Three Sins
Upon hearing this, Su Yao did not reply immediately. Instead, he turned his head and glanced back at Zilin and Yang Xiu. Seeing that they were also filled with doubt, he became even more puzzled.
After all, what did the late emperor's edict of self-reproach have to do with them?
They even had a local official come and read it to them personally.
But at this moment, he could not refuse. Although the other party was only a Primordial Holding the Profound blessed by the Immortal Dynasty Method, and although he was not as powerful as the Purple Mansion, he was stronger than all Foundation Establishment.
So he turned around and said:
"As you wish!"
Upon hearing this, County Magistrate Zheng shouted:
"I, with my meager virtue, have inherited this great foundation. For eight thousand years, I have toiled tirelessly day and night, never neglecting state affairs for a single day. However, recently my illness has worsened, and I know my end is near. In the middle of the night, I examined my conscience and reflected on my actions, deeply ashamed that I have failed the heavy trust placed in me by my ancestors and the hopes of my subjects. Now that I am about to pass away, I dare not conceal my faults. Therefore, I issue this edict to all within and outside the court, listing my transgressions and proclaiming them to the world, so that all may know."
He paused, his voice growing increasingly deep and serious:
"My sins are threefold: first, I have indulged the immortals too much; second, I have been too lenient in governing my ministers; and third, I have acted recklessly in changing the temple."
In the past, when Taizu Emperor Gao established the nation, he established the Treaty Jiashen Agreement Jia Shen, allowing various Daoist temples to be independent of the government, so as to fulfill their desire to renounce the world. However, since I ascended the throne, I have been too lenient and lenient, and whenever the Daoist sects make requests, I cannot bear to refuse them firmly. The number of ordination certificates issued to Daoist temples has been repeatedly increased, and the tax exemption for Daoist lands has become increasingly lenient. Even worse, some Daoist temples have privately established separate temples in places like Nanzhao, and I am fully aware of this, yet I have tolerated it without investigation. As a result, the Daoist sects have grown too powerful and have become hidden kingdoms within a kingdom. This is my crime of indulging the Daoists.
For tens of thousands of years, our dynasty has nurtured scholars, and civil and military officials have shared the fate of the nation. Since I came to power, I have been lenient with the people out of compassion. I have pardoned the meritorious officials who helped us establish the dynasty and quelled the rebellion, even for minor offenses, out of consideration for their service to the emperor. Over time, this has led to their arrogance. I have trusted the reports of the local officials, without questioning or investigating, and have watched as they exploited the people and formed cliques for personal gain. In the court, factions have gradually emerged. Not only have I failed to curb their growth, but I have also resorted to mediation to patch things up, resulting in the collapse of discipline and the corruption of officials. This is my fault in managing my ministers.
Chengzu Emperor Wen, my late father, harbored resentment due to the repeated changes in the succession. I then, citing classical texts, changed Emperor Taizong's temple name to Chengzu. While the name is honorable, it carries a hidden pain. For decades, whenever I thought of this, I would break out in a cold sweat. Now, as I approach my death, I have no face to meet my late father in the afterlife. Therefore, I hereby issue this edict to the world: from this day forward, Chengzu name shall revert to Taizong, and all sacrificial ceremonies shall continue according to the original system. This is my fault for changing the temple name.
My three crimes are clear and obvious, and it is too late for regrets! However, I have heard the words of a sage. "If I hear the Way in the morning, I can die content in the evening." Although I am about to pass away, I still hope that this edict of self-reproach will serve as a warning to future generations. From now on, anyone who follows in my footsteps will be condemned by the whole world.
After he finished speaking, there was a long silence in the Embracing Rosy Clouds Hall!
After a long silence, County Magistrate Zheng finally spoke:
"Prefect Su, can you hear me clearly?"
Su Yao snapped out of his daze and said coldly:
"I understand."
He then added another sentence.
"Yunhe, see the guests out!"
After saying this, he turned and headed into the Embracing Rosy Clouds Hall.
Zilin stepped forward and said angrily:
"Throughout history, there has never been a person who was unfilial, not even now!"
After saying this, he followed Su Yao away.
As Zilin turned around, Yang Xiu stepped forward and said coldly:
"Since ancient times, emperors have always treated scholars with courtesy and trust. Now, a mere county magistrate has entered the gates of the Three Pure Ones to proclaim an unwarranted edict of calamity. This is to treat the Daoist Mysterious Gate as mere commoners and the Daoist immortals as ordinary citizens."
He paused, looked directly at County Magistrate Zheng, and continued:
"Furthermore, the so-called crime of 'indulging in immortality' mentioned in the edict is a fault on their part, but a favor on ours. Since they consider favor a fault, they will surely consider harshness a merit in the future. If favor is a crime, what excuse is there for harshness? The Crown Prince is regent and has not yet assumed the throne, yet he uses the late emperor's words of repentance as an excuse, eager to win back the hearts of the people and establish the authority of the new dynasty. However, how can the Three Pure Ones be swayed by a mere edict from you!"
After saying this, Yang Xiu snorted coldly and followed Su Yao and Zilin away.
At this moment, Liu Yunhe and the other four were also filled with anger, but Liu Yunhe still said softly:
"Since the magistrate has already acted this way, why not leave as soon as possible?"
Seeing this, County Magistrate Zheng said nothing more, but simply cupped his hands in a gesture of the Embracing Rosy Clouds Hall.
Then it transformed into a streak of blue light and vanished.
After the blue light disappeared, Su Yao's voice came from inside the hall:
"Siyi, go and summon Yang Zhao and Li Xu!"
Upon hearing this, Li Siyi responded and immediately went to call for help.
The rest of the group entered the Embracing Rosy Clouds Hall one by one.
As everyone entered the hall, they saw Su Yao with a face full of anger.
Zilin, sitting on the right, offered words of comfort:
"Fellow Daoist, why be angry? When Renzong was in power, although he wasn't as ruthless towards our immortal sects as Taizu or Chengzu, he still imposed many restrictions on us. As for this edict of self-reproach..."
She abruptly changed the subject, her tone becoming somewhat sarcastic:
"Whether Emperor Renzong said it himself is still uncertain. For a son to change his father's temple name repeatedly, and then issue an edict on his deathbed to completely absolve himself of all wrongdoing—truly the epitome of filial piety!"
Yang Xiu continued:
"What a fine word, 'filial piety.' He remained indifferent for eight thousand years during his lifetime, yet after his death, a single edict of self-reproach completely absolved him of any responsibility for the temple's renovation, while also insulting the immortals, nobles, and local officials. Under the guise of repentance, he actually seized power; using the rhetoric of filial piety, he silenced the voices of the people. If Renzong knew this in the afterlife, I wonder whether he should laugh or cry."
Su Yao sneered:
"Whether it's His Highness's intention is still uncertain. It could be that some official is doing this deliberately to ensure a legitimate right to the throne."
Zilin hesitated slightly, as if remembering something, and after a moment of hesitation, she said:
"Speaking of which, I'm reminded of something. Before coming to Nanzhao, I heard Danqiuzi Supreme True Person mention that he wanted to borrow the Five Qi Essence-Suppressing Curtain from Jade Void, but was told that it was in Jiankang at the time and could not be used lightly. Supreme True Person said it seemed to be related to the situation in Jiankang. As for the specifics of the relationship, I don't know..."
Su Yao remained silent for a moment, then nodded slightly:
"When Renzong was on his deathbed, the Five Qi Essence-Suppressing Curtain happened to be in the palace. The implications of this are self-evident."
He paused, then his tone calmed down:
"Let it be. We've weathered so many hardships since the Taizu, what's another one? At worst, we can retreat to our celestial temples, blessed lands, or secluded grottoes to live in seclusion. After all, we are people from outside the world."
Having said that, he rose, put his hands behind his back, looked at the great sun hanging high in the sky outside the hall, and recited in a melodious voice:
"Looking coldly at the golden palaces and vermilion towers, what's the point of fighting over the rights and wrongs of the legitimate and illegitimate children?"
Do not boast of the magnificent rivers and mountains, for in the end they are nothing more than ruined gardens covered in moss, broken steles bathed in the setting sun.
Do You Not See how the robes and hats of three generations have been given away to overgrown weeds and desolate hills?
Even the most noble and powerful will eventually find themselves amidst chaos and fluttering shadows, with ghosts weeping and people busy with their own affairs.
Since ancient times, dynasties have never had a fixed ruler, so why bother asking about short or long?
And I lie high above, amidst the pear blossoms, listening to the wind in the pines, dreaming of a life of fleeting joy."
After the recitation, the hall remained silent for a long time.
Zilin silently savored a few of the sentences:
"'Do not boast of the magnificent rivers and mountains, for in the end they are nothing but ruined gardens, overgrown with moss, and broken steles bathed in the setting sun'... Well said. All three dynasties had Heavenly Venerable, and even when the Immortal Truth dynasty fell, the royal family still had immortals alive. But when the tide turns, the position of ruler of the world is not so easy to hold; many forces across the land are eyeing this place!"