At the same time, a news spread in Chang'an City, saying that the monks of Shengguang Temple were ungrateful and had done something wrong, and the entire temple was struck by thunder.
Heavy rain fell on Chang'an City, and pedestrians hurriedly took shelter on the streets. A bigger news came to the wine shop: several temples around Chang'an City had all collapsed.
The news quickly spread throughout various cities and towns, and also reached Li Shimin's ears.
Listening to the story of the guards in front of the palace, Li Shimin put down the brush in his hand, stood up and asked, "Did he really get struck by thunder?"
The guard bowed and didn't know how to answer His Majesty.
After a long silence, Li Shimin said again: "Where is Li Junxian? Send it!"
"Here."
The rain was heavy. Li Junxian was in front of Zhuque Gate, still listening to the news coming from the eyeliner. When he heard His Majesty summoned him, he hurriedly ran to the palace, stepping on puddles. The rain was so heavy that it made people blink. Don't open your eyes.
After running all the way to the Ganlu Palace in the rain, Li Junxian stood in front of the palace and saluted, "Your Majesty."
Another lightning flashed, illuminating Li Shimin's gloomy eyes, "Did thunder really destroy Shengguang Temple?"
Li Junxian whispered: "According to the general's investigation, a few passers-by just heard a thunder, and the temple collapsed. Not only Shengguang Temple, but also several temples around Chang'an City."
Li Shimin spoke slowly, "Anyone else says that these monks are ungrateful and have done something wrong?"
Li Junxian replied again, "The general has already arranged for people to investigate."
"What is Zhang Yang doing these days?" Li Shimin asked subconsciously.
"Zhang Shangshu went home as usual after the court and stopped going out. Occasionally he and the princess would go to Qujiang Pond for a walk."
I don’t know why I suddenly thought of Zhang Yang.
Li Shimin waved his hand and said, "Stay back first and tell me if you have any news."
In an alley in the east city of Chang'an City, at home, Li Yue hummed songs taught by her husband and stepped on a spinning wheel to weave cloth. She was in a good mood because the bad guys got their due retribution.
The husband specially chose a thunderstorm day to let Niu Chuang do the work. As long as it rains, the rain can wash away many traces.
Zhang Yang reviewed the questions for Xiao Wu and whispered, "Xiao Wu, you still have many mistakes in decomposing prime factors. Let your teacher explain more later."
Xiao Wu nodded quietly.
Thunder was still exploding in the sky, but Xiao Wu was not afraid. Every time there was thunder, the little bear would grab the beam and be too scared to come down.
The rain didn't stop until late at night.
On the second day, Zhang Yang walked on the wet ground towards Chengtian Gate.
Seeing the white fish belly on the horizon, Zhang Yang took a deep breath of fresh air.
Xu Jingzong followed behind and said, "I think it will be another sunny day today."
Zhang Yang walked into the Tai Chi Hall where there was constant discussion and said, "How is your health lately? Do you still have insomnia?"
Xu Jingzong added: "I still have insomnia from time to time, so I have prepared some soothing herbs at home."
After taking a look at his complexion, Zhang Yang added: "I think it might be helpful to eat more wolfberry."
"I'll try it when I get home."
Cheng Chumo's manpower also started to act, and news spread among the people one by one.
The most common comment was that the powerful and the temples teamed up to collect incense money from the villagers.
After receiving the news, Yushitai immediately sent it to Wei Zheng.
His Majesty came later than usual today and did not say anything about his recess today.
Wei Zheng also arrived at the palace late.
Zhang Yang glanced at everyone, and Fang Xuanling and Changsun Wuji also arrived in the hall. He had seen these three people in front of Chengtian Gate before, and they must have gone to other places before coming.
A familiar face walked into the temple.
Seeing Li Chengqian, Zhang Yang bowed slightly, and when he came closer, he asked, "How are you doing, Your Highness?"
Li Chengqian smiled and said: "Chang'an City has been in turmoil these past few days. I heard a lot of things, so I couldn't sit still in Lishan. I went back to the East Palace yesterday."
"Has the prince completed all the matters His Majesty asked him to do?"
"The orphan capital has been set up. I wrote the memorial yesterday and will present it to my father after the morning court meeting."
As he was speaking, His Majesty's eunuch came over and said, "Your Majesty has said that the court will be closed today."
There was another discussion in the hall, and Xu Jingzong whispered from the side, "I heard that in addition to Shengguang Temple, several temples around Chang'an City collapsed last night."
"What does that have to do with Xiu Chao?"
"Zhang Shangshu still remembers His Majesty's edict to blame oneself for the drought that year. Now that such strange things happen again, I guess he has some scruples."
Before Xu Jingzong could recover from Xu Jingzong's words, the eunuch in charge said, "Everyone from Zhongshu Province, please come to the Tai Chi Hall to discuss matters."
Li Chengqian said, "I have a memorial to present to my father."
"Your Highness, please come up."
Zhang Yang followed everyone out of Tai Chi Hall.
Fang Xuanling, Changsun Wuji, and Wei Zheng went to Ganlu Hall with the prince.
Li Shimin was furious in the hall, "These monks are really deceiving my people of the Tang Dynasty!"
When everyone entered the Ganlu Hall, there had been several conflicts between emperors and Buddhists as early as the Sui Dynasty.
Knowing that His Majesty would be so furious, everyone could think of something.
Wei Zheng took a step forward and said, "Your Majesty, as far as I know, countless money was found in those collapsed temples, more than the monks could move."
Li Shimin laughed self-deprecatingly, "I've heard of powerful people hiding wealth. It's really rare for a temple to hide wealth like this."
Wei Zheng handed over a memorial, "This is a memorial drawn up by the officials of Yushitai based on rumors from all sides. It states that most of the money comes from wealthy families."
Li Shimin took a sip of cold water and said, "Tell me in detail."
"Here." Wei Zheng handed the memorial to the eunuch beside him and said, "There were rumors earlier that there was collusion between the powerful and the temple, but there was no evidence, and these rumors were quickly put to rest."
"Today, people have found tens of thousands of dollars in money from the ruins of these temples. This statement has been mentioned again. Temples have become a means for the powerful to make money, and the money in the temples does not belong to these monks, but to the powerful. .”
"The rich and powerful brought a large amount of money and silk to the temple for peace. In fact, they just put it in the temple, and then offered incense money in their name. But after that, the ordinary villagers paid the incense to the temple and sat on the ground to share the spoils with the powerful. The money given by the powerful must still be repaid in full."
"This is why the temple was destroyed by thunder, and there were so many powerful people rushing to send people to the temple to bring the money back. If it hadn't been for this incident, these things would not have been known to people, and there were more than one powerful family involved. Two families.”
Li Chengqian also understood his father's intention to suspend the court, and this matter could not be discussed in Tai Chi Hall.
There are so many ministers in Taiji Palace, and if someone leaks the news, it will be very difficult for my father to deal with it.
I'm afraid those powerful and aristocratic families will do something outrageous.
Fang Xuanling said: "Is there anyone who can testify to these words?"
Wei Zheng nodded, "Some people say that it was a thunderous punishment from heaven. A guilty monk has come to Chang'an City to confess his sins. The censor's desk and other books have been published. These words cannot be false."
Li Shimin's brows jumped after hearing this.
Changsun Wuji saluted and said: "Your Majesty, the court cannot ignore this matter. The ordinary villagers' desire for peace cannot become a way for others to make money."
Li Shimin looked solemn, "Let the Ministry of Punishment and Dali Temple conduct a thorough investigation."
Li Chengqian stepped forward and said, "My father, the emperor, and his sons thought that the temples could no longer be expanded. In addition to inspecting the temples, they also had to control the number of monks. If these temples were allowed to grow indiscriminately, the Tang Dynasty would no longer have soldiers to fight, and men would become monks without heirs." , the Tang Dynasty lost its population and taxes."
"More and more people are joining Buddhism just for their faith, but they don't know that by farming and working, the country will no longer be wealthy. What kind of world will it be if there is no one to work in the country."
Listening to these words, Li Shimin endured the anger in his heart, "Is the same true for Shengguang Temple?"
"Back to Your Majesty, a lot of money was also found in Shengguang Temple."
Li Shimin picked up the inkstone and smashed it on the ground, "Six roots are pure? In fact, they are all the same!"
Wei Zheng said helplessly: "Shengguang Temple has always been prosperous in incense. They insist that these are incense money, and there is nothing they can do."
Fang Xuanling frowned and said, "As long as we investigate carefully, we will definitely be able to find some clues."
As long as the money is not found, such a big thing happened in Chang'an City.
This incident will eventually be recorded in history.
In addition to thinking about how to handle it well, how should the DPRK and China handle it so that the people can be convinced.
It is sad that such an ugly thing happened in the most pure place.
Li Shimin was also more concerned about whether the temple was really struck by thunder?
So many temples at the same time?
The more I think about it, the less it seems like a coincidence.
Are these monks really doing bad things that even God can’t bear to look at?
Li Shimin lowered his heart and felt a biting chill inexplicably. After calming down for a while, the determination in his heart forced him to retreat from the chill.
Fang Xuanling retreated together with Changsun Wuji and Wei Zheng.
His Majesty and the Crown Prince were left in the Manna Hall.
"Father, I have already investigated everything about Lishan."
Li Shimin nodded, "Chengqian, do you really believe in destiny?"
He didn't know why his father suddenly asked this. Li Chengqian was silent, still thinking.
Li Shimin said again, "Do you really believe in God?"
Seeing that his son was still silent, Li Shimin had no intention of reviewing the memorial and looked out the window. The sun was already shining brightly.
"This is a conversation between me as a father and my son. It's good for you to express your opinion."
"Well, my son has said it."
Li Chengqian carefully looked at his father's expression, stepped forward and whispered, "Father, I used to believe it, but now I no longer believe it."
"Why don't you believe it?"
"I don't believe in destiny, but all high positions are occupied by capable and virtuous people. Moreover, I also heard Zhang Yang say that there is never any mercy from God. There are only human lives sacrificed by people to fight against disasters. They are always human beings." How can you get mercy when you fight against the sky?"
"You have grown up." Li Shimin sighed.
Taking another step back and bowing, Li Chengqian said, "My son made a mistake and made my father laugh."
"Do you trust Zhang Yang?"
"I can't say I believe it. Zhang Yang is not the only one who humbly asks for advice. Now he is already the Minister of Rites. He still follows the rules. He is not arrogant because he was a lonely young master in the East Palace. On the contrary, he is getting more and more popular now. He has become more and more restrained and doesn’t come to the East Palace anymore.”
"Well, no one can find fault with his words and deeds." Li Shimin was very surprised. "With the training he had given him before, he has grown very quickly."
"My son often listens to Duke Zheng's lectures in the East Palace. Duke Zheng also said that Zhang Yang is an upright person. His love of money is really unacceptable."
Li Shimin smiled, "No one is perfect, and no one is a perfect gentleman. He has his own weaknesses. When you use people, you should understand them. You still have a lot to learn."
"My son, please remember your father's teachings."
Today is the day off. Zhang Yang walked out of the Suzaku Gate early. He saw Li Tai waiting outside the Suzaku Gate and asked curiously: "Who is your Royal Highness the King of Wei waiting for?"
"Of course I am brother-in-law."
This little fat guy's smile is very cool.
Zhang Yang kept walking, "Didn't I say? The Turkic affairs are on hold for a while."
Li Tai followed, "Of course I understand. The king has arranged for guards to accompany the Turkic envoys to eat and drink all day long, but not to talk about business."
"Has your voice gotten better lately?"
Li Tai cleared his throat, looked at Zhang Yang's Adam's apple, and then touched his own throat, "Will I also develop an Adam's apple in the future?"
"His Royal Highness, King Wei, is so fat. Even if he has an Adam's apple, it will be wrapped in fat. His neck is so thick that you can't even find the Adam's apple."
"I will lose weight!" Li Tai stamped his feet and said through gritted teeth.
Taking Li Tai all the way back home, Li Yue was still explaining the topic to Xiao Wu.
After seeing what happened in Qujiangchi, he also knew what his brother-in-law had done.
Li Tai asked: "How did my brother-in-law do it?"
Zhang Yang was puzzled: "How to do it?"
"That's how those temples were struck by thunder."
"Perhaps they have done too many bad things." Zhang Yang washed the wild vegetables he just bought and looked at Li Yue's expression. There was no fluctuation in her expression.
This is the family's biggest secret.
Everyone has their own backup plan.
Among the building materials hidden in the village are the raw materials for making firecrackers. As long as the ratio is enlarged, it will be another thing.
In the eyes of ordinary people, these things are just stone building materials.
There are many ways to hide the truth from others. When saltpeter became a common use for making ice, it became even more difficult to verify.
Li Tai said again, "Brother-in-law, do you know? That monk Bopo has left Chang'an City."
"Really? He just left like that?"
"Yeah." Li Tai picked up a peach and ate it, "Even God can't bear to see something like this happen. The villagers are yelling at these monks to kill them."
】
Zhang Yang smiled and said, "Your Highness, King Wei, many people who make false claims often have guilty consciences. As long as we lift their masks, everything is actually a conspiracy."
"I heard that Monk Popo is going to Luoyang. He said he was going to meet with eminent monks from various places. I didn't understand what he said. I've already asked someone to follow him to find out the news."
"Eminent monks from all over the world?" Zhang Yang frowned and thought. This Bopo had a great reputation in Buddhism. The reason why Xuanzang of the Tang Dynasty traveled west was because of the guidance of monk Bopo.
"I wonder if His Royal Highness the King of Wei likes to eat fried dough sticks."
"Is it delicious?" Li Tai asked foolishly, throwing away the peach in his hand.
