OBS Chapter 457 Zhang Lu's Headache for His Daughter Fu Bao
Chapter 457 Zhang Lu's Headache for His Daughter Fu Bao
Despite the unexpected incident of Zhang Xiu joining the team, Ma Chao finally agreed to Zhang Xiu's joining after repeated jokes and persuasion. After that, the group did not stay in Xinye for long. After a short rest overnight, they set out on their hurried journey at dawn the next day.
The subsequent journey was utterly monotonous. In the freezing cold, the biting wind razed everyone's cheeks like a knife, and the surroundings were a bleak spectacle of snow. Along the long road, nothing broke the silence and boredom except for the hurried figures of people rushing past. Their hurried steps seemed driven by an invisible force, their single-minded desire to reach their destination as quickly as possible. Only a firm belief silently sustained them, resisting the physical fatigue and the harshness of the environment.
Far away in Hanzhong, Zhang Lu was like an ant on a hot pan, his heart pounding with anxiety. Pang De's actions had taken everyone by surprise. His army had clearly retreated, and Hanzhong had just been freed from its tense atmosphere. The people were practically preparing for the New Year celebrations to celebrate this rare moment of peace. But who could have foreseen that Pang De, the "Sixth Brother," would return and lead a massive army on a surging assault on Wudu, instantly plunging Wudu County into a precarious and precarious situation.
Zhang Xiu's ancestors, through their founding of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect, benefited countless people through their efforts to save the dying and heal the wounded. Their unique teachings laid the foundation for their rise to prominence. Zhang Lu, who assumed the dual roles of Heavenly Master and regional lord, managed to govern Hanzhong with some success. However, Zhang Lu's ambition for territorial expansion was modest, while his passion for preaching far outweighed any other desires. In this respect, he might not be considered a truly ambitious lord.
Yet, for the people and followers of the sect, Hanzhong was a land of peace and tranquility. They were remarkably united, even if their own combat prowess wasn't top-tier. Once the talisman from Zhang Tianshi was circulated, Hanzhong's passionate warriors would rush to the battlefield without hesitation. After all, generations had benefited from the blessings of Zhang Tianshi's family. During his tenure as governor of Hanzhong, Zhang Lu implemented policies of light taxation and frequently offered assistance to those in need. The people were generally quite content with their current lives, grateful to Zhang Lu and willing to serve him.
In Hanzhong, the name of Zhang Lu, the Heavenly Master, resonated like a mighty bell, its resounding power far surpassing his status as prefect. For the people, Zhang represented more than just secular power; he represented a lofty spiritual symbol and a place of refuge. The teachings of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect, like a gentle stream, nourished the hearts of every citizen, imbuing them with a near-devout reverence and devotion for Zhang. Consequently, when Zhang summoned them, they willingly stepped forward, unflinching in the face of danger and fire, single-mindedly defending the Heavenly Master's honor and the peace of Hanzhong. This loyalty and fervor was deeply etched into the hearts of every citizen, an indelible mark of faith in their lives.
The Western Liang army, undoubtedly a formidable force, initially stormed Wudu County with unstoppable force, resulting in the fall of several county towns. However, the people of Wudu, brimming with reverence for Zhang Tianshi, capitalized on the natural dangers surrounding Wudu and, with their unyielding will, waged a desperate resistance on every inch of their territory. They navigated the towering mountains, exploited the rugged valleys and rivers, and strategically set ambushes, repeatedly repelling the Western Liang advances. Despite the ferocious enemy assault, the people remained steadfast. With their own strength and unwavering resolve, they gradually stabilized their position and successfully withstood the overwhelming Western Liang advance, forcing the previously unstoppable Western Liang army into a stalemate and forcing a reassessment of this seemingly fragile yet incredibly resilient grassroots force.
Therefore, the unrest in Hanzhong became a major concern for Zhang Lu, a key factor in his irritation, accounting for a large proportion. However, a small part of the reason stemmed from his daughter Zhang Fubao, whom he cherished like a jewel in his palm.
Hanzhong has long been renowned for its Tianshi Dao (Heavenly Master) tradition of education, and the name of Zhang Tianshi is a shining symbol. From a young age, the Zhang family's descendants have prioritized the study of Tianshi Dao's teachings, as many of their teachings are inextricably linked to the teachings of medicine. For example, during the Yellow Turban Rebellion, its leader, the Great Sage Zhang Jue, was rumored to have used carefully brewed herbal infusions to write his talismans, which he then dissolved into water for consumption. There were even rumors that the paper he used was made from grain. For the starving, a bowl of such infusions could both alleviate pain and provide a small satiate, earning them a reputation as miraculous. The teachings of the Tianshi family indeed contained elements that could heal the common people's ailments, at least some of which had real healing properties.
His daughter, Zhang Fubao, however, was a different person. She showed no interest in religious doctrine, focused solely on healing and saving lives. Zhang Lu doted on his daughter from a young age. Before Zhang Fubao's birth, Hanzhong was under the jurisdiction of Yizhou Governor Liu Yan, with whom Zhang Lu maintained close ties. However, Liu Yan's domineering behavior placed immense pressure on Hanzhong, making it difficult for them to resist and endure constant oppression from Chengdu. Consequently, Zhang Lu gradually harbored the desire to break free from Chengdu's control. Previously, under Liu Yan's suppression, he had suffered repeated blows and felt powerless.
Ever since the birth of his precious daughter, Zhang Fubao, Zhang Lu felt a subtle shift in fortune. In the past, he had often struggled to make headway in his battles with various factions, but now he was able to gain some momentum in the wars, demonstrating his prowess and prowess, no longer merely defending himself. Furthermore, he was gradually freeing himself from the suffocating influence of the governor of Yizhou, allowing Hanzhong to establish itself in this chaotic world, like an island of peace amidst turbulent waters.
Taoism has always emphasized the cycle of cause and effect and the retribution of blessings. In Zhang Lu's eyes, the arrival of his youngest daughter was a blessing bestowed by heaven, a blessing earned by him and his wife. Therefore, he doted on her to the utmost. From the time Zhang Fubao was still a child, he eagerly began her study of the teachings of the Celestial Master Dao. He even vigorously promoted her to the outside world, hailing her as a gifted, promising young talent within the Celestial Master Dao, and a distinguished figure, as if he foresaw her glorious future in promoting the teachings.
However, life is unpredictable. As Zhang Fubao grew older, her heart and soul didn't resonate with the teachings as deeply as Zhang Lu had hoped. She only dabbled in the profound teachings and texts, quickly losing interest and devoting all her passion and energy to the study of healing and saving lives. This shift troubled Zhang Lu. He knew that the continuation of the Tianshi Sect required the dedication of his family members, but faced with his daughter's persistent gaze and her obsession with medicine, he couldn't bring himself to force her to change her ways. Helpless, he continued to dote on his daughter, attending to daily matters within the sect and Hanzhong, and personally checking on her academic progress. Even though he knew her mind was no longer focused on the teachings, he still hoped for a miracle that would rekindle his daughter's commitment to the Tianshi Sect's legacy.
Recently, a renowned physician, rumored to be the legendary Hua Tuo, arrived in Hanzhong. His medical skills were exceptional, his reputation far and wide, and his compassionate heart was known for his generosity. He often treated the needy with minimal fees, sometimes even offering free consultations. For a time, the people adored him, praising his kindness and exceptional medical skills.
This situation inadvertently eroded the prestige of the Tianshi Sect in Hanzhong. In the past, when ordinary people fell ill, they would visit the sect to pray devoutly, then take talismans, herbal remedies, and pray for recovery, their faith in the sect unwavering. Even those wounded in battle, however critically, never questioned the sect's divine power and remained fervent followers. However, the arrival of Hua Tuo changed this dynamic. With his proven medical skills, he healed countless patients. Even those who had lost limbs on the battlefield, their lives hanging by a thread, saw their chances of survival significantly improved through his treatment, and they gradually recovered. Thus, the prestige of the Tianshi Sect gradually eroded.
Zhang Lu was initially furious and considered secretly sending for Hua Tuo's capture to alleviate his anxiety. However, whenever he saw the crowds of needy people around Hua Tuo desperately in need of treatment, he hesitated. After all, Hua Tuo's medical skills were exceptional, and he truly possessed the ability to bring the dead back to life. His daughter, Zhang Fubao, had been overjoyed upon learning of Hua Tuo's arrival in Hanzhong, clamoring to become his disciple and learn the art. This troubled Zhang Lu immensely. He had hoped his daughter would focus on studying the teachings of the Celestial Master Dao and inheriting the family legacy, but Zhang Fubao's understanding of the teachings was completely distorted, and her focus was entirely on studying medicine. Whenever he examined his daughter's academic performance, seeing her perfunctory and absent-minded, Zhang Lu became infuriated and anxious. Yet, he felt helpless in his daughter's care. He worried about the damage to the prestige of the Celestial Master Dao while struggling to cope with her unwavering commitment to medicine.
Every time Zhang Lu examined Zhang Fubao's academic performance, the scene always left Zhang Lu feeling frustrated. Zhang Fubao's mischievous nature would provoke her into indirect conversation about Hua Tuo. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity and yearning, as she inquired endlessly about his remarkable achievements in healing and saving lives, her voice filled with a passionate desire to become his disciple. She looked like a child captivated by novelty.
Seeing this, Zhang Lu was filled with anger and anxiety, his head aching. He knew the heavy responsibility of carrying on the Tianshi Sect's legacy, and his daughter's obsession with medicine, completely disregarding her teachings, was unacceptable. In desperation, he ordered his servants to keep Zhang Fubao under strict supervision. Every day, Zhang Fubao's residence was surrounded by guards, fearing that if he wasn't careful, his precious daughter would sneak out and study medicine with Hua Tuo. Those restrictions were like shackles, restricting Zhang Fubao's freedom of movement, but they couldn't stop her longing to study medicine. From her room, she often gazed out the window, secretly plotting how to break free from these constraints and pursue her dream of becoming a doctor.