Left Minister Du Ruhui stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, our Great Xin reveres Taoism and Buddhism is not flourishing. Could this dream be the work of a Buddhist master who is secretly causing trouble, trying to influence Your Majesty and sway national policy?"
Upon hearing this, all the ministers nodded in agreement.
Those who could enter the Weiyang Palace to participate in state affairs were all important imperial officials dressed in crimson and purple robes, and knew more or less some of the secrets behind the empire.
For example, Emperor Taizu did not die, and all the previous emperors and outstanding disciples of the royal family hid on Emperor's Peak behind the imperial city, devoting themselves to cultivating immortality.
And that legendary figure, the tutor of ten emperors, personally appointed by the founding emperor, and the only non-royal king in the entire Great Xin Empire, Xiao Ning.
This mysterious imperial tutor is the powerful backing that supports the rise of the entire Great Xin Empire; he is the empire's pillar of strength.
He came from a Taoist family, and his subordinates followed the preferences of their superiors. As a result, the entire Great Xin Empire revered Taoism and suppressed Buddhism.
The Great Xin Empire was a nightmare for Buddhists.
The empire had a vast territory, encompassing 365 prefectures, a population of 7.8 billion, and a land area of 120 million square kilometers.
There are very few Buddhist temples that can be counted on one hand, and only in remote areas on the borders of the empire can one or two small temples or shrines be found.
Upon hearing this, the emperor frowned and angrily said, "How dare they! They've extended their reach into the palace! This is an outrageous act; how can I tolerate it?"
"My beloved ministers, who can relieve me of this calamity? I will reward them handsomely!"
Although the emperor did not practice Buddhism, he was extremely dignified. When he got angry, it was as if the sky was collapsing and the earth was falling, causing his ministers to be terrified.
Everyone bowed and begged for forgiveness, saying, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. We deserve to die!"
Then, Fang Xuanling, the Right Minister, spoke up: "Your Majesty, although our Great Xin Buddhist sect is not prominent in the world, it is powerful and should not be underestimated. However, we are all ordinary people who do not know how to cultivate. What can we do?"
He paused, then bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I beseech Your Majesty to ascend the peak and summon the Imperial Tutor to resolve this calamity!"
As soon as Fang Xuanling finished speaking, the other ministers realized what he meant, exchanged glances, and voiced their agreement.
"Your Majesty, I implore you to ascend the mountain and summon the Imperial Tutor to resolve this calamity!"
"Your Majesty, I implore you to ascend the mountain and summon the Imperial Tutor to resolve this calamity!"
Only a practitioner can deal with another practitioner.
Those who can stand out from millions of people, rise to the imperial court, and lead a government department are all exceptionally shrewd and capable. How could they not know this principle?
Emperor Wang Jiande pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Very well, I will now personally ascend the mountain! Court adjourned!"
After he finished speaking, he stood up and walked out of Weiyang Palace first.
"Court adjourned!"
The eunuch standing to the side immediately called out loudly.
"Congratulations to Your Majesty!"
All the ministers bowed to see him off.
Only after the emperor's figure had completely disappeared from sight did they leave in twos and threes.
Meanwhile, Emperor Wang Jiande rode in his imperial carriage, surrounded by guards, out of Weiyang Palace, through the vast imperial city, and arrived at the rear of the imperial city.
As he stepped down from the imperial carriage, Wang Jiande looked up at the towering peak before him and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
According to royal secrets, this place used to be an empty plot of land, but later, the Imperial Tutor moved a high mountain from elsewhere.
From then on, the mountain became known as Emperor's Peak.
It has been several hundred years since then.
"You all wait here, I'll be right back!"
Coming to his senses, Wang Jiande waved to the guards behind him and then walked up the mountain.
The guards kept their eyes straight ahead, clearly well aware of the royal rules and not finding it strange.
From the moment they entered the imperial city as guards, their seniors informed them of the taboos of the imperial city.
The first rule is that no one is allowed to step into the area of Emperor's Peak; anyone who disobeys will have their entire family executed.
The Dita Peak is thousands of feet high, winding and twisting, with only one stone staircase that can only accommodate one person at a time, stretching from the foot of the mountain all the way to the top.
When the court session ended, it was around 8:40 AM. By the time Wang Jiande, panting, reached the first pavilion at the foot of the mountain, it was already 11:00 AM.
Who goes there?
Just then, two black-clad youths wielding swords jumped out from the shadows, staring intently at Wang Jiande, and shouted loudly.
"Hmph... I am the supreme ruler, the current emperor Wang Jiande. Do you not recognize me?"
Wang Jiande felt an immense pressure coming from him, and cold sweat poured down his forehead.
A thought arose in his mind: any rash action would be met with a devastating attack.
The pressure only subsided after he revealed his identity.
Where is the token?
The sword-wielding youths still did not put down their swords, and one of the thin youths shouted a question.
"Ah, a token? What token? Oh, here it is!"
Wang Jiande was completely bewildered, then suddenly remembered something and took off a bright yellow dragon and phoenix jade pendant from his waist.