prosperous age

Just as Wei Guangde was handling official business in his duty room, waiting for Emperor Wanli to summon him, the Second Grand Secretary Shen Shixing received an urgent memorial sent to the cabinet. His expression changed drastically, and he rushed to Wei Guangde's duty room.

Is the Grand Secretary inside?

Shen Shixing walked into the courtyard and asked Lu Bu in front of him.

"Grand Secretary Shen, the master is inside processing official documents."

Lu Bu hurriedly bowed to Shen Shixing and replied immediately.

"Quickly send word that I have important matters to report to the Grand Secretary."

Shen Shixing immediately said.

Lu Bu dared not delay. Before Shen Shixing could approach, he immediately turned around and went into the duty room to report to Wei Guangde that Shen Shixing was coming.

In fact, Wei Guangde had already overheard their conversation from inside.

Naturally, he put down the memorial in his hand and looked out the door.

After Lu Bu came in, before he could speak, she nodded slightly and then got up to greet him.

Soon, Shen Shixing entered the duty room. After the two exchanged greetings, Wei Guangde led them to a reception area to sit down.

"Rumo, you've only been gone a short while, why are you rushing over? What serious thing happened?"

Wei Guangde asked.

"Your Excellency, please take a look."

Shen Shixing handed the memorial in his hand directly to Wei Guangde, letting him read it himself.

Upon seeing this, Wei Guangde immediately reached out and took it, then opened it and began to read.

"Yin Ji Nan Luo Sect"

As Wei Guangde looked at the memorial in his hand, he read it aloud softly.

"Rossifu"

There was a name that nearly made Wei Guangde vomit blood.

He almost thought he had met someone from his hometown; the name was just too...unusual.

Without a doubt, his limited historical knowledge contained absolutely no mention of names like Yin Jinan and Luo Sifu.

However, after reading the memorial, Wei Guangde frowned and said, "The Luo Sect is still around, and it has even made contact with the White Lotus Sect."

Fortunately, the Zhejiang authorities have already arrested Yin Jinan. If they can follow the trail and arrest his accomplices, they should be able to completely eradicate the Luo Cult.

Wei Guangde put down the memorial in his hand and said with a stern face.

Many people know that the Ming and Qing dynasties spared no effort in suppressing the White Lotus Rebellion because the White Lotus Rebellion would seize any opportunity to gather people and rebel.

Moreover, many folk cults are also included in the White Lotus sect to prove the evil of cults.

In fact, many other religions emerged during the Ming and Qing dynasties, but because their doctrines were perhaps similar to those of the White Lotus Religion, they were treated as part of the White Lotus Religion.

The White Lotus Sect was a secret religious society that spread among the people since the Tang and Song dynasties, belonging to the Chinese folk religious sects.

Its origins can be traced back to the White Lotus Society founded by Huiyuan in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, and it has a connection with the Pure Land School of Buddhism.

It was officially founded in the third year of Shaoxing in the Southern Song Dynasty, which is 1133 AD. Its founder was Mao Ziyuan, a monk from Wu County, Jiangsu.

The early White Lotus sect worshipped Amitabha Buddha, advocated reciting the Buddha's name and keeping precepts, and stipulated that believers should not kill, steal, commit adultery, lie, or drink alcohol.

It calls on believers to venerate their ancestors and is a secret society that is half monk and half layman.

Its doctrines are simple, and its scriptures are relatively easy to understand, making them acceptable to the lower classes. Therefore, it is often used as a tool to organize people to resist oppression.

The Luo sect mentioned by Wei Guangde is actually the Wuwei sect, a folk religion founded by Luo Qing in the eighteenth year of the Chenghua reign of the Ming Dynasty. It is also known as the Luo Zu sect or the Wukong sect.

The religion takes the "Five Books of Luo Zu" (also known as the "Five Books and Six Volumes") as its classic text, and its core doctrine is "the home of emptiness, the parents of no birth." Its ideas originate from the "Diamond Sutra".

He advocated integrating the Buddhist Zen school and the Taoist concept of "quietude and non-action," promoted the unity of the three teachings, emphasized internal alchemy cultivation and standardized rituals, believed that "emptiness" is the essence of the universe, and proclaimed that everyone can become a Buddha.

Luo Qing was originally from Jimo County, Laizhou Prefecture, Shandong Province. He was born in the seventh year of the Zhengtong era. At the age of fourteen, he was stationed in Miyun Guard, Beizhili. In the eighteenth year of the Chenghua era, he founded the Wuwei Sect.

The doctrine rejected the worship of Buddha statues and emphasized inner enlightenment, mainly relying on the canal boatmen to spread it along the canal.

Because its ideology was similar to that of the White Lotus Sect, and both evolved from Buddhism, it was a religion that was strictly prohibited from being spread by the Ming Dynasty.

This time, Zhejiang reported the capture of Yin Jinan, the leader of the Luo Cult, which greatly surprised Shen Shixing and Wei Guangde.

After all, it turns out that the religion, which was thought to be banned, still exists.

This time, the Zhejiang government learned that Yin Jinan was traveling to preach, and because of his eloquence and skill in spreading the word, he received donations from many patrons.

Under pursuit by the authorities, Yin led his followers to flee, eventually gathering as many as 3,700 believers.

The government naturally dared not neglect such a dangerous individual, so it mobilized the garrison to surround and arrest him, and finally captured the cult leader Yin Jinan.

"Lubu, summon Commander Liu Shouyou immediately."

This matter definitely requires the involvement of the Embroidered Uniform Guard to investigate and arrest all leaders of the Luo Cult.

"It's unbelievable that the Embroidered Uniform Guard didn't know about such a big thing before."

Shen Shixing suddenly spoke up, though it was unclear what he was implying.

Although he knew that what he said was wrong, Wei Guangde had no time to delve into it at the moment. Instead, his mind was filled with the number of 3,700 people mentioned in the memorial.

"Let's discuss the matter of assigning responsibility later. How much do you know about the Luo Cult?"

Wei Guangde asked calmly.

Upon hearing this, Shen Shixing was taken aback.

To be honest, in his opinion, it should just be a branch of the White Lotus Sect, so he didn't really know much about it.

Just identify the White Lotus Sect and all religions similar to it, and label them all as such.

Then, the court publicized all the evil deeds they had committed, which was the reason for banning the White Lotus sect.

As for the relationship between the White Lotus Sect and the Ming Dynasty, it was indeed still being circulated among the common people, but most scholars just listened to it and were too lazy to trace its origins.

Of course, at the level of a cabinet minister, one naturally has a greater understanding of how to eradicate the White Lotus Rebellion.

At least, the rebel army that Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang joined was indeed related to the White Lotus Sect.

In fact, at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, the White Lotus Sect was the most important force in inciting rebellion among the people.

The White Lotus sect's slogans, such as "the birth of the Bright King," attracted a large number of people, providing a popular base and ideological mobilization for the peasant uprisings at the end of the Yuan Dynasty.

Guo Zixing, the leader of the uprising whom Zhu Yuanzhang joined, also had a background in the White Lotus Sect. Zhu Yuanzhang rose to prominence under Guo's command and laid the foundation for his rule.

Han Lin'er, nicknamed "Little Ming King," was actually installed by the White Lotus Sect.

However, in the end, Zhu Yuanzhang completed the enthronement ceremony, while the Little Ming King died unexpectedly. Even the rebel leaders and their sons, who held higher positions than Zhu Yuanzhang in the rebel army, mostly met with accidents.

Wei Guangde had no intention of delving into the mystery, after all, it was all history.

However, after Zhu Yuanzhang ascended the throne, he was well aware of the powerful appeal of folk religions to the grassroots people and believed that they might threaten the rule of the new dynasty.

As his power grew and his influence increased, Zhu Yuanzhang recruited more Confucian intellectuals such as Liu Ji and Song Lian, and his governing philosophy gradually diverged from the doctrines of the White Lotus sect.

In order to shift the legitimacy of the uprising from "religious salvation" to the national and political program of "expelling the barbarians and restoring China," Zhu Yuanzhang needed to completely sever ties with the White Lotus sect.

Therefore, following the advice of his ministers, he issued an edict to strictly prohibit organizations such as the White Lotus Sect, and wrote the ban into the "Great Ming Code," stipulating that "the ringleader shall be hanged, and the followers shall each be flogged one hundred times and exiled three thousand li."

If Wei Guangde's previous contact with the White Lotus sect was due to their alliance with Altan Khan of the Mongols, which led to their plan to invite the Mongol cavalry into the country, and they sought to eliminate the sect with the help of the Mongols.

Now, it is necessary for the imperial court to once again take strong measures to thoroughly sweep away the remaining cult organizations among the people.

Taking the opportunity of suppressing the Luo sect, another nationwide crackdown on the White Lotus sect was launched.

"Reed cloth".

Wei Guangde shouted again.

Shen Shixing was clearly taken aback by his question, obviously unsure how to answer.

Since he didn't know, and Wei Guangde wanted to know, he naturally had to check the relevant documents.

"My lord, I have already sent someone to the Northern Garrison Command. Lord Liu will be here soon."

When Lu Bu entered the room, he thought Wei Guangde was asking for news, so he immediately bowed and replied, "Have someone check the documents related to the Luo Sect as soon as possible."

Wei Guangde ignored him and gave the order directly.

"Master Luo? Yes, I'll go right away."

Upon hearing Wei Guangde's instructions, Lu Bu hurriedly agreed and left quickly.

"Your Excellency, what is this?"

Shen Shixing then looked at Wei Guangde and asked in confusion.

"More than ten years have passed since the Longqing era when Anda's troops bound and handed over all the White Lotus followers on the grasslands to Datong."

It seems the imperial court has neglected the pursuit of the White Lotus Rebellion in recent years, which explains the sudden appearance of the Luo Cult.

Wei Guangde spoke calmly.

"But at that time, the White Lotus rebels were captured in one fell swoop."

Shen Shixing hurriedly said.

Wei Guangde shook his head and said, "It was a complete capture, but who said those people were all the White Lotus cult bandits?"

Those captured by the Mongols either fought desperately and were killed, or were handed over to the court and refused to speak, ultimately being executed.

It is conceivable that at that time, there were still quite a few remnants of the White Lotus Sect in the country.

Their refusal to confess is a way of protecting them.

So many years have passed; perhaps it's time for it to rise again from the ashes.

Upon hearing Wei Guangde's words, Shen Shixing knew that the Zhejiang government's capture of the Luo Sect bandits was just the beginning, and soon a nationwide crackdown on the remnants of the White Lotus Sect would be launched again.

It can be said that the history of the Ming Dynasty was always intertwined with the White Lotus Rebellion, with the entire nation being mobilized from time to time to carry out a campaign of suppression.

Perhaps the results were remarkable at the time, but ultimately they could not be completely eradicated.

"The White Lotus Sect, hehe, is nothing but a bunch of thieves who use the White Lotus Sect's name to make their own profits. There are too many of them to kill."

Wei Guangde spoke calmly.

Did the previous dynasty's encirclement and suppression campaigns really fail to capture all the White Lotus sect leaders?

Wei Guangde didn't really believe it.

As long as someone shows their face, there's no way the imperial court can't catch them.

However, from time to time, there are always groups of White Lotus cult members causing trouble.

Ultimately, it's not that the White Lotus Sect couldn't be eradicated, but rather that some people with ulterior motives used its doctrines to attract ignorant people.

The reason why the White Lotus sect was able to exist for so long was that its doctrines resonated with the people's hearts.

Therefore, as long as one has political ambitions, it is easy to build up an army by using the White Lotus Sect's doctrines to brainwash the people.

Just like the rebels at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang was merely going with the flow.

He succeeded.

Because he succeeded, he became even more aware of how terrifying this power was.

The cabinet was not short of manpower. When Liu Shouyou received the news and rushed to the cabinet, Lu Bu had already taken some files from the Zhongshu and entered the duty room.

These were documents about the Luo sect collected by the cabinet, and Wei Guangde and Shen Shixing quietly looked through them.

Soon, Wei Guangde began to frown.

Through the documents, Wei Guangde noticed that the Luo sect actually came into the government's view in the early years of the Zhengde reign.

At that time, Luo Qing, the founder of the Luo sect, had already begun to spread his teachings.

However, after Cai Boguan, the leader of the White Lotus sect, launched an uprising in Sichuan during the Jiajing era, the imperial court not only strictly investigated the White Lotus sect members, but also prohibited the spread of the Luo sect.

Because the government discovered that the doctrines of the Luo sect and the White Lotus sect were similar, they were regarded as branches of the White Lotus sect.

Although the followers of the Luo sect denied it, they cited the fact that the sect's founder, Luo Qingwei, was a soldier.

Although banned, some people in the eyes of the government do believe that the Luo Sect and the White Lotus Sect are unrelated.

"The imperial court has banned the spread of Luo religion, but look, there are still officials defending Luo religion."

Wei Guangde waved the document in his hand and said to Shen Shixing.

"Perhaps for this reason, the Embroidered Uniform Guard paid more attention to cracking down on the White Lotus Sect, while neglecting the Wuwei Sect."

Shen Shixing also noticed this and immediately echoed it.

What Wei Guangde didn't know was that although people said the White Lotus sect was essentially the same, they actually seemed to be two different sects.

Moreover, even in later generations, it is unknown whether the White Lotus Sect still had disciples spreading its teachings, but the Wuwei Sect, also known as the Luo Sect, did indeed have successors continuing to roam the martial arts world.

This is the Green Gang.

"Any religion that is based on the doctrines of gods and demons and needs to proselytize will have conflicts with the imperial court and is therefore an evil cult."

Wei Guangde suddenly spoke up.

This is an irreconcilable conflict between the religion of gods and demons and the imperial court that follows the path of humanity; it cannot be resolved.

Shen Shixing glanced at Wei Guangde, then nodded and said, "The Grand Secretary is right."

The greatest evil can appear as good, and the greatest treachery can appear as loyalty; this is the outward manifestation of cults.

On the surface, cults are also warm and caring groups. Their leaders plagiarize Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist doctrines, promote ideas such as "doing good," "caring," and "dedication," and encourage believers to respect, love, and help each other.

But this is merely a means for them to recruit followers; once they have recruited enough followers, they will reveal their true colors.

"Master, Lord Liu has arrived."

Suddenly, Lu Bu called out from outside the door into the house.

"Let him in."

A moment later, Liu Shouyou entered the room and bowed to the two men.

Wei Guangde handed the memorial to Liu Shouyou in a huff, too lazy to even say a word.

The fact that the Imperial Guards were completely unaware of the local authorities' pursuit of cult leaders is a dereliction of duty on Liu Shouyou's part.

Shen Shixing's words just now were actually an attempt to have someone replace Liu Shouyou.

As for the reason, Wei Guangde knew it even if he didn't want to.

"This is my dereliction of duty, please punish me, sir."

After quickly reading the memorial, Liu Shouyou hurriedly bowed and said...

"Perhaps, the large number of elite troops being transferred out of the vassal states has made you less concerned about the domestic situation."

But even if something like this happens, you still bear responsibility for dereliction of duty.

Pass down the message: make every effort to arrest members of the Luo sect. Inform all local garrisons that anyone who uses the guise of gods and demons to preach should be arrested first.

A cult is one that gathers people to preach and recruit followers.

"Whenever there are gatherings, I don't want the Embroidered Uniform Guard to remain ignorant and inactive."

Wei Guangde stared at Liu Shouyou and said.

"Yes."

Liu Shouyou bowed and said.

“Go back and submit your own memorial to the palace to plead guilty.”

Furthermore, arrangements should be made as soon as possible to conduct another nationwide crackdown on cult organizations, including the White Lotus Sect and the Luo Sect.

Wei Guangde did not want the Embroidered Uniform Guard to change its commander, so he gave Liu Shouyou a piece of advice on how to write a memorial.

Let the Imperial Guards lead the nationwide crackdown on cults. (End of Chapter)