Chapter 1, Tears of the Beggar in the Pujimiao Temple

The middle-aged beggar, upon seeing the steamed bun, did not display the usual joy that a beggar shows when encountering food in hunger. Instead, he looked at Lu Sheng with a rather unpleasant expression and said: "How many times have I told you, although we are beggars, we must not lose our integrity as human beings. We are beggars, not thieves"

The young beggar turned over, as if still lost in a dream, murmuring: "A gentleman should not accept food offered with disdain..."

The Eastern Dragon Kingdom, a vast nation located in the center of the Seven Mystical Continents, is currently in the depths of winter, with its mountains and rivers covered in a blanket of silver.

Covering the painful wound, with the support of Zhu Xin, Lu Sheng and his family begged from door to door. The weather was cold and harsh, not the season for seeking flowers. The wealthy families kept their doors tightly shut. Looking at those vermilion doors, Lu Sheng deeply hoped that someone would emerge holding a bowl of steaming rice. However, what he faced was always the venomous faces and fists of the stewards, and even the fierce guard dogs.

You still hold your adoptive father in your thoughts, which shows your loyalty and righteousness; this is a good thing, and I naturally agree. You should return quickly. Someone, go to the kitchen and fetch some food for him to take back.

"Are you alright? Lu Sheng," a companion asked with concern

"Today it is your turn to beg, why are you still sleeping?" A middle-aged beggar kicked a frail, disheveled young beggar.

Then let him assist you with the chores in the woodshed. Since he has entered the Li family, he must adhere to the rules of the Li family and not give outsiders a reason to mock. In the future, Guardian Li will clarify the family rules with you. Is there anything else?

Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof!

However, even in such a prosperous place, there are still some individuals who, for various reasons, live in destitution, being forced to become beggars, wandering about and begging, with no status whatsoever

Perhaps it was the waves of mockery that embarrassed the middle-aged beggar, prompting him to exert more force with his foot and kick the young beggar fiercely

In the dilapidated Pujimiao Temple, Lu Sheng handed the food he had brought back from the Li residence today to his adoptive father. It consisted of some soft, tender steamed buns, clearly made from high-quality flour milled from superior wheat, a quality that ordinary families seldom have the chance to enjoy.

A guard who was feeding a dog cast his gaze outside the door, and Lu Sheng was astonished to discover that it was the very person who had injured him at the city gate. Upon seeing Lu Sheng, the guard's eyes narrowed involuntarily, as if recalling something. He then picked up the food bowl from the ground used for feeding the dog and walked over, throwing it down in front of Lu Sheng.

Lu Sheng looked at his adoptive father in front of him, feeling no warmth from him over the years, only harsh scoldings and fierce beatings. Anger surged in his heart, a wave of weariness, and he did not want to explain anything to him. Zhu Xin seemed to see through Lu Sheng's thoughts and quickly recounted today's experience at the Li residence to Old Wang.

Lu Sheng, clutching his painful wound and biting his lip, stood up and said: "Why are there people in this world who bully the weak and fear the strong, who oppress the good and fear the evil? If the way of heaven is clear and bright, why do all beings in the world not attain equality? Therefore, I say that the heavenly eye is blinded, and heaven cannot be trusted. One must rely on oneself. As long as I, Lu Sheng, exist in this world, I will ensure that the great way endures."

Inside the door, the eldest daughter of the Li family, Li Mengyun, was observing everything. She suddenly thought to herself that she had no one trustworthy by her side. Although this person was a beggar, he possessed a strong sense of integrity, which could be of use to her. If she were to escape tomorrow, this person could still assist her. With these thoughts in mind, Li Mengyun spoke out sharply.

... ...

This seemingly dreamlike utterance immediately elicited bursts of laughter from the surrounding beggars, interspersed with mockery and sarcasm

Jingyang Province, located in the southeastern part of Donglong Country, boasts beautiful scenery. Throughout history, it has been renowned for its prosperity and brilliance. The phrase "North Taijing, South Jingyang" refers to the northern Taijing Province and the southern Jingyang Province, which stand like two shining stars, respectively positioned in the north and south of Donglong Country, echoing each other from afar

Lu Sheng suddenly knelt on both knees and shouted towards the door: "Miss, your kindness and mercy have given me a chance to turn my life around, and I am deeply grateful. However, my companion, who lost both parents at a young age and has been left all alone, has been with me since childhood. I hope that you will also take him in along with me."

Li Mansion, the luxurious residence built at great expense by Li Nan Tian, the head of the Li family, is located in Luo Feng City. Li Nan Tian lost his mother at the age of thirteen and his father at fourteen. He inherited his father's small tavern at the corner of the city, and it was from that time that Li Nan Tian's business acumen fully manifested. Within three years, that small tavern transformed into a grand restaurant, Luo Hong Restaurant, situated in the most prosperous area of Jing Yang City. Officials and nobles take pride in being able to enter the VIP rooms of Luo Hong Restaurant. Today, the Li family has expanded its ventures beyond food and beverages to include textiles, forging, and even private salt. By the age of less than forty, Li Nan Tian has become a wealthy and influential business magnate, commanding the respect of even the governor of Jing Yang Province.

Lu Sheng felt that in this world, only Zhu Xin would truly listen to him, thus he regarded Zhu Xin as his most loyal companion

Lu Sheng noticed the expression on Old Wang's face, pursed his lips as if he wanted to say something but remained silent, ultimately swallowing his words. After a long pause, he finally managed to squeeze out three words: "I am leaving"

However, regardless of how great your ambitions may be, the first thing to address is the issue of an empty stomach. It is not about seeking to be full, but merely to avoid starvation. If one starves to death, what is there left to discuss about fairness and justice? Lu Sheng understands that if he cannot bring back a certain amount of food today, he will inevitably face a severe beating.

It is evident that the middle-aged beggar believes these steamed buns were stolen by Lu Sheng, for such high-quality food and items have never been used to appease a beggar

Taijing is the capital of the Eastern Dragon Kingdom, where high officials and dignitaries are abundant, exuding a grand and imposing atmosphere. In contrast to the magnificence of Taijing, Jingyang resembles a woman in a secluded chamber, delicate and enchanting

At this moment, the young beggar woke up, immediately jumped up, and said, "I will go right away, I will go right away." He then patted his companion who was sleeping beside him and turned to walk towards the outside of the Puji Temple

Isn't there still a lack of a helper in the storeroom? I think we can use him. The voice sounded again, but Lu Sheng did not see the person speaking from beginning to end

Drive! Drive! Drive! Drive! Drive!

"You have wronged me first today. Do you intend to use this dog food to atone for your transgressions? The heavens are clear and just, and there will be a resolution. I do not wish to partake in the food of a brute!" Lu Sheng said loudly

Lu Sheng knew that, on ordinary days, beggars would go far out of their way to avoid the Li residence, fearful of the oppressive power of its guards. Yet today, Lu Sheng found himself, in a daze, standing before the vermilion gate of the Li residence.

Outside the Pujimiao Temple, the cold wind howled, the fields were covered in white snow, and the scene was desolate and bleak. A young beggar and his companion tightened their thin, tattered jackets and slowly made their way towards the city of Luofeng...

The middle-aged beggar nodded slightly, and Lu Sheng cast a deep glance at him before resolutely turning to leave. As he watched Lu Sheng's frail figure exit the Pujimiao Temple, the middle-aged beggar felt as if something had tugged at his heart, and a glimmer of tears flashed in the corner of his eye

The young beggar is named Lu Sheng, as he was found by a middle-aged beggar on the roadside, hence the name Lu Sheng. Lu Sheng's adoptive father is called Old Wang, which leads most beggars to refer to Old Wang as the old dog and Lu Sheng as the dog child. However, this companion of Lu Sheng always calls him Lu Sheng, which is one of the reasons why Lu Sheng cherishes this companion. Lu Sheng's companion is named Zhu Xin, who, like Lu Sheng, lost his parents at a young age, having no relatives or friends, and subsequently became a beggar. Yet, this companion of Lu Sheng consistently calls him Lu Sheng, which is also one of the reasons why Lu Sheng holds this companion dear.

Stop!

"And the young lady is here!" The guard respectfully returned, then turned to Lu Sheng and said: "Kid, our young lady has shown great kindness by allowing you to work as a servant in the firewood room at the Li residence. This is a fortunate opportunity that many people long for but cannot attain. Do you accept?"

Inside the Pujimiao Temple, the ground is in disarray, with beggars burning inferior wood for warmth, emitting waves of unpleasant odors. However, for the beggars who struggle to find enough to eat, this is the most comfortable dwelling. Here, they are free from the scrutiny of others and can enjoy a warm and restful sleep.

A gentleman should constantly strive for self-improvement. Lu Sheng often encouraged himself and Zhu Xin with this saying. Although he was a beggar, he possessed a heart that refused to be inferior to others, despite his young age.

A pack of fierce dogs inside the gate of the Li residence immediately began to bark wildly. At this time every day, it is when the guards of the Li residence return from their morning exercises to feed the dogs. These fierce dogs will only obey the commands of the guards better when they are personally fed by them.

"Get out of the way!" A large group of people on horseback surged into the city gate. The young beggar and his companions were harshly whipped aside by the leader of the group. The young beggar curled up on the ground, touching his arm, where the whip had cut three inches deep into the flesh, causing his loosely hanging arm to be torn and bleeding, which was even more painful in this cold weather

If someone were here, they would surely mock this boy for his overreaching ambitions. However, upon closer reflection, one cannot help but admire the youthful aspirations of this little beggar. Although Lu Sheng hails from a beggar's background, he has never been willing to resign himself to the confines of the public temple, enduring the rags of poverty. While other beggars roam the streets in search of alms, Lu Sheng seeks out the homes of scholars, hiding beneath their windows to eavesdrop, and has surprisingly acquired a considerable amount of knowledge. Yet, the things he has learned cannot be shared with anyone; would he really discuss poetry, literature, and music with a group of beggars around him? That would be akin to playing the lute to a cow.

The humble one has one more request. Although I have been orphaned since childhood, I was taken in by a guardian; otherwise, I would have perished from hunger by the roadside. I have received the kindness of the young lady and must return to inform her. I earnestly request that the young lady grant her consent

Lu Sheng furrowed his brows and pondered. Although he did not understand why the young lady would take a liking to him and have him work as a servant in the Li family, he realized that if he did not seize this opportunity, he might truly end up as a beggar for the rest of his life. Gaining entry into the Li residence would alleviate his worries about food and clothing, unlike his current situation where he spent a significant amount of time begging without even a full meal. He would then have more time to pursue the things he wanted to do

Lu Sheng could tell from the voice that the person was relatively young, but upon hearing the reprimand, the guard immediately withdrew his fist, clearly showing a great deal of apprehension towards the speaker

How many generations of emperors have changed, how many historical storms have passed, yet the brilliance of Jingyang has never faded. Whenever Jingyang is mentioned, people inevitably associate it with words like "beauty," "fireworks," and "fine wine." As a land of fireworks with a rich cultural heritage, Jingyang attracts countless talented men and beautiful women throughout the year, who become entranced and linger in the tender embrace of love.

If it were usual, Lu Sheng would certainly pick up the food bowl on the ground, bow repeatedly, and express his gratitude loudly. However, today, Lu Sheng has no desire to retrieve the food bowl. The pride and spirit he has overheard from scholars in their discussions have instilled a sense of inner resilience in this little beggar

In a remote corner to the east of Luofeng City, in Jingyang Province, there stands a dilapidated temple. If one were to wipe away the thick layer of dust from the worn temple door, the three characters "Pujimiao" would faintly emerge. This decrepit Pujimiao is occupied by a group of ragged beggars, struggling to find enough to eat.

After listening to Zhu Xin's words, the middle-aged beggar realized that he had wronged Lu Sheng. A hint of regret flashed in his eyes, yet he did not express his remorse.

Hmph, little beast, do you think you can act so arrogantly?" The guard rolled up his sleeves and was about to unleash a flurry of punches and kicks on Lu Sheng