Catching Monsters

Chapter 176 What is the crime? (Additional)
This was not an advertisement that Jiang Yun paid for, but this matter itself was eye-catching enough. After all, the fact that a new Taoist temple could be opened meant that the Great Zhou court agreed.

Moreover, what is even more shocking is that this Taoist temple does not worship the Taoist master, but the so-called Three Pure Ones.

I don’t know if it was out of spite or someone secretly instructed them to do so, but the Beijing News reported: “A new temple has been built, named Sanqing Temple, to worship the Three Pure Ones.”

"The founder of this school is Jiang Yun. In the discussion meeting of Taoism, Jiang Yun was more powerful than the Taoists of Qingfeng and Baiyun Temples, and he was the most popular at that time."

"The site is located on Central South Street..."

In the reception room of Baiyun Temple, Zhenren Baichen, Xuan Daozi, and Yangmingzi, who was in charge of affairs of Qingfeng Temple, sat together.

The three of them were holding a copy of the Beijing News. Master Bai Chen looked at Xuan Daozi and Yang Mingzi and said slowly, "What do you two think?"

Then, with a hint of targeting, he said to Xuan Daozi in a sarcastic tone: "Xuan Daozi, this Jiang Yun is a registered disciple of your Tianqing Temple. Now he has gone out to set up his own sect, and you don't care about it?"

"From what Jiang Yun said at the Taoist Conference, he did not take the Taoist Master seriously. If such a rebellious person really opened this Taoist temple, wouldn't he be able to run wild over us in the future?"

Xuan Daozi looked at the contents of the Beijing newspaper with a calm expression, and slowly replied: "Master Baichen, Jiang Yun just doesn't take you seriously and is targeting you. Don't involve our Tianqing Temple and Qingfeng Temple."

The two were naturally invited by Master Bai Chen, and their purpose was obviously to discuss the opening of the so-called Sanqing Temple.

Yangmingzi said slowly: "The Taoist Master never said that we cannot worship other gods. When Taoism was at its peak, in addition to the Taoist temples dedicated to the Taoist Master, there were also many temples dedicated to other gods."

Master Baichen clenched his fists and said in a deep voice, "How can that be the case? When Taoism was flourishing, there were three thousand Taoist temples, and several of them worshipped other gods, which had no other impact on the Taoist Master."

"But now, there are only three of us who worship the Taoist master. There is only one Sanqing Temple now."

"But what about ten or twenty years from now?"

"The fourth one appears. What about the fifth one?"

"Who will be the orthodox Taoist sect then? The so-called Three Pure Ones?"

Xuan Daozi and Yang Mingzi both fell silent. Xuan Daozi said calmly, "Bai Chen, no matter what, building a new Taoist temple is also a happy event. At least they are members of our Taoist sect."

"What? Are you still planning to congratulate?" asked Master Baichen in a cold voice.

Xuan Daozi said calmly: "Bai Chen, your talent is not inferior to mine, but unfortunately your state of mind is unstable and you are too obsessed with hatred. You are prejudiced against Jiang Yun, and you will be prejudiced against everything."

"But in my opinion, this is the first time in forty years that the imperial court has lifted the blockade of our Taoist sect. In the future, we may be able to build a Taoist temple."

Yangmingzi nodded slightly, agreeing with Xuandaozi's words.

As for Master Bai Chen's personality, Xuan Daozi had known Master Bai Chen when he was young, and knew that she had always been like this, so persuasion was useless.

"In short, I will not let Jiang Yun open the Sanqing Temple smoothly!"

……

Some are sad and some are happy.

On the Central South Street in the inner city, the plaque of Sanqing Temple has been hung up and covered with a red cloth, waiting to be unveiled.

This plaque was personally delivered by Feng Yugong from the palace and was bestowed by His Majesty Xiao Yuzheng himself.

The main hall inside has also been raised to accommodate a five-meter-high statue.

Many craftsmen are moving and installing the statues of the Three Pure Ones.

"Slow down." Xu Suwen was in the house, watching the craftsmen install it: "Don't damage it."

She has been very concerned about this matter recently, and she and Jiang Qiaoqiao have embroidered a lot of yin-yang patterns to embellish the Taoist temple.

Xu Xiaogang was accompanying Jiang Yun, and the two were clearing the weeds and moss in the temple.

Of course, it wasn't just the two of them. Many servants from the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion came to help under the leadership of Wu Chi.

Even Tao Yuelan was busy running around, directing the servants to clean up more carefully.

Jiang Qiaoqiao was in the Taoist temple, chasing Xiao Hei around the yard. Xiao Hei was running around, making some gurgling sounds.

However, it did not dare to approach the hall where the Three Pure Ones were enshrined.

There are many Taoist elements in each room of the temple.

On the walls there are many Yin-Yang diagrams or Bagua drawn by Jiang Yun himself.

Yellow flags have also been raised in the courtyard.

"The statues of the Three Pure Ones have also arrived. We can choose an auspicious day and open the temple."

Jiang Yun looked at the courtyard in front of him and was quite satisfied. Xu Xiaogang, who was following beside him, asked with a smile, "Brother-in-law, should we recruit a few good-looking disciples?"

Jiang Yun shook his head, looked at the yard, and said, "Xiao Gang, I built Sanqing Temple not to make money."

"How can a place of faith be used as a tool to make money? This is an insult to faith."

Xu Xiaogang was stunned. A tool for making money? An insult to faith?

Jiang Yun felt something strange coming out of his mouth, and he couldn't help but say, "Then Changxin Temple..."

"That's the monks' belief. It has nothing to do with me."

Xu Xiaogang rarely saw Jiang Yun with such a serious expression, but he also reminded him: "By the way, my mother said that it's okay for you to open a Taoist temple, but you still have to live in our Zhenguo Mansion..."

Xu Xiaogang knew that his mother was worried that Jiang Yun might move out and not be able to meet Xu Suwen often.

"It's a pity that my father is far away in the frontier, otherwise when you open the temple, he can bring many dignitaries from the capital to support you." Xu Xiaogang said with a smile: "But many people in our Jinyiwei Yamen have prepared gifts for you."

"I heard that Captain Yang specially ordered a Buddha statue for you..."

Jiang Yun frowned and said, "This is a Taoist temple. It's not appropriate for Captain Yang to give me a Buddha statue, right?"

"Jade Buddha..."

Jiang Yun's eyes lit up when he heard this: "It would be nice to let the Buddha come and have a look..."

"The officers of Captain Suo who work under Captain Zhou Yi have also said they want to come and join in the fun, and they will bring a lot of gifts with them."

Outside the street, residents of the inner city who passed by from time to time would discuss the situation after seeing it, wondering what these so-called Three Pure Ones looked like and what abilities they had.

Of course, most of them are still questioning voices.

Although the vast majority of people do not believe in Taoism and have no feelings towards Taoism.

But after all, from childhood to adulthood, I have learned from the people around me that Taoism was founded by the Taoist Master.

As for other gods and immortals, they are all inferior to the Taoist Master. This is a deep-rooted inherent impression.

The Sanqing Temple was ready, and Jiang Yun only needed to pick an auspicious day to open the temple. Jiang Yun glanced at the time and decided to open the temple three days later.

Such a lively and widely discussed matter in the capital naturally quickly reached Xiao Yuzheng's ears.

In the imperial study of the palace, Xiao Yuzheng was drinking tea and taking a rest, while Feng Yu gently massaged his shoulders from behind.

Xiao Yuzheng closed his eyes and said slowly, "I heard that Jiang Yun's Taoist temple is ready?"

"I heard so." Feng Yu nodded with a smile.

"What are the reactions of Baiyun Temple, Tianqing Temple, and Qingfeng Temple?" Xiao Yuzheng asked.

Feng Yu said with a smile: "Xuan Daozi from Tianqing Temple and Yang Mingzi from Qingfeng Temple both went to Baiyun Temple, perhaps to discuss this matter."

"However, Jiang Yun was able to open this Taoist temple with the approval of His Majesty. Even if the three families are dissatisfied, what can they do?"

Xiao Yuzheng smiled and said slowly, "Has the plaque written by me been delivered?"

Feng Yu nodded repeatedly and said in a deep voice, "Yes, I have personally delivered it and hung it on the door lintel, waiting to be unveiled."

"good."

Xiao Yuzheng ruled the Great Zhou Dynasty for a full twenty-eight years and was well versed in the principle of balance. He did not like the teachings of Taoism, and now that there was a Sanqing Temple emerging to confront Taoism, he was happy to see it.

……

At this time, it was already late in the evening. In the Zhenguo Mansion, a lantern was hung in the courtyard where Jiang Yun lived.

He was sitting under a lantern, writing a petition carefully. This petition would be used to consecrate and invite the three statues of gods during the opening ceremony.

Xu Suwen sat beside her and helped to sort out the talisman papers: "Do we need so much talisman paper to open a Taoist temple?"

"Of course." Jiang Yun nodded.

"But you are the only Taoist priest in the temple right now." Xu Suwen asked doubtfully, "Shouldn't we recruit some Taoist priests first?"

"People don't cost much."

Jiang Yun had also thought about this problem, and he decided to recruit some talented young people for training.

However, the problems of Taoist temples such as Tianqing Temple were also placed before Jiang Yun.

The vast majority of top talents joined Confucianism.

The rest, those of lower status, are also more willing to join Buddhism.

Even the last few people left still have to compete with three other Taoist temples.

The other three Taoist temples have a history of at least several hundred years.

The competitiveness of Sanqing Temple is not very strong.

Just when Jiang Yun was feeling somewhat distressed, Wu Chi suddenly ran in in a panic: "Mr. Jiang, something happened!"

"what happened?"

The two people in the yard looked at Wu Chi.

Wu Chi said anxiously: "Sanqing Temple, there is a fire!"

"what?"

Jiang Yun's face changed drastically, and he and Xu Suwen quickly rushed towards the direction of Sanqing Temple.

Central South Street is quite busy at this time, with crowds gathering outside the Sanqing Temple.

A raging fire had broken out in the Sanqing Temple, with flames shooting up into the sky and lighting up the entire street red.

At this time, the patrolling Jingzhao Prefecture officials had already dispatched a water truck to put out the fire with water, but the fire was too big to be extinguished.

When Jiang Yun, Xu Suwen and Wu Chi arrived, the fire was raging.

Jiang Yun took a deep breath, stepped on the Seven Stars Steps eagerly, and began to recite:
"The Five Emperors and Five Dragons, bring down light and wind, spread moisture and help the Thunder God. All the waters in the five lakes and four seas pay tribute to the Lord."

"The divine talisman commands you, Changchuan, obey. Anyone who dares to disobey will not be tolerated by the Thunder Axe."

"Urgent as a law."

Soon, a massive rain cloud gradually gathered over the sky above Central South Street, and heavy rain poured down towards the burning Sanqing Temple.

In an instant, white steam filled the air.

The rain fell for a long time, and the fire was completely extinguished...

But the Sanqing Temple, which had been well decorated, has been ruined.

The houses inside had collapsed due to the fire, and there was a hot air filling the ground.

Jiang Yun had a gloomy face as he and Xu Suwen came to the door. Looking inside, they saw the ground was covered with black charcoal and rubble. Everywhere they looked, it was a mess.

Xu Suwen looked at Jiang Yun's expression.

Although he was trying to suppress it, the anger in his eyes could no longer be suppressed.

Jiang Yun's eyes were red and bloodshot, showing fatigue after casting the spell.

What was more of them was unwillingness. Although the Sanqing Temple had taken a short time to prepare, it was the result of their hard work. Moreover, it was a Taoist temple built in the name of the Three Pure Ones, and now it was destroyed just like that.

"Jiang Yun, don't worry. Our Jinyiwei will definitely find out who did it." Xu Suwen said in a deep voice.

Jiang Yun clenched his fists and took a deep breath: "Apart from Baiyun Temple, who else would do such a thing?"

boom.

The plaque hanging above the door lintel had been burned into charcoal and fell to the ground.

Looking at the plaque on the ground, Jiang Yun took a deep breath and said slowly: "Master Bai Chen is very happy with this fire."

"Perhaps in her eyes, even if she burned down my Sanqing Temple, I couldn't do anything to her."

"It's a pity that she didn't know who sent the plaque."

"Miss Xu, what crime is it to burn the plaque sent by His Majesty in the Great Zhou?"

(End of this chapter)