When everyone asked Elder Zhizhen why he was doing this, Elder Zhizhen could only offer a wry smile and say, "I came from poverty, witnessed economic prosperity, and also the rampant materialism. These are all facets of human life. However, I never imagined the world would become like this. The end of days arriving is one thing, but by comparison, Rongcheng enjoys a stable life. Though arduous, it's not a life of misery. Looking at Yuzhou, though controlled by a young man, it's unstable. In contrast, Jiucheng has fallen into this tragic state, with a foolish lord leading beasts to devour people, and cults running rampant. How could I stand by and watch?"
After Elder Zhizhen expressed his thoughts, everyone nodded in agreement, feeling that now was the right time to resist. They had endured for two years and could no longer bear it. If they didn't resist now, when would they?
Just then, a pilgrim hesitated and said, "But I heard that after this matter is resolved, Xue Ba will distribute land to us. If we overthrow Xue Ba, won't the land slip through our fingers?"
Upon hearing this, Elder Zhizhen erupted in anger, "What nonsense are you spouting? Are you even human? Distributing land is not the issue, but placing your hope in someone who has always been extorting the people's livelihood is simply foolish. Do you think you have the ability to make Xue Ba distribute land? Based on his empty promises?"
Elder Zhizhen was truly enraged, lamenting their misfortune and despising their lack of ambition. To believe the words of a devil, and to have seemingly forgotten the atrocities committed by these two devils previously? This was clearly seeking a tiger for its skin, yet people actually believed it, their eyes blinded by immediate gain. Didn't these people realize that Xue Ba could renege on his promises at any moment once he held power?
Elder Zhizhen's outburst caused the questioner to immediately say, "I know I was wrong, Elder Zhizhen, please forgive me."
Hearing the apology, Elder Zhizhen knew the person had realized their mistake. He didn't pursue it further but said solemnly, "At this critical juncture, we must respond to those outside. Although we can only distribute leaflets, it's better than doing nothing."
Everyone quickly nodded and departed, preparing to distribute leaflets throughout the city. It was all they could do at the moment.
After everyone left, Elder Zhizhen sat alone in the Buddhist hall, gazing at the empty altar. He seemed to understand something, yet also felt a great deal of confusion. He had worshipped Buddha his entire life, only to suddenly realize that Buddha was no longer there. What should he worship now? Yet, even though Buddha had vanished, the Buddhist teachings he had learned throughout his life surged into his mind, bringing a moment of enlightenment.
"What is Buddha? I am Buddha. The understanding gained through meditation and enlightenment is all mine. Buddha has no form, neither in golden statues, nor wooden carvings, nor clay figures. Buddha is in the heart. Since it is in the heart, and understands all principles, then I am Buddha!" At this moment, Elder Zhizhen suddenly understood much.
"I have a bright pearl, long locked away in the dust of worldly cares. Today, the dust is gone and the light shines forth, illuminating mountains and rivers."
At this moment, Elder Zhizhen's fifty years of learning finally led to enlightenment, and he understood what Buddha was. This realization was the result of seeing through everything, ineffable and indescribable. This was enlightenment. In Taoism, such a state is called entering the Tao, a state sought after by cultivators but rarely attained.
Upon leaving, the group dispersed to post and distribute leaflets throughout the city. It was late at night, and under normal circumstances, patrols would be out. If discovered, they would be arrested on the spot, either dying in prison or being released after their wealth was drained.
However, at this time, it was snowing heavily. In such weather, even beggars sought shelter, and there were even fewer patrolling soldiers. This was the most opportune moment to post leaflets, as they would not be discovered.
Among the dozen or so pilgrims, not all believed Elder Zhizhen's words. One of them, who had questioned Elder Zhizhen earlier, began to harbor ill intentions.
This person was named Shi Jiren. He wasn't particularly bright and still believed what he had heard during the day: that after this matter was resolved, City Lord Xue Ba would distribute land to them. This astonishing news was deeply ingrained in his mind and refused to leave.
"No, the old monk must be deceiving me. I can tell from his tone that he is in league with those outside the city. So, after Jiucheng is occupied, he will soar to great heights, but we will have nothing. No, for the sake of future property, I must prevent this from happening." Shi Jiren thought to himself.
As the ancient saying goes, greed blinds the mind. An otherwise upright person's mindset can change when faced with immense profit.
At this moment, as the ancients said, those blinded by profit do things that are unbelievable. Shi Jiren tucked the leaflets into his clothes and went to find someone. Upon finding a soldier in the city, he immediately shouted, "I want to report! Someone in the city is plotting rebellion."
The soldier, upon hearing this news, dared not delay and reported it upwards. Shi Jiren finally showed a smile, knowing that his future property was secured, and perhaps he could even join the City Lord's ranks.
...
Throughout the night, Xu Xing, Lin Yue, and Li Yiqiang discussed countermeasures in a dilapidated room outside the city. Since the verbal offensive during the day had not yielded good results, the three were now considering ways to expand their propaganda efforts.
However, when daytime arrived, someone suddenly came to report, "Lord Xingxian, there are more than a dozen bodies hanging from the city wall. Please come and see."
Upon receiving this news, Xu Xing hurried out to look. The snow had stopped, the ground was covered in a thick layer of snow, and the sky was overcast with poor lighting. However, Xu Xing's physical condition was excellent. Standing hundreds of meters away from the city wall, she could instantly see a group of people hanging from the city wall.
When Xu Xing saw the bodies on the wooden poles, she froze. She didn't know many people from Jiucheng, only two: the uncle who had taken her in, and the old monk who had previously advised her. And now, Elder Zhizhen was hanging from a wooden pole, his face ashen. Elder Zhizhen's bald head was the most conspicuous. Judging by their stiff bodies, they had clearly been dead for a long time.
"Elder Zhizhen has stab wounds. He was likely killed by someone, but I don't know how Elder Zhizhen was exposed," Lin Yue said, standing beside Xu Xing.
Li Yiqiang, not having such good eyesight, could not see clearly even with binoculars.
Seeing this, Xu Xing was enraged. Although she had once toppled the Buddha statue in the temple, Elder Zhizhen had later advised her without holding a grudge and had admitted his past mistakes. This behavior had made Xu Xing realize that Elder Zhizhen was definitely a good person. It was a pity that good people didn't get good rewards, and now he had been murdered and was being displayed posthumously, hanging from a wooden pole.
At this moment, someone on the city wall brought out a giant loudspeaker and began to shout, "Listen, those outside! These rebels on the wooden poles are your example. Get lost now, or in the future, we will chop off all your heads, use your bodies to feed dogs, and your heads as footballs."
There was no chaos within the city. The common people were blinded by the promises made by Xue Ba and Dong Chao. Dong Chao's cult also played a significant role, with twenty thousand followers spreading propaganda within the city, claiming that any refugees who rushed in would be killed. Under these circumstances, those who did not know the truth could only fight for survival. Elder Zhizhen, who had wanted to speak the truth, was now dead, and the city's residents were completely ignorant.
At this moment, Xu Xing took a deep breath. She knew that her past act of toppling the Buddha statue was wrong. It was the deity that the old monk had believed in for decades, and she had pushed it over in anger. Now, Xu Xing understood her mistake and knew she had no chance to apologize.
"Lin Yue, give the order. Prepare to attack the city. I will lead the charge," Xu Xing said grimly, her eyes filled with rage.
Seeing Xu Xing's grim expression, Lin Yue advised, "Anger will blind your eyes. Now is not the right time to act. At least wait until the snow melts, won't you?"
The south was not like the north. In the north, once it snowed, the snow melted very slowly due to the temperature. In the south, the temperature was slightly higher. Even with heavy snow, it would all melt in three to four days if the weather cleared. Lin Yue hoped that Xu Xing could calm down and wait for a suitable opportunity to attack.
However, Xu Xing turned to stare at Lin Yue and said, "At this point, everything is up to me. I am in charge of this matter; you are just an examiner."
Lin Yue didn't know what to say. Earlier, when he had called himself an examiner, Xu Xing had kept asking for his help. Now, when he wanted to help, Xu Xing refused him and told him not to interfere.
"Alright, alright, I'm the examiner, and I won't interfere with you. Li Yiqiang, tell your men to smear red mud on their foreheads and prepare to attack. We'll eat breakfast after entering the city." Lin Yue finally agreed to Xu Xing's decision.
To distinguish friend from foe, Lin Yue decided to follow the ancient practice of smearing red mud on their foreheads. In the southwestern regions, the soil was mostly red, so pigments were readily available.
In ancient times, peasant armies had entered Chang'an. One of these units was called the Red Eyebrows, who smeared red pigments on their eyebrows and other areas using mud and other colors. This was the best way to distinguish friend from foe.
In the central plains, the land was generally yellow. In the southern regions, it was predominantly red soil. In the northeastern regions, if divided by color, there was also black soil.
Xu Xing silently waited for everyone to smear their foreheads, looking at the distant city walls. She was filled with anger. At this moment, she had only one thing she wanted to do: kill. Kill all those who had done evil.
"Are you done smearing?" Xu Xing couldn't help but urge. Xu Xing was already impatient.
Li Yiqiang quickly replied, "Give it half an hour. The orders have been passed down, but these people are mostly refugees, and organizing them is very difficult. Half an hour should be enough."
"Then let them smear slowly. Those who have finished smearing, follow me!" Xu Xing said, and then charged forward. In an instant, Xu Xing had covered a considerable distance. Li Yiqiang gritted his teeth and shouted behind him, "Brothers, follow Xingxian!"