Chapter 21: Surviving in the Cracks

Abbot Huitong wished to take him to meet Zhishilang, and Li Dong was overcome by a strange feeling. Just yesterday, he had been fighting tooth and nail in the bloody battle for Zhangqiu City, exhausting himself to foil Zhishilang’s schemes, the two sides locked in fierce conflict. Now, the great monk planned to escort him to see his former enemy, all for the sake of sparing more innocent people from being drawn into the turmoil and meeting a tragic end.

Before he crossed over into this world, Li Dong had served in a peacekeeping force; safeguarding the welfare of the people was his duty. But when trees wish for stillness, the wind refuses to subside—facing tyranny and villainy, there is but one solution: take up arms and put an end to them! Sweep away the dark clouds, drive out shameless traitors and evil spirits, and restore the world to its rightful order for the common folk.

From this perspective, the abbot’s aspirations were much like his own. Yet the abbot, as a man of the cloth, was not subject to the passions and desires that stirred within Li Dong—such complex emotions belonged to all humankind. By joining Zhishilang’s forces, one could claim the moral high ground: a heart for the people. But for Li Dong to suddenly turn his weapon against his own father, Li Hun, who served as an official in Zhangqiu, or to attack the city of Lu Rou and her father Lu Li’er—a woman with whom he had shared his bed, even if she had hurt him—emotionally, it was impossible for him to accept.

Zhishilang, however, greatly admired Li Dong’s intellect and courage. He had spared no effort to set him up, then to rescue and win him over. It is often said that the one who best understands your worth is not your constant companion, but your rival—how true those words proved to be.

“I will give you my answer once I’ve made up my mind,” Li Dong told Abbot Huitong. “The situation is too complicated right now; I must consider it carefully.”

Abbot Huitong did not press him further. He agreed and left the meditation room, accompanied by four of his junior brothers.

Li Dong had a deeper reason for not agreeing right away. Historically, Zhishilang and Wang Bo’s uprising was the first peasant revolt against the Sui dynasty, but at this time, the Sui’s strength remained formidable. Emperor Yang had conscripted over a million troops, and with two million more laborers transporting grain, the army marched eastward in great numbers to strike at Goguryeo. Zhishilang had only managed to gather ten thousand poor souls from the counties of Zhangqiu and Zouping; his call to arms had yet to inspire wider support, for many still believed rebellion meant certain death and dared not join him.

From a moral standpoint, defeating the Tuyuhun and subduing the Turks to defend and expand the Sui’s borders was also necessary. Without just cause or popular support, any rebellion was doomed to fail.

For Li Dong, neither his personal feelings, the era’s circumstances, nor his sense of duty to family and country permitted him to join Zhishilang.

Having settled on his course, Li Dong felt a weight lift from his heart. He strolled leisurely through Daming Temple, taking in the scenery, admiring the architecture, enjoying the flowers and trees, and observing the monks’ way of life. For a moment, he felt as carefree as a hermit, savoring this peaceful interlude.

At dinnertime, a young novice delivered a bowl of plain rice and some fried eggs. Li Dong’s appetite surged, and after finishing, he asked for another bowl, eating his fill until he was completely satisfied.

The little novice stared in amazement—this man could eat enough for three! But the abbot had given orders, and he could only oblige.

Not long after, a knock sounded at the door. Li Dong guessed it must be Abbot Huitong, and upon opening the door, he found he was right. This time, however, the abbot stood alone, without his usual retinue, reciting a Buddhist prayer: “Amitabha. Honored guest, are you comfortable here at our humble temple?”

“My thanks to you, Master Abbot. Everything is excellent—more than excellent,” Li Dong replied with a smile.

“There was a flood last year, and this year the Emperor campaigns in the north; the people suffer famine, so our incense offerings have greatly dwindled. If our hospitality falls short, I beg your forgiveness,” the abbot said, his tone calm, even when discussing the troubles of the world.

Li Dong returned his courtesies, knowing full well the abbot had only come to ask whether he had decided to join Zhishilang. After all, the abbot managed the vast Daming Temple and had many monks to oversee; he would not visit in person without good reason.

“Thanks to Zhishilang’s favor and the abbot’s high regard for me, I have decided to meet Zhishilang with you tomorrow. If all goes as expected, I will not be returning,” Li Dong replied, though he made no solemn vow to join Zhishilang—only that, barring unforeseen circumstances, he would go.

“Excellent. That relieves a regret I have carried for many years,” the abbot said, clearly pleased. Though Li Dong’s response was not resolute, he had at least done Zhishilang a favor and repaid a debt. A faint smile played on his lips, revealing his good mood.

“But may I ask, when did your esteemed temple become acquainted with Zhishilang, and what debt is owed?” Li Dong suspected there was a deeper connection between Huitong and Zhishilang, or the abbot would not have used the word “regret.”

As it turned out, Zhishilang had been born into wealth and loved to wander among mountains and rivers. Years ago, he had visited this place when Daming Temple was still obscure. He had generously donated a large sum, enabling the temple’s renovation, and spread word of its merits so that gradually it gained fame.

Abbot Huitong had promised Zhishilang that if ever he needed help, he would spare no effort.

After Zhishilang’s revolt began, he thought of the monks at Daming Temple, all skilled in martial arts, and sent for Huitong to help train his men. As Huitong could not leave the temple, he dispatched his talented junior, Lingtong, whose prowess matched his own.

When Zhishilang repeatedly suffered defeat at Li Dong’s hands, he considered eliminating him by force. But Lingtong, seeing Li Dong’s talent in military command despite his youth, changed his mind and sought instead to win him over—thus began all that followed.

So that’s how it was, Li Dong mused. Zhishilang was not a bad man; otherwise, ten thousand followers would not entrust him with their lives. He was merely born in unfortunate times. All the more reason to join him now—if he could not guarantee the flames of rebellion would spread, at least he could try to ensure Zhishilang survived the chaos.

Li Dong’s plan was to feign acceptance for now, secretly protect Zhangqiu and Lu Rou, and after meeting with Du Fuwei and others, decide whether to bring Zhishilang over to his own side.

At present, Li Dong had two pressing tasks. First, to build a force that would follow his command, using his superior leadership and foreknowledge of late Sui events to protect the people and gradually expand his strength. Second, he lacked a suitable weapon. In the heat of recent battles, his blade had dulled from overuse, forcing him to seize weapons from fallen foes. To possess a fine weapon now would be as valuable as a bulletproof vest in his previous life.

After Li Dong agreed to meet Zhishilang, Abbot Huitong was greatly pleased. He and Li Dong sat together discussing Zen, and Li Dong welcomed the chance to learn about this unfamiliar realm. They talked by candlelight late into the night, until at last the abbot had to depart.

The next day, after breakfast, Li Dong, under the guidance of Master Yuantong and three other monks, mounted a swift horse and set out for Zhishilang’s camp. Strangely, the route they took led not toward Zouping, but directly to Zhangqiu—the very territory governed by Lu Li’er for the Sui. Could they have made a mistake?

Li Dong urged his horse forward, riding abreast of Master Yuantong and the others, and voiced his doubts. Master Yuantong laughed heartily and replied, “Have no fear, honored guest—we won’t lose our way. Just follow us, and all will be well.”

Li Dong’s suspicions only deepened…