Ch. 401The Road of Incense Gods
Key Plot Points and Events
- The tank army, led by Jiang Ding, travels over a thousand kilometers, entering the Southern Central Plains, a region with vast fertile lands and a population of hundreds of millions under the Great Li Dynasty.
- The army's passage destroys crops and infrastructure, causing terror among the populace.
- Jiang Ding visits a Baoding Maitreya Temple, observing the incense worship and its impact on the common people.
- The army continues its march, destroying temples and severing faith, with orders to show no mercy to obstructors.
Character Developments
- Jiang Ding: Shows interest in incense worship and its impact on the common people. He orders the destruction of temples and the killing of those who obstruct, demonstrating his cold-blooded approach to war.
- An Siyan: Provides information and explanations about incense worship and its two routes. She follows Jiang Ding's orders, distributing them to each division.
Significant Themes
- Incense worship and its impact on society: The theme explores the manipulative nature of incense worship, using the common people's poverty and ignorance to maintain faith and power. It also highlights the contrast between the devout and un-devout abbots and the lives of the common people.
- The cost of war: The tank army's passage causes destruction and terror, raising questions about the consequences of war on civilian populations.
- Ambition and conquest: Jiang Ding's exclamation about the endless joy of humans fighting against heaven and earth reflects his ambition and desire to conquer all heavens.
Character Interactions
- Jiang Ding and An Siyan: They interact throughout the chapter, with An Siyan providing information and explanations, and Jiang Ding making decisions and issuing orders. Their dynamic is one of a commander and a knowledgeable assistant.