Catching Monsters

Chapter 559 To What Extent Has the Daoist Sect Declined?
However, at present, Xiao Yuzheng is turning a blind eye because he values ​​him.

If the Three Pure Ones' Daoist teachings are to truly and sustainably develop in the Zhou Kingdom, it is still necessary to ask Xiao Yuzheng to issue a formal decree to lift the restrictions on the Daoist sect.

Otherwise, if a different emperor were to take over, who knows if the development of Taoism would be restricted again?

Of course, the capital city is only so big, not to mention the five newly built Taoist temples.

Inside the Imperial Study, Xiao Yuzheng was sitting and reading memorials when Feng Yu walked in from outside and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, Celestial Master Qingyangzi of Qingfeng Temple and Celestial Master Lingguzi of Baiyun Temple have come together."

"What are they doing here?" Xiao Yuzheng frowned slightly, and after a long silence, he said, "Let them in."

Soon, the door slowly opened, and Qingyangzi and Lingguzi, dressed in formal Taoist robes, walked in from outside.

Then, he performed a Taoist hand gesture and bowed in accordance with Taoist etiquette.

"Qingyangzi greets Your Majesty."

"Ling Gu Zi greets Your Majesty."

Xiao Yuzheng forced a smile and stretched out his hand: "Quickly, offer seats to the two Celestial Masters."

"I wonder what brings you two Celestial Masters to see me this time?"

Ling Gu Zi took a deep breath and slowly said, "Your Majesty, the two of us have come together to ask you whether the court has lifted the restrictions on the construction of Taoist temples."

"Huh, why would you ask that?" Xiao Yuzheng said, somewhat knowing the answer.

How could he not know that Sanqing Temples were being built all over the capital?

Ling Gu Zi said in a deep voice, "Recently, many Taoist temples have been under construction, and they are all from the Sanqing lineage that Jiang Yun mentioned."

Ling Gu Zi and Qing Yang Zi were naturally anxious, knowing that the Daoist sects were now in decline, with only their three orthodox Daoist sects remaining.

Now, Jiang Yun's so-called Three Pure Ones Taoist method has resulted in the construction of six Taoist temples.

Furthermore, there are signs of continued construction. If Jiang Yun continues to build like this, in twenty or thirty years, Taoist temples based on the Three Pure Ones' teachings will be all over the capital, and may even expand beyond the capital.

At that time, who will still remember the lineage of orthodox Taoism?
This matter has now become a dispute over the orthodox lineage, and the two Celestial Masters have no choice but to find Xiao Yuzheng as soon as possible.

"Feng Yu, is this true?" Xiao Yuzheng pretended to be stupid and then said, "Go, summon the people from the Daolu Division for me. I want to ask them what happened."

"Yes."

After a long while, an official reeking of alcohol followed Feng Yu in, trembling with fear.

This man, named Fan Yu, was quite dissatisfied with his official career, which led to his being ostracized and assigned to the Daolu Division.

The Taoist Registry and the Buddhist Registry were both under the Ministry of Rites.

Before that, the Taoist temples that the Taoist Registry could manage were only Baiyun Temple, Qingfeng Temple, and Tianqing Temple.

The Sangha Registry was in charge of tens of thousands of temples of all sizes throughout the country, and the ordination certificates of monks were issued by the Sangha Registry.

Therefore, the Daolu Division was a rather deserted government office with only three people.

Fan Yu was aware, of course, that many new Taoist temples had been built recently, but the people who funded the construction of these temples were people he couldn't afford to offend.

Not to mention Jiang Yun from the Eastern Garrison Command.

He simply pretended not to know.

Upon entering the imperial study, Fan Yu knelt down tremblingly and kowtowed, saying, "Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."

Feng Yu said expressionlessly, "Fan Zhengyin, these two Celestial Masters said that many new Taoist temples have been built in the capital recently. Is this true or false?"

"Ah." Fan Yu glanced at the two celestial masters beside him and couldn't help but swallow. Of course, he couldn't afford to offend these two celestial masters.

Then he looked at Xiao Yuzheng, wondering what His Majesty meant...

How should he answer? Of course, despite being ostracized, Fan Yu was, after all, a sixth-rank official and not a fool.

Jiang Yun is His Majesty's favorite minister; it was Jiang Yun who did this.

Now the two Celestial Masters have come to question us.

Soon, Fan Yu lowered his head and slowly said, "Your Majesty, strictly speaking, those five newly built buildings are not Taoist temples, but rather, rather, uniquely decorated residential houses..."

Upon hearing Fan Yu's words, Ling Gu Zi frowned and said in a deep voice, "Fan Zheng Yin, what kind of household still has Buddha statues and a main hall for worship?"

Fan Yu lowered his head and said, "Wealthy families often like to build a Buddhist or Taoist shrine in their backyard, and the reason is similar."

"It's just that these five families built slightly larger Taoist temples."

"In short, without our review and approval, these five establishments cannot be called Taoist temples."

After saying this, Fan Yu lowered his head slightly and glanced at Xiao Yuzheng's reaction.

Clearly, Xiao Yuzheng's brows furrowed with relief, indicating he was satisfied with Fan Yu's answer.

“Look, Fan Yu also said that those five rooms are not a Taoist temple.”

Ling Gu Zi gritted his teeth and said, "So, those people wearing Taoist robes and reciting scriptures in Jiang Yun's Sanqing Temple aren't Taoists either?"

Upon hearing this, Fan Yu nodded and said, "That's right, Master Lingguzi, strictly speaking, a Taoist needs to be issued a certificate by our Taoist Records Office and formally registered before he can have the status of a Taoist."

"Nonsense!" Ling Gu Zi said anxiously, "Your Majesty, we are the true lineage of Taoism. If we let Jiang Yun continue like this, wouldn't that allow heretical sects to usurp our place?"

"I don't care about orthodoxy or not." Seeing that Ling Gu Zi was difficult to deal with, Xiao Yuzheng's face also turned cold. He slowly said, "I only know that, according to the Dao Lu Si, those five rooms are private residences, not Daoist temples."

"If a new Taoist temple is to be built, approval from the Taoist Registry is required."

Upon hearing this, Ling Gu Zi turned and left with a flick of his hand. Qing Yang Zi, who had remained silent, made a hand seal and slowly said, "Your Majesty, although our Daoist sect is currently weak, we will not easily back down in order to uphold the orthodox Daoist tradition."

After saying that, he left.

The two Celestial Masters walked out slowly with grim faces. Qingyangzi, standing beside them, said to Lingguzi, "Fellow Daoist Lingguzi, what should we do?"

"If it were my old temper, I probably would have smashed these five Taoist temples to pieces!" Ling Gu Zi paused after saying this. In fact, it wasn't that his temper had improved.

But Jiang Yun now is not someone to be trifled with. Not to mention that Jiang Yun is a high-ranking official of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, his own strength is already above the two of them.

Come on, soft or hard.

I'm afraid none of those options will work.

Qingyangzi then had an idea and slowly said, "Let's go next to the Sanqing Temple and open another Taoist temple!"

“If Jiang Yun can do the first day of the month, then we will do the fifteenth.”

"At that time, even if His Majesty the Emperor wants to cause us trouble, we're right next to Jiang Yun's Sanqing Temple. I don't think His Majesty would just tear it down along with it."

Upon hearing Qingyangzi's words, Lingguzi nodded repeatedly, agreeing, "That's a good idea, but I'm short on funds and I'm afraid I can't contribute much..."

The White Cloud Temple was looted by Jiang Yun back then, and they haven't recovered much of their wealth yet.

Upon hearing this, Qingyangzi frowned slightly, and Lingguzi said in a deep voice, "Brother Qingyangzi, this is a matter of great importance to upholding the orthodoxy of our Daoist sect! We cannot be so concerned about money!"

"Although I don't have money, I support you in spirit!"

"In the future, your efforts in upholding the orthodoxy of Taoism will certainly be recorded in great detail in the history of Taoism!"

Qingyangzi took a deep breath, not being fooled, and gritted his teeth, saying, "This money cannot be paid by Qingfeng Temple alone; Tianqing Temple must also contribute!"

This clearly demonstrates the extent of the decline of Taoism...

(End of this chapter)