Chapter 1426: A Resolution of Uncertain Fortune

A winding path leads to a secluded spot, where meditation chambers are hidden deep among flowers and trees.

Shaolin naturally offered the finest meditation chambers in the temple to host Emperor Liu, and the surroundings were indeed excellent. However, Emperor Liu could not muster much profound appreciation—he merely savored the tranquil environment for a while, then lost interest. He did not discuss Zen, nor did he cultivate it; he simply sought a place to stay.

Quite necessarily, the meditation chamber was thoroughly inspected once again, lest there be any mechanisms or ambushes. For Emperor Liu's safety, no amount of caution was excessive. This vigilance and wariness displayed at every turn only made the temple's monks even more terrified.

As for the vegetarian meal presented, it never passed through the hands of anyone in the temple—even the ingredients were purchased from the mountain's base by dedicated personnel. Emperor Liu had always been particular about food safety. Eating vegetarian fare at Shaolin was, by and large, only meaningful because of the place itself.

"He fainted? Nothing serious, I hope!" Inside the meditation chamber, Emperor Liu sat cross-legged on a cushion, with a highly spirited "Buddha" character hanging on the wall behind him. Facing Zhang Yong's report, he was quite surprised.

Zhang Yong replied: "After receiving Your Majesty, when Abbot Hongtai returned to his quarters, his strength gave out and he collapsed in a faint. After treatment by the temple's monk physicians, he has already recovered and awakened!"

"What was the cause?" Emperor Liu seemed to have no awareness of it at all.

Zhang Yong cautiously glanced at Emperor Liu and said: "Reportedly, it was a fit of rage overwhelming his heart!"

"Oh." Emperor Liu acknowledged, then teased: "It seems this old Abbot Hongtai's cultivation has not yet reached the pinnacle, nor achieved perfect completeness!"

"This must surely be due to Your Majesty's imperial might!" Zhang Yong said carefully.

He had been standing right beside them, hearing the conversation between Emperor Liu and the old abbot clearly. Had he faced Emperor Liu's probing questions that cut to the heart, he would likely have prostrated himself and begged for forgiveness long ago. Though the old abbot had cultivated Buddhism for decades, he still had to consider Shaolin Temple and his disciples and descendants.

"What might or might not!" Emperor Liu shook his head upon hearing this, looking at Zhang Yong: "The old abbot is such an elderly man of advanced years, and still subjected to such fright—if something truly happened to him, would that not be my fault?"

After a moment of deliberation, Emperor Liu asked again: "Was my conduct today somewhat overbearing, relying on power to bully others, unworthy of imperial dignity?"

To this, Zhang Yong answered promptly and decisively, speaking earnestly: "Your Majesty is the supreme sovereign of the realm, inherently elevated above all things and beings—how could this be called bullying? Thunder and rain, dew and frost, are all the emperor's grace; the monks of the entire temple are no exception!"

"You Academicians and Hanlin scholars certainly know how to speak, and I find it quite pleasing to hear!" Emperor Liu smiled upon hearing this, then said: "However, if I hear such words too often, I truly fear I might become complacent without realizing it."

Zhang Yong was slightly embarrassed; yet beneath Emperor Liu's seemingly clear-headed and calm demeanor, perhaps he was already brimming with self-satisfaction.

"What do you think of my earlier ideas regarding the management and restriction of Buddhist temples and monks?" Emperor Liu turned to serious matters.

After thinking it over, Zhang Yong said: "Your Majesty's wisdom illuminates all—this proposal is excellent."

"Excellent in what way?"

"If we can set limits on the number of Buddhist temples and monks throughout the realm, we will surely curb the boundless growth of Buddhism. At the same time, this can remedy the loophole of superficial and ineffective government oversight!" Zhang Yong spoke with confidence: "Furthermore, the amount of temple property and monastic farmland owned by various temples should also be clearly restricted. Additionally, for temples and monks who violate the court's restrictions, a strict set of punitive measures should be established—only then would it be complete!"

"After the Qianyou suppression of Buddhism, the monks of the realm likely already harbor deep hatred for me. These past years, court policy has relaxed without much crackdown, and they've finally enjoyed some peaceful days. If I impose these restrictions now, I fear these Buddhist followers will wish they could eat my flesh and sleep on my skin!" Emperor Liu said with a light laugh.

"With Your Majesty on the throne, how would the mere Buddhist community dare to harbor resentment?" Zhang Yong said confidently.

"But what about succeeding emperors? Two or three generations later, will later generations still strictly uphold this system? Will Buddhism have no way to break through these restrictions?" Emperor Liu countered.

"Your Majesty established the system at the founding of the dynasty; later generations naturally should comply—how could they violate it?" Zhang Yong hesitated slightly, answering with somewhat diminished confidence.

In truth, if one continued along this line of reasoning, there would be no conclusion. The future was too unpredictable—not to mention restrictions on Buddhism, even the court's laws and established systems were in constant flux.

Though systems were established, what mattered more was how they were executed and supervised—and these all required people to carry them out. Anything that depended on people could never be perfect. Emperor Liu had long held a very clear understanding of this.

Therefore, Emperor Liu smiled and sighed softly: "Enough, I won't worry about the hearts of succeeding emperors. Let me first do what can be done now! Some things, only I can do!"

"Your Majesty's breadth of vision fills me with boundless admiration!" Zhang Yong said.

"As for this restriction order, you will take the lead—gather some people and draft it first, then submit it to the Hall of State Affairs for review!" Looking at Zhang Yong, Emperor Liu assigned the task.

"Yes!" Zhang Yong was slightly pleased—this was a merit for him.

"Additionally, not just Buddhism—Daoist temples and shrines across the realm should follow the same approach!" Emperor Liu added.

"Yes!" Zhang Yong was somewhat surprised. Many people, including himself, had assumed Emperor Liu merely detested Buddhism, which was why he had all this vigilance and targeting.

But from these words, it seemed Emperor Liu was perhaps not targeting Buddhism alone.

Emperor Liu pondered for a moment, hesitated slightly, then said: "Furthermore, from this point onward, aside from Buddhism and Daoism in the Great Han, all else shall be deemed heretical cults—strictly prohibited!"

Clearly, Emperor Liu intended to apply a one-size-fits-all policy, aiming to conduct a purge of religions within the Great Han. Zhang Yong, perhaps treating it merely as a political task to complete without deep deliberation or weighing of consequences, readily agreed—whatever the emperor said, he would do.

"I have heard that in recent years, across the Great Han—especially in the south—a large number of heretical cults have emerged, spreading evil, deceiving the masses, and luring common folk to worship false gods. Fan Min, the Administration Commissioner of Guangxi, previously banned dozens of illicit shrines within his jurisdiction—he should be commended. I want to urge all prefectures and circuits across the realm to strengthen surveillance of heretical activities within their borders, and ban all illicit shrines without exception. I will purify a bright and clear world!" Emperor Liu said coldly.

Sensing the resoluteness in Emperor Liu's tone, Zhang Yong solemnly acknowledged.

Emperor Liu thought for a long while longer, then sighed: "I am about to offend a great many people again. To intervene in matters beyond the secular world—I know not whether this is fortune or misfortune!"

Zhang Yong said: "What Your Majesty does is for the nation and the people, purifying the world—merits immeasurable!"

"As for these deceptive heretical cults, whenever one springs up, I will strike it down—I will show no mercy!" Emperor Liu's attitude was overwhelmingly forceful: "Draft a charter expressing my intentions clearly, and send it back to Luoyang. This matter will be handled by Zhao Pu and the others!"

"Yes!"

"Additionally, this proposal may cause some disturbances among the people. The court should first issue warnings to all circuit and prefecture governments to strengthen their defenses in this regard, lest unrest arise!" Emperor Liu added.

"As you command!"

"Go do your work!" Emperor Liu waved his hand: "I am weary!"

"May Your Majesty rest well—this minister takes his leave!" Zhang Yong bowed and slowly withdrew.

Yan Tuo and the other close attendants also withdrew upon orders, and the door was gently closed. The light in the meditation chamber dimmed somewhat. Emperor Liu stretched out his legs that had grown numb from sitting, and quietly pondered—a trace of worry inevitably surfaced on his face.

Since ancient times, matters of religion had often become a source of trouble. Emperor Liu did not know what kind of impact this strict decree would bring once implemented. Faith was a thing that, once touched, might become trouble—one could not be too careful.

But if he did nothing at all, he would be dissatisfied at heart. After all, setting aside everything else, both the instinct of an emperor and the majesty of a great sovereign drove him to strengthen the court's rule and deepen the authority of the government—and matters beyond the secular world were no exception.

As for the common people of the realm, they could practice religion, but accepting the court's governance and administration came first. If this matter truly sparked some disturbances, then in Emperor Liu's eyes, that would only prove the necessity of such action.

As Emperor Liu had said, some things only he could do—others lacked both the boldness and the capability to handle the troubles that might arise. More people perhaps wished to see a stable and harmonious world, even if it meant compromise. But the current Emperor Liu was rarely moved to compromise on anything.

After a period of deliberation, Emperor Liu's gaze grew even more resolute, and under the dim light, his expression faintly revealed a cold harshness that was somewhat unsettling.

"Buddha? Dao?" He muttered for a moment, then a hint of a smile curled at the corners of his mouth. Turning his head to look at the lifelike "Buddha" character on the wall behind him, he could not help but sneer: "I worship heaven, earth, and my parents—but I will not worship you! In my empire, it is you who must worship me!"