Taiping Dao at the end of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 72 You want to take this warrior in? Hmm, let's see how your master makes his move.

The Boshan incense burner emitted wisps of smoke, the aromas of pine resin, herbs, and tea mingling with the scents of tea, showcasing the refined taste and status of a prominent family. Commander Shi Qian took a sip of his medicinal tea, his brow furrowing slightly, and began to recount the story of the chivalrous Dian Wei killing someone for his benefactor the previous year. His voice was casual, playful, and carried the natural air of superiority of a scion of a noble family.

"This villain Dian Wei was originally from Jiwu County, the southernmost part of Chenliu Commandery. He was a wandering knight with no background, unwilling to serve in the army. Relying on his strength, he went to the powerful Liu family in Xiangyi County, south of Waihuang, and became a retainer of the hero. This is the only way out for such brave and fierce wandering knights; only heroes who need to fight will accept them!"

"The chivalrous Liu family of Xiangyi County in Chenliu Commandery and the chivalrous Li family of Suiyang County in Liang State already had some old grudges. Hmm, what old grudges? What these chivalrous men were fighting over was nothing more than the farmland and water sources in their hometowns, the farmers in the market from whom they could demand fees, and the power to collect money from passing merchants. The Liu and Li families were not in the same county, so what they were fighting over was probably the last one—the power to collect money from caravans and farmers. Ha! These rural chivalrous men didn't own much land, but they had quite a few retainers, and they relied on passing caravans for their livelihood!"

Commander Shi Qian, in just a few words, clearly exposed the origins of these powerful families at the bottom of society. These aristocratic clans could share power within the prefecture, hold official positions across multiple prefectures, and their vast, interconnected lands were virtually tax-free. Families like the Zhen family of Zhongshan, skilled in trade, could even manipulate caravans behind the scenes, trading across prefectures. They amassed enormous wealth, owning vast tracts of land!
Further down the hierarchy, the most powerful families were like the Li family of Chengshi County, who owned 20,000 mu of land and had thousands of relatives and retainers. Their sons held various official positions in the county, making them local tyrants, and the Li family held the reins of power. The so-called "powerful families" ranged from those above the established aristocratic families to those below who were utterly impoverished. The lowest-ranking powerful families had only a few dozen or a hundred brothers who roamed the martial arts world; they couldn't even be called "powerful families," they could only be called "heroic knights-errant."

Like the powerful Liu family of Xiangyi, and another "big shot" Liu family of Zhuojun, they only had about a hundred brothers under their command and not many estates. But the brothers needed to eat, and some of them were particularly big eaters, like Dian Wei, who was eight feet tall and had a burly appearance. So where did their food come from? They didn't need to think about the official positions in the prefecture; those were power passed down through generations of families.

The world was still at peace, and the imperial court's authority remained intact. For these commoners, it was a matter of life and death. Ordinary "heroes" were simply gangsters; aside from bloodshed, they had no powerful families, officials, or mentors behind them. With such backgrounds, how could they possibly expect to secure a stable government job? At best, they'd be appointed as village or township heads—and that would be considered quite successful!

The powerful Liu family of Xiangyi held no official position, not even a village head, clearly inferior to the powerful Li family of Suiyang, who were village heads in Fuchun across the river. The Li family could also muster far more wandering knights than the Liu family. Currently, Yanzhou was plagued by disasters and epidemics, and the number of merchants and travelers was decreasing; even the powerful families needed to make a living and compete for food. Xiangyi County in Chenliu belonged to Yanzhou, while Suiyang in Liang State belonged to Yuzhou. Although these two counties belonged to different states, they were geographically adjacent; the boundary between the counties was the boundary between the prefecture and the state.

Undoubtedly, when a "food problem" arises between two neighboring powerful families, it has to be resolved with knives! These powerful families have no share of the court's power; they rely on violence to survive. If you're not ruthless enough to kill, why would passing caravans or merchants in the market hand over their money? And in such situations, the brothers, retainers, or wandering knights they've raised on a daily basis have to fight to the death!
"Last autumn, a dispute arose again between the Liu family, a chivalrous clan from Xiangyi, and the Li family, a chivalrous clan from Suiyang. Both sides mustered their men, wary of each other, preparing for a private duel with knives. Normally, such a trivial matter wouldn't matter to the county government, regardless of who lives or dies! They're just a bunch of wandering knights, fighting and killing each other; a few deaths are nothing out of the ordinary. With the plague and drought in Yanzhou, people die every day. As long as they die outside the city and don't cause too much of a commotion, not even the county government, let alone the prefectural government, will care!"

"However, this villain Dian Wei caused far too much trouble! He rode in a cart loaded with chicken and wine to Fuchun Lane, near the market outside Suiyang City, pretending to deliver gifts to the chivalrous Li family. But when the gates of Fuchun Lane opened, he went in with a dagger, killed Li Yong (the Li family's son) and his wife with a single blow. After killing them, he didn't rush to escape; instead, he took out a long halberd and a ring-pommel sword and walked out swaggeringly. I heard that several hundred people chased him, probably some of Li's retainers, but most were just there to watch the spectacle. With Li Yong dead, these retainers lost their leader and the will to fight. The group chased him for a while, until Dian Wei finally escaped and was met by Liu's retainers."

"The reason this incident has become such a big deal is twofold. First, it's quite legendary that someone could assassinate someone and escape alive in full view of everyone. Second, it happened in Suiyang City, in the market area outside the city, so many people witnessed it, and then it spread by word of mouth, making it a huge sensation!"

At this point, Commander Shi Qian shook his head, dissatisfied.

"The death of a chivalrous hero in a prefecture or kingdom is usually a trivial matter. If it happened in the wilderness, he could simply be buried. But since it has become common knowledge both inside and outside the city, especially in Suiyang City of Liang Kingdom, the prefecture simply cannot suppress it, and Prefect Wen Gong is very displeased!"

"Prefect Wen Gong has always revered virtuous governance and diligently taught the people; he is a kind and benevolent elder. He is especially friendly with us, the Taiping Dao, who promote virtuous teachings and pacify the people, while he despises these chivalrous figures who use force to break the law! Take Dian Wei, for example. First, he killed someone for a personal grudge, which has nothing to do with loyalty, filial piety, or righteousness. Second, he killed a chivalrous person, not some powerful eunuch who incurs public wrath. Third, he killed someone in public across the entire prefecture, making a big scene and causing a great embarrassment, damaging the prefect's reputation for virtuous governance."

"Fortunately, King Liu Mi of Liang Kingdom has just ascended the throne and is still young. He is fond of sensual pleasures and extravagant lifestyles. He doesn't care about such trivial matters among heroes and hasn't sent his prime minister to the county to hold them accountable. If it were the southern Chen Kingdom, and the strong-willed King Liu Chong of Chen Kingdom, things would be much more troublesome!"

"King Liu Chong of Chen is a strong-willed and personally involved in the affairs of the state, making him a powerful vassal king who intervenes in government affairs. Chancellor Luo Jun of Chen is also on good terms with King Liu, and he is extremely strict in his control over the state, wielding immense authority. These two will absolutely not tolerate such a heinous act as a wandering knight killing someone in public in a major city and escaping; they will surely come to hold him accountable! They are even wary of us, the Taiping Dao, who practice morality and appease the people. If this had happened in Chen, and King Liu had sent an envoy to hold him accountable, then Prefect Wen Gong would not have been able to turn a blind eye. This case must be handled seriously, and Dian Wei's head must be sent over!"

Chief Shi Qian mentioned the southern state of Chen, clearly showing considerable apprehension towards King Liu Chong and Chancellor Luo Jun. Upon hearing the name King Liu Chong, Zhang Chengfu's eyes flickered with thought. But he quickly suppressed his thoughts and, under the watchful gaze of the Great Teacher Zhang Jiao, asked with a smile.

"Brother Zirang, this assassination attempt in the city has caused such a stir. How has Chenliu County handled it?" "You mean the current handling? Well, Prefect Wen Gong pretends not to know, lest he damage his reputation. Naturally, no one is tactless enough to bring it up to Wen Gong directly. As for the magistrate of Xiangyi County, he accepted money from the local chivalrous Liu family, but simply posted a notice offering a reward for the thief Dian Wei. As for the Liu family, the magistrate of Xiangyi tacitly approved of them taking over the 'money-collecting business' from the Li family of Suiyang, since it also increases the county's tax revenue."

"Hmm? You're asking about Dian Wei? This murderer has fled! He's hiding under an assumed name, possibly in Yu County to the west, or perhaps in the Waihuang area. Of course, he's more likely still in his hometown of Xiangyi County, since the Liu family paid him! As long as he doesn't run into the troops of the prefectures and kingdoms, doesn't cause trouble or seek death, and doesn't go to Suiyang County of Liang State where the crime occurred, no one will really put in a lot of effort to capture this fierce fellow! After all, capturing this murderer will definitely result in deaths, and ordinary constables don't have much armor and might not be able to catch him. Unless a big shot orders the mobilization of troops from the prefectures and kingdoms, given the way the county constables act, they'll probably just turn a blind eye and let him hide."

Commander Shi Qian spoke casually, revealing both his disdain for the wandering knight Dian Wei and his instinctive dissatisfaction.

Zhang Cheng listened patiently and roughly understood the thoughts of Chief Shi Qian. This Chief Shi Qian of the Taiping Dao in Chenliu did not follow the path of uniting the common people, recruiting wandering knights and heroes, and waging armed struggle. Even if he were like the chiefs of other prefectures and kingdoms, recruiting many disciples and training a large number of able-bodied men, it wouldn't work. This Chief Shi Qian of Chenliu was a true descendant of a powerful clan, his eyes were on the prefect above him and the powerful families in the prefecture, and he didn't even care much about the local strongmen!
Therefore, this chieftain had not cultivated any effective informants among the common people and was late in learning of the arrival of the Great Teacher Zhang Jiao. However, he was well-informed among the gentry of the prefecture and state, and was fully aware of the movements of powerful families, including the prefect. His efforts to gather the gentry in the county to organize this spring rain-praying ceremony combining Confucianism and Taoism, as he had just stated, were a way to please the prefect and "promote moral teachings and appease the people"—a gentry-based path to peace!
"He always maintained the mindset of an aristocratic family, so to this chieftain, the wandering knight Dian Wei, who defied the law with his martial prowess, became a murderous bandit. This bandit could kill chivalrous heroes, and naturally he could also kill aristocratic families, posing a threat to them! In the end, the aristocratic families at this time were able to firmly control the order of the prefectures and counties because of the power of the imperial court, not because of their own military force. 'Wandering knights everywhere, defying the law with their martial prowess' was a sign of a chaotic world, a kind of subversion of order by powerful and chivalrous figures who wielded military power against the aristocratic families who held power!"

"Do the powerful clans want to change the current order of the world? Yes! But what they want is to completely eliminate the eunuch clans, devour the imperial power extended from the emperor's hands, and let the powerful clans in the local areas dominate! They don't want to share any power with the powerful families, let alone with the lowest-ranking commoners who are like ants! Thus, this Chenliu chieftain is the most obvious member of the aristocratic faction in the Way of Peace! And what I did in Dongjun and Jiyinjun before, I'm afraid I can't say a word about it."

Zhang Cheng remained silent, having gained a clearer understanding of the Way of Peace founded by his teacher, the diverse factions among its leaders, and the complex stances of its members. Dian Wei had publicly assassinated a chivalrous hero in the city, making him a "murderer" in the eyes of powerful families. If his collaboration with the Duan clan, a powerful family, to exterminate the Cheng family of Dong'e and the Man family of Changyi was exposed, how could he be simply labeled a "murderer"?
Once his actions against the powerful families are exposed, Zhang Chengfu will inevitably become a notorious villain in the eyes of the powerful families of Yanzhou and even the whole country, just like "Robber Zhi"! Even the wanted posters won't depict him as "Chengfu," who "bears the virtues of the world and the sins of the world," but rather as a vicious, bloodthirsty, and ruthless "Zhang the Pockmarked"!
The long conversation with Shi Qian, the leader of the Chenliu tribe, passed by amidst this exchange of information. After everyone finished talking, had dinner, and went to rest for the night, the Great Teacher Zhang Jiao looked at his youngest disciple, Zhang Chengfu, and asked him a meaningful question.

"Chengfu, you value Dian Wei highly?"

"Yes, teacher! This is the 'Ancient Evil Lai,' a man of extraordinary strength and courage, whose bravery is unmatched by hundreds! For us, the Way of Peace, to rise up, it is of paramount importance to possess a sufficiently strong military force. And such an unparalleled and valiant hero is the best general to charge into battle!"

Zhang Cheng replied respectfully, his expression revealing his true feelings. The Great Teacher Zhang Jiao scrutinized this "divinely gifted" disciple for a moment, then pondered before asking again.

“Chengfu, you have never seen Dian Wei in person, yet you are so convinced, based solely on what you’ve heard, that he is an unparalleled warrior who charges into battle? ‘The Ancient Evil One’? Shi Zirang didn’t mention that title at all just now!”

"This, Master. I was indeed misled by hearsay. But I also have my own sources! I am certain that he is indeed a rare and valiant hero! If we can recruit him into our Taiping Dao, not to mention the subsequent uprising, even if Senior Brother's plans in Luoyang succeed or fail, we will need brave warriors to help Senior Brother leave alive!"

Zhang Chengfu gritted his teeth, glanced at his teacher, and tentatively mentioned Luoyang. Upon hearing this, the Great Teacher Zhang Jiao's face became serious. After pondering for a long time, his expression changed noticeably. After a while, he looked deeply into Zhang Chengfu's eyes and calmly said...

"Chengfu, are you sure you want to take this warrior in? Hmm, no need for such trouble. Let me handle this. Go and find out more about his situation! I'll return from visiting Lord Shi in the Shi clan."

Next, Zhang Cheng spent several days inquiring in Waihuang County and gained a clearer picture of Dian Wei in Jiwu County.

Dian Wei's family background was merely that of a slightly wealthy farming household. His father had died young from the plague, leaving only his elderly mother at home. He was already married and had a young child. And indeed, he was a man of imposing stature and extraordinary strength; from a young age, he could take on ten men at once!

In the chaotic world of the late Han Dynasty, Dian Wei, with his humble origins, had no path to advancement. Joining the army was out of the question; he would have been just another common soldier, sent to the battlefield as cannon fodder. So, upon reaching adulthood, he could only become a wandering knight-errant, slightly better off than a farmer, but only marginally better. Even a wandering knight-errant needed income and food, so he became a retainer. Retainers ate the master's food, which meant settling disputes and killing people! This was the only way out for the lower-class heroes of the late Han Dynasty—struggling at the level of chivalry. If the world hadn't descended into chaos, even with Dian Wei's strength, he would have remained nothing more than a fugitive for life!
(End of this chapter)