The movements of the imperial court were watched by countless people. So many generals were mobilized at once, and even general-level people like Yu Chigong and Zhang Shigui were mobilized. It was hard not to attract attention.
Observing the destination of these people, everyone was worried. Could it be an action against the nobles?
However, in the past six months, the gentry have been very honest, and they have fully retreated when faced with the pressure of the New Deal.
Thinking of the solar eclipse and the attack on the prince, everyone inevitably became suspicious. Could it be that the nobles did this?
The more they think about it, the more possible it becomes.
After Mochizuki Tan spared no effort to praise them, the world's impression of the gentry was that they were above the royal family and lawless.
Regardless of whether the story mentioned by Wang Yue is true or false, as the only national propaganda tool of the Tang Dynasty, it can affect too many people.
Even if many people find it absurd, they will still choose to believe it if there is no other reference.
How can such a powerful and arrogant noble family tolerate being angered by the New Deal? It seems not impossible to take action against the prince.
Then more and more people began to believe that the emperor was targeting the gentry.
Under various rumors, even the nobles themselves became suspicious.
Wang Zhuo looked at everyone suspiciously and said, "It's not really you who did it, is it?"
Cui Lun sarcastically said: "Why, do you feel sorry for your Wang family's son-in-law?"
He was the representative sent by the Boling Cui family after Cui Gan's death, and he was Cui Gan's cousin. Because Wang Zhuo had insulted Cui Gan before, he targeted Wang Zhuo everywhere after he came.
What bothers Wang Zhuo most now is hearing someone say something like the Wang family's son-in-law, and he immediately gets angry.
Just as he was about to reply, he was stopped by Zheng Song: "Can you all calm down? It's time to stop fighting among ourselves. Do you really have to wait until the knife is put on your neck to regret it?"
They both sat down angrily and stopped talking.
Lu Xiu said: "It's useless to speculate. The most important thing now is to investigate who attacked the prince. Haven't you heard the news yet?"
Cui Yun shook his head and said: "The one who controlled all the relevant personnel, no one knows exactly what happened. We only know that the prince went out incognito and was attacked before the solar eclipse."
Others also shook their heads, unable to find out the specific circumstances of the attack on the prince.
"Duk duk duk." Just then, I remembered the knock on the door, and then I heard someone outside say: "Mr. Lang, I am Wang Xiuqi, and I have important news to report."
Wang Zhuo was stunned for a moment and said: "Come in."
Wang Xiuqi opened the door and came in, first saluting everyone.
However, most of the people who greeted him were looks of disdain. The nobles may be arrogant, but it is still very despicable for him to take pleasure in torturing and killing maids.
It's a pity that this is a member of the Wang family, and there is nothing they can do.
Wang Xiuqi also knew that he was not welcome, so he simply bowed and ignored them, and said to Wang Zhuo:
"Lang Jun, the news just came back from the court. The murderer who assassinated Chen Jingke a month ago has been found."
Wang Zhuo frowned and said displeasedly: "Is this news worth making a fuss about?"
Wang Xiuqi said calmly: "Listen to me first. The assassin who assassinated him was a personal guard captain named Jiang Zian of Prince Yin."
"After the incident that year, the team leader was taken in by monk Huiqing of Baoyi Temple and became a monk protector... Huiqing sent him to assassinate Chen Jingke."
"The imperial court has found irrefutable evidence that Huiqing took Jiang Zian into custody. I heard that the court official was very angry this morning and ordered everyone in Baoyi Temple to be arrested and imprisoned on the spot."
"Not only that, the entire Buddhism has been implicated. The man who converted all 398 Buddhist temples restored in the ten years of Zhenguan into Taoist temples... There will definitely be bigger moves in the future."
In April of the 10th year of Zhenguan, in order to pray for his seriously ill eldest grandson Wujia, Li Shimin ordered the restoration of 398 abandoned ancient temples, many of which were famous temples.
Although Taoist Sun Simiao later cured the queen's illness, these temples were not taken back but were retained.
This wave of conversion to Taoist temples was a huge blow to Buddhism.
The key is that this is tantamount to the court expressing support for Taoism on the spot, which is the most fatal to Buddhism.
Although the imperial court supported Taoism for various reasons before, it did not attack Buddhism in return.
For Buddhism, this level of support is not fatal. They have experienced several crises more serious than this in history.
But things are different now. This time the imperial court has completely taken sides, and the blow to Buddhism is even more fatal than the loss of 400 temples.
So after hearing the news, everyone looked at each other in shock.
Wang Zhuo said in disbelief: "Buddhism actually took in Xuan... the rebel from that turmoil? And you dared to send him to assassinate Chen Jingke?"
There was a hint of hatred in Wang Xiuqi's eyes, and he said: "It's a pity that Jiang Zian's hand wasn't steady enough and he didn't succeed."
Wang Zhuo warned: "I know you and Chen Jingke have a grudge, but these are troubled times, so don't cause trouble."
"Also, I don't know how many pairs of eyes are staring at us. Stop that bad habit of yours and stop it recently."
Wang Xiuqi naturally knew what he was talking about and said quickly: "Yes."
Wang Zhuo asked him a few more questions, such as his reaction to Buddhism, and then let him go out.
After he left, everyone began to discuss.
This matter is really too big, and its influence is no less than that of the New Deal.
Zheng Song couldn't help but sigh: "Taoism and Buddhism have been fighting for hundreds of years, will the winner finally be determined?"
Li Hong shook his head and said: "It's hard to say. Buddhism is deeply rooted and its influence is no less than that of our nobles. The imperial court will not destroy Buddhism for Chen Jingke."
Li Jin also agreed: "It's probably just a beating, and it's also a way of appeasing Taoism and Chen Jingke."
Everyone nodded in agreement, it was indeed the case. The imperial court is still implementing the New Deal, and they don’t want to cause any extra problems.
At this time, Cui Yun suddenly said: "Not necessarily. You said that this time the imperial court suddenly sent five generals to take charge of the local area, is it possible that it is not against the nobles, but to prevent Buddhism from causing chaos?"
Everyone showed surprised expressions and were on guard against Buddhism?
Li Hong said thoughtfully: "Unless the imperial court is really prepared to take this opportunity to attack Buddhism..."
Wang Zhuo retorted: "It's impossible. It's enfeoffment and the New Deal, and the tribes that have migrated and surrendered have to be resettled in the south. It's impossible for the court to take action against Buddhism at the same time."
There is another thing he didn't say, which is to beware of powerful nobles.
Lu Xiu said: "No matter what the court wants to do, we must be careful. Send the message to each family, asking them to treat this matter with caution and not to give the court an opportunity."
Everyone was helpless and could only do this.
…
On the other side, Chen Jingke breathed a sigh of relief as the matter of his assassination finally came to an end, and he finally had an explanation for Yi Nu.
But the emperor converted nearly 400 temples into Taoist temples in one go, which was completely beyond his expectation.
"What do you mean by saint? Is it just a criticism of Buddhism, or is there some other reason?"
Wu Shu thought: "They should all be there. Buddhism accommodates traitors and assassinates the emperor's relatives. This is a big taboo and must be beaten."
"Furthermore, the Buddha is Taoist plan is related to the future. It is difficult for us as a Taoist family to make any major progress in the short term just by relying on the strength of our Taoist family. The saint's move can be regarded as a push."
Chen Jingke nodded, that was indeed the case.
After being caught off guard again, Buddhism gradually gained a firm foothold and launched a counterattack step by step.
Although Taoism has powerful tools such as Journey to the West and Tan Yue Tan to help, it is difficult to make much progress in a short period of time.
But enfeoffment was just around the corner, and Li Shimin had already selected three noble families and two clans as the first batch of enfeoffment targets.
It is not only an exploration and practice, but also a reassurance for the nobles.
So he can't wait for Tao and Buddha to pull here, and just push it, and it will become normal.
"Is there anything else? With the scheming personality of our Majesty, he must have other plans, right?"
Wu Shu covered her mouth and chuckled. In the past, when she heard Chen Jingke say this about the emperor, she would be very worried about what to do if word got out.
Now I just think it's funny, and then I think, 'My real people are so awesome that even saints will pamper them'.
"There should be other plans, but the information I have is limited, and there isn't much I can deduce."
"Hmm... But there should be another reason. In order to draw everyone's attention away from the mobilization of the five generals, so as to facilitate the next step."
Chen Jingke questioned: "Can such an obvious action be moved away?"
Wu Shu spread his hands and said: "It doesn't matter whether you can or not. The nobles are just fish on the chopping board now. It just depends on when the saint wants to use the knife. They have no room for resistance."
A trace of gloom flashed in Chen Jingke's eyes, and he said, "I hope we can start soon and don't make me wait too long."
Wu Shu sighed. Recently, he asked Yang Tianlu to do a lot of things in private, but no one knew what they were.
But I think it was all for revenge on Wang Xiuqi, I just hope he can recover after venting his dark side.
Afterwards, Chen Jingke returned to his courtyard and told Yi Nu about the emperor's handling of Buddhism:
"This time all our revenge has been avenged. From now on, you will take good care of your injuries. When you are healed, you will give birth to some big fat boys for me."
Yi Nu was both happy and a little worried: "Do you want to get your Majesty's consent first?"
Chen Jingke scratched her nose and said with a smile: "Now that I think of asking my aunt for instructions, why did I dare to do so in the first place?"
Yi Nu said shyly: "Wasn't that... the situation was different back then?"
Chen Jingke smiled and said: "Don't worry, I have already agreed with my aunt that you and Yuzhu are both concubines."
Yi Nu threw herself into his arms. Chen Jingke was startled and said, "Be careful, be careful. Your wound has just healed and it won't burst."
Yi Nu didn't care about this at all and choked up: "Master, I'm so happy."
At this time, Yuzhu walked out of the house with tea and said with a smile: "Sister Yi Nu is still injured, so you can't help but want to eat it secretly?"
Normally Yi Nu would not admit defeat and joke around, but this time she just lay in Chen Jingke's arms and said nothing.
Seeing that Yuzhu's expression became weird, Chen Jingke said quickly: "Don't talk nonsense, I made an agreement with my aunt to give you and Yi Nu the status of concubine, she is happy."
Hearing this, Yuzhu was stunned, and then with tears in her eyes, she asked in disbelief: "Really? Can I do it too?"
Chen Jingke sighed and said: "Really, don't think about it in the future, just stay in the view with peace of mind."
Yuzhu also rushed over to him, hugged him from behind, and sobbed: "Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu...Thank you, Master, thank you, Master, I will definitely serve you well in the future."
Chen Jingke was also quite emotional. Sure enough, a person's pursuit is related to his position.
Some people are not satisfied with being married to a matchmaker even if they are carrying a large sedan chair, and some people are satisfied with having just one concubine.
It took a lot of effort to comfort the two little maids, and then he said:
"The saint converted four hundred temples into Taoist temples, and I am going to select two to be named under your name. If you have children in the future, you can inherit this Taoist temple."
Then the two little maids hugged him excitedly and cried bitterly.
They are concubines, and the children they give birth to are also concubines. They have no inheritance rights if there are legitimate children and grandchildren.
Now Chen Jingke has two Taoist temples under their two names, which is equivalent to the private property of two people, and the profits of the Taoist temples also belong to them.
In the future, they can also pass on the Taoist temple to their own children. At that time, their children will change from bastards who look at people's faces to free branches.
The difference is very huge.
Of course, some people say that the status of a concubine is equivalent to that of a slave, but this is not accurate.
Bastards are also children recognized by law, but their status is not as high as that of legitimate sons, but they are not equal to slaves.
The real equivalent of a slave is a maid who has no title and gives birth to a son. Sisters Yiheilian is a maid who gives birth to a son.
Although their father claimed that their mother was a concubine, merchants were not qualified to take concubines, and legally their mothers were maids.
That's why after their father passed away, the head of the house dared to sell them so boldly, even taking away their surnames.
If it were a real concubine who gave birth to a child, the matron would not dare to do such a cruel thing.
Chen Jingke's arrangement of property for Yi Nu and Yuzhu was not a whim, but a deliberate decision.
He is not an ancient person, and he has no concubine prejudice against his children.
But due to the rules of this era, it is unrealistic to say that everyone is treated completely equally.
Xiao Sizi's child cannot be the same as their two children. Even if he wanted to do this, the royal family would not agree, and neither would anyone else.
Rules are rules.
But within his ability, he can still provide more protection for the two of them and their children.
As an asset, one Taoist temple is enough. If you give too much, it will cause unnecessary trouble.
Although some people say: If your children are talented, there is no need to leave money. If your children are not talented, there is no use leaving money.
But everyone is an adult and knows very well what a starting line is. Since he has this ability, he must naturally work hard to create a higher starting line for all children.
Of course, he will definitely train his children to study and study to a limited extent, and strive to stand out based on their own abilities.
But it is inevitable that there will be those who are dull in talent or do not want to work hard, so let them go to Taoist temples to live a stable life.
