Chapter 21: Transforming Karma

Fengxi County, city gate.

Here a long line had already formed; after learning that several wealthy households in Fengxi County were spending money to hire laborers to repair the dikes and roads, the number of young and strong people coming to inquire grew more and more.

Even the locals busy with farming could not help but take time out of their busy schedules to come and inquire.

"Master, Fengxi County has many believers; those few wealthy households spending money and effort now are truly boundless merit!"

At that moment, among the crowd, several figures wearing straw hats watched this scene from afar.

"Indeed, if it weren't for the compassion of the Zhang family and the other leading wealthy households, who knows how many of these refugees would have starved to death; they even specially invited a few doctors outside the city to hold free clinics."

Beside them, a youth in bright, fresh silk clothing casually took up the conversation, his eyes full of pride.

Several figures wearing straw hats, hearing this, glanced askance.

"Master, shall we go to the gates of those wealthy households to have a look?"

Only see one of the young figures now eager to try, his eyes shining with light.

"If they are willing to give alms, the silver we raise for the patriarch's golden statue will then have a place to go!"

Upon hearing this, several figures turned their gaze to the leading middle-aged man, who wore a straw hat but a Daoist robe on his body, a pure yang headband on his head, and a precious sword on his back.

"Since believers will naturally do good deeds, let's just give it a try!"

The leading figure gave a slight nod, though his eyes revealed a hint of a strange smile.

"Alright, Master, I'll go ahead and scout!"

One of the plump figures had a smiling face.

……

Zhang Family

At this time, as evening fell, the lanterns were first lit.

Zhang Yi was negotiating with the envoy of the Gu family.

Not long after Gu Xiu'er had written her letter, the Gu family sent someone in person to pay a visit; this time the visitor was Gu Chen, the younger brother of the Gu family head, a capable middle-aged man with a fine beard, holding a long sword, his presence not insignificant.

While Zhang Yi and Gu Chen were bargaining, Zhang Jian sat nearby, this being to prevent any mishap, but Zhang Jian merely wore a faint smile throughout, at the same time sizing up Gu Chen.

But Zhang Jian reckoned that this time the Gu family's emissary was here for peace talks, apparently not preparing to continue fighting with the Zhang family.

The Gu family had previously suffered a loss at the hands of the Zhang family, and not knowing the Zhang family's details, at this point a settlement was indeed more in the Gu family's interest.

Such aristocratic families are the most cautious; if they cannot see the bottom line, they will certainly not rashly forge a deadly feud.

Especially after learning that the Zhang family had at least two outsider cultivators.

The Gu family gave up a portion of their interests, promising not to interfere further in Fengxi County's affairs, but the negotiation over the other compensation terms fell into a deadlock.

The Zhang family obviously was not satisfied with this gain; this time the Gu family broke the rules, actually sending someone to damage the Zhang family's precious treasure—that imperial-bestowed plaque—and when Zhang Yi learned that the plaque could still ward off evil and intimidate outsider cultivators, he felt great anguish.

Meanwhile, the Gu family believed that the Zhang family had already taken a huge advantage, Fengxi County originally being the Gu family's sphere of influence, Yang Qing being even more the Gu family's representative in Fengxi County; when they first transferred Yang Qing into Fengxi County, the Gu family had spent a considerable cost, yet now the Zhang family had taken the advantage, which was already a great concession.

Zhang Jian sat in his chair, his expression somewhat leisurely; the Zhang family's influence completely radiated to every corner of Fengxi County, and his own influence would to some extent rise with it, so the next ancestral sacrifice should bring in considerable gains.

But as the Zhang family took control of Fengxi County, making further advances would become somewhat difficult.

Fengyang's various regions already had owners, but now with refugees rebelling and bandits sprouting everywhere, it was instead an opportunity.

"Especially now, the several great clans of the prefectural city are resisting the prefect's oppression..."

Zhang Jian's eyes glimmered with light.

Prefect Yu Tongguang, whom he had never met but had heard of, this prefect was a formidable figure, a heavyweight entrusted by the court, dispatched to Fengyang Prefecture; it was heard that he intended to clear the pattern of local powerful clans dominating Fengyang and revive the court's prestige.

To that end, shortly after entering Fengyang, he successively seized several local great clans, confiscated their properties, exterminated them, opened the granaries, and won over the people's hearts.

This prefect exerted great pressure on the many great clans of the prefectural city; if not for that, the Gu family would not have bowed down so easily.

In the end, the Gu family still paid a sum of blood; besides several chests of gold and silver valuables, they also agreed to open several trade routes, allowing the Zhang family's people to participate.

Willing to help the Zhang family establish waterwheel workshops, blacksmith workshops, and so on in other counties of Fengyang Prefecture.

After the discussion was settled, Zhang Yi then summoned Gu Xiu'er and Duanmu Yan and handed them back to Gu Chen.

Before leaving, Gu Xiu'er gave Zhang Jian a pointed glance; she was still reckoning over the marriage matter he had mentioned, which also was not without relief.

Seeing this, Zhang Jian gave a faint smile: "Gu Xiaoniang, we have been together day and night for half a month; why be so heartless?"

"Zhang Langjun is so frivolous, ruining people's reputations; this is not the bearing of a gentleman!"

Gu Xiu'er gave a soft hum; Gu Chen then glanced at Zhang Jian and Gu Xiu'er, his eyes showing a thoughtful expression.

After Gu Chen led Gu Xiu'er and Duanmu Yan away, Zhang Yi shook his head and said.

"Jian Ge'er, do you regret it?!"

"Father, why would you say that?"

Zhang Jian's expression was somewhat surprised.

Gu Xiu'er may be beautiful, but he is not the sort who cannot walk when seeing a beautiful woman; given his current status, finding a good match is not difficult.

Of course, although he has now stepped onto the gate of the Great Dao, Zhang Jian does not think that he must necessarily go forth to become an unworldly outsider unsullied by the mortal world.

The mortal world is a great furnace that best forges the Dao foundation; if he could not experience an ordinary person's life and undergo all kinds of worldly affairs, Zhang Jian would feel regretful.

Cultivating immortality is not about severing emotions and nature; rather, one must draw the supreme truth of the Great Dao from heaven and earth, forging a sincere heart.

If one does not enter the world, how can one transcend it?

Zhang Jian does not wish to cultivate himself into a simple fool, but rather to have worldly affairs clear in his mind, with all transformations residing within.

Utmost sincerity, utmost truth.

This is also advocated in the "Nine Chapters of Pure Clarity of Tongshan".

It also requires stealing the heavenly mysteries to attain the Dao.

Zhang Yi, not knowing what Zhang Jian was thinking, merely said regretfully:

"Have you ever heard of such a legend!

I have heard that our Fengyang is blessed by heaven, its interior contains an ancient water pattern dating back to antiquity, the arrival of the double phoenixes; it is said that the Double Phoenix Mountain Range has male and female phoenix nests, and after a period of time it gives birth to a phoenix maiden who embodies the spirit of the mountains and rivers, this maiden is extraordinarily intelligent and possesses noble aura; if she marries into a humble family she can benefit that household, easily establishing a great clan.

If one marries into a local powerful clan, they could certainly help the husband's family rise even higher, establishing a family of high officials and nobles!

If one enters the palace, they could become the empress!

Speaking of which, Fengyang has indeed produced several empresses over the past thousand years!

Zhang Jian heard the words and was speechless; he smiled and looked at Zhang Yi: "I thought Father would not heed Mother's opposition and insist I approach Chu Xiu'er, could it be that he believes Chu Xiu'er is that legendary phoenix maiden?"

Zhang Yi nodded and said: "This matter is still quite possible!"

Zhang Jian wanted to shake his head and laugh: "The daughters of Fengyang have always been outstanding in spirit and beauty, surpassing the surrounding four commanderies; graceful and wise ladies are not uncommon. Leaving that aside, Mother has always mentioned that my two cousins have lovely appearances and clever minds, they are truly rare beauties!"

Zhang Jian's mother, also the principal wife of the Zhang family, Lady Qi, came from another prominent clan, the Qi family, in the prefectural city.

The Qi family's influence is not weak, especially in the military.

Lady Qi has often sounded out Zhang Jian; her intentions, as well as Zhang Jian's two objectives, are naturally clear.

But Zhang Jian's attitude had always been one of polite refusal, because he feared ending up with a simple-minded offspring; now that he has entered the gate of the Great Dao, his attitude has undergone some change……

"The daughter of a general's household wields swords and dances with staffs…"

Zhang Yi shook his head.