Chapter 34: Yan Qiu (Part 2)

The paper was excellent—top-quality Xuan paper—but not a single word could be found on it. This so-called “heavenly book” turned out to be a completely wordless one. Not only this page but the entire book was a standard wordless text.

Looking at Liu Yu’s furrowed brows, Luo Yan Qiu finally smiled: “This heavenly book hides endless merits. By eating vegetarian food and doing good deeds every day, and reciting its contents a hundred times, one can enjoy infinite blessings in the future.”

Liu Yu couldn’t understand the wordless book, so he could only glance at the beauty-like Luo Yan Qiu and ask, “Where are the teachings?”

Luo Yan Qiu was peerlessly graceful, her every move leaving a lasting impression: “They are within this wordless book, in my words!”

She grew solemn: “Since I am in charge of this sect, all teachings must come from me. There’s no need to search in old texts.”

Her solemnity only added to her beauty. “Today, with global events converging and foreign religions invading, we face a situation unseen by past masters. As the world changes, so too must the teachings.”

Originally, Liu Yu, captivated by Luo Yan Qiu’s delicate fragrance, wanted to say a few words. But upon hearing her statement, his expression shifted slightly. He thought to himself, “What remarkable insight!”

This era, dubbed by Li Hongzhang as “the greatest upheaval in three thousand years,” had greatly impacted underground sects in the Far East. Various Western religions expanded their influence and followers in the East without restraint, encroaching on the space and foundation these sects relied on for survival.

These underground sects had tried various countermeasures, but like the Boxers, they couldn’t withstand the firepower, railways, and telegraphs backing Western religions. Yet hearing Luo Yan Qiu’s words, he had to admit that these sects still had such talented individuals.

In other words, teachings should evolve with the times—anything that benefited the sect’s development could replace old, traditional doctrines. Truly remarkable insight.

With such vision and insight, even though she was a woman, how could Luo Yan Qiu be ordinary?

Liu Yu knew that in Japan, there had once been a very small sect called Soka Gakkai. Strictly speaking, it wasn’t even an independent religious group but rather a lay follower organization affiliated with the Nichiren Shu sect, with only a few thousand followers before World War II.

During the war, Soka Gakkai was disbanded for opposing the militaristic regime. After the war, it had to start from scratch. Yet within just a few decades, it had 12 million followers worldwide, becoming Japan’s largest sect. The famous Komeito party was actually a front for Soka Gakkai, while Nichiren Shu itself had only hundreds of thousands of followers.

The reason Soka Gakkai became Japan’s largest sect was twofold. First, its successive leaders were exceptional, especially the third leader, Daisaku Ikeda, who was truly a genius who propelled the sect’s growth. The development of a sect was closely tied to its leader. Liu Yu felt that Luo Yan Qiu’s insight was among the finest in the world.

Secondly, the doctrine evolves with the times. Osho Daisaku has extraordinary vision, enabling the doctrine to adapt to changing times—from advocating peace against war to opposing nuclear weapons, aiding African refugees, and protecting the environment. Soka Gakkai has always been at the forefront of the times, which is why it not only endures but also thrives.
Liu Yu saw this kind of vision and insight in Luo Yanqiu: “Sister Luo, you truly have great insight.”
Luo Yanqiu was a woman with great personal charm: “Brother Liu, if you have any profound teachings, I’ll write them down on this scroll so they can be spread far and wide.”
She couldn’t afford to ignore this young man. In Vietnam, she was the one who understood Xiliu Camp and Liu Yu best. Compared to those high-ranking officials, she could see the hidden potential of Xiliu Camp clearly.
If not for this understanding, how would she have abandoned her base in Haiyang, taken a gamble with nothing to lose by shifting all her followers to Shanxi? Now, she was proposing her own terms of cooperation, which truly intrigued Liu Yu.
Liu Yu still had mixed feelings about religion. Having such a sect support him locally would definitely make things easier than relying solely on military strength.
The two got along very well.
“What does Sister Luo want?”
“I want those 460 rear-mounted guns of yours.”
Though it was the same request, Liu Yu understood clearly that she wasn’t there to threaten him but to use his guns to spread her doctrine.
“Westerners spread their religion in the South by relying on guns, cannons, trains, and ships. My sect can do the same,” Luo Yanqiu said bluntly. “If Brother Yu wants to develop Shanxi, my sect is willing to help him do so—it’s a mutually beneficial arrangement.”
Good! Although these underground sects might have other weaknesses, they would never allow Western religions to take away their space to survive and then face punishment. Throughout history, these sects had launched many anti-Western religious struggles, and their presence could be faintly seen in the Boxer Rebellion as well.
As for being too deeply involved with religion, he wasn’t worried.
“Sister, before we cooperate, let me make one thing clear: the entire region of Northern Vietnam belongs to your sect’s mission area. But please keep Xiliu Camp and the Black Flag Army out of it.” This was his bottom line in negotiations. He could provide all the convenience for Luo Yanqiu to operate in the local area, but the army was his lifeline—she couldn’t mess around with it.
Luo Yanqiu was prepared: “If Brother Yu doesn’t mention it, Yanqiu naturally understands. It’s just that Western religions are detestable. Could you sell me a few guns for self-protection later?”
“Sure! How many do you want?”
Luo Yanqiu was honest: “I came here out of admiration for you. The essence of our sect is in Haiyang. Hearing that you were coming to Shanxi, I brought my whole family. We’ve just arrived in Shanxi, so there’s no need to sell guns for now.”
“As of today, there are only 23 elders who are well-versed in the doctrine, plus 10 new converts.”
Luo Yanqiu also revealed her weaknesses: “Without external support, our sect’s foundation is indeed too weak.”
Liu Yu understood that even with her vision and insight, if there were too few followers and Western religions kept pressing forward, she wouldn’t be able to make much of a difference in the original world.

But things are different now. He asked, “I haven’t yet asked Sister about her background.”
Luo Yanqiu stood up and bowed. “Younger brother Yu, I originally spread the teachings of Master Luo. But as for what profound truths I should convey in the future, I would appreciate your guidance.”