Fang Jun put down his tea cup and sat upright, his brows slightly raised upwards, his eyes opened, his whole temperament suddenly changed from gentle and elegant, like a sharp sword, overflowing with murderous intent and sharp edge!
Cold, strict, and as powerful as a mountain.
Putting his hands on the table in front of him, Fang Jun spoke in a cold tone, full of majesty, and looked directly at Master Huili: "Since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, Taoism has been advocated and nature respected. However, Emperor Taizong has a broad mind and has a lot of care for Buddhism. , tolerant and tolerant, all because Buddhism is compassionate and has a heart for all living beings. God has the virtue of good life, and the people are in distress and wailing in the floods, and the imperial court has exhausted its manpower and material resources to save them. At this time, if there are still people hoarding urgently needed supplies for disaster relief Materials, indifference to floods and loss of life are contrary to the 'Buddha's heart of compassion'. At that time, public sentiment will inevitably be fierce and the reputation of Buddhism will be damaged, but I don't know if Master Huili can bear such consequences?"
Master Huili was sweating profusely and could not speak.
Fang Jun continued to exert pressure, tapping his fingers on the table to add momentum: "I am an imperial official, and it is my bounden duty to save people's lives. At this time, don't ask me whether it will offend Buddhism or suffer backlash. I am determined, as long as I can save the life of a common person, I will not hesitate to pay any price!"
There is still room for this, and there is no quarrel, but the meaning is already very clear: I want to discuss it with you, and if you agree, everything will be fine, but if you don’t eat the toast, then don’t blame me for giving you a penalty drink. .
Today, it’s okay if you donate this stone. If you don’t donate it, I will still take the stone away!
Ma Zhou hurriedly tried to dissuade him: "How can Erlang be so disrespectful to the master? The master is profound in Buddhism and compassionate. He will definitely not watch the people being washed away by the flood and sinking in the ocean and suffering disaster. It's just that the master has just arrived. These stones were supported by the Daci'en Temple, so it is not possible for the master to make a rash decision... When will your reckless temper change? In the past, it was just arrogant and domineering, and everyone in the government and the public wanted to fight. I'll hit whoever I want. Now that I'm in a high position, I have to calm down and don't use brute force in everything. We might as well think about it in the long term. There are many ways to achieve the goal reasonably and legally."
Master Huili widened his eyes and looked at Ma Zhou, who had a clear face and a calm demeanor. He thought in his heart that you were a kind person, but he didn't want to be a bad person. Not only did Fang Jun charge in front to put pressure on you, but you pretended to be a good person from behind. , and even come up with bad ideas...
What is "reasonable and lawful achievement of purpose"?
Framed and framed, right?
However, he also understood that things might not go well today. Fang Jun's attitude was very clear. No matter what, the stones would be taken away to build the dam today. Whoever dared to object would be standing on the opposite side of the people, that is, " "Having a heart as solid as stone and inhumane" means "disregarding human life and betraying human ethics." Such a crime is a huge blow to ordinary people, let alone being imposed on Buddhism, which will greatly damage the reputation of Buddhism.
As Fang Jun said, after the founding of the Tang Dynasty, Taoism was respected, and the royal family even regarded itself as the descendant of Lao Dan. The reason why Buddhism can achieve its current prosperous situation is partly because Master Xuanzang returned in search of the true scriptures, which gave Buddhism great influence Furthermore, it is the enlightened national policy since Emperor Taizong. Although it follows Taoism, it does not actually suppress Buddhism.
However, now that the new emperor has secured his position, who knows whether he will change his past enlightened strategy and suppress Buddhism?
With Fang Jun's current power and status, he definitely has enough energy to influence the emperor...
Huili was a monk. Although he was proficient in secular affairs, he was still within Buddhism. Once the issue of the stance of Buddhism and the court was raised, it went beyond his cognitive scope, and he was somewhat in a dilemma and did not know why.
Even if he wanted to find a way to delay the war and consult Master Xuanzang first, I'm afraid Fang Jun wouldn't agree...
Under my influence, Huili decided to take a step back: "Buddhism is so compassionate, how can we see the floods raging and people being killed? Even if the temple is not repaired for the time being, we must do our best. One-third of the stones stored in the temple can be donated to build the dam. To do your best.”
Fang Jun shook his head and said: "Master, don't you understand that a good man should always stick to it? Buddhism is rich and well-known all over the world, and now there are a lot of stones stored in the temple, but only a small part is given away, which is stingy. The dam will not be completed by then. , the flood is still raging, I am afraid that instead of being grateful to the master for his compassion, the people will blame the master for not doing his best... This is extremely unwise."
Master Huili's part-time job didn't know how to express his astonishment. How could blackmail be carried out so openly?
"No, no, the poor monk is only responsible for temporarily supervising these stones. Donating one-third is the limit. I dare not do anything on my own."
Fang Jun refused to give in: "At least two-thirds, otherwise there won't be enough stone. Where can I get it to make up for the shortage?"
Huili was also firm: "At most one-third, the Duke of Yue will not embarrass the poor monk."
Fang Jun was furious: "What can I do if I make things difficult for you? I have always respected Buddhism, but now I would rather watch the people suffer than give away a few stones. The master is so stingy despite his name as a Buddha, which really makes me look down on him!"
Huili shook his head: "The poor monk doesn't care whether the Duke of Yue thinks highly of him, but the poor monk cannot do anything beyond his duties."
"Do you think I don't dare to snatch it?"
"As you wish."
…
The two of them were at war with each other, each holding the bottom line and refusing to give in.
Ma Zhou quickly persuaded both sides: "Why are you so angry? Why don't you two step back and Xingjiao Temple donate half of the stones to build the dike and curb the flood? Then the imperial court will lay stones to mark the merits and set them up on the dike. How about it being admired by the people of the world and remembered by future generations?"
Huili looked at Ma Zhou with a hint of resentment. This man seemed to be a good mediator, but in fact he always pushed himself to the bottom line, which was really uncomfortable...
But the matter has come to this point. Seeing that Fang Jun will not give up if he cannot get enough stones, Huili does not want to continue to pester, and he cannot do so, so he can only nod his head and say: "If this is the case, the poor monk can only donate boldly, but he does not know what to do." How to explain to Master Xuanzang."
Fang Jun achieved his goal. He waved his hand and said proudly: "Master, why bother with this? I will explain this matter to Master Xuanzang. If Master Xuanzang is here today, I will take away all the stones. Master Xuanzang will not be separated by even a few words. Master Xuanzang is truly profound in Buddhism and compassionate. Master, your cultivation still needs to be improved."
Huili was not annoyed at all, and said with a wry smile: "The Duke of Yue has still achieved his goal, so why bother with the poor monk, an outsider? Buddhism is not only compassionate, but also pays attention to whether there is a predestined relationship. Today, the Duke of Yue came to ask for stones to build a dam. Saving the victims is a kind of fate. Even if you have a fate, you should follow it. As for the cultivation of a poor monk, how can he dare to compare with Master Xuanzang?"
He regretted a little. If he had known this, he might as well have listened to Fang Junzhi and donated the stones honestly...
Fang Jun smiled, his face changed instantly, he held the pot and poured tea for Hui Li, and laughed and said: "With or without fate, it is all determined by heaven. A mere stone is no more than something outside of you. If you can use it to save all people from water and fire, that is the greatest fate." , I think the Buddha can also understand the master's kindness, and maybe let the master understand the Tao and achieve Bodhi as soon as possible."
Outside the door, a monk came in slightly panicked: "Temple Master, there are many soldiers coming outside. I don't know why."
The rebellion of the King of Jin had just ended, and the "Hundred Cavalry Division" reconnaissance cavalry in and out of Chang'an City went out to arrest the rebels. Occasionally, the rebels directly mobilized the army to exterminate them. When they saw the strong army coming to build the temple, Fang Jun and Ma Zhouzheng didn't know what he was talking about with his temple master in the temple, so he was startled up and down...
Master Huili looked at Fang Jun, and Fang Jun said: "I am the one who asked people to recruit soldiers and horses to participate in the disaster relief. Master can open the mountain gate and let them come in to carry the stones."
Huili nodded: "Please also ask the Duke of Yue to inform you later of the number of people who will build the dam. There is some rice in the temple. The poor monk will have someone cook a vegetarian meal and provide one dinner every day. I would like to express my gratitude."
Most of the money has been taken away, so why bother with a mere meal? Come to think of it, it's only a thousand people, and it doesn't take much rice and food. Buddhism has plenty of money, so we just have to do our best to keep the favor...
Ma Zhou looked grateful: "Master is indeed merciful, but the Jingzhao Mansion is currently in dire straits and is in dire straits. All materials are scarce, especially money and food. I have repeatedly applied to the Ministry of Household Affairs but failed to get it. Since Master is so generous, why not give more money?" How about giving me a meal and taking care of lunch as well?"
Master Huili: "..."
Monks call people in the secular world "donors", and "donors" are "Tan Yue", which means "giver", that is, people who donate to monks. Only "donors" have always given alms to monks. How has there ever been a "donor" asking for alms from monks?
I was originally a monk, but now I have become a "donor"?
However, he also saw that the two people in front of him were extremely difficult to deal with. They could be soft or hard, flexible or stretched. They had neither the dignity of a superior nor the reserve of a scholar. In order to achieve their goals, they would use any means. Today, he fell into the hands of these two people. You can't even think about doing anything good without giving him some serious blood.
I can only hold my nose and admit it: "The flood is fierce and the people are in trouble. Monks should be compassionate. Since the two of you ask for it, the poor monk should do his best."
The favor should not only be sold to these two people, but also the people in the world should know about the contribution made by the construction of the temple. If it can make the people feel grateful and bathe in the Buddha's grace, it will have both losses and gains.
Otherwise, he would not be able to explain it to the entire Buddhist sect...
Master Huili didn't even dare to be polite and let the two of them have a meal. He knew that as soon as he asked, the two of them would not refuse and immediately agree. Instead, he would show his indifferent and indifferent side of a monk and send the two of them away quickly. Let's go.
When he arrived outside the mountain gate, Master Huili saw that the hillside was densely packed with strong soldiers, no less than a thousand people by sight. Together with a group of common people and officials, the mountain gate was completely blocked.
Fang Jun stood on the side of the mountain gate and waved his hand at Wang Fangyi who stepped forward to salute: "Buddhism is compassionate and donated stones to build dams and rescue people. Quickly take people into the temple to carry them. Remember not to make any noise, let alone Crash into the pure land of Buddhism!"
"Here!"
Wang Fangyi immediately led his soldiers to drive the carts and lined up to enter the mountain gate. The excited people also assisted. Carts of stones were pulled out from Xingjiao Temple and headed to the embankment breach not far away. Under the command of officials from the Ministry of Industry Urgent construction of dikes.
(End of chapter)
