"That's right. The common people supported the Buddhist School's disciples with their blood and sweat, yet those monks were never satisfied. They tirelessly oppressed the people, squeezed the commoners dry, and sucked them to the marrow."
"They not only bullied the people, but also poisoned the nation."
"At the time, the Buddhist School was the greatest landlord. They accepted offerings from believers and seized the people's land. Countless people lost the land they depended on to survive and had no choice but to leave their homes. This shook the very foundations of the entire nation."
"Moreover, after committing monstrous crimes, many criminals hid in temples. From then on, they severed themselves from their pasts. They no longer needed to answer for their sins and could live out their days peacefully in the temples."
"Do you think that was fair?"
"That was precisely why Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei and Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou both sought to destroy Buddhism."
Tang Sanzang had originally wanted to argue, but when he thought of what Tiger Strength Great Immortal, the other two, and the Cart Slow Kingdom King had once said, he fell silent again.
These matters that had once filled him with righteous indignation might very well have been committed by Buddhist monks themselves.
He had no way to refute it.
"Let's go. We're almost there."
Tang Sanzang looked up and realized that, at some point, the two of them had reached a farmstead on the outskirts of Chang'an City.
He did not know why Senior Brother had brought him to a farmstead, but since Senior Brother had brought him here, there had to be a reason.
Wang Yuan led Tang Sanzang into the farmstead.
The farmstead had vast stretches of land, and the crops were growing exceptionally well. The seedlings stood