Control your ancestors and create an immortal family starting from the Eastern Han Dynasty

Chapter 220 Using prophecies to counter prophecies, Gu Xuan destroys Buddhism (Seeking monthly votes)
—Every gift of fate has already been marked with a price invisibly.

That's how Kyushu is today.

The appearance of the Gu family has indeed brought countless benefits to Kyushu. Regardless of what the future holds, in the present moment, the Gu family has already helped Kyushu overcome several deadly threats.

But it is precisely because of this—

This also caused Gu Yi to overlook many things he had never noticed before, such as Buddhism today.

As everyone knows, Kyushu is a magical land.

It is completely different from other lands.

No matter how inflammatory a religion may be, it is difficult to win over its followers without offering eggs.

There are many factors involved, including the national heritage of China, such as Confucian education, but it also includes several large-scale purges in the original history.

This is also the main reason why Gu Yi is so serious.

It's important to understand that religious issues are among the most difficult conflicts to resolve in the world.

Gu Yi didn't want the appearance of the Gu family to cause any negative impact on this land in the future.

How could he not be serious?
Before Gu Xuan even finished writing the memorial, Gu Yi was already thinking of various ways to deal with it.

He did not expect that this trip would be enough to sweep away all the prophecies.

This is impossible.

Similarly, this move cannot completely eradicate Buddhism's practice of accumulating wealth and seizing land. This is a flaw in human nature; power and money are things that can bring pleasure to people.

This point is equally unshakeable.

But Gu Yi also had to try his best, at least to break the bones of these monks so that they would never be able to resist again!
In the third year of the Zhide era, in June.

The curtain has officially risen.

Li Heng had no reason to refuse and completely showed an attitude of delegating power, handing over everything to Gu Xuan, the Grand Tutor.

In fact, it even vaguely resembled the demeanor of Liu Shan in the past.

Gu Yi, of course, did not believe this.

Emperors like Liu Shan are extremely rare throughout history, and Li Heng is clearly not one of them.

However, he couldn't be bothered to care what Li Heng was thinking.

The Gu family's foundation is already deep enough.

This is Gu Yi's greatest source of confidence; he only needs to address the current challenges.

Things unfolded exactly as the ministers had predicted.

As the news continued to spread, signs of renewed unrest emerged in Kyushu, where temples across the region began to stir.

To win over believers.

Some of them even somehow acquired armor and weapons, clearly showing signs of rebellion.

Gu Yi didn't even bother to think about where these people came from.

It must have had the support of powerful local clans.

After all, this new policy has really shaken the interests of too many people, and many people are thinking of taking advantage of the chaos to block this new policy.

Buddhism's actions have indeed shown many people an opportunity!
And regarding this——

Gu Yi's solution was also very simple: kill!

The underlying principle is also the core of Gu Kang's teachings from years past—"Respect ghosts and spirits, but keep them at a distance!"

This includes Gu Xi's saying "half a son who can defeat Heaven," and the fact that several generations of Gu's ancestors successively visited sacred mountains belonging to foreign tribes.

Simply put, the core idea is to use prophecies to counter prophecies!
This is just the most basic strategy.

To implement this in practice, many things are needed. First and foremost, it is necessary to dominate public opinion and gather scholars and common people to list the sins of Buddhism.

Scholars have their role, and ordinary people have theirs.

The Gu family cannot be killed indiscriminately.

Gu Yi was completely indifferent to those corrupt monks, but with hundreds of thousands, even millions, of believers across the world, he had no choice but to restrain himself.

This was also a way out that Gu Yi left for them, and it was also a way to show the Gu family's attitude to the whole world and future generations.

This is something Gu Yi has to do!
Of course, this move will also bring much criticism to the Gu family, but in the long run, it will definitely be praised by future generations.
Chang'an, Ximing Temple.

As one of the royal temples built by imperial decree during the reign of Emperor Gaozong, Ximing Temple is now a thriving center of Buddhism.

Its foundation lies not only in the imperial favor, but also in its strategic location, where it is deeply intertwined with many powerful families and clans that occupy Guanzhong and Longxi, with their interests intertwined.

This is precisely why Gu Yi chose it as his primary target.

—This is the perfect target to intimidate all temples in the world!

The current development of Guanlong Group is completely different from its original historical state.

The fact that Changsun Wuji, Chu Suiliang, and others withdrew safely foreshadowed this outcome.

And let's not forget that the Guanzhong Plain was already a prosperous region.

With the population of Kyushu now several times greater than in its original historical period, the population of Guanzhong has naturally increased by an unknown amount as well. This alone is enough to explain everything.

Although their influence in the imperial court has indeed weakened considerably.

However, it depends on who you compare them to. Compared to the Gu family, they are certainly not as influential, but they can still be considered one of the most influential people in the court.

It's worth mentioning that Gu Xuan came in person.

This was naturally Gu Yi's idea. In any case, this strike was crucial, and absolutely no mistakes could be made.

Shouts of battle rose from all sides.

"Protect the temple! Protect the Dharma!"

"Bodhisattva, open your eyes! Your Majesty, cease your desecration of this sacred Buddhist site!"

"Where is justice and the law? How dare you destroy my precious temple!"

"We stand with you holy monks! This is a case of officials forcing the people to rebel; we must make them pay for their crimes in blood!"

In front of the temple gate, a dark mass of people held hoes, picks, sticks, and even some gleaming blades.

Their faces were contorted, their eyes burning with fanatical determination. They formed a human wall with their flesh and blood, standing firmly in front of the government soldiers, refusing to yield an inch!
Seeing this scene before him, Gu Xuan, standing inside the military compound, couldn't help but sigh.

He has been trying to persuade these people for three whole days.

They were trying to use the Gu family's influence to get the people to leave on their own, but the impact was not significant.

Although many ordinary people have left, there are still quite a few of these fanatical believers.

Should I try to persuade them again?

—And what advice can be given?
Not to mention Gu Xuan's helplessness in this matter, even Gu Yi was helpless about it.

The persecution of Buddhism at this time was just like the persecution of Buddhism during the Northern Wei Dynasty in the original history, and its cruelty was the most extreme in history.

The annals of history are stained with blood; that bloody storm ultimately forced Buddhism to abandon the aristocratic class and align itself with imperial power, thus integrating into the social order of the land.

This is an inevitable calamity for this land.

However—now the one wielding the knife has changed to the Gu family.

Should we get a refund?
—It is impossible for us to back down.

If the Gu family backs down at this moment, their vow to entrust the rise and fall of the Nine Provinces to themselves will truly become a huge joke.

After a long period of contemplation, Gu Yi sighed deeply and had no choice but to make a decision.

With a slight thought in his mind.

Gu Xuan also waved his hand, delivering the final verdict for these people.

"Those who abandon their weapons—live!"

Those who resist—will be killed without mercy!

"Damn temple! Arrest the people!"

Gu Xuan spoke coldly, and the armored soldiers in front of him immediately moved forward. Behind him...

Many of Gu's brothers had extremely complicated expressions at this moment, with some even having red eyes and trembling bodies, unable to hold back their tears.

"Brother, after this, will the people of the world still remember the contributions my Gu family has made to the world?"

One of the brothers couldn't help but ask.

This is a concern for many of the family members.

This involves far too many people, and it is also the first time since the Gu family rose to power that they have turned their blades against the people of the Nine Provinces.

Although they kept telling themselves that these people could no longer be called ordinary citizens, and that if they were not controlled, they would become rebels.

But I still can't get over that mental hurdle.

"It's alright." Gu Xuan took a deep breath and then exhaled. "Our Gu family is always looking towards the light, and future generations will see that clearly."

"like--"

He paused slightly, his eyes growing increasingly complex: "If there is any infamy, let it all fall on me, Gu Xuan!"

Gu Xuan's body was also trembling slightly, but he managed to completely control it.

The sounds of wailing and lamentation continued to rise.

These people were no match for the trained soldiers, and under such a charge, the civilians' formation was instantly broken.

That deep-seated fear of death and the instinctive will to survive.

This spurred many of them to flee quickly.

Some soldiers wanted to give chase, but Gu Xuan immediately stopped them. His purpose in this mission was only to target those who were stubborn and unyielding.

It is worth mentioning that--

These people were clearly not all ordinary civilians; some were even capable of fighting to the death with government troops.

Without even thinking, Gu Yi knew that local powerful families must be involved.

However, he's too lazy to pursue these things now.

To investigate the entire realm would only cause greater chaos. At that point, it would not be about bringing peace to the Tang Dynasty for another hundred years, but about emulating Gu Xi of the past and truly confronting the entire world.

The news continued to spread.

No one could have predicted that Gu Xuan would make such a decision, and no one could have foreseen that things would develop to this point.

The people of Chang'an were instantly thrown into turmoil.

Fortunately, the Gu family's reputation was well-deserved, and Gu Xuan immediately sent people to appease the people.

It is in the name of the Gu family.

This includes using it to explain the dangers involved, as well as the various faults of Buddhism.

When dealing with ordinary people, talking about lofty principles is useless; simply stating what actually affects their interests is sufficient.

It took several days for Chang'an to gradually settle down.

Under Gu Yi's control, Gu Xuan killed all the monks in Ximing Temple.

This move also demonstrates an attitude that cannot be questioned.

Those who dare to incite believers and incite unrest to resist the law, whether monks or laypeople, will have no way out!
Gu Yi must make good use of the powerful influence accumulated by the Gu family over hundreds of years to minimize the risks of this upheaval.

Of course, he didn't intend to drive everyone to the brink of despair.

As long as the temple does not mislead believers.

Gu Yi would not kill him.

This is the way out that Gu Yi has given these people, but they must also accept the arrangements made by the Gu family.

And then these monks were beheaded.

The various assets of Ximing Temple were immediately investigated.

Although Gu Yi had already mentally prepared himself for this, he was still stunned when he heard the number.

"Reporting to the Grand Tutor!"

"The land owned by Ximing Temple is spread across twenty-three counties of Jingzhao Prefecture, totaling nearly two hundred thousand mu!"

"The cash stored in the temple's pawnshop is nearly 800,000 strings of cash!"

"In addition, he also controls more than 70 canal wharves and water mills, 20 merchant ships going out to sea, and various residences and shops in Chang'an City. His monthly income is as high as one million coins, equivalent to a thousand strings of cash!"

—Two hundred thousand mu! Eight hundred thousand strings of cash!

Keep in mind that this is just cash.

In addition, there are many IOUs. If all the debts on these IOUs are included, the accumulation of just one temple would exceed one million strings of cash.

In conclusion—

If all the wealth accumulated by all the temples in the Tang Dynasty were added together, it could be described as being richer than a country!
How could Gu Yi not be alarmed?
He knew these monks were rich, but he didn't expect them to be this rich!

What would happen if they were allowed to continue developing like this?
Gu Yi's resolve hardened instantly, and then he immediately manipulated Gu Xuan to announce the situation to the world.

Furthermore, the IOUs owed to those people should be nullified.

Self-interest is the most tempting thing.

If the suppression of Buddhism brings some benefits to the people, then the impact of this event will naturally be smaller.

This is a conspiracy!

The temple's annexation of land infringes upon the interests of everyone.

If these monks can accumulate followers, why can't the Gu family take advantage of public anger?

Sure enough, as the news spread...

—The Guanzhong Plain is shaken!
Subsequently, it spread throughout the entire world, and Gu Xuan's actions this time have had a tremendous impact on the whole world.

But it is precisely at such times that...

With the publication of Li Bai's poem that directly stated the impending extinction of Buddhism, and its immense popularity under the influence of the Yunshao Pavilion, he gained great fame.

Scholars from all over the country acted swiftly, like eagles spotting their prey.

—Scholars pursue fame.

This is also a benefit that Gu Yi gave them.

Starting from Hebei, countless ordinary people also took action at this time, using the most vulgar and common language to describe the immorality of Buddhism.

As these people took action one after another, this grand event quickly unfolded across the entire world.

Of course, there were dissenting voices.

Many temples would not simply give up their resistance because of this.

However, this trend of increasing influence gradually came to a halt under these circumstances.
------

In the fourth month of the third year of the Zhide era, Xuan summoned the abbots of various temples in Luoyang to proclaim the new policies.

A monk touched the steps, and his blood splattered on the pillar base.

Shortly after, a secret document from the Imperial Censor arrived: 14 million mu of land had been concealed.

An urgent report also arrived from Guanghua: a wicked monk had gathered several thousand followers, surrounded the censor on a mountain path, cursed "divine retribution," and assaulted the constables.

The cabinet was closed, and the bronze box was placed on the table, the sound reverberating through the quiet room.

During the court discussion, Xuan enumerated their crimes, his voice as sharp as ice: "They used gods and Buddhas as armor, and drove the common people as weapons, defying the law. They deserve to be exterminated."

The entire court remained silent.

Xuanqin drafted a memorial.

Three days later, the emperor approved it, and the matter was carried out.

—From the Biography of Gu Xuan in the Book of Tang

(End of this chapter)