Zhutian: Starting from the Space-Time Merchant

Chapter 402 The Cold and Aloof Buddhist Disciples' Group Dance
"This matter has nothing to do with me."

"Forget it, you wouldn't believe me anyway."

"Think what you want, just put this on my head."

Lin Dao is a generous and magnanimous person.

Although the generals acted on their own, the consequences ultimately fell on him.

Lin Dao disdained to shirk responsibility, feign innocence, or take advantage of others' vulnerability with a pretense of concern.

He didn't time travel~ He did time travel, but not to fall in love!
Upon seeing the Zhou sisters, Lin Dao was briefly taken aback, but quickly made a decision.

When his subordinates caused trouble, he, as the leader, took the initiative to shoulder the responsibility.

Leaving the two sisters bewildered and shocked, Lin Dao turned and left.

Zhou Ehuang, holding her younger sister, was still trembling.

She was too well protected before.

She grew up in a life of luxury, but her father did not show her any love or care. Her fiancé, on the other hand, was famous and had a promising future.

All of this made her forget that this was an era where people could be captured and eaten as food, even while walking on the street.

The terrifying scene of the crude thugs breaking into the mansion and arresting people finally brought her to her senses.

Watching Lin Dao's departing figure, Zhou Ehuang hesitated to speak, and in the end could only hug her younger sister tightly.

"Is the investigation clear?"

How many temples are there in Jiangning Prefecture in total?

Lin Dao is very busy; beautiful women are just a seasoning in his life, while his main focus is his career and ideals.

One of his ideals was to achieve the goal of eliminating the Buddha in all times and spaces.

Before sending troops to quell rebellions in various regions, Lin Dao still managed to find time to deal with the Buddhist sects in Jiangnan.

Yang Ye stepped forward and handed over the report he had written.

"More than two hundred temples?"

After reading the report in his hand, which only had one line of text, Lin Dao shook the paper and asked, "Are you mentally challenged?"

"I'm asking you to investigate the overall situation of Buddhism in Jiangning Prefecture."

"First, there is the exact quantity and the detailed location."

"Secondly, we need to compile the most detailed possible statistics on the personnel and supplies inside."

"Finally, there are the social relationships of the temples, their business networks, business partners, local reputation, and all sorts of shady rumors!"

He raised his hand and threw the document in his hand at Yang Ye's face.

"You idiot, what kind of light did you investigate?"

Yang Ye, with an innocent look on his face, lowered his head and remained silent, his face full of grievance.

He had no hesitation when it came to going into battle and fighting the enemy.

Asking him to do something is really putting Yang Ye in a difficult position.

Lin Dao, still fuming, said, "Now I know why Yang Zhi was so stupid—it's all hereditary in your family!"

Yang Ye looked up dumbfounded and asked, "Who is Yang Zhi?"

"A fool who clearly had a path to officialdom but insisted on taking a dead end."

He glanced at Yang Ye and said, "You're just as stupid as me."

"Alright then." Lin Dao waved his hand. "Go quickly to Chuzhou and bring Zhao Pu here."

"and many more!"

"You shouldn't go, let Pan Mei go!"

Zhao Pu was a private tutor in Chuzhou, but he was not a real country bumpkin.

Several years ago, he served as an aide under the military governor of Yongxing Army. Later, the military governor died, and the new military governor dismissed him. That's when he went to Chuzhou to become a teacher.

This actually turned out to be a lucky thing.

The newly appointed military governor of Yongxing Army participated in the rebellion of the Imperial Guard, and as a result, his entire staff suffered the same fate, either being killed or captured.

Zhao Pu, by a twist of fate, escaped a calamity.

In fact, Lin Dao already knew Zhao Pu's whereabouts.

The reason he has not been conscripted is that both his first wife and second wife are from the powerful Wei family in Zhenyang.

The term "wealthy and powerful families" refers to a level between local powerful families and aristocratic clans.

Such entities must be eliminated.

Zhao Pu, who is deeply involved with him, also has no intention of using him.

But with no one around to get things done, Lin Dao eventually gave in.

They plan to hire Zhao Pu for a trial period.

If it proves useful, give him a hint to resolve the Wei family's troubles.

Now it depends on Zhao Pu's choices and performance.

Compared to Yang Ye, who was unreliable, Pan Mei was much more serious about her work.

Upon receiving the order, he set off immediately without hesitation.

They rode at breakneck speed across the river and took a boat straight to Chuzhou.

Upon arriving at the local area, they immediately arranged for the local government to search for Zhao Pu. They found Zhao Pu holding the scroll and looking bewildered. Without uttering a single word, they ordered the soldiers to tie him to a horse and return the way they came.

They went there that day and brought the person back the next day.

"This humble subject pays respects to Your Majesty!"

After the initial panic, Zhao Pu bowed respectfully to Lin Dao.

But the joy in my heart was something I couldn't suppress no matter what.

He came from a respectable background; two generations of his ancestors had served as officials, and he himself had worked as a staff member for a military governor.

He's only in his early thirties now, how could he possibly be willing to spend his whole life teaching in the countryside?
Now that the opportunity has finally arrived, how could I not be excited?
"I have something for you to do."

Without wasting any words, Lin Dao directly handed over the tasks he had previously assigned to Yang Ye to Zhao Pu.

"What happens next depends on how you handle things."

Zhao Pu knew that his chance to turn things around was right in front of him, so he immediately accepted the order.

Three days flew by.

Lin Dao was busy checking in at various locations, allocating resources and handling affairs.

At the same time, preparations for war are being made in this time and space.

Meanwhile, Zhao Pu worked tirelessly to finish the tasks assigned by Lin Dao.

What he handed to Lin Dao was not a thin piece of paper, but a thick bound book.

"A total of 263 temples and monasteries of various sizes in all counties of Jiangning Prefecture are listed here."

Lin Dao flipped through it and found that the records inside were very detailed.

It includes information about people, temple locations, temple properties, connections, and local gossip.

"I never imagined that a mere Jiangning Prefecture would have over two hundred temples." Although these included many family temples, as well as brothels that, under the guise of temples, were actually places of pleasure.

However, in terms of quantity, it is still too much.

He handed the book to Cao Bin and said, "According to the records in this book, seal off the temple and arrest the people."

"Remember, arrest people, don't kill them yet."

Temples in Jiangnan often colluded with local powerful families, working together to exploit the people.

First arrest the monks, then use them to bring out the local powerful figures.

After giving some instructions, Lin Dao looked at Zhao Pu.

Instead of immediately bestowing an official title upon him, they chatted about everyday matters.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Lin Dao asked, "I've heard that your wife comes from the Wei family, a prominent and wealthy clan in Luoyang?"

Zhao Pu was slightly taken aback, then quickly replied, "Yes!"

"Luoyang is a good place."

"The Wei family wielded great power in Luoyang, almost rivaling the power of the various powerful clans during the Tang Dynasty."

This is clearly a case of overpraising someone to death.

The Wei family wielded considerable power, and in Luoyang, they were a force to be reckoned with.

To say that they can be compared with the powerful clans of the Tang Dynasty is utter nonsense.

At best, they were mere appendages of those powerful clans, and even then, they were the lowest of the low.

Yes~
All powerful and influential families started from humble beginnings and gradually grew into powerful ones!
Lin Dao's meaning was already very clear.

Zhao Pu was clearly stunned.

A look of struggle appeared on his face.

After a long while, he bowed and said, "My wife is seriously ill and bedridden. The doctor said it has been just a few months."

"The Wei family had considered finding another woman from their clan to be their second wife."

"This humble subject~This humble subject~This humble subject does not wish to be Xu Xian."

Upon hearing this, Lin Dao smiled.

If Zhao Pu were to agree immediately, or even cause his wife's sudden death, Lin Dao would not dare to use him.

But now~
Even in acting, this level of skill far surpasses that of so-called emperors and emperors in the modern world.

"I hereby appoint you as a Hanlin Academician."

"Work hard, and your future will be bright."

Zhao Pu bowed his head and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The arrest operation went very smoothly.

The bald men knew that Chai Rong had banned Buddhism in the north, but they were unaware that Lin Dao was the one who actually carried it out.

Even those who knew the truth about it simply assumed that Lin Dao was acting under orders.

No one knew that Lin Dao was the one most enthusiastic about banning Buddhism.

Caught completely off guard, the temples were almost entirely wiped out by the sudden attack of the Palace Guard's troops.

A few who met secretly at their lovers' homes were subsequently arrested.

The abbots and eminent monks from various temples were all gathered in a side hall of the Southern Tang imperial palace.

They paced back and forth restlessly, while the sound of Buddhist chants echoed throughout the hall.

It wasn't until the forest path appeared that the monks finally found an outlet for their frustration.

After the chanting of Buddhist prayers rang out almost simultaneously, the monks stepped forward in unison, wanting to argue with Lin Dao.

The imperial guards raised their swords, and the chilling glint of their blades calmed the monks down.

"Your Majesty~"

A highly virtuous monk greeted them and asked, "What crimes have we committed?"

"You know best what you've done," Lin Dao said, too lazy to recount the monks' misdeeds one by one.

Judging from the seized materials and letters, they had used trickery and force to seize farmland, colluded with powerful figures to harm the people, coerced and lured innocent families, and even interfered in important military and national affairs.

These monks could be said to have committed every imaginable evil deed.

"Amitabha Buddha~"

The white-bearded monk spoke again, "If the Buddha knew of Your Majesty's treatment of Buddhism..."

"If Buddha knew, he would only clap his hands in delight." Lin Dao shook his head and sighed. "And don't call me 'Amitabha Buddha' either, or I'll get angry."

He was also Maitreya incarnate in another time and space.

These Buddhist scoundrels calling him names are utterly disgusting.

“You wicked monks, your sins are beyond measure.”

"Now you do whatever I say."

"If you do not comply, I will punish you on behalf of Buddha."

After saying that, Lin Dao smiled slightly and said, "Now, let's all dance together."

Upon hearing this, all the monks were taken aback.

What does it mean when a monk dances?
Sitting in his chair, Lin Dao's smile remained unchanged. "I once saw a group of aloof Buddhist monks receive a large sum of money from incense offerings, and in their joy, they danced together to celebrate."

"I have something to say from the bottom of my heart, please give me a live performance."

"Your Majesty!" a monk couldn't contain himself and shouted, "We are Buddhists, don't push your luck!"

Lin Dao didn't waste any words and pointed at the shouting monk.

The imperial guards immediately rushed out menacingly and dragged the monk out of the crowd.

The monk tried to struggle and shout, but a knife handle was smashed into his mouth.

There's only one character on this forest path.

"beat!"

After being brutally beaten, the monk lay on the ground barely breathing.

Lin Dao glanced sideways and shouted, "Jump!"

Numerous eminent monks and serene Buddhist disciples.

No one dared to say anything, and a chaotic bunch of people started jumping around.

Lin Dao gave them some pointers, and they gradually started jumping in unison, hopping back and forth on their tiptoes.

As they danced, they gradually caught the rhythm and the dance turned into a group dance.

Looking at it this way, it's quite interesting.

Lin Dao smiled and said, "Buddha, do you see?"

"Do you still want this kind of wicked monk?"

(End of this chapter)