Chapter 134

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Chapter 134: Taking Lessons From History

Five Elements Sect, Zhang Wanjing’s cave

Zhang Wanjing and Zhang Shuhua were holding a small booklet, which contained three short stories: Shang Yang’s Reform, Wang Anshi’s Reform, and Zhang Juzheng’s Reformation.

Of course, they weren’t the original stories as Lin Jiang had made some modifications, placing them all in the realm of Yun State.

For example, Shang Yang’s Reform was described as the merging of seven villages, with a man named Shang Yang advising the village chief.

Wang Anshi and Zhang Juzheng also went through changes and reforms, just like the background that was modified in some villages, but the intended meaning was not lost.

"This Shang Yang, Wang Anshi, Zhang Juzheng, they are truly talented individuals. If I can use them to my advantage, it will be very beneficial. Xiao Yi, are they still alive?"

"They are dead, the people who wrote the travel journals. They were just ordinary people."

"Are the Qin Village, Song Village, and Ming Village still there? I would like to visit if I have the chance."

"How would I know? The author didn’t say."

Lin Jiang said, he had already tried his best to fill in the logical thinking of the story. If there were still flaws that could be found, he would quit.

"Junior brother, what use is it for my father to read these three stories?"

"There is a saying, ‘Learn from history, know the rise and fall.’ Any reform is essentially the same. If someone has provided us with examples, then we should learn from them and avoid the pitfalls they went through."

Lin Jiang said, there is a saying that the only lesson humanity learns from history is that it never learns from its lessons. However, Lin Jiang hopes to break this curse because the cultivation world is a place full of hope.

"Shuhua, learn from him. Your younger brother is smarter than you."

"Yes, Dad."

"Xiao Yi, tell us, what lessons can you learn from these three stories?"

First, Shang Yang implemented reforms. In his area, there were seven villages, but only Qin Village succeeded while the others failed. This happened because he had the support of those in power. When the leaders firmly support you, you can succeed. But if they waver, the outcome will be disastrous.

So, the first lesson is that you don’t need the support of those in power; instead, you need to become the one in power. Relying on the golden core cultivation level of our master to lead this matter is not enough. We must break through to the Nascent Soul stage. Even if we can’t become the sect leader, we will have the strength to confront them directly.

"Second, Wang Anshi’s reforms had a major flaw: he didn’t choose the right people. The policies were good, but the execution turned out to be bad. So, the second lesson we learned is that we need a competent team who are loyal to the master and have the ability, rather than just talk big."

"Third, Zhang Juzheng’s reforms were quite successful, but as soon as he died, they were immediately undone. We need to learn from this that we have to outlast our enemies. When a policy comes out, the beneficiaries of those policies must truly become powerful in order to sustain them. Otherwise, if our master dies, all the policies will still be overturned."

Lin Jiang said. Actually, in the history of Blue Star, there have been many reformers and innovators, but I can’t remember them all. The history lessons only focused on these three. Otherwise, I could continue with further modifications.

"So, what Xiao Yi means is that in order for me to do this, I must first make a breakthrough?"

"Yes, it is necessary. For the sake of our clan, you must become stronger. Otherwise, your transformation will surely fail."

"Dad, what my junior brother said makes sense. I am currently at the beginner stage of cultivating. If I were at the advanced stage, I would risk my life to try."

"What you said makes sense, but do you think reaching the Nascent Soul stage is an easy feat? Can anyone achieve it easily?"

Zhang Wanjing couldn’t help but laugh and cry. The probability of breaking through to the next stage in the cultivation world is roughly one in ten. Out of ten people at the Qi Refining Period, only one can break through to the Building Foundation stage. Out of ten at the Building Foundation stage, only one can break through to the golden core stage. And out of ten at the golden core stage, only one has a chance to break through to the Nascent Soul stage. How could Zhang Wanjing, with his abilities, break through so easily?

"If our master finds it difficult to break through, then it’s best not to pursue this transformation. It is destined to fail and cost many lives."

"Let me think about it some more."

"Dad…"

"Alright, I said I will consider it. I’m not a fool. If I know it will fail, why would I act recklessly?"

"Yes, Dad."

"You go ahead and work, I’ll take a look at these little books."

Zhang Wanjing said, he was very interested in these three stories. The reforms of these three people can make a weak, corrupt, and incompetent village become powerful. The Five Elements Sect is still strong now. If he can achieve it, won’t the Five Elements Sect become the number one sect in Yun State?

········

"Junior Brother Xiao, why are you in such a hurry to find me?"

In Lin Jiang’s cave, Yue Qing came. He came because he received a message from Lin Jiang and it was urgent.

"Senior Brother Yue, I came to inform you that we should no longer have any business dealings. Don’t give me money for the things you’ve done before, and don’t use my name for any external matters. I won’t acknowledge them anymore."

"Why, Junior Brother Xiao? If you’re not satisfied with the share, we can discuss it again."

Yue Qing immediately became anxious. He couldn’t understand why Lin Jiang suddenly wanted to withdraw. Without Lin Jiang’s information, how could he easily earn money? He was still hoping to make more money through Lin Jiang.

"This has nothing to do with shares. It’s just that I don’t want to do it anymore."

"Junior Brother Xiao, please don’t tease me. Is it because Senior Brother unintentionally did something to upset you? I apologize to you, okay?"

"Senior Brother, do you think I am hot-headed?"

"Junior Brother, there must be a reason, right?"

"You will come to know this reason later. Anyway, for now, just follow what I say. Even if you don’t, I won’t acknowledge it in the future."

Lin Jiang shook his head. Once Zhang Wanjing starts making changes, the enemies will surely fight back. Lin Jiang cannot hold Zhang Wanjing back. Everything he and Yue Qing did was half legal and half illegal. It’s like learning a lesson from those reforms.

"Junior Brother, we have known each other for decades. Don’t you have any trust in me?"

Yue Qing got angry. Isn’t there any trust between people? What happened that he wasn’t informed about? Why didn’t they tell him?

"Senior Brother, this matter has nothing to do with you, but it does concern me. If you don’t want to be implicated by me, it’s best for you to cut off contact voluntarily. This applies not only to your side but also to the others. I have already cut off contact with them. The conversation ends here, no need to say more."

"Junior Brother, I…"

"Let’s leave it at that for today. If everything passes, I will take the initiative to find Senior Brother."

Lin Jiang waved his hand, bid farewell to the guest, and didn’t want to say anything anymore.

After seeing off Yue Qing, Lin Jiang calmed down and carefully pondered how to strategize for Zhang Wanjing. The reform in the mortal world must be different from the cultivation world, it could not be simply copied.

Compared to the mortal world, the biggest problem in the cultivation world lies with those powerful figures. In the mortal world, powerful figures are just ordinary people. One strike and they turn into ghosts. Therefore, the best method is physical transcendence.

But in the cultivation world, it’s different. Nascent Soul experts can defeat Lin Jiang without any tricks. One strike and he would become a ghost. Moreover, the Five Elements Sect relies on these powerful figures to maintain its reputation. If these figures are defeated, the Five Elements Sect would also be finished.

"So, the reform in the cultivation world is not just about redistributing benefits. It should be about expanding the cake. Those who deserve should still receive, maybe even more. But at the same time, there should be an opportunity for lower-level cultivators. Only then can it be a successful and perfect reform."

Lin Jiang pondered for a long time and thought of this sentence. Perhaps this is the most correct reform, but also the most difficult to achieve. If they could truly expand the cake, the Five Elements Sect wouldn’t be in such a state.