Chapter 339: The Rain-Summoning Daoist Ma
Feng Jun truly didn't believe a single word about "summoning rain."
However, when he heard it wasn't some cult, but a Daoist from the Quanzhen Longmen sect, he wasn't as repulsed.
The Quanzhen Longmen sect was founded by the famous Daoist Qiu Chuji during the late Song and early Yuan dynasties. Everyone was familiar with Qiu Chuji, so there was no need to elaborate, and the current leader of the Quanzhen Longmen sect, the True Man Wang Changyue, was also a highly renowned Daoist.
At that time, Daoism was in decline, and many Daoists neglected their precepts, focused only on swindling money.
Wang Changyue, however, had declared, "If you cannot adhere to the teachings yourself, how can you expect others to, and who would believe you?"
Thus, he put forth the motto "first save oneself," urging the disciples of the Quanzhen Longmen sect to shun unorthodox practices, uphold the true Daoist spirit, and revitalize the faith.
This matter was quite famous, and Feng Jun was well aware of it.
He couldn't help but inquire, "Is there a Daoist master from the Quanzhen Longmen sect here?"
Gao Yiye smiled and instructed a nearby attendant, "Please invite Daoist Ma here."
Feng Jun scrutinized the Daoist with a look of skepticism.
Ma Tianzheng, however, showed no signs of apprehension. He had wandered the Jianghu for many years, seeking immortals and pursuing the Dao, having met countless people and experienced more in his lifetime than most could in an entire lifetime.
He, too, had once been lost, but ever since he witnessed Dao Xuan Tian Zun's divine manifestation with his own eyes, his faith in the Dao he cultivated had never wavered.
It was like the song that sang: "Lovers on Bond Street, with a look of proud self-assurance on their faces." A person filled with pride projects an entirely different first impression.
His entire being radiated an aura of self-assured brilliance!
Ma Tianzheng offered a slight smile and bowed respectfully to Feng Jun, performing a `jishou`: "Boundless blessings! This humble Daoist, Ma Tianzheng, a disciple of the True Man Wang Changyue of the Quanzhen Longmen sect, greets you, honored sir."
Upon hearing the name Wang Changyue, Feng Jun involuntarily felt a surge of respect. He thought, *True Man Wang has always kept his disciples disciplined, steering them away from heterodox paths and emphasizing "saving oneself." A disciple of the True Man should be highly reliable.*
He now harbored a somewhat favorable preconceived notion of Ma Tianzheng: "Daoist Ma, this official just heard that you possess the ability to perform rituals and pray for rain. Is this true?"
Ma Tianzheng chuckled inwardly. *With the Heavenly Lord here, isn't this matter a piece of cake?*
But he couldn't say that aloud.
In such matters, the more certainty one proclaimed, the less people believed. The more vague and ambiguous one remained, the more likely others were to be convinced. This psychological trick was common, and having been a Daoist for so long, he had witnessed it countless times.
A peculiar expression crossed his face, and he let out a long sigh. "Ah, Master Feng, you truly overestimate this humble Daoist. I do indeed understand the rituals for praying for rain, but whether the rain actually comes is not something I can decide."
Feng Jun pressed, "Then what decides it?"
"Naturally, it's determined by Heaven!" Ma Tianzheng declared.
He extended a finger skyward, pointing directly at Li Daoxuan's low-hanging cloud, and put on an act for Feng Jun. "This humble one is merely an insignificant mortal, a lowly person, who 'implores' the Heavens for rain. Whether the Heavens grant this plea after hearing it, that is hard to say. If the Venerable Heaven is moved by my sincerity and bestows a few drops of rain, that would be this humble Daoist's fortune. But if the Venerable Heaven chooses to disregard this humble one, then it simply means my karmic affinity is insufficient, and there is nothing I can do."
As expected, by speaking with such ambiguity, saying neither yes nor no entirely, Feng Jun felt a measure of calm settle in his heart. *This is more like it!* he mused. *If you had claimed absolute certainty in bringing rain, this official would never have believed it. But to say it might or might not come—that's the true nature of a charlatan.*
Feng Jun disliked charlatans.
However, as an imperial official, the most crucial skill was dealing with various factions. One had to understand how to flatter and compromise with superior officials, how to wield both benevolence and authority over the common people, and when necessary, even resort to deception and trickery.
Feng Jun considered, *A drought for four years, and so many common folk are barely surviving. If I can arrange for a Daoist to perform a rain-praying ritual, even if it's just a show, it might keep the people preoccupied, watching the skies for rain day after day, and distract them from thoughts of rebellion. Wouldn't that be a great good?*
With this thought, Feng Jun made up his mind. "Daoist Ma, since you understand the methods for praying for rain, regardless of whether it succeeds or not, it's always good to try. Please depart immediately for Heyang County and lend a hand to the people there."
Ma Tianzheng responded, "Since Master Feng puts it this way, this humble Daoist will, of course, exert all his efforts."
With the plan settled, there was no more need for idle chatter. Feng Jun was in a great hurry; whether it was summoning rain, implementing work-for-wages programs, or ensuring payment for the militia, these were all urgent tasks. Otherwise, if Wang Jiayin launched an attack, Heyang County would be doomed.
He dared not linger in Gao Family Village. He clasped his hands in a respectful salute and swiftly departed.
Ma Tianzheng looked up, offering a profound bow towards the low-hanging cloud in the sky. "Your disciple guarantees to complete the mission."
With that, he gracefully drifted away, following Feng Jun.
Grain wagons from Gao Family Village began rolling out in large numbers.
They entered Heyang County via two different routes.
One route passed through Spring Ditch Village, where an official imperial road provided a relatively smooth passage.
The other path went east through Zhengjia Village, then slid down a treacherous slope, continuing west. Before long, it reached Yang Village in Heyang County.
Though the slope was perilous, it posed no danger whatsoever to the people of Gao Family Village.
Li Daoxuan, who hadn't personally intervened in quite some time, acted once more. He took out a metal scraper and, on the very slope where Gao Jie, also known as Fan Shan Yao, had once climbed, getting pummeled by rolling logs and boulders, he began swiftly scraping.
In less than a moment, he carved a beautiful, S-shaped winding mountain road into the slope, a path of many twists and turns...
Gao Family Village laborers, pushing handcarts laden with grain, effortlessly traversed the S-shaped mountain road Li Daoxuan had just created, entering Heyang County and proceeding directly to Yang Village.
The arrival of such abundant grain, of course, filled the people of Heyang County with ecstatic joy.
They lined the roadsides, cheering a warm welcome to the people of Gao Family Village.
Padi Tu and Zheng Gouzi were the "leaders" escorting this batch of grain wagons.
Leading a hundred-strong detachment, the two passed through the "welcoming" crowds of Heyang County. Padi Tu's gaze swept over the pitiful Heyang residents, noting their sallow, emaciated faces, tattered clothes, and lifeless eyes—a stark contrast to the vigorous spirit of the Gao Family Village people.
A pang of sorrow pierced his heart.
Beside him, Zheng Gouzi adopted an opening grappling stance from the "Ghost God Fist Style," looking ready to pounce at any moment.
Padi Tu cast him a sidelong glance. "Gouzi, what's with that posture? Who are you preparing to grapple?"
Zheng Gouzi returned the look. "You, of course! If you even think about overturning the grain wagons again, I'll take you down the moment you move."
Padi Tu spread his hands. "Alright, Gouzi, relax! Last time taught me a lesson. Saving people can't be done recklessly. It requires a plan, a grand strategy. Acting rashly can only save a few people right in front of you, and might even cause chaos. But by grasping the bigger picture, one can subtly and unconsciously save many more people."
At this point, he gravely concluded, "I, Padi Tu, have matured. Please call me..."
Zheng Gouzi interjected, "Heroic Padi Tu?"
Padi Tu declared, "Large Padi Tu!"
"Pfft!" Zheng Gouzi snorted. "Does that just mean you gained weight, you bastard?"
/. Zero point]/
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