Standalone Northern and Southern Dynasties

Chapter 467: Breaking down mountains and cutting down temples
Hulu Guihan stood up suddenly. Human sacrifice was prohibited by government order. He also reiterated the decree of the county mansion after taking office. He didn't expect that there would be someone who would do this at the risk of being condemned by the whole world!

But Hulu Guihan quickly calmed down and said to his confidant Zhao Tie:

"You should go to Ji County immediately and ask Governor Murong to send a group of elite soldiers. I will go and negotiate with them first."

Hulu Guihan knew very well that this was a time of chaos, and it would be OK to rely solely on these yamen runners to protect his own safety, but if he really had to face a large-scale civil unrest, this amount of manpower would not be enough.

Hulu Guihan had heard about the local bad habit of worshipping river gods a long time ago, but he did not expect these guys to be so bold. Even after he had repeatedly banned human sacrifices, these guys still dared to do it.

In fact, when Hulu Guihan first arrived in Beiping County and communicated with the people of Beiping County, he found that most of the people also hated the various local superstitious activities.

Take this ceremony of worshipping the river god for example.

First of all, every time a ceremony to worship the river god was held, there would be local gentry and grassroots officials taking the lead in collecting money from the people, calling it donations for the ceremony.

Originally, the ceremony of worshiping the river god was held once every ten years, but gradually it became once every five years, and now it is once a year. If the Yongding River floods, it will be held temporarily again.

Each ceremony to worship the river god is said to cost hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars, but no one can tell exactly where the money is spent.

Probably the common people split the money 20% and 80% of it, while the gentry returned the whole amount.

This money has become a heavy invisible tax on the people, which Hulu Guihan could not understand. The sacrifice was originally intended to pray for peace, but it has already affected the daily lives of the people. Why did Beiping County still hold it?
The next words made Hulu Guihan angry.

It turns out that in addition to charging a hefty fee for the ceremony, these witches and sorcerers also proposed to use living people to sacrifice to the river god, under the euphemism of "the river god's wedding."

When the sorcerers and witches saw a beautiful girl from a small family during their inspection, they would say, "This girl is suitable to be the daughter-in-law of He Bo."

Then he would bring the girl back with a betrothal gift, make her a new silk dress, and let her live alone and fast.

A wooden house was built on the river bank for leisure and fasting, and scarlet and bright red silk curtains were hung up. The woman lived in it, and she was provided with beef, wine and food.

After more than ten days, everyone decorated the bed and pillows as if it were a daughter's wedding bed, let the girl sit on it, and then floated it into the river.

The pillow was not a boat, so it sank after drifting for dozens of miles. At this time, the witches and sorcerers shouted: "The river god has married a wife!"

The reason why the people are willing to bear the huge amount of sacrificial expenses is to prevent their daughters from being chosen by sorcerers and wizards.

Hulu Guihan was also angry after hearing this. He also understood the helplessness of the people in Beiping County. This was no longer an ordinary sacrificial activity, but a local tyrant using the name of a sacrificial activity to exploit and persecute people.

But Hulu Guihan also understood that if he abolished the activities of worshiping the river god, the ignorant people would jump out to stop him.

One of the reasons why it is difficult to be a parent official is that as a parent, sometimes you may not always get your children's understanding when you think about your children. The same is true for local governance. Any policy is bound to have people who agree and oppose it. In many cases, those who oppose it are also the beneficiaries of the policy.

Hulu Guihan led the remaining yamen runners to the Yongding River outside the city of Beiping.

By the time Hulu returned to Han and arrived at the bank of the Yongding River, the "boudoir" used for sacrifices had already been built. A young woman with a tear-stained face was being manipulated by witches like a puppet, while the onlookers cheered wildly.

When Hulu Guihan, dressed in an official robe, approached, it was obvious that this group of people came prepared. The sorcerer in the lead was named Liu, and it was said that he was a direct disciple of Liu Lingzhu, a famous local alchemist in Youzhou. He was proficient in witchcraft and divination, and was very prestigious in the local area.

Liu Shenhan came forward with his men. Behind him were the most fanatical believers. They were all holding rakes, harpoons and other things, and they looked at Hulu Guihan vigilantly.

Hulu Guihan knew that this group of people had been prepared for this. Even Liu Tie was able to learn that a ceremony to worship the river god would be held on the banks of the Yongding River because it was probably revealed by Liu Shenhan in front of him.

These guys are like this. As long as they hide in the crowd, they can fight against the aliens under the name of doing things for the people.

When Hulu returned to Han, he finally understood why Guanzhong cracked down on obscene sacrifices so severely. This thing has such a strong poisonous power!

When he was in Chongwen Pavilion, Hulu Guihan also heard great Confucian scholars discuss Buddhism and Taoism. Buddhism and Taoism do not engage in production, hide the population and land, and collect donations from the people. That is why Duke Su Jun vigorously promoted the ordination system and prohibited temples from arbitrarily ordaining people and accepting disciples.

But compared to other serious religions, Buddhism and Taoism at least encourage people to be good and have positive social significance.

Things like witchcraft and obscene sacrifices are completely used to harm people.

Liu Shenhan hid in the crowd and watched Hulu return to Han with vigilance.

Hulu Guihan looked at the increasingly hostile gazes of the people around him, and he said loudly:

"There is such a big event in the county, why don't you invite me?"

The people who were about to revolt were stunned, and Liu Shenhan looked at Hulug returning to Han in confusion.

I only heard Hulu Guihan say:
"I'm new to this county and would like to learn about its folk customs. When will this festival be held?"

When Liu Shenhan saw that Hulu Guihan was not here to cause trouble, he felt a little regretful. He wanted to take this opportunity to give this corrupt official a warning, but he didn't expect that he would be so soft?
It seems that he is going to join his ranks just like the previous county officials. Liu Shenhan was delighted. His master Liu Lingzhu had written to him a few days ago, asking him to pay attention to the situation in Beiping County.

If we can win over the county magistrate in front of us, won’t Beiping County be in our hands?
It is said that Su Ze has the ability to judge people and his subordinates are a gathering of elites.

Bah! They are just stupid and greedy people!

Liu Shenhan smiled and said:

"My Lord, aren't you worried that you'll be too busy with your official duties? Seven days from now will be an auspicious day, a good day to send the bride off."

Hearing this, the woman in the temporary boudoir showed a look of despair.

Hulu Guihan shook his head and said:
"Not after seven days."

Liu Shenhan looked at Hulu Guihan warily. The strong man beside him raised his knife and fork again, and then he heard Hulu Guihan say:
"Seven days later is the dark day, and officials will not work on the dark day."

After hearing this reason, Liu Shenhan felt a little numb.

Huiri is a traditional festival that originated during the Southern and Northern Dynasties, and is the last day of every month.

This day is considered to be a day to bid farewell to the old and usher in the new, and to drive away filth, and the government will also have a holiday on this day.

That being said, the end of the month, seven days from now, is indeed not suitable.

Liu Shenhan counted with his fingers and said:
"The next auspicious day will be in ten days."

After hearing the fourteenth day, Hulu Guihan immediately said:
"Ten days is ten days. Set a date. I will be on site to observe the ceremony."

After saying this, without waiting for Liu Shenhan to agree, Hulu Guihan left with his men.

All the sorcerers and the wealthy families who funded the ceremony all turned to Liu Shenhan. Facing the request of the county magistrate Hulu Guihan, Liu Shenhan could only grit his teeth and say:

"The day of the equinox is unlucky, so the festival will be moved to ten days later!"

When the crowd dispersed, the witch naturally looked at the "River God's Bride" according to the temporary specifications. Liu Shenhan and his disciples returned to their residence, but the more they thought about it, the more they felt something was wrong. They always felt that there was something wrong with Hulug's return to Han.

He said to his disciples:

"Have someone keep an eye on that dog official. If he makes any unusual movements, attack immediately!"

Ten days later.

During these ten days, Hulu Guihan was doing his best as usual, judging cases in court or visiting towns and villages in the county and talking with the local chiefs.

Liu Shenhan gradually relaxed his vigilance. A few days ago, he received news that his master Liu Lingzhu would arrive in Beiping County in two days. If he could capture this dog official after the ceremony, it would be a perfect gift to his master.

On the banks of the Yongding River, lights were hung and decorations were made. Witches draped gorgeous brocades on women and began to perform strange witch dances. The entire altar by the river was filled with smoke, as if demons were dancing wildly.

There were more people gathered this time. Hulu Guihan looked around and saw that most of the people were dull and silent. This was the second time the ceremony was held this year and the people in the city were already overwhelmed.

Hulu Guihan knew that the people's hearts could be used at this time. Most of the people were already disgusted with the endless obscene sacrifices, but they still obeyed these witches out of inertia and did not dare to stand up to resist these guys.

Hulu Guihan winked at Zhao Tie who was returning beside him. Zhao Tie touched the sharp knife hidden under his official robe at his waist and nodded to Hulu Guihan.

At this time, a team of elite cavalry had been lying in ambush in the forest beside the Yongding River, waiting for the order from Hulugui Guihan.

Liu Shenhan walked forward and was about to salute Hulu Guihan, when Zhao Tie, who was beside Hulu Guihan, suddenly stood up, took out a sharp knife and captured Liu Shenhan.

Liu Shenhan immediately shouted for help, and just as his disciples were about to rush up to rescue him, the ambush cavalry came out!

No matter how ferocious the evil forces are, they are vulnerable in front of an organized elite military force.

This group of elite soldiers under Murong Shaozong dispersed Liu Shenhan's disciples in just one round, and several leaders were trampled to death by horses' hooves!
The people at the scene were so frightened that they wanted to flee. Hulu Guihan immediately said:
"Fellow villagers! The Yongding River has been flooding continuously, and it must be because the river god was not satisfied with the last marriage. Even if we are living people, we have to choose someone we like. In my opinion, this young lady is ordinary in appearance and is not a good choice. Please ask Liu Shenhan to go down to the river and ask the river god if he is satisfied."

After saying this, Hulu Guihan simply blocked Liu Shenhan's mouth and tied stones to his feet. Zhao Tie and two yamen runners threw him into the Yongding River.

The river surged, and Liu Shenhan was instantly swallowed up. Hulu Guihan looked at the remaining witches and said:

"Why hasn't Liu Shenhan come back to report yet? Send someone to urge him."

(End of this chapter)