Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

"What a pity, such a good woman."

Wen Huanzhang sighed.

"The King wants to destroy the Manichaeism to avenge Fang Baihua,"

"I will not object."

"But other religions,"

"Especially Buddhism and Taoism,"

"With so many believers, I'm afraid things might get out of hand."

"And there are so many gods and bodhisattvas who cut off their incense offerings,"

"I'm afraid they will punish them."

Zhao Yuan shook his head and said, "There aren't that many gods in heaven."

"Most of the things they worship don't exist,"

Even if some of it is true.

"Even immortals don't need to enjoy offerings from mortals."

"If immortals cannot live without humans,"

"Then they can't be called gods either."

Wen Huanzhang used to have some reverence for Buddhism and Taoism.

At that time, the dominant religions in the world were Buddhism and Taoism.

If Confucianism can be considered a religion...

The influence of Confucianism was even greater than that of Buddhism and Taoism.

However, Zhao Yuan told me that the things he used to revere were actually fake.

A surge of anger rose within him.

Who would have guessed the deity they had worshipped for so many years?

When it was just a pile of dirt,

He would also get furious.

However, after becoming prime minister...

Wen Huanzhang has also become much more composed.

He thought for a moment before speaking.

"The Three Wu and One Zong emperors all persecuted Buddhism,"

"But it did not destroy Buddhism."

"We probably can't wipe out all religions."

The Three Wu Emperors refer to Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei, Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou, and Emperor Wuzong of Tang.

One of them was Emperor Shizong of the Later Zhou Dynasty.

During the reigns of these four emperors,

They all amassed great wealth through Buddhism.

The persecution of Buddhism was due to various reasons, including Buddhists not observing the precepts.

These were also the four most influential persecutions of Buddhism.

Zhao Yuan said, "Even if they failed to destroy Buddhism,"

"They have all benefited greatly from Buddhism."

"And as long as you persist for a long time,"

"Even if we can't completely wipe them out,"

"It can also severely damage their strength."

"I'm in my prime,"

"He can remain in power for several more decades."

"You could also keep an eye on the next emperor,"

"Two emperors banned the spread of religion,"

"Most of the doctrines have been lost."

"We can also set rules for future generations,"

"The spread of religion is strictly prohibited,"

"After several generations of emperors,"

"Even if someone wanted to preach again, no one would believe them."

"Those religions must have accumulated wealth over countless generations,"

"If we wipe them out,"

"It will certainly be enough to supply the imperial court's expenses for several years."

Upon hearing Zhao Yuan's words, Wen Huanzhang

I was also very tempted.

"The wealth of both Buddhism and Taoism is known to all."

"Otherwise, the Song Dynasty wouldn't have sold ordination certificates to them."

"Three hundred strings of cash for one ordination certificate,"

"Even the rural landlords couldn't bear to buy it."

Besides being a legal certificate for becoming a monk or nun, a certificate of ordination also serves as...

There are also many benefits.

Exemption from corvée labor fees

No more way permits are needed for entry and exit.

Therefore, many merchants bought ordination certificates to facilitate their business travel.

Some wealthy people also bought them to avoid taxes.

Zhao Yuan coldly said, "The ordination certificate is proof that the imperial court and those swindlers colluded to defraud the people of their money."

"If the emperor believes in those gods and Buddhas,"

"They don't dare sell these certificates anymore."

"Ordinary people can't save more than a few strings of cash in a year,"

“Those monks and Taoists, however, could easily take out three hundred strings of cash to buy a single sheet of paper,”

"I wonder how much hard-earned money they've swindled from ordinary people,"

"Only with such extravagance could one afford such wealth."

"Their fraud against the people is no less than that of corrupt officials,"

"Now that my Chao family has gained the world,"

"We must not allow them to continue to deceive and harm the people."

Wen Huanzhang hated people who cheated and harmed ordinary people the most.

Zhao Yuan's words stirred his blood.

He immediately suggested,

"Your Majesty, we must invite the two prime ministers and the vice ministers to come to us for this matter."

After saying that, he added, "And the Minister of Revenue."

"Do as Wen Xiang says,"

Zhao Yuan gave an order to the eunuch beside him.

At this moment, Wen Huanzhang asked,

When does Your Majesty intend to abolish the position of Prime Minister?

Zhao Yuan laughed and said, "After the Mid-Autumn Festival, right?"

"Let them also enjoy the holiday,"

"Then issue an imperial decree."

Wen Huanzhang had no intention of asking about the candidates for Minister of Justice and Minister of Works.

He was more interested in the situation in Jiangnan.

Chapter 1716 The Situation in Jiangnan

As soon as Zhao Yuan returned to the capital,

Shi Qian then reported this to Zhao Yuan.

However, the secret agent force under Shi Qian's command

Currently, the main penetration has reached the areas around Beijing, Tokyo, Hebei, and the Beijing-Tianjin region.

Intelligence regarding the Jiangnan region was collected by Zhu Gui and others from the inn's staff, who were responsible for gathering information from all directions.

This force, however, was directly commanded by Zhao Yuan.

"Your Majesty, what is the current situation in Jiangnan?"

Zhao Yuan said, "After Zhao Zisong went south,"

"Then they helped Zhao Zicheng, whom Tong Guan supported, seize power,"

"Later, most of Tong Guan's personal guards disbanded,"

"The Zhao family also seized the opportunity to gain considerable power."

"Now there are two powerful ministers in the Southern Song Dynasty,"

"One is Tong Guan,"

"One of them is Zhao Zisong."

"Lu Shinang has also taken control of about ten prefectures,"

"The scale of the operation is even greater than that of Fang La's previous one,"

"Its strength is also greater than that of the Southern Song Dynasty."

Wen Huanzhang asked in surprise, "How did Lü Shinang rise to such a position?"

"In truth, he also benefited from favorable timing,"

"This year, all regions are suffering from drought and locust plagues,"

"Several prefectures in Jiangnan have been suffering from drought for two consecutive years."

"After Tong Guan supported Zhao Zicheng in establishing the Southern Song Dynasty,"

"The collected money and grain were all used to recruit soldiers and buy horses,"

"The disaster victims were not given timely relief,"

"This led to the food shortage for people in several states."

"Local Manichaeans took the opportunity to incite the people,"

"He was plundering wealthy households; Lü Shinang had already led his troops south to attack Fujian Circuit,"

"But after the people of Chuzhou and other places in Jiangnan rebelled,"

"Then he led his troops north again,"