Chapter 6, Dusty Memories
The Block King Huang Wenjin angrily exclaimed: "Carpenter! Zhang Wei! Are you planning to rebel?"
Master Kucha rose and took a small bundle from the stone crevice in the corner, his expression grave. He said, "In a few days, there will be a great upheaval in the world, and the star of the monarch will fall. At that time, the affairs of the world will be unpredictable. Therefore, I must now tell you everything that happened ten years ago. In case something unforeseen happens to me, you will not be caught off guard."
The Xiang Army rampaged through the city for three days, thoroughly searching the entire city of Nanjing and only uncovering over 100,000 taels of silver from a few princely residences. The Jiangnan region has suffered unprecedented devastation, with large numbers of refugees heading south daily in search of a means of survival
By the end of July, Zeng Guofan's troops were encamped outside the city. Meanwhile, an unknown life-and-death crisis unfolded at the training ground in Huzhou Prefecture. The rebel leader Huang Wenjin gathered all five hundred of his elite soldiers, who were tasked with escorting the treasures of the imperial treasury, at the training ground. Outside the training ground, the elite soldiers of the Young Heavenly King stood guard, allowing entry but forbidding exit. Anyone who dared to disobey would face military punishment, and the five hundred elite soldiers were left in the dark about what was happening.
The Young Emperor's expression suddenly shifted between shades of green and white with anger. The Qing army was right outside the city, ready to attack at any moment; if a mutiny were to occur, it would be a loss rather than a gain. The Young Emperor suppressed his fury and shouted, "You two, come here! Explain clearly what grievances you have against this Emperor!" The two individuals were brought up to the command platform by elite soldiers and knelt before the Young Emperor, who was still filled with rage.
Amitabha, in this world where there is the principle of yin and yang, how can there be ghosts? Ghosts and evil spirits are all born from the mind; if the heart is sincere, what is there to fear? Alas, perhaps this is also the retribution for the heavy sins committed in the past! Master Kucha removed the five-colored prayer beads from his wrist and placed them on the slender hand of Changsheng
Changsheng, seemingly understanding yet not fully, asked: "Master, is what I see with my eyes ghosts and spirits?"
The so-called Heavenly Kingdom's treasury was nowhere to be found. Later, scouts reported that before the city fell, the Young King Hong Tianfu, son of the Heavenly King Hong Xiuquan, had hidden a batch of treasures in the Nine Tanks and Thirteen Altars, which were escorted back to Huzhou by five hundred personal soldiers of the local king, Huang Wenjin. Zeng Guofan was so enraged that his face turned green, and he marched his troops straight towards Huzhou, determined to flatten the city to the ground
Ten years ago, Huzhou Prefecture had already become the last stronghold of the Taiping Army. Zeng Guofan and Zeng Guoqiang led the Xiang Army southward, coordinating with Zuo Zongtang's forces to launch a pincer attack, successfully capturing Huzhou Prefecture. Refugees fleeing from Nanjing were forced to scatter, as the Qing soldiers showed no mercy towards them. The desperation of the Qing soldiers stemmed entirely from the need for the imperial treasury. Zeng Guofan's Xiang Army had fought for many years and was severely lacking in military funds. The imperial treasury was empty and unable to allocate military pay, leading to the Xiang Army not receiving any silver for several months, which nearly resulted in a mutiny. The desperation of the Qing soldiers stemmed entirely from the need for the imperial treasury. Zeng Guofan's Xiang Army had fought for many years and was severely lacking in military funds. The imperial treasury was empty and unable to allocate military pay, leading to the Xiang Army not receiving any silver for several months, which nearly resulted in a mutiny
Changsheng was taken aback and said, "I do not know what matters remain unfinished for my master. As an unworthy disciple, I am willing to go for my master..."
Huang Wenjin cleared his throat and said loudly: "Brothers and sisters of the Heavenly Kingdom, among you are those who have followed me, Huang Wenjin, to defend Huzhou for two years and four months, as well as the newly arrived elite soldiers from Tianjing. Tianjing has been occupied by the Manchu Tartars, and the Heavenly King has returned to the Heavenly Kingdom. We must steadfastly defend Huzhou City, for it is now the last piece of land we hold! I hope all of you brothers and sisters can vow with me to defend the Heavenly Kingdom to the death!" We must steadfastly defend Huzhou City, for it is now the last piece of land we hold! I hope all of you brothers and sisters can vow with me to defend the Heavenly Kingdom to the death!
Ah? Master, is it because of your disciple's eyes that you are unwilling to leave this place? Longsheng exclaimed
The young monk Changsheng watched Liu Fu's figure walk out of the Guandi Temple through the crack in the door. Changsheng truly could not understand why this kind-hearted elder suddenly decided to dismantle the temple and drive away the master. In the child's mind, there were not many thoughts; he only knew that for the past ten years, Liu Fu had been secretly supporting both himself and the master.
The Great Han Kneels: "The petty man Wang Fuxing was originally a carpenter. The Qing soldiers killed my entire family, four members in total. I had no money to bury my family properly, so I could only hastily wrap their bodies in broken reed mats and bury them. If I had money, I would definitely give my parents, wife, and children a proper burial. I have served in the military for many years, always bravely fighting against the bandits; how could I be a traitor!"
Among the crowd, a strong man stood up and was about to walk onto the stage, but the bodyguard kneeling beside him quickly pressed him down. This scene greatly displeased the Young Emperor, who furrowed his brows and glared at King Zhao, Huang Wenying. ... King Zhao, Huang Wenying, was so anxious that he nearly wet his pants, as there were actually people obstructing the Young Emperor's recruitment of warriors ...
Master Ku Cha slowly said: "Ten years ago, I was the abbot of the Wei Guo Temple in Nanjing. When the Qing army breached the city, they committed widespread slaughter, leaving Nanjing in ruins. I, along with the monks, had no choice but to flee with the refugees in search of a new life. However, upon reaching the territory of Huzhou, we were pursued by the Qing soldiers. Thousands of refugees suddenly became lambs to the slaughter, as the Qing army engaged in burning, killing, and looting without restraint. Unable to endure any longer, I and my fellow monks fought desperately against the Qing soldiers... Thousands of refugees suddenly became lambs to the slaughter, as the Qing army engaged in burning, killing, and looting without restraint. Unable to endure any longer, I and my fellow monks fought desperately against the Qing soldiers..."
The Young King, moved, said: "So it is, Wang Fuxing! Good! Good! Good! A fine man! A great name! Today, this King shall borrow your name to pledge the revival of the Heavenly Kingdom's great cause..."
Two rows of elite soldiers lifted the mahogany chest onto the command platform. Upon opening the chest, it was unexpectedly filled with rare treasures. The young king reached out and pushed the chest over the command platform, instantly releasing a dazzling array of luminous jewels. The loyal soldiers kneeling below stared in astonishment, as the chest contained all kinds of precious items, including pearls, agates, jade, and gemstones.
"What about my family's news? Master, the disciple does not understand," Changsheng asked anxiously.
The burly man, pinned to the ground, strained his neck and shouted at the soldiers, "This is an injustice! I am wronged! I have a deep-seated blood feud with the Qing dogs; how could I be a traitor?" The soldiers paid no heed to his cries and forcibly dragged him out. The burly man, with his fierce eyes, swung his massive fists and knocked two soldiers to the ground. Another smaller man was equally formidable, his movements as agile as a monkey, launching fierce attacks that left the soldiers helpless.
Master Ku Cha waved his hand and said: "Not entirely, ten years ago, two righteous men met a tragic end in this temple. I have been here to atone for their sins; they were true men of iron and steel! Furthermore, I have been inquiring about your family's news here, but I have not had any success in ten years"
Master Ku Tea looked at Changsheng and said: "Amitabha, I have accomplished nothing in these ten years! Changsheng, please put down your bag first. I have something to tell you; what is meant to come will eventually come. A monk does not speak falsehoods, yet I have deceived you for ten years..."
Master, what are you saying? Have you deceived me for ten years? What... what is going on? Liu Sharen is in a hurry to get us to leave, and Master, you... Longsheng was bewildered by the sudden turn of events; the master, who had always taught him to treat others with sincerity, had actually deceived him for a decade
After the hour of Shen, Duke Huang Wenjin and King Huang Wenying surrounded the young King Hong Tianfu, who was draped in a scarlet cloak, as he entered the training ground. Behind the young king followed a gaunt old Taoist with an eagle-like nose and hawk-like eyes. Two rows of elite soldiers carried a nanmu wooden box and placed it on the general's platform. The soldiers were puzzled about what was happening, but Duke Huang Wenjin commanded such authority that no one dared to look around freely; they obediently knelt on the ground.
"Come here! Capture these two traitors and execute them. Anyone who dares to defy the King's orders will meet the same fate!" King Zhao shouted fiercely
Master Cha Zen sat cross-legged and said: "You have been asking me about your origins since you were young. I deceived you by saying you were found in the mountains. In truth, it is not so. You may not know that your eyes are different from those of ordinary people. You are able to see things that others cannot. I feared that you, being young, might be misled by evil spirits, so I used the five-colored mandala prayer beads from Tianzhu to suppress your demonic obstacles."
Master Ku Chan shook his head and said: "There is no need for you to do this, primarily because of you. I do not allow you to leave the temple because I fear that your eyes will witness the treacheries of the world. Now that you are able to discern right from wrong, I am slightly more at ease."
Changsheng knelt down urgently and said: "Master, this Buddhist bead is a treasure of the Buddhist sect! Disciple..."
Changsheng took the small package and opened it, discovering a faded silk handkerchief inside, embroidered with a pattern of a hundred children. In the lower left corner of the handkerchief, two elegant characters, "Bilian," were also embroidered. With a heart full of questions, Changsheng remained silent, waiting for his master to speak.
Du Wang Huang Wenjin possessed both literary and martial skills, repeatedly repelling the Qing army's assaults and successfully defending Huzhou, earning the title "Huang Laohu" from Zeng Guofan. However, the military strength of Huzhou was merely a few tens of thousands, while Zeng Guofan's forces numbered over one million in this campaign. After the upheaval in the Heavenly Kingdom, the Taiping army also began to waver, with the Northern King killing the Eastern King and the Eastern King killing the Northern King. ... The Righteous King was also forced to flee, and the entire Taiping army became like scattered sand ...
The Young King, under the leadership of the English King, slowly ascended the platform in the training ground and proclaimed loudly: "Brothers and sisters, the traitor Zeng Gou has brought ruin to our Heavenly Kingdom. My father returned to the Heavenly Kingdom in June, and Zeng Gou has lost all humanity, desecrating the dead and plundering treasures, which is utterly abhorrent! Today, we, the brothers and sisters of the Heavenly Kingdom, gather here to plot the revival of our Heavenly Kingdom and to overthrow the traitorous Zeng Gou! I call upon those brothers who are unencumbered by family ties to join me in accomplishing a monumental feat. Once we succeed, each brother will receive generous rewards! Today, we, the brothers and sisters of the Heavenly Kingdom, gather here to plot the revival of our Heavenly Kingdom and to overthrow the traitorous Zeng Gou! I call upon those brothers who are unencumbered by family ties to join me in accomplishing a monumental feat. Once we succeed, each brother will receive generous rewards! Come, someone, wwwhetushucom.com, open the box for me!"
Amitabha, please allow me to finish my words. The reason I remain here is due to three matters, and it seems that none of these matters can be accomplished. Sitting is Zen, walking is Zen; a flower represents a world, a leaf embodies the Tathagata. When spring arrives, the flowers bloom naturally; when autumn comes, the leaves fall freely. The boundless wisdom of the heart is at ease, and in speech or silence, in movement or stillness, the essence is natural.
Changsheng began to pack his belongings, which consisted of a few tattered coats and a cotton quilt, the entirety of his possessions. He had studied Buddhist teachings under Master Kucha for ten years, yet he had never seen a single Buddhist text. All he had learned was through the oral teachings and personal example of his master, while he himself memorized by tracing with a twig on the ground.
During the siege of Nanjing by Zeng Guofan's forces, intelligence reports indicated that the Taiping Army's treasury contained eighteen million taels of silver, along with countless rare treasures. However, after months of besieging the city, the Qing troops discovered that the treasury was completely empty upon breaching the city walls, and the treasures had vanished without a trace. Zeng Guofan subsequently submitted a memorial to Emperor Tongzhi, who was greatly enraged and ordered Zeng Guofan to find the Taiping Army's treasury to replenish the national coffers
Master, when shall we depart from this place? I have finished organizing the items for use, and the money and provisions donated by Liu have been placed in the bundle and quilt.
The man exclaimed: "We, five hundred brothers, braved the heavy guards of the Qing soldiers to rescue the Heavenly King and return him to the Sacred Treasury. However, when I held back the carpenter from approaching, the Heavenly King accused us of being traitorous scoundrels! We would rather die than perish without understanding the reason. The brothers in the imperial guard are not cowards!"
Huzhou Prefecture is located in the water-rich region of Jiangnan, with waterways extending in all directions. After Wang Huangwenjin successfully rescued the emperor and transported treasures, he further reinforced the city walls. The Xiang Army excels in cavalry warfare. Huang Wenjin stationed heavy troops in the outskirts of Huzhou Prefecture to sabotage the roads, while Zeng Guofan's troops could only widely recruit boats and laborers in the areas of Linghu and Huogang to transport grain and soldiers