Chapter 441: The True History of Bi Gan – Unveiling the Man!
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
As the clock struck three on the afternoon of the second day, the massive bronze cauldron, the Nine Zhou Ding, was finally rid of the last speck of dirt.
Luo Feng had meticulously photographed every character etched within the bronze cauldron. The inscriptions covered a mere fifth of the cauldron’s interior surface, an assemblage of about a thousand characters distributed sporadically within the cauldron.
Once he had documented all the inscriptions, Luo Feng emerged from inside the bronze cauldron, instantly drawing an eager crowd around him.
“Luo Feng, have you successfully captured the inscriptions?” queried a voice from the crowd.
“I have,” Luo Feng confirmed, lifting his phone for them to see. “I’ve shared the images in our group chat for you all to examine and translate.”
The crowd’s faces lit up with anticipation, their phones quickly retrieved to review the photographs. The scholars’ eyes fixated on the beautiful Jinwen characters as if they were entranced, much like a livestreaming star unable to tear his gaze away from a captivating beauty.
“Luo Feng, would you do us the honor of translating the texts?” Master Li suggested, his tone light-hearted yet sincere. “After all, deciphering these characters could take us days, while you seem to be able to comprehend them at a glance. We jest that you must hail from that ancient era. It’s hard to believe, but your abilities are truly remarkable!”
Nodding in agreement, Luo Feng chuckled, “Very well then. I’ll translate for everyone. It seems I’ve become your official translator! ”
Without further ado, he began to translate in segments, “This part says, ‘Zi Gan approached me, demanding a spring sacrifice. He insisted I sacrifice all nine Miao tribes. However, I chose to use the captives as labor and soldiers, aiming to reduce the casualties of our nobles. Zi Gan found my actions unacceptable, arguing that we needed to appease the gods above. Yet, I held my silence.”‘
“This passage implies that an emperor opposed human sacrifices, opting instead to utilize captives for labor and war, which led to a dispute with a man named Zi Gan.”
Upon hearing this, someone queried, “Who is this Zi Gan?”
“Zi Gan is none other than Bi Gan, mentioned in the ‘Investiture of the Gods’.
Now, let’s not interrupt Luo Feng and let him continue!” Master Li explained.
Luo Feng nodded in acknowledgment and resumed his translation, “What is the harm in using criminals for war? At times, these captured slaves, these foreigners, prove more obedient than our nobility.
“I was destined to be a king, isn’t that a mandate from Heaven? Why then, should I pray to the Heavens?
“Which gods, which divinations – let them all be damned!
“I am the king, I am Heaven!
“The heavens above are beyond my control, but on this land, I am supreme!”
Luo Feng chuckled as he translated these defiant declarations. He had a strong suspicion about the author of these inscriptions – it was most likely Di Xin.
As for Bi Gan? Ridiculous!
Was he viewed as a paragon of loyalty through the ages? King Zhou of Shang was justified in employing the slaves as labor and soldiers. The practice of human sacrifice to Heaven was an appalling waste.
One could sacrifice a pig or procure sacrificial offerings.
Human sacrifice, however, was unequivocally archaic.
Di Xin had committed no wrongdoing.
The error lay with Bi Gan.
Yet, considering the mindset of the era, disrespecting Heaven was deemed sinful, an act of rebellion.
Determining right from wrong is not a straightforward task.
But one thing is clear – Di Xin’s thinking was significantly advanced for his time.
Much like the conflict between the heliocentric and geocentric theories in Europe centuries ago, deviating from the accepted narrative invited public criticism.
Doing so threatened many vested interests, resulting in a unified backlash against the contrarian.
If your truth isn’t accepted by all, your demise is imminent.
But, with time, your truth may find acceptance posthumously.
“This has to be Di Xin, right? It’s certainly King Zhou of Shang!”
“So, King Zhou of Shang opted to use foreign slaves as labor, keeping them alive and working, but Bi Gan insisted on their sacrifice?”
“From my perspective, this is not the act of a tyrant but a very humanistic king!”
“Di Xin was not a despot, merely vilified by later generations.
“Judging by these records, Di Xin’s thinking was indeed forward-thinking!”
“Forsaking the gods, refusing human sacrifices, dissolving tribal powers, centralizing management in the royal court – these actions all seem to represent progress for the ancient system. How could they be construed as crimes?”
“Di Xin was a man before his time!”
“They had such a king, and they didn’t cherish him – they even rebelled.. I truly can’t comprehend these people!”
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