majesty, you are too polite. I am just an idler in the mountains. What I can do for Your Majesty is just to provide some superficial insights. The real way to govern a country still needs Your Majesty to explore and practice it yourself."

"However," the old Taoist priest changed the subject, his eyes showing a little more expectation, "If Your Majesty can uphold the principle of following the laws of nature, learn from history, and put the people first, then the prosperity of the country and the well-being of the people can be expected."

Seeing Qin Chuan's slightly enlightened expression, the old Taoist priest continued to speak slowly: "Your Majesty, you are a man of destiny. Since you have come to this world, why don't you live a life of glory and let your name and deeds shine like stars, illuminating future generations?"

Qin Chuan was shocked when he heard this.

He couldn't help but narrow his eyes and stare at the old Taoist priest.

A man of destiny.

Come into this world.

These two words, combined together, reminded him of the day he had arrived.

This old Taoist priest is not simple!

An idea came to Qin Chuan's mind, and he decided to use some modern Internet memes to test the old Taoist priest's reaction.

He cleared his throat and said mysteriously, "Senior, have you ever heard of 'Palace Jade Wine'?"

Upon hearing this, the old Taoist frowned slightly and shook his head to indicate that he had never heard of it.

Seeing this, Qin Chuan secretly laughed in his heart and changed the subject: "Then do you know about the 'man who lassoes horses'?"

After hearing this, the old Taoist priest showed an even more puzzled expression on his face.

Qin Chuan was not discouraged and continued to try: "Odd changes but even remains the same?"

Upon hearing this, the old Taoist shook his head.

"Sledgehammer eighty?"

“What are the three colors of traffic lights?”

"Why is the language of barbaric birds called the language of barbaric birds?"

"The abbreviation of League of Legends?"

"Hydrogen, helium, lithium, beryllium, boron?"

"?"

After hearing this series of jokes, the old Taoist priest showed a smile of sudden enlightenment and a little helplessness on his face.

He shook his head and said with a smile, "Your Majesty is really a humorous person. Although I have never heard of these words, I can feel the fun in them. However, I have studied Taoism all my life, and my knowledge of the strange stories and events in this world is limited. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

After Qin Chuan finished telling those modern jokes, he couldn't help laughing when he saw the old Taoist priest had a confused look on his face with a slight smile on his face.

Since he is not from the village, I feel relieved.

"Please don't blame me, senior. I just acted on impulse and had no other intentions. I will definitely keep your teachings in mind."

Afterwards, they continued chatting, and the topic turned from state governance to landscape and countryside, from poetry and songs to the philosophy of life.

The old Taoist priest told many ancient legends based on classics, which made Qin Chuan fascinated.

After a few cups of tea, time passed quietly.

"Senior, Qin Chuan has benefited a lot from today's gathering. If I have the opportunity in the future, I will definitely come again to ask for advice from you." Qin Chuan said sincerely.

The old Taoist smiled and nodded, saying, "Your Majesty, you are too kind. I am just a country bumpkin. It is a great honor for me to be favored by Your Majesty. If Your Majesty is interested, you are welcome to come again at any time.

Qin Chuan nodded slightly, then stood up, turned and left.

The old Taoist priest sat quietly there, watching Qin Chuan leave.

Looking at Qin Chuan's back, the old Taoist raised a meaningful smile, as if to say: "Everything in this world has its destiny. Qin Chuan, you still have a long way to go. I hope you can stick to your heart and live up to your destiny."

..........

Qin Chuan walked out of the inner hall and looked back at the ancient Taoist temple.

Afterwards, he turned around and reunited with Zhang Rang, Long San and Long Si, and the four of them went down the mountain together.

The mountain road was winding, with lush forests on both sides and the fragrance of birds and flowers. However, Qin Chuan had no intention of appreciating the beautiful mountain scenery because he was planning to rush to Pingliang Prefecture.

As an important town in the northwest, its strategic position is self-evident, and Qin Chuan went there this time for Cao Cao.

He wanted to meet with Cao Cao before he left and instruct him on some things in person.

Moreover, Chen Qianzhi could also go with him.