Simultaneous travel: I am proving the great way in the heavens.

Chapter 346: Only by taking the essence of all schools of thought can we create such a wonderful book!

"Rewards and punishments are clear." Lu Buwei blurted out, with a hint of dissatisfaction towards Luofu between his brows.

In his opinion, Luo Fu was simply underestimating him by asking him such a simple question.

Although Lü Buwei did come from a merchant family, but as the prime minister of Qin over the years, he already had his own ideas. Academically, Lü Buwei himself may not have achieved much, but Lüshi Chunqiu was enough to establish his identity as a representative of eclectic school.

But in Luofu's view, Shang Yang's law of clear rewards and punishments is just a superficial appearance. Its real core is precisely the military merit system that opens up an upward channel for the lower classes.

This system laid the foundation for the powerful Han Dynasty in the future. It lasted for hundreds of years until the establishment of the Eastern Han Dynasty. With the emergence of aristocratic families, the system of military merit and titles gradually collapsed.

Even during the turbulent Three Kingdoms period at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the lingering influence of the military merit system still gave birth to the brilliant Three Kingdoms era.

It was not until the emergence of the Nine-Rank System that the military merit system completely disappeared.

In fact, in Luofu's view, the military merit system is also just a superficial appearance. Only the core that provides the bottom with an upward channel is the key to everything.

"Prime Minister, do you know why a clear distinction between rewards and punishments is enough to make Qin jump from a weak border country to the powerful country it is today?"

This time, Lu Buwei obviously pondered for a moment before he said, "A big reward will always bring courage. The world is bustling with people because of profit, and the world is bustling with people because of profit."

"Does the Prime Minister think that it is enough to just distinguish between rewards and punishments?" Luo Fu smiled faintly and said, "It seems that the Prime Minister does not know the true core of Shangjun's Law."

Although his brows were furrowed, Lu Buwei was not angry. Instead, he said to Luo Fu, "Please give me some advice, Mr. Luo."

"The core of Shang Yang's law is to provide the lower classes with a channel to rise. Under the system of military merit, even the common people can gain fame and fortune through military merit as long as they fight bravely. The title that was once inherited by blood can also be obtained by the common people by fighting and dying. This is the core of Shang Yang's law." Luo Fu said firmly.

Luo Fu's words made Lu Buwei and Gai Nie both seem to have some realization.

But unfortunately, whether it is Gai Nie or Lu Buwei, the former is a disciple of the Zongheng lineage, and the latter is from a merchant family. Although they are not considered noble in the current era, they are far beyond the bottom class.

They simply cannot understand the lower class’s desire for an upward path.

Moreover, nowadays, anyone who is educated actually comes from a good background.

Under the premise that those who have mastered knowledge are unable to understand the desire of the lower classes for upward mobility, naturally they cannot have a clear concept of the core of Shang Yang's law.

One cannot reasonably imagine what one has not seen.

On the other hand, contemporary students are also unable to understand the desire of the lower classes to climb up.

Because they are born with everything that the lower class desires, so naturally they cannot empathize with the lower class.

Luofu is different.

Although Gai Nie and Lu Buwei had some insights from Luo Fu's words, it was as if there was a layer of window paper between them. They had never had similar experiences to those at the bottom of society since they were born.

It is destined that they cannot understand the desires of the lower classes.

Lu Buwei was once a wealthy businessman. Once he became a rare commodity, he made a brilliant transformation from a businessman to the prime minister of a country.

Gai Nie, on the other hand, had been learning martial arts under Gui Gu since he was young. After he graduated, he entered Qin and became the swordsmanship teacher and bodyguard of King Ying Zheng of Qin. He would not have any contact with the lower classes. Even Wei Zhuang, who did not come out directly, still hid in a den of brothel like Zi Lan Xuan, and at the same time collected protection fees from Qi Xuan Men and others.

People who eat meat are vulgar, and it has been like this since ancient times.

This is especially true in today's age where everything depends on reincarnation.

Lü Buwei was not very smart, so he asked, "Sir, have you ever read my Lüshi Chunqiu?"

"Lüshi Chunqiu, each word is worth a thousand gold. Although I have heard of it, I have no chance to read it." Luo Fu said with some emotion in his tone.

The moment he finished speaking, Lu Buwei, as if he had been prepared, took out a thick silk book from his wide sleeves.

Lüshi Chunqiu consists of twelve chronicles, eight chapters and six treatises. The whole book is divided into twenty-six volumes, one hundred and sixty chapters, and contains more than 200,000 words.

If the current written media were replaced with bamboo slips, I'm afraid they would be enough to fill more than just one carriage.

If it is written in tiny characters on silk, a thick silk book would be enough to carry it.

Even so, the value of this scroll of silk book, not counting the text of Lüshi Chunqiu, is definitely not something that ordinary people or even small nobles can afford.

After presenting the scroll to Luofu, Lü Buwei said, "This is my life's work, Lü's Spring and Autumn Annals. I hope you can correct me."

It is no exaggeration to say that even if this silk book, which Lu Buwei could not deliver to Luofu now, was placed in other countries, it would be enough to bring Luofu high positions and generous salaries.

Yes, knowledge is so precious in this era.

Even Gai Nie couldn't help showing a moved expression when he saw that Lu Buwei had prepared the silk book of Lu's Spring and Autumn Annals for Luofu long ago.

For those students who are eager for knowledge, such a scroll of silk book might be enough to make them die for Lu Buwei.

"Lüshi Chunqiu is worth more than a thousand gold coins." Luo Fu stood up and bowed respectfully towards Lü Buwei.

This tribute was not meant to honor Lu Buwei's status as prime minister, nor his wealth, nor his power over the government, but the knowledge he gave to Luofu.

Lü Buwei accepted Luo Fu's greeting calmly. He then stood up and said, "Sir, I don't have much time left. I hope you can read Lü's Spring and Autumn Annals as soon as possible. I really hope to discuss with you and discuss the pros and cons of Lü's Spring and Autumn Annals. If I can get your help, Lü's Spring and Autumn Annals may become the best in the world!"

Lu Buwei praised Luofu so highly that even Gai Nie was moved.

But Luo Fu was very clear that he was different from anyone else in this era.

Nodding slightly, Luo Fu said, "I can read ten lines at a glance and remember everything I see. If the Prime Minister doesn't mind, you may wait for a while."

With Luofu's current life essence, it is not difficult to have a photographic memory and read ten lines at a glance. However, Luofu's so-called photographic memory and reading ten lines at a glance are obviously not based on his real abilities.

But it comes from the power of the super divine universe.

I heard that Luofu has the ability to read ten lines at a glance and remember everything he sees.

Both Lu Buwei and Gai Nie showed envious expressions.

Lü Buwei, who was originally planning to leave, immediately returned to his seat and said, "I have heard that there are such extraordinary people in the world. I didn't expect that you are one of them."

A thick silk book was opened on the low table in front of Luofu.

Luo Fu's eyes were like a scanner, quickly scanning over the many Qin seal characters.

In Luo Fu's eyes, the content of more than 200,000 words was quickly stored in his genetic engine in just a few minutes.

After closing his eyes and thinking for a moment.

Luo Fu quickly opened his eyes and said, "Lüshi Chunqiu can be said to have absorbed the essence of all schools of thought, and only by taking the essence of them can such a wonderful book be obtained."

Lu Buwei stroked his long beard and a smug look appeared on his face.

Since compiling Lüshi Chunqiu, there were only two things that Lü Buwei was most proud of in his life.

One was the moment he saw Qin Yiren in Handan, when he made up his mind to make the most of the rare treasure, and the other was the compilation of Lüshi Chunqiu.

Even becoming the Prime Minister of the Qin Dynasty, in Lu Buwei's heart, could not make him more proud than these two things.

Luo Fu's praise for Lüshi Chunqiu obviously hit Lü Buwei's G-spot.

"Sir, your talent is amazing." Lü Buwei also praised Luo Fu for his ability to read ten lines at a glance and remember everything he saw. Then he changed the subject and brought up the old matter again, saying, "Sir, may I ask if you are willing to inherit the tradition of my Miscellaneous School?"

Just when Lü Buwei thought that Luo Fu would be impressed by Lü's Spring and Autumn Annals, Luo Fu shook his head and said, "I'm afraid the Prime Minister will be disappointed!"

His face changed and he almost pulled out his beard. Lu Buwei's expression changed suddenly.

"Sir, are you sure you want to be my enemy?"

"Why did the Prime Minister say that?" Luo Fu explained, "I just felt that the Prime Minister's Lüshi Chunqiu was lacking in something. Although it covered everything, it lacked a main theme."

After a slight pause, Luo Fu said with a ruthless tone: "Besides, Lüshi Chunqiu also seems to be based on Confucianism."

As for Lü Buwei, he didn't care about what doctrine was the basic tone, but as Luofu was a contemporary sage of Confucianism, since he said such words, it was obvious that once they were spread, maybe one day in the future, Lü Buwei's Lüshi Chunqiu would become a Confucian classic.

Don't think it's impossible.

You know, among all the schools of thought, the Book of Changes alone almost gave them a headache.

Confucianism calls the Book of Changes the best of all classics, while Taoism even deifies it.

Incorporating ancient works into one's own school of thought is something that all the philosophers did.

If the Eclectic School does not have an outstanding successor, the achievements of Lüshi Chunqiu will certainly be usurped by other schools of thought one day in the future.

Sensing Lü Buwei's displeasure, Luo Fu said, "Prime Minister, since Confucianism is the basis, why not simply take Confucianism as the core? With the Four Virtues and Eight Virtues as the main theme, establish a new lineage."

The Four Virtues and Eight Virtues were not essentially first proposed by Confucius, the Confucianist. It was Guan Zhong of Qi State who first proposed the idea that a country has four virtues.

In Confucianism, Guan Zhong can be regarded as a representative of the sages.

Of course, just as hundreds of schools of thought are vying for the right to interpret the works of their predecessors.

The same goes for Guan Zhong. Among the Mohist school, Legalist school, Taoist school and even other schools of thought, Guan Zhong is also a sage.

"Confucianism is all about empty talk and is of no benefit to the country. It cannot make the country strong, nor can it make the people rich." Lu Buwei obviously did not have a good impression of Confucianism.

This is also the reason why Daqin is located in the western frontier.

Of course, the more crucial thing is that the existence of the great devil of the Warring States Period made the disciples of the various schools of thought generally have a very bad impression of the Qin State.

After all, the Warring States devil is almost always portrayed as a negative image and symbol in the works of various philosophers and ancient sages.

The great devil of the Warring States Period was none other than Ying Zheng’s grandfather, King Zhaoxiang of Qin.

In the works of various philosophers, King Zhaoxiang of Qin is often portrayed as a villain.

The reputation of Qin as a country of tigers and wolves is closely related to the works of various schools of thought that regarded King Zhaoxiang of Qin as a great devil.

The vast majority of the various schools of thought had a bad impression of the Qin State, and the Qin State was naturally the same.

In particular, the Confucians who denigrated King Zhuangxiang of Qin the most were naturally denigrated more within the Qin State.

This kind of social atmosphere is the result of cooperation among the entire Qin State, and it is definitely not something that can be achieved by one person.

Back then, Lu Buwei spent a huge price to send Ying Yiren back to his country.

King Zhuangxiang of Qin, the great devil of the Warring States Period, was kind to Lü Buwei to some extent. Whether in terms of stance or other aspects, Lü Buwei would naturally stand with the State of Qin.

Regardless of whether this cognition and idea was true or false at the beginning, now as the Prime Minister of the Qin State, this position must be true.

"Openly practice Confucianism and secretly follow the Qin laws." Luo Fu blurted out these words quickly, causing Lu Buwei and Gai Nie to open their eyes wide.

Although there are now signs of Confucianism in appearance but Legalism in nature, the almost mortal-enemy positions between Confucianism and Legalism have not changed much.

It is even better to say that this stance is typical of the contemporary era.

Even if it has been implemented secretly, no one will expose it directly.

But now such words actually came from the mouth of Luofu, a Confucian sage.

After Lü Buwei looked at Luo Fu meaningfully, he suddenly burst into laughter and said, "Sir, you are indeed worthy of being the one who proposed the Three Worlds Theory."

Lü Buwei stood up quietly, as if he had made a decision in his heart. He clasped his fists towards Luo Fu and said, "I will entrust the Lü's Spring and Autumn Annals to you, sir."

The moment he finished speaking, Lu Buwei said goodbye and left directly to Luofu.

That firm attitude was of no use even if Luo Fu tried to persuade him to stay.

After Luofu personally escorted Lu Buwei out of the mansion, Gai Nie also said goodbye to Luofu.

With the departure of Lu Buwei, things in Luofu's mansion began to become a little turbulent.

Of course, on the surface everything seems calm.

As Luofu's maids, the sisters Zhuanpo and Miehun delivered the previous communication between Luofu and Lu Buwei to the Xianyang Palace in a very short time.

Inside Xianyang Palace.

After Gai Nie returned, he reported to Ying Zheng on the completion of the mission, and then meticulously began to narrate the meeting between Luofu and Lu Buwei.

After listening to Gai Nie's description, Ying Zheng showed a strange look on his face. "Sir, what you mean is that the Prime Minister and Mr. Luo Zi both want to pull the other into their own school of thought?"

"That's right." Gai Nie nodded and said, "The Prime Minister hopes that Mr. Luo Zi can inherit the Miscellaneous School, while Mr. Luo Zi hopes that the Prime Minister can build a new branch of Confucianism with Confucianism as the core."

After a moment's silence, Ying Zheng suddenly seemed to have thought of something, and stood up and walked to the bookshelf.

On the bookshelf that occupied one wall, there were scrolls of bamboo slips.

What was recorded in these huge number of bamboo slips was exactly the Lüshi Chunqiu compiled by Lü Buwei.

After completing the compilation of Lüshi Chunqiu, Lü Buwei immediately copied a copy and sent it to the Xianyang Palace for Ying Zheng to read.

Lüshi Chunqiu was Lü Buwei's most proud work. Naturally, he hoped that Ying Zheng would be able to read it and agree with his ideas.

After all, in terms of age, Lu Buwei is much older than Ying Zheng.

Even if he wanted to push Daqin onto the path he wanted.

Lu Buwei knew very well in his heart that he needed a successor.

And Lu Buwei's best choice was Ying Zheng.

But unfortunately, after the Lü Buwei's carefully prepared Lüshi Chunqiu was delivered to the Xianyang Palace, Ying Zheng simply glanced through it and put it aside.

If someone didn't clean the bamboo slips regularly, they would probably be covered with a layer of dust.

Just from this point, Lu Buwei judged that Ying Zheng would never follow his own philosophy. He had his own ideas and would not share the same path with him.

Unable to gain Ying Zheng's approval, Lu Buwei had no choice but to hold on, and this approach only exacerbated the contradictions and conflicts between him and Ying Zheng.

Ultimately, there was absolutely no possibility of easing tensions between the two sides.

At this moment, because of Gai Nie's words, Ying Zheng finally became a little interested in Lüshi Chunqiu.

Although this interest is merely curiosity, whether the so-called Lüshi Chunqiu is really based on Confucianism is not at all an endorsement.

But I believe that if Lu Buwei knew the news of Xianyang Palace, he would definitely increase his efforts to win over Luofu.

Picking up a bamboo scroll and flipping through the text on it, Ying Zheng asked without even looking up, "Sir, Mr. Luozi memorized the entire Lüshi Chunqiu in just less than a quarter of an hour?"

When this was mentioned, Gai Nie's face suddenly showed a look of amazement. He nodded vigorously and said, "That's right, Your Majesty, you don't know that the gentleman memorized all the contents of Lüshi Chunqiu just by flipping through it in front of me and the Prime Minister."

"Sir, you are simply like a god." Ying Zheng couldn't help but sigh.

No matter how diligent and studious Ying Zheng was, he could not reproduce the books he had read word for word correctly.

As for Luo Fu, he memorized the entire 200,000-word Lüshi Chunqiu in less than a quarter of an hour.

This ability alone is enough to shock countless students.

Throwing the bamboo slips in his hand onto the bookshelf, Ying Zheng said, "You said that Mr. Luo Zi rejected the Prime Minister's solicitation. So what will the Prime Minister do next?"

"This..." Gai Nie hesitated for a moment.

The truth is, even though Gai Nie is the contemporary successor of Zong Heng, he and Wei Zhuang are more like martial artists, rather than Zong Heng's predecessor Guiguzi, who often forms alliances.

When it comes to understanding people's hearts, Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang are far from being comparable to their predecessor Zong Heng.

Not to mention trying to figure out a great man like Lu Buwei.

Even though Ying Zheng was dissatisfied with Lu Buwei in his heart, he would never belittle Lu Buwei.

After all, if it weren't for Lu Buwei's rare talent, there would be no previous king, and even Ying Zheng would not have been born.

Don't forget that Zhao Ji, who gave birth to Ying Zheng, was originally a singer of Lu Buwei and was given to Qin Yiren by Lu Buwei.

To some extent, Lü Buwei played a vital role in helping Qin Yiren and Ying Zheng become the Kings of Qin.

Unfortunately, there was an irreconcilable conflict between Ying Zheng and Lu Buwei in the struggle for power and profit in governing the country.

Seeing that Gai Nie was slow to speak.

Ying Zheng sighed and said, "I am sorry for embarrassing you, sir. How can you easily evaluate a great man of his generation?"

Changing the subject, Ying Zheng asked, "Mr. Gai Nie, how are your preparations for going to Yongcheng?"

"Your Majesty, everything has been prepared." Gai Nie immediately answered Ying Zheng's question. After a pause, Gai Nie hesitated for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, with Mr. Luo Zi here, should we... should we ask the Queen Mother to return to Xianyang Palace first?"

His expression changed instantly.

Ying Zheng was also feeling somewhat conflicted.

By now, Ying Zheng certainly knew that his mother, Queen Dowager Zhao Ji, had actually had a child with a eunuch.

Even the arrogance of Lao Ai reached Ying Zheng's ears more than once.

The purpose of this trip to Yongcheng was nominally to hold Ying Zheng's crowning ceremony, but in reality, even if Lao Ai had no intention of rebellion, Ying Zheng would have tried every means to get rid of Lao Ai.

The mere fact that he could find a pretext to accuse someone of a crime was enough to force the fake eunuch to death.

But what Ying Zheng wanted was not just to kill Lao Ai. The child of Lao Ai and Zhao Ji was also on Ying Zheng's list of people to be killed.

The existence of these two children has posed a serious threat to Ying Zheng.

It was not a threat to the throne, but a threat to the authority of King Ying Zheng of Qin.

As long as these two children are alive, they will be an indelible stain on King Qin Ying Zheng.

After a long silence, Ying Zheng sighed and said, "Then I'll trouble Mr. Luo Zi to ask him to ask the Queen Mother to return to Xianyang Palace."

The moment the words fell, a chilling murderous intent flashed in Ying Zheng's eyes.

Time flies, and it is time for Ying Zheng to go to Yongcheng to hold the coronation ceremony.

However, although Luofu received Ying Zheng’s request, he was unable to personally participate in the coronation ceremony.

After all, Luo Fu shoulders a heavy responsibility.

Ying Zheng was destined to not allow the child of Zhao Ji and Lao Ai to survive.

Both Lao Ai and the two children had to die.

But because of the existence of Luofu, Ying Zheng did not intend to kill the two children personally in front of Zhao Ji.

In this case, they naturally had to ask Luofu, who possessed the magical power of space shifting, to take Queen Mother Zhao Ji away in advance.

Yongcheng, the palace built specifically for Zhao Ji.

The entire Yongcheng was busy with Ying Zheng's coronation ceremony. People like Lao Ai, who had evil intentions, planned to take advantage of this opportunity to assassinate the king.

Luofu quietly came to Zhao Ji's palace.

Relying on Luofu's ability, although the palace was heavily guarded, Luofu appeared in front of Zhao Ji as if he was strolling in the garden and did not alarm anyone.

Zhao Ji, wearing a red gauze dress, already had a son like Ying Zheng who was in his twenties, but from the outside, she still looked like a queen.

She has a well-proportioned figure and delicate skin, and doesn't look like a person in her fifties at all.

Zhao Ji was uneasy and seemed to be worried about Lao Ai's safety. She paced back and forth in the palace.

From time to time, he looked up in the direction of the Qin ancestral temple in Yongcheng.

The next moment, a figure seemed to flash by in the corner of my eye.

Zhao Ji's eyes were instantly locked on the figure standing next to her and Lao Ai's two children.

"You...were you sent by Zheng'er?" Zhao Ji asked with a trembling voice.

Luofu withdrew his gaze from Ying Zheng's two half-brothers and looked at Zhao Ji.

(End of this chapter)