Chapter 1425: The Interrogation

"If your heart is unburdened, why the fear?" Emperor Liu said leisurely.

Abbot Hongtai: "Your Majesty speaks truly—this old monk has been too attached to appearances!"

Thereupon, the abbot seemed to gain yet another insight, his expression growing ever more serene, his entire person fully relaxing—calm and composed, as if to say he would let Emperor Liu toy with and humiliate him as he pleased.

Melting Buddha statues to cast coins was, of course, Emperor Liu's jest—he was merely speaking idly on a whim. Compared to the bronze statues in the temple, Emperor Liu was far more interested in the reactions of these monks.

In truth, Emperor Liu's visit to Shaolin's gates this time was mainly to satisfy a bit of his own curiosity. After all, passing by Mount Song without entering Shaolin would have felt like something was missing, inevitably becoming a regret.

Exiting the Grand Hall of Great Hero, the abbot led Emperor Liu to the Sutra Library for a look, allowing him to continue experiencing the scenery of the ancient temple. It had to be said, the depth of heritage was indeed present—that fragrance of Buddhist air truly brought a sense of tranquility.

Strolling slowly, Emperor Liu asked the old monk Hongtai: "Abbot, in Shaolin's Sutra Library, is there any martial arts treasure manual for cultivating qi and seizing the secrets of heaven and earth?"

Hearing this, the abbot was somewhat surprised and replied: "To answer Your Majesty, the Sutra Library holds mostly Buddhist scriptures, and there are indeed some methods for strengthening the body and training the physique. As for what Your Majesty speaks of—cultivating qi—that is beyond this old monk's humble knowledge!"

"Haha! I was just asking casually—the abbot need only listen and not take it seriously!" Emperor Liu laughed. "Years ago, when I met the Daoist Chen Tuan, I also sought from him methods of nourishing life and prolonging years, and in the end he left me a copy of the Seventy-Two Chapters of Pointing to the Profound.

The book is a good book, the methods are good methods, but they are not suited to this toiling emperor of the mortal world. Since I have come to Shaolin, I did have something I wished to seek, but thinking on it thus, I shall let it go—I won't trouble the abbot!"

Hearing Emperor Liu say this, the old abbot's expression did not change as he responded: "Your Majesty's magnanimity and broad-mindedness are admired by this old monk!"

"However!" Shifting his tone, Emperor Liu continued: "The court is compiling books—compiling a great work—and needs to gather all the books under heaven. Confucian classics, Daoist canon, Buddhist scriptures, and the hundred schools of thought all need to be collected and organized. For the perfection of this grand national undertaking, I ask the abbot not to begrudge Shaolin's sutra collection!"

Upon hearing this, Abbot Hongtai said: "Your Majesty, the scriptures stored in the Sutra Library have long since been transcribed and copied, and presented to the capital!"

"Oh?" Emperor Liu was genuinely surprised, turning his head to look at Zhang Yong: "Is this so?"

"To answer Your Majesty, it is indeed so!" Zhang Yong replied. "Your Majesty once decreed the Three Institutes to collect the books of the realm, and Shaolin's scriptures were among the contributions!"

Receiving the affirmative answer, Emperor Liu acted as if nothing had happened and chuckled: "This was indeed an oversight on my part!"

"Your Majesty governs with diligence, attending to myriad affairs daily, devoting heart and soul entirely to matters of state—how could you be expected to mind such trivial details!" the abbot said.

"It seems everyone knows how to flatter—even those who have left the household life are no exception. The abbot can speak lotus blossoms from his mouth; your skill at flattery and sycophancy is hardly shallow!" Emperor Liu teased.

"Your Majesty flatters me!" The abbot's old face did not move a hair.

"Since the books have already been presented, I need not make a special trip to the Sutra Library!" Stopping in his steps, Emperor Liu directly instructed: "As for the matter of sutras, you may select eminent monks well-versed in Buddhist scriptures from the temple to go to the Three Institutes and assist in the compilation! Those academicians and great scholars of the court are masters of writing and editing, but they may not necessarily be skilled in scriptural studies and Buddhist doctrine—Shaolin can lend a hand!"

"To be able to participate in the grand undertaking of compiling the canon would be our humble temple's honor! Since Your Majesty commands it, this old monk will select the monks most versed in Buddhist doctrine to go to the capital!" Abbot Hongtai said.

"The abbot truly understands what is right and important!"

Accompanied by a crowd of people, Emperor Liu wandered aimlessly through the temple, strolling at will, yet his mouth never stopped: "How many people are in the temple now?"

Suddenly hearing this question, Abbot Hongtai immediately became wary. However, that guardedness quickly dissipated, and he answered with candor tinged with slight helplessness: "To answer Your Majesty, the temple currently has a total of seven hundred and sixty-five monks of all ranks!"

"Quite a number indeed!" Emperor Liu muttered, making the monk's heart tremble, then added: "But then again, if such a grand Buddhist temple had too few people, wouldn't it be too desolate?"

"With so many people, how do they make a living?" Emperor Liu asked again.

The abbot answered: "On ordinary days, we receive donations from pilgrims and benefactors, and there are also some thin fields around the mountain that can be cultivated!"

Emperor Liu: "How much land is there?"

The abbot had nothing to hide: "Over two thousand mu of various grades of farmland."

"After deducting the two taxes, can it be sustained?" Emperor Liu pointed at some monks standing obediently in the distance and said: "Supporting these several hundred monks is no small feat, is it?"

Emperor Liu's crackdown on the Buddhist clergy had mainly two prongs: first, their landholdings were subject to taxation; second, oversight of personnel was strengthened. As for the earlier confiscation of property, that was basically a one-time affair—the Buddhist community might have grieved, but they could endure it and move on. What struck them hardest were those two points, which essentially suppressed the development of Buddhist temples throughout the realm over the past twenty-odd years.

"It can still be maintained!" The old monk's answer was equally terse.

"Are all the farmers monks of the temple?"

"Indeed!"

"That's right—just eating vegetarian meals and chanting sutras won't do; one must also earn one's own keep!" Emperor Liu said.

"How many monk-soldiers are there?" Emperor Liu asked abruptly.

The abbot's expression froze slightly, and his tone finally carried a note of caution as he replied: "Your Majesty, although this temple has some martial monks, they only practice martial arts for strengthening their bodies—how could they be called soldiers?"

"I have no other intentions—the abbot need not be tense, nor need he be concerned. The Great Han's martial might is formidable, and martial practice is common among the people. Monks are also subjects of the Great Han; practicing martial arts is not forbidden!" Emperor Liu said with a smile, which finally allowed the abbot's somewhat suspended heart to settle gently.

"During the Qianyou era, the court promulgated regulations for managing the Buddhist community—the local authorities may conduct inspections and oversight annually according to the regulations?"

"Once every year, never once omitted!"

"In the abbot's view, how have the results been?"

"With official oversight and urging, it has indeed been beneficial for the education of monks and the development of Buddhism—our humble temple has also benefited greatly!" the abbot replied.

"Is that so?" Hearing this, Emperor Liu's eyes carried an inscrutable look as he said with an easy laugh: "How much Buddhist doctrine can government clerks understand? Having them examine monks on Buddhist learning—isn't that laymen directing experts?

Even if there was some effect at first, I fear it only served a supervisory role. After a long time, it will likely become mere formality—how could the clerks not grow lax? Abbot, do you think what I say has merit?"

Hearing the question, the old monk Hongtai fell silent for a while. Under Emperor Liu's gaze, he sighed softly: "Your Majesty's eyes are like torches, perceiving the finest details!"

"Then how should this problem be solved?" Emperor Liu asked leisurely.

To this, the abbot responded: "This old monk would not dare to speak recklessly on court affairs—it is for Your Majesty and the wise ministers at court to exercise their wisdom and devise effective methods!"

"I happen to have an idea—let the abbot evaluate it!" Emperor Liu continued along the thread: "I believe that not only should the number of temples in each circuit and prefecture be ascertained, but also a quota should be set for the number of monks in each temple. The authorities need only check the registers to verify the personnel numbers of each temple! As for matters within the temple, each temple can manage them itself. Presumably with this premise, no temple would allow impostors and undesirables to hide among them..."

"Abbot, what do you think of this idea of mine—is it feasible?"

Hearing Emperor Liu's proposal, Abbot Hongtai's face showed a clear look of astonishment. It took him a moment to recover, and he replied calmly yet with visible difficulty: "Your Majesty's policy is feasible!"

Though he said this, the bitterness in his heart grew ever stronger. With the old monk Hongtai's vision and wisdom, he naturally understood that if Emperor Liu's method were strictly implemented, the restrictions on the Buddhist community that had been gradually loosening over these years would tighten once more, and that tightening band would again be firmly fastened upon the heads of the Buddhist community throughout the realm.

To be sure, the court would reduce its meddling in the internal affairs of Buddhism, but with one limit on temples and another on monks, no matter how you developed, a ceiling was drawn that could not be broken through.

Without regard for the abbot's feelings, Emperor Liu continued: "The Buddhist community is a place beyond worldly affairs—but does the abbot think it is also beyond the law? I speak of the Great Han's national law!"

"Abbot, if the Buddha were to descend into the mortal world, should I bow to him, or should he bow to me?"

"If the Buddha and I stood side by side, would the abbot bow to me first, or to the Buddha first?"

"I observe that among the emperors of antiquity, those who destroyed or suppressed Buddhism mostly came to bad ends. I have never understood why. Abbot, what do you think my ending will be?"

"..."

This series of seemingly casual and relaxed inquiries from Emperor Liu left Abbot Hongtai drenched in sweat. The scorching heat of high summer could not compare to the bone-piercing cold in his heart.

Seeing him somewhat speechless and unable to compose himself, Emperor Liu said with a beaming smile: "I asked casually—the abbot may take his time pondering the answer. I am tired; please prepare a room for me, and let me also taste the temple's vegetarian fare..."