Chapter 650: Money Shop Buying Land—What Does That Have to Do With Me, Chen Yan?

"Say that."

Chen Yan waved his hand casually, not fearing this little thing anymore.

After all, he has so many lice on him, he's not afraid of any itch.

"By the way, Zi Anxiong," Du Gou noticed the tension between the two, stepped in and changed the subject: "Today your little princess turned one year old; after the court session you hurried home."

"Why didn't we see you when we arrived?"

Mentioning this, Cheng Chu Mo and the others were also somewhat puzzled.

The invitation was sent to them in advance on Chen Yan's orders; Chen Yan may not seem very reliable, but when something comes up, he's quite dependable.

Why was he missing today?

"Ah—," Chen Yan clicked his tongue, "Never mind. Today a Buddhist Establishment master approached His Majesty, specifically requesting a meeting with me."

"The key is that this master's identity is rather special; His Majesty has to give him some face, so I went back into the palace."

"I chatted with that master for a while, then discussed some matters with His Majesty, which is why I was delayed."

Buddhist Establishment......

Everyone frowned upon hearing that.

Need we even talk about Chen Yan's current relationship with the Buddhist Establishment?

One could even say there's a great enmity.

Many Buddhist Establishment disciples, once a privileged class, were reduced to commoners by Chen Yan.

Now each prefecture and county is still purging and thoroughly investigating the Buddhist Establishment; at a time like this, when its people come forward... could anything good happen?

Chen Yan saw their reaction, shook his head and said, "This one's different; he's not here to cause trouble....... Never mind, no need to dwell on it, it's already over."

"Next, Du Gou, you all need to focus on the lands annexed by the Buddhist Establishment. Understand?"

Du Gou asked in confusion, "Zi Anxiong, what do you mean?"

"Shouldn't we now be focusing on cleaning up the Buddhist Establishment's situation?"

"Land... can be discussed later; this isn't urgent."

Chen Yan gave him a glare: "What do you know? The world hustles for profit; the Buddhist Establishment once was aloof, amassing untold wealth. Besides many lands voluntarily registered under their name by common folk, they also bought a great deal themselves."

"Anyone can see that, we're revoking the Buddhist Establishment's privileges, and land is a major factor."

"The Buddhist Establishment isn't foolish; knowing they can't keep the land, losing privileges, and becoming commoners, what would they do?"

Upon hearing this, everyone showed a thoughtful expression.

Ma Zhou hesitated, "These bald donkeys might be planning to sell the land and make a quick profit, right?"

Chen Yan said nothing, merely gave a faint smile.

Although he said nothing, the others already understood his meaning.

Ma Zhou was probably right.

Du Gou and Fang Yizhi frowned, their gazes becoming solemn.

Kang Chong stroked his chin, "No kidding, I think the Buddhist Establishment could actually pull off these deeds."

"If the court conducts a thorough investigation, under the current Tang Dynasty system, these lands could very well be reclaimed."

"Earlier, Secretary Chen also said that the Buddhist Establishment's lands consist of a portion voluntarily registered by the people under their name, and another portion certainly obtained through profiteering methods and then purchased with money."

"If they sell them, as long as they don't break any laws, the court seems to have no recourse."

Qin Huai Dao agreed, "Put yourself in their shoes: if I were a Buddhist Establishment member, knowing the court is after the land, keeping it would ultimately mean losing everything."

"If they legally sell it and still pocket a hefty sum, yet the court is powerless, why wouldn't they sell?"

"Whoa!" Du Gou snapped awake, saying gravely, "That means we really should keep an eye on these lands now."

"Reclaim what should be reclaimed, lest they be sold off en masse."

"That's not right," Fang Yizhi whispered, "Since the Holy One ordered the revocation of the Buddhist Establishment's privileges, some time has passed; it's already been publicized through the Great Tang Daily, and every region is implementing it."

"The Buddhist Establishment might already have started selling land."

Du Gou was startled again.

"Indeed."

It's already April.

Since the revocation of the Buddhist Establishment's privileges, some time has passed, and the news has already spread across the world.

If they intend to sell, the Buddhist Establishment may have already begun.

"Whoa!"

Du Gou said angrily, "That means we're a step behind, aren't we?"

"Ahem..." Chen Yan waved his hand lightly, "Not late, not late at all. Just turn back and keep a close watch on those temples, preventing them from continuing to sell."

"Otherwise, we'd waste half a day's effort and get nothing, which would be a loss."

"How could we lose?" Xiao Sizi, who had appeared at an unknown time, brought a small stool, stepped onto it, and reached for a chicken leg.

"Didn't you already conspire with the Crown Prince brother, using Money Shop funds to make massive purchases......."

"Xiao Sizi!!!"

Chen Yan instantly glared.

Send him away!

Must send him away!

This little thing can't be tolerated for even a day!

Sizi shrank his neck, tore off a chicken leg, fell silent, and pattered back to Li Lizhi.

Everyone: "......"

Even though Xiao Sizi didn't finish speaking, none of those present were fools; everyone understood what was happening.

"...... Zi Anxiong, it still has to be you," Du Gou, after a long silence, finally spoke softly.

"I said, with your habit of taking one step and looking three steps ahead, how come it's only now that you make us keep an eye on the temple so the land won't be sold off?"

"So you were planning to set aside some time to subtly manipulate things through the Money Shop!"

"High, truly high!"

Fang Yizhi couldn't help but say, "Zi Anxiong, you... aren't you afraid His Majesty will find out and beat you again?"

Chen Yan: "......"

"Board beating, board beating, what a damn board beating!" he said irritably, "What does the Money Shop's land purchase have to do with me, Chen Yan?"

"I only own a few percent of the Money Shop, right?"

"It's not even three percent; can I be the one to decide?"

"How could I possibly know the Money Shop's actions?"

Everyone: "......"

Du Gou, speechless, said, "Bian, keep spinning it; see whether we believe you."

"So what can you do if you don't believe me?" Chen Yan, his face unmoved, said, "Anyway I've already told you the truth: the Money Shop has money, the temple has land, one party is willing to buy, the other willing to sell, everything is compliant and legal; I can't find any fault."

"Not to hide it from you, I only realized this after seeing the Money Shop buying land from the temple."

"If you ask me, there's really no way around it; who made us not think of it in advance? You agree, right?"

"......"