Chapter 291 Surrender
April 20th, the 14th year of the Zhengei era.

The four armies of Cui Xiawu, Guanshan, Miao Xiu and Meng Guang gathered in Jiangzhou and besieged Tianlong Temple.

Tianlong Temple mobilized 100,000 martial monks and millions of lay disciples and believers from Jiangzhou to resist.

However, the imperial army was unstoppable and captured thirteen cities in Jiangzhou one after another.

On that day, a golden light flashed in the direction of Tianlong Temple in Jiangzhou. Then a fire broke out in the temple and a figure rose into the sky and disappeared.

The abbot of Tianlong Temple, Fahai, asks to surrender.

The letter of surrender was first delivered to Cui Xiawu. He did not dare to neglect it. After discussing with several other generals, he immediately sent it back to the capital by express horse at an expedited speed of 800 miles.

What Zheng Yi saw now was the letter of surrender from Tianlong Temple sent back by Cui Xiawu and others.

After reading it, Zheng Yi threw it on the table and said, "Who can tell me what is going on?"

Lu Xiangqing stood up and said, "Your Majesty, Tianlong Temple has requested to surrender. This is a great thing."

"In this way, all the rebellions in Dayu will be crushed, the world will be at peace, and the people will live happily and peacefully!"

Zheng Yi frowned slightly, it seemed that Lu Xiangqing was also a fool.

Tianlong Temple surrendered, it seems there are other secrets.

"Mr. Chen."

"The old slave is here."

"You go to Tianlong Temple in person. He will attend a meeting at Tianlong Temple to ask for a secret surrender."

Zheng Yi ordered: "Also, let Cui Xiawu's army stationed at Tianlong Temple, without any mistakes!"

"promise!"

Chen Liancang did not dare to be negligent. He bowed and left Baiyujing quickly.

Zheng Yi paced back and forth on the dragon throne and said in a deep voice: "In addition...what conditions does Tianlong Temple have for surrendering?"

Lu Xiangqing said: "Your Majesty, Tianlong Temple is willing to surrender and put forward five conditions."

"Say!"

"First, the main body of monks in Tianlong Temple remains unchanged. It is still Tianlong Temple."

Seeing that Zheng Yi did not speak, Lu Xiangqing continued:
"Second, Tianlong Temple is willing to donate two million acres of criminal land to provide military funds, and the court shall not pursue its crimes."

As soon as the second condition came out, the faces of several ministers present changed slightly, and no one knew what they were thinking.

"third……"

Lu Xiangqing hesitated for a moment and said, "Tianlong Temple hopes that the court will open up the position of Shangwu Division to them, and the monks of Tianlong Temple can serve as officials in Shangwu Division."

This time, the ministers looked even uglier.

Especially Ma Jinwu, who was now in charge, said, "Your Majesty! This precedent cannot be set."

"Oh, why?"

Ma Jinwu said: "Tianlong Temple is a rebel, and Shangwusi is the most important martial arts institution in our dynasty. How can we allow a rebel to serve as an official in Shangwusi?"

"If the people of Tianlong Temple have second thoughts and are in the Shangwu Division, then it will be harmful to the Shangwu Division and the entire court!"

Zheng Yi looked at the others: "Where are the ministers?"

"Your Majesty, this precedent cannot be set."

"Your Majesty, I second the proposal."

"His Majesty……"

Everyone chose to object, and Zheng Yi looked at Xu Mujun.

Xu Mujun personally experienced the battle to quell the rebellion in the south. Although he has now returned to Beijing to recuperate, he still has many opinions about this battle.

Xu Mujun said: "Your Majesty, this precedent cannot be set."

Zheng Yi nodded, looked at Lu Xiangqing and said, "Lu Qing, continue. Aren't there two more conditions?"

Lu Xiangqing immediately said: "Your Majesty, the fourth condition is that the Tianlong Temple is willing to offer two 'Tianlong girls' to the capital as concubines."

"Dragon Girl?"

Zheng Yi asked curiously, "What is that? There are women in Tianlong Temple?"

"Have."

This time it was Xu Mujun's turn to speak: "I heard that the Tianlong girl of Tianlong Temple is said to have 'worshipped Buddha since childhood' and 'never married'. She has devoted her entire life to the Buddha, worshipping Buddha all day long and not being involved in worldly affairs."

"It is said that whenever a dragon girl is born, strange phenomena will occur." "Golden lotus will grow on the ground, Buddhist sounds will ring in the ears, and Buddha's light will shine everywhere."

Zheng Yi suddenly asked: "Do all these Tianlong women have spiritual roots?"

Several people were stunned, and Xu Mujun shook his head and said, "I don't know."

Zheng Yi thought for a few minutes and said, "Mr. Lu, continue."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Lu Xiangqing glanced at the memorial in his hand, took a deep breath and said, "The fifth condition is that Tianlong Temple is willing to send the monks in the temple to open a branch of Tianlong Temple in the capital to save the world..."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone present looked over.

Even Zheng Yi chuckled.

Opening a branch of Tianlong Temple in the capital?

How can it be!

It seems that Tianlong Temple still cannot see the real difference between the two sides.

Zheng Yi picked up the letter of surrender on the table and threw it down.

"Tell Tianlong Temple that they only have one choice."

After a pause of several breaths, many ministers bent down and listened.

"Unconditionally surrender, otherwise, wait for the imperial army to break through Tianlong Temple."

"I will obey your orders!"

"Any thing else?"

At this time, Cai Dashi quickly stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I have a report to make."

"explain."

"Now that the rebellion in the southern states has been suppressed, the only remaining place, Jiangzhou, is like a grasshopper after autumn and will not last for many days. Such a great victory should be celebrated."

"Before the imperial court issues the reward, I would like to hold a grand celebration party and invite the royal families and officials of other small countries to attend the ceremony to show the power of Great Yu. What do you think, Your Majesty?"

"A celebration party?"

Zheng Yi touched his chin and thought about it carefully. The others also kept silent.

To hold a celebration party, it would be necessary to allow many outsiders into Beijing, and it would even cost a lot of money.

But for some ambitious kings, it is the best opportunity to show off their great achievements and the power of the court.

This will not only demonstrate Dayu's strength, promote the patriotism and confidence of Dayu's people, but also deter the surrounding small countries.

The advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.

Moreover, this matter was proposed by Cai Dashi.

Today, Cai Dashi is the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites and a member of the cabinet. Most importantly, he is still a member of the Imperial Party and is loyal to Zheng Yi.

Although he came from Wei, a small country in the northeast, he identified greatly with Dayu.

The most important thing is that the Minister of Rites Kong Xiangsi is now old and may retire at any time.

Cai Dashi's move was nothing more than an attempt to compete for the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

Zheng Yi said: "Why not change the celebration ceremony to a military parade?"

Several people were stunned. Xu Mujun seemed to have thought of something and was thinking hard.

Cai Dashi came back to his senses and asked, "Your Majesty, what is the military parade?"

"It's very simple. We will select a part of our army from Dayu to come to the capital for training. The number of people can be determined according to different types of soldiers."

"Then they marched in a specific square formation from Donghua Gate to Xihua Gate. As they marched, warriors used their powerful inner strength to introduce the composition of this type of troops, their past battle records, etc."

"In addition, we can set up a viewing platform outside the imperial city and let the people of the capital and envoys from other countries come to watch the ceremony. This will show the military might, enhance the reputation of Dayu, enhance the self-confidence of the people, and then deter other countries."

"This... is the military parade!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Mujun stood up and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, this is a very good plan."

Zheng Yi smiled and said, "It seems that Xu Qing is very interested in this matter. Why don't we let Xu Qing prepare the military parade, and let the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Works assist?"

Xu Mujun immediately said: "I... obey your order!"

(End of this chapter)