The emperor's eyes fell on Zhou Man from a distance, and he really wanted to unite with her, but unfortunately, he couldn't touch her small eyes.
The emperor became somewhat vague.
Wei Zhi insisted that he define his superstitious behavior, because it would involve the education of the common people in the world.
What is good at the top, what is good at the bottom
The emperor has repeatedly expressed kindness to the Buddhist temple, which has led to the rapid development of the Buddhist temple over the years. In order to please the emperor, some local officials even took the initiative to allocate land to the Buddhist temple for land, which made Wei Zhi very dissatisfied.
He used to impeach him a lot before, but the emperor pretended to be confused, and quickly admitted his mistakes. He turned around and did what he should do, and there are many major events in the world. Wei Zhi really didn't have the energy to focus on this matter to hate the emperor.
He is still very measured, if he annoys the emperor for such a matter and delays other matters, then the loss outweighs the gain.
It just so happens that there is nothing serious about it recently, and he can have a good talk with the emperor about it, and the timing is also the best.
Wei Zhi asked the emperor to express his opinion on the spot, and promised that he would not be obsessed with such illusory things as Buddhist temples and Taoist temples in the future.
The emperor didn't want to make a statement, because he believed in Buddhism from the bottom of his heart, and he believed it all. It would be embarrassing if he didn't give up something when he went to a Buddhist temple occasionally.
Wei Zhi saw that he was faltering and talking about him, so he turned slightly sideways to look behind, and raised his voice and asked: "Editor Zhou, you have the same belief as your majesty, why don't you come and talk to your majesty about this belief without being confused?" .”
Man Bao: ...
Wei Zhi is now the prime minister, the head of all officials, Man Bao dared not refuse, he was silent for a while and had to bite the bullet and get up to go out.
She glanced up quietly, meeting the emperor's eyes.
One monarch and one subject looked at each other silently for a moment, feeling a little pitiful.
Looking up, County Magistrate Tang couldn't hold back, and lowered his head to laugh.
The ministers also felt that Zhou Man's expression was a bit pitiful, mainly because she was still young and a girl, about the same age as the daughter, granddaughter and sister at home, so everyone turned their heads to look at Wei Zhi.
Wei Zhi's heart was as hard as iron, but his tone softened a bit, and he asked, "I don't know if Zhou Zhuan will give money every time he goes to a Taoist temple?"
Man Bao said: "Give it when you do something or ask for a safety talisman. Usually, you only visit the mountain to watch, and you don't give up money."
Man Bao paused, she also knew Wei Zhi's intentions, just as she was worried that the queen mother was too obsessed with Buddhism, he also worried that the emperor valued Buddhism too much.
So she still expressed her opinion under the eyes of the emperor. She is also a believer, and there is a mother who is obsessed with Tianzun at home. She knows the psychology of believers very well. They do so much for the sake of merit. It seems that merit can be exchanged with gods and Buddhas for something.
For example, Qian would use chanting scriptures, pay homage to the statue of Lao Tzu every morning and evening, occasionally donate eggs and rice to Taoist temples, and occasionally give copper coins if he is generous.
The purpose is to accumulate merit and then seek Manbao’s good health, a smooth life, and the safety and health of family members;
And the emperor gave Huguo Temple generous treatment from time to time, not only because there were monks who helped him to pacify the world in the early years and made contributions, but also because he wanted something from his heart.
He will use the merits obtained from the donation to wish the queen good health and a long life, and wish the safety and harmony of his children.
Man Bao pointed out this first, and the emperor on the seat nodded repeatedly, and couldn't help agreeing: "That's the reason, and I also want to protect the country and the people."
Naturally, he also begged the Li Dynasty for generations to come, but he knew that such a big wish would be difficult to realize, so he always picked the most important promise.
Wei Zhi twitched the corners of his mouth, and glanced at Zhou Man. Based on his understanding of her, she would definitely not be too arrogant.
Sure enough, Man Bao just finished talking about the psychology of being a believer headed by her, and then denied it, "But all the ministers know that it is wrong to place one's wishes and expectations on the appearance of Laojun."
The emperor's face froze.
Man Bao lowered his head and continued: "I've heard my mother say that my father burned incense to the Landlord since I was a child, but the land still needs to be plowed, the grass still needs to be plowed, and the water still needs to be watered. If this is the case, everyone will stop farming, let’s see if the gods will let the ground grow food that we can eat out of thin air.”
emperor:…
The ministers nodded slightly, although the words were rough, the truth was true.
"Thus, those who take the exam should still study hard, those who do business should also work hard to circulate, and those who farm the land must work harder, so that they can be successful. If this is the case, then it is unclear whether it is the gods and Buddhas who make people successful. , or let yourself succeed," Man Bao said: "I think that gods and Buddhas only lie in people's hearts, and Buddhist principles and morals are an understanding of the sages in the world and in life. Legalism and Legalism are not much different, except that these two have built Buddhist temples and Taoist temples, and intercepted some scriptures to be offered by believers."
Even Wei Zhi couldn't help looking at Zhou Man in amazement, and asked incredulously, "Is this your perception?"
Man Bao said: "My husband taught me."
Kong Jijiu immediately came out and said, "Your Majesty, Zhuang Xun has talent and should be used."
The emperor nodded again and again, and was about to change the topic, Wei Zhi brought the topic back, "Zhuang Xun should be useful, the words are clear, what do you think, Your Majesty?"
What could the emperor say? Naturally, he nodded, and continued to work hard to change the topic, "Okay, pass the decree, and Zhuang Xun will speak for the sixth-rank prince."
Very good, from the ninth rank to the sixth rank, he just wanted to wait for Wei Zhi's objection before entangled with this matter to waste time, who knows whether Wei Zhi will accept this quarrel, turned his head and said to Zhou Man: "You continue."
The emperor's heart fell from mid-air to the ground with a bang. He silently lowered his head and stared at Zhou Man, but Zhou Man didn't look up, but only stared at his own toes, so he only saw her black head.
"I think that what Buddhism and Taoism seek is to spread the teachings. That being the case, as a believer, spreading their good teachings is the greatest merit. Money and the like are trivial matters. Keep spreading the good things, and then It’s not enough to develop better teachings, this is to believe but not to be lost.”
Although Wei Zhi didn't quite agree with Zhou Man's "constantly preaching the good side", but because they were united now, he didn't raise any doubts immediately, but continued to point upwards at the emperor. Make a profound analysis of the impact brought about by the country's preferential treatment.
He obviously did the preparatory work. Starting from the number of monks registered ten years ago, he compared the number of new monks added each year one by one, and listed the increase ratio.
Two of the large-scale increases were the second year when the emperor prayed for the empress twice.
Wei Zhi spoke fiercely, demanding that the emperor take responsibility for this and promise to change his behavior in the future.
As for rectifying Buddhist temples, Wei Zhi could only think in his heart, not wanting to force the emperor too much for the time being.