Controlling mountains and rivers since the Warring States Period

Chapter 453 Taiping Road

After the country regained stability,

The Way of Peace has once again faced a split.

But this time,

Compared to its previous chaotic and abstract state, this is much more normal.

Sui Ping was grateful for the contributions that Taiping Dao had made to the world.
But he eventually ascended the throne.

"Power" cannot be shared with others.
Even a name cannot be shared with others!

If we allow certain things to develop unchecked because of our soft hearts, how will the world view this matter when problems arise later?
Therefore,
Sui Ping chose to suppress and divide the Taiping Dao.

"However, he ultimately did not turn his back on them and confront them with swords."

"This is His Majesty's magnanimity and benevolence."

As one imperial edict after another was issued targeting the Way of Peace,
The current Grand Master, personally appointed by the Emperor, held the nine-section staff that had been with him for many years and had been worn smooth and round from being touched so much, and spoke to his disciples.

The disciples were still indignant. "Using the guise of reward, they are dividing the power of the Way of Peace, letting Buddhist monks and Confucian scholars debate with us, and forcing us to revise the scriptures... Is this considered benevolence?"

"He's eaten the food of the Taiping Dao (a sect of Taoist priests), but now he's trying to smash the pot that's cooked!"

The old Taoist priest frowned when he heard his disciple say that.

"Your thoughts are precisely why I am willing to obey His Majesty's orders!"

Human hearts are complex and fickle.
It's impossible for everyone to be like a dragon or to be called a saint.

Those who followed the Way of Peace, joined the Beggars' Army, and built the foundation they have today...

Many, however, have forgotten their original intention to "speak out against injustice" as their status has risen, and have thus lost themselves.

However, compared to the Taiping Rebellion, which is considered a "shame" and a "dark history,"
The emperor at present is Sui Ping.

Those powerful families that suffered heavy losses in the turmoil and strife did not have enough energy to incite evil thoughts in others, make them their henchmen, and stir up more unrest.

Yes,

On the surface, they still revere the Way of Peace, and in many ways, they act like the most devout and purest followers of the Way of Peace.

He immediately starts talking about "making up for deficiencies".
The closed mouth means "equalizing wealth".

But in fact,

How could the old Taoist priest, who personally experienced the first split of the Taiping Dao, not perceive the obscure and profound nature of the matter?
Those who constantly proclaim their willingness to "dedicate everything to the new heaven and new earth" are probably, in private, already bulging with fat bellies, clutching countless treasures, and telling those around them:
"I've fought so many wars over the years, can't I enjoy myself a little?"

Their grown-up descendants, while wearing the yellow turbans advocated by the Way of Great Peace, would also shamelessly enjoy boundless wealth and luxury.
"The hardships I was meant to endure, my father has already borne for me!"

The old Taoist priest often touched the Taiping Jing, a book that contained courage and wisdom and was filled with people's hopes for a better life, with sadness.

"It's only been a few decades, yet it's already become a matter of private interests again."

"I've persisted for so long, yet I still can't fulfill the wishes of my two late teachers?"

then,

Some time ago, on a night that few people knew about,
The old Taoist priest, harboring certain ideas that were no longer acceptable and would only invite ridicule, entered Sui Ping's palace to meet the monarch who ruled the land of Xinxia.

A conversation known only to heaven and earth unfolded in the dead of night and ended in the morning light.

After leaving the palace, the Great Teacher of Virtue began to focus his energy on perfecting the rituals and regulations of the Way of Great Peace and enriching its orthodox theories.

This made Taipingdao, which was originally established for "resistance," more like a normal religion.

Meanwhile, the new emperor gradually and ruthlessly began to suppress the Taiping Dao.

Some people can't handle the pressure.

In order to prevent the emperor from taking away his wealth and status, he gradually took off the yellow turban of the Taiping Dao and became a pure nobleman who had transcended vulgar interests.

They will still follow the trend and become believers in Taoism, but they will no longer be disciples registered in the ordination certificates of the Taiping Dao.

Some people, harboring resentment, came before the Great Teacher of Virtue to argue, hoping that the old man would lead them on another charge, so that the emperor would know that he had relied on the power of the Way of Great Peace to establish the Sui dynasty.

of course,

A small number of disciples, who do not forget their original aspirations, will find great and wise teachers to seek answers.

"Striving for power and profit is not in accordance with the teachings of our late teacher."

"Our Taoist sect was established to address the injustices of the world, hence the name 'Peace'!"

"Now that the country is at peace and people's hearts are gradually returning to tranquility, it is indeed time for the Way of Peace to fall silent in the Xia Kingdom."

"But I worry that prolonged comfort will lead to the loss of our original aspirations and make successors even fewer..."

"Great and wise teacher, what should we do?"

The old Taoist priest remained silent for a long time, then told him:
"Go to the West."

"There you will find what you seek and what you are willing to fight for!"

Then, yellow clouds slowly condensed from the Xia Kingdom and drifted westward.

It rises from the dust; it is the color of the land, and the color that countless people see every day.

According to the Taiping Jing,
This color is also the one that the Jade Emperor (the Supreme God) likes the most.

Heaven loves and protects all people.

Therefore, a monarch was established to care for them.

If a monarch ceases to fulfill his duties and goes against Heaven's original intention of "establishing a monarch for the people,"

Then the yellow clouds will surge up and sweep across the land!
just,

When the Taoist priests of Taiping, who harbored the ambition of "bringing peace to the world," arrived in the land of Western Qin, they faced new problems.

"The land surrounding Qin is not as rich and fertile as my Xinxia, ​​so there are many barbarian tribes active there."

“Even if the seeds that were migrated from the interior come here, they will grow up thin and weak due to insufficient nutrition, and then be forced to accept the customs of the Hu people.”

A Taoist priest who was preaching here, after observing life on the Qin border, said the following to his fellow Taoists.

Although the ancients said, "Man can conquer nature,"
However, the pragmatism of the Chinese gentry also led them to acknowledge the principle that "environment shapes people."

Humans and nature struggle against each other.
There are always wins and losses.

"Therefore, if we want to bring peace to all corners of the world and benefit all people, we must adapt to local conditions and not just hold the scriptures in our hands and recite them with our eyes closed."

"You can't attract followers by doing things this way!"

To know,
The reason why the Way of Peace was able to prosper and gain the support of the people was because...
It is not about how perfectly their scriptures and teachings are compiled or how beautifully they are written.
Rather, it lies in the fact that our predecessors brought tangible benefits to the impoverished people through free medical consultations and disaster relief!

otherwise,

There's no way to say a few nice words.
How can it be that people can follow it and even dedicate themselves to it?
"Since we have made a vow to uphold the teachings of our predecessors and act in accordance with our original aspirations, we cannot just talk the talk!"

"We must take root in the land where people live, live with them, and let them know what 'peace' means!"

The other Taoists thought what he said was right, so they followed his instructions.

In the early summer of that year, a Taoist priest helped the people cultivate their fields and cure their illnesses.

In the Qin state, they took up the whip of shepherds and carefully tended to all kinds of livestock.

Through their diligent sowing,
As the number of cattle and sheep gradually increased, the people's recognition of Taipingdao also deepened day by day.

That's how the Way of Peace is.

They gradually took root and grew stronger on the land of Qin.

Golden eagles occasionally swoop down from the towering Xingshan Mountain, soaring over their heads.

The Taoist priest, who was instructing the woman on how to weave a sweater using two long wooden sticks, looked up as if sensing something and gazed at the distant afterimage flying in the sky.

The afterglow of the setting sun and that shadow overlapped before sinking into the distant valley.

A wind blew from the valley, carrying a chill that terrified the people of the plateau.

The Taoist priest, his face covered in smears, muttered, "Winter seems to have come earlier this year than usual!"

"It seems we need to seize the opportunity and stockpile as many supplies as possible."

The harsh winters of Qin far surpassed those of the traditionally hot and humid land of Xinxia.

If you're not careful,
A massive snowstorm can wipe out years of accumulated snow and bury those who have barely survived in the wind, snow, and frost.

Fortunately,

This year, the cattle and sheep population has increased, and they are growing very healthily without any diseases.

This improved the lives of the local people, and some merchants were willing to come here to exchange various goods they had brought for livestock.

Having escaped the hardships of "survival" and tasted new flavors, the people began to have many expectations for "tomorrow".

However,

Things in life are never as one wishes.

A young man suddenly rushed in, his face flushed from running.

He said:
"The imperial court officials are here to collect taxes again!"

"They stole our cattle and sheep!"

"They say the Xiongnu are coming from the east, so they want us to pay money, grain, and livestock!"

“Some people resisted and were arrested, told they would be reduced to slavery!”

Upon hearing this, the Taoist priest shuddered, realizing that this winter would indeed be much harsher.

……

(End of this chapter)