money for the journey?

The old monk finally reacted.

Damn King Shu, are you asking his old monk for money?

But he has already pretended to be pitiful enough. He didn't even repair this ruined temple, and he didn't even build the golden body of Buddha.

But how did the King of Shu know that he was rich?

Even Li Yuan and Li Shimin knew that they were practicing asceticism and never dealt with money. All the money was incense money given to him by others.

But now is it given?

Or not?

If not, this guy has already made it very clear that he wants to imitate his relative, Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, who destroyed Buddhism.

Li Ke walked up to the little novice and stuffed the little novice with a handful of candies. He carried the little novice and walked to the yard. The two of them smiled and talked.

Li Ke had no good opinion of Buddhism, nor did he have any ill intentions.

As long as it exists within the scope of his acceptance, it will give the people spiritual sustenance. But if it hinders social development, he will be happy to learn from his relatives.

During the Han Dynasty, Buddhism was introduced to China from foreign lands and took root in the Central Plains. The power of Buddhism continued to expand, and more and more people worshiped Buddhism. It gradually prospered and its followers spread all over the world.

By the Northern Wei Dynasty, Confucianism and Taoism had formed a three-legged alliance, and it could be said to have developed rapidly. Even the royal family practiced Buddhism regularly, and noble officials were believers in Buddhism.

By the time of Emperor Wu, the number of Buddhist believers in the entire Northern Zhou Dynasty had increased to more than two million, and there were more than 30,000 temples, accounting for one-fifteenth of the country's population.

Temple believers, on the other hand, occupy farmland, gain something for nothing, and can also evade taxes, perform corvee labor, etc.

This seriously hindered the development of the country. The Central Plains dynasties mainly relied on agriculture, especially the Northern Zhou Dynasty, which pursued the military system and the integration of soldiers and farmers.

If the population has been taken away by the temples, how can the Northern Zhou Dynasty still collect taxes and recruit troops?

This country has no more fun.

What makes the rulers hate the most is that these Buddhist believers hold a lot of land in their hands and their families are very rich, but they are greedy. During the years of famine, they gave usury loans to the people, and even rebellious officials and traitors hid among the monks and plotted rebellion.

Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty believed in Taoism and a little bit of Buddhism, but he believed deeply in Confucianism and governed the country with Confucianism.

As a result, a major disaster befell the Buddhist family.

The old Zen master sighed.

Nowadays, although His Majesty believes in Taoism, he governs the country with Confucianism. However, in the Tang Dynasty, Buddhism was still the mainstream. The rulers could rely on Buddhism to rule the people, and Buddhism did not threaten the authority and interests of the rulers.

This state is the best state for the development of Buddhism.

After all, he just said that only by being moderate can you live longer, and you can advance or retreat.

"Amitabha, saving one life is better than building a seven-level pagoda. Since the King of Shu is short of money, I happen to have some money here. It is useless to put it here, so just take it!"

"Thank you so much, old Zen Master."

Li Ke put down the little novice monk and followed the old Zen master to the Zen room.

The old Zen master took away the futon, and there was something else under the futon.

As a wooden board was taken away, a small wooden box appeared underneath, which was filled with gold cakes and jewelry.

This is probably worth tens of thousands of coins.

"King Shu, these properties are all accumulated by me over the years. I just want to practice hard. Keeping this money will only affect my practice. I will give this money to you."

The old Zen master said, his heart ached extremely, but he still had to give.

In fact, these money were secretly sent by major temples and some pilgrims.

Li Ke glanced at it but said nothing.

Obviously, this is not the whole story, probably just a drop in the bucket.

If you want to use this little money to send him away, why don't you go to Chang'an City to inquire about it?

That honorable nobleman hasn't given him tens of thousands of coins yet?

As a Buddhist sect leader, you are extremely rich, and with this little thing, are you worthy of what I have been preaching to you for a long time?

It's not that he is greedy, but that you are taking so much money to rebel?

If he wants to rebel, he, the King of Shu, will rebel too!

"King Shu, this is all my savings. On weekdays, I often help the poor and those in need."

"Ahem..."

"What I am going to do this time is a thing of greater merit than heaven, and it is enough to be worth a lifetime of your practice."

"Old Zen Master, if you give me money, it means that you are practicing cultivation, and the Buddha will see it."

Then, the old Zen master's eyes became unkind. This boy was really greedy, so he walked to the place where the fruit offerings were held, picked up a table, and opened another treasure house.

This treasure house is indeed more abundant than the one just opened.

Adding up the two sides, I'm afraid there are hundreds of thousands of dollars.

"The old Zen master has immeasurable merit."

Then, Li Ke walked out of the Zen room and shouted: "Yunda, find a box and come over."

Yan Yun was confused, but he quickly found a big box and walked into the meditation room.

When he saw the shining gold cake, he was stunned.

Who would have thought that such a dilapidated temple could hide so many golden cakes? It’s true that people cannot be judged by their appearance, and sea water cannot be measured.

The old Zen master is awesome!

He glanced at the old Zen master, who was almost crying.

When I met our young master, I didn't demolish your ruined temple, but just took some money, so you can have fun secretly!

Look at Changsun Wuji's family. He gave away more than one million yuan in vain, but now his family has nothing.

He put all the money into the box, found two people, and carried it out.

Li Ke and the old Zen master were talking and laughing. They were completely different from before, as if they were old friends whom they had not seen for many years.

"Sishu, take half of this money and share it with everyone. Everyone has a share."

"Brothers, take your lives, how can I care about this little money?"

"It's divided..."

When everyone in the courtyard heard what King Shu said, they all immediately became excited. There was no one who didn't love money.

Although they are subordinates of the King of Shu, they are also human beings, have families, and have to live.

Especially their lives, they will be gone at any time.

"On behalf of my brothers, I would like to thank Third Master."

The old Zen master was confused: "???"

You tried so hard to steal money from him and then gave it to your subordinates?

Li Ke raised his eyebrows and said with a smile: "These are my talents. I am never stingy with talents. Is the old Zen master interested in joining..."

The old Zen master smiled bitterly, "You are the king of Shu, you are using his money to lure him into this pirate ship."

No way!

"I am old and useless. I just want to practice hard and end my life."

Well, it seems that this old monk is determined and doesn't want to go with him.

But you may change your mind soon.

"Then don't embarrass the old Zen Master. This money is lent to you by this king. When I become prosperous, I will repair this ruined temple for you. I guess the Buddha will be very happy."

"Thank you, King Shu!"

The people in the yard never expected that they would get a large sum of money before they even killed anyone.

It’s good to follow King Shu, you’ll have meat to eat!

Especially Li Bingdao's group of people were all elated and in high spirits. They vowed in their hearts that they would kill more people this time to repay the king of Shu.

They are His Majesty's personal guards, but such a reward is not much in a year. At most, they can live a tight life with some salary.

How wonderful it would be if you followed King Shu all the time!

People who just listened to the King of Shu also said that the King of Shu was very kind to them. They had enough food and wine every day, and they didn't have to pay anything to go to heaven and earth to enjoy themselves.

The most important thing is that the subordinates of King Shu actually get more money every month than they, the emperor's personal guards.

In the afternoon, everyone happily had a vegetarian meal.
Chapter completed!