Volume 3: The Land of Jingchu Chapter 305 Yu Ji
Yu Ji is very popular in Jiangdong.
How good is it?
According to historical records, the reason why Sun Ce executed Yu Ji was because he saw that he "bewitched" too many people when he preached.
In the novel, the reason why Sun Ce killed Yu Ji was that once, at a banquet hosted by Sun Ce in Wu County Restaurant for Yuan Shao's envoys, Yu Ji appeared in fancy clothes. At this time, many civil and military officials from Jiangdong came downstairs to greet Yu Ji...
One of them emphasizes the influence among the people, and the other emphasizes the influence on the dignitaries of Jiangdong, but in the end, it all comes down to Yu Ji's popularity, or his connections and influence, which angered Sun Ce!
In the novel, Sun Ce's death was also related to Yu Ji - his suspicion after killing Yu Ji caused the trauma caused by Xu Gong's assassin to collapse.
However, for the people of Wu County today, although Yu Ji is a god, Bai Tu... he is the reincarnation of Shennong!
For Chinese civilization, especially after the unification, the status of emperors and generals has always been higher than that of ordinary gods. Mountain gods and water gods must be canonized and temples established by the court. Only gods like Haotian God have a status higher than the emperor in the hearts of the people.
As one of the Three Sovereigns, Shennong's status in the hearts of the people is much higher than that of any mountain spirits or water monsters.
Especially since Bai Tu was the ruler who actually led Yangzhou and made real changes to the lives of the people of Yangzhou, the presence of this "reincarnation of Shennong" was much higher than that of the "clay sculpture of Shennong"!
When Bai Tu saw that the people were blocking the road, he also climbed onto the roof of the carriage - Bai Tu's carriage was also double-decker.
"Is the spring ploughing going well?"
"Thank you for your hard work! This year we must all work together and join hands with the General's Mansion to create a new Yangzhou!"
"Be careful... don't squeeze the old man over there..."
The carriage moved slowly, with Bai Tu on the roof and the people around the rainbow.
Yu Ji also came over at this time.
Fortunately, he was sensible, otherwise Bai Tu would have closed his Taoist temple.
Bai Tu had asked the magistrate of Wu County before about Yu Ji's matter - theoretically speaking, Yu Ji's temple had been approved by the Ministry of Rites, and today's sermon also had the approval of the government.
That’s right, Bai Tu had already set the rules that any “Jingshe”, whether it was a Confucian school, a Taoist temple, or a Buddhist temple, must be approved by the Ministry of Rites.
Taxes were also imposed on the personnel of various monasteries . Large monasteries were required to be managed by officials from the Ministry of Rites. Monasteries were restricted from purchasing land and engaging in finance.
So although Bai Tu was somewhat dissatisfied with Ji’s preaching today, he did not get angry for the time being because the other party had all the necessary procedures.
Even so, the magistrate of Wu County broke into a cold sweat.
This county magistrate was from the Gu family of Wu County and was actually Gu Yong's cousin.
As the largest county in Wu County, the county magistrate of Wu County is considered a powerful local official. However, with the current control of the General's Office over the local area, a county magistrate... even if he is from one of the Four Families of Wu County, can be removed at will, and even if he is replaced by an unknown person, no one dares to say anything.
Yu Ji also saw that Bai Tu's prestige among the people was higher than his own, so he did not dare to put on airs and took the initiative to greet him.
"I am Yu Ji, a foreigner. Nice to meet you, General." Yu Ji bowed in front of the carriage.
Among the nine bows, Jishou is a solemn kneeling ceremony. However, in Taoist rituals, Jishou is closer to bowing, such as what Yu Ji is doing now.
"Well, this must be Taoist Yu Ji, right? I heard from Magistrate Gu that last August, with the approval of the Ministry of Rites, a monastery was established in the eastern part of Wu County, where sermons are often held... Not bad, not bad." Bai Tu nodded slightly.
Yu Ji paused when he heard this, and realized that Bai Tu was not really praising him, but was emphasizing to himself and the people around him - your Taoist temple, Yu Ji, could only be built after being approved by the Ministry of Rites under my command!
"What's the name of today's sermon?" Bai Tu asked with concern.
"It's nothing special. It's just like usual, talking about Taoist scriptures and distributing some talisman water." Yu Ji said with a seemingly peaceful smile.
"That's great. The spring plowing is over and we have some free time to enrich people's lives... It just so happens that the plays of various troupes seem a bit monotonous and lagging behind recently." Bai Tu praised.
Yu Ji's face became even more frozen. This was saying directly - your preaching, Yu Ji, is just like performing an opera, just to entertain everyone!
"But this talisman water... has the health approval of the medical school, right?" Bai Tu asked specifically.
Of course! Bai Tu had asked the county magistrate of Wu County before!
"Of course there is." Yu Ji's expression was already a little unnatural.
Well, it won’t work in the General’s Mansion without approval, but with approval... Yu Ji also feels it’s weird!
"Oh? I heard that the Taoist's talisman water can really cure diseases, but everyone is drinking the same kind today, right? What are the main ingredients?" Bai Tu asked casually.
"Sincere belief..." Yu Ji wanted to struggle.
Bai Tu frowned when he heard this and looked at the doctor from the medical school who was accompanying him - there must naturally be medical staff in Bai Tu's convoy.
"Can this kind of thing be approved?" Bai Tu asked the doctoral student from the medical school who was accompanying him.
The people around also fell silent at this time, as if they sensed that something was wrong in the atmosphere. Could it be that... Mr. Bai wanted to harm Taoist Ji?
Taoist Yu Ji is a good man! If Mr. Bai can't tolerate Taoist Yu Ji...it would be such a pity.
Well, but it’s just a “pity”. In the hearts of the people, Baitu’s status is obviously more important.
"My lord, this will never happen! A record will be kept during the approval process. I think we should check the record before making a judgment! We cannot just believe one-sided words." This doctor from the medical school, who looked to be in his forties or fifties, was obviously very protective of the medical school and glared at Yu Ji as he spoke.
It looked as if he was saying, "Don't try to frame us, you demon ! "
"Ahem, pure faith is something that mortals cannot feel. Besides... the talisman paper is glutinous rice paper, and the talisman juice contains isatis . I think the medical school should have only seen these when checking." Yu Ji explained immediately.
Although Isatis root was not used as the main medicinal ingredient at that time, there was already a prescription using Isatis root in Zhang Zhongjing's Treatise on Febrile Diseases.
When the people around heard that the main ingredient of the magic water was Isatis root, they couldn't help but talk about it.
Of course, the people at that time had no impression of Isatis root, they just knew it was some kind of herb.
Although Yu Ji said that in addition to Isatis root, there are some things that mortals cannot feel, but... drawing talismans with Isatis root juice still makes people feel disillusioned!
"Isatis root... clears away heat and detoxifies, very good. The Taoist priest has been so dedicated to the people of Jiangdong, his character is worthy of admiration. One day... I will give the Taoist priest a plaque to hang on his abode! By the way, there is also a banner, which should be hung up next time the Taoist priest preaches." Bai Tu said enthusiastically.
Yu Ji's face twitched when he heard this and he said, "It's not easy for a person from outside the world to accept such courtesy from the general..."
Judging from Bai Tu’s previous attitude, Yu Ji could guess with his eyes closed that the plaques and banners were meant to put the reputation of the General’s Mansion on his own head!
