The Obscene Temple was not literally a temple dedicated to the God of Lasciviousness. Instead, it referred to a temple dedicated to the God of Lasciviousness that was not officially recognized. It referred to a temple that was spontaneously formed among the people to worship all kinds of strange Gods.
There were temples that formed spontaneously in various places. The land of Wu and Chu had many temples dedicated to various deities, such as Xiang Yu Temple, Tong Shu Wang, Chen Fu Marquis, Wu Xian Emperor, Lin Si Marquis, Bai He Emperor, Chen Ba King, Liu Penzi King, Lu Ma King, Dou Xing Emperor and so on …
The people worshiped whenever they wanted to. It was purely out of utilitarianism. These temples did not have any religious spirit or philosophy of life to guide people to do good. In this way, it would not only involve some fakes taking advantage of the opportunity to make money and use superstition to do evil, but it would also involve the issue of faith.
Even though there were not many and obvious political activities using religious beliefs at that time, it would inevitably lead to a disaster if such religious activities were allowed to develop. Whether it was the Five Pecks of Rice Sect or the Way of Peace, it was a disaster that affected the whole country.
The Emperor of the Tang dynasty worshiped Taoism and Wu Zetian worshiped Buddhism because they knew the great power of religion and used it. With Wu Zetian's foresight, she could obviously see the political significance of Di Renjie's actions. In her opinion, a few unjust cases were just a capable official. To be able to clean up the root of the problem was the ability of a capable official.
Wu Zetian pondered for a moment and said leisurely, "The imperial court is in need of manpower. It is a waste to put Master Di in Jiangnan!"
Shanghai Wan 'er heard this and immediately knew that Di Renjie was going to be rehabilitated.
Di Renjie came from a family of officials. His grandfather, Di Xiaoxu, was the Left Minister during the Zhenguan period. His father, Di Zhixun, was the Chief Inspector of Kuizhou. Di Renjie himself was a Jinshi who passed the Ming Jing examination. Since becoming an official, his political achievements were outstanding and his official career was smooth sailing.
However, last year, when the King of Langya, Li Chong, rebelled against Wu Zetian, Wu Zetian sent Prime Minister Zhang Guangfu to quell the rebellion, while Di Renjie was appointed as the Provincial Governor of Yu Province to clean up the mess. Zhang Guangfu was proud of his achievements. When he saw that Di Renjie had taken over a large amount of resources left behind by the rebel army, he extorted bribes from him.
Di Renjie did not agree. Instead, he angrily reprimanded Zhang Guangfu for killing the surrendered soldiers in order to obtain military merits. Zhang Guangfu harbored hatred in his heart. When he returned to the court, he found a crime to impeach Di Renjie. He had a high position and power. As the Prime Minister of the court, he also had the merit of quelling the rebellion. In order to appease the meritorious minister, Wu Zetian had no choice but to demote Di Renjie to Jiangnan.
Now it seemed that Di Renjie's actions were in line with the Empress' wishes, and he was going to be promoted again.
Wu Zetian muttered to herself. Of course, she didn't say it casually. In fact, she wanted to tell her something. If Di Renjie wanted to return to the imperial court, he would need someone to recommend him and promote him. She would need to arrange suitable officials to carry out these things.
Whether Shangguan Wan'er did well or not, whether the opposing voices in the court were strong or weak, the Empress could only make further decisions. If the opposing voices were too strong, she could advance and retreat calmly. Shangguan Wan'er's power was extremely heavy. This was a manifestation of this.
Even if Shangguan Wan'er was very obedient and didn't deliberately play with power, whether or not she was willing to help you, she could still decide your official position. Once your position was confirmed, it would be difficult to get promoted again. Sometimes, it was possible to stay in this position for a lifetime until you retired. Shangguan Wan 'er was like the Minister of Internal Affairs. Because of these reasons, she could unknowingly influence the court's politics and influence the promotion and demotion of officials.
…
At this time, someone came in and reported: "Empress, the Master of White Horse Temple requests to see you!"
Wu Zetian slightly raised her eyebrows. She said in surprise: "Master is here? Invite him in. "As she said this, she put down the memorial in her hand.
Shangguan Wan'er slightly waved her hand. The palace maids and eunuchs in the hall withdrew one after another. Shangguan Wan'er said to Wu Zetian: "Wan'er, go wait in the corridor."
"Yes!"
Wu Zetian nodded. Her eyes flashed. She saw Xue Huaiyi rushing in with big strides.
"Shangguan Wan'er!"
Xue Huaiyi didn't dare to be rude to this official close to the Emperor. He stopped in his tracks and bowed to her.
Shangguan Wan'er smiled sweetly and said: "Master Xue!"
Wan'er's smile was full of charm. Xue Huaiyi didn't look sideways. After bowing, he took a step forward and put his palms together. He solemnly bowed to Wu Zetian: "This poor monk greets the Empress!"
Wan'er lightly waved her sleeves and gracefully retreated. Wu Zetian stretched her waist and reclined on the bed. She smiled at him and said: "Why did Master come at this time?"
At this time, Xue Huaiyi's strength was no longer as fresh to Wu Zetian. Since Wu Zetian had opened the door to take in a gigolo, there was no longer any taboo. When Xue Huaiyi led the army to attack the Eastern Turks, Empress Wu took a fancy to Imperial Physician Shen Nanyi.
This Imperial Physician Shen was refined and elegant. His demeanor was very different from that of a common man like Xue Huaiyi. Although he was not as strong as Xue Huaiyi, he had a kind of elegance and refinement. Thus, he became Wu Zetian's new favorite. Xue Huaiyi was still kept in the dark.
But as Wu Zetian's first gigolo, sharing a bed with her for so many years, Wu Zetian's feelings for Xue Huaiyi were still very deep. Xue Huaiyi's position in her heart was still the highest, and the one she doted on the most was still Xue Huaiyi. This was something that Shen Nanyi could not compare to.
Xue Huaiyi laughed and walked over to sit on the bed. He placed a hand on Wu Zetian's soft waist and gently caressed it. He said: "Empress, Huaiyi has come to bring good news to Empress."
Wu Zetian rested her chin on her hand and lazily closed her eyes. She grabbed his hand and gently moved it to her chest. She comfortably sighed and said: "What good news? Did your White Horse Temple also produce some auspicious sign? "
Listening to her tone, it was likely that all kinds of auspicious signs that appeared in various places in the world were either far-fetched or fake. She actually knew all of them, and these things could not be hidden from her. However, these things were necessary to build momentum, and even more so to make countless commoners in the world believe in them. So it did not matter whether she believed it or not. Her attitude must be serious and welcoming.
She had already done this kind of show too many times. She could not refuse, but her heart could not help but be tired. So, if at this time someone else came, even if it was a hooligan on the street, and said that he had discovered some auspicious sign, Empress Wu would put on a very believing and very happy expression. But in front of her own man, she revealed her true attitude.
Xue Huaiyi laughed and said: "Auspicious sign? That's right, it is auspicious! It is the biggest auspicious sign in the world, even bigger than the Luoyang God's Stone. Does Empress like to hear about it? "
When Wu Zetian heard that it was indeed auspicious, she felt very bored in her heart. But she did not want to spoil her lover's mood, so she lazily said: "Let's hear it."
Xue Huaiyi proudly said: "Empress, ever since Huaiyi was bestowed the title of White Horse Temple Master by Empress, I have been diligently studying the scriptures every day. I have read all the scriptures in the Sutra Depository and unexpectedly discovered that Empress is in charge of the world. The Buddha, Gautama Buddha, has long been revealed to the world in the scriptures!"
As he said this, he gently caressed Wu Zetian's chest. Wu Zetian closed her eyes and comfortably enjoyed his caress. She even rested her head on his lap. But when these words entered her ears, Wu Zetian suddenly sat up. Her eyes lit up and she asked in surprise: "Is this true?"
If you want to rule the world, of course you need strength. But to sit firmly in the world, strength alone is definitely not enough. Without the people's hearts, the strong and the weak will gradually change positions. Now that Wu Zetian wanted to rule the world, she already had enough strength. The reason why she did not allow others to persuade her and waited patiently at such an old age was because her influence was not enough and she did not have enough control over the people's hearts.
At this time, Xue Huaiyi actually said that he found the basis for him to become an emperor in the Buddhist scriptures. How could Wu Zetian not be surprised and happy?
Xue Huaiyi saw that Wu Zetian was moved and felt proud in his heart. He said: "Yes! Huaiyi flipped through the Great Cloud Sutra. It was recorded that there was a Pure Light Goddess who once listened to the Buddha preach the Great Nirvana Sutra. Later, she gave up her heavenly body and gave birth to a daughter. She became a ruler to protect the law! Since there was a goddess who reincarnated and became a ruler, then Empress, you can naturally also become an emperor. "
Hearing this, Wu Zetian was happy at first. But after thinking about it carefully, she shook her head. Xue Huaiyi couldn't help but feel nervous. He hurriedly said: "What, is it inappropriate?"
Wu Zetian thought about it for a long time and said: "Master, this story is really too obscure. It can't be used to educate the people."
Xue Huaiyi racked his brain to think of such a good idea to compliment Empress Wu. Hearing that Wu Zetian rejected this idea, he couldn't help but feel disappointed. He said: "This … isn't enough to prove that Empress should become an emperor?"
Wu Zetian smiled and touched his bald head. She softly said: "Master, I am very happy that you have put in so much effort for me. I am not saying that this story of yours can't be used. I am saying that your understanding is wrong. You didn't explain it clearly enough! "
Xue Huaiyi was at a loss. He said: "What does Empress think … then?"
If it was someone else, Wu Zetian only needed to give a hint or a look, and the other party would be able to handle the matter well. For example, Shanghai Wan 'er. But to a crude person like Xue Huaiyi, she couldn't keep him in suspense. She had to be very straightforward in order for Xue Huaiyi to understand.
Fortunately, there was no one else here. The two of them were emperor and minister on the surface, but they were husband and wife in secret. There was nothing that couldn't be said. Wu Zetian said: "Master, think about it. The Tang dynasty imperial family worships Taoism. Among the three religions, Taoism is number one. We believe in Buddhism. It was only after We came to power that Buddhism was able to hold its head high and vaguely surpass Taoism. Tell me, isn't this the way to protect the law? "
Xue Huaiyi pondered.
Wu Zetian didn't let him think too much. She straightforwardly said: "It doesn't mean that We can be like that Pure Light Deva and reincarnate as an emperor. Rather, We should say that We are that Pure Light Deva! We are the Buddha's decree to reincarnate as an emperor and rule over the human world! Do you understand? "
"Ah! Huaiyi understands! "
How could Xue Huaiyi not understand Wu Zetian's words? He nodded repeatedly.
Wu Zetian said: "This Buddhist Scripture is too simple. It's just a story of a hundred words. The language is obscure and difficult to understand. How can it be used to teach the world? In our opinion, Master can gather a group of highly virtuous monks to write a commentary on this Great Cloud Scripture. We can explain the Buddhist principles in detail and explain our intention to become emperor more clearly and clearly! "
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
