Zhu Yuanzhang Returns from Modern Times

Chapter 266 Then Die!

"Senior brother, is this... really a good idea?"

"I hope nothing bad will happen."

Inside Qingyun Temple, the young Taoist priest looked at his senior brother with worry in his eyes.

"What are you afraid of? What could possibly happen? Don't listen to that Zhang guy's nonsense."

Don't be intimidated by that guy surnamed Wu.

Do you really think we're easy to scare?
These farmlands must not be given away under any circumstances.

The land belongs to us, it is ours, it is what we have worked so hard to obtain.

The imperial court can't just take away our land without any reason.

That doesn't make sense.

"But senior brother, didn't we say that when the fields are being surveyed, no matter where or who is obstructing the survey, the Taoist priests in the temples should be targeted?"
If we do that here, what can those people do?

If they really disregard all reason and come to oppose us, then... what should we do?

"Don't worry, those people are just talking the talk."

They dare not really get serious.

It's nothing more than intimidation. If he actually dared to do that, he would be breaking the law!

This was done by those peasants, so it was done by them; it wasn't done by us, so it wasn't done by us.

He can't just be unreasonable and indiscriminately target us.

We should do things the way they should be here.

Besides, many of us no longer listen to that Zhang guy.

We have already discussed it with our fellow disciples from places like Baiyun Temple, Mengling Mountain, and Baimu Peak.

This is a consensus among us.

It's not just us who do this; they do it in other places too.

I don't believe that with so many of us opposing and causing trouble at the same time, Wu Yin can really suppress everyone.

Like pressing down one gourd and having another float up, this applies not only to our area but also to sending people out immediately to contact the wealthy families in the surrounding area and have a proper discussion with them.

Let's unite with them and take action together, instead of letting them stand idly by.

This matter is not just a matter for our Taoist sect, but also concerns all those who own land in Jiangxi.

No one is immune.

At this point, it is clearly not feasible for only our Taoist sect to charge into battle.

Today, my Taoist sect is suffering. If my Taoist sect falls, then it will be their turn.

If they stand idly by now, what should they do in the future?
There are enough people in Jiangxi, including many wealthy families, gentry, and officials, and many of them also oppose this matter.

This is not only a matter for our Taoist sect, but also for them.

Although they seem calm at this moment, they are actually quite anxious.

At this point, if we simply send some people to make contact, those people will surely agree.

And we immediately took action to deal with it together.

In Jiangxi, we are a major grain producer and taxpayer.

It was a major source of tax revenue for the imperial court.

The imperial court would absolutely not dare to act recklessly. As long as we take a tough stance, even that dog emperor will have to worry.

Make a scene, and things will be easier to handle.

He dared not let Jiangxi descend into chaos!

The Taoist priest surnamed Liu spoke with exceptional confidence.

Some were gritting their teeth, looking like they were ready to risk everything to deal with this matter properly.

They were unwilling to give up their land so easily.

"Senior brother, let me handle the matter of contacting the gentry and wealthy families in the surrounding area."

We must make those people understand the sinister intentions of the imperial court.

Get all these powerful and influential people to work together.

"Let's have a good fight with the imperial court."

The young Taoist volunteered to fight. Upon hearing this, the older Taoist looked at his junior brother and wanted to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

He nodded vigorously at his junior brother.

“Let junior brother handle this matter. We should also send some eloquent and knowledgeable people from our Taoist temple to accompany him.”

Upon hearing this, the young Taoist secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He bowed respectfully to the elder Taoist priest and said, "Brother Zheng, please rest assured, I will certainly live up to your expectations."

We must do everything in our power to get things done.

Let those people rise up and rebel against the imperial court, and restore peace and order to Jiangxi!

Upon hearing this, the Taoist priest surnamed Liu reached out and patted the young Taoist priest on the shoulder.

"I feel relieved with you here."

Take plenty of money with you when you leave, and see how things go once you're outside.

If things don't work out, leave Jiangxi and never come back.

"Senior brother, I...I didn't mean that."

I was born a member of Qingyun Temple, and I will die a member of Qingyun Temple.

We will not betray Qingyun Temple!

The young Taoist priest suddenly became excited and repeatedly expressed his attitude.

The older Taoist priest reached out to stop him.

"I know you didn't mean it that way. As for this matter, well..."

There's a saying: "The rain will strike the first rafter that has emerged."

Although what we are doing is just, and although many people have sacrificed themselves for this cause.

However, given the attitude shown by the imperial court, it is impossible to handle this matter properly without losing people.

Our Qingyun Temple is also very likely to suffer great losses.

Those who remain here are very likely to die.

Death is death, but it cannot mean the end of the lineage of my Qingyun Temple.

If we succeed in this matter, we can deter the imperial court from acting recklessly and protect the ancestral property of my Qingyun Temple.

Then everything is fine, and everyone is happy.

If we cannot preserve it, our Qingyun Temple cannot allow its tradition to be severed.

This is something I didn't want to see.

I cannot betray the ancestors of all generations and let the lineage of Qingyun Temple truly be severed in my hands.

But I can't bear to give up all the farmland around Qingyun Temple.

So this is the only last resort.

We'll split into two groups to get things done.

If Qingyun Temple can be saved this time, everyone will be overjoyed.

If we cannot preserve it, junior brother, you can take some people out and establish a new temple elsewhere. My Qingyun Temple will not be cut off.

I believe that under your leadership, Junior Brother, our Qingyun Temple will surely be reborn.

Getting better and stronger!

Upon hearing the older Taoist's words, the younger Taoist's eyes welled up with tears.

"Senior brother..."

His voice choked with emotion as he called out.

I wanted to say something, but the rest of the words stuck in my throat.

He couldn't say a word and felt ashamed of some of his previous thoughts.

Compared to my senior, I am much more selfish.

That's far inferior to my senior brother; he's the one who truly cares about Qingyun Temple.

They would risk their lives for Qingyun Temple.

He also believed that his senior brother had seen through his earlier little scheme.
But instead of blaming him, his senior brother entrusted him with such an important task.

Compared to my senior brother, I feel utterly ashamed. "Alright, there's no need to say these things, and there's no need to think too much about it."

What I want to do is actually not a wise thing to do.

But I really can't bear to part with our Qingyun Temple, and I don't want to see it suffer such a catastrophe.

I have lived here for most of my life, and every blade of grass, every tree, every brick and tile here is deeply imprinted in my heart.

I don't want to go anywhere else.

Let me lead a group of people to do something for our Qingyun Temple.

It would be best if we could protect what belongs to our Qingyun Temple.

If we cannot hold on, then to rest here forever is also a good thing.

For me, this life is enough!

"Senior brother..."

The young Taoist priest could no longer hold back and cried out in tears.

He called out "Senior Brother" and tears were already streaming down his face.

"Alright, I've said everything I needed to say."

I will take you there to make the arrangements; do not hesitate.

Taking some people to persuade those wealthy families is something that doesn't require risking one's life.

Just do a little bit.

I'll do my part and then leave Jiangxi as soon as possible.

Do not linger. When leaving Jiangxi, you can temporarily remove your Taoist robe to avoid being caught by the imperial court.

Once we reach a safe place, we will then establish a Taoist temple under the name of Qingyun Temple and carry on the legacy of Qingyun Temple.

And wipe away your tears, so no one can see, lest it unsettle people and make things difficult.

The young Taoist priest wiped away his tears forcefully and stood there for a while before he could calm down.

They left together with the elderly Taoist priest...

That night, the younger Taoist priest, the second-in-command of Qingyun Temple, left with a group of people.

The elder Taoist priest personally escorted them down the mountain, and upon their return, he sat in meditation on the mountaintop until dawn.

He then summoned the crowd and issued his orders to them.

These people were sent down the mountain to contact many people and tell them how treacherous the imperial court was.

Let them work together to protect the land and property, and not be misled by the court's petty gains.

This will hinder our descendants in the future.

It's impossible for the imperial court to simply take away all the land belonging to them without leaving a single piece!

Qingyun Temple is not to be trifled with. Don't treat the Taoist sect as a pushover that can be manipulated at will.

What can the imperial court do?

Even if it's Zhu Chongba, what can he do?

A hundred or so Taoist priests descended the mountain from Qingyun Temple and began to travel within Qingyun Temple's sphere of influence and some surrounding areas.

He went around contacting people.

Explain the imperial court's policies to them and tell them they must not fall for the court's evil schemes.

They actually listened to the imperial court and believed in the land survey.

This is all a treacherous scheme by the imperial court; they just say it's a good thing.

But in reality, this was not the case; these were merely delaying tactics employed by the imperial court.

If they really cooperated and took all the fields away, how could they possibly give them away for free to cultivate next?

Why is the imperial court putting in so much effort? Isn't it all for the purpose of collecting more taxes in the future?

The imperial court employed a variety of methods.

They are most likely to harm ordinary people.

At this point, the imperial court may say nice things, but once they actually get things done, they will definitely turn their backs on us!

Heavy taxes will definitely be levied in the future!

Taxes could be as high as 70% or 80%.

Now that this natural treasure is in the hands of the Taoist sect, they only pay five-tenths of the tax.

They also promised to reduce rent for many tenants, from the original 5% to 4%...

Originally, in the past few days, with the officials of the imperial court surveying and measuring land, and the relevant personnel carrying out publicity, the situation was expected to improve.

Many people in the surrounding area have already undergone significant changes in their mindset.

Many people who were initially skeptical about the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau's farmland and other related matters have now developed considerable expectations.

At this point, with the various propaganda efforts undertaken by these Taoist priests, things suddenly changed dramatically.

Many people's attitudes changed immediately.

Their initial jubilation, which they saw as a benevolent policy by the imperial court, turned into a belief that the court was harming them and harboring ill intentions.
Especially after being guided by the Taoist priests, they recalled the various evil deeds committed by Yuan Dynasty officials in the past, and became even more convinced.

I think these Taoist priests are right.

During the Yuan Dynasty, how badly did that person harm the local people?

Now that Emperor Zhu has taken the throne, is everything really different?

Even if things are different for the time being, it's only temporary.

Even after a while, it still didn't work.

I've never seen a kind-hearted imperial court, nor a cat that doesn't steal fish.

In addition, these Taoist priests usually have a lot of prestige among them.

They all trusted these Taoist priests.

After listening to what the Taoist priests said, one would naturally believe what they said.

As a result, people were quickly stirred up.

They were determined to resist when the next land survey was conducted.

They used various means to obstruct the land survey.

The land survey was going relatively smoothly at this point.

But suddenly, it was as if the world had changed.

The large number of people surged into the fields and began to obstruct the land survey, pushing and shoving each other.

Many elderly people, some of whom were on the verge of death, were carried and placed on the ridges of the fields.

They acted as if they were ready to die if they were to be investigated.

Some even went so far as to say that whoever was surveyed for arable land would be beaten to death.

These fields all belong to owners, so there's no need to conduct any surveying or other such procedures.

In the scuffle, some people even snatched and damaged the rulers and other measuring tools that some of the students used to measure fields.

The land survey immediately encountered significant obstacles...

Seeing the officials responsible for clearing the obstacles, as well as the students, who, after their struggle, had to slink back to their residences from the fields, many people cheered.

Some of the Taoist priests in Qingyun Temple also relayed the news back.

Many people smiled broadly upon hearing this.
I think they have achieved a huge victory.

What about the imperial court?

The imperial court is nothing special!
They're really serious here; even the imperial court has to give them a wide berth!

Do you really think they haven't done anything all these years?

Do you really think they only cultivate themselves and don't care about worldly affairs?

Some people who were initially worried changed their attitude after seeing how the court quickly backed down after the court used its methods against them.

A great deal of confidence rose in my heart.

Even the Taoist priest surnamed Liu felt a sense of triumph.

While there was some worry, there was also a great deal of joy in victory...

……

Under the cover of night, troops moved, heading straight for Qingyun Temple...

(End of this chapter)