Buddhism Emerges, A Demon Seeks Refuge!

After once again urging Li Shimin to calm down, they each took turns reading the memorials.

After all, the Great Tang court was full of outstanding men.

Every one of them was a renowned figure in history.

Naturally, they understood that Li Shimin was angry because he wanted them to show their attitude.

In other words, "I'm paying attention to this matter. You must see it through."

After the ministers recalled that they hadn't done anything recently to break the law,

they each curiously began reading.

Private worship of incense offerings? Which big shot had such nerve to try something like that?

After Emperor Yang of Sui had launched three campaigns against Goguryeo, the chaos at the end of the Sui dynasty had been utterly disastrous.

The population of Great Tang had now fallen to an all-time low.

To increase the population, Li Shimin and the ministers had racked their brains.

And now someone dared to pull a stunt like this—and had even been reported to the court.

Did they want to die, or die, or die?!

"Your Majesty, leave this to me, Old Cheng! I'll chop off the bastard's head!"

Cheng Yaojin pounded his chest, making a metallic clang.

A towering ox-headed monster wreathed in black and crimson energy slowly materialized behind him.

Boom!

A savage, ferocious aura burst forth. His pair of scarlet ox eyes seemed ready to devour anyone in sight.

"Cheng Zhijie, how dare you make a scene before His Majesty?

Put away your Chaos Ox Magic Manifestation!"

A lean man wearing a purple official robe patterned with wild geese and a goldfish pouch at his waist shouted at him.

"This is a small court assembly. If your aura injures an official during a grand court assembly,

I will impeach you for acting recklessly and showing contempt for the court!"

"Fang Xuanling, you... Your Majesty, I admit my fault!"

Cheng Yaojin glared fiercely at Fang Xuanling, hurriedly dispelled his manifestation, and apologized to Li Shimin.

Li Shimin rolled his eyes at the sight and snorted.

He knew Cheng Yaojin had jumped in at this moment to stop him from losing his temper.

Although Wei Zheng's memorial included quite a few findings from the investigation,

they were only superficial. If they alerted the enemy, the person behind it could easily realize something was wrong.

That was why Li Shimin had brought the matter up at a small court assembly.

If it had been discussed at a grand court assembly, word would have spread throughout Chang'an in less than half a day.

"Enough. I'll dock one month of your salary. Do any of you have information?"

Li Shimin didn't pursue the matter further. Instead, he looked toward the assembled ministers.

Anyone permitted to attend a grand court assembly was at least a high-ranking official of the third grade or above.

These officials might have their own agendas, but most of them weren't shortsighted.

Li Shimin believed they wouldn't engage in private worship of incense offerings.

That was why he felt safe bringing the matter out into the open.

"Your Majesty, this matter is of grave importance and cannot be decided hastily.

Besides, most of what's written here is speculation. We need to investigate further."

As chancellor, Zhangsun Wuji stepped forward first and replied.

Li Shimin nodded and continued.

"I've already ordered Dushui Jian to investigate the details.

However, someone discovered signs of private incense worship in Pingkang Fang, Chang'an."

Li Shimin was still suppressing his anger, and the ministers' hearts sank.

At the same time, they understood why Li Shimin was so furious.

Those people had already expanded right under Li Shimin's nose, yet the court hadn't noticed a thing.

They were slapping Li Shimin in the face!

Last year, Shuoli Khan had forced Li Shimin to kill a white horse and swear an oath by the Weishui River.

Li Shimin had considered it a great humiliation.

Now someone was causing trouble in Chang'an City. Wasn't this a blatant slap in the face?

"Fang Xuanling, I'll leave matters around Chang'an City to you.

Wei Zheng, go take a look at Qingshi Town in Qinghe County. I don't believe this matter is as simple as it seems!"

Li Shimin wasn't a fool. The person who uncovered the problem had to be from Qingshi Town.

Otherwise, everything else was just speculation. Why was this place so well documented?

And that name, One-Eyed Wolf—how unpleasant.

"This subject accepts the command!"

Fang Xuanling and Wei Zheng bowed and replied.

Afterward, more discussions arose in court.

"How are the refugees being settled after this year's locust plague in Guanzhong?"

"Your Majesty, in response..."

At Zhao Family Village, Madam Zhou pulled the village chief aside.

"Old woman, can't whatever you need to say wait until we get home?

Can't you see I'm busy here? Spread that manure more evenly over there!"

"Old man, listen to me..."

"What? They've already...? Mmph..."

The village chief's eyes nearly bulged out of his head as he let out a startled cry.

Madam Zhou promptly covered his mouth with her hand and whispered,

"You old fool, keep your voice down! I called you over to discuss it, didn't I?"

The village chief pulled her hand away, grinding his teeth as he paced in a circle and muttered,

"I knew that brat would get himself into trouble. He's never cared about etiquette or rules.

But that First Madam... Isn't she from a prominent family? Why would she also..."

Seeing how worked up the village chief was, Madam Zhou slapped him in annoyance.

"Isn't the First Madam a little out of her mind, too? Besides, who knows if that identity is even real?

The most important thing now is to take care of this matter first.

But we can't do it without informing her family. What if they don't agree?"

The village chief was stumped as well. At last, he clenched his teeth, stamped his foot, and said grimly,

"If that's the case, then we'll do it this way. I'll notify the Old Master.

We'll get the two of them married first. If the Zhang family wants to punish them afterward, we'll figure something out!"

With his hands clasped behind his back, the village chief stomped angrily toward the village.

When he passed Chen Fan's house, he snorted in annoyance.

"Good-for-nothing! Hmph!"

Chen Fan, who was reading in the courtyard, looked up in confusion, then immediately felt annoyed.

"What's wrong with that old man?"

Chapter 25: Buddhism Emerges, A Demon Seeks Refuge!

At Clear Water River Dragon Palace, a grand banquet was underway.

The Black Flood Dragon, Dragon King of Clear Water River, sat below the guest of honor. The seat of honor was occupied by a monk.

"Master Huifa, please try this. These are Clear Water River's specialty aquatic delicacies.

They clear the mind and brighten the eyes, and promote the smooth flow of qi and blood. And here are the white smoke fruits..."