Chapter 153: The Hundred Schools Return to One, Two Bronze Figures Appear!
Buddhism in the Western Regions, Daleiyin Temple.
Kong Xiang was reciting sutras in the Sutra Pavilion, and at this moment, a figure appeared in front of him.
Seeing the person coming, Kong Xiang opened his eyes. Baoxiang's solemn face was extremely respectful: "Disciple Kong Xiang, I have met my master."
"Well, how have you been reading the scriptures lately?" The visitor sat down.
It is the ‘Precious Wisdom’, the master of the empty phase.
"I have some insights, but in the end it is difficult to get a glimpse of the true meaning of Buddhism." Kong Xiang said modestly.
"Disciple, you don't have to be too humble. Your wisdom has always been very good. I heard that you have glimpsed the threshold of the five realms?" Baozhi said with a smile on his face.
"We will probably be able to break through in a few days." Kong Xiang said truthfully.
"Not bad, very good." Baozhi nodded, seeming to be very satisfied with Kong Xiang: "Now that I have gained some insights, I should go for a walk outside."
"What does Master mean?"
"The Tathagata wants to see you."
"Okay." Kong Xiang stood up immediately after hearing this.
Baozhi also stood up and led Kongxiang out of the Sutra Pavilion.
The two walked a certain distance in the Great Leiyin Temple and came to the main hall in the middle.
At this time, in the main hall of the main hall, a young man with fat earlobes and a kind face, who looked to be in his early thirties, was sitting upright on a Buddhist altar.
He was covered with a golden cassock and held a golden Buddha treasure in his hand.
On both sides of the main hall, two Bodhisattvas were guarding the Tathagata, and one hundred and eight Arhats were in various postures, either lying down, sleeping, or lying down...
After Kongxiang entered the main hall, he and Baozhi saluted the Tathagata on the Buddhist altar in the middle.
"Disciple Baozhi."
"Disciple Kongxiang."
"I've seen Tathagata!"
After hearing the words of the two men, Tathagata, who was sitting quietly on the Buddhist altar, nodded kindly and pointed to the two futons not far away.
Kongxiang and Baozhi sat down.
And Tathagata finally spoke: "The Qin Dynasty wants to establish Taoism as the state religion. What do you think of the empty phase?"
Kong Xiang naturally knows the meaning of Tathagata.
Buddhism has always wanted to spread Buddhism to the Central Plains. However, the previous Qin Dynasty did not have the intention of "establishing a national religion" and had always regarded Jixia Academy as the most respected place.
Therefore, Buddhism does not have a good excuse.
Now that the Qin Dynasty has declared to the outside world that it will establish Taoism as its state religion, this naturally gives Buddhism an opportunity.
The void phase knows this very well.
After all, this was all his 'layout'.
He had already had this plan since he knew that Yan Yu was starting to 'lay out', which is why he suggested that Da Qin establish Taoism as the state religion.
So, he naturally straightened his body and replied in a calm tone: "Only my Buddhist sect can save all sentient beings. I think this may be an opportunity for our Buddhist sect to relieve the suffering of the people in the Central Plains."
"Well, you have spent some time in the Central Plains and have some understanding of the Central Plains. Now that our Buddhist sect wants to spread our religion in the Central Plains, are you willing to go to the Central Plains to 'debate' with the Taoist sect?"
"Disciple is willing!" Kong Xiang replied immediately.
"Okay, this trip is related to whether my Buddhist sect can save more people in the world. You can take my Buddhist sutra collection and go with Baozhi and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. At the same time, I will let Ksitigarbha
The Central Plains will support you."
"Yes! Disciple will certainly fulfill his mission!" Kong Xiang immediately clasped his hands together.
And then, a golden silk book flew down in front of Kong Xiang.
Kong Xiang picked it up respectfully and took a look, with a confident smile on his lips. Everything was as he expected. Buddha had made a big decision this time.
The conditions stated in the silk book are quite sufficient!
Just as he was thinking about it, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva came over and took out a palm-sized bronze figure from his arms: "Kong Xiang, since you are about to enter the fifth realm, this bronze figure may be helpful to you."
"Bronze man?!" Kong Xiang's eyes widened.
His guess was right, Buddhism had indeed had bronze figures for a long time.
Otherwise, it is impossible to deliberately enter Lingzhu Temple and participate in the fight among the giant Buddha elephants in Huai'an County.
The Buddhists knew the secrets in the bronze statue, so they wanted more.
So, if we follow this speculation...
…
Hanzhong County.
Mohist General Altar, Shennong Mountain.
Mo Su, who was wearing plain black clothes, looked at the palm-sized bronze figure in his hand and fell into deep thought.
The head of the Mo family, Mo Jian, who was sitting in the main seat of the meeting hall, said with a serious face: "Mo Su, you performed very well this time. I will leave this bronze figure to you for safekeeping from now on."
"The head of the family... Mo Su's cultivation is shallow and he may not be able to take on a big responsibility!"
"This matter was decided after discussing it with the two deputy heads of the family. This time when I returned to Jixia Academy, I always had a vague feeling that something would happen. You must keep this thing properly and remember not to be reckless.
, of course, don’t take too many risks, because you are the future of my Mo family!"
When Mo Su heard this, he finally didn't delay anymore and immediately bowed down: "Mo Su, thank you, Master!"
"Well, get ready, let's go to Beijing together!"
"yes!"
…
So, that day.
In the world of white mist, two huge bronze figures slowly rose.
One statue is empty.
One is Mo Su.
At this point, there are a total of eleven bronze figures in the white mist world.
…
Ten days later.
Because the ‘Sky Stone’ still hasn’t been found.
The Queen Mother issued an order to summon Jiang Erlang back to the capital and gave Li Fu the task of searching for the Tianshi.
Two more days passed.
Jiang Erlang quickly returned to the capital and reported to the Night Detective Department.
Di Gong was very satisfied with Jiang Erlang's trip to Hanzhong County, so he took Jiang Erlang to Ganquan Palace again and met with the Queen Mother.
Naturally, the Queen Mother also rewarded Jiang Erlang.
When talking about recalling Jiang Erlang to the capital, the Queen Mother gave the reason: "Recently, the Mohist and Taoist sects have entered the capital one after another, and there are also various Jianghu sects among them. The defense of the capital cannot be relaxed. I am calling you back to the capital.
It is my intention to let you lead the Night Investigation Division to protect the safety of the capital."
Jiang Erlang understood.
Although he received the Golden Flag position in the Night Detective Department, he actually had no actual rights.
Now that Baijia wants to return to Jixia, the Queen Mother wants to take advantage of this opportunity to indirectly hand over the 'defense' work of the capital to his hands. This is a key promotion.
If this were the case in the previous life...
It's almost like being given the position of 'Admiral of the Nine Sects'.
Of course Jiang Erlang could not refuse and immediately thanked the Queen Mother.
Then, the Queen Mother mentioned another matter: "The Buddhists from the Western Regions are already on their way to Beijing with the credentials of the Western Regions Kingdom. What does Erlang think of this matter?"
What do you think... is this a test of yourself? Jiang Erlang pondered for a while and replied: "Buddhism has a deep foundation in the Western Regions. This visit to the capital may have something to do with our Qin Dynasty's desire to establish Taoism as the state religion."
"Haha, Erlang is indeed unparalleled in his wit." The Queen Mother laughed when she heard this: "If you hadn't just returned to Beijing, I would have thought that you had known the news in advance."
After saying that, the Queen Mother praised Judge Dee again: "The talents recommended by Judge Dee are indeed extraordinary!"
"This is the empress dowager's insightful eye." Duke Di said modestly.
The Queen Mother stopped talking and started talking about business: "Since Erlang has guessed the Buddhist intention, how do you think Erlang should handle this matter?"
After Jiang Erlang thought for a while, he replied: "What I mean is that no matter what, Great Qin should fully support Taoism and establish Taoism as the state religion to fulfill our promise. As for Buddhism's methods... I have a bold guess.
."
"Oh? Tell me." If someone else said 'guess', the Queen Mother would not have much reaction, but when Jiang Erlang said this, she became interested.
Jiang Erlang did not sell out and replied directly: "Although Taoism is divided, its foundation in the Central Plains is incomparable to Buddhism. If I were Buddhism, I would definitely not have any military conflict with Taoism. What I will do
It is better than Taoism in terms of 'Dharma', thus proving that Buddhism is superior to Taoism!"
"You mean, Buddhism will debate with Taoism?" The Queen Mother's eyes lit up.
"Yes." Jiang Erlang nodded and continued: "Since it is a debate, we just need to wait and see what happens and wait for the outcome. As for the outcome, I have two different plans."
"Well, Erlang, tell me quickly."
"First, if the Taoist sect wins the debate, we can use a 'appeasement' attitude to negotiate some conditions with the Buddhist sect, such as giving him the opportunity to open a temple, but it can only be done step by step. One country and two religions will not
What kind of influence, and it is in line with the emperor’s balancing technique!”
"Go on."
"Second, if Buddhism wins the debate, we can use the status of 'reward' to negotiate some conditions with Buddhism. However, we have established Taoism as the state religion first. Even if Buddhism wins, we can still show that we cannot violate it.
The promise, however, can give him the opportunity to open a temple, just step by step, it is also one country, two religions."
After Jiang Erlang paused for a moment, he added: "So, whether Taoism wins or Buddhism wins, the outcome is the same."
"Haha, you are... clever!" When the Queen Mother heard this, she looked at Jiang Erlang with even more admiration: "Okay, in that case, I will follow Erlang's advice and first fully support Taoist sect and establish Taoist sect as the state religion, and then
Appease the Buddhists and let them take it step by step."
"The Queen Mother is smart." Jiang Erlang immediately flattered her.
Judge Dee, on the other hand, smiled.
…
Exited Ganquan Palace.
Jiang Erlang went straight to the Prince of Zhou's Mansion.
Soon, he saw Ji Ruxue sitting quietly by the small lake playing chess.
Heizi was confronting Ji Ruxue, while Bai Zi was waiting aside. After seeing Jiang Erlang appear, Bai Zi made a 'face' towards Jiang Erlang.
Jiang Erlang was shocked by Bai Zi. After all, Bai Zi had a ghostly appearance.
"You're back. I heard that as soon as you came back, you went to the Night Detective Division to meet with Judge Di, and then went to Ganquan Palace to meet with the Queen Mother. Jiang Jinqi is still very busy."
After Ji Ruxue saw Jiang Erlang, she stroked the hair hanging down on her forehead with one hand, and gently lifted up her gorgeous purple-black dress.
Jiang Erlang was a little surprised, because he actually heard a little bit of "sour" meaning in Ji Ruxue's words, even just a little bit.
So, he took out a gift from his back: "When I was in Hanzhong County, I thought of Miss Ji all the time. This is a gift for Miss Ji."
"Now that you are Night Detective Si Jinqi, there is no need to call you 'subordinate' anymore." Ji Ruxue waved her hand, with no intention of accepting the gift.
Jiang Erlang immediately added: "My subordinates only brought gifts to Miss Ji."
"Really?" Ji Ruxue finally reacted, looking at a box in Jiang Erlang's hand, and then frowned slightly: "You... brought me a fish?"
"Yes, Wuchang fish!" Jiang Erlang chuckled: "The braised fish is especially delicious."
Ji Ruxue looked a little speechless: "You held a promotion banquet in Hanzhong County and collected a lot of bribes, right? In the end, you brought me a fish? You were really thoughtful."
"Why don't I try it as Miss Ji?" Jiang Erlang grabbed a Wuchang fish and showed it off.
"Okay." Ji Ruxue didn't say much.
…
Two quarters of an hour later.
Jiang Erlang placed a portion of braised Wuchang fish in front of Ji Ruxue, and took out two bottles of fine wine brought from Hanzhong County and several plates of side dishes.
"Miss Ji, please taste it."
"Um."
Ji Ruxue picked up the kuaizi, picked up a piece of fish and put it into her mouth.
The originally calm and indifferent expression suddenly became a little moved. Then, he quickly picked up a few more pieces, and his face felt inexplicably somewhat satisfied.
"Is it delicious?" Jiang Erlang asked.
"It's okay." Ji Ruxue blinked, but the movements of her hands did not stop. She ate bite after bite, appearing to enjoy it very much.
Jiang Erlang was also prepared to take a few bites.
However, Ji Ruxue slapped it away with a tachyon: "Isn't this the gift Erlang gave me?"
"This...I did it very hard." Jiang Erlang swallowed.
"So what?" Ji Ruxue raised her head.
"How? Of course I want to eat it! Hahaha..." Jiang Erlang laughed and stretched out the kuaizi again.
Ji Ruxue was naturally unwilling.
As a result, the two people's tachyons continued to collide between the plates, and their bodies gradually became closer. In the end, their arms had bumped into each other.
"Miss Ji, can you give me a favor?"
"no!"
"Just one bite!"
"No……"
"hey-hey."
"Okay, just one bite."
"..."
Two quarters of an hour later.
A huge, fresh and fat Wuchang fish was swept clean.
Ji Ruxue picked up the wine bottle on the table and drank heavily, looking extremely bold.
Jiang Erlang also took a few sips, and he knew what Ji Ruxue wanted to hear: "Both the Mohist and Taoist sects have agreed to be included in Jixia Academy, and the Legalists, Confucians, Zajia and Yinyang sects will also not be included.
What's the problem? What's missing is doctors and farmers..."
Ji Ruxue did not interrupt Jiang Erlang and listened while drinking.
After Jiang Erlang roughly counted the hundreds of families, he finally looked at Ji Ruxue: "The only thing missing now is the counselors. Does Miss Ji think the counselors will participate?"
"Then do you want the Strategist to participate?" Ji Ruxue put down the wine bottle and asked.
"There are only two descendants of the Zongheng family left. I want to know first... why did the Zongheng family withdraw from the court three hundred years ago? There must be some secret in this, right?" Jiang Erlang looked at Ji Ruxue.