Chapter 17

Xu Qingyan naturally had no idea what Zhang Daoquan's nonsense meant. He just felt that Zhang Daoquan was treating him like an ordinary ignorant believer and deceiving him, which naturally made him unhappy.

Originally, he had planned to first probe Zhang Daoquan's character and then explain his purpose. But after this conversation, Xu Qingyan felt that he had completely seen through Zhang Daoquan—nothing more than a smooth-talking fraud.

In a certain sense, Xu Qingyan was not wrong.

So, Xu Qingyan no longer beat around the bush and directly asked Zhang Daoquan, "The locust plague is ravaging the Luanan Prefecture. Do you have any thoughts on it?"

Zhang Daoquan was slightly taken aback and then gave the standard answer of a charlatan: "The locust plague is a result of people defying the will of heaven. The Locust God punishes on behalf of heaven. Therefore, as long as the people show reverence and pray to heaven, they can..."

Halfway through his speech, Zhang Daoquan thought he understood Xu Qingyan's purpose and said with a look of sudden realization, "Is it because the imperial envoy sent you, young sir, to deal with the locust plague? Oh, this is not an easy matter. Although the Two Immortal Holy Mother is immensely powerful and can easily eliminate the locust plague, this plague is a result of the current situation. Even the Two Immortal Holy Mother cannot easily defy the will of heaven. Therefore, the Two Immortal Holy Mother may not be able to help. However, if the imperial envoy only wants to pray to heaven, my grandmother's temple can certainly lend a hand."

Xu Qingyan snorted and couldn't help but mock, "Is it that you cannot defy the will of heaven, or that you are simply powerless?"

Zhang Daoquan's expression remained unchanged as he said, "Of course, the will of heaven cannot be defied."

Xu Qingyan snorted again and said, "But my master this time is determined to defy the will of heaven and lead the people of Luanan Prefecture to exterminate the locusts and eradicate the plague for the benefit of the people. My master has already said that exterminating the locusts is a good deed, and he is determined to do it. If there is any heavenly punishment, he is willing to bear it alone and will not shift the blame to others. What do you think of my master's intentions?"

Zhang Daoquan was taken aback and couldn't help but confirm again, "The imperial envoy wants to exterminate the locusts?"

Xu Qingyan glanced at Zhang Daoquan and said coldly, "That's right. This time, my master never expected your grandmother's temple to help. But my master also knows that from the beginning to the end of this locust plague, the people have been in a state of panic partly due to your grandmother's temple spreading rumors. Not just your grandmother's temple, but also the Locust God Temple, the City God Temple, the Erlang Temple, and even the Buddhist temples and Taoist monasteries, all of them have been spreading rumors and misleading the people. My master has sent me to inform you and the other charlatans, witches, monks, and Taoists in Luanan Prefecture. My master does not want to pursue your past actions, but when he leads the people of Luanan Prefecture to exterminate the locusts, if any of you dare to spread rumors and cause trouble, don't blame my master for being unforgiving! At that time, you must not only stop spreading rumors but also explain the situation to the people on behalf of my master. Do you understand?"

Having said this, Xu Qingyan was preparing to threaten and entice Zhang Daoquan further, which was his specialty and the reason why Zhao Junchen had sent him here.

However, before Xu Qingyan could speak, Zhang Daoquan clapped his hands in admiration and said, "So it's the Literary Star who is upholding justice for the people. That makes things easier."

This time, it was Xu Qingyan's turn to be stunned, and he couldn't help but ask, "What Literary Star?"

Zhang Daoquan looked serious and explained, "The imperial envoy once won the imperial examination, which I know. A top scholar is none other than the incarnation of the Literary Star. Since the imperial envoy is personally leading the extermination of the locusts in Luanan Prefecture, isn't this the Literary Star upholding justice and protecting the people? Although the people fear the Locust God, they will naturally not be afraid if they have the Literary Star's support."

Zhang Daoquan's explanation left Xu Qingyan speechless.

Zhang Daoquan continued, "Please convey to the imperial envoy that I will certainly persuade the fellow believers of various sects in Luanan Prefecture to help me explain the situation to the people. With our support, the people will certainly believe. If anyone dares to spread rumors, we will not let them off, even without the imperial envoy's orders. Please rest assured, there will be no trouble."

Hearing Zhang Daoquan's explanation, Xu Qingyan was both angry and amused and asked, "You just said that the locust plague is a result of the current situation. Aren't you afraid of defying the will of heaven and being blamed by the Two Immortal Holy Mother?"

Zhang Daoquan's expression remained unchanged as he said, "The Literary Star has always been in charge of the celestial bureaucracy and understands the will of heaven best. Since the extermination of the locusts is led by the Literary Star, it is worth investigating whether the locust plague is a result of the current situation. In recent years, our Great Ming has enjoyed political stability and the people have lived in peace and prosperity. What could possibly defy the will of heaven? Perhaps this locust plague is a private act of the Locust God, and thus does not defy the will of heaven."

Seeing Zhang Daoquan calmly overturn his previous statements and still make sense, Xu Qingyan was somewhat impressed.

What a thick-skinned person!

...

When Xu Qingyan returned to the official residence and recounted his conversation with Zhang Daoquan to Zhao Junchen, Zhao Junchen became interested in Zhang Daoquan.

In Zhao Junchen's view, Zhang Daoquan was undoubtedly an outstanding figure in the charlatan industry. Not only did he consciously push the witchcraft and divine path he led towards a more orthodox religion, but he was also quick-witted, eloquent, and had a thick skin, making him a capable person.

Zhang Daoquan's theory of "five religions united" and "shared incense" was similar to the "Five Religions United" movement that emerged at the end of the Ming Dynasty, but it was not entirely the same.

Perhaps, this person might really achieve something in the future?

Thinking of this, Zhao Junchen subconsciously muttered, "Luanan Prefecture is a remote place with limited development potential. It's a waste of talent."

Xu Qingyan didn't hear clearly and was curious, so he asked, "Young master, what did you say?"

After a moment of contemplation, Zhao Junchen suddenly smiled and said to Xu Qingyan, "Qingyan, please make another trip to Tangnan Mountain and see Zhang Daoquan again. This time, remember to be more polite and ask him if he has any interest in developing in the capital. If he does, bring him to see me."

Xu Qingyan didn't understand why Zhao Junchen valued Zhang Daoquan so much, but he still agreed and left.

Watching Xu Qingyan's departing figure, Zhao Junchen said softly, "Consider it an investment. It might come in handy in the future."

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PS: Second update of the day. Do you have any recommendations?

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