Controlling mountains and rivers since the Warring States Period

Chapter 590 Han Chaos
A new spring has arrived.

The new emperor's reign title was also adopted throughout the land.

The eight-year-old emperor was still quite naive.

The powerful figure chose a very auspicious reign title for him.
It is called "Origin".

Therefore, in the first year of the Benchu ​​era

Passing by the Zhang River, intending to visit some historical sites and appreciate the vastness of the world, Zhou Jian, a rather intelligent boy, instead encountered Zhang Jiao.

After teaching the child for a period of time, he decided to take him on as a disciple and pass on his medical skills.

"The requirements for being a Taoist priest are higher than those for being a doctor."

"Old Sun wants to outlast you for a few more years, then I'll stop causing trouble."

After Zhang Jiao's parents sent him tuition fees, young Zhang Jiao formally performed the apprenticeship ceremony.

Zhou Jian stroked his long, flowing beard and said to him with a smile.

Today's "Taoist priests"
It is an abbreviation for "a person of virtue".
Within the Taiping Dao system, it holds a relatively high position and is considered a being capable of communicating between Yin and Yang.

Since one can communicate with the yin and yang and know about ghosts and gods, one must conduct oneself uprightly and not do anything crooked or evil.

Therefore, those who can become "Taoists" often need to undergo a long period of observation and have enough experience before they can become the leaders of the Taiping Dao (Way of Peace).

If you want to add the words "Gaode" before your name, the requirements are naturally higher and more difficult to achieve.

After all, a virtuous Taoist master is someone who can be a wise and virtuous teacher, a great wise and virtuous teacher!
Hearing him say that,
Zhang Jiao's parents, standing nearby, gave another awkward laugh.

They were not very familiar with the rules of the Taiping Dao, only knowing that "Taoists" had a high status, were respected, and could occasionally travel between wealthy and powerful families, meet dignitaries in prefectures and counties, and were elders in the region.

in addition,

Most Taoist priests are learned and possess various talents. The medical, divination, and numerology that are considered profound by ordinary people are not difficult for them.

Therefore, Zhang Jiao's parents initially thought that their child should directly become Sun En's teacher and receive his instruction, so that he could learn several skills at once.

Who told Zhou Jian himself to say:
"I can't be considered a true Taoist priest; I'm just someone who has a close relationship with the Taoist community."

"If I had to choose a primary profession, I would prefer to be a doctor."

The response from Zhang Jiao's parents caused Zhou Jian's face to fall, while Sun En burst into laughter.

Fortunately, Sun En explained to them:
"Most of the children in the Taoist community are orphans and destitute."

“Your family is harmonious, so you wouldn’t need to send someone like this, who is already urinating, to learn the Way.”

If you are truly determined, you can seek a teacher and learn from them when you grow up and become more sensible.

then,

And that's how this scene came about.

……

Can studying medicine completely eliminate people's suffering?

After some time,
Zhang Jiao began to follow Zhou Jian and practice medicine around Julu.

He had seen some people struggling with illness, and with the keen perception of a child, he couldn't help but feel that their complexions were more bitter than the medicine they were taking.

"Studying medicine can't solve suffering." Zhou Jian casually replied to his junior disciple while packing up medical tools such as needles, splints, and hammers that could be used in internal and external medicine. "There are always endless questions."

The young apprentice then imitated the adults, sighed, and said, "If only people didn't get sick."

Zhou Jian smiled and said, "Birth, aging, sickness, and death are the natural cycle."

"No one in the world is immune to illness, just as no one in the world is immune to death."

Zhang Jiao gave an "Oh" that seemed to understand, then added, "Then if people get sick, they can just take medicine and get cured."

Zhou Jian did not reply to him, but instead spoke to Sun En, who came up behind him to teach Zhang Jiao to read:
"I didn't realize before that this kid talks a lot, asking questions all the time."

Zhou Jian's medical skills are very impressive.

However, Sun En had a richer experience and more outstanding knowledge, so he was chosen to guide Zhang Jiao in his understanding of the classics and human affairs.

For this,

Sun En simply said, "The more you do, the more doubts you will naturally have."

"Being willing to speak your mind is something to be praised for."

There are already too many people in this world who know there's a problem but pretend not to hear it.

Moreover, the higher one's status and the more power one wields...
Besides being aloof and unwilling to discuss mundane matters, he also forbids others from doing so.

It's as if the world is peaceful and tranquil as long as ugliness and suffering are not exposed to others and heard by them.

Whenever I feel like it

They would also put on an act of "humility and openness to advice," asking those whose mouths were covered if they had any grievances, if there were any disasters in the area, or if they wanted to confide in them.

After plugging their ears with jade beads and turning them to the side for a while, they would wave their hands and sleeves to celebrate their successful governance, which resulted in no idle gossip among the people.

Ugh,
It can only be said that the nobles are truly kind-hearted, unable to bear or listen to the troubles of ordinary people.

“I’m afraid that if he asks too many questions, he’ll get himself into trouble sooner or later.”

Zhou Jian squinted and said, "Just like you!"

Sun En burst into laughter again, "If that's the case, why bother giving an answer?"

Why not learn from the nobles in the imperial court and remain silent and indifferent to the affairs of ordinary people?
As long as you keep avoiding it.
Just send someone to cover their mouths.
The people will then understand which questions they can ask and which they cannot.

The principle that preventing people from speaking is more difficult than preventing a river from overflowing is well understood.
Although the ancients pointed this out long ago.

Unfortunately, later generations couldn't resist the urge to wander through the overflowing river.

Zhou Jian grumbled, "If I don't answer, this kid probably won't shut up!"

Having said that, he turned and left, handing the child over to Sun En.

After Zhang Jiao finished eating and rested for a while, Sun En continued to teach him to read.

This didn't last long.

Zhang Jiao was already exhausted from accompanying Master Zhou on his house call today, so there was no need for him to study late into the night.

The practice of hanging oneself by the hair or pricking one's thigh with an awl...
It is only those recommended for filial piety and integrity who will do this.

The Zhang family's status wasn't even high enough to qualify them for a minor official position in the county, so naturally they didn't need to make any trouble.

After Sun En, he only played a few games of chess with Zhang Jiao to relax.

However, such taboo behavior quickly attracted evil spirits.

For centuries, the chess master He Bo, whose skill level remained elusive, followed the scent and came over. He even moved a stool to sit next to him and began to chatter like a spectator.

Zhang Jiao had only recently begun learning the refined art of chess from his teacher, and faced with He Bo, this suddenly appearing elder, he dared not question him further.

But after several disastrous defeats under his guidance, Zhang Jiao couldn't take it anymore:
"Why do I always have to start with Tengen, who's right in the middle of my subordinates?"

"It's blooming in the center!"

He Bo confidently proclaimed his fallacies and heresies, saying, "Just like you have to catch the king to catch the thief!"

Zhang Jiao pursed his lips, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't quite put his words into words.

As a dead ghost struggling to make a living under God's command, Sun En couldn't very well rebuke God for misleading his disciples.

He could only look up at the gradually dimming sun, which was leaning towards the western mountains, and said softly:
"Sometimes the outcome of a game of chess is decided not on the board, but outside of it."

"You're right!"

He Bo nodded in agreement and told the child seriously, "If necessary, you can pick up the chessboard and beat up your opponent!"

"I am invincible throughout the world. In the past few hundred years, the only one who can rival me and fight to a draw is Liu Qi."

Zhang Jiao hadn't yet learned Emperor Jing of Han's name, but he could tell that the man named Liu Qi wasn't very good at chess and had a rather irritable temper.

He simply cleaned up the mess in silence, hoping to rely on his own wisdom to start over and cleanse his tainted mind.

To prevent God from causing further trouble, Sun En simply gave up his seat and became a silent observer of the game.

So He Bo and Zhang Jiao played three rounds of black and white chess.

He was overjoyed at his first victory.
The second draw was unwilling.
He was furious and embarrassed after losing for the third time.

"I never imagined your skill level would improve so quickly."

God stood up and looked directly at the child before him, saying, "A person with such talent as you will surely achieve great things in the future."

"Please state your name for now!"

He appeared out of nowhere; before that, he was lying on the plateau, dozing off, trying to tame the roof of the world.

Therefore, they did not know about Zhang Jiao.

Sun En then introduced him to the situation.

Upon hearing this, He Bo's eyes darted back and forth between Sun En and Zhang Jiao, his face displaying a profound and inscrutable expression.

At last,
He just smiled and said, "I see, it's all fate!"

"But has the Zhanghe River actually flowed to a new place?"

His sentiments were not quite understood by either the old ghost or the child.
Fortunately, Sun En was already used to it and told Zhang Jiao not to worry about it.

the next day,
Zhou Jian didn't come over; Zhang Jiao was going to spend the whole day reading with Sun En.

He Bo, who happened to be passing by, also joined in the conversation, witnessing the childhood charm of General Tiangong.

Zhang Jiao's two younger brothers did not appear.

Five-year-old Zhang Bao is still very lively. His parents plan to wait another year before sending him to learn to read.

Needless to say, three-year-old Zhang Liang, wearing open-crotch pants, couldn't even beat the family's rooster, let alone understand the long passages in the book.

And on this very day
The three elders from the village came to my door to tell me something:
"The reign title has changed again; 'Benchu' has been changed to 'Jianhe'."

Mr. Zhang was exasperated by the annual change of the reign title, scratching his head and asking, "Why has it changed again?"

The three elders said, "The previous emperor has died, and the Empress Dowager has installed a new emperor."

Zhang's father scratched his head even harder, "Ah, another one?"

A new emperor every year?

Although people often pray for renewal and renewal during the Lunar New Year,

But the extent of this overhaul is a bit too much.

"Won't they do it again next year?"

"Don't talk nonsense!"

The three elders, who also had similar thoughts in their hearts, waved their hands at Zhang's father, saying, "May the Emperor enjoy eternal happiness!"

He only said "Chang Le" (meaning "eternal happiness"), not "Chang Shou" (meaning "long life"), which made Zhang's father grin and say, "I understand, I understand!"

The three elders didn't say anything more, but went to other people's houses to announce this important news.

The ghost and the god in the courtyard exchanged a glance, and the former sighed:
"At this rate, the mandate of heaven for the Han dynasty is truly exhausted."

"I wonder what kind of person the newly enthroned emperor is, and how he will govern this country."

Like Emperor Shun, supporting the 120-year-old Han dynasty, it continues to move forward.

Or should we continue to exploit the little vitality left in this aging nation, just for our own enjoyment?

He Bo stroked his chin, thinking of the new emperor who was only fifteen years old, and remained silent.

He only said:
"If Liu Bao were down there, he'd probably slap himself in regret and curse Liang Ji eight hundred times over."

After his nap on the plateau, God immediately "scanned" Luoyang, wanting to know the situation of the Han Dynasty and express his concern as a father for the emperor.

Although he remained silent.

They showed no reaction whatsoever to the emperor's repeated deaths.
Isn't this what silent fatherly love is all about?
Therefore,
Even without witnessing it firsthand, he was still able to piece together the truth by gathering information from both Yin and Yang.

This change of emperor was also orchestrated by Liang Ji.

The young emperor Liu Zuan, who came from the Liu family, was also exceptionally intelligent.

However, compared to his predecessors' restraint and decisiveness, he had more of the impulsiveness and straightforwardness typical of children.

This led Liu Zuan, after witnessing Liang Ji's tyranny and abuse of power, to point directly at him in front of all the court officials:
"This is an arrogant general!"

To fully reveal one's inner aversion and disgust.

Upon hearing this, Liang Ji immediately realized:
If the young emperor grows up and seizes power, he will certainly not have an easy time.

After calculating the days again, Liang Ji decided to take immediate action.

As everyone knows,

Most of the emperors of the Han Dynasty were prone to abnormal physical development.

Their development usually begins around the age of ten.

Liu Zuan ascended the throne at the age of eight. By the time the first year of the Yuan Dynasty arrived, he would be nine years old and about to cross the threshold of becoming a monstrous figure.

How could Liang Ji possibly delay any longer!
then,

He arranged for his people, whom he had planted in the palace, to poison the food the young emperor ate.

Not long after Liu Zuan ate, he felt as if his stomach was on fire, and he rolled around on the ground in discomfort.

The palace servants stood indifferently to the side, and some even closed the palace doors and windows to prevent others from coming in and disturbing them.

Just then, Li Gu, who was to enter the palace to explain the situation of the world as the young emperor had requested, arrived at the palace. Seeing that the palace doors were tightly closed, he immediately realized that something was wrong.

He forced his way in and saw the emperor rolling on the ground in agony.

The young emperor squeezed out a voice and told him, "My stomach is burning, and I want to drink water to put it out."

Li Gu then went to fetch water to save the emperor, but was stopped by palace servants.

The old farmer was extremely anxious, so he immediately performed a desperate charge and managed to snatch a basin of water to wipe the tables and desks in the hall.

It's not exactly clean, but it's still usable for putting out fires.

However, Liang Ji estimated the time it would take for the poison to take effect and also arrived here.

He then led his men forward, overturned the basin, and, with an air of righteous indignation, rebuked Li Gu for attempting to use the dirty water meant for cleaning to murder the emperor.

By the time Li Gu finally managed to push him away, the young emperor had already died.

The nearly sixty-year-old Sima Nong collapsed onto the still-warm body of the emperor, weeping until he fainted.

He watched helplessly as his king was poisoned to death right before his eyes!

Upon hearing this, Liang Na was forced to pull herself together from the grief of losing Emperor Chong, Liu Bing, and set out to purge the palace and uncover the truth behind the young emperor's murder.

However, when the Empress Dowager gave the order, very few people responded.

She has already been sidelined by Liang Ji!
While the soft-hearted and sensitive Empress Dowager was immersed in the pain of losing her husband and children,
Liang Ji vigorously cultivated his own power in the palace.

otherwise,

He wouldn't dare to so simply and crudely help the emperor die.

Even the Empress Dowager, who ruled as regent, became his mere figurehead.

Later, Liu Zhi, the son of Liu Yi, the Marquis of Liwu, who was enthroned in the name of the Empress Dowager, knew even more clearly in his heart who he should obey.

Having just ascended the throne and announced the change of era name, he quickly appointed Liang Ji and Liang Na's half-sister, Liang Nuying, as empress to show his obedience.

With the cooperation of the new emperor,
Liang Ji's power rose again.

"Li Gu and Empress Dowager Liang in Luoyang almost cried themselves blind!"

He Bo pulled out a handful of melon seeds from his pocket and said with a smile.

Sun En, standing to the side, simply said, "The power struggles above should not cause too much of a disturbance to those below."

The common people are already suffering a lot.

If we add fuel to the fire and pour oil on it, the events of the late Former Han Dynasty might be repeated.

However, Sun En himself understood.
The state is a plaything in the hands of the powerful and wealthy.

The unbridled behavior of meat-eaters will one day bring calamity to the entire Central Plains.

It's just a matter of sooner or later.

Zhang Jiao, who was standing nearby, was completely bewildered, not understanding what profound words the adults were saying.

He simply followed He Bo's instructions and peeled the sunflower seeds for him.

"it is good!"

"I'll reward you with the position of a great and virtuous teacher from now on!"

While exploiting child laborers, God still didn't forget to pat Zhang Jiao on the head and draw him a big pie.

(End of this chapter)