Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Although Xue Rengui followed Du He for several years, his character has not changed and he is still an honest man at heart.

He always felt guilty for accepting such a large gift as a teacher.

Du He smiled and said, "Rengui, just relax and accept the apprenticeship gift as usual."

"But as Fang Yiai's master, you have to take care of him on the battlefield in the subsequent war."

"Of these 500 strings of cash, a small portion is the apprenticeship gift, and the bulk is his life-saving money."

In the subsequent expeditions to the Western Regions and Indian countries, if one of the brave generals Xue Rengui or Xi Junmai had taken care of Fang Yiai, he could have been prevented from dying on the battlefield.

For a family like Fang Xuanling's, life is much more important than money.

In addition, this small amount of money could also ease the relationship between Fang Yiai and the generals of the Eastern Palace, and gradually make him one of Li Chengqian's staff.

"Don't worry, Minister Du, I will definitely protect him."

Xue Rengui immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Du He chatted with Xue Rengui for a few words, then left quickly.

Xuanwu Gate is a sensitive place, and as a subject, it is not suitable for him to stay here for too long.

...

in the afternoon.

Du He had just returned to the Ministry of Works from Hongfu Temple when Pei Xingjian walked in.

Looking at Pei Xingjian's expression, there was a hint of excitement in his anger.

"Meetings, Mr. Du."

Du He waved his hand, then whispered, "Keep the promise, but are there people from the temple who won't cooperate?"

Pei Xingjian said in a slightly excited tone: "Minister Du, there are 75 monks in the temples who are not cooperating, and the spies in the East Palace have also found out that they have violated the Tang law!"

Upon hearing the good news, Du He's face showed excitement.

Many so-called high monks in many temples took advantage of the preferential policies of the court to not only amass huge wealth but also committed many evil things in private.

Now that Du He has found the chance, he will definitely give them a good beating.

Du He said softly, "Keep your promise, sit down and talk."

After Pei Xingjian sat down, he first handed the evidence in his hand to Du He, and then reported all the information he had learned.

After half an hour.

Pei Xingjian finally finished his report.

Except for a few, most of the Buddhist masters from these temples refused to come to Chang'an to translate scriptures.

And their reason is very simple: you should not move lightly when you are sick.

Pei Xingjian investigated the temples that refused to come to Chang'an to translate Buddhist scriptures and immediately found a bunch of crimes.

They occupied the land of the people around them, raped women, and cheated believers out of their money...

Any one of them is enough to punish these monks.

"Not bad!"

“Great job!”

After Du He praised him for a few words, he immediately gave Pei Xingjian some instructions.

"Shou Yue, take these indictments to the Dali Temple and report to Sun Fujia in person!"

"Tell Sun Fujia that I am very angry about what these temples have done and I hope the Dali Temple will conduct a strict investigation of these temples."

Although Du He was appointed as the person in charge of assisting in the compilation of scriptures and was able to deal with unmanaged monks, he did not have the power to take action against the people in these temples.

The Dali Temple holds the highest law enforcement power, and only the Dali Temple has the right to investigate and punish these temples.

"As ordered!"

Pei Xingjian responded, then quickly left with the incriminating documents.

Du He pondered for a moment, then went to the East Palace.

Inside Mingde Hall.

When Du He explained to Li Chengqian that he wanted to clean up those temples that violated Tang laws, Li Chengqian agreed without any hesitation.

"Du He, I support your decision!"

"The court supports the spread of Buddhism because it hopes that Buddhist masters can guide the people to be good, rather than allowing them to commit crimes under the protection of temples!"

"Besides, they actually refused the imperial summons. They really take themselves too seriously!"

In fact, what made Li Chengqian most angry was the rebellious attitude of these monks.

The imperial court personally sent people to invite them to Chang'an to translate scriptures, but those fat and wealthy monks actually openly lied to the imperial officials.

What can be tolerated by scholars?

There was a pause.

Li Chengqian said with regret: "There are more than 3700 Buddhist temples in the Tang Dynasty, but Pei Xingjian only found 75 temples with problems. It is indeed a little less!"

Hearing Li Chengqian's words, Du He's mouth twitched slightly.

He knew Li Chengqian would have this reaction.

Du He said softly, "Your Highness, if we destroy all the temples that violate Tang law now, won't there be no temples left to clean up when you ascend the throne?"

"Moreover, not all the stolen money that is confiscated now will necessarily end up in the national treasury."

In the past two years, the imperial court has mobilized a large army to open up the Western Regions, and the money spent is absolutely incalculable.

The money the imperial court collected from Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla might not be enough.

According to Du He's own estimate, if the war proceeds as planned, it will probably last nearly five years.

If countries such as Tubo, Eastern Turks and Xueyantuo did not cooperate and were unwilling to send troops to deal with countries such as India and Western Turks, the war would probably last longer.

Li Chengqian nodded: "Du He, what you said makes sense."

"You have to leave some for me to deal with, otherwise there will be no money to reward the officials."

The two chatted for a while, and then Du He left the East Palace.

Approaching the next value.

Du He was just about to pack up and go back when Xiao Kai walked in with a strange look on his face and said to Du He.

"Brother Du, Fang Yiai and Chai Lingwu invited us to have a drink at Baihua Tower."

"Fang Yiai said that this banquet should be an apology to us brothers."

"Do you think you should go?"

Seeing Fang Yiai's many actions, Du He felt extremely strange.

Fang Yiai's behavior is really different from that of ordinary people. It is obvious that Fang Xuanling is directing him behind the scenes.

Du He thought for a moment and said, "Let's go have a drink. We will all be brothers on the same ship from now on, so it's good to keep in close contact now."

Before Li Chengqian ascends the throne, Du He must contact all the forces he can.

Especially Fang Yiai, who has become a different person, Du He is now full of curiosity about him.

"it is good."

Choi Shin-ki nodded.

...

After leaving the palace.

Du He first went back to Princess Chengyang's Mansion, said hello to Li Yi, and then changed into casual clothes.

He was not like Cui Shenji and Wang Jingzhi, who were fools. They carried casual clothes in their carriage and were ready to have fun at any time.

When Du He arrived at Baihua Tower.

The madam rushed over enthusiastically and said, "Master Du, Master Fang, Master Cui and the others are already waiting in the private room of Zixia Palace."

"I will take you upstairs right away."

When he walked into the private room, Du He found it quiet.

Fang Yiai and Chai Lingwu sat on the left, Cui Shenji, Wang Jingzhi and Xiao Kai sat on the right, and no one from either group spoke.

In addition to these two gangs, Xue Rengui was also there.

Unlike the others who had a calm attitude, Xue Rengui looked a little nervous, as if he was visiting a brothel for the first time.

When they saw Du He come in, they stood up and greeted him enthusiastically.

"Brother Du."

"Come and sit."

Du He walked towards them and asked with a smile: "Is everything arranged?"