Chapter 148 - 145: The Yellow Turban Rebellion Led by Zhang Jiao
But Zhang Jiao, observing the celestial signs at night and divining with the "Essential Arts for Peace," knew that the time had come, a perfect opportunity for an uprising.
Zhang Jiao declared himself the General of Heaven, called upon all under Heaven, saying, "The azure sky is dead, the yellow sky shall rise; in the year of Jiazi, great fortune for the world!"
At that time, the Taiping Sect had grown powerful, with five hundred disciples under Zhang Jiao practicing the Taoist arts and spreading doctrines, enjoying considerable fame. Though the sect counted a million followers, only three hundred and sixty thousand truly dared to take action. Appointing thirty-six leaders, they formed large units of over ten thousand and smaller units of a few thousand, each with their disciples named generals.
The Great Han Dynasty was already in decline, eunuchs manipulating power, the Ten Attendants causing chaos, and Emperor Ling of Han was an inept ruler. The omens of great turmoil were evident throughout the realm. In recent years, disasters abounded, and the people suffered unspeakably, struggling for survival while the nobility indulged in endless revelry. This bred tremendous discontent among the poor. When Zhang Jiao initiated his revolt, people from eight states followed him, each household serving the great name of the Benevolent Instructor Zhang Jiao, donning yellow turbans in their uprising.
This was the Yellow Turban Rebellion during the Late Eastern Han Dynasty. Zhang Jiao was born to bring an end to the fate of the Great Han Dynasty. However, his destiny was ill-fated, for he bore the sign of an early death. In a few years, he would succumb to illness, which was also part of destiny. Yet, his rebellion was monumental, shocking the whole world!
"Now as the Han’s fate is ending, a great Saint emerges. All of you should follow the righteous path and embrace an era of peace," he proclaimed. With these words, four or five hundred thousand people wearing yellow turbans joined him, creating an immense momentum that caused the government troops to flee at the mere sight, losing several cities in the process.
The historic trajectory turned just as it had in a previous life, with Zhang Jiao’s Yellow Turban Rebellion encountering little resistance, conquering several cities, and pressing towards Youzhou.
It so happened that Liu Bei, passing under the city gates of Zhuo County this day, couldn’t help but sigh deeply. This sigh was not for Zhang Jiao’s rebellion and the chaos across the land but for the True Man of Dao and Virtue who told him that his time was near, yet to date, he saw no sign of it. The Left and Right Aids, where were they now? Liu Bei’s heart ached, wondering when these hard days would end. Since childhood, he had proclaimed himself an emperor, having his young playmates kneel before him. The desire to be an emperor was probably there all along, but hindered by poverty, he had no way to enter the court.
As Liu Bei was sighing, he heard a sudden thunderous shout from behind, "A great man should aid his country. Why do you sigh?"
Turning around, Liu Bei was overjoyed to see that the man had a leopard’s head and ringed eyes, a swallow’s jaw and tiger’s whiskers, a voice like thunder, and a presence as imposing as a charging horse. His appearance was fierce, standing eight feet tall and exceptionally robust.
"Ha ha, ha ha! The true person was indeed not wrong; could this be one of my Left or Right Aids?" Liu Bei was overjoyed and appraised Zhang Fei in secret.