I was a charlatan in India

"Don't be shy, we are all children of the heavens."

Shenhe is following its own path.

He planned to obscure the difference in social status when meeting lower castes, while emphasizing the superiority of higher castes.

As for Dalit...

Giving them some food would probably be more effective than anything else.

This is necessary hypocrisy.

Only by standing on the same level of interest can we better win resonance.

Of course, it's not about completely ignoring the caste issue, but rather about preventing the lower classes from feeling looked down upon.

After all, for them, climbing the ranks is at least a hope.

then.

"When I arrived in Varanasi, I found that rumors were already circulating in the city."

"You've probably heard that a close relative of the heavens has descended to earth to guide Buddhism and connect it with the true Dharma."

The round-faced businessman's breath hitched.

Here we go, let's get down to business.

"I have indeed heard about these things, these..."

Unsure of the other party's attitude, he didn't know whether to use "rumor" or "information".

"It's true."

It's true. The one who introduced me to you was Brother Datian, and the one who descended to earth was my father.

Arti muttered to himself.

The round-faced businessman's pupils contracted.

If what was previously mere speculation has now been confirmed by extraordinary individuals!

He held his breath, waiting for the next instructions.

Sure enough, Arti continued to speak.

"Da Tian already knows that you plan to join forces to do something and make some profit."

The round-faced businessman instantly tensed up.

This, this...

He didn't know if this counted as blasphemy.

Fortunately, Arti quickly issued a pardon.

"That's perfectly understandable."

The round-faced merchant then relaxed slightly.

"However, Heaven has sent me a warning."

One sentence made him tense again.

Arti slowly conveyed the divine message.

Slow and steady wins the race. These words are a bit unfamiliar, but being able to say them fluently is already quite impressive.

"The Gupta family, who are in charge of river defense and taxation, will get involved in this matter. If you only want to do business and make a small profit, that's fine."

"But land, religious items, development by believers, and warehousing and freight require careful consideration."

"Otherwise, it could easily lead to trouble."

The round-faced businessman was sweating profusely.

They had no hope of developing the land and its believers; that was beyond the reach of these Vaishyas who had no foundation.

But religious supplies and warehousing were precisely the areas the three had been planning to target. If they hadn't received the news today, then...

Good heavens!

You truly favor the believers!

The round-faced merchant was extremely grateful.

He didn't doubt the authenticity of the news; it was information that was difficult to discover but easy to verify.

If you want to get involved in a certain business, try applying for some related matters and see if the handling fees are easy to handle.

Moreover, the woman before him is very likely a divine messenger!

Thinking of the tribute that appeared out of nowhere, the round-faced merchant lowered his body even further.

The divine messenger's feet are so small... No, what are you thinking!

He immediately suppressed his blasphemous thoughts and only dared to keep his eyes fixed on the ground.

Speaking of which, the other party just mentioned "if I only want to do business".

Doesn't that mean there are some special opportunities besides doing business?

The businessman's keen insight made him quickly realize this subtext.

If Shenhe had even a shred of cleverness, he wouldn't have overlooked the problem with Xianghui's body.

He was still controlling the body, cooperating with Arti to pretend and calmly state the core purpose.

"The appearance of the new god will be accompanied by a great throng of followers. In this guidance of the Dharma, the heavens will allow new Brahmins to be born!"

The round-faced businessman's eyes widened instantly.

"A new... Brahmin?"

His voice was hoarse, and his heart was pounding.

The temptation was too great, so great that he instinctively doubted it.

Upward caste?

This is something deeply rooted for thousands of years. Just who is this being before us, that he dares to make such a promise?

But just then, he caught a glimpse of his own linga out of the corner of his eye.

Those tributes that appeared out of nowhere were lying there, gleaming in the sunlight.

As he gazed at it, the incense ash rose gracefully, curving slightly in his direction as if nodding in acknowledgment.

Great heavens...?

Could it really be God's arrangement?

The round-faced businessman had a dry mouth and tongue.

Could it be that I really have a chance to become a person of that high caste?

Having been a merchant for many years, he knew the local caste structure all too well.

Kshatriyas in places like Gupta typically held positions involving violence, such as warriors, river guards, and tax collectors.

The Brahmins, who are nominally the highest class, are generally composed of religious-related industries.

Even doctors from a few Brahmin castes, such as Yandi, belong to a religious branch.

If a new god truly descends upon the world...

It is only natural that new Brahmins would arise from this!

What if... what if!

"This crowd is specifically..."

He swallowed.

"Could the divine messenger please enlighten me, how should a mortal like myself serve?"

He spoke cautiously, but his heart was already filled with unbearable anxiety!

Brahman!

That highest caste, a position usually hidden on the edge of the world, actually has a chance to be touched?

What an opportunity this is!

Arti spoke slowly and deliberately, finally revealing Shenhe's purpose.

"Work with me to form a religious order."

"The Great Heaven wants to open another path connecting to the true Dharma for its believers, and this path naturally needs entirely new soil to support it!"

The round-faced merchant lay prostrate on the ground, not daring to utter a sound.

He was utterly shocked.

Forming a religious order, this...

In the past, this would have been something the Vaishyas would never have gotten involved in.

But if it were Varanasi now, it would be hard to say!

In fact, this place was not recently built, but is currently under renovation.

Although Ashoka promoted Buddhism, it doesn't mean he could completely destroy traditional Brahmanism.

On the contrary, in order to allow Buddhism to take root smoothly, he needs to respect traditional sects more, avoid too intense conflicts, and then subtly change them.

Restoring this city, which is primarily based on the Shiva faith, is one part of the operation.

This is a conciliatory strategy.

Furthermore, Buddhist elements can be appropriately incorporated into the renovation process to subtly instill faith.

Prior to this, many smaller sects had already begun seeking change.

After all, apart from pure believers, those groups that truly make a living from their faith are still quite realistic.

By integrating with Buddhist teachings, the barrier to faith is lowered, and the audience is broadened...

There are also types like the Shakti Shakti, who leverage their unique strengths.

It just didn't cause much of a stir.

They sprouted like mushrooms in the forest after the rain, and then quickly rotted away.

Because of their experimental nature, the leaders of these new orders were generally not of high caste.

Those noble lords usually don't participate themselves; instead, they have their merchant groups make the arrangements first.

If it succeeds, pick the fruit; if it doesn't, kick it away.

These kinds of things have been commonplace for a long time.

He had previously been somewhat disdainful, believing it to be a blasphemy against the true Dharma.

But now it seems that the gods they serve might also be behind it.

Thinking of those previous miracles, the awe-inspiring ascetic Nishi, and the eminent monk Mahata from the capital…

His gaze finally settled on the soil in front of him.

The one he was worshipping was a powerful being with extraordinary abilities.

And behind her might stand the most revered Heaven!

The round-faced merchant gritted his teeth and finally made up his mind.

"As fellow believers in the Great Heaven, I will naturally do my utmost, at your command!"