146 The Confrontation in the Court

Three days later, at dawn, accompanied by the sharp announcement within the hall, Luan Yi and Wei Ning were escorted into the grand chamber by armored warriors. They knelt and cried out, “Long live His Majesty!”

Due to their status as accused traitors, the customary words “Rise” were not uttered within the hall.

After a prolonged silence so profound that even a needle drop could be heard, a stern question came from the front of the hall: “Luan Ziqi, do you acknowledge your crimes?”

Luan Yi knew the voice belonged to the illustrious Han Ling Emperor. “Your servant is innocent!”

“Innocent?” The Emperor snorted coldly. “Wei Zhongdao, explain what crimes Luan Ziqi has committed.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Wei Ning, nearly broken in mind and body after days of torment by Luan Yi, his eyes gleaming with a strange light, declared, “Luan Ziqi harbors ill intentions, founding the Sacred Mother Sect to sway the people's hearts. The sect commands over ten thousand troops and is suspected of emulating the rebel Zhang Jiao to wreak chaos beyond its bounds!”

The Emperor asked, “Luan Ziqi, do you have anything to say?”

Luan Yi responded respectfully, “Your servant did indeed establish the Sacred Mother Sect, and within it are indeed more than ten thousand followers.”

The Emperor paused, then asked, “Oh? So you admit guilt?”

“I am innocent!” Luan Yi explained boldly. “Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, you have repeatedly commanded local officials to bring prosperity to their regions and welfare to their people; to educate the populace and cultivate a society of courtesy, humility, and harmony. The Sacred Mother Sect arose from these principles. It has no intent to manipulate people’s hearts nor any acts to do so. Its sole purpose is to enlighten the masses—to teach respect for teachers and elders, love for the young, mutual assistance, and shared benefits—a truly benevolent doctrine. Thanks to the influence of the Sacred Mother Sect, the people of Jinan share wealth and adversity alike, becoming kind, humble, civilized, and courteous, embodying a vision of great unity. Now, I serve the court’s orders faithfully; how is it that my intentions are considered sinister?”

Hearing this, the Emperor chuckled softly to himself. He had never commanded local officials to prosper their regions; this was all Luan Yi’s flattery. Yet he liked such flattery—learned and pleasant to the ear. No one could refute it; after all, the Emperor had indeed called for officials to benefit the people.

“Twisting words!” Wei Ning refused to relent. “Is founding a sect the only way to bring prosperity? Other officials also bring prosperity without creating sects. Why do you have this one trick alone? It shows your ill intent.”

Luan Yi remained composed. “Whether it be the Sacred Mother Sect or benevolent governance, it is all the same path. Though the methods differ, the goal is shared: to ensure the people live well.”

“Live well?” Wei Ning sneered. “I fear that living well like this will only make the people yours, Luan Yi!”

“Cease your slander!” Cai Yong could no longer contain himself and stepped forward to rebuke.

“Wei Ning never speaks without cause!” Wei Ning bowed deeply toward the throne. “I request Your Majesty grant me a copy of the Sacred Mother Scripture!”

“The Sacred Mother Scripture? What for?” the Emperor asked, puzzled.

“It contains Luan Yi’s treasonous statements!” Wei Ning said triumphantly.

“Hmm? But I do not possess such a book!” The Emperor’s gaze fixed on Luan Yi.

Wei Ning then looked toward Zhang Rang, who replied, “Your Majesty, I greatly enjoy Luan Ziqi’s writings and purchased a copy of the Sacred Mother Scripture to read several times. It is presently in my study. Shall we have someone fetch it?”

The Emperor gave a slight assent, and Zhang Rang immediately sent a young eunuch to retrieve the book.

Luan Yi snorted coldly, understanding the implication. The affection for his writings was feigned; the real motive was to prepare evidence in advance.

Shortly after, the eunuch returned, handing the Sacred Mother Scripture to Wei Ning.

Flipping through a few pages, Wei Ning read aloud: “Your Majesty, listen to this passage: ‘Human rights are granted by the Sacred Mother. Because of her boundless love, all people equally enjoy these rights, and all masses are equal.’ Your Majesty, hear this nonsense! Equal rights between the Emperor and beggars? Would that not bring chaos to the realm? Luan Ziqi, where is the dignity of the Emperor?”

“What? Such words exist? Show them to me.” Upon the Emperor’s command, Zhang Rang descended the steps, took the book from Wei Ning, and pointed out the passage.

“Fie!” The Emperor, enraged, hurled the book from a distance at Luan Yi, shouting, “Treachery! Treachery!”

Throughout, Luan Yi remained calm and dignified, his heart tranquil. This confidence stemmed from his firm belief that the Sacred Mother Scripture was flawless. Though only a few thousand words, it embodied immense effort. Many potentially ambiguous ideas could be explained verbally to align with contemporary social values and ethics—explanations even the leading scholars of the court could not fault. During his imprisonment, the great scholar Lu Zhi had confirmed this.

Picking up the book, Luan Yi glared fiercely and said, “Wei Ning, how venomous you are! Why do you twist words to deceive Your Majesty?” Raising his head, he bowed toward the throne, “Your Majesty, Wei Ning only read one sentence without the preceding or following context. The book states, ‘Those favored by the Sacred Mother receive her spirit within their bodies. Only with the Holy Spirit is one truly human.’ Your Majesty, as the exalted ruler shepherding the people, you are surely favored by the Sacred Mother. Furthermore, it says, ‘Though human rights are equal, statuses vary greatly. Whom the Sacred Mother favors, she grants greater authority.’”

He glanced at the Emperor again and spread his hands in explanation: “Your Majesty, this means ‘divine right of kings.’ Because you are the Sacred Mother’s favorite, you ascend the throne and receive her greater care. The sect’s rules also require followers to respect and uphold those favored by the Sacred Mother—meaning all followers must respect Your Majesty. This proves that the Sacred Mother Sect fundamentally supports Your Majesty! How can it then be said to harbor ill intentions?” Having spoken, Luan Yi held the book with both hands, inviting the Emperor to examine it personally.

Upon reading, the Emperor found it so and tossed the book back to Wei Ning.

Wei Ning held the book, utterly shocked, “How could this be?” Unbeknownst to him, the three quotes were scattered on pages three, five, and sixteen—distant and unrelated—yet cleverly connected in interpretation.

This was the marvel of the Christian Bible.

Though still angry with Wei Ning, the Emperor’s expression softened considerably and even bore a faint smile. Clearly, he took pride in being favored by the Sacred Mother and winning divine protection. Yet he did not realize that the phrases “those favored by the Sacred Mother receive more authority” and “those with more authority are favored by the Sacred Mother” are logically distinct. Luan Yi had skillfully employed a fallacy of necessity to confuse the Emperor’s reasoning.

“Wei Ning, do you have anything else to say?” the Emperor asked again.

“He… he…” Wei Ning faltered, losing his composure. “He is suspected of emulating Zhang Jiao’s rebellion.”

“Nonsense!” Luan Yi countered promptly. “Our Han Empire is dotted with temples; Luoyang alone has many. Why do you not accuse the Buddhists of the White Horse Temple of plotting rebellion? Why not say the Taoists or the Five Pecks of Rice Sect are conspirators? Even nearby, why not accuse the Five Pecks of Rice Sect in Shu of gathering for mischief? Why single out the Sacred Mother Sect? Wei Ning… I did not wish to mention this, but do not think we are unaware: your slander comes from old grievances suffered by the Wei River, and—of course—jealousy in love! You seek to settle personal scores, committing such petty acts.”

“Luan Yi, you lie!” Wei Ning trembled with fury, utterly unhinged. “I act with integrity! I ask again: if you have no treasonous intent, why raise troops?”

Without hesitation, Luan Yi answered with the response provided by Guo Jia. “When the Yellow Turban Rebellion erupted, the realm was in chaos. Your Majesty ordered local militias to be raised to quell the uprising. The sect’s troops were these militias recruited from followers, not mercenaries.”

Wei Ning’s head throbbed as if about to explode. It was over—Luan Yi was so cunning, shifting all blame away. What to do? What to do? His gaze lingered on Zhang Rang, helpless.

Zhang Rang scowled, silently cursing Wei Ning’s incompetence. Fortunately, he had prepared in advance. His sharp eyes scanned the court officials and found his target, then nodded subtly.

“Your Majesty! I have a matter to present!” came the voice of Zhang Sui, the Junior Minister of the Palace.

The Emperor glanced and said, “Minister Zhang, wait until the case is concluded to speak.”

“Your Majesty, my matter is closely related to this case!”

“Oh?” The Emperor was intrigued. “Proceed.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Zhang Sui hesitated briefly, then questioned Luan Yi directly: “Luan Ziqi, you asked why Wei Ning did not mention Buddhism, Taoism, or the Five Pecks of Rice Sect as having seditious tendencies. Allow me to answer. Although those sects have many temples, each is independent with no connections between them, unlike the Sacred Mother Sect, which is unified under a single command. Your Majesty…”

He turned to the Emperor and bowed, “From what I know, the Sacred Mother Sect has a strict hierarchy. Under the leader are twelve Cardinals. Beneath them are the primary and deputy Archbishops, responsible for a province’s affairs. Under the Archbishops are the primary and deputy Bishops managing a district or kingdom’s missions; below them are the Archbishops in charge of counties; further down are the District Bishops overseeing smaller regions; and under them are priests and clerics, collectively called clergy. In my view, these clergy resemble court officials, drawing monthly salaries. The Archbishop of a county earns more than a county magistrate, effectively creating a court outside the court. How does Luan Ziqi explain this?”

Luan Yi’s shoulders tensed sharply. His greatest fear had come true. The clerical hierarchy was indeed the Sacred Mother Sect’s greatest vulnerability, the easiest point for opponents to exploit.

“Your Majesty, the Sacred Mother Sect indeed has clergy, but their purpose is not to establish a court outside the court. Rather, it facilitates management and unifies doctrine, preventing those with ill intent from misinterpreting teachings to harm the court.”

“Smooth-talking Luan Ziqi,” Zhang Sui sneered. “It is quite the opposite! The unity maintains opposition against our court! Your Majesty, in the past, Zhang Jiao’s Taiping Dao had its chieftains and officers. Now, Luan Ziqi’s Sacred Mother Sect is even more finely divided. Of all sects over the centuries, only these two assign official roles to followers. Luan Ziqi’s sinister intentions are plain to see.”

“Luan Yi!” The Emperor roared, “Guards! Seize this traitor plotting rebellion and execute him at once!”