Chapter 21: God Also Sins
r Jiang River, like a dragon, writhed before my eyes.>Lin Zhenglun sat at the head of the table, clinking glasses with a new friend he had recently met. He listened to the flattering words of those pr..."We've really been put through the wringer today!"
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The deep autumn of Yingcheng was quite chilly.
On the bustling street, Liu Guangshu wore a worn dog-skin hat, a poorly fitting linen jacket, and patched leather boots. A rough wind scarf covered his noble and handsome face.
Jiang Wang next to him was dressed similarly, wearing a hat, a face mask, and a black robe, his hands tucked away in his sleeves. The world-famous Chang Xiang Si was hidden inside the storage box.
Today he strolled down the street with Zu Guangshu, after all, as well-known figures they had to disguise themselves a little to avoid being surrounded. Master Jiang could of course directly manipulate people's perception, but this was Yingcheng after all, where powerful individuals abound and rules were strictly adhered to. He was also too lazy to perform such manipulations along the way and accidentally touch someone's sensitive nerves - The Huai Kingdom's Duke Mansion could certainly resolve any trouble, but it wasn't necessary.
Upon hearing this, he smiled and said: "You are the White Dragon, while I have always been a fish."
Zuo Guangshu chuckled: "Then I'm a white dragonfish. We're on the same journey anyway!"
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“I see now why Shunhua is so devoted to you.” Jiang Wang glanced at him sideways, “You really are something else!”
“You got that wrong again.” Zu Guangshu was quite proud: “I learned it all from her.”
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Yingcheng is the most prosperous city in the world, where dragons and snakes mingle, and crowds surge. It's said that one's breath can form clouds, and towers are lost in a sea of mist.
They weren't wandering aimlessly, and as they strolled along, they arrived at the east side of the city. There was a street called Zhuque Street here, which Zuo Guangsu used to love to visit, but this time their destination wasn't here.
To the south of Zhuque Street's main road, four small paths branch off.
The two walked along one of the paths, turning into an alleyway. They passed many low-lying houses, their footsteps rustling through fallen autumn leaves that swept down from the branches overhead.
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The bright yellow charms hanging from the branches are the autumn colors of Yingcheng.
This most ostentatious city in the world, of course, also has a less glamorous side. These humble dwellings are just one corner of it. Of course, being the capital of the Great Chu Empire, even the low-lying houses beneath the emperor's feet have a certain material quality and a relatively unified architectural style.
At the end of the narrow alley, a wide square opened up before your eyes. It was centered around a giant camphor tree.
Children jumping and playing, an old man playing chess, women gathered together washing clothes and chatting...
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It's clear that this is a "paradise" for the common people. There are no dazzling lights, boisterous revelry, nor phoenixes soaring through the clouds or jade mountains piled high. There are only the simplest joys and most ordinary worries.
Before a giant camphor tree, stood a tall figure, facing all directions alone, giving a speech.
People kept swarming around, a dense mass of heads, like ants gathering around food. They formed many circles inside and out.
Jiang Wang and Zuo Guangshu weren't out of the ordinary. They chatted idly, going with the flow, slowly making their way past the crowd until they stood on the outskirts.
“The academic atmosphere was at its peak in the State of Wei. Left Guangshu recounted: 'Back then, Wei Xing and Xue Gui each established their own lecture halls, lecturing for nine days straight. Their followers gathered in ever-increasing numbers, causing the city gates to become blocked and pedestrians unable to pass. As they left the east gate and the west gate, they lectured along the way, debating from afar and failing to persuade each other. Finally, they walked back along the river, sitting opposite each other on the riverside platform, facing the entire world with their arguments. After three rounds of debate, Xue Gui won all three times, thus giving rise to 'Xue Gui's New Law.' The 'Gui' in his name became the most important character for the Legalists, hence the origin of 'rules and regulations.'”
Left Guangshu's account of this story is clearly recorded in the "Zhengfa Tianheng" written by Gongsun Buhai, the then-ruler of Xinjiaoyuan. This book is rigorous and solemn, with miscellaneous narratives and discussions. Every point relies on history and respects existing historical materials. It is an indispensable work for understanding the脈絡 (脈絡) of Legalist thought.
Xuéguī's immortal work, "The Law of Ten Thousand Ages," Jiang Wàng had read carefully, of course knowing this legal case.
He looked at the speaker in the crowd and casually said, "Even the Buddha has a wide-ranging bell that makes the world know his heart; this is also about preaching the Dharma."
Over the years, if anyone has made the deepest impression on Jiang Wang's growth, it must be Zou Guangshu.
When I first met Brother Jiang, he was just "full of martial virtue." His knowledge wasn't nonexistent, but it was quite thin. Sometimes when he quoted classics and talked about things, Brother Jiang didn't understand at all. So when they chatted, he was very careful, trying not to say anything obscure. But sometimes what he thought was "common sense" was also "knowledge" to Brother Jiang.
My mother often said, "This is the regret of humble circumstances," and she frequently gave books to Brother Jiang in his name.
But as time passed, Brother Jiang's cultivation deepened, his knowledge broadened, and he read more. Nowadays, he can draw from a wide range of sources, from Legalism to Buddhism, from Xueshu's teachings to Guangwen's insights.
Zuo Guangshu felt a surge of emotion in his heart and said, "The city where Xue Gui and Wei Xing studied, has risen and fallen many times, and it is now the capital of the State of Wei, Li Heng. The land of Wei is indeed blessed with talented people and fertile soil, but the State of Wei is still just a small vassal state under the central government."
"What do you want to express" Jiang Wang said with a smile that wasn't quite a smile.
“Evidently, the argument doesn't hold.” said Zu Guangshu.
"To talk without acting, nothing will be accomplished." Jiang Wangdao said: "To talk and act upon it, everything will have a schedule."
The camphor tree does not wither in autumn, it is evergreen all year round.
Zuo Guangshu gazed up at the gigantic canopy of leaves, like a dense cloud, and murmured softly, “This ancient camphor tree has been standing for over a thousand years.”
Jiang Wang said nothing.
The man standing before the thousand-year-old camphor tree was Chu Yuzhi.
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Dressed in martial attire, wearing military boots, with a straight sword hanging from his side, and devoid of any other adornments, he stood out as jarringly different from the exquisitely beautiful young ladies of Chu.
He was speaking about his ideas, calling on the common people to fight for their rights and struggle against the nobility. He urged them to unite as one, build bridges for the common people, and pave roads to heaven so that everyone could take big strides forward.
He said, “Being wealthy without benevolence,” he said, “being noble without renown,” he said, how this world should be fair.
His speech was not impassioned, but rather delivered in a calm and measured tone. Like the man himself, there was a simple and straightforward style to it.
Among the onlookers, one person spoke up and asked, “Little Yu ge, do you hate the nobility”
From the nickname "Little Yu Ge", it can also be seen that these people are very close to Chu Yu.
This young man, whose surname was Guo, frequented the streets and alleys. Though extraordinary, he blended seamlessly with ordinary life, never appearing out of place.
He looked at the questioner and said seriously, "Sir, collective effort is the source of power, and those who have contributed greatly are revered. These things are natural occurrences, why should I harbor animosity I do not hate the powerful, just as I wouldn't hate a camphor tree."
"But you've been talking about the elites, the elites all the time," the passerby said. "I heard someone say that you're just envious, that you're only the kind of person who hates the rich."
“I know people like white paper, people who were sheltered and protected from a young age, their minds pure and innocent. I know brave nobles, I know heirs born into prestigious families who would die for honor.” Chu Yu showed no annoyance: “But I also know other kinds of people, those with bloated brains and venomous hearts. They are born with everything and therefore don’t know how to cherish it. They are utterly incompetent yet swaggeringly occupy high positions. They have no morals yet can command the winds and summon the rain…”
“I despise those who wield power for personal gain and live a life of luxury without responsibility.”
He stated plainly: "I despise those who enjoy the best resources the country has to offer, yet fail to make the greatest contribution to the nation, and even refuse to contribute."
“But those resources were also earned by their forefathers. It's up to them how they spend them, what's inappropriate about that” The passerby uncle said: “Like when my father passed away, he left me a few silver ingots. Nobody can tell me how to spend it!”
Someone immediately shouted, "Liu Lao Si, how many taels of silver did your father leave you! You're such a hidden gem!"
"Get out, get out, get out!" Liu Laosi shouted. "I'm using a metaphor! Do you understand metaphors"
“How they waste their money in private is their own business, indeed no one can control it,” Chu Yu said. “But if they form cliques and collude, favoring themselves and becoming prominent, would they set up barriers and checkpoints, allowing only their own people to benefit”
Liu Laosi scratched his head and said, "I think they're just a group of people who collude with each other privately. They haven't taken anything from your pockets, so why should we care"
Chu Yu asked: "Uncle, what do you do for a living"
Liu Laosi lowered his head and looked at the burden full of tofu on his back. He didn't want to speak for a moment, but he still said, "I sell tofu."
Chu Yu asked again, "How long do you work every day"
Mr. Liu, the tofu seller, said, "I get up before the rooster crows every day and finish everything before dawn. As soon as it gets light, the soy milk sells very well. I keep the filtered bean dregs to cook at night. After selling out the soy milk, I sell tofu, carrying my burden through the streets and alleys. Sometimes I stop here for lunch and eat a bowl of noodles, sometimes I don't stop and bring my own flatbread. When I sell out, I go home—well, you guys can chat, I have to go sell tofu!"
He picked up the burden and walked away.
"Uncle, wait! I have one more question!" Chu Yu said, "How much money do you earn every day"
“I don't earn much, but I can make a living.” Lao Si Liu grinned with his cracked lips, chuckling happily.
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"Do you know why you don't earn much" Chu Yu asked.
"How much money can I make selling tofu anyway" Liu Laosi scratched his head. "Isn't that how selling tofu works"
Chu Yu gazed at him: "Because you're not trying hard enough"
Liu Laosi thought for a moment, and said quite seriously: "I'm not a lazy person. I work every day, non-stop all year round."
"Let me tell you why," Chu Yu said. "Your money is earned through labor, while other people's money is simply created out of thin air. They say this lump of clay is money, and that lump of clay becomes money. But you have to beat it into tofu before it counts as money. When these two types of money are mixed together, your value gets diluted. That's why you have to work so hard!"
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Chu Yu looked into his eyes: "Uncle, do you still think this has nothing to do with you"
Liu Laosi didn't speak for a moment.
“If you join the army, your honor is earned through sweat, blood, and sacrifice – a fist, a foot, a sword, a gun. Other people's honor It's bought with money, or even traded for a single sentence. They spend someone else's money, take shortcuts that have nothing to do with you. What does it have to do with you”
Chu Yu stood before the big camphor tree, tugged at the corner of his mouth: "Your efforts have become meaningless! Your honor is tainted! Your blood and sweat are now laughable! Does it not matter to you"
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"Speaking of which, he tucked his sleeves in: "I think it's related. At least it's related to me. I personally experienced these things, and many members of my cooperative also experienced them. We don't want others to go through the same thing."
The crowd fell silent for a moment.
This world needs fairness, but fairness can't always be achieved. And many people have become accustomed to it and don't think it's wrong.
"Let's go." Jiang Wang turned around.
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"Don't you want to keep watching" Zuo Guangshu came up and asked.
"Already seen." Jiang Wang said.
Left Guangshu at first didn't know which character he had heard.
Have you already seen "the Way"
"See" a distant voice asked.
Under the mountains of Yan and Yun, a rain of blood, short-lived but real, had fallen. The soil bore traces of crimson now.
“I saw it, but—” The Chu soldier at the bottom of the pit replied, his voice hesitant.
But what” the distant voice rapidly approached.
From the armor engraved with divine markings, it can be seen that they are all soldiers of the Divine Punishment Army.
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The first-rate elite in the Great Chu Empire's army.
Even a small patrol demonstrates excellent military discipline.
This is the pit cleaved out by Dou Zhao's sword, where the incense-offering master Fa Luo of the Three Scents Tower lies, in the posture of a corpse, slumbering at the bottom.
Next to the body was a Sin-eater soldier kneeling, carefully observing the corpse: "This body seems to have lost a lot of blood."
"Isn't this nonsense!" The Divine Punishment soldier standing at the edge of the pit said angrily, "I thought you found something amazing! Being chased by Dou for so many days, you didn't even shed a drop of blood, he must have really strong blood and energy."
"Indeed." The Sin Army soldier responsible for examining the body said.
The Sin Army soldier standing at the edge of the pit waved his hand: “Check if the bodies have been touched. If so, that’s another lead; if not, we’re leaving.”
Dou Zhao's personal token, dropped on the corpse, was none other than the infamous Sin of God — "Even Gods are Guilty."
Among these were messages inscribed with runes set up exclusively by the order's initiates. If someone approached without a corresponding rune response, an alarm would sound immediately, triggering the Chu state's Zhang Hua communication network laid out in the southern territories, leaving behind a deadly message.
So it has a very evocative name within the Army of God, called "The Trap".
The Sin Soldier at the bottom of the pit carefully inspected for a while, confirming there were no abnormalities, before carefully picking up the token Dou Zhao had left on the corpse.
Then they took out the body bag and put Pharaoh's body in it.
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A powerful and imposing figure suddenly appeared, hovering above the crater. He cast a cold glance into the depths of the pit and immediately roared, “Damn it, I'm late again!”
Neither the four divine army soldiers inside nor outside the pit spoke.
...Just listen to him rant and rave, saying things like "You little brat from the Dou clan, you stole my precious enemy! You've angered me!" and "Dou Clan children are not human beings."
... until he finished cursing and flew away.
The sin soldier at the bottom of the pit said, "It's too late. Lord Dou has been chasing for how many days!"
The Sin Army soldier on guard replied, “Right! How dare you!”
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The Sinners standing on the edge of the pit were, at least, composed. "Shh," one hissed. "Keep your voices down."
"Who's being petty here!" Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through, bringing the short-mustached, hawk-eyed Zhongli Yan back with a furious glare. "You dare speak down to me and criticize this grandmaster Stand at attention! And stand properly!"
Soon, four divine soldiers of the Sin Army stood in a row at the bottom of the pit.
“Your God’s Army is so rude! It’s all Dou Zhao’s fault for corrupting the atmosphere! I've taken this body, and when I get back, I'll have Dou Zhao come find me himself.”
Zhongli Yan picked up the shroud and strode away.
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(The End)ked at each other.Let me know if you have any other text you'd like translated!Then, he reported: “Master! My subordinate doesn’t know. Mr. Liu only passed down the word that for this type of illness...