I have Immortality In The Cultivation World-Chapter 570 - 318: Recall to the Capital_2

Chapter 570: Chapter 318: Recall to the Capital_2

Fang Zheng remained silent, pondering how to persuade.

After Heavenly Sword Sect was wiped out, the Buddhist and Taoist sects, holding sway over the martial world, had already met in secret.

After several discussions, they devised a plan, abandoning other martial sects to ensure privileges for the Buddhist and Taoist sects—so that, over time, no sect in the martial world could rival them.

“Back when my family fled famine, we nearly starved to death, lucky to survive on the porridge given by a temple,” he said slowly.

Zhou Yi spoke slowly, “Since then, my family has had quite a fondness for Buddhism, burning incense when encountering temples and worshiping Buddhas when encountering monasteries. Hence, what the Master has proposed is not something that can’t be negotiated!”

The influence of the Buddhist and Taoist sects is far greater than that of any ordinary sect.

...

Within Daqing’s borders, millions of followers of Buddhism and Taoism, should they be truly pushed to desperation and incite large-scale civil unrest from the dark, not even Zhou Yi could confidently claim to handle it properly.

Fang Zheng quickly said, “Your Excellency, please clarify.”

Zhou Yi asked, “I’d like to inquire with the Master, just how many sects are there on the martial world, both overtly and covertly?”

Fang Zheng made a quick calculation, “Countless, in the thousands.”

Zhou Yi asked further, “Among them, how many possess Innate legacies?”

“Less than twenty.”

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Fang Zheng replied, “Does Your Excellency seek the Innate Techniques? Our temple possesses complete lineages, which you may recite and study without any secrets being withheld!”

Zhou Yi slightly shook his head and continued asking.

“I’m familiar with all Innate True Qi, but how many specialize in the most positive and virile?”

“Currently, less than five.”

Fang Zheng said, “Perhaps there is a forgotten lineage from a sage, discovered by some lucky successor, but of such matters, this humble monk is unaware.”

Zhou Yi nodded slightly. That person was clearly not acting alone, otherwise, he wouldn’t be harboring such great ambitions.

“What if… we add the skill to command fierce ghosts?”

Fang Zheng’s brows slightly furrowed and after a moment, he replied, “There is only one such sect, the Three Yang Sect. Its cultivation techniques are utterly positive and virile, yet its methods are dark and sinister.”

Zhou Yi said, “How come I’ve never heard of this name?”

“Before the First Emperor conquered the world, he fought and slaughtered the false dragon, which was supported by the Three Yang Sect,” Fang Zheng recounted.

“After the defeat of the false dragon, the First Emperor ascended to the throne and decreed a thorough purge of the Three Yang Sect, leading to the beheading of all its members, nearly eradicating this heretical sect.”

Zhou Yi said in astonishment, “Why ‘nearly’? If the First Emperor could cleanse the realm, how could he fail to deal with a mere martial sect!”

“The legacy of the Three Yang Sect is extraordinary, being one of the branches of the White Lotus Sect,” Fang Zheng explained.

“Even if the First Emperor could exterminate the Three Yang Sect, he could not touch the White Lotus Sect, which is a colossal heretical power with a lineage almost as ancient as Buddhism and Taoism!”

Zhou Yi’s eyebrows raised; he could not fail to understand the implication of Fang Zheng’s words.

If the White Lotus Sect was beyond the First Emperor’s reach despite being less powerful than the Buddhist and Taoist traditions, how could the Eastern Depot hope to handle the latter?

At the same time, it was nearly certain that the person in the Inner Palace was a remnant of the Three Yang Sect, or you might say, a traitor of the White Lotus Sect. Even the Emperor might be aware of this, having chosen to ally for survival in those days.

“What I’ve discussed with the Master must not be mentioned to anyone else, or there will be the disaster of sect extermination!”

Zhou Yi said, “Moving on to the matter of tax levies, I will make a case to His Imperial Majesty that the Buddhist community should support the new policies and consequently deserve reduced taxes on some of their farmland.”

Fang Zheng bowed deeply, “This monk thanks Your Excellency.”

Zhou Yi warned, “There will be others in the court proposing a limit on the amount of tax-exempt farmland for monks, which will roughly equal that of the gentry. The Master must voice his support when the time comes!”

“Buddhism’s clergy are nothing if not loyal to the National Dynasty.”

Fang Zheng’s face showed delight; being granted tax exemption would affirm the monks’ status under the Imperial Court and the law. Even losing some farmland was inconsequential in comparison.

Zhou Yi picked up his teacup and spoke.

“In three days, I will visit your temple to debate the scriptures.”

“This monk will await you at any time.”

Fang Zheng stood to take his leave, but as he neared the door, he suddenly asked, “May I ask Your Excellency, which temple provided you with porridge back then? As a fellow disciple, I should take good care of it!”

“Ding Mountain, Lotus Temple!”

A mocking glint shone in Zhou Yi’s eyes. The Lotus Temple not only hadn’t offered porridge back then, but they had also commanded the martial monks to drive the refugees away.

He had been young at the time and was walking slowly, so he received a severe beating with sticks.

Initially, he had thought to lead troops to destroy the Lotus Temple, but now with Fang Zheng and the orthodox martial sects making their move, he could just stand by and enjoy the show.

…

Three days later.

Zhou Yi led his troops up the mountain, with soldiers scattered throughout and around Vajra Temple.

Even having communicated with Fang Zheng, he had to stay vigilant against potential ambushes and traps.

Holed up in the Scripture Pavilion of Vajra Temple for half a month, Zhou Yi saw the Master of Changchun Temple who came to visit of his own accord, and thus, the Inspector of the Eastern Depot reached an agreement with the Buddhist and Taoist sects in the Great Heroic Treasure Hall.

At this time, it was hard to distinguish between right and wrong!

At the same time.

The Ministry of Revenue’s former Vice Minister submitted a memorial, “Buddhism and Taoism occupy immense tracts of land, and each year, a large number of commoners register as attached to them.”

“They should be constrained by the policy of exempting the gentry from taxes, so as not to affect the Imperial Court’s tax revenue!”

The Orthodox Emperor was overjoyed upon hearing this and repeatedly praised the former Vice Minister, for not fearing Buddhism and Taoism and daring to speak and act accordingly.

Zeng Zhiyuan, who had been an official in the capital for less than a year, became a favorite in His Majesty’s eyes.

…

The fifth year of the Orthodox era.

End.

Diligent Administration Hall.

The Orthodox Emperor, perusing the secret reports from the Inspectorate, could not help but show a delighted expression.

“The twelve linked water fortresses on the Luo River, disrespecting Imperial Court orders and resisting the payment of fishery taxes, have been completely annihilated, with sixty-seven thousand taels of Gold and Silver seized…”

“Little Yi handles affairs very much to Our satisfaction!”

The Orthodox Emperor closed the memorial; since the middle of the year, the Inspectorate had been eradicating martial sects all over the place.

With tens of thousands of troops sweeping overtly and Buddhism and Taoism secretly coordinating, any sect daring to resist taxation was quickly overwhelmed, ending with their families being destroyed and their properties confiscated.

After destroying twelve sects, the remaining ones no longer dared to raise any objections, and obediently paid taxes according to the law.

Zhou Yi had now started to encircle and suppress bandits on water and in the mountains everywhere. Though the gains were not as great as those from the martial sects, it also resolved local troubles, adding several hundred thousand taels of Silver to the treasury.

The Orthodox Emperor was almost reluctant to recall Zhou Yi back to the capital.

—Just wait a moment to refresh, wait for me to finish writing

Zhou Yi said, “About the matter of tax revenue, I will submit a memorial to His Majesty. Buddhism calls for its followers to support the new policy and, accordingly, should be granted a reduction in some of the land taxes.”

Fang Zheng bowed deeply and said, “Thank you, Governor.”

Zhou Yi reminded him, “Someone else in the court will submit a memorial limiting the amount of tax-exempt land for monks, roughly equivalent to that of the gentry. Master, you must speak out in support at that time!”

“All of Buddhism, high and low, is utterly devoted to the National Dynasty.”

Delight showed on Fang Zheng’s face; receiving an amount of tax exemption affirmed the monks’ status by the Imperial Court and the law, so losing some land holdings was of little consequence.

Zhou Yi picked up his teacup and said,

“I shall visit the mountain and have a scripture debate with the Master in the temple three days from now.”

“The monk will await you at any time.”

Fang Zheng stood up to take his leave, and as he neared the door, he suddenly asked, “May I inquire, Governor, which temple offered you porridge back then? As a fellow disciple of Buddhism, I should look after it well!”

“Ding Mountain, Lotus Temple!”

A glint of mockery flashed across Zhou Yi’s eyes. The Lotus Temple, far from offering porridge back then, had commanded their Martial Monks to drive away the refugees.

At that time, being young and slow on his feet, he had been hit quite severely with their sticks.

Initially, he had thought of leading his troops to eradicate the Lotus Temple, but now with Fang Zheng and the righteous forces in the martial world taking action, he would stand aside and enjoy the spectacle.

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…

Three days later.

Zhou Yi led his troops up the mountain, with soldiers scattered throughout the interior and exterior of Vajra Temple.

Even after making arrangements with Fang Zheng, it was still necessary to guard against ambush or traps.

After staying in the Scripture Pavilion of Vajra Temple for nearly half a month, he met with the Master of Changchun Temple, who had come to visit on his own initiative, and thus the Governor of the Eastern Depot reached an agreement with the two religions of Buddhism and Taoism in the Great Heroic Treasure Hall.

At this moment, it was hard to distinguish between right and wrong!

At the same time,

The Ministry of Revenue’s former Vice Minister submitted a memorial stating, “Buddhism and Taoism occupy immense tracts of land, and each year, a large number of commoners register as attached to them.”

“They should be constrained by the policy of exempting the gentry from taxes, so as not to affect the Imperial Court’s tax revenue!”

The Orthodox Emperor was overjoyed upon hearing this and repeatedly praised the former Vice Minister, for not fearing Buddhism and Taoism and daring to speak and act accordingly.

Zeng Zhiyuan, who had been an official in the capital for less than a year, became a favorite in His Majesty’s eyes.

…

The fifth year of the Orthodox era.

End.

Diligent Administration Hall.

The Orthodox Emperor, reviewing the secret reports from the Inspectorate, showed a look of pleasure.

“The twelve linked water fortresses on the Luo River, not respecting the Imperial Court’s decree, resisting the payment of fishery taxes, have all been wiped out, with sixty-seven thousand taels of Gold and Silver seized…”

“Little Yi handles affairs very much to Our satisfaction!”

The Orthodox Emperor closed the memorial. Since mid-year, the Inspectorate had been eradicating martial sects throughout the land.

Out in the open, tens of thousands of troops swept through, while Buddhism and Taoism lent their secret support; any sect that dared resist taxation was quickly overwhelmed and met with family extermination and property confiscation.