The Splendid Brocade of the Painting Physician – Chapter 123

Chapter 123: Everything is Ready, Only the East Wind is Missing

When Princess Yunyin was mentioned, Xiao Jinyu’s eyes instantly turned cold.

“It is said that this Princess Yunyin colluded with Consort Peng, the birth mother of the Prince of Shixing, more than ten years ago. Princess Yunyin provided the Prince of Shixing with the private affairs of many ministers in the court and helped him build up his faction and strengthen his wings.

Many ministers in the court have their secrets in the hands of the Prince of Shixing, so they have to stand on his side and serve him.

On the other hand, those upright and loyal officials were slandered and framed by him and Prince of Xin’an, Chen Bogu. Some were dismissed from office, and some were imprisoned.

Therefore, at least half of the ministers in the court are now afraid of him and dare not confront him!”

Speaking of this, Li Mi was a little worried.

“Young Lady, are you really sure that you can bring him to justice this time, or even… force him to rebel?”

Xiao Jinyu was still immersed in the information about Princess Yunyin’s collusion with the Prince of Shixing. She pondered for a while before nodding.

“Yes, maybe the strength of one or two people is indeed not enough to bring him down, but if there are thousands of people working together and putting pressure on the Emperor, the result will definitely be different! So…”

At this point, she looked at Xiao Xian again and said with a smile, “This time, it’s Uncle Xian’s turn to help!”

Xiao Xian felt relieved and even more delighted. For him, being able to help was true happiness and the meaning of his existence.

“What is Young Lady going to do next?” Li Mi asked curiously.

Xiao Jinyu smiled slightly.

“Send the evidence to everyone who wants to see it!”

“Then, I need an opportunity, an opportunity to expose Chen Shuling’s crimes in front of the Emperor and set the record straight!”

“Uncle Xian will create this opportunity!”

✿✿✿

In the next few days, Jiankang City seemed calm on the surface, but in reality, undercurrents were surging. The Prince of Changsha ordered his informants to keep an eye on the movements in the Prince of Shixing’s Residence. Finally, one day, they discovered that someone from the residence had a private meeting with a Buddhist monk in Miaofa Temple. Later, Chen Shujian secretly captured the monk and brought him to the Prince of Changsha’s Residence.

Many officials who had been slandered and dismissed by the Prince of Shixing or who did not belong to his faction received a secret letter.

Xiao Xian visited Minister of the Left, Xu Ling, and Chief Censor, Wang Zheng.

Seven days later, in the Taiji Hall, Chief Censor Wang Zheng once again presented a memorial:

“The influence of the Buddhist community has become rampant and uncontrollable, causing the scholars and commoners in the world to only know the Buddhist teachings and not respect the Emperor. If this continues, I fear internal strife and external threats will arise, and the country will perish!”

“Therefore, I request the Emperor to execute these monks as a warning to others!”

Since Chen Xu proposed the “elimination of Buddhism” policy, which required monks and nuns to return to secular life and return their land, several high monks from Buddhist temples jointly submitted memorials, hoping that the Emperor would withdraw his order. For this purpose, these high monks also gathered a large number of monks in Miaofa Temple to meditate and chant.

Miaofa Temple is a royal temple, and Master Zhiyi, as its leader, is inciting public sentiment to accuse the Southern Chen Emperor of being unkind.

“The Buddhist community is also my people. I will not attack them with weapons. Do you have any other way to make these monks voluntarily return to secular life and hand over their land?”

Does he want to achieve the effect of subduing the enemy without fighting?

All the ministers in the court lowered their heads, and no one dared to step forward to offer advice.

After a long silence, Xiao Xian, who was standing at the very back of the Taiji Hall, stepped forward and replied:

“Your Majesty, I have a plan, I wonder if it is feasible?”

“Please speak, Qing.”

“We can have the four schools of Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism, and Miscellaneous debate with these high monks who represent Buddhism and convince them with reason. If they win, they can make the monks return to secular life and return the fields and temples to the farmers!”

“What if they lose? Wouldn’t it be difficult for Your Majesty’s new policy to be implemented?” A minister questioned.

Xiao Xian replied, “Therefore, we cannot lose, and we will not lose!”

“Then in your opinion, what kind of people are most suitable to debate with these high monks?”

Xiao Xian was inconvenient to answer, so Xu Ling stepped forward and replied:

“Your Majesty, I am willing to give it a try. In addition, I recommend Xie Zhen from the Chenjun Xie Clan, who became famous at the Pure Conversation Gathering, and Palace Censor Xiao, to help with the debate!”

The expression on Chen Xu’s face on the dragon throne was unreadable, but after a moment of silence, the Emperor suddenly spoke and said one word: “Approved!”

“Convey my imperial edict, summon Xie Zhen from the Chenjun Xie Clan to Miaofa Temple tomorrow at the third quarter of the hour of Chen to assist Minister Xu in the debate with the Buddhist community. Palace Censor Xiao and other ministers can also go together!”

“This debate, only victory is allowed, no defeat. I want these Buddhist monks to be completely convinced!”

……

✿✿✿

When the imperial edict reached the embassy, Prince of Lanling was caught off guard. He was worried about finding a Xie Zhen to receive the edict, but then Xiao Jinyu, already disguised as “Xie Zhen,” appeared at the gate of the embassy.

“Xie Zhen, receive the edict!”

A clear voice came, and Eunuch Wu was startled. He looked behind him.

He saw a young man in black clothes kneeling on one knee in front of him, raising his hands to receive the imperial edict in his hand.

“Oh my, you little fellow, why did you come behind me so quietly? You really scared this old servant!”

“I apologize. I went out to play for a while and didn’t know that the imperial edict would arrive suddenly. Fortunately, I didn’t come back too late!”

Eunuch Wu then handed the imperial edict to Xiao Jinyu and said with a smile, “This time, His Majesty has high hopes for Young Master Xie. I hope Young Master Xie will perform well and live up to his expectations!”

“Naturally!”

After Eunuch Wu finished delivering the edict, he returned to the palace. Xiao Jinyu followed Prince of Lanling into the embassy.

“What happened? Why did His Majesty suddenly send an edict asking you to debate with the high monks of the Buddhist community?” Prince of Lanling asked first.

“Chen Xu, the Emperor, wants to use the power of the four schools of Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism, and Miscellaneous to achieve his goal of taking land from the temples and forcing the monks to return to secular life. But at the same time, this is also the first blow I want to strike against Chen Shuling!”

Gao Changgong was a little confused, and Xiao Jinyu smiled.

“You will know tomorrow. If you have time, you can also go to Miaofa Temple to watch the debate!”

“But… to avoid unnecessary suspicion and trouble, A’yu will have to stay in the Prince’s embassy for another night.”

Gao Changgong was happy but also smiled wryly.

As Xiao Jinyu walked into the embassy casually, Gao Changgong suddenly called out, “Xiao A’yu!”

“Don’t you know how beautiful you are?”

Xiao Jinyu turned her head and smiled.

“I know! The Prince is also very beautiful!”

Gao Changgong was a little speechless. Since childhood, he didn’t like others praising his beauty. This girl was clearly teasing him on purpose.

“What I mean is, if you tempt me a few more times, I can’t guarantee that I can control myself…”

Xiao Jinyu paused and pondered for a moment before replying:

“Oh… where is it appropriate for me to sleep tonight?”

“…”

Lu Yu had been watching the two of them from the corner like he was watching a good show. He saw that his Prince’s face was getting redder and more embarrassed. Finally, he was speechless and simply strode over and picked Xiao Jinyu up horizontally.

“Then I won’t be polite. Sleep in my room!”

After saying that, he really carried Xiao Jinyu to the bedroom.

Lu Yu’s mouth hung open for a long time, but countless images had already formed in his mind.

Gao Changgong, who carried Xiao Jinyu into the bedroom, just stared at the girl in his arms for a long time. Suddenly, he asked in a low voice, “Are you planning to force the Prince of Shixing to rebel tomorrow? Will it be dangerous?”

Xiao Jinyu shook her head.

“It shouldn’t be. Everything is ready. There should be no accidents!”

“There should be no accidents, but what if there are?”