Hengdao Sixteen Kingdoms

Chapter 679 Bond

"Where are the monks so arrogant?" Li Yue was unconvinced at first glance.

These days there are a lot of magicians and alchemists who come to deceive the emperor at every turn. Even Ran Min fell for it. After listening to Fa Rao's deception, he went out to play with Yue Wan, which led to the great defeat of the Xiang Kingdom and the destruction of one hundred thousand elites. Ran Wei has been unable to recover since then...

The last time there was chaos in Liangzhou, it was these monks who played a leading role in the chaos, but Wang Meng took over everything.

Now they actually dare to come to your door?

Li Yue thought. Could it be that he was here for revenge?

Liu Ying said on the side: "All the countries in the Western Regions respect Samana. Since this person dares to come, he must have someone to rely on. You might as well meet him. If he speaks out, it will not be too late to punish him."

Li Yueran said, "It doesn't matter if you meet him. He knows that he is going to kill the monks, but he still dares to come to the door. At least this person is quite brave, so he is called in."

"Little Monk Lezun, pay homage to Your Majesty." The person who came was a Han monk with a bamboo staff and a mango. His face was wrinkled by the northwest wind, his eyes were clear, and his tone was gentle and sincere.

This appearance made Li Yue feel good about him.

What I hated before were fake monks who made money through Buddhism, not monks who were virtuous and knowledgeable.

"I claim to have a strategy to pacify the Western Regions, so I might as well tell you." Li Yue doesn't like to be long-winded and likes to get straight to the point.

Le Zun clasped his hands together and said, "Your Majesty, does he know why all the countries in the Western Region rebelled this time?"

"Why?" Li Yue's heart moved, and his interest was immediately aroused.

"All the countries in the Western Regions practice Buddhism. There are thousands of pagodas in Qiuci alone. Your Majesty suppressed the monks and common people in the Western Regions. They were all afraid of him. They were instigated by others, which led to what happened today. Forgive me for speaking frankly, even if Your Majesty can defeat the coalition forces of all countries. , it will be difficult to pacify the Western Regions." Le Zun looked sincere.

Being able to say these words shows that this person has some moral integrity.

Of course, not everyone can believe in Buddhism in this era. If you don’t have some financial resources and knowledge, you can’t survive. How can you study Buddhism?

And what he said makes sense.

It is not difficult to defeat the countries in the Western Regions militarily, but it is difficult to maintain long-term rule. The Han Dynasty was as strong as the Three Jue and Three Links, let alone the current Liang State.

Li Yue has always respected talented people. The frivolous look on his face disappeared and his title changed, "What the great monk said is true. Is there any good strategy?"

"Your Majesty, does your Majesty know why Emperor Ming of the Han Dynasty built the White Horse Temple?"

The reason why ascetics arose in the Central Plains was because Emperor Ming of the Han Dynasty sent envoys to Tianzhu to extradite Buddhism, built the White Horse Temple in Luoyang, and established the practice of "burning lanterns to represent the Buddha" during the Lantern Festival.

Everything is interrelated, and a capable emperor will not do these things without reason.

During the reign of Emperor Ming of the Han Dynasty, many major events occurred. He sent Dou Gu to attack the Northern Xiongnu, annexed the Ailao Kingdom in the southwest, marched into the Western Regions, and established the Western Regions Protectorate, thus re-integrating the Western Regions into the Chinese territory.

The introduction of Samana was precisely to stabilize the Western Region.

The achievements of Emperor Ming of the Han Dynasty have been underestimated in history.

However, there were too many wise kings in the Han Dynasty, and most of them were relatively high-level, so famous Chinese families were named "Han".

"The great monk has a sharp eye!" Li Yue immediately knew what he was thinking.

"Since Emperor Ming of the Han Dynasty can accommodate Samana, with His Majesty's great talent and broad strategy, why should he be turned away?"

It's so refreshing when smart people talk to each other.

Li Yue laughed heartily. This Lezun was indeed not a simple person. He compared himself with Emperor Ming of the Han Dynasty and praised him secretly, "The great monk has great opinions. I am not destroying Buddha, but cleaning up the door for Buddhism. I heard your words today, as if I was enlightened and enlightened in my heart!"

Samana must be suppressed in China, but promoted in the Western Regions.

Everything must be done with a starting point. Now Buddhism has become a cultural link between the Central Plains and the Western Regions.

With this link, the Western Regions, plateaus, and grasslands can all be connected.

And history is also moving in this vein. The great thing about Chinese civilization is that it can tolerate any other culture. Buddhism was introduced to China, combined with Chinese civilization, and rejuvenated.

"Young monk, I actually have something to ask for when I come here." Seeing that Li Yue was in a good mood, Le Zun took the opportunity to make a request.

"The great monk just said it doesn't matter."

He must have his own agenda for taking such a big risk.

"The young monk traveled around Dunhuang and came to Mingsha Mountain. The golden light seemed to be thousands of Buddhas appearing. He expected that this place must be a holy place. He begged your majesty to dig a Buddhist cave to promote Buddhism and educate the barbarians in the Western Regions."

"Mogao Grottoes?" Li Yue was shocked.

The historical Mogao Grottoes are in Dunhuang, and they were built during this era.

"What?" Le Zun was stunned.

"It's nothing. Since the Buddha appeared in the Sand Mountain during my tour to the west, it means that I have a predestined relationship with the Buddha. I should express my feelings a little bit. There are craftsmen in the army, and I will let them build the Buddha's cave."

A man can bend and stretch, and as long as he can maintain his rule in the Western Regions, it is not a bad idea for Li Yue to bow his head to the Buddha.

Besides, the flourishing of Buddhism in Liangzhou and the Western Regions is a major historical trend and should be followed.

Building Buddhist caves can also reduce the hostility of the countries in the Western Regions towards Daliang.

"Thank you very much, Your Majesty. After more than seventy years of chaos in the world, we will finally meet a wise king. China will be prosperous. The people in the Western Regions are not all ambitious barbarians. I hope that Your Majesty will be more open-minded. The key to Buddhism is not to kill, not to kill." , have the protection of the gods." Monk Le Zun put his hands together and pronounced the Buddha's name.

Li Yue felt happy, as the monk persuaded him to come here.

But everyone has his own position. He is a monk and he is the emperor.

In this land of the Western Region, how can we stop killing if we don’t kill? How can we deter ambitious people without killing?

For the long-term peace and stability of the Western Region, we must raise the butcher's knife, and then we can talk about benevolence, righteousness and morality. Without threats, kindness has no meaning.

"I have recorded what the great monk said." Li Yue did not refute him face to face.

How this battle will turn out depends on Murong Chui.

Judging from his ferocity in the Battle of Gaochang, he probably won't show mercy.

Secondly, Murong Chui killed too many people and would definitely become the target of criticism in the court. Li Yue could use this incident to show his favor to Murong Chui.

Three birds with one stone.

It's definitely not possible to be an emperor without an emperor's mind.

Monk Le Zun is very knowledgeable and knows everything about astronomy and geography, ancient and modern, and he can be regarded as a strange person in the world. After a deep conversation, both the guest and the host enjoyed it.

Li Yue kept his promise and immediately ordered the craftsmen accompanying the army to rush to Mingsha Mountain to build Buddhist caves.

The emperor's every move always attracts the attention of thousands of people, and it is such a big event as worshiping Buddha. As soon as the news spread, the powerful nobles of Dunhuang and the surrounding chiefs generously donated money and people, and even the common people came to help voluntarily.

If someone comes to your door, you definitely can’t refuse.

Li Yue also used the construction of Buddhist caves to show his goodwill towards Samanas. The more people there were, the louder the movement, and the faster the news was transmitted, so he readily accepted it.

It would be a good idea for people like Liangzhou and the Western Regions to study Buddhism more to reduce their anger, so as not to be preoccupied with murder, arson, and rebellion.

(End of this chapter)