Chapter 112: Does Heaven and Earth Belong to the Eastern Kin
So he simply said, “The recuperation time is a fairness bestowed upon you by the Yellow River’s confluence. You can choose to use it or abandon it; that is your prerogative.”After stating this, he tur...“There is a cult, called 'Non-existence,' that is extremely wicked and harmful, spreading its poison far and wide.”
Their evil deeds befell the streets and lanes, while their acts of violence occurred in the palaces of Yong and Luo. They pollute the grasslands and spread their harm to the mighty Qi.
Lu Shang Lei, imperial relative. The Lei family occupies Qian (a place or position), the nation's celestial pride. Lin family has evil, Heavenly Net descendant, Qing Pai inheritor, famous family heir. While Zhang Linchuan all harm it, presumptuously using divine powers to replace the direct son of the Lei family!
With wicked intentions, he actually sought out to collude with Qi Yin!
The air is free from the eerie haze, and the sun shines brightly as it journeys across the sky.
If this scoundrel is not punished, where will heaven's justice be
Please let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!
The world is not solely governed by Qi's laws, and the universe is not confined to the East.
Thus, with the name of the Eastern Country, summon the world to destroy this evil cult!
Let me know if you have any other text you'd like translated!
Wherever the sun shines, where people tread, whoever obstructs, shall be punished. Whoever hides, shall be found.
This is the end of a paragraph.
He who shelters the outspoken is the enemy of Qi!
During the two thousand years of the founding of the State of Daqi, the emperor reformed the old and eliminated the ills of a thousand years; while below, he comforted the people's suffering of millions.
Stretching from southeast to beyond the seas, it connects across vast distances.
The great responsibility of a powerful nation lies in its virtue and duty!
I bear the burden of the miasma, and also the evils of demons and fiends.
Among the people, there is no hatred of blood, so that the azure sky does not see evil spirits.
Therefore, this book was disseminated throughout the world, widely teaching and making its knowledge known to all.
All those who do not follow the teachings of the non-living, shall be killed by everyone! Let there be no survivors!
This harsh imperial decree from the Great Qi Empire, upon its release, did not simply cause ripples; it triggered a cataclysmic earthquake that shook the very foundations of the land.
>
After the open letter of Marquis Wu'an and the public statement of the Sanxing Palace, those countries that had remained unresponsive finally reacted. From the east to the west, from the north where the Liao Iron Five Kingdoms were located, to Xuan Qiao, Nan Liang, and even Li Yue...they all issued formal documents confirming the heretical nature of the Wusheng Sect. Under such immense pressure, no one dared to be a "blocker" or a "hider."
Even though Qin and Jing, the two powerful kingdoms, did not officially declare a public announcement regarding their stance on the Wu Sheng teachings, they quietly listed it as a cult and ordered internal monitoring agencies to suppress it. They aimed to avoid being criticized for harboring such beliefs and safeguard their reputation as major powers.
From this day forward, the school of non-birth can be declared almost defunct.
Even though the world is vast, there is no more place for me to stand.
Those with a discerning eye noticed a detail—
Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!
In Marquis Wu'an's open letter, he clearly mentioned the former predecessor of Wushengjiao, Bai Gu Dao, who caused havoc in the countryside and destroyed a city, forcing him to leave his home and wander alone.
In this official dispatch from the State of Qi, despite mentioning Mo, Cheng, Yong, and Luo, as well as other Western states, it conspicuously omits mention of Zhuang, the state most severely affected by the calamities wrought by the White Bone Dao. Could there be some hidden truth behind Duke Wu An's solitary journey of thousands of miles
Speculation, debate, and inquiry are, of course, a logical progression.
However, before those scattered opinions could form a public opinion wave, the Jing Guo Mirror World Stage had already responded.
Mirror Stage Vice-President Fu Dongxu publicly stated——
Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!
After a thorough investigation by the Mirror World Platform, multiple branches of the Wu Sheng Jiao were dismantled, three Earthly Calamity messengers were captured, and numerous Wu Sheng Jiao followers were reformed. A deep analysis was conducted on the Wu Sheng Jiao's scriptures, "The Sutra of Non-Existence"... It was confirmed that the Wu Sheng Jiao is indeed an evil cult.
Zhang Linchuan, who unified the titles of Divine Master, Taoist Master, and Religious Master in the "Wu Sheng Jiao," was indeed a former emissary of the Bai Gu Dao. The Bai Gu Dao is an evil sect that worships the underworld deity, Bai Gu Xie Shen. Zhuang Guo, where this Dao belonged, once suffered greatly from its influence!
For hundreds of years, the Zhuang Nation suffered greatly from the poison inflicted by the White Bones Dao. Thankfully, with the people united and working together to eradicate evil, it was finally during the reign of the third-generation ruler, Zhuang Gao Xian, that the plague was completely cleansed.
Four years ago, the Zhuang State had already issued a national decree, putting all its efforts into hunting down Bai Gu Dao to the death. Mount Yu Jing also has records of this. It is said that "Alas, our country is small and our strength is meager. We haven't gotten a response from the rest of the world. It pales in comparison to what the Eastern Kingdom has done."
Qi Guo's ability to participate in the extermination of remnants of the Bai Gu Dao and suppress the resurgence of the Wusheng Jiao four years later demonstrates a keen understanding of cults and embodies the responsibility of a great power. The Mirror World Stage expresses its respect for this.
He spoke in a volley of words, leaving no room for doubt, and even vied with the State of Qi for "renown."
The teaching of non-existence can be eradicated, and it can be eradicated together. But who is ultimately in control of this matter is still open to debate.
Meanwhile, the inscription that Duke Zhuang Gao of Zhuang State had carved on the Spirit Tablet in his youth somehow spread throughout the feudal states.
"In the fourteenth year of Yongtai's reign, winter, the country lost its land, and I lost my people..."
Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!
The so-called "heart piercing pain, nothing compares to it! Like being cut thousands of times, this heart is being roasted in oil..."
This stele inscription was indeed carved four years ago, and every word is truly heart-wrenching.
It was widely circulated at the time and, along with Marquis Wu'an Jiang Wang's open letter, was called "Ten Years of Heartfelt Pain."
The names Zhuang Gaoxian and Jiang Wang, were also mentioned together for the first time by the public.
Jing Guo, the commander of the anti-cult forces and a native of Yujing Mountain, Pei Xinghe, commented that these two articles are both filled with genuine emotion and heart-wrenching sorrow. They interpret the harmfulness of cults from the perspectives of both the ruler and the affected people, leaving readers feeling as if they are witnessing the tragedy firsthand. As it is said: "The devastation caused by cults is so severe that every righteous person in the world must be aware of it!"
He showed no contempt for Marquis Wu'an Jiang Wang, and thus his support of Duke Zhuang Gao Xian's nomination was more readily accepted.
People were surprised to find that the strong ruler who led Zhuang State to prosperity was also such a passionate and tender person! As a result, many people wanted to serve in Zhuang State.
Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!
The Duke of Chu, Du Ruhui, also publicly expressed that back then they had not protected their own citizens well, resulting in the fall of Fenglin City. Only Jiang Wang escaped and fled to a foreign country. All of this was his fault as a State Minister. At first, he was trapped in the pain of Fenglin City and couldn't extricate himself. He saw some one-sided evidence and mistakenly believed that Jiang Wang colluded with demons, hating him deeply for a time. Fortunately, Sanxinggong clarified the truth, preventing the misunderstanding from continuing. Although he had already been whipped and received the due punishment, he still felt ashamed to this day and hoped to apologize to Marquis Wuan in person someday.
At the same time, he understood Jiang Wang's distrust of the country and Zhuang Ting. Jiang Wang was only seventeen years old back then; it was unrealistic to expect him to understand the country's hardships.
Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!
The statement goes: “Though Zhuang served as a guardian of King Jiang Wu's home country, the country was small and weak, lacking in resources and ambition. He hadn't fully fulfilled his duty to protect the people. Now that Jiang Wu serves in Dong Qi with great success and enjoys widespread fame, my heart is filled with joy. The grief for the lost souls of Feng Lin also finds solace.”
He was delighted that Jiang Wang had achieved so much in Qi. He also represented Zhuang, expressing respect for Qi as the current hegemon and wishing Jiang Wang a brighter future in Qi. He said, "A good man achieves success not necessarily in his homeland, but a great man can make a name for himself anywhere."
From Jingguo to Zhuangguo, from Pei Xinghe to Du Ruhui, this set of actions flowed smoothly and instantly reversed the unfavorable public opinion that Jingsetai had suffered because of its previous silence.
The Mirror Stage is not about silence, nor is it ever directed at a specific individual. The Mirror Stage carries a greater sense of responsibility and burden, and therefore must be more cautious and deliberate in its actions!
At one point, the doctrine of no-birth was universally condemned and had a notorious reputation.
Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!
...While the ruler and officials of Zhuang Guo were harmonious, and the people wholeheartedly supported their ruler. Zhuang Gong Zhuang Gao Xian and Jiang Wang, who was born in Zhuang Guo, both adhered to different paths. One remained steadfast in defending his homeland, while the other traveled thousands of miles. Both were driven by the desire for revenge against the evil sect, striving for the countless innocent souls lost...Though their paths differed, they shared the same goal, which is truly touching. Zhuang Guo's care and protection for its exiled citizens have become legendary.
In the Zhuang Kingdom, in Xinan City, within a not particularly opulent residence of the Xiangguo (Minister of State).
"...that's how it is."
Du Ruhui sat in the main seat, slowly speaking.
Once upon a time, her hair was jet black. Now, it is streaked with silver.
Although he was said to be divinely blessed with immortality, his deep concern for the nation weighed heavily on him.
After Dong Zhuo's death, no one was found to share the national affairs for a long time.
Fu Baosong is too straightforward, Li Jianqiu is too dull, and Lin Zhengren is too unreliable.
He managed state affairs, shouldered responsibility for the monarch, and cultivated talents... Once Dong Zhen held great promise, but now it seems to be fading away.
Luckily, the state of Zhuang was growing increasingly powerful, and he needn't be in such a hurry to pass on his rule. He could still find solace in his official career.
He sat there, lost in thought, speaking to a few young men: “Now that Jiang Wang has seized power in the Ba kingdom and gained the trust of the King of Qi, Jiang Shu will certainly spare no effort to strike down Dao Shu for the sake of Qi’s hegemony. Therefore, he will definitely go to great lengths to protect Jiang Wang’s reputation and speak out for him.”
The Guitian Palace drama master who originally testified for Jiang Wang was an old acquaintance of Yu Beidou. Yu Beidou lingered in the Qi State for many years in search of a way out of his predicament with divination techniques. Who he spoke for and what he sought is self-evident...
We are inferior in strength and, because we originated from humble beginnings, we have not received much support from the state of Jing.
"At first, only imprisonment in Mount Yujing was his fate. Now, he can only follow the tide of public opinion and accept whatever comes."
Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!
He let out a heavy sigh: “Not only can we not expose him, but we have to help him cover it up. Otherwise, the dirty water that White Bone Dao caused would splash onto our Zhuang Guo’s head.”
All the young people sitting here have great potential. Many of them are from the National Academy and were once known as the "Six Masters of the National Academy".
Of course, nowadays entering the imperial court for service is scattered in the military, political circles, and criminal investigation department. It's no longer as it used to be. The National Institute has produced new talents who are also beginning to make their mark.
The six young men gathered at the Prime Minister's Mansion today were all listed among the "Eight Handsome Men of Xin'an".
The so-called "Eight Talented Scholars of Xin'an" are eight outstanding individuals recognized by both the court and the common people. Two of them came from other countries to serve this one, while most originated from the Imperial Academy... Because of their exceptional talents, they were widely expected to achieve great things.
For example, Lin Zhengren, the leader of Xin'an Eight Heroes, known for his benevolence and respect for rituals, even made it to the main competition at the Yellow River Gathering. Unfortunately, he overexerted himself fighting for his country and was retaliated against by a vicious spirit, preventing him from advancing further.
For example, Li Jianqiu, the inheritor of Dong A, the former vice prime minister. His swordsmanship is extraordinary and his Taoist magical arts are rare in the country.
This is a placeholder for HTML content. Please provide the text you want to translate within the tags, and I'll be happy to help!
For example, the fourth of the Eight Beauties, Fu Baosong, who is both stinky and hard...
"Why would the Prime Minister say that..." Fu Baosong pondered, "Would the State of Qi slander us"
Whoever dared to question Du Ruhui's judgment face-to-face, I am afraid that throughout the whole Zhuang Nation, there was probably only Fu Baosong.
Please provide the content you would like me to translate. I'm ready!
This person is heartless, rigid in their beliefs, and often shunned by their colleagues.
>
Lin Zhengren often said that while he admired Fu Baosong, Fu's personality would have caused trouble in any dynasty. It was only under the current Emperor Zhuang who valued wise ministers that someone like Fu Baosong could rise to prominence... This view was widely shared at the time.
Du Ruhui glanced at Fu Baosong and calmly said: "Listing the evil deeds of the Bai Gu Dao, it has caused the most trouble in our Zhuang State. The Wu Sheng Jiao also claims to originate from the Bai Gu Dao. But in this national letter from Qi State, there is no mention of our Zhuang State at all. If we ignore the past, this becomes an opening, and in the future, Jiang Wang can use this opening to smear us with collusion with the Bai Gu Dao... it's unignorable."
Fu Baosong said, "Therefore, you have to fill in this gap yourself, revealing the wounds of hundreds of thousands of people, empathizing with Jiang Wuan, and helping him promote the extermination of the Wu Sheng Jiao. Since Jiang Wang is at odds with Zhang Linchuan, he must certainly prioritize killing Zhang Linchuan, and can only acquiesce to this. Especially, you have also invited Jing Shi Tai and General Pei to stand up for us..."
"It's not really a matter of whether or not I'm invited. It's just that when one is on the right path, help comes easily, but when one is off the path, help is scarce." Du Ruhui responded, "My people in Zhuang Kingdom have suffered greatly, and Jade Emperor Mountain knows this well."
"But permit me to speak frankly," Fu Baosong said. "In recent years, we have not done anything to target the White Bone Path. We haven't even bothered with the Wu Sheng Sect. How can the Mirror World Stage take all the credit for themselves and insinuate that Qi Guo is just picking up scraps"
Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!
There was a moment of awkward silence in the room.
Du Ruhui sighed inwardly. He had deliberately cut off Fu Baosong's words, but this fellow could still speak like this... Simply unfathomable what his intentions were.
It is widely said that Fu Baosong was an upright person, much like the late Vice President Dong A. The sacrificial wine master Zhang Ren of the National Institute also had high hopes for him, calling him an honest gentleman and expecting him to achieve great things.
But Dong A, besides his integrity, was also able to adapt for the country. Fu Bo Song, however, walked a path to the end, adhering rigidly to his principles. How different they were!
"The struggle between powerful nations is indeed brutal," Lin Zhengren responded on behalf of the prime minister. "Qi State can ruthlessly suppress its vassal states, and Jing State naturally has to retaliate. However, there's no logic behind it. Bao Song, I know you always hate injustice, but this matter is beyond our realm of discussion. Furthermore, Qi State harbored malicious intentions from the start. Should we bother discussing rules and morality with them Is it more important for us to uphold our own sense of justice or for Zhuang State's national safety"
Fu Baosong was speechless for a moment, and could only say, "Lin sir, I can't argue with you."
“Simply hateful! The people of my Zhuang Kingdom have been harmed by the Bai Gu Dao for generations. The cultivators of my Zhuang Kingdom have fought to eradicate the Bai Gu Dao for generations. No one is more qualified than us to raise this banner! How can this dirty water be splashed on the head of my Zhuang Kingdom!” The indignant voice belonged to Jiang Liu Yue, the last ranked member of the Eight Beauties of Xin'an: “Can Qi State just distort black and white, confuse right and wrong”
"In a world of power, where is there room for justice"
There were some things Du Ruhui couldn't say, but Lin Zhengren had no problem with them. He also consciously stepped forward to teach Jiang Liuyue: "Jiang Zhishi, we can have our own ideal world, but we can't expect others to be as naive. Since Jiang Wuan wants to cover up his crimes, he must put us to death. And Qi Guo is the hegemon of the east, swallowing Yang and destroying Xia without any evil deeds. Where would they care about us"
After graduating from the National Institute, Jiang Liuyue began working at the Criminal Investigation Division. Now that he has adapted to his work for a while, he is about to be transferred to Qinglan City to take up the position of Chief Inspector. That's why he called himself that.
Jiang Liuyue gritted her teeth, anger bubbling within her, but she showed great respect for Lin Zhengren. She bowed slightly and said, "This senior sister has learned a lesson."
He had learned his lesson from Lin Zhengren's previous rebuke, despite their differing viewpoints. Later on, he made great strides and gained recognition at the National Highway Institute. Despite being a senior like Lin Zhengren, who was considered the best at the institute, he personally apologized to him. After all, it was all part of military affairs back then, done for the sake of victory in the national war, so he understood and had long since put aside any resentment.
Brother Lin's cultivation and character are both top-notch. The more I interact with him, the more I admire him.
>
In his view, the first person he could trust was still Master Fu Bosheng, but the second was Master Lin Zhengren. So even though Lin Zhengren held an official position, he referred to himself as a junior brother.
>
Du Ruhui sighed in his heart again.
Lin Zhengren can truly be said to be excellent in every way, a highly capable person. The only drawback is that he is not trustworthy...
Now that he cultivates at the level of a god's presence, he can still firmly suppress this person. When Lin Zhengren reaches his divine presence, who else in the court will be able to control him
If it can't be said then...
"Jian Qiu, what do you think" He looked at Li Jianqiu, who had remained silent all along.
Li Jianqiu hung the peach branch sword at his waist and sat there straight, only saying: "Jianqiu has no opinion. But for the country's long-term plan, how the State Minister says it, Jianqiu will do it."
Before he even asked the question, Du Ruhui knew what the answer would be.
He wasn't surprised. He just asked again, "You and Ye Hu are both from Fenglin City, what do you think he would think"
Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!
Du Yecho, the second-ranked young man in Xin'an Baju Li, was notably absent from the current gathering at Xiangfu. Unless absolutely required, he rarely attended these private gatherings, and even朝議 seldom participated. He lived and ate in the military camp, spending each day training and practicing martial arts. Among the talented youths of Zhuang Guo, he was renowned for his solitary nature and taciturnity.
But how many people know that when Du Yecho was in Fenglin City, he was the most troublesome and noisy one
Jiang Wang knew, Zhao Ruocheng who had been hiding in the State of Mu knew, and so did he...
Let me know if you have more text you'd like me to translate!
Li Jianqiu sighed inwardly, but only said: "Your Excellency has your own judgment, so there's no need for Jianqiu to speak out of turn. But I think, on one matter, His Majesty believes, Your Excellency believes, Jianqiu believes, Fu Huasong believes... the entire nation believes. What reason does General Du have not to believe"
“Who would disbelieve what they have seen and heard with their own eyes and ears, yet believe the one-sided words of others Furthermore, last time in Bu Xie City, if it weren't for Xiang Ye's intervention, General Du would have been dead!” Lin Zhengren said, “If Jiang Wang hadn't relied on the Demon Clan and colluded with the Bai Gu Dao, sacrificing all the citizens of the city and using the celestial energy of the wronged souls obtained through sorcery for their own gain, how could they have made such progress in their cultivation! You must know that back then in Feng Lin City, I could crush him with a single finger. He was never a genius figure, but he did evil deeds and got lucky, becoming famous instead! This shows the foolishness of the common people, who only value strength.”
"Silence!" Du Ruhui rebuked. "Can such words be spoken carelessly Without evidence, just shut your mouth! Have you forgotten the humiliation our master suffered on Yujing Mountain"
Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!
Lin Zhengren snorted: "He has now washed himself clean..."
So, he stopped talking about it.
But it also made young people like Jiang Liuyue resentful.
They had never met Jiang Wang, nor had they ever interacted with him, but their minds were already filled with a vivid picture of him, painted by the stroke of a brush—young in years but old in cunning, skilled at feigning kindness, an insidious hypocrite with a heart full of malice.
Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!
Whether it was Lin Zhengren or Du Ruhui, after several encounters, they had a certain understanding of Jiang Wang. They were very clear that Jiang Wang would one day return to Zhuang Guo.
Now that Jiang Wang is the Duke of Wu'an under the Qi state, he is no longer someone they can solve with diplomacy. In four years, Jiang Wang has fought his way to an unassailable reputation.
After the attempt to frame Mo failed, they could only wait passively. The higher Jiang Wang stood, the more passive they became.
Times change!
Now, Jiang Wang can represent the State of Qi. His personal vendetta has been spoken of by the Son of Heaven of Qi as a national hatred.
They wielded the momentum of a rising power, yet they could only hide under the protection of the Jing Kingdom.
>
But to say give up, no one is a person who would give up.
All that they do subtly now is one of their many preparations.
>
Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!
When Jiang Wang arrives at Zhuang Guo, he will know... that he stands opposite someone... and is an enemy to them!
"When I read this letter from Junior Brother Jiang, I felt a bit sad."
In the gloomy dungeon, Zhang Linchuan, who was neither handsome nor ugly, sat idly on the stone steps.
Of course, the steps were wiped clean and smooth as glass.
Behind him a few steps was the Pope's throne, but he couldn't be bothered to go any further.
The number of believers inside the church has fallen to less than a thousand, all now operating underground, scurrying about like rats.
They didn't even dare to mention the name "Wu Sheng" again.
What is the significance of this Pope
For a sect that once expanded to hundreds of thousands across various branches, this was a dramatic shift from heaven to earth. Many high-ranking members within the sect, unable to accept this reality, took suicidal actions... leading to even more brutal executions.
He now has no contact with any of his fellow cultivators, and he absolutely does not respond to any disciples in the mortal world. Because any trace at all would be enough to lead to his death.
He is said to be the supreme divine master, the great avenue master, the ancestor of the non-living teachings, and he achieved the position of true god at a young age by relying on his white bone holy body and massive faith, seemingly no less talented than Li Yi from the Taoist sect...
But even under such overwhelming circumstances, one is nothing more than an ant.
Even his painstakingly compiled , once imbued with divine support, is gradually losing its spiritual essence and becoming a stagnant pool devoid of life.
Overnight, years of hard work and dedication, the current cultivation level, and the future path, were almost completely devastated.
I believe that no one would be able to accept this.
And now he sits here, his expression utterly calm, even finding the time to comment on the calligraphy and prose of that junior brother Jiang.
It's no wonder so many people go crazy for this.
He said, "But there's one thing I don't understand."
Zhang Linchuan raised his eyes, a hint of bewilderment in them. "The annihilation of the Bai Gu Dao, shouldn't I be credited with my contribution How come I'm still being labeled as a remnant of the Bai Gu Dao"
Standing not far in front of him was a tall, thin man with a sinister face.
He is one of the Five Dharma Kings who protect the teachings of the Non-Birth Sect, the Winged Ghost.
Crouching his back, pressing his eyes down, standing in the shadow of the lamppost, the whole person had a sinister and menacing air.
Hearing the sound, Wen Sheng was also gnashing his teeth and cackled, "This is putting the blame on you!"
Zhang Linchuan looked at him, slowly furrowing his brow. "This metaphor is too disgusting."
>
Yì Guǐ's neck shrank, his voice dry and hoarse. "Hold...I'm sorry, I'll..."
Zizi zizi!
The sudden flash of dark lightning enveloped him completely.
It was a shadowy presence, yet it crackled with the sound of thunder!
The sound only lasted for a moment.
This appears to be HTML code with an empty paragraph tag.Please provide the text content within the `
` tags for translation.
After the thunderclap dissipated, only a charred skeleton remained, still in the pose of recoiling its back and tucking its neck to strike...
Zizzle, zizzle.
Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!
Zhang Linchuan brushed at the nonexistent dust on his sleeves and stood up.
"Come on then." he said calmly.
A tremendous roar came from a distant place, soon followed by the sound of a large group of people surging into the underground palace.
In this dim hall, there were also a dozen powerful cultivators who had stripped away their disguises and walked out from the shadows.
--------------------Aside--------------------
Today, six thousand words. One chapter is added to the Ashen Debt Owner's Committee. (2/10)
This is the limit...
Let me know if you have any other text you'd like translated!ao Wu Yan gestured for him not to be so hasty. Cao Jie was truly going to do something; he wouldn't wait until now.Concerned and agitated Xu Xiangqian, who was usually quite clever, was jolted into re...