On the streets of Chang 'an City, a group of bailiffs drove a prisoner's carriage on horses. Although four-wheeled carriages had become common, prisoners did not enjoy the benefits of four-wheeled carriages. They still looked like cages.
"This prisoner is actually a monk!" A pedestrian suddenly exclaimed. Immediately, everyone was in an uproar and gathered around.
"Could this person be Tongji?" Many people thought of the contents of the Mo Journal and suddenly realized.
Tongji was extremely sensitive. Cao Li did not answer. Instead, he quickly sent Tongji to the prison of Chang 'an County.
As the prisoner's carriage passed through Chang 'an City, the news of Tongji's execution quickly spread throughout Chang' an City. Immediately, the entire city was in an uproar.
"I knew it. The Mo Journal would never wrongly accuse Tongji. How could a true monk do something like lending money at a high interest rate?" A citizen immediately changed his words. He did not remember that he had believed in the Great Mercy Temple and attacked Mo Hospital without hesitation.
"A murderous demon turned into a monk. I can't believe it. Tongji is really a scum of Buddhism. He has tarnished the reputation of Buddhism!" Many believers still found it hard to believe that there was a murderous demon in the Great Mercy Temple.
"That's right. I even donated incense money to the Great Mercy Temple."
In an instant, the reputation of the Great Mercy Temple fell to the bottom. It almost became the target of everyone's crusade. The once prosperous incense money suddenly disappeared. Even the other temples in Chang 'an City were greatly affected.
However, just as everyone was criticizing the Great Mercy Temple, the news of Abbot Ci 'en's conversion of Tongji quietly spread throughout Chang' an City.
Buddhists had converted a murderous demon and made him put down his butcher's knife and convert to Buddhism. This was a legendary story. Then, the news of Master Ci 'en stepping down from his position as abbot of the Great Mercy Temple and replacing Tongji to face the wall for ten years spread. Many believers were moved beyond words.
"So there is such a story behind Tongji entering Buddhism."
"Master Ci 'en is indeed an enlightened monk. He is indeed merciful and has profound Buddhist teachings."
As the believers spread the news, the reputation of the Great Mercy Temple rose rapidly in a short period of time. Almost everyone forgot that Abbot Ci 'en was harboring Tongji and praised Master Ci' en for his profound Buddhist teachings.
Then, the Confucian journals followed up and spread the story of Buddha cutting his flesh to feed eagles. They promoted Buddhism's contribution to the world. Soon, Buddhism's reputation seemed to rise.
"Buddhists really are extraordinary!" Meton sighed emotionally in the Mo clan.
The School of Mohism was naturally the first to receive news of the Great Mercy Temple's methods. Not only were they amazed at the Buddhist's extraordinary methods, they were also amazed at how gullible the believers were. They were actually able to retaliate in such a situation.
"What benevolence? It's just harboring criminals. Damn it, the officials of the Ministry of Justice are all blind!" Han Zheng sneered. As a Legalist, he hated those who broke the law the most. The story of Master Ci 'en trying to reform his fellow disciples was indeed moving in the eyes of ordinary people, but in his eyes, it was harboring criminals and should be punished as well. However, because Ci' en was a Buddhist, almost everyone subconsciously ignored his crime of harboring criminals.
Meton couldn't help but smile bitterly. In the Tang dynasty, almost no one would run away after committing a crime. First, without a travel permit, they couldn't run far unless they became bandits. Second, in the Tang dynasty, there was a system of guilt by association. If someone really harbored a criminal, not only would he be punished, even his neighbor would be punished. Therefore, in this era, once someone was found to be harboring a criminal, they would report it immediately. After all, the risk of harboring a criminal was too great.
"Brother Han, you worry too much. Not everyone in the imperial court turned a blind eye to this. Someone has already personally reported to His Majesty. His Majesty has thoroughly investigated this matter," Master Li said.
"Oh! Who is this person? " Han Zheng asked. He had been a law doctor at the Imperial College for many years and knew most of the officials in the imperial court. He couldn't help but be overjoyed when he suddenly heard that an official had the same idea as him.
"Fu Yi!" Master Li replied.
When Han Zheng heard this, he suddenly understood and revealed an expression that said, "As expected."
Meton's heart skipped a beat. He asked, "Could it be the former Imperial Scribe Fu Yi, who repeatedly petitioned the imperial court to ban Buddhism?"
Regarding Fu Yi's great name, he was very famous in the early Tang Dynasty. This person repeatedly wrote to the imperial court about the drawbacks of Buddhism, requesting the imperial court to ban Buddhist temples and force monks to return to the secular world. He was simply an anti-Buddhist. Later on, Liu Yuxi and Liu Zongyuan who opposed Buddhism in the Tang Dynasty were influenced by him.
"Yes, it is this person," Master Li said proudly.
Speaking of which, Fu Yi was also a member of the Confucian school. However, his character was extremely stubborn and he specifically went against Buddhism. This was a temper that suited Master Li. After a few exchanges, they became good friends.
Unfortunately, although Fu Yi repeatedly petitioned the imperial court to ban Buddhism, there were many officials in the imperial court who believed in Buddhism. He repeatedly returned without success. Now that the battle between Legalism and Buddhism had suddenly erupted, Fu Yi saw an opportunity and once again petitioned the imperial court to ban Buddhism.
"Master Fu is indeed insightful!" Han Zheng was slightly disappointed. Although Fu Yi petitioned the imperial court to ban Buddhism, it was not to uphold the justice of the Tang dynasty's laws. It was because he wanted to ban Buddhism.
"It seems that the Confucian school and Buddhism are not so like-minded!" Meton laughed.
The Confucian school emphasized education and advocated the rule of man. This was very compatible with Buddhism's influence. This time, during Buddhism's crisis, the Mo Journal had been speaking up for Buddhism. Who would have thought that Buddhism and the Confucian school would be at loggerheads now?
Master Li sneered and said, "The Confucian school has many schools now. Even the Kong Family does not dare to say that they control the Confucian school, let alone a small Confucian journal."
"Then let's see how Buddhism reacts this time!" Meton looked as if he was watching a good show.
"Then this time, which side will the Mo Journal stand on?" Master Li asked. Although he and Fu Yi were good friends, if he rashly stood on Fu Yi's side, he was afraid that he would drag the Mo Family down. After all, this was an outsider's matter.
Meton said without hesitation, "The most basic function of the Mo Journal is to report the news truthfully. If it does not dare to report this, then it is the Mo Journal's sorrow. Moreover, the more you argue, the clearer it becomes. I believe that justice is in the hearts of the people."
From the beginning, the Mo Journal had reported the evil deeds of the Zhao couple and Monk Tongji truthfully. This matter was also big news. Naturally, the Mo Journal would not let it go. Moreover, if the Mo Journal could not do this, it was afraid that it would quickly lose the hearts of the people.
"The Old Man understands!" Master Li secretly breathed a sigh of relief. In order to expand his influence, Fu Yi requested the Mo Journal to report. He did not agree immediately. Instead, he came to test the Mo Family. Fortunately, Meton did not let him down.
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