Chapter 16

Tanyu smiled, knowing what his master was thinking. He thought to himself, "Master is truly well-versed and knowledgeable, to be reading military books."

Zhang Xun's theory of the five types of soldiers originates from the military sage Wu Qi.

Wu Qi pointed out in his famous work, "Wuzi Bingfa," that there are five reasons for the rise of armies: one is the struggle for fame, two is the struggle for profit, three is the accumulation of enmity, four is internal strife, and five is famine. There are also five names for armies: one is the righteous army, two is the powerful army, three is the resolute army, four is the tyrannical army, and five is the rebellious army. An army that suppresses tyranny and saves chaos is called righteous; an army that relies on numbers to attack is called powerful; an army that rises in anger is called resolute; an army that abandons propriety and seeks profit is called tyrannical; an army that rises when the state is in chaos and the people are weary is called rebellious.

"Exactly. Your anger led you to raise an army, isn't that clearly a resolute army?"

Zhang Xun's mind raced, and he suddenly asked, "After taking revenge, what will you do?"

"I have said before that I wish to emulate my predecessors. In this life, I should assist the Han dynasty, establish a mission for the people, and bring peace to future generations!" Tanyu's expression turned serious as he answered solemnly.

"Establish a mission for the people, bring peace to future generations!" Zhang Xun's body trembled, and he suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp. "Are you saying you want to build a righteous army?"

An army that suppresses tyranny and saves chaos is called righteous.

"Master, why must you be so rigid?" Tanyu said irritably, "Having a just heart is enough. As for methods, in a chaotic world, one must be righteous when it is right to be righteous, and strong when it is right to be strong. Who can truly adhere to one principle throughout?"

Zhang Xun stared at his disciple's cunning young face for several seconds, then sighed.

"You are right, I have been too restrictive. Your idea of a righteous army already surpasses my expectations."

"Oh, what did Master originally think I would think?" Tanyu asked with great interest.

"Hey!" Zhang Xun extended his left hand, bent his thumb, and smiled. "I underestimated your breadth of vision."

The fourth type? A tyrannical army? Tanyu understood and chuckled. "Master, your insight is truly sharp. Taking advantage of chaos, abandoning propriety, and seeking profit—this is exactly what I was thinking. But the name 'tyrannical army' sounds too bad, I would never admit it. Yes, a righteous army, that's right, we are a righteous army! The whole family is a righteous army!!"

"Good child, since you have such great ambitions, I will naturally help you. Forming a private army is actually as easy as turning your hand."

But Tanyu shook his head. "Master always says that a true man should be self-reliant. I want to try it myself."

"Oh, you don't want my help?" Zhang Xun was taken aback.

"Master should focus on cultivation. This is just a personal matter for me. How can I let you, an elder, worry about it?" Tanyu's gaze was firm. "I must take revenge on my family's enemies with my own hands."

"Good! You have spirit!" Zhang Xun praised, then added, "However, I advise you not to emulate Liu Xuande. Although he rose with righteousness and roamed the north, he is brave but lacks strategy, and has no clear plan. Even if he has some reputation, he is unlikely to achieve much."

Tanyu nodded, recognizing his master's insight. Liu Xuande's mercenary army, though brave, has been aimless, changing allegiances frequently, and is now just a leaf adrift in the chaos.

"Let me ask you, where do you plan to establish your initial base?"

"I plan to go to Wuling. There, I have relatives who will help me."

"Wuling?" Zhang Xun was slightly surprised. "Such a remote mountainous area? After a moment's thought, he said, "Alright! Since you have your own plan, I am pleased. However, as your master, I also have a gift for you. I have two hundred skilled servants, and you can take them all. Additionally, I will give you three hundred gold pieces to fund your army."

"What... what?" Tanyu was stunned. "Two hundred people? Where are they on Wudang Mountain? I've never seen them."

"Of course not, they are not on Wudang Mountain. Otherwise, do you think I could recover here in peace? Here, this is the token." Zhang Xun reached under his mat and pulled out a sheathed short sword, handing it to Tanyu. "They are all in Yichang County, Changsha Prefecture. Use this sword as proof, and they will be loyal to you."

Tanyu took it, and it felt heavy in his hand. A cold chill penetrated his palm. He unsheathed it and saw that the blade was grass green, seemingly made of wood, but he didn't know what kind. It was less than two feet long but very heavy, probably weighing about twenty pounds, as heavy as a four-foot iron sword.

"Heavy!" He tapped the blade, and it made a dull sound.

"Don't think it can't kill just because it's a wooden sword," Zhang Xun said calmly. "It has drunk the blood of countless heroes."

"Master, what kind of sword is this?" Tanyu shivered.

"This is the Celestial Master's sword." Zhang Xun raised his eyebrows. "My master made it by hand and passed it to me before he ascended. Now, I pass it to you."

"Celestial Master's sword?" Tanyu thought, "Zhang... Celestial Master? Damn, isn't that the Five Pecks of Rice Sect?"

At the end of the Han dynasty, there were two famous Daoist sects. One was the Way of Peace, founded by the brothers Zhang Jiao, Zhang Liang, and Zhang Bao, which sparked the Yellow Turban Rebellion that swept across much of the country. The other was the Five Pecks of Rice Sect, rooted in the eastern and western Sichuan regions.

"We... hehe, Master, are we the continuation of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect?"

"Yes. You guessed right. Your great-grandmaster was named Zhang Xiu, who founded the Celestial Master's Way, also known as the Five Pecks of Rice Sect, in Hanzhong fifteen years ago. Followers respect my master as the 'Five Pecks of Rice Master.' This sword is the ceremonial sword of the sect's successive leaders. You must keep it safe and not lose it."

Tanyu sheathed the sword, touched the hilt, and found it smooth and comfortable. He thought, "I knew it... But why does Master look like he's making arrangements for his final affairs?"

"Master is in his prime, and your injuries have healed. Why are you so eager to pass on the ceremonial sword?"

Zhang Xun said, "Zhang Lu, that little brat, has taken over the foundation of our Celestial Master's Way, gathered followers, and altered the teachings. He does not respect our ancestors and even falsely claims his grandfather, Zhang Ling, as the Celestial Master, misleading our followers. He is truly evil and deserves punishment. My old injuries have healed, and I am going to Hanzhong to take revenge. This journey will take me far from here, and the chances of us meeting again are slim. Therefore, I must make arrangements for the sect in advance."

Indeed, it was about making final arrangements.

Tanyu said urgently, "Such a major matter cannot be rushed. Besides, there are senior and junior disciples who have followed you for a long time and are more devout than I. Wouldn't they be better suited to carry on the tradition? Master, please think carefully."

His twenty years of education in his previous life were deeply ingrained, and his career in publishing planning after graduation had taught him the iron rule that religious matters should not be meddled with. Even in this life, he did not want to become the leader of a cult, as it would not end well. This place was full of heroes and strategists, and as a mere outsider, he was already content with the opportunity to become a mercenary leader.

Moreover, deep down, he did not want his master to leave and never return.

Zhang Xun clenched his teeth, thinking, "Think carefully? I've already thought about it six, nine, eighteen times. Otherwise, I wouldn't have revealed everything to you."

"You, who do not venerate the Heavenly Way or believe in Huang-Lao, are not the best successor for our sect. However, my senior disciple is scatterbrained and straightforward, and my junior disciple is of humble origin. They are even less suitable. There's no choice but to make do."

"Master, we can't just make do! Besides, my origin is probably not very high..."

Tanyu felt sorry for his junior disciple: "Junior, junior, you are a famous general in the future, but you are completely dismissed by Master for your humble origin."

Zhang Xun couldn't help but stroke his chin. "Although you may find it difficult to trace your lineage now, it may not be impossible in the future. I promise you, if I return from Hanzhong, whether I succeed or fail, I will come to Jingzhou to help you turn the tide."

Tanyu was secretly pleased. This was a good condition. If Master was not confident in the succession, he would not have a death wish.

"Master, I am willing to temporarily manage the ceremonial sword and await your early return."

"Alright." Zhang Xun had no choice but to pat his hands. "You must keep the ceremonial sword strictly hidden and not let anyone see it. Otherwise, Zhang Lu might personally lead ten thousand followers to hunt you down."

"I'm not afraid of that. If Zhang Lu can come to Jingxiang, the sun will definitely rise in the west tomorrow." Tanyu smiled and pulled a lollipop out of his pocket. "To express my boundless gratitude to Master, I offer you candy! They are the freshest cherry-flavored ones I made recently."

Zhang Xun took one, skillfully tore off the wrapper, and put it in his mouth.

"Delicious!" He savored it and nodded appreciatively, glancing at Tanyu. "However, I suddenly remember that the Jade Sword Heart Sutra is a secret of our sect, only to be passed to the holder of the ceremonial sword. Good disciple, do you really want to learn it?"

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