Chapter 377: Dividing the Spoils

The clamorous shouts completely shattered the tranquil atmosphere around them, the ancient temple deep in the mountains continuing to be dismantled, bustling with activity, yet none of it affected Wang Jingchong. At Foguang Temple, he had a mat and table set up, ordered seasonal fruits laid out, paired with the tribute tea bestowed by the Emperor that he carried with him, calm and unhurried—the firewood used for the fire being the temple's own door plaque...

"Commissioner, the County Magistrate of Wutai requests an audience, bringing a batch of yamen runners and conscripted laborers!" A trusted subordinate stepped forward to report, interrupting Wang Jingchong's leisure.

Hearing this, Wang Jingchong's gaze did not even flicker. He took a sip of tea and said in his usual low voice: "Let him in!"

"In this wild forest and remote mountain, an ancient temple deep in the hills—how could I trouble Commissioner Wang to make the trip in person!" The man strode quickly through the mountain gate, his two old eyes sweeping around, pausing briefly on the pile of gold, silver, and bronze vessels accumulated in the courtyard—glinting—then turning to Wang Jingchong, he stepped forward and bowed with a hunched back.

The County Magistrate of Wutai was a decrepit man of forty, with a goatee, rough features, yet his eyes gleamed with shrewdness. Wang Jingchong gave him a brief once-over and said somewhat coldly: "County Magistrate of Wutai, please take a seat!"

"The reorganization of the temples is now the foremost priority of the Great Han, and Your Majesty and all the ministers at court are watching closely. The temples of Wutai are at their height of prosperity. I have come north by imperial command and naturally dare not be negligent. This is your jurisdiction, County Magistrate of Wutai, so you too must remain vigilant and take care not to be careless. Should unnecessary turmoil or trouble arise, none of us could bear the responsibility..."

Wang Jingchong's flat tone carried a hint of imperiousness, with no courtesy whatsoever. The County Magistrate of Wutai was clearly no pushover. Hearing this, his eyebrows arched, a flash of vicious light passing through his old eyes, but he forcibly suppressed it.

He was but a minor county magistrate—a local tyrant in his own domain, with people backing him—yet facing a big figure from the Eastern Capital, his confidence still fell short.

He had to force a smile and echo: "Commissioner Wang is devoted to his duties, and this subordinate admires that. I dare not be negligent. Upon receiving the directive, I have already mobilized all the officials, clerks, and militia of the county, placing them entirely at your command. Prince of Taiyuan, over there, has also dispatched two commands of Hedong yabing guards northward to suppress this region..."

When mentioning "Prince of Taiyuan," the County Magistrate of Wutai deliberately paused, stressing the words, watching Wang Jingchong's reaction. As for Wang Jingchong, he merely curled the corner of his mouth—a small gesture of contempt.

"This subordinate has come having conscripted fifty laborers to assist the Commissioner!" The Magistrate of Wutai pointed at the able-bodied men waiting obediently before the temple gate.

Wang Jingchong glanced at them and said: "My purpose in coming is chiefly oversight. The matters of settling monks and nuns, distributing land, and confiscating property require local assistance. Magistrate of Wutai, make the arrangements."

Having said this, he pointed at some of the Buddhist implements and bronze statues that had been seized and said: "These items are large and heavy, inconvenient to transport. Once out of the mountains, have them all melted down in furnaces and shipped to the Eastern Capital!"

"As commanded!" Hearing this order, the Magistrate of Wutai immediately became eager, his eyes gleaming.

With the additional manpower brought by the Magistrate of Wutai, the pace of clearing Foguang Temple noticeably quickened. Wang Jingchong only watched for a while, left behind his oversight personnel, and took his men away first, heading to the next stop.

The road down the mountain was rugged but not yet perilous. Riding his horse, he surveyed the mountain path that clearly showed traces of artificial construction. The Buddhist order had done some service to Mount Wutai—at least in clearing and building the mountain roads, they had put in real effort. The road was not wide, but it was fairly level, presumably to facilitate pilgrims entering the mountains to worship, and even the transport of gathered wealth...

Wang Jingchong did not forget to instruct: "Pass the word down—have the brothers work hard and speed things up. Once this matter is accomplished, I will personally petition for merit on your behalf!"

"Yes!"

"Uncle, I think that with all this temple property passing through the hands of local officials and officers, there's bound to be embezzlement and withholding! That Magistrate of Wutai just now—his greed hasn't been reined in at all!" A young investigator of the Wude Office beside him could not help but say to Wang Jingchong.

After Wang Jingchong entered the Wude Office, he naturally promoted those close to him and cultivated trusted confidants to consolidate his position and facilitate his work. The young man beside him was a nephew selected from among his local subordinates.

"That's inevitable!" Wang Jingchong's answer was very certain.

"If so, why do you let it go?" The young man was somewhat puzzled.

At the question, Wang Jingchong showed a confident expression and said in a shrewd tone: "The temples of this realm number in the thousands, with considerable influence. Relying solely on the central court's strength to accomplish this great task would require enormous manpower and financial resources. Thus, local assistance is essential. When the court eats the meat, those below who do the work must be allowed a share of the broth! Before I came, His Majesty also instructed me on this matter—prioritize the overall situation, turn a blind eye where needed!"

"His Majesty's boldness is enough to swallow heaven and earth. In vigorously carrying out the 'suppression of Buddhism,' how could he care about these trifling sums of money and goods? The harm of the Buddhist temples lies in their exemption from prohibitions, their failure to engage in production, and their draining of wealth while deluding the people. Confiscating their land, restoring households to the registers, resuming production, and creating tax revenue—that is where His Majesty's grand strategy truly lies!"

"I understand now! Uncle comprehends the sacred intent above—no wonder His Majesty holds you in such high regard!" The young man showed a look of sudden realization and offered a flattering remark.

"Moreover, the prefectures of Hedong differ from other regions. Behind this Magistrate of Wutai stands the Prince of Taiyuan—and he is the Emperor's own uncle!"

At this point, a strange glint flashed in Wang Jingchong's eyes. Others might feel awe due to Liu Chong's status, but what kind of man was Wang Jingchong? Last year, for the sake of advancement, he had dared to drag Commandery Prince Liu Chengjun of Julu down and use him. With his scheming mind and insight, and being in the Wude Office with access to intelligence from multiple sources, he could naturally see that although Liu Chengyou had repeatedly praised and rewarded Liu Chong for guarding Hedong, the Son of Heaven's attitude toward his imperial uncle was not so simple—the sovereign's heart was unfathomable...

After mulling it over briefly, Wang Jingchong's tone turned stern: "However, we cannot completely let them run loose either. The matter of surveillance must not be neglected. If those fellows go too far, they can hardly blame me for being ruthless! Those who are too greedy die—no one can monopolize this fat piece of Buddhist meat! Though the court's finances have eased somewhat, His Majesty will still require an accounting in the end!"

"And also!" Pausing slightly, Wang Jingchong said in a low, mysterious tone: "On this trip to Hedong, keep a close eye on our own share!"

"As commanded!" The subordinate perked up, beaming with joy.

The Qianyou suppression of Buddhism was a gluttonous feast, divided and devoured from top to bottom. Essentially, the court took the largest share, local officials, officers, and soldiers took the middle share, and diligent clerks like Wang Jingchong took the smaller share, while the common folk could even get a bit of the leftover soup...

"Also, the Prince of Taiyuan has been exceptionally active regarding this matter. Pass the word down—have our people keep their eyes wide open. How the various armies, garrisons, prefectures, and counties under the Hedong Military Governor conduct themselves, especially the Prince of Taiyuan's household—record and archive every single move!" His brow flickering slightly, Wang Jingchong lowered his voice and gave the order.

"Uncle intends to..."

Before he could finish, Wang Jingchong raised his hand to stop him, explaining with words even he himself did not believe: "The 'suppression of Buddhism' has entered its proper course. The Wude Office's duties are its proper business, and they cannot be neglected!"

In truth, the suppression of Buddhism within Hedong had allowed Liu Chong to eat his fill in one go—belly full, body fattened, with barely any restraint.