A Pawn’s Passage

The reason the Daoist Order could claim itself as "civilized" was not so much due to its inherent civility but largely because of the contrast with others. When compared against bandits and villains, even an ordinary person would appear noble and virtuous.

One could only recognize light when there was darkness. Similarly, only because evil exists could one recognize goodness.

The Daoist Order refrained from engaging in the slave trade primarily because they promoted egalitarian ideals to erase Confucian influence. As a result, the Great Xuan Court abolished the hereditary low-born caste system that had lasted for millennia, forcing a shift toward a contractual employment system. Although servants still existed in the Central Plains, they were no longer part of a despised caste and could take the imperial examination, marry freely, and were protected from arbitrary punishment. Essentially, they were hired workers.

There was once a female Daoist, known for her beauty and diplomatic finesse, who gained considerable fame. Yet for killing her own maid, she was ultimately executed by the Daoist Order.

If the Daoist Order were to engage in slave trading, it would betray the ideals of equality it had set forth. This double standard would result in immense backlash, leading to ideological chaos and division. Furthermore, it would open the floodgates, initially sourcing slaves externally, but with scarce supply and high profits, the trade would inevitably extend to its own people, creating endless harm.

Moreover, the Daoist Order annually transported large numbers of migrants to Borneo annually to strengthen control over the region, so it was still short on manpower.

Thus, the Daoist Order firmly opposed such practices.

Since slavery was forbidden, some resorted to keeping slaves under the guise of adopted sons or daughters.

However, the Daoist Order strictly prohibited even that. No one dared to accuse the Li family of using adoption as an excuse for slavery, especially since there had even been cases where adopted children became family heads. In fact, the Li family practiced egalitarianism more thoroughly than most.

It simply came down to different fates for different people. Take Qi Xuansu for example, he was also an adopted son, taken in midway by Madam Qi, yet he was treated almost like a biological child. This caused Zhang Yuelu constant headaches and Li Qingnu bouts of envy. For some, being an adopted child was just a pleasant label. In reality, they were glorified servants, made to serve and die for their adoptive families.

Li Tiangang promptly reported the matter to Sage Qingwei after Marcheno's departure.

After hearing the report, Sage Qingwei pushed forward an official document and said, "The Westerners being unruly is no surprise. Take a look at this."

Li Tiangang picked up the document and skimmed it quickly, his expression darkening. "This came from Deputy Hall Master Qi?"

Sage Qingwei nodded. "Using Tian Yuan this time was the right call. He's sent me three confidential reports so far. The first confirmed the successful surrender of Suzuka Gozen; the second explained in detail how the Tsuchimikado Onmyoji had botched the mission; and this third one was how he stumbled upon a high-ranking metropolitan of the Holy Court secretly participating in a Sonno-joi faction meeting on his way to Mount Suzuka. The metropolitan even promised various forms of support to the rebels."

Li Tiangang's expression grew grave. "Although this was within our expectations, I didn't imagine the Westerners would be so bold as to show up in Ise Province. What is your opinion on this, Sage?"

Sage Qingwei said calmly, "Let them send aid, then. We'll see how many mountains of gold and silver they can pour into this bottomless pit that is Fenglin. We're separated by only a sliver of Donghai, but they're separated by an ocean. Who do you think can endure the cost longer? Besides, attrition warfare is taboo for military strategists. They believe they're bleeding us dry by feeding us Wa people, but in the end, who's bleeding whom remains to be seen."

Li Tiangang immediately grasped Sage Qingwei's meaning.

If the Sonno-joi faction united in force against the Daoist Order, it would be like a fight of five against ten. The Sonno-joi faction could indeed inflict losses, making Western aid somewhat effective in drawing blood. But once Sonno-joi forces were crushed and reduced to scattered stragglers, it would be like having one person after another facing ten Daoists. They would not be able to cause any damage then. Instead, it would be the Daoist Order bleeding the Holy Court dry.

Furthermore, the Daoist Order would not always act in a refined or "civilized" manner. Once the Sonno-joi faction was fragmented, they would indeed become hard to eliminate, leading to unnecessary waste. But by that point, the Daoist Order would not need to act directly. After all, they propped up Chancellor Toyotomi's Office, which ruled Fenglin for nearly 200 years. With rich experience in suppressing rebellions, even before their defeat in Ise Province, they were once on the offensive. So, when it came time to mop up the scattered rebels, the Chancellor's Office would do the job, allowing the Daoist Order to pull out and declare the end of the Fenglin campaign.

Naturally, the game of strategy here was complex. But distance limited the Holy Court's ability to intervene. No matter the schemes at play, that fact would not change.

......

Toyotomi Chiyo walked the streets of Yoshida Castle, wearing the garb of a female Daoist. At her side were two Spirit Guards, while trailing behind her were two retainers from the Chancellor's Office and two Onmyoji.

Passersby stepped aside quickly, gazing at her with deep reverence.

Toyotomi Chiyo had long grown used to such reverence because she was the younger sister to the former Kampaku, also known as Princess Toyotomi.

At this moment, Toyotomi Chiyo felt mostly sorrow. Her elder brother, Toyotomi Hidesugu, had died within Ise Province. She had prayed countless times to the Primordial Daoist Ancestor, hoping that the Heavenly Soldiers from the Daoist Order would descend to avenge him. In the end, they did not let her down. The Black Robes had truly arrived, so she requested to accompany the expeditionary army. The Fenglin Daoist Mansion had no reason not to approve her request.

Yet it was only when Toyotomi Chiyo finally set foot in the war-ravaged land of Ise Province that she truly understood the depth of devastation war brought upon the world.

The Black Robes maintained control of strategic positions, while the vassal forces of the Chancellor's Office patrolled the streets. Upon seeing Toyotomi Chiyo, the leading samurai bowed deeply with humility, for she carried dual status—both as a princess of the Chancellor's Office and as a Daoist of the Fenglin Daoist Mansion. To the common folk, she was a figure of unquestionable authority.

At the end of the street stood a shrine that had now been taken over by the Spirit Guard.

The shrine's main hall was filled with a chilling and oppressive atmosphere.

"I am Xu Kou, a fifth-rank Superintendent of the Tiangang Hall's Yaoguang Division. I am here under orders to question you. I urge you all to cooperate."

Xu Kou stood with his hands behind his back, facing the altar enshrined with deities, his back to the people.

He spoke in the Central Plains official dialect, and the interpreter dutifully translated his words into the Wa language.

Surrounding Xu Kou were rows of black-armored Spirit Guards, standing like statues. Not far off, a temporary writing desk had been set up, where a Daoist sat to record the proceedings.

Xu Kou turned to face the shrine members who were surrounded by the Spirit Guards. "I want to know the hiding places of the Sonno-joi faction in Taki District. Don't claim ignorance. As a subordinate shrine of the Ise-jingu, you've already been colluding with those Sonno-joi ronin, right?"

Silence fell.

No one responded to Xu Kou.

Xu Kou was not surprised by the result and scoffed. "This is my final warning. The Daoist Order does not advocate torture, but wartime is an exception. During war, all rules must give way to victory."

Several ninjas from the Chancellor's Office silently stepped out from the shadows.

They were the Hattori Clan "Court Ninja" working for the Chancellor's Office, skilled in interrogation and torture.

Xu Kou had no intention of dirtying the hands of the Daoist Order. These filthy tasks were best left to the ninjas.

Two ninjas seized the now powerless guji, chained him to a pillar in the main hall, and began laying out various instruments of torture—mostly small knives, needles, spikes, and drugs.

Having come from the Green Phoenix Guard, Xu Kou was long accustomed to scenes like this, so he did not care to spare them a second glance. He even had a record of torturing people to death, not out of sadism, but to pry open mouths and extract the truth.

Soon, Xu Kou's gaze landed on a young miko.

Xu Kou forced what could barely be called a smile onto his face and asked, "What's your name?"

The young miko looked up, meeting Xu Kou's gaze. Her face turned pale, and her lips trembled slightly as she softly replied, "A...Asai To..."

Xu Kou said, "Asai To, my intuition tells me you're a kind-hearted girl. Surely, you wouldn't want your friends and elders to suffer misfortune, right?"

Asai To hesitated, then gave a small nod.

Xu Kou pointed to the guji and continued, "As long as you tell me the hiding places of those Sonno-joi rebels, I'll let him go."

Asai To's lips moved, and just as she was about to speak, the guji suddenly shouted, startling her into a shiver. The words on the tip of her tongue were swallowed back down her throat.

Xu Kou instructed, "Gag him."

A ninja immediately stuffed a palm-sized seed into the priest's mouth.

Xu Kou leaned in slightly, smiling. "Alright, go on."

Asai To turned to look at the struggling guji and found herself unable to speak.

"So, you don't intend to speak, huh? My patience is limited." Xu Kou straightened up, and the smile on his face gradually faded.

At that moment, a commotion erupted outside the hall.

Xu Kou turned and barked, "What's going on?"

A Spirit Guard strode in quickly and whispered something in Xu Kou's ear.

Xu Kou's brow furrowed slightly. "Let her in."

Moments later, Toyotomi Chiyo stepped into the main hall.

Xu Kou was irritated. A flash of annoyance crossed his face, but he quickly forced a courteous smile. "Lady Toyotomi, what brings you here?"

To the Daoist Order, Toyotomi Chiyo carried significant symbolic weight and held a special status, so Xu Kou dared not show her any disrespect.

Toyotomi Chiyo glanced around and asked, "What's going on here?"

Xu Kou replied succinctly, "Interrogation."