Chapter 164: The worries of recovery, a sinking ship

At the same time, Nurhaci, whom Zhu Yijun was talking about, encountered a big trouble - he was intercepted.

The Xilamulun River, also known as the Huangshui River in the Ming Dynasty, is one of the major rivers outside the Great Wall. It starts from the mouth of Chifeng and winds to the pasture of the Khorchin tribe (now Tongliao), where the Khitan ancestral home is located. It is known as one of the mother rivers of the grassland.

Nurhaci never expected that when the caravan he was in was returning after the last leg of the journey, he would be stopped by the Han people on the bank of the Mother River!

Han people! Your hands are so long! ?
The Xilamulun River flows quietly, the vast grassland is refreshing, and the clear sky without a single cloud is a good sight - if you can ignore the hundreds of war horses that are restlessly galloping and neighing around the caravan.

Nurhaci quietly tiptoed and looked forward.

The leader of the caravan was negotiating something with the Han leader, but unfortunately they were too far away to see clearly.

The strong warriors on both sides were on edge and on guard against each other.

Kanggulu came back from the crowd in embarrassment, holding Nurhaci's shoulder with one hand and supporting his knee with the other, bending down and gasping for breath.

His voice was intermittent, and he shook his head repeatedly: "God of Heaven, you scared me, Grandpa. Fortunately, it was not the robber we just guessed."

Nurhaci showed a concerned look and asked quickly: "Are they not here to rob? Then what about these Han people?"

Kangulu was a fat, white man with a thin beard. He spoke in a slightly weak voice: "They didn't rob us. They said they wanted to preach to us."

After that, he added: "The leader said that we should not panic, and we should not force ourselves to fight these Han people."

Nurhaci was startled and asked in confusion: "Preaching?"

Kanggulu recovered and finally stood up.

He nodded and repeated the news he had just heard: "It is said that it is the White Lotus Sect, and they believe in a female Buddha named 'Vacuum Hometown Wusheng Laomu'."

"They insist on spreading their teachings, and if you don't listen, you won't be allowed to leave."

Nurhaci became more and more confused: "Is he from the Ming Dynasty?"

He only knew that there were people in the Ming Dynasty who believed in Amitabha, Guanyin, and Mahasthamaprapta, but he had never heard of the White Lotus Sect.

Kanggulu shook his head, his expression a little solemn: "No, it's the Han people from Bansheng."

Nurhaci couldn't help but frown when he heard this.

Bansheng is actually a Han tribe formed by the abandoned people of the Ming Dynasty.

Over the past hundred years, the Ming Dynasty was strong on the outside but weak on the inside. Every day, there were soldiers and civilians fleeing the country, including criminals, civilians evading taxes, and even large-scale defections from the army.

These Han people gathered together with the Mongols and Jurchens of the same lower class, reclaimed wasteland, established villages, and raised cattle and horses. They were also a considerable force outside the Great Wall.

Three years ago, the Khan of the right wing of Mongolia lured and killed a group of Han people in Bansheng in order to surrender to the Ming Dynasty. They used them as bargaining chips in negotiations, and Bansheng's power was greatly weakened.

but……

Nurhaci looked at the strong cavalrymen surrounding the caravan and exclaimed: "Even the abandoned people are so well armed, there are hundreds of cavalrymen!"

He estimated that there were at least three hundred riders, and it was difficult for his own tribe to gather thirteen sets of armor!
If he could have so many cavalrymen under his command... he would be willing to do anything.

Kang Gulu also nodded and said, "I heard that this is just one group. The Han people's foundation is really deeper than the East China Sea. Even if some of it slips through their fingers, it cannot be underestimated."

As the two were talking, the negotiations in front of the team came to an end.

Nurhaci clearly saw that the Han leader called back the roaming cavalry and retreated to a distance.

Then he selected another twenty people who were dressed in Taoist robes and looked like priests, and asked them to walk into the caravan.

These twenty priests each held scriptures, scrolls, rituals, some unfamiliar bottles and jars in their hands, and their faces were so pious that Nurhaci seemed to see the flash of Buddha's light.

On the caravan side, there were also people walking around the front and back to comfort everyone.

On the one hand, they said that it was just a missionary exchange and everyone should not panic, but on the other hand, they blatantly said that anyone seeing any unusual movement should be subdued immediately.

Nurhaci pulled Kanggulu, found an inconspicuous place, and sat down cross-legged.

The two men sat quietly, their hands on their calves so they could pull out their daggers at any time, and looked at the group of Han people vigilantly.

A Han priest walked to the center of the crowd not far from the two men and began to preach the doctrine alternately in Mongolian and Jurchen.

"Our White Lotus Sect was founded in the third year of Shaoxing in the Southern Song Dynasty, which is the eleventh year of Tianhui."

"At that time, the Northern and Southern Song and Jin dynasties coexisted, and Amitabha Buddha and the Eternal Heaven Tengri were in the same sky, and their supernatural powers interacted, so the Mother of No Birth was born, which inspired Mao Ziyuan, the leader of the White Lotus Sect."

"This holy spirit also symbolizes the peace between the Central Plains and the grasslands."

"So, Bansheng, where the Mongolians and Han people live together, is the promised holy land of the White Lotus Sect, and is also the place of protection of the Mother of No Birth."

"So, the White Lotus Sect's current protectors... er, several high priests, include Han, Mongolian, and Jurchen people."

"..."

Nurhaci and Kanggulu sat cross-legged and listened, looking at each other in surprise.

Kanggulu confirmed uncertainly: "Jin Dynasty...is it our tribe?"

Nurhaci nodded hesitantly.

Kangguru looked puzzled: "When did Tengri give birth to the Mother of No Birth? According to what he said, could it be that Amitabha is a female?"

Tengri is the name of the Eternal Heaven, respected by all people on the grassland.

Nurhaci shrugged and said, "I haven't heard of it, and I don't know."

Fortunately, they were not the only ones who had doubts.

Someone immediately asked, "Are you talking nonsense? Changshengtian is a male, and the Buddha is also a male, so how can he have a daughter?"

The angle is simple and the language is direct.

The priest smiled and shook his head: "Just listen to me and I will explain the doctrine slowly."

"There are two sects in the world, one light and one dark. They existed before heaven and earth, and they have been fighting endlessly in the past, present, and future."

"Whenever darkness prevails, there will be a catastrophe in the world. The heaven and earth will be destroyed, gods and Buddhas will suffer, and all living things will perish. Only when light prevails can the heaven and earth be reborn."

"In the last era, it was thanks to the protection of Eternal Heaven and Amitabha that the heaven and earth were saved from destruction."

"But the two saints also exhausted their magical powers and fell into a deep sleep. Before they fell asleep, they borrowed the power of the re-creation of heaven and earth to give birth to the Mother of No Birth."

"I place my hope on the Mother of No Birth to protect the world of this era."

The man who had asked the question just now couldn't help but believe it a little when he saw the Han priest talking so eloquently.

The Mongols and Jurchens around them were all lost in thought.

Just listen to the priest continue to speak.

"The duty of the Mother of No Birth is to save her children in this world and return them to heaven to avoid disasters. This heaven is called the Home of the Void."

"We, the followers of the church, exist to guide the world."

"Do you feel that life is painful and that you often cannot get what you want? Do you often feel that there is no meaning in living in this world? Do you ever feel that the scene you are experiencing is familiar at some point?"

Nurhaci curled his lips helplessly.

He was not sure just now, but now he finally understood. This is similar to those swindlers in the tribe.

As he was thinking this, he suddenly saw Kongulu beside him raise his hand.

Nurhaci turned around in astonishment, only to see the priest nodding gently. Kanggulu stood up impatiently and asked, "Master Priest, you just said that sometimes you experience a familiar scene. I have encountered it many times. What is going on?"

Nurhaci tugged at Kanggulu's trouser leg, but the latter remained unmoved.

Upon hearing this, the Han priest smiled mysteriously without saying anything.

Just when everyone was confused.

The Han priest suddenly took action.

He just made a move with his hands, and instantly a raging fire ignited in his hands, reflecting the astonished expressions of everyone.

The priest had flames burning in his hands, and he said with compassion: "These omens are all the inspiration of the Mother of No Birth."

"This is a symbol of the end of the world! It's also a reminder from my mother!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the flames went out instantly, and a scroll appeared in the priest's hands.

He gently unfolded it and said, "My friend... Since the warrior can ask this question, it is obvious that he has been inspired by the old mother and is also a person with a predestined relationship. If you read this "White Lotus Morning Repentance Ceremony" carefully, you will surely gain some insights."

The simple grassland people had never seen such a magic trick before, and many of them knelt on the ground and shouted for the miracle to happen.

Kanggulu even prostrated himself in front of the visualization picture, kowtowed and knelt down repeatedly: "Goddess of the Immortal Mother, Master Priest, when I offer sacrifices to the Eternal Heaven in the future, I will definitely worship the Mother together."

Many people around followed suit and came forward to kneel down.

The priest was very satisfied when he heard this.

But he still shook his head meaningfully: "I just said that Bansheng is the land promised by my mother, the place of ascension."

"Only by returning to Bansheng with me to pay respect to my mother can you ascend to your homeland of Zhenkong."

"Worshipping the old mother in other places is useless."

When Kanggulu heard this, a conflicted expression appeared on his face.

After a long while, he revealed a disappointed look: "Forget it then."

After saying that, he winked at Nurhaci, and it was obvious that he was just playing around.

But he is just being hypocritical, and there are naturally people who are genuine.

Someone immediately started asking how to join the White Lotus Sect and how to enter Bansheng.

Upon hearing this, the Han priest looked around.

After a long while, he stood on a high place and said in a loud voice: "As long as you join my sect, you are all brothers and sisters. Give me food and I will give you clothes."

"Let's ride on the best horses together and live in the warm house together."

“No more cold, no more hunger, no more being bossed around by others, no more sinking in the sea of ​​suffering.”

He paused, then raised his voice to the highest level: "Those who join our sect will receive six stone of grain each year, and the cattle and sheep will be divided equally. If you join the Cavalry Guards, you will receive an additional four ounces of silver!"

"No matter Mongolian, Han or Jurchen, we treat everyone equally!"

As soon as he finished speaking, three or five people immediately gathered in front of the Han priest, asking for details. Kang Gulu was pushed aside, but he was not angry. He got up and ran to Nurhaci, saying excitedly: "Dou! The promised land! Shall we go?"

As he said this, he pulled Nurhaci closer.

Nurhaci quickly grabbed Kanggulu's hand and said, "Ahui, stop playing. Someone is watching us!"

Kangulu was a little disappointed: "Okay, okay."

He turned around and looked in the direction of the priest, smacking his lips: "Actually, Bansheng is not far away. We can go and have a look anyway, and we will have enough time to go home."

“It feels like that.”

Nurhaci shook his head speechlessly: "If you are not desperate, who would leave the tribe and go live with them?"

Kanggulu is Wan Khan's son after all. Although he is a bastard, he will be able to get some family property when he grows up. It will be fine as long as he can wait until his father dies.

The same situation was also true for Nurhaci.

Don't think that he and his younger brother Shuerhaci rely on picking mushrooms and fungus to fill their stomachs all day long.

But this is because they are still underage.

By the time he was able to draw the bow and ride a horse, his father's property would not have been taken away by his stepmother.

Upon hearing this, Kangulu joked, "You may be desperate one day."

Nurhaci gave his cousin a cold look and secretly cursed at him in his heart.

He wanted to be Genghis Khan, so how could he be left with nowhere to go?

While the two were talking, five or six people had already stood behind the Han priest, ready to follow him to the "promised land".

The latter looked obviously satisfied and left a message saying that if there were any Han slaves, they could redeem them at the market price and send them to Bansheng.

Then he led the people away.

The leader of the caravan was somewhat dissatisfied, but was afraid of the cavalry guards who were eyeing him covetously outside, so he had to swallow his anger.

……

Lu Nanchuan counted the believers who "converted" this time.

About seventy people.

He nodded with satisfaction, bowed to the leader of the caravan and thanked him. Without waiting for a response, he turned his horse around and said to his attendants, "Let's go, take the converted believers with us, and let's go back to Bansheng first."

After saying that, he gently shook the reins.

He immediately brought people with him, with Lu Nanchuan walking in front and slowing down.

Perhaps out of boredom, they came up to chat: "Master, six dou of grain a year, isn't that too much? Should we..."

Before he could finish his words, a whip suddenly hit him on the back, causing the person who spoke to groan and almost stumble and fall off his horse.

Lu Nanchuan had an unsightly look on his face, staring left and right at the people around him, causing them to lower their heads and dare not look directly at him.

He said coldly: "We were all driven to the frontier by the corruption and abuse of the people by the imperial court. Why don't we learn something good?"

Everyone was silent.

After Lu Nanchuan finished speaking, he relaxed his expression and gave everyone a way out: "Besides, I didn't pay for this valley, so I can't be the boss. Do you want me to go hungry for a full meal?"

Since its development, Bansheng has absorbed as many as 100,000 refugees from various ethnic groups.

Being self-sufficient is no problem.

However, to live a decent life, or even to have cavalry guards, is a bit of a fantasy.

The man who had just been whipped smiled apologetically: "Your Excellency is right, I am short-sighted."

There was a staircase, and everyone took advantage of it to get off.

Another person spoke up, "Your Highness is right. In the past six months, I don't know what's wrong with Xuanda. They are much more generous than before. They give us horses and armor as if they were free. We can't lose the big picture for the sake of a small one and offend them."

Hearing this, Lu Nanchuan sighed inexplicably: "This is how the world is. We live and die for a few pieces of silver, but for some people, it's just a number on the books."

He shook his head, ended the topic, and asked about the business: "How many people did you recruit this time?"

The people around him hurriedly reported: "Master, this time, there are a total of 200 people who have joined the sect, and more than 100 slaves who have been purchased."

Lu Nanchuan sighed and said, "It's so difficult. Tell me, how did my grandfather gather tens of thousands of people in Shanxi with just a wave of his hand?"

Everyone was speechless.

I'm embarrassed to say that it might be the imperial court that was exaggerating for your grandfather.

Some people saw the good in it and quickly took advantage of the opportunity to say, "Master, this is different."

"The court was corrupt and decadent, causing the people to live in misery. Lu Gong came out to meet the world and wanted to use Zhenkong's hometown to lead the world, so the people naturally lined the streets to welcome him."

"Ten thousand people? That's the limit in Shanxi, not Lu Gong's limit. If it were in Jiangnan, I'm afraid it would be more than a hundred thousand or a million!"

"But it's different outside the Great Wall."

"The people live and work in peace and contentment, and the whole place is thriving."

"Having experienced so little hardship, I naturally have little interest in my hometown."

Everyone took a look at this Dharma protector and couldn't help but admire him in their hearts. He was able to brag so much. No wonder he always gained a lot every time he extradited believers.

At this angle, I can’t think of it even if a knife is placed on my neck.

Lu Nanchuan remained sober and just smiled happily when he heard that.

The Lu Gong mentioned by the Dharma Protector, that is, his grandfather, refers to Lu Mingzhen, the leader of the White Lotus Sect in Shanxi.

Throughout his life, he was passionate about studying religious classics, saving lives and healing the wounded, and occasionally rebelling in his spare time.

But he was unlucky. During a rebellion, he failed to pay attention to the timing of his entry and was caught and beheaded by the imperial court.

Fortunately, the White Lotus Sect is scattered like stars in the sky.

Although Lü Mingzhen was beheaded, his apprentice Zhao Quan and his son Lü Xichuan both escaped and sought refuge with Altan Khan nearby.

If traitors join forces with foreigners, that would be a terrible thing and would lead to big trouble.

Zhao Quan and Lu Xichuan worked hard to govern the country, recruited desperate criminals, persuaded border troops to surrender, and converted the people. They actually created a tribe and let Altan Khan directly grant Zhao Quan the status of a chief.

But the title of chief is definitely not in line with the aesthetic taste of the Han people.

Therefore, Zhao Quan imitated the regulations of the imperial palace in Bansheng and built the "Chan Palace" and "Feng Pavilion". He named himself the Grand Marshal and General, established a government and established a system. Lu Xichuan built the "Daoting" and was known as the Taoist Ancestor.

Not only that, they are both very good at dealing with people.

Wouldn't it be embarrassing for the boss to promote himself? So the two of them came up with a plan and persuaded Altan Khan to ascend the throne and become emperor.

Everything from building a city and a palace to holding a coronation ceremony was arranged for Altan Khan - although after hearing the news, the imperial court left a way out for themselves and Altan Khan, claiming that a strong wind had blown down the palace's beams, killing several people, and Altan was so scared that he didn't dare to move in.

This is not counting.

After the White Lotus Sect established its government and system, they were keen on enjoying themselves while also making trouble.

In September of the first year of the Longqing reign, "the Fenshi disaster was actually planned by Quan and others" - the Fenshi disaster refers to the Shizhou Rebellion and the Fenzhou Rebellion, both major wars, were planned by Zhao Quan and Lu Xichuan.

In these two battles, Fenzhou and Shizhou were brutally massacred—"women who were loyal to their husbands and wives who fell into water or fire were too numerous to count," "tens of thousands of men and women died," "the city fell, people threw themselves into wells, the temples and wells were filled with corpses, and the ground was littered with corpses."

The number of captives, men and women killed amounted to tens of thousands, and the number of fodder and livestock was incalculable. Wherever they passed, there was nothing left, and the dead were piled up on top of each other.

This created a huge grudge against the Ming court.

They offered a reward of silver and promised official positions in exchange for the lives of the two men.

Fortunately, you will have to pay for what you have done.

Because his grandfather, Altan Khan, betrayed his wife, Bahan Naji surrendered to the Ming Dynasty in anger. During the negotiation, he also included the White Lotus Sect as a token of his allegiance. "Because of Bahan Naji, he lured and captured Quan and others to Yunshibao to wait for orders."

After the people were led to the position, they were all shot at.

The White Lotus sect in Shanxi, including its leader Lü Mingzhen, his disciple Zhao Quan, and his son Lü Xichuan, all died in this incident.

However, the literati have their own etiquette and laws, and folk associations have their own customs. The problem cannot be completely solved by simply killing the leader.

Associations form for a variety of reasons, often dating back hundreds of years.

Take Lu Nanchuan’s life experience as an example.

In the first year of Yuan Yanyu, Weishan dried up, and the people suffered from severe famine. They traded their children for market, and people died of disease and famine everywhere. Women hid in the mountains and forests, and men became sworn brothers. They led the crowd to attack the county town in search of food, and conquered Cangshan, Pizhou, Liaocheng, and Dixian, approaching Jinan.

The governor of Shandong was stationed in Jinan. He opened the granaries to release grain to appease the rebels, distributed money, and helped Yuer's family redeem the child. The rebels then dispersed.

The leaders and core members surrendered and were taken to Dadu, where hundreds of people were beheaded.

Those who have no descendants can adopt children to continue their lineage, and those who have no parents can sworn brotherhood to raise their elders together.

Return to hometown to help each other, relatives and strangers share the same family tree. 】

The surviving believers continued the uprising by adopting widows and orphans, migrating to other places, secretly electing new leaders, or integrating into other folk organizations.

Its centripetal force is not low at all.

Therefore, the death of Zhao Quan and Lu Xichuan does not mean the end of the matter.

As soon as Lu Nanchuan appeared, widows, orphans, and young and strong men all gathered under the command of this religious leader, and he was able to gather thousands of people in an instant.

He just learned his lesson and decided not to stay under Altan Khan's watch.

Now, they have obtained new help, and are dealing with Xuanda, Altan Khan and Doyan Guards, engaging in business, recruitment and transportation, and are developing rapidly.

Eight hundred cavalry and one thousand infantrymen have already gathered, and there is a tendency for them to resume their family business.

Lü Nanchuan looked back at the caravan and said with some regret: "The Jurchens are now in disarray, and are the most suitable source of troops. It's a pity that my sect is too small now, and we can't swallow them all in one go."

Immediately, a Dharma protector advised: "Master, the previous Master has learned from our mistakes. We should proceed step by step and be cautious."

Lu Nanchuan calmed down and nodded: "You are right, we should proceed step by step! When I get back, I will go to Puzhou in person to see if I can ask that person for some firearms."

Everyone on the left and right said in unison: "Firearms are good! Firearms are good!"

(End of this chapter)