Chapter 1224 - 407: One Tug and the Whole Body Moves (Double-Length - )_3

Chapter 1224: Chapter 407: One Tug and the Whole Body Moves (Double-Length Chapter)_3

Mu Chunyang: "Elder Zhou, your words are too heavy. Concerning the great affairs of the Northern Expeditionary State, I can discern their importance. Over the years, Elder Zhou has often protected our temple, and I am always grateful. Since you have commanded, I will certainly do my utmost."

Among the three factions in the court, the True Martial Taoist Temple has consistently interacted more with the Chu Party; Zhou Mingzhe and Xi Zhichang, as teacher and student, also have a personal connection with Mu Chunyang.

Previously, due to Han Qingtao and the Intermediary Path Country matters, not only the Ming Mount Shu Sect faced turbulence, but Mu Chunyang and the True Martial Taoist Temple were also caught in the storm.

Zhou Mingzhe’s view of Mu Chunyang is equally complicated.

However, for this Ming Taoist Sect’s foremost master of the Ninth Heavenly Layer Perfection, when it’s necessary, he must still be utilized.

Precisely how to utilize him, however, requires careful considerations.

Mu Chunyang, as always, remains gracious and modest.

Even if he vaguely senses that there might be a familiar person here.

The Temple Master of the Ming True Martial Taoist Temple exits without expression, calmly taking leave from Prime Minister Zhou’s Mansion.

Zhou Mingzhe proceeds to a side hall.

There, his student Xi Zhichang, as his representative, greets two guests.

Both like Mu Chunyang, originating from the Taoist Sect.

One wears cloth garments and hemp shoes, dressed simply, belonging to the Ming Mount Shu Sect.

The other wears a blue-black Taoist robe, clearly also a member of the Ming True Martial Taoist Temple.

"The two Taoists have waited for long." Zhou Mingzhe enters.

"Teacher." Xi Zhichang and the two Taoists together rise to greet.

"Master Mu will accompany the army on the northern expedition. The True Martial Taoist Temple will rely on Taoist Wei to preside." Zhou Mingzhe says with a smile.

Elder Wei Jing of the True Martial Taoist Temple bows to him: "It’s daunting for me. I ask Elder Zhou for much guidance."

Zhou Mingzhe sits down, smiling, saying: "Faithfulness to the ruler and country is clear under the sun and moon."

Wei Jing replies: "I shall heed Elder Zhou’s teachings."

Zhou Mingzhe turns to the Elder of Mount Shu Sect: "The same words apply to Mount Shu and Daoist Mo."

Mount Shu Sect’s Elder Mo Qingshi looks solemn: "I shall heed Elder Zhou’s teachings and guide other disciples of our sect. Rest assured, the people of our sect abhor and detest the traitor Han Qingtao, loyal to the Great Ming from the beginning till the end, such devotion is clear under the sun and moon!"

Zhou Mingzhe nods: "Daoist Mo, your words are too heavy. I naturally believe what you said."

He smiles, saying: "Your sect’s magical treasure is just temporarily deposited with the court."

Mo Qingshi, stern-faced, replies: "The treasure of Mount Shu is the treasure of the Great Ming, under the court’s control, benefiting the state affairs. The court’s orders are followed by all of Mount Shu."

Moreover, the name ’Qiankun Sun and Moon Pot’ should belong to the nation’s essence. I often use this to advise my fellow sect members."

Zhou Mingzhe smiles and nods: "Daoist Mo’s heart for the Great Ming does not shame one with high Tao."

He glances over Mount Shu Sect’s Mo Qingshi and True Martial Taoist Temple’s Wei Jing and then says: "Today’s summons is for another matter where I require your assistance."

Both Mo Qingshi and Wei Jing say: "Please instruct, Elder Zhou."

Zhou Mingzhe: "I usually assist the Grand Tutor in alleviating the emperor’s worries, inevitably neglecting academic research. Over the years, I’ve gained some insights and wish for the two Daoists to assist me in examining them."

He nods to his student Xi Zhichang, who then presents some documents respectively to Mo Qingshi and Wei Jing.

While the two Taoists, elders of the Eighth Heavenly Layer proficient in Artifact Refining and Dan Ding, browse the documents, Xi Zhichang can’t help recalling an earlier conversation with his mentor Zhou Mingzhe discussing the northern expedition of Grand Secretary Chen Yu.

"Military strategists should secure victory from a thousand miles away, even ten thousand miles away." Zhou Mingzhe’s words left a deep impression on Xi Zhichang.

Right now, Mo Qingshi and Wei Jing become increasingly alarmed as they examine.

This Elder Zhou claims he’s busy with governmental affairs and hasn’t focused on academic pursuits, yet his approach to Neo-Confucianism cultivation clearly aims to initiate a grand transformation.

Thus far, including Neo-Confucianism, cultivators of Confucian studies, although not like martial Tao practitioners who often charge and battle enemies, ultimately need to personally enter the fray to decide victory or defeat.

It’s impossible to sit like Chen Yu, Zhou Mingzhe, Liu Chong, and Gao Ming, top Neo-Confucian scholars, in the capital without moving, watching their disciples and nephews of the Seventh Heavenly Layer and Eighth Heavenly Layer or even lower cultivation battle the Khan Kings of the grasslands or the Masters of the Western Regions’ Buddhist sect, requiring them to win.

Ultimately, top masters need to engage directly, counterbalancing each other so that a lower-level cultivator has room to contend, which is no exception in the Great Ming cultivation realm.

But now, this Elder Zhou...

"Concerning the relevant rituals, brainstorming together, I ask for your assistance, Daoists." Zhou Mingzhe smiles.

Mo Qingshi and Wei Jing quickly say: "Elder Zhou is courteous, and we will certainly do our utmost."

Later, Xi Zhichang bids farewell, leaving his teacher’s mansion and returning to his own residence.

As the second-in-command of the current Ministry of Rites, having completely smoothed the path to the Imperial Cabinet, the new noble of the Chu Party, Xi Zhichang, although showing great decorum in front of his mentor Zhou Mingzhe, himself can be called a towering tree in the Great Ming court with frequent visits from numerous petitioners.

Other guests had already been sent away by the doorkeeper, leaving only one to wait for his return.

"I apologize for keeping you waiting, Shouzhen brother." Xi Zhichang says apologetically.

The middle-aged scholar waiting is named Nie Zhongjie.

He hails from Guicang.

Back then, during the Great Ming Dynasty’s purge of the remnants of the Little Ming Court, Nie Zhongjie made significant contributions.

"No matter, I have nothing to do, waiting is no trouble, it’s only disturbing Fanguang brother that’s real." Nie Zhongjie says.

After mutual greetings and seating, Xi Zhichang says: "Forgive my presumptive inquiry. Previously, some who exited the Heavenly Principle mentioned that within the Heavenly Principle, among those occupied by the Pseudo-Tang Dynasty in the mortal world, the Nie family seems to have a branch with descendants practicing sorcery?"

Upon hearing this, Nie Zhongjie’s expression grows somber: "To be frank, indeed there is such a matter. My family has a rebellious and unworthy offspring, it’s my failure to discipline him."