Chapter 50: The Road Ahead for Dragon-Tiger Mountain, Daring Beyond Measure

After returning, Zhang Zhengchang once again thoroughly read Zhang Yi’s letter and the book on vaccines, then closed his eyes to reflect deeply.

The method of variolation was invented by Zhang Yi, or perhaps it came from a “celestial fate,” but after he taught it to the emperor, the emperor had already mastered this method. Yet, the emperor did not directly promote variolation himself; instead, he gave the initiative to Zhang Yi. In the end, it was Mount Longhu that came to the fore in this matter. Why, then, did His Majesty choose such a circuitous path?

After much deliberation, Zhang Zhengchang concluded there were likely two reasons.

First, this was a “reward” for Mount Longhu’s loyalty, or Zhang Yi’s contribution—a chance for the mountain to earn a place in history! He recalled that little troublemaker once said, the current emperor favors verbal praise, avoids spending money whenever possible, and such rewards fit Zhu Yuanzhang’s character perfectly.

Second, the emperor sought to leverage the prestige of Mount Longhu to make the method easier to promote.

If the formula in Zhang Yi’s letter was truly as miraculous as claimed, anyone involved would gain fame and glory, their names recorded in history.

The emperor was eager to see this endeavor succeed, but how to ensure its success was no simple matter. Zhang Yi’s formula operated on the principle of fighting poison with poison, a concept not easily accepted by all.

The common folk are ignorant; if you try to explain too much, the cost of persuasion becomes enormous.

But if you could cloak this method in a mantle of sanctity, the difficulty of spreading it would be much reduced.

Just as Zhu Yuanzhang, though already in command of the empire’s fate, still came to Mount Longhu to request a “Mandate of Heaven” inscription—this was the value Mount Longhu had accumulated through centuries of existence.

Centuries of prestige, eighty years as the leader of Daoism, and the public trust amassed over time—these formed the foundation of Mount Longhu.

“This opportunity may not restore the position of Celestial Master to Mount Longhu, but it could still open a promising path!”

Having reasoned through these matters, Zhang Zhengchang cast off the malaise of the past two months and felt invigorated.

When a disciple brought him food and candles, Old Zhang chased him out and shut himself away completely.

“Bacteria… Microorganisms? Truly wondrous…”

“No wonder that brat has been drinking boiled water since childhood—so this is the reason…”

“But creatures in water, unseen by mortal eyes, cannot be witnessed by ordinary people; their existence lacks convincing proof!”

“To persuade those pedants will be exceedingly difficult!”

If the technique for making vaccines in Zhang Yi’s book could be called the ‘method,’ then the explanations regarding bacteria and microorganisms were the ‘principle’—the book’s core.

Yet, it was precisely such heretical ideas that would be hardest to spread. Especially with nothing but words as evidence, how could people be convinced to believe in a microscopic world?

Even Zhang Zhengchang himself found it taxing to learn.

Still, he understood how crucial this opportunity was for Mount Longhu.

Most knowledge about microorganisms was rooted in Buddhist texts, a clear disadvantage for Mount Longhu in propagating the variolation method.

According to Zhang Yi’s plan, what they needed was a scripture.

“The Supreme Discourse on Miraculous Principles of the Microcosmic World!”

This was the second book Zhang Yi had slipped into his letter. Seeing the barely legible scrawl and the incoherent writing, Zhang Zhengchang immediately realized Zhang Yi had made up this scripture on the spot…

“Before the Three Pure Ones, this is an imperial assignment—I have no choice…”

Zhang Zhengchang’s mouth twitched; his son’s audacity left him speechless.

Such nerve! To forge a scripture—while this was a fine tradition among Daoist predecessors, Old Zhang himself had never done so.

And how many would dare to fabricate a scripture to deceive the emperor? Even though the emperor had likely already read the book, Old Zhang was still pale with fright at Zhang Yi’s recklessness.

He dearly wished to refuse to take the blame for his son’s actions, but for the sake of fulfilling the emperor’s order, Zhang Zhengchang had no choice but to grit his teeth and polish the forged scripture…

Several days later.

While all of Mount Longhu was quietly worrying over Zhang Zhengchang’s condition, he emerged from seclusion.

His former lethargy had vanished, replaced by vigor and spirit.

“I dreamed of the Patriarch in my sleep—Patriarch Zhang Tian… Zhang Daoling said: ‘A wise ruler has arisen among men, Heaven responds and sends auspicious signs. The Patriarch is specially ordered to bestow upon me a scripture and a medical text, to aid our Great Ming in ruling for generations!’”

The moment Zhang Zhengchang spoke, everyone was stunned.

So the Master had hurried into seclusion just to receive the ancestral teachings in a dream?

“Master, what scripture did the Patriarch bestow?”

“The Patriarch bestowed the ‘Supreme Lord’s Discourse on Miraculous Principles of the Microcosmic World!’”

With utmost solemnity, Zhang Zhengchang drew a book from his sleeve.

The entire community of Mount Longhu tensed with anticipation—this book, passed down in a dream, what wondrous teachings might it contain?

He circulated the scripture for everyone to read. After studying it, all expressed amazement.

The microcosmic world described by the Supreme Lord was bizarre and fantastical, yet the scripture bore no relation to cultivation. It simply introduced the microcosmic world—bacteria, waterborne creatures, viruses—what were these things?

On the surface, the scripture seemed to serve little practical purpose.

Until Zhang Zhengchang declared:

“The Supreme Lord has bestowed a medical art that can forever free the world from the torment of smallpox!”

Only then did the community of Mount Longhu grasp the scripture’s true meaning.

Smallpox?

Isn’t that a plague? That is to say, the Supreme Lord has granted Mount Longhu a means to permanently eradicate a plague?

“By the Three Pure Ones, Heaven blesses the Great Ming!”

All of Mount Longhu rejoiced. They did not fully understand the nature of this auspicious omen, but it could only be a boon for Mount Longhu.

Without delay, Zhang Zhengchang ordered his followers to search for cattle and people afflicted with smallpox…

Mount Longhu began to set in motion the emperor’s grand design, working tirelessly to serve.

When news reached the capital, the emperor and crown prince were in the imperial study, writing diligently.

Upon glancing at the report, the old emperor handed it to Zhu Biao.

Zhu Biao read it, fell silent for a while, then decided to inquire:

“Father is building up Mount Longhu’s prestige, and bringing Zhang Zhengchang to the capital… The last time Zhang Zhengchang came, Father stripped Mount Longhu of many privileges. Is the reason for summoning him again… related to the Duke of Yansheng, Kong Kejian?”

The old emperor nodded, pleased that Zhu Biao could deduce his intentions.

With his gaze, he encouraged Zhu Biao to continue.

“Uncle Xu has already taken Jining, and is bringing the ailing Duke of Yansheng to the capital personally. If one counts the days, Zhang Zhengchang’s arrival in the capital will coincide with Kong Kejian’s audience with Your Majesty…

So Father intends to use Master Zhang as a blade against the Duke of Yansheng?”

“Exactly.”

The emperor was delighted that Zhu Biao could read his mind.

He had raised this child at his side since he was young, teaching by word and example. Now, at last, his efforts had borne fruit.

“But Father, that is the Duke of Yansheng!”

Unable to help himself, Zhu Biao reminded Zhu Yuanzhang of the profound significance those three words carried.

From childhood, Zhu Biao had studied under the great Confucian Song Lian, learning the Four Books and Five Classics. He held the Sage Confucius in great esteem. His father’s intention to humiliate the descendants of Confucius left him with conflicting feelings.

“The Duke of Yansheng—so what?

If not for my need of the Confucians to rule the empire, I would have already wiped out those people in Qufu!”

Zhu Yuanzhang sneered, his gaze unwavering.