After rebirth, I joined forces with my mortal enemy to seek revenge.

Du Neng closed his eyes and sighed: "Good boy. I am very pleased that you can have such a character. Your uncle once told me that Xianggong Pei's methods and character are both tough and indestructible, and he will definitely become a serious problem for my Buddhist sect. If If Buddhism is destroyed by it in the future, you don’t have to complain. My Buddhism has been passed down to this day and should suffer this disaster. However, I still hope that you can be the mainstay to protect my Buddhism lineage. But you must not think otherwise. , trying to rule the country with Buddha."

"Disciple, please remember Master's teachings." Qing Fan knelt down and kowtowed.

"Since Mr. Pei is going to close the temple, you should have a good rest these days. I still have some things to discuss with your uncle as a teacher." Du Neng reached out and touched Fan's head, and said with a smile: "Good boy, go ahead. .”

Looking at Qing Fan's leaving figure, Du Neng's face showed relief. When he was far away, Du Hui walked out from the corridor and he sighed.

"This child has a very good nature. This may be the vitality of my Buddhist sect." Du Hui twisted the beads in his hands and spoke in a gentle tone, "With his qualifications, he should be able to protect my Buddhist sect. But the person coming from the other side is not kind, and the sect of Buddhism may be in great danger." .”

"So I want to meet her. In addition to Buddhism, obscene worship is also rampant in Jiangnan." Du Neng said.

Du Neng's thoughts became clear in an instant, and Du Hui lowered his head and recited the Buddha's name.

The Xuanjing matter has finally come to a conclusion. The servant who once served in Huanqi's house confirmed that Xuanjing was enshrined in the house and the evidence was conclusive, which was consistent with what was stated in his confession. However, the state government was merciful and still returned Xuanjing's body to Chanzhi Temple. However, the Shence Army was still stationed around Chanzhi Temple, prohibiting anyone from entering or leaving.

As soon as Xuan Jing committed suicide in prison out of fear of crime, news came from Chang'an. Prince Xima wrote to Emperor Wei to request the abolition of the Buddhist temple on the grounds that the monk Fa Jian had assisted the rebels in building siege equipment to attack Fengtian. On the same day, a courtier wrote a letter pointing out that the eminent monk Xuanjing from the south of the Yangtze River was once worshiped in Huanqi's mansion and was bewitched by him. Therefore, in Jiangnan, he used monstrous words to confuse people in the name of promoting Dharma. Now he committed suicide in prison out of fear of crime.

I don’t know if it was because Emperor Wei recalled the suffering he suffered in Fengtian. He immediately issued an edict that all monks and nuns in the world who committed crimes and could not keep the precepts should return to secular life. Those who practiced magic, sorcery, etc. were also banned, and all their private property was also filled. Enter two taxes and corvee. After this decree, nearly 3,000 people in Chang'an alone returned to secular life in just a few days. Only four Buddhist temples in Chang'an remained: Ci'en, Jianfu, Ximing, and Zhuangyan.

By the time the news reached Yangzhou, there were only a few days left before the Mid-Autumn Festival. Most of the river course has been completed, but Pei Jiaoran still has no intention of restricting the Buddha. However, they still sent people to guard around Zenzhi Temple, prohibiting anyone from approaching, and there was never a shortage of food in the temple.

Li Xiujing returned to Runzhou a few days ago to handle Shence military affairs. So Pei Jiaoran simply moved to a post house in the city on the grounds that the post station was convenient for meeting courtiers at any time.

"Hurry up and take me to see Mr. Pei." An urgent voice came from the door of the post house. Governor Shi held on to the door frame, his chest heaving.

As soon as the Jinwu guard at the door saw Governor Shi's appearance, he knew that something big had happened and hurriedly led him to see Pei Jiaoran.

At this time, Pei Jiaoran was discussing matters with the officials of the Capital Water Supervision Bureau. He heard the sound of hurried footsteps approaching from a distance and looked up. I saw Jin Wuwei leading Zhou Biejia standing at the door.

"What happened?"

Zhou Biejia said: "This is for Prime Minister Pei. The demon monk Xuanjing has always had followers. He once preached the Dharma to a small and medium-sized temple ascetic in a county. Hearing about his death, he came to Yangzhou to express his condolences. Who knows that this ascetic heard the rumor that you were trying to open a river? He deliberately wanted to demolish the Buddhist temple. He actually went so far as to incite the Buddhist believers in the city and kidnapped officials from the Ministry of Industry to commit suicide in front of Xuanjing's grave to apologize. The soldiers were afraid of hurting the people and did not dare to stop them. Madam Zhou was already dealing with those people."

"How many common people are with them?"

"At least there are hundreds of people." Zhou Biejia replied.

Pei Jiaoran suddenly stood up and looked out the window, "I'm afraid someone did it deliberately, maybe it was Huan Qi's remaining party. They used the hands of ascetics to cause trouble and oppose the imperial court. Once people are killed, these Buddhists will have reason to prevent the imperial court from restricting Buddhist temples. To protect them."

This is not the worst outcome. Once a human life broke out in Yangzhou, some crazy Buddhists would use this as a reason to attack the imperial decree. Requiring the imperial court to return the recovered properties and property was a serious blow to the abolition of Buddhist temples. Whether it can be implemented smoothly is still unknown.

The officials from the Capital Water Supervision Bureau looked angry and said, "These sycophants are really abominable."

Pei Jiaoran smiled instead, "It doesn't matter, I'll just take a trip. They should also understand why the court is doing this."

"Then what are we going to do?" Zhou Biejia asked.

"Go to Chanzhi Temple to bring back all the Shence Army, and ask them to come to the post house quickly and follow me to Siming Mountain." Pei Jiaoran turned to the officials of the Du Shui Supervisor and said: "Supervisor Chen, please put the book on the table Take the account book and come with me."

When the Shence Army arrived, Pei Jiaoran went to Zhouli under his escort.

Shen Yunzhou also got the news and was waiting at the gate of Zhoushe. In addition to him, there were many people gathered at the gate of Zhouli.

The solemn sound of gongs and drums fell, and the sound of horse hooves came from afar. The people looked for the reputation and saw Pei Jiaoran, dressed in purple robes, reining in his horse not far away.

They originally just came to watch the fun. Although they also believe in Buddhism, they have converted to Buddhism, but since they learned that Xianggong Pei has implemented many beneficial policies for them, their attitude towards him has also changed. After all, it is the crazy believers who are angry.

After all, they don't know how bloody the struggle in the court is. The only thing they can perceive is the decree that benefits them. So that their thoughts will be involuntarily biased towards this side.

Pei Jiaoran got off his horse and calmly handed over his hands to everyone. Her voice was gentle, "Dear fellow villagers, I came here to open a river under the decree of the imperial court for the benefit of all generations. However, there are monster monks who slander this good governance and even kidnap imperial officials. I have never believed in Buddhism and I am not afraid of retribution. But I am well aware of the suffering of the people. I have both been supported by the emperor and supported by the people, so how can I not work for your welfare. Buddhism is rampant, occupying your land and forcing you to become monks and slaves. The court can no longer tolerate this. I I should speak for you. Today I will go to Siming Mountain to rescue the courtiers kidnapped by the demon monk and return the land to you. Regardless of whether I encounter retribution or even revenge, I have no regrets."

As he said that, Pei Jiaoran turned to look at Shen Yunzhou and pointed at Shence Army, "I am taking less than a hundred people with me today. If any of you believe in Samana, you can leave on your own. If there is anyone who is willing to follow me, I will write a letter to you. The imperial court will remember you for your service."

As soon as she finished speaking, someone in the crowd raised their arms and shouted, "I am willing to follow Mr. Pei!"

As soon as this sound came out, many others agreed.

Listening to everyone's voices, Pei Jiaoran curled his lips. He looked at Shen Yunzhou, and the smile in his eyes became even deeper.

This time Pei Jiaoran summoned more than 2,000 people and went directly to Siming Mountain outside the city.