From Joy of Life, the Tian Gang is reversed

Chapter 264 Destroying Taoism and Suppressing Buddhism, Are You Serious?

Zhang Julu was an idealist. He couldn't stand this oppressive world, the high-ranking families who were high above others, and the people at the bottom of the world who lived in despair year after year, day after day. He wanted to open a path for these people to move up.

So far, he has been very successful.

The imperial examination system was the most direct path to success, and it just so happened that this path met the needs of the Li Yang Dynasty, an empire that had only recently unified the world. Therefore, he was highly valued and successfully promoted the imperial examination system in the Li Yang Dynasty.

Although Liyang still faces many problems, powerful clans still possess immense resources and strength, and the six vassal kings occupy their respective territories, eager to make a move, he believes that none of these are problems.

As the imperial examination system continued to develop, more and more scholars from commoner backgrounds squeezed into the court. There was no need for him to do anything; these newly rich scholars, for their own benefit, would inevitably squeeze the interests of the old aristocracy. With just a little guidance, the two sides could be brought into conflict.

As for those few vassal kings, especially the Northern Liang King and the Yan Ci King who held considerable military power, they would eventually be eliminated. This was the inevitable trend of the world, and it was irreversible.

This situation became even more pronounced after Confucianism spread throughout the world.

In this world, the top level is always just a small group, while the bottom level is always the majority.

The underprivileged, who were originally powerless to resist, gained the power to change their own destiny.

With power comes more demands for benefits.

Originally, all I wanted was for my child to have enough to eat. Now I want the whole family to have enough to eat. Once the whole family is full, I want to eat meat. And once I can eat meat, I want to dress nicely...

This is just the most basic requirement.

Human desires are endless.

Although Confucianism places high demands on morality, basic living needs are not very morally relevant, but are very much related to interests.

When the lower classes suddenly gain power and seek personal gain, it will inevitably impact the existing interest groups, and conflict is inevitable under such impact.

This is his chance!
The world is about to be transformed!
When his understanding of Confucianism advanced rapidly, he consciously began to adjust the structure of the court, encouraging officials to cultivate Confucianism, select like-minded partners through the inherent moral mechanism of Confucianism, and consciously promote these partners to high positions.

This is not a difficult task, because these officials, whose abilities have been verified through the Confucian moral mechanism, are very capable. Even if they were not originally strong, they would become very strong under the influence of Confucianism. With their abilities and the help of his secret guidance, they all achieved remarkable political achievements. With these achievements as a foundation, their promotions would naturally be very fast.

Officials in the court who could not be judged by the moral mechanisms of Confucianism generally had plenty of leverage to exploit. With these leverages, it was easy and legitimate to remove them from office, and no one could find any fault with them.

In this way, he quickly purged the court.

Of course, his methods were very covert, even systematic. He did not indiscriminately promote his own people, but instead purged and promoted the three factions in the court, including the Green Party and the remnants of the fallen dynasty who had surrendered.

Therefore, the court still retains its original three factions, but the members of these three factions are all like-minded. After the new integration is completed, even those in different camps can form a united force if their goals are similar. In addition, local officials have been purged, resulting in smoother and more efficient government orders, and the entire Li Yang Dynasty is thriving. This is exactly what he hoped to see, and it is what he dreamed of.

until……

"You country bumpkin, do you really think you can achieve your ideals this way? Do you really think that after you sideline the old emperor, the royal family won't rebel?"

Tai'an City, Zhang Mansion
Zhao Xun looked at Zhang Julu with a disappointed expression.

"You've taken too big a step. It's only been a few years, and you've already turned the court into a monolithic entity. Do you think that just because it's superficially divided into three factions, people won't be able to tell?"

“Things have progressed too smoothly.” Zhang Julu glanced at Zhao Xun. “Everything has developed so naturally, and the current situation has naturally formed. By the time I realized that I might have moved too fast, it was already too late.”

"So, you're still too arrogant and overconfident," Zhao Xun smiled. "Ultimately, you're too short-sighted, failing to see the big picture. You handle many things based on subjective assumptions and experience, lacking proper analysis and in-depth research beforehand..."

Bah! !

Zhang Julu slammed his teacup down on the table, stared at Zhao Xun with unfriendly eyes, and said, "Did you come here today just to make fun of me, Your Highness?"

"No, I have only one purpose in coming here: to get the emperor to issue an edict to destroy Taoism and Buddhism. Although it seems a bit redundant now, and the fortunes of Taoism and Buddhism will eventually be devoured by Confucianism, as the saying goes, 'If the name is not correct, the words will not be proper.' To completely eradicate the evil hand of the immortal realm reaching into the mortal world, action is not enough; we also need a righteous cause."

"I think what you want is not a title, but to drag the entire world into this war with the immortal realm!"

"Look at you, so narrow-minded again. There will be no war. The immortals can no longer come down, nor will they come down to seek death. All I need to do is erase the word 'immortal' from the world, so that people will forget that such a thing exists. They should stop praying to gods and Buddhas all the time. They need to make people realize that everything depends on themselves. This is also for the sake of the future."

"future?"

“Yes, Your Excellency, this is very important.” Zhao Xun looked at Zhang Julu and said, “Confucianism needs to be spread because the world needs this power, and humanity also needs this power to protect itself. Confucianism and martial arts will be the two pillars of this world in the future.”

“Although I am the Grand Secretary, this matter is far too significant and inconceivable, especially given your evasiveness. I do not trust you,” Zhang Julu said, looking at Zhao Xun. “The world judges you, this new Confucian sage, to be of noble character based on your Confucian scholarship, but I know you are not that kind of person. Everything you have done is for a certain purpose. Especially today, you suddenly came to me, asking me to request an imperial decree, and even went so far as to persecute Taoism and Buddhism. You are also a member of the imperial family; don’t you know the relationship between your Zhao family and Longhu Mountain?”

“I definitely have other purposes. You can’t see it because your perspective is too low. You only see the small patch of land in front of you. But I am reshaping the foundation of the entire world. Although it may have been just an experiment before, for my own selfish reasons, the situation has changed now. Only by doing what I do can we protect all living beings.”

“State your true purpose.”

“This world is about to be in trouble, a huge trouble, beyond your comprehension, a trouble beyond anything known in the history of this world.” Zhao Xun smiled and said, “If I’m not mistaken, the upheaval will begin with that heir of the Northern Liang Royal Palace.”

Zhao Xun picked up his teacup, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

(End of this chapter)