Buddhism Expelled from the Imperial City

Wu Geng clapped his hands in praise. "Wonderful! This way, it neither harms the harmony of the Hundred Schools of Thought nor allows us to resolve the Buddhism problem openly and legitimately."

Guan Zhong turned and walked toward the government hall, his azure official robe snapping in the wind. With a cold smile, he said, "Tomorrow morning, I will send tax officials to their door. Your Majesty, just watch the methods of the Legalists." Yet he thought, Tong Tian had never cared much for such things, but I had to. After all, we Legalists valued rules above all else. Ting'er's incarnation was the Human Emperor, so I should honestly address him according to the rites between ruler and subject.

That night, Bodhi Pure Courtyard was brightly lit. Subhuti lay sprawled on his meditation bed as two disciples applied medicine to him. His buttocks and legs were swollen high, mottled with bruises. He no longer looked remotely like an enlightened eminent monk.

"Master, that Guan Zhong has gone too far in bullying us!" a young disciple said indignantly. "It was clearly fifty strokes, yet they beat you for a full three hours!"

Subhuti shook his head with a bitter smile. "This is the Legalists' 'Strict Punishment According to Law.' They could always find loopholes in the law..." Before he could finish, his expression suddenly changed. "Not good!"

He forced himself upright through the pain. "Quick, burn all the account books from the past half year! Once the Legalists made their move, there would definitely be something even more ruthless to follow."

The disciples looked at one another. "Master, why?"

Subhuti's face was grave. "Since Guan Zhong has acted, he would never stop here. Tax officials would certainly come tomorrow. If they found any problems..."

Before he could finish, the gates of