Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 374 Paving the Way
The main beam is inside the Chuigong Hall.

Contrary to popular belief, the Emperor was not pondering the imperial examination questions, but rather reviewing Buddhist scriptures presented by the Imperial Academy. These scriptures were Sanskrit texts brought by monks from the Western Regions, which had been translated and polished by translators before reaching the Emperor's hands.

Incense wafted through the main hall. The emperor was intently watching the Buddhist scriptures as he twirled the prayer beads in his hand. However, his brows furrowed slightly, clearly indicating that he was not satisfied with the scriptures.

The court officials immediately looked nervous.

The emperor put down the Buddhist scriptures and looked at Wang Yan, who was busy with state affairs in the hall.

Wang Yan was summoned to assist the Ministry of Rites in dealing with the envoys from the Western Regions. Despite his youth, Wang Yan handled the situation with remarkable ease and competence among the Hanlin scholars, showing no signs of inexperience. The Emperor greatly admired him, which is why, despite repeated suggestions from court officials to appoint Wang Yan as a prefectural vice-prefect, the Emperor had consistently refused.

However, if Wang Yan is kept in the capital indefinitely, it would be too hasty to promote him to the position of Left Grand Counselor. He should be given at least three to five more years of experience.

Actually, Wang Yan had previously displeased the Emperor in court. The Emperor ordered Wang Yan to go to Daming Prefecture as an imperial envoy. Besides trusting him, the Emperor also wanted to dampen Wang Yan's arrogance. If Wang Yan couldn't find anything, the Emperor would demote him to a judge in the Court of Judicial Review. If he could find some clues, he would be sent to Daming Prefecture.

Unexpectedly, Wang Yan uncovered a major case, which made the emperor appreciate his talent once again.

The emperor thought about getting up and walking down from the imperial platform.

Hearing the commotion, Wang Yan put down the official document in his hand and hurriedly got up.

The Emperor walked to Wang Yan's side and handed him the Buddhist scripture, saying, "I remember that you translated a Buddhist scripture when you were young."

Wang Yan immediately replied, "Your humble servant was young and impetuous, and having just begun learning Sanskrit, I lacked reverence."

"Stop trying to fob me off with these things," the Emperor pointed at Wang Yan. "You're just trying to shut me up, so I won't have people polish those scriptures."

Having his thoughts exposed, Wang Yan remained neither humble nor arrogant, and simply acquiesced.

The emperor did indeed want Wang Yan to translate the scriptures, but it was still a pity that such a talented translator could not be used.

The Emperor said, “It is said that Minister Wang likes to read Taoist scriptures, but I know that’s not the case. Minister Wang doesn’t seem to be very interested in these things. However, I heard that when he was in Daming Prefecture, Minister Wang often went to Baode Temple and had dealings with the abbot, Master Zhiyuan.”

This was clearly said by Shen Zhongguan, who accompanied Han Si to Daming Prefecture.

Wang Yan said, "Your Majesty, I am not well-versed in Buddhist teachings, but I am quite curious about how Master Zhiyuan manages Baode Temple. It is the only temple in Daming Prefecture that refuses to hoard land or sell ordination certificates. If it weren't for the fact that it produced the recipe for Buddhist charcoal and became famous, and collected some incense money, the monks in the temple might have run away because they couldn't survive the hunger."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor raised his eyebrows slightly. Shen Zhongguan had mentioned Baode Temple when he returned to the palace and said something similar. The Emperor had only believed it to a certain extent, but he did not expect to get confirmation from Wang Yan. It seemed that this matter was probably true.

The official said, "So Master Zhiyuan is indeed a great monk."

“Your Majesty does not know,” Wang Yan said. “After all, I know nothing about Buddhism, and it would be difficult for Master Zhiyuan to persuade me with his sermons.”

Instead of being angry, the emperor laughed and said, "It's not easy to out-argue you, Wang Hechun." After hearing what Wang Yan said, he actually wanted to meet the Master Zhiyuan.

After speaking, the Emperor looked at the officials in charge of transmitting the scriptures: "The scriptures need to be retranslated. When the envoys from Western Xia come to Daliang, they will definitely ask for the scriptures. Are you just going to pass these on to them? I can't afford to lose face like this with you."

The official hurriedly apologized.

The Emperor's health has improved considerably; otherwise, the Ministry of Rites wouldn't have been able to hold the imperial examinations at this time. The examinations coincided with the arrival of the Western Xia envoys, and both had to be handled well.

"I've heard that Buddhist charcoal is being used in the market, and the coal sent to the capital is in short supply. The eminent monks of Baode Temple deserve credit for this." As the Emperor said this, Wang Yan recalled the scene of Xie Yuyan forcibly throwing Buddhist charcoal to the monk Zhiyuan, and subconsciously raised the corners of his mouth slightly.

At that time, Master Zhiyuan feared a piece of Buddhist charcoal like a tiger, knowing that this incident would mean he would never have peace and quiet again. However, he certainly did not expect that he would be summoned to Bianjing because of this.

Wang Yan could imagine how Master Zhiyuan felt when he learned of this. The Zen practitioner was at peace, so he could only rub the prayer beads in his hand vigorously.

"The Empress Dowager's birthday is just around the corner," the Emperor said, looking at Wang Yan. "Minister Wang, why don't you copy two Buddhist scriptures as a congratulatory gift?"

The Empress Dowager liked Wang Yan's calligraphy, especially after he copied it onto Buddhist scriptures.

However, of the two Buddhist scriptures, one more is to be given to the deceased Empress Dowager.

Sure enough, the Emperor said, "The anniversary of the Empress Dowager's death is approaching, and the concubines have been busy copying scriptures these days."

The Empress Dowager and the Imperial Concubine watched the Emperor grow up. However, the Empress Dowager was strict, while the Imperial Concubine was soft-hearted. The Emperor received a lot of care from the Imperial Concubine when he was young, and he felt close to her in his heart.

Unfortunately, the Dowager Consort had been in low spirits ever since her niece went missing, and years of accumulated depression had led to her illness. The Emperor, being filial, brought another of the Dowager Consort's nieces into the palace to comfort her.

This lady was once sent out of the palace due to palace intrigues and practiced Buddhism in a temple while keeping her hair intact. Later, the emperor brought her back and often discussed Buddhism with her. Although she did not bear the emperor any children, she was promoted from a concubine to a high-ranking consort.

Nowadays, many concubines in the imperial harem are practicing Buddhism, which started with the Emperor and Consort De. The Emperor's desire to meet Master Zhiyuan is something Consort De has been mentioning frequently lately.

Consort De practiced Buddhism not only to pray for the Empress Dowager, the Imperial Concubine Dowager, and the Emperor, but also because she had a wish: to know the whereabouts of her younger sister before she passed away, and to inform the Imperial Concubine Dowager when she was in the afterlife.

Unfortunately, there has been no news for many years. The emperor sent people but could not find any clues, and all Consort De could do was turn to Buddha.

She prayed to Buddha to grant her wish.

The emperor read the memorial for a while longer before letting Wang Yan leave the palace.

As Shen Zhongguan escorted Wang Yan out of the palace, he said with a smile, "His Majesty had long ago ordered the preparation of paper for copying the scriptures, and the pens and ink here were also carefully selected. His Majesty entrusted such an important matter to Lord Wang, which shows how much he values ​​you."

When Wang Yan arrived at the duty room, he took the carrying box from Shen Zhongguan.

After returning from Daming Prefecture, Shen Zhongguan had been thinking about the Baode Temple. Although he was not allowed to interfere in politics, he still spoke well of the Buddha Charcoal Temple. Of course, he was not trying to ask Wang Yan for credit; he was just missing the days in Daming Prefecture and wondered if he would ever see the Buddha again in his lifetime.

Wang Yan looked at Shen Zhongguan and saw through his thoughts at a glance. The Buddha's light in Daming Prefecture might not be seen a second time, but... the Buddha's manifestation is not just about the Buddha's light.

Only now did he realize that Ayan might have already thought about what would happen after arriving in Bianjing while she was in Daming Prefecture.

Whether it's Buddhist charcoal or Buddhist porcelain, they can only be of maximum use once they reach Bianjing. What will happen next? Even Wang Yan is starting to look forward to it.

Upon entering the duty room, Wang Yan washed and dressed, and was about to continue reading the official documents when he noticed a robe on the couch with a piece of white jade pressed on it, which perfectly matched the tassel at his waist.

His mother wouldn't send anyone to deliver the jade pendant, and the thought that it might have come from her made Wang Yan's heart skip a beat.

(End of this chapter)