Chapter 113: Zhao Zhenren Reveals His Tracks Again

It was the depth of winter, and after several days of heavy snow, Beijing had become a world of ice and snow. However, the monks' fury did not subside in the slightest due to the bitter cold; instead, it grew even more intense.

One day they would clash with the government soldiers, and the next day they would bump into them again.

Although these were all minor skirmishes, when gathered together, the scale was truly not small.

At dawn on this day, a middle-aged Daoist priest wearing a green Daoist robe and sporting a three-stranded beard slowly walked into a teahouse.

It was none other than Zhao Zhenren, who had previously had some dealings with Han San.

Zhao Zhenren's real name was Zhao Yuanda, and he was indeed a minor Daoist priest from Longhu Mountain.

However, he was different from other Daoist priests; while others were single-mindedly cultivating the mysterious and refining pills, he, on the contrary, focused on researching aphrodisiacs.

Once, because he accidentally dropped an aphrodisiac into a water well, it caused all the fellow disciples in the entire monastery to be overcome with lust. In a fit of rage, the contemporary Zhangshanshan of Longhu Mountain expelled this fellow from Longhu Mountain.

After leaving Longhu Mountain, he managed to scrape by with enough to eat and wear by relying on his skill with aphrodisiacs.

After he conspired with Han San last time to swindle the family of Liang Mancang, he left in a hurry and spent some time drifting between Hebei and Henan.

Thinking that more than half a year had passed and the heat should have died down, he returned to the capital.

Upon returning to the capital and hearing that the Grand Secretary Zhang intended to rectify the monks, Zhao Yuanda knew that his chance to turn things around had arrived.

He walked into the teahouse, ordered someone to brew a pot of good tea, and served a few plates of pastries, then sat in place and waited quietly. After about a quarter of an hour, a martial artist stormed in from outside, looking furious.

It was Han San.

As soon as he saw Zhao Yuanda, his eyes widened, and the moment he opened his mouth, his voice sounded like a bull roaring: "Didn't I tell you not to return to the capital? You really took my words as wind passing by your ears, didn't you?!"

"Third Master, don't be angry. This little one knows you have been troubled lately; I am just here to help you eliminate your worries." Zhao Yuanda gave a sly smile and took the opportunity to pull out a banknote and slip it into Han San's hand.

"Speak, let's hear it. If you dare to lie to me, the fists in my hands won't recognize anyone!" Han San accepted the banknote, his tone softening considerably.

"This little one wants you to help me make an introduction; you cannot make the final decision on this matter." Zhao Yuanda smiled, stood up to refill Han San's tea, and said respectfully, "For this matter, only Young Master Zhang and the Grand Secretary Zhang can make the final call."

Han San glanced at him, took the tea, tilted his head back, and drank it, then urged: "Speak quickly, how do you know I can't make the decision?"

"Alright, then I will speak." Zhao Yuanda gave a sly smile and asked, "Tell me, why does the current Grand Secretary want to force monks to take examinations and return all those who fail to secular life?"

"Nonsense, it is obviously because there are too many monks who are just making up the numbers, and the imperial court cannot feed these bald donkeys for nothing."

"Correct, monks are making up the numbers; this little one knows that there are also quite a few Daoist priests who are making up the numbers."

"What do you mean?"

"Zhang, the Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain—oh no, Zhang Zhenren—asked me to come to the capital, saying that as long as the Grand Secretary restores his title of Celestial Master, he can issue orders to restrain the Daoist temples under heaven and cooperate with the Grand Secretary in conducting the examinations."

Han San slapped the table and shouted: "You have such great gall! Back then, the Hongwu Emperor personally stripped the title of Celestial Master from Longhu Mountain and called him Zhenren. The Hongwu Emperor once said: 'How can there be a master in heaven?'"

"Even when the Jiajing Emperor was on the throne, he was only called Celestial Master by the common people. You still want to come and beg for a title now?"

"Third Master, isn't it just a title? As long as Zhang Zhenren takes action, those monks will lose the confidence to clamor. This is a great good deed that benefits the country and the people." Zhao Yuanda did not care at all.

"I cannot make the decision."

"Didn't I just say that? It was you who insisted on hearing it."

Hearing this, Han San fell silent and did not speak. Zhao Yuanda continued: "I ask that Third Master introduce me to Young Master Zhang. If this matter succeeds, you will also have the merit of recommendation. If it fails, I will bear any evil consequences alone."

"Fine, this is what you said." Han San nodded in agreement and led him straight toward the residence of Zhang Yunxiu.

When the three met, Han San first made an introduction, and then they sat down according to the etiquette of host and guest.

Zhang Yunxiu scanned this Zhao Zhenren, seeing that his bone structure was refined and his beard was flowing, so he asked: "You know the Zhangshanshan on Longhu Mountain?"

"This little one knows him." Zhao Yuanda hurriedly stood up to answer.

Zhang Yunxiu signaled for him to sit down, then asked again: "Since that is the case, why are you not staying properly on Longhu Mountain and running to the capital instead?"

"How this little one came is not important; what is important is that this little one can solve the urgent needs of you, Gongzi."

"The title of 'Celestial Master'—don't even think about it. Besides, although the imperial court stripped your Longhu Mountain of the title of Celestial Master, don't the common people still call the Zhangshanshan 'Celestial Master'?"

Even though the Hongwu Emperor had deprived them of the title of "Celestial Master," the common people still had not changed how they addressed him.

Because there were many in the imperial court who were devout followers of Daoism, the court also turned a blind eye to this.

"Gongzi, it is just a title. Compared to actual tax revenue, it doesn't count for much, right?" Zhao Yuanda still would not give up.

"Then trouble yourself to go back and tell that person on Longhu Mountain: if he removes the dregs himself now, I can still show him some face. If he waits until I finish dealing with the monks and then I deal with him, he had better not beg for mercy."

Zhang Yunxiu's tone was filled with determination.

Monks and Daoist priests were all parasites living off the country.

They did not engage in labor, did not provide tax revenue, and relied entirely on others for support.

If there were too many monks and Daoist priests, it would inevitably lead to laziness among the people, who would flock to the empty gates to seek tax exemptions.

"Since Gongzi is so resolute, this little one has nothing more to say." As Zhao Yuanda said this, he showed an intention to take his leave.

Zhang Yunxiu picked up a cup of hot tea, sipped it, and looked straight at Zhao Yuanda.

The two locked eyes, and Zhao Yuanda quickly lost the battle: "Gongzi, how about this? This little one thinks the title of Celestial Master can be forgone, as long as you can persuade the Emperor to go to Longhu Mountain to offer sacrifices, the Zhangshanshan will certainly be willing to help you, Gongzi."

"Han San, see the guest out." "Yes."

Zhang Yunxiu called out casually, and Han San immediately stood up to drive Zhao Yuanda away. Now Zhao Yuanda was truly anxious, and he hurriedly changed his words: "Hey, hey, hey, Gongzi, if the Emperor doesn't go, it is the same if the Grand Secretary goes."

"You go back and tell him that the conditions can be discussed, but the task must be completed first." Zhang Yunxiu signaled for Han San to stop, paced over to Zhao Yuanda, and smiled, "Also, the Grand Secretary is busy with ten thousand matters every day; where would he find the leisure time? How about this, I will go for the Grand Secretary when the time comes."

"This?"

"What, do you look down on me?"

Zhang Yunxiu's expression immediately sank.

"No, no."

"Then go and do it quickly. Look, your Zhangshanshan's surname is Zhang, and my surname is also Zhang; five hundred years ago, we might have been one family. As long as he can get this matter done, your Zhangshanshan will have rare merit, and I will personally beat drums and gongs all the way from the capital to Longhu Mountain."

Zhao Yuanda nodded and agreed.

Early the next morning, Zhao Yuanda and Han San set off together, braving the wind and snow, heading straight from the capital to Longhu Mountain. The group traveled day and night, and in just seven days, they arrived at Longhu Mountain.

The Zhangshanshan of Longhu Mountain had reached the fiftieth generation by this time.

This generation's Zhangshanshan was called Zhang Guoxiang, who was the cousin of the previous Zhangshanshan, Zhang Yongxu, and inherited his uncle's position in the fifth year of Wanli.

Stepping into the halls of Longhu Mountain, someone quickly recognized Zhao Yuanda and could not help but mock: "Yo, isn't this that Great Adept Zhao who concocts spirit pills? What, couldn't find wealth in the capital, so you ran back here for what?"

"Tsk tsk, look at his stray-dog appearance; it's clear he couldn't make it in the capital and wants to come back to beg for a bite to eat."

"Hahaha, maybe he perfected his spirit medicine and is now returning home in glory."

The crowd's discussion and mockery, mixed with the cold wind, were like steel needles piercing into Zhao Yuanda's heart.

He clenched his fists, his eyes bloodshot, glared fiercely at the mockers, and then walked straight toward an old Daoist with crane-like hair and a youthful face.

"Adept Qingyuan, I ask that you please introduce me to the Mountain Master; I have urgent matters to discuss with him."

"The Mountain Master... the Mountain Master is not here." The old Daoist shook his head.

"Not here? Then where did he go?" Han San asked urgently.

The old Daoist swept a glance at Han San, seeing his fierce bearing and full vitality, and knowing he was likely a character not to be trifled with, he replied respectfully: "I do not know. He went traveling through the snow, and his whereabouts are unknown."

"Then who here can make decisions?"

"With the Mountain Master away, none of us can make decisions."

The old Daoist made a bow, then stepped back and left.

"What do we do now?" Han San looked at Zhao Yuanda and asked.

"Wait." Zhao Yuanda spat out the word like a deflated ball.

"I can't wait! You motherfucker made me waste this trip for nothing; tell me, how are we going to settle this?" Han San felt toyed with and was suddenly overcome with rage.

Zhao Yuanda knew he was in the wrong, so he dared not say much, hanging his head in silence.

That day, the two descended Longhu Mountain and found an inn at the foot of the mountain to stay in.

Han San immediately ordered his subordinate Imperial Guards to search everywhere for traces of Zhang Guoxiang, while simultaneously sending men on fast horses back to the capital to inform Zhang Yunxiu of the situation here.

After finishing all this, he finally let out a long sigh; the long journey of many days had already left him exhausted. Previously, a sense of conviction had been supporting him, but today, once he reached his destination, his legs began to tremble; if not for the concern of official business, he would have collapsed to the ground long ago.

"Third Master, eat this, and I guarantee your legs will have strength." Seeing Han San's fatigue, Zhao Yuanda, who was to the side, pulled a small porcelain bottle from his bosom.

"What is it?" Han San asked.

"A potent tonic I concocted myself; it's guaranteed to make you full of vigor."

Isn't that just an aphrodisiac?

Han San glared at Zhao Yuanda with a look of disdain, snatched the porcelain bottle from his hand, and instructed: "I'll give you seven days at most. If that what's-his-name Mountain Master isn't back in these seven days, I'm heading straight back to the capital."

"This little one understands, this little one understands."

Zhao Yuanda nodded like a pounding pestle; he knew this was also his great opportunity.

If he could rely on this person from now on, promoting his own pills would be twice as effective with half the effort. He had no interest in high official salaries; he only wanted to open a pharmacy and sell his own divine medicine throughout the entire Great Ming.

He would tell those stinking Daoists that his were the true spirit pills and medicines! Having received the benefit, Han San's gaze toward Zhao Yuanda became more agreeable. He beckoned for the physician to sit down and asked: "Zhao Yuanda, tell me, why must you insist on making these pieces of junk aphrodisiacs instead of being a proper Daoist?"

"This is not an aphrodisiac, but a potency-boosting medicine," Zhao Yuanda insisted.

"Fine, fine, fine—potency-boosting medicine, potency-boosting medicine. Is it true you were kicked off Longhu Mountain just because you concocted this stuff?"

"That's because they don't understand the wonders of this spirit medicine! As long as a man is a man, there isn't one who doesn't want to be full of vigor!"

That was actually the truth.

Han San smiled at him and comforted him: "Work hard. Once this matter is done, I'll help you sell this medicine overseas."

"That would be wonderful!"

(End of chapter)