Chapter 4482 Bad Motive
"You must not do it, Duke of Yue!"
"Fang Erlang, this is a good official. Although you are forced to do so, can you please be lenient for the sake of our people?"
"Bah! When did Fang Erbangchui ever tell the truth? This is a fool, who confuses right and wrong, frames Zhongliang, and is a great traitor!"
"Hey, I've said it before. Which of the people in Guanzhong has never been favored by Fang Erlang? You can't pick up the bowl to eat and put down the bowl to curse!"
……
The surrounding people were furious and interceded for Pei Yi. After all, although Pei Yi's behavior was disrespectful to Fang Jun, his original intention was to control floods for the people. With Fang Erlang's magnanimity, not only should he not be blamed, but he should not be arrested.
Pei Yi faced the people and said loudly: "You guys, please don't do this. Fang Erlang is an important minister in the dynasty, with power in both the government and the public. He represents the face of the court. I used such petty ways to force Fang Erlang. It is really a great mistake. If you intercede for me, wouldn't it make me think that I am holding back public opinion? As long as Fang Erlang can get the stones from Xingjiao Temple, I will have no regrets even if I get whipped and lose my official position."
His words brought tears to the eyes of the people: "This is an upright official!"
"If Erlang insists on causing harm, wouldn't he be confusing right and wrong, punishing good and promoting evil?"
"Don't make mistakes, Erlang!"
……
The soldiers obeyed the orders and pushed Pei Yi to the ground and tied his hands behind his back with ropes. Pei Yi's face was calm, happy and unafraid, and he looked dignified and upright.
Ma Zhou glanced at Pei Yi and whispered to Fang Jun: "This person's motives are impure, but if he is arrested in public, it will definitely arouse public opinion and be extremely detrimental to Erlang's reputation. We should let him go for the time being and consider the long term."
In the eyes of these current people, Pei Yi is an upright official who wants to obtain stones for flood control at any cost. For the sake of the people's homes and lives, he would rather offend a powerful figure like Fang Jun who is now resigned from his position and imprisoned. And the person who captured this honest official was naturally a traitor and a bad guy.
The minds of the people are so simple, either good or bad, black or white.
Fang Jun smiled and said: "Reputation is useful to others, but it is useless to me. With my current status and power, if I still cherish my feathers and want a reputation as a courteous, virtuous, fair and honest... I want to imitate Xindu Marquis. ?”
The new prince is Wang Mang.
Duke Zhou was afraid of rumors, but Wang Mang was humble and did not usurp the throne... Wang Mang was humble, self-denying, honest, and courteous. He possessed almost all the advantages of human nature. He was praised by both the government and the public, thinking that he could be compared with the ancient saints. .
However, such a person with an almost perfect reputation eventually usurped the Han Dynasty and established a new dynasty, becoming a model for the ages. Since then, people with a reputation for love have been deeply feared by emperors from generation to generation, lest another Wang Mang appear next to them...
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Ma Zhou thought for a while and nodded in recognition.
Imperial power is supreme, and those who serve as ministers should be careful in their words and deeds to avoid violating the taboos of imperial power. Otherwise, even father and son can turn against each other, let alone just a mere minister? No matter how important Fang Jun is to Li Chengqian, once imperial power is involved, he will be ruthless. Either the emperor will ruthlessly cut off the threat, or Fang Jun will really follow Wang Mang's example and usurp the country...
Based on Ma Zhou's understanding of Fang Jun, the latter will definitely not happen, so we need to pay more attention.
Fang Jun said to the soldiers: "Capture this animal and hand it over to the 'Baiqisi' for interrogation. I suspect that this animal is obstructing water control and destroying my reputation. It has sinister intentions and is suspected of conspiring to overthrow the empire. Please ask Baiqisi for interrogation." The cavalry officer will strictly interrogate and identify the people he has close contact with, and screen them one by one. However, if anyone is found to have behaved inappropriately, he will be arrested and interrogated regardless of his identity! "
Perhaps the bursting of the embankment was not a conspiracy against him, but Pei Yi's remarks were that no matter whether he went to Xingjiao Temple to ask for stones or not, he was passive. Either he was charged with indifference to the suffering of the people, or he offended the entire Buddhist sect. It is a "conspiracy" with no low means.
As for Pei Yi, an official of the Ministry of Industry, he instigated such a thing when he was present. If he said it was just an unintentional mistake, he would never believe it.
"Here!"
The soldiers lifted Pei Yi up and dragged him back.
Pei Yi's expression changed drastically. He never expected that Fang Jun, despite being in a high position, would not change his "stick" temper. He wanted to take him for interrogation without caring about his reputation. What kind of place was "Baiqisi"? Good people have to peel off their skin to get in, not to mention how can I claim to be innocent after being an official for most of my life?
He immediately shouted: "How can you wantonly frame me and maliciously frame me?"
Fang Jun said leisurely: "Whether it is framed or framed is up to you. After the 'Baiqisi' rigorous investigation, if your innocence is proven, I will come and apologize. Otherwise, you will be dismissed from office and your family will be reunited." Go into exile.”
Your Majesty is unwilling to kill people, but he has a soft spot for exile. After all, the population in the border areas is sparse. If you want to occupy those wild lands for a long time, you must continue to immigrate to fill the borders. And who of ordinary good family members is willing to leave their hometown and travel thousands of miles away? ? Only those prisoners are the best choice.
Depending on their crime responsibilities, prisoners will be "re-education through labor" under military supervision at the border for different periods of time. They will be assigned land and houses, and receive local household registration. They will defend the country, guard the border and reclaim the territory for generations.
"Intellectuals" like Pei Yi are exactly the talents that the frontier desperately needs...
Pei Yi wanted to shout for mercy, but his soldiers blocked his mouth, dragged him aside, laid him on his horse, and galloped away.
Fang Jun looked at the people in front of him who looked either unkind or unspeakably disappointed, and said with a smile: "Why do I need others to tell me what I do? Follow me to Xingjiao Temple. If he dares not to give you the stone, I will do it today." Smashed his mountain door!”
"Okay! This is Fang Erlang!"
"Since we have decided to go to beg for stones, why should we arrest that honest official?"
"Haha, it's your first day to meet Fang Er? This one is a donkey, so you're welcome!"
……
A group of people marched southward, heading straight to Xingjiao Temple south of Duqu.
On the way, Ma Zhou was worried: "This Xingjiao Temple was expanded intentionally by Master Xuanzang. What should we do if the monks in the temple refuse to donate stones?"
Seeing Fang Jun leading a large group of people in a murderous manner, Ma Zhou was frightened. At the beginning of the founding of the Tang Dynasty, the Li family claimed to be the successor of Lao Dan, so they advocated Taoism and suppressed Buddhism. However, Buddhism was based in the Central Plains. It has been deeply rooted for hundreds of years, how can it be suppressed easily? As Master Xuanzang brought back a large number of Buddhist scriptures from Tianzhu, the prestige of Buddhism skyrocketed, and his theory became more and more advanced. Even His Majesty Li Er, who was so talented and powerful, had to stay away from him temporarily and had to confer Xuanzang with a series of official positions. In order to achieve the purpose of stabilizing the country.
Therefore, now that Buddhism is at its peak, once it is angered, not only will countless believers attack Fang Jun, but the government and the public will also add insult to injury.
Fang Jun rode on, disapproving: "What about Buddhism? Do you really think you have become a tiger's butt that you can't touch? Back then, the little thief Bianji was hailed as an outstanding figure of the new generation of Buddhism. With profound Buddhist teachings and high prestige, wasn't he still considered I was forced to go far away from Lingnan and heard nothing from him? Unless Xuanzang comes in person, the rest are out of my sight."
Ma Zhou became increasingly worried: "You can't do this!"
Based on his understanding of Fang Junzhi, this man was not afraid of heaven and earth. He dared to ride on Prince Han's palace and punch King Qi You back then. Who knew that he would not be able to smash the mountain gate of Xingjiao Temple today?
That would stir up a hornet's nest...
"I have my own opinion, brother Bin Wang, don't worry! Come on!"
As Fang Jun said this, he galloped up his horse and led hundreds of people straight to Xingjiao Temple.
……
Xingjiao Temple stands on the south side of Shaolingyuan and the southern section of Fanchuan. It is unknown when it was built. The few temples surrounded by gables have long been dilapidated. Although they have been repaired many times, they are still difficult to withstand the erosion of wind, frost, rain and snow. The carvings and paint are peeling off, the doors and windows are rotting, and the mountain gate is crumbling under the continuous rain for many days since late autumn.
However, this place is backed by mountains, facing the river, with undulating hills and mountains, hiding the wind and gathering energy, and has excellent feng shui. Therefore, Master Xuanzang planned to rebuild the temple, and then moved here to live in simplicity and continue the arduous and vast work of translating Buddhist scriptures.
Outside the mountain gate, everyone dismounted one after another. Ma Yiyi pulled Fang Jun's sleeve and reminded: "In this land of Buddhism, it is better to be respectful and low-key. It would be best if we can ask for stones. If the monks in the temple refuse, we will find another one." Find a way.”
Fang Jun said seriously: "There are things that a man should not do, but he must do something. How can Buddhism be compared with the life and death of the people? When I go to requisition stones to control floods and relieve the people's misfortunes, if the monks in the temple agree, then I will. If they don't, then I will." Never give up! ”
Ma Zhou's words were so upright and righteous that Ma Zhou was two heads and two older. Just now, he said that he was afraid that his reputation would be too good to arouse His Majesty's jealousy. Now he has become a good official who asks for orders for the people?
The people who came with them were already shouting, "Erlang is so powerful!"
"I told you a long time ago, when has Erlang ever let us commoners down?"
"The official was just talking before, but Fang Erlang is really doing practical things!"
The monks inside the mountain gate had already discovered that hundreds of people were rushing straight to the temple, and they were immediately frightened. Although Buddhism has been prosperous and prosperous in recent years, with countless believers, and even the government is paying attention to it, it is not concerned about the gathering of common people. I am particularly afraid. After all, with the prosperity of Buddhism, There are many monks who are greedy for money and coax believers to donate incense. There are also moneylenders who often destroy people's homes. What's more, some young and strong monks seduce female pilgrims to do permissive things...
Once public resentment and anger are aroused, it is an extremely bad incident. Even if the monks are beaten and the mountain gate is smashed, it can only be ignored. The law does not punish the public. It is impossible to gather the monks in the temple to fight against the common people who come to make trouble. Have a fight?
The common people are not only the foundation of the country, but also the foundation of Buddhism. If Buddhism is set up in opposition to the common people, wouldn’t it be digging one’s own grave?
The monk who was the gatekeeper ran all the way to the main hall and informed the abbot of the hundreds of people swarming in. The abbot also realized that something was wrong, so he quickly put on his cassocks and called a dozen strong monks to go to the mountain gate to see what was going on. , it is definitely not allowed to hit others, but you should also bring a few more people to prevent yourself from being beaten... (End of this chapter)