Chapter 26: The Great Virtuous Teacher

  There were not many people in the teahouse, and it was quite quiet, which was a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle outside. A customer at a nearby table looked out the window with great interest and asked Liu Ze, "Judging from your attire, you appear to be a traveling merchant, don't you?"

  Liu Ze turned his head to look, and the one asking was a middle-aged scholar, with a white face and short beard, refined and courteous. He replied: "That's right, I'm doing silk business."

  The middle-aged scholar said: "So many young boys and girls, did you just buy them back?"

  "I was about to head to Youzhou, and on the way I passed through Jizhou, where I saw many people selling their sons and daughters. Their appearance was pitiful. Since my business is quite extensive and requires a lot of errand boys, I bought some young people to use for my business." Liu Ze didn't know who this middle-aged scholar was or what he meant by his question, thinking to himself that as long as he wasn't mistaken for a human trafficker, it would be fine.

  "Present-day merchants are all about profit, it's rare to see someone like you who is willing to help others."

  "It's too kind of you, I'm just doing my humble part, nothing worth mentioning."

  A middle-aged scholar sighed: "Nowadays, the ruler is confused and on the wrong path. Eunuchs are in power, officials are being sold and titles are being peddled, the people are being exploited and oppressed, resulting in widespread suffering and death. Even if you can save one person, ten people, a hundred people, or a thousand people, how can you save the countless millions of displaced people all over the country?"

  Liu Ze was secretly shocked, for there were indeed few people who dared to directly rebuke the current emperor's incompetence. The scholar in front of him looked weak, but his words were filled with righteous indignation and a heroic spirit that was awe-inspiring. From these few sentences alone, it was clear that this person was no ordinary individual. Liu Ze cupped his hands together in respect and said: "Your words are like a warning bell to the world, I am enlightened by them. May I ask your esteemed surname and name, how should I address you?"

  A middle-aged scholar slightly nodded his head and said: "I am Zhang Jiaojiao, a humble man from Guangzhou."

  Liu Ze was shocked and almost threw away the teacup in his hand, exclaiming: "Is your honorable self the great virtuous and worthy Master Zhang Jue, also known as Zhang Zhenren?"

  Zhang Jiao was slightly startled and said: "Sir also knows Zhang's name?"

  Liu Ze composed himself and said, "I have been traveling for business for a long time, and I have heard about Zhang Zhenren's affairs. I know that he has been spreading benevolence and saving people from disasters, and is a great virtuous and moral person. I have admired him for a long time, but did not expect to meet him here today. This is truly a fortunate encounter in three lifetimes."

  Liu Ze's understanding of Zhang Jue comes from the "Book of Later Han": At first, Zhang Jue of Julu claimed to be the 'Great and Worthy Teacher', worshiped the Yellow Emperor's Taoism, raised disciples, knelt down and bowed his head, used talismans and spells to heal diseases, and many people were cured. The common people believed in him and followed him. Therefore, Zhang Jue sent eight of his disciples to the four directions to teach the good way and convert the world, deceiving each other. In more than ten years, there were tens of thousands of followers, connecting with people from eight states: Qing, Xu, You, Ji, Jing, Yang, Chen, and Yu. All of them responded to him. Then he set up thirty-six factions. The faction was like a military general's title. The large faction had more than ten thousand people, the small faction had six or seven thousand people, and each established its own leader. According to historical records, Zhang Jue's face was ferocious and evil, but today I saw him in person and realized that it was greatly mistaken. Historical books often portray rebellious people as fierce beasts, depicting them with detestable faces. This kind of "demonization" writing style has misled many generations.

  Although Zhang Jiao's preaching was relatively secretive, he had gathered tens of thousands of followers over the past decade or so. As the saying goes, "there is no wall that doesn't leak wind", and it seemed that Liu Ze didn't think much of this matter either. He said, "How should I address you?"

  "From Youzhou Prefecture, Zhuo County, with the surname Liu and the name Ze."

  "What does Brother Liu think about the affairs of the world?"

  "Nowadays, the situation is critical and cannot be saved. We must have a wise emperor to take personal control of government, eliminate eunuchs, appoint virtuous officials, reduce corvée labor and taxation..."

  Zhang Jiao shook his head and said, "No, no, today's imperial court is already critically ill, what Liu brothers said is just a nourishing medicine, which can only cure the symptoms but not the root cause. If you want to cure the root cause, you still need to use strong medicine."

  "But I don't know what kind of fierce medicine and evil potion the real person is referring to?"

  Zhang Jiao looked around cautiously and said in a low voice: "The Blue Sky is dead, the Yellow Sky should rise, it's the year of Jiazi, great auspices for the world!"

  Liu Ze was shocked, and at this time Zhang Jiao had already harbored the intention of rebelling. "The true man's fierce medicine is indeed extremely potent, but once war breaks out, the world will be thrown into chaos, and those who truly suffer will be the common people. When a dynasty rises, the people suffer; when it falls, the people also suffer!"

  "Anyone who wants to achieve great things knows the two words 'sacrifice'. The current court and country are like a stagnant pool of water. It's better to be reborn in the raging fire than to die quietly!"

  "What about after rebirth?"

  Zhang Jiao was stunned, and all he could think of now was to gather the Taoist crowd, raise the flag and start a rebellion, overthrowing the imperial court. As for what would happen after the imperial court was overthrown, he hadn't really thought about it, but that didn't seem to be a problem. After a successful rebellion, he could sit on the dragon throne, and then it would be time to reward his followers and grant them titles. "That... would be the new dynasty's new look."

  "A new dynasty is just a new dynasty, but it's still just a change of national title, year number and the person on the throne. Officials are still officials, common people are still common people, they still have to pay various taxes and levies, and selling sons and daughters is still the same."

  Zhang Jiao seemed interested in Liu Ze's words and said, "I'd like to hear more about it."

  "Ultimately, it's just a matter of system...” Liu Ze said with a light cough.

  "What is a system?" Zhang Jiao heard an unfamiliar term, "What is a system?"

  "At the beginning of the great way, the world was for all, and the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors did not yet think of private interests. However, since Yu and Qi, the world has been for private interests, with exclusive power and policy, and all plotting for personal gain. But in the end, the world belongs to the people, not just one family or surname. As Mencius said: 'The people are most important, the altars of the land and grain come next, and the ruler is least important.' The power of the masses is an irresistible force; water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it. Therefore, what needs to be changed is this system of private interests, establishing a new system where the people are truly in charge, without exploitation or oppression, with equal wealth and status, and where those who till the land own it."

  "Equalize the rich and poor, make noble and humble equal... those who till the land shall have their own fields..." After a moment of contemplation, he suddenly clapped his hands and said: "What a wonderful 'equalize the rich and poor, make noble and humble equal, those who till the land shall have their own fields'! Ma Yuan Yi, quickly write it down. I've been racking my brains for ages to come up with this slogan, but Liu brothers just blurted it out casually. Tomorrow we can spread this slogan far and wide, and surely the hearts of the people will be won over, and our great cause will be accomplished." Ma Yuan Yi immediately took up his pen to write it down.

  Liu Ze couldn't help but smile wryly, it turned out that Zhang Jiao didn't understand the principles of democracy and freedom at all after listening to his lengthy explanation. Instead, those slogans like "equal wealth and status", "equality between the noble and the humble" and "farmers owning their own land" were actually the rallying cries used by peasant uprisings throughout history. He had casually mentioned them, but Zhang Jiao took them as gospel. This was not surprising, after all, these slogans were the demands of oppressed and exploited peasants. When a leader shouted from the mountaintop, the people responded in unison, but often after success, the poor remained poor, the rich remained rich, and farmers still couldn't till their own land - this was feudal society!

  Zhang Jiao bowed his hands and paid respects, saying: "Mr. Liu, you are wise and intelligent, your words are like pearls, I am enlightened by them. I have received the teachings of the Southern Emperor, established the Taiping Dao, to save the people from suffering, to rescue them from water and fire. Our doctrine still lacks a military strategist, so I invite you to join us. With your talent, we can conquer the world with ease. On the day of our success, you will be as famous as Jiang Shang of Zhou or Zhang Liang of Han."

  Liu Ze took a look and saw that Zhang Jiao wanted to pull him in, but he didn't want to get involved in this muddy water. So he said: "I'm grateful for Zhang's kindness, but I don't deserve it. I'm just a rough countryman with no great ambitions, every day I only hope to have enough food and clothing. I'm not worthy of accepting your invitation. However, I admire your efforts to save the people from water and fire, and I wish you success in your endeavors."

  Seeing Liu Ze refuse the invitation, Zhang Jiao showed a disappointed expression, but behind him, Tang Zhou was furious. The position of Military Advisor in the sect had been vacant for a long time, and everyone wanted to get it but couldn't. Today, Zhang Jiao personally offered it to Liu Ze, but he refused. Stepping forward, he angrily shouted: "The Heavenly Master gave you the position of Military Advisor because he looked up to you, how could you be so ungrateful!"

  Liu Ze had not yet spoken, when Zhang Fei and Guan Yu just walked into the store. Zhang Fei saw someone dared to scold Liu Ze, and he was furious. He took a big step forward, swung his iron fist, and shouted: "What kind of bird are you? How dare you yell at my brother! You want to be beaten!"

  That Tang Zhou was a ruthless and cunning fellow, relying on the crowd, and seeing Liu Ze's gentle face, he dared to step forward and scold him. As soon as he saw Zhang Fei rush over like a black whirlwind, he was so frightened that he retreated several steps.

  Liu Ze stopped Zhang Fei and said: "Younger brother, stop your hand! You mustn't be rash in front of Zhang Daoling!"

  Zhang Jiao also retreated and apologized to Tang Zhou, saying: "Sir, I'm afraid you've been startled. Zhang's disciples are unrefined, and my words were presumptuous. I'm deeply ashamed."

  Liu Ze returned the courtesy and said, "No harm done. Different paths, no need to discuss further, Zhang Zhenren, let's part ways for now, we'll meet again someday." Then, he took Zhang Fei and Guan Yu out of the teahouse and headed north.

  Zhang Jiao gazed at Liu Ze's receding back, standing still for a long time, finally letting out a deep sigh.

  Ma Yuan Yi said from behind: "Master, are you just going to let them go like this?"

  Zhang Jiao let out a bitter laugh and said: "What do you want?"

  "Now that they know the secret of Tai Ping Dao and can't be used by me, it's better to..." Ma Yuan Yi swung his palm in a slashing motion.

  Zhang Jiao shook his head and said, "Look at those two burly men beside Liu Ze, their footsteps are light and agile, their movements are skilled, they all have the bravery of a thousand men. With your martial arts skills, even if you bring a few more people with you, it's not necessarily a match for them."

  Ma Yuan Yi said with some worry: "But they already know the secret I taught, what if they report to the authorities?"

  Zhang Jiao shook his head and said, "I think Liu Ze is a calm and composed person, with a rich inner world. He's not the kind of person who would be willing to serve as my military advisor. As for reporting to the authorities, I don't think he would stoop to such a petty act. Besides, even if someone were to report us, it's not necessarily going to work out in their favor. The eunuchs, Feng Xu and others, are greedy for bribes, which is exactly what we can use to our advantage. Yuan Yi, you set off immediately for Luoyang and send plenty of gold, silk, and money to Feng Xu and the others. As long as we can win them over, there's no need to worry about the big picture."

  Ma Yuan Yi said: "Yes." and turned around to leave.

  Zhang Jiao gazed at the dust on the official road and said in a low voice: "Liu Ze, one day you and I will meet on the battlefield."