Taiping Dao at the end of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 65 What a time of great strife!

As the sun gradually slanted westward, its rays tinged the crimson clouds on the horizon, casting a shimmering glow on the eaves of the ancestral temple. The Taiping Dao members had been discussing guerrilla tactics for Mount Tai in Dayeze from dawn till dusk all day. Even after their millet porridge meal, the meeting of the tribal leaders in the temple continued. A single charcoal fire crackled and popped, casting a reddish-brown glow on the dozen or so weathered faces. The statue of the Eastern Peak God, half-hidden, emitted wisps of incense smoke, bearing witness to this discussion that established the principles of the struggle.

"As Chengfu said! Boats crisscross the marshes, and mountains rise one after another. After the Yellow Turban Rebellion begins, we should move with the water and hide in the forests. When the enemy comes, we will disperse; when the enemy is trapped, we will attack. Like thunder breaking the darkness, illuminating the way ahead; like a wildfire starting, burning with the wind; like seedlings taking root in the soil, growing and never ceasing. Once this strategy is successful, in this vast marshland and Mount Tai, even the mighty government army will be helpless!"

With a smile on his face, the great physician Zhang Bao finalized the "guerrilla" strategy in front of the various tribal leaders with their differing expressions. Then, he looked at each of them one by one, first nodding to the youngest Zhang Chengfu, and then focusing on Bu Si, the tribal leader of Yanzhou, and Zhang Rao, the tribal leader of Qingzhou.

"Bu Si, Zhang Rao, what do you think?"

"Your Excellency Physician! Chengfu's method—hiding people in the marshes and raising soldiers in the mountains—is certainly sound, as it avoids the powerful government troops and targets the easy targets. However, if tens of thousands of Yellow Turban followers in Dongjun were to rise up, would they all be able to relocate to Daye Marsh? That would be difficult. And if only a few thousand able-bodied disciples are taken south, how can the elderly and weak followers left behind in Dongjun be protected?"

Bu Si's question was very serious, ultimately revolving around food and land. Both the Great Plains of Da Ye Ze and Mount Tai were barren lands with limited arable land, and the number of believers to support was also limited. This meant that taking all the believers south was impossible; only the strongest and healthiest could be selected to form an army. And once the Yellow Turban armies from various prefectures and kingdoms concentrated on Mount Da Ye Ze and Mount Tai, the ordinary believers remaining in those prefectures and kingdoms would likely suffer both drought and brutal reprisals from the government troops, especially after the Yellow Turbans attacked local powerful families and clans.

Hearing this question, the Great Teacher Zhang Jiao lowered his eyes and sighed softly. He founded the Way of Great Peace with the aim of encouraging good and saving lives. But the number of people to be saved was ever-increasing; even with all his efforts, he could only reduce the number of deaths among the common people and allow them to live a couple more years. If three consecutive years of severe drought were to follow, the land north and south of the Yellow River would inevitably be emptied, and it would be impossible to avoid the deaths of millions, or even more, of ordinary people. The only difference was whether the common people would silently starve to death or raise their voices to shake the world, clashing with the powerful families and officials to their deaths!
"Commander Bu, those believers who are willing to follow us south should be brought along as much as possible! As long as we have food, the believers should also have some. If you stay in the flat Dongjun, you will not be able to avoid the pursuit of the main force of the government army, and the final outcome will be worse than if you go south!"

Zhang Chengfu bowed solemnly, respecting this chieftain who always had the people in his heart. However, cruel history had already proven that this chieftain's resistance on the rivers and fields of Dongjun was like a mantis struggling to its wings, destined to be crushed into blood by the chariots of the Han army. At least at the beginning of the uprising, before the arrival of the government troops, it was necessary to move as quickly as possible to the complex terrain of mountains, forests, and marshes.

If a way could be found to delay the arrival of the Liangzhou border troops and the Luoyang government troops, adding a few more months, then perhaps the Yellow Turbans in the various commanderies of Qing and Yan could fight against the local powerful families, divide up the grain and land, and then move towards Mount Tai in Dayeze, thus saving more lives for the people in each commandery.

"Chengfu's guerrilla strategy is insightful and indeed feasible. However, such dispersed operations could easily lead to chaotic command. If some are cowardly and avoid battle, or if some plunder and harass the people, who will take charge?"

Zhang Rao's answer was quite meaningful. He nodded to Zhang Chengfu, then looked at the Great Teacher Zhang Jiao and the Great Physician Zhang Bao. Clearly, if a leader of the Way of Peace were to be chosen from Qing and Yan provinces, the one from Yan province would be irrelevant, but the one from Qing province would undoubtedly be chosen.

Upon hearing this, the great physician Zhang Bao pondered for a moment, pinched a talisman in his sleeve, and said in a deep voice.

"As the Yellow Heaven sees! After we rise up, we must swear an oath, establish laws, and establish talismans! Disciples in all prefectures, people in the marshes, and people of Mount Tai, shall all be of one mind. Once the spark is lit, peace will be everywhere; once the roots are firmly planted, the Yellow Heaven's army will be everywhere. As for military law and discipline, we will appoint a chieftain in each prefecture and county, and there will also be a 'Daoist Envoy' specifically responsible for discipline. All leaders and chieftains must work together with one heart and one mind, and all their strength must be directed towards one goal!"

Upon hearing that the chieftain was in charge of discipline within the Yellow Turban army in various prefectures, Chieftain Zhang Rao raised an eyebrow, bowed, and his eyes flashed with thought. Next, the other chieftains also spoke.

"Yes! Water has no fixed shape, and soldiers have no fixed momentum. The Great Wild Marsh is right here in my Jiyin County, it is indeed the best place to establish a foothold!"

"Good, good! My Shanyang County is also close to Dayeze. In this way, we don't need to fight the government army head-on. We can make their troops stumble and their horses' hooves sink into the mud!"

"My Dongpinglu is the junction between Dayeze and Mount Tai. It's actually possible to farm there, as long as we eliminate the most powerful Zhang family of Dongpinglu!"

"Taishan County is a wonderful place! It's very large, and the banks of the Wen River are fertile. My Jibei Kingdom is close to Taishan, so I will go to the banks of the Wen River to spread my teachings. It's just that the Liangfu Bao clan is a bit troublesome, so perhaps we should prepare for it soon!"

Fan Shuo, the leader of the Jiyin Canal, Zhai Cheng, the leader of the Shanyang Canal, Cui Zhonghu, the leader of the Dongping Canal, and Hou Sheng, the leader of the Jibei Canal, successively expressed their opinions, which can be regarded as acknowledging the "Dayeze-Taishan Strategy" proposed by Zhang Chengfu.

Thus, Zhang Chengfu, for the first time, proposed and established the initial military strategy at the level of the Yellow Turban leaders of the Taiping Dao. As for how much the leaders and commanders of the various prefectures of Qing and Yan would actually obey and execute after the uprising in Jiazi, that would depend on the specific situation of each prefecture, the capabilities of the leaders, and the reactions of the central government and local prefectures.

"Alright, it's all settled then! Come, let's make a vow together and pray to the heavens!"

After the night's discussion concluded, all the leaders rose and, together with the two great physicians, stood before the shrine of the Yellow Heaven. The embers in the brazier glowed faintly red, and pine smoke lingered. Zhang Jiao held the talisman, and Zhang Bao held the talismanic water, standing together before the incense table. Then, the Great Teacher Zhang Jiao, in a deep voice, led the assembly in reciting the sacrificial rites of the Way of Great Peace, vowing and praying for the well-being of all people.

"Heaven is above, peace is with the people; when everyone is of one mind, all suffering can be relieved."

Today I swear not for personal gain, but for the common people to have food and clothing, land to cultivate, and children to raise.

Calm your delusions and stop your evil thoughts. The uprising of Jiazi was for the common people, for the survival of all!
If even one person breaks this oath, they shall be suppressed by the Heavenly Talisman and have their soul taken away by ghosts and gods!

Their only wish is to save the world and its people, and for the Yellow Turbans to bring peace and protect life. May the Yellow Heaven shine brightly, and may peace and tranquility prevail forever!

The chieftains, their expressions solemn, uttered oaths concerning their very souls. Then, Zhang Bao lit the talisman, carrying everyone's oaths, and turned it to ashes in the water, distributing the talisman water to each chieftain's disciple.

"Drink the talisman water! Make an oath!"

"Drink it all! The oath is fulfilled!"

As dusk fell, the Eastern Peak Emperor, crowned, gazed upon the Yellow Turban rebels below, their voices ringing out oaths with passionate solemnity. Those heartfelt vows felt utterly real at that moment, truly reflecting the thoughts and feelings of everyone present. But as the night wind blew, the figures vanished in an instant, and the clamor subsided into silence. Once again, only the two leading Taoist priests remained in the temple, sitting cross-legged beneath the statue, speechless.

The Great Teacher Zhang Jiao closed his eyes, listening to the faint calls in the wind, unsure which disciple or apprentice was sound asleep. After a long while, he calmly spoke.

"how?"

"."

The great physician Zhang Bao opened his eyes and looked at his elder brother, who still had his eyes closed. He silently gazed at his brother's wrinkled and weathered face for a while, and after more than ten breaths, he finally managed to utter a single word, as if he had agreed to something of extraordinary weight.

"Alright!" "Then I'll pass on the *Taiping Dao Qingling Jing* to him?"

"Ah."

"Do you want to do something to show your stance in front of all the commanders?"

"."

The great physician Zhang Bao remained silent. His elder brother was far too impatient. At their level of cultivation, they understood the reason for this urgency, and it could only be for that one reason. He stared intently at Zhang Jiao's face until Zhang Jiao opened his eyes and looked at him with a smile. That single glance conveyed a wealth of information.

"Brother, what do you want me to do? Some things can't be made clear if done too early or before the time is right."

"Okay, then let's not spell it out. Let's pass the Fu Shui Dou to him first!"

"The talisman water container I used for distributing talismanic water? The one I've used for thirty or forty years since I first entered the Daoist path?"

"Yes! That's it."

"You always covet my little possessions. This is my only magical artifact, and I've used it the longest."

The great physician Zhang Bao shook his head and said with a smile.

"Alright! I'll find a time to bestow it upon him in front of everyone."

"okay!"

The two Taoist priests fell silent, closed their eyes again, and sat cross-legged, entering a state of profound stillness. Only through this kind of meditation could they empty their minds and find peace amidst the burdens of millions of believers and the lives of countless people.

The Way is the heart of Heaven and Earth. Only they themselves understand that the more responsibilities they bear, the heavier the burden, and the more carefully they must consider every word and action, as if they were being watched and hoped for by countless people. Because every choice they make relates to the fate and life and death of countless people. And it is because they care about the fate and life and death of these people that they feel as if they are carrying a heavy burden and walking on thin ice.

To some, holding a high position means "enjoying the company of beautiful women while wielding power over the world." But to others, "He who bears the mandate of heaven carries the fate of the world, his actions affecting countless families; he who burdens the world bears the weight of mountains, daring not to shirk even a moment's rest." Therefore, they are always cautious, as if treading on thin ice or standing on the edge of an abyss, for this is true responsibility towards power.

In the following days, the two great physicians and the leaders either gathered together or met separately to discuss and finalize various matters concerning the Taiping Dao. Among them, the most important was dealing with the potential drought in Yanzhou.

"Heaven above, peace among men! This year we must mobilize believers to plant millet and beans, store water, dig small ponds, and store as much food as possible."

"Yes, sir! As you command, wise teacher! Wise teacher, after observing the celestial phenomena last night, should we spread the news that Yanzhou is likely to experience a severe drought this year?"

Upon hearing this, the great teacher Zhang Jiao remained silent for a long time before letting out a soft sigh.

"First, spread the word among the believers and disciples at the grassroots level. The Taiping Dao in each county should buy time to absorb as much of the stored grain as possible from the markets and rural markets. Once that's enough, then release the news of the possible drought."

"Otherwise, those powerful families and local magnates will get there first, and you probably won't get a single grain. They'll take it all. Once the grain is in their pockets, it will be extremely difficult for you to get it out!"

Hearing this, the chieftains of Yanzhou exchanged glances, their hearts burning with indignation. The imperial court and government ruthlessly exploited the common people's money, grain, and land, while powerful families seized and plundered their land. Yet, they shirked all responsibility for famine relief, leaving it solely to the Taiping Dao! Even more ridiculous, they couldn't even spread the news of the impending disaster. Because once the news spread, it would be the powerful families and wealthy families who would rush to hoard grain and seize most of the water resources. They would only take advantage of the disaster to make the people suffer even more!

"Private interests and the slaving of beasts—this is the state of the Han dynasty today!"

An old man in the ancestral temple sighed softly, his words carrying the weight of countless hardships and helplessness. Outside, however, a vibrant young man chatted with the chieftains of Qingzhou, eager to learn more about the local conditions. Information in this era was extremely limited; aside from firsthand observation, one could only glean details from hearsay.

"Hmm? You mean, in the land of Qilu, no one is worshipping Confucius right now, they're all worshipping the Eastern Peak Emperor? The Confucius family in Lu County has been imprisoned, and the imperial court has specially sent inspectors to strictly prevent them from gathering crowds to speak out?"

"That's right! During the period of the Party Prohibitions, the Kong family secretly harbored and protected Zhang Jian, and was punished by the court, resulting in the execution of their direct descendant, Kong Bao! Since then, eunuchs have been keeping a close eye on the Kong family. Previously, Hou Lan sent people to arrest people, and the Kong family dared not resist. Now, the Duan Gui family has sent people to demand money, and the Kong family has bowed their heads and paid. The Ten Attendants in the court are watching these renowned families with eyes wide open, like night owls!"

Hearing Zhang Rao's account of the situation in Lu State within Yu Province, Zhang Chengfu was genuinely surprised, as it was quite different from what he had imagined. Lu State was originally part of Qing and Yan Provinces, but the imperial court intentionally divided the prefectures and counties, creating a fragmented landscape, and placed Lu State within Yu Province. In fact, Chenliu Prefecture within Yan Province would have been more appropriately placed within Yu Province.

"A Buddhist monk is preaching in Xuzhou? And he even built a Buddhist temple?"

"Yes! Those Buddhist monks are quite interesting. They're bald, talkative, and travel among the powerful families and officials throughout Xuzhou. Their theories about the six realms of reincarnation and karma are rather intriguing. Some elders in those powerful families believe in them. Because they believe in them, they donate money to cleanse their sins and hope for reincarnation after death. The Buddhist temples in Xuzhou were built with donations from those powerful families; there are ones in Guangling and Xiapi!"

"The countryside? This kind of Buddhist temple has to be grand, tall, and have a large golden statue. How could there be such a temple in the countryside? Not to mention our Qingzhou, the Eastern Peak Emperor only needs a clay statue, and we have been worshipping him for thousands of years. Isn't that much better than this Buddhist temple?"

Upon hearing the news of Buddhism spreading in Xuzhou, Zhang Chengfu fell into deep thought. Currently, the Buddhist monks from the east were still focused on high-level teachings, hoping to change the entire faith of the East by converting to a powerful family or even a monarch. Meanwhile, Taoism, inheriting its shamanistic traditions and deeply rooted in the local communities, was far more widespread and stable than Buddhism. However, in a hundred or two hundred years, during the Sixteen Kingdoms and Northern and Southern Dynasties, this situation would be completely reversed! At that time, Buddhist temples would be everywhere, and these would be large temples with their own land and monastic communities.
"The world is in flux, and disasters are rampant; it is truly an era of great strife!"

Ten days flew by amidst Zhang Chengfu's感慨 (feelings of deep emotion). Then, Wang Du finally returned from Chengwu County with Peng Gui, bringing new news from the Duan family!
(End of this chapter)