The Three Teachings Converge into One: The Path of the Mortal and the Saintly is the Same

Poetry:

The misty rain rushed into Luoyang, and the imperial court discussed the Dao, breaking free from worldly entanglements.

The three religions unite to secure the nation; in green robes, one embarks on a journey through the mist.

In the early winter of the ninth year of Jinghe, the north wind swept through the remaining snow, passing over the ancient pines of Mangshan Mountain and the cold waves of the Luo River, enveloping the imperial capital Luoyang in a frigid and desolate atmosphere. Su Qingxuan, having quelled a peasant uprising in Ruzhou, pacified any disorder he encountered and helped those in distress along the way, stopping and starting as he went, finally arriving at the gates of Luoyang on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month.

Luoyang at that time was completely different from the gentle, misty beauty of Pingjiang in Jiangnan. The city walls were majestic, vermilion palace walls stood tall, banners fluttered in the cold wind, and armored soldiers stood guard at the city gates, their swords and spears reflecting the chilling sunlight. On the official road outside the city gates, on one side, a continuous stream of refugees, young and old, rushed towards the relief tents inside the city; on the other side, officials in brocade robes hurried back and forth, their brows furrowed with anxiety. Su Qingxuan, still dressed in a blue robe, carrying a book box, his mother's jade pendant and safety buckle tied at his waist, and the three ancestral treasures hidden in his bosom, walked steadily into the city gate, incongruous with the surrounding clamor—years of travel and study, the experiences of the Pingjiang literary gathering and the suppression of the rebellion in Ruzhou, had added a touch of worldly wisdom and sharpness to the otherwise serene demeanor of his character.

He first found a secluded inn in the south of the city to stay in, carefully storing the ancient bronze seal, the withered ancient wood, and the surviving Confucian scrolls close to his body once more. He then retrieved the seal of the Pingjiang Literary Society and the official letter of recommendation from the local authorities, and arranged them properly. After a short rest, he went to visit Chen Xiu, the headmaster of the Jiangnan Academy, whom he had met at the Pingjiang Literary Society. Chen Xiu was already in his seventies and had a villa in Luoyang. Upon hearing of Su Qingxuan's arrival, he leaned on his bamboo cane and shakily greeted him at the door. Seeing that Su Qingxuan was still dressed in his blue robe, but with an even more imposing presence than before, Chen Xiu stroked his beard and sighed, "Qingxuan, in the battle of Ruzhou, you, a commoner, quelled the rebellion of the refugees. Now your name is known throughout the Central Plains. If you were to enter the Golden Hall to take the imperial examination for virtuous and upright officials, you would surely achieve great things!"

Chen Xiu led Su Qingxuan to his study, where scriptures from the three religions were laid out on the desk, and a painting titled "The Three Religions of the Yellow River and Luo River" hung on the wall. He dismissed the servants and lowered his voice, saying, "The court is now in turmoil. Prime Minister Zhang Congyao controls the Confucian faction, holds sway over the Imperial Academy and the Ministry of Personnel, and suppresses scholars from humble backgrounds; the Emperor's uncle, Liu Chengye, is a powerful relative of the Empress Dowager, controlling the Imperial Guard and the Imperial Construction Bureau, and rivaling the Prime Minister; the Prince of Yellow River and Luo River, Xiao Jing, holds considerable military power, controls the region, and secretly wins over Buddhist followers, using the power of 'faith' to plot rebellion. Although the current Emperor has the will to govern well, he is constrained by these three powerful forces. This time, he opened the 'Virtuous and Upright Scholars Examination' in the hope of using the power of those from humble backgrounds to promote new talents, check the power of the nobility, and find a glimmer of hope in the decadent court."

Upon hearing this, Su Qingxuan's eyes flashed with a sharp light: "Thank you for your guidance, Headmaster. I already have a plan in mind... There are fifty Great Daos and forty-nine Heavenly Evolutions. I am willing to be the one who escapes the chaos, to restore order in this chaotic world. The three teachings are originally one: Confucianism governs the world, Taoism cultivates the self, and Buddhism transforms the mind. I firmly believe that if we can use this as a foundation and combine the strength of the three teachings, we can surely pacify the internal and external, and save the Great Xia from collapse."

A hint of approval flashed in Chen Xiu's eyes, followed by a touch of worry: "That's true, but in the court, factionalism is even more deeply entrenched. Zhang Congyao exclusively promotes Confucianism and rejects Buddhism and Taoism; Liu Chengye reveres Taoism and uses its influence to consolidate the power of his maternal relatives; Xiao Jing promotes Buddhism and uses the name of Buddhist salvation to win over the hearts of the people. If you were to propose a solution in the imperial court, integrating the three religions into governance, you might offend these three major powers and bring trouble upon yourself."

Su Qingxuan cupped his hands and said, "Don't worry, Headmaster. I have studied the three teachings since childhood and know that they are all connected in their origins, all for the purpose of saving the world and bringing peace to the people. If I go to the capital, I will definitely use the strategy of unifying the three teachings to explain the advantages and disadvantages. If I can be employed by the emperor, I will not be afraid of any difficulties or dangers."

Seeing his resolute will, Chen Xiu said no more, took out a bronze token from his sleeve, and handed it to Su Qingxuan: "This is my identity token. With this, you can enter the Imperial Academy's library and consult the classics of previous dynasties. You should know that this palace examination is not only testing your academic ideas, but also your moral character and practical abilities."

Su Qingxuan took the token; it was slightly cool to the touch, yet exuded an ancient and weighty feel. He understood the meaning behind the headmaster's words, carefully put it away, thanked Chen Xiu, and turned to leave.

In the following days, Su Qingxuan went to the Imperial Academy's library every day to consult classics from previous dynasties, such as "The Essentials of Governance by the Three Teachings" and "The Evolution of Officialdom in the Great Xia Dynasty," while secretly gathering information about the political situation at court. He heard that Prime Minister Zhang Congyao had secretly declared that the upcoming examination for virtuous and upright officials would definitely select his former students and officials, and would not allow scholars from humble backgrounds to have a chance; the Emperor's uncle, Liu Chengye, was having a secret meeting with Taoist priests at the Xuanmiao Temple outside Luoyang, urging the Taoist sect to exert its influence and win over popular forces; and Prince Xiao Jing had even sent his confidants to the capital to present Buddhist treasures to Emperor Jinghe, actually to gather information about the Emperor's true intentions and pave the way for future coups.

In the shadowy alleys of Luoyang, a man dressed in black, with a bronze whistle bearing a wolf's head pattern hanging from his waist, was furtively following Su Qingxuan. This man was a spy from the Di tribe. Having failed in his attempt to seize power during the Ruzhou uprising, he now lay in wait in Luoyang, plotting to assassinate Su Qingxuan and eliminate this "stumbling block." He noticed that Su Qingxuan always came and went alone, intending to find a secluded spot to strike. However, he was unaware that with Su Qingxuan's keen senses, it would be difficult to follow him "silently" unless one's cultivation level was far superior. Su Qingxuan remained calm and composed, not wanting to give him the opportunity to assassinate him for the time being. He wanted to lay a long-term plan and prepare for any unforeseen circumstances.

On the 18th day of the twelfth lunar month, the imperial examination was held as scheduled.

Emperor Jinghe, Xiao Yan, dressed in a bright gold dragon robe, sat upright on the dragon throne in the Golden Palace. His face was square and dignified, yet a hint of undisguised worry lingered between his brows. Civil and military officials lined both sides of the hall, the civil officials in cyan robes and the military officials in black armor, standing silently. Outside, a cold wind howled; inside, the atmosphere was heavy. Everyone knew that this palace examination was a risky move by Emperor Jinghe to disrupt the existing court order and seize back power—a move that, however, was crucial to the life and death of the Great Xia Dynasty.

At this moment, the eunuch in front of the palace announced in a drawn-out voice: "Summon the candidates for the 'Virtuous and Upright' examination to enter the palace for an audience—"

As the palace doors opened, several people filed in. Leading them was a middle-aged man of about forty, dressed in a brocade scholar's robe, with a fair complexion and a long beard; he was Zhang Ruxian, the nephew of Prime Minister Zhang Congyao. He walked with composure, his gaze unwavering, clearly confident of victory. Behind him followed a young man in a purple Taoist robe and a headscarf, his features somewhat frivolous; he was Wang Wenyuan, the son of the brother-in-law of the Emperor's brother-in-law, Liu Chengye, who was said to be practicing asceticism at the Xuanmiao Temple, his scholarship unknown. On the other side, an elderly man in a coarse cotton robe, his face dark, walked with a slightly unsteady gait; he was Li Fang, an old scholar from the northern border region, who had also been recommended by the Emperor's secret agents for his efforts in providing relief to refugees and submitting practical policies. Now, facing the Emperor's majesty, his hands trembled slightly with nervousness. There was also a taciturn middle-aged man in gray clothes, Zhao Mingcheng, a pragmatic official who came from a minor official position in Hexi Prefecture. He had gained some reputation for his land survey and rectification of local officials, which brought him to the emperor's attention.

Su Qingxuan walked at the very end of the group. He was still wearing a slightly worn blue robe and carrying a book box on his back. Among the brocade robes and official robes, he appeared particularly simple, yet also exceptionally upright and serene.

Holding the official letter of recommendation and the seal of the Pingjiang Literary Association, Su Qingxuan slowly walked into the Golden Hall. Tall and upright, dressed in a simple blue robe, he stood out like a breath of fresh air among the officials in their finery, yet exuded an undeniable aura of integrity. The officials in the hall glanced at him; some showed disdain, some were filled with curiosity, and some secretly observed him, wanting to gauge his true character.

Zhang Ruxian caught a glimpse of Su Qingxuan out of the corner of his eye and let out a barely audible snort. Wang Wenyuan, on the other hand, looked at the plainly dressed young man a few more times with curiosity, a playful smile playing on his lips. The old scholar Li Fang, seeing that Su Qingxuan was dressed as simply as he was, felt a sense of shared misfortune, and his tension eased slightly. Zhao Mingcheng, however, kept his eyes fixed straight ahead, his expression grave, as if he were repeatedly pondering his next move.

Emperor Jinghe's gaze swept over the crowd below the steps, lingering briefly on Su Qingxuan. He noticed that although Su Qingxuan was simply dressed, his eyes were clear and his steps were steady, which immediately gave him a favorable impression. He bypassed the first few people and spoke first to Su Qingxuan, saying, "You are Su Qingxuan from Qingxi Town in Jiangnan? I have long heard of your remarkable achievements at the Pingjiang Literary Gathering and your quelling of the refugee uprising in Ruzhou while still a commoner. Today, in the palace examination, I will not ask about classical texts, but only about strategies for governing the country. Currently, the northern barbarians are invading the borders, the officials in the interior are corrupt, refugees are rising up everywhere, and the three religions are in conflict. What good strategies do you have to secure the Great Xia empire?"

These words caused a slight commotion in the hall. Zhang Ruxian's face stiffened; he had assumed that with his family background and talent, the emperor would consult him first, but unexpectedly, this poor boy had beaten him to it. Wang Wenyuan also pursed his lips, seemingly indignant. The old scholar Li Fang secretly sweated for Su Qingxuan.

As the words fell, the hall fell silent. All eyes were fixed on the young man in plain clothes. Prime Minister Zhang Congyao, dressed in a scarlet official robe, held a jade-handled whisk, a cold glint in his eyes. He had initially thought Su Qingxuan was merely an arrogant, poor boy from a humble background; how could the imperial examination be so easy for him? He hadn't expected the Emperor to value him so highly. The Emperor's uncle, Liu Chengye, dressed in a purple official robe with a jade belt, scrutinized Su Qingxuan with keen interest, as if watching a good show. Prince Xiao Jing, standing among the princes, a cold smile playing on his lips, waited to see how Su Qingxuan would respond.

Su Qingxuan bowed respectfully, his clear voice piercing the silence of the hall: "Your Majesty, I have three strategies to secure the Great Xia Dynasty: 'First, Confucianism governs the world; second, Taoism cultivates oneself; third, Buddhism transforms the mind.' I believe that the Great Xia's current predicament stems from external barbarian cavalry and internal bureaucratic corruption, the root of which lies in the sectarianism among the three religions, leading to the disarray of the people. To secure the world, we must first secure the hearts of the people; to secure the hearts of the people, we must first rectify the bureaucracy; to rectify the bureaucracy, we must first unite the strength of the three religions and implement the three strategies of Confucianism governing the world, Taoism cultivating oneself, and Buddhism transforming the mind."

These words caused an uproar in the hall.

Zhang Congyao stepped forward first, sternly rebuking, "Insolence! The Confucian way is an unchanging principle for all ages. It establishes order through benevolence and propriety, and brings peace to the people through benevolent governance. Why should it incorporate the heretical paths of Buddhism and Taoism? You are a poor scholar with no official rank, spouting nonsense. How dare you presume to advocate the unity of the three teachings, disrupting the order of our Great Xia? What is your crime?"

The Confucian officials behind him echoed his sentiments, with one saying, "Prime Minister Zhang is absolutely right! How can Buddhism and Taoism, which advocate escapism and inaction, be compared to the Confucian school's approach to governing the world? Su Qingxuan's heretical words are misleading the public; he should be punished for the crime of great disrespect!"

The students taking the exam below also displayed varying expressions. Zhang Ruxian stood tall and proud, his face beaming with smugness, clearly agreeing wholeheartedly, even nodding slightly. Wang Wenyuan, on the other hand, wore an expression of anticipation, as if watching a good show. The old scholar Li Fang frowned, seemingly pondering Su Qingxuan's words. Zhao Mingcheng remained silent, but a glint of light flashed in his eyes.

Su Qingxuan remained composed, his posture upright, his tone calm yet each word resounding: "Prime Minister Zhang, I am not speaking recklessly. Confucianism governs the world with benevolence and propriety, which is the foundation of the Great Xia Dynasty, a fact I have never denied. However, the Analects states: 'Guide them with virtue, regulate them with propriety, and they will have a sense of shame and moreover become good.' Virtue encompasses not only the Confucian benevolence and righteousness, but also the Daoist understanding of the Way and the Buddhist compassion. Daoist self-cultivation can nurture the integrity of officials, preventing them from being greedy or harsh—this is the foundation of good governance. Buddhist mind-cultivation can transform the violent thoughts of the people, making them law-abiding—this is the basis for peace and stability. Confucianism governs the world and establishes order; Daoism cultivates the self and strengthens the foundation; Buddhism cultivates the mind and harmonizes people's hearts. The unity of these three teachings, transcending sectarianism, is the true path to saving the world and bringing peace to the people."

He quoted extensively from classical texts, presenting his arguments clearly and logically, and dissected the principles of governance from the three religions, causing many Confucian officials in the hall to look thoughtful.

Zhang Congyao pressed further, "However, the Daoist philosophy of tranquility and non-action ultimately clashes with the Confucian philosophy of engagement with the world and governing the country. If everyone in the court were to cultivate themselves through Daoism, or even practice alchemy and seek immortality, wouldn't that lead to officials neglecting their duties and hindering the war in the northern frontier?"

Su Qingxuan faced Zhang Congyao, cupped his hands, and said, "Prime Minister, you are mistaken. The Daoist concept of 'wuwei' (non-action) does not mean inaction, but rather refraining from reckless action and oppressive governance. The *Tao Te Ching* says, 'I do nothing, yet the people transform themselves; I love stillness, yet the people correct themselves; I do nothing, yet the people prosper themselves.' This so-called 'wuwei' means allowing officials to follow the will of the people, fulfill their duties, refrain from excessive taxation and abuse of power—this is the key to clean governance. As for alchemy and seeking immortality… the orthodox Daoist approach should be internal…" The practice of refining elixirs and cultivating virtue is exemplified by the countless instances of immortal masters protecting the nation during times of crisis. This demonstrates that the Dao and governance are not in conflict. Furthermore, when the northern barbarians invade, if officials are responsible for their duties and do not embezzle military funds, the border troops will naturally fight bravely. Similarly, if the people of the interior can live in peace and prosperity without displacement, displaced people will naturally return to their homes to cultivate the land. Daoist self-cultivation aims to help officials abandon selfish desires and uphold the harmony of Yin and Yang, which complements and is not contradictory to Confucian governance.

These words left Zhang Congyao speechless. He and his cronies had a history of embezzling military funds and wasting public resources, and Su Qingxuan's words about "not acting recklessly and not imposing harsh policies" hit him where it hurt.

At this moment, Wang Wenyuan couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "Eloquent tongue." Though his voice was soft, it was quite clear in the silent hall. Emperor Jinghe's gaze was sharp as he glanced at him, and Wang Wenyuan immediately fell silent, lowering his head.

This response can be seen as a vindication of Confucianism and Taoism. The emperor's brother-in-law, Liu Chengye, secretly plotted to use this opportunity to criticize Buddhism. He stepped forward and said, "Young Master Su speaks of Buddhist enlightenment, but Buddhism teaches 'emptiness and selflessness,' detachment from worldly affairs, transcending the mundane, and always 'transcending the ordinary.'" He deliberately emphasized these four words. "If we use Buddhist enlightenment, wouldn't that mean everyone would ignore suffering, allow officials to be corrupt, and become detached from the ordinary?"

Su Qingxuan looked at Liu Chengye and said gently, "What Lord Liu says seems reasonable, but it is actually biased. The Buddhist concept of 'emptiness and no-self' refers to the emptiness of breaking attachments, not the emptiness of abandoning all beings; 'not caring about worldly affairs' means not being attached to fame and fortune, not being devoid of compassion. The Diamond Sutra says, 'One should abide nowhere and yet give rise to the mind.' Abiding nowhere means not being attached to power or position, not being attached to personal gain; giving rise to the mind means giving rise to a compassionate heart and a heart for saving others. If officials use the name of Buddhism to engage in corruption, and if the people use the name of Buddhist principles to commit acts of violence, this is not the fault of Buddhism, but the fault of the human heart. The Buddhist transformation of the heart is to transform the violence in the hearts of the people and the greed in the hearts of officials, so that the people know gratitude and the officials know reverence. This is a good strategy for pacifying the people. Everyone transcending the mundane means having no violence in their hearts, only the sublimation of compassion and pure thoughts. This is a state that everyone can reach, not an evasion of responsibility."

Upon hearing this, the officials in the hall all showed expressions of sudden realization. The Confucian officials who had previously echoed Zhang Congyao now lowered their heads, pondering Su Qingxuan's strategy of unifying the three teachings. Emperor Jinghe sat upright on his dragon throne, his gaze fixed intently on Su Qingxuan, his admiration growing ever stronger.

The old scholar Li Fang's eyes were shining as he listened, and he couldn't help but whisper to Zhao Mingcheng beside him, "Young Master Su's words are incisive and thought-provoking! I have wasted half my life, only knowing how to bury myself in the classics, but today I realize that the way to govern the world is to be inclusive and tolerant!" Zhao Mingcheng nodded slightly, his gaze towards Su Qingxuan filled with admiration.

Seeing that the time was ripe, Su Qingxuan further elaborated: "Your Majesty, I believe that the unity of the three teachings is not a mixture of different schools, but rather a convergence of principles, where each is used separately yet combined to achieve a unified essence. Confucianism is the backbone of governance, Taoism is the sinews of self-cultivation, and Buddhism is the blood of moral transformation. When the backbone is strong, the order is upright; when the sinews are strong, the administration is clean; when the blood is harmonious, the people's hearts are at peace. In this way, the barbarians of the northern frontier are nothing to fear, the refugees of the interior are nothing to worry about, and the conflicts among the three teachings are nothing to fear." At this point, Su Qingxuan stood solemnly and respectfully, bowing to Xiao Yan. "Therefore, I dare to ask... Your Majesty is wise, please grant me the position of compiler in the Hanlin Academy and appoint me as magistrate of a county in Jiangnan. I will first use Jiangnan as a pilot to implement the governance of the unity of the three teachings, setting a benchmark for the world; if successful, it can be gradually promoted to rectify the administration, pacify the people, and ultimately resist foreign aggression. The integration of the three teachings will ultimately become a strategy for the peace and stability of the Great Xia."

His voice, firm and confident, clear and resonant, echoed like metal striking stone in the imperial palace. Every word he uttered addressed the pressing issues of the time, and every suggestion he made was practical and feasible. It embodied the Confucian principles of patriotism, the Taoist wisdom of nature, and the Buddhist compassion of compassion, leaving no one in the court with a refutation.

Zhang Congyao's face turned ashen, yet he had no way to refute it. He knew all too well that if Su Qingxuan's strategy of unifying the three religions was adopted by the emperor, scholars from humble backgrounds would rise to prominence, and his Confucian faction would inevitably be weakened—something he absolutely could not tolerate. But Emperor Jinghe's gaze fell upon him, carrying an undeniable authority, and he dared not openly oppose him again.

At this moment, Liu Chengye and Prince Xiao Jing exchanged a glance, both seeing apprehension in each other's eyes. They had not expected that this fifteen-year-old boy would possess such a profound Daoist heart and such comprehensive strategies for governing the world. If he were to enter officialdom and wield power, he would surely become a major threat in the future.

At this point, Emperor Jinghe turned his attention to the other examinees and, as usual, inquired about their situation. Zhang Ruxian stepped forward, but his words were nothing more than the same old platitudes: "Respect Confucianism, uphold etiquette and law, and strictly enforce examinations." Although he quoted classical texts, he offered nothing new, let alone any concrete solutions to the current difficulties. Wang Wenyuan was even more incoherent, merely echoing the emperor's brother-in-law and talking at length about Taoist prayers for blessings and warding off disasters, offering no real contribution to governance, which caused Emperor Jinghe to frown slightly. The old scholar Li Fang, though limited in knowledge, was familiar with the hardships of the common people. His proposal of "lightening taxes and levies, and encouraging agriculture and sericulture" was quite practical, earning him the emperor's praise as "wise words." Zhao Mingcheng, on the other hand, spoke eloquently about "clearly surveying land and strictly investigating officialdom," his arguments clear and his measures concrete, clearly demonstrating his talent for practical work. Emperor Jinghe nodded slightly in approval. However, compared with Su Qingxuan's profound and comprehensive discourse that integrates the three religions and gets straight to the point, the superiority of these four people's arguments is obvious, and their merits are self-evident.

Emperor Jinghe slowly stood up, stepped down from the dragon throne, and approached Su Qingxuan. His tone was excited: "Qingxuan! Your proposed policy of governing the country by unifying the three religions is something I have never heard of before! I have been on the throne for nine years, working tirelessly day and night, yet I have been unable to break through this impasse. Today, your words have been like the clouds parting to reveal the sun, and my mind has been enlightened!"

He turned to face the assembled officials and declared loudly, "My mind is made up! Su Qingxuan, a commoner, has offered a policy of governing the country by unifying the three religions, which is incisive in addressing the current problems and bringing peace and stability to the nation. He is a gift from heaven! I will break with convention and appoint Su Qingxuan as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, a seventh-rank official, and immediately transfer him to Qingxi County, Pingjiang Prefecture, Jiangnan, to oversee the affairs of the three religions and pilot the policy of governing by unifying the three religions! If he achieves outstanding results, I will certainly promote him further and reward him accordingly!"

After a brief pause, Emperor Jinghe glanced at the remaining scholars and continued, "Li Fang, a scholar from the North, is concerned for the common people and is pragmatic and outspoken. He has been appointed as the assistant county magistrate of a county in Hebei Prefecture to assist in managing the people's livelihood. Zhao Mingcheng, a minor official from Hexi, is well-versed in official affairs and skilled in practical work. He has been appointed as the registrar of a county in Hedong Prefecture to assist in handling land taxes and criminal matters. You should all take Su Qingxuan as your role model, work diligently, and bring benefits to your respective regions." As for the likes of Zhang Ruxian and Wang Wenyuan, Emperor Jinghe simply said, "Zhang Ruxian and Wang Wenyuan may enter the Imperial Academy to study and continue their studies of the classics, and we will observe their future performance."

These words shocked the entire court.

The position of Compiler in the Hanlin Academy, a seventh-rank official, though not high in rank, was a crucial and prestigious one in the central government. Ordinary scholars from humble backgrounds would typically spend years studying diligently, progressing step by step from Xiucai (a lower-level scholar) to Juren (a higher-level scholar), and finally to Jinshi (a higher-level scholar), to attain this position. Yet Su Qingxuan, a commoner, entered this prestigious post directly after a single examination in the imperial court, and was even appointed as a county magistrate, wielding real power and overseeing the affairs of the three religions. Such an extraordinary promotion was unheard of since the founding of the Great Xia Dynasty ten thousand years ago! Li Fang and Zhao Mingcheng also received substantive positions, though not high in rank, it was still a rare stepping stone for scholars from humble backgrounds. Zhang Ruxian and Wang Wenyuan, however, only received honorary titles, effectively being dismissed. The two men's faces flushed red and then turned pale, filled with shame and indignation.

The officials below were even more eager for knowledge. Some officials, who came from humble backgrounds and struggled to survive, clenched their fists secretly, their eyes gleaming with renewed hope—this was the dawn of hope for scholars from poor families to break free from their predicament. Others, powerful and influential families who colluded with Prince Zhang and Prince Liu, had ashen faces and wished they could explode on the spot, but they were intimidated by the emperor's power and had to keep quiet.

Zhang Congyao's knuckles were clenched so tightly they turned white, almost breaking the jade-handled whisk. He stared at the young man in blue below, his eyes filled with icy malice: If this boy isn't eliminated, he will surely become a major threat to the Confucian faction! Liu Chengye wore a forced smile, his fist clenched in his sleeve, already plotting to contact the elders of the Jiangnan Daoist sect to secretly set a trap for Su Qingxuan; Prince Xiao Jing's prayer beads spun rapidly between his fingers, his mind racing, determined to send a message to the Heluo headquarters, to intercept and kill Su Qingxuan in the wilderness on his way to his new post!

Su Qingxuan, with a respectful expression, knelt down and kowtowed three times to express his gratitude: "Your Majesty, I, your subject Su Qingxuan, thank you for your great favor! I will certainly use the principles of the three religions to help the world, safeguard the land of Qingxi County, ensure the livelihood of the people, rectify officialdom, eliminate long-standing abuses, and live up to Your Majesty's trust and the expectations of the people!"

Li Fang and Zhao Mingcheng also knelt down to express their gratitude, their voices choked with emotion. The old scholar Li Fang was especially moved, tears streaming down his face as he kowtowed repeatedly.

His voice was soft, but every word was sincere. Emperor Jinghe, seeing this, was deeply moved and immediately ordered a eunuch to bring his imperial brush, which he personally inscribed with the four characters "Qinghe Jishi" (meaning "Pure Harmony and Beneficiary of the World") on a plaque. He then removed a white jade pendant from his waist and bestowed it upon Su Qingxuan: "This pendant can be used at post stations in all prefectures and cities south of the Yangtze River. If you encounter local obstruction, you can use this pendant to appeal directly to the central government. I am in Luoyang, awaiting Qingxi's achievements!"

"I obey your decree!"

In the Golden Palace, the Emperor was overjoyed, and the palace examination came to a close. As the officials left the court, their gazes towards Su Qingxuan were now quite different—there was awe, fear, envy, and even a hidden murderous intent. That figure in a blue robe standing beneath the imperial steps became the most dazzling splash of color in the Luoyang imperial city in the early winter of the ninth year of Jinghe.

As the court session ended, Li Fang and Zhao Mingcheng rushed forward and bowed deeply to Su Qingxuan. Li Fang said, "Lord Su's words have enlightened me greatly. Today I understand what the study of governing the world and benefiting the people truly means! After taking office, I will certainly take you as my role model and dedicate myself to serving the people." Zhao Mingcheng also cupped his hands and solemnly said, "Lord Su's discourse is comprehensive, encompassing the three teachings and pointing directly to the fundamentals. I admire you greatly. If there is an opportunity in the future, I would like to seek your guidance on practical matters of governance." Su Qingxuan quickly returned the bow, humbly saying, "You two are older than me and more experienced. I am unworthy of such praise. In the future, we should encourage each other and work together for the common people." Zhang Ruxian and Wang Wenyuan snorted coldly and left in a huff.

Holding the imperial plaque and jade pendant, Su Qingxuan slowly walked out of the Golden Palace. The north wind was still blowing, but it seemed less biting. The remaining snow on the palace walls reflected the sunlight, settling on his blue robe, spotless. Chen Xiu had been waiting outside Chengtian Gate. Seeing him emerge, he stepped forward tremblingly, and with a heartfelt sigh, said, "You've achieved success at a young age, yet you remain humble and composed. Qingxuan, you have indeed lived up to my expectations!"

Su Qingxuan bowed and said, "It is all thanks to the headmaster's guidance. I dare not take credit for it."

As the two were talking, in a dark alleyway, the black-clad spy, his eyes bloodshot, gripped the bronze whistle with a wolf's head until it burned. He had intended to assassinate Su Qingxuan as he left the palace alone, but with armored soldiers standing guard at the palace gates and the Imperial Guards surrounding him, he had no way to strike. He could only grit his teeth, turn around, and disappear into the alley, riding swiftly to the Di barbarian outpost on the outskirts of the city to send a message to the north: Su Qingxuan was leaving the capital for his post in Jiangnan; he would surely be intercepted and killed en route. He must not be allowed to arrive in Qingxi to begin his administration!

Su Qingxuan had already noticed the sinister gaze, but he only glanced at it briefly and didn't point it out. He knew in his heart that this journey to his new post would be fraught with difficulties: the obstruction of treacherous officials in the court, the spying and potential dangers of the Di barbarians, and the obstruction of the old forces that had vested interests in the three religions—all these were tests. But the three treasures in his arms were warm, the jade pendant from his mother at his waist was smooth and warm, the righteousness of the three religions was in his heart, and his determination to save the world and bring peace to the people was as firm as a rock. Even if there were a thousand difficulties and dangers, he would forge ahead without hesitation.

Back at the inn in the south of the city, Su Qingxuan packed his belongings: he carefully kept the ancient withered wood, the surviving Confucian scrolls, and the bronze seal close to his body, and gently wrapped the imperial plaque and jade pendant into his bag. His mother's jade pendant and safety buckle were tied to his waist. He brought no servants, no carriage, only a green horse, and wore a simple green robe, just as he had when he first entered Luoyang.

Before dawn the next day, Su Qingxuan led his horse out of the south gate of Luoyang. The last snowflakes were just beginning to melt, the Luo River shimmered with a faint light, the ancient pines of Mangshan Mountain remained unchanged, and the majestic outline of the capital city gradually faded into the morning mist. He mounted his horse, pulled on the reins, and looked back at the imperial city of Luoyang, his eyes gleaming with sharpness: his three strategies in the Golden Hall had already astonished the emperor; he had entered officialdom in his blue robes, and from then on, he would ride the waves forward!

With a light flick of the whip, the green horse galloped through the morning mist, heading towards Pingjiang in Jiangnan. The wind whipped his green robes, and the young man's figure receded into the distance, leaving only a trail of dust as he raced towards the place of hope in his heart.

It is:

Three strategies in the Golden Palace secure the nation; a lone rider in green robes embarks on a new journey.

To understand the administration of Jiangnan, one must witness the many perilous obstacles and extraordinary achievements.