Chapter 339: Daoist Ma Who Could Pray for Rain
Chapter 334 of "The Great Ming in the Box" opens revealing: Feng Jun didnât believe a single word about âinvoking rain.âHowever, upon learning it wasnât a... Keep going!
Feng Jun didnât believe a single word about âinvoking rain.âHowever, upon learning it wasnât a cult, but rather a Taoist from the Quanzhen Dragon Gate sect, he felt less resistant.
The Quanzhen Dragon Gate sect was founded by the renowned Taoist Qiu Chuji during the late Song and early Yuan dynasties. Everyone knew Qiu Chuji, so there was no need to elaborate. The current leader of the Quanzhen Dragon Gate sect, Master Wang Changyue, was also a very famous Taoist.
At that time, Taoism was in decline, and many Taoists disregarded the precepts, only interested in swindling money.
But Wang Changyue said, âIf you yourself cannot follow the teachings and practice them, yet try to persuade others to do so, who would believe and submit?â
Thus, he raised the slogan âself-attainable first,â urging disciples of the Quanzhen Dragon Gate sect to shun unorthodox practices, uphold proper Taoist traditions, and revitalize their sect.
This matter was well-known, and Feng Jun was aware of it too.
He couldnât help asking, âIs there a Taoist master from the Quanzhen Dragon Gate sect here?â
Gao Yiye smiled and said to an attendant beside her, âGo invite Daoist Ma.â
Soon, Ma Tianzheng arrived.
Feng Jun looked at the Taoist with doubtful eyes.
But Ma Tianzheng wasnât fazed at all. Having wandered the world for years, seeking immortals and visiting masters, he had met as many people as there were hairs on an ox and experienced more things than most people encounter in a lifetime.
He had once been lost, too. But since witnessing the divine manifestation of the Dao Xuan Deity, he had never wavered in his faith toward the Tao he practiced.
He radiated a kind of confident brilliance!
Just like the song goes: âThe lovers on Brideâs Street/ wore faces filled with pride.â Proud people give others a completely different first impression.
Ma Tianzheng smiled slightly and performed a Taoist salute to Feng Jun. âLong life and great blessings! This humble Taoist, Ma Tianzheng, am a disciple of Master Wang Changyue of the Quanzhen Dragon Gate sect. Greetings, my Lord.â
Hearing the name Wang Changyue, Feng Jun couldnât help but feel deep respect. He thought: Master Wang always strictly governed his disciples, keeping them away from crooked paths, preaching âself-attainable first.â Master Wangâs disciple must be quite reliable.
He gained some preconceived goodwill toward Ma Tianzheng. âDaoist Ma, this official heard earlier that you possess the skill to set up an altar and perform rites to invoke rain. Is this true?â
Ma Tianzheng chuckled inwardly: With the Deity here, this was an easy task!
But outwardly, he couldnât say so!
When it came to such matters, the more emphatic you sounded, the less people believed you. The more vague and ambiguous you were, the more likely people might actually believe you. It was a strange psychology, but having been a Taoist for so long, he had seen much of it.
A peculiar expression appeared on his face as he sighed deeply. âLord Feng, you greatly overestimate this humble Taoist. I do know the methods for setting an altar and performing rites to pray for rain. But whether it brings rain⌠that is not for me to decide.â
Feng Jun: âWhat decides it then?â
Ma Tianzheng: âWhy, Heaven, of course!â
He raised his hand, pointing skyward, deliberately aiming it at Li Daoxuanâs low cloud, and pretended earnestly to Feng Jun: âThis humble Taoist is merely a petty mortal, âbeggingâ the Heaven for the gift of rain. Whether Heaven heeds such a humble plea and grants it⌠that is uncertain. If the Heaven takes pity on the sincerity of my heart and bestows a few drops of rain, that would be this Taoistâs good fortune. Should Heaven choose to ignore this poor Taoist, well, such is my insufficient merit and fortune. One can only resign to fate.â
True enough, his explanation was deliberately incomplete and elusive.
This actually made Feng Jun feel more settled. He thought privately: That makes sense! If you said you could definitely bring rain, this official would never believe it. But saying it might come, it might not⌠that is the hallmark of a charlatan.
Feng Jun didnât like charlatans.
However, as an official of the court, the most essential skill was dealing with various forces. One must understand how to flatter and compromise with superiors, and how to wield both kindness and authority over the people, resorting to deception or coercion when necessary.
Feng Jun thought to himself: After four years of severe drought, many commoners could barely survive, thinking of nothing but rebellion day and night. If I dispatch a Taoist to perform rain-invoking rituals or such rites, it might coax the populace into watching the heavens daily, hoping for rain in the short term, diverting their thoughts away from rebellion. Wouldnât that be immensely beneficial?
Having thought this through, Feng Jun made up his mind. âDaoist Ma, since you know the methods to pray for rain, whether it succeeds or not, it cannot hurt to try. Please depart immediately for Heyang County to assist our people there.â
Ma Tianzheng: âSince Lord Feng puts it this way, I shall naturally spare no effort.â
With the discussion settled, there was no time for idle talk. Feng Jun felt pressed for timeâwhether arranging rainfall, organizing work relief programs, or ensuring the militiaâs wages, each task demanded immediate action. If Wang Jiayin attacked now, Heyang County would be doomed.
He dared not linger in Gaojia Village any longer. Clasping his hands briefly in farewell, he departed swiftly.
Ma Tianzheng raised his head and bowed deeply toward the low cloud in the sky. âThis disciple guarantees the missionâs completion.â
Having spoken, he floated away after Feng Jun.
Grain carts from Gaojia Village streamed out in great numbers.
They funneled into Heyang County via two routes.
One passed through Quangou Village, utilizing an official government road that offered a relatively smooth journey.
The other route wound eastward through Zhengjia Village, descended a treacherous slope, then turned west. Within a short time, they reached Yang Village in Heyang County.
Though daunting to others, the slope posed no threat to the villagers of Gaojia.
Li Daoxuan, who hadnât personally intervened in a long while, acted this time. Producing a metal scraper, he vigorously smoothed the very incline where Fan Shanyue had once been pummeled by rolling logs and stones.
Within moments, he carved an elegant S-type mountain path into the hillsideâa serpentine trail of eighteen bendsâŚ
Laborers from Gaojia Village pushed grain-laden handcarts along this freshly scraped S-curved road, breezing into Heyang County and arriving straight at Yang Village.
The influx of grain naturally sparked ecstatic joy among Heyang Countyâs desperate populace.
They lined the streets to welcome the Gaojia convoy.
Ground Rabbit and Zheng Gouzi served as the escort commanders for this shipment.
Leading their hundred-man team through the jubilant crowds of Heyang, Ground Rabbit scanned the pitiful localsâeach gaunt, clad in rags, eyes vacantâa stark contrast to the vigor of Gaojia villagers.
His heart clenched faintly with sorrow.
Beside him, Zheng Gouzi adopted the starting posture of the Ghost God Fist Techniqueâs grappling maneuver, coiled like a spring ready to strike.
Ground Rabbit shot him a sidelong glance. âGouzi, whatâs that stance? Who exactly are you planning to seize?â
Zheng Gouzi returned the glare sideways. âYou! If you even think about overturning another grain cart, Iâll drop you the instant you move.â
Ground Rabbit spread his hands placatingly. âAlright, Gouzi, relax! That last blunder taught me my lesson. Saving people canât be done recklessly. It demands strategy, a broader view. Reckless acts might save a few in front of you, but they spark chaos. Grasping the bigger picture? That saves countless moreâquietly, steadily, like dew soaking the earth.â
He drew himself up solemnly, concluding, âI, Ground Rabbit, have matured. Henceforth, address me asâŚâ
Zheng Gouzi cut in drolly, âThe heroic Ground Rabbit?â
Ground Rabbit thumped his chest. âThe expansive Ground Rabbit!â
âPfft!â Zheng Gouzi snorted. âDid only your damn weight expand?â