Lu Qingming took a rest in the hall of the calligraphy and painting shop, and his headache and chest tightness improved a lot. Afterward, he looked around and began to examine Zhang San's calligraphy and paintings.
At that moment, a white-clad scholar walked by the window, holding a book titled "Strategies for Governing the Country" with a delighted expression on his face.
Zhang San, who had been following Lu Qingming as he looked at the calligraphy and paintings, naturally noticed the white-clad scholar. In fact, Zhang San recognized him. It was this scholar who had come to the shop on the morning before the New Year's Day, asking if they had a book called "Strategies for Governing the Country" for sale.
Back then, Zhang San had declined.
He remembered that it was also on that morning when Bai Xiaoyu came to the shop and invited him and Lu Qingming to celebrate the New Year together.
Lu Qingming looked at the young scholar, dressed in plain clothes, but with a smile on his face whenever he held a good book. It seemed that Lu Qingming saw himself in the scholar and smiled, saying, "Cultivating oneself, managing the family, and governing the country to bring peace to the world. That's a good book. I hope you can understand it; it will be helpful for your exams."
Lu Qingming silently advised the scholar because he could tell at a glance that reading this book at this time meant he would be participating in the spring palace examination.
Zhang San didn't say much; he simply stood quietly behind Lu Qingming.
Lu Qingming continued, "Why should our family's generations of efforts lose to your ten years of studying behind closed doors? I remember you said that; it was quite amusing."
Zhang San widened his eyes behind Lu Qingming!
When was this!?
Wasn't it the first day he arrived in the city? The day I said those words downstairs at the bookstore?
Lu Qingming, with Zhang San behind him, slowly said, "You don't have to be nervous. To be honest, I don't think you're a bad person. On the contrary, someone who can paint such a serene piece cannot be a bad person. It's just a pity..."
"What's the pity?" Zhang San furrowed his brow slightly, a hint of killing intent hidden within.
Lu Qingming said, "It's a pity that the world we live in devours people. Do you understand what it means to devour others, sir?"
From 'store owner' to 'sir.'
Lu Qingming's tone and manner gradually changed.
In Zhang San's heart, he began to think: What kind of tricks is this Lu Gaosheng playing? Why do I increasingly feel a sense of unease from him?
However, Zhang San, calm and composed, replied, "Sir, your words are profound. I, as a humble person, do not understand."
Lu Qingming asked, "Do you know how crops grow?"
"Water and sunlight," Zhang San replied matter-of-factly.
Lu Qingming asked again, "And what about cattle and sheep?"
"Water and grass, fodder," Zhang San answered, not knowing much about how to raise livestock.
Lu Qingming said slowly, "These crops that are grown and livestock that are raised, in the end, are all meant to be eaten by people. But when people consume crops and livestock, who will 'consume' them? Do you know?"
Zhang San was puzzled and shook his head, feeling somewhat confused.
What is this person talking about?
Lu Qingming smiled faintly and continued, "The diligent students cannot achieve fame, the hardworking farmers struggle to feed themselves, the weavers have no new clothes. Is it because they are lazy or incapable? In reality, the way people devour each other is not necessarily bloody, but it is equally cruel."
Lu Qingming looked at Zhang San and said, "There is a person... well, that's someone whom I deeply despise, loathe, and detest. But I have to admit that he is quite formidable in a certain sense."
Song YanShi.
In a world of cultivation, there was a powerful official named Bai ShiXuan. He was a corrupt and cunning man, involved in various events behind the scenes of Ya Commandery and the great Dawu Country.
You can use all the dirty adjectives in the world to describe him.
Unlike Tang Li, who came from a prestigious family, Lu Qingming had a humble background. He was originally the son of a bandit, born in a den of thieves. Before the age of eighteen, he was illiterate and unable to learn martial arts due to a serious childhood illness.
It is even said that even his name, Lu Qingming, was self-modified after he started studying.
But it was this person who gradually rose to become the Left Minister of Dawu Country, the position of the most powerful nation in the world. So, you cannot deny that he is an incompetent person, and sometimes you must admit that he is remarkable.
Lu Qingming sat down slowly and extended a finger, saying, "He asked me a question. He asked me... Do you know the biggest difference between a wolf and a sheep on a grassland?"
A wolf and a sheep?
Zhang San furrowed his brows slightly, not knowing who had asked such a question of Lu Gaosheng.
But it seemed like a boring question. Isn't the difference between a wolf and a sheep something that can be seen at a glance?
Lu Qingming continued, "At that time, I gave several answers, such as habits, appearance, and diet. But that person laughed heartily and said I was wrong. He said my answers were indeed the differences between a wolf and a sheep, but they were not the biggest one."
So, what is the biggest difference then?
Lu Qingming seemed to be lost in his memories.
That mansion.
That person!
Lu Qingming continued, "He told me that the biggest difference between a wolf and a sheep on the grassland is not about eating grass or meat, not about black or white, but... quantity!"
Quantity.
Zhang San suddenly understood.
The reason is simple.
It is impossible to have a thousand sheep and a thousand wolves on the grassland at the same time, otherwise, the wolf pack would devour the sheep within a few days, and once the sheep are gone, the wolves would also die.
Therefore, the number of wolves must be far less than the number of sheep.
Just like the relationship between sheep and grass, if the grassland is filled with sheep, they will quickly consume all the grass. So, the quantity of grass must be greater than the number of sheep.
Lu Qingming said, "He said, the truth of this world is actually very simple and cruel. But Lu Qingming, you are lucky. You are fortunate to be a 'human,' because the greatest sorrow of a sheep is that once it is born as a sheep, it will be a sheep for life."
This is how the world of the grassland is. If you are born a sheep, you will remain a sheep. If you are born a wolf, you will remain a wolf.
But you are fortunate to be born in the world of humans.
In the world of humans, although it is equally cruel, even more cruel, there is one advantage.
Are you a sheep? Or a wolf?
You have the chance to choose!
"Lu Qingming, not everyone has such an opportunity because the rules dictate that there should be fewer wolves than sheep. But now, whether you are a wolf or a sheep, I give you a chance. I let you choose!" Lu Qingming said, imitating the tone of Song YanShi from years ago.
Zhang San seemed to understand something.
The meaning of Lu Gaosheng's words before and after is this: Humans consider themselves the masters of all things, but in reality, they are just another form of "food" that allows other stronger individuals to grow and eventually be "consumed" in a different way.
But Zhang San became even more confused.
Who is the person in front of him?
Lu Qingming continued, "I have thought about it. But must the world be like this? General Bai told me that perhaps we don't have to be this way, perhaps I can change it. But in the end, I failed, I didn't even have the chance to begin."
The cruelest thing is not the failure itself, but those dreams that seem unattainable. When you decide to pursue them with all your might, you realize that...
In fact, it hasn't even begun, and everything has already ended.
Zhang San fell silent.
"May I ask you a question?" Lu Qingming suddenly asked.
Zhang San instinctively looked at him.
Lu Qingming asked, "In your opinion, what is the most dreadful way to die?"
Huh?
What a nonsensical question. I am quite familiar with the most enjoyable way to die in this world.
Zhang San was about to respond, but for some reason, the scene of the famine-stricken Ya Commandery suddenly flashed before his eyes.
"Starvation," Zhang San suddenly replied.
Lu Qingming silently nodded and then fell silent.
After a while, Lu Qingming's headache and chest tightness suddenly worsened, much stronger than before.
The intense pain caused Lu Qingming's body to sway, and a look of distress appeared on his face.
Zhang San hurriedly asked with "concern," "Sir, what's wrong with you?"
Lu Qingming held his forehead and said in a low voice, "Brother, is there any water? Ice-cold well water would be best. I need some."
Zhang San saw sweat gradually forming on Lu Qingming's forehead and quickly said, "Of course, sir. There is a deep well in the backyard. I will go fetch it. Please sit here, I'll be back soon."
Saying that, Zhang San immediately ran towards the backyard.
Of course, Zhang San's inner thoughts were not as concerned as his anxious expression on his face. He thought to himself, "Look at you, looking like you're about to die. I hope you're not going crazy or getting sick. If you die here, it will attract a large number of government troops and palace guards."
...
...
At the side of a deep well in the backyard, Zhang San, who claimed to be the most compassionate man in Dawu Country, was struggling to draw water, which took quite some time.
But this is in line with the image of a weak scholar, right?
After pouring a large bowl of ice-cold well water, Zhang San returned to the space between the main hall and the backyard, but he didn't go in because he saw an extremely bizarre scene behind the door curtain.
The main gate was closed, leaving only a half-open window.
That Lu Gaosheng was talking to himself!
But not in a muttering way.
It was a dialogue.
Talking to himself!
Sometimes gentle as a gentleman, sometimes furious like a fierce beast.