The Bad Guys: Playing the Fake Li Xingyun at the Beginning

Seeing him lost in his memories, Xu Huan did not disturb him. He just drank his tea silently and looked at him quietly.

After a moment, Su Ming came back to his senses, with an apologetic look on his face, "Aunt, I'm sorry, I was distracted."

Xu Huan's eyes flashed with a trace of loving concern, and he said softly, "It's okay. Compared to Lin Xuan, you have a harder time."

Hearing this, Su Ming's face was full of complexity. He said nothing, but just sighed softly. From a substitute to where he is today, if it weren't for the huge pressure brought to him by Yuan Tiangang, why would he work so hard.

Isn’t it nice to be a hands-off boss?

ps: I just published a new book, please support me.

Chapter 143: An Incomplete Meeting

In troubled times, rebuilding the old country is a difficult and tortuous road. It can only be done by people with great perseverance and luck. But even so, it is really too tiring.

Ever since Su Ming came to this world, he has had only one goal, which is to survive.

In Yuan Tiangang's eyes, being a useless waste is better off dead. He cannot change his appearance and can only try his best to survive.

In the end, he has come to this day step by step, and he can no longer extricate himself. Once he reveals his thoughts, Yuan Tiangang will be the first one to not let him go.

If a substitute cannot replace the real thing, he will only die. Yuan Tiangang will not allow a substitute who looks like Li Xingyun and helped him lay the foundation for his career to still live in the world.

Yuan Tiangang can even use the life of the Tang Dynasty and his own life to set up a trap, what else can't he do?

In this battle, Su Ming had no way to retreat, because this was a road of no return.

After his thoughts strayed for a moment, Su Ming came back to his senses, showing an apologetic expression on his face. He said in a deep voice, "This is how the world is. It's hard for everyone. It's hard for the farmers and tenants in the fields, for the soldiers fighting in the battlefields, for the officials who support the court, and it's hard for me too."

"But no matter how difficult it is, life still has to go on. No one wants to wait for death to come. Who among all living beings is not struggling to survive?"

Xu Huan stroked the porcelain cup in his hand and couldn't help feeling a bit of pity in his heart. He was the same age as Zifan, but how could he be like a man who had experienced a lot of worldly things? He wondered how much he had experienced to have such insights.

"Your Majesty is right. The people of this world, despite all the hardships, are nothing more than living characters. Some people live well, some live poorly, there is no difference, that's all."

There is something in the words!

Su Ming looked at her in surprise and asked lightly, "Is it the same in Tianshi Mansion?"

Xu Huan didn't expect him to ask this. He was stunned for a moment, then answered, "The Tianshi Mansion is just a small hill with a few decent Taoist temples on it. Naturally, they are also competing for passage. I just don't know if Your Majesty can give the Tianshi Mansion a better way to live."

When it came to business, both sides changed their titles. They were no longer elders and juniors, but equal partners. Under normal circumstances, the Southern Heavenly Master Mansion would not be equal to the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty. Unfortunately, it was not the case now.

"Master Xu is really straightforward. I like dealing with people like you. People in the court talk in a roundabout way, which gives me a headache. I just don't know what kind of life the Tianshi Mansion wants?"

This question is difficult to answer.

In a small sense, the Tianshi Mansion plans to open a branch in the north. In a big sense, the Tianshi Mansion wants to continue the Taoist tradition in the north and spread its teachings with the help of the imperial court.

In other words, to what extent does the Tianshi Mansion want to cooperate with the imperial court.

Xu Huan nodded slightly, his eyes emitting a determined light, "Your Majesty, you are joking. The Northern Dao sect is declining, the Louguan Dao heritage no longer exists, and the Dao sect is declining. Naturally, my Tianshi Mansion wants to rekindle the incense of the Dragon and Tiger Tianshi, so as not to let the Buddhist sect think that my Dao sect has no one."

"It has been less than a hundred years since Emperor Wuzong destroyed Buddhism, and Buddhism has not only revived, but its influence has far surpassed that of the past. It is impossible to ban it. Buddhist temples are even more trusted by the people than by the imperial court. Many emperors of past dynasties have destroyed Buddhism for this reason."

"I led the Tianshi Mansion to the north to restore the glory of Taoism and suppress Buddhism together with the court. What do you think, Your Majesty?"

These few sentences are simple, clear, grand and majestic. They don't sound like words spoken by a woman.

Su Ming's eyes sparkled, and he couldn't help but look at her with admiration. "Master Xu's spirit surpasses many men in the world. If they knew, they would probably commit suicide out of shame. I have only seen one woman like Master Xu in my life, and you are the second one."

"Your Majesty, are you talking about the empress of Huanyinfang?" Xu Huan knew who he was talking about as soon as he thought about it.

Su Ming nodded, "Who says women are inferior to men? In the past, there was Empress Wu Zetian, and now there is the Empress of Huanyinfang and Master Xu of Tianshifu. The world is getting more and more exciting." At this point, he suddenly changed the subject, "However, it is not feasible for me to suppress Buddhism together with your Tianshifu. I cannot agree to you."

"Why? My Tianshi Mansion cooperates with the imperial court and each party gets what it wants. We promote Taoism, and the imperial court cuts down mountains and destroys temples, and collects money to enrich the treasury. Isn't this a good thing?" Xu Huan frowned slightly, with a hint of doubt in his beautiful eyes.

Su Ming stood up, put his hands behind his back, and said calmly, "This is of course a good thing, and it is a very profitable thing. Buddhist temples are everywhere in the north, hiding filth and shading the farmland. If the wealth accumulated over a hundred years is obtained by the court, it will be a very considerable sum of money and grain."

"Unfortunately, your Tianshi Mansion alone is not qualified to destroy Buddhism. Perhaps all the Taoist sects in the south will be united to achieve this goal."

"In troubled times, a Buddhist temple that can accumulate a large amount of money and occupy a piece of pure land is not something that can be taken lightly. What if you don't get the money and end up in trouble? It's not worth it."

"To be frank, the current imperial court does not have the power to destroy Buddhism. I don't want to work hard to make things easier for others."

Different positions give you different perspectives on things.

When people reach a certain position, they no longer speak for themselves, but for the hat on their heads.

From the perspective of the common people, destroying Buddhism is not a good thing, at least not for them.

The imperial court took back the land from the Buddhists and distributed it to them. The taxes collected by the government were even heavier than those collected by the Buddhists. Moreover, when faced with natural disasters or man-made calamities, the imperial court could not protect them at all.

At that time, they will still go down the old path of selling fields and land. On the other hand, although Buddhism hides the land, at least they can barely survive by relying on them. Although Buddhist temples are severely plundered, at least they can give them a way to survive, but the court may not be able to do so.

But from the rulers' point of view, Buddhism was a den of filth, occupying land without paying taxes, obstructing justice, hiding the population, and causing great losses to the court in tax revenue. If they were not dealt with, where would the court find so much land to distribute to meritorious officers and ministers?

Although Tianshi Mansion has good ideas, Su Ming will not buy it. If Xu Huan wants to open a branch of Tianshi Mansion in the north, Su Ming will provide certain help.

But if you want to destroy Buddhism, I’m sorry, I can’t help you!

Xu Huan sighed, his eyes dimmed visibly, "Okay, since your majesty does not want to destroy Buddhism, I will not say anything more. However, everyone in my Tianshi Mansion will have to stay in Luoyang for a while."

"It's not good to stay in the imperial post station all the time. Your Majesty, please help us find a place to stay in Luoyang."

"I agree to this matter, but the new place you find cannot be called Tianshi Mansion anymore. You have to change its name."

Chapter 144 Khitan Princess Enters Luoyang

"Why is that? It's just a name, is there something wrong with that?"

Su Ming shook his head and stared at her with a strange expression. "You acted arrogantly in the south, and I have no control over it. But in Luoyang, you cannot open a new Taoist temple without my permission."

"The name of Tianshi Mansion is too loud and too sensitive. I don't want those Buddhist temples to think too much. Master Xu, don't forget that there is a Buddhist temple in this city that is famous in history and the source of Buddhism in the world."

Xu Huan was shocked and then fell silent.

Yes, there is a White Horse Temple in Luoyang City. Although the White Horse Temple is inconspicuous, it has been passed down in Luoyang City for a thousand years. Although the current White Horse Temple was rebuilt during the Wu Zetian period, it also has a history of more than 200 years.

A very famous Buddhist temple in a city for two hundred years means that the lower-class people in Luoyang will not resist them, and it also means that Luoyang is the place where the White Horse Temple preaches.

Ever since Master Xuanzang returned from Nalanda Monastery with Buddhist scriptures, Buddhism has truly had a systematic inheritance, gradually spreading across the country, and various royal temples have been built one after another.

This is true even for the imperial family, let alone the common people.

Thinking of this, Xu Huan felt relieved and suddenly smiled, "Your Majesty, I understand what you mean. It's just a change of name, it doesn't matter."

No matter what, the purpose of her cooperation with the Emperor today was achieved. Although they did not reach a deeper cooperation, it did not affect Xu Huan's impression of him.

On the contrary, because of this, she was more optimistic about Su Ming.

The young emperor suddenly ascended to a high position. He was reserved but not arrogant, modest but principled, and did not neglect long-term development for the sake of short-term benefits.

What's more important is that he has a clear mind and a very clear understanding of the current situation. This is more important than anything else. Su Ming even thought of things that she didn't expect, which made her even more impressed.

The court has its own rules, and the local areas have their own rules. Luoyang City has been established since the Sui Dynasty for nearly four hundred years, and it has already developed its own set of rules.

These rules are tacitly agreed upon by all parties. Gangs of all sizes and all kinds of residents abide by these rules.

It can be said that the entire underground circle of Luoyang City operates according to this set of rules. The Tianshi Mansion is the rule maker in the south, but when it comes to the north, it must abide by other people's rules.

After changing the name, on the surface it has nothing to do with the Tianshi Mansion. As long as you abide by the rules, you can survive in Luoyang. But once you change the name to the Tianshi Mansion, it will be different. It's enough to just use the same skin and save face for both sides.

The dispute between Buddhism and Taoism over the orthodoxy is a life-and-death battle. When the time comes, the White Horse Temple will step in and the leaders of the two sects will confront each other. Even if Su Ming intervenes, there may not be a good result.

Don’t say that the court is attacking the underground circle in a dimensionality-lowering attack. That is impossible. Every circle has its own rules, and these are the rules that are in the interests of the majority of people.

The court may be able to kill people, but it cannot stop people from pursuing profit.

Xu Huan stood up, smiling, and made a promise to Su Ming, "Before I went north, I heard people say that the emperor is a puppet of King Jin and a puppet of Yuan Tiangang. Now it seems that these are just slanders by mediocre people, and are just after-dinner gossip."

"The things your majesty wants will be delivered by the Tianshi Mansion in the near future. As long as your majesty is in power, the cooperation between the Tianshi Mansion and your majesty will not be severed."

Su Ming showed a playful expression on his face, "Isn't Master Xu afraid that I will use the Tianshi Mansion and then destroy the bridge after crossing the river?"

Xu Huan stared at him for a moment, then smiled and shook his head, "No, you won't. With Fan'er here, you won't do that."

After saying this, the two smiled at each other, as if they had an unspeakable tacit understanding.

Talking to smart people is different. They can understand everything immediately.

……

Ever since Su Ming and Xu Huan reached a cooperation, a Taoist temple called Qingfeng Temple has quietly appeared in the north of the city. The temple is located in a remote area, the architecture is exquisite, and there are few pilgrims, but no one comes here to cause trouble.

All the major underground forces in Luoyang seemed to have seen nothing, and neither obstructed nor interfered, allowing the Taoist temple to be built.

In fact, everyone knows that this is a Taoist temple built by the Tianshi Mansion, but they did not use the name of the Tianshi Mansion, just to give everyone face.

Those who know the inside story will naturally not provoke the Tianshi Mansion, and the ruffians who don't know the inside story can be easily dealt with by Qingfeng Temple without causing any waves.

……

On the official road, a team of cavalrymen were riding their horses and whipping them, raising clouds of dust.

The cavalry arrived at the post station outside Luoyang city, dismounted and reported that many officials of the imperial court, including the Minister of Personnel, were waiting there. Even though the sun rose and it was getting hotter, no one present complained.

Because the person who will enter the city today is Yelu Zhiwu, the most beloved daughter of Khitan leader Yelu Abaoji.

At the beginning of this year, in order to facilitate the circulation of goods and the travel of carriages and horses, the imperial court ordered the three ministries to allocate funds to the Ministry of Works specifically for the repair of official roads, making the traffic in Luoyang smoother and goods from the north and south could be delivered faster.

A long convoy was driving slowly along the official road, with a murderous aura faintly visible.

Soon, the Khitan wedding convoy arrived, with hundreds of elite cavalry leading the way in the front. The horses were tall, with strong muscles and powerful hooves. On their backs sat strong men in leather armor, holding sabers in their hands, with their heads held high and in high spirits.

The cavalrymen who brought the news kept hovering between the post station and the wedding convoy. After the officials from the Ministry of Rites of the imperial court met with the officials from the Khitan, the convoy slowly drove into Luoyang.

Facing the powerful Khitans, the Ministry of Rites naturally did not dare to say anything nonsense like asking the cavalry to dismount and confiscate their weapons. Not only did he not dare to do so, but Li Siyuan did not dare to do so either.

Along the way, the Khitans were treated to delicious food and drinks by the military governors from various places and they dared not offend them at all, because in the caravan sat the Khitan princess, who would become the queen in the future.

Just because the Khitans were standing behind her, no one dared to offend her.

In the city, the government had already prepared the inn, cleaned it, and redecorated it, waiting for the Khitans to move in.

When the convoy entered Luoyang, it caused a sensation on the spot. People in the city stopped to watch from afar. It is human nature to watch the excitement. They were all talking enthusiastically about the imperial examination in the court a few days ago.

However, this time, when they saw those elite Khitan cavalry, they were immediately frightened out of their wits. The evil aura on those soldiers was enough to make ordinary people tremble with fear even from a distance.

Fortunately, no accidents happened along the way, and the Khitan princess successfully checked into the inn, which was guarded by Khitan soldiers.

After sending them to the posthouse, the officials who came to greet them all breathed a sigh of relief, and the next matters came to an end for the time being.

In the imperial city, in front of Qianqiu Palace, Su Ming, wearing bright yellow uniform, looked into the distance at the horizon. The wind he wanted was coming!

Chapter 145 The Emperor and the Marshal, they are so alike!

The wind rises from the green duckweed, and waves form from the ripples.