Controlling mountains and rivers since the Warring States Period

Chapter 383 Life and Death (Two-in-One)

"Reciting scriptures is still effective!"

"They've been talking about this place so much they've practically crawled out of a hole!"

In the first year of the Tai Shi era of the Han Dynasty,
He Bo squatted in a small piece of underworld land that he had carved out in the Xia Kingdom, pointed to the chaotic and dark place, and said to his clone who had been assigned to this place.

The giant turtle peered around and then said, "After waiting for so many years, we've finally seen the beginnings of it."

The spread of Buddhism in the Xia Dynasty

It's actually been around for quite a few years.
The rapid development over the past decade or so has simply been a matter of riding the wave of opportunity.

And over the years
Besides Buddhism, which mentions the concept of "reincarnation in the underworld,"
The Taiping Dao, with its wild and rebellious behavior, was like an unyielding and indestructible copper pea to the Xia Dynasty court. It also used its theory of the Five Elements to spread various propaganda about the so-called "afterlife".

Those handsome Taoist priests, wielding nine-section staffs and skilled in both literature and martial arts, said:
"The nation's decline and the rebuilding of a new one is in accordance with the cycle of reincarnation."

"Ordinary people shed their physical bodies and are judged in the realm of ghosts. After their souls are purified, they should also enjoy the treatment of reincarnation."

Once the ports between Qin and Xia were built and the shipping routes were opened, religious ideas from Egypt inevitably spread over.

after all,

After Qin completely controlled the government of Egypt, it insisted on "removing the weak and retaining the strong" in that area, forcing a large number of priests who did not want to be sacrificed for military merit to flee everywhere.

Too many people running around aimlessly
Of course, some also boarded the ship without permission and sailed to the Eastern Great Xia Kingdom.

Egypt's indigenous religions also promote the concept of an "afterlife."

In addition, a hundred years ago, when the Persian Empire fell, a large number of Zoroastrian followers and monks fled to the Xia Kingdom through Yangguan Pass, and this story still circulates sporadically to this day.
The Xia Kingdom at present can be called the "religious center of the world". Looking around, it is a scene of a gathering of heroes.

of course,

Because the rulers of the Xia state were not inherently fanatical about religion, and were even more wary of and resistant to anything that hindered their centralized governance.
Therefore, upon closer inspection, this "gathering of heroes" could also be described as a "meeting of radishes."

but,

He Bo didn't care about the condition of these radishes.
He simply hoped that through continuous debate and integration, the various sects would improve the situation in the underworld, making the connection between life and death smoother and closer.

As it stands,
What seems like a vague and unattainable goal to ordinary people can be realized in the underworld.

That which is invisible to the eye and inaudible to the ear, and can only be sensed by ghosts and gods, exists in a dark and deep corner of the underworld. That thinner, darker-colored void is the result of the monks in the mortal world's efforts in debating scriptures.

Although it has not yet been fully formed, He Bo believes that as long as the monks and bhikkhus continue to work hard, he will be able to achieve satisfactory results!
"When it comes to worshipping gods, those from beyond the realms are indeed more adept."

"Why can't people in the Central Plains have this kind of imagination?"

The giant turtle next to him thought for a moment, then said, "Living is already hard enough, why bother thinking about what happens after death?"

Maybe,

This is why the exceptionally intelligent sages of the Xia dynasty failed to create a "complete and systematic underworld".

They chose to apply their wisdom to worldly life, wholeheartedly pursuing that undeniable happiness.

As for what happens after death?

Let's wait until we're dead!
But upon hearing his words, He Bo couldn't help but recall how scholars from the Qin and Xia states would often compare the Yellow River with the other major rivers they possessed.

And the one who started this despicable trend

Wang Sheng is still alive and kicking, and hasn't shown any signs of dying lately!

"Sigh, what's so good about being alive?"

"Why isn't this guy dead yet?"

The ghost pursed its lips and began to summon the soul of the Egyptian king again.

……

After inspecting the situation in the underworld, He Bo and his clone peeked out from the mouth of the River Indu to admire the harbor scenery.

After the navigation was opened,

Every day, many ships set sail from here, carrying with them the fine jade mined in the Western Regions, lacquerware and silk produced in the Central Plains, and spices grown in the Xia Kingdom, along the coast with the sea breeze to the Qin Kingdom.

Ships from Qin would also carry glass, oil, cattle, sheep, and even goods produced in the Western Roman Empire, which they would then sell to Xia.

In just a few years,

The port then prospered.

Because of the smooth sea route, the people who settled here came from a variety of backgrounds.

The Egyptian monks who once occupied large tracts of land in Egypt and survived the upheaval a few years ago have mostly settled here.

They often reminisce about their hometown, wandering around the port and pointing to the wide mouth of the Sindhu River, "seeing things that remind them of the river."
"The Nile!"

"My Mother River!"

"I too have been immersed in her embrace, enjoying the prosperity and stability she bestowed upon Egypt!"

then,

They would become so excited that they would burst into tears, until the Xia state officials in charge of managing the port came and drove them away.

"You miss home that much?"

"How about we send you back to Egypt?"

The down-on-their-luck monks immediately fell silent.

They went to nearby towns and began preaching to others.

Although far away in a foreign land

But they also had to fulfill their duties and prove their unwavering loyalty to the Egyptian gods!

Moreover, if one possesses a certain level of influence...

They might very well regain their former noble status, where they ruled the country alongside the monarch!
Holding this belief,
Those Egyptians, whose skin was lighter and whose features were more pleasing to the eye in the eyes of the Xia people, began to practice medicine and treat the sick in the city.

This is a traditional method used by various religious groups when proselytizing.

Because death and illness are perfectly fair.
They do not spare any life regardless of its status.

Moreover, the monks had also found out the details.
In the years leading up to their smuggling arrival, a heretical group called "Taipingdao" had expanded its influence and promoted its ideology through similar means.

What does this mean?
This means that

The descendants of the Xia dynasty, who have always been intelligent and resilient, also fall for this kind of thing!

Perfect, Egyptian medicine has also proven effective!
just,

No matter how well you plan, it's not as good as doing it well.

"Doctor...is your skill level really that bad?"

In the city,
A woman, accompanied by her husband, experiences free medical treatment from Egyptian monks.

She recently became pregnant and has been having a poor appetite, often waking up in the middle of the night.

This made the woman look somewhat haggard.

I went out today hoping to find a doctor to treat me, but before I even reached the clinic, I encountered an Egyptian monk who was working for the benefit of the people of Xia.

Based on the simple principle that "not refusing freebies is a waste,"

The woman led her husband forward.

After waiting for a while, the woman felt that what he was saying did not satisfy her, so she frowned unhappily.

"Why don't we go and find that legendary healer?"

The husband patted his wife's shoulder and said, "I heard that he recently traveled here."

"Really?"

The woman was overjoyed. She abandoned the Egyptian monk who was struggling to find the words in front of her, and took her husband's hand as they left.

Having a thorough understanding of the refined language of the Chinese people, the monks who were able to go out to preach heard the couple, who were gradually walking away, saying:
"Has that renowned gynecologist really come?"

"It seems my pregnancy is stable now, and I won't have to suffer any more pain!"

Gynecological expert

It was a new name that He Bo had earned during his years in Xia Kingdom, posing as the Taoist of Peace.

after all,

Having understood the cycle of life and death, he naturally sought to study the condition of the newly born:
Where do the souls of babies in their parents' arms come from?

Why do the souls of the deceased disappear into the world?
He Bo felt that

If one can resolve these doubts, then the underworld will undergo a complete transformation in an instant.

Just right,

At that time, the atmosphere was open, and no ignorant people jumped out to accuse He Bo of "violating etiquette and law".

"But I always feel that your name sounds a bit laughable!"

"It's nothing!" He Bo said matter-of-factly, "I used Liu Xin's facial features!"

"I remember Liu Laosan once described him as 'nagging like a woman'!"

Now that the ghosts and gods are doing this, it doesn't really damage his reputation!
"Besides, a student should do what the teacher needs!"

"I can't do anything that would damage my own reputation, so I'll have to make him sacrifice himself!"

……

What does death feel like?

In the second year of the Tai Shi era,

Grand Marshal Wei Qing, who was sixty years old, lay weakly on his bed, thinking to himself.

In his youth,
It has brought death to too many people.
Many of the people around him also left and never returned.

right now,

Death came upon him.

"I am already very content." Wei Qing said this to his wife, who was also old and weeping over her husband's impending departure.

He was working so hard,

After the age of fifty, one's mobility becomes somewhat impaired.

If it weren't for the doctors from all directions coming to offer their skills to this outstanding general of the Han Dynasty, Wei Qing felt that he might not have lived to such an old age.

Despite all these years,
Wei Qing was often restricted by his physical condition and forced to live a secluded life, but he could still occasionally tend to the flowers and plants, and go to the stables and kennels to feed his beloved horses and hunting dogs.

He did not feel lonely because he had left the battlefield.
They did not feel lost because they were isolated from the temple.

Wei Qing was born with very stable emotions.

Looking back,

The most intense rebellion and rejection he ever felt in his life came when he was ten years old and was taken back by his biological father and mistreated as a slave.

after that,

He never suffered any more injustices.

Therefore, Wei Qing did not feel he had any last words to say.

After all, there were some things he had instructed me about long ago during the years when his health was poor.

But his wife did not let him off the hook.

Princess Yangxin, who was already seventy years old, suddenly stroked his wrinkled face and asked:
"I've never dared to ask you, have you ever looked down on my age?"

When you are young and beautiful
Princess Yangxin was very confident.

Her mother was very favored.

Her younger brother received absolute favoritism from their father.

As a result, she, as the daughter, also enjoys exceptional treatment.

therefore,

Even after marrying the Marquis of Pingyang, she was unable to be virtuous and gentle in any way.

After developing feelings for Wei Qing, she made no attempt to hide her pursuit.

The boy, who possessed great talent but had not yet had the chance to show it to the world due to his age, was often made to blush with embarrassment by her teasing.

Later on,

As Wei Qing grew up, he made many contributions.

Princess Yangxin began to feel anxious and insecure.
He has such talent.
He enjoyed the emperor's unquestionable trust.
Would he really be willing to be with an older woman who had been married before?

As time goes by,
Her beauty has faded.

Will Wei Qing's gaze still linger on her?

Because of love, this kind of concern arises.

Princess Yangxin never imagined that she would one day be afraid of other people's love.

After all, her power and status allow her to possess too many things.

When Cao Shou took a concubine, she was never disturbed in any way.

Because Princess Yangxin had already made preparations to find male lovers for herself after her death.

But Wei Qing suddenly appeared in front of her, shattering Princess Yangxin's planned carefree future.

"...How could that be!"

“I have never regretted coming to Chang’an, meeting you, and His Majesty and the others.”

Wei Qing coughed lightly and told her with a smile.

Princess Yangxin grasped his hand, lowered her head, and began to weep.

A hazy light and shadow shone through the never-closed window.

It made the white-haired woman vaguely recall her youth.

Subsequently,

The descendants pushed open the door and entered, knelt beside the adults, and wept.

The emperor, accompanied by the crown prince,

Huo Guang, along with Huo Shan, arrived soon after.

The emperor stepped forward and looked at Wei Qing with tears in his eyes.

Crown Prince Liu Ju stood behind his father, his face also filled with sorrow.

This is the arm of a great man.

He was the first person to help the emperor realize his dream of defeating the Xiongnu in the north.
Simultaneously,

It was also an extremely advantageous support for him, the crown prince who had half Wei blood flowing through his veins.

right now,

This person is about to leave.

Huo Shan was also crying beside her.

He looks a lot like his father, and their childhood experiences are also very similar.

After the death of the Champion Marquis
He inherited this significant title and was taken into the palace by the emperor to be raised.

If Huo Shan left the palace, she would go to Wei Qing's house to learn military strategy from her maternal uncle.

His relationship with Wei Qing was also very deep.

Only Huo Guang stood to the side, his face showing sorrow, but unlike the surrounding crowd, he did not inspire the same level of awe.

"His Majesty……"

Wei Qing said to the emperor in a low, hoarse voice, "Your Majesty, I am about to depart..."

"Your Highness... Your Highness still needs your assistance!"

The emperor took his hand, attempting to persuade his friend to stay by this gesture and the implied coercion in his words.

From youth to old age,

Many things have changed.

The empress, whom he once loved, has become estranged from him.

The once-favored crown prince, due to his age and power, became a target of the emperor's suspicion.

But some things still remain.

Appointing Wei Qing and Huo Qubing

It was the emperor's proudest achievement in his life.

Since then,

No one else has ever served under such a distinguished figure.

That past, seemingly bathed in boundless sunlight,
And eventually, with the passing of these two men, they too will be separated from the equally aging Emperor of the Han Dynasty.

Perhaps it is this fear that is the source of our fear.

During the ten years that Wei Qing was recuperating,
The emperor began to seek immortality and distanced himself from the crown prince, whom he had carefully groomed and who was highly respected in the court and among the people.

"His Majesty."

The emperor heard Wei Qing let out a deep sigh, and then said to him, "I hope you can be more cautious in the matter of the crown prince."

"I……"

The emperor wanted to say something, but when he looked up, he found that Wei Qing had already closed his eyes.

After a while,
The Grand Marshal and General of the Han Dynasty stopped breathing.

……

"I came all the way here to pick you up!"

Wearing the same clothes he wore when he played with children on the banks of the Fen River, He Bo waved to Wei Qing.

The latter, still somewhat dazed, crossed the hazy waterside and came to the side of the ghosts and gods.

"...Are you very busy?"

After realizing certain things, Wei Qing was not very surprised.

He calmly accepted everything, and then showed concern for his husband who was still wiping his forehead.

He Bo looked as if he had just finished his work and was rushing here.

"Oh!"

"Not too busy!"

"There was a woman having a difficult childbirth just now, and I was busy with her for a while."

As the spirits and deities tread the mortal realm, constantly teetering on the edge of life and death, couldn't help but sigh:
"Bringing life into the world is truly difficult!"

"Now I understand why Duke Zhuang of Zheng's mother disliked her eldest son."

Wei Qing didn't quite understand what the other person meant, but he listened calmly and then asked about Huo Qubing.

"This kid has been learning to sail in Western Qin recently."

"He said he wanted to fight a naval battle against Rome in the future."

"what?"

Wei Qing was even more confused.

(End of this chapter)