Chapter 641: When the Son of Heaven Breaks the Law, He Is Treated Like a Commoner

"Since that's the case......"

Li Shimin pulled out a memorial from beside him and said, "This was submitted yesterday by Ministerial Attendant Han of the Ministry of Revenue; it contains many monks' crimes and details how several temples have seized civilians' land and issued usurious loans."

"What should be done with these people......?"

"I propose that, regardless of the monks, as long as they break the law, they should all be dealt with according to Tang law," Han Zhongliang stepped forward and said.

"Oh?" Li Shimin raised an eyebrow, looking at Chen Yan with a half‑smile, "Is that also your view?"

Chen Yan waved to Han, signaling him to return: "His Majesty, I support Ministerial Attendant Han's words, but first we must investigate carefully and produce solid evidence, lest anyone suspect we are using a forged document to slander the monks."

"When the concrete results are uncovered and evidence obtained, we will immediately publish them in the Tang Dynasty Daily so the people can see what virtue the Buddhist Establishment they worship possesses."

"Then for those law‑breaking monks, we will arrest the arrestable, beat the beatable, and kill the killable!"

"Not only the temples around the Tang, but any monk throughout the Tang who has broken the law cannot be spared."

When those words were spoken, many were secretly alarmed, yet also thought it was only natural.

Chen Yan, Li Shimin and the others clearly intended to start moving against the privileged class; if they could do such a thing, killing a few criminal monks is nothing.

At worst it would just make the affair flare up a bit more.

No real harm.

Some people frowned inwardly, not really approving of this method, feeling it was too harsh.

Killing the criminal monks around Chang'an is enough to intimidate the Buddhist Establishment; if we killed every criminal monk in the world, the numbers would hardly be reduced.

Moreover, now that we have decided to strip the Buddhist Establishment of all privileges, such a massive slaughter is excessive.

The impact would be enormous.

There are many who hold this view, even among those who oppose Buddhism.

However, Chen Yan never gave them a chance to object, and continued: "Previously, I merely beat a dog, yet I was still imprisoned in the Dali Temple, subjected to flogging, and stripped of my title."

"When the Son of Heaven breaks the law, he is punished like a commoner; on what grounds can temple monks escape?"

"This move not only removes the Buddhist Establishment's parasites, but also plainly tells the world that the law is an untouchable red line."

"The law does not punish the masses; that theory does not work here!"

After saying that, those who had wanted to speak up were dissuaded from doing so.

Chen Yan had taken it that far—'the Son of Heaven breaks the law, equal to a commoner'—and even cited his own case; what more could they say?

They can't claim that monks have higher status than Chen Yan or Li Shimin, can they?

If they can be punished, why shouldn't monks be?

Li Shimin nodded slightly, turned his head toward Wei Zheng and the others: "What do you think?"

Wei Zheng pondered and said, "I support Minister Chen's view; the sages have said that to repel external threats, one must first pacify the interior."

"Whether to cope with future border pressures or to forge the Zhenguan governance, even the Zhenguan golden age, these parasites must not be allowed to remain."

"Order, moreover, must be observed."

"The purpose of law is to maintain order; however, if anyone can trample the law at will and defy order, then what meaning does our legislation have?"

"I second that; criminals should be dealt with entirely according to law!"

"Good!" Li Shimin glanced at the uninvolved Wang Gui, feeling a weight lift from his heart, then produced a document, "Evidence—I've completed the investigation these past two days; the officials of the Ministry of Justice, arrest them if they should be arrested!"

"Dai Zhou."

"I am here."

"I command you to take the investigation results submitted by Ministerial Attendant Han of the Ministry of Revenue, cross‑verify them with the evidence my men have gathered, and within two days I want to see the Buddhist Establishment's deeds published in the Tang Dynasty Daily."

"I will obey."

Li Shimin rose, faced the ministers, and said coldly, "The matter of eradicating Buddhism is decided; I will issue an edict at once to strip all privileges from Buddhist temples. This is settled."

"Retreat!"

"We... will see His Majesty out."

"......."

"Zi An."

After leaving Tai Ji Hall, Qin Qiong approached Chen Yan and said directly, "I still have business in Weinan County and need to return quickly."

"You handled this well, but the aftermath is huge....... Take care yourself, and inform me at once if anything arises."

"Fine." Chen Yan smiled and nodded, "Old Qin, just stay busy; you don't need to worry about me, I know what to do."

"If it truly can't be done, I'll go stay at the Eastern Palace for a few days."

Qin Qiong's mouth twitched, gave a helpless smile, patted Chen Yan's shoulder, said nothing, and left.

"Chen kid, why do you call Old Qin 'uncle' every time, and 'you' every time? To us you're just 'old black'?"

Yuchi Gong was displeased.

Chen Yan gave him a glare, "How dare you say that?"

"Calling you 'old black'—wasn't that what you yourselves asked for?"

"Besides, have you forgotten how you both teased me when I was young?"

"Alright, alright, stop nagging him." Cheng Yaojin saw Yuchi Gong still wanting to speak, grabbed him, and said, "Can you argue with this kid?"

"Enough, let's go back."

Yuchi Gong muttered softly, knowing Chen Yan would be very busy today, said nothing more, and followed Cheng Yaojin away.

Chen Yan smiled as he watched them leave, not in a hurry to go himself.

He guessed someone would soon come looking for him.

Only... what surprised him was that these people were not Du Ruhui and the like, but someone who surprised him.

"Official Xiao?"

Xiao Yu let out a long sigh, "You win."

"I didn't expect that you were actually going for....... privileges."

"The last sentence, he said in a low voice; after saying it, he spoke bitterly: 'If I had known this earlier, I probably wouldn't have so firmly stopped you.'"

"Your goal is not the Buddhist Establishment at all; the Buddhist Establishment is merely a catalyst."

"I'm really stupid, truly."

"After hearing that, Chen Yan tilted his head and said: 'I have something I don't understand; can you answer me?'"

"Go ahead."

"Why are you so determined to stop me? Is it really just because you have too many interests entangled with the Buddhist Establishment?"

"Xiao Yu fell silent."

"Chen Yan waited a moment; seeing that he still didn't answer, he knew Xiao Yu wouldn't respond: 'Sir Xiao, you were wise all your life, but foolish for a moment.'"

'"Hmm." Xiao Yu self-mockingly said: "Perhaps, just because I was foolish for a moment, it will ruin my whole life."'

"It's the time, it's the fate."

"I'm not as good as you."

"As he spoke, he lifted his foot to leave, and Chen Yan casually asked: 'Sir Xiao, where are you planning to go?'"

"Xiao Yu's steps paused, and he said in a low voice: '....... going to pick up my sister and bring her home!'"

"......."