Chapter 646: 97: Using Prognostication to Battle Prognostication—Gu Xuan Destroys Buddhism

——The gifts of fate have long been marked with an invisible price. Such is the present state of Kyushu.

The emergence of the Gu Clan has indeed brought countless benefits to Kyushu. Even without considering the future, the Gu Clan has already helped Kyushu overcome several deadly threats.

But it is precisely because of this——

That Gu Yi has overlooked many things he never noticed before, like the current state of Buddhism.

It is well known that Kyushu is a magical land.

Completely different from other lands.

No matter how inflammatory the religion is, when it steps onto this land, it is difficult to win over followers without offering eggs.

There are many factors involved, which can be traced back to the cultural heritage of the Huaxia land, including Confucian education, among others. But it also includes the large-scale purges in original history.

This is the biggest reason for Gu Yi’s seriousness.

One must know that religious issues are among the hardest conflicts to handle in the world.

Gu Yi does not want the emergence of the Gu Clan to cause any adverse effects on this land in the future.

How could he not be serious?

Even before Gu Xuan could finish drafting the memorial, Gu Yi was already contemplating various strategies in his mind.

He does not expect that this venture will be able to eradicate all the prophecies at once.

That is impossible.

Similarly, this venture cannot completely eradicate the acts of Buddhism hoarding wealth and annexing land, as these are deep-rooted flaws in human nature. Power and wealth inherently give humans a sense of pleasure.

This point also cannot be shaken.

However, Gu Yi must try his best, at least to shatter the resolve of these monks so they can no longer rise up in resistance!

.....

In the third year of the Zhide era, June.

The curtain officially rose.

Li Heng had no reason to refuse and completely displayed a posture of delegating power, entrusting everything to Gu Xuan, the Grand Tutor.

Even faintly, it showed an aura reminiscent of Liu Shan in olden days.

Gu Yi did not believe this.

An Emperor like Liu Shan is extremely rare throughout history, and Li Heng is obviously not such a person.

However, Gu Yi was indifferent to what Li Heng truly thought.

The foundation of the Gu Clan was already deep enough.

This is Gu Yi’s greatest confidence, and he only needs to face the current challenges.

The developments were as the ministers expected.

As the news continued to spread, the restless Kyushu further manifested indications of renewed turmoil, with temples across the region acting in concert.

Winning over followers.

Some even mysteriously acquired armor and weapons, evidently showing signs of a rebellion.

Gu Yi didn’t bother to ponder where these people procured such things.

There must be support from regional aristocratic families.

After all, this new policy indeed shook the interests of many people, and many wanted to take advantage of the chaos to overturn this new policy.

The actions of Buddhism indeed presented many with an opportunity!

In response to this——

Gu Yi’s strategy was very simple: to kill!

The justification used was the scholarly core of Gu Kang in the past—"Respect the gods and keep them at a distance!"

Including Gu Xi’s saying "A son of Heaven is half the match of Heaven," and the Gu Clan ancestors’ successive ventures to the Holy Mountain of the Foreign Race, among other things.

Simply put, the core idea was to resist prophecy with prophecy!

This was just the basic strategy.

Implementing it would require various elements; primarily, occupying the moral high ground, rallying scholars and common people to list the sins of Buddhism.

Scholars have their role, and so do common folks.

The Gu Clan cannot engage in indiscriminate killing.

Though Gu Yi was completely indifferent to the corrupt monks, the reality was that there were tens of millions of followers today, forcing Gu Yi to exercise restraint.

This was also a life-saving pathway left open by Gu Yi, indicating the Gu Clan’s stance to the whole world and future generations.

This is something Gu Yi must do!

Of course, this action would also invite much criticism towards the Gu Clan, but from a long-term perspective, this action would certainly be praised by future generations. ...

...

Chang’an, Ximing Temple.

As one of the imperial temples decreed by Emperor Gaozong, Ximing Temple now flourishes with incense, a giant in the Buddhist world.

Its foundation not only rests on imperial favor but also because it is strategically located, deeply entwined with many powerful aristocratic families entrenched in Guanlong, with intertwined interests.

And this is precisely why Gu Yi chose it as the primary target.

——It was the perfect model to intimidate temples across the realm!

The current development of the Guanlong group is completely unlike its original history.

The peaceful retirements of people like Zhangsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang had already destined this point.

Moreover, it shouldn’t be forgotten that the Guanzhong region was naturally affluent.

In a Kyushu with a population several times larger than its historical counterpart, the Guanzhong population naturally increased significantly, which in itself says everything.

Although their influence in the court has indeed waned considerably.

But it also depends on the comparison; compared to the Gu Clan, they are not as influential, yet they are still among the most influential in the court.

Noteworthy is the fact that——Gu Xuan came personally.

This was naturally Gu Yi’s intention, as no matter what, this critical strike must not have any errors.

Screams of killing echoed all around.

"Protect the temple! Protect the Dharma!"

"Buddhas, open your eyes! Officials, do not desecrate the sacred grounds of Buddhism!"

"Where is the heavenly and earthly law? How can you destroy our precious temple!"

"Advance and retreat with the holy monks! This is oppression by officials leading to rebellion, and we must make them pay in blood!"