Dao Equaling the Heavens
Chapter 308 - 200 Wandering in Red Dust

Chapter 308: Chapter 200 Wandering in Red Dust

Luodu City.

The Luo River, hugged by towering city walls, flowed eastward, with ships bustling about at the ferry dock as the steps of trade caravans never ceased, even during wartime.

In mid-November, the cold winds had begun to blow – it was chilly and crisp with splendid sunshine, and not a cloud could be seen in the sky above Luodu City. It was indeed fine weather.

Boom!

Accompanied by a loud gong, the entire Luo River ferry dock erupted into a hubbub.

Countless ships, both large and small, had already been moored, with wide, sturdy planks laid out to the shore. Those who could count tallied goods while the laborers heaved large and small boxes with exertion.

Gu Wen and Qingcang, who temporarily inhabited Yu Hua’s body, arrived at the edge of the dock. They had cast an invisibility charm that made them unseen by mortals. The latter looked around curiously, as though seeing it all for the first time, her eyes brimming with fascination.

She pointed ahead and asked, "Apprentice, what is that?"

Gu Wen followed her gaze to the ships, laborers, and people of all sorts. He didn’t know what newly emerged, or perhaps sole, elder wanted to inquire about.

Seeing his confusion, Qingcang chuckled and said, "What are all these things I’m seeing? What’s with the wood, are they transporting grain?"

Gu Wen then explained what a ship was, what was on the ships, the purpose of their transport, and about laborers, accountants, and merchants.

Most of it was logistic supplies for the Nanchun Army, transported by trade caravans from various regions.

The Nanchun Army paid high prices and always paid in cash, never delaying payment.

After a few interactions, their reputation swiftly spread, and seeing the profit potential, these merchants dared to gamble even in war.

"I remember when you were a merchant in Bianjing."

"It was merely to make a living. In Daqian, except for scholars and the Emperor, everyone else is a servant. Indeed, there is no ultimate fairness in human nature, nor can one expect such from the common people. Yet, this Daqian, governing for the people, demands ten years of land tax and salt tax. Animals may catch their breath, but humans labor relentlessly."

As he spoke, Gu Wen fell silent briefly because complaining was less effective than taking action, yet it seemed he was still not in control.

But Master Qingcang did not have much time left. With her character of caring so much for the Human Race, would she allow the common folk to suffer?

Qingcang scanned the market calmly, without stating any opinion. Her eyes, calm as the night, stirred not a ripple.

She seemed but a bystander, quietly observing this era, not judging its good or bad.

"What do you think we should do, apprentice?"

"Enlighten the people, implement the rule of law, and..." Gu Wen paused. He knew what to do and had seen such societies.

But it was not suitable for this world.

In a world of individual great power, talking about human rights and rule of law was too impractical, and true equality was even less feasible. A being of great power, with a lifespan of thousands of years and the ability to move mountains and seas, had the strength, knowledge, and time equivalent to millions of people.

Would humans talk about equality with ants?

He corrected himself, "I have heard that the world beyond is dominated by sects, but at the end of the day, a sect is merely a court, big or small, with cultivators replacing the rulers. If so, follow Master’s example to unify the human race and establish viable laws."

"The ultimate enforcers of all rules are humans, but unification will undoubtedly benefit most people."

Qingcang nodded her head in satisfaction and said, "You truly are wise."

Her initial reason for uniting the Three Religions all those years ago coincided with what Gu Wen said, but she did it not through detailed, strict laws, but through benevolence, now universally accepted by all humans.

For before her, there were no laws, and current laws were derived from that benevolence.

Defining the boundaries of good and evil, thus guiding people towards goodness.

The Devil Clan also had various rules, but it was only the Human Race that took the weak as its measure.

The two continued forward, leaving the dock, entering into the city and directly reaching the West Market.

Officials of Luo River held account books in one hand and pens in the other, stationed on both sides of the entrance from the dock into the city, enforcing laws more fairly than they had in ten years as they checked transit permits and goods. The only difference was that this time they required special permits from the Nanchun Army, not those issued by the court.

Gu Wen’s prime directive for the Nanchun Army was to contend for the world; hence whenever they entered a region, they would overthrow the landlords, spare the lesser ones, kill the county officials but retain the clerks. This way, they secured vast amounts of land and wealth to maintain hefty military expenses and could directly utilize Daqian’s existing local governance machinery.

Qingcang pondered upon hearing this, then clarified that society activities similar to those of the human race existed three thousand years ago but were not as detailed.

They quantified various regulations and methods of judgment, rather than having them adjudicated by higher-level cultivators like theirs.

After passing the city gates, a wide avenue greeted them, lined on both sides with shops and businesses, from silk stores, iron shops, porcelain shops, rice vendors, salt stores, and everything else, gathering goods from across the lands.

Luodu served as a major supply channel for Dragon Bridge; the difference was Dragon Bridge catered only to nobles, while Luodu’s West Market served everyone in the world.

And though all these things, Qingcang showed deep interest. Rather than an Immortal at the pinnacle, she resembled more a sheltered noble lady... no, perhaps this was the true untainted by worldly affairs.

She ought to be a True Immortal of the heavens, who had never descended, yet was more approachable than all the great powers Gu Wen had seen.

An hour later, having explained much, Gu Wen found his mouth dry and parched, and so they stopped at a roadside tavern.

Master Qingcang, mimicking Gu Wen, elegantly brewed, steeped, and sipped tea, then proceeded to taste various dishes one by one.