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

Chapter 173 Examinations for Buddhism and Taoism
Everyone understands the principle, but putting it into practice is not so easy.

With so many monks and Taoists in the world, how could they possibly distinguish who among them possessed genuine skills? However, the wealth offered by the Buddhist and Taoist sects certainly tempted them.

"That's simple. The imperial examination is a way to select scholars. If that's the case, then can people from Buddhist and Taoist sects also take the exam?"

Everyone was stunned when they heard this. Zhu Xiong Ying's idea was indeed very novel, and they had never considered it before.

"All Taoist and Buddhist practitioners must undergo examinations. Those who pass the examinations will be issued ordination certificates. Only those with these certificates can be considered true monks and can chant scriptures in Taoist temples. As for those who fail the examinations, they will be sent back to their original places of residence and forced to return to secular life!"

"As for the land and donations they receive, the amount of land and donations that monks with ordination certificates can receive is stipulated, and all others must be turned over to the national treasury!"

"Monks without a certificate of ordination cannot travel outside as members of the Buddhist community. As for the exam content, it mainly consists of Buddhist or Taoist classics and is not too difficult. Anyone who has read some Taoist or Buddhist scriptures can pass the exam!"

After listening, everyone nodded; it was indeed an excellent idea.

Just then, Yu Huatian rushed over.

Seeing Yu Huatian's anxious look, everyone guessed that something bad was probably going to happen again.

"Your Highness, people outside are saying that you are unwilling to pray for the Empress's well-being because of worldly things, which is extremely unfilial!"

"Moreover, the Empress's serious illness was caused by His Highness the Crown Prince. His Highness the Crown Prince is the instigator of all this!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the Hall of Diligent Governance gasped in shock.

These words are truly devastating; if outsiders believed them, it would likely become a stain on Zhu Xiong Ying's life.

Even if Zhu Xiong Ying were to ascend the throne, many people would likely oppose him for this reason.

Filial piety is the foundation of everything. If a person cannot even fulfill this duty, he or she will likely not receive any support.

Zhu Xiong Ying's expression began to turn cold.

"So you didn't find anything this time either?"

Yu Huatian shook his head.

"This time, I directly dispatched people, and they quickly found out that the people spreading these rumors were monks from various temples!"

"Because of what happened in the court, these people harbor resentment, so they thought of using this method to attack His Highness!"

"Even my people have reported that they are secretly plotting to create some miracles so that the people of the world will believe that Your Highness has angered the gods and Buddhas!"

Yang Siyi's expression was grave.

"Your Highness, we must guard against these rumors, which are more dangerous than tigers. Moreover, many people in the world are weak and believe in Buddhism and Taoism. If this matter gets out, it may be detrimental to Your Highness and may even cause turmoil in the country!"

Zhu Xiong Ying pondered to himself, already having a guess in his mind.

"Since they want to use this method to deal with me, then I will let them suffer the consequences!"

"Yu Huatian, the methods used by the Buddhist and Taoist sects are nothing more than the petty tricks of those itinerant performers. You know what to do now!"

Yu Huatian nodded.

"I accept your order!"

In the following period, many things happened in Yingtian Prefecture.

First, green will-o'-the-wisps appeared in many places, and then an extremely shrill voice accused Zhu Xiong Ying of his actions.

There was also a stone statue in a temple that inexplicably grew several feet taller, and all sorts of other things kept happening.

This further convinced the officials and common people of Yingtian Prefecture that Zhu Xiong Ying's actions had angered the gods.

Many people, fearing that this matter would affect them, began to file complaints against Zhu Xiong Ying.

However, not long afterward, Yu Huatian led the Western Depot on raids across the region. Soon, many monks and Taoists were captured throughout Yingtian Prefecture.

Many people in Yingtian Prefecture gathered here to watch this scene.

One of them said in a low voice.

"Isn't that a high-ranking monk from Faxiang Temple? Why was he suddenly arrested? Could it be because he offended the Crown Prince before?"

The person next to him said dismissively.

"His Highness the Crown Prince saw through their trick long ago. These people were caught while they were scattering phosphorus powder outside and pretending to be ghosts and gods!"

"The phosphorus powder is the green flame we see. It's not some divine wrath at all; it's clearly a trick played by these people!"

These people looked on incredulously when they heard this.

"It's actually true! I thought His Highness the Crown Prince had really angered all those gods and Buddhas, but it turns out it was just a trick on them!"

The man next to him said smugly.

"Of course! Not only that, see that group of people? The reason that Buddha statue was able to grow taller is because many beans were buried underneath it. After these beans sprouted, they naturally supported the Buddha statue, so we thought it had grown taller!"

Everyone was incredulous upon hearing this; no one had expected the truth to be like this.

One by one, people began to call for the monks and Taoists to be killed.

The remaining monks and Taoist priests in Faxiang Temple looked distressed.

"I never expected Zhu Xiong Ying to be so ruthless. He saw through all our methods. What should we do next?"

During this period, not only were many monks and Taoist priests arrested, but many of their temples were also raided.

It's not a big deal if you don't check, but what you find is shocking.

These temples may look small, but each one is very wealthy.

Watching cartloads of money being hauled out, one can see the extent of what Yingtian Prefecture possessed.

How much anger is burning in the eyes of the people? Besides, there is also a vast amount of land and a population that has committed crimes in the past.

The most famous of them was one of Faming's junior disciples.

This junior brother has been at Faxiang Temple for a long time, and has always been kind and benevolent, making him extremely famous throughout Yingtian Prefecture.

Who would have thought that this person was actually a murderous bandit who had committed a crime not long ago?

The people never imagined that the highly virtuous monks they worshipped every day were actually like this.

For a time, the status of Buddhism and Taoism became extremely low.

The once bustling Faxiang Temple is now deserted.

Faming gave a wry smile and took a letter from his pocket.

"This was sent to me by His Highness. What do you think of it?"

Everyone frowned as they looked at the contents of the document.

This letter describes Zhu Xiong Ying's methods for reforming Buddhism and Taoism.

Some Buddhist and Taoist disciples were instantly unsettled.

“Absolutely not. If that’s the case, then the lifeline of our Buddhist and Taoist sects will be controlled by these court officials. We’ll be fish on a chopping board. We absolutely cannot do that.”
(End of this chapter)