Daqin Zhentiansi

He was dressed in a dark blue marquis's uniform, with simple cloud patterns embroidered in gold thread, which made him look both noble and as sharp as a warrior.

His face was calm, his eyes deep and unwavering, as if the turbulent debate before him was nothing more than a gentle breeze.

He listened quietly, occasionally glancing at the speaker as if examining a sand table simulation.

When the debate subsided slightly, Ji Yuntang turned to him and said, "The Marquis of Qingyang is the deputy envoy, in charge of the Zhen Tian Division. He has a distinguished military record and is also well-versed in Buddhist and Taoist principles. I wonder what insightful opinions he has for the matter we are discussing today?"

All eyes immediately focused on Zhang Yuan.

The military officers were invigorated, the Confucian and Taoist scholars speculated about how this ruthless Marquis would speak, while the high monks of Liangzhou were filled with a sense of tension or vigilance.

Zhang Yuan did not answer immediately.

He slowly stood up, his movements steady and powerful.

He didn't look at any specific person, but turned to the people standing respectfully behind him, ready to take notes at any time, such as Wang Ping, a senior clerk from the Ministry of Rites, and Li Mo, the chief scribe of the Zhen Tian Si (a military administrative office).

"You and the others," Zhang Yuan's voice was not loud, but it clearly drowned out all the other noises in the hall, "Have you taken detailed notes of the discussions just now?"

Wang Ping and the others quickly bowed in response, their voices tinged with excitement: "Reporting to Your Lordship, every word and phrase has been meticulously recorded!"

"Okay." Zhang Yuan nodded slightly, calmly issuing the astonishing instruction.

"Immediately post a notice outside the Donghua Gate regarding the differences between Buddhism and Confucianism, the meanings of Mahayana and Hinayana Buddhism, and the opinions of the general public discussed today."

“Have someone stand under the notice board and listen carefully to the conversations of the people passing by, especially their opinions on Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism, which must be recorded in detail.”

He paused, then added, "Furthermore, by order of this Marquis, effective immediately, all Buddhist texts in the Imperial Academy's library will be opened to the public, as will all Buddhist scriptures in the Zhen Tian Si's 'Scripture Repository,' the Imperial City's 'Wen Yuan Pavilion,' and the Ministry of Rites's 'Ming Jing Ku.'"

"All those in the hall, regardless of rank or status, whether Buddhist, Confucian, or martial, if they have doubts about their own doctrines or the classics of the other party, or wish to study them in depth, may enter the hall to borrow and peruse them upon presentation of my seal."

"Tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM), we will gather here again to continue our discussions. At that time, I hope that after you have perused the ancient scrolls, you will also hear the sounds of the marketplace outside Donghua Gate."

After saying this, Zhang Yuan gave Ji Yuntang and Zhang Hengqu a slight bow, then turned and left without waiting for the reactions of the others.

The dark blue figure, amidst a multitude of gazes—some astonished, some thoughtful, some in awe—passed through the main gate of Guangji Hall and disappeared into the brilliant morning light.

After Zhang Yuan left, an eerie silence fell over Guangji Hall; you could hear a pin drop. Then, a loud "buzz" erupted, as if a pot had been boiled over.

The eminent monks Huayan and Juezang from Liangyuan were initially shocked. How dare the Great Qin Dynasty make such Buddhist pronouncements public?
They even opened the forbidden storehouses, allowing anyone to browse them?!
This is simply unheard of!

But then, that shock and anger were mixed with an irrepressible excitement.

Could they access those legendary books that might have been lost or considered forbidden?

The temptation is too great!

Their eyes met, and they all saw the greed and desire in each other's eyes.

The Mahayana monks Jingtan and Huixin, among others, felt a sense of relief and anticipation.

Venerable Faming softly said to the altar-cleansing master, “Lord Zhang’s actions are skillful and expedient. The words of the common people may be biased, but they are the true thoughts of all beings. The opening of the forbidden treasury is also an opportunity for the ‘propagation of the true Dharma’.”

Zhang Yuan used the alias Zhang Juzheng in Qingtianzhou, but his killing spree was rampant.

The Buddhist sects on Qingtianzhou were forced to close their doors after he killed them all.

Looking at it now, Marquis Qingyang's actions are not as tyrannical as they were on Qingtian Continent.

Inside the main hall, Confucian and Taoist masters and scholars were engaged in lively discussions.

Gong Yuzheng frowned deeply: "What does Marquis Qingyang mean by this? Does he think that the opinions of us upright officials in the court need to be judged by the common people? What exactly is he planning?"

Wang Shouyuan, a scholar from the Ministry of Rites, pondered: "Simple and unadorned language, returning to the basics? Hmm, Confucianism and Taoism are also present in daily ethics and morality, interesting. And those Buddhist scriptures, perhaps they can corroborate Master Zhang's saying 'different paths lead to the same destination'?"

The young scholars were filled with curiosity and discussed which library they wanted to visit, especially the legendary and mysterious "Scripture Library" of the Heavenly Bureau.

Military generals and warriors have it relatively easier.

Yan Bei smiled at Wei Bao and said, "A marquis is indeed a marquis. He doesn't engage in verbal battles with them in the courtroom, lets you read freely, and allows the common people to speak! How straightforward!"

"Although I can't understand the scriptures, I've heard that the Zhen Tian Si's Scripture Pavilion has some Buddhist body-refining techniques, and I really want to go and see them!"

Iron Kuangtu, Xiao Zhan, and the others also showed interest in their eyes.

……

The city wall outside Donghua Gate.

One hour after the Buddhist proclamation was posted.

Gong Yu stood behind the battlements, his brows furrowed, gazing at the surging crowd below.

Several fellow civil servants, equally serious, looked down.

A huge crowd surged before the massive notice announcing the key points of Buddhist discourse at the Imperial Academy, with people from the capital flocking to the site.

A rice shop owner dressed in a cloth robe pointed to the Buddhist phrase "enjoying blessings in the next life," his face flushed: "Hey, listen to this! Suffering? When don't we ordinary people suffer every day?"

"Isn't it all just hoping to be reborn into a better family in the next life, so I don't have to work from dawn till dusk anymore? Those high monks are right! I've had a hard life in this one, so I'll accept it and hope for a better next life."

On the other side, a dusty vendor pointed to the words "Confucianism, Taoism, Benevolence, and Righteousness" on his sign: "Benevolence and righteousness? That's what rich men and gentlemen talk about. We're just small families, so let's not cheat or swindle. If we can lend a hand, that's the most we can do!"

"The high monk said that spiritual practice begins with cultivating the mind, and this is true."

An elderly woman with white hair wiped away her tears as she looked at the "liberation from reincarnation" theory on the list: "Death? Alas, my husband left us too soon. How many Bodhisattvas did I pray to? I just hoped he could be reborn into a good family and not suffer like me."

"The eminent monk said that the Buddha and Bodhisattvas are compassionate and can relieve suffering..."

The surrounding neighbors echoed their sentiments, creating a somber atmosphere.

A young man, his blood surging with energy, looked at the words "Mahayana salvation" and exclaimed, "Hey, this master is right! What kind of skill is it to just run away by yourself? That's called selfishness!"

"If you ask me, a truly capable Buddha should be thinking about how to pull all of us poor folks out of this misery!"

The old man beside him shook his head: "Young man, you make it sound so easy. As the old saying goes, 'If you can't sweep your own room, how can you sweep the world?' If you can't even manage your own affairs and your home is a complete mess, how can you talk about helping others and saving the world?"

"I think what the scholars say is right: take care of your own family first, and then talk about other things."

On the city wall, Gong Yu was whispering to his colleagues, "Did you hear that? Ordinary people's understanding of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism is extremely simple and straightforward."

"The reason why Buddhism can attract them is that it points out the suffering of this life and gives the only, illusory yet powerful hope of liberation in the next life, like a good medicine to soothe the soul."

"The Confucian ideals of benevolence, righteousness, and good governance seem to be far removed from the daily struggles of ordinary people. They are more like a 'medicine for governing the world,' which is about order but cannot quench immediate thirst."

He stroked his beard, his eyes filled with even deeper doubt: "Does Marquis Qingyang intend to use this to awaken those of us sitting high in the halls, to see clearly the soil in which Buddhism is rooted, and to understand why it has such a profound power among the poor and needy?"

"Or does he have a more far-reaching plan?"

He vaguely felt that Zhang Yuan's purpose was not simply to prove that Confucianism was superior to Buddhism, but to "know oneself and one's enemy" and find a basis for truly equal dialogue with the Liangzhou Buddhist community, and even influence its way of spreading its teachings.
……

Zhentiansi.

Inside the study of the Imperial Academy, Zhang Yuan sat behind a large desk, flipping through an ancient Buddhist scripture, his gaze focused yet unfathomable.

The flickering candlelight cast Zhang Yuan's serene profile behind the large desk.

He held a yellowed, old Buddhist scripture in one hand, the title of which was hidden in the shadows. It seemed to be either "The Essentials of the Eight Sufferings of Zen" or "Treatise on Rebirth in the Pure Land." His gaze was fixed on the lines of text, so focused that it seemed as if time had stood still.

The only sound in the air was the occasional, faint crackling of the candle wick.

Du, du.

Marquis Changning, Su Jing, appeared in the study room where light and shadow met. His official robes, with their black background and gold thread, blended almost into the shadows under the candlelight, and his expression was as calm as an abyss.

Immediately following behind, Duke Lu Jun of Cheng State strode in like a gust of wind, his booming voice instantly shattering the silence: "Well done, Zhang Qingyang! Today's commotion at Guangji Hall has almost turned the entire capital upside down!"

He strode quickly, his boots clattering, revealing a hint of urgency.

Almost simultaneously with Lu Jun stepping forward, Lei Ming, the towering figure of the Demon Suppression Division, also squeezed in, clasping his hands in a deep voice: "My lord! The area outside Donghua Gate is in an uproar, filled with discussions about today's debate on Buddhism!"

Lu Jun had just steadied himself when his gaze fixed intently on Zhang Yuan: "Openly debating scriptures, posting notices in the bustling marketplace, and even opening the forbidden treasury?"

"I can't even sit still in the Privy Council office! Marquis Qingyang, what are you up to?"

Lei Ming immediately added, his expression grave: "The monks of Liangyuan Domain, having received the promise, are extremely excited, like flies to blood. Some are already eager to break into my 'Scripture Pavilion'."

"Furthermore," he lowered his voice, his tone carrying a hint of warning, "our undercover agents have reported that they have been discussing a secret Buddhist artifact called the 'Salvation Treasure Boat,' which is suspected to be part of a scheme orchestrated by the Liangzhou leadership. We have urgently reported this to the secret service for verification."

At this moment, Su Jing, who had been standing silently at the edge of the shadows, slowly spoke, his voice cold yet carrying an all-knowing understanding: "The Liangyuan Domain has been stabilized, but the situation in the Nine Provinces is once again in turmoil."

"The negotiations with Liangzhou are not just about borders and wealth; they are about winning the hearts and minds of the people and upholding the rule of law. Liangzhou's Buddhism intends to spread eastward; can Great Qin only close its doors and remain stagnant?"

His gaze shifted to Zhang Yuan, sharp as a hawk's: "Lord Qingyang's move is to peel away the 'sacredness' shrouded in golden light of Buddhism. It's to let the high-ranking officials hear the voices of the common people, and also to let our learned scholars and our opponents' eminent monks see each other's true foundations."

"Those 'sufferings' and 'hopes for the afterlife' that allow them to gather followers. Only by understanding their root cause can we address them effectively. Should we block them, or... dredge them into the waterways of our Great Qin?"

"With more confidence, Grand Secretary Ji will have more weight to his name when he goes to Liangzhou."

These words clearly point out Zhang Yuan's strategic intentions: to create a moral high ground for the upcoming Liangzhou negotiations, to undermine the other party's "sacred and inviolable" stance, and to firmly seize the initiative.

Behind the desk, Zhang Yuan finally slowly put down the ancient scroll in his hand.

The sound of the scroll lightly touching the table was subtle, yet it instantly quieted the study.

The candlelight flickered on his raised face, a glint of light flashed in his eyes, and a meaningful smile slowly curved his lips.

"Duke Cheng, please calm down."

"The more you debate, the clearer the truth becomes."

"Let Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism debate each other, so that the people can have a clearer understanding of the foundation of the Qin Dynasty's governance."

"This also shows cultivators from all walks of life that the Great Qin Dynasty embraces all paths."

Duke Cheng seemed to be deep in thought, Su Jing nodded slightly, and Lei Ming grinned from the side.

----------------

The sun is rising.

Imperial City Academy.

Today's debate is all the more grand and solemn.

It was still Guangji Hall, but the atmosphere inside was completely different from the day before.

It was a surge of emotion resulting from the accumulation of knowledge and the impact of ideas.

A warm sedan chair arrived quietly, carrying a fragrant breeze.

Dressed in an elegant palace gown, Consort Qi entered the hall surrounded by palace maids and took her seat in a specially prepared private room at the side rear.

The location is clever, offering a panoramic view of the entire venue without being overly conspicuous.

Her arrival caused a small commotion, and whispers of discussion spread.

Someone whispered, "I heard that Her Majesty has been reading Buddhist scriptures lately... Alas, as a Noble Consort, she has already achieved the pinnacle of glory, yet... she has no one to rely on, and the Emperor's favor is uncertain. What she seeks, besides a stable and wealthy life in this world, is probably only to pin her hopes on the mysterious and unknowable blessings of the next life..."

These words, though spoken lightly, were like pebbles thrown into calm water. Many nobles, especially those with daughters of marriageable age, looked at Consort Qi with a hint of sympathy.

More imperial nobles, dressed in magnificent robes and exuding an extraordinary air, appeared in the viewing area.

They may not all be well-versed in the scriptures, but the debate at the top of the dynasty about the fundamental differences between Buddhism and Confucianism was related to the future direction of national policy and could also affect the status of their own families. No one dared to stay out of it.

The appearance of Consort Qi, in particular, made them sense a subtle shift in attitudes within the palace.

They listened intently, trying to glean the direction from this heated exchange.

An even more striking change is that the original confrontation between Confucianism and Buddhism has been completely broken.

Several Taoist practitioners dressed in Taoist robes and cloud-patterned shoes appeared at the seats near the Mahayana monks, including Master Jingtan!

Clearly, yesterday's move to open up classical texts and encourage diverse opinions has greatly stimulated the previously dormant Taoist community.

After all, whether it's Buddhism, Taoism, or even demonism, compared to the Confucian ideal of "establishing oneself and helping the world," they are more similar in their pursuit of "transcending the mundane" and exploring "longevity and carefree living."

Now that the Qin Dynasty has brought the "transcendence" of Buddhism to the forefront for analysis, how can the immortal path, which also seeks transcendence, remain a mere bystander?

They also wanted to hear how the mighty Qin Dynasty viewed their "transcendental" ways!
Zhang Yuan, dressed in a dark blue robe, took his place in the solemn and dignified main seat of the Guangji Hall. Facing the probing, expectant, or wary gazes from all sides, his voice was steady and powerful, piercing through the lingering whispers in the hall.

“Yesterday’s discussion, which was open to the common people and included access to the forbidden library, must have resonated with you all.” Zhang Yuan’s gaze swept around the room. “My actions are not merely to discuss the merits of Buddhism and Confucianism; there are three reasons behind them.”

"Firstly, it makes all the people under our rule understand that the foundation of our Great Qin is Confucianism, benevolent governance to save the world, and education to enlighten the world. Although Buddhism is profound, the best order in the world cannot be established without the policies of Confucianism and Taoism to bring peace to the people."

"Secondly," his voice rose slightly, carrying a deep confidence, "is the inclusive spirit of our Great Qin! Confucianism can serve as a foundation, Buddhism can soothe the soul, Taoism can lead to profound understanding, and even demons can be transformed!"

"Anything that benefits the people and contributes to the nation's destiny can be used by us and integrated into our system."

"Today, I am showing this to all cultivators so that they may see that under the rule of my Great Qin, not only can Confucianism and Taoism flourish, but all schools of thought coexist and contend, thus revealing the vastness of the world and the grandeur of Great Qin!"

Upon hearing this, there was a slight pause in the hall, followed by whispers.

Duke Cheng, Lu Jun, had a glint in his eyes, as if he had grasped the edge of some grand vision. The doubts he had felt about yesterday's arrangements turned into a thoughtful nod.

Marquis Changning, Su Jing, remained calm as always, though the corners of his mouth curled up almost imperceptibly, as if confirming some suspicion in his heart.

"Thirdly," Zhang Yuan's voice returned to calm, yet sounded even more profound, "the open treasury, the full access to classic texts, and the full acquaintance of common people's opinions are all intended to ensure that today's debate is no longer confined to abstract theories or a dispute based on sectarian biases."

"I hope that you all can study diligently, discard the dross and retain the essence, understand the origin, gain something and break through the barriers! Today we will discuss this again, hoping that you will have true insights."

After a brief pause, Zhang Yuan did not delve deeper, but simply announced that he would continue discussing the scriptures.

But yesterday's groundbreaking move and today's profound implications have stirred even greater waves in everyone's hearts, bringing anticipation for the upcoming debate to a fever pitch. (End of Chapter)