85. Jizhou’s Religious Affairs

The steward of the Zhen family, Zhen Pi, noticed that one person among Zhang Fei’s men looked very familiar, but he couldn’t recall where he had seen him before. As he hesitated and was about to leave, he suddenly realized who it was and rode back in haste. Eagerly, he asked, “May I ask… are you the Master?”

“Master?” Zhang Fei and Guan Yu were both puzzled.

Luan Yi, however, smiled faintly. Hearing himself addressed as “Master,” he understood at once that this man was also a follower of the Holy Mother’s Faith. He first explained to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, “I, your unworthy brother, once received a revelation from the divine and obtained a volume of the heavenly scripture, The Book of the Holy Mother. Later, I founded the Holy Mother’s Faith in Jinan and became its Master. During our journey south, I will tell you both about the Faith, and then you will know what it is.”

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei did not say much, only nodding, though inwardly they were quite curious about this Holy Mother’s Faith that both Luan Yi and Dian Wei had mentioned. They wondered what kind of faith their brilliant brother had created and whether it resembled the Five Pecks of Rice sect led by Zhang Ling of Hanzhong.

Luan Yi then asked Zhen Pi, “Brother, how did you know that I am Luan Yi?”

Zhen Pi clapped his hands in delight. “It truly is the Master! You may not know, but the Five Officials’ Joyful Portrait painted by our Pastor of the People, Mao Jie, is now widely known. My young mistress is quite fond of Master Mao’s brushwork and has a copy of that very portrait. Though it is a replica, the likenesses of the five leaders are stunningly accurate. That’s how I recognized you at a glance, Master. Who would have thought that I could meet you here in Youzhou—how fortunate, how fortunate indeed!”

“Oh!” Luan Yi immediately understood and made the sign of the cross over his chest. “I, too, feel blessed! This is surely an encounter arranged by the Holy Mother!”

Zhen Pi imitated him, touching his forehead, chest, and both shoulders with his right forefinger. “Indeed! The Holy Mother is merciful!”

“May I ask, Brother Zhen, when did you join the Faith? Are there others around you who have joined as well?” Luan Yi took this chance to ask about the spread of the Faith in Jizhou.

Zhen Pi answered with pride, “I’ve been in the Faith for over three months now—among the first disciples in Jizhou. Just last week, I publicly proclaimed my pledge. Grand Master Li Xin himself said that because I offered my wealth willingly, actively raised funds for the church, and tirelessly spread the Holy Mother’s gospel, my merits are many and the Holy Mother surely rejoices in me. He decided to recommend me to you for special approval, so that I might be baptized ahead of time.”

Luan Yi’s face lit up with joy. “If that is the case, Brother Zhen, surely the Holy Mother’s grace shines upon you—the gates of heaven are open to you.”

“Truly?” Zhen Pi was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes, and he thanked Luan Yi repeatedly.

“Don’t thank me. If you must thank someone, thank the one above!” Luan Yi, growing ever more the preacher, sometimes even wondered if there truly was a goddess above, aiding him in reshaping this looming disaster that was about to befall the late Han period of Chinese civilization.

“Master speaks the truth, the very truth!” Zhen Pi once again made the sign of the cross, murmuring prayers for a while. He then continued to answer Luan Yi’s earlier question: “After I joined, all the elders and children of the Zhen family also converted to the Holy Temple. Over a hundred members of the Zhen family have been attending worship for more than three months at my urging, and have now all made their pledges. As for the surrounding area…” He thought for a moment and said, “Judging from last Sunday’s gathering, there are about eight or nine thousand believers in the vicinity of Ye City. Once, when I traveled to Anping County and couldn’t return for Sunday worship, I joined a local Bible study group. I heard that the counties of Ye City together have another seven or eight thousand believers!”

Luan Yi did a quick calculation. Anping was the seat of the provincial government and Ye the largest city—naturally, these two cities would have the most believers, totaling about fifteen thousand. The remaining counties together would equal that number, so all of Jizhou had about thirty thousand followers…

Thirty thousand may not seem like much, but one must remember that the Holy Mother’s Faith had only entered Jizhou four months ago. This was barely the beginning, and yet so many converts had already been gathered. The Faith’s power to rally the masses could only be described as remarkable.

What a Grand Master Li Xin!

Thinking of Li Xin, Luan Yi couldn’t help but laugh. That fellow had started as nothing more than a cook in the Luan family kitchens, spending his days clattering pots and pans. Who could have imagined that, in such a short time, he would become the leader of tens of thousands in a single province!

As he pondered, Zhen Pi continued, “You may not know this, Master, but now in Jizhou, many are eager to join the Faith. The Holy Mother’s Faith treats people well—come to worship and you’ll receive food; on the second Sunday of every month, porridge and vegetables are given freely to all believers, and on holidays you might even get a piece of meat. Who wouldn’t want to join with such benefits? Besides, our believers are all good people—anyone who has made the pledge, if their household faces trouble, help will come from all sides and difficulties are easily overcome. Even the local bullies no longer dare to oppress us. Neighbors are like family now, and life is so much more comfortable. Without you founding this Faith, where would we find such good days? All of Jizhou’s people are grateful for your kindness, Master!”

“Don’t thank me—this is the Holy Mother’s will!”

Hearing this, Zhen Pi again made the sign of the cross and prayed devoutly. Unlike before, though, this time his prayer went on and on, so long and tedious that Zhang Fei grew impatient and urged Luan Yi, “Fourth Brother, it’s getting late. We still need to reach Gaoyang County to find lodging; we’d best hurry.”

Luan Yi glanced at the sky. Indeed, the sun was already nearing its zenith—almost noon. He quickly excused himself to Zhen Pi.

“Master, wait!” Zhen Pi called after him. “There are still matters of business I would discuss with you.”

“Please speak, Brother.”

Zhen Pi became serious. “After the former master of the Zhen family passed away, our official fortunes declined, though thankfully we have enough land to get by. Since the new master took charge, we chanced upon your book, The Original Wealth, and treat it as a treasure. After much study, we decided to raise funds for a small business. Thanks to your guidance in that book, we’ve made some headway over the years and are now considered a wealthy family in Jizhou. The master originally wished to travel with me to Jinan after the autumn harvest, first to thank you, second to pay respects at the Great Cathedral of the Holy Mother, and third… the Zhen family hoped to establish trade with you—buying glassware, furniture, books, and those famed Immortal Spirits and Genius Paper to sell in Jizhou. But household affairs have kept us from leaving. Now, with you here in Hebei, why not detour to Ye City on your return and meet with our master, to settle the trade and save another trip? What does the Master think?”

“Well…” Luan Yi looked up at the blue sky and said, “I would be delighted to trade with the Zhen family, but urgent matters in Jinan require my immediate return. Besides, trade is not something to be settled in a few words, and I cannot afford to delay any longer. If you wish to pursue this, please come to Jinan after the New Year; even if I am not there, you may speak directly to Mao Jie, courtesy name Xiaoxian.”

At fifteen, Mao Jie had finally received his courtesy name—Xiaoxian—bestowed upon him by none other than Luan Yi and his mentor, Cai Yong.

With these words, Luan Yi gave Zhen Pi no further chance to speak, bowing repeatedly in apology.

Zhen Pi, seeing that Luan Yi was truly pressed for time, did not persist, but watched as Luan Yi, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Dian Wei, and their entourage set off. He sighed inwardly: Miss… I did my best! If you truly wish to see Master Ziqi, it seems you must brave the journey to Jinan yourself!

Bidding farewell to Zhen Pi, Luan Yi and his companions pressed on with their craftsmen, almost as if fleeing for their lives. The craftsmen grumbled incessantly about the pace.

Unable to contain himself, Zhang Fei asked, “We’re not pressed for time—why are you in such a hurry, Fourth Brother?”

Luan Yi wanted to tell him that, according to history, in a few months Zhang Jue would rise in rebellion with the Yellow Turban Army, and he needed to reach Jiangnan to recruit talents before the chaos erupted. But, of course, he couldn’t say that directly—not that Zhang Fei would believe it.

Left with no choice, he lied that a friend in Changsha had a gravely ill child and he needed to rush there to help.

This lie was immediately accepted by Zhang Fei, who exclaimed, “Why didn’t you say so sooner, Fourth Brother? A life is at stake—we must make haste!” He decided at once to let the craftsmen travel at their own pace, while he, Guan Yu, and Dian Wei would accompany Luan Yi ahead. They galloped through Jizhou, crossed the Yellow River, passed the Ji and Yan Rivers, and the provinces of Yanzhou and Yuzhou, even spending the New Year on the road. At last, by the eighth day of the new year, they reached the port at the confluence of the Three Rivers on the north bank of the Yangtze.

Spring was still bitterly cold, even in the Yangtze region. The frigid northern air clashed with the southern warmth, bringing down heavy, drifting snow. The snowflakes were as large as goose feathers, blanketing mountains, trees, old houses, and ancient roads in white.

Luan Yi had thought that the northern winter, without heating or down jackets, was already unbearable, but he hadn’t expected the southern winter to be even colder.

He and Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Dian Wei searched the riverbank for a boat to cross, but without luck. Upon inquiry, they learned that with the New Year not yet over and the cold at its peak, few boatmen would venture out. Those desperate enough to brave the river had already been hired by groups of wealthy young men, eager to cruise the river and admire the snowy festival scene.

These young men, intent on their own pleasures, were hosting private parties and were unwilling to take strangers aboard.

With no other option, Luan Yi could only wait by the river, hoping for a stroke of luck to grant them a boat to reach Changsha. But day turned to night, and no boat appeared.

Left with no choice, Luan Yi and his companions lodged in the town, planning to try again the next day.

Day after day passed with no sign of a boat. Luan Yi grew ever more anxious, knowing that the return journey from Changsha to Jinan would take time. If Zhang Jue’s uprising erupted while he was still en route, what then?