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

Poetry:

In green robes, he rode his horse to Qingxi, spreading benevolence and virtue through the three religions.

Ancient seals, imbued with spiritual energy, bring peace and prosperity to the land; a river of smoke and fire brings forth new vitality.

It is said that Su Qingxuan, by imperial decree of Emperor Jinghe, was appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy and then transferred to the post of magistrate of Qingxi County in Pingjiang Prefecture, Jiangnan, concurrently in charge of the affairs of the three religions. He bid farewell to Luoyang, mounted his green horse, and, carrying only a simple bag, galloped south. Along the way, treacherous schemes and dangers lurked, all orchestrated by treacherous officials both inside and outside the court to eliminate him. Unexpectedly, Su Qingxuan was chosen by Heaven to face this tribulation, and guardians of the Way paved the way for him. This deeply warmed Su Qingxuan's heart and made him realize that "my path is not lonely." He understood that behind every light in the world, every peaceful moment, every warmth and happiness... there were people silently giving and protecting, people who were often nameless and unsung. This gave Su Qingxuan a new understanding of cultivation, helping the world, and saving sentient beings.

As the north wind gradually dissipated, the misty rain of Jiangnan returned to its gentle state. In just ten days, the boundaries of Qingxi could be seen—this land that gave him birth and nurtured him. After years of wind and rain, it still had white walls and black tiles nestled by the Qingxi River, with willows and painted bridges surrounded by cooking smoke. However, the city was now tinged with the melancholy left by oppressive government, and the fields were less peaceful with the life of farmers and scholars.

The seat of Qingxi County was Qingxi Town, where Su Qingxuan grew up. Since the Jinghe era of the Great Xia Dynasty, the former magistrate was corrupt and embezzled, relying on the henchmen of Prime Minister Zhang Congyao to levy exorbitant taxes and impose additional levies on military pay and river works, causing unbearable suffering to the people. The local military officials placed by the emperor's brother-in-law Liu Chengye were even more unruly, harassing the people and oppressing the good. In addition, local gentry seized land, and displaced people were scattered in the countryside. The once gentle and fertile Jiangnan water town was now riddled with deep-seated problems.

Su Qingxuan rode his horse to the Qingxi Bridge and saw a crowd of people gathered at the alley entrance. His childhood playmate, Xiao Shitou, now a boy of fourteen or fifteen, stood at the front carrying a hoe; Zhou Laogen, who had been eager to follow him after the Ruzhou riots and had led dozens of refugees on a long journey to seek refuge with him, also stopped to wait; the village elders leaned on their canes, their eyes full of expectation; even the peddlers, fishermen, and weavers on the street stopped what they were doing and craned their necks to look.

Everyone knows that this young talent from Jiangnan has been a righteous and upright official who has helped the refugees in Ruzhou and offered brilliant strategies in the Golden Palace. Today, he returns to his hometown to serve as an official, which means that the people of Qingxi will see the light of day again.

"Brother Qingxuan!" Little Stone rushed forward, took the reins from the green horse, and exclaimed excitedly, "The villagers have been waiting for you all day! Your parents have prepared tea in the courtyard, just waiting for you to return!"

Su Qingxuan dismounted and bowed deeply to the surrounding people. His voice was gentle and clear like a flowing stream: "I have been ordered by the Emperor to return to my hometown to govern the county. I will use my benevolence and wisdom to protect this land and bring peace to the people, and live up to the high expectations of my fellow villagers."

The people bowed in return, their shouts echoing through the heavens: "We are willing to follow Judge Su!" "We are saved!"

Passing through the welcoming crowd, Su Qingxuan first went to the Su family courtyard to visit his relatives. His father, Su Wenyuan, did not teach his students today. His mother, Liu, was carrying freshly steamed pastries. Seeing her son dressed in official robes, with a jade pendant and peace buckle around his waist, his demeanor was far more composed than before, and the two elders had tears in their eyes.

Father Su only said, "Uphold your conscience and help the world, and never fail the people." The ancient withered tree in his arms had quietly sprouted a few tender green buds after Su Qingxuan settled the refugees in Ruzhou, which resonated with the aura of the ancient bronze seal and the tattered scroll. However, no one knew the ancient secrets of this withered tree.

After a short rest, Su Qingxuan went to the Qingxi County government office to take over the seal. The county government office was located in the east of the town. The vermilion gate was peeling and mottled, and the screen wall was covered with thick dust. The servants leaned against the pillars and laughed in the corridor. There was no official decorum at all, and the place was full of decay. The original magistrate had been impeached and dismissed for corruption. The two acting magistrates were the county clerk Zhou Mo and the registrar Wu Hu. The two were the henchmen of the court officials in Qingxi: Zhou Mo was a disciple of Prime Minister Zhang Congyao. He was good at scheming and extorting money from the people. Wu Hu was a distant relative of Zhang Congyao. He was tyrannical and domineering and allowed his soldiers to harass the people.

Upon seeing Su Qingxuan, who was only fifteen or sixteen years old, and who, despite being sent by imperial decree, had no powerful backing or influential connections, the two men secretly despised him. However, they put on a fake smile and stepped forward, bowing: "Your Excellency is a young and talented magistrate, sent by imperial decree to govern the stream. We have been waiting for you for a long time."

Su Qingxuan glanced at the two men, instantly seeing through their sinister and disdainful eyes, but remained calm and returned the greeting with a cupped hand: "My two colleagues have worked hard. Today we are handing over the seals and account books. From now on, we will work together to manage the county affairs and pacify the people."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Mo's eyes darted around. He deliberately pushed a stack of messy account books onto the table. The pages were torn, and the money was in short supply. He stammered, "Magistrate Su, the previous magistrate left office in a hurry. The treasury accounts are all like this. The accounts for river works, taxes, and grain are all in disarray. It will probably take you several days to sort them out." He was deliberately making things difficult for Su Qingxuan, hoping to make him stumble on the account books so that he could control him in the future.

Wu Hu patted his chest and said in a gruff voice, "There are more than a hundred constables in the county government, all of whom are local elites. We rely on them to protect the area. Magistrate Su, you must... treat them well!" His words were loaded with meaning. In reality, these constables were all his henchmen who extorted and oppressed the people on a daily basis, making money off of it.

Su Qingxuan tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, his gaze sweeping over the messy account books, then glancing at the lazy bailiffs standing behind them, understanding dawning on him. He didn't make an issue on the spot, but simply said calmly, "I will sort out the account books myself. As for the bailiffs, we can discuss it later." He took the county government seal and placed it on the table, then took out the ancient bronze seal he always carried with him and gently placed it next to the official seal—this ancestral seal, seemingly simple and unadorned, without any patterns or inscriptions, exuded a faint, warm spiritual energy upon entering the county government office, cleansing away some of the gloomy atmosphere within.

Zhou Mo and Wu Hu, seeing the inconspicuous little seal, assumed it was just an ordinary old item from the Su family. They chuckled and exchanged glances, having already made up their minds: the Prime Minister had already instructed them to secretly obstruct and disrupt the government, making it difficult for this young upstart to move an inch in Qingxi. Once he had no achievements to show for it, they would jointly impeach him and expel him from the county government.

On the seventh day after taking office, Su Qingxuan ascended to the hall to serve as a council member. The main hall of the county government office was cleaned and gleamed, and above it hung an imperial plaque inscribed with the words "Qinghe Jishi" (meaning "Pure and Harmonious, Benefiting the World").

The people, having heard the news, rushed to the hall, crowding below to await the new official's arrival. Su Qingxuan sat upright in the main hall, his new official robes pristine and clean. His demeanor was composed and steady, devoid of any youthful impetuosity. He immediately issued three decrees, subtly incorporating the principles of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism into his governance, hitting the nail on the head and directly addressing the deep-seated problems of Qingxi:

The first principle: Reduce taxes and levies to ensure the well-being of the people.

He abolished more than ten exorbitant taxes levied by the previous magistrate, including military pay surcharges, river works levies, and poll tax surcharges, leaving only the land tax and poll tax legally mandated by the imperial court. These taxes were collected based on the actual acreage of land, and officials were strictly prohibited from extorting or overcharging. He measured out ownerless wasteland and hidden lands acquired by local gentry and distributed them to displaced people and poor farmers for cultivation. He also reduced or exempted taxes for three years, encouraged farming and weaving, and restored agriculture. He established government-supervised agricultural workshops to guide the people in building water conservancy projects and improving rice varieties, thus consolidating the foundation of people's livelihood with the Confucian principles of "benevolent governance and love for the people" and "enriching the people and satisfying the ruler."

The second approach: streamline administration and delegate power, in accordance with the nature of the people.

The county government eliminated redundant staff, reducing the number of more than 100 yamen runners by more than half, leaving only 30 capable and virtuous individuals. These runners were assigned specific posts and responsibilities, and were strictly prohibited from trespassing into the countryside to extort or harass the people. The harsh checkpoints and tax stations in the countryside were abolished, allowing merchants and travelers to travel freely. Markets were not subject to harsh regulations or arbitrary controls, allowing the natural benefits of commerce to prevail. Officials were to perform their duties diligently, refraining from arbitrary actions, harsh policies, or disturbances to the people, and to simplify administration and reduce trouble by following the Daoist principles of "non-action yet nothing is left undone" and "following nature."

The third approach: reduce punishments and litigation to quell public resentment.

The county government amended its criminal law, stipulating that minor offenses such as quarrels, theft, and rent arrears would not be punished by torture, but would be addressed primarily through education and mediation to encourage repentance and reform. Torture and forced confessions were strictly prohibited, and all wrongful convictions were to be retried and overturned. Charitable granaries, schools, and cemeteries were established to aid the elderly, orphans, and the poor and sick. A release pond was dug along the Qingxi River to encourage people to refrain from killing and do good, and to purify the local customs with the Buddhist principles of "compassion" and "gentleness and kindness."

Upon the issuance of the three decrees, the people below the hall erupted in cheers, kneeling and kowtowing, calling out "Justice Su." Zhou Mo and Wu Hu, however, stood to the side of the hall, their faces ashen, their fingers clenched so tightly they turned white—these three decrees directly cut off their source of income: lighter taxes and levies would prevent them from imposing excessive taxes; simplified administration and reduced labor services would eliminate their means of oppressing the people; and lenient punishments and fewer lawsuits would prevent them from using the criminal justice system for extortion.

Zhou Mo immediately stepped forward, feigning respect but actually launching an attack: "Your Excellency, the imperial taxes are the foundation of the nation. If miscellaneous levies are reduced or exempted, how will the treasury's deficit be filled? If corvée labor is cut, who will maintain local order? If punishments are lenient and lawsuits are reduced, how will unruly citizens be suppressed? These three policies violate the regulations of the imperial court and I'm afraid they will be difficult to implement!"

Wu Hu chimed in, "Yes! If we follow your decree, sir, the constables will lose their livelihoods, and the area will descend into chaos. Can you, sir, take responsibility? How will you explain this to Prime Minister Zhang?" This was a blatant threat.

Su Qingxuan's gaze sharpened, and an aura of righteous indignation emanated from him, his upright and authoritative presence, though intangible, still forced the two men to take a half-step back: "County Magistrate Zhou, Clerk Wu, the court establishes officials to bring peace to the people, not to oppress them; to save the world, not to amass wealth. The Analects says, 'If the people are not well-off, how can the ruler be well-off?' The Tao Te Ching says, 'The sage has no fixed mind; he takes the mind of the people as his own.' The Diamond Sutra says, 'All sentient beings are liberated.' Hmm... never mind, you wouldn't understand anyway. Let me put it this way: my three policies are in accordance with the will of Heaven, the hearts of the people, and the ultimate principles of Heaven and Earth, and follow His Majesty's decrees. How could they violate regulations? On the contrary..." Su Qingxuan's gaze turned cold, "Anyone who obstructs the government's orders is deceiving the emperor and oppressing the people, and according to the law, should be dismissed and arrested!"

His words were forceful and resounding, like metal striking stone. Zhou Mo and Wu Hu were rendered speechless. Intimidated by the imperial edict and the watchful eyes of the people below, they could only retreat in embarrassment. However, their hearts grew even more sinister, and they quickly contacted the local gentry, determined to sabotage the government and disrupt its policies.

Coincidentally, the most notorious local tyrant in Qingxi was none other than Shen Wanshan, the man who had broken off his engagement with the Su family years ago and humiliated them by throwing silver at their door. For years, he had amassed a fortune and become a local tyrant by colluding with officials, acquiring land, monopolizing rice and cloth businesses, and hoarding goods. Despite his vast estates and immense wealth, he remained insatiably greedy and oppressed the people. Upon hearing that Su Qingxuan had returned to his hometown to serve as magistrate and had issued decrees of reduced taxes and corvée labor, Shen Wanshan was both shocked and furious. He was even more resentful that Su Qingxuan had cut off his source of income, and immediately rushed to the county government office that very night to secretly meet with Zhou Mo and Wu Hu.

Inside a secret room in the county government office, candlelight flickered as the three men conspired to devise a wicked plan:

First, hoarding and speculation to drive up grain prices. Shen Wanshan ordered all his rice shops and granaries to close their warehouses and stop selling, hoarding all the grain in Qingxi and driving up the price of rice from five copper coins per liter to fifty copper coins per liter, leaving the people with no grain to buy and causing panic, which was attributed to Su Qingxuan's decree.

Secondly, he spread rumors and misled the people. He hired local ruffians to spread rumors everywhere, claiming that Su Qingxuan's three decrees were "heretical magic" that had angered the river god and the land god of Qingxi, which would inevitably cause natural disasters and cause the people to resist the new policies.

Thirdly, he engaged in superstitious practices and created evil spirits. He hired Zhang Xuanji, a wandering sorcerer, at great expense. Zhang was skilled at superstitious practices and used evil magic to infiltrate the backyard of the county government office, smash objects, and create haunted phenomena, making the people fear Su Qingxuan and believe that he was a "demon official".

With the plan settled, the three of them went their separate ways, and within three days, Qingxi was thrown into chaos.

Long queues formed outside rice shops, only to be told there was "no rice to sell." Rice prices soared three times a day, leaving the poor destitute and forced to forage for wild vegetables and eat grass roots, leading to growing famine. In the streets and alleys, ruffians spread rumors that "Magistrate Su's reckless dredging of waterways during his water conservancy projects has angered the river god, who is now unleashing a great flood that will inundate Qingxi," and that "Magistrate Su holds no official rank, and his decrees are arbitrary and lawless, based on unorthodox methods; Heaven is punishing the people with calamities." The county government's backyard was haunted every night, with ghostly wails and howls echoing in the middle of the night, and objects being smashed to pieces. The night watchmen were terrified and dared not approach. The news of the haunted county government quickly spread throughout Qingxi. The people, though skeptical, were filled with unease. Though simple and honest, they were wary of anything involving ghosts and spirits, and their newly ignited hope was quickly shrouded in gloom.

Zhou Mo and Wu Hu, leading a group of people, feigned to report something, their faces showing "worry": "Your Excellency, the people are panicking, rice prices have skyrocketed, and the county government is haunted. All this is because the new policies have angered the gods. In our opinion, we should abolish the three policies, restore the old system, and worship the gods to quell the chaos!"

Shen Wanshan, accompanied by a group of local gentry, arrived at the county government office, feigning sorrow: "Magistrate Su, we are truly helpless. The harvest has failed, and we have no rice to sell. It is not that we are hoarding rice. We beg you, Magistrate, to rescind your new policies and prevent Qingxi from suffering further natural and man-made disasters!"

A group of local gentry attached themselves to Shen Wanshan and echoed his sentiments. The common people, unaware of the truth, gradually became suspicious, and the discussions in the streets and alleys turned from praise to fear.

Su Qingxuan sat calmly in the main hall, observing the crowd below. He saw through the three men's treacherous schemes. Having cultivated the mental techniques of the three religions since childhood, he had long since gained a profound understanding of the universe. He could sense that the eerie atmosphere in the county government's backyard was not divine punishment, but rather the unorthodox practices of wandering sorcerers; the soaring rice prices were not due to a poor harvest, but rather deliberate hoarding. Faced with the crowd's obstruction and instigation, he remained composed, simply saying, "It's alright. I will handle the grain matter, and I will also manage the ghostly affair. However, there is absolutely no reason to change the new policies."

After saying this, Su Qingxuan stood up, picked up the ancient bronze seal on the table, and slowly walked to the center of the main hall of the county government. He placed the seal on the incense table, burned incense and worshipped, performed the full ceremony, and silently recited the "Sincerity and Rectification of Mind" mantra from the Confucian Heart Method.

In an instant, a strange phenomenon occurred!

The seemingly ordinary bronze seal suddenly emitted a warm, luminous white light, gentle yet majestic, like the light of the sun and moon, instantly enveloping the entire county government office. The wailing and howling in the backyard ceased abruptly. The evil array set up by the sorcerer Zhang Xuanji was shattered by the seal's light. He himself was hiding in the woodshed casting spells when struck by the light, spitting blood, writhing in excruciating pain, his magic rendered useless. He fled in panic, scaling the back wall, not even daring to take his reward. The gloomy atmosphere of the government office and the violent atmosphere of the marketplace slowly dissipated in the air, even the air itself seemed to become clearer and more peaceful. Even more miraculously, the incense on the altar, rising only slightly, automatically condensed into the three characters "仁、和、慈" (Ren, He, Ci), which lingered for a long time.

The common people, local bullies, and officials in and around the hall all witnessed this extraordinary phenomenon and were stunned. Some knelt down and kowtowed, exclaiming "miracle!" and "the holy seal has appeared!"

Shen Wanshan was so frightened that his face turned ashen, his legs went weak, and he collapsed to the ground. Zhou Mo and Wu Hu were pale and trembling, their hearts filled with fear. Even they were terrified by such a "miracle." They could fight against people, but how could they fight against "supernatural powers" that were beyond their comprehension?

Su Qingxuan stood amidst the radiant light, his blue official robes appearing even more luminous. His voice resounded throughout the land: "Fellow villagers, this is an ancient sacred seal passed down through my Su family. It can ward off evil spirits, bring peace to the people, and cleanse impurities. The so-called hauntings are nothing but the work of sorcerers hired by wicked people; the so-called famines are nothing but hoarding by local bullies; the so-called divine punishments are all the work of wicked people bewitching the people! Today, the sacred seal has manifested itself. I bear witness to this seal that the new policies will be implemented, and Qingxi will be at peace. Anyone who dares to obstruct the new policies or oppress the people will be condemned by the sacred seal and by the law!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Su Qingxuan unleashed a surge of powerful true energy, imbued with unwavering integrity and the spirit of Vajra subduing demons. His words became law, intimidating even the most wicked.

The order was immediately issued:

First, the grain hoarded by Shen Wanshan was confiscated. The capable officers remaining after the layoffs were ordered to immediately go to Shen's granaries and rice shops, where they found more than 100,000 shi of grain. All of it was put into the public granary and sold to the people at a fair price. The price of rice instantly dropped to five wen per sheng, and the famine was relieved immediately.

Second, remove corrupt officials and severely punish bad gentry. Zhou Mo and Wu Hu were dismissed from their posts and arrested for questioning. The case was reported to the court, listing their crimes of corruption, disturbing the people, and colluding with bad gentry. Shen Wanshan was imprisoned, his confiscated hidden land was distributed to displaced people and poor farmers, and the remaining bad gentry were fined grain to atone for their crimes and ordered to reform themselves.

Third, the new policies were reiterated and put into practice. Elders and virtuous officials were dispatched to the countryside to explain the new policies, measure land, distribute wasteland, dismiss redundant officials, and establish public granaries and schools, ensuring that the policies were implemented in practice.

Su Qingxuan's series of actions were swift, decisive, and efficient.

The common people were overjoyed to see corrupt officials and gentry punished, the imperial seal manifest its power, and rice prices fall. They were completely convinced of Su Qingxuan's abilities. The scoundrels who had previously spread rumors surrendered themselves and repented; rural refugees returned to their hometowns to cultivate wasteland; and merchants, hearing that Qingxi had simplified its administration and delegated power, eliminating exorbitant taxes, flocked to Qingxi, and the market flourished again.

From then on, Su Qingxuan's new policies took root in Qingxi:

With Confucianism governing the country, the people lived in peace. Taxes and levies were light, agriculture flourished, rice paddies rippled in the fields, and the sounds of farming and studying returned to the countryside. The people had no worries about food and clothing and were no longer suffering from oppressive government. Free schools were set up in the countryside, taught by Su Wenyuan and local elders, and children were able to read and write. The Confucian tradition of etiquette and order gradually flourished.

With the administration guided by the Way, the city prospered. Streamlining administration and delegating power, officials dared not disturb the people, checkpoints were removed, and merchants and travelers came and went in an endless stream. The rice market, cloth market, and fish market in Qingxi gradually flourished, making it a major commercial town in the vicinity of Pingjiang Prefecture. Officials performed their duties diligently, without acting recklessly or extorting money, and the atmosphere in officialdom became clean and tidy, fully demonstrating the beauty of the Way's tranquil and non-interfering approach to governance.

With Buddhism as its guiding principle, the people are kind and honest. Lawsuits are lenient and litigation is reduced; neighborhood disputes are primarily resolved through mediation and education, and prisons are nearly empty. Charitable granaries provide aid to the elderly, the poor, and the sick; release ponds encourage the release of animals, discouraging killing and promoting good deeds. The people are compassionate, and violence has gradually diminished. Doors are left unlocked at night, and lost items are not picked up, restoring the gentle and peaceful atmosphere of the Jiangnan water towns.

In just over half a year, Qingxi County transformed from a desolate county plagued by oppressive government and impoverished people into a renowned model of good governance. The prefect of Pingjiang Prefecture personally came to inspect the county and was amazed by the thriving agriculture, prosperous markets, and honest folk customs of Qingxi. He immediately submitted a memorial to the court, praising Su Qingxuan for "governing the country by integrating the three teachings and bringing peace to the people with benevolence; the governance of Qingxi is a model for the world." Famous scholars from the three teachings of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism came to observe and were impressed by the harmonious coexistence and effective application of their principles. Even in the imperial court in Luoyang, Emperor Jinghe was delighted upon hearing of Qingxi's achievements and issued an edict of commendation, bestowing upon Su Qingxuan the plaque "Three Teachings Benefiting the World," promoting him to the sixth rank, and allowing him to continue governing Qingxi County.

The ancient bronze seal, after its miraculous power in suppressing evil, has been enshrined in the main hall of the county government, emanating a warm and gentle spiritual energy day and night, protecting the land and water of Qingxi. Whenever evil spirits or disasters occasionally occur in the countryside, the ancient seal automatically glows and quietly dispels them, and the people call it the "Qingxi Protector's Seal." The ancient withered tree, nourished by the spiritual energy of the seal, has also sprouted new buds, sending out several tender green shoots, showing signs of spiritual connection.

Deep within the misty willows on the outskirts of Qingxi, a Taoist priest in a grey robe stood silently for a long time; he was none other than the Guardian of the Three Teachings. He gazed at the gentle, spiritual light emanating from the direction of the county government office, then at the new sprout on the withered tree, stroked his beard, and sighed softly: "Confucianism embodies benevolence, Taoism embodies tranquility, and Buddhism embodies compassion. With the Tao seal protecting the world and the seed of Buddhism sprouting, the foundation for the path of mortals and saints to walk together has been laid. However, the treacherous officials of the court and the barbarian tribes of the north will never sit idly by and watch this child grow. Even greater storms are about to arrive."

After speaking, the Taoist took out a jade talisman and gently tossed it into the air. The jade talisman transformed into a wisp of light, merging into the imperial seal of the county government office, adding another layer of protection to Qingxi. Then, his figure flashed and disappeared into the misty rain of Jiangnan.

Meanwhile, among the merchants of Qingxi, a man dressed in plain clothes with a gloomy face silently observed everything, a wolf-head bronze whistle concealed at his waist. He was the spy planted by the Di barbarians. The ambush at Cuiyun Mountain had failed, and thirteen Di barbarian assassins had inexplicably died, prompting them to reassess Su Qingxuan. Until a foolproof plan was found, they decided to lie low for the time being and not act rashly. He secretly recorded Qingxi's achievements, the strange phenomenon of the bronze seal, and Su Qingxuan's reputation in a letter, which he then sent by fast horse to the Di barbarian camp in the northern frontier under cover of night. The iron cavalry of the north had already set their sights on this young magistrate who was dedicated to saving the world; the prime minister, the emperor's brother-in-law, and the prince of Heluo in Luoyang were also secretly plotting to stifle this rising star of salvation in the misty rain of Jiangnan.

Su Qingxuan stood at the head of Qingxi Bridge, gazing at the peaceful and prosperous people on both banks, listening to the joyful laughter of the marketplace, the tattered Confucian text in his hand, his eyes clear and resolute. He knew that the governance of Qingxi was only the first step towards the unification of the three religions and the salvation of the people. The road ahead was still fraught with thorns and undercurrents, but his resolve was firm. His Confucian ambition, his wish for the unification of the three religions, and his heart for saving the world and bringing peace to the people, like the waters of Qingxi, flowed ceaselessly, never changing course.

It is:

With the three religions working together to implement benevolent policies, the divine light of the seal protects all living beings.

The clear stream transforms into a paradise, awaiting the rise of winds and clouds for a distant expedition.