Chapter 1040: Tang High Monk Selection Contest
"Your Majesty, this matter cannot be assigned so casually.
"If you just pick any monk to go up there, will all those eminent monks from every corner of the land be convinced?"
Zhang Qi smiled when he heard that and replied.
"Then what does my beloved minister suggest?"
"A selection."
Zhang Qi uttered two words.
"A selection?"
Li Shimin froze for a moment, somewhat confused.
"Your Majesty can have imperial notices posted and announce it to the entire realm.
"Anyone who believes their Buddhist teachings are profound may come to Chang'an and test their skills.
"The final winner can be directly granted the title of 'Leader of the Buddhist Schools Under Heaven' by Your Majesty—"
Zhang Qi explained.
Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's hand holding the teacup stopped in midair, and his eyes slowly lit up.
What did he lack most right now?
Reputation, of course.
No one in court dared mention how he had shot his own brothers at Xuanwu Gate and forced his father to abdicate, but the spit flying around among the common folk could drown a man.
Holding such a grand nationwide event would not only divert attention, but also package him as a benevolent ruler.
This deal was guaranteed profit with no loss.
"An excellent plan!"
A few days later.
On the third day after the imperial notices went up, Chang'an went mad.
Zhang Qi walked along Vermilion Bird Avenue and was squeezed so badly that he nearly lost his shoes.
The once-wide bluestone road was now packed full of bald heads.
Cassocks of every color fluttered in the wind, while the air was thick with cheap sandalwood incense and sweat.
The foreign merchants' inns in West Market were completely full. Even firewood sheds were being rented out