Chapter 135 Looking Back, Virtue Will Come Naturally
There is no time in the mountains.
Time always passes quickly.
Following a month-long Dharma talk, a month-long meditation and enlightenment session also came to an end.
The one hundred and eighteen geniuses who received special training from the Heavenly Dynasty have ushered in a wave of epic strengthening and transformation, and are about to enter the third stage: practice, to test the results of the first two stages: preaching and cultivation.
Before the third phase officially begins, the geniuses have a seven-day vacation.
Use it to rest and relax, or to catch up on current affairs and get in sync with the outside world after being out of touch with it for two months.
Two months is not a long time, but a lot has happened, and there are many things worth noting.
First, Li Huizu, the Left Vice Minister who had originally had great hope of succeeding the position of Minister of Rites, was suddenly exiled to Qingzhou to serve as the Governor of Qingzhou and concurrently as the Military Supervisor of Pinghaiwei.
Li Huizu has expressed his feelings more than once, on more than one occasion, and in more than one way.
Who didn't know that he was determined to take the position of Minister of Rites and then deepen and promote his ideas on the reform of the imperial examination system?
In Li Huizu's view, the imperial examination system that had been used for a thousand years in the Celestial Empire could no longer keep up with the country's national strength. If the annual provincial examinations, metropolitan examinations, and palace examinations continued to hold examinations for Confucianism, martial arts, Taoism, Buddhism, and witchcraft, it would not only waste a lot of manpower and resources, but also prevent many talented people from being discovered as they should be.
What he wanted to promote was a system called official examination system to replace the increasingly bloated imperial examination system.
The current Minister of Rites, Wei Zhen, quite agrees with Li Huizu's idea, and says, "When you become the Minister of Rites, or enter the three ministries and become one of the wise men, then you can promote this idea."
Therefore, Li Huizu's sudden demotion to Qingzhou really caused a lot of discussion.
Does this mean that he doesn't want to sit on the position of Minister of Rites anymore, and wants to take the path of moving from a state to the three provinces to become a wise official?
Amidst the heated discussions, the Right Vice Minister Yuan Yezhou was promoted to become the new Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.
In joy, Yuan Yezhou released Yuan Nantian (╯□╰), who had been under house arrest for more than two months, early.
So the dignitaries, officials and people in the capital city saw once again the wise operations of the very smart Yuan Nantian.
It's really embarrassing.
Secondly, the Ministry of War approved another list of appointments and dismissals of military generals, and continued to increase the number of appointments in Qingzhou and the three southwestern states.
The Pinghai Guard stationed in Qingzhou finally welcomed its chief steward and two other deputy chief stewards.
The choice of the chief steward of Pinghai Guard was beyond everyone's expectations. He was not from within the military, but a civil servant transferred directly from the three southwestern states, Miao Zongren, who had been promoted to the chief officer of Cangyun Prefecture!
For a time, who Miao Zongren was sparked heated discussion.
The old story that was forgotten more than 30 years ago has been dug up again.
Many people then remembered Miao Zongren. It turned out that he was the deposed crown prince and the most beloved genius among all the officials of the Eastern Palace.
Unfortunately, times have changed.
At that time, all the officials had retired, and the deposed crown prince committed suicide by burning himself.
It turned out that those officials of the Eastern Palace died or dispersed, and very few were able to survive.
Including Miao Zongren, there are only three.
The two deputy general managers were people from the military. Like Xinxi Marquis Ma Jinyu, they had made many military achievements and were awarded the rank of Marquis Wanhu.
He was born in a side branch of the Hongnong Yang family that spread out in Yangzhou's Kuaiji County. After joining the army, he started from the bottom and made continuous military exploits in the war against the remaining overseas evil sects outside the South China Sea over the past 30 years.
His name was Yang Qingren, and his title was Marquis of Qingshui.
One was born in the grassroots, from Yuezhou among the Seventeen Outer States. His ancestors were fishermen. He was very skilled in water and proficient in underwater combat and surface boat combat.
His name was Huang Juecheng, and his title was Marquis of Hengping.
Secondly, the three southwestern states have entered a state of full combat readiness. Although martial law has not yet been implemented, a large-scale war is imminent.
Every day, a large number of troops gather towards the three southwestern states, and a large amount of supplies are transported to the three southwestern states.
The many forward bases established in the Million Mountains were exposed one by one.
The strategy of conquering millions of mountains in three directions was also put forward by the court.
The Duke of England led the left, middle and right routes and sat in the middle.
Duke Chengguo was stationed on the left.
Duke Jing was stationed on the right.
Although the three dukes all inherited the title from their ancestors, they are all good at fighting and are not fools.
Especially the Duke of England and the Duke of Chengguo.
Duke Ying fought fiercely in the Northwest for thirty years and almost completely eliminated the evil spirits in the Northwest, allowing the four northwestern states to achieve complete peace.
Duke Chengguo was in the southeast, serving as the governor of Dinghaiwei for thirty years, during which he wiped out all the remaining overseas evil sects outside the South China Sea.
Yang Qingren, Marquis of Qingshui, and Huang Juecheng, Marquis of Hengping, were both former subordinates of Duke Chengguo.
The two were transferred from the southwest to Qingzhou by the Ministry of War to strengthen Pinghaiwei because they were good at water and boat battles.
The Duke of Jing is slightly inferior to the Duke of Yingguo and the Duke of Chengguo. He can be the commander of a small army but not the commander-in-chief of a large army. However, he is only slightly inferior to the Duke of Yingguo and the Duke of Chengguo.
Looking at the Celestial Empire, if we use military force head-on, apart from the Minister of War Wei Jing, the Duke of Ying and the Duke of Cheng, who else can say that he will definitely win against the Duke of Jing?
no one!
Finally, the four princes exchanged places to observe government affairs.
The third prince was transferred from the Ministry of Revenue to the Ministry of Works, the fourth prince was transferred from the Ministry of War to the Ministry of Rites, the fifth prince was transferred from the Ministry of Rites to the Ministry of Revenue, and the seventh prince was transferred from the Ministry of Works to the Ministry of Rites.
The fifth prince once again missed the opportunity to observe the government affairs of the Ministry of War. He could not help but roar in the court, and was severely spanked by the emperor for being impolite.
It was said that the fairy Nihuang, who was originally shopping and having fun, specially rushed to the Daming Palace to watch the whole process of the fifth prince being spanked.
This made the Fifth Prince too embarrassed to pester Fairy Nihuang for the next ten days.
Many people in Beijing began to wonder why Fairy Nihuang has been so low-key in the past two months.
Apart from rejecting the gifts from the eunuch Wang Jin sent by the great master Diao Yanli and the gifts from the guest Pan Ran sent by the fifth prince on behalf of her junior brother, the young swordsman Tao Tie, he hardly ever saw Fairy Nihuang hugging all kinds of beautiful girls while shopping, having fun and enjoying herself.
Is this a sexual transition?
Or has he suddenly come to his senses and no longer likes women?
Dao Xiaofeng herself didn't know, so she decided to go back to Liuxian County or look for Huang Junshi with her junior brother who was planning to take advantage of the seven-day holiday to visit the three southwestern states.
People must always have roots, so as not to be drifting like duckweed.
When you are confused and encounter hardships, go back to trace your roots, or look at your former self, your young self, your proud self. Perhaps this will help you see the light and dispel your confusion.
"Senior sister, let's say goodbye now."
However, after arriving at the capital of Dianzhou via the teleportation array, the two of them took different paths.
Tao Tie will follow the revelations given by Taiyi Divine Numbers and Tiangang Method [Knowing the Future in Reverse] and go to Canglang River first to take a look before returning to Liuxian County.
It would be fine if it didn't involve the secrets of heaven, but since I have learned Taiyi Divine Numbers and [Knowing the Future], of course I have to use them.
"Ah."
Dao Xiaofeng responded indifferently, entered another teleportation array, and was teleported to the Cangyun Prefecture government office.
In a state of war readiness, the long-distance teleportation array between the capital and the three southwestern states will give priority to military service.
At present, some quota can still be squeezed out for short-distance transmission between Dianzhou and the three southwestern states.
After leaving the capital of Dianzhou, Tao Tie released the Heaven-Earth-Surpassing Shuttle, entered it, and flew towards Cangqing County at high speed.
In less than a quarter of an hour, the lower-grade Heaven-Rank Sky-Earth-Prying Shuttle had arrived at its destination.
Tao Tie put away the shuttle, pressed down the cloud, and landed in front of a fried rice stall.
"Meet Senior Xuanwu."
After landing, Tao Tie immediately greeted the old turtle of Canglang River with a high bulge on its back.
"I'm not in a good mood today, so I won't sell you food."
The old turtle was tidying up the pots and pans on the stall, and he said without even looking up, "I am not here to eat, but to thank you, senior."
Tao Tie said this, and then he bowed to the bottom, unable to bow for long, "Thank you for the gift, senior, I can use it to understand the basics of the Four Symbols."
The old turtle had just packed up his stall, looked up, and said sternly, "There are many people who have received my gifts, but there are very few who can comprehend the essence of the Four Symbols. Everything is your own credit, so why thank me?"
Tao Tie replied: "Of course I have to thank you. After all, without your gift, I don't know how much time I would have to spend and how many detours I would have to take to even begin to comprehend the basics."
"Ah!"
The old turtle chuckled and asked, "You came all the way to see me, it must not be just to thank me verbally. Tell me, what's the matter?"
Tao Tie stood up, his face solemn, his tone serious, and he said: "Senior, I want to ask, what can I do for you to repay your kindness."
Hearing this, the old turtle looked Tao Tie up and down, and a faint light flashed in his vicissitudes eyes. He nodded and said, "Not bad! Not bad! After all, you have learned the Tianji method, and the one you learned is Taiyi Shenshu. Hmm... the flavor of Tiangang method's 'reverse knowledge of the future' is okay. If you learn 'returning to the sky and returning to the sun', 'Liujia Qimen', and 'seeing through the wall' together, it may be better. The Disha techniques 'covering the sun', 'shooting the cover', 'star number', 'cute head', 'knowing the time', and 'knowing the ground', just learn them together for fun. In this way, you can go to the Imperial Observatory to be a supervisor."
"What do you mean by this, senior? I don't quite understand."
Tao Tie frowned and asked in confusion.
"I don't quite understand it, I don't quite understand it."
The old turtle didn't answer directly, but just repeated his sigh twice, and then babbled, "Don't speculate or pry into the secrets of heaven. The more you speculate and pry into, the easier it is to make the wrong decision and the more likely you are to worry about gains and losses. Didn't that turtle on Mount Dadong peeped too much, causing him to make mistakes all the time and in every place?"
Tao Tie was puzzled and seemed to be thinking about something.
Before leaving the capital, he used the Taiyi Divine Numbers and [Predicting the Future] that he had already mastered to tell fortunes. The hexagram was vague, but it just told him to go to Canglang River, so he came.
Thanking the old turtle for the gift was just an excuse to start a conversation.
There is no free lunch.
The old turtle must have a reason for his gift.
All the gifts of fate have secretly marked prices.
When the time is right, Lao Bie will ask Tao Tie for appropriate rewards.
There was no need for Tao Tie to worry about how to repay the old turtle's gift.
Of course, if Tao Tie is unwilling to give anything in return at that time, that’s not a bad idea.
After all, this gift was given unilaterally by Lao Bie, without Tao Tie's consent!
"Go, for what you seek is not with me, but what I seek is with you. Go, and go your way."
Lao Bie waved his hand, pulled the egg fried rice stall, walked a few steps and disappeared.
Tao Tie stood there for a while, thought for a while, then released the Sky-Earth-Piercing Shuttle and flew towards Liuxian County.
More than half an hour later, the Shuttle arrived at its destination.
Tao Tie concealed his presence and landed at Xiaomo Bridge Wharf.
With the dredging of Yudai River and the expansion of shipping scale, Xiaomoqiao Wharf was also expanded.
Even the number of porters has quadrupled.
Tao Tie took a quick look and saw two familiar faces, one was Uncle Hui and the other was Mo Yuhan's maid Xiuxiu.
Uncle Hui is now the leader of the porters. Although he still has to do some work, he undoubtedly does not have to do heavy work. He only needs to help the dock manager Xiuxiu to count the signature chips of each porter.
The Five Ghosts Sect has already fulfilled its promise to Tao Tie to do some work for the porters at the Liuxian County dock.
There is a stall inside and outside the pier, selling food outside and tea inside.
Not free, but cheap.
This can also greatly reduce the burden on the porters.
In addition, the Five Ghosts Sect also built a nursery in the south and north urban areas to specifically provide care for the children of the dock porters.
However, the scope of trusteeship has now expanded from porters to almost all peddlers.
The five-colored halo behind the head of the Yin God "Taiyi Great Emperor" in the Lingtai Zifu of the Niwan Palace suddenly flickered.
Strands of merit light overflowed from the docks on both sides of the Yudai River, the nurseries in the south and north urban areas, and from the porters and peddlers who benefited from the deeds done by the Five Ghosts Sect. They flowed towards Tao Tie, poured into the sea of consciousness between his eyebrows, and enriched the five-colored divine light.
Just do good things, don’t worry about the future, and merit and virtue will come naturally.
Uncle Hui, who was sitting under the shed, seemed to feel something, but it seemed just an illusion. He looked in a certain direction and saw nothing.
That direction seemed to be the place where I used to squat and rest with my best friend.
During the expansion of the wharf, modifications were made so that people no longer need to squat and can sit instead.
I don’t know how my friend is doing now.
First on the Hidden Dragon List.
The number one prodigy!
My friend said it very well. If a person has no dreams, what is the difference between him and a salted fish?
So Uncle Hui stood up, waved his hands and shouted: "Stop, stop, come and practice, come and practice."
Since when, several docks affiliated with the Shahe Gang have strictly implemented the regulations of the Celestial Empire. The daily practice is no longer limited to once, but three times a day.
You should practice the Five Animal Exercises in the early morning, morning, and afternoon.
When the porters heard Uncle Hui's shouting, they finished their work and quickly lined up.
The dock manager Xiuxiu walked out of the duty room and started practicing the Five Animal Exercises with the porters.
A modified version of Tao Tie.
Uncle Hui stood in the first row of porters, practicing very seriously, putting all his energy into every move.
The same was true for most of the other porters.
Tao Tie, who had hidden his presence, witnessed this scene and was suddenly moved.
After the updates of the Dengzhen, Ruyi and Qianlong lists, he ranked first on the Qianlong list and became the number one prodigy. Uncle Hui's changes made Tao Tie even happier.
The former is false, about fame and profit, but what about the latter?
Tao Tie himself is not quite sure, but he feels that it is real and he cherishes it.
If a person has no dreams, what is the difference between him and a salted fish?
Even if this dream requires tremendous effort and sweat, and unswerving hard work day after day, year after year, it may not necessarily be realized.
But so what?
The world's most magnificent, bizarre, and extraordinary sights are often located in remote and dangerous places, where few people go. Therefore, only those with a strong will can reach them. ... If one has done his best but cannot reach the destination, he should have no regrets. Who can criticize him?
With a pleased smile on his face, Tao Tie slashed a sword [Purification] towards Yudai River, extinguishing the evil spirit that had grown in the waters of Xiaomo Bridge Wharf of Yudai River. He turned around and left, moving forward freely.
Xiongguan Mandao is really like iron, and now it has started from scratch.
The road is at your feet.
Go ahead!
The world's most magnificent, bizarre, and extraordinary sights are often located in remote and dangerous places, where few people go. Therefore, only those with determination can reach them. If one has determination but does not stop, then one cannot reach them if one does not have enough strength. If one has determination and strength but does not stop, then one cannot reach them if one is in a dark and confusing place with nothing to help. However, if one has enough strength to reach a place, then others may ridicule him, and he may regret it. If one has done his best but cannot reach a place, then he will not regret it. Who can ridicule him?
Wang Anshi's "Travels to Baochan Mountain".
One is Wang Anshi, the other is Wang Yangming. I like the theories of both of them, especially the former.
Unfortunately, the disciples of both men misinterpreted their doctrines, especially the latter.
This article "A Record of a Journey to Mount Bao'en" vividly describes life's pursuits, ambitions, struggles, hardships, perseverance, and the carefree attitude regardless of success or failure.
Whenever life feels dark and confusing, take it out and read it carefully.
(End of this chapter)
