Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 625 The Hidden Currents of Hanyang (Part 5)

"Father." Li Shibai pushed open the door and entered the study, followed closely by Li Shiying, who gently closed the door behind him.

"So, did it work out?" Li Gui put down his pen and immediately yawned.

“Judging from what Vice Envoy Zheng said, Judge Li is indeed willing to offer his support. But he has a condition,” Li Shibai said.

"What are the conditions?" Li Gui asked.

“We want Lord Luoxi to openly support the abolition of his mother,” Li Shibai replied.

“That’s impossible!” Li Gui immediately said, “Zhang Haogu would never agree to such conditions.”

“Indeed.” Li Shibai nodded. “Lord Luo Xi really has no intention of agreeing.”

"Hmm," Li Gui seemed somewhat regretful, but not overly disappointed. "So, Zhang Haogu still intends for Zheng Zhongxin to resign from court on the first day of the fifth month?"

“Yes. That’s what Lord Luo Xi means,” Li Shibai said. “However, he still intends to talk to Judge Li first. He wants to talk to him in person.”

"Since Li Erzhan has already proposed such conditions, what's left for them to discuss?" Li Gui's eyes flashed. "Has Li Erzhan given Zhang Haogu a compromise?"

"No, I just support abolishing the mother, that's all." Li Shibai thought for a moment.

“Explain in detail the conditions that Li Erzhan proposed.” Li Gui still felt something was amiss.

In Li Gui's memory, although Zhang Wan rarely openly opposed Sanchang, he was still considered a somewhat upright person and wouldn't openly support something that violated social norms. Furthermore, Li Erzhan was a very shrewd man; he wouldn't both express his willingness to support them and then propose conditions that were unacceptable to them.

“To put it in detail, Judge Li wants Lord Luoxi to bring up the ‘Degradation Program’ again, or…” Li Shibai pondered hard, his eyes gradually clearing: “Degrade Zhenming!”

"That's it!" Li Gui immediately slammed his hand on the table and exclaimed, "That's it! The real condition Li Erzhan wanted to propose was to demote Zhenming!"

"Is there any difference?" Li Shiying asked, puzzled.

“The difference is huge!” Li Gui said, “Although Princess Zhenming is the biological daughter of the Queen Dowager, fraternal duty is ultimately not as important as filial piety. More importantly, she has not been officially appointed by the court, so demoting her rank does not require reporting to the Ministry of Rites. Nowadays, the court is rife with corrupt elements and the virtuous are almost dried up. Apart from someone like Zhang Haogu who is neither corrupt nor virtuous, there are only some useless bookworms left in the Censorate and the Hongwen Academy. If we only mention demoting Zhenming without mentioning the removal of her mother, it is very likely to succeed.”

"Is it really necessary to target Princess Zhenming like this?" A hint of sorrow and sympathy appeared on Li Shiying's face.

“Yes!” Li Shibai understood more and more as he thought about it. “What Judge Li wants is not necessarily to depose his mother, but to let the king see his loyalty. According to his own idea, only by ‘turning’ Duke Luoxi will the king be willing to listen to him and not suspect that he has switched sides to the righteous faction and wants to control the king.”

"How pitiful," Li Shiying sighed.

Li Shibai glanced at Li Shiying but didn't respond to his question: "Father, do you think Duke Luoxi can reach an agreement with Judge Li?"

“It depends on Zhang Haogu’s resolve. Demoting Zhenming is not as bad as the ‘Degradation Program,’ but it’s still part of the process of deposing the mother. Once Zhang Haogu brings it up, he won’t be able to remain neutral. Even if the king really agrees to execute Jiang Anxin, he will still be considered a member of the Great Northern Party. However, I think Zhang Haogu will probably agree to Li Erzhan’s conditions and support demoting the princess to a duchess; otherwise, he wouldn’t have needed to negotiate in person.” Li Gui took a deep breath and then sighed heavily. “Alas! What a pity.”

"You also pity Princess Zhenming?" Li Shiying looked at his father with considerable surprise.

“Why should I pity her? She should be honored to make sacrifices for the country. I pity Zhang Haogu. Such a patriot, so devoted to his country, has been manipulated by Li Erzhan,” Li Gui said.

"Hypocrite," Li Shiying rolled his eyes at his father. "Weren't you and your elder brother the ones who sent the lambs to the slaughter? You're so smart, you should have foreseen this outcome long ago."

Instead of getting angry, Li Gui laughed: "Ha! This is just the beginning. The real show is just getting started."

"What do you mean?" Li Shiying's eyes twitched. He knew very well that whenever his father showed such an expression, it meant that something bad was about to happen.

"You'll find out when the time comes," Li Gui instructed Li Shiying. "I need one thousand taels of silver and fifty taels of gold. Get them to me in the next two days."

"What do you need so much money for?" Li Shiying asked in surprise.

“It’s almost time for Lady Jin to leave the palace to offer sacrifices to Buddha,” Li Gui said. “Of course we need to make some preparations.”

“Isn’t this too much?” Li Shiying said. “Normally it’s only a hundred or so taels.”

“Gold and silver are nothing but external possessions,” Li Gui said with great pride. “As long as we can achieve great things, what does this little bit of money matter?”

"Then should I just deliver it to my older sister?" Li Shiying said.

“Your elder brother will go to Feng'en Temple.” Li Gui waved his hand. “Just get that thousand taels of silver ready as soon as possible.” Li Gui suddenly remembered that there should be fifty taels of gold hidden in this house.

“Okay.” Li Shiying nodded. He quickly figured out where to get the money.

"What are you still standing there for? Didn't you see me waving at you?" Li Gui raised his eyebrows.

"What time is it? Let's talk about it tomorrow." Li Shiying glanced at the sky.

“I didn’t tell you to do it now, I just told you to get out.” Li Gui waved his hand again.

"Where is he?" Li Shiying asked, pointing to his elder brother with a stern face.

"What do you think?" Li Shibai smiled.

“I am your son too!” Li Shiying immediately became unhappy. “Why do you always avoid talking to me? Is it because I am born out of wedlock?”

"Bullshit!" Li Gui roared, grabbing a book and throwing it at Li Shiying.

Li Shibai reacted quickly, catching the book as it flew past. "Go out, you'll understand later. The old man is just worried you won't be able to control your mouth. You might drink too much and start spouting nonsense with your cronies. This is a serious matter, you can't just say things like that."

"I," Li Shiying sighed, shook his head, and left dejectedly. ————————

Bongeunsa Temple, originally named Geonseongsa Temple, is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Korea, with a history dating back to the tenth year of King Wonseong of Silla or the tenth year of the Zhenyuan era of Emperor Dezong of Tang.

In the eleventh year of the Hongzhi reign, Queen Jeonghyeon, the second wife of King Seongjong of Joseon, undertook a large-scale expansion of Geonseongsa Temple, which was originally located about two miles southwest of Seonneung Mausoleum, in order to protect the tomb of King Seongjong. After the expansion was completed, Queen Jeonghyeon renamed it "Bongeunsa Temple," meaning "receiving the king's grace."

In the twenty-fourth year of the Jiajing reign, Emperor Renzong, who had reigned for only seven months, passed away, and the twelve-year-old Emperor Mingzong ascended the throne. Because the king was young, his mother, Queen Munjeong (née Yun), ruled as regent.

Because of Yin's devotion to Buddhism, Buddhism experienced a brief revival during his regency. Yin appointed Puyu, a high-ranking monk of the Caoxi school, as the Grand Master of Zen and abbot of Feng'en Temple. Puyu observed that the original temple's feng shui, described as "water breaking through the heavenly gate," was unfavorable, so in the thirty-third year of the Jiajing reign (1554), he relocated the entire temple to the south bank of the Han River, creating a "green dragon" layout with "back to Baiyuntai and facing the Han River." After the relocation, Feng'en Temple flourished even more, its Buddhist light seemingly reflecting back onto the world.

However, Buddhism is ultimately at odds with Confucianism, and even with strong support from the top, it is nothing more than a castle in the air.

In the 44th year of the Jiajing reign (also the 20th year of the reign of Emperor Mingzong), Queen Munjeong passed away, leaving the Grand Chan Master Pu-yu without support. Scholars and Confucianists, citing their Confucian beliefs, submitted a series of memorials opposing Buddhism. That year, Byeon Hyeop, the governor of Jeju Island, acting on a "ban on Buddhism," ordered Pu-yu to be imprisoned on Jeju Island. However, en route, Byeon Hyeop had Pu-yu executed on charges of being a "wicked monk who misled the masses." After Pu-yu's death, the incense offerings at Bong-eun Temple vanished. Although the temple was spared destruction, all its lands were confiscated, and the monks were restricted in their duties.

In the first year of the Longqing reign, King Myeongjong passed away at the age of thirty-four. Since he had no sons, his queen, Queen Insun, followed the rites and passed the throne to Prince Haseong, Yi Gyun. Thus, Yi Gyun, who was still in mourning for his mother, was brought into the palace and renamed Yeon.

Yi Yeon was a remarkably virtuous Confucian ruler. At the beginning of his reign, he promulgated the "Records of Former Confucian Scholars of the Dynasty" and publicized the deeds of four great Confucian scholars: Kim Hong-pil, Jeong Yeo-chang, Jo Gwang-jo, and Yi Yeon-di. Moreover, he himself could be considered a master of Confucianism. His contemporary, Yi I, even recorded in his "Diary of Seok-tan": "The Emperor frequently attended lectures on the classics, and Bian asked very detailed questions. Those lecturers whose learning was not extensive were often reluctant to attend him."

Moreover, the late Emperor Wanli once said in an imperial edict: Immortals and Buddhas are originally strange arts, which should be practiced alone in the mountains and forests. Those who are interested can leave the official and go as they please. They should not be promoted together with Confucianism to confuse people's hearts.

Therefore, during the reign of King Seonjo, both Buddhism and Taoism declined as a whole, and Bongeunsa Temple could not recover to its former glory. It was not until King Yeonjo died and King Yi Hun took power and began to favor the Buddhist court lady Kim Sang-gung, that Bongeunsa Temple gradually became a place of worship and reconciliation for the yangban nobility.

Lady Kim, the head court lady, has become extremely devout Buddhist, and in recent years she has made it a point to visit Feng'en Temple to offer incense on the first and fifteenth of each lunar month. When Li Gui returned to the capital and learned of this, he arranged for his widowed daughter, Li Shunli, to become a nun and enter Feng'en Temple so that she could be closer to Lady Kim.

Feng'en Temple is about 20 li away from Chonglimen, the south gate of Hanyang, separated by a large river that can only be crossed by boat. Therefore, although Li Shibai set off from Chonglimen early in the morning on his donkey, he still did not arrive at Feng'en Temple until almost noon.

After entering the temple, Li Shibai did not rush to talk to his sister about important matters. Instead, as usual, he first donated incense and paid homage to Buddha.

Halfway through the worship of the gods and Buddhas in the hall, a young novice monk led Li Shunli over.

"Big Brother." Li Shunli stood on the steps of the Great Hall and called out to him through the threshold.

Just then, Li Shibai knelt before a new Buddha statue, not even having time to kowtow, when he heard the call. As the voice echoed, Li Shibai stood up straight. Then, he strode out of the hall. Beside him, the accompanying monk sighed softly, but said nothing more.

"Here you go. This is a reward for you." Under the watchful eyes of the gods and Buddhas, Li Shibai openly took out a small piece of silver and threw it to the young novice who had led the way.

The young novice monk gladly accepted the silver, smiled, gave a Buddhist salute with his palms raised, and skipped away. The silver ingot didn't belong to him, but he could still gain something from it.

"Greetings, elder brother." Although Li Shunli had severed her three thousand strands of hair, she had never truly escaped the world. Upon seeing her brother, she couldn't help but smile.

"You've lost weight again." Li Shibai looked Li Shunli up and down, and said with concern, "Do the monks here not let you eat your fill or what?"

"After all, it's a Buddhist temple, so there are still some rules to follow." Li Shunli smiled apologetically and shook his head at the monks in the Great Buddha Hall.

"Hehe. That's true." Li Shibai also laughed, but it was a laugh of disdain and disbelief.

"Brother, you didn't come here just to see me, did you?" Li Shunli asked.

"I've been busy lately and really can't get away," Li Shibai said with an embarrassed smile.

"So this time it's still about Lady Kim?" Lee Soon asked reproachfully.

"It's not convenient here, let's find a quieter place to talk," Li Shibai said.

“Okay.” Li Shunli looked up and his eyes met those of the large Buddha statue in the center.

The most tranquil spot in the entire Chengen Temple is the small hill behind the Mahavira Hall. At the northeast corner of the hill is a small viewing pavilion. Standing here, one can gaze north towards the Han River and look south down at the Buddha statues. Crucially, there is only one path leading to this pavilion; there is no other way.

Li Shipai sat on a wooden chair facing the way they came, able to spot anyone approaching instantly. "There are fifty taels of gold in this bag. Take it." Li Shipai untied a coarse cloth bag from his waist that didn't look very full, but was quite heavy.

"Fifty taels!" Li Shunli's eyes widened. "Gold!?" North Korea was poor in gold and silver, and could only rely on imports. Fifty taels of gold was a huge sum of money.

“Yes.” Li Shibai handed the bag to Li Shunli.

"What have you done this time that you need so much money for bribes?" Li Shunli didn't reach out. She didn't dare take it.

“Heh,” Li Shibai chuckled dryly. “What are you thinking?”

"Then why is that?" Li Shunli also subconsciously glanced at the way they came.

"You must have heard about Jiang Hongli and Jin Jingrui being sent back by the slave thieves, right?" Holding fifty taels of gold was tiring, so Li Shunli didn't reach out, and Li Shibai placed the bag next to her.

"I've heard about it." Although Chengen Temple is located in Hanyin, its news network is quite efficient. "Is the old man planning to make a fuss about this?"

“It’s not that the old man wants to make a fuss about this, but that someone else does.” A hazy, sharp glint appeared in Li Shibai’s eyes. “The old man’s intention is to secretly relay this message to the King through Jin Shanggong.”

"Who wants to make a fuss?" Li Shunli lifted his monk's robe to cover the bag containing gold.

“It’s Lord Zhang Luoxi. He’s currently planning a coup.” Li Shibai swallowed hard.

"A coup!?" Li Shunli was startled.

“Yes.” Li Shibai’s voice trembled slightly. “Lord Luoxi wants to force the King to execute Jiang Hongli and Jin Jingrui. Currently, Lord Luoxi has had Zheng Zhongxin contact Judge Li, saying that he is willing to support the denigration of Princess Zhenming in exchange for Judge Li’s support. If all goes well, they will launch a large-scale joint petition in early May. Even if the cooperation fails, Judge Li will remain silent!”

(End of this chapter)