Chapter 648: 98: Buddhism’s Rebellion, The Pure Land Shall Stand

The vigorous anti-Buddhism movement has officially begun in Kyushu. If there were more time—

Gu Yi wouldn’t need to take such a formal approach. He could have gradually changed the public perception using the Gu Clan’s current influence in Kyushu, including the presence of Yunshao Pavilion.

As long as there was enough time.

Achieving this wasn’t really that difficult for the Gu Clan.

By the time the public had a clear understanding, it wouldn’t be as troublesome to act against Buddhism.

But unfortunately, Gu Yi didn’t have that much time to waste.

Everything was within his expectations.

Since completely overturning the Anshi Rebellion, the talents of the Gu Clan’s descendants have been significantly restricted, much like when Gu Chen revived the Yan Han multiple times back then.

Among the twenty-second generation offspring born in recent years, the most capable person only reached sixty points.

Clearly, as time continues to advance.

The difficulty for the Gu Clan to make changes is also continuously increasing.

This naturally makes Gu Yi even more urgent.

Although he doesn’t currently lack achievement points, given the mediocre talents of the clan’s offspring, it would be extremely difficult for him to protect the entire clan and maintain its peak by himself.

And obviously, that’s also not realistic.

Gu Yi cannot always interfere, as this would lead the entire clan further down this wrong path.

Plus, manipulating the clan’s offspring won’t earn any achievement points.

Once the achievement points in his hands are exhausted, the Gu Clan will undoubtedly face more severe consequences.

This is also the main reason why Gu Yi must seize the time.

....

Batch after batch of Imperial Censors set off for various places under the sky well.

Gu Yi intends to take advantage of the current momentum to decisively resolve all conflicts.

In the third year of Zhide, August.

Gu Xuan once again executed people from three temples in Guanzhong, with over ten thousand damage among the local believers, an intangible shadow looming over the entire land of Kyushu.

In the same month—

Gu Xuan encountered an assassination attempt in Guanzhong.

Fanatical Buddhist adherents seized the opportunity when Gu Xuan dispatched his subordinates, assembling hundreds to block his carriage with the intent to take his life.

Fortunately, the "Gu Clan’s Companions" from Julu fought desperately.

Only then was the attack repelled.

The news spread, shocking everyone!

It was the first time in hundreds of years that a Gu Clan offspring had faced such a blatant assassination attempt.

No, perhaps that’s too broad.

It should be the first time a Patriarch of the Gu Clan, a reigning Grand Tutor, has been assassinated by the people.

This news, at first listen, even sounds somewhat surreal.

Since the rise of the Gu Clan, which generation of Patriarch has not been admired by the world after gaining power?

Now there’s been an assassination attempt!

Isn’t this dreamlike?

Even Gu Yi had not expected such an event to occur, but it undoubtedly made him more determined on the path of the Gu Clan.

Ignorance is not frightening.

From ancient times to the present, the world has never lacked ignorant people.

This fact cannot be changed.

What truly concerns Gu Yi is the actions of Buddhism; these people dared to strike against the Gu Clan on the land of Kyushu.

In many ways, this even exceeds the reigning Emperor.

—And don’t forget, Gu Xuan currently represents the Tang Dynasty court!

In short, these monks not only disregard the public sentiment represented by the Gu Clan but also the imperial power of Kyushu.

And this is precisely Gu Yi’s reverse scale!

Perhaps Gu Xuan himself saw the connections within, or maybe he was somewhat influenced by Gu Yi.

From this day on—

His actions became even more severe.

In Guanzhong, he requested a decree from Li Heng to add the name of the reigning Grand Tutor and Patriarch of the Gu Clan, once again proclaiming to the world to declare his firm stance this time.

—The great trend is about to rise.

The power of ordinary people and scholars from the populace also gradually began to exert its influence over time.

Coupled with Gu Xuan’s increasingly serious attitude.

This gradually formed a great trend, heading towards temples across the nation.

It is worth mentioning—

When scholars gradually discovered that as long as they criticized Buddhism, they would gain sufficient prestige, this influence far exceeded Gu Yi’s expectations.

Not to mention the attacks in writing.

Scholars even joined forces to target temples in various places, including many offspring from influential families doing the same.

This was a completely independent move, but it also indirectly demonstrated Yunshao Pavilion’s status in the world today.

With so many people uniting... naturally, it had a significant impact on the entire Buddhism.

But... it’s still the same question.

Who would willingly relinquish their power?

Especially today’s monks in Kyushu, who’ve never experienced an anti-Buddhism purge and see that the court’s stance is unshakeable.

In the fourth year of Zhide, April.

—A monk with the Dharma name "Huinan" in Jiannan Road’s Songzhou united surrounding temples, incited local believers and some Qiang tribal groups, gathered tens of thousands, and officially raised the flag of rebellion, calling themselves the "Dharma Protection Army."

Proclaiming: "The impure land is already turbid, the Buddhist kingdom should rise! The White Lotus purifies the world, all laws return to the origin!"

The impure land is already turbid—referring to the court’s current anti-Buddhism actions, combined with Buddhist terminology.

The Buddhist kingdom should rise refers to the goal of establishing an earthly Buddhist kingdom.

As for the White Lotus, it represents a pure land of Buddhism.

Including Huinan the leading monk, who also propagated the ideas of "Maitreya descending, the pure land shall be established!" and created many auspicious signs locally.

It can be said that he utilized the effects of prophecies to the extreme.