From the Carp that Brings Children to the Celestial Officials

Chapter 176 Arrogant Words
The spring breeze is still warm and not yet hot; the rain has not yet arrived but the sky is already clear.

When the imperial edict bestowing divine titles upon Changning County was introduced into the city, it was like a clap of thunder suddenly exploding in the sky, awakening countless households.

The drums and gongs sounded in the early morning, and the bells rang throughout the market. Red silk and paper flowers, still tinged with joy, were everywhere in the streets and alleys. It seemed that even the swallows hanging under the eaves knew that today was different from the past, and their chirping was louder than usual.

To celebrate this joyous occasion, the county government specially ordered a three-day celebration. During these days, gongs and drums resounded throughout Changning County, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.

Although the side hall in the City God Temple is not yet fully completed, it already shows signs of a thriving incense-burning atmosphere, with three golden incense sticks standing side by side on the altar, and the sound of people praying filling the air.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

Although the side hall is still under construction, the main hall in the underworld has already taken shape.

In the darkness, a magnificent palace complex floats at the boundary between the underworld and the human world.

The incense smoke rising from the human world transformed into brilliant flames and clouds outside the main hall, illuminating hundreds and thousands of miles of the underworld.

Inside the main hall, Granny Green Bell and Fairy Cloud Neck looked at the Lady of Pregnancy with respect.

Oh no, she should be respectfully addressed as Lady Zhaoyun Siyuan.

The lady, dressed in a gold and red robe, had a kind face, yet there was an air of awe that made her unapproachable.

After all, the other person had transformed into a seventh-rank deity, while the two of them were still ninth-rank minor deities.

"No need to greet you two."

"I promised you before that if I were to take charge of the divine duty of bestowing children and protecting the environment in Changning County, I would not treat you unfairly. I will now petition the City God to promote you to the eighth rank."

Lady Yuan of Zhaoyun Department was in a great mood at the moment, and it wasn't just because she had been promoted.

Instead, the county treated her with great respect, not only by parading her through the streets on the day of the imperial decree, but also by hiring a drum and gong troupe to celebrate for three consecutive days.

For the gods, this is also a good opportunity to spread their name.

Presumably, everyone in Changning County knows his name now, and he is no longer that unknown little god.

Upon hearing this, the two gods were overjoyed and immediately kowtowed in gratitude repeatedly.

However, Lady Zhaoyun failed to notice that the bustling scene in Changning County had attracted the attention of another group of people.

……

"Changning County is truly a blessed land. Not only does it have such beautiful mountains and rivers, but it also has a harmonious relationship between humans and gods, and the people live in peace. I never noticed this before."

These days, there have been quite a few more figures dressed in scholar's robes around Changning County.

This is because the imperial examinations are about to begin, and scholars from Bingzhou are gathering in Tai'an Prefecture. Changning County is not far from Tai'an Prefecture, and the talented scholar Yan Yuanbai has invited everyone to Yuanling Mountain for the Shangsi Literary Gathering, so many scholars have come here because of his reputation.

Although Yan Yuanbai was only a scholar who passed the imperial examination, he was extremely skilled in poetry and prose and painting. It is said that he once composed a poem on the banks of the Cangyuan River, which startled countless fish and caused them to leap out of the water. Therefore, he was known as the "Talented Man Who Startled Fish".

"Brother Lu's words may be too gullible. The concept of gods is merely a reflection of people's hopes and beliefs; it is a mixture of truth and illusion and should not be taken entirely at face value."

Then someone spoke up to refute it.

“Those who believe are sincere and find solace in this belief; is this not a gathering of hearts, and when hearts are united, the world is at peace.”

Someone nearby struck up a conversation, and the students chatted animatedly.

"The common people do not study, but worship gods to maintain their integrity. We who study value reasoning. However, the peace and tranquility of the world and the well-being of the people depend on the diligence of the local officials and the clarity of laws and regulations. How can we attribute it all to divine intervention?"

Although there are immortals and gods residing in this world, for most scholars, matters of ghosts and gods can only be described as "respectful but distant."

"God should not be believed entirely, nor should he be completely rejected..." Such debates, in fact, have no answer. Everyone speaks freely, and occasionally they argue until their faces turn red. But if someone makes a brilliant point, the crowd is generous with their applause.

Just as the scholars were engrossed in their conversation, they suddenly heard someone shout:

"Yan Jinglin is here!"

Everyone looked up at the middle of the road and saw a middle-aged scholar being surrounded by several people, slowly walking towards them.

Upon seeing this person, everyone bowed and greeted him.

The middle-aged scholar returned the greetings one by one.

Yan Yuanbai was very famous, and many scholars were excited when they saw him coming.

"Mr. Yan, we have a debate here. What are your thoughts on this?"

A scholar briefly recounted the topic of the debate to Yan Yuanbai. Many students nearby, upon hearing this, pondered in secret how they would approach the problem.

It's easy to express one's own opinions, but it takes some thought to make one's words reasonable, well-founded, and persuasive.

Upon hearing this, Yan Yuanbai pondered for a moment, then stroked his beard and looked up at the temple under construction in the side hall of the City God Temple.

Then he pointed to the plaque that read "Lady Zhaoyun Siyuan," and everyone followed his gaze.

"Those who confer the titles of gods are human beings."

He only said one sentence, and although his voice was not loud, it was like a pebble falling into a deep pool, creating ripples.

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up immediately.

Although this statement may seem somewhat arrogant, it aligns with the essential principles of classical studies and is particularly apt in this context.

"Although the gods of the past are said to be ordained by Heaven, they are actually born from the system of rites. You can check the Ancient Rites and the Sacrificial Canon. The gods have temple names, ranks, sacrificial dates, and incense offerings. All of these are determined by the court and established by the prefectures and counties. They are not written by Heaven or come from ghosts."

"When the common people offer incense, it is because they have something to offer. When the court establishes a position, it is because the teachings have a place to belong."

"The so-called gods are nothing more than the gathering of people's hearts, the actions of people's words, and the records of people's laws."

“If people do not offer sacrifices, the name of the gods will dissipate; if people do not believe, the light of the gods will be extinguished.”

"Therefore, the so-called divine way is nothing more than using faith to nurture power and using incense to nurture thoughts. What can truly be relied upon is only human reason, not the name of a god."

Yan Yuanbai pondered for a moment, then continued.

After he finished speaking, there was a moment of silence, and then the crowd cheered.

With Yan Sheng's talent, he was more than qualified to pass the imperial examination, but he always made outrageous remarks during the provincial examinations, which displeased the emperor and caused him to fail repeatedly.

"What an arrogant brat! How dare he be so disrespectful! We gods above, how can we allow him to be so disrespectful?"

His words naturally traveled along with the wisps of incense and into the side temple. Although Madam Yuan of Zhaoyun Temple had not yet spoken, Granny Green Bell and Fairy Cloud Neck could not contain themselves and a fierce look appeared on their faces.

How dare a mere mortal speak ill of the gods?
"Once he leaves the city, I'll curse him."

Grandma Green Bell gave a slight, cold smile, which made her withered, bark-like face appear even more sinister.

Although gods cannot easily punish mortals, they can still impose some punishment if mortals are disrespectful.

The woman sitting in the hall was also somewhat displeased, so she remained silent, which was taken as tacit approval of the two men's actions.

(End of this chapter)