Chapter 115 I am Daoyan, a poor monk, and I am honored to meet His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin.

"Yun Gong, His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin and His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin, why are you here at Daxiangguo Temple today?"

After Zhu Gang and Zhu Chong walked into the mountain gate, Xu Miaoyun turned around and looked at Xu Yungong and asked.

"If you pray, it should be that Prince Jin will get married soon."

"After all, some time ago, His Majesty bestowed the title of Marquis on Xie Shibo, Yongping. I think it was to prepare for his marriage."

After thinking for a moment, Xu Yungong looked at his elder sister and spoke.

The news that Prince of Jin Zhu Gang was going to get married was no secret.

All the dignitaries in Yingtian Prefecture who could reach this threshold basically knew about it and had already prepared generous gifts.

Moreover, it is said that early this morning, Li Zhen, the Duke of Cao who had always been indifferent to worldly affairs, wore a five-clawed golden dragon robe and carried gifts and went to the Yongping Marquis Mansion.

I think it should be the engagement ceremony today, which is one of the six ceremonies including accepting the betrothal gift and asking for the name.

After all, the marriage of these two people has been delayed for too long, so it is normal for Zhu Yuanzhang to be a little anxious.

"Ah."

Xu Miaoyun nodded gently, but a hint of disappointment flashed in her eyes.

It wasn't the first time she met Zhu Gang, but because they were too young at that time, they didn't have a deep memory of each other.

But Xu Miaoyun remembered it very clearly and always remembered Zhu Gang.

As for why she remembered it, Xu Miaoyun couldn't explain it, but she kept it firmly in her mind.

Especially in the sixth year of Hongwu, when Zhu Gang was enfeoffed in Taiyuan, the news that came out at the beginning was that the Prince of Jin had escaped from marriage.

At that time, Xu Miaoyun felt a little bit of indescribable happiness in her heart.

But gold will shine wherever it is, especially a hero like Zhu Gang.

In the seventh year of Hongwu, he fought against Kuyuk Temur on the grassland and became famous in one battle. He was hailed as the number one war god of the younger generation of the Ming Dynasty.

For two consecutive years afterwards, Zhu Gang suppressed the grassland on his own. When the news reached the capital, it caused a great earthquake.

From then on, Zhu Gang was completely established as the number one war god of the younger generation.

It was also from that time that Zhu Gang’s shadow could no longer be dispelled.

"Sister, what's wrong with you?"

Just when Xu Miaoyun was lost in thought, Xu Yungong's voice sounded again.

"Nothing, let's go."

Xu Miaoyun shook her head slightly and stepped into the Daxiangguo Temple.

"The name of this Daxiangguo Temple was written by our father himself."

Walking in the courtyard of Daxiangguo Temple and looking at the endless stream of pilgrims, Zhu Chong looked at Zhu Gang beside him and smiled.

"Our father's handwriting is getting better and better."

Hearing this, Zhu Gang nodded and smiled.

"Of course not. Ever since you became a vassal in the sixth year of Hongwu, our father has been studying hard."

"After I have achieved something, I will give this temple the name Daxiangguo Temple."

In this regard, Zhu Chong was somewhat amused and said: "Even my Qin Palace, your Jin Palace, and the Yan Palace built for the fourth child, were all inscribed by our father."

The origin of this matter was that Zhu Gang once said that Zhu Yuanzhang's handwriting was ugly, and the old man was a little unhappy at that time.

So I kept practicing calligraphy secretly, and eventually I really mastered it with this old man.

But the cause of this incident makes people laugh and cry every time they think about it.

This is really the old man's character. I will fight for my dignity even if I can't make money.

"Before the old man became rich, he was a beggar and a monk. Almost everyone in the world knows this."

"No wonder the Daxiangguo Temple is so popular."

Zhu Gang took another look at the main hall in front of him and nodded involuntarily.

"The only temple in Yingtian Prefecture that can bear the incense of the royal family is the Great Xiangguo Temple."

"Plus, the old man wrote the inscription himself, so it's normal that the incense is so popular."

"But in recent years, Buddhism has become much more influential because my father was a monk."

As he spoke, Zhu Chong shook his head again.

Because of the war in the north, temples are not very common.

In addition, if it were not for Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma, Zhu Gang would never have cared about Buddhism, so it is understandable that he did not know about it.

However, because the capital of the Ming Dynasty was in the south, Buddhist temples flourished in recent years. Buddhist temples were built in various places, and there were many monks and pilgrims, so Ming Dynasty reaped all the benefits.

"Since ancient times, we must not forget our roots, and since the old man was a monk, he naturally treats monks with more favors."

"It's just that the rules from now on need to be changed. After all, the court has no obligation to support them."

"At the same time, we should also support the Dao Sect so that it can form a balanced state."

"To prevent either party from becoming too powerful."

Zhu Gang waved his hand indifferently.

"What do you mean?"

Zhu Chong looked at Zhu Gang with some confusion.

"Look at these monks. They all have red lips and white teeth, and are fat and strong."

"Where are those monks who only wanted to have enough food and clothing?"

"It is only because of the old man's grace that I can do this."

"But there are more and more Buddhist temples in recent years. Does the court have to continue to give them preferential treatment?"

"The common people are still struggling, how can these monks be exempt from this? How can they be superior to the common people?"

"Besides, being a monk means eating vegetarian food and chanting Buddhist scriptures, praising compassion, but it does not require reproduction. This conflicts with the national policy of recuperation of the Ming Dynasty."

"So, now that we have enjoyed the blessings for so many years, it's time to stop."

"And under the rule of our Great Ming, we are all our Great Ming citizens, and it is time for us to share the country's worries."

"After I go back, I will ask the old man to issue an order that all the people of the Ming Dynasty, whether they are Taoists or monks, must obey the imperial decree and implement the tax-sharing system."

"At the same time, it can also prevent problems before they happen. After all, a country's people are its most important. But if all the people become monks, the world will be in chaos."

As Zhu Gang walked, he looked at Zhu Chong and explained patiently.

However, the sound was neither loud nor soft, causing the monks and pilgrims passing by to flash a look of surprise in their eyes.

"Well, you are right. There are hundreds and thousands of monks in this Daxiangguo Temple alone."

“And this is just one of the temples under the Meiji era, it’s the tip of the iceberg.”

"So it's time to take care of it, otherwise, trouble will arise sooner or later."

Zhu Chong also nodded in agreement.

"That's right. We are all citizens of the Ming Dynasty. The court must treat us all equally without any bias."

"It's certainly right that you want to be a monk, but you can't use being a monk and serving the Buddha as an excuse to evade your responsibilities."

After saying this, Zhu Gang stopped, bowed slightly towards the main hall in front of him, and there was no further words.

"Aren't you going in to worship?"

Seeing this, Zhu Chong looked at Zhu Gang with astonishment.

"As the saying goes, sincerity is the key to success, so it doesn't matter whether you worship or not, the Buddha won't blame you."

"Besides, my heart is not sincere. What I believe in is that I should not be associated with strange and supernatural things. If there is no Buddha in my heart, what is the point of worshipping him?"

"But since we are here, we should show proper respect and pray for the safety of our parents."

Zhu Gang still smiled nonchalantly.

"It's up to you. After all, I have never been stronger than you since I was a child."

"And I've already been here once, so I can be considered to have completed the old man's mission."

Zhu Chong raised his lips into a wry smile and shook his head.

After all, Zhu Gang has always been the one who either chokes you to death with words or beats you into submission with his fists since he was a child.

It doesn't matter whether you are right or not. In his words, you must be aggressive and fight for your rights even if you are wrong. Why should I let others off when I am right? "Amitabha, why are you here again?"

"Didn't I tell you that?"

"Daxiangguo Temple is a place conferred by the emperor, and they never accept monks who come to stay here. You should go somewhere else, right?"

At this moment, a noisy sound was heard. Zhu Gang and Zhu Chong turned their heads slightly and saw a little monk looking at the black-robed monk in front of him and clasped his hands together.

Although he used honorifics, there was a hint of impatience in his tone, as if this monk had come here many times before.

In response to this, Zhu Gang and Zhu Chong both frowned slightly.

Buddhism has always emphasized being kind to others. Even if one is conferred an imperial title by the emperor, one should not act like this.

What's more, this is right under the feet of the emperor. When you say that it was conferred by the emperor, it is not the reputation of the temple that is ruined, but the reputation of Zhu Yuanzhang.

"The old man's reputation has been ruined by these monks."

Zhu Gang glanced at the young monk with cold eyes and shook his head.

"What do you mean?"

A soft and gentle voice sounded.

Zhu Gang slowly turned his head and saw that Xu Miaoyun and Xu Yungong had come behind them, with curiosity in their eyes.

"The Buddha opens his mouth. If you don't have money, don't come in."

Zhu Gang's clear voice rang out.

All the monks around had a look of embarrassment on their faces.

But judging from his clothes, he must be rich or noble, so Daxiangguo Temple might not be able to afford to offend him, so he did not get angry.

Even the little monk next to Xu Miaoyun looked at Zhu Gang with a pursed mouth, a hint of resentment flashing in his eyes.

"It's really powerful."

Zhu Chong also smiled softly, but the cold light in his eyes flashed away for a moment.

Zhu Gang and Zhu Chong naturally noticed the resentment that flashed in the eyes of the little monk in front of them.

It seems that it is because I ate too much that I don’t remember what it feels like to be hungry.

"It's normal, don't worry too much."

"After all, they are a big temple. It is normal for them to look down on young monks."

"As for their so-called equality of all beings, just listen to them and don't take them seriously."

Zhu Gang didn't want to argue with a group of monks, so he patted Zhu Chong on the shoulder.

"Donor, Daxiangguo Temple does not look down on any outsider brothers."

"It's just because this is the place where the emperor has conferred a title, so everything must abide by the rules, so we won't accept any monks who come to stay."

"And what the Buddha said about the equality of all living beings is also what the Buddha aspires for."

"Amitabha."

Xiao Shami finally couldn't help it, so he clasped his hands together and looked at Zhu Gangdao.

"You want to debate with me?"

Zhu Gang glanced at the young monk in front of him, a hint of amusement flashing across his eyes.

"Amitabha, I am just stating the facts. I have no intention of arguing with you."

The young monk still put his hands together calmly, showing the demeanor of a great temple.

"Then let me ask you."

"The laws of the world are equal, there is no high or low. Where does this come from and what does it mean?"

"All sentient beings possess the wisdom and virtues of the Tathagata, but due to their delusions and attachments they do not realize them. Where does this come from and what does it mean?"

"All sentient beings have Buddha nature. The Tathagata is eternal and unchanging. Where does it come from? What is the meaning of this?"

"And what kind of ideas does the Lotus Sutra, or the Lotus Sutra, expound?"

Zhu Gang spoke slowly to the calm and composed little monk in front of him.

In response to this, the young monk blushed and did not answer a single word. He just looked at the old monk who was walking towards him as if asking for help.

"do you know?"

Zhu Gang did not make things difficult for the young monk, but raised his head and looked at the old monk, still smiling.

"Amitabha, all beings are equal."

Hearing this, the old monk thought for a moment, then looked at Zhu Gang and clasped his hands together.

"I asked you where you came from and what's your meaning?"

“What kind of philosophy does the Lotus Sutra expound?”

"You told me that all beings are equal, so you want to expose it?"

There was a hint of coldness in Zhu Gang's eyes.

"Amitabha, whatever the donor says is what it is."

The old monk remained calm and composed.

It seemed as if he didn't want to argue with Zhu Gang. After all, Buddhism has always disliked fighting, and the so-called debate has no meaning.

"I'll ask you one last time."

At this moment, Zhu Gang no longer referred to himself as "I", but as "I".

This is enough to show that Zhu Gang was angry.

There must be a reason why Buddhism exists under the feet of the emperor. However, it would be a shame if it cannot even explain its own teachings and scriptures clearly.

This so-called Daxiangguo Temple is nothing but a joke.

"The third child in our family has a photographic memory since he was young. At the age of nine, he could recite any allusion by heart."

"And I will not embarrass you today. Repeat what I just said, and I will not blame Daxiangguo Temple."

Zhu Chong also stepped sideways slightly, then looked at the old monk in front of him with a frown on his face, and said softly.

"Amitabha, who are the two donors?"

There was a hint of hesitation in the old monk's eyes before he spoke.

As soon as these words fell, the plainclothes guards beside Zhu Gang and Zhu Chong took out two tokens from their waists.

"Qin" and "Jin" are clearly written on it.

Then this identity is naturally about to be revealed.

"Your Highness Prince Qin, Your Highness Prince Jin."

Facing the two tokens in front of him, the old monk swallowed unconsciously and clasped his hands together again.

But this hand seems to be trembling slightly no matter how you look at it.

In response, Zhu Gang and Zhu Chong just looked at the old monk coldly without saying a word.

"Amitabha, Your Highnesses, please allow me to invite the abbot over."

The old monk's hands were still shaking, but he still spoke.

"Can you name the monk in black robe?"

Zhu Gang looked at the old monk in front of him, a hint of sarcasm flashed in his eyes, and he shook his head. Then he turned around and looked at the monk in black and asked softly.

"Amitabha, I will know naturally."

The thin monk in black clasped his hands together slightly and said.

"What's your name?"

However, Zhu Gang took a closer look and felt that the monk looked familiar, so he asked again.

"Amitabha, I am Daoyan, the poor monk, meeting His Royal Highness Prince Jin."

This time, the black-robed monk did not put his hands together, but bowed instead.

Hearing this, Zhu Gang's eyes narrowed slightly, and a meaningful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

(End of this chapter)