The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 151 Search
This was Xiao Yi's first time at the Privy Council.

The yamen was very close to the palace, but much smaller in scale than the provincial government. The clerks hurried back and forth with their scrolls and books, their busyness revealing a vibrant energy. In contrast, the provincial government was already in decline.

Although both are civil officials, the Privy Council represents the emperor's will.

Of course, Xiao Yi was able to observe this only because he knew the course of history. Looking at Zhang Yongde and Li Chongjin, one was worried and the other was completely indifferent, clearly not paying attention to this change in the power structure.

Please wait here for a moment.

Upon arriving at the government office, Wei Renpu strode inside and went to the table to sign the imperial edict.

Xiao Yi, with his keen eyesight, glanced inside and saw that the files on the shelf were categorized, with small characters indicating "cruel laws," "redundant officials," "corruption," "regional warlords," "exorbitant taxes," "water conservancy," "temple property," and so on.

He immediately realized that Wei Renpu had recently been working to rectify many of the bad practices left over from the previous dynasty.

Why?

Self-reliance is for the sake of change.

Suddenly, Zhang Yongde murmured something under his breath and seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

"The tiger tally was not used."

Following Zhang Yongde's gaze, Xiao Yi saw that Wei Renpu had only signed the proclamation and written contract, and taken the wooden contract.

According to regulations, the mobilization of more than 300 Imperial Guards requires a tiger tally. Since no tiger tally was used, it means that the number of troops mobilized was less than 300. However, there are at least 100 Buddhist temples in the capital region. With so few people, it would be impossible to search and confiscate them all.

This time, they clearly don't intend to make a big fuss.

Zhang Yongde was relieved, but Xiao Yi was greatly disappointed.

Soon, Wei Renpu put a wooden contract and document in his leather bag and handed them out along with the imperial edict.

"Palace Guard, listen to my command: dispatch two hundred men to arrest those who betrayed us at the Great Xiangguo Temple. Remember, do not let the news leak out before the evidence is released."

Zhang Yongde did not answer.

Li Chongjin casually took it and handed it over without a second thought.

"We need two hundred people, A-Yi, you take care of it for Mr. Wei."

"The last general takes orders."

Xiao Yi solemnly accepted the order.

After leaving the Privy Council, Zhang Yongde smiled bitterly and sighed, "My fourth sister and I are planning to stay in Xijing for a few days to pray for a child at Guanyin Temple."

Li Chongjin said nonchalantly, "Then go ahead. I'll take care of the Crane Control Army for you. Nothing serious will happen."

"In that case, I'll leave it to you."

Xiao Yi observed coldly, knowing that Zhang Yongde was not very willing to deal with the temple.

You can't tell from his usual eating and drinking habits, but this is when you can see that he lacks courage and is not as willing to go all out as Li Chongjin.

Of course, this is understandable, given human nature; perhaps they are Buddhists.

Upon returning to camp, Xiao Yi summoned Hua Nong and then ordered Fan Si and Xi Hou to each gather one hundred men. Without explaining the reason, they headed straight for the Da Xiangguo Temple.

"Xihou, your men go first, take the Imperial Street, and circle around to the Great Xiangguo Temple from the south. Send troops to guard the mountain gate, as well as the east and west side gates, to block pilgrims from entering and leaving. Also send another team to block the road between the main hall area and the monks' quarters and storerooms."

"Here."

"Fan Si, follow me to Madao Street."

"Here."

Ahead, the cavalry raised their flags and shouted, "The Imperial Guard is on duty! Clear the streets!"

Pedestrians quickly made way for him, and Xiao Yi rode his horse past, heading straight for the mountain gate.

The two rows of weeping willows seemed to be swayed by the wind he stirred up, their branches gently shaking.

The monks who were in charge of receiving guests gathered around and bowed with their palms together.

"Please dismount, General, so as not to disturb the Buddha's carriage. Well done, well done."

Xiao Yi reined in his horse, looked around, pointed to the person standing at the very end, and asked, "Master, do you still remember me?"

That was the same monk who had let him and the Guo family into the temple for refuge last winter. The next day, he was flogged for refusing to inform the pursuers. He paused for a moment, then limped forward.

"General, are you the benefactor who holds the jade pendant of the Venerable Master Wenyan? Amitabha, this humble monk was worried that you would be captured by the Imperial Guards, but fortunately, the Buddha has protected you."

"It is not Buddha who protects me, but the sword in my hand."

“Amitabha, benefactor is mistaken.”

"Was your leg crippled by the abbot?"

"This is my practice."

"Alright, it's time for the abbot's 'cultivation' to begin. Palace Guards, listen to my command: there are traitors colluding with the Great Xiangguo Temple. Seize them all!"

"Here!"

"Hua Nong, take some men and fetch the roster, account books, and land registers."

"Here!"

Xiao Yi dismounted and walked around the temple, visiting several main halls he hadn't seen before.

The two most spectacular sites are the Arhat Hall and the Mahavira Hall. The Mahavira Hall houses five hundred Arhats, each with a unique expression. Their bronze-cast bodies are muscular and powerful. The Mahavira Hall features layered brackets and a high, wide glazed tile roof that covers the magnificent scene within. The Buddha statues are over ten feet tall, requiring three or four people to encircle them with outstretched arms. They sit on three-tiered white marble lotus pedestals, their robes covered in gold leaf with flowing folds. The walls of the Thousand Buddha Hall are inlaid with countless gilded niches, each containing a three-inch Buddha statue, some sitting, some standing, some smiling, some silent, a scene known as "Ten Thousand Buddhas Paying Homage to the Ancestor."

"General, they've all been brought here."

Stepping out of the main hall, one is greeted by a dense mass of bald heads.

"So many?" Xiao Yi asked in surprise, "Give me the roster."

"Here."

"Abbot, where is Master Yincheng?"

“Amitabha, this humble monk is Yincheng.”

"Does the abbot remember me?"

"It is fate that has brought us together today."

“I had met the abbot before. He led the rebels to capture me and the emperor’s family. He was fat, but he ran very fast. I remember him well.”

“Amitabha Buddha, this humble monk led the general to the gate of life, which is why we have gathered good karma today. The general only sees the appearance and not the true heart. What a pity.”

Xiao Yi knew he couldn't win the argument with the old monk. As long as he wasn't dead, it was all good karma and protection.

But he didn't come here to debate.

With a quick glance, the little monkey understood, and the scabbard slammed heavily into Master Yincheng's knee, causing him to cry out in pain and fall to his knees. "Ouch!"

"Abbot!"

"You damn bastard, you bald dog, you're even more talkative than me. Just answer whatever the general asks. Try saying another one of those nonsense words."

“Amitabha…yes, yes, this humble monk dares not.”

Xiao Yi, however, was in no hurry to collect evidence as Wei Renpu had instructed. He had his own ideas and asked, "How big is your temple? I was quite tired from running around there last time."

"Reporting to the General, the temple covers an area of ​​428 mu and administers 36 Chan and Vinaya monasteries."

Why is it so magnificent and glorious?

"Our temple was first built in the first year of Chang'an, and it has been 250 years since then. Emperor Ruizong was inspired by a dream and decreed that it be a royal temple. The temple is frequented by eminent monks, nobles, famous scholars, and envoys. It is a place for Buddhist teachings, imperial tours, visits, helping the people, and medicine."

How many monks are there?

"It should be... close to a thousand."

Xiao Yi chuckled coldly and looked around. There were at least 1,200 monks in the arena.

He flipped through the roster in his hand, did some rough calculations, and asked, "Why are there fewer than three hundred monks on the roster?"

"This includes wandering monks who stay at our temple, as well as displaced people we provide for."

"Give me the land register and the donation book."

Xiao Yi took the book and noticed that Yin Cheng's expression relaxed for a moment. He probably thought he had seen through Yin Cheng's purpose and believed that things that could be solved with money were not problems.

"Twenty-eight estates, a hundred acres of land, is that all? Is there anything else?"

"No...no more."

"Ah."

"What about the ledger for lending money at interest?"

"This humble monk does not understand what the general is saying."

"Alright, then let me ask this: Where are the merits and blessings from lending recorded?"

"This humble monk truly cannot understand."

Seeing that he couldn't get any information from Yin Cheng, Xiao Yi didn't force him. He opened the donation book and found the section before November of last year.

Finally, he unfolded the book before everyone.

"Don't say I'm wronging the abbot. On the 27th of October, Li Ye donated 2,000 bolts of silk and 1,000 shi of rice; on the 8th of November, Liu Zhu donated 3,000 shi of millet and 8,000 bolts of cloth... You scoundrel, no wonder you dared to help the traitors harm His Majesty's family!"

"No, it's a miscarriage of justice, General! Listen to me, these donations have nothing to do with rebellion. Madam Chai also made donations during her lifetime..."

"Snapped!"

Xiao Yi snatched the whip from Xihou and lashed it hard across Yin Cheng's face, almost snapping the fat man's head off.

"Dare to mention Madam Chai again? Take her back to the Palace Guard and interrogate her severely."

"Here!"

"The rest of the monks shall be taken back to their quarters and shall not leave or enter without my order."

"Here!"

"Hua Nong, take men to seize the temple's property and quickly compile a list of how many hidden fields and privately ordained monks there are, and hand it over to me."

"Here!"

Finally, Xiao Yi turned to the monks and said, "Anyone who can report Yin Cheng's crimes, whether it is embezzling temple property or violating the precepts, will be rewarded by the court as long as they dare to come forward."

The monks looked at each other, but no one spoke.

Clearly, they had no idea of ​​the seriousness of the situation and believed that Buddha would surely protect Daxiangguo Temple.

It's alright, things will only begin once he explains the profits of this business to Guo Wei.

However, Xiao Yi soon discovered that he was severely lacking in people who could write and calculate.

Few of his subordinates were literate, and Hua Nong had never worked as an accountant before. Faced with the vast amount of wealth and accounts of the Daxiangguo Temple, she had no idea where to begin.

We need to find some help.

Xiao Yi first thought of Li Fang, but quickly dismissed the idea. Li Fang was, after all, an official, which would be inconvenient, and he might not be willing to target Buddhist temples.

On second thought, since I needed to inquire about the follow-up of the matter at Yan Jinqing's residence today, I might as well borrow a few accountants while I was at it, so I rode off to Yan's residence.

They were quickly ushered into the warm pavilion and their purpose was explained.

Yan Jinqing immediately beckoned to his servants and said, "Go and invite Feng Mingyuan over."

Xiao Yi found the name somewhat familiar. After thinking for a moment, he realized it was the scholar that Shi Hongzhao had ordered him to kill.

"What Lord Yan is referring to, could it be..."

“It was Feng Sheng, the unlucky scholar at Wang Zhang’s banquet,” Yan Jinqing said. “That night, Shi Hongzhao was swinging his knife wildly like a madman. If he hadn’t saved me, I would have almost lost my life.”

"I see. By the way, how is the matter at the Shi residence?"

“I have already sent the property deed to Master Wang, but I have not yet received a reply.”

"No rush. Wang Jun is harsh on others, but he will definitely do things once he gets paid."

As they were talking, Feng Sheng arrived and bowed respectfully upon seeing Xiao Yi.

"It's been a long time since I've seen my benefactor. Congratulations on your remarkable transformation and soaring success."

“Mingyuan is currently serving as a secretary in my household, preparing for the autumn imperial examinations.” Yan Jinqing said, “Mingyuan, take a few accountants and go do errands for General Xiao.”

Feng Sheng was overjoyed, bowed again, and said with a smile, "It is my greatest honor to be able to do my part for my benefactor!"

Xiao Yi was actually a little annoyed that Feng Sheng was too scared to make a sound at the crucial moment last time, but since he couldn't get Li Mingyuan, he would just have to make do with Feng Mingyuan.

Fortunately, Feng Sheng did not disappoint him this time. He and his accountants worked through the night and handed over the approximate count to him at dawn the next day.

"No mistake?"

"There may be some that haven't been found yet; all the existing accounts are here."

"it is good."

Xiao Yi pocketed the money and went to the Privy Council to see Wei Renpu.

(End of this chapter)