In the hottest season of the year, Emperor Liu did not hide in the palace as usual, relying on ice handkerchiefs and feather fans to spend the summer. When he got interested, he took his guards and ministers out of the palace to escape the summer heat.
As for the government affairs, he left them completely to the prince and Zhao Pu. He was completely at ease with them. In the past six months, although the court had continued to take action, he really didn't have much trouble with the affairs of the country. Zhao Pu was still very satisfied with his administration.
.
"Order someone to build a pavilion in front of this monument and name it Taogong Pavilion!" Emperor Liu ordered.
"yes!"
On the sidelines, Zhang Yong couldn't help but sigh with sincerity after hearing Emperor Liu's order: "Your Majesty built this pavilion to make Tao Gong's name last forever. Under Tao Gong's nine springs, I should also be grateful for your majesty's kindness!"
After waving his hand, Emperor Liu said calmly: "Tao Gu is an old minister by my side after all. He has been with me for more than 20 years, so he can be regarded as a monarch-subordinate friendship!"
On the Junji Peak, the view is very broad. When you are there, overlooking the mountains, you can't help but feel broad-minded. Above the peaks, the clouds and mist are shrouded, and the mountain breeze is cool, ruffling Emperor Liu's hair. Emperor Liu points to the Taishi peaks
, leisurely said: "Although I have never climbed Mount Tai, the feeling of looking at the small mountains should be similar!"
Zhang Yong's thoughts moved, he came closer, lowered his body, and responded: "Perhaps Daizong is looking forward to your majesty's visit!"
Hearing this, Emperor Liu couldn't help but glance at Zhang Yong and chuckled: "Zi Yong, you seem to have something in your words, why don't you speak out?"
Now that Emperor Liu had spoken, Zhang Yong did not mince his words and said respectfully: "Since ancient times, kings have been ordered to confer Zen status upon their achievements in order to bring peace. Since your Majesty became emperor, your merits and virtues have been so high that they have been outstanding throughout the ages. I believe that it should be
Dongxing, Feng Taishan, Zen Liangfu, this is an act of obeying fate..."
"Do you think it's time?" Emperor Liu replied calmly with nonsense words.
The proposal to grant the title of Zen was not repeated once or twice, but the requests for orders were more exciting and grander each time. Especially after the Kaibao Northern Expedition, Emperor Liu's merit and prestige reached its peak, and the number of requests for the title of Zen was even greater.
There was a great uproar. And Emperor Liu's attitude softened every time. As a close minister, Zhang Yong could also feel this change in Emperor Liu.
After hearing what he said, he immediately said: "I think it's the right time!"
Emperor Liu smiled, but said no more. A hint of emotion appeared on his face.
"That's the Shaolin Temple over there?" Emperor Liu asked, pointing to Shaoshi Mountain in the distance, where the incense smoke curled up.
Although they are far apart, perhaps because of my heartbeat, I can faintly hear the ringing of the bell in the distance. It is not difficult to guess that there are only two remaining Buddhist temples in Songshan Mountain today, one is Shaolin and the other is Dharma King.
, the rest of the temples were all abolished during the extermination of Buddhism in the early years of Qianyou.
"Exactly!" Zhang Yong responded.
"It seems that the incense is still strong!" Emperor Liu said calmly.
After thinking about it, Emperor Liu said: "Songshan is indeed a famous place in the world. It has gathered the splendor of the three religions. Now that I am here, how can I not see it. I am very familiar with this holy land of Zen Buddhism. I should take a look at it."
"Your Majesty wants to go to Shaolin?" Zhang Yong asked.
"Go talk to their master abbot about Zen, listen to their Buddhist principles, and see if they are still as afraid of me as a tiger!" Emperor Liu said with a bit of a joke.
It has to be said that the vitality of Buddhism is tenacious enough. In just twenty years, after the extermination of Buddhism, it gradually recovered. Thanks to the prosperity and development of the Han Dynasty, the incense believers also rebounded.
Of course, the main reason is that Emperor Liu's plan to destroy Buddhism was not to eliminate it, but to suppress and rectify it. When Buddhism took the initiative to cater to him, the supreme ruler, and obeyed government supervision and management, the suppression would no longer continue.
"I will make arrangements in advance to welcome you!" Zhang Yong said.
Emperor Liu nodded, and then said sadly: "The Queen Mother believes in Buddhism, so she can be regarded as worshiping Buddha for the Queen Mother!"
"That's it for today!" Emperor Liu said again: "Go down and stay at Zhongyue Temple tonight, go to Songyang Academy tomorrow, and go to Shaolin the day after tomorrow!"