Chapter 491: 33: Discussion in the Hall

Chapter 491: Chapter 33: Discussion in the Hall

“My son thinks we can extensively construct Buddhist Halls, letting Pudu Temple and temples across the land contribute efforts to cultivate more talent for our Da Lan Dynasty.”

The Crown Prince’s voice arose in the Great Hall.

As soon as he finished speaking, a Minister stood out from the line and loudly said,

“Your Majesty, I think this matter is inappropriate!”

The Crown Prince looked back at the other party, his face void of any expression.

Opposing him stood a Cabinet Minister:

“With Martial Arts Halls already responsible for the cultivation of talent across the lands, wouldn’t the addition of even more Buddhist Halls be superfluous and a needless waste of labor and resources?

Moreover, our court has always promoted the teachings of Daoism. If we were to suddenly start promoting Buddhism, such a drastic change would inevitably lead to resentment and internal strife!”

After listening to the other party’s words, the Crown Prince did not rush to refute.

As the master of the Eastern Palace, there were naturally others in the court to speak on his behalf.

“Your Majesty.”

Another Minister stepped forward from the line, also a Cabinet Minister:

“All under Heaven is the Emperor’s land, all within the four seas are his subjects. In my opinion, whether it is Buddhism or Daoism, as long as one is tenacious in their loyalty to the nation, they should be given an equal opportunity.”

“If that’s the case.”

The first Cabinet Minister who had stood up turned to look at his colleague:

“Why not let Pudu Temple and the temples across the land directly send people into the various Martial Arts Halls to serve as instructors? Would that not also be serving the nation?”

“Absurd! Even civilian factories pay their workers, where is the sense in expecting individuals to contribute for nothing?”

“The Martial Arts Halls are not failing to pay their instructors, with various benefits provided generously; how can that be considered contributing for nothing?”

“You…”

The two Cabinet Ministers began to argue directly.

Before the two could argue to an outcome, more and more Cabinet Ministers joined the dispute.

Li Fei, attending such a court meeting for the first time, had thought it would be a very solemn occasion where, even in the event of a dispute, everyone would debate with references and moderation.

Yet he hadn’t expected that this highest-level national meeting would be no different in essence from a quarrel in a marketplace…

He glanced at the Crown Prince and noticed that the latter was utterly calm and unruffled.

He appeared to be very confident.

“Enough.”

The Emperor on the dais spoke softly.

His voice was not loud, yet it clearly reached everyone’s ears.

Li Fei did not feel any fluctuation of Force or any magical disturbance and couldn’t help but be amazed.

The Great Hall quickly fell silent; all the Ministers who had stepped forward bowed and looked towards the Emperor.

“What does the Grand Secretary think?”

The Emperor turned his head to look at the person at the front of the civil servant line.

It’s worth mentioning that, aside from His Majesty who was seated, there were also three chairs placed in the hall with three people sitting on them.

The civil and military Ministers stood in two lines, left for civil and right for military.

On the front of the left line, two chairs were placed, and on the front of the right line, one chair was placed.

The three sitting in these chairs were:

The current Chief Minister—Ye Ze’an.

The current State Preceptor—Yun Shu.

The Military Affairs Grand Marshal—Wenren Zheng.

Among the entire court, only these three were qualified to sit during the court meeting; all others, including the Crown Prince, had to stand.

Ye Ze’an slowly rose from his chair, not turning around, so Li Fei could not see the face of the legendary figure who single-handedly created the ‘Ming New Reforms,’ only hearing the other party’s voice:

“In my opinion, we should first ask if the Buddhist community is willing to serve the nation, and then inquire what they can do for the country.”

Upon hearing this, many Ministers exchanged glances, seeing some indications.

“Good.”

Only then did the Emperor look towards Ming Qi:

“Ming Qi, Pudu Temple is the holy land of Buddhism, and millions of monks and nuns in the world regard Pudu Temple as their leader. You are a Buddha’s son of Pudu Temple, tell Us, is the Buddhist community willing to serve the country?”

Ming Qi clasped his hands together and simply said, “Willing.”

“And what can you do?”

The Emperor asked again.

Without hesitation, Ming Qi replied, “Including Pudu Temple, a total of one hundred and eight temples, there is a practice of Buddhism in each temple, capable of refining Sha Qi for the nation, enhancing our national power.”

Upon hearing this, many Ministers’ expressions changed.

Compared to the Crown Prince’s proposal of extensively constructing Buddhist halls, this was what truly astounded them!

Li Fei had already heard about this from the Crown Prince on the train ride and knew that this was the real objective, so he wasn’t surprised and simply watched quietly.

“Good!”

The Emperor raised his voice, looking very pleased.

He looked towards Ye Ze’an, “Chief Minister, what is your opinion?”

Ye Ze’an, with a calm demeanor, saluted to the Emperor:

“If it is indeed as stated, it would be fortunate for the nation, and I believe it is feasible.”

This Chief Minister had been in charge of the Cabinet for forty-six years; with his approval, many Ministers of the Cabinet would offer their support.

Yet there were still those who opposed.

“Your Majesty!”

A Cabinet Minister, who was also a University Scholar from Zixu Hall, stood up and said loudly,

“National weapons of great importance should not be entrusted lightly! I think we should consider this matter thoroughly!”

“Your Majesty, I also think this matter is inappropriate; if any problem arises, the consequences would be immeasurable!”

“Your Majesty…”

One after another, more than a dozen Ministers stood up in opposition!

After no further objections were voiced, the Emperor looked towards another person sitting in the chair on the side of the civil servant queue:

“The matter of Sha Qi has always been overseen by the Righteous Law Pavilion; State Preceptor, what do you think?”

Upon hearing this, Li Fei immediately looked forward with curiosity.

The Righteous Law Pavilion was one of the Cabinets, and in principle, the Pavilion Master of the Righteous Law Pavilion didn’t have the status to sit on an equal footing with the Chief Minister.

But the Righteous Law Pavilion held power over the nation’s vital weapons, granting it a unique status.