The Ming Dynasty: The most ruthless imperial grandson, Old Zhu begged me not to kill him.

Chapter 172 The Buddhist and Taoist Sects, Wealthy Beyond Compare

A series of questions followed.

Taoist Zhang and Monk Faming were already sweating profusely. It was indeed the case, but what did it have to do with them? Hadn't Taoist temples and Buddhist monasteries always done this since ancient times? It wasn't like they were the ones who started it.

Upon hearing this, Hu Zhen, the Minister of Justice, burst into tears, finally finding a kindred spirit.

Among the cases in various places, those involving Taoism and Buddhism are the most troublesome.

Each time they finally found the notorious bandits they had been hunting, they had already entered the temple.

Although he was not ordained as a monk, he was already a disciple of Taoism or Buddhism.

The phrase "lay down the butcher's knife and become a Buddha on the spot" absolves them of all their previous sins, which is truly distressing.

Monk Faming stammered.

"That's not the case. The Buddha said that Heaven cherishes life, and everyone, no matter what sins they have committed, has the opportunity to repent and reform, to pull back from the brink and turn back to the right path!"

"Therefore, the act of laying down the butcher's knife and becoming a Buddha on the spot is merely to give them a chance for redemption. If these people are beyond redemption or have no affinity with Buddhism, then they should naturally be expelled from Buddhism and returned to secular life!"

Everyone couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

This explanation is far too far-fetched.

Whether they have truly laid down their weapons or are truly destined to be with Buddha, it all depends on the abbot's words.

If that's really the case, what's the point of having laws? A series of questions caused the monk and the Taoist priest to change their expressions drastically.

At this point, they realized that Zhu Xiong Ying probably had ulterior motives, and if they continued talking, their lives would become difficult.

"Your Highness, we are merely offering a solution, and it would only be a way to establish a good relationship with Her Majesty the Empress. The decision rests with Your Highness!"

"If Your Highness is attached to these worldly things, we are willing to pray for Her Majesty the Empress. If there is nothing else, we will take our leave!"

After saying that, the two of them fled in panic.

The court officials felt uneasy upon hearing this. Zhu Xiong Ying had suddenly said so much; did he intend to take action against both Buddhism and Taoism?

After the monk Faming and the Taoist priest Zhang left the palace, a group of Taoist priests and monks surrounded them.

"Senior Brother Faming, how is it? Has His Highness agreed?"

"Our brothers are all ready. They will go to various places in batches to collect donations. With the Crown Prince's golden word, these unruly people will not dare to come empty-handed!"

"Senior Brother Zhang, how's the prescription coming along?"

"I still have a lot of rare medicinal herbs hidden in my home. As long as Your Highness agrees, I will put these rare medicinal herbs on the market at a high price and make a fortune!"

……

Several people spoke at once.

Taoist Zhang and Monk Faming gave a bitter smile. They had thought the matter was extremely simple, but they never expected it to end like this.

Since ancient times, filial piety has been the most important of all virtues. As long as it is related to filial piety, even His Highness the Crown Prince would not dare to resist in the slightest.

The monk Faming's eyes shifted between light and shadow.

"This is not the place to talk. Please come with me back to Faxiang Temple to discuss this further!"

Then he turned his gaze to Zhang the Taoist priest.

“Junior Brother Zhang, this matter is extremely important, concerning both Buddhism and Taoism. Would you be willing to come with me to Faxiang Temple to discuss it in detail, have a cup of tea, and eat some vegetarian food?”

The Taoist priest nodded solemnly.

"You can do anything!"

After returning to Faxiang Temple, the two recounted everything that had happened in the imperial court.

The monks and Taoist priests looked extremely grim upon hearing this. "How is this possible? What exactly does His Highness the Crown Prince intend to do? This money is all for the Buddha and the Taoist Lord; does he intend to take it away?"

A monk standing nearby said with a displeased expression.

"That's right, these incense money and the land of my temple, these are all money that the temple has worked hard to save up, does he want to take them away?"

"A fierce-looking monk said."

"Put down the butcher's knife and become a Buddha on the spot. This is an ancient rule. Does he think a ten-year-old child can change it?"

Before entering the Buddhist order, this person was a womanizer who had committed countless evil deeds.

Later, when he was relentlessly pursued by the authorities and had no way to escape, he went up the mountain and became a monk.

For this reason, he also handed over all the silver he had stolen over the years.

Although he has often secretly gone down the mountain to do some flower thievery over the years, no one dares to do anything to him because of his identity as a Buddhist disciple.

If this rule is changed, he might lose his life.

The monks and Taoist priests in the imperial court were extremely anxious.

The Taoist priest shrugged and said in a low voice.

"Please calm down, everyone. Things aren't that serious yet!"

"Since ancient times, filial piety has been the most important virtue. Moreover, officials in the court and common people alike have great love and respect for the Empress. If we were to spread this news and say that His Highness the Crown Prince disregarded the Empress's health for such a small amount of money, Zhu Xiong Ying would surely be condemned by the officials and people of the Ming Dynasty!"

"He'll definitely be out of a position then, and whatever we want to do will be a piece of cake!"

Everyone nodded after hearing this.

At this time, Zhu Xiong Ying returned to the Hall of Diligent Governance.

Yang Siyi and the others followed them in, their eyes still fixed on Zhu Xiong Ying with gleam in them.

"Your Highness, is everything you've said true?"

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded.

"It's absolutely true, and there's more to it than meets the eye. These monks don't need to work, yet they own vast amounts of land and support many tenant farmers!"

"Whenever chaos strikes, they try every means to buy up large amounts of land and then close the mountain gates!"

"When the world is at peace, we will extort large sums of money from the people!"

"Especially the Buddhist saying that one can become a Buddha on the spot after laying down the butcher's knife, many people have been hidden away by the Buddhist sect, and these are all young and strong laborers!"

"Moreover, there are quite a few villains among them, so the development of Buddhism and Taoism is not a good thing for our Great Ming!"

Everyone was extremely surprised to hear this. Although they had heard me mention these things before, they hadn't paid much attention to them.

Thinking about it carefully now is terrifying.

Over the years, things have developed, especially considering that Zhu Yuanzhang was originally a monk.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Buddhist monks were given preferential treatment, which allowed them to make a fortune.

"I'm worried," said the twelfth prince, Zhu Bai.

"But there are quite a few people in this world who believe in Buddhism and Taoism. If we really touch them, it might cause their dissatisfaction, or even social unrest!"

"Moreover, there are many truly accomplished and eminent monks in both Buddhism and Taoism. We can't just condemn them all like that, can we?"

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded and said.

"Therefore, the imperial court needs to intervene to distinguish the truly eminent monks and kick out those fake monks who are just wasting their lives!"

(End of this chapter)