The more you believe me, the more real it becomes.

Chapter 161 How come there are Buddhist scriptures in a Taoist temple?
A large number of disaster victims sprang into action as Du Yuan had requested.

However, before they left, they did not forget something even more important—that was on their tattered rags, which could hardly be called clothes.

The cleanest pieces were carefully selected and cut out, and then presented to Du Yuan to add fuel to the fire of that divine furnace.

When Du Yuan threw the cloth they brought into the fire, everyone could clearly see that the already towering fire rose even higher!

Originally, this radiant scene could only be seen around Hansong Mountain.

So now, it seems that even going one or two more mountains further away is definitely not a problem.

This made them even more excited and more convinced that their trip would definitely not be in vain!
Du Yuan nodded repeatedly as she watched the gradually rising fire in the furnace.

It seems the general direction is correct, so we should just wait and see to prevent any unforeseen circumstances.

The disaster victims couldn't wait until dawn, so they carried torches and went down the mountain one after another.

Those who remained because of poor health did not simply wait idly.

Instead, under the guidance of several opinionated leaders, and after consulting with Du Yuan, they collected all useful or potentially useful items, such as food and clothing, and managed them centrally, distributing them according to need.

They also arranged for some people with relatively good physical condition to go to the surrounding areas to find more people to come.

Everything is proceeding in an orderly manner.

This surprised Du Yuan greatly.

He had heard people say that the talent of a county was enough to govern a country, but he didn't quite believe it, thinking that Pei County was just too special.

Looking back now, that statement is absolutely true; it's just that many people simply don't have the opportunity to showcase their talents.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. After all, who would have thought that a hoodlum in his forties who was still walking chickens and teasing dogs on the street could become the later Emperor Gaozu of Han?
After smiling to herself, Du Yuan dismissed the distractions and looked at the sky, pondering what had happened in the southwest.

Was it the work of those old folks, or a change in the very fabric of nature?
Or perhaps both?
But no matter what, with such a high-profile entrance, I'm bound to run into them.

Thinking back, things won't be as easy as they are now.

Gazing at the dark, uncertain starry night in the distance, Du Yuan suddenly laughed:
"Then we'll see who gets scared first!"
-
The next few days went by unexpectedly smoothly.

This place was originally a hub for disaster victims from the southwest to flee to other places, so as soon as they saw the towering furnace fire that could be clearly seen even in broad daylight.

No one needs to tell them; many disaster victims will spontaneously come to the scene.

So that we can see whether it's a deity descending to earth or a precious baby being born.

In addition, the word spread rapidly among the refugees who had left the area.

Currently, there are tens of thousands of disaster victims just around Hansong Mountain.

There are even more who didn't make it, or who are still searching everywhere!
The fire in the furnace that Du Yuan had been watching was now almost as tall as a mountain thanks to their support.

In this way, a positive cycle is formed, because disaster victims from more distant areas can also see it and then follow.

It can be said that Du Yuan has never fought such a smooth battle since he came here.

However, on this day, Du Yuan, who thought it would be like any other day, suddenly saw several children coming to find her.

Before Du Yuan could ask any questions, they hesitantly handed over a tattered scripture, saying:
"Immortal Master, this is what we found in the ruins. Everyone says it survived the fire, so it must be a treasure, and we brought it to you!"

Du Yuan glanced at it; it wasn't a treasure, just a book that had luckily survived the fire.

So it was just a good intention, not a stroke of luck for these children.

He then chuckled and accepted it, saying:
"Oh, thank you very much, my young friends!"

The little ones, who had received praise from Du Yuan, happily went to find their parents.

After watching the little ones leave, Du Yuan began to look through the half-scroll of scriptures they had brought.

I thought it was a Taoist classic, such as the Tao Te Ching.

When Du Yuan saw the front, she was instantly shocked. Although only half of it was burned by the fire, the remaining words clearly indicated that it was a Buddhist scripture!
Because the remaining few characters are—Tathagata!
Startled, Du Yuan hurriedly looked around at the ruins.

No, why would a Taoist temple have Buddhist scriptures?
Before a large camp, several armored soldiers came running in one after another, shouting urgent reports.

This startled the guards at the camp gate, who hastily allowed them to pass. They waited until they saw the horses gallop past at breakneck speed.

The soldiers guarding the camp gate shook their heads repeatedly as they watched.

"Entering the camp without dismounting is a bit too hasty."

“The last time this happened, I remember my cousin’s more than a dozen battalions all lost money.”

"When will this day end?"

Fighting a war against natural disasters, or a protracted and fierce war.

Very few people could withstand that.

Especially before they came, they all thought that with the right timing, location, and people, the bandit army would surely collapse at the first touch.

Who would have thought that they would be completely trapped in the southwest from the moment they arrived?

Before the commander's tent, the several fast horses hurriedly pulled on their reins and dismounted.

"Urgent report! Urgent report!"

This left the generals inside feeling utterly helpless.

Is the situation that we've managed to maintain so painstakingly about to collapse again?
The messenger entered.

A lieutenant stepped forward and asked:
"Where did the accident happen?"

The messenger bowed his head and said:
"In response to your question, generals, it is the rear! Something has happened in our rear!"

Upon hearing this, even the veterans sitting upright in their chairs instantly stood up.

In a situation where morale is already low, if something happens to the rear, which is the escape route, the camp could be thrown into chaos immediately!
"Something happened in the rear? What is Han Chengzai doing? Where did the trouble happen? Was the grain supply stolen, or has Liangzhou City fallen?"

The messenger hurriedly shook his head and said:
"No, no. Everything was fine when we came!"

The generals breathed a sigh of relief; thankfully, it wasn't one of those.

Only the old general, who had risen, strode quickly to the messenger and asked earnestly:

"If none of these are it, then what is it?"

The veteran had a very bad feeling.

This was a matter of great importance, and the messenger dared not answer, but instead handed over the letter.

Suppressing his sense of unease, the veteran hurriedly opened the letterbox, delivered the urgent report, and examined it carefully.

The more he looked, the more ashen his face became.

He then slammed the urgent report on the table and cursed:
"Those damned Taoist priests! When I return to the capital, I will definitely petition the Emperor to eradicate Buddhism and Taoism!!!!"

The other generals hurriedly asked:
"General, what's wrong?"

The old general pointed to Hansong Mountain and said:
"Do you remember that Cold Pine Mountain that we trampled flat?"

Everyone nodded hurriedly. How could they forget about the mountain of grain?

The veteran, enraged, cursed:

"Another damned Taoist priest has come to that place, and he has a huge following, reportedly numbering in the hundreds of thousands!"

"what?!"

Another sorcerer?!

"Wang Pingzhang!"

A general who looked extremely fierce immediately stepped forward:
"The general is here!"

"Give me five thousand fast cavalry and wipe out that evil Taoist!"

(End of this chapter)