How can one cultivate immortality without learning modern knowledge?

"That's all there is to it?" Old Qi stared in disbelief.

Zhou Wenju said, "We can't be too simplistic and crude. If we're going to forge something, we have to make it look real. At the very least, the paper you use for the stub has to be old paper, and the ink has to be aged ink. This is a basic respect for them. We're all decent people..."

The courtroom was completely silent.

Old Qi and the old man looked at each other, their expressions both showing a conflicted look of teeth aching and head aching...

Suddenly, a voice came from the backyard. It was Zhou Shuang's voice: "Mother, what I said is true. My brother is a real scoundrel. He really is after my master. My master has already hidden away in a nunnery, his hair is all shaved, he's clearly renounced all worldly desires, but he's still staying in their room and won't leave. He even chased me down the mountain. Tell me... is this something a human being would do?..."

Zhou Wenju stepped out of the county government office and into the backyard.

In the backyard, Zhou Shuang was excitedly giving her mother a report.

Someone gently patted my shoulder, and a voice said in my ear, "Hey, can you keep your voice down when you're talking about people behind their backs?"

Zhou Shuang spun around, her eyes widening as she looked at Zhou Wenju behind her: "You...you came down the mountain?"

"Is it proper for a lone man and woman to be alone in a temple? I'm a cultured man, after all!" Zhou Wenju rolled his eyes. "If we don't go down the mountain soon, all the gossipy women in town will be spreading rumors everywhere."

Xu'er chuckled.

The mother smiled too.

Zhou Shuang blushed: "...Ahem...Brother, let's go listen to some music. I've actually found out where the courtesan from Zuige lives. Let's go straight there."

To change the subject.

Before Zhou Wenju could even voice his opinion, his mother objected: "What kind of terrible idea is this? Your brother is a master of poetry and a renowned scholar. How can he be like you, indulging in music and drinking in brothels, with no ambition in his heart? Wen'er, your father also said that after you come back, you must seize the time to solidify your foundation and comprehensively study all kinds of sacred classics."

This is a common trait among all parents in this era.

If the son is not promising, there's not much to expect.

But Zhou Wenju was a master of poetry, his talent for poetry soaring to the heavens.

Such talent deserves our full support and cultivation.

Otherwise, his talent for poetry might have been short-lived.

How do we cultivate them?

Then we have to borrow a line from Li Yuecheng, the third-ranked scholar of that year. What did he say?

The way of poetry must ultimately be upheld by the way of sages!

Regardless of Li Yuecheng's abilities, this statement remains an undeniable truth: to prevent one's literary talent from drying up, one must read widely and continuously draw nourishment from the most fundamental sacred texts...

Zhou Wenju's head is swollen.

read?

Can I tell you that I've been studying in that world for over twenty years, and I'm so tired of it that I feel like throwing up?

Can I tell you that the sacred scriptures you mentioned have a more comprehensive and even more profound version in my world?

He has a hundred reasons not to study.

But, there's a saying...

In this world, only true feelings should not be betrayed...

The father's expectations and the mother's love are always the truest points of affection.

Zhou Wenju said, "Mother is right. I should lay a solid foundation. However, the backyard of the county government is not suitable for studying hard. I plan to find a quiet place outside to study in peace."

Zhou Shuang's eyes widened: "You want to tell your mother that you went to Jingtian Nunnery on Lonely Mountain not with any ill intentions, but simply to find a quiet place to study?"

"At such a young age, you don't learn anything good, what kind of nonsense is in your head!" Zhou Wenju flicked her forehead with his thumb.

Zhou Shuang jumped up after being hit.

Zhou Wenju turned and left...

They left the county government office.

This journey took them through streets and alleys, all the way to the side of the East River.

The scenery along the Donghe River is quite beautiful.

The warm afternoon sun shines obliquely, and the green willows sway gently.

Nestled among the green willows, the small courtyard presents the enchanting scenery of a Jiangnan water town.

There was a small courtyard in front, which looked deserted, but in Zhou Wenju's eyes, it was quite charming.

Facing the East River and backed by the bustling city, it offers tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle.

"Sister, what do you think of this courtyard?" Zhou Wenju slowly turned around.

There was no one behind him, but as soon as he said that, Zhou Shuang fell from the treetop and landed in front of him: "What do you mean?"

"So, it seems this courtyard is uninhabited. Shall we inquire if it's for sale?"

Zhou Shuang's eyes widened: "Brother, you're planning to buy this courtyard?"

"Yes, Mother gave me a strict order to study, and Father argues with me every day about his ways of being an official. We quarrel every time we meet. I was thinking, why don't we buy our own house? And you can come and stay with me anytime. That way, we can avoid always running into Father and gambling on your luck of being locked up every time, right?"

The last sentence touched Zhou Shuang.

As a seasoned rulebreaker and frequent visitor to solitary confinement, who would enjoy trying their luck in front of their parents every day?

however……

"Do you have money? This courtyard probably isn't cheap."

"Let me tell you this," Zhou Wenju said, "making money is the least technical thing in the world. How much is a dilapidated courtyard worth?"

"Tch! You talk like you're so good at making money!" Zhou Shuang rolled her eyes at him. "Don't think I don't know where your money comes from..."

Zhou Wenju's gaze fell upon the subject: "Hmm?"

Zhou Shuang immediately ran off: "I'll go contact the seller for you..."

As the sun set, everything was settled...

This courtyard was built by an official who was demoted to Lingnan. This official was different from his father; he was only demoted, and his family property was not confiscated. He still had enough wealth with him. After arriving in Qishan County, he built this courtyard.

Originally, I planned to settle down and spend my later years here peacefully.

Unexpectedly, two years ago, this person's luck changed, and he was summoned back to the imperial court.

An old steward was left to guard this courtyard. The master said that you could return to the capital after selling the courtyard.

This old man also has a family, and he has been looking forward to returning to Beijing for a long time.

Unfortunately, the courtyard is quite large and the price is a bit high. Qishan is a godforsaken place that has long been bullied by the powerful and wealthy, and there is no good investment environment. The courtyard has been unable to be sold.

The old man was overjoyed when he met a buyer.

They immediately quoted the lowest price: eight hundred taels of silver.

Zhou Wenju didn't haggle and nodded on the spot.

The two parties went to the yamen to complete the property transfer procedures, and the eight hundred taels of silver notes were thus pocketed by the old steward. The old steward sighed with emotion: "As the son of a county official, the young master is fair in his dealings, neither greedy nor corrupt, and does not use his power to oppress others. It is truly thanks to Lord Zhou's excellent upbringing. If it were the He and Li families back then, would they have acted in such a manner?"

Zhou Shuang, standing nearby, grinned, wanting to tell the old butler that the money my second brother spent was actually from the He and Li families...

Of course, she's just a bit reckless, not stupid. She would never say such a thing in public.

And she also has her points of excitement.

Once this courtyard is purchased, it will become her home.

Being with my second brother is definitely more liberating than being with my parents.

Because my second brother isn't exactly a rule-abiding person, he's always embarrassed to admit that he doesn't follow the rules...

If Zhou Wenju were to hear that he had spent a fortune on a house, his father would surely scold him severely. "The people of the whole county are still suffering, how dare you be so extravagant?"

However, the county magistrate has too many things to do these days.

They simply couldn't tolerate such trivial matters.

What does he need to do?

This was an unprecedented and unconventional act in my life.

The entire county government dispatched its officers to conduct a thorough investigation of land and shops, and to fully implement "real estate registration and confirmation"...

Once the news got out, the entire Qishan County was engulfed...

The first to act were the shopkeepers and managers of all the shops in the city, who were controlled by the He and Li families.

Those shopkeepers suffered an unprecedented calamity on the night of the ninth day; their land deeds and house deeds were almost all burned, so they naturally had to confirm their ownership.

Go to the county government office to register as soon as possible.

The county government said it had received their application.

And then, that was the end of it...

Everyone was either nervous or expectant, and ten days passed in the blink of an eye!

For ten days, Zhou Wenju didn't cause any more trouble. He tidied up his courtyard in Donghe. Zhou Shuang also bought two maids. Considering her second brother's lecherous nature, the two maids the girl bought were, in terms of appearance alone, plain-looking, lacking in breasts and buttocks, making them unappealing to men. In any case, apart from accepting their tea, Zhou Wenju barely focused his attention on them...

With his eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep, Zhou Liangsheng would occasionally ask his wife, "What has this unfilial son been doing all this time?"

The lady truthfully told him what she knew: "Sir, please don't address Wen'er like that. Wen'er has recently rented a courtyard by the East River and is studying diligently!"

"He...studies diligently? Has he truly reformed?" Zhou Liangsheng frowned.

"Master, you have too much prejudice against Wen'er. Although he has been unconventional, hasn't he truly become a master of poetry? A master of poetry, a renowned scholar for all time, shouldn't you be proud of him?" the lady said, dissatisfied.

Old Zhou looked up to the sky and sighed, "If he were merely a master of poetry, I would naturally be proud of him. But my lady, you have no idea how unorthodox he is. I have been suffering every day for the past few months, all because of him..."

"Master!" A voice interrupted his sigh.

Old Qi appeared.

There was excitement on his face.

Zhou Liangsheng's gaze fell on his face.

Old Qi said, "Master, the basic situation of the whole county has been completed. This is the final distribution plan compiled by the clerk."

Zhou Liangsheng took the thick, book-like allocation plan and went into the study.

Old Qi also came in and closed the door as soon as he entered.

Zhou Liangsheng scanned the information quickly, skimming through addresses, names, population, and allocated land acreage...

His eyes gleamed, his gaze wandered uncertainly...

Old Qi said, "Sir, according to this plan, the highest amount of land a single household can obtain is 11 mu, and the lowest is 1 mu. If it is truly implemented, the young master's saying 'the people own their land' will truly be realized."

"Yes, the principle of 'the people owning their land' is fundamental, but alas, this move is ultimately built on a falsehood and cannot withstand scrutiny," Zhou Liangsheng sighed.

"We can't withstand a second investigation, but they wouldn't dare to really investigate either," Old Qi said. "Sir, there's no turning back now, let's get it done!"

Zhou Liangsheng glanced at Lao Qi, still hesitant...

Yes, this was a rebellious act he had never committed in his thirty years as an official. As an official, if someone were to catch him forging land deeds and house deeds, and convict him of a serious crime of perverting the law, he would have no way to defend himself...

Old Qi said, "These past few days, I have been going down to various villages and towns. The villagers all say that if you, sir, really dare to take this step, you will truly be the living Buddha of the 300,000 people of Qishan. If the imperial court questions you, they will protect you with their lives and will not hesitate to do so."

Zhou Liang Sheng gave a bitter laugh: "Do you really think I care about my life and fortune? As an official of the imperial court, I care more about my reputation. Today, I have been misled by this rebellious son and bound by the current situation. In the future, I will be a laughing stock in the officialdom and be infamous for ten thousand years!"

"The master will certainly not be remembered for his infamy, but will truly be remembered in history!"

"Really?"

Old Qi said in a deep voice, "No matter how many officials in the future, like you, are exiled from the prosperous capital to the south, they will all remember a county magistrate who risked his entire family's lives just so that the 300,000 elders of Qishan could see the clear blue sky above their heads! Is this not infamous for eternity? Isn't this precisely the ultimate form of officialdom that you, sir, aspire to: be supported by the people and have a lasting reputation for generations?"

Zhou Liangsheng slowly raised his eyes: "Do it! Do it..."

He picked up his pen, wrote the "Public Notice on Peace and Order," affixed the county magistrate's seal, and attached the "Confirmation of County Assets and Resources," which he had compiled over ten days...

This book was destined to be like dropping a super powerful bomb into a pot of hot oil. The leaders of the He and Li families in Qishan City jumped eight feet high in the air at the first moment...

At this moment, in the most luxurious inn in Nanyang City, the capital of Haizhou, the Biyanlou Inn, two distinguished guests from the capital were residing on the most prestigious top floor.

The rooms were adjacent, and the people were drinking at opposite tables.

They were the two vice ministers from the capital.

Li Zhongze, Vice Minister of War, and He Fang, Vice Minister of Rites.

In theory, they should have entered Qishan County in Lingnan as soon as possible after returning home to hold a funeral.

However, they did not go; instead, they sent their respective stewards back to their hometowns.

The reason is simple: they're afraid...

The people of Qishan have gone mad.

What those two families did in Qishan was something other officials didn't know, but how could they not know? Of course they knew that the people of Qishan hated them to the core.

In the past, hatred was nothing, but what could the hatred of a peasant like me amount to?

However, the fact that over a hundred members of their families were killed proves that the people of Qishan County had escalated their hatred to the point of firing shots.

If they were to return to their hometown, they would almost certainly face a hail of bullets!

If they were outside of Lingnan, they would naturally not be afraid of the guns in the hands of the villagers. As great scholars, they could destroy the world with a wave of their hand, so what were they afraid of from worldly guns?

However, Lingnan is a place where the Way of Heaven and the Way of Nothingness intertwine.

In that field, his literary and moral talents were completely untapped.

Of course, they also had guards, but no matter how skilled the guards were, they could not reach the Dao Flower Realm.

Even Li Yuancang, a standard Dao Flower of the Cangshan Sect, died at the hands of those rioters. Although the reason for his death is unknown, there is a basic logic at play: if Li Yuancang could die, then their guards could not be guaranteed to be "absolutely immortal."

Based on this, they firmly adhered to the principle of "a wise man does not stand under a dangerous wall," disregarding any slight violation of etiquette and law. After much deliberation, they realized that their own lives were more important, so they waited in the capital of Haizhou and sent their steward to "under the dangerous wall" to handle the funeral arrangements.

Ten days passed, and news from the capital had been circulating for several rounds...

Every message is worth pondering...

The renowned author, Twenty-Four Bridges Under the Moon, has joined the platform with his new work, "How Can You Cultivate Immortality Without Learning Modern Knowledge?"