破邪論 2.11

2.11

In response, it is said: We examined Cui Hong's *Spring and Autumn Annals of the Sixteen States*, and there are no such persons. From which historical records do they come? Simply fabricating false accusations to deceive and delude the sovereign! We request that the state histories be verified to expose his baseless memorials. Examining the *Book of Han* and the *Book of Later Han*, there were several tens of rebel bands—such as those of Kunyang, Changshan, Qingni, Lulin, Heishan, Baima, the Yellow Turbans, and the Red Eyebrows. All were laypeople, having nothing to do with the disciples of Śākya. Why are they not mentioned? The *Book of Later Han* states: The mother of the Daoist Zhang Lu of Pei had beauty, and also possessed demonic arts, frequenting the household of Liu Yan. Later, when Yan became Inspector of Yizhou, he appointed Lu as Major Who Oversees Righteousness. Lu, together with Zhang Xiu, Major of a Separate Division, led troops to ambush and kill Su Gu, the Grand Administrator of Hanzhong, cut off the Xie Valley route, and killed the Han emissaries. Once Lu had gained Hanzhong, he killed Zhang Xiu and absorbed his host. At that time, falsely relying on divine words, they proclaimed, 'The yellow-robed shall rule.' Lu consequently coordinated with Zhang Jue and others, gathering followers, all wearing yellow turbans and donning Daoist robes. Numbering hundreds of thousands, they brought calamity to the world. Occupying Hanzhong for nearly thirty years, they were eventually defeated by Lord Cao, and only then were the yellow-robed extinguished. At that time, there was not a single śramaṇa, but Daoists in great abundance. Why are you silent and do not mention this? Furthermore, eminent monks of moral conduct during the Han and Wei were many, and benefited the state greatly. Why do you not speak of them? Only able to advertise evil and dwell exclusively on people's faults—how can that be the mark of a gentleman?