Taiping Dao at the end of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 6 The Daoist does not avoid calamity, but faces it with his own body!
"Chengfu, you stay here. The rest of you go ahead!"

"yes!…"

Two torches cast orange shadows in the main hall, releasing a faint scent of pine. There were no imposing statues in the hall, only a simple wooden tablet of "Huang Tian" quietly enshrined on the altar. Below the tablet, the master and disciple knelt facing each other, one to the south and one to the north.

Both men wore yellow turbans and simple hemp clothing, looking like ordinary farmers, their hands calloused. This was the typical appearance of the Taiping Dao followers, whether leaders or disciples.

"Bearing responsibility, raising children is nurturing the roots of the Way; teaching them goodness and guiding them back to their true nature. Children have not lost their innocence, and if they are properly taught, they can enter my Way of Great Peace. Therefore, taking in orphans is both about raising and educating them. Since you are in charge of this matter, you have taken on the responsibility of 'raising and educating' them, and you must not be careless."

The great teacher Zhang Jiao sat upright at his seat, giving instructions to Zhang Chengfu, who was listening attentively with his head bowed. His words were slow, clear, and equally powerful.

"Let's start with 'raising'. How many children do you plan to adopt? And how will you support them?"

"Reporting to Master. These past few days, while I was providing relief in the camp, I also counted the number of orphaned children. There are probably more than two hundred. Seventy or eighty percent of them are boys, and two or threety percent are girls. They are all over ten years old, with the majority being twelve to fourteen years old, the age at which they can walk with adults..."

Zhang Chengfu, with his eyes lowered, recounted the situation in the camp. He didn't explain why the orphans were in such a proportion, at such a young age, or how they came to be there. Zhang Jiao also lowered his eyes; he didn't need an explanation, having seen far too much already.

Those under fifteen years old are considered children. Those between fifteen and twenty are considered youths. After reaching adulthood at twenty, one is considered an adult. Zhang Chengfu is fourteen this year, and although he looks mature, he is still considered a child.

"I think that if we can supply enough food, we should take in all these children. They can do some chores and help treat the sick. If they survive the epidemic, they will be blessed by Heaven and less likely to catch typhoid fever again..."

"And next month, after the wheat harvest in May, I intend to lead these children to cultivate some small plots of land around the temple and plant some beans and millet. Then, in October, when the autumn harvest comes, we can harvest grain from the new fields and become self-sufficient..."

Upon hearing the plan to clear land and cultivate it, Zhang Jiao nodded slightly. After a few moments of contemplation, he spoke like an experienced old farmer.

"Heaven and earth give birth to man, so that he may labor for food, not steal for sustenance. Chengfu, your idea of ​​clearing wasteland for farming is good. However, clearing wasteland is difficult because the soil is hard, weeds grow deep, and water is hard to find. We have to cut down shrubs and weeds, dig out deep-rooted stones, then plow and turn the soil, let it dry in the sun to remove pests, and plant beans to nourish the soil. It will take three years for the land to mature. Irrigation and fetching water are also hard work... Even able-bodied men find this kind of heavy labor very difficult, and it is not something that children can bear."

At this point, Zhang Jiao paused, pondered for a moment, and then gave his youngest disciple some more support.

"Hmm... how about this! Pingxiang and Julu are very close. Yuanyi has a manor in the south, near Julu County. His disciples used to farm there. After the summer harvest this year, Yuanyi will take his disciples south to Luoyang in Sili... that manor will be available, and you can take the young disciples to farm. You can also select a dozen or so newly initiated able-bodied disciples to help maintain it. From planting to harvesting, it's all up to you!"

"Ah! There's a farm where we can farm? Yes, thank you, Master!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chengfu was overjoyed and respectfully bowed to his master. If he could have a self-sufficient estate, it would not only make it easier for him to teach the children, but also give him some autonomy. However… Zhang Chengfu pondered, then asked in a low voice.

"Master, is Senior Brother Yuanyi going to Luoyang in Sili?"

"Hmm. What, you want to go too?"

Zhang Jiao raised the corners of his mouth, looked at his young disciple, and said with a smile.

"Sili Luoyang is the center of the thirteen provinces of the world, the most prosperous place in the world! Yuanyi watched you grow up and knows your amazing divination skills. He originally planned to take you with him. If you regret it, it's not too late to back out now. You can also leave the matter of the boy corps to Dao Nu."

"No! Master, I will not go to Luoyang. Although Luoyang is prosperous, that prosperity belongs to the royal family, the sons of officials, and the powerful clans. That prosperity is not for us country farmers; on the contrary, it requires the blood and flesh of farmers to sustain us! ... As for teaching children, it is like nurturing new shoots in the field. This is to pass on the torch of the Way of Peace, which is more worthy of my attention, and I also hope to do this!"

Zhang Chengfu's reply was resolute and unwavering. To him, Luoyang, the capital of the Han Dynasty, though prosperous and magnificent, was always shrouded in an impenetrable darkness. The real flames ignited in the countryside, in the heart of Ji Province, flickering on the yellow antlers of the deer.

Although his master Zhang Jiao hadn't said it, he could vaguely guess what his senior brother Yuanyi was after in Luoyang. The curtain of history was finally slowly being drawn back. Years of natural and man-made disasters had created tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands, of refugees, like a rising flood. The Han court, instead of providing relief and guidance, was forcing them to be blocked, allowing the flood to rise even higher. If two more natural disasters struck, those hundreds of thousands, even millions, of people struggling to survive would become a raging Yellow River. The Way of Peace had already made its choice; it could not possibly remain uninvolved…

Thinking of the care and support his senior brother Ma Yuanyi had given him, Zhang Chengfu lowered his eyes and said in a low voice with deep meaning.

"Peace and Prosperity! Master, for our Way of Peace... Luoyang is probably not a good place!..."

"Yes, Luoyang is the center of the world. If our Taiping Dao wants to succeed, we cannot bypass Luoyang. This is also Yuanyi's own choice. Even though it is extremely difficult..."

Zhang Jiao's voice was also low, but Zhang Chengfu could hear it clearly. At this moment, he rarely heard hesitation and doubt in his master's voice. Then, this wavering passed by in an instant, like an illusion. When he looked up again, he only saw Zhang Jiao's solemn face and another earnest instruction.

"Chengfu, I was born in Julu County, and it was also in Julu County that I took you as my disciple. You are very familiar with the situation in Julu County, so I don't need to elaborate. I will only mention one thing. I know that the Ju family of Julu has a blood feud with you. However, the Ju family is a prominent family in the prefecture, holding many positions in the governor's office, and they have hundreds of armed servants in their household. You must not act rashly..."

"The Taiping Jing says that even the Way has its priorities and cannot be forced; it must be practiced according to the person, the place, and the time. Although the Yellow Heaven's Righteous Way is vast, its practice requires careful consideration of the circumstances. You bear the responsibility for the children on your shoulders, so you should prioritize that! ... Remember my words: only by enduring worldly affairs can one maintain a heavenly heart. The Righteous Way must be practiced steadily, and even more importantly, practically..."

"Only by enduring worldly affairs can one maintain a heavenly heart...acting prudently and steadily..."

Zhang Cheng remained silent for a long time before bowing and replying.

“Master, I understand. I will prioritize my responsibilities as a disciple… As for revenge, I will think carefully, speak cautiously, and act prudently… Just like Brother Yuanyi, he has his own things to do. So will I… But please believe me, Master, I will never act rashly. And my actions will never violate the principles of my Taiping Dao…”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jiao frowned and looked at his young disciple's resolute face for a moment. After a brief pause, he sighed softly, shook his head, and returned to the main topic.

"We seekers of the Way should nurture the innocent hearts of infants in order to attain the Great Way. But when we adopt children, in addition to 'nurturing,' the most crucial aspect is 'educating' them!"

“It’s not difficult to adopt these children, but to nurture them, even if they aren’t taught by your own hand, it will take a lot of effort to train them into disciples. Chengfu, although you are young, you have a lot of experience. Do you have any plans for raising these children? Do you need help from your fellow disciples?” Upon hearing this question, Zhang Chengfu pondered for a moment and replied as if he had already prepared.

“Master! Your disciple is ignorant of etiquette and only knows Taoist texts. I will use the *Taiping Jing* as the foundation, teaching you simple and easy-to-write language, explaining Yin and Yang, the Five Elements, the operation of Heaven and Earth, and the true meaning of the Yellow Heaven Righteous Path…”

"This disciple is familiar with arithmetic and can teach some simple calculations, especially for field surveying, sowing calculations, and storage estimations. This disciple also has a rudimentary understanding of medicine and will select some outstanding children for instruction. If any promising talents are discovered, I will also ask my senior brothers and teachers to teach them..."

"Besides writing, arithmetic, and medicine, I have also learned astronomy, calendar systems, and farming from my teacher. Leading the children in farming is also an important form of learning, which could be called agricultural studies. In our spare time, I also guide the children in physical training and meditation, which also yields some benefits… Of course, it would be even better if we could have some martial arts instructors to teach them some fighting techniques…"

Hearing about all the knowledge to be taught, Zhang Jiao chuckled. This young disciple was exceptionally talented and indeed had extremely high aspirations. Even if only one or two tenths of these envisioned methods were realized, it would be considered a success in teaching and a meritorious deed. But if they were all realized… Zhang Jiao said with a smile.

"The way of Heaven is high, and the conduct of man is sincere. Aim high, and you will achieve success. If you are content with the low, you will be unable to even survive... Chengfu, it is very good that you have such lofty aspirations. Since you have a plan, I will observe your actions. This is also a kind of training for you."

"Yes!"

Zhang Cheng bowed respectfully and greeted Zhang Jiao with a slight bow in return. After finishing their business, the two chatted casually for a while, and the atmosphere in the hall became much more relaxed. Then, Zhang Jiao seemed to remember something and asked with concern.

"Chengfu, is your soul possession and loss of spirit completely cured? Have you had any more headaches?"

“Reporting to Master. Since last autumn harvest, I have been much better and have not made any mistakes this year.”

"Hmm. That was probably just a wandering spirit passing by, disturbing the soul. It will gradually get better after it leaves..."

At this point, Zhang Jiao paused for a moment. He was clearly hesitant, but after a few breaths, he looked into Zhang Chengfu's eyes. He knew that this precocious disciple could understand him, so he asked in a deep voice.

"Chengfu, regarding this experience... besides divination, have you gained anything else?..."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chengfu's expression turned solemn. He paused for a moment, knelt down, bowed, and answered earnestly.

"The Azure Heaven is dead; the Yellow Heaven shall rise. In the year of Jiazi, great fortune will sweep the land!"

"Is it still this sentence?"

"This disciple is dull-witted and has only grasped this one sentence..."

Zhang Jiao lowered his eyes and sighed after a few breaths. As a great and virtuous teacher, if he hadn't wavered and felt fear, why would he have asked his disciple? Thinking of this, he gave a self-deprecating smile on his tired face, shook his head, and said to Zhang Chengfu.

“Chengfu, you have done very well. Matters of destiny are difficult to fathom. I have observed the stars for many years and only feel that while the way of heaven is predetermined, it also leaves a trace of mystery…”

"In all things under heaven, there is destiny, and there are things that can be done and things that cannot be done. But if one finds one's own path, and acts out of compassion, with a righteous heart and cultivated virtue, one cannot retreat until one has attained the Great Way! At that point, what destiny holds, what success or failure, is actually unimportant! There is only moving forward..."

"Go down! It's getting late, get some rest..."

Zhang Cheng remained silent for a long time, a deep sorrow welling up within him. At this moment, he understood the words of his great teacher, and he also sensed the other's resolute will to die. Perhaps, in this Tianqi Temple, only he could truly understand his master's aspirations. He fell silent once more, kneeling prostrate on the mat, bowing deeply three times.

After a while, he raised his head and looked at the great teacher who had turned his back. Looking at the long shadow of the pine torch, he said softly.

“Master! Those who oppose us cannot be trusted, nor can we rely on powerful figures… In this great Han dynasty, we can only rely on ourselves, the Way of Peace, and the people who pray for peace! Perhaps the matter of the Jiazi year requires careful consideration. First, we must solidify our foundations and cultivate a peaceful and prosperous land before seeking long-term solutions…”

Zhang Jiao turned around, gazing at his youngest and most accomplished disciple with warm, profound eyes. In that moment, he seemed to see a distant soul. He looked at him for a long time before smiling, nodding, and replying gently.

"Party members cannot be trusted, and powerful figures are not to be relied upon. Chengfu, you are right, and your judgment is accurate! However, the Heavenly Emperor is dead, and a Yellow Heaven shall rise..."

"Those who seek the Dao should know their destiny and understand life and death. My time is actually running out, only two years left. And my path has already been set, it cannot be changed... Moreover, with the continuous natural disasters and epidemics in Jizhou, the millions of people on both sides of the river have little chance of survival. We cannot wait that long!..."

"Those who understand the will of Heaven do not avoid death but avoid inaction; they would rather perish in the Way than die in baseness... Fortunately, you still have much time. The Han Dynasty's fate is nearing its end; perhaps you will witness the day when this Way of Peace is established in the world, and all people enjoy peace!... Go! Do a good job of taking in orphans and teach them well~~"

".yes!"

The torch flickered, its two flames reflected in his eyes, already nearing their end. Zhang Chengfu prostrated himself, leaving two damp marks. Then, he slowly rose and backed out of the hall.

The great and virtuous teacher Zhang Jiao stood before the divine tablet of Huang Tian, ​​wearing a yellow turban and holding a nine-section bamboo staff, leaving Zhang Chengfu with a swaying silhouette.

As Zhang Chengfu exited the palace gate, a low chant was heard, a sentence from the Taiping Jing, words that Zhang Jiao had personally practiced and taught them.

"Though the path is subtle, those who are willing will follow it; though the calamity is immense, those with virtue will respond to it. Though we know that the will of Heaven is difficult to change, those who follow the Way do not shy away, but instead face the calamity with their own bodies!..."

"Those who follow the Way do not avoid calamity, but rather face it with their own bodies."

(End of this chapter)