The outside of Soga Ezo's Zen monastery was heavily guarded, with two rows of bald monks standing neatly under the eaves like javelins.
Since the Soga clan defeated the Mononobe clan and won the "battle of faith", Buddhism has developed rapidly in Japan under the strong promotion of the Soga clan. Except for some nobles who still believe in local gods, all the people believe in Buddhism. Even among the nobles, there are mixed beliefs. They believe in Buddhism but are unwilling to abandon the religious beliefs passed down by their ancestors. They are neither fish nor fowl...
Buddhist temples are spread all over Japan.
There are more than 20 Buddhist temples in Asukakyo alone, among which there are six or seven large-scale Buddhist temples. Asukaji Temple, Tachibanaji Temple, Toyoura Temple, Hikuma Temple... all are large Buddhist temples, with several golden halls. , there are many pagodas and incense is lingering.
Correspondingly, the number of monks also increased suddenly.
Many refugees who lost their land had a hard time making a living, and did not want to be attached to a noble family and become slaves of the tribesmen, so they simply went to temples to marry and become monks. Most of the temples in the Japanese country were built by various wealthy families, so many young people came here. Naturally, they have to be armed and act as thugs.
Therefore, the number of monks and soldiers in Asuka Jingzhong's monastery is no less than ten thousand...
These monks and soldiers are all young and strong, and they have been well-trained. No matter how well they eat, their individual quality is definitely no less than that of the army, or even better. They are an armed force that cannot be ignored for various wealthy families.
In fact, it was the same in the Tang Dynasty. During the period of instability in the world at the end of the Sui Dynasty and the beginning of the Tang Dynasty, most temples would take in young men and organize them to act as an armed force to protect the temples from being harassed and invaded by refugees and bandits...
When Wang Xuance walked to the door, he was stopped by two short but muscular monk soldiers. He turned around briefly, and the translator behind him followed him and explained the situation to the two monk soldiers, saying that they were envoys from the Tang Dynasty and wanted to see them. Soga Ezo, we have something important to discuss.
When they heard that it was the envoy of the Tang Dynasty, the two monks and soldiers did not dare to neglect, so they hurriedly went inside to report the matter.
Not long after, he came out and respectfully invited Wang Xuance to come in...
Wang Xuance walked in and took off his raincoat at the entrance. The monk soldiers hung it on the clothes rack and then led Wang Xuance into the Zen room.
Soga Ezo was sitting on his knees behind a plan table, paying close attention to what was written on the bamboo paper. When he heard the footsteps, he raised his head and saw that it was Wang Xuance, so he smiled slightly and said, "I would like to invite you to be your distinguished guest." Just wait a moment and I'll be fine soon."
Wang Xuance stepped forward to greet him, then knelt down to one side.
The servant offered the tea, and Wang Xuance nodded in thanks, took it with both hands, then placed it on the low table next to him, and looked at Soga Ezo writing a letter.
After a while, Soga Ezo put away his pen, picked up the letter, and gently dried the ink on it. Then he got up, handed it to a monk soldier beside him, and warned: "Enter the capital immediately and deliver it to your uncle. Don't do anything on the way. delay."
The monk soldier took the letter with both hands, then turned and left the house, disappearing into the rain curtain outside the door...
Soga Ezo then straightened up, looked at Wang Xuance and said with a smile: "The mountain temple is simple, how can noble people still live in it?"
He also knew a little about Wang Xuance, and knew that he was a descendant of the Yang family of Huayin. The Yang family of Huayin descended from the Han Dynasty. The family was rich and distinguished, and the clan had been famous for nearly a thousand years. Its nobility was even greater than that of Suwo. I don’t know how many times stronger...
The current situation requires that we have good relations with the Han people, at least without any conflict, so the child of the aristocratic family in front of us is the one we must win over.
Wang Xuance said respectfully: "Thank you for your concern, senior. Everything is very good. When I was in Chang'an, I also lived in a temple. I really liked the tranquility of the mountain temple, as if I was floating in the dust. However, I have never heard of the temples in your country, but they are like the busy streets.
"
Soga Ezo's eyes flashed, and he laughed and said: "The distinguished guest is joking...Buddhism is pure and uncontested, but in the final analysis, people who practice Buddhism are just ordinary people. If they cannot purify the six senses and wash away the worldly world, they will inevitably be punished.
We are disturbed by the worldly world. But isn’t this our original intention to cultivate Buddhism wholeheartedly and study Zen to understand the Tao?”
Wang Xuance saw that Soga Ezo was avoiding important matters and did not mention the gathering of monks and soldiers in the temple. He rolled his eyes and said tentatively: "I don't have such a character as you. Buddhism is deserted and too restrictive. I prefer the heat of the world."
It was so lively and noisy last night in the temple, and the monks and soldiers were noisy and busy. The juniors became curious and didn't sleep well all night, which made the seniors laugh."
Soga Ezo pondered for a moment.
This kid is really annoying right now. He has already told you not to meddle in other people's business, but you still want to get to the bottom of it...
He didn't want to say anything, but he was afraid of offending this person. The situation in the capital is complicated and confusing at the moment. No one knows who will win and who will lose in the end, who will live and who will die. If you don't get help from the Tang people in a life-or-death situation, you will be in a cocoon.
, big loss.
Furthermore, since this person is from the Tang Dynasty, even if I tell him the details of the capital, it would not be a problem.
Conspiracy, rebellion, military revolt... Which country has not experienced it?
He may not be the one who lost the Japanese country, but now the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty has rebelled and soared into the sky...
Thinking of this, Soga Ezo pretended to be excited and said: "This is a matter for the Japanese country, and it is also a family matter for the Soga family. I didn't want to offend the distinguished guests. Since the distinguished guests are interested, I might as well tell you about it."
…”
Then he sighed and said: "The Soga family has been loyal to the royal family for generations, and has repeatedly served as a guardian of the sky. He is willing to be the emperor's eagle dog, and his descendants have followed him for generations. But now, His Majesty the Emperor has been bewitched by a treacherous man, and he has a deep prejudice against the Soga family. I am afraid that he has some intentions.
It is not good for my son, and even wants to destroy the blood priest of the Wusuga clan... My family has no choice but to send troops into the palace to get rid of the traitors around the emperor!"
Wang Xuance's heart was beating rapidly...
Mother!
Did they really start fighting?
God is really helping me!
He immediately said solemnly: "Before this junior comes here, my Lord Marquis has told you more than once that he must see your senior to express his respect for him and make a promise to you that as long as your senior is in need, he will
The Lord Marquis will do his best to help! The emperor of your country is fatuous, and the seniors are loyal to the country. It is their duty to punish the traitors and help the emperor, but I don’t know if there is anything I can do to help? Seniors, please speak frankly.
You're welcome."
Soga Ezo was stroking his beard with a depressed look on his face.
I have seen people who push the blame when things get tough, and people who betray their trust and seek benefits while avoiding harm, but I have never seen people who are so eager to help others...
Now even he himself has no confidence that he can determine the outcome, but why do the people of the Tang Dynasty have so much confidence in him?
Aren't you afraid that if you help yourself now, you will lose all your money in the future because of the defeat of the Soga clan?
Isn’t it true that there are mountains of gold and silver on Sado Island that are worth letting the Tang people plunder at all costs?
…
Little did he know that Wang Xuance didn't care at all whether the Soga clan lost or won, whether he, Soga Ezo, lived or died. As long as he could stir up trouble in the Japanese capital and fan the flames of trouble, and make the turmoil in the Japanese government more and more final, his goal would be accomplished.
He was afraid that the Suga clan was not ambitious enough and would not fight hard enough...
Soga Ezo pondered for a moment, then said after considering: "The situation is still under control at the moment, and your country's navy is far away in Sado. Far water cannot save the fire nearby. Even if the Soga clan is in danger, I am afraid that you are also helpless...
However, I will keep this kindness in my heart forever. If I am lucky enough to be able to help the Emperor in slaying the traitors in the future, I may even go north to Sado in person to meet the great leader of the Tang Dynasty, Marquis Huating."
Wang Xuance did not take his words seriously.
Most of the navy soldiers who came with him this time stayed in Nambajin. Although there were only about 500 of them, they were all elite and brave warriors. They were well-equipped and well-trained. How could they be just like a ragtag group of Japanese?
Can you withstand it? I dare not say more. These five hundred people faced five thousand people. It was a massacre...
However, he also knew Soga Eni's concerns. He was afraid that if he received help from the Tang Dynasty this time, the Tang Dynasty would ask him to repay the help he received today.
You will suffer a big loss.
He knew that it was not advisable to push too hard, otherwise it would lead to a rebellious mentality. Instead, he would add extravagance to the situation and said: "Since the senior is confident, I wish you immediate success and achieve a great feat! But this time, I brought a siege tool with me."
If the senior does not abandon the sharp weapon, I can give it to you as a gift..."
Soga Ezo perked up and asked, "But what about the divine thunder that was rumored to have leveled the city of Sanghapura, the capital of Linyi Kingdom?"
The fact that Sanghapura City was razed to the ground overnight has spread all over the world. The world doesn't care much about the bloody massacre in the Tang Dynasty, but they are shocked by the legendary "divine thunder" that can instantly collapse the thick and solid city walls.
…
If nothing else goes wrong, there will be a bloody battle in front of the palace. If there is a second-class "divine thunder" to help, not only can the palace gate collapse easily, the Suga clan's soldiers march straight into the palace, but also the stupid people can see it.
The Su Wo family "complied with the destiny", otherwise why would there be "divine thunder from heaven" to help?
Wang Xuance smiled and said: "Exactly."
Soga Ezo was overjoyed: "Since Your Excellency has given me such a magical weapon, I would be disrespectful to reject it..."
Didn't you say "gift"? Since it was a gift, you would be embarrassed to ask for benefits from me afterwards, right?
Wang Xuance said happily: "This junior will send someone to carry this thing and leave it to the senior to command."