The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 153 Performing Duties in Accordance with the Law
If it were anyone else, they might have waited for news after receiving Wang Jun's promise. But Xiao Yi was different; in his heart, he was the one in control.

Therefore, he acted quickly, and the next day, after the training, he interrogated Master Yincheng again.

But then he saw many of his soldiers standing in a line outside the wooden cage.

What are you all doing?

"General, I've heard that this is the most famous master in the capital. I'd like him to consecrate my shield."

"You believe in Buddhism?"

"I believe in everything, General. Don't worry, Buddha is Buddha, and a bald monk is a bald monk. I can tell the difference very clearly."

"That's right, having Buddha in your heart doesn't stop me from catching the bald thief for the general."

Xiao Yi looked around and saw that Hu Deng's hands were empty, so he asked, "What do you want to consecrate?"

"Hehe, I want to consecrate this left hand."

"When you perform the consecration ceremony later, drag the fat monk out."

"Here!"

They stacked several saddles and sat down in the drill ground, then moved a broken table and laid out writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.

Xiao Yi had thought it over. The affairs of the camp could not be delayed, so he let Hua Nong continue to be in charge of military discipline training, and brought Feng Sheng along to serve as his advisor.

"General, I am innocent! I am a layman and have never colluded with any rebels."

"I know, because I'm the one who wronged you."

"This... Amitabha, General, aren't you afraid that good and evil will eventually be rewarded or punished?"

"I'm giving you a chance to confess to other temples' illegal and broken precepts."

"If I confess, will the general release me?"

"No, you're dead. Let's see if you can tolerate others continuing to enjoy everything after you're gone. Don't want to confess? Then torture them. Feng Sheng, go and summon Tieya, bring the torture instruments..."

“I’m willing! I’m willing! Master Chanlu of Dengjue Temple is outwardly a highly virtuous monk, but secretly he’s involved in numerous gambling dens, brothels, and prostitution rings in Bianjing! And…”

"Don't rush, tell me slowly. How does a monk run these businesses?"

"He used his close ties with high-ranking officials and powerful figures to do unsavory things for those behind the scenes. Whenever there was turmoil in Bianliang, they would seize the opportunity to forcibly occupy unclaimed property, lure people into gambling under the guise of donating money for charity, and sell pretty women and children for profit under the pretext of sheltering refugees. Compared with him, what I did in the past is like a speck of dust compared to Mount Sumeru."

"Who's behind him?"

"Bai Zairong, the former Jiedushi and commander of the Left Wing of the Imperial Guards."

Xiao Yi had heard of Bai Zairong. Chen Guanghui was transferred to the Protectorate Army under Bai Zairong's command. This man had once driven back the Khitans in Luancheng with He Fujin and Li Rong. They were not all heroes; at the time, they were all servants of the Khitans. They only rebelled when they saw that the situation was not good. Everyone had different thoughts.

In short, Bai Zairong was considered extremely wealthy among all the military governors and generals.

After only a quarter of an hour of questioning, Master Yincheng rattled off more than twenty eminent monks, powerful figures, and wealthy merchants, as if pouring out beans.

Xiao Yi glanced at it and found that Feng Sheng had memorized it all. It had to be said that his handwriting was much better than Hua Nong's.

"Remind me later to have the soldiers build a row of prisons in the camp, enough to hold at least a hundred people."

"Yes."

Xiao Yi then beckoned to Master Yincheng to come closer and asked in a low voice, "If I wanted to demolish all the Buddhist temples in the world and confiscate their land, what would be the best way to do it?"

"How dare the general?"

"Where the profit lies, do you think I dare?"

"Amitabha, this humble monk is willing to offer a strategy for the general to destroy Buddhism."

"Alright, then you might live until I succeed."

“Excellent. In terms of Buddhist teachings, I am not the most learned one at the Great Xiangguo Temple. In terms of seniority, I have more than ten senior uncles, yet I am the abbot. Does the general know why?”

"explain."

“The most easily deceived monks are those who are devout in their worship of Buddha. They are willing to sacrifice their own interests for the sake of spreading Buddhism, and they do so without regret or complaint. Because I can support more people, they can only listen to me. With their profound Buddhist teachings, they attract incense offerings for me, working tirelessly like oxen and horses. This is why Buddhist temples prosper. And to destroy Buddhism, we should make use of them.”

Xiao Yi was genuinely surprised and asked, "Why?"

"Amitabha, in the hearts of truly enlightened monks, temples, fields, and tenants are not important. When these material possessions become the cause of the extinction of Buddhism, in order to continue the Dharma, they will advocate that Buddhism give up resistance. General, you only need to force them to drive them like cattle and horses... Oh, the voice of resistance will still be very loud. After all, there are too few enlightened monks. Most people are just doing business with Buddha. When it comes to dealing with these people, I will deal with them for you."

Feng Sheng couldn't hold back any longer. His hand holding the pen trembled with anger as he spat out, "How dare such a despicable person be the abbot? He is utterly shameless."

"Amitabha Buddha, this old monk cultivates in the mortal world and is subject to its defilements."

"Pooh."

Xiao Yi glanced at the confession and said, "Don't remember what you just said."

"Yes."

"Who are the truly virtuous and eminent monks of our time?"

“Master Huiyong, the general only needs to threaten to burn his scriptures and kill his disciples, and he will surely persuade the Buddhist community to give up its temple property.”

"The abbot is not a good monk, but he is a shameless and successful businessman."

"Amitabha."

Master Yincheng had calmed down, put his palms together and bowed his head, and looked solemn and dignified.

Xiao Yi took action ahead of time, building prisons in the camp and sending people to keep an eye on those who had confessed.

They were busy until nightfall, but had not received any orders. It seemed that Wang Jun had failed to persuade Guo Wei today.

Xiao Yi knew that Guo Wei wasn't unmoved, but rather that he had only been on the throne for a short time and the personnel arrangements were not yet clear. For example, once each official position was assigned, people would need to observe the situation and place their confidants there. Most officials hadn't even taken office yet, unlike the simple establishment of the Palace Guard.

He thinks about things differently; for him, the more this happens, the more power he has and the more freedom he can unleash.

If any official gets in the way now, just kill them. But if you replace them all with Guo Wei's confidants, they'll be hindered at every turn.

When I woke up from my nap, it was still dark.

Xiao Yi got up and left the duty room, where he saw Hu Deng, Yu Douzi, and Tang Bing eating by the stove.

"General."

"Sit down and talk, how about it? Did you find anything?"

"What Fat Baldy said is all true. Bai Zairong has been seizing money and land since the time of Emperor Jinzu. He hides his wealth and land under the guise of Buddhism. Neither the Khitan nor Emperor Hanzu realized how rich he was."

Hu Deng spat and muttered, "His steward spent more than my entire month's salary at the Bianhe Yanguan yesterday. He met with the most prestigious people and ate bird's nest soup. What a scoundrel!"

"Have you obtained evidence of his collusion with Chanlu?"

"Yes, I stole his steward's carriage and got this ledger, but I just can't understand it."

Xiao Yi took the ledger and looked at it.

Nowadays, there's no decent imperial court to investigate military officers. Bai Zairong has been working with Shi Hongzhao all these years, so there's no need for him to keep secrets. The accounts are easy to understand, and the evidence is clear.

There were many calculation errors, and it's unclear whether Bai Zairong's subordinates were incompetent or greedy.

How to do it?
The only order he received was to raid the Daxiangguo Temple. However, if he waited for Guo Wei and Wang Jun to make the arrangements, he would be able to play a very small role.

Opportunities must be created by oneself.

"Go and bring Master Yincheng to the Bai residence." "Huh?"

"Be ready at any time to bring your men to capture Yin Cheng."

"Here!"

After getting ready, Xiao Yi went to the training ground to report for duty.

Suddenly, Hu Deng shouted at the top of his lungs, "Oh no! Fat Baldy Thief has escaped!"

There's no need to act very meticulously; these days, just going through the motions is considered showing respect to your opponent.

Xiao Yi did not rush to order his troops to pursue them. Instead, he went to find Li Chongjin to avoid Guo Wei thinking that he was overstepping his bounds.

In the Palace Guard Office, Li Chongjin was having his morning meal, with the meat piled up like a mountain on the table.

"Military leader."

"Ah Yi's here, want some more?"

"Something's happened. Yin Cheng has been kidnapped."

"How could you be so careless? Which bastard has the guts to do something so reckless?"

"It must be Bai Zairong, the Left Wing of the Imperial Guard. Yin Cheng just revealed him yesterday."

"The Imperial Guards? Great! I've been looking for an excuse to pick a fight with them. Let's go!"

"Commander, things are different now than before. His Majesty founded the Great Zhou Dynasty and must abide by the law."

"Laws and regulations? Then bring Mr. Wei's transfer order with you. We are here to follow orders."

"The military leader is wise."

"hey-hey."

As dusk settled, the cavalrymen traversed the long street, following the cobblestone path, and directly surrounded Bai Zairong's residence.

The courtyard wall was nearly half again as high as that of an ordinary residence, and the vermilion gate was adorned with gilded copper nails, making it far more extravagant and luxurious than the Yan residence.

At the gate, a dozen or so soldiers were chatting and laughing. When they saw someone coming, they rushed forward and formed a battle formation.

"What are you doing?!"

"Li Chongjin and Xiao Yi from the Palace Guard have come to talk to Bai Zairong."

"Reporting to General Li, the commander has gone to his post."

"Then let's go inside and wait, and let him come back soon."

After saying that, Li Chongjin barged through the door.

Xiao Yi followed and walked around the screen wall. He heard a chorus of "wows" as everyone marveled at the extravagance of the Bai residence, even the railings were covered in copper.

"Search!"

"Commander, is that alright?"

"Afraid of shit."

"Search!"

Xiao Yi and Li Chong entered the main hall to wait. They saw that the maids were all very beautiful and dressed in fine silks and satins.

Li Chongjin wasn't interested in them; instead, he started banging and tapping around, trying to pry off the gilded tassels on the brazier.

"That damned bastard is rolling in money! Are the Imperial Guards' salaries really that high?"

"Why does the military leader think he kidnapped Yin Cheng? It's because he wouldn't do it without a reason."

"Hey, that's interesting."

"Report! Commander, we've caught that bald thief in the warehouse!"

"Take me to see it."

Xiao Yi let Li Chong go into the storeroom, but he didn't go; instead, he patiently sat and waited in the hall.

Not long after, Bai Zairong rushed back and was very impolite upon meeting him.

"The Imperial Guards have no guts! How dare they search my residence without authorization?!"

"General Bai has misunderstood."

Xiao Yi calmly produced the Privy Council's official document and said, "We are ordered to capture the traitor..."

"Go to hell! Get out!"

Instead of being angry, Xiao Yi laughed and drew his sword.

If he really intended to make a move, he would have done so decisively. Instead, he remained still, waiting for Bai Zairong to make the first move so he could find a handle to use against him.

Bai Zairong was no easy opponent; his soldiers drew their swords, but none of them made a move.

After a brief standoff, Li Chongjin arrived.

"Bai Zairong, what are you doing?!"

"Commander Li?"

"You dare draw your sword against the Imperial Guards, you dog!"

"Don't think you can stop him just because you're His Majesty... Stop him!"

"kill!"

Without saying a word, Li Chongjin drew his sword and slashed down.

With a whooshing sound, blood splattered, and a soldier in front of Bai Zairong was suddenly cut down.

The two sides immediately engaged in a fierce battle.

Xiao Yi could see clearly that Li Chongjin possessed superhuman strength. With a single slash, he directly cleaved Bai Zairong's magnificent sword in two, scattering jewels everywhere.

"and many more……"

It's too late. Once a martial artist makes a move, they don't even give you a chance to intervene.

As soon as he finished speaking, a head rolled to his feet.

"Commander, you promised to act in accordance with the law."

“He dared to resist, no, we all saw it, he attacked first.”

"Let's go and apologize to His Majesty."

"What are you apologizing for? Uncle should be thanking me."

Although he hadn't quite grasped the situation, Xiao Yi knew that Guo Wei was unlikely to punish Li Chongjin in this matter.

The wheels of history were pried open and began to roll slowly forward, leaving Guo Wei with no choice.

(End of this chapter)