Chapter 219 — The Strike of the Heavenly Anomaly
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 4 of 5
Shen Mu said, "But this minister has heard a saying: the Way of the sages is nothing other than the daily use of the common folk. There are so many divine-power wielders in the realm. If the sun comes out and the great snow melts, then let these divine-power wielders go down into the fields themselves and, for the people of every region, clear away the frozen-dead crops and replant them; next year there may still be some harvest. When the rice puts out its ears and there is no wind, then ask the divine-power wielders to send wind. When weeds grow thick, ask the divine-power wielders to pull weeds; when an insect plague breaks out, ask them to kill the insects; when frost falls from the sky, ask them to drive off the frost with fire."
"Your Majesty, these are words of the demonic path!"
A civil official trembled with rage from head to foot and stepped out. "Your Majesty, the Cavalier Attendant's mouth utters words of the demonic path, ruining the nation and the people; he should be executed!"
Emperor Yanfeng smiled. "That saying is altogether correct. Why should it be a word of the demonic path? It is no ruining of the nation and the people, but good counsel for governing the state and saving the people. Your office is stripped from you; go home and reflect well on yourself. Beloved Minister Shen, have you other good counsel?"
Shen Mu mused. "Your Majesty might also have the Bureau of Celestial Observation watch the weather in every region. In a year of flood, gather the rain clouds into a gourd or some such numinous treasure. In a year when the hurricane rages, gather the hurricane into a numinous treasure; the tornado, the hail, the thunder and lightning, all can be gathered up and kept for use. If a year of drought comes, the great rain can be released; if war is opened with a foreign land, the hail, the snow and ice, the thunder and lightning, the tornado, can be released — the sky's phenomena commanded, and turned upon the enemy state. This year's snow disaster has all but destroyed the national fortune of so splendid a power as Jingping. If such arts of heavenly phenomenon were used against an enemy state, what state could bear it?"
"Your Majesty, to command the sky's phenomena is to defy Heaven's Way; these are words of the demonic path!"
Another civil official stepped out and knocked his head again and again on the ground, knocking his brow bloody, and cried in a harsh voice, "Words of the demonic path in very truth! This is to destroy our nation's line! Your Majesty, I beg you, put this demonic sorcerer to death at once!"
"Your office is stripped."
Emperor Yanfeng waved a hand, smiling. "You cannot offer a plan, and yet you talk nonsense and slander the Cavalier Attendant. The monthly stipend I give you is not small; what use is keeping you? It is this snow, this cloud, that will destroy my nation's line! Attendants, drag him out. Cavalier Attendant, knowing is easy, doing is hard; for this relief work, you will come with me."
Shen Mu hesitated, troubled. "This minister still must go home for the New Year... This minister will recommend a few men, who perhaps can help Your Majesty."
Emperor Yanfeng laughed aloud, and it seemed to him that the dark cloud pressing on his heart had lifted too. He waved a hand. "Approved. I am in need of men just now; if the men you recommend are truly useful, I will not stint you."