Seeing this, Wang Jiande beckoned, and the eunuch immediately understood. He took out a bright yellow imperial edict from his sleeve, unfolded it, and loudly proclaimed, "His Majesty has decreed that all officials should heed the decree!"
"Your Majesty, we obey!"
The ministers, unaware of the situation, all responded immediately.
"The decree reads: Heaven and earth are vast, the sun and moon shine clearly; the universe is expansive, heaven and earth cannot tolerate wicked people. Those who use schemes and tricks will only suffer retribution in this life; those who do good deeds and seek little gain will receive blessings beyond future generations. A thousand clever schemes are not as good as being honest and upright; ten thousand wicked men are not as good as living frugally and following one's lot. If one's heart is filled with charity, why bother studying scriptures? If one intends to harm others, one will only be wasting time reading the Buddha's teachings!"
"Buddhism originated in the Western Continent, promoting good and suppressing evil, and secretly assisting the nation. It should prosper! Buddha is a sage, and there is no Dharma without a sage! I wish to hold a grand Buddhist and Taoist assembly, to gather virtuous monks from all over the world, to spread the Dharma, and to pray for the well-being of all people and for the world!"
The eunuch read the imperial edict aloud in a measured, rhythmic voice.
Upon hearing the contents of the imperial edict, all the officials were shocked and dared not accept it.
The meaning of this imperial edict is that the emperor felt that there was too much killing, karma, and grudges among the people of the world, so he ordered the prefects of the 365 prefectures to issue proclamations to recruit virtuous monks to hold a grand water and land ceremony in the capital, Chang'an, to pray for the well-being of the people.
This is a sign of the rise of Buddhism and the suppression of Taoism.
As a vast empire that revered Taoism and suppressed Buddhism, how could the ministers dare to accept the imperial decree so easily?
At this moment, Fu Yi, the Grand Historian, stepped forward and reported: "Your Majesty, the laws of the Western Regions lack the proper order of ruler and subject, father and son. They use the three evil paths and six realms to deceive and lure the people! They pursue past sins and yearn for future blessings; they recite Sanskrit to try to escape punishment! Moreover, life, death, longevity, and premature death are all determined by nature; but punishment, virtue, power, and fortune are determined by the ruler!"
"I have heard that laymen falsely claim to be from Buddhism! Since the time of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, there has been no Buddhism in the Nine Provinces. The rulers were wise and the ministers were loyal, and the reigns were long! Only the Buddhist temple on Mount Ling in the Western Continent is actually a barbarian religion and cannot be trusted."
Buddhism is a foreign religion! The idea of entrusting the sins of this life to the next, and the concept of cause and effect, has always been disliked by the people of China.
Now, it is unknown what deception the emperor has been given, that he has committed such a rebellious act, attempting to introduce Buddhism into the fold. This is a sign of inviting disaster upon himself.
The Grand Historian was the first to object.
Moreover, after he submitted his memorial, all the other ministers agreed with it.
"I second that proposal!"
"I second that proposal!"
"I second that proposal!"
"I second that proposal!"
Ninety-nine percent of the officials voiced their agreement, supporting the Grand Historian's memorial.
Wang Jiande's face instantly turned ashen. He slammed his fist on the imperial desk and roared, "How dare you! As the supreme ruler, I wish to hear the Buddha's teachings, and you dare to interfere in the private affairs of the royal family?"
In the crowd, Fang Xuanling turned his head and exchanged a glance with Du Ruhui, both of them seeing doubt in each other's eyes.
Only one day has passed, and His Majesty, who went up to the Imperial Tower Peak yesterday, has changed his usual behavior today, wanting to promote Buddhism and suppress Taoism.
Something's weird, really weird!
Could it be that this was the intention of the founding emperor?
No, we need to test the emperor's mind.
Thinking of this, Fang Xuanling gave Du Ruhui a wink.
Du Ruhui immediately understood and stepped forward, saying, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. The imperial family has no private matters. Your Majesty's affairs are matters of the whole nation! The matter is of utmost importance, and we dare not accept the decree. We beg Your Majesty to withdraw your order!"
With someone taking the lead, the ministers immediately followed in unison:
"Your Majesty, please rescind your order!"
"Your Majesty, please rescind your order!"
"Your Majesty, please rescind your order!"
Hearing the thunderous opposition, Wang Jiande's face turned ashen with rage. He suddenly stood up, overturned the imperial desk in front of him, and the writing implements on the table crashed to the ground.
Clearly, she was extremely angry.
"We deserve to die a thousand deaths, Your Majesty! Please forgive us!"
The ministers were all shocked to see this and quickly bowed and apologized.
"Court adjourned!"
Wang Jiande waved his sleeve and turned to leave.
"Congratulations to Your Majesty!"
The ministers cheered again.
Seeing Wang Jiande leave in a huff, all the ministers were overjoyed. They were happy to have outmaneuvered the emperor and forced him to retract the imperial edict.
Only a few high-ranking officials of the first rank had solemn expressions. They sensed an unusual aura and exchanged glances before agreeing on a plan.
Afterwards, the officials left the hall in twos and threes, each going about their own business. However, several important officials did not leave. Fang Xuanling pulled over a eunuch and asked, "Where is His Majesty?"
"Reporting to Your Excellency, His Majesty is in the Imperial Study!"
The eunuch dared not be negligent and quickly replied.
Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and the others exchanged glances, thanked the young eunuch, and walked together toward the imperial study.
Inside the Imperial Study, Wang Jiande was leisurely practicing calligraphy when a palace attendant came to report that the prime ministers were requesting an audience. Without stopping his calligraphy practice, he said, "Please come in quickly."
Upon receiving a response from the eunuch, the left and right prime ministers, Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, pushed open the door to the imperial study and led the ministers of various departments in single file.
But then Wang Jiande said with a smile, "Haha, my dear ministers, you've arrived a little earlier than I expected!"