Controlling mountains and rivers since the Warring States Period

Chapter 469 Eclipse and Dreams
"Rome has also sent troops?"

"The Great Qin is truly blessed!"

When the envoys from the newly established Xia and Sui states arrived in Chang'an with messages from the Qin state to extend their greetings to the emperor,

He Bo, who was listening from afar, exclaimed this praise to the Qin rulers around him.

Unfortunately, the latter was already used to his taunts.

Moreover, losing their country once also increased their resilience.
So no dead ghost paid him any attention.

Even the First Emperor, who was prone to bloating at the slightest provocation, didn't give God a second glance.

So He Bo narrowed his eyes, leaned closer, and said with his hands on his hips:
"Aren't you worried that the ancestral temple is going to collapse?"

Upon hearing this, Duke Xiao looked up at him but did not reply directly.

He simply nudged his grandson Ying Zheng and demanded, "Emperor, say something!"

Ying Zheng stood to the side with his head down, remaining silent.

Duke Xiao then pushed his grandson Fusu, saying, "Second Emperor, you speak!"

Fusu was a little embarrassed.
But he has always been a filial son, and unlike his father, he is not stubborn and has a mouth that is like an ornament.

Therefore,
After Duke Xiao urged him twice, Fusu mustered his courage, his face slightly flushed, and said to He Bo:
"Please allow me to answer in your own words—"

"The emperor is not in a hurry, but the eunuch is!"

He Bo immediately jumped up in anger, "He deserves to die!"

"How dare you use my words to attack me!"

Fusu said, "But I was just repeating what you said..."

But He Bo just wouldn't care.

He severely punished Fusu, ordering him to handle a mountain of documents, and told him:
"You're not allowed to leave work until Big Yellow has finished eating everything from Ximen Bao's food box!"

Upon hearing this, Fusu and the big yellow dog beside him both showed expressions of horror.

The former had experienced the hardships of paperwork.
The latter, however, knew that Dr. Ximen's food box was filled with his wife's "concern" for him.

That thick broth, even a tiny bit of it could make a dog wish it were dead.

It really doesn't want to eat at all!

Big Yellow's tail is tucked between his legs!

But Fusu did not want to be forever immersed in books and literature.

His gaze toward Dahuang flashed with some hesitation, grief, and guilt before gradually hardening.

Seeing this, He Bo said smugly to Ji Wu:
"Look!"

"Those in positions of power govern the common people using this method to divert conflict between the upper and lower classes!"

Even those who hold power in the country worry about facing opposition and resistance from the people when they propose policies that are undesirable or contrary to popular opinion.

For this,

The important people naturally need to be prepared.

After all, the policies they promote are intended to benefit themselves.

How can we abandon it just because of the opposition of the common people?
Adhering to this principle,
Before implementing policies, the powerful would manipulate the common people, causing them to fight among themselves and weakening their power.

So,

How can a disorganized bunch of people stand up to powerful figures?
Are you upset?

They only had bamboo poles and wooden sticks in their hands, unable to wield swords, bows, or crossbows, and were commoners scattered in all directions.

What can be done about a powerful person?

Ji Wu, who had been hanging out with the Taiping Dao lately and conducting investigations of various aristocratic estates, was not as angry or annoyed as usual.

After thoroughly studying the *Taiping Jing* and spending some time in contact with Taoist priests who had the world in their hearts and dared to leave their gentle homeland to preach in the gradually crumbling Central Plains,

Ji Wu seemed much more easygoing and composed.

He simply replied to the spirits, "Even the smallest grains of sand will eventually pile up into a mountain and collapse a dam."

“Those who eat meat are base and lack foresight. They also like to use their own selfish desires to judge the public good of the people. They think that if they divide and weaken the common people, the latter will fight each other and make their own positions secure.”

"But what they don't know is that among the millions of people in this world, there are always virtuous people who dare to stand up and speak out for the common people."

"And among those uncultured and illiterate common people, there is a heart full of passion, unlike the cold and indifferent nobles who have indulged in too much wine and meat."

"Furthermore!"

After a pause, Ji Wu continued, "With so many powerful and influential people, it's inevitable that there will be a few who deviate from the norm and truly want to implement the teachings of our ancestors and guide the world toward goodness."

He Bo blinked. "Are you talking about Kong Guang and Wang Shang?"

He clapped his hands and teased Ji Wu, "Hey!"

"Didn't you always hate guys who only knew how to talk about doctrines but didn't do anything practical for the people?"

"Now that we've seen so many powerful figures who bully others and seize land from the people, these two suddenly seem quite handsome?"

Ji Wu immediately snorted, "Those two stubborn fools who can't tell the situation apart, I don't know them at all!"

After all,

He left here.

He Bo burst into laughter on the spot.

Subsequently,

He raised his head from the plateau and gazed at the sun in the sky—

And that blazing, bright golden crow
It also gradually revealed dark spots, as a response to the spirits.

The many dead ghosts who had been waiting nearby also stood up and raised their heads.

"A solar eclipse is coming!"

They exclaimed in admiration, "Shi Shen and Gan De's predictions were truly accurate!"

"They actually figured out the date of the solar eclipse!"

Thanks to the persistent efforts of the astronomers Gan and Shi after their deaths
Their compilation of the "Star Classic" not only expanded the record of more stars, but also added explanations for various strange celestial phenomena, analyzed the reasons for their formation, and wrote down methods for predicting their arrival time.

This is the culmination of human wisdom gained from long-term study of the universe.

It is a "miracle" that is worthy of praise and admiration from future generations.

Even if future generations are destined never to know why the *Star Classic*, which was already written during the Warring States period, was continued by some strange descendants with writing styles very close to the original author, who generously added more and achieved extraordinary results.

But just like He Bo and those dead scholars, who are still writing sequels to their already voluminous collection of "Miscellaneous Essays":
They don't care about those meaningless praises and admiration.

As long as future generations can pass on this wisdom and learn new knowledge from it to better change the world.

That would satisfy the spirits in heaven!

On another note,
If it weren't for the desire to better appreciate this spectacular solar eclipse and witness humanity's "prophecy" of nature, we would have missed it.
These dead ghosts wouldn't come to this desolate plateau to keep company with a gossipy spirit and endure his teasing and harassment!
……

And along with the plateau,
The dead were pointing and whispering about the eclipse.
The Han Dynasty court in the mortal world is also facing new turmoil.

Wang Shang, who had relentlessly fought against Wang Feng in an attempt to prevent the collapse of the court, had his seal of office revoked and was dismissed from his post by the emperor.

Before this,

Because of his impartial enforcement of the law, Wang Shang punished Yang Tong, the prefect of Langya and Wang Feng's relative by marriage, for dereliction of duty. He also impeached Yang Tong for forming cliques and engaging in corrupt practices, and accused Wang Feng of extending his influence from the central government to the local level, attempting to seize power from top to bottom and from the inside out. Wang Shang hoped that the emperor would wake up in time and curb the power of the maternal relatives.

then,

He faced a fierce counterattack from the Wang family of Yuancheng.

Wang Feng sent people to fabricate rumors and smear Wang Shang, who had always presented himself as "upright and incorruptible":
First, it was said that Wang Shang had an affair with his father's maid.

It is also said that Wang Shang condoned his sister's affair and murdered his servants, etc.
Through these unverifiable private matters, they smeared and suppressed Wang Shang.

Wang Shang was furious, his old face turning bright red.

He quickly found the emperor and was willing to die to prove his innocence.

However, the emperor still cherished past friendships and did not delve deeper into these matters.

But unfortunately,

A solar eclipse has occurred.

For the Han emperors and ministers who revered the concept of "interaction between Heaven and Man," this was yet another round requiring the offering of sacrifices to the Three Dukes.

Could Wang Feng, the Grand Marshal and General-in-Chief who also held the position of Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, be the object of a sacrifice?
Could Wang Yin, the Imperial Censor, who was a member of the same Wang clan of Yuancheng as Wang Feng and whose brothers were closely united, be the one to be sacrificed?

Therefore,
What else could Wang Shang do?

When Wang Shang handed over his seal of office as prime minister in the court, removed his hat, kowtowed to the emperor, and tearfully confessed his incompetence, saying things like, "I have failed to assist the emperor well, so that Heaven is angered and has blocked out the sun," etc.

His usually loud and steady voice, which contained a sharp edge like a blade, became incredibly hoarse and choked with emotion.

The emperor was somewhat reluctant.
But looking at his two uncles in the court...

Then he thought of the sun hanging high in the sky outside the court, which was not as bright and dazzling as usual.

In the end, he didn't say anything.

He fell silent, watching Wang Shang leave the court dejectedly.

Shortly afterward, a guard stepped forward and reported to the emperor:
Wang Shang had just left Weiyang Palace when he painfully pounded his chest, vomited several mouthfuls of blood, and fainted.

"what?"

Kong Guang immediately paled, his heart filled with worry for Wang Shang.

……

"Why bother?"

There will be other opportunities in the future!

After the court session,

Kong Guang arrived at Wang Shang's residence immediately and spoke to his friend, who was lying on his bed, barely alive.

Wang Shang shook his head and said softly, "I cannot tolerate such humiliation."

He was by nature fierce and upright.
How could anyone tolerate such slander?
"I'm leaving now."

"It's up to you now!"

Wang Shang held Kong Guang's hand and instructed him, "Your personality is not as cunning as Wang Feng's, and you are easily provoked, which may lead you to make foolish decisions."

"Therefore, in the future, do not easily trust others and remain vigilant."

"Otherwise, where will this great Han dynasty go?"

In the imperial court,

There are far too many of Wang Feng's cronies!
Even if they were the prime minister of the court, a descendant of Confucius, or a relative of the emperor from a different generation, they could not compete with him!
But as long as there are people...
As long as there are still people steadfastly continuing the struggle,

Then there is still hope that it can continue!

Kong Guang burst into tears, only managing to choke out his words.

He said, "I'll bring Wang Mang over to visit you later!"

“He is much smarter than me, and he has a humble and benevolent nature. He will surely inherit our will and correct the mistakes of the court.”

Wang Shang nodded, not thinking that Kong Guang had said anything wrong.

Although Wang Mang was Wang Feng's nephew,

Yet he remained untainted by the mud, possessing a nature unlike the unrestrained and arrogant Wang family of Yuancheng. He was a pure gentleman who conformed to etiquette in every way.

Unfortunately,

Wang Mang was still young and had not yet entered the court.

Wang Shang had no chance to witness his brilliance and warmth before he was about to leave this world.

"It's all our fault that you've been dragged into this!"

When Wang Mang arrived

Wang Shang, whose face was even paler and ashen, said to him:
"If you didn't have Kong Guang as your teacher, and if you had distanced yourself from me, how could you have been suppressed by your uncle and been unable to get a recommendation for so long?"

"I have not entered officialdom because my talents are not yet sufficient and my virtue is not yet mature. How can I blame my elders?"

Wang Mang sincerely said to Wang Shang, "If I can improve your health and prolong your life, I would rather never serve in office and live in seclusion in the mountains."

Wang Shang disagreed with him, saying, "An old man like me is no match for a young and promising man like you!"

"The future of the Han Dynasty rests on your shoulders. You must cherish your body and preserve it to contribute to the country!"

"In this way, my soul in heaven can find peace!"

Wang Mang had no choice but to agree to the elder's request.

Wang Shang then closed his eyes in satisfaction.

The next morning,
The rooster's crow at dawn had not yet faded.

A sliver of white had just appeared on the horizon.
Wang Shang's residence was already covered with white linen.

His son, carrying a mourning stick and dressed in mourning clothes, knelt on the ground and bowed to the relatives and elders who had come to mourn his deceased father.

The emperor in the palace heard the news.

He then sent someone to offer condolences to Wang Shang, his former confidant.

The latter died of anger after being slandered by Wang Feng.
This also prompted the emperor to reflect for the first time:
Have I been too lenient with the Wang family?

After ascending the throne,

Wang Feng's maternal uncle then rose to a high position in the imperial court and wielded immense power;

In the second year of Heping,
He then followed the Empress Dowager's advice and enfeoffed his other five maternal uncles as dukes and marquises on the same day.

So far,

The Wang family gained fame, status, power, and wealth...

Why force his other close ministers to do the same?

However, his mother, Empress Dowager Wang Zhengjun of the Han Dynasty, was still very reassured about this.

She comforted her son again:
"Who else in the world is closest to the emperor besides your maternal uncle?"

"Their status and power are all obtained by relying on you. Even if they have some selfish motives, how could they dare to be detrimental to you?"

The emperor thought for a moment,
He felt that his mother's words made sense, so he let go of his worries and continued to indulge in wine and women.

With Wang Shang's departure,
The succeeding prime minister, Zhang Yu, was a pedantic scholar who fawned over the Wang family and never disagreed with them.

Wang's power grew day by day, and soon reached its peak.

Many people, both in and out of government, identify themselves as members of the Wang family faction.
Within Chang'an City,

The Wang family's descendants became increasingly arrogant and domineering.

They indulged in the power of being second only to the emperor, living a life of unbridled pleasure and extravagance, and proving the strength of the Han Dynasty and the Wang family by comparing themselves with each other.

Only Wang Mang remained humble and simple.

He served his mother, his uncle, and his brothers...

No matter who you are facing,
He was always so kind and approachable.

In addition to his status as a disciple of Kong Guang,

Whether they were upright scholars or officials pursuing fame and fortune, they all expressed their affection for him.

Many people praised him, saying, "The Wang family's wealth and power will continue because of Wang Mang!"

Those spoiled children,
How can anyone compare to Wang Mang?
Upon hearing these comments, Wang Feng first said angrily:
“I have my own children and brothers, why would I need an orphan like him to maintain the family’s glory?”

however,
The extremely wealthy patriarch of the Wang family couldn't help but sigh as he thought of his incompetent sons and brothers who only knew how to indulge in wine, meat, song, dance, and hunting.

"Let's take another look... let's take another look!"

Wang Feng absolutely refused to believe it.

Their bloodline of the Wang family of Yuancheng will give birth to a great sage like Wang Mang!

Was he faking it?

Was he sincere?

Even Wang Feng, who had become so arrogant as to rebuke the emperor, was unable to make a decision on this matter.

Amidst such a bizarre and turbulent situation,

Only officials like Wang Yanshi, who were renowned for their skills, could have a more stable life.

They no longer need to waste their energy on that increasingly dim and corrupt court.

All they had to do was travel between the two banks of the Yellow River, constantly reinforcing the dikes that bound this great river, hoping that the aging dikes could hold out even longer, and resist even more floods for the sake of the Han Dynasty's destiny.

Just as Wang Yanshi had finally finished repairing one area, he was about to move on to another to reinforce it.

In his sleep, he vaguely heard some voices saying:
"Is this the paperhanger?"

"No, the paperhanger was referring to an official in the imperial court; he's the one who repairs the river embankment!"

"What's the difference? He's just doing some patching and repairs on the riverbank anyway!"

"The foundation is already broken, too much silt has accumulated, and that dilapidated dike will collapse sooner or later!"

"Unless we tear it all down and start from scratch, from the very foundation!"

"But look at this big man's current state... hehe, he's worked so hard, but in the end, he's still the same, isn't he?"

"He's someone who gets things done, so let's be gentle with him!"

"Let's not disturb his sleep anymore. Look at this guy, he's frowning even in his dreams, looking like a complete idiot!"

"Hmph, aren't you just another beast of burden to me?"

……

The sound faded into the distance, quickly dissipating from Wang Yanshi's dream.

But Wang Yanshi still did not wake up.

He then began to dream a pure dream, undisturbed by any external forces:
In dreams,
The muddy floodwaters eventually breached the dikes, submerging countless plots of land on both banks.

(End of this chapter)