Chapter 881 So good

Arriving in front of the Nanzhao King's Palace, Li Xiang showed a meaningful smile on his face. No one around him understood what this smile meant. Only Su Dingfang understood very well. The scale here is indeed similar to that of Gaochang Kingdom, except that Except for a little more pagodas, the other buildings almost follow the same mold. Is this the only palace in these small countries?

Li Xiang is not saying that he looks down on them, but he thinks that these small countries may have the same vision, from north to south, maybe because the overall national strength is too small, or maybe because they measure it in the same way. , Otherwise, how could it be so accurate?

"Your Highness?"

Luo Xionghai saw Li Xiang stopping here with a smile on his face. He didn't understand what Li Xiang meant. Was he sighing at the magnificence of our country's palace? It shouldn't be. Many people from Nanzhao have also been to Chang'an. It is said that the palace in Chang'an is more than ten times larger than this and stretches for more than ten miles.

"Your country has profound Buddhism. I really admire it. I wonder how many Buddhist scholars there are in this dense pagoda?"

When someone asked a question, Li Xiang immediately realized his gaffe, so he immediately changed the question. Fortunately, this guy's head was spinning faster. If he couldn't find the problem, he might really have random thoughts. , then it will not be his own embarrassment, he may drag the entire Tang Dynasty into trouble. You are strong because you are strong, but you can't laugh at other people's weak countries. Is this the etiquette of your Tang Dynasty?

After hearing Li Xiang's question, Zhennan King Luo Xionghai immediately showed a look of pride on his face. Perhaps they were not as good as the Tang Dynasty. After all, they were a small border country. How could they be compared with the big countries in the Central Plains? But if they compare with Buddhist culture, then they are really far ahead of the Tang Dynasty.

"Reporting to Your Highness Taisun, we in Nanzhao have a total of 135 Buddhist scholars, and there are 13,500 ordinary monks below. As for the ordinary novice monks, there are at least 350,000. Chanting sutras day and night to pray for me, Nanzhao."

When they heard this number, all the ministers in Nanzhao were very proud, as if it was something to be proud of. After all, Buddhism was respected in their country, including some of their kings, whenever they abdicated You also have to enter the temple.

But in the eyes of these officials of the Tang Dynasty, this is not something to be happy about. There are so many people in your temple, and most of them are young and strong men. The handover is as many as 50,000 to 60,000. I feel that you Nearly 10% of the entire country. No wonder your country cannot develop. A large number of people go to temples to chant sutras. There is a lack of labor outside. No matter how unique your conditions are, I am afraid you will not be able to develop, let alone your side. The terrain is generally not a prosperous place.

"It's so good, so good."

Li Xiang's expression was slightly embarrassed. In the opinion of those present, Li Xiang admired the development of Buddhism in Nanzhao very much, so he had such an expression.

In fact, the officials of the Tang Dynasty who are following you all understand that you have inadvertently revealed a big secret. There are millions of people in the country, but there are 80,000 or 90,000 people unable to do anything in the temples. These people do not just chant sutras every day. Yes, they are still consuming the entire country's comprehensive national strength every moment.

Of course, they have also brought some spiritual satisfaction to the people, but for a small border country, such a scale is too big. The court has to spend a lot of money to support them every year, so what is used for other aspects? Funds are scarce.

When he arrived at the entrance of the palace, King Nanzhao was waiting here with important members of the royal family, including a group of monks. When Li Xiang saw the luxurious cassocks on these people, he immediately had a new understanding of these monks. They are not ordinary. Their consumption should be much more powerful than that of the nobles.

According to the etiquette of the vassal state towards the suzerain state, even though Luo Sheng was the king of Nanzhao, he still had to ask about Li Shimin's situation first. After Li Xiang finished answering, the two people could officially meet.

Although this seems a bit embarrassing to some small countries, it is also a protection for them. Many countries want to become vassal states to the Tang Dynasty, but the Tang Dynasty has not approved it, so this also has some sense of superiority. .

"His Royal Highness Taisun is handsome and handsome. He fought for the Tang Dynasty at a young age. We in Nanzhao admire him very much."

Luo Sheng seemed to be quite old, probably in his fifties. During this guy's reign, Nanzhao's comprehensive national strength increased a lot. However, due to various social problems, in addition to the peace and prosperity of the country, the entire country The rise was not fast either. Li Xiang was still wondering before, but when he saw the monks next to him, Li Xiang finally figured out the answer. A large amount of wealth had been spent by the monks in the temple. How could he still get it? What about using it for the people?

"We have seen His Highness the King's achievements over the years. The entire Nanzhao is flourishing under your governance. Along the way, the people have also warmly welcomed us. It can be seen that their lives are very good. Happiness is all the result of His Majesty the King."

Praise when it's time to praise. This is also a necessary discipline for royal members. When others praise you, you have to find ways to praise them. Li Xiang's achievements naturally do not need praise. King Nanzhao actually has no merit. This guy is nothing more than a conservative king, but you still have to say nice things, otherwise people will say you are ignorant. Even if you come from the Tang Dynasty, you can't be so unruly.

The two parties complimented each other at the gate of the palace for a while, and it was considered that the matter was over. King Nanzhao had already set up a banquet in the palace to entertain the envoys from Chang'an. The people from the Lifan Academy had already informed I was impressed, so after the two parties met, everyone walked into the palace together.

"This is my eldest son. He has a Han name, Luo Ren. I am going to let him go to Chang'an City to pay tribute on my behalf."

On the way to the banquet, Luo Sheng couldn't help it anymore, turned around and pushed his eldest son out. This was also in the hope that Li Xiang could take it with him when he went back. As long as he went to Chang'an City to pay tribute once, he would have it. In order to qualify to succeed the king, this was the path he took back then, so he also wanted his son to take this path.