This indifferent attitude of avoidance angered Huang Zhen and others. Coupled with the sudden increase in the number of onlookers these days, the mood of the entire anti-religious group was greatly stimulated. People believed that justice was at ease and became more and more energetic.
Originally, Huang, Zhang and others just went to the door of the church, handed in the defense statement, and posted a list on the wall in front of the door to question them. Recently, they simply gathered at the door of the church to denounce the "Taiwan evil ways."
Gao Xuan stood in the crowd and saw that there were more and more people. At first he thought they were idlers who came together to watch the fun, but then he realized something was wrong. Because each of those people seemed to be in high spirits, aggressive and rude.
With his sleeves, he waved his fist again and cursed fiercely: "Evil way! Are you going to come out or not?" []
"If you don't come out, we will break down the door!"
"Hey, don't you usually pretend to be modest gentlemen and say "I'm guilty" all day long? Come out and accept your guilt now!"
The curse words became more and more fierce and mean, and the sound became louder and louder. Huang Zhen listened, but felt a little at a loss. Because the situation was very clear. This group of Confucian scholars and citizens who had never met before were specifically designed to denounce
, who came to besiege the cross sect in Taixi. In the first few days, he felt excited when he saw so many people coming, but recently he gradually felt strange: the dispute between the two sects was not even a big deal in the city of Hangzhou.
No, why are more and more people coming? Many of them are not Buddhists at all, not even scholars. Looking at some of the characters jumping up and down, they are obviously the "ghosts" in the city. Senior Brother Zhang is a serious person.
Zen disciples and those who have received the precepts will not use these people to prop up the scene and build up their momentum.
"Well, it's clear from their behavior that they have bad intentions. Who are they? How did they find themselves here? Is there someone behind the scenes?" Thinking of this, Huang Zhen suddenly became alert, in case someone takes advantage of the two sects.
If you try to compete for opportunities and try to fish in troubled waters, the reputation of the Zen sect will be greatly damaged.
He was about to find a job. Suddenly, because the church kept the door closed and refused to show up, the group of people became increasingly impatient. They continued to curse loudly, and one or two of them simply approached and grabbed
He raised his fists and started beating the door violently with "dong dong dong dong". Some people in the crowd even shouted slogans that they wanted to rush in and smash it.
At this time, a small door next to the yard opened. I guess I saw the group of people getting more and more noisy. Then an old man with a cross hanging on his chest came out in a hurry, clasped his hands and said, "Everyone, everyone, don't worry.
No matter what, this is a holy place for the church, a quiet place for meditation. If you have anything to do, please invite a few people in to talk. I hope you will be considerate." When he said this, his attitude was very respectful and his tone was very calm. Who would have thought?
Not only did the group of people not become quieter, but they all angrily rebuked: "Monster! You know, we are here today to beg the demon!"
"Pure place? You, an old guy who has forgotten all the scriptures from his ancestors, have the nerve to say that! The people living here are all demonic monks from overseas. It is obviously a place where filth and evil practices are hidden. How can it be said to be clean?"
"I miss you, so get out of here and don't bother us. Otherwise, you won't even be able to save your old bones!"
All kinds of scolds, threats, and abuses flew over him, leaving the old man dumbfounded and his face turned gray. Seeing that he couldn't resist it, he had to make the sign of the cross and retreat dejectedly.
Witnessing this situation, Gao Xuanzhong was a little angry as he kept following people to see him. After all, the other party's words were very polite, and besides, I haven't heard of the Christian sect in Hangzhou doing anything harmful. He was just thinking about that group making trouble.
The people became more and more complacent. They shouted loudly, stamped their feet vigorously, and beat the church door harder. Suddenly, someone shouted: "If he doesn't open the door, we will smash it!"
"Yes, smash it! Smash it open!" More people responded in agreement. So, they began to crowd and swarm towards the door.
On the other hand, both Zhang and Huang felt that something was wrong. Although they denounced the Catholic Church as a "demon", the church was supported by many big shots in the court, especially among the local gentry. In addition to its teachings, in their opinion
There are no evil deeds except where there are "violations of ethics".
Nowadays, the government has not banned religions. They are bound to encounter strong backlash from the religious gentry when they attack churches. To say the least, they claim to be scholars. What they pay attention to is "differentiating the truth" before using it like this.
Violent means will inevitably lead to defeat.
Seeing that someone was about to use violence, they shouted loudly and asked everyone to quiet down. But the situation was no longer controllable by these people. Zhuang Haoren and others were paid to make trouble. How many people were willing to listen?
The scholar and monk greeted each other, and everyone was gearing up for a big fight.
In the Tianshuiqiao Church, Jesuit priests led by Guo Jujing and Fu Fanji and enthusiastic believers in the church are discussing countermeasures. After the two pillars of the Hangzhou Church passed away, the church's influence in the Hangzhou government was greatly reduced.
Yesterday, they had sent people to take the film and went to the Yamen of Qiantang and Renhe counties, asking the Yamen to send Yamen to suppress them, but the Yamen didn’t see any of them now. Instead, there were a lot of irrelevant people coming. Obviously,
Some people are trying to take advantage of this to harm the church.
Guo Jujing and Fu Fanji were quite calm... They had seen this kind of thing many times in their missionary careers, and they had long been prepared for martyrdom, but the foundation of the church that had finally been opened in Hangzhou was destroyed and let go again.
They are unwilling to do so.
Several Confucian scholars present here also proposed countermeasures. Some wanted to sue the government immediately, while others volunteered to go to Shanghai and Jiaxing to invite people from the Xu family and other families to come forward. Some were dissatisfied with the Jesuits.
Those who participated in the discussion expressed doubts about it, believing that this would only make people outside more arrogant.
"Father, we can't go on like this." A young Confucian scholar said eagerly, "These people are fabricating all kinds of lies to slander the church. If we don't come forward to clarify, it will only make everyone think that it is true!
"
As he said this, he took out a pile of messy stickers from his sleeve, put it on the table, and said with a sad and angry face: "Everyone, please take a look!" What he took out was the black material secretly distributed at Hangzhou Station recently.
Several people picked it up and looked at it, and each one shook his head and sighed, or was indignant. Everyone was already feeling suffocated by the priests' avoidance of war, but now they saw that someone was openly spreading rumors and inciting ignorant people, and they felt even more angry.
.
Guo Jujing was about to say something when suddenly there was a shout outside, and then another servant stumbled in and said in panic: "It's not good, call, call in!"
Several Confucian scholars were startled and stood up at the same time. Some of them were pale, but still calm, and a few could hardly stand. Most of the believers were not mentally prepared for this.
He couldn't help but take a few steps back in shock and looked outside in astonishment.
On the contrary, the Jesuits were able to hold their ground and reassure everyone not to panic.
Before he finished speaking, he heard ping-ping-pong-pong banging and smashing outside, and several voices yelled: "Tamp him down!"
"Make him proud!"
"Smash, smash! Smash hard!"
"Block all the doors first!" The young Confucian scholar instructed the believers to block the doors.
The two doors were closed and blocked, and the priests were asked to go to the back to take shelter. At this time, other believers in the church heard the noise and ran out from all corners. Some of them were holding handcuffs.
The sticks arrived. Dozens of people gathered up and down in the blink of an eye. When they knew that someone was going to smash up the church, everyone showed signs of surprise and anger. Some people advocated going out and fighting to the death with the other party, even if they were martyred to death.
Just as they were discussing, the door outside made a loud bang.
A middle-aged man dressed as a Confucian scholar raised his voice and shouted: "Stop, stop! We have something to say!" He shouted several times in a row, but the outsiders ignored him at all. On the contrary, the beating became even more crazy.
At this moment, someone came to report that Mr. Zhao from Wanbi Bookstore had sent someone.
Although Mr. Zhao of Wanbi Bookstore is not a believer, he is a "catechumen" and Father Jin Lige also followed him to Hangzhou, so people in the church originally had great trust in him.
"Please!"
The person who came was a lean man in short clothes. He hurriedly saluted everyone: Judge... Zhao Tong!" He announced his home address, "My Mr. Zhao heard that someone is besieging the church outside, please go first.
Get out of Wanbi Bookstore! The sedan chairs are waiting in the alley behind." Probably because he was afraid that they wouldn't believe it, "My master has invited some good guys from the Wulong Club to occupy the back and escort everyone out."
The so-called heroes in Wuwu Society were gangs that existed all over the south of the Yangtze River at that time for the purpose of gathering people to fight and cause trouble. Each gang had dozens to hundreds of people, and the composition was complex: there were wandering children of wealthy gentry families, and others.
Ordinary street gangsters, even scholars and small businessmen mixed in.
Shortly after the Black Dragon Society personnel of the Foreign Intelligence Bureau arrived in Hangzhou, they set up a similar peripheral gang in the name of "Oolong Society" and recruited such a group of people to be used as peripheral slaves of the Hangzhou Station to do various things.
Popular activities: Acting as thugs and spreading rumors are their specialties.
Going to Wanbi Bookstore to avoid danger is a way to at least temporarily ensure personal safety. However, this is the church's largest property in Hangzhou. Once it is destroyed by others, the loss will be immeasurable. Everyone can't let it go. It's hard to decide whether to stay or go.
Suddenly, Guo Jujing said: "You just go and take shelter. I'm right here." He made a sign of the cross and murmured a prayer in Latin.