Journey to the West: Sun Wukong's Advice System-Chapter 230 Zhen Guo Temple and the National Master Liu Xiu

Chapter 230: Chapter 230 Zhen Guo Temple and the National Master Liu Xiu

Wang Mang had been the true emperor for six years after assuming the title of a puppet ruler.

Yet recently, there had been more uprisings among the people, which weighed heavily on his mind, as he failed to grasp where exactly he fell short.

Six years earlier, under the guidance of a Holy Monk, he used prophecies and mystical edicts to force the young Emperor Liu Ying to abdicate the throne, thus becoming the master of the realm, donning the imperial crown, and ascending to the throne as the Celestial Son. He established a new era, and renamed Chang’an to Chang’an.

In the year he claimed the throne, he began to reform the empire’s systems, following the ideal society as depicted by the Rites of Zhou.

He converted all lands to imperial lands, replacing private lands with the notion of imperial ones, and restored the well-field system.

He renamed slaves to "private subjects," and, like imperial lands, prohibited their sale and purchase.

He also reformed the currency and the official systems several times, nationalized the salt and iron industries, and claimed mountains, rivers, and streams as state property.

At the same time, he sought to provide rest for the people, aiming for the prosperity of the nation and the peace of the citizenry.

But contrary to expectations, these reforms did not produce any visible results. Instead, the empire grew more chaotic, and rebellions were incessant.

In response, he followed the Holy Monk’s advice once more and built Buddhist temples throughout the land to alleviate the suffering of the people, believing that rebellion would naturally subside.

Indeed, the approach proved effective, as the rebellions across the regions ceased and disasters abated, leading to a peaceful and harmonious empire.

Wang Mang felt that the golden age of governing under the Rites of Zhou was within reach.

But somehow, new rebellions had arisen again recently.

Amid his frustrations, Wang Mang visited the great Zhen Guo Temple outside the city of Chang’an to meet with Jia Ye, the Holy Monk from the western Buddha Sect.

Due to the flooding in Chang’an and the sutra-chanting event at the White Horse Temple, he initially harbored reservations about the Buddha Sect.

However, after having in-depth exchanges with Jia Ye, his impression of the Buddha Sect shifted.

Firstly, the flood in Chang’an that year was the doing of the Supreme One Ananda acting independently, not under the Buddha’s direction.

Secondly, and most importantly, the Western Pure Land described by Jia Ye bore a striking resemblance to the harmonious society he sought to create.

Furthermore, what excited him even more was that the Pure Land appeared to be an even better version than the utopian society he envisaged, as it promised eternal life.

Jia Ye demonstrated Divine Skills and told him that as long as he could spread the Buddhist Law throughout the Southern Continent, he would also be able to reign as king in the Pure Land one day.

Thus, he and Jia Ye became friends with a shared vision, and he often visited to seek advice.

At this moment, in a meditation room in the back courtyard of the Zhen Guo Temple, the two sat opposite each other.

Wang Mang said, "Holy Monk, my policies are good, your Buddhist Law is also good, so why do people still rebel?"

Jia Ye smiled and said, "Because everyone’s mind is different, and there will always be those whose desires are unfulfilled."

"Then what should I do?"

"The Buddhist Law can transform those whose desires are unfulfilled. If rebellions occur, it means that the Buddhist Law has not reached there, and we must build more temples."

"I understand now."

After their conversation, listening to the harmonious Buddhist chants and bell sounds, Wang Mang felt much more at peace.

He then listened to Jia Ye expounding the profound mysteries of the Buddhist Law and decided to return the following day to hear more.

But late at night, an urgent report came from an officer of the Brave Cavalry.

"The officer of the Brave Cavalry?" Wang Mang couldn’t immediately recall who it was.

An attentive eunuch beside him reminded him cautiously, "Your Majesty, it’s the... the enforcer of the security bureau..."

Only then did Wang Mang remember that he had recently renamed the position, which was responsible for guarding the imperial travel and the capital.

Soon enough, the officer of the Brave Cavalry came to report: "Your Majesty, spies have discovered that the state preceptor Liu Xiu has been interacting frequently and intimately with several relatives of the Liu clan, and it seems they are plotting something."

"Liu Xiu?" Wang Mang knitted his brows.

Before he usurped the Han throne, he had served as a Gentleman of the Yellow Gates, and at that time, Liu Xing, who was in charge of managing the Great Han treasury, was also a Gentleman of the Yellow Gates. They had formed a deep friendship from there.

He quickly climbed the ranks in the royal court, while Liu Xin and his father Liu Xiang made significant achievements in the classics of history and literature, with Liu Xin becoming a well-known master of reviving ancient literature and a famous Confucian scholar.

After he became the Grand Marshal, he promoted Liu Xin continuously until Liu Xin was both ennobled and appointed as the Minister of State.

During this period, Liu Xin also changed his name to Liu Xiu.

After changing his name, Liu Xiu did not disappoint his trust, providing not only strategies but also using his knowledge of ancient literature to earn a great reputation for him, helping him to rightfully replace the Han and establish a new dynasty.

It could be said that, even without the support of the Buddha Sect, he was confident in ascending to the throne.

After he proclaimed himself emperor, he valued Liu Xiu even more, appointing him as the National Preceptor.

During his reform of the system according to the rites of Zhou, Liu Xiu, the great Confucian scholar of the time, proved to be of considerable help.

Now, hearing that Liu Xiu was closely associating with some of the Liu clan’s relatives, Wang Mang immediately became suspicious.

Because half a year ago, Liu Xiu’s son, together with others, had presumptuously made prophecies using talismans and had been beheaded by him.

Talismans symbolize the mandate of heaven, and back in the day, he had used the talismans as evidence to successfully scheme for the supreme position.

Thinking of this, Wang Mang said sternly, "Go and investigate thoroughly!"

After the Feat Wu School Captain left, Wang Mang lost interest in listening to Jia Ye preach, and returned to Chang’an that very night.

Jia Ye saw him off outside Zhen Guo Temple, watching the departing convoy, the smile on his face disappeared.

Through the years of interaction, he had seen through Wang Mang’s capabilities.

This man was more about talk than action, always impractical and overly idealistic.

However, for the Buddha Sect, this was not a bad thing, but rather beneficial for spreading Buddhist Law.

So in supporting Wang Mang, he did not deliberately make changes, but rather went with the flow, using the faith in Buddhist Law to help Wang Mang quell the rebellions throughout the land.

And the common people, having suffered hardship, would come to appreciate the priceless value of Buddhist Law, thus increasing the number of followers of the Buddha Sect.

"Amitabha, well said, well said," Jia Ye chanted a Buddhist mantra in his heart and turned to go back into the temple.

On the other side, when Wang Mang returned to Chang’an, it was already the next day at dawn.

The Feat Wu School Captain came to report again, "Your Majesty, I have found out that it was the Duke of An Ding who used blood as ink to write a decree and sewed it inside his belt, quietly sending it to the National Preceptor, Liu Xiu."

Upon hearing this, Wang Mang immediately sneered, "What a Liu Xiu!"

He had bestowed upon the young Liu Ying the title of Duke of An Ding, and his position as emperor had come through the abdication of Liu Ying.

Now, what was the intention behind creating a blood decree?

Clearly, it was to rebel against him!

Who was the mastermind?

Wang Mang knew it certainly wasn’t the young Liu Ying, as Liu Ying was only twelve years old, and had been the Crown Prince of the Great Han for only three years before, at the age of four, being imprisoned by him and cut off from any external communication.

Now, Liu Ying was nothing but an ignorant fool who could not even speak clearly, how could he write any blood decree!

Therefore, the mastermind must be the National Preceptor, Liu Xiu!

After all, Liu Xiu was also a relative of the Liu clan, a descendant from Emperor Gaozu of Han’s brother, Liu Jiao, and with his son being executed by him, the emperor, it was indeed likely that he held a grudge and was plotting rebellion.

At this moment, the Feat Wu School Captain hesitated slightly, then said, "Your Majesty, I have also found another prophecy."

Wang Mang’s eyes narrowed, and he asked hastily, "What does it say?"

The Feat Wu School Captain said, "Liu Xiu is destined to be the emperor."

Wang Mang’s expression changed.

The common folk now greatly believe in prophecies and heavenly omens, and once any prophecy emerged, it would surely spread swiftly among the people. freeweɓnøvel.com