Top Scholar

Chapter 567 begins.
Liu Gonggong was naturally somewhat resistant. He wasn't afraid of taking the blame; if he were afraid of being scolded and taking responsibility, he wouldn't have become the universally despised "Emperor Li".

But the problem is, he still needs to be in charge and have absolute power. What kind of emperor is he if he just stands there as a tool?

But since the emperor wanted to pin the blame on him, he could only obediently accept it, and had to smile obsequiously and say, "This old servant obeys the decree. This old servant hasn't played cricket fighting with Your Majesty in a long time."

“Yes,” Zhu Houzhao laughed, “These days you come over for half a day every day to keep me company while I fight cocks and crickets. We’re just putting on a show to prove that you’re actually doing your job in the Leopard Chamber, and not just holding a nominal position.”

"This old servant has been looking forward to this day for a long time!" Liu Jin smiled happily, but inwardly he sighed, "Good heavens, they think I'm not taking the blame properly enough!"
"Don't feel wronged, you'll get your share of the benefits," Zhu Houzhao comforted him. "If you do a good job this time, we won't be short of money, and you won't have to worry about breaking teacups all the time."

"Your Majesty, rest assured, this old servant understands." Liu Jin hurriedly patted his shoulder and said, "Even if it were someone else, they wouldn't be able to handle this situation! This old servant can bear it, and it's no problem for me to take on another burden. Being able to share Your Majesty's worries is this old servant's greatest happiness!"

Zhu Houzhao then turned to Zhang Yong and instructed in a deep voice: "I don't allow the First Chamberlain to interfere, mainly because he is too domineering and has his own ideas about everything. But you are different, Second Chamberlain, you are good at following the rules... Therefore, you will be fully responsible for the specific tasks. You must strictly follow the plan drafted by the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and are not allowed to act on your own. If you have any questions or encounter any difficult problems, go to Secretary Su for consultation."

“This old servant understands.” Zhang Yong bowed and replied, “The plan that the entire Imperial Household Department has painstakingly devised over several months is meticulous and comprehensive, and is certainly a hundred times better than this old servant’s wild guesses.”

"Yes, that makes sense." Zhu Houzhao glanced at him and said with a half-smile, "But I see that you and your adopted sons are the backers of several temples."

Su Lu had already spoken to Zhang Yong about this matter. If they were to investigate everything, they certainly couldn't overlook Fahai Temple, which Su Lu was protecting; that would be too conspicuous. Zhang Yong also expressed his understanding. This was Su Lu's first major undertaking after taking office, and as his uncle, he had to provide unconditional support!

Zhang Yong had already prepared his explanation and nodded frankly, saying, "Your Majesty, it is indeed true. Although this old servant has placed eternal lamps in those temples, it is only for the sake of remembrance... But if the monks in the temples really do something wrong, then the eternal lamps will naturally not be effective. So Your Majesty, rest assured, this old servant will not show any favoritism whatsoever!"

"Very good, very good." Zhu Houzhao nodded in satisfaction. "You are indeed very righteous, more insightful than your eldest son in this respect. Of course, you two each have your strengths, and neither is dispensable."

Liu Jin knew the Emperor was referring to him, warning him not to show favoritism, so he quickly nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes, this old servant will certainly learn from Eunuch Zhang."

"Let's learn from each other, let's learn from each other," Zhang Yong said, feigning nonchalance.

"Haha, there's no need for that." Zhu Houzhao waved his hand and said, "No one can learn your individual strengths. Just do your best."

"This old servant obeys the decree!" the two chief eunuchs replied in unison.

~~
Zen Master Xinyong and others still harbored a glimmer of hope, thinking there was still room for maneuver.

Unexpectedly, that afternoon, the nine gates of the capital were opened, and the Imperial Guards poured in from the Zhengyang, Chongwen, and Xuanwu gates in nine separate routes.

The soldiers were all dressed in blue cloth armor and red battle jackets, some carrying spears, swords, and shields, others carrying bows and arrows. The cavalrymen, fully armored and controlling their horses, formed a disciplined and imposing formation, the clanging of hooves against their armor creating an overwhelming and imposing presence that swept through the streets!

In an instant, the capital was filled with fully armed troops. The people were so frightened that they rushed home and locked their doors. The imperial guards, determined to collect their owed wages, quickly took control of all the city's main roads.

At the same time, tens of thousands of troops from the Eastern Depot, Western Depot, Inner Depot, and Embroidered Uniform Guard also gathered at the Leopard House Martial Arts Arena!

The three factories and one guard stood in formation, imposing and resolute. The Imperial Guards wore flying fish robes and embroidered spring knives, looking imposing and awe-inspiring; the East Factory agents wore pointed hats and brown shirts, with small sashes and white leather boots, carrying tokens and short knives, looking sinister and capable; the West Factory agents wore round hats and brown shirts, black boots and belts, with iron rulers and chains, exuding a murderous aura; the Inner Factory agents wore blue cloth armor, with black sashes around their waists and carrying flails, standing in the center to command the scene.

The four groups competed with each other, each lined up neatly and silently, exuding a murderous aura!
After the whip cracked, an announcement came: "His Majesty has arrived..."

Tens of thousands of secret agents from the imperial guards shouted "Long live the emperor!"
Zhu Houzhao, accompanied by Liu Jin and Zhang Yong, ascended the reviewing stand.

After the cheers of "Long live the Emperor!" subsided, the Emperor first announced the appointment of the "Special Task Force for the Rectification of the Buddhist Order"—in addition to the two directors and deputy directors, Ma Yongcheng, director of the Eastern Depot, Gu Dayong, director of the Western Depot, and Gao Delin, commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, were all included in the task force.

But Su Lu was not among them.

It was Secretary Su who volunteered not to join the special task force. Zhu Houzhao was also considerate of his feelings. As a top scholar, he was already making a great sacrifice by not working at the Hanlin Academy and spending his days in the Leopard Chamber. How could he possibly sit at the same table as the Eight Tigers?

Zhu Houzhao then personally addressed the imperial guards. For the past six months, he had spent most of his time supervising the military camps in the western suburbs, greatly improving his ability to instruct military personnel. His expression was serious, his voice impassioned, and his gestures powerful, clearly conveying his unwavering resolve to everyone present.

"I am determined to raise the full amount of silver for this rectification of Buddhist temples, no matter what! Anyone who dares to show favoritism, cover up wrongdoing, or shirk responsibility and hinder my work will be executed without mercy! Those who do a good job will be richly rewarded! But remember—you must be clean-cut and strictly prohibited from hoarding or embezzling funds, otherwise you will be executed without mercy!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" the officials shouted in unison, their voices booming and shaking the heavens.

Su Lu, sitting below the stage, could only cover his face in exasperation. This was too honest! We weren't trying to reform the monastic community, so why did we blurt out our true feelings?

Your Majesty, don't be too arrogant... Zhu Houzhao then pretended to bestow a golden gourd upon Liu Jin, as a 'sword of authority'. Liu Jin then stepped forward, raised the golden gourd, and shouted:
"set off!"

At a command, the troops from the three factories and one guard set off in succession. Their studded boots clattered on the stone pavement, making a deep, rumbling sound, like thunder rolling across Chang'an Avenue, as they marched in a mighty procession toward the fifty-six great temples inside and outside the capital!

This raid, codenamed "Six Roots Purification," officially began amidst the earth-shaking footsteps—

The first to suffer was Da Neng Ren Temple, because it was located right inside Xizhimen, at the foot of the Imperial City, just a short walk away!
This ancient temple, which was expanded and rebuilt by order of Emperor Hongxi, has high red walls covered with green glazed tiles. In the etiquette system of the dynasty, green tiles were second only to yellow tiles and were reserved for princes' residences and imperial temples.

A large contingent of Imperial Guards surged to the temple gate, only to find the imposing "Imperial-Built Great Power Temple" with its vermilion gates already tightly shut. Clearly, the monks inside had sensed something amiss and had closed the gates beforehand to ensure their safety.

"Open the door! Open the door!" The Imperial Guards stepped forward and pounded on the door, but there was no sound from inside.

The Imperial Guards shouted sternly through the crack in the door, "By imperial decree, we are conducting a raid! Open the temple gates immediately! Anyone who dares to close the gates and defy the decree will have all the monks implicated!"

There was still no response from inside the door...

The Imperial Guard turned to look at the commander leading the team, who was none other than Jian Qiang, the bearded man with thick beards.

Jian Qiang's face was ashen, and he coldly ordered, "If you don't open the door, break it down!"

The Imperial Guards parted to the left and right, and ten burly soldiers carried a beam-like iron battering ram – made entirely of hard and heavy jujube wood, with a claw ring on top and large iron spikes at both ends to enhance its destructive power!

Clearly, they had been preparing to break down the defense for some time...

"Charge!" Xiao Qiang gave the order, and ten strongmen in brocade robes worked together to lift the iron battering ram and charged toward the temple gate in unison.

With a loud thud, the iron ramming board slammed heavily against the heavy temple gate, sending dust cascading down from the eaves pillars! The door shook violently, and the gilded door knocker was knocked off...

After three consecutive impacts, the wooden bolt on the temple gate was finally knocked off! Amidst screams of agony, the gate swung open with a bang, raising a cloud of dust.

The Imperial Guards surged in, the sound of swords being drawn filling the air, and instantly subdued the fallen gatekeeper monks.

Surrounded by a group of Imperial Guards, Jian Qiang strode into the most prestigious temple in the capital.

Then, Zen Master Xinyong was seen wearing a Vairocana hat embroidered with pure gold Buddha characters, a kasaya draped in gold-threaded brocade, and holding a pure gold staff. Surrounded by a group of monks holding precept knives and staffs, he stood in front of the Mahavira Hall with an imposing air of nobility!

His imposing presence truly befits the abbot of the world's greatest temple.

He shouted sternly, "Hey you madman! This temple is blessed by the royal family. Its green tiles and red walls, robes and ritual implements are all imperial gifts! How dare you desecrate such a sacred place dedicated to praying for the royal family? Get out of here at once!"

"Don't give me that! Look carefully, it's the Emperor's decree to seal off temples and confiscate their property!" Jian Qiang showed the official document in his hand, which not only bore the seals of the Directorate of Ceremonial and the Ministry of Justice, but also the Emperor's vermilion annotations!
As he spoke, he raised his voice and ordered, "Why aren't you dropping your weapons, kneeling down, and putting your hands on your heads? Are you planning a rebellion?!"

"Put down your weapons, kneel down and put your hands on your heads!" the Imperial Guards shouted in unison, raising their crossbows that were already cocked.

The monks of Da Neng Ren Temple were all pampered and indulged in pleasures all day long. How could they have any willpower? Faced with this deadly threat, the monks were instantly terrified and their legs went weak. Amidst the shouts, they dropped their monk knives and staffs and obediently knelt down with their hands on their heads. In the blink of an eye, only Zen Master Shin'ei was left standing alone on the stone steps.

"You drop your weapon and kneel down to be bound!" Jian Qiang stepped forward and shouted angrily, spitting on his face.

Zen Master Xinyong's face flushed red. He gripped his staff tightly and refused to let go, shouting, "This is the Wisdom Staff bestowed by the late Emperor. It is a sacred Buddhist object. How dare you let this old monk throw it on the ground!"

"You look like an idiot!" Jian Qiang sneered and snatched the staff from his hand.

Two imperial guards immediately stepped forward, gripped the Zen master's arms tightly with their iron fists, and swiftly tied him behind his back with a cowhide rope, forcing him to kneel on the ground.

Zen Master Shin'yō's hat rolled into the dust, and his brocade robe was torn, revealing half of his shoulders. His previous imposing manner had vanished, and he hung his head dejectedly, no longer able to shout...

(End of this chapter)