Twin Dimension Yin-Yang Mirror: Attaining immortality through the martial path
Chapter 286 - 253: The Joys of the Mortal World, The Supreme State of Desirelessness

Chapter 286: Chapter 253: The Joys of the Mortal World, The Supreme State of Desirelessness

"Can this really work?"

Zhou Ping’an watched as group after group of refugees were herded out of the city by the City Defense Soldiers like ducks.

From east to west, every household’s able-bodied men were all pulled out as well.

A loud-speaking soldier declared, "Starting today, no trading will be permitted within the city. All food and cloth will be distributed by the Official Government, with a fixed quota per person, ensuring that everyone has food to eat and clothes to wear.

General Ping’an said, first eat, then work—if you work more, you can eat your fill."

"You’re asking about this? Don’t worry, someone has tried it already, and it works very well."

Zhou Ping’an answered with a smile.

He wasn’t very clear about the history of this world, as during the transition of the previous two dynasties, supernatural powers had emerged.

It was either ’celestial beings descending’ or ’Yin spirits causing chaos’; ordinary people in these events seemed not to play as big of a role as one would imagine.

But now, in an era where Martial Arts were increasingly in decline, and the present was not as glorious as the past, in order to gain momentum and seize Qi Fortune, it seemed possible to copy strategies from the history of modern society.

Those ’great figures’ who had left an indelible mark on history certainly had methods worth learning from.

Back when Zhou Ping’an was in school, he was awarded Outstanding Student year after year, and he was particularly good at history, especially biographies of historical figures.

Therefore, he had some understanding of various governance and public welfare measures that had appeared in the long river of history.

Not to mention other things, just take the matter of rising in rebellion.

He could list eight to ten successful examples and learn from their advanced experience.

Moreover, he also knew what the strengths and weaknesses of various approaches really were.

Just like the current tactic, it was used by Zhang Jiao, Huang Chao, and Li Chuang...

Everyone said it was very effective.

At least, it was very effective in the beginning of a revolt.

"I understand the usefulness of the three proclamations and twenty-one regulations...

But, having these refugees loudly recite General Ping’an’s kindness during their daily meals, work, and sleep, as well as taking a little time each day to learn simple literacy and arithmetic—what’s the purpose of these activities?"

The Green Lady was also puzzled, "The Talent Recruitment Proclamation gathers people regardless of scholarly or martial prowess, and as long as they truly pledge allegiance, they are useful;

The Ban on Martial Dueling within Qingyang Region stops martial artists from fighting and harming ordinary citizens, which I can understand;

And the Land Development Decree to cultivate good land, build houses, and construct roads, which is beneficial for future growth and expansion.

The twenty-one simple laws standardize everyone’s behavior, which is also necessary.

But, taking time every day to study and leading the people in chanting slogans seems a bit excessive, doesn’t it?"

She felt that the devotion of the subjects couldn’t be cultivated by mere chanting. Even the Red Lotus Army wouldn’t do something so embarrassing.

Chanting too much not only wouldn’t gain acceptance, but it could also cause resentment.

While people’s actions could be constrained, one simply could not prevent others from having their own thoughts and imaginations.

Alright, even this former intelligence and ideological officer of the Red Lotus Sect rebels was somewhat confused about her actions, and Zhou Ping’an felt it was necessary to have a brainstorming session with them.

"The human brain is a very strange thing..."

Thinking of the word "brain," which might not be fully endorsed by Lin Huaiyu and the Green Lady, Zhou Ping’an used a different expression: "It’s like the human heart—it doesn’t really know what it needs, and it often can’t control what it thinks.

What’s more powerful is that the heart can be changed."

"Chant every day, day after day, month after month, year after year; keep chanting like this, and the false will become real, the real will become deeply believed, and in the end, people will forget their original selves."

Zhou Ping’an hadn’t planned to explain in too much detail.

But on second thought, if even the people by his side, those responsible for leading the overall strategy, didn’t understand his approach, things wouldn’t turn out well.

Besides, his intentions were not malicious.

Others also chanted slogans, didn’t they?

Such as "Open the gates for King Chuang, no grain taken when King Chuang comes."

"Don’t dismantle the house if you starve to death, don’t plunder if you freeze to death!"

"Equalize the lands, share the wealth!"

"Do princes and generals have their own kind?"

All sorts of slogans existed; the key was that when enough people chanted them, naturally, some would start to believe.

Especially in special environments.

To chant oneself, "Everyone has food, all are clothed"—it’s not a lie, so there’s no need to be too guilty.

It’s just inserting a bit of self-interest.

Isn’t that what’s needed for cultivation?

Having people chant one’s own name.

That’s for gathering momentum and seizing Qi Fortune, and incidentally, collecting Mind Wish Power Threads as well.

In this way, one wouldn’t be overly constrained by the speed of cultivation...

After all, a day in this world is equivalent to an hour in modern society.

The rate at which the Mind Wish Power Silk Threads gathered over there, no matter how fast, was still somewhat insufficient to sustain the consumption here.

We still need to create sources of income in this world.

The Red Lotus Sect has the "Karmic Fire Red Lotus Visualization Method" at their disposal, yet they cannot truly make the common people well-fed and warmly clothed, but I can.

They never thought to change their ways of thinking, to cultivate fanatical followers, but I can do so.

Lin Huaiyu’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, "I always feel that if we do this, the common people seem to become, become..."

"Become ignorant, right? Or perhaps, become devoid of self-identity, that their thoughts are limited?" Zhou Ping’an asked with a smile.

"Exactly, that’s what I mean."

Perhaps, Lin Huaiyu was hearing some of these new terms for the first time, but with her clever mind, a brief reflection allowed her to grasp the meaning behind Zhou Ping’an’s words.

Initially, she was not content with her life, always hoping for a day when her cultivation would greatly improve, to escape the control of the Guangyun Lin Family and change her fate.

On such thoughts, she had the most authority to speak.

Although, due to reasons of status and strength, she could not do more, but she was daring in her thoughts and actions, moving towards her goals—this was the fundamental reason her fate could be changed.

But if these refugees and common folk truly no longer had their own thoughts, what a terrifying thing that would be.

"No need to worry, coming to this mortal world is but a haste, arriving in haste and leaving in haste, ordinary people will not know what they really want throughout their lives.

The more you know, the more you think, the more pain you will feel."

Zhou Ping’an’s eyes were hollow as he thought about many things, "On the contrary, if they desire nothing, know nothing, and can have full bellies and warm clothes, they will be very happy, very happy..."

He thought of the state of life of those around him in modern society.

Zhou Ping’an heaved a sigh.

’Without the internet, not knowing the lives of those high above, with eyes only able to see the small world around them, there wouldn’t be too many troubles.

Everyone laughing like idiots just to get a piece of meat to eat, can you say they are not happy?’

Busy all day long just for food, and once full, they begin to think about clothes. Buying several pieces of fine silks and satins, then looking back at their humble homes.

Building tall buildings and mansions, yet lacking the company of a beautiful wife inside. Marrying a pretty wife and beautiful concubines, lamenting the lack of land as their foundation...

Humans, since birth, are never content.

If every person were to find self-satisfaction, reach completion, even divine beings descending to earth could not achieve this.

Therefore, from this perspective, being born is to suffer, with inherent pain and unfulfilled desires.

Since satisfying everyone’s wishes is impossible and should not be done, why not let people have fewer desires?

This should be achievable.

Zhou Ping’an recalled a saying.

"When you haven’t eaten your fill, you only have one worry. After you’re full, you have countless worries."

What I must do is to ensure that these people under my rule have only one worry.....

And to do my best to resolve this worry.

Then, everyone would be happy, and every single person delighted.

Why not do it?

This is a win-win situation.

"Just watch..."

Zhou Ping’an gestured with his hand towards those commoners who had received white flour steamed buns and thick rice porridge...

Seeing them eat until their bellies bulged and laughing like idiots, then being distributed tools and led out of the city like sheep by the City Defense Soldiers.

Watching the genuine joy on their faces, his own heart also filled with more happiness.

What is opportunity?

Population is the opportunity...

He felt the True Qi within his body gradually accelerate.

In the depths of the Sea of Consciousness, countless white Wishful Thought Power silk threads slowly gathered into a sea of white light, and he too smiled like an idiot.

"This is just the first day, merely a short Shichen in the morning, and already two to three thousand threads have gathered.

If this continues, accumulating day by day, will I not be able to become a god on earth?"

"Indeed, they are really happy."

Lin Huaiyu laughed lightly, the faint unwillingness in her heart dissipating with the wind.

Not everyone dreams of reaching the end of the Martial Arts path, then seeking longevity.

Not everyone wants to change their fate.

They just want a chance to live, that’s all.

To ask for benevolence and receive it.

Why should I add more troubles onto them?