Zhutian: Starting from the Space-Time Merchant

Chapter 382 Buddha? How many teachers did he have?

"The grace of saving my life will never be forgotten!"

A few days later, Feng Dao, whose health had improved, disregarded his weakness and took the initiative to visit Lin Dao to express his gratitude.

When pathogenic wind invades the body, even imperial physicians are helpless and can only rely on the strength of one's constitution.

But Lin Dao took out the miraculous medicine and actually cured himself.

Having narrowly escaped death in his seventies, Feng Dao cherishes his life even more now.

You must maintain a good relationship with Lin Dao, who possesses the miraculous medicine.

Seeing that Feng Dao had come empty-handed, Lin Dao knew what was going on and arranged for drinks and dishes to entertain him.

After three rounds of wine, five flavors of food.

After putting down his wine glass, Lin Dao got straight to business.

"I suppose the Grand Tutor is aware that His Majesty ordered me to ban Buddhism in order to raise funds for military rewards."

"This matter is very difficult."

With a broad smile, Feng Dao stroked his beard and replied, "I do have a plan that might be able to help Marquis Gaoping out of this predicament."

"I imagine Marquis Gaoping has his own plans in mind. Why don't we write them down together on our hands?"

Lin Dao wanted to laugh. Why did these scholars always like to get involved in such messy things?

He did not refuse, and asked someone to bring a brush, ink, and inkstone. The two of them wrote on their left palms at the same time.

After writing it, he blew on it and turned his palm down.

Reach out together, palms up.

Both of them had the words 'Record of Great Monks' written on their palms.

The Grand Monk Registrar was the highest-ranking official in the monastic system, responsible for overseeing all Buddhist affairs nationwide.

Currently, the position of Grand Master of the Monks is vacant in the Later Zhou Dynasty. Under the guise of recommending Grand Masters, the abbots of the largest and wealthiest temples across the country are gathered in Bianzhou City, which can be done in one fell swoop.

In addition to recommending eminent monks, one can also hold Dharma assemblies, forming a grand ceremony within Buddhism.

In this way, the heads of almost all the well-known major temples will come.

Lin Dao also knew this method.

But he had no connections or prestige, so no one believed his official documents.

On the contrary, Feng Dao, who was known throughout the land, had this prestige and network of connections.

It was only natural that he would take the lead in arranging this matter.

This was his way of repaying Lin Dao for saving his life.

The price to pay is offending all the monks in the world.

"It will take some time to gather the abbots and eminent monks of major temples across the country."

Lin Dao revealed the problem: "After a thorough investigation, it will take time to seize the valuables."

"But the rewards for the soldiers and officers cannot be delayed any longer."

“What Marquis Gaoping said is very true.” Feng Dao nodded repeatedly. “I also have a way to handle this matter.”

"I have some influence, so I can borrow some money from the major merchants to distribute the soldiers' rewards first."

"The money will be returned after the temples in various places have been searched and confiscated."

Feng Dao had been in officialdom for decades, serving ten emperors. His skills and network of connections were absolutely top-notch in that era.

Such a large sum of money could only be borrowed by him.

Even if it were someone else, even if Chai Rong himself stepped in, it wouldn't work.

Lin Dao didn't lack these valuables, but he couldn't use them to pay for military merit rewards.

It's not a matter of where the money came from, but rather that they were trying to "win over the morale of the army."

That would be enough to ruin all his previous plans.

Lin Dao helped treat Feng Dao's illness because he was drawn to Feng Dao's abilities and network of connections.

Now is the time to reap the rewards.

"Marquis of Gaoping".

Lin Dao thought that once the matter was settled and both sides were cleared up, it was time to serve tea and see the guest off.

But Feng Dao took the initiative to speak, "I heard you are engaged to the second daughter of the Prince of Wei?"

This matter had already spread throughout Bianzhou City, and Feng Dao was naturally aware of it as well.

Such a question is merely a way to steer the conversation into a conversation.

As expected, after Lin Dao responded, Feng Dao nodded with a smile, "In that case, how about I shamelessly act as your matchmaker?"

Although the warriors of the late Tang Dynasty were crude, they still respected rules and regulations.

The higher the status of the matchmaker, the more face they naturally have.

Lin Dao thought for a moment and quickly understood what he meant.

'They're after my anti-inflammatory medicine!'

The disease, which was almost certain to kill, was cured with medicine.

For Feng Dao, who is over seventy years old, the more of these good things, the better.

Show goodwill to Lin Dao so that when he is about to die again, he can ask for the divine medicine.

The brief encounter between the old fox and the young fox came to an end, with both sides achieving the results they desired.

After that, we just followed the agreement.

Feng Dao stepped forward and borrowed a large sum of money and silk to supply Chai Rong with the large-scale rewards for the conquest of the Northern Han.

Afterwards, he issued official documents to various places, requesting the abbots and eminent monks of major temples to come to Bianzhou City to hold a Dharma assembly and recommend senior monks.

The position of Grand Monk is the highest secular post in Buddhism, and it involves significant vested interests.

Although many abbots and eminent monks in various regions have received word of the ban on Buddhism, the interests involved in the Grand Monk Register are too great, and they must fight for it.

Moreover, with Feng Dao's influence, many hosts and virtuous people believed that it was just a matter of spending some money at most.

As the abbots and eminent monks of major temples from all over the country rushed to Bianzhou, Lin Dao had almost completed the procedures of three letters, six rites, four betrothal gifts, and five gold items.

Then, an auspicious day was chosen, and a grand procession of eight sedan chairs and ten miles of red bridal procession began.

The matchmakers and betrothal gifts were arranged for a lady from a prominent family.

The eight-bearer sedan chair carried a virgin.

The young women only acknowledge half of traditional virtues, and when they demand money as a gift, they become hysterical.

But how many of the ladies from prominent families and virgins could achieve that?
This is nothing short of moral decay.

Don't get the relationship wrong. Because she is a lady from a respectable family and a virgin, she was given a formal betrothal with a grand procession of eight people.

Even without these, a small pink sedan chair carried into the courtyard through a small gate at dusk would already be the highest standard.

Lin Daocheng was experienced in marriage and went through all the procedures skillfully. While the auspicious date for the wedding was set, the abbots and eminent monks from various places had also basically arrived in Bianzhou City.

They all lived in the Daxiangguo Temple.

The location of Daxiangguo Temple was originally the residence of Lord Xinling, one of the Four Lords of the Warring States period.

It was built as a temple during the Northern Qi Dynasty and was initially named Jianguo Temple.

During the reign of Emperor Ruizong of Tang, he ascended the throne as the Prince of Xiang and used his own funds to expand Jianguo Temple, and personally inscribed the name "Da Xiangguo Temple".

From then on, this place became the renowned Xiangguo Temple.

Hundreds or even thousands of eminent monks and nuns from all over the country gathered here.

These people all came from large temples; ordinary small temples and monasteries had no right to come to Bianzhou to participate in the recommendation.

While the monks were forming cliques and soliciting votes, Lin Dao led his troops to surround the entire Daxiangguo Temple.

"Enter the temple and arrest people."

Lin Dao, riding a horse, waved his hand, "Leave them alive for interrogation."

Bringing these people to Bianzhou was a time-consuming and laborious process, and it certainly wasn't as simple as just beheading them.

The purpose was to capture them and interrogate them about where they had hidden their money, grain, and valuables.

A direct search of the temple would only uncover the visible wealth.

Only through the most brutal tortures could they extract the vast hidden wealth.

More than ten armored soldiers, carrying battering rams, charged toward the vermilion gate of the Great Xiangguo Temple.

With a loud crash, the door was kicked open.

A large number of soldiers filed in.

Without further ado, they beat all the bald guys down, tied them up, and took them away.

The bald men cried out for justice, chanted Buddhist prayers, and threatened the soldiers that Buddha would punish them, even calling them "Ami-dae" (a derogatory term for a male deity).

None of it worked.

The entire Daxiangguo Temple was sealed off, and every inch of the site was searched for, leaving no one unchecked.

After that, it was time for the interrogation.

“I have heard of it.”

Inside the main hall, Lin Dao stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at the huge Buddha statue painted with gold powder, and said with a smile, "Only with unwavering faith can one withstand the torment of torture."

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the many bald men in front of him.

"Logically speaking, you all say that those who cultivate themselves should have firm faith."

“Let’s try it and see if your faith can withstand torture.”

"I'd rather die than tell!"

Among the group of bald men, someone chanted a Buddhist prayer.

With his arms bound, he struggled to his feet and said to Lin Dao, "This benefactor, your reckless behavior will incur the wrath of Buddha."

"I do not believe."

Lin Dao, who once served as Maitreya's incarnation, smiled warmly and said, "I never saw Buddha glare at me."

The monk wanted to say something more, but Lin Dao had already pointed at him.

"Since you like to stand out, then let's start with you."

Immediately, armored soldiers stepped forward, dragged the monk out of the crowd, and pressed him directly in front of Lin Dao.

"My rules here are very simple."

Looking down at the monks, Lin Dao took a breath and said, "Whoever can withstand the Ten Great Tortures, I will release them immediately and arrange a carriage to send you home. Your temple will also be safe."

"Those who can withstand it must be truly enlightened monks who have cultivated themselves through arduous practice, and I admire them greatly."

"Of course, if he can't hold on any longer and is willing to reveal his hidden wealth, then we can let him leave the Great Xiangguo Temple."

"I'm a man of my word!"

He truly kept his word; as long as the private property was handed over, the person would be released after the confiscation was verified.

However, if he were captured by someone after leaving the Great Xiangguo Temple, that would be none of Lin Dao's business.

"you."

Lin Dao gestured for the armored soldiers to pull up the bald man in front of them and ask, "Where are you from? What's your Buddhist name?"

"This humble monk, Zhichan, has been appointed as the abbot of Longchang Temple."

The monk's face showed no fear; his expression was calm and subtly conveyed compassion.

He advised Lin Dao, "I hope you will repent before it's too late, otherwise you will surely face the wrath of Vajra, the descent of Weituo, and the punishment of Buddha. You will be condemned to the Avici Hell and never be reborn."

"Stop mentioning Buddha all the time," Lin Dao frowned. "You make it sound like he's some kind of important figure."

How many divisions does he have?

"Think about it carefully yourself." Lin Dao gestured to the armored soldiers beside him, preparing to start work. "If Buddha really comes, will he deal with you greedy people, or will he come to cause trouble for me?"

The armored soldiers stepped forward, holding clamps in their hands.

The monk was knocked to the ground, his plump white legs clamped between three pairs of eyes.

Two armored soldiers stood on either side, pulling together with all their might.
The plump, white monk who was lying on the ground suddenly raised his head!

The piercing screams, like demonic chants, sent chills down the monks' spines and made their foreheads bead with sweat.

"This is the lightest."

Lin Dao leaned down and asked, "Are you willing to hand over the hidden valuables?"

When questioned, the sweating monk could only scream in agony.

Lin Dao shook his head and took a few steps back.

Then another soldier stepped forward and untied the ropes binding the monk's arms.

The next moment, a pair of fair hands were fitted with bamboo clamps.

With both hands and feet attacked, the pampered monk fainted from the pain.

A bucket of cold water was poured on him, and the monk instantly woke up.

"Hand it over~"

"I'll pay!"

"Please spare me~"

The monk surrendered, but the soldiers were dissatisfied.

“These are all too easy. Cutting off the feet, splitting, tearing the waist, peeling, cooking, sawing, pouring water, and whipping are the real tortures.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Dao glanced at him sideways.

(End of this chapter)