From cute to empress

Chapter 170 Storm of Faith

The Shangshu's words resonated like thunder in my ears. A 30% reduction in tax revenue is no small sum, enough to shake the foundation of the nation! And the temples and Taoist temples are so popular and so numerous, I know exactly what this means.

"Pass the order down, prepare the carriage, I want to go out of the palace to inspect it myself!" I suppressed my inner uneasiness, but my tone was extremely firm.

While on my incognito tour, the sight before me was shocking. The already narrow official road was now thronged with pilgrims heading to temples and Taoist temples. Their expressions of piety were completely oblivious to the pleas of beggars on the roadside. In the fields, farmers, who should have been hard at work, knelt before newly built Buddhist statues and Taoist temples, muttering to themselves.

"Your Majesty, look..." The guard pointed to a magnificent temple not far away, with a hint of worry in his tone.

I followed his gaze and saw a vast temple, bustling with activity, its halls and pavilions, carved with carved beams and painted with painted rafters, its opulence rivaling that of an imperial palace. My heart sank.

After returning to the palace, I immediately summoned the Buddhist leader Master Huineng and the Taoist head Master Xuanzhen.

"Two masters, do you know why I summoned you to the palace today?" I sat on the dragon throne in the imperial study, my eyes swept over the two respected religious leaders, my tone calm, but with a hidden sharpness.

Master Huineng clasped his hands together, lowered his brows and said, "I don't know. Your Majesty, please explain."

"Take a look at this." I threw the tax report presented by the Minister of Revenue in front of them. "The people don't work, but instead spend all their wealth on offerings to the gods and Buddhas. Temples and Taoist temples across the country are building large-scale projects, and incense is booming, while the national treasury is becoming increasingly empty. Masters, what do you think should be done about this?"

Master Huineng's face was calm, as if he had expected this, while Taoist Master Xuanzhen frowned slightly, with a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes...

Master Huineng clasped his hands together, lowered his brows, and said, "Amitabha, Your Majesty is absolutely right. The Buddhist faith is based on compassion. Donors offer incense and offerings to seek spiritual comfort, but they do not expect this to affect the national economy and people's livelihood. This is not the original intention of our Buddhist sect. I wish to discipline my disciples, devote themselves to cultivation, and perform more good deeds to repay Your Majesty's kindness."

I nodded and turned my gaze to Taoist Master Xuanzhen, only to see him flick his whisk and say loudly, "Your Majesty, this is wrong! Taoism follows nature, and the people are devoted to Taoism and offer their worship voluntarily. How can this affect the national economy and people's livelihood? Our Taoist practice is supposed to be far away from the mundane world. If we are restricted at every turn, how can we dedicate ourselves to the Tao and achieve enlightenment?"

"Master Xuanzhen, do you mean that I shouldn't interfere in your affairs?" My tone gradually became colder, but I was secretly surprised in my heart. This Master Xuanzhen usually looks like an immortal, but today he is so tough. It seems that this religious force is more deeply rooted than I thought.

"I dare not," Taoist Xuan Zhen lowered his head slightly, but his tone remained firm. "But Your Majesty, water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. Please think twice."

I took a deep breath, suppressing my rage. Was this Taoist Priest Xuanzhen threatening me? My gaze swept over the two of them, and I said in a deep voice, "Don't worry, Masters. I'm not hostile to religion. The stability of this country and the well-being of its people are our top priorities. I have made my decision. From today on, all temples and Taoist temples must be registered and under the unified management of the imperial court. As for land and property, they must be reported truthfully. Any concealment will be confiscated!"

As soon as I finished speaking, Taoist Xuanzhen's face changed. He opened his mouth and seemed to want to say something, but was stopped by my look.

"This matter will be handled jointly by the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Rites. If you two masters have no objection, please return."

After seeing off the two religious leaders, I rubbed my brow, feeling completely drained. I knew my words had thoroughly angered some religious figures, and a storm was brewing...

In the evening, the guards hurriedly came to report: "Your Majesty, a large number of ascetic monks were spotted outside the city, heading towards the palace..."

The guard's words resonated like thunder in my ears. Ascetic monks? Why are they coming to the palace instead of practicing in the temple? Could it be...? A sense of foreboding suddenly rose in my heart.

"Pass the order down and strengthen the guards in the palace. No one is allowed to approach the palace without my order!" I made a prompt decision and gave the order.

Over the next few days, the atmosphere in the city grew increasingly tense. The ascetic monks wandered around, spreading claims of "the empress's tyranny" and "divine punishment," stirring up the people's emotions. Unaware of the truth, some citizens fell prey to their deception and gathered at the palace gates, demanding I rescind my order.

Looking at the dense crowd kneeling outside the palace gate, my heart sank to the bottom. I knew I had to do something to calm this turmoil.

So I ordered a religious rally to be held in the city square and invited representatives of all religions to attend. I wanted to make my position and determination clear in front of everyone.

On the day of the rally, the square was packed, the atmosphere solemn and dignified. I stood on the platform, dressed in plain clothes, my gaze sweeping across the countless pairs of eyes below, my heart heavy with worry.

"I know that many of you are devout believers. You revere the gods, offer incense, and hope for their protection." My voice echoed in the square. "I also believe that true faith teaches people to be good and to save the world, not to create chaos and disturb the people's hearts!"

My words caused a commotion in the audience. Some people nodded in agreement, while others looked dissatisfied.

"I solemnly declare today that I am not hostile to religion. Instead, I hope that religion can coexist harmoniously with the country and serve the people, rather than becoming a factor of social instability!" I raised my voice, my tone firm. "I hope that every believer can be kind-hearted, abide by the law, and contribute to the prosperity of our country!"

My speech won a lot of applause from the audience, but some people remained silent, their eyes full of suspicion and hostility.

After the speech, I walked down the platform. A guard quickly walked up to me and whispered, "Your Majesty, look..."

He opened his palm, revealing a neatly folded note, emitting a faint scent of sandalwood. My heart trembled, and I reached out to take the note, slowly unfolding it...

The scent of sandalwood filled my nose. It was a familiar aroma; sandalwood was offered year-round in the imperial palace as a sign of respect for the gods. But this scent seemed to have a chilling edge, sending a slight shiver through my heart. I unfolded the note, revealing only a single line of words. But it was like a bucket of ice water, extinguishing the last shred of hope in my heart.

"Anyone who attempts to suppress the gods will surely bring about their own destruction!"

The handwriting was illegible, yet sharp, and carried a chilling chill. At the signature, there was only a small seal with a vague, indistinct pattern engraved on it.

My fingers trembled slightly, and a storm of anxiety surged within me. Who wrote this letter? What were they trying to do? Was it true, as those ascetics claimed, that my actions were "suppressing the gods" and seeking my own death?

No, impossible! I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself. Everything I did was for the stability of the country and the well-being of the people. What was wrong with that? Those who used the banner of God to deceive people and create chaos were the real sinners!

I clutched the note tightly in my hand, my eyes gradually becoming determined. I knew a storm was brewing, and I had to be prepared for its arrival.

"Someone come!" I shouted, with unprecedented majesty in my voice.

"Send the order and summon all ministers to the palace to discuss matters immediately!"