Chapter 161: Enlightenment of the Tianjie Temple’s High Monk

Smugglers do have a role to play in this matter.

Although Xu Huizu strongly opposed it, he couldn’t resist Zhu Yunwen’s persuasion. Moreover, he couldn’t obtain more information himself, You can’t just send people to catch tongues, right?

In case too many tongues are caught, and the Oirat and Tatar unite instead of internal strife, it would be a loss outweighing the gains.

“Minister Song, do you have suitable candidates?”

Zhu Yunwen made up his mind to send a few smuggling caravans to investigate the situation in Oirat and Tatar. If they were in internal strife, selling some salt and iron to them might increase their strength, when they chop someone they can kill it with one blow, so Ming has nothing to lose.

If they have already finished internal strife and united against external threats, it’s also fine. It’s just a few merchant caravans; they can’t sustain themselves for long. However, Ming can prepare early. Those places where the city walls need repair can be addressed, and additional troops can be stationed where needed.

Without intelligence, everything was in the dark, and Zhu Yunwen was not pleased.

Song Sheng hesitated for a moment and said, “Your Majesty, when I was guarding Xiliang, I heard that there is a merchant named Chang Qianli in Taigu County, Shanxi Province. He has a large amount of table salt, and his family wealth is worth millions. Have walked the closed-door path.”

Walking through the closed-door path means smuggling through familiar routes, and opening up various channels.

Zhu Yunwen shook his head helplessly and said, “Okay, neither the Shanxi Administration nor the provincial administration has reported this matter. It seems that they are familiar with this Chang Qianli.”

Illegal salt smugglers may sell illegal salt, may not take mountainous paths; it’s quite possible that they walk out of the city gate openly and with a smile.

Once outside the city, they might even exchange pleasantries with the gatekeeper, wave goodbye, and then continue on their way.

No one has reported this matter to the court, which means they can’t open their mouth.

Having a mouth but unable to speak, not due to being mute or having damaged vocal cords, can only mean that their mouths have been silenced or muzzled.

What silences their mouths is gold and silver.

Song Sheng saw Zhu Yunwen’s anger and quickly knelt down, saying, “Your Majesty, I only heard about it.”

Zhu Yunwen waved his hand, signaling Song Sheng to stand up.

This matter is likely to be true.

In ordinary times, even if there’s a rumor, it wouldn’t travel five miles away. However, Song Sheng is stationed in the Xiliang is a full two miles away from Taiyuan County in Shanxi.

How strong a wind would it take to blow such a reputation over?

This wind not only has a high rank but is also long-lasting—it has been blowing for many years.

“This account, let’s put it aside for now. I will arrange for the personnel from the Security Bureau to go to Shanxi. You tell Liu Changge everything you know.”

Suppressing his anger, Zhu Yunwen decided to have the Security Bureau thoroughly investigate the official circles in Shanxi, to see who was involved in smuggling. Smuggling was not likely confined to just Shanxi; it could extend to border areas as well, and he was afraid there might be more illicit activities.

After dealing with various governmental affairs, it was already evening.

Zhu Yunwen returned to the Kunning Palace and was surprised to find Consort Ning, Consort Shu, Lady Luo, and Ma Enhui present.

After the greetings, Ma Enhui explained with a smile, “Your Majesty, Dao Yuan, the abbot of Tianjie Temple, entered the palace to worship Buddha. He mentioned that yesterday there was a divine light at Tianjie Temple, which is considered an auspicious sign. They hope that Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager will visit.”

“It just so happens that there are few matters in the palace these days, and the production of medical gauze is no longer under close supervision. I was thinking, if Your Majesty approves, could we visit Tianjie Temple together tomorrow? It would be an opportunity to pray for blessings for the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty.”

Zhu Yunwen looked at Consort Ning and the others, who all showed eager expressions. He smiled and said, “Very well, then tomorrow we will accompany the Empress Dowager to visit Tianjie Temple.”

Tianjie Temple is located in the southern suburbs of the capital, outside the Jubao gate, surrounded by hills, covered with green trees. The morning bells and evening drums resonate, and the temple buildings are majestic.

Under the protection of several guards, Zhu Yunwen, Empress Dowager, Empress, Consort Ning, and others entered Tianjie Temple.

As the foremost Buddhist temple in Nanjing, Tianjie Temple holds a special place among Buddhist temples.

Zhu Yuanzhang once established the Buddhist Registry to unify the management of Buddhist temples nationwide, and the location of the Buddhist Registry was set at Tianjie Temple. In addition to this official role, Tianjie Temple was also considered Zhu Yuanzhang’s “family temple.”

Zhu Yuanzhang, who started as a cattle herder, had served as a monk in Huangjue Temple in Fengyang and had a unique emotional connection to Buddhism.

Whether Zhu Yuanzhang truly believed in Buddhism is a complex matter. After all, Buddha did not save his parents, nor did it help him eliminate Chen Youliang and Wang Baobao. In his later years, Zhu Yuanzhang even wrote down the names of forty-seven consorts who were buried with him in Tianjie Temple.

From this perspective, it is challenging to believe that Zhu Yuanzhang was a devout Buddhist. Doing violent deeds in the presence of Buddha raises questions about whether he sought salvation from Buddha or simply sought to embarrass Buddha.

Regardless, Zhu Yuanzhang had a genuine emotional attachment to Buddhism. This sentiment might not necessarily stem from religious faith but could be a form of solace, desire, or a temporary sense of relief.

After all, Old Zhu was very lonely.

When Zhu Yuanzhang was the emperor, he often visited Tianjie Temple. He would even wear monk’s robes, hang Buddhist beads on his chest, and hold Buddhist instruments while turning the scriptures with the high monks of Tianjie Temple.

Tianjie Temple, with its vast and profound grounds, featured halls such as the Diamond Hall, Heavenly King Hall, Main Buddha Hall, Guanyin Hall, Wheel Treasury Hall, Ga Lan Hall, Ancestor Hall, Vimalakirti Hall, Vinaya Hall, Scripture Hall, Scripture Library, Ten Thousand Buddha Tower, and Bell Tower. It had both the serene atmosphere of natural mountain forests and the splendid brilliance of wall paintings.

As the “family temple” of the emperor and the center of Southern Buddhism, Tianjie Temple naturally couldn’t appear desolate. The main hall used glazed tiles, dragon-shaped roof ridges, and golden-yellow roofing, with dragon carvings around the altar, showcasing a royal demeanor.

All halls and shrines in the temple were dedicated to golden Buddhas. The large Buddha statues were often gilded with gold leaf, and the Buddhas’ foreheads were adorned with night pearls, reflecting the royal elegance. The bell in the bell tower had a high gold content, making the sound of the Tianjie Temple bell melodious and pleasant.

Even the everyday ritual implements contained a considerable amount of gold. The striking of these implements sounded satisfying, and the sight was also pleasing.

Ma Enhui and the consorts brought many maids with them, whose role was to carry boxes and baskets.

Ma Enhui decided to donate eight thousand taels of silver, much to the annoyance of Zhu Yunwen.

Although you are now a wealthy woman, there is no need to be so extravagant, right?

Can’t hold her back; she insisted that with more money, the Buddha would be pleased, and calamities and adversities could be reduced.

Zhu Yunwen didn’t believe in Buddhism. He only believed in his own hands and the ancestors who passed down their heritage. As for the descendants of Buddha, if they wanted to traverse the realms, he would let them do so as long as they behaved obediently and followed the rules.

In the rear hall of Tianjie Temple, where Zhu Yuanzhang’s image and spirit tablets were enshrined, after Zhu Yunwen and the empress dowager, Ma Enhui, and others paid their respects, Zhu Yunwen arranged for Ma Enhui and the others to accompany the empress dowager while he walked towards the abbot.

The abbot Dao Yuan took two steps forward, performed the Buddhist ritual, and said, “Your Majesty, this monk has a request.”

Zhu Yunwen’s mouth carried a hint of a smile. Sure enough, his invitation to Tianjie Temple was not about some supposed divine light but had a purpose.

“Go ahead.”

Zhu Yunwen said calmly.

Dao Yuan looked at Zhu Yunwen, who seemed to see through everything and said softly, “This monk has heard that Your Majesty intends to use one hundred thousand taels to establish monuments and temples for the loyal souls and soldiers of the world. This is a great act of compassion. Tianjie Temple is the foremost Buddhist temple, and I am willing to contribute to this noble cause. I ask for Your Majesty’s permission.”