If it were to happen in other regions, perhaps it wouldn’t have caused such a big reaction, but unfortunately, Jiannan Road is considered a remote place by the Great Tang court. Coupled with a series of measures, the effect naturally exceeded everyone’s expectations.
It’s like a signal.
As the news spread, people from various temples gradually gathered.
Don’t forget, these monks are not short of money.
Even when facing the world’s most powerful nation, these monks, when united, have the resources to potentially resist a country.
Especially... they inherently carry with them the identity of prophecy and mandate.
——Chaos reignites instantly.
Kyushu had just recently calmed down, with the people not yet recovered from the chaos caused by the rebellion of An Lushan and others, and now the border has once again ushered in this act.
For a moment, the hearts of people throughout Kyushu were shaken.
This is the inevitable response to successive chaos.
People will inevitably wonder... is the fate of the Great Tang truly at its end, about to repeat the downfall of the Great Han?
Especially since Buddhism will not give up this opportunity, constantly sending people to disturb the populace.
With the aid of absolute capital.
There will always be people who, driven by profit, will help them, and of course, there will be clans that covertly assist these people in hopes of securing a future.
These issues are the critical ones Gu Yi needs to address.
Even within the current court, many have already felt the pressure, some even considering advising Gu Xuan to stop.
Don’t forget, these people are the elite left after a purge.
In the face of the current situation.
No one will remain completely indifferent and solely trust Gu Xuan.
But how could Gu Xuan retreat?
If he retreats now, Buddhism will take advantage and spread its influence throughout Kyushu, making it unshakeable thereafter.
He has only one path—kill!
Like the Northern Wei Emperor Taiwu, Tuoba Tao, who slew until Buddhism had to bow and adhere to the laws of Kyushu!
At this point, even though Gu Yi wants to control the scale of chaos, he has no choice but to be more ruthless.
In any case, the Gu Clan must cut off this path.
Buddhism must either submit—
or be completely eradicated from Kyushu!
...
Fourth year of the Zhide Era, June.
Gu Xuan returns to Luoyang, articulating the stakes to reassure the ministers at court.
Subsequently, he petitions Emperor Su, Li Heng, for an edict, enacting the "Edict Prohibiting the Admission of Monks":
"From the nobility down to commoners, those who privately harbor monks... should be sent to the authorities and not allowed to shelter them, offenders will be punished."
"Whoever is found secretly supporting Buddhism—"
"Will be punished as a traitor!"
This is a strategy Gu Yi devised based on the edict by the Northern Wei Emperor Taiwu, with many modifications.
Gu Yi must be ruthless.
Taking advantage of the current prestige of the Great Tang and the Gu Clan’s peak reputation, he makes his stance clear.
——He is not afraid of any noble families doing something foolish at such a time.
These people aren’t that foolish.
Simply put, this move is to deter them, making them cautious.
Even if there really are fools, Gu Yi is not afraid at all.
The elite forces of the Great Tang are under his full control, and if someone does act recklessly, he can easily make an example of them.
This is not the former Han!
The Gu family this time is not adversary to the whole world, but solely targets Buddhism.
Furthermore, in the name of the Gu Clan’s patriarch, Gu Xuan performs a ritual by the Luoshui River to honor the ancestors of the Gu Clan.
After over a hundred years, the patriarch of the Gu Clan finally takes this step once more.
Just as Gu Xi did in the past during natural disasters, stabilizing the hearts of people nationwide with this act.
In fact, today’s Luoshui ritual is no longer just symbolic; over centuries of development, it has become a custom for countless people.
This is something passed down through generations.
Gu Yi understands this, which is why he does this.
——To counter prophecy with prophecy!
The news spreads continuously.
Accompanied by various auspicious signs, starting from Luoyang, miraculous events appear across regions, causing a great uproar nationwide.
Especially in Hebei, countless people fan the flames for this.
No, it might not even be fanning the flames.
They genuinely believe in it all.
Where in Kyushu is Buddhism being purged the fastest?
——Exactly Hebei.
The belief of the Hebei people in the Gu Clan has reached a point that cannot be shaken by others.
Both sides engage in a fierce battle of influence.
Amidst this situation, Gu Xuan also departs Luoyang once again to formally begin the campaign against the rebellion.
——The border armies from all directions receive the edict one after another.
Even the navy from Mingzhou State is mobilized once again by Gu Xuan.
Guo Ziyi, Gao Xianzhi, Feng Changqing, and other generals have no doubts about Gu Xuan’s various measures and prepare their troops across regions.
It remains the same as when they marched against Tubo——
Gu Yi does not issue specific tasks to these individuals, fully trusting in each commander’s abilities, simply instructing them each to suppress the rebellion.
In fact, if it weren’t related to prophecy and mandate.
Gu Xuan would not need to leave Luoyang; whether it’s his ability or Gu Yi’s own, it’s not enough to command the battlefield directly.
It would be better to entrust it entirely to those generals.
But this too is an unavoidable decision.
As the Grand Tutor and the patriarch of the Gu Clan, Gu Xuan must fulfill his responsibilities no matter what.
To reduce the people’s reliance on Buddhism.
And to reassure the hearts of the people nationwide.
Unrest persists across regions.
It’s noteworthy that Gu Yi did not order the destruction of Buddhist relics such as sutras and statues.
Not because he harbors some lingering sentiment.
Gu Yi merely wishes to allow these things to be preserved as much as possible, for in future generations, they could be recognized as treasures of Kyushu.
Likewise, this act is also a declaration to future generations——
The Gu Clan wields the blade this time, targeting only the rebels who threaten the nation; the treasures are blameless, the fault lies in the corruption of human minds.
——Battles rage on.
The followers gathered by these monks are certainly no match for the battle-hardened troops.
Yet, the resolve to resist among these people remains very strong.
Most crucially, their followers include not only Han people but, more often, people from foreign races.
Whether it’s Qiang or the Xiongnu who have already become part of Kyushu.
Compared to the Han people, these individuals are more easily manipulated.
Moreover, in comparison, their martial arts are also quite exceptional.
Precisely because of assistance from these individuals.
Even though the army suppressing the rebellion holds an absolute advantage, these monks still have room to maneuver.
There are always fervent "believers," willing to give their all, to offer protection and support.
Even if the court’s orders hang high, these people are willing to risk death without hesitation.
This undoubtedly severely hinders the Tang Army’s momentum in quelling the rebellion.
Faced with such a stalemate, the only path available to Gu Yi is to quell chaos with force!
At such a critical juncture.
He can no longer consider the short-term effects, just like in the historical account of Taiwu’s destruction of Buddhism; although it may impact Kyushu’s development in the short run, it will ultimately eliminate the stubborn crisis plaguing Kyushu.
As for the so-called criticisms, they are of no concern at all.
Cry of agony reverberates throughout Kyushu.
Gu Yi is genuinely enraged; facing temples that have resisted, even if they surrender when overrun by the Tang Army.
Gu Yi spares none of them.
Addressing their pleas for mercy, Gu Xuan stands before ministers and the army, coldly declaring:
"They do not repent, they only fear death!"
——Ten simple words, yet like a chilling blade of winter, leaving listeners pale and shivering.
It’s not just them; even within the Gu Clan, many cannot grasp the far-reaching implications of his actions.
But what difference does it make?
To Gu Xuan, he is willing to bear the infamy alone.
As for Gu Yi, there’s nothing more to be said.
The foundation that the Gu Clan has built over generations cannot be shaken by mere criticisms; eventually, future generations will understand the profound intentions behind this move!
.....
(Ps: Kneeling for monthly and recommendation votes, brothers, please support more, fish is extremely grateful. Took a break yesterday to revisit previous Chapters, emotions are complex... will try to recapture the earlier tone.)
Chapter 649: 98: Buddhism’s Rebellion, The Pure Land Shall Stand
7 min read