LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 11 - Daoist Patriarch Lu Ping
“If you weren’t interested in me, then why do you always consider my well-being?”
Let’s be honest, whether Lu Ping admitted it or not, in the previous two simulations, everything he did was for Luo Jinxuan.
Lu Ping sat up straight and responded solemnly, “A man born into this world must choose a wise ruler if he is to achieve his ambitions.”
Luo Jinxuan scrutinized Lu Ping, saying, “I’m afraid your ambitions might be too great, and you won’t be content with just being a loyal minister.”
The implication was clear—she feared Lu Ping might become the next Li Wenfu.
Even her own uncle could not be trusted, so who could guarantee that Lu Ping wouldn’t seize power one day?
But Lu Ping boldly stared back at Luo Jinxuan, his gaze intense, “Whether I’m content or not depends on the princess’s intentions.”
Luo Jinxuan’s face immediately flushed with embarrassment, and she nervously rebuked, “Insolence!”
Lu Ping smiled without saying a word, stopped the carriage, and left despite Luo Jinxuan’s protests.
‘That should count as a confession, right?’ Lu Ping thought.
Now it was time to demonstrate his capabilities.
Putting aside any distractions, Lu Ping began planning his next move.
…
Looking at the world, whether it was the Great Jing dynasty or any other real historical dynasty, factional strife was an inevitable issue.
Naturally, rulers resisted it, but sometimes, for the sake of balance, they would allow factional disputes to exist.
And factional struggles were, in essence, a competition for talent.
It was about which side had the most capable people.
There was no doubt that after today, Lu Ping had become a valuable target for recruitment by all sides.
Currently, the power in the capital could be divided into three main factions.
The first was the hereditary nobility, who, relying on the merits of their ancestors, always held high positions and wielded considerable power.
Then there were people like Li Wenfu, who had some talent and, with the advantage of being related to the royal family, quickly rose to power.
The last group consisted of those who had neither ancestral backing nor luck. They could only rely on hard work, becoming a clean stream in the court.
Neither Luo Jinxuan nor Luo Yingci belonged to any of these factions.
On the contrary, the princesses had to align themselves with one of these factions to increase their chances of securing the throne.
And now, Lu Ping faced the primary issue of choosing which faction to support.
At present, both the nobility and Li Wenfu’s faction were trying to recruit him, while the clean-stream faction had yet to make a move.
However, Lu Ping didn’t want to join any faction.
Because once any faction grew too large, disrupting the balance of power, it would inevitably face suppression by the emperor.
Lu Ping sat under the eaves, picking up three pebbles, representing the nobility, Li Wenfu, and the clean-stream faction, to analyze the court’s situation in Great Jing.
But something didn’t feel right.
After pondering for a long time, Lu Ping suddenly realized what was missing.
Who said there were only three factions in the court?
Emperor Zheng was actually the most powerful faction in the entire country.
No matter which faction you belonged to, no matter how glorious your ancestors’ achievements, as long as the emperor willed it, you were all just birds in a cage!
‘Apologies, father-in-law, I almost forgot about you,’ Lu Ping thought with a smirk.
He then conceived a bold idea.
Since he didn’t want to join any faction, why not completely break the current court structure?
Lu Ping looked at the pebble representing Li Wenfu’s faction and thought, “Sorry, Minister Kuang.”
Kuang Qi was from a declining noble family, who prided himself on his talent for governance but had repeatedly failed to advance his career. It was only with Li Wenfu’s secret support that he gradually rose to the position of Prime Minister.
This man was exceptionally cunning and ruthless; the ambush that killed Lu Ping in the first simulation was his handiwork.
But to move against a Prime Minister with such a high position was no easy task.
After all, Lu Ping was currently just a participant in court discussions, without any official title—his influence was limited.
It seemed he would have to proceed gradually.
[At the end of the 512th year of the Jing calendar, Li Wenfu and Prime Minister Kuang Qi tried to recruit you again, but you politely declined.]
[At the beginning of the following year, you proposed that every citizen is responsible for the rise and fall of the nation. Emperor Zheng approved, and you compiled books to educate the common people, who, in gratitude, began calling you “Master Lu.”]
[In the winter, rumors began circulating among the people that Prime Minister Kuang Qi was encroaching on land and forming factions, leading to public outrage. Emperor Zheng ordered you to quell the unrest, and you passionately denounced the evils of the chancellor, earning the people’s support.]
[Under pressure from the public, Emperor Zheng ordered a thorough investigation into the Kuang Qi case, but this caused friction between you and the emperor.]
[The emperor wanted to appoint Li Wenfu as the new Prime Minister, but you presented a prepared memorial analyzing the evils of the chancellorship and proposed the establishment of an inner council. The court was shaken, and the ministers united in opposition, claiming that the abolition of the chancellorship violated ancestral traditions and would bring disaster to the state. The emperor had you imprisoned.]
“To think I treated you like a father-in-law, and this is how you repay me?”
“What a so-called enlightened ruler!”
Lu Ping grumbled as he gnawed on the roasted lamb sent by the Han Marquis, feeling utterly frustrated.
It was infuriating!
After all his bold moves, not only did that old fox Li Wenfu become the Prime Minister, but Lu Ping also ended up in prison.
‘Fine, I’ll stay in prison.’
‘After all, it’s just a simulation. Even if I die, I won’t lose anything.’
‘I can always start over.’
‘But it looks like my dream of being together with Luo Jinxuan is dashed again.’
[Ding! Hidden quest triggered!]
[Your heart is filled with sincerity, but you cannot overcome the shackles of the feudal system. Imprisoned by the emperor, your spirit is broken, and you wish for a swift end to this life. However, you unexpectedly attain enlightenment.]
[Daoist Patriarch—Lu Ping]
Lu Ping saw a vision of himself surrounded by auspicious light, with an aura of immortality.
“Is this… the immortality side quest?”
Lu Ping sneered, “Are you kidding me? I just want to finish this so I can start the next simulation. What do you mean by giving me an immortality quest?”
[You begin to comprehend the principles of life and the universe. Your fortune greatly increases, and you gain the ability to establish a sect.]
“Is that how it’s going to be?”
[In the 514th year of the Jing calendar, factional strife in the court intensified. Prime Minister Li Wenfu consolidated his power and purged his opponents. The emperor, fearful, pardoned you during his birthday celebrations, and you were released and temporarily resided in the Han Marquisate.]
“What did I say?”
In front of Luo Jinxuan, Lu Ping put on a pained expression.
Luo Jinxuan stepped forward and gently held Lu Ping’s trembling hand, speaking softly, “Now that Li Wenfu has grown powerful, my father sent me to ask if you have any good strategies?”
Strategies?
The court was already unbalanced, with Li Wenfu’s faction dominating. The elders who could oppose him had mostly been eliminated by his schemes.
Lu Ping was just a pardoned prisoner—what strategy could he possibly have?
But seeing Luo Jinxuan’s cool, delicate hands wrapped around his arm, Lu Ping gritted his teeth and, somewhat nervously, said, “That old fox Li Wenfu is not worth worrying about!”
Bluffing complete, now he had to deliver on his boast.
After all, Lu Ping wasn’t the type to shirk his responsibilities after making promises.
[Understanding that the court was under Li Wenfu’s control, you decided to take an indirect approach. Bidding farewell to the Han Marquis, you traveled the land, spreading your teachings.]
[Due to your previously accumulated reputation, your journey of enlightenment was extraordinarily successful. Everywhere you went, people revered you as a guiding light.]
[You founded the first religious sect in Great Jing, gaining millions of followers and unprecedented fame.]
“Maybe I should tell my wife that there’s no need to fight for that throne anymore. Isn’t this life quite satisfying?”