Chapter 518: The Future of the Shaman

The Shaman, feeling as though he saw everything clearly, also said listlessly, "I will obey the King's arrangements entirely."

Seeing the Shaman in such a state, Baifeng actually felt he was somewhat endearing. To ease the Shaman's mind, he laughed heartily and said, "Shaman, you need not worry. This time, I truly have a significant task to entrust to you. It concerns the future of Huaxia, and its importance is not a whit less than that of the Ministry of Revenue."

The Shaman looked up at Baifeng, half-believing and half-doubting.

Baifeng said to the Shaman very earnestly, "The great affairs of a state lie in warfare and sacrifice!"

The Shaman shook his head directly: "King, I do not understand."

Baifeng did not feel awkward and continued patiently: "This 'warfare' means war. For a state to be strong and to survive, external wars are unavoidable. This requires the cooperation of the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue; the Ministry of War fights, and the Ministry of Revenue secures food for the Soldiers. This is the work you did before."

"And 'sacrifice' means the rites of sacrifice, which unite the people of the state. But sacrifice does not just refer to the spirits; in fact, it also includes the etiquette of sacrifice. This etiquette also has requirements for the daily lives of ordinary people. For instance, not spitting everywhere, not relieving oneself everywhere, greeting people when meeting them, and keeping one's home clean—all belong to the category of 'rites'. Rites are contained within sacrifice."

"For example, the wedding of Shaoyin last time, which I had you preside over, was a rite. It seems unrelated to the spirits, but in reality, it is just as important as sacrifice. It is as important as the foundation of a house. If you do not value small rites, no matter how you sacrifice to the spirits, you will still be a savage. Do you understand?"

Only then did light gradually appear in the Shaman's eyes: "King, do you mean for me to preside over weddings for everyone from now on?"

Baifeng waved his hand: "Hey, how could I have you do such a simple thing? What I need is for you to establish rites and use them to civilize everyone, in every aspect, not just weddings. Do you know what someone did at their wedding yesterday?"

The Shaman scratched his head: "Did someone get married yesterday?"

Baifeng said: "That is not important. The point is, they felt that I should be at the wedding, but it is impossible for me to have the time to go to their homes. So, they wrote my name on a stone, and even wrote the words 'Baifeng and his whole family' to represent me, then bowed and offered Wine to the stone. Do you think this is good?"

After hearing this, the Shaman also revealed an expression of anger: "This is too outrageous. The Ministry of Justice should be made to arrest them, and then, and then..." The Shaman then remembered that Huaxia had no laws in this regard at all.

Baifeng pointed at the table with his finger: "This is the importance of the rites I spoke to you about, and it is your work. Where the law cannot reach, rites must be used to restrict. Of course, rites are not a supplement to the law; they must even make way for the law. Both are equally important."

The Shaman was somewhat flustered: "But without your guidance, I understand nothing. Only after you tell me do I know how to do it."

Only then did Baifeng explain his vision to the Shaman: "All rites will be established by me. What you must do is promote and supervise them throughout Huaxia. You may also punish those who do not follow the rites. Furthermore, you need to preside over some major activities. If you discover any imperfections, propose them to me, and I will help you continue to perfect them. In the end, because of you, Huaxia will completely cast off being savages and become civilized people!"

"Civilized..." The Shaman muttered these two words, then, as if having made a great resolution, said very solemnly: "King, I will obey your arrangements. If you want me to promote the rites, I will certainly use all my strength to do this job well."

Baifeng stood up with a smile, and the Shaman also hurriedly rose. Baifeng patted the Shaman's shoulder and said: "Good, good. With you here, I am at ease. The current Minister of Rites truly makes it impossible for me to trust him. When he comes later, I will make arrangements. I will also add more personnel to the Ministry of Rites."

The Shaman nodded, then rushed ahead of the maid to open the office door for Baifeng.

When Baifeng went out, Zhigui had already tidied himself up and was standing before Baifeng's desk waiting. As soon as Baifeng came out, he immediately smoothed his clothes a bit more, then knelt down gently.

Baifeng walked over and scanned Zhigui. On the surface, he looked very neat, but the person had absolutely no air of a Minister of Rites.

Baifeng sat back down, sighed, and said: "Go back and properly tidy up your Ministry of Rites. Everyone in your Ministry of Rites must tidy themselves up according to your current standard every day, at every moment. If I discover anyone disheveled, I will punish you. Do you understand?"

Zhigui originally wanted to kowtow quickly, but was afraid of messing up his hair, so he had to kowtow gently and said softly: "I understand, King."

He then rose, pulled at his clothes again, and retreated with a look of relief.

The Shaman had watched the whole process and remained silent, not knowing what to say.

Baifeng pointed at the departing Zhigui and said: "An official, or rather, my Subject, must ensure his attire is neat and his behavior is regulated every day. From clothing to speech and conduct, one must be strict with oneself. Ordinary people can be more relaxed, after all, they have to labor in the fields every day. Shaman, this is one of your future tasks: to supervise the speech, conduct, and attire of all officials."

The Shaman hurriedly turned and bowed: "I understand, King."

Baifeng said softly to the Shaman: "Go back and handle the affairs of the Ministry of Revenue. I will issue an order for your handover in two days. Then, I will find time to write some matters regarding etiquette into a document for you to read."

The Shaman bowed again and then withdrew.

At this time, the people of the Shangshu Department sensed a hint of great reform, so they hurriedly tidied their clothes and then cautiously continued their work.

Baifeng found a piece of paper, preparing to write down the etiquette standards. He also thought that the Shaman's future was now settled. Although he had spoken of the Ministry of Rites in lofty terms, the actual work was not strenuous; it was most suitable for the Shaman to spend his later years. The Ministry of Revenue could also logically be handed over to Yulong without hurting the feelings of his old subordinates.

The matter of wedding etiquette also had to be handled quickly. He did not want people writing the words "Baifeng and his whole family" on stones for people to bow to; it was too strange. But it seemed he had sent Zhigui away too early; he would have to do this himself.

Baifeng had no choice but to write quickly: "All families getting married may write 'Heaven Earth Sovereign Kin Teacher' on paper to worship, and the position must be above that of both sets of parents. Once the wedding is finished, simply burn it in a clean place. 'Sovereign' represents me, Baifeng."

Afterward, he handed this brief order to the Shangshu Department, letting them pass it to the Ministry of Rites, and ordered them to spread it throughout Huaxia within three days and explain it clearly. If the matter of writing his name on stones appeared again, everyone in the Ministry of Rites would be punished.

Yu whispered a reminder: "King, the Ministry of Rites only has those few people; I fear they cannot handle it, can they?"

Baifeng said irritably: "Huaxia does not have many people either; how can they not handle it? They have been idle for so many years; even if they have to work for me all night without going home, that is as it should be."