Controlling mountains and rivers since the Warring States Period

Chapter 448 - Can't think of a chapter title

When the world welcomes another summer...
While the refined and gentle emperor of the Han Dynasty was busy debating Confucian classics and using his power to vigorously promote the "Confucianization of governance," hoping to continue the policy of "honoring the Six Classics" established by Emperor Wu,
When the increasingly arrogant ruler of Western Qin, displaying his suspicious nature, began to doubt the generals of the various regional military governors and started supporting the non-Han peoples in an attempt to maintain a balance of power,
He Bo, who was in the Central Plains, suddenly announced some major news:
"I want to be made a god!"

He pulled out piles and piles of seals carved from exquisite jade from his pocket, and then said this to the many dead ghosts sitting down.

Jade that had been researched and crafted by spirits and deities for many years, thus developing more uses, was imbued with much magical power by them, and could even bear a portion of the authority bestowed upon it by Him—

This created a misty cloud above the pile of jade seals, resembling a vibrant forest and fields, pleasing to the eye. However, upon closer inspection, the powerful energy contained within would instill fear and trepidation.

I really want it.
But this thing looks really hot to the touch!

Summoned suddenly by the spirits, the ghost officials, whose attire and expressions still carried the heavy, bovine style, exchanged glances and thought to themselves in unison.

Considering the "previous record" of ghosts and spirits doing such things, and still doing them repeatedly today.
The ghost officials had good reason to believe:
This thing might be something the ghosts and gods have just created to lure them into working harder at the millstone, as bait to create a better life for heaven, earth, and the gods!

Therefore,
Although my mood fluctuated,

But the ghost officials, who had been cheated and deceived many times, and had been swimming in the sea of ​​books for too many years, and had suffered for too many years, suppressed their curiosity and just stared with wide eyes, quietly waiting for the ghosts and gods to say next.

Why aren't you guys reacting?!

The high and mighty ghosts and gods, dissatisfied, put their hands on their hips and glared back at the many cattle and horses under their command.

Those dead ghosts,

In the ever-growing and increasingly sophisticated underworld, he was a "senior executive" who had worked tirelessly for a long time, and whose achievements were so remarkable that they brought tears to people's eyes and made people's hearts tremble.

Under the guidance of the veteran Ximen Bao,
Under the magnanimity of the elder, Lao Guixi
These later generations experienced:
The boundless excitement and exhilaration that arose from the realization that "I can actually accompany and serve ghosts and spirits"

Then, moved to tears by the fact that "the gods and spirits have entrusted me with all matters, and I should repay them as a patriot,"

therefore,

He Bo, the leader who wanders around every day, believes that he needs to appease them so that they can regain their vitality.

What a conscientious thing to do!
To know,
The powerful clans in the mortal world are recklessly expanding their power because of the current emperor's indulgence.

They really wanted to emulate their counterparts in the Xia Kingdom!

Although the current fate of the powerful families in the Xia Kingdom has already demonstrated that such behavior is not in accordance with the principles of Heaven and righteousness,

But the insatiable greed of the human heart, and the arrogance of believing one can control the situation before the knife falls...
We are not very familiar with the nobles of my Great Han!

Under such development,
The common people of the Han Dynasty were also inevitably swept up by this wave and drowned in the turbid waters.

Does every effort always guarantee a reward?
Can sweat alone yield the fruits of a life of abundance?

In some people's eyes, this can only lead to a negative answer.

Unlike those dead ghosts who work for spirits and gods.
He Bo, this boss who does nothing and does nothing, will give them rewards equal to their efforts at regular times!

"But what difference is there between the divine name and authority bestowed upon us in a certain place and the present one?"

Ximen Bao, the chief minister of the underworld, bowed and asked.

With the release of the spirits and gods
The dead have long since carved out their own niche.

Division of labor and cooperation, each going their own way...

Customization has been available for a long time.

It's just that it has the substance but no name.

Under such a lenient ruler as the gods and spirits, and influenced by the unique environment of the underworld, the ghost officials were not particularly concerned about whether they could have this "title".

"Before, it was pulling the millstone; now, it's the millstone itself... How can they be the same?"

In response, He Bo simply crossed his arms and said...

He wasn't like some unscrupulous workshop owners who made empty promises to their subordinates every day, using meaningless, seemingly wonderful but actually useless "rewards" to coax people into working for them.

"Try it yourself and you'll see!"

He took out the seal that had been specially made for Ximen Bao and threw it at the old ghost's face.

Ximen Bao caught it easily and first examined the inscription on the seal:
The characters, so simple and pictographic that they were even more archaic than the seal script of the Qin state and the bird-and-insect script of the Chu state, left even the well-informed Ximen Dafu completely baffled by their profound meaning.

But this did not prevent Ximen Bao from feeling a strange power and weight from these words.

The warmth and smoothness of the jade itself also influenced him, providing ample nourishment to his spirit, which had been working tirelessly for days to review documents. His mind was filled with inspiration, and his expression became full and vibrant.

When the seal is worn on the body, the "underworld chieftain" who has been recognized by the gods and spirits feels a strong connection between himself and the pile of jade seals that have not yet been distributed.

The feeling was so intense,

It was as if he could perceive and know every move the other party made.

He looked shocked, stroking the small seal and staring at the words on it.

"This is the script that Cangji created. It's perfectly normal that you can't understand it!"

He Bo said proudly, "Fortunately, the ancient books in the archives of Luoyi and the Chu King's palace were preserved, allowing me to learn about these ancient characters and use them as a carrier of power."

It is said that "when Cangji wrote the book, millet rained from the sky and ghosts cried at night."

This illustrates the awe-inspiring impact that writing has on people, the world, and nature.

As for today,

Written language is an indispensable part of civilization.

The various states of the Xia people beyond their borders all heard this teaching from their ancestors:
"Wear the clothes of the Chinese people, write the language of the Chinese people, uphold the customs of the Chinese people, and do not go against my last wishes!"

He Bo also used the power of "words" to carve them onto the beautiful jade he polished in his spare time, as a kind of composition.

"There are not many written records left from the Cangji era, and even fewer that can corroborate the authority, so it is not easy to put them together."

He Bo remarked with these thoughts.

Ximen Bao then asked, "Why did you decide to do this?"

He Bo told him with a smile, "Of course, it's to relieve the pressure on you, you old devil!"

"Handling matters related to Yin and Yang is already exhausting, and now we also have to expend energy being vigilant and apprehending those who secretly violate the law..."

"I don't know how you feel, but just watching you makes me tired!"

"The human relationships and affairs in the mortal world are so intertwined, with collusion and mutual protection forming an impenetrable wall that even the central government cannot shake... We cannot allow the underworld to become like that!"

Hearing the ghosts and gods say this,
The ghost officials below shivered, their relaxed expressions quickly vanishing as they became serious and solemn.

(End of this chapter)