Chapter 45

Jiulang and Hu Tou had already fallen asleep in Lin Bei's wooden cabin, but they didn't have a bed; they just found a corner to lie down in and went to sleep. They weren't picky at all.

Lin Bei and Bian Fuzi were by the campfire. Bian Fuzi still looked energetic, as if he could talk all night.

"Sir," Bian Fuzi suddenly said slowly, "Sir, are you truly a born sage?"

Lin Bei nodded. This lie had to be maintained. After all, Lin Bei was the only so-called monster, and no other monster would expose him.

"Then, Sir, do you know any immortal techniques?"

Lin Bei thought for a moment and wrote, "I know a kind of immortal technique called 'science.'"

"Science?" Bian Fuzi repeated a few times. "What a strange immortal technique. What can this technique do?"

"It covers everything from astronomy to geography. There's nothing science can't do, as long as you can imagine it. However, I haven't learned it completely, so there are some things I can't do yet."

Even so, Bian Fuzi was taken aback by Lin Bei's tone. Was this 'science' technique really so powerful? Could it really cover everything? After a long silence, Bian Fuzi asked, "Have you heard of the Taiping Dao?"

"I've heard the hunters talk about it. The Great Virtuous Teacher, right?"

"Yes. The Taiping Dao followers claim to be the descendants of the Southern Hu Lao Immortal. It is said that the Southern Hu Lao Immortal is a celestial being. Zhang Jue, the leader of the Taiping Dao, met the old immortal in the mountains and was given the 'Taiping Scripture.' The Great Virtuous Teacher then used the methods recorded in the 'Taiping Scripture' to save people, and now he has many followers. Since you are also a celestial being, is what Zhang Jue says true?"

"Do you think it's true?"

"About fifty-fifty. But the talisman water really does work wonders," Bian Fuzi said carefully.

Lin Bei opened his mouth, wanting to sneer, but couldn't. He could only awkwardly write, "Actually, it's all just Zhang Jue's trick."

"Why do you say that, Sir?"

"Because, coincidentally, my 'science' can explain it. Zhang Jue's techniques are not really immortal techniques."

"But the talisman water really does save people."

"Only one or two out of ten. Even without the talisman water, some people would get better on their own, thanks to the human immune system... but never mind, you wouldn't understand. However, as long as one person gets better, they can spread the word about the wonders of the talisman water. They won't mention those who didn't get better. This is the source of the Taiping Dao's talisman water's supposed power. If you really get sick, it's best to see a doctor. Even I, when I get sick, have to see a doctor, let alone a few charlatans."

Lin Bei had no particular opinion about Zhang Jue, just a straightforward assessment. In fact, Lin Bei thought Zhang Jue was quite remarkable. As a farmer, he managed to rally nearly a million people during the Yellow Turban Rebellion, which was no small feat, and he could only be described as a hero. Unfortunately, the quality of the Yellow Turban army was very poor, and Zhang Jue died early. Nevertheless, for nearly a hundred years after the Yellow Turban Rebellion, people still used Zhang Jue's name to cause trouble.

"Charlatans?" This term existed in the Han Dynasty, referring to those who pretended to be gods. Hearing Lin Bei's evaluation of the Taiping Dao, Bian Fuzi said, "If what you say is true, the Taiping Dao has very ambitious plans. Now that the Taiping Dao has so many followers, if... the people will suffer greatly."

Lin Bei smirked and wrote, "People are already suffering. It's said that the Central Plains have been in drought for a long time, and there are frequent cases of people eating each other's children. Emperor Liu Hong is incompetent and indulgent, only indulging in wine and women, and favoring eunuchs. This is a sign of the fall of the state."

"Sir..." Bian Fuzi was shocked.

Lin Bei wasn't afraid of Emperor Ling. He said what he wanted to say, "Do you think I'm wrong? Let me tell you, I'm not wrong. Since we're on this topic, I'll give you another piece of information. The Great Virtuous Teacher Zhang Jue will rebel in a few years, marking the first step towards the fall of your Han Dynasty. The Central Plains will be engulfed in war for decades. If I were you, I would find a place to hide to avoid the war."

Bian Fuzi's face turned pale with shock.

If someone else had said these things, Bian Fuzi wouldn't have believed them. The Han Dynasty had lasted for over four hundred years, and although it was somewhat corrupt, it still inspired optimism among the Han people. However, the one saying this was a monster, and a born sage. Bian Fuzi was already ninety percent convinced.

"Sir, is there any way to turn things around?"

Lin Bei nodded. "Of course there is. It's not too late yet. If Liu Hong can reform himself, work hard to improve, and issue an imperial edict to gather capable ministers and strategists, the Han Dynasty can still be saved."

The Han Dynasty had lasted for four hundred years and was highly recognized by the people, who considered it the legitimate dynasty. People like Xun Yu, Cao Cao's most important strategist, dedicated their lives to supporting the Han Dynasty. Liu Bei, a distant descendant of the King of Zhongshan, could still frequently recruit strategists and generals. Cao Cao, originally loyal to the Han Dynasty, later used the emperor to command the feudal lords, which was the most important step in his life. These events all proved the Han royal family's influence in this era. As long as the emperor made some changes, as Lin Bei suggested, the Han Dynasty could be saved. With a few wise emperors, the Han Dynasty could become strong again.

However, this was just a hypothetical. Unless Liu Hong was possessed by someone from the future, this wouldn't happen. The Han Dynasty would continue on its old path and be replaced by a later dynasty. Historical laws are hard to change.

Bian Fuzi had heard rumors about Emperor Ling. Hearing that he needed to change, he was stunned. He probably had a few classmates, but none of them had direct access to the emperor. Even if he did, would Liu Hong listen to him? He might be accused of spreading false rumors and be executed. Thinking about this, Bian Fuzi felt a wave of pessimism. The appearance of Lin Bei, a monster, and his prediction of the fall of the Han Dynasty, seemed to confirm the saying that when a state is about to fall, monsters will appear.

PS: It's been raining and sunny these days, and the temperature changes too quickly. I caught a cold. Everyone, take care of yourselves.

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