In the Zichen Palace, Li Zhi was sitting on the royal couch, holding Li Xuan's memorial in his hand, and said expressionlessly: "King Nanchang, you are really good at doing things!"
"Your Majesty, I'm guilty." Li Xuan made a "pop" sound and fell to his knees, bowing his head with his hands in his hands, his face full of regret.
Li Zhi glanced sideways at the smiling Empress Wu next to him, shook his head slightly, and turned to look at Li Xuan: "Tell me, what are your crimes?"
"I have talked nonsense and slandered the Buddha. Please punish me." Li Xuan kowtowed heavily to the ground, her words full of guilt.
Li Zhi asked in a cold tone: "What did you think at that time that you would say the words of conferring Buddhahood? This kind of thing has never been thought of by me?"
"I don't know." Li Xuan knelt on the ground and said sincerely: "As I was speaking, the words came to my lips. I couldn't hold back and said one sentence. But after I finished speaking, there was a sudden sound in my heart. , if Master Xuanzang can be canonized as a Buddha at this time, there will be many benefits."
"Elaborate!" Li Zhi's majestic voice came from above.
Li Xuan straightened up a little, looked at Li Zhi, cupped his hands and said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, firstly, Master Xuanzang is from the Feng family in Luoyang. If he can be canonized as a Buddha, he will be the first local Buddha; secondly, Your Majesty canonize Master Xuanzang. As a Buddha, the emperor's majesty can immediately spread all over the world. This battle with Tubo will definitely unite people's hearts and defeat Tibet in one fell swoop."
The local Buddhas and all the current Buddhas in Buddhism were all achieved in the early years of India. If the local people of the Tang Dynasty became Buddhas, then all the Buddhas in the future would become the Buddhas of the Tang Dynasty.
Its far-reaching influence is no less than a revolution for Buddhism.
Li Zhi fell silent immediately, and Empress Wu frowned and started to interrupt.
"Destroying Tubo in one fell swoop, King Nanchang, I remember that this is not what you said before. You have always pursued a strategy of cannibalization with swords as the mainstay and words as the supplement. You followed the example of Qin Prime Minister Zhang Yi... but you have never been so arrogant. There will be delusional ideas to wipe out Tubo in one fell swoop." Empress Wu said coldly, which made Li Xuan's heart suddenly feel cold.
What Empress Wu said just now were all things that Li Xuan had said to Li Xian before, but now, they were all said by Empress Wu almost word for word.
The deep meaning behind it is chilling.
Li Xuan bowed deeply again, and then said: "Your Majesty, Queen Tianzhu, Tianzhu is gradually declining, and the spread of Buddhism to the east has long been a foregone conclusion. Whether it is the Tang Dynasty or Tubo, the influence of Buddhism is expanding day by day. If we can do something about it, the battlefield The above may not be usable.”
"It's just a small plan." Empress Wu snorted disdainfully.
At this time, Li Zhi finally recovered his thoughts, looked at Li Xuan and spoke again: "King Nanchang, now that you have admitted your mistake, tell me, where did you go wrong?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, I only considered the Knowledge-only Sect of Daci'en Temple at that time, and did not consider other sects of Buddhism. If other sects of Buddhism do not recognize your Majesty's decision to confer Buddhism, it will inevitably lead to turmoil in Buddhism. This is one of them." Li Xuan lowered his head deeply, but he could feel that when he talked about the turmoil in Buddhism, Li Zhi's breathing suddenly stopped. Li Zhi had realized the opportunities this brought.
"go on!"
"Here!" Li Xuan bowed and continued: "If Buddhism is dissatisfied, we can let Daci'en Temple continue to talk about it. If it is done, Buddhism will not be affected. If it is not done, it is Buddhism's own business. In addition, His Majesty canonized Master Xuanzang as a Buddha, I am afraid that the Taoist sect is also dissatisfied, and this is the second one.”
"continue."
"The third one is the matter of conferring rewards." Li Xuan's voice became solemn and she said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty canonizes the Supreme Emperor Xuanyuan, which is a huge waste. Now, how big should the canonization of the Buddha be? Should a temple be built? Granted a place. Of course, the Buddha must live under Emperor Xuanyuan, but the treatment of Buddhists caused by this will also have a far-reaching impact, not to mention the affairs of the people, which are even more far-reaching. This is the third one."
After Li Xuan spoke, the whole hall was filled with solemnity.
At this moment, Li Zhi chuckled and said calmly: "I never thought that you could actually be a prime minister."
These words made the whole hall suddenly feel cold.
Empress Wu, who was sitting on the royal couch, subconsciously glanced at Ming Chongyan, passed over Di Renjie who was standing next to Ming Chongyan, and finally landed on Li Xuan.
Li Xuan said with fear: "Your Majesty, how can I be so talented as a prime minister? I just have many random thoughts and have made many mistakes. Your Majesty must be punished."
"It's just a matter of common deeds. With your resourcefulness, it's not an exaggeration." Li Zhi waved his hand casually, and his words made everyone feel relieved.
There were only five real prime ministers in the Tang Dynasty, including two ministers, one minister, and two ministers.
Normally, Zhongshu Ling is the leader, but among several prime ministers, there are also seniority issues. For example, Liu Rengui is the most senior among them all.
In addition to these five prime ministers, the subordinate ministers, central ministers, and officials are all qualified for Tongping Zhangshi.
A Tongpingzhangshi, a high-ranking official in the court, should not be underestimated, but that is just what he should not be underestimated.
Looking at the memorial in front of him, Li Zhi thought for a moment, then turned to Empress Wu and asked: "Mei Niang, how do you think this matter should be handled?"
Empress Wu took a deep breath, and then said: "Your Majesty, this matter has spread in Chang'an, and it cannot be stopped. But if it is sealed as it is, although it is not appropriate at the moment, no one will suffer long-term consequences. I don’t know, why not just let it go.
If anything happens in the Buddhist sect, let the Daci'en Temple handle it by itself; if in the Taoist sect, let the King of Nanchang communicate with it.
As for the court, I thought, Your Majesty is the emperor, and he has conferred immortals and gods, Mount Tai and Zen, and Buddha. If the arrangement is orderly, the ministers will not say anything wrong. "
The emperor conferred the title of Buddha, and the emperor's authority was strict.
Li Zhi was one of the few emperors in the history of the dynasties who was enshrined in Zen.
The world is under control, and the Buddha should also be under control.
Li Zhi nodded calmly, then looked at Li Xuan and said: "Pass the decree, the King of Nanchang will be fined half a year for his wanton nonsense."
"I accept the decree. Thank you. Thank you for your love and care. Long live your Majesty." Li Xuan kowtowed heavily to the ground.
Li Zhi raised his hand and said, "Okay, get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Li Xuan slowly stood up, then bowed and stepped aside.
He didn't dare to raise his head at all, because he knew that Empress Wu must be staring at him at this moment.
It is far from clear now that the human calculations behind the matter of conferring Buddhahood can be seen clearly.
However, Buddha is Buddha, people are people, and the emperor is the emperor.
…
Li Zhi's eyes fell on Di Renjie and asked softly: "Di Qing, why are you here today?"
Di Renjie immediately stood up, walked to the middle, raised his hands to Li Zhi solemnly and said: "Your Majesty, I received a report from Da Ci'en Temple today. One day, monk Zhu died in the guest house of Da Ci'en Temple. Master Shiyin reported Dali Temple, call the generals by name."
"I have also heard about the name of Detective Di Qing. Tell me, what is going on in this case?" Li Zhi leaned back slightly and looked up at Di Renjie with a casual look. Empress Wu knew at a glance that the emperor This is the beginning of melon-watching mode.
Every time he encountered a strange case, the emperor always looked like this.
Di Renjie sorted out his words slightly and said: "The monks from Tianzhu are good and have no regrets. In the second year of Longshuo, he came from Tianzhu to the Tang Dynasty and worshiped Master Xuanzang. He practiced Buddhism superbly and devoted himself to practice. He rarely went out. Today at noon in the Tang Dynasty Ci'en Temple found that Shan Wuhui had his throat cut in the guest house. After investigation, it was found that the time of his death was no more than six quarters after today's hour. After today's hour, there are people whose names were recorded, and the list is here."
Di Renjie said and handed over a registration book.
Li Zhi opened it, and it was densely packed with boys. There was a circle on it with special names.
Li Zhi frowned, pushed the registration book in front of Empress Wu, and said calmly: "Mei Niang, I can't bear the fine print, please take a look."
"Here!" Empress Wu was a little surprised, and then took it and took a look.
At one glance, Empress Wu frowned tightly.
Raising her head, Empress Wu looked at Di Renjie and asked with suppressed anger: "Di Qing, is this true?"
Di Renjie immediately held up his hands and said: "Reporting to the Queen of Heaven, I have inquired before. Half an hour before the incident, the secretary-prisoner passed by the good monk's guest house, and left in a hurry not long after. I did not have time to ask the secretary-prisoner. Then he was called to the main hall.”
Empress Wu nodded slightly, then looked at Li Xuan on one side and asked coldly: "King Nanchang, what do you think of this matter?"
Li Xuan immediately stepped forward and cupped his hands and said: "Reporting to the Queen of Heaven, I knew I was guilty at the time and stayed in the inner hall of the Main Hall. I did not leave the scene where the original plan was discovered. Therefore, I don't know the details of the crime. However, there were only three murders. The reasons are vendetta, love killing, and money killing.
There is no discussion of this between the Secretary Supervisor and Master Shan Wuhui, so I think this matter should have nothing to do with the Secretary Supervisor.
The details will be monitored by the secretary after the meeting. Your Majesty and the Queen will be able to tell at a glance. "
The emperor nodded in agreement. This was not the first time that King Nanchang spoke for Wu Chengsi. He was a smart man, which satisfied Li Zhi.
Empress Wu still frowned and asked: "King Nanchang, why did you go to Da Ci'en Temple today?"
"Three things." Li Xuan said very crisply, and then said: "First, my wife is almost six months pregnant and feels uneasy every day, so she prays for peace... and prays for a long succession of children."
"Asking for a child?" Li Zhi knew what was going on and couldn't help laughing.
Li Xuan smiled bitterly and said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, I have said it more than once, whether it is a boy or a girl, I and Sanniang are both young, and I dare not make false claims in the future. We can still have four or five children, so there is no need to worry."
"So, you might be a girl this time?" Empress Wu saw through what Li Xuan was hiding behind her back at a glance. She shook her head and sighed: "It is said that good doctors can judge the affairs of their children before they are born. , now it seems that what he said is true!"
Li Xuan was stunned on the spot, not knowing what he was thinking, but soon he reacted enough, raised his hands and said hastily: "Your Majesty, Queen of Heaven, I don't have this ability, and there is no doctor in the world who dares to do this." Those who make decisions about children before they are born.
Innate is only a cause, acquired is not seen, and there is no final conclusion. "
"Cause and effect repeat, I understand." Li Zhi waved his hand directly and said: "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone what you said today, but Twenty-Seven Lang, if you have time, you might as well go to the East Palace more often Let’s go and help the prince to take care of himself.”
Li Xuan's face was full of embarrassment, but he had no choice. In desperation, he could only cup his hands and say: "I obey the order."
Empress Wu and Li Zhi looked at each other and nodded slightly.
"What about the other two things?"
Li Xuan quickly came to her senses, cupped her hands and said, "Your Majesty, the Queen of Heaven, I went to Da Ci'en Temple to pray for my mother and concubine. I wish her good health and everything goes well."
"The King of Nanchang is filial. If my sons have the filial piety of King Nanchang, I will be satisfied." Empress Wu sighed softly, and then asked: "What's the last thing?"
"Reporting to the Queen of Heaven, she is Siniang, the daughter of the third uncle of the Yue family. In the middle of April, Siniang will marry the Chen family's son in Gushi. After the marriage, the Chen family's son will go west to fight. Therefore, Siniang prays to the Buddha to bless the Chen family's safety and return safely." Li Xuan opened his mouth and involved Yue Wen Liu Rengui.
(End of chapter)
