Taiping Dao at the end of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 28 Someone is trying to harm the Great Teacher!

"The three phases of Minor Snow: First, rainbows disappear. Second, the air rises and the earth's energy descends. Third, the closure and blockage mark the onset of winter."

As night deepens and the fireworks fade, sleet and snow fall in abundance. The tenth month of the lunar calendar marks the Minor Snow solar term. On this day, yin prevails and yang is subdued. According to the almanac, this is not a good time for travel. However, once one embarks on a journey, there is often no other choice but to strive forward.

"Rustling...rustling..."

The first frost fell on the plains of Jizhou, but it did not turn the earth white. It melted as soon as it landed, leaving only mud on the roads. From Handan in the State of Zhao to Yecheng in the State of Wei, it was only about a hundred li. After walking for three days on the muddy official road, the Taiping Dao group finally led their horses to the Zhang River northeast of Yecheng.

"The upper reaches are turbid, the lower reaches are clear—is this the Zhang River?"

"Yes! This is the Zhang River. Chengfu, look at that four-zhang-wide stone canal, that's the main canal of the twelve canals of the Zhang River. And those two-zhang-wide smaller canals are the branch canals that spread out. The twelve canals of the Zhang River extend for hundreds of miles, not only turning the Zhang River from turbid to clear, but also irrigating tens of thousands of hectares of fertile land... The essence of Wei County is all here!"

Zhang Chengfu stood on the banks of the Zhang River, gazing at the clear and wide river. Looking at the river now calm and gentle, irrigating the fertile fields, it was hard to imagine that when it flowed out from the eastern foothills of the Taihang Mountains, it was once a turbulent, rushing, and muddy "bad water" mixed with silt.

"In Ye, there was an imperial edict, issued by the historian Shi Gong, ordering the diversion of the Zhang River to irrigate the area surrounding Ye, where the once barren land was now fertile enough to produce rice and millet..."

"Chengfu, Daonu, Zhaojun, these twelve canals were built by Ximen Bao and Shi Qi of the State of Wei before the Qin Dynasty. They were constructed from the time of Marquis Wen of Wei, the founder of the State of Wei, until King Xiang of Wei a hundred years later. The twelve canals extended along the way, turning saline-alkali dry land into fertile irrigated land. The fields irrigated along these canals became the foundation of the State of Wei's prosperity!"

"Heaven displays omens to indicate good governance, and earth produces springs to sustain life. Water is the harmony of Yin and Yang, the very essence of human destiny. When water flows in moderation, the five grains are abundant; when people benefit, the world enjoys peace and prosperity. This is true virtuous governance, the righteous path to peace, and the harmony between Heaven and humanity!..."

The Great Teacher Zhang Jiao stood on the banks of the Zhang River, his eyes gentle, instructing his two disciples. The newly accepted Daoist boy, Zhao Jun, also followed behind, carrying his book box and listening to the lecture.

Before the four of them, a network of irrigation canals stretched out from the great river, like a spider web, guiding the river to the surrounding fertile fields. Most of these canals were built of rammed earth, while the important canal mouths were reinforced with stone masonry and had stone slab gates to intercept and guide the water flow.

Upon closer inspection, one can see that the bottom of the irrigation canals is lined with numerous gravel stones, sparing no expense, to reduce the erosion of the canal bed by the water flow. The soil brought down from the Taihang Mountains by the Zhang River settles in these canals, becoming fertile river mud that can enrich the fields.

"Wow! It turns out that the Twelve Canals of Zhangshui are not just channels or dams in a certain place, but a water conservancy system that extends for a hundred miles! It is the project of these twelve canals that has turned Weijun and Julujun into fertile lands where people can cultivate with peace of mind... This is the right path that Taiping Dao should pursue!"

Zhang Chengfu gazed intently for a long time before shifting his gaze from the irrigation canal to the fertile farmland on both banks. Wheat had already been planted in the fields, displaying a vibrant green. Even in years of drought, the cultivation of this fertile land along the Zhang River remained unaffected.

Without a doubt, these are all top-quality fields with a yield of three bushels per mu and located near rivers and canals. The current price is ten thousand coins per mu, and there is no market for them! And among the neatly crisscrossed fields, it is difficult to see any dividing boundaries.

Zhang Cheng searched forward for a while before finding a stone boundary marker with the character "界" (boundary) engraved in clerical script. He then searched on the other side, and after about two miles, he found another boundary marker. Afterward, he silently calculated in his mind and quickly came up with an estimated number.

"Two thousand acres of prime land all belong to a powerful family. Ten thousand coins per acre, twenty million coins... Hmm, that manor in the mulberry grove, with its bamboo forest and stone walls, should be the residence of this powerful family with twenty million coins!"

Zhang Chengfu pursed his lips and gazed at the grand manor for a while. He saw the carved beams and pavilions, and could vaguely hear the sounds of string and wind instruments, singing and laughter. He could also smell the aroma of millet wine and meat on the wind. The Minor Snow solar term is always a time for celebration. But this year, with the plague followed by drought, only a large clan occupying the fertile land of the Zhang River could afford to celebrate.

"The wine and meat in the mansions of the wealthy smell delicious..."

Zhang Chengfu lowered his eyes, turned his head, and looked at his master, Zhang Jiao.

"."

The Great Teacher observed Zhang Chengfu's actions, then looked towards the grand manor celebrating not far away. He stroked his short beard, paused for a moment, and sighed softly.

"Let's go! The ancestral hall of Ximen Bao is just to the south. We'll go there to offer incense, and then we'll be in Ye City."

The incense was lit, and the incense at the West Gate Temple was burning brightly. After everyone had paid their respects, they walked for a short while and arrived at the East Gate of Ye City.

Ye City was a major town in Ji Province, measuring 3-4 li from east to west and 4-5 li from north to south. The city itself had at least 70,000 to 80,000 inhabitants, and with the surrounding markets and settlements within several li, the population likely exceeded 100,000, making it a truly great city!

Within the city, several thousand soldiers from the prefecture and kingdom were stationed, along with tens of thousands of artisans and citizens of all kinds. Tenant farmers and estate owners cultivated the surrounding fields, numbering in the tens of thousands. Caravans and travelers thronged the city for trade. The carriages of powerful families came and went, showcasing the city's prosperity.

"Great One! I beg you, please, please give me some food..."

"Please...buy this child!"

"Sir, I can work, I'm a good worker! ...I just need a bite to eat..."

"This little girl is clever and beautiful... Let's buy her!"

Upon reaching the gates of Ye City, Zhang Chengfu stopped. Soldiers guarded the east gate, preventing refugees fleeing famine and disease from entering the city. Thus, thousands of emaciated refugees lined the eight- or nine-meter-high city walls of Ye City, forming dense, dark rows, like crows that had lost their nests. Passing carriages and officials completely ignored these low pleas, not even sparing them a glance.

"Please..."

Zhang Chengfu looked closely and saw that these refugees were ragged and mostly shivering from the cold, kneeling on the muddy ground. They were mostly thin, able-bodied young men with young children. The older or younger ones wouldn't survive until then.

A few of these children had a bundle of grass stuck in their hair. This was actually a sign for buying and selling livestock at that time, symbolizing extreme lowliness. Generally, biological parents would not put this on their children; they would only call out "for sale."

Further away, government servants responsible for collecting corpses squatted beside the oxcart. If they saw someone die of cold or hunger, they would drag them away and throw them into the oxcart. They would also casually search the area to see if there were any valuables.

Of course, these emaciated corpses usually had nothing on them. Only this one counted corpse, buried in the mass grave outside the city, would earn two coins as wages. And if there was more work, one could earn a hundred coins a day.

After receiving their money, they would have to give a small portion as a bribe to the clerk who kept track of the payments. After all, this lucrative business of collecting corpses for the government required money to get the job.

"The road is littered with the bones of those who froze to death...so many..."

Zhang Chengfu lowered his eyes again, turned his head, and looked at his master Zhang Jiao.

"."

The Great Teacher Zhang Jiao sighed and patted Zhang Chengfu's head. Then, without saying anything, he led his disciples and followers into Ye City.

Compared to the cries of sorrow outside the city, Ye City was much more peaceful. Just one city away, it was like another world. Passing through the mansions of wealthy families, markets, and restaurants, one arrives at the heart of Ye City: the government offices. These offices were generally quite large, with the various departments and clerks conducting their duties at the front, and the governors and prefects residing at the back.

The great teacher Zhang Jiao, along with his disciples, came to visit the government office. Upon hearing this, Li Shao, the governor of Ji Province, immediately changed into an extremely formal robe, put on his official hat and sash, and personally went out of the government office to greet him.

"Zhang Jiao of the Way of Peace has come to pay his respects to Lord Li!"

"Haha, I am overjoyed at the arrival of Master Zhang! Please come in!"

After exchanging pleasantries, the two walked straight through the government office filled with officials and entered the back courtyard in a friendly manner, leaving their disciples to wait outside. After drinking a pot of tea, Governor Li Shao personally saw Zhang Jiao off at the door, smiling.

"Master, have you and your disciples come from afar? If not, I can arrange a residence for you, a quiet and comfortable place." "Oh! My disciples and I will reside in the eastern suburbs of Ye City. There is a small courtyard there, sufficient to accommodate our disciples... Thank you for your kind offer, Lord Li!"

"Excellent! After I have settled all my affairs, I will send my servants to welcome the Master to my residence tomorrow, my day off. I eagerly anticipate sitting together in the high hall, discussing profound mysteries and the Dao!"

Tomorrow isn't actually a day off for the government. But whether or not there's a day off, and for how many days, is entirely up to the governor. Hearing this, Zhang Jiao smiled and nodded.

"This humble Taoist dares not disobey orders and has come respectfully in accordance with the imperial decree."

The two then made their agreement and parted with smiles. Zhang Jiao then led his disciples out of the city. Halfway there, they heard the sound of twilight drums echoing throughout the city.

"Boom!~Boom!~Boom!~"

In Han Dynasty cities, drums would be sounded at dusk, and morning bells would be rung at cockcrow. This was known as "evening drums and morning bells." After the drums sounded, night fell. A curfew was imposed at night, making travel inconvenient unless one held an official position. This is also why the Taiping Dao (Way of Peace) chose to reside outside the city.

"Cough cough! Please...please...please..."

"Tsk tsk! Another one has died."

"Hurry up and collect the body! Bury it as soon as possible so we can go back and rest... I'm really tired today."

"It'll be even more tiring if it snows tomorrow!..."

Outside the city, the drums still beat, and mournful cries echoed. Zhang Chengfu, head bowed, followed the Great Teacher eastward, his heart burning with righteous indignation. Once everyone had settled into the courtyard, the Great Teacher Zhang Jiao rubbed his weary face and gave his instructions.

"Rest well tonight. Tomorrow morning, I will be going to discuss metaphysics with Governor Li. Hmm, I will only take Zhao Jun with me. He is young and suitable to be my companion."

"This discussion on metaphysics will likely last at least three days. It will inevitably involve divination and fortune-telling, requiring a 'divination chart' based on the concepts of a round heaven and a square earth, and the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches. It will also involve observing the sun and stars, requiring a 'bronze sundial'. Furthermore, it will involve performing rituals and ceremonies, requiring 'talismans and wooden swords'..."

"Chengfu, Daonu, prepare all these ritual implements tonight! Discussing metaphysics with Governor Li is of great importance. In the next three days, if anything happens, discuss and handle it yourselves, and do not disturb us. Hmm, Chengfu, you make the decision!"

"Alright! Your teacher needs to rest. After three days of discussing metaphysics, I must be well-rested."

"Yes, teacher!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chengfu and Gao Daonu exchanged a glance and bowed in unison. Then, the two busied themselves, working through the night to draw the missing talismans.

The Han dynasty inherited the practices of witchcraft and sorcery from the pre-Qin period. Since the restoration under Emperor Guangwu, the importance attached to apocryphal texts, celestial phenomena, and divination, coupled with the rise of Taoism, led to the development of complex astronomical divination rituals.

Clearly, this discussion was not merely a "discussion," but rather delved into the realm of "mysticism," something that could not be taken lightly. At this time, the people genuinely believed in these things and attached great importance to them!
As the moon sets and the stars fade, dawn breaks in the east. When the morning bells of Ye City resound throughout the suburbs, two servants driving a carriage, accompanied by a dozen guards, arrive at the residence of Taiping Dao to extend an invitation.

"We humbly request Master Zhang to discuss the Dao!..."

Clearly, Governor Li was eager to explore the "secrets of the Dao," namely, "the Qi of Heaven and Earth, the Five Elements of Yin and Yang, and the divination of astrological phenomena," and then correlate them with "human destiny and one's own fortune and misfortune." This profound mystery and wonder is what truly captivates people.

"Yes, I'll go right away!"

The Great Teacher Zhang Jiao changed into his rarely worn, elaborate Taoist robes, and, accompanied by Zhao Jun who carried a box of ritual implements, smiled at his two disciples before boarding the carriage.

But taking Zhao Jun, this newly adopted boy, also had another underlying purpose. That was, once they met Governor Li, mentioning the boy's origins would make it seem natural to offer protection to the wealthy Zhao family of Handan.

"How pitiful that in the dead of night, he sat before the empty hall, asking not of the people's suffering, but of ghosts and gods!..."

Zhang Chengfu sat cross-legged, eyes closed, his mind still replaying the scene outside Ye City: refugees selling their children. And this wasn't just a scene in Ye City; he'd seen far too many outside the Tianqi Temple. Right now, the land north and south of the Yellow River was a scene of this everywhere. And next year, another drought would strike…

"Phew! May there be peace~~"

Snowflakes fell again from the sky. The cold of the winter solstice was not far off, and when the heavy snow covered the refugees who had frozen and starved to death, it would be a pristine white world once more. At least, that's how it was in the eyes of the powerful families.

As the day passed and the frosty, snowy dusk descended, a middle-aged scholar suddenly appeared outside the residence of Zhang Chengfu. He looked around, carefully knocked on the wooden door, and then knocked again. Only when Zhang Chengfu opened the door and their eyes met did he startle, and he smiled uneasily yet respectfully.

"By the grace of Heaven! Prince He Ziyuan of Wei Commandery has come to pay his respects to the disciple of the Great Master of Virtue... I wonder if my brother Tang Zhou is here?"

"You are... a relative of Senior Brother Tang Zhou?"

"Ah! No... I just met Brother Tang Zhou before and addressed him as 'brother'."

Calling someone "brother" implies that there is no blood relation whatsoever, and they may not even be close. Zhang Chengfu frowned, looking at the middle-aged scholar before him with suspicion.

This scholar was probably over forty, with graying temples and wrinkles on his forehead. His face lacked the youthful vigor of younger scholars, displaying only the slick sophistication of a middle-aged official. His clothes, though proper scholar's robes, were noticeably worn, just like his equally worn boots.

"Is the King Wang of Wei Commandery?"

"Ah! I dare not claim kinship with the Wang family of Wei Commandery! Well, my great-grandfather was a collateral branch of the Wang family of Wei Commandery… And thanks to the virtue of my ancestors, I have become a clerk in the prefectural government. Heaven bears witness! I have also heard the teachings of the Great Teacher of Virtue and believe in Heaven!…"

"Oh! So you're a fellow believer... Please! Please come into the courtyard for a chat!"

Zhang Chengfu pondered for a moment, inviting the scholar, who couldn't even be considered from a poor family, into the room while gesturing to Gao Daonu to prepare tea. He had already sketched out the man's image in his mind: a veteran official of the prefecture, a member of a lower-class gentry family, a believer in the Yellow Heaven... well, the last one was still a question mark.

"By the grace of Heaven! My great and virtuous teacher is away discussing the Dao with others. Senior Brother Tang Zhou is currently at the Daoist temple in the north. It is only my senior brother and I here, so I will receive Lord Wang... May I ask what brings Lord Wang to visit us?"

"Ah! So you are a disciple of the Great Teacher! My apologies, my apologies!..."

Wang He was taken aback, only then realizing that this seemingly mature young man was actually the person in charge of the Taipingdao residence. He hesitated for a moment before stepping closer and whispering.

"The situation is dire! Someone is plotting to harm the Great Teacher!"

"?!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chengfu was startled and pressed down on the short sword at his waist.

(End of this chapter)