Lord: Start with a book of Water Margin

Chapter 438 Preaching
Seeing that Zhao Zhen was listening attentively, Gongsun Sheng continued, "I have discussed with Qiao Daoqing and Fan Rui. Let's not talk about other things first, let's distinguish them in terms of clothing. The old ministers of the Heavenly Master, high-level magicians, and those who are outstanding in the scriptures and laws wear purple robes. The upper-level magicians wear red robes, and the others are allowed to use them for casting spells, submitting petitions, praying, etc. The middle-level magicians wear blue robes, and the others are allowed to use them for worshiping the stars and celebrating birthdays. The lower-level magicians wear green robes, and the casual immortals also wear them. Taoist children, fire Taoists, believers, etc. wear black, white, and multicolored robes. The materials must also be distinguished."

"In each Taoist temple, the number of five-level Taoist priests should be limited according to the size of the mountain gate. For example, in a large temple, there should be three high-level magicians, five upper-level magicians, thirty middle-level magicians, sixty lower-level magicians, and a number of Taoist children. For those who have made contributions, the number will be increased, and for those who have not, the number will be reduced. The number of Taoist priests in each temple will change every three to five years. If a small Taoist temple has made outstanding contributions, it can be promoted to a medium-level Taoist temple, and the number of high-level Taoist priests can be increased accordingly. There should also be restrictions on secluded Taoist temples and ancestral temples. Those who have not made contributions are not allowed to preach."

"The money from incense offerings in Taoist temples is registered every day and redistributed by the Taoist Alliance. Based on the size of each Taoist temple, after deducting the basic expenses for maintaining the temple, the rest will be allocated by the Taoist Alliance based on the merits of each temple. In this way, all Taoist temples are naturally under control. As for Buddhist temples, they emphasize equality of all beings, and Buddhist robes have never been divided into different levels. Junior brothers can ask Yuantong, Yuanguang, Guanghui and others to set regulations."

"The two Taoist temples in Xianfang are both small mountain gates. According to my original idea, the abbot of the small Taoist temple is just a middle-level wizard wearing green robes. The two Taoist temple masters can wear red robes before they pass away, and they can pass on their power to the next generation. The number of lower-level wizards wearing green robes will also increase by four places."

"In addition, both Buddhism and Taoism have secret alchemy and weapon-making techniques, which consume the most gold and silver. For example, the Taoist golden elixir costs a lot of gold and silver, and it may not be successful, which is very costly. Taoists who practice the art of alchemy have a lot of desire for money. There are also restrictions on monks and Taoists who perform rituals in villages and towns. Taoist priests in this state must be presided over by a master with blue robes. The fifth-level robes are the fifth-level Taoist positions in the state."

"In addition to the five levels, there are many monks and Taoists in each temple who have special skills. They can also make contributions and receive some rewards. As for those who practice asceticism, they don't need to care about material things. They only need to maintain their basic needs."

After hearing this, Zhao Zhen nodded repeatedly.

Zhao Zhen naturally wanted to control Buddhism and Taoism, and asked Gongsun Sheng and others to survey Taoist temples for this purpose.

Preventing bad guys from hiding in temples and preventing evil cults from growing was just an apparent reason. After all, Zhao Zhen had read history books and knew that there were many uprisings that relied on preaching, so no one could say anything about it.

On the other hand, Taoist temples and Buddhist monasteries venerate virtue and are believed by the people, which can also stabilize the hearts of the people under their rule.

Buddhism cultivates the afterlife, Taoism cultivates this life, and Confucianism verifies one's self.

These three are useful to Zhao Zhen. Confucianism is not to be mentioned. Local governance has always been inseparable from scholars. If there are ghosts and monsters in the border areas, these two will naturally be useful. Even if there are no ghosts and monsters, it is also good to appease the people.

Zhao Zhen said, "Brother, you are right. This Dao League will be carried out as you said. I will consult Yuantong, Guanghui and others, and decide on Buddhist affairs, and then we will announce and implement it together."

As they were talking, Zhao Yuanli walked in. Zhao Zhen asked, "What's the matter?"

Zhao Yuanli replied, "Fan County Magistrate Wang sent someone to deliver an urgent document."

"Please come in quickly."

After a while, Zhao Yuanli came in with a messenger.

After the greeting, the delivery man took out an official document and a book and handed them over.

Zhao Zhen checked the seal, opened the document, and was stunned after reading it. He handed the document to Gongsun Sheng, who was standing beside him, and said, "Brother Gongsun, you can take a look too."

After seeing this, Gongsun Sheng and the other two looked at each other in bewilderment.

Gongsun Sheng said: "I am ashamed that we did not even notice this group of evil cultists."

"Brother, there is no need to be so. Didn't Wang Lun find it in Fan County? It was only when the brothers Kong Changsheng and Kong Weisheng went to the countryside to survey the land that they discovered the clues. It is hidden so deeply that it cannot be discovered unless you go deep into the villages. Fortunately, the Chao Gai brothers have already led people to make arrangements. Liu Xinmin is also very capable. He can actually compile a "Heavenly King's Precious Sutra for Saving People" by himself." Zhao Zhen said, holding up the book in his hand.

Gongsun Sheng took the book, flipped through it briefly and said, "It's just a collection of seven-character poems written by people with names like Pokong Patriarch and Dakong Patriarch. It's like a song but not a song, like a poem but not a poem, and the language is very vulgar."

Zhao Zhen smiled and said, "Brother, don't underestimate this book. There are many ignorant people among the villagers in the mountains. If someone with bad intentions stirs up trouble, it will cause a big disturbance."

Then he said to the postman, "You have been traveling hard all the way. Go down and rest for a day. I will return to Fan County with the official documents tomorrow."

"Yuan Li, please arrange for this brother to go down and rest, and treat him with good wine and good meat."

After hearing this, the postman bowed and followed Zhao Yuanli down.

Zhao Zhen then continued, "Liu Xinmin is currently preaching the gospel. Wang Lun has sent people to join the gospel and secretly investigate the situation. Tomorrow I will lead the Left Brave Cavalry Battalion, the Right Brave Cavalry Battalion, and the Bandit Catching Battalion to Fan County to meet Liu Xinmin. Xu Rongfu recommended someone the other day. He is currently in Fan County. I will go meet him."

Gongsun Sheng said, "I will go with you tomorrow to see how Liu Xinmin preaches and how he keeps it a secret." Qiao Daoqing said, "Your Excellency, in my opinion, Liu Xinmin is just a greedy person. Look at what the book says: All appearances are false. Because all appearances are false, those who have wealth must not be stingy with money and must sincerely offer it to the Heavenly King. The Heavenly King will be happy to bless you, prolong your life in this life, and ascend to heaven after death."

"Those who have no wealth should also see through the vanity of their bodies and go to the Heavenly King to sacrifice their bodies, offering the goods they have earned and being at the disposal of the head of the sect. The Heavenly King will be delighted."

At that moment, Zhao Zhen wrote a military order and asked Zhao Ji to deliver it to various places.

On the second day, after everything was packed up, Zhao Zhen rode on the Zhaoye Jade Lion Horse and, along with a group of soldiers and messengers, headed for Fan County in a mighty procession.

In Fan County, Wang Lun received the news from the postman in advance, and took Yan Liu and a group of county clerks to meet Zhao Zhen three miles outside the city. After greeting, Zhao Zhen asked, "Where is Chao Tuanlianshi?"

"Sir, Chao Tuanlian led his men to pretend to march and practice, and they have now stopped in Longwangzhuang Township, which is adjacent to Zhangzhuang Township." Wang Lun replied quickly.

Zhao Zhen listened, nodded and asked: "Have you found out how many villagers and farmers have converted to Christianity?"

Wang Lun said, "Sir, we have investigated it. Fortunately, the brothers Kong Changsheng and Kong Xinmin, the two officials of the Ministry of Revenue, discovered it early. This Liu Xinmin is not from here. He has been in Zhangzhuang Township for only a month. He worships a deity called Duobao Tianwang. He claims to be the chief teacher under Tianwang. Now he is preaching in seven villages in Zhangzhuang Township."

Zhao Zhen frowned and asked, "There are seven villages, and no one has filed a complaint?"

Wang Lun heard this and said quickly, "Sir, Zhangzhuang Township straddles both sides of the Yellow River. These seven villages are all on the east bank of the Yellow River. Anyone who wants to report the news will probably be killed."

After hearing this, Zhao Zhen frowned even more. He asked someone to bring the map and asked Wang Lun to point at something on the map.

After looking at it, Zhao Zhen nodded and ordered the army to go into the camp and rest.

After the soldiers and horses were arranged, Zhao Zhen called Wang Lun and asked, "Does Liu Xinmin know magic?"

"According to the spies, this fellow uses spirit writing to summon the saints, incantations to cure diseases, and lights of incense and lamps to transform people into figures. He claims to be able to predict life and death, disasters and blessings, and has received the true teachings of the Heavenly King of Duobao. The seven villages have been hyped up by him."

"I also heard that this fellow has established a law of restraint: Anyone who joins the religion must swear a solemn oath in front of the Heavenly King. If anyone betrays the religion and leaves, he will go to the eighteen major hells after death, with mountains of swords, trees of swords, fire snakes, and iron dogs, and suffer endlessly. He also established the names of enlightenment, reunion in the magpie's nest, dragon girl offering pearls, etc. Because of this, most of the villagers did not come to report it."

"Now, Liu Xinmin's notices are posted in these seven villages. The spy secretly uncovered one and it is here. Please take a look, sir."

Zhao Zhen took the notice and saw that it read: Liu Yiyu, the Minister of Religion, is hereby issued by the Heavenly King of Many Treasures and Wishful Destiny to maintain the Dharma Realm, govern Yin and Yang, and manage the wealth of the land and water in the world. The people are informed:

I have heard that those who convert to the orthodox religion will be blessed by the gods. Those who believe in the Heavenly King will attend the meeting at Longhua. This head of the sect has received the Heavenly King's personal instructions to save all living beings, so that all under heaven can attain peace and happiness. Therefore, this is the original wish of dedicating the merits to the Heavenly King to save all living beings.

I have been the headmaster of the sect since the beginning of the sect. And how can good men and women not believe in the Heavenly King? Now, I have received the Heavenly King's instructions and entrusted this headmaster with persuading you and the people to turn your hearts to goodness. How can you not believe in the Heavenly King and fall into hell after death?

All of you citizens must fill in the list yourself, noting the age and appearance of the old and young, men and women, and servants one by one. On the day of perfection, this headmaster will pray to the Heavenly King on your behalf, absolve you of your sins of poverty and give you a hundred years of fortune and luck.

Those who do not believe in the Heavenly King and flee with their wives and children, the Heavenly King will be furious and make you die in poverty and be banished to the Avici Hell, where you will never be able to be reborn as a human being again, and it will be too late to regret it.

Special instructions.

Zhao Zhen couldn't help but smile bitterly after reading this. The people were so stupid that they were willing to be instigated. He said, "The people are innocent and should be pardoned. This Liu Xinmin has ulterior motives. After he is captured alive, he must be executed in front of the people so that they can see his true face. In addition to Liu Xinmin, are there any other powerful people?"

"I don't know where this fellow got four people from. They are all quite strong. They were appointed as generals to protect the religion. The leader is called Zhang Chi, who uses a solid iron stick. The second one is Ba Zeng, who uses a nine-toothed nail mace. The third one is Ji Guang, who uses a five-pronged steel fork. The fourth one is Lu Duo, who uses an ox-head boring machine. In addition to these four, more than ten supervisors were appointed and distributed to various villages. Each village has more than ten backbones. There are only about a hundred people in total, and the rest of the farmers are mostly watching."

After hearing this, Zhao Zhen understood what was going on and sent Wang Lun back to the city.

On the second day, Zhao Zhen and his entourage met up with Chao Gai and Han Boling in Longwangzhuang Township. The two armies crossed the Yellow River and went to various villages to search for the core members of the Christian community, and then met up in Jiaozhuang where Liu Xinmin was.

(End of this chapter)