第1章 · 第1节

In the grand scheme of the world, things that have been divided for long must eventually unite, and things that have been united for long must eventually divide. After the fall of the Qin Dynasty, Xiang Yu and Liu Bang vied for control of the realm, ultimately leading Liu Bang to establish the Han Dynasty and unify the land. By the end of the Eastern Han, the world was in chaos; Emperor Huan of Han favored eunuchs and distanced himself from loyal ministers. During the reign of Emperor Ling, eunuchs like Cao Jie seized control of the court, further weakening the state.

On a day in April of the second year of Jian Ning (169), Emperor Ling of Han convened his officials at the Wende Hall. Just as he took his seat, a sudden gust of wind swept through a corner of the grand hall, and a large green serpent descended from the beams. The emperor was so frightened that he fell to the ground, and the other officials scattered in panic. After a while, the serpent vanished. Suddenly, thunder roared, and a torrential rain began to pour, mixed with hail, lasting until midnight and destroying countless homes. Following this, various ominous signs began to appear throughout the nation.

The emperor inquired of his ministers about the cause of the disasters. The advisor Cai Yong earnestly stated that it was the result of eunuchs interfering in state affairs. Upon learning this, Cao Jie schemed to frame Cai Yong, ultimately leading to his dismissal. Later, ten men, including Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, Feng Xun, Duan Gui, Cao Jie, Hou Lan, Jian Shuo, Cheng Kuang, Xia Yun, and Guo Sheng, conspired together, earning the moniker "The Ten Eunuchs." The emperor particularly favored Zhang Rang, even calling him "Father." As a result, the court became increasingly chaotic, the realm grew unstable, and banditry and rebellions erupted.

At that time, in the Julu County, there were three brothers: Zhang Jiao, Zhang Bao, and Zhang Liang. Zhang Jiao was originally a scholar who could not pass the imperial examinations. One day, while gathering herbs on the mountain, he encountered an old man holding a cane, with bright eyes and a youthful face. The old man invited him into a cave and gifted him three scrolls of heavenly scripture, saying, "This book is titled 'The Art of Peaceful Governance.' You must use it to aid the world and act on behalf of heaven; if your intentions are impure, you will surely face retribution." Zhang Jiao knelt and asked for the old man's name, to which the old man replied, "I am the South China Old Immortal." With that, he transformed into a gentle breeze and vanished. After receiving the book, Zhang Jiao devoted himself to studying day and night, eventually reaching the ability to summon wind and rain.

In the first month of the first year of Zhongping, a plague broke out. Zhang Jiao began distributing talismans and medicinal potions to cure the people. His followers grew in number, and he took on many disciples. He divided his disciples into thirty-six groups, each consisting of six to ten thousand people, appointing leaders for each group, and inciting them with the words: "Heaven is dead; Yellow Heaven shall rise; in the year of Jiazi, the world shall be auspicious." This meant that heaven intended for Zhang Jiao to replace the Han Dynasty in ruling the world.