Taiping Dao at the end of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 81 The Path of Simplicity, Chen Taiqiu and His Friend

The thatched huts of the farm were dimly lit, much like the hundreds of thousands of villagers of Yingchuan, whose futures were shrouded in uncertainty. Zhang Chengfu sat facing Zhang Jiao, the Great Teacher of Virtue. He prostrated himself in respect and solemnly said...

"Teacher! In my opinion, if we raise an army in Yingchuan and raise the banner against the current emperor, the gentry and nobles of Yingchuan will definitely support us, making the uprising incredibly powerful! They will help us incite tenant farmers and commoners, as well as the powerful families influenced by them, and may even secretly send their collateral descendants to join our Yellow Turban Army of the Way of Peace! They may also take advantage of the chaos in Yingchuan to attack the family of the powerful eunuch Zhang Rang, the Zhang family of Yangdi!"

"However, they cannot allow the Yellow Turban Army in Yingchuan to break into their manors and obtain sufficient food supplies. With the equipment and manpower of the rebel army, trying to break through Xuanyuan Pass and attack Luoyang, which is guarded by the Imperial Guard, would only be a pointless death! I'm afraid that even whether they can take down Yangdi, the capital of the prefecture, depends on whether the gentry will allow it and whether they will send people to garrison it."

"In the end, the Yingchuan gentry only hope to shake the court and the emperor by using the Yellow Turban Rebellion, which is so close to Luoyang! They don't really want our Yellow Turban Rebellion to succeed; they just want to trade our lives with the court. Yingchuan is too close to Sili and Luoyang, and it will inevitably face a thunderous blow from the court! And as long as the current emperor feels threatened and chooses to compromise with the gentry, releasing the second purge of the party, I'm afraid the Yingchuan gentry will turn around and lead the Luoyang imperial guards, betraying us and causing the Yingchuan Yellow Turbans to be wiped out in an instant!"

Zhang Chengfu spoke with absolute certainty, as if he had witnessed it firsthand. In the original historical records, the Yellow Turban rebels in Yingchuan did indeed not harm the powerful families of Yingchuan County in the slightest. There are even accounts of various rebel armies storming into large cities, looting government granaries to collect food, but leaving the mansions of powerful families untouched.

Zhang Jiao, the Great Teacher of Virtue, frowned deeply in his thatched hut, lost in thought. The relationship between the Way of Peace and the aristocratic faction had always been quite close. In the initial plan of launching an uprising from three sides and swiftly attacking Luoyang, the support of the aristocratic faction was always the most important consideration. However, under Zhang Chengfu's influence, when the Way of Peace's uprising plan changed, what would become of the Yellow Turban rebels in Yingchuan, the closest rebel force to Luoyang?

"Chengfu, in the omens you've seen, will the emperor truly lift the ban on partisans, which has been in place for thirty years? Or will the emperor's compromise really come so quickly?"

"Teacher, yes! The current emperor is not an incompetent fool; on the contrary, he is very clever and astute. He is strictly enforcing the prohibition of factions and suppressing the power of the aristocratic families for two reasons: first, to compete with the powerful clans for tax revenue and to collect money; and second, to consolidate his imperial power and the power in his hands. Once he feels threatened, the speed at which he compromises with the aristocratic families will probably be beyond imagination, perhaps even less than a month!"

Zhang Chengfu was quite certain. In his memory, the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out in February, Emperor Ling announced the lifting of the ban on political factions in March, and the Yingchuan Yellow Turbans were quelled in April. In other words, Emperor Ling made the decision to compromise with the aristocratic families in less than a month! Before Emperor Ling lifted the ban on political factions, Zhu Jun was besieged at Changshe while fighting the Yingchuan Yellow Turbans, facing a critical situation. After Emperor Ling lifted the ban, Huangfu Song swiftly marched east, and a surprise attack by setting fire to the city resulted in a crushing defeat for the numerically superior Yingchuan Yellow Turbans at Changshe!

So-called surprise attacks and arson are incredibly difficult to execute without local guides familiar with the terrain, or even the assistance of aristocratic confidants within the Yellow Turban army. The dramatic shift in the situation over the course of more than half a month, from a desperate struggle to an epic victory, hinged solely on the edict lifting the ban on political factions, and solely on whether the aristocratic factions achieved their objectives! Once the political goals of the powerful families of Yingchuan were achieved, the Yellow Turbans of Yingchuan were instantly abandoned, discarded like worn-out shoes, their heads piled up into a mound of corpses.
"Once the uprising begins, the emperor will lift the ban on factional riots in less than a month."

The Great Teacher sat cross-legged against the mud wall, eyes downcast and silent. The mud wall behind him was built by impoverished farmers from the countryside. It appeared to be a wall, but in reality, a slight bump could topple it over, revealing the thatch and branches filling it. And in this world today, who is the mud wall, and who is the one pushing it down?
"call"

After a long silence, the Great Teacher sighed and said wearily to Zhang Chengfu.

"Chengfu, we're going to Yingyin. These detailed plans can only be implemented when combined with the actual situation in Yingchuan. To understand the current situation in Yingchuan, the gentry, and the leaders of various tribes, we need to see your third uncle, Zhang Liang! And as for the specifics of the battle, we also need to discuss them with your third uncle. He's actually a very capable fighter, much more so than I am."

"is teacher!"

Silence fell that night; no one could hear from behind the walls, only the low weeping of the farmers. Zhang Chengfu tossed and turned, knowing that Ah Chen had heard of the possible drought and was weeping in fear of the terrible future. The next morning, the Taiping Dao group set off again. Just as they reached the outskirts of Xuchang, they saw a row of carriages moored by the river. Around them were many servants and guards.

"Ok?"

Zhang Chengfu gazed into the distance, past the scattered guards and servants carrying dried fruit and tea, and saw a group of young scholars chatting and laughing under the peach trees by the river. They were all dressed in loose-fitting clothes, wearing official tablets and hats, kneeling on a large hemp mat. The mats were laid out on the ground, with a lacquered table in the center, containing an incense burner and bronze goblets, and bamboo slips, letters, and precious bamboo scrolls placed beside them. Every now and then, someone would stand up and speak casually, winning loud applause.

At the center of this gathering of young scholars stood an elderly man with completely white hair. Though his features were obscured by the distance, the respect the scholars held for him and the serene composure of his demeanor were evident. In this scene, peach blossoms fell softly, the river flowed swiftly, and the people sat discussing philosophy—truly a picture of serene joy!

"You must take a detour! Do not come any closer!"

The Taiping Dao group walked along the official road, and after approaching for about a mile, they were stopped by guards. These guards were neatly dressed and acted in an orderly manner, clearly from powerful families. They blocked the road, armed themselves, and watched the approaching group warily, ordering the Taiping Dao group to take a detour.

"Don't offend the adults! You should take a detour, going around through the fields to the south!"

"What's going on ahead? Why are you being so domineering, forbidding us from passing?"

Upon hearing this, Chen's steward widened his eyes, carefully scrutinizing the high-ranking Dao Nu who was about to ask the question, and then glancing at the elite disciples carrying iron staffs behind him. He looked at them with some apprehension for a while, and not seeing the Yellow Heaven Banner, which had been put away due to its damage and low profile, he cautiously spoke.

"Today is a beautiful spring day! Lord Chen, along with outstanding members of his clan and other prominent families from various counties, are lecturing under the peach blossoms by the river! Lord Chen's fame is known throughout the land, and you all, no matter where you come from, must know of him! As for the direct descendants of these prominent families, they are not to be offended by you!"

"Oh? Lord Chen Taiqiu is lecturing at the front? And the sons of prominent families from various counties are all here?"

Zhang Jiao, the Great Teacher of Virtue, remained calm and did not reveal his identity. He smiled and asked the steward in front of him in a gentle voice.

"I have also heard of the many talented people in Yingchuan. Since you are the steward of the owner here, could you tell me the names of some of the talented people here?"

Manager Chen raised an eyebrow, glancing at the old man's impressive bearing and then at the large group of disciples guarding him. He cautiously inquired, trying to ascertain the man's identity.

"May I ask your origins?" "Oh! We are merely merchants traveling south, coming from Jizhou to sell our goods."

Upon hearing this, Manager Chen glanced at the armed disciples, clearly not believing them. He hesitated for a moment before replying.

"Today is an important spring literary gathering. In addition to the Chen family, the host, there are also the Xun family of Yingyin, the Li family of Xiangcheng, the Zhong family of Changshe, the Han family of Wuyang, the Du family of Yangcheng, as well as some humble scholars who have come because they have heard of Lord Chen's reputation. As for the names of these talented people, please forgive me for not being able to answer without the host's permission!"

"The Li family of Xiangcheng, descendants of the partisan scholar Li Ying? The Du family of Yangcheng, descendants of the partisan scholar Du Mi? Hmm."

Zhang Jiao, the Great Teacher of Virtue, stroked his beard, having some guesses about the background of this Chen Taigong literary gathering. Since he had chosen to keep a low profile, he did not step forward, but simply smiled and said...

"It's a rare opportunity to have a literary event! Let's rest here for a while, listen to Master Chen's teachings, and not disturb him. What do you say?"

"Please make yourself at home, sir!"

After hesitating for a long time, Chen looked at the scene of the literary gathering in full swing and not wanting to be disturbed, and then at the seemingly extraordinary old man, he had no choice but to speak.

"Please do not come forward and make things difficult for me!"

"Ah."

The Great Teacher nodded, then, along with Gao Daonu and Zhang Chengfu, sat down to rest on the edge of the field, gazing at the scholars gathered in the distance. Soon, after Chen Taigong finished his lecture, a young scholar stepped forward and bowed to the surrounding scholars. He seemed to glance at the Taiping Dao disciples resting there, but quickly looked away and walked to the table where the guqin was placed.

"Ding-dong!"

The faint sound of a zither drifted over, carrying a very long and ancient melody. Soon after, the other scholars began to sing, joining in the music.

"In the beginning, when the people were born, it was Jiang Yuan. How were the people born? They performed sacrifices and offered prayers, and thus had no children. She followed the Emperor's martial spirit and was pleased with her son. She was steadfast and at peace, and she was both trembling and diligent. She gave birth to children and nurtured them, and that was Hou Ji."

"The reason our ancestors were born was because Jiang Yuan was able to bear children. How were our ancestors born? They prayed to the gods and offered sacrifices to the Heavenly Emperor, begging for children to avoid childlessness. They stepped on the Heavenly Emperor's big toe print, and the gods protected them and brought good fortune. The fetus moved and remained still at times. Once born, they were carefully nurtured, and the child became Zhou Houji!"

Zhang Cheng listened intently for a moment, and it seemed to be the poem "Da Ya" from the Book of Songs. The Great Teacher Zhang Jiao noticed his confusion and smiled.

"This is the playing of the 'Qing Shang' and 'Shao Huo' melodies, accompanied by the recitation of 'Sheng Min' from the 'Da Ya' section. Chen Taiqiu must be discussing the 'Book of Poetry,' as he is well-versed in this field and has received its true teachings. His use of the 'Book of Poetry' to praise the 'foundation of life' perfectly matches the vibrant atmosphere of the peach blossoms in spring. As for explaining the chapter on 'Hou Ji,' it not only praises the vitality of spring and the cultivation of the fields but also honors the sages of antiquity, placing high hopes on the younger generation. Hmm, discussing 'Hou Ji' at this gathering—yes, it must be to bring fame to this young man playing the zither!"

"Make a name for yourself?"

"Yes, to make a name for oneself. In the present Han Dynasty, if scholars do not take the path of buying official positions through eunuchs, they must rely on their reputation to be recommended for the civil service and to be selected through the imperial examinations. Only by making a name for themselves can young scholars become officials, and only then can they hold high-ranking and good positions. And for scholars to be evaluated by respected figures and become officials based on their reputation is the proper path for scholars throughout the land. To become a high-ranking official, one must make a name for oneself in one's youth!"

The Great Teacher remained calm, smiling as he stroked his short beard. He had witnessed many such gatherings of aristocratic youths. These spring outings did indeed emulate Confucius, serving the purpose of teachers and mentors. However, such formal and important literary gatherings also served to allow young scholars to showcase their talents, receive critiques from respected elders, and gain recognition among the crowd. This latter aspect, concerning their future careers, was the real reason why the scholars had rushed here so eagerly, making the event so grand!
"Teacher, can scholars gain fame solely through such gatherings, through the comments of respected figures, or through a few words? And if fame is tied to obtaining official positions, wouldn't that mean the court's selection criteria are based solely on the few words spoken by the commentator? But isn't this kind of commentary just mutual flattery among powerful families? You comment on my son, I comment on your son, and in the end, it's all about personal connections, and those selected are all from aristocratic families."

Zhang Chengfu frowned and asked a question. The Great Teacher Zhang Jiao looked at the young disciple in surprise and smiled.

"Indeed! You see things clearly. In the end, fame and fortune in literary gatherings all come down to connections. However, the scions of aristocratic families have inherited family learning. When selecting officials in the Han Dynasty, the essence of each of the classics—the Book of Rites, the Book of Changes, the Spring and Autumn Annals, the Book of Documents, and the Book of Poetry—was exclusively passed down within these families. Ordinary scholars from humble backgrounds, no matter how diligent or skilled in their daily affairs, rarely had the opportunity to access the family learning passed down by these aristocratic families. Therefore, it is only natural that the scions of aristocratic families would be selected based on the 'learning' inherited by these families!"

"In reality, due to differences in upbringing, family background, and inherited perspectives, the scions of aristocratic families are indeed often far superior to ordinary scholars from humble backgrounds! Even if a scholar from a poor family is fortunate enough to become an official, he will remain a minor official for life. The path to officialdom is for those aiming for a salary of a thousand or two thousand shi (a unit of grain measure), which is irrelevant to the vast majority of scholars from poor families. Only a very small number of scholars from humble backgrounds can overcome this barrier between officials and lower-ranking clerks."

"Take Chen Taiqiu, for example. He started as a village head, studying diligently and working hard in his official duties. It took him several years to gain recognition and become a minor official. Later, the eunuch Hou Lan wanted the prefect Gao Lun to appoint a trusted confidant to a position. Prefect Gao Lun was torn between his reputation for integrity and the power of the eunuch. Chen Taiqiu, however, went to Prefect Gao Lun with a letter recommending a trusted eunuch, taking the blame for the prefect's reputation for recommending a member of the eunuch family. Only after doing this did he gain the prefect's trust and rise through the ranks to become the magistrate of Taiqiu, thus earning the title of Chen Taiqiu."

"As for what comes after that, 'The Gentleman on the Beam,' 'A Pact with a Friend,' 'Foresight,' 'Prefect Chen Shi with His Hair Shaved,' 'A Gathering of Virtuous Stars in the Heavens.' This Lord Chen, Chen Taiqiu, was extremely knowledgeable in the art of gaining fame; he was an outstanding figure in this field! From humble beginnings, he rose to a position of renown throughout the land, personally transforming the Chen family of Xu County into a top-tier aristocratic clan. Every word and action of this Lord Chen was almost perfectly timed, allowing him to reach the ultimate destination on this path of humble origins!"

"Chengfu, with your talent, if you were to adopt the label of a poor scholar and become an apprentice of Chen Taiqiu, following the same humble path as him for sixty years, carefully navigating each step, you might actually achieve the same renown as Chen Taiqiu, establishing a prestigious Zhang family name throughout the land!"

(End of this chapter)