"Zuo Mengeng, you..."
On the carriage ride back, Xu Ruolin seemed worried.
When Zuo Mengeng looked over, Xu Ruolin finally couldn't help but asked what she had been worried about for a long time.
"Do you really have no respect for God?"
In the past few days, she had been spending time with Zuo Mengeng day and night, and the people she interacted with were all Western missionaries. Xu Ruolin suddenly discovered that Zuo Mengeng had no humility at all.
This discovery made her extremely panicked.
This boy is her only confidant, the only person in the world with whom she can communicate openly.
She thought she had finally found the best soul mate.
But Zuo Mengeng's attitude towards the church made her very confused.
This was inconsistent with her beliefs, and she didn't know how to face Zuo Mengeng and the Lord God at the same time.
But the problems that caused her suffering were nothing to Zuo Mengeng.
"There is no god in this world, so why should we fear illusory things? The Lord in the West is no different from Pangu and Nuwa in our mythology. They are just symbols of spiritual culture. If we want to talk about the benefits of Lord , can be regarded as mankind’s final fantasy of truth, goodness and beauty.”
Seeing that Xu Ruolin was a little confused, Zuo Mengeng comforted and said: "Their teachings are still good. You can learn them and guide your spiritual growth. But the teachings and the church are two different things, just like Xuan Hugong. While learning from them, Always be vigilant. Separate those two things and you won’t have to struggle.”
Xu Ruolin is obviously not an expert on the ideological level, and her understanding of these is very imperfect.
“How can doctrine and church be separated?”
Zuo Mengeng immediately gave her a vivid metaphor.
"The White Lotus Sect also believes in Buddha, but what does the White Lotus Sect do?"
Xu Ruolin was stunned, and then suddenly realized.
"Ah, you mean, the doctrine is to convey beautiful things, but the people responsible for conveying the doctrine can use it to package the real purpose?"
Zuo Mengeng couldn't help but smile.
"You are not too stupid."
Xu Ruolin was so embarrassed that she showed her timidity in front of Zuo Mengeng for the first time.
"I'm not stupid, but I've never encountered this before... before."
She still had problems to worry about.
"I am a believer, but you are not, according to the teachings..."
Zuo Mengeng understood what she wanted to say.
"You believe in yours, but I don't believe in mine. Here, I respect everyone's freedom of belief."
Xu Ruolin was a little anxious and embarrassed to say it clearly.
"Oh, that's not what I mean. What I want to say is..."
Zuo Mengeng couldn't help but smile.
"This is China. Now that we are here, we must change and abide by Chinese rules."
Xu Ruolin was dumbfounded again, obviously unable to follow Zuo Mengeng's train of thought.
"This...can this also be changed?"
Zuo Mengeng looked like it was natural.
"When Buddhism came to China, it didn't have to change. If you don't change, you'll be beaten to death."
Xu Ruolin is rich in knowledge and knows about history. After careful consideration, I realized that although Zuo Mengeng's idea was overbearing, it was also a good idea.
At this moment, Zuo Mengeng gave her even greater relief.
"Actually, your status is quite good, and it will provide a lot of convenience in future exchanges between the East and the West. But what you need to remember is that you are always Chinese, and your stance and interests must always be on China's side. .This way, you won’t be confused.”
Xu Ruolin felt that she had learned a lot of new things.
"Those missionaries said that the Lord is an existence that transcends countries, ethnic groups, and languages, and is a truth that universalizes all mankind."
Zuo Mengeng hit the nail on the head.
"You can say the same when your country is the most powerful in the world."
This was beyond Xu Ruolin's realm, but she didn't want to appear too incompetent, so she resisted asking.
Just wait until you get back and ask Xu Guangqi for advice.
…………………………………………
Zuo Mengeng had a lot to do during his trip to the capital, and he couldn't stay with Xu Ruolin all the time.
He went to visit Gong Duan again.
"Hahahaha, it's incredible to have friends from far away! Come and take a seat and let me entertain you."
Gong Duan specially arranged a table of good wine and food, and was very enthusiastic.
Zuo Mengeng poured wine for the two of them and joked: "It seems that Brother Baoxing is very leisurely in the capital."
The man drank wine and sighed deeply.
"Isn't Guanglu Temple just like Qingshui Yamen? Now the treasury is empty and all rituals are simplified. Brother Yu, I really have no time to get sick."
Guanglu Temple is in charge of sacrifices, court gatherings, and banquets with local wine and food.
Among them, the court meeting was the most important, but that was the responsibility of the Minister of Guanglu Temple. Gong Duan, a minor official in the Guanglu Temple Department, was not even qualified to get involved.
As for other functions...
After Chongzhen ascended the throne, he had nothing but to worry about money. We were forced to have no choice but to downsize the military in the hope of saving money.
As a result, the troops in Xuanfu, Jizhou, Zunhua, and Yongping rebelled, causing the entire northern defense zone to exist in name only.
Under such circumstances, the imperial court naturally spared no effort in various ceremonial activities, and did not do them if it could not.
So a place like Guanglu Temple has become a cold place, with no future except wasting time.
Zuo Mengeng thought about it for a while and suggested: "Brother Bao Xing, haven't you ever thought about releasing it outside?"
The Chief Minister of Guanglu Temple is from the seventh rank. If he is sent abroad, there is no problem in going to a remote place and becoming a county magistrate.
And when it comes to the local level, he is the local emperor, which is much better than being unknown in the capital.
Gong Duan looked over and asked, "Do you want me to leave the capital?"
Zuo Mengeng said casually: "Let's wait a few years."
Gong Duan nodded and greeted: "Eat food, eat. I cooked this myself. My skills are no worse than those of the chefs in the imperial kitchen."
Zuo Mengeng tasted the food. It was indeed extraordinary, but it also had shortcomings.
"Brother Bao Xing's craftsmanship is enough to make a fortune even if you don't become an official and open a restaurant. It's just that this rice is a bit off. I heard that the rice from Changlong Rice Shop is the best in the capital. Brother Bao Xing might as well buy it and try it. "
"Yeah?"
The public follows the good and follows the flow.
"Brother Zhongheng Xian said that, it must be right. Looking back, I will ask Changlong Rice Store to specially deliver rice to your door."
…………………………
Zuo Mengeng didn't wait long, and good news came from the church the next day.
"Zuo, can you really help us preach in Linqing?"
The church has figured out what kind of place Linqing is.
A big city with a population of one million, adjacent to a canal, with developed transportation. Once the missionary can be preached here, the speed of developing believers will be absolutely astonishing.
Facing the aggressive gazes of the missionaries, Zuo Mengeng had already prepared his words.
"It's a very important matter, so I don't think it's appropriate to make too much noise at the beginning. But Mr. Deng can go there alone, and when there are no obstructions or changes in the local area, the church will send people over, and everything will go smoothly."
His words did not create any doubt in the church.
The church very much hopes to preach in China, but past experience tells them that if they are not careful, they will encounter disaster.
Even though Zuo Mengeng was very energetic in Linqing, he would not be able to control it if things got serious.
As for why Zuo Menggeng appointed Deng Yuhan to be responsible for developing the diocese, others didn't understand. But although there are worries, these worries are nothing compared to opening up the diocese.
"Then it's settled. Thank you very much for your help."
As the president, Long Huamin made a prompt decision and made the decision directly.
He looked at Deng Yuhan again, his intentions undisguised.
"John, your condition is very serious. I'm afraid I won't be able to help Paul anymore. But don't worry, we still have many talents here and we won't abandon Paul."
Deng Yuhan suppressed his excitement and said respectfully: "Thank you, President, for your consideration."
Long Huamin stared at Deng Yuhan and suddenly said in Latin: "John, don't forget that you are God's people. If you fall into astray, the Lord will not forgive you."
At the critical moment, Deng Yuhan was very sober.
"I have dedicated my life, honor, and thoughts to the Lord. It is my lifelong mission to be able to spread the gospel of the Lord."
As for how much Longhua people believed, only God knows.
The two chatted for a long time, thinking they were keeping it a secret. As everyone knows, Zuo Mengeng understands Latin and understands everything clearly.
…………………………
It's time to go back.
Zuo Mengeng stood outside the door, and Xu Ruolin stood inside.
"I want to go back."
"Um."
"I know you are not happy here. If you are willing, please go to Linqing, please. The world there is big enough for you to fly happily."
Xu Ruolin didn't answer, but her clenched hands slightly showed her thoughts.
The only difficult thing is that she, a girl who has not yet left the court, ran to her husband's house rashly. How should the world see her?
It can be seen that although she is a believer, she still has the soul of China in her bones.
Having to leave, Zuo Mengeng was very reluctant to leave. Looking around, there seemed to be no one. Finally, unable to hold back any longer, he took a step forward, tilted his head and kissed the girl's tender cheek.
The girl trembled and did not dare to move. She only heard the sound of footsteps going away.
When that majestic figure was about to turn the corner, she suddenly raised her head, her eyes filled with crystal clear eyes.
Deng Yuhan joined the returning team, sitting in the carriage, watching the cityscape of the capital gradually fade away, but he did not feel reluctant to give up.
Finally freed from the shackles, the world ahead suddenly opened up, which made him very impatient and wanted to fly to the place called Linqing.
At the door of a roadside shop, a beggar approached cautiously.
"Shopkeeper, are you employing people here? I don't want too much salary, just give someone who stutters."
The shopkeeper looked at him carefully and asked, "Can you carry the bag?"
"Can, can, can..."
Afraid of the shopkeeper's disbelief, the man hurried over, grabbed a bag and put it on his shoulder. Although it was a bit shaky, I finally moved into the store.
The shopkeeper saw this and said, "Nah, from now on, you will be the clerk here. Don't be lazy, or get out of here right away."
The sound of conversation attracted Deng Yuhan's attention. He turned around and saw a sign flag swaying in the wind through the crack in the window.
Vaguely, it seems to be the word "rice".
