Chapter 108: Defeating Ignorance with Deception, Defeating Magic with Magic

Fang Chongyong, the "young bicycle magistrate," is like the sky in the mountains—he changes on a whim, leaving people unable to guess what he's thinking.

Let's not talk about anything else, just the Buddhist professional qualification exam this time.

At first everyone thought it was a mere formality, but later realized it wasn't; Fang Chongyong was serious, memorizing the sutras to the point of madness.

Initially everyone thought it was to help the Esoteric Buddhist temples deal with the Exoteric Buddhist temples, but later found that wasn't the case; Fang Chongyong cleaned up both sects' temples together.

It can be called "treating everyone equally"!

According to the "exam results," over 90% of the monks in Zhangye's Buddhist temples were eliminated. Fang Chongyong ingeniously introduced a "re‑exam for posting" policy, posting it at the entrance of every temple in the city.

Hearing the sound of the qin, one knows the refined intention; after that, regardless of exoteric or esoteric abbots, they would not hesitate to humble themselves and go to the Ganzhou Prefectural Office to plead.

Returning more than 90% of the monks to lay life is clearly not Ganzhou Prefectural Office's plan, so these abbots want to know what Fang Chongyong actually intends.

The day after the Buddhist professional qualification assessment ended, all the abbots of Zhangye's temples gathered in the main hall of the Ganzhou Prefectural Office. Though their faces still managed a calm expression, some subtle gestures still revealed their inner tension.

"Masters, with you like this, it really puts me in a difficult position."

Fang Chongyong sat on the main seat of the hall, sighing as if he were in a bind.

The nearest abbot, Facheng, asked in confusion, "What matter is so difficult for you, sir?"

"I take the salary of the official and bear the official's worries. Though I am young, I am also a court‑appointed official.

The monk assessment is a national system, not something I can decide on a whim; how could we let the state's legal system decay?

Although I am willing to open a back door for you masters, to make an exception, I still have no authority to break the rule!"

Fang Chongyong clutched his wrist and sighed, as if continuing the conversation would be as disastrous as losing his parents.

Often, when bureaucrats in the officialdom chat together, one must hear the other's words in reverse.

When Fang Chongyong says "I take the salary of the official," he actually means "it's just because of my own personal matters."

When Fang Chongyong says "court‑appointed official," he means the abbots should not treat him as a court‑appointed official!

When Fang Chongyong says "national system," he means everyone must respect the rules he himself set!

When Fang Chongyong says "there's no way," he means only by finding a "way" from him can the difficulty be overcome.

These abbots are also well‑versed and knowledgeable, yet they did not anticipate

that a ten‑year‑old could be as cunning as a veteran bureaucrat!

His clever "act according to law" is almost flawless! His words are watertight!

"Alas, this temple assessment has turned Zhangye City into a haze of smoke and fog. The people are watching and wavering, thinking that the monks can't even understand the sutras; how can they save all beings?"

Fang Chongyong continued to press, as if he wouldn't let go until he saw a rabbit. If these abbots don't produce real gold and silver, he will certainly not relent.

"Please, Sir Fang, kindly raise your hand, everything can be negotiated, negotiated. If the office has any assignments, you may bring them up for us to discuss."

Abbot Facheng lowered his face and pleaded.

On the surface, Fang Chongyong's move seems to have absolute advantage, but in reality, the operation of many rules is complex and balanced.

Tang Emperor Li Longji, besides being obsessed with Daoism, also had a strong fondness for Buddhist Esotericism; this also involves a 'love the house and thus the crow' problem, and it is the most important reason why Xilai Temple was chosen to suppress other Buddhist temples in Ganzhou.

The Tang Emperor Li Longji, besides being obsessed with Daoism, also favored Esoteric Buddhism; there is a "loving the house and its crow" issue here, which is the main reason Xilai Temple was chosen to suppress the other Buddhist temples in Ganzhou.

Of course, in the twentieth year of the Kaiyuan era, a major event occurred!

Originally, Manichaeism that came from the Western Regions spread rapidly within the Tang realm, especially among the Hu peoples and settlements of the Western Regions and the Hexi Corridor, becoming dominant.

At that time, the Tang authorities' attitude toward Manichaeism was rather ambiguous.

On one hand, they did not stop Manichaean missionaries; Ji Ge even met the Manichaean leader in Chang'an.

On the other hand, the Buddhist sects, highly sensitive to foreign religions, generally took an antagonistic stance toward Manichaeism and even took concrete actions: advising Ji Ge to suppress Manichaeism and ban its propagation within the Tang realm!

It is unclear why, but Ji Ge heeded the advice of senior Esoteric monks and issued an edict: to suppress Manichaeism throughout the Tang realm, forbid its spread, and expel its monks and followers. Any violation would be strictly enforced by local officials—investigations, closures, arrests!

Although the authorities issued the ban, Manichaeism in the Hexi Corridor still retained a base of believers, merely shifting from open practice to an "underground mode".

This is the confidence that the various Buddhist sects in Ganzhou rely upon.

So far, the Hexi prefectures still cannot do without them! Because the major Buddhist temples have jointly monopolized, the habitat for Manichaeism keeps shrinking.

If Fang Chongyong rigidly enforces the Buddhist qualification regulations, it will inevitably sap the vitality of the Buddhist temples in Ganzhou.

Fang Chongyong has no personal ties with Manichaeism, so there is no need to make them his "henchmen".

Thus, this matter is "touched upon only", which benefits both the Ganzhou Prefectural Office and the major Buddhist temples in Zhangye City.

Fang Chongyong, the Ganzhou magistrate, "established authority", and the Ganzhou Buddhist temples "escaped disaster"; this outcome is a happy ending for all.

The jianghu is not about fighting and killing, but about human relations and worldly affairs.

A magistrate serves four years before being reassigned; appropriating local temples serves no purpose, and clashing to the point of life and death is just overkill.

"Everyone has misunderstood me! Please hear my heartfelt words,"

Fang Chongyong couldn't help but sigh.

Seeing the many abbots present with puzzled faces, he added:

"The results of this assessment left all temples in a wreck, unbearable to look at. I suggest holding a Dharma assembly in the courtyard outside the office, gathering the elite of each temple to recite Buddhist scriptures.

A lively assembly would restore our Buddhist prestige, after which we can discuss the re‑exam. What do you masters think?"

Holding an assembly for recitation? It's not impossible, just a bit odd, right?

Everyone glanced at each other, all showing puzzled expressions; finally everyone bowed to Fang Chongyong, clasped their hands in prayer, clearly giving tacit approval.

"Since the abbots have agreed, we shall disperse. At dawn tomorrow, the assembly will begin."

Fang Chongyong issued the dismissal order cleanly and decisively!

After everyone left, Fang Chongyong kept Master Facheng behind.

"Sir, you have caused this poor monk great suffering!"

Abbot Facheng couldn't help but complain.

He is merely a monk skilled in painting and murals, not proficient in scriptural study. At this level, sending him out as a big‑tailed wolf is unsuitable!

What assembly to attend!

"Tomorrow, let the Holy Son shine brilliantly at the Dharma assembly. This official will compensate you."

Fang Chongyong said with a cheerful smile.

"Is the Prefect perhaps intending to... create a god?"

Facheng asked, his face full of alarm.

Playing tricks and conjuring illusions—how was that anything new for Buddhist temples? Back in Luoyang, Facheng had witnessed countless "miracles"! If he wrote a story for each one, he could fill an entire bookshelf without a single repeat!

"You need not ask too closely about that, Master. In short, tomorrow we just need to put forward the Holy Son to endorse it. I will announce the specific rules tomorrow."

Fang Chongyong said with deep significance.

Knowing he had boarded a pirate ship with no way off, Facheng sighed and said, "Then let it all be as the Prefect says. Alas."

Seeing that Facheng lacked any drive, Fang Chongyong encouraged him:

"Master, you cultivate the Buddha's teachings all day long, but you'd do well to remember a certain Buddhist Chan saying."

Seeing the mysterious, unfathomable smile on Fang Chongyong's face, Facheng asked reflexively, "What Chan saying?"

"The bigger the wind and waves, the more expensive the fish."

……

"That little fool Fang Laique, will he be all right at Xilai Temple?"

Late at night, Anaye, already lying in bed, asked with puzzlement.

"What do you mean, 'little fool'? He is the Holy Son of Buddhism. Remember to watch your words and conduct when you are by my side."

Fang Chongyong lay in bed and spoke leisurely. The room was pitch dark, and after the arrival of autumn, the chill crept in gradually, unlike the refreshing coolness of summer.

"My lord, what is the point of turning Fang Laique into this so-called Holy Son? No matter how great his reputation, he still can't manage Buddhist temples, can he?"

Anaye asked softly.

She completely could not follow Fang Chongyong's train of thought. She only felt that this young Master Fang did things in a profound and unfathomable way that left people bewildered, yet looking back afterward, his methods were brilliant—achieving his goals without stealing or robbing.

"Just focus on studying your medicine. These things—you wouldn't understand even if I told you."

Fang Chongyong said impatiently.

"Oh, all right."

Anaye was momentarily speechless, not knowing what to say, and felt a bit deflated.

"I just want to be a good-for-nothing who doesn't have to manage anything in Ganzhou, lying around comfortably. Wherever is fun, I'll go there, and I won't be in anyone's way.

It's just that there are always all sorts of messy things—why must they keep forcing me?"

Fang Chongyong suddenly could not help sighing with emotion.

Being the Inspector of Ganzhou was far too damn exhausting!

"If only people didn't have to grow up, how wonderful that would be."

Anaye also sighed, joining Fang Chongyong in his melancholy over the changing seasons.

She felt that ever since she met Fang Chongyong, her life had been completely transformed beyond recognition, with no way back to how things were.

"A lot of things—if you go and explain them properly and by the rules to certain people, they still won't take you seriously, and in the end they'll even hold up your affairs.

So, using magic to defeat magic is the key to victory."

Fang Chongyong rarely explained to Anaye with such patience, but could go no further than that.

"Magic to defeat magic?"

"Just think of it as fighting poison with poison."

The Chinese medical theory of fighting poison with poison was already quite mature by this time. The Chinese medical community even held that prescribing medicine to a patient was itself a broad form of "fighting poison with poison"—all medicines were toxic; they differed only in their medicinal properties.

Anaye understood as soon as she heard it.

In his heart, however, Fang Chongyong was thinking that by crafting Fang Laique into a "Holy Son" who could turn the miraculous from the mundane, he was at least "making the most of what he had."

After all, Fang Laique was always volunteering to do tasks, and every time, Fang Chongyong would worry that the other party couldn't handle them, so he'd casually find an excuse to send him off. Keeping this up all the time was indeed not ideal.

"Will Chang'an be as complicated as the situation you're facing now, my lord?"

Anaye asked softly.

Chang'an held a different place in the hearts of the people of the Great Tang. It was not merely a city, but a symbol of considerable significance.

"Chang'an... is just Chang'an, I suppose. I can't really say."

Fang Chongyong said with some melancholy.

Thinking of Brother Ji at Xingqing Palace, thinking of the people of Chang'an living in drunken revelry, thinking of the An-Shi Rebellion that would sooner or later come to pass—Fang Chongyong suddenly did not know how to sum up for Anaye the meaning contained in the two characters "Chang'an."

……

The full name of the Buddhist Dharma assembly was the "Water and Land Dharma Assembly," founded by the disciples of the Chan Master Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch—Chan Masters Nanyue Huairang and Qingyuan Xingsi.

The basic function of the Dharma assembly was to dedicate merit, eliminate karmic obstacles, pray for national peace and prosperity, and so forth. It was, in a sense, the Buddhist temples' way of responding to "believers."

The many Buddhist temples of Zhangye City were willing to swallow their pride and go along with Fang Chongyong's scheme precisely because holding a Dharma assembly was, in essence, of no harm to them.

Early the next morning, the Dharma assembly proceeded as scheduled.

Fang Chongyong, unaccustomed to rising at the crack of dawn, nonetheless forced himself up and observed the proceedings from the side. On the open ground in front of the prefectural office, over a hundred long tables had been arranged to form the assembly grounds, presenting quite a spectacular sight.

Incense burners, vegetarian meals, parasols, and the soft cushions commonly seen in Chan rooms had all been neatly arranged.

At this moment, the local Buddhist temples demonstrated their formidable mobilizing power! In a single night, everything needed for the Dharma assembly had been fully arranged.

Even in the center of the venue, two lotus-shaped wooden platforms had been set up, allowing two monks to sit facing each other and expound scriptures simultaneously.

"The Holy Son of the West Journey Temple accepts the challenge of the masters of the Exoteric Buddhist temples. The Water and Land Dharma Assembly now begins!"

Yan Zhuang, the County Defender of Zhangye County, shouted at the top of his lungs.

Supported by Facheng, Fang Laique walked with sluggish steps toward one of the lotus seats, his eyes closed as though he had not yet awakened from sleep, then sat cross-legged on the ground.

"Masters, you may step forward in turn to challenge the Holy Son.

No matter what scripture this master recites, and no matter how long it is, the Holy Son can reproduce it word for word in its entirety after he finishes."

This is the divine power bestowed upon the Holy Son by the Buddha!

The Abbott Facheng of West Journey Temple shouted loudly.

Seeing this absurd scene, Fang Chongyong, who was observing nearby, could not bear to stay any longer.

"That's enough, let's go."

Fang Chongyong said weakly to Anaye, turning around to leave.

"Don't go, look at this little... Holy Son showing off, it's quite interesting."

Anaye grabbed Fang Chongyong's cuff and stood there, refusing to leave.

"A true warrior never turns to look at the explosion."

Fang Chongyong uttered a nonsensical remark, shook off Anaye's tug, and walked into the government office on his own.

This place is empty and deserted; all the clerks and officials in the office have gone outside to watch the commotion.

"I'll just use the Holy Son's mouth to say what I want to do."

Soon after hearing a burst of exclamations from outside, Fang Chongyong muttered to himself.

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(End of chapter)