That's right, Xiao Feng couldn't say anything against it from any standpoint, especially in front of Jiajing.
As the Second Assistant to the Cabinet, when officials ask for rain, he cannot say that it is feudal superstition and unscientific.
This is a routine operation in the past dynasties. If you deny the legality of praying for rain, you deny the existence of the Dragon King, deny the existence of gods, and deny the existence of the fairy world.
And why did Jiajing practice Taoism? What he wants most is to ascend to the fairy world. Now you tell him that rain is actually water vapor that forms clouds, and then falls in the cold. It has nothing to do with the fairy world?
As the Great Tomorrow Master and a Taoist Master, he cannot object. You are the first person in the Taoist sect, and you are the first to feel guilty. What is that sect but a liar?
Jiajing also looked at Xiao Feng expectantly, hoping that his junior brother could give him courage and strength and tell him that there was no problem with Taoism and that Taoism was worth relying on.
Xiao Feng nodded heavily. Now that the matter is over, no one knows what will happen next. What if it really catches up with the rain?
This is also Xiao Feng's consistent principle. When things are in a desperate situation, even if it can be postponed for a day, it is a good thing. The longer the time, the more variables there are, and the greater the chance of turning defeat into victory.
But the other heads and real people didn't think so. When they got Dao Lu Si's edict covered with jade seals, they were all dumbfounded and speechless for a long time.
Mr. Xiao, we chose you to be the leader. I didn’t expect you to be so unreliable! Do you know what you are doing?
Open an altar to pray for rain? Have you seen too much? You think we are really gods! It’s true that I, a god, have ascended to the throne a long time ago, so why should I be the leader?
The imperial court dares to do such a foolish thing, brother, you have to stop it. How can you really let this decree be issued? You've made everyone very passive!
Complaining is nothing but complaining, you still have to go. The major real people set out one after another, but compared with the last Taoism conference, the atmosphere this time was very different.
Gu Xuzi of Wudang Mountain was relatively calm. Before leaving, he told the eldest disciple to take good care of his home and said there was no need to worry.
"My master will definitely be safe here. Not to mention that your junior brothers and sisters are all serving the imperial court now, but based on the relationship between Zhang Wuxin and An Qingyue and Master Xiao, they will definitely be safe as my master.
What's more, Wudang Mountain has always been a martial arts cultivator. This court understands us. Things like opening altars to pray for rain are the specialty of the Fulu Sect. If the sky falls, it will hit Zhang Tianshi's head first! "
Ma Hualong from Baiyunguan was thinking in front of the mountain gate where Ma Yunteng was retreating, hoping to open the door to communicate, but Ma Yunteng refused to open the door.
"What's that? Senior brother, you are an old temple master with high moral character and high respect. You should go to the Temple of Heaven. Junior brother, I don't have enough weight!"
"The temple owner doesn't have to be so humble. You are the current temple owner. You represent Baiyun Temple now. It's your turn to go. It's unfair for others to go!"
"Senior brother, you are Master Qingxiu. This time Daolu Division wants to pray for rain, and the person summoned is Master Dao Sect, not the head of Dao Sect!"
"Master of the temple, Long Live personally ordered me to go into seclusion for self-cultivation, and all affairs of Baiyun Temple were left to you to handle. The edict was for Baiyun Temple, not for poor Taoists. Am I right?"
"But apart from you, there is no real person in Baiyun Temple! By the way, you are from Baiyun Temple, and as the leader of the temple, I order you to go!"
"... Pindao plans to wander around in the clouds. I don't want Pindao from Baiyun Temple. The master of the temple can't control Pindao anymore!"
Ma Hualong was so frightened: "Brother, you can't leave. If you leave, I will be finished! You are so cunning and cunning that you can come back even if your performance fails. I don't have that ability!"
Senior brother, when I am finished, Baiyunguan will be finished as well. You fought for this first sect of the Qing Dynasty. You can't just watch Baiyun Temple die! "
The door opened, and Ma Yunteng walked out, with white beard and white hair, wearing a black robe. He patted Ma Hualong on the shoulder and sighed.
"You... Master has spoiled you so much that you get panicked when something happens. Forget it, I'll go."
Ma Hualong lowered his head and wiped away his tears: "Senior brother, if you can come back alive, I will return the master of the temple to you."
Ma Yunteng almost couldn't catch his breath, and after a long time he hummed: "You can keep it for yourself, it's not rare for me to be a poor Taoist. I am very good at practicing in seclusion. I can see my great master when I meditate occasionally!"
The most solemn atmosphere is undoubtedly Longhu Mountain. Zhang Tianshi did not take any disciples with him and went to Beijing alone.
The disciples asked to accompany him one after another, especially the most skilled confidant who looked up at the sky and burst into tears.
"Master, you have to take me with you. If you don't take me with you, who will help you have sex?"
Zhang Tianshi sighed and patted his apprentice on the shoulder: "In the past, we always acted according to the situation, and those methods were used to calm the minds of patients and persuade nobles to follow the path.
Although he uses some means, he has a clear conscience and it doesn't matter whether he is effective or not. This time is different. There is a severe drought in the world. Seeing that the people are in dire straits, the court has gone crazy.
This time Long Live summons the real people to the capital to open an altar to pray for rain. The first one to bear the brunt is our Longhushan Fulu Sect. But how can there be rain in such weather?
When the time comes to pray for rain but it doesn't work, at most I think the Taoism is not deep enough and it is hard to go against God's will, so it can still be explained. Long Live Chongdao, maybe he won't be punished with a serious crime. Even if he is punished, it will only be against me.
But if you are cheating and playing tricks, in front of everyone, if you are discovered, the thousand-year-old foundation of Longhu Mountain will be destroyed in my hands! "
The disciple looked at Zhang Tianshi with tears in his eyes: "Master, Longhu Mountain passed down the tradition two years ago, are all those Taoist techniques really fake?"
Zhang Tianshi shook his head firmly: "No. Taoist spells are not all fake. They are just passed down from generation to generation, or the classics are lost, or the successors have poor qualifications, and are gradually annihilated.
Don't be discouraged. If I can't come back, even if Longhu Mountain is removed from the Daolu Division, don't be discouraged. Study the classics and cultivate yourself. One day, you will be able to successfully recover Taoism! "
The apprentice wiped his tears: "Master, if we really can't find him and there is no more Taoism in the world, what will we do?"
Zhang Tianshi looked up to the sky and laughed: "Even if Taoism has been lost, the spirit of Taoism is still there! Isn't it bad to strengthen the body? Isn't it good to help those in need? Isn't it not good to cultivate one's moral character?
Even if you can't learn Taoism or become a god in the end, as long as you abide by the Taoist spirit, you can at least be a good person. What's wrong with that? "
Zhang Tianshi walked down the mountain with long strides. The disciples behind him cried and worshiped on the ground. The pines and cypresses were thick, the breeze blew in their faces, and Zhang Tianshi's words echoed in the valley.
"Even if Taoism is lost, the spirit of Taoism is still there! Even if you can't learn Taoism and become a god, at least you can still be a good person. What's wrong with that?"
The news that the imperial court summoned Taoist monks to open an altar in the Temple of Heaven to pray for rain also spread to Miao territory. The people in Miao territory talked a lot with some longing.
"I heard that several real people gathered in the capital, maybe they can really pray for rain!"
"This is impossible. How can a god who can control wind and rain really exist?"
"How come there isn't? Back then, our ancestor Chi You, the great god, couldn't bring down the thick fog? Couldn't the Yellow Emperor control the wind and rain? Aren't the people from the Taoist sect descendants of the Yellow Emperor?"
"Can that be the same? That's our ancestor! Your grandfather could eat five kilograms of grain in one meal back then. Can you do that now?"
"Why not? Come out with five kilograms of grain and see if I can finish it! I will eat it for you even if I am exhausted!"
Naturally, Xiao Qin also heard about this. He couldn't help shaking his head and smiling, and said to the big chieftain.
"You see, the court has begun to panic. They can come up with such stupid tricks. It's ridiculous that they think they are quite smart."
The big chieftain knew that he could not resist Xiao Qin's manipulation, so he simply lay down on his back. He took pleasure in disgusting Xiao Qin on weekdays.
"Why did you fail? I think it's pretty good. The imperial court summoned Taoist disciples to pray for rain. Regardless of success or failure, it can at least appease the people and let people see the imperial court's efforts!"
Xiao Qin smiled slightly: "The officials in the imperial court are probably at the same level as you, so they can only think of this level."
The big toast was dissatisfied: "Why, am I wrong in what I said? Is there another layer?"
Xiao Qin said leisurely: "Of course there is. If the world was at peace, this approach would be considered a clever move. But since the court knew that I was going to cause trouble, it still dared to do this, so the clever move turned into a stupid move.
Praying for rain is bound to fail. Although the people recognize the court's efforts, the disappointment in their hearts is difficult to eliminate. This emotion can easily be exploited.
As long as someone leads someone to say that the failure to pray for rain is actually due to the emperor's unkindness and that God has sinned against him, the people will naturally be dubious. If there is some other noise at this time, the people will naturally believe it even more! "
The big chieftain was silent for a moment: "What else can cause trouble?"
Xiao Qin smiled and said: "You are also a person who is in power and has read history books. How many days have you finished singing 'The stone man with one eye can stir up rebellion in the Yellow River'?"
If the will-o'-the-wisp fox in Daze Township and the silk book in the fish's belly were kept until now, I'm afraid the ink marks could still be seen clearly. "
The big chieftain knew that he was right, but he couldn't help but mocked: "Well, you can also find a fox to bark a few times, stuff a piece of cloth into the fish's belly, and write 'Damingxing, King Xiao Qin' on it."
Xiao Qin was not angry, and corrected him with a smile: "That's wrong, it's 'Da Liao Xing, the King of the Xiao Family'. There's no rush in this matter, wait until the prayer for rain fails, just take advantage of the situation. Before the disaster and the uprising, the effect will be most!"
The news of the court praying for rain naturally reached Hai Rui's ears, and he called all the academic officials for an emergency meeting to discuss the matter.
The academic officials were all scholars, of course, and they basically had no hope of praying for rain. They all complained that the imperial court was in urgent need of medical treatment, and they didn't know who the fool came up with the plan.
Hai Rui nodded: "It was proposed by Xu Zisheng, the chief minister of the dynasty."
The scene fell silent, and then the voice that had just been yelling at the idiot changed.
"Since it was brought up by Xu Shoufu, I think it must have a profound meaning. I am a late learner, and I am talking nonsense."
Hai Rui said firmly: "No, for Xu Jie to make such a suggestion shows that he is a fool."
Everyone was shocked: "Sir, be careful what you say, be careful what you say. Although this place is located in a remote place, the walls have ears after all. Naturally, we will not betray you, but we must be more careful."
Hai Rui said calmly: "In front of him, I dare to say that he is a fool. This is not the right thing to do to the person. Xu Zisheng is naturally a great talent, but this matter is really stupid."
The academic officials knew about Hai Rui's temper, so they stopped trying to dissuade him and curiously expressed their willingness to hear the details.
"There is a severe drought in the world, so it is right for the court to pray for rain. But praying for rain relies on the induction of heaven and man, the king's benevolent heart, and the officials' willingness to sacrifice themselves for the people!
Now Xu Jie has brought a group of Taoist disciples to open an altar to pray for rain. What is this? Use a spell to command it to rain? It’s simply arrogant!
For this reason, I have already sent a memorial, asking Long Live and all officials to fast and bathe, wear court clothes, and go to the Temple of Heaven to bask in the sun, as a sign of supplication for the people, and to implore God to show mercy! "
Everyone stared at Hai Rui dumbfounded, thinking to themselves that you really have a weak voice, aren't you looking for a doctor without any illness?
No matter how the court prays for rain, it is all arranged by the big shots in the court. Can't we just work hard and do our jobs well? Is it necessary to take care of this kind of thing?
However, everyone had worked and lived with Hai Rui for a long time and knew Hai Rui quite well. They knew that persuading him would be useless, so they had no choice but to deal with it.
"Master Hai is indeed recommended by Master Xiao. Master Xiao said, 'Everyone is responsible for the rise and fall of the world.' Master Hai really unites knowledge and action!"
"That's right, that's right. Mr. Xiao also said, 'If you live and die for the benefit of the country, how can you avoid it because of misfortunes and fortunes?' Mr. Hai is so upright and upright!"
"Master Hai's love for the people, we feel the same. By the way, Master Hai, has the memorial been sent away?"
Hai Rui nodded: "It's been sent away!"
The man breathed a sigh of relief: "Your Excellency, you treat us too much as outsiders. Since you have this intention, you should discuss it with us and let us do our part."
Everyone nodded in agreement, and Hai Rui said calmly: "There is no need to regret it, I am submitting the letter in the name of all the academic officers in Miao Territory."
The scene fell silent again, and then everyone suddenly jumped up and surrounded Hai Rui, pleading eagerly, almost causing Hai Rui to kneel down.
"Sir, this is not an express mail, is it? Can we still catch it back if we ride on horseback?"
Hai Rui shook his head: "I traveled eight hundred miles in a hurry, and I have to deliver it to Long live before the real people arrive in Beijing. Don't worry, everyone, if it is awarded by the imperial court, you will not be missing out on your share."
Everyone fell silent, looked at Hai Rui affectionately, and spoke with teeth grinding sounds.
"Sir, what should we do next?"
Hai Rui said matter-of-factly: "Of course I should teach well, then fast and bathe, and gather on time at noon every day to bask in the sun.
Since we have made suggestions to the court, we cannot fall behind ourselves. You can just fast. I am the chief official and I am on a hunger strike! "
Hai Rui kept his promise and refused to eat staple food from that day on. I only drink water every day and occasionally eat wild fruits and the like.
He was already thin, and he looked even more pitiful after being so hungry for three days. Three tendons held up his head, and his long robe seemed to be carried on a bamboo pole.
When the wind blows, the clothes stick to the body, exposing the exquisite curves of the ribs, but after all, they don't have six-pack abs, and they don't look sexy at all.
In order to show his piety, he kept bathing every day. Uncle Miao Jiang who helped him bathe did not dare to use force, for fear of breaking the skin on his back, which was like a candied haws.
On the fourth day, people finally couldn't stand the visual torture anymore. The academic officers took the lead, and a large group of students' parents came to Hai Rui with food.
"Master Hai, just eat some. Fasting is pious enough, there is really no need to go on a hunger strike!"
"Yes, Mr. Hai, you are putting us under a lot of pressure. You are the chief officer. If something happens to you, how will we explain it to the court?"
"Master Hai, please eat some. I heard that the monthly subsidy can only be obtained from the chief soldier with your warrant..."
"What the hell are you farting! Are we doing it for the money? When have we ever seen an upright official like Mr. Hai?"
The dolls all rely on Master Hai to make a future! Mr. Hai, why don't you write the warrant for the next few months while you are still awake..."
Hai Rui raised his head firmly. Although he was a little dizzy, he said that he was okay and it was not like he didn't eat anything. He drank water and ate wild fruits to show his respect for God.
On the fifth day, Hai Rui couldn't stand up anymore and could only lean on the chair and continue to work. But at noon, he still asked everyone to help him to the empty field where the academic officers gathered, and insisted on sunbathing with everyone.
The sun was very hot, but there was no sweat on Hai Rui's face. His face was pale, and his body still felt dry despite drinking a lot of water. A layer of skin formed on my lips.
The academic officers were once again shocked by Hai Rui's strength, and they no longer wanted to complain about him kicking everyone into a pit, so they all tried to persuade him to eat something.
Hai Rui shook his head: "Asking for rain means telling God that if it doesn't rain, people will die. If people must die to make it rain, Hai Rui should die first."
On the sixth day, Hai Rui had to be carried by others. The academic officers wanted to force him to feed him porridge, but Hai Rui took out his official seal and threatened everyone.
"Whoever dares to make a mistake will be expelled from his job. You must think clearly that ten years of hard work is hard-earned!"
The academic officers were shocked, and then discussed the matter through gritted teeth all night long.
At dawn on the seventh day, a group of Miao people, led by academic officers, rushed into Hai Rui's residence. Regardless of Hai Rui's weak resistance, they forcibly pushed him down and prepared to feed him porridge.
"Master Hai, please stop struggling. The more you struggle, the more..."
"Master Hai, you don't have to shout. No one will come to help you if you shout until your throat is broken..."
"Master Hai, I'm not an official, you can't threaten me..."
"Master Hai, open your mouth..."
Hai Rui gritted his teeth and refused the meat porridge in his mouth. That's right, these Miao people, who couldn't even eat enough, not only cooked the thickest porridge, but also added some unknown meat to it.
Hai Rui speculated that given their economic situation, it was most likely snake meat...
The smell of rice and meat kept entering Hai Rui's nose. He gritted his teeth. The Miao people were afraid of hurting him and did not dare to operate roughly. The two sides were in a stalemate for a while.
The fortress was conquered from the inside. Hai Rui suddenly felt a surge in his stomach. He endured it again and again with a steely will, but finally he couldn't control it anymore.
He tilted his head, opened his mouth, and a mouthful of black blood spurted out. A starved black centipede flew to the ground with blood spurting out. It crawled around wildly in an attempt to find the direction of the meat porridge, and then was crushed by someone's foot.
