Controlling mountains and rivers since the Warring States Period

Chapter 599 Reverse Cultivation
At last,
Zhang Jiao stayed in Hejian County for a while longer.

It wasn't because of the money Liu Hong provided.

It was because someone in the area fell seriously ill, suspected to be from the plague, that Zhang Jiao was tied up.

Fortunately,

It was just a false alarm.

Liu Hong, the largest landlord in the village, took advantage of this minor fright to stay by Zhang Jiao's side and learn a lot.

He had never left the territory of his fiefdom, and his youthful nature naturally made him curious about the outside world.

Someone like Zhang Jiao, who could travel across most of the Central Plains unharmed, was still very attractive to him.

Out of aristocratic pride,
And the calculating nature cultivated through long-term meticulous budgeting,
And his intelligence, which is beyond his years.
Unlike ordinary people, Liu Hong treated Zhang Jiao, who was polite, composed, and had the air of a superior person, as an honored guest.

But he did admire Master Zhang, who was skilled in both fighting and healing, and also adept at organizing and pacifying the people.

Recalling the local people's fear and anxiety because of the "plague," even his mother thought about fleeing to other places for refuge,

The words spoken, the actions taken, and the final outcome of the Taiping Dao (Way of Peace) members.

Liu Hong couldn't help but sigh again:
No wonder the Han dynasty could not eradicate the Way of Peace no matter how hard it tried.

The latter has so many skills, and they are all really useful.
Before the imperial court extends its reach over everyone, controlling them at all times and in all places...
The foundation of the Way of Peace will forever remain firm and unshakable.

to this end,

Liu Hong was even willing to pay more money to hire Zhang Jiao to temporarily fulfill the role of a teacher.

seeing is believing,

Liu Hong felt that a Taoist priest like Zhang Jiao, who was renowned and capable, was much more useful than an ordinary Confucian scholar.

Using money to exchange for the other party's knowledge

Liu Hong not only didn't lose money, but he actually made a small profit.

Moreover, the locals had just experienced astonishment, and their reverence for the Taoist priests was at its peak.
As a local magistrate and a powerful figure, Liu Hong's close relationship with the Taoist priests would help maintain his reputation.

Zhang Liang wanted to persuade his elder brother not to agree to the boy's request.

He had always disliked the behavior of those privileged children, and seeing that Liu Hong, at such a young age, already looked like someone who was obsessed with money, he disliked him even more.

But Zhang Jiao looked at the money in his pocket and the supplies he had used to provide relief and medical treatment for people along the way, and felt that it was still worthwhile to temporarily compromise his principles for a meager living.

The purse strings of Taipingdao couldn't hold all the money.
We need to find other ways to supplement our resources.

"But that kid doesn't seem like a good person."

A child's character is formed at age three and their future is seen at age eight.

The precocious Liu Hong has already shown signs of growing up.

but,

Zhang Jiao was more gentle and patient than his younger brother.

He doesn't assume that someone will inevitably change their future just because they have a bad performance at one time.

Again:
People always change after being worn down by the years.

Even adults can be changed when they experience extreme joy or sorrow.

Moreover, it's important to consider the temperament of a young person who is still developing.

"Moreover, he is so intelligent. If he can walk the right path in the future, with his status and abilities, he can surely benefit many people."

Zhang Jiao said this.

But Zhang Liang still wondered, "What if he's unwilling to bestow blessings upon others?"

"Emperors are all selfish and self-serving, content with their own enjoyment, let alone a mere marquis?"

Zhang Jiao knew who he was secretly referring to.

Thinking of that person who clearly had the ability to revitalize the court, and also had enough lifespan to do so...

He only did the most basic work, and after slightly stabilizing the country, he became addicted to the harem, an emperor unable to extricate himself.

Zhang Jiao was also helpless.

Sitting in that position, wielding the greatest power, yet shirking his responsibilities, and in order to maintain his power and status, allowing the infighting between eunuchs and ministers to continue, causing the most intelligent and capable people in the court and the country to fall into pointless infighting...

The damage this has caused to the world is truly immense.

In contrast,

Emperor Renzong of Sui, who truly ruled the country by doing nothing and even lost ancestral lands during his reign, could actually be considered a qualified monarch.

At least the latter remained quiet and did not deliberately provoke infighting among the court officials for his own benefit.

"But the Marquis of Keting also influenced the fate of hundreds of households."

Even though the Han dynasty has significantly strengthened its restrictions on the princes and their families,
This meant that members of the imperial clan could only receive the fiefdoms they owned, and could not control everything within their fiefdoms as they did during the pre-Han and pre-Qin periods.
But given their status and position...

Even officials in robes have limited energy.

There are always loopholes for the wealthy and powerful in the area to exploit.

otherwise,

How could a powerful and influential family possibly grow and prosper?

Under the sun,

There are far too many places that are nominally under the administration of the imperial court but are actually busy causing trouble on their own.

"Baihu... Ha, that kid and his mother always say their family is down on its luck!"

"In the end, even the most down-on-their-luck princes still have hundreds of people who depend on them for support?"

Zhang Liang noticed the key point and immediately became indignant.

"It's been thousands of years, and it still looks the same!"

Zhang Jiao sighed helplessly.

If I hadn't confirmed it with God...
The orphan of Robber Zhi, who had followed Him since the pre-Qin period, still serves in the underworld, responsible for judging those who enjoyed wealth and status in life but acted despicably.

Zhang Jiao really had his suspicions.
Is this brother of his the other person's reincarnation?

The two are so alike in temperament.

However, considering the behavior of most wealthy people...

Zhang Jiao also felt that there must be many people in the world who had similar temperaments to Zhang Liang.

"That's just human nature."

"Acknowledge it, face it."

"To reject outright, to accept outright, or to indulge in unchecked behavior are all wrong approaches."

Because of his brother's attitude, Zhang Jiao recalled the story of the Former Yan dynasty and suddenly felt a pang of emotion:
"Many things require us to try them out so that future generations can improve upon the experiences of their predecessors and go even further."

otherwise,

The Taiping Dao in the Central Plains no longer attempts to spread its teachings to the upper echelons, thus expanding its influence through a two-pronged approach.

that's it,
Having accepted the money, Zhang Jiao began to instruct Liu Hong, the Marquis of Jiedu Pavilion of the Han Dynasty.

Liu Hong, adhering to the fundamental principle of buying and selling, believed that since he had paid money, he should receive a corresponding return, and he consulted Zhang Jiao on many aspects.

In addition to paying special attention to the situation outside of Hejian.
Liu Hong even listened to Zhang Jiao's explanations of the "Taiping Jing" without hesitation. Moreover, whenever he listened to the explanations, the ten-year-old Liu Hong would show a thoughtful expression and then ask Zhang Jiao his questions.

Obviously,

He actually listened to the dry content about the relationships between people and between people and things.

Zhang Jiao therefore felt that

Liu Hong is a promising talent.

After all, at such a young age, without having suffered any serious setbacks in life or been forced to grow up, yet he can understand the scriptures of the Way of Peace, doesn't that prove his talent?

"I hope that when he grows up, he will walk on the right path."

The agreed-upon day of departure arrived.
Zhang Jiao looked back at Liu Hong's house, at the young man standing at the door, calling out to those around him, and couldn't help but wish him well for the future once again.

God, who had already arrived in Liaodong and forcibly petted a large tiger that was passing by, glanced in the direction of Hejian County.

There,

After Zhang Jiao left, young Liu Hong held the various scriptures and doctrines of the Way of Peace that he had collected and read them with great interest.

His mother came over and said to her son with disdain:
"Why are you looking at these things?"

"That's something only poor people watch!"

“You are a member of the Han imperial family, a marquis of a region. Even if you are poor, you wouldn't stoop to associating with those guys from the Way of Peace!” Although she wasn't very clever, she had heard of the Way of Peace's special nature—

In the eyes of the Han people, the Way of Peace was a dirty thing that needed to be guarded against.

In recent years,
The early deaths of Ming and Shun, and the premature deaths of Chong and Zhi, kept the court busy with court affairs, giving the Taiping Dao an opportunity to grow and expand.

Even though the Way of Peace now presents a somewhat gentler stance, it primarily promotes theories of good and evil, reincarnation, and other concepts conducive to social stability...

But what if the Taoist priests suddenly go mad one day?

What if one day the emperor suddenly had a whim, slapped his forehead, and announced the "extermination of Taoism"?

Mrs. Dong really didn't want her son to get involved with the Taiping Dao.

Even if other important people appreciate it,

That was done in private, secretly.

Unlike Liu Hong, who openly reads a bunch of books in broad daylight.

"fine."

"How can the emperor have time to meddle in the affairs of his subjects?"

He can't even manage the thousands of women vying for his favor in his own harem!

"The imperial court won't pay any attention to my family."

The Kanto region north of the Yellow River.
It is a place where powerful families are deeply entrenched.

Before the current emperor promulgated the "Three Mutuals Law",
There were even instances of local people serving as local prefects and county magistrates.
This further weakened the imperial court's power in the local areas.

Even if a law prohibiting locals from working in the area is implemented...
Leaving aside the fact that, in essence, it can only impose slight restrictions on aristocratic families,

Its effects cannot be achieved overnight.

This is why the Way of Peace was able to rise again in Guandong and even in the old "land of dragon's rise" of Qilu.

"But these things are useless to you!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Dong glanced at the books on Liu Hong's desk, then withdrew her hand in disgust, wiping her palms with a silk handkerchief. "Wouldn't it be better to read some math books?"

Judging from the prosperity of the Hejian royal family...

It is not easy to become a prominent official in the country by virtue of royal blood.

The imperial court stipulated that only two candidates could be recommended for official positions in each prefecture, making it even more difficult to obtain a government post.

The Dong family didn't have any lofty ambitions; they just wanted to make more money.

Officials are required to take stock of the local population and land.

This kind of thing sounds troublesome and boring.
What could be more enjoyable than counting money while rubbing your fingers together?
"But shouldn't money come from the people?"

Holding the "Taiping Jing" (Scripture of Great Peace), Liu Hong reminded his mother, "If you want to make more money, and you don't want them to resent you, you have to figure out what's going on in their minds."

Madam Dong grumbled, "Isn't it only natural for a lowly person to serve a noble person?"

Why should we care about what that jerk thinks?

Liu Hong said, "That's what I thought before too."

"But after learning a few things from that Taoist priest surnamed Zhang, I realized that simply and crudely taking money from ordinary people is still somewhat dangerous in the long run."

Madam Dong immediately raised her eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

"You shameless woman, how dare you defy my family!"

The Han dynasty has been established for over a hundred years.

By the end of the Qin Dynasty and the beginning of the Xin Dynasty, the power and prestige of the lowly had long since vanish

Dong believed that all her privileges were her birthright and a matter of course.

Liu Hong did not answer his mother's question.

He is still young and his understanding is not deep enough. No matter how much he says, it will be a waste of breath.

Instead of focusing on research, we should explore more and delve deeper into our studies to improve our future.

Humph,
The doctrines of the Way of Peace are truly interesting.

Those Taoist priests, holding it, could make those ignorant and foolish people follow them.
If he follows the instructions in reverse, wouldn't he be able to make the people obediently listen to him and accept his management?
Thus,
Following the example of local prominent families, they secretly formed a caravan, expanding their business across the world and amassing unprecedented wealth.
It's an easy thing to do, isn't it?
"Good guy!"

"Practicing the Taiping Jing in reverse... Sure enough, the ten-year-old boy in the Liu family always has a lot of ideas!"

No wonder Liang Ji directly killed Emperor Zhi of Han.

He Bo, who had glimpsed Liu Hong's innermost thoughts, had the urge to seize him and refine him in an instant!

Fortunately, he held back.

God has been idle for so many years.

It's not worth breaking the rules with a kid who's only fantasizing in his head and hasn't even taken any action yet.

Moreover,
If the Han dynasty fails,

The people in the West Sea would definitely be happy to lend a helping hand.
Perhaps the newly emerging summer, having weathered the turmoil, will also have the idea of ​​intervening.

After all, the branches of the Xia people scattered outside have already borne abundant fruit.
No matter how severe the wind and frost, or how violent the rain and snow,
It also cannot damage the roots of this ethnic group.

At most, they'll just change the person in charge.

"The Central Plains did not cherish the mandate of heaven above them, causing the sun to shift to the west, and they can't blame anyone else for that."

His gaze pierced through thousands of miles, landing on the Song Dynasty, which was entering its golden age, and God murmured to himself again.

Sun En, who had escaped the roe deer's watchful eyes, heard his words and agreed.

He said:
"This year, the emperor sent envoys to Liaodong to demand tribute from the Murong clan that far exceeded that of previous years."

Among them were a large number of rare and precious medicinal herbs that nourished Yang energy... Several of the Murong clan's herb gatherers died in the mountains in their efforts to collect them.

Even the spirits and deities who govern Xingling,
And there's also God who occasionally comes here to hang out.
They will utilize their ancient skills to collect medicinal herbs in the mountains and provide free medical consultations, thus providing the Murong Yan Kingdom with more channels to source precious medicines such as ginseng.
It was also impossible to meet the emperor's needs in a short period of time.

after all,

The emperor, who still hadn't been able to father a son, was becoming increasingly impatient.

He desperately needs everything that can help him have a child.

no way,
After enduring so many years of hardship and suffering, he finally got to enjoy the happiness of being an emperor.
He really didn't want to give up this position to an outsider.

Moreover, although Liu Zhi had many beauties in his harem, they were essentially nothing more than playthings of the emperor.

When in a good mood, he would pamper her.
Discard when you're tired of it.
They are simply incomparable to the Zhao sisters of the Former Han Dynasty and the Yan family of the Present Han Dynasty, who made the emperor willing to give up his own children.

His family really does have a throne to inherit!
Given the emperor's urgency,
Not only the Murong Yan state in Liaodong was harassed by him,

He even sent envoys to the distant New Xia.

The rulers and ministers of Qi and Sui had very subtle expressions when they saw the Han envoy who had traveled through the Western Regions to Xinxia.

They naturally thought of the years before.

The Sui Dynasty envoys went to great lengths to seek aid from the Han Dynasty.

As a result, the weathered envoy, having endured many hardships, only received a heartless rejection from the emperor.

right now,

The Han envoy traveled a long way, showing no concern for the survival of the Sui Dynasty. He only demanded the legendary elixir that could restore even the most powerful eunuch to his former glory as tribute.

This is really...

It can only be said that there were good reasons why they chose to become vassals of the Song Dynasty and pay tribute.

"If we let him cause trouble for a few more years, the Central Plains may really face another change of dynasty."

Sun En sighed.

Because Liu Zhirong ranked third among the longest-lived emperors of the Han Dynasty,

The ghosts in the underworld also had extra expectations for his body, believing that he could have a longer lifespan and free the Han Dynasty from the misfortune of having one emperor after another.

As for the emperor's neglect of state affairs?
For the previous emperors of the Han Dynasty, this was not an urgent matter.

After all, emperors were very skilled at manipulating power.
He himself neglected state affairs,
He also did not forget to sow discord among the court officials, causing them to fall into internal strife and preventing them from seizing power.

But if this continues...

How can a country possibly be normal?

To this, God simply said calmly:
"It doesn't matter!"

"You must believe in Emperor Zhang's bloodline!"

(End of this chapter)