Chapter 642: April

Interesting.

Chen Yan watched Xiao Yu's departing back and let out a soft laugh.

It's still the same: apart from differing positions, he and Xiao Yu actually have no real conflict.

But that's how it is in the Court.

During this period, he seemed to share the same goals as Du Ruhui and the others, yet privately they still argued a lot.

It's just not as fierce.

"Zi An." At this moment, Fang Xuanling and the others walked over.

Changsun Wujie tapped his chin and said, "Let's go. Since everyone is here today, why not take a walk together?"

"Sure." Chen Yan gladly agreed, and the group slowly walked outward.

Du Ruhui clicked his tongue and said, "I originally thought that the moment you said you'd move the privilege, many would be unable to sit still; the grand drama had just begun."

"I didn't expect that no one would step forward to object; the noble families were silent."

"I don't think they don't understand what we intend; this silence surprised me a lot."

Wei Zheng said, "What else can they do besides staying silent? You're overthinking. I've long said that after each incident, our power has been building up; even if they step forward, they still can't stop us."

"Everyone knows the Buddhist Establishment is just a pretext, a sacrificial offering placed on the table."

"Even moving a Buddhist privilege is still within what everyone can accept."

"Chen Yan keeps emphasizing the Great Tang Daily; isn't that a warning to them? They dare not act."

Fang Xuanling laughed heartily, "Whether to say it or not, Zi An, you, a Dali Temple Prison insider, once this matter is settled, our Tang Dynasty will have one less tumor."

"But... correspondingly, we can only go down a single road into darkness."

The others, hearing this, exchanged glances and then burst into laughter.

Chen Yan sighed, "If we walk a road into darkness, then that's the road we take; it's already like this, we can't turn back."

"You all have to cover me a bit from now on."

Du Ruhui, with a dark line on his forehead, said, "Cover you? Now it's about time you cover us."

"Look at how many incidents you've caused since you took office."

"Case by case, incident by incident, we, the Minister of Revenue, have been in the spotlight; how could we possibly cover you?"

"Hmm!" Fang Xuanling agreed, "Not to mention anything else, I recall Dai Zhou's tenure wasn't short, but during his two years as Minister of Revenue, he didn't cause as many incidents as you have in a single month."

"Now all of Chang'an, who doesn't know Chen Yan's reputation?"

"Your titles are almost longer than our lifespans."

"What, Marquis of Weinan, White Tiger Holy Envoy, Minister of Revenue, Chen Zaijiu..."

"Alright, alright, stop it, stop it." Chen Yan's head ached at the last two words, "Don't mention Chen Zaijiu; men need to keep face!"

"Hahaha."

The few instantly laughed.

Chen Yan rarely looks dejected, but the name Chen Zaijiu alone has given them years of laughter at Chen Yan.

Changsun Wujie added, "Now there should be a few more: Chen Li Xin? Chen Liming? Chen Juexue... or perhaps Chen Taiping?"

Chen Yan: "......."

"Fine, I won't argue further; I'm going home for a meal, you all go on your own."

He truly couldn't stand it, darkened his face, and hurried away.

Du Ruhui and the others' laughter grew even louder instantly.

"Chen Zaijiu, why not come to my house? I'll slaughter a cow for you to eat."

"Eat a fart, I don't eat beef!"

"Hahahahaha!"

"......"

That day, Li Shimin walked his talk; the Ministry of Justice officials stormed into the temple and seized many monks.

This immediately sparked much criticism in Chang'an; many couldn't understand why the Ministry of Justice would arrest temple people out of the blue.

Two days later, the Great Tang Daily published the events, including why Chen Yan and others opposed Buddhism and what dirty deeds the temple monks and nuns had done.

Even more shocking, an imperial edict was issued from the palace, simultaneously printed by the Great Tang Daily.

All Buddhist privileges were revoked; henceforth, monks and nuns are just ordinary citizens, required to pay taxes and serve.

That day, the whole of Chang'an erupted like a pot about to explode.

Some clapped and cheered, some were indignant, and some opposed, thinking the Court had gone too far.

Yet once such remarks appeared, they were immediately rebuked angrily by others.

Everyone is a commoner; on what grounds can you shave your head and avoid taxes and military service?

If you studied hard for decades and passed the exams, it's one thing to be exempt from taxes and service.

After all, passing the exams and making the list is your own ability; you have privileges, and everyone respects you.

What right do the temple monks and nuns have?

Chang'an instantly became a cacophony, sparking much debate.

Yet these are meaningless, because the Court has already decided, Li Shimin's imperial edict has been issued, and the Great Tang Daily has announced to the world.

The matter is finally settled, with no chance of reversal.

As the instigator of all this, Minister of Revenue Chen Yan, however, remains indifferent to the outside discourse.

Every day, after attending court sessions and handling official duties, he returns home to keep his wife and daughters, as well as two little princesses who could drive anyone mad.

Life is quite pleasant.

Time passes slowly, and soon it reaches April.

Hehe, today our Xiao Sui An is one year old.

Chen Yan happily held his daughter, laughing happily.

Xiao Sui An buried her head in Chen Yan's neck, her cheeks chubby, her body smelling of milk, her little mouth laughing so wide it couldn't close, she kept shouting 'dad'.

It's just that her pronunciation isn't very clear.

Gao Yang said jealously from the side: 'She's one year old; I've painstakingly taken care of her, getting up at night to feed her, attending to her, after a year of hard work, she still hasn't called me "mom" even once.'

Why is that?

Chen Yan raised his eyebrows and said: 'You don't need to be jealous; our daughter really hasn't called you "mom", but you've called her plenty.'

Right, good girl?

"Mmm~" Xiao Sui An still didn't quite understand words, but whenever Chen Yan spoke, she would happily respond.

Gao Yang: '......'

"Xiao Sui An, call auntie." Sizi suddenly appeared, looking expectantly at Chen Yan holding the little milk bun.

Gao Yang said speechlessly: 'How did you become an auntie again? You just acknowledge yourself as your older brother's sister, not recognizing me as your sister?'

"Besides, Xiao Sui An can't even call "mom", how could she possibly call you "auntie"?"

Chen Yan neither affirmed nor denied, squatted down, letting Xiao Sui An look at Sizi: 'Come on, good girl, call auntie.'

The little one looked at Chen Yan, then at Sizi, blinked, and said softly: 'Dudu?'

Sizi:!!!

Gao Yang:???

"Older sister, listen, listen quickly, Xiao Sui An called me auntie, she will call me auntie!"

"....... Shut up!"

"......."