Jinting Han people

Chapter 163 Sun Xiu's Sermon (4k)

Everyone present was caught off guard by Sun Xiu's arrival. After all, the reputation of this Zhao Wang's Chief Secretary was in tatters in Guanzhong.

Previously, Sun Xiu used the method of privately changing weights and measures to increase taxes, which was actually a relatively respectable way for him to solicit bribes. In the year since he took office, the dishonorable ways of soliciting bribes have emerged one after another:
As soon as he took office, Sun Xiu made a major change to the Feng Shui of the Zhengxi Army Headquarters. Then, under the pretext of fortune-telling, he kicked out all the officials in the Zhengxi Army Headquarters who had not bribed him, thus carrying out a major purge.

Later, Sun Xiu sold the elixir to the military officers, claiming it could strengthen the body, dispel evil and save lives. He sold it for as high as thirty gold coins per elixir, but the actual effect was that many people became seriously ill.
Sun Xiu also forced all the people of Chang'an to buy land certificates from the Five Pecks of Rice Sect, saying that Chang'an was haunted by evil spirits and that anyone who wanted to be buried had to pay the land official to buy peace. Each land certificate cost one thousand coins, and Sun Xiu extorted five thousand gold coins from him.

The most outrageous thing was his good wife. In the Zhengxi Army, any official who wanted to be promoted, regardless of age or appearance, had to offer his wife to Sun Xiu and wait for him to have sex with them before they could get a promotion.

Judging from these deeds, the word "scumbag" is no longer enough to describe Sun Xiu. Even Zhao Gao, the traitor who destroyed the Qin Dynasty, probably couldn't have committed so many shameful things. Therefore, the people of Guanzhong often lamented, "Is there no one in the court? Why would the emperor send such a person? Have we really committed some sin? Why would God create such a person?"

Liu Xian also learned about Sun Xiu's general situation from Zu Ti's reply.

Sun Xiu was born into the Langya Sun clan, whose family had been followers of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect for generations, but they were not a prominent clan. When Sima Lun was first named King of Langya, Sun Xiu was just a minor official, responsible for paperwork and the like.

Sun Xiu's writing skills caught Sima Lun's attention, and he took the opportunity to flatter him, offering him elixirs, sexual techniques, and other rare items. This greatly pleased Sima Lun. When Sima Lun was promoted to the title of King of Zhao, Sun Xiu left his ancestral home and followed him with his entire family. This further strengthened Sima Lun's trust in Sun Xiu, and he gradually became his confidant.

Sun Xiu also played a significant role in the current situation of the King of Zhao being able to rule Guanzhong. It is said that he emptied the King of Zhao's treasury to give 10,000 gold to Empress Jia, and at the same time he flattered Jia Mi to the utmost, which pleased Jia Mi.

This information was relayed to Zu Ti by Liu Kun, making it highly credible. This was because Sima Lun, Prince of Zhao, had an alliance with the Liu clan of Zhongshan during his time in Hebei. This meant that Sima Lun, the crown prince of Zhao, was Liu Kun's brother-in-law. Liu Kun was quite familiar with the connections within the Zhao palace.

Liu Kun even sent a letter of recommendation to Liu Xian, saying that in times of crisis, he could contact Sima Yi, the prince of Zhao, privately. He and Sun Xiu were quite at odds, and he really couldn't hold on any longer. By relying on Sima Yi's relationship, he should be able to protect himself.

Through this information, Liu Xian got to know a different Sun Xiu, an extremely dangerous Sun Xiu.

In the eyes of others, Sun Xiu is evil in every possible way, but he is also incompetent because he has not accomplished anything.

But in Liu Xian's eyes, Sun Xiu was a man to be reckoned with. His literary talent, as a minor official, earned Sima Lun's approval, demonstrating his exceptional talent and insight far exceeding his peers. His ability to curry favor with the King of Zhao further demonstrated his ability to discern people. His decision to abandon his ancestral home and relocate his family demonstrated his bold resolve and recklessness. And his ability to maintain his position as Chief Secretary despite his difficult relationship with Sima Lun demonstrated his skill in maneuvering and compromising.

Such a person's talent is not inferior to any Zhuoran second-rank official, but his mind is not on the right path, otherwise he would be another Jia Xu. But now that Sun Xiu is obsessed with fame and fortune, he may be another Jia Chong.

His quiet arrival in Xiayang today was a manifestation of this talent. Liu Xian's plan to convene the Zhichuan Literary Society to raise his profile was completely ruined simply because of his appearance.

When the famous people present heard Sun Xiu's name, they all changed color.

Everyone had been enjoying a lively conversation, but when Sun Xiu arrived, hermits like Bu Yu and Guo Qi simply snorted, bowed to Liu Xian, and walked away. Clearly, for them, even being in the same place with Sun Xiu was a stain on their reputation.

Young people like Deng You and Guo Pu did not live in seclusion and had plans to become officials. They were in an awkward position at this time. They could only stand where they were. They wanted to leave but were afraid of offending Sun Xiu, and if they stayed they felt they would lose face.

Of course, the one who felt the most uncomfortable was undoubtedly Fengyi Governor Ouyang Jian. Two months prior, he and Yongzhou Governor Jie Xi had submitted a memorial impeaching Sun Xiu, and the two were political enemies. Now, Sun Xiu's brazen intrusion was itself a humiliation.

The rest, such as Xue Xing, Zhuge Yu and others, were just at a loss at this moment. They didn't know how to deal with this scene and could only watch silently.

Sun Xiu was quite at ease with his unpopularity. As he watched the celebrities passing by him, he said with a playful smile:
"Oh my, is there something urgent? If you have any questions, why not talk to Sun?"

"Although I am not very talented, I do know a little bit about Taoism. If you encounter any disasters, I can report it to the Three Officials and ask them to bless you and relieve your misfortune!"

These words certainly failed to persuade anyone, but instead were extremely harsh to the ears of the remaining people.

If there really are heavenly ways and gods in the world, then they should protect the good and punish the bad. If the believers of the gods are all people like Sun Xiu who have all the five evils, then what is the point of believing in them?
But no one present could say such words out loud. Only Liu Xian said calmly, "Why didn't you tell me that Chief Secretary Sun is here? You came so unexpectedly. I'm sorry for not coming to greet you."

This was a very stiff and polite remark, which had to be said out of courtesy. However, Sun Xiu seemed not to hear the hostility in it, and smiled calmly:
"Haha, why are you so polite? I know myself well. I'm just a dog of His Majesty the Prince of Zhao. Apart from doing things for His Majesty the Prince of Zhao, I'm nothing."

"You are all renowned scholars, and you must have heard the saying, 'One who eats the emperor's salary must be loyal to the emperor.' Now, in Guanzhong, there is such a grand event that can help Your Highness become famous. How can I turn a blind eye to it?"

"Hey, please don't look at me like that! I'm just speaking the truth. Being able to stand among you is also a dream in my life!"

Sun Xiu's smile was vulgar, but his words were even more unbearable. He seemed to have no idea what dignity was, and his words were so devoid of personality that even the people listening felt as if they were stained with mud. Yet, he remained content and continued:

"Why don't you continue the previous topic? To be honest, I am also a cultivator, and I know a little bit about the principles of cultivation!"

Most people present didn't dare to speak, only Ouyang Jian scoffed, "Oh? Sun Changshi's cultivation is about how to sleep with his subordinates' wives?"

Most of the people present were shocked when this statement came out. After all, this question was too sharp, bringing up an unbearable reality at once, which was contrary to the decency between officials. But then again, I'm afraid few people could talk about decency with Sun Xiu.

But Sun Xiu's eyes widened when he heard this, and he replied with a look of grievance, "How could Jianshi slander my innocence for no reason? I was just in the Jingshi room, praying for the sins of some believers who longed for salvation. When did I sleep with someone else's wife? Could it be that Jianshi saw it with his own eyes?"

His tone was so righteous that if this matter was not widely known, many people would probably believe it.

But this rhetoric was impeccable. Ouyang Jian had indeed not witnessed it with his own eyes, and even if he had, he couldn't say it. Otherwise, if he mentioned the specific names, how could others live their lives?

Ouyang Jian could only remain silent in anger, while Sun Xiu smiled triumphantly.

In the past, Liu Xian would have been particularly angry at this kind of person. But in this face-to-face communication, Liu Xian understood that anger was completely useless.

Regardless of who Sun Xiu was, he had already achieved a state of selflessness in his words and actions. Ordinary words simply couldn't anger him. Rather than recklessly sarcastically attacking him, it was better to use indirect language to understand his intentions and see more clearly what kind of person he was. Liu Xian then asked, "So, Sun Changshi does understand some cultivation?"

This time, Liu Xian's question was no longer harsh. At least it sounded like he was asking for advice. Sun Xiu turned around and glanced at him, seeming a little surprised, but then he put on a fake smile and said,
"Why? Mr. Liu is interested?"

"I'm really interested. I really want to know how people today achieve freedom and liberation, considering even Zhuangzi didn't discuss the path of cultivation in his writings."

Hearing this, Sun Xiu was delighted. He laughed heartily and replied fluently, "Mr. Liu, that's a good question! Everyone has their own destiny, and with different destinies, the methods of achieving freedom and liberation are naturally different."

"Oh? How do I solve this?"

“Some people can be free and at ease during their lifetime, some can be free and at ease after death, and some people are never free and at ease until they die.”

"Then how do I practice?"

"Of course, it's to diligently recite the sutras, widely save people, accumulate merit, spread the good way, and follow the flow of time."

When Sun Xiu said this, his expression was extremely serious and his tone was extremely solemn. His wretched expression also looked somewhat divine.

But Liu Xian couldn't help but find it funny. He couldn't help but ask, "Then can Sun Changshi's unscrupulous tax increase be considered meritorious?"

Sun Xiu replied, "Of course I am accumulating merit."

"It seems that Sun Changshi's merits and virtues are different from mine."

"It is indeed different. I can tell that Mr. Liu's merits are ordinary merits, the merits of the people, but my merits are the merits of God."

"The merit of God?"

"The so-called following Heaven and responding to people's wishes is that Heaven is above people, and the Son of Heaven is above the people and his subjects. Sun's merit lies in obeying the will of the Son of Heaven, that is, in following the will of the time."

"We in the Tianshi Dao have a saying that a country cannot be without a ruler for even a day. Without a ruler, the country cannot be governed. Similarly, the merits and virtues of a country vary depending on the ruler in power."

"The Supreme Saint, the teacher of the Way, teaches and educates. He is close to the Great Dao. As long as he exists, the world is governed and peaceful. He can be called the True Lord of Peace."

"A moderately virtuous ruler appoints virtuous and capable officials, who guide him with virtue. At such times, the rise and fall of a state is unpredictable. With virtuous officials, the state prospers; without them, it declines."

"When a ruler is unjust and incompetent, people will lose their kindness and filial piety, and their families will be at odds. This is the sign of impending disaster and catastrophe."

"As a minister, if I meet a sage king, I only need to cultivate my character; if I meet a moderately virtuous king, I must promote virtuous people to serve the country; but if I meet an unjust and incompetent king, I cannot go against the will of heaven, but must adapt to the times and protect myself!"

This was an extremely blunt statement, brimming with satire of the current imperial court. Perhaps no one could have guessed that it would come from the mouth of Sun Xiu, the notorious Chief Secretary of the Prince of Zhao. And it made sense. With the current emperor incompetent and the court rife with corrupt officials, what could he possibly do? The answer was to go along with the corrupt, and only then could he achieve great things.

From this perspective, Sun Xiu did make a perfect defense, and he could even say that he did have some merit.

But Liu Xian still found it funny. He asked, "Then what about Sun Changshi who just said he wanted to save the people? How would he do that?"

Sun Xiu's face was serious, as if he was about to reveal a great secret. He said to the crowd, "You must have heard the saying, 'The blue sky is dead, the yellow sky is now in place! In the year of Jiazi, the world will be blessed with good fortune!'"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's expression changed. After all, this sentence was well-known to everyone. Wasn't it the slogan used by the great and virtuous teacher Zhang Jue during his rebellion? What was Sun Xiu's intention in bringing it up again?
Sun Xiu continued to speak to himself, "The Heavenly Official is virtuous and once said that when a tyrant reigns, catastrophe is imminent! The catastrophe will occur in the Jiazi year. Back then, Zhang Jue wanted to defy the will of Heaven and change fate, saving all people. Unfortunately, the world was beyond redemption, and so many people were wasted."

"The Great Sage Master, at the cost of hundreds of thousands of people, has extended the world's order for another two generations. However, in the next generation, the apocalypse will still come! By then, unless the True Lord of Peace descends, catastrophe will be imminent. The tragic scene of only one in a hundred people surviving will reappear in the world. Except for the people of our species, no one else will be able to escape!"

"In recent years, the imbalance of yin and yang, floods and droughts, and frequent disasters have all been a sign of impending catastrophe!"

Sun Xiu's words were nothing short of alarmist. He was practically pointing fingers and saying that before the next sixty years (304 AD), the Jin Dynasty would follow in the footsteps of the Han Dynasty and face the disaster of national destruction!
Before Sun Xiu opened his mouth, everyone thought he was about to speak nonsense, but after he spoke so much, no one could ignore his words. After the chaos of the first year of the Yuankang reign, while ordinary people might not have much to say, these scholars all had a premonition, more or less aware that the empire was heading in a bad direction.

So some people couldn't help but ask: "How can we escape?"

Sun Xiu had completely mastered the rhythm of the conversation. He said slowly, "Of course, I will serve my Heavenly Master, apologize to the Three Officials, and serve as a commoner with a pure, chaste, filial, loyal, and honest heart."

"In this way, with the blessing of the Three Gods, we can escape this final catastrophe and recreate the human world after the catastrophe."

"Even if one unfortunately dies, the Heavenly Official will lead him into the Immortal Hall and grant him freedom and ease."

"Everything I do in the Western Expedition Army is to make the people respect the righteous path. It is only in this way that I can save the people!"

Having said this, Sun Xiu's face was full of compassion. Among all the Taoist monks Liu Xian had seen in his life, no one could give such a moving performance.

What a disgusting scum.

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(End of this chapter)