That day, the sky was clear and the wind was gentle and gentle.
Li Ke and Concubine Yang came to Huichang Temple located in the northwest of Chang'an City.
Since today is the first day of the Lunar New Year, many people come to burn incense and worship.
The streets in front of Jiangchang Temple were packed with people.
Li Ke couldn't help but be a little worried about this situation.
It didn't matter to him. With a body like Concubine Yang's worth, she would be in trouble if she was bumped into by those common people who didn't know what they were talking about.
As if seeing the worry in his heart, Concubine Yang said with a smile.
"It doesn't matter. These civilians are all good people. They are here just for peace of mind and will not do anything extraordinary."
"You should still bring two guards."
Li Ke had no objection to his mother's optimistic thoughts, but still expressed his wishes.
"Bring those people here, Buddha will blame them."
Concubine Yang shook her head.
Li Ke was also a little helpless when he saw this.
It is well known that Li Shimin was not interested in tributaries of Buddhism.
Under his influence, the concubines in the palace, headed by the eldest grandson, did not dare to make a fuss about these matters.
But Concubine Yang was different. Her father, Emperor Yang Guang of Sui Dynasty, was a religious person.
Therefore, Li Shimin also showed an inclusive attitude towards her belief in Buddhism.
Entering from the main entrance and bypassing the extremely complicated corridor, the scene in front of you suddenly becomes clear.
This is an extremely clean Buddhist hall. The gold powder on the Buddha statue is so dazzling that it looks like it has just been painted.
There are several incense burners placed in front of the Buddha, as well as some melon and fruit futons and other objects used for worship.
Bianji and several young monks were waiting at the door early.
As a member of the harem, although Concubine Yang's status is not more noble than that of Empress Changsun, she is not comparable to them.
In the Tang Dynasty, the status of both monks and Taoists was far from high.
After Master Xuanzang came back from Tianzhu to seek Buddhist scriptures, the situation could be considered improved, but it was not much better.
This has something to do with Li Shimin, but it is also influenced by the previous Emperor Wu of Liang.
"Amitabha, are you okay with Concubine Yang?"
Bianji clasped his hands together and performed a standard greeting ceremony.
"Buddha bless you, everything is well."
Concubine Yang had a faint smile on her face and returned the favor.
The person she returned the gift with was the Buddha. Bianji did not dare to accept it and hurriedly took several disciples to the side.
While the two were chatting, Li Ke was also looking at this monk who was second only to Xuanzang in popularity in the Tang Dynasty.
Judging from his appearance, this person is about the same age as him.
Bianji has a fair face, and his figure shows good proportions due to years of exercise. Overall, it is the type that will be popular with little girls.
Li Ke carefully looked through his memory. Before the Dongchuang incident, this monk Bianji had always had a good reputation in Chang'an City.
Not only is he proficient in business, but he also has no obvious flaws in his dealings with people and his normal private life. I don’t know why he ended up like that.
Perhaps it was because Taoism was unstable, or perhaps Princess Gaoyang was too troublesome. Only the two parties involved knew this in their own minds.
"This must be His Highness King Wu."
Seeing Li Ke following Concubine Yang, Bianji thought for a moment and understood what was going on. He came over to say hello with a kind smile.
Li Ke nodded as a return gift.
Seeing that she didn't want to pay attention, Bianji didn't say much.
For him now, the princes and nobles are still unattainable.
Not to mention Li Ke's bad attitude towards him, even if the other party smashed up the Huichang Temple, he couldn't do anything.
If someone in the royal family makes a mistake, the emperor will punish him. In the final analysis, he is just a little monk with no reputation.
After the greetings were completed, Concubine Yang walked into the palace, and the young monk beside her respectfully presented three pillars of incense.
Concubine Yang lit them with fire sticks and inserted them one by one on the incense burner in front of her.
Li Ke was watching from the side. Concubine Yang's movements were very skillful and smooth. It seemed that she often came to places like the temple.
"Ke'er, are you coming too?"
After offering incense and worshiping, Concubine Yang turned around and asked Li Ke.
Li Ke was stunned for a moment, then nodded with a wry smile.
He is a pure materialist with no religious beliefs at all.
But the matter of time travel also changed his mind to a certain extent.
Is there really no god in this world, or is he hiding out of sight, quietly observing the world?
With complicated emotions, Li Ke jerkily burned a stick of incense.
Li Ke didn't know whether Buddha felt his sincerity.
But Bian Ji and the young monks beside him were very happy.
It is difficult to open the temple, so it depends entirely on the support of some princes and nobles.
Although some civilians also offer incense money when worshiping, their money is undoubtedly a drop in the bucket compared to the entire temple.
Although the president is not a big man, he still has dozens of people to support.
Food, repairs, and maintenance of Buddha statues are all a big expense.
It is very unrealistic to expect those civilians to afford this.
Li Ke's behavior undoubtedly represents an attitude.
Although Bianji doesn't dare to publicize it openly, in private, it's okay to mention a few words occasionally.
By then, when others know that a queen and a prince have come to offer incense to them, their situation will inevitably be much better than it is now.
Concubine Yang made a gesture, and the maid beside her stepped forward quickly and handed Bianji a few gold ingots.
Bian Ji took it respectfully, clasped his hands and bowed.
"I believe that the Buddha will feel your thoughts in the Western Paradise. I wish your Majesty the Dharma to advance to a higher level."
"You're welcome, little master Bian Ji."
Concubine Yang didn't react on the surface, but there was still a smile on her lips.
Hearing the conversation between the two of them, Li Ke felt a little sick.
Sure enough, this kind of religious brainwashing method is the same at all times.
"Ke'er, please go out first and let mother stay with Buddha for a while to talk."
Concubine Yang waved her hand.
"yes."
Li Ke nodded and walked out.
Bian Ji followed him and closed the door.
It was disrespectful to be in the same room with the empress. He would not dare to bet whether the Buddha would bless him when he was beheaded in the future.
"Your Highness King Wu, it seems that you are dissatisfied with this Buddhist land?"
Bian Ji hesitated for a long time and finally spoke.
"I'm not dissatisfied with Buddhism."
Li Ke shook his head.
"I'm only dissatisfied with you alone."
"I wonder what the young monk did wrong to make His Highness King Wu think so?"
Bian Ji smiled bitterly.
