Chapter 319: Chapter 268: The Way of Saints
Every Yu person aspires to become a Saint, which is their ultimate dream.
Of course, they won’t say this openly. They would modestly claim that they are still in the process of learning and wouldn’t dare to have such unrealistic fantasies. They say they study to increase wisdom, broaden knowledge, and become better individuals.
So, what kind of better person is this?
This can be learned just by opening the books they study.
Learning the words of the Saints, imitating their actions, when they open the books of sages, they are taking steps towards the shadow of the Saints—of course, because the image of a Saint is too vague, scholars’ understandings of the Saints vary.
For example, Ruan Shantao, living in seclusion in Yanzhou, interprets Sainthood more as educating all people without discrimination, while Jia Wen, the Prime Minister who seized the throne, interprets it more as a Holy King in the world, commanding all beings.
"So, what is it that I want?"
Bai Wujiu, who was leafing through a book, raised his head.
In terms of status, he is Jia Wen’s student, so naturally, he ought to inherit Jia Wen’s teachings. He should aim to become an ancient Holy King, the ruler of this land; even if the process requires methods lacking in brilliance, as long as the goal can be achieved, everything is worth it.
But, is everything really worth it?
His teacher, the former Prime Minister, was already cursed as a despicable traitor long before staging the coup, and after ascending to power, he was regarded as a usurping rebel—indeed, Jia Wen had his skills, and even managed to sit on that throne, but merely for a day, as he was slain by avenging experts on the spot.
The path to becoming a Holy King had just begun, and before he could even realize his ideals, he was struck down in the Jinluan Hall. Was all this really worth it?
"Hence, some methods are needed."
Bai Wujiu reaffirmed his determination.
Indeed, as a student of Prime Minister Jia Wen, he also desires to become an ancient Holy King, but unlike his tragically demised teacher, he definitely won’t allow trouble to find him—like the name he gave himself, Wujiu, meaning no fault, or rather, no one can pinpoint his flaws.
Things that happen in the dark will remain in the dark. At least on the surface, he has always been flawless.
This is also why only he could come to Dengzhou. He wouldn’t easily become enemies with anyone, and if a grudge could be resolved, he wouldn’t create a feud. It’s this philosophy of making more friends to have more paths that allowed him to swiftly control the entire Dengzhou, although the governance of Dengzhou still officially falls under the Governor’s Mansion, he has become the actual master of Dengzhou himself.
Of course, he wouldn’t be foolish enough to reveal himself, at least not now. Before the commencement of the uprising, he would never expose his identity.
After all, whoever steps out now will have to take the blame.
Just like the previous manager of Dengzhou, who liked to step out, courting death.
"Yes, this is my path, this is my mode of conduct."
Closing the book, Bai Wujiu ended his practice for the day.
This practice method is called "Right Mindfulness," a unique practice method of the Yu people. Unlike the warriors who act on impulse and wield their own power freely, these scholars focus more on whether they can achieve their goals—although, in the process of achieving the goals, some distracting thoughts may arise. For instance, Bai Wujiu recently has been contemplating whether to just gather people and flatten the Forget Sorrow Village.
After all, that organization calling itself Forget Sorrow Village acts too strangely, and Bai Wujiu pondered for three days and nights without understanding why they agreed to supply materials, even at a very low price.
You need to know that there had been grudges between the two sides, so what on earth is going on?
Normal logic can’t explain such behavior. It’s more like doing it on a whim. Bai Wujiu even once thought the other side was lacking in intelligence, but how could someone so foolish have amassed such wealth?
If it were just about the skill of killing, fools indeed could do it, as there’s no shortage of madmen with Evil Qi rampant, and even those who have endured the Evil Qi barrier think differently from most people—but now that there’s such a large quantity of goods being shipped, it is beyond the capability of a fool. The vast output of living necessities already demonstrates the other side’s absolute hard power.
Moreover, from this move alone, the other side’s power may even surpass Dengzhou, as all the uprising armies are currently stockpiling supplies, waiting for the moment of uprising, yet someone can ship goods in bulk—this already indicates that the other side’s preparation is far more complete than those of the uprising armies.
"So not becoming enemies is the best choice."
With this thought, Bai Wujiu once again confirmed that his philosophy is not wrong, and those temporary worries are just distractions that need to be eliminated.
"More friends, more paths, at least don’t initiate any conflict."
With this in mind, Bai Wujiu opened the document handed to him by his subordinate.
The document recorded matters related to other commercial trades. After all, Dengzhou is also somewhat close to the northwest border. While slightly desolate, it has ample trade exchanges—and now, two caravans have arrived in Dengzhou, seeking to obtain procurement permits from the Governor’s Mansion.
This is also why he chose to review it after practicing Right Mindfulness.
After all, one of those caravans, although presenting a good facade, was immediately recognized by Bai Wujiu as a team sent by the steppe people. With no Khan in the north steppe, the situation is leaderless, and it’s unclear which chieftain wants to take this opportunity to grow and take a big chance.
Of course, this is an ideal situation. The unfavorable case would be that the chieftain, after strengthening, moves directly south. The steppe people and the Southern Chen have long been hereditary enemies, and allocating any materials past could be considered aiding the enemy.
"But I’m not a Chen person."
Bai Wujiu shook his head and chuckled.
"So, should we become friends?"
After furrowing his brow, eventually, Bai Wujiu still set this passage document aside and began reviewing the other piece of paper.
The other passage document was even more absurd, neither from the Chen people nor the steppe people, but from the western barbarians—even further west. Unlike the steppe people wanting to buy grain and iron materials, the barbarians want to buy land. These barbarians intend to establish a trade post here for long-term trade exchanges, and they are willing to pay in gold, silver, and jewels, as well as in refined steel materials that Dengzhou City desperately needs right now.
"As for a warehouse, it seems feasible."
Bai Wujiu’s gaze lingered in the middle of the paper.
"But they also want to build a temple... What do they intend to do with that?"
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