It took quite a while before Wang Weizhang's legs stopped trembling.
Only after a long moment did he finally manage to stand up. The instant he got to his feet, he saw Dao Xuan Tianzun grabbing another vehicle. This time it was not a cargo cart but another enormous iron carriage. With a single motion, the giant hand scooped up the carriage, driver and all, from the Shaanxi side and placed it down in front of them.
The driver, speaking in a strong Shaanxi accent, cupped his hands toward the mountain peak. "Many thanks to Tianzun. I will continue on to Chengdu."
Dao Xuan Tianzun waved a hand. Even that casual gesture stirred up a gust of mountain wind.
The great iron carriage let out a deep whistle and rumbled off toward Guangyuan. The official road there had already been leveled and widened by the people of Guangyuan. As long as the iron carriage did not go too fast and kept a steady pace, the journey posed no problem.
Wang Weizhang steadied his breathing and suppressed the churning in his chest. After taking a deep breath, he turned to his subordinates. "Let us go. We will cross Mingyue Gorge and take a look at Shaanxi."
"Governor, you must not leave Sichuan so lightly. If the Emperor finds out…" one subordinate cautioned.
Wang Weizhang snapped, "Is this the time to talk about that? Look at what is happening here. What harm is there if I go to Shaanxi to see with my own eyes?"
He had a point.
With a god of such unimaginable size sitting above them, who still had space in their mind to worry about the Emperor?
Wang Weizhang led his entourage onto the ancient plank road of Mingyue Gorge. Step by cautious step, legs still weak, they made their way across. After much difficulty, they finally reached the Shaanxi side.
The moment they arrived, they were stunned by the bustle.
There were people everywhere. So many people.
A glance was enough to tell that there were at least tens of thousands of laborers, stretching along both sides of the official road as far as the eye could see.
The merchant who had crossed before them had already retrieved his cargo carts and was leading his caravan along the road under construction. Whenever a caravan approached, the workers paused their labor and stepped aside, as if forming an honor guard. Once the carts passed, they returned to their work.
Wang Weizhang stared in shock. "Where did they get so many workers?"
A subordinate suddenly cried out, "Governor, I see Mantianxing."
" Mantianxing?" Wang Weizhang frowned. "The bandit who ravaged Sichuan months ago?"
"Yes, that's him. Look, he is carrying stones over there."
Sure enough, Mantianxing was struggling under the weight of a large rock, sweat pouring down his face. He looked utterly exhausted. Yet when he glanced up at Dao Xuan Tianzun seated on the mountain peak, he grit his teeth and continued without daring to slack off.
Wang Weizhang burst into laughter. "Mantianxing, so this is your fate."
Mantianxing shot him an awkward look but said nothing. He had no time for idle talk. He hurried to the worksite, set the stone down, adjusted it carefully, filled the gaps with earth, and moved on.
Wang Weizhang turned and spotted another notorious bandit leader. "Mizhuangjiang! So you too have fallen this low. Hahaha!"
Mizhuangjiang shook his head and walked away quickly. He had no time to argue.
Wang Weizhang ran about the construction site, laughing loudly. "I recognize you, Waguang King. And you, Sweeping King."
He threw his head back in laughter. "Weren't you all so mighty? And now you are here building roads."
The former bandit chiefs had tried to ignore him, but finally one of them snapped, "Damn it, Wang Weizhang. We are building roads because of Tianzun, not because of you. What are you so proud of? Useless official. One day you may end up building roads with us."
"I never rebelled," Wang Weizhang retorted.
Guotianxing snorted. "Have you ever taken bribes? Embezzled money?"
Wang Weizhang scoffed. "And if I have?"
The words had barely left his mouth when Dao Xuan Tianzun's voice boomed across the gorge.
"Those who embezzle large sums or commit serious offenses shall be sentenced to imprisonment of up to three years and fined. Those who embezzle huge sums or cause grave consequences shall be sentenced to three to ten years and fined or have their property confiscated. Those who embezzle especially enormous sums or cause particularly severe damage shall be sentenced to over ten years or life imprisonment, along with fines or confiscation of property. If the losses to the state and the people are especially severe, the punishment may be life imprisonment or death, with confiscation of property."
Wang Weizhang shuddered violently. "Ah?"
He had never expected that his casual remark would draw a direct response from Tianzun. His entire body went numb.
With a thud, he dropped to his knees.
Dao Xuan Tianzun lowered his gaze. "Wang Weizhang, how much have you embezzled? How many years of labor reform would that earn you? Speak."
Wang Weizhang trembled uncontrollably. "I… I did not… not…"
Tianzun raised a single hand and smiled faintly. "With a mere calculation, I can determine every single copper coin you took. Shall I calculate it now?"
He formed a hand seal as if about to divine the truth.
Wang Weizhang's soul nearly left his body. He cried out miserably, "Tianzun, spare me. Do not calculate. Please do not calculate."
The raised hand lowered again. "If you wish me not to calculate, then return what you have taken. If you show initiative in restitution, your punishment may be lightened."
Wang Weizhang's voice quivered. "Return… I will return it at once. But… to whom should I return it?"
That was indeed the crucial question.
Surely it was not simply a matter of handing it back to the court.
Dao Xuan Tianzun's voice rang with authority. "What was taken from the people shall be returned to the people."
"I understand," Wang Weizhang stammered. "I will go back immediately and distribute silver to the common folk. I will give money to everyone I see."
"Give it to everyone?" Tianzun snorted. "And what of criminals and idlers?"
"I understand now. I will use the money to build roads. To build roads."
Only then did Tianzun's stern expression soften. He waved a hand. "Very well."
Wang Weizhang finally exhaled in relief. His wandering soul seemed to settle back into his body.
At that moment, a commotion broke out among the workers nearby. A small rocky hill stood directly in the path of the road, three or four zhang high, like a small building.
"Break it apart and move it piece by piece."
"Bring the sledgehammers. And the steam engine with pulleys."
"Get some crowbars ready."
The workers were busy discussing methods when Dao Xuan Tianzun suddenly leaped down from the mountain peak. His landing shook the earth with a thunderous boom.
He raised his foot and kicked.
Another deafening crash echoed as the hill toppled over.
Bending down, he grasped the exposed rock and dragged the entire mass aside.
The workers erupted in cheers. "Tianzun is mighty."
He rolled the rocky mass into a nearby depression, not only clearing the road but also leveling a hollow in the terrain. Then he said nothing more. He returned to the mountain peak, seated himself once again, and gazed down upon the land in silent contemplation.
Wang Weizhang could find no words.
He could only look up in awe.