Taiping Dao at the end of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 67 From now on, this talisman water bucket will be passed on to you!

Torches were lit, filling the side hall with the scent of grass and trees. Five people sat facing each other: Zhang Jiao, the Great Teacher of Virtue, and Zhang Bao, the Heavenly Physician, sat at the head of the table, while Zhang Chengfu, Wang Du, and Peng Kui sat below them. In the center of the group was an open, exquisitely crafted wooden box. Inside, lined with expensive silk, lay twenty-four gold ingots, each weighing one jin (approximately 500 grams), gleaming with a dazzling luster; each was worth ten thousand coins!
"Two hundred and forty thousand coins, and ninety-six oxen"

Gazing at the gleaming golden wooden box, Zhang Chengfu remained silent, lost in thought. This box, worth 240,000 coins, was the gift Duan presented to the Great Master of Virtue, of the same value as the gift given after the last divination. Such a carefully chosen amount was certainly not accidental. And this lavish gesture seemed to represent some form of gratitude, on par with the level of the divination personally performed by the Great Master of Virtue last time.

"Teacher, did the Duan family discover our scheme behind this gift of such value? Did they find out that Wang Du and Peng Kui are our people? But whether it was intercepting the Cheng family or ambushing the Li family, I handled everything very cleanly, without any leaks."

"Ah."

The Great Teacher Zhang Jiao remained calm, stroked his short beard, and spoke softly.

"The Duan family only had some guesses. This was a test of my Taiping Dao, and also a way to win me over for some kind of alliance."

"Speculation? Testing? Winning over?"

"Yes. The Duan family is well-informed in Yanzhou. News and wealth converge on them. When you ambushed the Cheng family, you had few men and it was winter, so you were probably not seen. But the Cheng family's eldest son who escaped must have brought the news of the 'Duan family's assassination' to the Li family. And the subsequent mobilization of a large force to go south to intercept the Li family and then return must have been witnessed by merchants on the road to some extent. In such matters, the only difference is the depth of the traces; it is impossible to leave no trace at all."

The great teacher Zhang Jiao glanced at Zhang Chengfu and patiently instructed him.

“Every thought and deed of an ordinary person is witnessed by Heaven and Earth, leaving indelible traces that will surely be known to future generations. Therefore, good deeds and virtuous acts, though hidden, will surely be revealed; evil deeds and deviations from the Way, though far away, will surely be heard. As we cultivate the Way of Peace, we must know that nothing we do can deceive Heaven and Earth, nor can anything we do deceive the people.”

"The eunuch clans and the gentry clans have never been a group of fools; on the contrary, they are exceptionally shrewd rivals, merely keeping each other in check and watching each other closely. Jiyin County is where the Duan family's manor is located, and it is where their power is strongest. If there is any disturbance, even if it is not revealed at the time, it will eventually reach their ears. This is just like Shanyang County, where the prefect and the state capital are located, and it is closely watched by the gentry clans. Therefore, I do not want you to go to Shanyang County to continue your actions."

"In Jiyin County, we are assisting the Duan family. Even if the Duan family finds out, it won't be a bad thing. But if we go to Shanyang County and take action against the powerful Man family, and the Shanyang gentry discover our presence, the prefect and governor will probably issue an edict. Although they won't dare to say anything to the Duan family, they won't hesitate to send out the county troops to arrest and execute a few 'bandits'!"

After saying "traces", the Great Teacher paused, then smiled.

"The actions of mortals leave traces, and there are differences in whether they are easy or difficult, in accordance with the Way, or in align with the hearts of the people. To do something is like drinking a spring water; one must know its temperature, sweetness, bitterness, and coldness in one's own heart. If one is in accordance with the Way, people will naturally come to help; if one is out of accordance with the Way, even with power and strategy, one will ultimately be alone and miserable. Although the Duan family in Yanzhou wields immense power, they have never truly 'in accordance with the Way of Heaven' or followed the hearts of the people of Yanzhou. In previous conflicts with the gentry, even when the troops of the prefectures and kingdoms were mobilized to arrest them, none of them were as successful as this one."

"This time, the Duan family's attacks on the Cheng and Li families were as if divinely aided! With a single imperial edict, the Cheng family was wiped out, not even their patriarch escaped, and his head was delivered to their doorstep. When he sent envoys to reprimand the Li family, the patriarch was so alarmed that he was ambushed and killed halfway, leaving no survivors. These two powerful clans were easily destroyed, and millions of coins in wealth and the feared heads were presented to them directly. These two actions were so easy, and the cleanup was exceptionally swift, a world of difference compared to the trouble they caused by arresting the gentry before."

"The Duan family probably doesn't have conclusive evidence, but they will have their suspicions. Is this 'divine assistance' truly a blessing from heaven and earth, or the secret help of someone? Others may not know, but surely the Duan family themselves know that the so-called 'Duan family retainers' are nothing but fictitious. If they have a little time to think it over and take stock of the forces at play, they will gradually turn their attention to me! Therefore, this gift-giving visit is both a gesture of goodwill and a well-intentioned test to see how we will react."

The Great Teacher smiled gently, looked at Zhang Chengfu who was frowning and silent, and calmly comforted him.

“Chengfu, you have done very well in these two actions! It is good for a young man to have ambition and pride. But if you act smoothly and do not encounter setbacks, it will be difficult for you to truly calm down and face the strength of others, and the talents and abilities of the eunuchs and gentry! As I said before, the biggest advantage of your two actions was that you were calculating against the unprepared. But once you attract attention and become known and feared, that means that others will be calculating against you with ulterior motives.”

"You've set up a deadly trap, the rewards of which may be great, but it's also extremely dangerous! A deadly trap arises from two opposing forces, not from one side alone. Since you've entered the trap, you're gambling with your life, and it all comes down to seizing the initiative and striking with decisive force. Those who follow the natural order move first, those who go against it perish first. Acting on this is like wielding a talisman; if you strike, it will surely hit; if you don't, it will leave no trace. You must be constantly vigilant and introspective!"

"For example, the Man family. If they were fully aware of your schemes and existence, they would definitely gather their retainers and hire skilled assassins to actively seek you out and take action! If you were in Shanyang County and encountered a trap set by the gentry, you would be in great danger, just like when we ambushed the Li family. Therefore, in Yanzhou, this is enough for us! Next, it's time to go to Yuzhou!"

Hearing these earnest teachings from his teachers, Zhang Chengfu remained silent for a moment, then respectfully prostrated himself in a salute. He then looked into his teacher Zhang Jiao's deep eyes and at his uncle Zhang Bao's smile, and asked uneasily.

"Teacher, Uncle-Master! What should we do with the wealth sent by the Duan family? Should we accept it or not? Do you think the Duan family is trying to win over our Taiping Dao and form an alliance with us?"

"Haha! Chengfu, since such a large sum of money has been delivered to our door, let's accept it generously!"

This time, it was the Heavenly Physician Zhang Bao who laughed loudly and answered calmly.

"Since the Duan family has sent such generous gifts, it would be a gesture of goodwill for us to accept them; refusing them would be seen as malicious. With our covert assistance, they will be more confident in targeting the gentry. We can also do our best to pass on intelligence about the gentry to them from the Great Wilderness. As for anything else, since the Duan family hasn't explicitly stated it, we don't need to respond. We can simply reciprocate with some amulets for blessings and protection, just as we would with other gentry families! And when I pass through Chengwu in Jiyin, I will make a special trip to pay them a visit to express my gratitude and hold a prayer ceremony!"

At this point, Zhang Bao changed the subject, looked at Zhang Jiao, and said seriously.

“However, senior brother, you really should leave Yanzhou! You have always been the center of attention, and if you stay here too long, your whereabouts will not be able to be hidden from others. Only when you leave will the Taiping Dao of Yanzhou become less of a target, making it easier to act covertly. As for the Duan family's manor, you don't need to visit it anymore; I will go and express my gratitude! After all, on the surface, we still need to maintain a balance between the official and aristocratic families of Yanzhou and not side with either side.”

"Yes! It's time to set off! I'll take my disciples away the day after tomorrow."

The Great Teacher Zhang Jiao nodded calmly. Then, he smiled and looked at Zhang Baodao.

"Brother Zhong, what did you promise me before?"

"Hey!"

The Heavenly Physician Zhang Bao sighed helplessly, gave Zhang Chengfu a deep look, and agreed.

"Then let's do it tomorrow! Gather the chieftains tomorrow and hold another sacrificial ceremony. This time, I'll preside over it!" "Alright!"

Upon hearing this, the Great Teacher Zhang Jiao smiled, looked at the bewildered Zhang Chengfu, and gave instructions.

"Chengfu, come to my room later!"

"what?"

"Let me measure your body and alter a Taoist robe for you."

"Uh? Yes! Teacher!"

The brief meeting ended there. Wang Du and Peng Gui remained in the temple and talked for a long time with Zhang Chengfu, finalizing more plans for the uprising. The next day at noon, the leaders of Qing and Yan gathered again for a formal sacrificial ceremony.

"I'll be leaving tomorrow! Today's chief officiant will be the Heavenly Physician!"

When the Great Teacher Zhang Jiao announced his impending departure, the chieftains looked reluctant to part with him, but some also breathed a sigh of relief. In the presence of such a highly respected leader, the chieftains were strictly disciplined; drinking and eating meat were stopped, and they were forced to eat millet and wheat porridge for every meal. The daily chanting and meditation were, for some, a form of tempering their character. However, over the past two months, their relationships had indeed become much closer, no longer as distant as before, but rather more like those of "fellow disciples."

As for Zhang Chengfu, who was beside Zhang Jiao, he had changed into a conspicuous outfit. The dark and solemn Taoist robe looked quite impressive. Bu Si, the chieftain of Yanzhou, and Zhang Rao, the chieftain of Qingzhou, were the first to notice the young man's attire. And since they were the most senior, they were the most able to sense some omen from this change in clothing.

"Why does this outfit look so familiar? It seems like the same outfit that the Great Teacher of Virtue wore when he first came to Yanzhou seven or eight years ago?"

Qu Shuai Bu Si remained silent, lost in thought. Zhang Rao's eyelids twitched; he glanced at the two composed physicians, then at the dignified and solemn young man, and a guess began to form in his mind.

"Summoning us for a sacrificial ceremony before departure, surely they're not going to directly announce the successor, are they? No way! This young man's qualifications, even with some achievements, shouldn't be announced so soon! How can this convince the people?!"

"Offer sacrifices to Heaven! Begin!"

Zhang Bao, the Heavenly Physician, presided over the sacrificial ceremony, clad in elaborate robes. Holding a peach wood sword and carrying a water-carrying talisman at his waist, he stood in the main hall of the temple. Before the Yellow Heaven God tablet in the hall, a basin of yellow fire was lit. The yellow flames made the earthen walls sway, illuminating the plain silk spread on the central altar. On the silk rested a small bronze tripod, a ceramic bowl filled with pure water, elaborate yellow paper talismans, and a bundle of fresh cypress leaves—a solemn and solemn ceremony indeed!
"The Great Way is formless, yet it shelters and sustains all living beings. Today we set up this pure altar to worship the Yellow Heaven. May it protect our believers and bring eternal peace to all our lives!"

Under the watchful eyes of the disciples and followers of the chieftain, Zhang Bao took out a cypress leaf, dipped it in clean water, and sprinkled it three times on the ancestral tablet above. Then, he walked around the table to purify the altar. Afterward, the intricate yellow paper talismans were thrown into the brazier and burned, the smoke curling around the table like wisps of white dragons disappearing into the rafters.

"Kneel! Beseech the Yellow Emperor, the Heavenly God!"

Upon hearing this, all the leaders, disciples, and followers on both sides knelt down. Their heads were bowed to the mats, and not a single breath was heard. Only the Great Teacher Zhang Jiao and the Heavenly Physician Zhang Bao stood in the main hall.
"The Yellow Emperor saw it! He bestowed upon me talismanic water, which I filled with in a jar!"

Zhang Bao stood before the cauldron and took out the inherited talisman water container. It was a small bronze container with the four large seal characters "Taiping Talisman Water" engraved on the rim. The container was already filled with talisman water, the surface of which was bright and cool. Zhang Bao held the container with both hands, raised it above his brow, closed his eyes, and chanted.

"Heaven above, Earth deities in attendance. Today, with this battle, we uphold the righteous path, protect our people, and ward off calamities!"

After reciting the command, Zhang Bao knelt down and placed the talisman cup back on the white silk. Then, he looked around at everyone and gave the order once more.

"Rise! Bow! Bow! Rise again!"

These three salutes were the most solemn and dignified rituals. Gradually, a sense of understanding arose in the hearts of the various chieftains. And when this solemn ceremony was completed, Zhang Bao's sharp eyes shone with intense light! He solemnly looked at Zhang Chengfu, who was dressed in a Taoist robe, and shouted like a booming bell.

"Bear the burden! Step forward! Kneel and pay homage to the Yellow Heaven! Receive the talisman and water!"

Upon hearing this, the surrounding commanders' expressions changed drastically, and all eyes turned to him. Many wanted to say something, but in such a solemn occasion, under the watchful eye of the Yellow Emperor, they couldn't utter a sound. This young man's recent achievements, each one involving selfless sacrifice, bringing back 100,000 or 200,000 bushels of grain! This was enough to make them hesitate and consider, unable to directly stand up and object in the name of seniority and merit. Moreover, this was merely the inheritance of the highly symbolic "Talisman Water Bucket," and there was no explicit statement about establishing a successor.
"!!"

At that moment, Zhang Chengfu shuddered, and his usually composed face finally betrayed his excitement! He had heard his teacher's account last night and already knew what would happen today. But even with this mental preparation, he still couldn't control the turmoil within him!
After four years of diligent study and rigorous training with his teachers, he finally had the opportunity to take a step further from being a direct disciple of the Taiping Dao and to shoulder greater responsibilities to influence a wider world!

Zhang Chengfu took a deep breath and took a firm, yet gentle, step! This step marked a completely different identity and a brand new future! His fate, and the fate of the world, would be reshaped in this future! With a thud, he knelt before Huang Tian's ancestral tablet, raised his head, and lifted his hands.

Then, Zhang Bao, the Heavenly Physician, looked around at everyone one last time, seeing the familiar faces filled with complex emotions—surprise, resentment, nodding, and gritting their teeth. His serious gaze swept over each person until everyone bowed their heads in obedience, before he solemnly picked up the talisman water bucket again and handed it to Zhang Chengfu's hands.

"Chengfu, come! In front of everyone, drink this talisman water bestowed by the Yellow Emperor!"

"From this day forward, this talisman water container that I have carried for thirty-four years will be passed on to you!"

(End of this chapter)