Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

If it were any other woman, Fang Zheng would definitely think this was a pretext for keeping him overnight for pleasure. However, Master Ji is indeed Master Ji; she actually intends to have a candlelit chat with him...

You see, the candles are already set!

"Young Master Fang’s ideas are truly unique, speaking of things Yanran has never thought of..."

"It’s simple; you just need to look at it from a different angle."

Fang Zheng didn’t particularly intend to have anything happen with Ji Yanran. If she wanted to offer herself, that would be fine, but if she intended to have a mental exchange, Fang Zheng didn’t mind that either.

If it were someone else, Fang Zheng might care a little. However, although Ji Yanran is a major female character in the Record of Seeking Qin, in actual history, she is just an insignificant character. Even if Fang Zheng told her something, she couldn’t change history.

So Fang Zheng didn’t mind chatting with someone.

"Look at it from a different angle?"

"That’s right, like cats and mice."

Fang Zheng took a sip of wine, smiling mischievously at Ji Yanran.

"You see, from our human perspective, it’s only natural for cats to catch mice; they’re doing a good thing. After all, mice steal food, ruin crops, and spread disease, basically being the source of all evil. So, from humanity’s perspective, it’s best if all mice are dead."

"Indeed... so is there a problem with that?"

At this moment, Ji Yanran had wide eyes full of curiosity, looking at Fang Zheng as if she were a child eagerly learning new knowledge.

"Of course not, but what I said just now is only from a human perspective. Let’s shift perspectives: if we are cats, then they wouldn’t care about humans growing crops or diseases. For them, catching mice is just a fun activity, quite entertaining."

Saying this, Fang Zheng chuckled, spreading his hands.

"And what about the mice? For them, they can’t possibly understand why humans spend so much effort cultivating crops. They’re just instinctively searching for food to survive. How much effort humans put into planting crops is meaningless to mice. What concerns them is simply reproducing and surviving."

"So... listening to Young Master Fang... it seems none of the three parties are wrong?"

"They aren’t wrong at all."

Fang Zheng shook his head.

"Master Ji, please remember, there’s no absolute evil in this world. Every species views problems from its own standpoint. For example, humans clear land and cultivate crops, naturally fearing the beasts in the mountains. But for those beasts, who have lived there for generations, a sudden arrival of two-legged beasts to take their territory gives them the right to fight back, doesn’t it?"

"Pfft..."

Hearing this, Ji Yanran couldn’t help but laugh involuntarily.

"Two-legged beasts... Young Master Fang, your analogy is genuinely amusing."

"Isn’t it true?"

Fang Zheng shrugged his shoulders.

"We humans pride ourselves on our complex emotions, far surpassing animals. But in the eyes of beasts like wolves and tigers, we’re merely hairless apes. What’s so strange about that?"

Faced with Fang Zheng’s bizarre theories, Ji Yanran’s expression was indeed one of mixed feelings. After all, she was a beauty being called a hairless monkey... that was a first.

"From Young Master Fang’s perspective, are you a Daoist believer?"

"I am not a believer of any specific sect."

Fang Zheng shook his head.

"There’s a common saying, ’It doesn’t matter whether a cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice, it’s a good cat.’ Similarly, regardless of the ideology—be it Daoism, Confucianism, Legalism, or Mohism—as long as it can make the nation prosperous and the people live peacefully, it’s good. Conversely, if it can’t achieve that, then no matter how wonderfully you speak, it is meaningless."

Hearing this, Ji Yanran’s beautiful eyes flickered a few times before she lowered her head and sighed.

"Indeed it is so, but no matter what, we cannot truly know if these ideas are reasonable."

"At such times, experimentation is needed."

"Experimentation...?"

"That’s right."

Fang Zheng nodded. For the ancients, this might indeed be a big problem, but for modern people, it’s not difficult to solve.

"As Master Ji said, we cannot be sure which method is truly good for the country and the people, but it is not difficult to see the results. We can take one county at a time as a basis, implement the new government there, and if it works, we promote it; if not, we revoke it. In this way, even if we reform, it won’t shake the foundation of the nation, and we can see where the problems lie."

"Young Master Fang is truly a prodigious talent."

At this moment, Ji Yanran’s gaze at Fang Zheng changed once again, and then she lowered her head.

"If Young Master Fang is willing to assist the lord, this chaotic situation in the world will inevitably end. Why is it that Young Master Fang is unwilling to get involved?"

"Because someone else is already involved. I am inherently lazy. Since someone is already doing it, naturally, I am too lazy to make redundant efforts."

Fang Zheng was naturally referring to Xiang Shaolong. During this time, he wandered around and heard a bit about Xiang Shaolong. Unfortunately, due to the underdeveloped communications of ancient times, information lagged significantly. However, even so, Fang Zheng learned of Xiang Shaolong’s fame in the Zhao Kingdom, and it seemed that history was still developing in its intended direction.

Although Ji Yanran was quite concerned about this, Fang Zheng was obviously too lazy to discuss it further, and both parties quickly moved past this topic. Later, Ji Yanran became interested in another matter.

"I heard from Young Master Ba that Young Master Fang has built a school in the mountains specifically for teaching knowledge and imparting culture. If it’s not too much trouble, may Yanran also join in visiting it?"

"Of course, there’s no problem. If Master Ji has such an interest, Fang would naturally be more than willing to welcome you."

Fang Zheng naturally nodded and agreed to Ji Yanran’s request, for — the more, the merrier when it comes to recruitment.

After the two agreed on a time, Fang Zheng bid farewell early the next day and left. Incidentally, after that, Bacho found Fang Zheng, saying that after the banquet, Lord Xinling sent someone to find him, expressing his willingness to help publish the Pythagorean Diagram.

At this, Fang Zheng chuckled inwardly. It seems that Lord Xinling is interesting, intending to use the publication to establish a name and be remembered in history. But there’s nothing wrong with that. Although Bacho also comes from a prestigious lineage, his family background is generally average, unlike Lord Xinling’s vast power. So, Lord Xinling will undoubtedly spare no effort to promote the Pythagorean Diagram to bind himself and Bacho for historical fame, which is much faster than Bacho selling door-to-door, and there’s no downside for Fang Zheng.

So, power and scholarship are not naturally opposed. In today’s world, people either seek wealth or fame. Once you provide the appropriate bait, the rest becomes evidently not a problem.

A few days later, after Ji Yanran finished her tasks and joined Fang Zheng, the group left Daliang and headed to the "school" Fang Zheng mentioned.

Fang Zheng chose a location on the Qin State side of the Boundary Land between Qin State and Zhao Kingdom. On one hand, Qin State was, after all, the ultimate victor, making things easier here. On the other hand, it also facilitated Fang Zheng’s second purpose. Fang Zheng built this sect for two main reasons: one was to counter Buddhism, the other was to confront the Huns.

Buddhism hadn’t appeared yet, but the Huns were a real issue. Whether for Qin State, Zhao Kingdom, or future dynasties, opposing the Huns was politically correct. For Fang Zheng, this also provided his disciples a place to gain experience points.

At least it’s much easier and more convenient to upgrade here than elsewhere.

As long as Laozi is here, you can forget any thought of chaos spreading from the Five Barbarians!

Under Fang Zheng’s guidance, the carriage gradually entered a deep mountain forest. Looking around, layers of farmland and houses were everywhere. The people passing by looked peaceful and kind, which made Ji Yanran sigh at this scene.

"Yanran never expected to find such a paradise in this bitter, cold borderland."

"There is no real paradise in this world."

However, Fang Zheng clearly held a different view.

"Only when a country is wealthy and strong, unafraid of external invasion, and its residents can live peacefully and prosperously, can it be considered a paradise. However, prolonged peace inevitably leads to downfall. If we cannot stay alert to external developments, problems will arise sooner or later. Here, the Huns’ incursions, as well as the wars between the Qin and Zhao, are also issues we must constantly be concerned about... Oh, here we are."

As he spoke, Fang Zheng looked ahead, and Ji Yanran curiously leaned out to check.

Upon seeing the scene ahead clearly, she widened her eyes in astonishment.

Before them was a massive cliff, with a gap in the middle as if split by a sword. According to Fang Zheng, this was the entrance. More astonishing were the two gigantic statues erected on either side of the narrow passage. Each statue stood several tens of meters tall, built into the hill.

Both statues were garbed in armor and grasping Longswords, appearing lifelike, like giant guardians standing at the top of the world. Even Ji Yanran and Bacho widened their eyes in surprise, watching this scene and wondering if they were dreaming. Meanwhile, the carriage followed the crowd, slowly passing through the gate guarded by the two colossal statues, entering within.

The scene inside left everyone dumbfounded.

In the valley were white pavilions rising and falling, with small streams flowing into ponds below. Lush green meadows mingled with distant flower seas in a beautiful harmony, making one feel as if entering a utopia. Everywhere children dressed in white robes could be seen, varying in age and gender. Some were practicing swordsmanship and martial arts in orderly lines on sports fields, some gathered in small groups reciting poems and texts in corridors or gardens, and others painting and writing calligraphy in the wilderness, presenting a vibrant scene of peace and prosperity.

Meanwhile, the carriage had finally come to a stop.

"Alright, Young Master Ba, Master Ji."

Fang Zheng cheerfully gestured.

"Welcome to... the Carefree Palace."

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