Emperor Taichang summoned the chief grand secretary and the ministers of the relevant departments to inquire about the matter.
The court was now firmly in the grip of the Donglin Party. As soon as they heard that the emperor wanted to build Daoist temples throughout the country, they leaped out to oppose him.
The emperor patiently explained that Perfected Primordial Yang was a genuine immortal master, possessed of true supernatural powers from the Gods.
The ministers still refused. Chief Grand Secretary Ye Xianggao led the charge, saying that disasters and famines were erupting across the realm, and even relief funds were stretched thin. How could they undertake vast construction projects and build Daoist temples everywhere?
The emperor said the state would not have to spend a single copper coin. Immortal Master Primordial Yang would handle everything himself.
The ministers still disagreed. "If a Daoist is not after money, he must be after land. Once Your Majesty issues the decree, they will inevitably seize property by guile and force throughout the country, occupying fertile fields and competing with the common people for land."
The emperor then produced the plans Shi Feiyang had drawn for him. "There are seventy-two prefectural seats in all across the country. Each will have one Daoist temple to the east of the city and another to the west, all on high ground in the countryside outside the walls. Each temple will occupy no more than twenty mu, and none will be granted farmland. They will support themselves entirely through offerings."
"That still will not do..."
The ministers cited a great heap of historical examples of Daoists bringing calamity upon the state and its people. They also said that if the emperor refused to heed their advice and persisted, he would meet the same end as Emperor Huizong