Chinese people like to talk about things at dinner parties. This has been the dinner party culture since ancient times. Today is no exception. After drinking a lot of wine, Zhu Ping'an heard people at the main table start talking about the Sea Sacrifice, so he pricked up his ears.
"Regarding the sea sacrifice, I wonder when and where Lord Zhao plans to hold the sacrifice?" Someone at the main table asked Zhao Wenhua.
"The Japanese threat is getting worse day by day, so the sooner the sea sacrifice is held, the better. The sooner the Japanese threat is eliminated, the sooner the people can have peace and tranquility. Of course, it has to be done quickly, but we also have to choose an auspicious day."
Zhao Wenhua replied.
"Yes, yes, we must choose an auspicious day for good luck and success. Coincidentally, the famous Jinshan Temple is not far away in Zhenjiang. The White Snake flooded Jinshan Mountain and this temple is mentioned. I am an old acquaintance of the abbot of Jinshan Temple, Master Huishan. I can ask Master Huishan to choose an auspicious day for the sea sacrifice."
When it comes to auspicious days, an official couldn't wait to recommend Master Huishan of Jinshan Temple. His family had invited Master Huishan for all their weddings and funerals, and all of them went smoothly.
"Ahem, Lord Wang, you've been drinking again. Why are you talking about alcohol? There are many famous Taoist temples near us. It would be better to ask some Taoist priests with high moral character and profound practice to choose an auspicious day."
The official next to him coughed and spoke slowly.
The current emperor is practicing Buddhism and choosing an auspicious day, but you actually recommend a Buddhist monk. What do you mean by this
If we take this too far, can we say that in your eyes, Buddhist monks are better than Taoist priests? Buddhism is better than Taoism? Buddhism is more reliable than Taoism? Aren't you insulting His Majesty
"Ah, yes, yes, yes, I am drunk and talking nonsense. Lord Zhao and all the others, please do not take my drunken words seriously..."
Lord Wang also realized the seriousness of the problem. His forehead was covered with cold sweat. He regretted it so much that he wanted to slap himself a few times. I just started to show off my ability and recommend a great monk. It was really a sin. I hurriedly apologized for my crime.
"That's fine, that's fine. Lord Wang is dedicated to the public. Even though he got drunk, he still offered suggestions for the date of the sea sacrifice. What he said was out of good intentions. However, Lord Zhang is right. We should ask several Taoist priests with high moral character and profound practice to choose an auspicious day that is closest to the sea sacrifice."
Zhao Wenhua said with a smile, humbly, defining Lord Wang's words as well-intentioned remarks made by someone who was drunk.
"Thank you, Lord Zhao, for your understanding and consideration." Lord Wang looked at Zhao Wenhua with gratitude and bowed repeatedly to express his gratitude.
With Zhao Wenhua's endorsement, he no longer had to worry about his recent remarks causing trouble, and he had no worries at all.
Lord Zhao is truly a kind-hearted person. Lord Wang immediately felt grateful and admired Zhao Wenhua, and his heart was also in his…
Seeing that Zhao Wenhua was so tolerant and considerate, all the officials put aside their worries and offered suggestions. On the one hand, they wanted to make their presence felt in front of Zhao Wenhua, and on the other hand, they also hoped to have their names on the list of merit in the future.
"As for the location of the sea sacrifice, it must be the seaside. Although our Jiangnan coast is thousands of miles long, the most suitable places for the sea sacrifice are the coastal cities with beautiful scenery and good feng shui."
"We can't just focus on choosing a place with beautiful scenery and good feng shui, we also have to pay attention to safety. Nowadays, Japanese pirates are getting more and more rampant. More than half of the coastal areas in Jiangnan are unsafe. Ligang in Zhoushan, Zhejiang is occupied by the Japanese pirate Wang Zhi, who allows the Japanese to rob coastal areas such as Taizhou, Wenzhou, Ningbo, Shaoxing, Suzhou and Huaibei; Huating, Zhelin, Chuanshawa and other places in Songjiang Prefecture are occupied by Japanese pirates. According to investigations, more than 40,000 Japanese pirates have gathered and come out from time to time to rob various places in Songjiang Prefecture... These damn Japanese pirates have ruined so many blessed places with good wind and water. If we catch them, it will be difficult to eliminate their karma even if we cut them into pieces!"
"I think the Jianghuai area is pretty good."
"No, no, no, it's better to go a little further south..."
The big guys at the main table started discussing one after another, and the atmosphere became more and more heated.
"Thank you all for your advice, but the location for the sea sacrifice was chosen by the Cabinet, the Ministry of Rites, and the Imperial Astronomical Observatory before we came. It is between Jiangyin and Changshu, where the dragon vein of the Yangtze River extends and where the water and the sky meet."
Zhao Wenhua smiled and bowed.
"This location is well chosen. The dragon vein extends, the water and the sky meet, and there are few Japanese pirates in Jiangyin and Changshu, so it is relatively safe."
"Very good, very good..."
The officials present praised it one after another.
"Since the location for the sea sacrifice has been chosen, please ask the Taoist priest to choose an auspicious day and start the sea sacrifice as soon as possible."
Zhang Jing said, let's hold the sea sacrifice quickly, then take Zhao Wenhua to inspect the troops and send him away as soon as possible.
"Governor Zhang is absolutely right." Zhao Wenhua nodded in agreement.
"For safety reasons, firstly, the time and location of the sea sacrifice must be kept secret and not disclosed to the outside world; secondly, the scale of the sea sacrifice must be strictly controlled. I think everyone at this table will accompany Lord Zhao to the sea sacrifice, and I will send soldiers to the surrounding areas.
Martial law, no outsiders are allowed to approach within a three-mile radius; thirdly, the sea sacrifice should not be grand, and red tape should be reduced as much as possible, simplify the process, and complete the sea sacrifice quickly. "
Zhang Jing stroked his beard, glanced at Zhao Wenhua and the officials present, and spoke slowly and orderly.
The officials present naturally had no objection to this. The scale of the sea sacrifice and the complexity of the procedures did not matter to them. Besides, it was also for safety, so they naturally would not offend Zhang Jing.
However, Zhao Wenhua shook his head slightly.
Since arriving in Yingtian, Zhao Wenhua has been very obedient and behaved like a good man. He accepted whatever Zhang Jing said, including the imperial yamen that was not suitable for long-term residence, the shabby welcoming banquet, etc. Zhao Wenhua never raised any opinions and accepted all Zhang Jing's arrangements.
This was the first time that Zhao Wenhua expressed different opinions on Zhang Jing's arrangements, and Zhang Jing couldn't help but frown.
"Governor Zhang, the purpose of the sea sacrifice is to pray to the gods, destroy the Japanese pirates, and pacify the people. It cannot be kept secret, and the scale of the sea sacrifice cannot be controlled. On the contrary, the sea sacrifice must be grand, with great fanfare and momentum. It must be widely publicized so that everyone knows about it, in order to show the determination to destroy the Japanese pirates, scare the Japanese pirates, and inspire the common people. Officials above the fifth rank in the Jiangnan area and local officials of all ranks must participate. Famous gentry in Jiangnan can participate, and the common people can also watch the ceremony. Invite famous Taoists and fairies in Jiangnan to participate in the sea sacrifice. In short, it must be widely participated, with a large number of people. In addition, the process of the sea sacrifice cannot be simplified, and must be carried out strictly in accordance with the process, so as not to be disrespectful to the gods, which will displease the gods and reduce the effect of the sea sacrifice."
Zhao Wenhua said seriously that he wanted a grand celebration, which was completely contrary to Zhang Jing's opinion.
"What? A grand ceremony? Everyone knows about it? Huge crowds of people? How can we guarantee safety? What if the Japanese pirates take the opportunity to cause trouble? How much money will it cost to make such a grand ceremony? It would be better to use this much money to reward the soldiers and brave warriors to destroy the Japanese pirates!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Jing's brows instantly frowned, he snorted, and slammed the table hard.
"Governor Zhang, the purpose of the sea sacrifice is to wipe out the Japanese pirates. If we just fight a little bit because we are afraid of the Japanese pirates, what will happen? We can't lose sight of the main purpose and abandon our martial arts for the sake of safety."
Zhao Wenhua insisted.
"I don't agree!" Zhang Jing shook his head vigorously and said firmly.
"Governor Zhang, the grand ceremony of the sea sacrifice has been approved by the imperial court. Moreover, the imperial edict was just read out, and the emperor ordered me to preside over the sea sacrifice and the officials in Jiangnan to cooperate. Is Governor Zhang going to disobey the order?"
Zhao Wenhua said softly.
"You, huh! You are such a troublemaker! I have some important military affairs to attend to, so I'm sorry I can't keep you company!"
Zhang Jing immediately rebuked Zhao Wenhua mercilessly for being nosy, and then walked away with an unhappy look on his face!
Since he became the governor, everyone has obeyed his orders. How could he tolerate Zhao Wenhua's rebuttal in public
You are an imperial envoy sent by the court, and I am a governor sent by the court, and my official position is much higher than yours!
You have the Emperor's support behind you, and I have the Emperor's support behind me, too. Besides, I have the Emperor's decree to "act at my own discretion"!
Who do you think you are, Zhao Wenhua
Chapter 1660: Leave in a huff