Chapter 897: Old Monk, You Broke Your Vow of Non-Anger <<<
"How wonderful that Buddha resides in the heart."
Li Chen sneered and said, "Then let's give it a try."
"Three Treasures."
At the sound of Li Chen's call, San Bao's flesh tensed.
At this point, there was no common ground left to speak of. The prince calling himself by name clearly intended to use his imperial authority to make the old monk feel the terror of the royal power.
Yes, Li Chen really intended to let this old monk experience what it meant to be under the absolute power of the monarch in a feudal system.
With thousands of years of historical experience to draw on, Li Chen understood very well that any regime's handling of religion had to be handled with the utmost care.
Let alone Buddhism and Taoism, the two largest religions in China, even those tribal lamas, as offshoots of these major faiths, can gather a large following to establish a pseudo-concept of a divine nation.
Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, Li Chen didn't want to deal with these two religions.
There's nothing to it, just stubborn.
As for something like the White Lotus Sect, that pseudo-religion, it's a different matter entirely.
But now this enigmatic old monk had appeared before him, and there had to be a reason. From the very beginning, Li Chen had no intention of being weak.
Against them, once you show weakness, you will be ridden over. Li Chen absolutely cannot tolerate any power exceeding his own authority.
So he simply ordered: "Send word down, starting tomorrow, every Jinyiwei should dismantle a temple upon seeing one. Dismantle a hundred temples each day. This palace wants to see just how many of your clay and wood statues you have that can withstand this palace's demolition."
Addressing oneself as "this palace" instead of "I," represents that Li Chen is issuing a formal order in the capacity of the Crown Prince of the Qin Empire. This is absolutely no joke.
That point was keenly caught by the old monk across from him.
A hint of anger finally flashed across his usually calm face.

After all, the young man before him was extraordinary. If he truly carried out this order, it would be a disaster for the Great Qin Buddhist sect.
"Your Highness!"
Before the Three Treasures could even speak, the old monk resolutely said, "As a cultivator of Buddhism, I have dedicated decades to seeking enlightenment through meditation and have always focused on accumulating virtue and doing good deeds, regardless of worldly affairs. Why must you press me so relentlessly?"
"Master, you have been angered."
Li Chen said calmly, "At this moment, he was even more professional than the old monk. 'Buddha says that an angry person does not know right from wrong, does not see good and evil, does not consider sin and merit, does not know what is beneficial or harmful, and does not reflect on himself, he will fall into the evil path. Since you yourself have broken the precept of anger, how can you talk about saving others?'"
The old monk's snow-white eyebrows twitched, he chanted a Buddhist invocation to suppress the turmoil within him, bowed to Li Chen with a respectful gesture, and in a calm voice, said: "Your Highness speaks with reason, this poor monk is enlightened."
Looking at the repentant old monk with a knowing smile, Li Chen said, "This palace doesn't have much time. If you continue to joke around, this palace won't have the patience to accompany you."
Seeing this, the old monk stopped speaking in riddles and said directly, "The Buddhist temple wishes to wholeheartedly support your Highness, but please give the Buddhist temple a chance to spread its teachings."
Seeing that the old monk who just moments ago swore that he wasn't afraid of the clay statues being destroyed now wants to promote incense, Li Chen only felt that these bald donkeys were utterly hypocritical.
But this also shows how difficult it was for Buddhist teachings to be transmitted within the Qin Empire.
But what Li Chen saw was something else entirely.
Religion has started to interfere in the core of imperial power.
This is definitely not a good sign.
With a slightly somber expression, Li Chen said, "The Buddhist sect has always stayed out of worldly affairs. Today, where did you get the courage to say in front of my palace that you fully support me? Or are you saying that if I don't agree, you will support someone else?"

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