Lin Xuan was making arrangements to distribute invitations when Xuanzang and the monk Baosheng came to visit again.
After the guests and hosts sat down, Monk Baosheng said with a smile: "Master Marquis, Your Majesty has promised to let Buddhists send people to Tianzhu to collect Buddhist scriptures. I wonder if the map has been drawn by Master Marquis?"
"I promised Master before, so I'm naturally ready." Lin Xuan went to the study to get the map.
Li Shimin agreed to go to Tianzhu to learn Buddhist scriptures, and Lin Xuan did not have any surprises.
Even if the Buddhist sect becomes powerful in the future, wouldn’t it be possible to destroy the Buddha? Anyway, there are lessons learned from the past.
There were four times in history that the Buddha was exterminated, collectively known as the Three Martial Arts and One Sect that exterminated the Buddha.
Two of these have already happened.
Many historians in later generations said that the fundamental reason for the extermination of Buddhism was that divine power surpassed imperial power and was therefore not tolerated by those in power.
But Lin Xuan doesn't see it that way. Temples don't have to pay taxes. Some wealthy families are generous and will donate some fields in addition to the money for sesame oil.
Over time, the monks in the temple controlled a large amount of land without paying taxes.
Over time, a large amount of land flowed into the temples, while the court's tax revenue became less and less. This was the fundamental reason for their destruction.
To a certain extent, those temples are more hateful than the aristocratic families.
Although the aristocratic family annexed the land, they still had to pay taxes no matter what.
Anyone who knows some history should know that during the Song Dynasty, many people wanted to become a monk.
Firstly, there is no need for military service, and secondly, there are many legal conveniences. Some criminals will buy an ultimatum and become a monk to avoid being investigated by the court.
This is how Lu Zhishen in Water Margin plays.
The most important thing is that the temple controls a large amount of land. Once you become a monk, you become a landlord in disguise, and you don't have to pay taxes.
At that time, Du's certificates could be sold for more than one hundred to several hundred strings, depending on the region, but demand still exceeded supply.
But Taoism is different. The Li family respects Li Er as their ancestor.
Confessing Taoism as the state religion, no matter how fast Taoism develops, as long as there is no rebellion, Li Tang will have no way to move it.
Compared with suppressing Taoism, the growth of Buddhism is not such a big threat.
If it really doesn't work, treat Buddhism like leek seeds and cut them off directly when they are fat. This will make the court rich.
If Lin Xuan were Li Shimin, he would do the same thing.
Not long after, Chunyue took the map and handed it to Lin Xuan.
Lin Xuan handed it to Baosheng with a smile and said: "Here is the map, please take a look at it, master!"
Monk Baosheng took the map and started looking at it with Xuanzang.
After a long time, Xuanzang withdrew his gaze, and Monk Baosheng asked quickly: "How?"
Baosheng didn't know how to get to Tianzhu, but Xuanzang had the idea of taking Buddhist scriptures before, so he inquired about the route.
With the additions made over the years, we already have a general direction on how to go to the Western Regions.
Xuanzang nodded and said happily: "This picture is very perfect, thank you very much, Lord Marquis."
Lin Xuan waved his hand and said, "I'm just trying my best."
"We Buddhists have remembered the sentiment of Lord Marquis, and since we have to go back to prepare for our journey to the west, we won't bother you." Monk Baosheng said with a smile.
"I'll send you two masters!" Lin Xuan said with a smile.
He had no intention of asking when they would set off.
Historically, Xuanzang set out in the third year of Zhenguan and returned only in the nineteenth year of Zhenguan.
It has been Zhenguan for six years now. If it still took him sixteen years to return from the Buddhist scriptures, Li Shimin would probably be dead.
The reason why I use estimates is because I consider that my own reasons may have affected history, and it is possible that Li Shimin lived a few more years.
A person's life is full of too many uncertainties, and a life can last for more than ten years.
When Xuanzang returned, Lin Xuan couldn't tell what his state of mind would be like.
Of course, with his map, Xuanzang might come back sooner.
After sending Xuanzang and Baosheng away, Lin Xuan thought he could be quiet for a while, but unexpectedly, servants came to report that the Wang family and his son had arrived.
Regarding the arrival of the Wang family and his son, Lin Xuan was confused but not surprised. He ordered his servants to lead them to the front hall. Lin Xuan sat in the hall and waited, showing no intention of welcoming them.
"I have met the Marquis of Jingyang County, and I have taken the liberty to come and disturb you." Wang Ze had a warm smile on his face, without the disgust he had in the past when he impeached Lin Xuan.
Wang Qingyun did not have the arrogance of the past, and followed Wang Ze to greet him with an expressionless face.
Lin Xuan smiled and said: "Master Wang, please take a seat."
Although they wished each other to die, they both had smiles on their faces.
"I have prepared a small gift this time, and I hope the Marquis of Jingyang County will accept it." After Wang Ze finished speaking, a boy from outside the hall came in holding a brocade box.
Wang Ze took the brocade box, handed it over, and said, "This is a copybook by Wang Xizhi. I heard that Mr. Hou is very accomplished in calligraphy. I think he will like it."
At the Princess Jinyang's full moon party, Li Tai once tried to get Wang Xizhi's calligraphy from the aristocratic family, but the aristocratic family refused and only gave him a copy of Wang Xianzhi's calligraphy and sent him away.
Now in order to make friends with Lin Xuan, he was willing to take out Wang Xizhi's copybook, which can be said to be very generous.
However, Lin Xuan did not appreciate it. He shook his head and said: "As the saying goes, no reward will be given without merit, so Mr. Wang should talk about it first."
If they are those old foxes who have been in the officialdom for many years, they will definitely be able to chat and laugh with their enemies.
But Lin Xuan didn't have the city and scheming. If he didn't think about what Tiantian Wang's family was planning to do, he probably wouldn't even let them in.
Seeing Lin Xuan's appearance, Wang Qingyun was about to have a fit, but Wang Ze glared at Lin Xuan fiercely and said nothing.
Being rejected by Lin Xuan, Wang Ze did not feel the slightest embarrassment. He put the brocade box on the table and said with a smile on his face: "I heard that Mo Xuan Zhai is opened by Mr. Hou. Our Wang family wants to discuss cooperation with Mr. Hou."
Lin Xuan laughed and said: "Sir Wang, don't be joking, most of the papers in the world come from the Wang family. I am just making a small fuss, can the Wang family take it seriously?"
What the hell, you impeached me at first, and now you want to cooperate with me. It’s a beautiful idea.
Wang Ze's expression remained unchanged and he said: "Master Hou, we don't tell lies in front of people. The reason why Master Hou sells paper so cheaply is just to take revenge on the Wang family for impeaching him. After so long, Master Hou's anger should be gone."
Continuing to offer such a low price may not be worth the loss for the Marquis."
Although he knew that Lin Xuan's paper mill was expanding its production capacity, he did not think that the cost of the paper produced by Lin Xuan would be very low.
Lin Xuan said with a faint smile: "Who told you that I won't make money if my price is low?"
Although it's true that you won't make much money, you won't lose money.
Wang Ze's heart skipped a beat, and he couldn't keep the smile on his face anymore, and asked: "Master Hou, what does this mean?"
Lin Xuan smiled faintly and said, "That's the literal meaning. Although Mo Xuanzhai doesn't make much, he still makes some money."
Wang Ze always thought that Lin Xuan wanted to start a price war with them, and the news he sent to the Wang family only showed that Lin Xuan had a way to make paper quickly.
However, what Lin Xuan said now made him completely confused.
If Lin Xuan does not lose money, won't all the Wang family's paper business be taken away by the time he expands production capacity?
Wang Ze deserves to be from the Wang family. Although the news was shocking, he quickly calmed down. He looked at Lin Xuan and said: "Master Marquis, even if you can make paper in large quantities, there is no way to sell it."
All over the Tang Dynasty, waiting for you to prepare manpower will be time-consuming and very troublesome."
"And our Wang family is originally a paper-making company, and we have branches all over the Tang Dynasty. If the Marquis is willing to cooperate with my Wang family, it will be beneficial to both parties."
Lin Xuan admitted that what Wang Ze said made sense. Ancient times were no better than modern times. Even in modern times, it would take a long time to develop a sales channel across the country.
In addition, the Lin family has a weak foundation and there are very few trustworthy people.
Putting everything aside, the Wang family is the most suitable partner.
Their family has been in the paper business for hundreds of years, and their manpower and channels are very supportive.
"I don't need to worry about this, Mr. Wang." Lin Xuan said calmly.
He made paper just to disgust the Wang family. If he was cooperating with the Wang family, what was the point of making paper?