We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

There are at least hundreds of thousands of monks and nuns in the world, if not in the millions.

Such a large group of people, yet none of them engage in production, pay taxes, or perform labor service.

The social resources occupied and the potential tax losses are astronomical.

And the assets of temples and monasteries all over the world are more than just a few acres of land.

Their tentacles have long since penetrated deep into the city and are intertwined.

In fact, Buddhist temples and Taoist temples are deeply involved in business, far beyond ordinary people's imagination.

Its business network covers many industries including textiles, salt making, tea making, shops, catering and even financial lending, making it a huge business empire.

Temples are often the absolute main force in private lending and are the largest commodity trading and distribution centers in urban and rural areas.

Many popular temples even have inns and restaurants inside to accommodate pilgrims and business travelers.

They lent money at high interest rates to poor people, and when they were unable to repay, they confiscated the land and property deeds that they relied on for survival and turned them over to the temples at extremely low prices, under the pretext of offering them as a sacrifice to the Buddha and accumulating merit...

They are already very familiar with this operation and do it flawlessly.

It can be said that if the aristocratic families rely on blood ties and knowledge monopoly, they are constantly eroding the body of the country.

These groups of monks who chant the name of Amitabha Buddha rely on the cloak of faith and the intimidation of golden Buddha statues to silently suck the blood of the people!

The means may be different, the process may be different, but in essence, the Legalists are one of the largest families in Daqing!

Does this old monk really think that he is an ignorant three-year-old child who cannot see through the cause and effect?

Or... he and the forces he represents naively think that without the support of Buddhism, he, Li Che, will not be able to unify this vast country?

Thinking of this, Li Che's slightly narrowed eyes gradually relaxed.

Then, there was a hearty laugh:

"Hahaha! Master, Master!"

Li Che shook his head and said in a relaxed tone: "This fate you mentioned, and the support from the Buddhist country, I am really not interested in it."

"How about... let's go back and talk about the previous topic? That one is more interesting!"

The old monk was startled by the sudden laughter and asked subconsciously, "The previous topic? Your Highness, are you referring to..."

The smile on Li Che's face instantly faded, and his tone was full of sarcasm:

"It's the prophecy that the Buddha revealed to you in your dream!"

"I have to say, you are truly an accomplished monk. Your predictions are truly accurate!"

"No...it's really your connections in the Buddha Kingdom. They're incredibly powerful! Even such a secret that could cost you your life, the Buddha tipped you off in advance?!"

When the old monk heard this, his breathing suddenly stopped and an ominous premonition came to his mind.

. . . . . .

A moment later, Li Che and his group slowly walked out of the majestic Baochan Temple.

Outside the temple gate, the afterglow of the setting sun stretched the shadows very long.

Behind him, on the lintel of the Buddhist temple's vermilion gate, a shiny bald head with twelve scars from Buddhist precepts was tied with a rough hemp rope, swaying gently in the evening breeze.

The face that was once filled with wisdom and compassion was now frozen in an expression of indelible astonishment.

The temple behind him was already in chaos.

The terrified monks dodged far away, looking at the backs of Li Che and others as if they were looking at the Asura Demon King.

The tranquility and peace of chanting scriptures and reciting Buddha's name in the past are now gone.

Li Che seemed unaware of this, and even turned his head leisurely, smiling playfully at Li Lin beside him:

"Fourth brother, do you think this master has passed away immediately and entered the paradise?"

"But then again, a master is indeed a master. Have you noticed that even this head weighs a bit more than an ordinary person? I guess it must be filled with great wisdom, right?"

Li Lin frowned and whispered worriedly, "Sixth Brother, you just killed him without saying anything?"

"The abbot of Baochan Temple is quite prestigious among the Buddhist community in Jiangnan. This move will definitely offend the Buddhist community and draw countless criticisms!"

"What are you afraid of?!" Li Che turned around suddenly, his eyes sweeping over the head. "These monks don't think about cultivating themselves and saving the world, saving all living beings. Instead, they come up with all sorts of excuses to suck the blood and sweat of the people and enrich themselves!"

"They themselves do not respect the true intentions of the Buddha and tarnish the pure Dharma. Today, I will pay my respects to the Buddha on their behalf and seek justice for all the people of this world!"

"You must know that the Buddha's wrath kills, not saves!"

Li Che killed the old monk not just because of the other party's intimidation and moral kidnapping.

The deeper reason was that he had insight into a more cruel truth.

Emperor Qing asked him to clean up the aristocratic families in the world, but his previous understanding was still too narrow.

Are only those aristocratic clans that have relied on poetry and literature to pass on their family heritage and have lasted for thousands of years considered to be aristocratic families?

In this magnificent world, there are too many people of all kinds who, under the guise of the majesty of gods and Buddhas, the banner of righteousness, and the teachings of saints, enslave the people of the world and suck their blood with peace of mind.

These people... every single one of them deserves to die!

"Pass the order down," Li Che said in an icy voice, "The monks of Baochan Temple have slandered the late emperor, colluded with rebels, and evaded taxes and concealed people for a long time. Their crimes are extremely serious!"

"Order the Imperial Guards to immediately seal off the entire temple. All temple property—gold, silver, bronzeware, land deeds, and treasury—must be confiscated, registered, and used as military pay!"

"All the grain, rice, and livestock stored in the temple must be taken out and distributed to the poor people in the city without delay!"

Cao Yong and Ren Kuan immediately stepped forward, clasped their fists and accepted the order: "Yes!"

"Also," Li Che's gaze swept towards the wealthy and powerful mansions in the city, "All the aristocratic families in the city, if any of their members participated in yesterday's palace coup, regardless of whether they were the leader or the follower, will be treated as traitors! All their property will be confiscated!"

Cao Yong was slightly startled, and asked cautiously: "Your Highness, then... those families in the aristocratic families..."

Li Che was silent for a moment, and the last trace of warmth in his eyes disappeared.

"Since they are involved in treason, it is a crime punishable by death for the entire clan. Kill them all."

Cao Yong felt a chill rising from the bottom of his heart, and his scalp felt slightly numb.

He did not dare to have any more doubts and bowed his head deeply: "I obey your command!"

Then he quickly stepped back to make arrangements.

Li Che called out again: "Qiu Bai."

"Your Highness." Qiu Bai stepped forward immediately.

"Go to the city and find the best coffin possible, as soon as possible." Li Che's voice deepened. "Father's body...can't remain in such a state of misery."

Qiu Bai immediately bowed and said, "I understand. I'll do it right away. I'll definitely find the best one in the city!"

That night, Li Che did not stay in the official residence of the government office, but chose a clipper docked at the dock as his resting place.

Although the ship swayed gently with the river water, he felt more at ease on his own warship than on land, listening to the sound of the river water hitting the hull.

Outside the window, flames were burning in Zhenjiang City, and cries and pleas could be faintly heard.

Li Che just looked indifferently at the jumping flames reflected on the porthole, turning a deaf ear to the sounds.

Are there any innocent good people among the aristocratic families?

Maybe.

But Li Che still issued the order to exterminate the clan.

The disaster will not affect the family, that is for ordinary crimes.

Since ancient times, treason has been an unforgivable crime that will punish the entire clan!

When their family made that rebellious decision, they should have been prepared to bear the most dire consequences.

Now, the fight between him and the aristocratic family has completely transformed from a secret fight to an open fight of life and death.

He would never leave any potential hidden dangers for Fengguo just because of a few innocent people.

If you want to blame someone, just blame them for being born into the wrong family and being reborn in the wrong womb.

No sleep for one night.

As soon as the sky turned pale, Li Che walked out of the cabin, and the river breeze blew against his face with a chill.

Overnight, Baochan Temple and several mansions of aristocratic families in the city that participated in the coup were completely cleansed.

The soldiers were carrying boxes of confiscated gold, silver, jewelry, antiques, calligraphy and paintings onto the warship.

The aristocratic families had stored too much food and fodder, and it was impossible to take them all away.

The Jinyiwei originally wanted to distribute it to the poor people according to Li Che's previous order. However, after the bloody purge last night, the people were so scared that they closed their doors and no one dared to go out at this time.

Cao Yong had no choice but to order the grain to be transported to the poorest area of ​​the city and piled up at the end of the streets and alleys, and then he led his team away.

In any case, food was left for them.

As for whether anyone dares to take it or eat it, that is their own business.

Li Che simply washed himself with the cold river water, forcing himself to dispel the fatigue in his body and cheer himself up.

At this moment, a Fengtian Army scout came galloping from a distance and ran onto the dock:

"Report—Your Highness!"

"Thirty miles outside the city, we've spotted a large number of enemy troops. Judging by their flags, they're the Southern Army, heading towards Zhenjiang!"

Li Che breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this.

What was supposed to come finally came.

It’s a pity that the aristocratic family’s reaction was still a step too slow, and I’m about to leave.

He turned to Qiu Bai beside him and said, "Order everyone to board the ship immediately. We are... going home."

"Here!"

Soon, a low and long military bugle call sounded at the Zhenjiang dock, penetrating the morning mist.

The Fengtian Army soldiers scattered throughout the city immediately gathered at the dock as quickly as possible and boarded the warships in an orderly manner.

Emperor Qing's body has been properly placed by Li Che in a golden nanmu coffin in the main ship's cabin.

This was originally prepared by the old patriarch of a noble family for himself. Now that person is cosplaying as a Sunny Day doll on the beam of his own house, it is probably useless.

Fortunately, the weather had not yet turned hot, so the body did not decay too quickly.

But to be on the safe side, Li Che ordered a large amount of saltpeter to be collected from the city, preparing to make ice during the voyage to temporarily preserve the remains.

Emperor Qing's mausoleum had already been built near the imperial capital, but it was obviously impossible to bury him there now.

Only when Li Che leads his army back to the imperial capital can the old emperor be laid to rest.

As for the King of Qin and the King of Qi, their bodies are probably gone, and in the future we may only be able to build cenotaphs for them next to the imperial mausoleum.

Thinking of this, Li Che couldn't help but sigh and looked towards the north.

I don’t know what the situation is like with Prince Jin.

However, since he had caused such a big commotion, it should have attracted all the attention of the aristocratic families, and the pressure on his side must have been much less.

"Your Highness." Yang Xuan came up behind him, "All units have boarded the ship, and the supplies have been loaded. We are ready to set sail at any time."

Li Che nodded slightly, and took one last look at the city that had experienced a night of blood and fire:

"Order the fleet to weigh anchor and set sail, return to Fengtian!"