After the darkness came pure, bright light piercing through the eyelids, revealing ancient yet slightly worn-out buildings all around.
In the distance stood several tall rammed-earth platforms, atop which pavilions and terraces were built, adorned with intricate patterns and displaying extravagant splendor.
“Not a small city…” Meng Qi surveyed the surroundings, watching the people coming and going.
Some of them carried themselves with dignity, wearing ancient hats and wide robes, with weapons hanging from their waists. However, such individuals were rare, occasionally seen one or two, or speeding past in horse-drawn carriages. Most were ordinary people dressed simply, hurrying about their business, alongside expressionless, dazed slaves.
“A city like this must certainly have high-ranking officials or nobles who could help us with our persuasion.” Zhao Heng nodded slightly.
Meng Qi frowned: “How can we persuade them? Mohist philosophy contradicts the interests of feudal lords and nobles to a great extent…”
Each of them held a document provided by the Six Gates, summarizing the Mohist school of thought.
Jiang Zhiwei glanced around: “Let’s find a secluded place to talk first.”
Their clothing differed from that of the locals; they needed to disguise themselves to avoid being questioned as spies.
Shortly, they found a half-mud, half-thatched hut. Inside lived only a widow and her child, the mother weaving cloth while the child worked in the kitchen. They lived in hardship, with white cloth hanging in some corners, suggesting the recent death of the male head of the household.
Behind the hut lay a hidden and quiet spot. Meng Qi and the others made slight changes to their appearances, no longer standing out.
“The primordial qi here is abundant, yet filled with a sense of decay,” Ruan Yushu closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
“Perhaps it’s the aftermath of the Celestial Master attempting to reestablish the four elements, leaving the heavens and earth damaged.” Taking this opportunity, Meng Qi briefly explained the events of the Fengshen based on what he had learned from his past life and what he had acquired from celestial traces.
Jiang Zhiwei and the others listened intently, yet all tacitly refrained from asking Meng Qi about his source of information.
“In short, we should avoid splitting up. If we encounter those with supernatural abilities or terrifying treasures, we can support each other. Even if we must separate, each group must possess a defensive treasure,” Meng Qi emphasized.
“A given,” Zhao Heng agreed.
Jiang Zhiwei nodded slightly: “Mohist philosophy emphasizes rigid social hierarchies and the hardships of commoners. Starting from the people, it will inevitably clash with the nobility and face suppression.”
Conflict seemed unavoidable.
“Not necessarily,” Zhao Heng shook his head seriously. “From the descriptions, the Fengshen world only has the budding forms of Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism, and Mohism, which haven’t fully developed yet. We can slightly adapt Mohist philosophy without straying from its core principles, ensuring it won’t face immediate opposition from the nobility and can secure a foothold for acceptance. Moreover, I reviewed the Mohist text we received—it’s extremely concise, containing only key points without detailed explanations. In other words, the Six Gates likely expect us to interpret it freely.”
Jiang Zhiwei and Qi Zhengyan looked at the paper, finding only ten terms—”Universal Love, Non-aggression, Promotion of Worthies, Uniformity, Will of Heaven, Manifestation of Ghosts, Anti-fatalism, Opposition to Music, Frugality, and Simple Burial”—along with the most basic explanations. There were no specific elaborations, suggesting that as long as the interpretations remained coherent and consistent, they could be flexible.
“In that case, the task’s difficulty is slightly lower than expected,” Meng Qi carefully considered and agreed with Zhao Heng’s judgment.
Although their ideological perspectives had been somewhat influenced by Mohist philosophy, none of them had deeply studied it, given its ancient origins and idealistic, impractical nature.
With all five possessing only a partial understanding of Mohist philosophy, developing its core principles freely was an unavoidable path.
“Universal Love won’t be easy to modify,” Ruan Yushu suddenly spoke.
The Ruan Clan of Langya often unearthed ancient texts, and their expertise in zither art and classical studies was deeply rooted in family tradition. Ruan Yushu understood Mohism better than the others.
Qi Zhengyan looked at the paper and said: “Universal Love, mutual benefit, equality among all people, no belittlement of the poor by the rich, no bullying of the weak by the strong, no oppression of the few by the many. Fate is not predetermined by birth or status; only through self-strengthening can one eventually rise… the Sage of Instruments truly was a sage of antiquity…”
Initially agreeing that Universal Love was hard to modify, he became emotionally moved while connecting it with Anti-fatalism, sighing deeply.
Zhao Heng frowned: “Would we change it to mean that rulers should have benevolence and love for all people?”
“That’s Confucianism. No matter how we develop it, we shouldn’t distort it to that extent,” Jiang Zhiwei shook her head in disagreement.
“Then let’s temporarily hide the idea of Universal Love and develop other aspects, setting an example ourselves and gradually guiding the nobility to accept it,” Zhao Heng offered a reluctant solution.
“Hold on,” Meng Qi slightly furrowed his brows. “Old Zhao, from what you’re saying, we must persuade the nobility from the top down?”
Mohist philosophy seemed more suitable to start from the grassroots, where a single spark could ignite a prairie fire!
Zhao Heng replied without hesitation: “Of course. The nobility are descendants of immortals and offspring of gods and demons, possessing formidable strength. Ordinary people can never oppose them. To spread our teachings, we can only persuade them!”
“That’s true…” Meng Qi slowly nodded.
Indeed, in this world of gods, demons, immortals, and sages, where power resided in individuals, ten thousand commoners might not even compare to a single noble or scholar-official. Without their support and recognition, it would be nearly impossible for an entire nation to adopt Mohist philosophy.
Yet human power lies in unity; the ancient emperors never looked down upon the people… Meng Qi exchanged glances with Jiang Zhiwei, Ruan Yushu, and Qi Zhengyan, seeing the same thought reflected in their eyes.
However, this approach would take a long time, certainly not something achievable in a year or two. For now, they would follow Zhao Laowu’s suggestion and give it a try.
With a direction set, the five of them discussed and modified Mohist philosophy, striving for moderation and avoiding excessive idealism and impracticality.
By afternoon, Meng Qi, skilled in transformation, went out to investigate and confirmed that this world was the city of Boluo in Han territory, ruled by Lord Boluo, one of the four famous lords among the warring states. Lord Boluo was powerful, noble, deeply cultivated, held great authority, and was known for his chivalrous generosity and hospitality to guests.
“If he’s so open to guests, we shouldn’t have trouble meeting Lord Boluo,” Meng Qi and the others decided to test their approach on this younger brother of the Han Marquis.
…
The rammed-earth platforms stood tall, with pavilions and buildings towering. Disguised as a “leader,” Meng Qi led Jiang Zhiwei and the others to the mansion of “Lord Boluo.”
Seeing that all five carried themselves impressively, the gatekeeper dared not be disrespectful and hurriedly approached: “Honored guests, what brings you here?”
Meng Qi wore a black robe to appear mature, hoping to earn respect for their “philosophy.”
“I’ve long heard of Lord Boluo’s ability to recognize talent, his approachability, and his generosity in accepting guests. We wish to eliminate the ills of Han society, so we’ve come here boldly,” Meng Qi said calmly, thinking to himself: I’ll act like a Juzi!
As he spoke, his breath shifted mysteriously, indescribable, with illusory suns and other illusions swirling around, leaving the gatekeeper awestruck, feeling that they were stronger than most of his master’s guests!
If they didn’t display their strength, they might only be received by a steward. However, by showing sufficient value, and using the reputation of “approachability” and “no formalities,” Lord Boluo would surely meet them personally!
Indeed, after the guest reported their arrival, Lord Boluo, Ji Wu, personally came to the main gate to greet them with great courtesy.
He looked young in appearance but had deep, world-weary eyes. His attire was neither plain nor extravagant, with a headpiece adorned with a beam crown. His aura slightly revealed winds and thunder, repelling other energies.
“A Grandmaster…” the group inwardly marveled.
Although they had anticipated the strength of the Fengshen world, they hadn’t expected to encounter a noble of such caliber so soon.
Lord Boluo was extremely warm, walking arm-in-arm with Meng Qi, and spoke cheerfully with Ruan Yushu, Zhao Heng, and the others, making them feel as if basking in a gentle breeze.
As they passed through pavilion after pavilion, Meng Qi sensed numerous Outer Manifestation presences—some belonging to Lord Boluo’s subordinates, others to his guests—more than twenty in total.
“With the power of a noble from a nation, he only has slightly fewer Outer Manifestation experts than a Grandmaster of martial arts.” Meng Qi felt a sense of awe.
No wonder it’s the Fengshen world!
Inside the hall, they knelt and sat behind low tables, exchanging pleasantries briefly before Lord Boluo bowed and asked: “You’ve come from afar. What wisdom can you share with me?”
“I’ve long heard of your desire to eliminate the ills of Han society. I dare to offer my humble opinion,” Meng Qi knelt upright.
Lord Boluo became serious: “I’m all ears.”
Following their earlier discussion, Meng Qi slowly began: “Firstly, promote the worthy, regardless of their status or nobility. Although noble officials are strong, their numbers are limited. Commoners and slaves may be weak, but they are numerous. Even if only one out of ten nobles is talented, and only one out of ten thousand commoners is, the latter can still outnumber the former by ten, a hundred, or even a thousand times. This must not be overlooked.”
“If you can select talented individuals without regard for status and provide them with martial arts training and support, in time, how could you lack capable people? How could the ills of society not be eliminated?”
Lord Boluo pondered for a long time before changing his address: “Esteemed sir, your insight is profound. However, this is precisely one of the ills. If I were to select talents and widely teach martial arts, I might be accused of plotting rebellion. Moreover, even if one in ten thousand commoners is suitable, the effort required would far exceed that for noble officials.”
Meng Qi immediately responded without hesitation: “Therefore, frugality and simple burials are essential.”
“How many warriors could be supported by building these platforms and pavilions? The path to immortality after death is elusive. Why waste one’s wealth on such things?”
As soon as he finished speaking, Lord Boluo’s expression slightly changed: “I am a descendant of King Wen, a child of gods and immortals. After death, I will naturally ascend to heaven. How can you say it’s elusive? Esteemed sir, no more need be said!”
Meng Qi was somewhat taken aback. Even before mentioning the controversial ideas of Universal Love and Non-aggression, merely proposing simple burials had already provoked strong opposition from Lord Boluo. Truly, spreading Mohist philosophy among the upper class was difficult.
Unwilling to continue the discussion, Lord Boluo summoned his steward to lead Meng Qi and the others away and accept them as guests.
Meng Qi exchanged glances with Jiang Zhiwei and the others, suddenly rising to bow:
“Since my lord cannot accept my words, we shall take our leave.”
Lord Boluo tried to persuade them to stay: “You five are learned and capable. There will be opportunities for you here.”
“Will my lord adopt my suggestions?” Meng Qi asked solemnly.
Lord Boluo’s expression darkened: “No.”
Meng Qi laughed heartily, bowed, and turned to leave:
“Different paths cannot be traveled together!”
Though his face darkened, Lord Boluo, mindful of his reputation, did not stop the five from leaving.
As they exited the mansion, Meng Qi sighed to Jiang Zhiwei and the others: “It’s harder than I imagined. Mohism truly is an enemy of the upper class.”
“It seems they place great importance on matters after death. We must also revise the idea of simple burials,” Zhao Heng frowned.
As they walked, still discussing, someone suddenly chased after them from behind:
“Friends ahead, please wait!”
Meng Qi’s hair stood on end, relieved it wasn’t a “cultivator friend” calling out!
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