[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-overthrowing-han":3,"chapter-overthrowing-han-overthrowing-han-chapter-200":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Overthrowing Han",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1222959,1620,"Chapter 200: Who Asks the Man by the Roadside (2-in-1)","overthrowing-han-chapter-200",200,"\u003Cp>\"The so-called fault of excessive worship is not that there are too many gatherings or sacrifices, but that they seize wealth and disrupt farming. When we of the Way of Great Peace conduct our affairs, although we also gather frequently, we rarely demand goods or money from the poor, and we never delay their proper labor!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And as for the talk of heretical teachings — that is nothing but alarmist nonsense! What our Way of Great Peace serves is the 'Way of the Yellow Emperor and Laozi'! Since when, under the Han realm, has this Daoist learning become heretical teaching?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And there is also the charge of misleading the masses... Since it is not heretical teaching but orthodox scripture and learning, then even if there are acts of gathering crowds to preach, how can that be called misleading? Is it not rather an act of enlightenment?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This tall, lean Daoist of the Way of Great Peace spoke with righteous fervor, and Gongsun Xun nodded frequently as he listened... After all, the latter knew that what the former said was essentially the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At present, the Way of Great Peace truly showed not the slightest sign of deviating from orthodoxy or betraying the Way, let alone being some evil or heretical path. Even if far-sighted men at court recognized its danger, it was because they noticed its formidable mobilizing power and the complexity of its membership — not because there was anything wrong with the Way of Great Peace's scriptures or conduct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, like Confucianism, the Way of Great Peace also took high antiquity as an ideal template... They believed that under the Yellow Emperor's rule, the world had no exploitation or oppression, no hunger, cold, sickness, or disaster, no fraud or theft — every person was free and happy. And this world was called the 'World of Great Peace,' while the duty of the Way of Great Peace was to 'bring about Great Peace.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, these people worshiped Laozi and the Yellow Emperor... Surely no one would claim those two were evil or heretical figures?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for their methods of spreading the faith, as far as Gongsun Xun knew, they were nothing more than two:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One was repentance: anyone who had committed a transgression, so long as they went out onto the road and kowtowed sincerely — kowtowing to Heaven, kowtowing to Earth — then their sins could be absolved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other was the so-called healing by talisman water: burn a talisman and drink the water. If the illness was cured, it was naturally because the heart was sincere and thus efficacious; if the illness did not heal and one went to meet the King of the Dark Capital, then naturally it was because the heart was not sincere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two tricks were very good at attracting people and very good at deluding them. Yet even Gongsun Xun could hardly criticize them... because this age was simply that superstitious! Had he not seen what Cai Bojie said? That so long as the Son of Heaven, at a certain time and a certain place, sincerely and reverently performed sacrifices and prayers facing a certain direction, then whatever chronic ailment afflicted the realm would be resolved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That being the case, on what grounds could you forbid the Way of Great Peace from claiming that a sincere heart brings efficacy?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, unless driven to the utmost despair, how many people would believe in such things?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for colluding with the inner attendants...\" This Daoist of the Way of Great Peace was still arguing his defense, and when he reached this point, the man who had until now worn an indignant expression suddenly sneered without cease. \"This charge — even if our Way of Great Peace dared to admit it, and even if you, my lord, dared to convict us, the court would absolutely never permit it, would they? May I ask: is the Secretariat, which now handles court administration, not controlled by the inner attendants? Is the Yellow Gate Supervisory Office, which conveys the Son of Heaven's edicts, not also controlled by the inner attendants? Is the Western Garden, where civil and military officials pay money when seeking promotion, not also controlled by the inner attendants? If colluding with inner attendants is a crime, then from the Three Excellencies on down, every official in the court should share the same guilt... Even you, my lord — your one wife and one concubine, are they not both kinswomen of two eunuch directors?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Insolence!\" Dong Zhao rarely slammed the table and rose to his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun glanced unconcernedly at Dong Zhao, then turned back and gestured for the Daoist of the Way of Great Peace to continue: \"You need not mind him. Go on — is there not one more charge you have yet to refute?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Daoist of the Way of Great Peace had originally raised his head and faced Dong Zhao's anger with awe-inspiring composure, but now, pressed by Gongsun Xun, he could not help but falter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the final charge was 'plotting rebellion and revolt.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In all fairness, this was actually a charge that could be refuted very easily — one could even say it required no refutation at all. Because if anyone wanted to accuse another of plotting rebellion, they must at least produce evidence, must they not? If, as before one's eyes, a mere clash of lips could accuse someone of rebellion and force the accused to prove in turn that he had not plotted rebellion, then the realm would descend into utter chaos!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, the Daoist of the Way of Great Peace could easily sidestep this topic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, this was Xiangguo County under the jurisdiction of Zhao, adjacent to Julu. Nearly everyone here knew that Zhang Jiao had once plotted rebellion... only to be pardoned, that was all. So if this Daoist of the Way of Great Peace was someone who truly wished to reason things out, he could not circumvent this topic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In former days, the Great Virtuous Teacher misunderstood the scriptural meaning within the *Classic of Great Peace*, believing that if the Yellow Heaven were to descend upon the world, the realm must first be overturned...\" After a long while, the Daoist managed to explain with effort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I too have read the *Classic of Great Peace* in its entirety.\" Gongsun Xun, under the astonished gazes of many in the hall, suddenly interrupted him. \"Does not the so-called Great Virtuous Teacher derive from the scripture passage, 'The words of all the worthies who prop up Heaven are not equal to one virtuous and good man of the state'? That being the case, this man who calls himself the Great Virtuous Teacher ought to possess foresight and prescience, surpassing the vision of ordinary men. Having so gravely misinterpreted the scriptures, how can he still be called the Great Virtuous Teacher?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tall, lean Daoist of the Way of Great Peace was momentarily tongue-tied and could only stammer: \"Had he not believed the Yellow Heaven was about to descend, how could such an incident have occurred?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Was it not rather that he heard Zhang Xiu in Hanzhong was vigorously promoting the Way of the Five Pecks of Rice, and, fearing he would fall behind, rashly rose up in haste?\" Gongsun Xun permitted himself a rare sneer — this was a secret he had heard from the Daoist Wang Xian, Wang Daoren.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was right: Zhang Jiao's first rebellion was not because his brain had been addled. He had heard that the Way of the Five Pecks of Rice in Hanzhong and some other sect in Guanzhong had suddenly flourished. Fearing that others would steal his business, he could not restrain himself and raised the banner in revolt... The result, naturally, was 'pure practice.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Daoist of the Way of Great Peace turned even paler at these words: \"The Son of Heaven has already pardoned the affairs of former days. Why must you, my lord, keep seizing upon them? Moreover, after that day, the Great Virtuous Teacher turned his mind entirely to enlightening the common people and healing the sick to save lives. To condemn today's conduct by yesterday's crime — can this be justified?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was conceding defeat on this topic of his own accord. It seemed that at this time, these Daoists of the Way of Great Peace had not yet developed the later degree of personal worship toward the Great Virtuous Teacher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is not that I deliberately seek fault with the Way of Great Peace.\" Gongsun Xun, hearing this, also laughed easily. \"We have spoken for half the day, and I still do not even know your name, Daoist.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zhang Cheng!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Which *sheng*?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The *sheng* that means the brightest sunlight!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then, Zhang Cheng,\" Gongsun Xun continued, smiling as he questioned, \"you address me as 'my lord,' so you must know who I am?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is only natural.\" The Daoist Zhang replied frankly. \"Within the entire domain of Zhao, could there be a second lord?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eunuch Ma, sitting dazedly on the floor, was also suddenly jolted awake at this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then do you know why I seek trouble with the Way of Great Peace?\" Gongsun Xun pressed on without pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I truly do not know.\" The Daoist Zhang answered helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is because of jealousy.\" The more helpless the other party became, the more relaxed Gongsun Xun grew. \"I am truly jealous of your Great Virtuous Teacher...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord, your family background is outstanding, your household is among the wealthiest in the land, and now, at a young age, you have been enfeoffed as a marquis with boundless prospects... Why would you be jealous of our Great Virtuous Teacher?\" Zhang Cheng was baffled, and even somewhat angered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, not only Zhang Cheng, but even Dong Zhao and Lou Gui both cast sidelong glances. Only the eunuch Ma, who had just dimly begun to grasp the situation, sat slumped in a daze on his rush mat, no one knowing what he was thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How could I not be jealous?\" Gongsun Xun raised his head and sighed. \"I assumed office at the turn of spring and summer. As soon as I took up my post, I lamented the hardships of the people's livelihood and the excesses of the powerful families. So I vigorously struck at the powerful houses, dismissed corrupt clerks, conducted a thorough audit of households and farmland, and also recruited and pacified refugees in the Taihang Mountains. Recently, I have also established public schools and donated books. In winter, I even plan to dredge the Gelu River. In all these various matters, I dare say I have exerted my heart and strength to the utmost, and have done nothing to shame the people of Zhao... Is that not so?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Cheng fell silent for a moment, but still nodded in acknowledgment: \"With you, my lord, governing, the domain of Zhao has indeed become far more clear and orderly. For the poor folk left of the village gate, my lord is practically like a second parent... After this year's autumn harvest, the government offices actually collected the poll tax only once and then made no further intrusions, merely organizing the tithing units. I presume this was in preparation for the river works. The common people still find it hard to believe even now!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, Zhang Cheng paused briefly, then could not help adding half a sentence more: \"I am thirty-four this year, yet for as long as I can remember, there has never been an official in Zhao who has accomplished as much as you, my lord.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yet for all my painstaking efforts, I cannot compare to a Great Virtuous Teacher from another commandery.\" Gongsun Xun looked at the Daoist before him with a sardonic expression. \"I have done so many things for these people of Zhao, expending who knows how much toil and reputation along the way, and all I get is 'hard to believe.' What has the Great Virtuous Teacher done for them, that they should prostrate themselves in worship before him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord, why go to such lengths?\" Zhang Cheng did not know what to say either. \"You have your own future.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He truly did not know what to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You need not say more.\" Gongsun Xun waved his hand dismissively. \"Let me speak plainly. No matter how reasonable you are, today I will still find some pretext to deal with the Way of Great Peace... Eunuch Ma!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This humble one is here!\" The eunuch Ma's expression twitched, and he immediately slid off his rush mat, knelt again, and shuffled forward on his knees. \"This little one truly did not know it was the Marquis himself who had arrived, and spoke wildly and arrogantly. I beg the Marquis to be merciful!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I ask you.\" Gongsun Xun ignored him and simply asked his own question. \"Of the five charges against the Way of Great Peace that I just listed, this Daoist Zhang has refuted four... Tell me, regarding these four charges, are they valid or not?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They are!\" The fat Ma kowtowed heavily to the ground and immediately declared, \"That Daoist Zhang has always been a fool. What he just said was all nonsense!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Cheng's face flushed red with anger, but he forcibly suppressed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's hear it.\" Gongsun Xun said indifferently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Take this so-called excessive worship, for example,\" the fat Ma said with effort. \"Though this old fellow doesn't understand what 'excessive worship' means, I do know that our Way of Great Peace also collects money! When people join the Way, they generally all contribute some money to us! Since money is given, then what Zhang Cheng said is wrong. And if Zhang Cheng is wrong, then presumably this Way of Great Peace must indeed be excessive worship!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How could I not know about the collecting of money?!\" The Daoist Zhang could bear it no longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What you manage are the worthless poor wretches!\" The fat Ma immediately turned his head and mocked. \"Where would there be any need to collect money? The money here in Zhao all comes through me. Whenever the great households come to seek talisman water or perform kowtows, they always make generous offerings — it's just that I forwarded it directly to Julu!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Cheng was once again speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And as for heretical teachings,\" the fat Ma continued, racking his brains. \"The Way of Great Peace serves the Central One of the Yellow Heaven. That seems to be a proper deity... However, I have also heard the Great Physician Zhang Bao say to us at banquets that 'if the Azure Heaven does not die, the Yellow Heaven can hardly be established,' and that the present court relies upon the Azure Heaven... Perhaps this could be considered heretical teaching?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, while Gongsun Xun remained calm and Lou Gui was somewhat mentally prepared, Dong Zhao and the Daoist Zhang both changed color simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for colluding with the inner attendants...\" The fat Ma gritted his teeth and said, \"Look at me, my lord. I am the living proof of their Way of Great Peace colluding with the inner attendants!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are also an inner attendant?\" Gongsun Xun found this rather amusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm not, but my son-in-law is a steward in the household of a palace attendant's nephew, isn't he?\" the old man Ma declared with absolute conviction. \"I was originally a large landholder in Julu, with fields and houses all in order, until a discharged soldier turned brigand came home, gathered a band of outlaws, and burned and slaughtered my entire family. With my property gone and my heirs dead, I had no choice but to live under my son-in-law's roof. Later, the Way of Great Peace sought me out and asked me to serve here as a Taiping Daoist — what do they want from me? I don't understand any of this. It's only because they had their eye on my son-in-law being a steward for the Zhao clan of Julu. The money collected here was agreed upon from the start: the Great Virtuous Teacher in Julu takes forty percent, thirty percent stays here for daily expenses, and the remaining thirty percent goes as tribute to Lord Zhao's place...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, this Way of Great Peace, for you, is really just a business?\" Lou Gui, standing to the side, couldn't help but interject.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This noble sir sees clearly.\" Old man Ma seemed perfectly content with this characterization. \"Whether it's the Yellow Heaven or the Azure Heaven, this old fellow is happy to bow to any of them, but this talisman-water business is truly just run as a trade. I'm simply taking a cut on behalf of our Lord Zhao, and this old fellow earns a bit of hard-work money — I'm not of the same path as the Way of Great Peace.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Ma Fei had spoken earlier, Zhang Cheng's face had turned deathly pale and hard to control, but after these words came out, it eased somewhat... After all, the other man was not a true Taiping Daoist; he was merely a conduit through which the Way of Great Peace bribed Zhao Zhong's clansmen. That being the case, there was no need to feel empathy for his wretchedness, and even less need to worry that the Way of Great Peace was being defiled by such a person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only troublesome thing was that phrase, 'Until the Azure Heaven dies, the Yellow Heaven can hardly be established'... Although it was almost certainly false — because he himself had never heard it — it was still a trouble in the end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enough!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, just as Ma Fei was about to follow Gongsun Xun's guiding thought and further expound upon the rebellious nature of the Way of Great Peace, the instigator himself suddenly called a halt... After all, his objective had been achieved, and whether the Way of Great Peace was rebellious or not — if others didn't know, how could he himself not know?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This matter ends here.\" Gongsun Xun reiterated. \"Say no more. I have already made my decision in my heart.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How does my lord intend to deal with us?\" Zhang Cheng also seemed to have prepared himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will not personally deal with you.\" Gongsun Xun shook his head gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then may I ask, my lord, how should I deal with these two men and the local Way of Great Peace?\" Dong Zhao, seated at the head, was utterly speechless upon hearing this. What kind of affair was this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You don't need to deal with these two either.\" Gongsun Xun was unconcerned, but then gestured toward the door. \"All unrelated persons, disperse. Yigong, go fetch the letter I placed on the right carriage eave of Zibo's cart...\" Seeing the remaining few people in the hall all looking bewildered, he then explained a couple of sentences. \"On my way here, when I heard that the local Way of Great Peace actually had two separate groups, I took some interest. So as I was riding my carriage this way, I dispatched a fast rider to Julu with a letter, and I never expected that the great physician Zhang Bao of the Way of Great Peace would actually send a fast rider back with a reply.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Dang had already vanished from everyone's sight. Lou Zibo, having long anticipated this, naturally needed no explanation, but Dong Zhao suddenly had a flash of understanding, and then shifted his body with some unease — which itself invited speculation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In my letter, I spoke without reservation.\" Gongsun Xun looked at the nervous old man Ma and the thoroughly puzzled Zhang Cheng, and couldn't help but laugh. \"The Regional Commander, seeing the Way of Great Peace growing rampant, and with me preparing to undertake water conservancy projects, feared disruptions, and so advised me to purge the local Way of Great Peace to prevent unrest during the winter labor conscription. However, Heaven has the virtue of cherishing life, and I personally bear no ill will toward the Way of Great Peace. Not only do I have people close to me who devoutly believe in it, but I myself have even read the Scripture of Great Peace in its entirety, and deeply agree with some of the teachings within it...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What exactly is my lord trying to say?!\" Zhang Cheng could no longer endure the other's air of casual ease, as if everything were within his grasp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nothing much.\" Seeing this, Gongsun Xun stopped keeping them in suspense. \"I merely told the Julu side that the Regional Commander has given an order that I must obey, but I am also unwilling to carry out a total extermination... Therefore, of the three Way of Great Peace nodes in Zhao State, the branch in Handan will first be politely escorted out of the territory as a show of good faith; of the two Way of Great Peace nodes in Xiangguo, one will be dealt with today to satisfy the Regional Commander, while the other will be left alone and still permitted to remain. As for which of your two branches can directly extricate itself, and which will be severely punished without leniency — I asked the Julu side to give me their word, and I will act accordingly!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Cheng, who had maintained a firm stance all along, finally showed a face full of terror, while Ma Fei for a moment trembled like chaff in a sieve. The latter was worried about his own fate, while the former feared Gongsun Xun's act of killing the man and destroying his spirit — what if...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, there was no \"what if.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun took the letter that Han Dang had retrieved, tore open the wax seal — now gradually becoming popular among wealthy households — in front of everyone, glanced at it briefly, then casually handed it to Lou Gui beside him, and immediately gave a light instruction: \"Old man Ma, you treat this place as a business, yet the great physician Zhang Bao in Julu regards you as the shield-wall of the Way of Great Peace in Zhao State. Go back... continue running your business, and just don't hinder my affairs!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Fei knelt and kowtowed right there in the hall, swore oaths and made pledges for a spell, and then, ignoring the fellow Daoist beside him, fled in panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Cheng, however, merely stood frozen on the spot, silent, whether utterly despondent or nursing resentment, it was hard to tell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Daoist Zhang,\" Gongsun Xun found the sight somewhat amusing. \"In your heart, you actually vaguely guessed that the Julu side would abandon you and choose old man Ma, didn't you? After all, your Great Virtuous Teacher wants to accomplish great things. And to accomplish great things, while believers are certainly needed, the financial and material resources of wealthy households are even more critical, not to mention that the influence of the palace Regular Attendants must also be relied upon, isn't that right? So, even though old man Ma is a fake Taiping Daoist and you are a real one, the Julu side did not hesitate to abandon you and choose him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Cheng couldn't help but clench his fists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is not malicious mockery.\" Gongsun Xun spoke lightly. \"I am merely genuinely curious — even now, do you still devoutly believe in the Way of Great Peace?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why would I not believe?!\" Suddenly, Zhang Cheng flared up in violent anger, his voice shaking the roof beams, causing Chu Yan outside the door to become instantly alert, while Han Dang even stepped back half a pace, shielding himself in front of Gongsun Xun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhang Cheng only gave voice to his great fury, without any further violent action:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The people's livelihood is withered, the common folk suffer from cold and hunger, the powerful herd and devour men like beasts, yet with the realm ruined to this extent, you Confucian scholars know only to struggle for power and profit with the eunuchs — not one of you goes to look upon the common people in the countryside! The common people are born lowly, from birth to death like weeds by the roadside, unknowing in life, unknowing in death, unknowing in sickness, unknowing in old age... However selfish the Great Virtuous Teacher may be, he at least gives these weeds something to lean on! However improper the Way of Great Peace may be, it at least gives them something to place their hopes in! Is it wrong to seek a world of Great Peace without hunger or oppression?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, the hall fell utterly silent. Not to mention Lou Gui and Dong Zhao, each stunned into silence — even Gongsun Xun, who had come with a well-thought-out plan, found himself with no words to reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was wrong.\" After a long while, it was actually Zhang Cheng who broke the silence, and as soon as he opened his mouth, he repudiated his own earlier impassioned speech. \"Such words might be spoken to others, but Magistrate Gongsun is a good official. As I just said, I have seen everything you have done with my own eyes. To speak these words to others might be one thing, but to say them to you, my lord, is simply absurd... I have no words now. Whether my lord wishes to kill or imprison me, I will not say more.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You should go back too!\" Gongsun Xun had suddenly lost all the superiority of a cat toying with a mouse, and instead became utterly listless. \"This winter I will dredge the Gelu River... If the project succeeds, not only will poor lands north of Handan and south of Xiangguo be turned into fertile fields, but I fear many new fields may also be created. From the profits gained, I will do my utmost to set aside some to provide relief to the poor of the left-side hamlets... You hold great prestige among the poor of the state; you must explain things thoroughly and not let them be used by others to stir up trouble.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Cheng looked deeply at the young nobleman seated before him, bowed with a cupped-hand salute, and then, paying no heed to the others, turned and walked straight away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord's methods are truly masterful.\" Only after a long while did Dong Zhao force himself to speak in flattery. \"A single forged letter, and the Way of Great Peace in Zhao State collapsed without being attacked. It seems that when we dredge the Gelu River this winter, this last unstable element in the state will no longer cause trouble.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perhaps!\" Gongsun Xun replied offhandedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Dong Zhao had said, Gongsun Xun had never truly intended to deal with the Way of Great Peace from the start... It wasn't that the thought had never crossed his mind, but rather that, even setting aside personal ambition, the Way of Great Peace's thirty-six divisions had already taken shape, and were, barely, tightly organized with proper hierarchy — how could he possibly deal with them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, this operation really was just as Gongsun Xun had earlier told Lou Gui: he was following Liu Yan's reminder, dealing with the Way of Great Peace slightly, merely to eliminate destabilizing factors for his own administration. And it must be said, the actual organizational level of the Way of Great Peace, and the low quality of their leaders, indeed made the stratagem jointly crafted by Gongsun Xun and Lou Gui a full twelve-tenths successful... A single forged letter had caused the two local leaders of the Way of Great Peace in Zhao State to completely lose their capacity to harm Gongsun Xun's administration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even more, the previously destabilizing factors now faintly seemed to be turning into something of a helpful force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, that being said, certain things exposed during this process were not so pleasant... Zhang Cheng's final roar and questioning, though he himself quickly repudiated it, was still enough to leave Gongsun Xun feeling not the slightest joy or pride in his success.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord...\" Dong Zhao still wanted to say something, but unexpectedly, an object came flying toward his face. After hastily catching it, his heart tightened further. \"What is the meaning of this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I had originally intended to give you a rap on the knuckles.\" Gongsun Xun leaned back into the Grand Commandant's chair and spoke with slight solemnity. \"So I brought a copy of the Mao Odes personally annotated by Teacher Lu to give to you. I had originally planned to leave it here as a hint when I departed, but as things stand now, I no longer have the heart for that. Let me speak plainly: I know that upon taking up your post this time, you must, like the Regional Commander Lord Liu, have been entrusted by Teacher Lu to keep watch over me... One in the open, one in the shadows — quite complementary, really.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lou Gui and Han Dang looked at each other, while Dong Zhao seemed about to speak but then stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No need to hide it before me.\" Gongsun Xun sighed even more deeply. \"I saw through your intelligence and talent the first time we met. That demeanor you displayed before the Regional Commander was exactly the same as mine back when I went to Luoyang to pay a visit to Yuan Benchu... Why bother?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Zhao pondered for a moment, then let out a dry laugh, and finally stepped down from the hall, bowing with a cupped-hand salute: \"I have made a fool of myself before you, my lord. Before taking up this post, Lord Lu did indeed entrust me with something. Otherwise, with my seniority, I would not have been able to fill a county magistrate's position so quickly... As things stand now, I can only say that I submit to whatever disposition my lord sees fit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I already said, don't make these pointless gestures.\" Gongsun Xun also hurriedly rose, grasped the other's hands, and spoke earnestly. \"Gongren, although I do not know exactly what Teacher Lu said to you, I ask myself whether my conduct in Zhao State has been largely without shameful acts. You may report as you see fit... But our intelligence and talents should not be spent on mutual suspicion. Think on your own official duties — as the head of a county, you must always do something useful, mustn't you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Zhao bowed his head even deeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The day is still young,\" Gongsun Xun further suggested. \"Earlier, quite a few people presented various methods for repairing the river. We should select the best and follow them, and settle on a plan early... As the day is still young, and the Gelu River lies between our two counties, let us ride together to take a look. It can also serve as seeing me off from your territory.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I respectfully obey my lord's command!\" Dong Zhao bowed again and rose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, the group exited the county temple. Chu Yan, Han Dang, and the others went to mount their horses to clear the way and provide escort. Since Lou Gui's carriage was merely the Inspector's ceremonial vehicle and could only seat two, they took Dong Zhao's county magistrate's ceremonial carriage instead, allowing three men to ride together, and headed straight out of the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, what was interesting was that when the long-delayed carriage procession exited Xiangguo County town and arrived at the main crossroads outside the city gate, they unexpectedly saw old man Ma and Zhang Cheng again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, old man Ma, leading several richly dressed Taiping Daoists, was kneeling at the deserted rural crossroads, kowtowing to Heaven and kowtowing to Earth, while passersby all avoided them and gathered to watch, with quite a few even joining in the kowtowing... Needless to say, this was naturally one of the two great characteristics of the Way of Great Peace — kowtowing to Heaven and Earth to confess and receive remission of sins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Cheng, meanwhile, stood to the side with several similarly plainly dressed Taiping Daoists, holding nine-sectioned staffs, watching old man Ma's confession with a complex expression, but saying not a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, upon seeing the arrival of Gongsun Xun's carriage procession, old man Ma naturally dared not continue blocking the road. He hurriedly interrupted the confession ritual and dodged to the roadside opposite Zhang Cheng. And as the carriage carrying Gongsun Xun, Dong Zhao, and Lou Gui passed this spot, the Taiping Daoists on both sides uniformly led the passersby in saluting and greeting them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage easily passed through the crossroads. Gongsun Xun's peripheral vision swept over these two groups of people, then turned again to the mountain wilderness ahead, and he was suddenly filled with deep emotion, and then recalled the poem he had taught in the public school before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, he could not help himself, and on the spot, shaking his head, he softly chanted: \"Those who know me, say my heart is troubled. Those who know me not, ask what it is I seek? O distant Azure Heaven, what manner of man is this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage procession traveled into the distance. Zhang Cheng glanced at old man Ma, who had returned to the crossroads to kowtow and confess, but paid him no heed whatsoever. He simply led the several Taiping Daoists behind him, holding their nine-sectioned staffs, and strode boldly along the road behind the carriage procession, heading toward his own home, singing loudly all the way without cease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It went: \"That millet hangs heavy, that grain bears its fruit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I walk slowly, slowly, my heart as if choked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who know me, say my heart is troubled. Those who know me not, ask what it is I seek?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>O distant Yellow Heaven, what manner of man is this?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>————I am the dividing line of not knowing this man————\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ma Fei, some say of the Ma clan of Hongnong, moved to Julu and dwelt there. He followed Zhang Jiao and spread the Way of Great Peace in Handan, prominent in that region. At the time, the Grand Ancestor was Magistrate of Handan, recognized his profane sacrifices and demonic talk, and wished to expel them entirely. Fei, long famed throughout Hebei for his forceful debating of the classics, took the Scripture of Great Peace and visited the official temple, declaring that he had thoroughly read the Scripture of Great Peace for thirty years, and sought pardon through the arts of Daoist Huang-Lao. The Grand Ancestor borrowed Fei's Scripture of Great Peace, recited it for a moment, then confronted him with the scripture's meaning, posing five questions in total. Fei could answer none of them, and withdrew in shame. Later, the Grand Ancestor again submitted a memorial to the court, requesting an investigation into the Way of Great Peace's seditious activities, but because Fei had connections with the inner palace attendants, the memorial could not reach its destination.\" — Old Book of Yan, Biographies of Alchemists\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: 7.5k, continuing to pay off debts...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, new book group 684558115, everyone can join.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: This feeling of being unable to do what I want is terrible. Every night I think about getting the updates back on track today, but in the end I'm always groggy... unbearably exhausted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",5877,"2026-06-04T19:42:03.441Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","491a931d7c4b1748a786fbfab479a1eb3298ebb01badf2114e86ee3a1759e03b","overthrowing-han-chapter-201","overthrowing-han-chapter-199",548,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Foverthrowing-han-cover.jpg"]