Chapter 24: The Demonic Taoist

“Your Majesty, it is not that this humble Daoist is unwilling, but rather that it is simply beyond my ability!” The old Daoist spoke with a look of deep distress.

Zhao Huan understood well the difficulty of what he was asking. Nevertheless, historical records noted that in the early Southern Song, firearms had already begun to appear. He surmised that their development was imminent; all he wished was to bring forward their emergence by a few years. Zhao Huan was keenly aware that in an age of cold weapons, possession of hot weapons would be the key to achieving his ambition of becoming a peerless sovereign.

Of course, the most pressing reason Zhao Huan desired firearms was to fend off the impending assault from Jin. In this age of cold steel, cavalry reigned supreme on the battlefield, and this was precisely the Song’s greatest weakness. The Song lacked horses, and compared to these nomadic peoples, suffered a natural disadvantage.

“Impossible, you say?” Zhao Huan picked up the empty teacup before him, spinning it idly in his hand. Zong Ze had already reported to him that this old Daoist was not very cooperative with the Ordnance Bureau. Zhao Huan knew he had to find a way to bring this man to heel. In his eyes, these Daoist scholars were like the professors of later generations, wholly devoted to their research. If properly employed, perhaps they could produce many advanced inventions.

The old Daoist held his breath, anxious to hear what Zhao Huan would say next so that he might respond appropriately. Yet Zhao Huan, after his single retort, fell silent, merely spinning the teacup with practiced ease, as though he’d forgotten the old man’s presence entirely.

An invisible pressure weighed upon the old Daoist. By rights, a man of his discipline should be free from worldly disturbances, but now, under the emperor’s oppressive presence, sweat began to bead on his back.

“My father revered Daoism above all, and it has already become the foremost faith of our great Song,” Zhao Huan remarked coolly.

The old Daoist could not fathom what deeper meaning lay behind the emperor’s words, and replied with careful humility, “That is only thanks to the late emperor’s favor—he granted our sect this opportunity.”

“Indeed. Yet you show no thought of repaying the nation’s kindness, nor of serving your country. Instead, you beguile the emperor with sorcery, causing him to believe your wild tales. When Jin’s armies besieged Kaifeng, instead of resisting, you proposed praying to the Supreme Lord for blessings. This led to ten days under siege, with tens of thousands of soldiers lost.” Zhao Huan’s tone grew harsh as he addressed the old Daoist.

The old man was bewildered by these accusations. What did any of this have to do with Daoism? Those had been the late emperor’s own decisions. Why should such blame be laid at his door? This was truly a case of “giving a dog a bad name to hang him.”

“Your Majesty, how could these matters concern our Daoist sect?” the old man protested, though his voice was weak.

Zhao Huan knew his argument was somewhat forced. Still, Daoism in the Song era had grown somewhat excessive. He gave a cold snort. “Dare you say it has nothing to do with you? Did you know that during the siege, some of your Daoist brethren advised me not to resist, claiming that with the power of the Six Jia Army they could rout the Jin? If I had listened, Kaifeng would have fallen. Is it not fair to call such Daoism witchcraft?”

The old Daoist grew even more confused. Someone had advised Zhao Huan to use the Six Jia Army to defeat the Jin? He had never heard of such a thing. He did, however, recognize the term—it was Daoist jargon. Glancing at Zhao Huan, he saw the emperor’s stern face, his eyes full of anger; it did not seem a fabrication. As a high-ranking Daoist, he knew well that the Six Jia Army was a baseless legend. If this matter were taken as truth and used to brand Daoism as witchcraft, their sect would be doomed.

“Your Majesty, forgive me! This humble Daoist knows nothing of it—surely someone impersonated our sect to slander us!” In fear, the old Daoist fell to his knees, knocking his head to the floor in supplication.

To these old Daoists, wealth, women, and power held little attraction. But they all shared one weakness—a deep devotion to Daoism. Zhao Huan had seized upon this, forcing the old man to yield. As for the tale of someone advocating the Six Jia Army, it was true—but it had not occurred during this siege of Kaifeng, but the next.

Zhao Huan had thoroughly intimidated the old Daoist.

“Are you suggesting I am falsely accusing you?” Zhao Huan’s voice was icy.

“This humble Daoist dares not! It is only that…” The old man’s face was drawn with misery. When he had first met this young emperor, he had underestimated him, thinking him naive and easily deceived. Now he saw how mistaken he had been.

“Enough. I care nothing for your explanations. Tomorrow I will issue an edict: a nationwide investigation of Daoism, eradicating witchcraft to restore proper order.” Zhao Huan’s words were cold as frost. With that, he prepared to take his leave.

Now the old Daoist was truly terrified. Since the time of the Supreme Lord, Daoism had struggled to flourish. If, because of him, the sect was uprooted, he would be branded a villain for the ages. He collapsed, knocking his head repeatedly against the floor.

“Your Majesty, spare us! Your Majesty, have mercy!”

“Hmph! I have always distinguished merit from fault. Since you wish for pardon, you must atone through service. I will give your sect one last chance.” Zhao Huan’s voice was cold and unyielding.

At this, the old Daoist felt utterly helpless. He could not refuse, even if he wished. Now he was filled with regret—this young emperor’s whole purpose had been to press him into continuing his research into gunpowder. Had he known how much Zhao Huan valued it, he would never have refused so bluntly earlier. Now, not only did he have to continue the work, but he had lost any chance to bargain. The old man was on the verge of tears.

“Your Majesty, this humble Daoist will spare no effort, even unto death, to fulfill your command!” He kowtowed again, this time with genuine sincerity. This new emperor was utterly unlike his father. When meeting Zhao Ji, a few words of flattery about their encounters in heaven would suffice. But if he tried that trick with this young emperor, he would be branded a witch on the spot.

“Very well. I shall await your results.” With that, Zhao Huan departed.

“If you succeed, I will declare your Lingxiao Sect as the true orthodox line of Daoism.” Zhao Huan’s voice echoed from the corridor as he strode away.