The emperor would rather have a

Chapter 74 Princess Shouan
"I believe that if a person is kind, Buddha is within their heart. Even the most virtuous and virtuous can be called a Buddha. Creating golden statues or bronze vessels is excessively wasteful. I believe Buddha would not wish to see people so vulgar."

"This behavior simply shows that the so-called monks and nuns in these temples are merely greedy and self-serving, not truly praying to the Buddha for the benefit of mankind."

"Buddha statues and bodhisattvas should be made of clay to show piety. The original copper ones can be melted down and made into coins. This will be of great benefit to the country and the people."

As he spoke, Li Yi sighed and said, "Four hundred and eighty temples in the Southern Dynasties, how many pavilions are shrouded in mist and rain..."

"Your Majesty, destroying Buddhism is not about eradicating Buddhism, nor is it about collecting copper to mint coins. Rather, it is about curbing this kind of extravagant and excessive worship of the Buddha."

Li Yi's last words were quite sincere.

He himself had a bad impression of Buddhism. Some old monks in later generations did things like releasing mineral water under the pretext of worshiping Buddha and doing good deeds.

Is this something that a human being can do with his intelligence?
What’s more, Buddhism has been a vampire of society since ancient times, taking in money but not giving it out, making a lot of money, and doing nothing to save all living beings!
The money in Pudusheng's pocket is still about right...

In comparison, Li Yi felt that Taoism was more reliable. People there lived in seclusion, practicing Taoism and leading a peaceful life alone, without harming or misleading ordinary people.

However, Buddhism is indeed better at making big promises than Taoism... and is very good at exploiting the weaknesses in human nature.

Of course, Li Yi's words were also telling Chai Rong that destroying Buddhism was not only not something that would harm the people's hearts, but was also a great merit.

Moreover, in the future, we can set rules for Buddhism, gradually abolish this extravagant and wasteful tradition, and let those bald monks learn how to be low-key and frugal.

Can we not worship clay statues of Buddha and Bodhisattva?
As for the luxurious and precious statues in the temple, just hand them over obediently.

"I think what Envoy Li said is reasonable. Destroying Buddhism is a good deed that benefits the country and the people."

Zhang Yongde stood up and spoke out in support of Li Yi at the right time. In his heart, he already regarded Li Yi as his die-hard fan.

After all, the other party has put so much thought into it and put forward so many suggestions.

Isn't it just to help Zhang Yongde make further progress... Zhang Yongde found that his vision was too poor before. He had never noticed that there was such a talented person under his command.

Fortunately, it is not too late now.

Unfortunately, Zhang Yongde could never have figured out that Li Yi pushed him up to attract firepower, and he wanted him and Li Chongjin to fight to the death.

But at the same time.

Li Chongjin stood in the hall and felt like a clown.

He had originally planned to come out to disgust Li Yi and Zhang Yongde behind him... He didn't think that this was Li Yi's own idea at all. Besides, the two of them had been whispering to each other before the court meeting started.

Now that I think about it, they must have been discussing this matter.

However, Li Chongjin did not expect that the other party was so well prepared.

From reorganizing the army and training the soldiers, to cutting off the redundant and weak, to where to get the money and how to get the money, every aspect was taken into consideration.

At this moment, Chai Rong finally spoke up, "What Li Qing said is indeed a solution. The rectification of the imperial guards cannot be delayed."

As he spoke, he looked at Li Yi with admiration in his eyes.

Li Chongjin mistakenly believed that Li Yi's performance at the court meeting was instructed by Zhang Yongde.

But Chai Rong didn't think so. He trusted his brother-in-law quite a bit, and he was more steady and cautious in doing things. If he had any ideas, he would tell him first.

I would never do such a thing on my own initiative.

Therefore, Chai Rong valued Li Yi even more. This young man who had just been promoted gave him a big surprise on the battlefield.

Unexpectedly, he was also excellent in other aspects. Not only could he see the shortcomings of the Imperial Guards, but he could also come up with practical plans.

Moreover, the proposal to destroy Buddhism is a stroke of genius, which can not only solve the long-standing harm of Buddhism, but also alleviate the current national financial crisis.

It seems that the previous reward was not enough, and the other party's status needs to be raised.

Chai Rong then turned to the Deputy Privy Councilor Wei Renpu and instructed him, "Mr. Wei, regarding what Mr. Li just said, let the various departments of the Privy Council discuss it and come up with a feasible plan."

As he spoke, he signaled to the eunuch beside him to hand the yellow paper that Li Yi handed over to Wei Renpu.

"The minister obeys the order."

Wei Renpu put the yellow paper into his arms.

At the same time, Li Chongjin stood there, unable to move forward or backward, feeling disgusted as if he had been fed shit.

At this court meeting, there was no one except the Left Attendant who was treated sarcastic by Li Yi.

He was the one who felt the most embarrassed, and that it would also make the emperor feel resentful, because Li Yi's proposal was obviously directed at him, but he jumped out on his own.

Although the doubts he raised were reasonable, anyone could say that, but if he said it alone it would make people suspicious.

Li Chongjin could only bite the bullet and say, "I made a mistake."

Chai Rong soothed him, "You are reminding me with good intentions, and there is nothing wrong with what you said."

Li Chongjin immediately retreated to the first position of generals in disgrace.

"If there is no other business today, let's adjourn the court." Chai Rong looked around and saw that no one spoke again, so he stood up from the throne.

Everyone hurriedly sent him off with loud cheers.

……

"Envoy Li, you and I have worked together for many years. We should move around more often."

When the court was dismissed, Zhang Yongde specifically called Li Yi to stop and held his arm affectionately. "It's better to do it today than today. There's nothing to deal with in the government office right now. Why don't you come to my house, Li Dushi, and we can have a few drinks together?"

"This... I will respectfully obey your command."

Given Zhang Yongde's status, he took the initiative to invite Li Yi, so Li Yi naturally couldn't refuse him.

At the same time, he felt a little emotional. Zhao Kuangyin invited him to his home for a drink in the morning, and now Zhang Yongde also invited him to his home for a drink.

Have I become so popular in just a few months?
Li Yi suddenly felt that his path seemed to be getting smoother and smoother, and everything was developing in the direction he had envisioned.

It is truly the time when heaven and earth join forces!
Zhang Yongde's mansion is located in Jingtaifang, close to the imperial city. The entire courtyard is more than twice the size of Li Yi's house.

The level of luxury is far greater.

As the son-in-law of Emperor Taizu Guo Wei, Zhang Yongde's wife was the sister of Emperor Shizong Chai Rong, so he should have lived in a more luxurious place.

There is nothing to envy Li Yi.

As the saying goes, no matter how good a place is, it is not as good as your own doghouse.

Besides, his house is not a doghouse, otherwise what would ordinary people call it?
When he arrived at Zhang Yongde's mansion, Li Yi found that the servants serving in the mansion were all old and ugly women, and there was not a single young maid in sight.

Li Yi couldn't help but feel sympathy for Zhang Yongde in his heart.

It seems that marrying a princess is really depressing. Not only can Zhang Yongde not take concubines, but even the number of servants is restricted.

Although having young maids is not necessarily a big deal, at least it can be more pleasing to the eye.

However, Zhang Yongde's current status and position are inseparable from his wife. If he was not the son-in-law of Taizu Guo Wei, he might not have reached his current level.

I can only say that it is painful and happy.

"Ah Lang, I heard that a distinguished guest is coming?"

Li Yi and Zhang Yongde were sitting together chatting, waiting for the food and wine to be served, when a gentle female voice suddenly came from the door.

Then, a beautiful woman in gorgeous clothes walked in, followed by two old maids with expressionless faces.

Zhang Yongde's expression froze for a moment, and he quickly stood up and went to greet her: "Madam, why are you here?"

The beautiful woman smiled and said, "Ah Lang rarely invites people to his house. I was a little curious, so I came to take a look."

As she spoke, she turned her gaze towards Li Yi who was sitting there, with a bit of scrutiny in her eyes.

Zhang Yongde's wife? Isn't that Guo Wei's fourth daughter, Princess Shou'an?
Li Yi immediately reacted, stood up and saluted, saying, "Your Highness Li Yi pays respects to the Princess."

"Li Yi?"

Seeing his wife's confusion, Zhang Yongde introduced her: "This is Li Dushi, the envoy who killed Zhang Yuanhui at Gaoping and repelled the Liao army at Xinkou."

Hearing this, Princess Shou'an's eyes flickered, and she smiled and said, "So it's Li Erlang of Xiajin... Oh, I spoke out of turn."

Uh... Li Yi couldn't help feeling a little embarrassed.

Princess Shou'an is not very old, only about twenty-four or twenty-five years old at most, but she has a dignified and beautiful appearance.

But why does she act like a simple girl?
I don't know if it's really pure or just pretending...

"Since Alang is entertaining guests, I won't disturb you."

Princess Shou'an came suddenly and left even more hurriedly, as if she just came to take a look at the excitement.

However, before leaving, Li Yi always felt that the other party seemed to have glanced at him a few times for no apparent reason.

Is it because I look different from what she imagined?
Li Yi couldn't help but think of the first time he met the two ladies of the Fu family. Fu Er Niang said that she thought she looked like a Rakshasa, but when she actually saw her, she didn't look like what she had imagined.

Perhaps Princess Shou'an also holds the same idea...

Li Yi thought to himself: Does a brave general who is good at fighting have to look like Zhang Fei and Li Kui in the novel? Can't he be a little more handsome like myself?
It turns out that stereotypes exist in every era!
At the same time, Zhang Yongde seemed relieved to see his wife leave.

Soon, the servants brought up the wine and food.

Li Yi and Zhang Yongde naturally clinked glasses and toasted each other. At the end of the drinking, they were even arm in arm, looking like they were so close that they almost wore the same pants.

It was not until dusk that the banquet ended and everyone left.

(End of this chapter)