Taiping Dao at the end of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 56 The Calamity Falls! The Li Dian Clan Has No Choice!
In the middle of the first lunar month, water is generated from the heavens, hence the name "Rain Water". Rain Water has three phases: first, otters offer fish as sacrifices; second, wild geese return north; and third, vegetation begins to sprout.

Spring, long overdue, has finally arrived in Yanzhou. The melting snow and ice have left the fields damp and muddy. The first sparse spring rain has also dripped from the gray sky. This precious water source is the lifeblood of crop growth and the heartfelt hope of the farmers.

"Heavens! Send more rain, just a little more! Even just a little more!..."

The farmers looked up at the sky with anticipation, hoping for more rain. However, after a day of light rain that brought a glimmer of hope, the heavens stingily withdrew the rain.

The rain has stopped, but the clear skies bring no joy. No one knows when or how much the heavens will bestow their next gift.

"Men of Qingzhou, charge with me!"

"Disciples of Yanzhou, heed my command!"

Under a clear sky, on the muddy ground, two groups of Yellow Turban followers, armed with swords, shields, and spears, faced off outside the Tianqi Temple. Their swords were wooden, and their spears were wooden clubs, the blades and tips smeared with a smear of black soot. If their weapons struck an opponent in a vital area like the chest or back, it was considered a kill.

"Charge! Charge! Break through their shield formation!"

"Poke! Poke! Poke down to the leg!"

Commander Guan Hai of Qingzhou shouted loudly and led his disciples forward. He swung his wooden club with such force that it left afterimages. The twenty disciples behind him also charged forward, using him as the spearhead, with swordsmen and spearmen all mixed together.

"kill!"

Then, Guan Hai roared and with a thrust and a parry, knocked down one of the swordsmen and shieldmen on the other side, and charged straight at the enemy commander!
"Come on! Zhai Cheng, let's have a one-on-one fight!"

Zhai Cheng, the commander of Yanzhou, frowned, raising his sword and shield to defend and maintain the densely packed formation. A veteran of the prefectures and kingdoms, his followers were far more orderly and disciplined. He personally stood in the first rank, leading ten swordsmen and shield bearers in defense. Meanwhile, the spearmen in the rear continuously thrust and jabbed, striking the fierce yet disorganized followers of Qingzhou.

"Haha! Zhai Cheng, you coward! Put down your shell... and take this!"

Guan Hai laughed heartily, knocked down another man, and charged forward fiercely. Then, he swung his club twice at Zhai Cheng's shield, knocking the forty-something-year-old chieftain off balance. Several fierce Qingzhou disciples, shields in hand, surged through the gap that Guan Hai had personally created, shoving the Yanzhou disciples aside.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The orderly ranks of the Yanzhou disciples were instantly thrown into disarray. Soon, the two sides were locked in a chaotic melee, turning into a frenzied exchange of blows.

"Roar! Got it!"

Commander Guan Hai roared, and with the help of two trusted men, finally found an opening in Zhai Cheng's defenses! He swung his staff diagonally, nimbly twisting it to strike Zhai Cheng's shoulder, causing the opponent's shield to tilt. Then, he thrust his long staff through the gap, striking Zhai Cheng in the chest, thus killing the veteran commander.

After Zhai Cheng's "death," his troops lost their leader and completely fell apart. Guan Hai and his men were invincible, quickly defeating all their opponents and achieving victory!

"Hahaha! Qingzhou has won! In this kind of battle, it really comes down to who is braver and who dares to charge!"

Guan Hai glanced smugly at Zhang Chengfu, who was acting as the referee. Zhang Chengfu simply smiled, counted the black ash on all the disciples, and announced...

"Heaven bears witness! Zhai Cheng's entire army has perished. Guan Hai's army suffered ten dead and seven seriously wounded... leaving only three survivors!"

"Huh?! How is that possible? There are only three of us left?"

Upon hearing this result, Guan Hai was incredulous, and the cheers of the Qingzhou disciples abruptly ceased. Unconvinced, he personally counted them again. He finally found ten dead and six seriously wounded, all pierced by stabs to the calves or thighs. His expression shifted repeatedly, but he stubbornly persisted, asking in return.

"Aren't there still four people who are unharmed?"

"Commander Guan, take a look at your calves."

"?!"

Guan Hai lowered his head, his eyes wide like copper bells. It turned out that, at some point during the charge, his left leg had been struck by the tip of a long staff, leaving a shallow patch of black ash. On the battlefield, such a stab wound, even a shallow one, would instantly dislodge his leg strength, rendering him unable to run or fight again!
"This...I..."

Seeing Guan Hai's speechless expression, Zhang Chengfu didn't laugh at him. Instead, he patted the tall man on the shoulder and offered sincere advice.

"Commander Guan, the Qingzhou disciples you led are all strong, brave, and fearless warriors! They are just as daring and fierce as you, and their physical abilities are actually much stronger than their opponents! Yet in this battle, both sides almost perished together. What you lack is that kind of tight coordination to form a solid battle formation!"

"This is the meaning of battle formation! Comrades in battle formation can cooperate with each other, make up for each other's weaknesses, and bring out their strengths! Like these two opposing ranks, the front row focuses on defense and blocking, while the back row attacks and thrusts with all its might. Naturally, this is more stable in defense and more effective in killing than a chaotic mess!"

"Commander Guan, you are a brave general who breaks through enemy lines! This time, you shattered Commander Zhai's shield formation, 'decapitating' the enemy and ultimately securing victory! But if you were to face another equally valiant opponent, and simply rely on your own brute force to fight against their formation, I'm afraid the final result would be..."

"If you don't believe me, then lead your troops and fight the Taishan people again! And if you think Yu Jin's martial arts are too strong, then I will lead my troops and fight you!"

"Fine, let's fight! I, Guan Hai, am here!"

Upon hearing this, Guan Hai opened his mouth, wanting to agree immediately. But then he recalled the results of the competition a few days ago, and this "disciple of a wise master, skilled in both archery and spear," and the incredibly difficult-to-defend surprise attack…

After a moment, he could only nod reluctantly and reply with a bitter face.

"I, Guan Hai, understand! I will have my disciples practice more thoroughly, until they can produce a rough version!"

"Alright! I'll wait and see!"

Zhang Chengfu laughed and playfully punched Guan Hai's chest. This intimate gesture startled the burly man from Qingzhou, who then returned a wide grin. After speaking with Guan Hai, Zhang Chengfu went to find Zhai Cheng, offering him words of praise and encouragement, his manner very friendly.

Then, he walked past each of his disciples from Yanzhou and Qingzhou, saying a few words to each with a smile. He praised some disciples for their bravery, encouraged others for their perseverance, and commended still others for their teamwork. By the time all the disciples had finished their round of laughter and conversation, it was already evening, and time for dinner.

"Let's go eat! Both teams trained hard today, so each of you can have an extra bowl of wheat rice and a salted fish!"

"Okay! Great!"

"Thank you, Master Zhang!"

"Thank you, my lord!"

To encourage the commanders' training and competitions, Zhang Chengfu specifically asked his second uncle, Zhang Bao, for some extra food. Zhang Bao agreed without hesitation.

This kind of realistic battle drill not only improved the disciples' coordination and enhanced their combat effectiveness, but also allowed Zhang Chengfu to subtly influence his disciples and accumulate trust and prestige among them.

What do you think of his actions?

"Power arises from the gathering of the masses, and authority is established from the establishment of power. It's faster than I expected, but slower than usual..."

The Heavenly Physician Zhang Bao stood in the temple. The night outside was deep, and the hustle and bustle of the day had faded away. He spoke softly, answering his elder brother Zhang Jiao's question.

“The strong establish rules, the capable lead the masses; virtue wins people’s hearts, and strength commands the crowd. In this way, the hierarchy is established, and the distinction between superior and inferior is determined.”

“Brother, your youngest disciple doesn’t seem to care much about hierarchy, and he never acts forcefully. His way of governing is far less ruthless than when he’s dealing with powerful families; instead, it’s like a gentle spring rain… It’s quite unusual!” “Yes. That’s Chengfu’s nature. To those he considers enemies, he’s like a blizzard. But to those he considers comrades, he’s like the warm spring sun… He doesn’t care about hierarchy, and he’s never been afraid of me, which makes him quite different from others!”

At this point, Zhang Jiao, the Great Teacher of Virtue, smiled, stroked his short beard, and asked.

"how?"

"."

The same question, the same silence. Only this time the silence was longer, seemingly more hesitant. After a long while, Zhang Bao finally sighed.

"Still too young! Let's wait and see!... I only received the news today that the Duan family has sent people to the Li family to hold them accountable. They have ordered Li Qian, the head of the Li family, to personally visit and apologize with his direct descendants. They have also personally delivered the escaped eldest son of the Cheng family, the fugitive protected by the Li family, to the Duan family's residence in front of all the guests!"

"Accountability? Instead of just going to their doorstep and making arrests?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jiao raised an eyebrow, seemingly lost in thought.

"So, the Duan family is both extremely wary of the Li family and has left them a way out?"

"Indeed! They are certainly wary! The Li family is a powerful clan in Chengshi County, with thousands of tenant farmers and servants, and hundreds of family members. The Li family alone could muster half a troupe of four hundred elite soldiers from their servants and servants! If they are really pushed too far, they will pounce like wild boars and bite the Duan family hard!"

Zhang Bao affirmed. Since the Taiping Dao had already targeted the Li family, he would naturally send people over to find out their situation. In fact, several of the Li family's servants were followers of the Taiping Dao, who would promptly send messages through the pirates of Da Ye Ze.

"The Duan family mobilized three hundred soldiers from the prefecture to guard Chengwu County. Sending the head of the Li family to their doorstep did indeed leave them a way out. The Cheng family has already been accused of illegally possessing weapons and armor and gathering a crowd to plot rebellion. Fifty-two male members of the Cheng family were beheaded in Dingtao County, and their heads were displayed to all the gentry in Yanzhou!"

"At this critical juncture, the Li family's main priority is to personally apologize and offer up the last legitimate son of the Cheng family. This would be a pledge of allegiance, a way to join the Duan family and secure their survival. If the Li family can go even further, completely severing ties with the gentry and offering up their family's wealth, the Duan family might even reward them with a couple of bones..."

"In the end, the Duan family, as a clan of officials, is actually quite shrewd. This time, my brother didn't use astrology to point out the threat posed by the Li family. The nursery rhymes and prophecies spread by Chengfu alone are not enough to solidify the Duan family's murderous intent, especially when the Li family still has the ability to retaliate fiercely!"

"This time, the child has probably made a mistake..."

Upon hearing this, the great teacher Zhang Jiao smiled and said calmly.

"Observing stars and divining for the future, which brings about calamity, is too immoral. Doing it once is enough. How can everything in the world be as predicted? People's hearts are fickle. Being able to do this much is already good enough. The rest is just checking for omissions and making up for deficiencies, acting according to the times, and relying on human effort to fill the gaps!"

“Brother Zhong, you’ve been in Yanzhou for many years and have a deeper understanding of these powerful families. How do you think the Li family will react?”

"Um…"

The Heavenly Physician Zhang Bao pinched his fingers, as if divining, and pondered for a long time before finally speaking.

"The powerful clans and aristocratic families of Yanzhou have been fighting each other for thirty years. The Li family has secretly maintained close ties with the aristocratic families and has been working towards their influence. Now that the powerful clans are about to take action, the Li family's first reaction will naturally be to seek help from the aristocratic officials of Yanzhou!"

"Oh? The aristocratic officials of Yanzhou? Will they intervene?"

"It's hard to say! With the imperial edict from Luoyang, the Duan family only has two people who can intervene in this situation. One is Zhang Chong, the prefect of Jiyin in this prefecture. He is old and in poor health, and he's just taking it one day at a time. He probably won't willingly walk into this bloody mess. Even if the Li family begs him for help, or asks someone else to intercede, he will only pretend to be deaf and dumb and drag this matter out in a vague way!"

Speaking of these old, two-thousand-stone officials from Yanzhou, Zhang Bao shook his head and smiled.

"These officials with salaries of two thousand shi (a unit of grain measure) would absolutely not participate if they could avoid it! Once they do, they'll be choosing sides between the eunuch clans and the gentry, turning the elimination of this tiny local power into the beginning of another partisan purge. The Li family is merely a powerful local clan with many followers; they have no reputation or status in the court or among the gentry. They don't have the ability to drag them down with them!"

"What about Qiao Mao, the governor of Yanzhou? He is in his prime and is known for his strictness and strong temper, and is quite famous among scholars. His paternal uncle was Qiao Xuan, a famous minister of the previous dynasty, who was known for his uprightness. With such a family tradition, he will surely step forward and carry the banner for the gentry?"

"Haha! Brother, you overestimate Qiao Mao! Qiao Mao is Qiao Xuan's cousin, not his biological son. He has learned his clansmanship from his father, a famous minister, in a completely incoherent way. His strictness and arrogance are only towards his subordinates and colleagues. But towards the Ten Attendants and the eunuchs above him, he can't be tough at all!"

When the current governor of Yanzhou, Qiao Mao, was mentioned, Zhang Bao's eyes sharpened, as if he had seen through the man's background completely.

"Currently, Qiao Xuan is seriously ill in Luoyang. He is already seventy-four years old and probably won't live past this year. Once Qiao Xuan dies, the Qiao clan of Suiyang in Liang State will lose their only powerful patron in the court. At this moment, Qiao Mao is probably thinking only about getting a good posthumous title for Qiao Xuan to protect his clan. But he still has to ask the eunuchs for help with this, so how could he show his face and become an enemy of the Duan family under these circumstances?"

"Therefore, it is almost impossible for the Li family to find a gentry official in Yanzhou to intervene. In the end, he can only choose to either raise an army in rebellion, flee to the mountains, or grovel before the Duan family for mercy! Since the Duan family has turned their swords against him, he only has these three paths to choose from!"

"Yes. That's true!"

The Great Teacher Zhang Jiao lowered his eyes, having clearly discerned the mindsets of these powerful and influential families. Then, he smiled calmly.

"Which option do you think the Li family will choose?"

“The Li family dares not rebel, nor dares to attack the Duan family. If he did, it wouldn’t just be the troops from the prefectures and kingdoms surrounding and suppressing them, but the military commander of Luoyang would come with his troops! He can’t escape either. His family’s foundation is all in Chengshi County. They are not a famous gentry family. Where can they escape to? Who would take him in?”

After a moment's thought, the divine physician Zhang Bao predicted Li's response.

"Li had no choice but to choose the last option: to grovel before the Duan family and offer up the Cheng family's eldest son! The Duan family demanded that he personally come to apologize. No matter how much he struggled, unless he had the courage to fight to the death, he could only bow his head and beg for mercy!"

“Yes! I think the same way. But if the Li family successfully pledges allegiance to the Duan family, it will be very detrimental to our plans for establishing a foothold in Onozawa.”

The Great Teacher stroked his short beard and spoke meaningfully.

"Then let's tell Chengfu all the information we've gathered! Let's see how he decides, and how he brings his previous schemes to a successful conclusion amidst this ever-changing world."

“Brother, do we even need to guess what Chengfu will decide? This child may be young, but he has the temperament of a tiger! How about we make a bet?…”

"No! We are teachers and superiors, how can we engage in such gambling?"

The Great Teacher solemnly refused, but simply clapped his hands and gave the order.

“Zhongdi, go and call him here.”

"Ha ha!"

Zhang Bao smiled, stood up, shook his head, and walked towards the outside of the temple.

"Alright! I'll go and summon him. Let's see if his Dao heart matches our expectations!"

A night breeze blew by, bringing a touch of warmth. The campfire flickered, sending up two wisps of smoke. The Great Teacher sat alone in the hall, taking out a "Yellow Heaven's Pardon and Exorcism Talisman" from his robes and throwing it into the brazier. Then, with a solemn expression, he lowered his eyes and chanted.

"The Yellow God transcends the laws, issuing decrees to the Nine Lights. The Northern Dipper bestows life, the Southern Dipper erases it from the register. The Three Officials register, eradicating killing and injury. Wronged souls and spirits return to their mortal realms..."

"May the virtue of Earth grant forgiveness, and may karmic debts be extinguished. So be it, so be it!"

(End of this chapter)