Chapter 1223 - 407: Pulling a Single Thread Moves the Whole Body (Double-Length - )

Chapter 1223: Chapter 407: Pulling a Single Thread Moves the Whole Body (Double-Length Chapter)

Relevant treasures have long vanished from the Great Tang mortal world.

The last appearance was over two thousand years ago, when a senior adept of the Mount Shu Sect of the Great Tang used it for cultivation.

This treasure is rich in Spiritual Nature and profound, even a Great Vehicle High Immortal of the Ninth Heavenly Layer Taoist Sect can use it for cultivation, but it has always been rare; over two thousand years ago, there was only one rumored to exist.

Judging from Chu Kun’s tone now, he seems confident of obtaining more.

"As our senior brother often says, caution is paramount, and prudence first," Lei Jun said.

Chu Kun agreed deeply: "Senior brother is right."

.........

The Ming Realm mortal world.

The Capital.

The residence of Vice Prime Assistant of the Imperial Cabinet Zhou Mingzhe.

Zhou Mingzhe has maintained himself well, appearing as a middle-aged man in his forties, refined and handsome, with only a trace of grey at the temples.

The current Left Assistant Minister of the Bureau of Rites, Xi Zhichang, one of his proud disciples, sat below him, showing slight worry on his face:

"The Grand Tutor’s decision to personally oversee the battle in the Northwest, though lacking prudence, shows his intense resolve."

Vice Assistant Zhou Mingzhe smiled: "A promise is a promise, given the word of a gentleman; since I’ve agreed to lend the Grand Tutor a helping hand, he naturally has no further worries."

Campaigning against the northern tribes, attacking Sumi in the west, aligns with the Emperor’s will, and the Qin Faction is all under the scrutiny of the Grand Tutor."

Xi Zhichang softly asked: "Does Teacher also have confidence in this battle... will it succeed?"

Vice Assistant Zhou Mingzhe calmly said: "The Heavenly Principle, Southern Border, and East Sea Guixu are temporarily quiet, if the Five Sections of the Mount Sumeru Vajra World were intact, the outcome of the battle might be uncertain, but at least two out of five are missing; even with some unforeseen surprises, our Great Ming can handle it."

Xi Zhichang pondered silently at these words.

Zhou Mingzhe glanced calmly at his proud disciple.

Xi Zhichang’s voice softened further: "To uphold the majesty of our Great Ming and eliminate the threat from the Northwest is certainly good, but if the Grand Tutor achieves such merits, will he not ascend beyond worldly accomplishments..."

Chancellor Chen Yu represents not just himself, but he is also the leader of the Wu Party.

Zhou Mingzhe also represents more than just himself.

He is the second-ranked Vice Assistant of the current Imperial Cabinet of Great Ming and also the leader of the Chu Party.

Zhou Mingzhe still watched Xi Zhichang calmly.

Xi Zhichang looked sincerely: "This is a national campaign, the student has no objection, yet considering whether we should also directly go to the Northwest?"

Zhou Mingzhe’s tone was unhurried: "Hold your horses."

Xi Zhichang responded: "It’s my reckless mistake, teacher."

Zhou Mingzhe gazed up at the ceiling of the hall, and after a while, he spoke: "Not just the Buddhists and Taoist Sect, but also the martial paths, we scholars have not had a Confucian Sage ascend beyond Azure Cloud for a long time."

With a sigh, he ceased to speak further.

But Xi Zhichang already understood his teacher’s meaning.

Those so-called scholars in fact do not blanketly refer to all Confucian Practitioners.

Although indeed no one from any lineage of Confucian Practitioners has ascended since the Han Dynasty’s Great Tribulation several thousand years ago, Xi Zhichang knew Zhou Mingzhe specifically referred to their Neo-Confucianism cultivators.

Neo-Confucianism has replaced Scriptures Studies to become the most prominent learning of the Confucian Sect, and it is even the foremost study of today’s Ming Dynasty, covering all directions.

Whether Chen Yu, Chao Feng, Gao Ming, or Zhou Mingzhe, Xi Zhichang or their counterparts in the Qin Faction like Liu Chong and other Great Scholars of Neo-Confucianism, even with different political views and interests, they all uphold the Principle Constants of Neo-Confucianism as their foundation, steadfast and unwavering.

However, from its emergence during the Great Liang Dynasty to the subsequent foreign Qian Dynasty, and the Ming Dynasty of today, Neo-Confucian Taoist Heritage has not produced a Confucian Sage beyond the Ninth Heavenly Layer.

The Surge of Heavenly and Earthly Spiritual Qi has lasted hundreds of years, and still to this day, there’s none.

Of course, from the birth of Neo-Confucianism to the present, it hasn’t even been two thousand years.

Although it is now the orthodox branch of Confucian Studies, in some sense, it is still a relatively new lineage of Taoist Heritage.

Chen Yu, Zhou Mingzhe, Liu Chong, and others, including Gao Ming, Chao Feng, and Xi Zhichang, are all Great Scholars of the era, continuously refining their knowledge while venerating the words of the Saints.

They are constantly exploring and trying.

The Grand Secretary Chen Yu’s upcoming northern campaign is the realization of personal ambition and also an experiment on a certain path.

Both publicly and privately, as the head of officials of the Great Ming Dynasty and the most thriving Wu Party, he cannot allow anyone to sabotage the campaign covertly.

Vice Assistant Zhou Mingzhe indeed did not plan to undermine the Grand Secretary secretly and might even lend a helping hand.

In exchange, Chen Yu offers a satisfying price for him.

Meanwhile, Zhou Mingzhe is curious about the result of Chen Yu’s endeavor.

If the other succeeds, there will naturally be future troubles, significantly impactful ones.

But Zhou Mingzhe, too, will gain something extra from it.

If Grand Secretary Chen fails, then...

"Prepare for entering the Cabinet," Zhou Mingzhe instructed his student: "Whether the battle yields victory or defeat."

Xi Zhichang took a deep breath: "Yes, teacher."

An attendant from the residence reported an arrival.

Then Zhou Mingzhe instructed Xi Zhichang to receive a group of guests on his behalf.

The Ming Vice Assistant himself changed clothes and went to the front hall to meet another guest.

Upon the host’s arrival, a young Daoist with jade-like features, an ethereal demeanor, and composed gaze stood up in the front hall: "Pardon me for disturbing the Cabinet Elder’s rest."

Zhou Mingzhe smiled and invited the guest to sit: "I invited Master Mu here, please, Master Mu, make yourself at home."

That young-faced Daoist was indeed the Temple Master Mu Chunyang from the Great Ming’s True Martial Taoist Temple.

"This northern campaign, I entrust it to Master Mu’s care."

Zhou Mingzhe said: "There are some young officials around the Grand Tutor prone to imprudence lately; Master Mu, pay them no mind. The Grand Tutor is single-mindedly serving the country, inevitably delegating oversight; I’ve already tasked the Chengdu Inspection Court to admonish them. This northern campaign is of great importance and still needs Master Mu to set aside past grievances and assist the Grand Tutor."