Imperial Master of the Ming Dynasty

Datianjie Temple, formerly known as Dalongxiang Jiqing Temple.

It was first built in the second year of Taiding in the Yuan Dynasty. After Zhu Yuanzhang founded the country, it was changed to "Datianjie Temple" and took on the work of compiling the "History of the Yuan Dynasty" and training the etiquette of tribute envoys.

It was destroyed by fire in the 21st year of Hongwu, so it was moved to Fengshan outside Jubaomen and rebuilt.

Datianjie Temple has a grand scale and majestic palaces, including Diamond Hall, Tianwang Hall, Zhengfo Hall, Bell Tower, Pilu Pavilion and many other buildings. It also has an extraordinary status in the Buddhist world of the Ming Dynasty.

In order to manage the world's monks, Zhu Yuanzhang established the Senglu Department under the Ministry of Rites to manage the world's monks and temples. The Senglu Department was located in Tianjie Temple. In other words, Tianjie Temple is an institution that manages Buddhism on behalf of the royal family.

And who is the most respected monk in the world today?

Of course it is Master Daoyan, who is known as the "Prime Minister in Black" by both the government and the public.

Under the escort of a large group of soldiers, Zhu Di, full of doubts, arrived at Datianjie Temple and got off the carriage.

It was already afternoon, and the summer sun shone on the ground through the leaves, bringing a warm and comfortable light.

Zhu Di stood on the roadside and looked up.

Datianjie Temple is located on Fengshan Mountain, with thousands of steps leading directly to the peak. Where he is now, there are more than 800 steps away from the nearest Buddhist temple.

The surrounding mist is misty, the birds are singing and the flowers are fragrant, just like a fairyland.

But for Zhu Di, this scene is more like a dream.

Since Zhu Di entered the prison today, he hasn't had much time to calm down and think. Because of the constant impact of what Jiang Xinghuo said, his mind has been thinking about some messy things, which made him a little tired.

At this time, Zhu Di, who had arrived at Datianjie Temple, stretched himself and walked up the bluestone path.

Under the bell tower forest, an old monk in black cassock personally greeted him.

"Master." Zhu Di nodded.

Dao Yan looked at Zhu Di carefully and then smiled and said: "Your Majesty, you have something on your mind. The scenery of Datianjie Temple is beautiful. Why don't I accompany your Majesty to a higher place to enjoy the wind and relax."

"That's fine."

On the bell tower, Zhu Di and Dao Yan sat opposite each other.

Dao Yan was making tea with a leisurely expression, and the nearly boiling tea made a gurgling sound. He scooped it lightly with a spoon and poured the hot tea soup into the cup.

"This tea is freshly picked. The only money left on the ancient tree this year is two or six cents." Dao Yan pushed the steaming tea to Zhu Di.

Zhu Di picked up the cup, smelled the clear fragrance of tea, and praised: "It really smells amazing."

Then, he took a shallow sip and felt the rich aroma filling his mouth. The aftertaste was endless and he couldn't help but drink three or four sips in a row.

When he put down the tea cup, he saw that the tea was empty, leaving only an insignificant ripple.

Dao Yan nodded slightly and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, you should have calmed down now, right?"

Zhu Di nodded: "That's true. My mood has calmed down a lot."

After that, Zhu Di told everything about what he encountered in the imperial prison today, as well as the two troubles that Jiang Xinghuo said would result from "peacefully cutting down vassals to support the clan."

I just listened to the first point of trouble, which is the three lifelines left by Zhu Yuanzhang.

I saw Dao Yan, whose complexion was sallow and shaped like a sick tiger. When he opened his triangular eyes, his murderous intent was revealed.

"This person is uncontrollable, why doesn't Your Majesty kill him?"

Zhu Di shook his head: "Jiang Xinghuo's sentence is only seven days. If I want to kill him, it makes no difference whether I kill him today or seven days later."

"well!"

Dao Yan sighed: "Your Majesty was shaken by Jiang Xinghuo's words."

"Jiang Xinghuo is not enough to shake my mind. It's just that when I think of the late emperor, I feel uncomfortable in my heart."

Zhu Di drank another cup of tea in silence and asked again: "Master, do you think I will be an emperor who can be compared with Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty as Jiang Xinghuo said?"

Dao Yan, who had a sallow complexion, filled the teapot with water while holding the sleeves of his cassock with his hands.

Then, Dao Yan slowly stroked his beard and said slowly: "Your Majesty is by no means a stupid and tyrannical puppet emperor, nor is he an ignorant and useless emperor."

Hearing that Dao Yan did not answer him directly, Zhu Di smiled bitterly, "I hope so."

"Actually, your Majesty does not need to belittle oneself." Dao Yan continued, "Your Majesty raised troops from the same place in the north to fight against Jianwen's overwhelming power. The difficulty is no less difficult than starting a business in the Tang Dynasty. Can he be ranked alongside Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty in the history books? , It depends on the future, after all, Tang Taizong governed the country in an orderly manner."

After a pause, Dao Yan changed the topic: "Besides, His Majesty is assisted by Lao Na, and Lao Na will do his best to assist His Majesty in achieving great achievements for a long time."

Zhu Di took a deep look at him, and then continued to talk about the second trouble mentioned by Jiang Xinghuo.

"The second problem is that you can understand it quickly by placing rice on the chessboard?"

Dao Yan summoned the little novice monk, brought over the chessboard and rice, and placed them one by one with Zhu Di's own hands.

Soon, the chessboard was laid out and the chess game made of rice grains gradually unfolded.

With only nine grids placed, Daoyan stared at the "chess game" in front of him and fell into deep thought.

After a long while, Dao Yan suddenly sighed: "I understand."

Zhu Di asked doubtfully: "Master, what do you understand?"

"Jiang Xinghuo is right."

"The strategy of peacefully reducing vassal status by increasing salaries is not feasible."

"This Jiang Xinghuo is indeed a great talent!"

Later, Dao Yan pointed to the chessboard and explained in detail. When Zhu Di heard Dao Yan's calculation, the Ming Dynasty clan would reach millions of people if it multiplied to the ninth generation.

Zhu Di also looked at the grains of rice that filled the chessboard. The shock in his heart was like a stormy sea. His hands, which had never trembled in half his life while holding the sword, started shaking involuntarily and had to hide them in his sleeves.

Of course Zhu Di understood what this meant!

If Zhu Di doesn't agree with the first point of trouble, he thinks that he can clear up the foreign tribes in the north and never let them have trouble again.

As for the second trouble, he had to admit it!

Even if he doesn't add money to the vassals, even if calculated based on the current clan salary, it only takes eight or nine generations for the clan salary to completely crush the Ming Dynasty's finances!

The annual income of the Ming Dynasty, without raising officials or soldiers, is not enough to support these millions of clansmen who are as idle as pigs!

In other words, if Jiang Xinghuo did not point this out and Zhu Di peacefully reduced the vassalage by increasing the clan's salary, then the national destiny of the Ming Dynasty would indeed be shortened!

Zhu Di asked in a deep voice: "Master, do you have a solution?"

"Amitabha."

Dao Yan clasped his hands together and said seriously: "I don't have a better solution now. Please allow me to think deeply for half a day. In any case, I will report my thoughts to your majesty before he goes to the prison tomorrow."

"Just like the master said."

After Zhu Di left, Dao Yan slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, his eyes filled with brilliance, and murmured.

"There are such great talents in this world, with strange experiences and unclear purposes. Interesting, interesting."

"Is there really someone who knows it from birth?" After a pause, Dao Yan continued: "That's all, if there is an immortal who comes to this world, I will not be able to meet him in person."

Dao Yan stood alone for a long time. When he saw Zhu Di's jade chariot at the foot of the mountain, he began to recite the Lankavatara Sutra softly, his voice hoarse and vicissitudes of life.

"Amitabha, good, good."