Chapter 4746 Suspicion

Chapter 4746 Suspicion
Cheng Xuanying said gently, "Taoism and the Tang Dynasty are of the same lineage, and there is no distinction between us. Now that the government order has been issued, we will naturally cooperate with all our strength and will not resist. However, Taoism has different inheritances and factions. Although they are in contact with each other, they may not necessarily advance and retreat together. Therefore, if the court differentiates between the tax increase for Buddhism and Taoism, once the Taoists in the world are in a turmoil, it will be difficult for me to restrain them."

Taoism has now changed its ways and no longer focuses on recruiting believers. Instead, it concentrates on the study of Taoist theories and the expansion of natural sciences. Therefore, it can allow the court to increase taxes. However, Buddhism relies entirely on incense to expand its believers and enhance its influence. It needs huge amounts of money to support it and may not agree to the court's tax increase.

So he had to threaten Ma Zhou, and he must not treat him differently. Don't think that the Taoists are soft persimmons because they agreed to increase taxes so readily. Once the Taoists go all out, the consequences may not be something you can afford...

Ma Zhou certainly would not do something stupid like "differential treatment" and immediately assured: "As long as the Taoists fully cooperate with the implementation of the imperial decree, they will definitely be treated preferentially."

Even if there is "different treatment", only you Taoists will be given preferential treatment.

It was agreed with Yin Wencao and Cheng Xuanying that the measurement of Taoist land within the jurisdiction of Jingzhao Prefecture would begin in a few days. After all, the land measurement had not yet started in Guanzhong, and Yin and Cheng had no objection.

After saying goodbye to Caolou Temple, Ma Zhou let out a long sigh. He had originally thought that the Taoists, who were "all elite" and "arrogant", would be the most difficult to deal with, but the result was beyond his expectations. Not only did they not have the slightest will to resist, but they were extremely cooperative.

But things in the world are never smooth sailing, and good things always come with hard work. Since everything is going smoothly on the Taoist side, there must be some unexpected things on the Buddhist side.

However, Ma Zhou was fearless. He returned home and thought about all possible excuses, evasions, and even resistance from the Buddhist sect, and prepared countermeasures. The next day, he took a few officials from the Jingzhao Prefecture and went directly to the Da Ci'en Temple with a small entourage.

As soon as I entered Jinchangfang, I saw monks everywhere. The monks participating in the "Yulanpen Festival" came from all over the country and spoke in a variety of dialects. When they couldn't speak clearly, they danced and gestured in various ways. There were not many pure and self-restrained Buddhist disciples, but more like peddlers from all corners of the world...

Once you enter the gate of Da Ci'en Temple, the huge temple is filled with the smoke of incense and crowds of people. Countless monks are running back and forth, moving out all kinds of treasures in preparation for the grand Buddhist ceremony.

The monk in charge of reception came forward and saluted, then placed the accompanying personnel in the guesthouse, and led Ma Zhou through the busy crowd, past the buildings, and directly to the Sutra Translation Institute hidden in the woods: "The abbot is too busy to entertain guests today. Master Yibao is waiting in the courtyard. Please come in to see him."

Ma Zhou nodded. It would be better not to disturb Master Xuanzang with such mundane affairs. Otherwise, given his lofty status in Buddhism, once he said something like "no tax increase", there would be no room for maneuver.

The Sutra Translation Courtyard is filled with the scent of sandalwood and has an elegant environment. The bustling crowds in other courtyards do not affect the tranquility here. The tall locust trees are lush and leafy, casting a thick shade like a canopy. Walking on the blue bricks on the ground and entering the open hall, you will see that the bookshelves on the walls of the hall are filled with volumes of scriptures, and the air is filled with the fragrance of books.

Yi Bao, still wearing his patchwork clothes, stood up to greet him, smiled and clasped his hands together: "The task of translating scriptures is too heavy, so I failed to welcome you from afar. Please forgive me."

Ma Zhou didn't take it seriously: "I am very honored to come and disturb you, Master, to translate the sutra. I hope you won't take it as an offense."

He took a few steps forward, leaned over the desk and looked at the unfolded scripture. The crooked characters on it looked very strange. He reached out and touched the bamboo slips on which the scripture was engraved. They were thin and fragile, like leaves...

Yibao introduced and explained to him: "This kind of bamboo slips are taken from the leaves of a tree called the betel nut in India. The leaves are broad, flat, tough and stretched. The ancient Indians used them as a medium for writing. It is said that the Buddha wrote down the secrets of Buddhism on these leaves and passed them on to the world."

Ma Zhou asked curiously, "Isn't it because there is no paper in Tianzhu?"

The so-called "secret tree of Buddhism" is nothing but a trick to fool the world. The reason why Buddhist scriptures are engraved on the leaves of this tree is just like the shortage of paper during the Qin and Han Dynasties, when bamboo and wooden slips had to be used as carriers. If there was abundant paper, who would not bother to use this kind of thing?

Nowadays, Tang bamboo paper is very popular in India and is very expensive. Only the highest-ranking nobles can use it...

Yi Bao did not comment, and asked Ma Zhou to come to a small square mat on the other side of the desk by the window, and fetch some hot water to pour tea.

"The prefect is busy with many affairs and has been busy with many things. Why did you take the time to come here today? What's the important matter?"

"Since Master is so straightforward, I will not beat around the bush and speak frankly."

"That's how it should be."

After taking a sip of tea, Ma Zhou spoke calmly and seriously, and he spoke the words he had been preparing for the whole night. He showed the majesty of the court and emphasized that the government orders could not be disobeyed, but he did not make the other party feel that the court was aggressive...

"Buddhism is flourishing, with many believers, and Buddhist temples are all over the Tang Dynasty. It has become the largest sect in the Tang Dynasty, and has a far-reaching impact on the taxation of the court. I hope that Buddhism can take the overall situation into consideration and actively cooperate with the court's orders to avoid public opinion being unfavorable to Buddhism."

Ma Zhou patiently persuaded, flattered and warned...

However, Yi Bao seemed to be dismissive of all this, and just asked solemnly: "Taoism is regarded as the state religion of the empire, and has always been above all other religions, arrogant and domineering. But I wonder if the tax increase this time is the same for all religions in the country?"

"That's natural. Although Taoism is not a state religion, it is not superior to others. The imperial court's tax policy has never been different for different people, and it does not favor one over another. For example, if we take the tax increase this time as an example, the tax that Buddhism needs to pay is probably more than ten times that of Taoism. It is impossible for Buddhism to bear more taxes just because it is prosperous and has many believers, right? Therefore, the imperial court discussed and decided to measure the amount of tax based on the acreage of land. It is very fair."

Normally, they find ways to merge and buy land, and even in cities and towns there are shops and warehouses everywhere. These people claim that they are pure and innocent, but in fact they are amassing wealth with their coffers filled with money. Naturally, they should be subject to heavy taxes.

If you don't want to pay too much tax, you can just disperse all the Buddhist land and honestly return to the origin of "walking in a plain way, with a pure heart and few desires"...

Yi Bao seemed not to understand the warning in Ma Zhou's words. He smiled and nodded, saying, "Master Xuanzang has already discussed this with many Buddhist leaders. As long as the court does not discriminate, the Buddhist leaders will fully cooperate. No matter how or how much the tax is raised, there will be no objection."

Ma Zhou: “…”

I couldn't help but frown and ponder. First it was Taoism and then Buddhism. The two major sects that were thought to have a strong attitude of resistance have successively expressed their obedience to the court's orders, and kept saying that national interests are above everything else... These are the two groups in the world who least care about imperial power. In their eyes, they only have their own Buddha and their own Taoism, and have always regarded themselves as "outsiders". Doesn't this mean that they do not obey the jurisdiction of the emperor?

But now the expected difficulties are not seen at all, and the little lambs of the two major sects seem to be extremely obedient, which is really unexpected.

Is there some conspiracy behind this?
Seeing Ma Zhou frowning and saying nothing, Yi Bao smiled and said, "I will have someone prepare the land deeds of all the temples in Jingzhao Prefecture later. Prefect Ma can send someone to contact us at any time. We can pay taxes according to the land deeds registered in Jingzhao Prefecture, or re-measure the land to see if there are any hidden fields. In short, the Buddhist community will fully cooperate."

*****
In the government hall, several prime ministers and high-ranking officials gathered together. They were somewhat incredulous about the cooperation between Buddhism and Taoism. Everyone in the world is seeking profit, so who would do something that would obviously be a disadvantage?

They are all masters of conspiracy and intrigue. If you put yourself in their shoes, you can't help but be suspicious.

"Both the Buddhist and Taoist sects probably regard this tax increase as a continuation of their struggle. In particular, the Buddhist sect must have felt the enormous pressure brought by Your Majesty's decree to build many Taoist temples to support Taoism, so they dare not resist the imperial decree to increase taxes, lest Your Majesty be enraged and increase support for Taoism."

Liu Li carefully analyzed the reasons why the tax increase policy was implemented so smoothly this time.

Tang Jian said: "It makes sense for the Buddhists to say so, but why do the Taoists cooperate so well? Is it because your Majesty strongly supports them, so they are returning the favor? Humph, those bull noses are so arrogant, no matter how much they are given, they think it is their due. They are just greedy and can't be satisfied, how can they stop when they have enough?"

Fang Jun looked at Li Ji.

Li Ji frowned in displeasure: "Why are you looking at me?"

Fang Jun smiled but said nothing. It was said that Li Ji had been a Taoist priest, but he himself did not admit it. Those who were still alive in Wagangzhai at that time were all very secretive about that period of time. After all, that period of time was full of ambition, desire, betrayal, life and death, and the emotional entanglements were extremely complicated, and it was impossible to distinguish between right and wrong.

Tang Jian was cursing so harshly now. If Li Ji had really been a Taoist priest, he would definitely refute it. But looking at Li Ji's expression, maybe he had never been a Taoist priest...

Everyone agreed with Tang Jian's statement. Taoism has a long tradition and has penetrated into every aspect of Chinese society. And because Taoists have always been in the upper class, they have developed a domineering and ambitious temperament. They claim that they are closest to the immortal way and therefore superior to others. How could they ever bow their heads and submit to the imperial court?
As long as the Taoists are unwilling, once they are mobilized they can form a huge resistance to obstruct the implementation of the court's decrees. Even some of you here may be willing or forced to speak for the Taoists.

Liu Li pondered and said, "Perhaps... the Taoists are planning to hurt the enemy by a thousand and hurt themselves by eight hundred? After all, the Buddhists are much larger in size. Once the tax increase is made, the taxes they will have to pay will be at least ten to twenty times that of the Taoists."

Fang Jun was drinking tea at the side, saying disapprovingly: "No matter what the Buddhist and Taoist sects are up to, no matter whether they cooperate with the imperial decree or resist it with all their strength, this decree must be implemented without compromise. In this case, why bother about what they think? Just do your best to promote the implementation. If they have any conspiracy or tricks, you can just counter them during the implementation process. If an enemy comes, we will fight him with our troops, and if a flood comes, we will block it with earth. The righteousness of the imperial court cannot be resisted."

(End of this chapter)