Daqin Zhentiansi

Chapter 638 Asking a question with a single sentence is better than cultivating for a hundred years.
The censors who impeached the Marquis of Qingyang sat in silence outside the Meridian Gate, a spectacular sight of green and red.

The Grand Censor Cao Yue, leading a group of Censorate officials, blocked the Minister of Rites Wang Anzhi in the main hall of the Ministry of Rites, insisting that Wang Anzhi join him in submitting a joint petition to impeach the Marquis of Qingyang.

Confucian and Taoist officials, after all, always need to find something to do.

The greater the merits of Marquis Qingyang, the more they wanted to impeach him.

Otherwise, how could they, as scholars, demonstrate their clarity of mind?

But outside the palace, merchant caravans from aristocratic families, martial arts sects, and all sorts of trading firms, large and small, sailed down the river to the eastern border, especially to the neutral city of Yuncang and the trading port of Yinmayuan, effectively blocking the wide river.

Yun Cang City and Yinma Plain are not neutral places at all; they are clearly trading places with powerful cultivators in charge and 800,000 sword cultivators protecting them!

No wonder Qingyang Marquis's fiancée, Princess Yu Ruo, who runs the Yu Yuan Trading Company, went to the Eastern Territory so early.

It turns out this was all planned long ago!
It is said that many officials in the Ministry of Revenue submitted memorials impeaching the Marquis of Qingyang because of this matter.

However, before there was any news from the capital and before the merchant ships reached the eastern border, news had already come from Donghan County.

The governor's mansion of Donghan County built a seven-story tower, named "Wen Dao Ge" (Pavilion for Asking the Way).

The insights gained from Master Mu Xuan's lectures to over twenty grandmasters at the Donghan County Prefectural Governor's Mansion are transcribed and placed on the seventh floor of the Wendao Pavilion.

The Qin Imperial Palace.

West Garden.

Consort Qi stood in the garden, holding a sandalwood box in her hands and smiling.

Emperor Yuankang, who was walking over with his hands behind his back, saw the wooden box in Consort Qi's hand and a glint of light flashed in his eyes.

"Qi'er, what makes you insist that I come to the West Garden?"

He walked slowly over, sat down at the stone table, and spoke softly.

Yu Kuizhen, who was following not far behind Emperor Yuankang, hurriedly retreated to the entrance of the courtyard and bowed.

“That girl Yu Ruo had someone bring me some gifts from the Eastern Territory. Those pearls and jades look very luxurious, and I don’t feel comfortable wearing them.”

As Consort Qi spoke, she revealed her wrist, and a pale red bracelet was visible on her jade-white arm.

"This bracelet is a bit plain."

A gentle smile appeared in Consort Qi's eyes.

"Blood Jade Essence?" Emperor Yuankang narrowed his eyes. "There are two similar pieces in the Treasure Pavilion, but none of them have the rich color and abundant blood energy of this one."

"Wear it properly; it's good for your blood circulation."

"That girl is certainly willing to spend money."

Consort Qi simply smiled and then handed the wooden box to Emperor Yuankang.

“Yu Ruo hasn’t forgotten Your Majesty either. She specifically instructed in her letter that this item should be delivered to Your Majesty personally.”

Emperor Yuankang remained calm, placed his hand on the wooden box lid, pondered for a moment, and then lifted the lid.

Looking at the items in the wooden box, Emperor Yuankang's expression changed slightly, and a fleeting joy flashed in his eyes.

For Consort Qi, who was always by the emperor's side, this hint of joy in Emperor Yuankang's eyes was an extremely rare and genuine expression of emotion.

Even an emperor, in his position of power, does not show his emotions.

"This girl is thoughtful," Emperor Yuankang murmured as he closed the lid of the wooden box.

Consort Qi glanced over and saw a scroll in the wooden box with three words on the cover.

The Record of Asking the Way.

Outside the courtyard gate, Consort Qi's personal maid quietly approached Yu Kuizhen's side and whispered, "Steward Yu, this is a gift from the Princess."

Yu Kuizhen reached out and took the scroll of paper handed to her by the maid, her eyes showing surprise.

On the thin three pages were a few simple questions and answers about spiritual practice.

My insights into the Great Dao, cultivation, and the levels of Grandmaster and Freedom.

"Insights gained from the Great Cultivation of the Dao".

Clutching the scroll tightly, Yu Kuizhen nodded solemnly: "Please thank the Princess for me, and also, Marquis Qingyang."

How could such a thing be delivered to Yu Kuizhen without the approval of the Marquis of Qingyang? The maid nodded, bowed slightly, and retreated into the garden.

Consort Qi's voice came from the garden: "Serve the meal. Tell the Imperial Kitchen that His Majesty is dining in the West Garden."

……

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The Great Qin Imperial City.

Inspection Division.

Duke Lu Jun of Chengguo, who had rarely come here since stepping down as commander of the Inspectorate, was sitting behind a long table in the back hall, with Marquis Su Jing of Changning beside him, who had a smile on his face.

Lu Jun unfolded the scroll in his hand, and the words "Seeking the Way" were prominently displayed on the cover.

Lu Jun spent three hours reading those few thin pages before finally closing the book with a sense of lingering satisfaction.

"A single question can be more valuable than a hundred years of cultivation."

Looking up, Lu Jun's face revealed a hint of melancholy.

"This is the way of seeking the truth..."

Su Jing nodded, his expression becoming much more solemn: "Zhang Qingyang is the same. He could have let the world know that Master Mu Xuan left behind his enlightenment because of him, but he insisted on giving this favor to Wu Daoling."

His words made Lu Jun chuckle and shake his head.

"You've tied yourself to that kid; you're too close to the situation to see things clearly."

"With his cultivation level, combat strength, and status, he no longer needs these merits and favors."

"Although the Qin Dynasty is not afraid of those whose achievements threaten the emperor, these entanglements of the martial world are of no benefit to him, so why should he be burdened with them?"

Reaching out to pat the books in front of him, Lu Jun smiled and said, "Getting real benefits is the wise choice."

"Moreover, for Wu Daoling to establish a foothold in Yinma Plain, that neutral trading ground needs a reputation that benefits the martial arts world."

Having served as the commander of the Inspectorate for nearly a century, Lu Jun could see things clearly.

For Zhang Yuan, the Marquis of Qingyang who was in charge of the Zhen Tian Division, fame was meaningless; only cultivation was real.

The head of the Martial Town Division, in charge of the Heavenly Suppression Division, can suppress all in Yongtian Continent. The emperor's blade is infallible; why should he care about fame?
Su Jing nodded and sighed softly, "I just feel that with the current turbulent situation and many powerful figures from other regions entering Yongtian Continent, the prestige of the Zhentian Division will probably be impacted."

As the commander of the Inspectorate, Su Jing knew a great deal of information.

Eastern Wei had powerful figures from the Yangtian Continent come to suppress the situation, and Great Qin also had elites from the upper sects of Yangtian Continent arrive.

In addition, the Ancestral Dragon Guards led by Mu Xuan are all powerful figures capable of controlling a region.

The arrival of so many powerful figures in Yongtian Continent has impacted the prestige of the Zhentian Division.

In fact, as the Great Dao of Yongtian Continent improves, there will be more and more powerful people on Yongtian Continent.

As cultivators on Yongtian Continent advance in their cultivation, their combat power will far surpass that of cultivators of the same level from other regions.

However, this will take time.

"Duke, should we summon the powerful warriors of the Heavenly Guard stationed in the outer regions back?" Su Jing looked up at Duke Ningguo, Lu Jun.

Lu Jun shook his head and waved his hand, saying, "Zhang Qingyang is aware of this matter. If he needs help, he will make arrangements."

"This kid was actually accepted as a disciple by Master Mu Xuan on behalf of his master. There are probably still many things we haven't seen in the battle at Yinma Plain."

……

Donghan County.

Sheriff's Mansion.

Along the corridor beside the plaza in front of the main hall, Prefect Liu Peiyuan and Prefect Zhao Defang strolled side by side. Not far ahead was a seven-story pavilion under construction.

"Those who seek fame will gain fame, those who seek wealth will gain wealth, those who seek military merit, and those who seek spiritual cultivation will all be granted by Marquis Qingyang."

Stopping in his tracks and looking at the attic, Zhao Defang's face was full of emotion.

Liu Peiyuan, standing to the side, nodded slightly after his expression changed.

(End of this chapter)