Journey to the West: Upon seeing the Yellow-Eyebrowed Demon, why not pay homage?

Chapter 134 Why are Taoists the lowest class? [First update, please continue reading]

After a long silence and much deliberation, Manjushri simply instructed, "The one who tied the knot must untie it. We cannot directly target Laozi Temple, but we can directly target the Crown Prince of Wuji Kingdom."

After you return, use your dual status as king and father to pressure the crown prince and strictly forbid him from doing anything similar again.

If the Crown Prince is not convinced, or outwardly complies but inwardly defies, threaten him with the Empress, and he will compromise.

At the same time, spread the word about this matter; out of respect for imperial power, no one should go to the Laozi Temple to burn incense anymore.

The lion-like monster, wanting to demonstrate its loyalty, suggested, "Why doesn't the Bodhisattva go and speak to the Buddha?"

Manjushri shook his head and said, "You've been king for over two years now. Let me ask you, do you like it when your officials dump trouble on you?"

Lion-like monster: "————"

This is true.

He was particularly annoyed by the idea of ​​ministers who were clearly capable of doing something but didn't use their brains to do it, or ministers who could easily do something but brought trouble upon themselves because they were afraid of taking responsibility.

half an hour.

The lion-like monster rushed back to Wuji Kingdom at top speed, and immediately summoned the crown prince to the Huangming Hall, sternly asking, "Crown Prince, why did you build the Laozi Temple? Who instructed you, and what promises did they make to you?"

The prince said, "A few days ago, I read the Tao Te Ching and was amazed by Lao Tzu's teachings. So I built a temple to Lao Tzu to pay my respects. No outsider instructed me to do so."

The lion asked in bewilderment, "Then how was the Laozi Temple able to rise from the ground in just a few days?"

The prince responded, "As the saying goes, when fortune smiles, talented people gather to help; when luck comes, talented people will come to your aid, and you will feel as if you have divine assistance."

The lion-like monster frowned slightly and said, "The so-called 'when fortune smiles, outstanding people gather' may not be without some sinister schemes hidden within."

I visited the Laozi Temple. The temple keeper there doesn't seem to be a good person. You should no longer associate with him, and you should have no further contact with the Laozi Temple.

Focus your mind and energy on learning government affairs; that's what you should be doing right now.

The crown prince did not object, but bowed obediently and said, "I will obey Your Majesty's decree."

The lion-like monster waved its hand and said, "Go."

"Here you are."

The prince immediately accepted the order and left, but instead of diligently studying, he ignored the lion-like monster's warning and instead went straight to the Laozi Temple under the pretext of going hunting. There, under a large tree, he found the two Taoist priests, Jia and Li, playing chess.

"Gentlemen, just as Master Jia said, that evil spirit spoke with me and strictly forbade me from having any further contact with the Laozi Temple."

Beside the chessboard, Huang Mei, holding a white piece, smiled slightly and calmly placed her piece: "We can begin the next phase of the plan now, Your Highness. Are you prepared to be persecuted?"

The prince raised his head and said, "I am not afraid of being persecuted, but please, Taoist priest, protect my mother."

"Don't worry, I won't let her get hurt," Huang Mei solemnly promised.

The prince breathed a sigh of relief: "Daoist Master, what should I do next?"

Huang Mei raised the corners of his mouth slightly: "I would like to trouble Your Highness to go to Baolin Temple next door and recruit some Taoist priests to come and do odd jobs."

Then, whenever he had the chance, he would try to provoke that evil spirit and destroy his so-called moral integrity.

He clearly remembered that in the original Journey to the West, when Tang Sanzang entered Baolin Temple alone, the first person he encountered was a Taoist priest.

This person was probably not a Taoist priest, nor did he have any connection with the Taoist sect. He was more like a servant who did odd jobs, which is why he addressed the abbot as "Master".

However, whether it is true or not is not important; what he is digging up is the corner of Baolin Temple!

At this moment, the Crown Prince, like Li Xuan, was completely obedient to Huang Mei. He immediately set off and, in the name of the Crown Prince, quickly transferred all the Taoists in Baolin Temple to Lao Jun Temple, thus enriching the staff structure of Lao Jun Temple.

Huang Mei briefly trained the Taoists on the reception procedures, and then opened the temple's doors for business.

However, due to the subtle atmosphere of suppressing Taoism and promoting Buddhism in Uji, people can watch the spectacle and look at the novelty, but not a single person actually goes into the temple to burn incense.

This time, Huang Mei did not use the method of distributing eggs. Instead, she had Li Xuan go into people's homes to treat the sick and save lives, and to use his magic.

Of course, most importantly, he emphasized his identity as the temple keeper of the Laozi Temple.

In this way, within three days, incense began to burn in the Laozi Temple. This scene quickly alerted the lion-like monster, and after a brief investigation, it turned out to be related to the prince.

The lion-like monster was furious and immediately summoned the prince. Upon meeting him, the prince sternly demanded, "Didn't I tell you not to have anything to do with the Laozi Temple anymore? Why did you disobey me?"

The Crown Prince said, "Your Majesty is wise. It is not that I am outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant. Rather, when I went to Baolin Temple earlier, I discovered that there were monks and Taoist servants in the temple."

In other words, the monks are the masters, and the Taoist priests are the servants, and those Taoist priests keep calling the abbot "Master," isn't this an insult to the Taoist community?

"Ignorant and incompetent!" the lion-like monster roared. "Who told you that 'Taoist' and 'Taoist priest' are the same thing? The lowest-ranking staff in temples who do odd jobs and labor can all be called 'Taoists'."

The prince said, "Isn't it an insult to the Taoist sect to call these lowly people, or rather, servants, Taoists?"

In other words, why isn't the abbot called a Taoist? Why aren't the elders called Taoists?

It is precisely these people, the lowest of the low, who are trampled underfoot, who are called Taoists!

The lion-like monster was suddenly startled.

If the Crown Prince's words were to reach the ears of the Taoist sect, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"You unfilial son, you are not interested in learning and are ignorant and incompetent. How can you inherit the throne in the future? I think you should give up your position as crown prince. From now on, you will be demoted to a commoner." After regaining his senses, the lion-like monster said fiercely.

"Am I really ignorant and incompetent, or have I touched a nerve with you?"

In the past two years, your preferences have led to the flourishing of Buddhism in Wuji Kingdom. Even the abbot of Baolin Temple has become a monk official. What is your relationship with Buddhism?

Moreover, I asked my mother, and she said that you have changed since the Taoist priest who prayed for rain left two years ago.

"What did you do to that Taoist priest? Could it be that he was harmed by you?" The prince remembered Huang Mei's instructions and his questions pierced the other party's heart.

The lion-like monster felt a chill run down its spine, and enraged, shouted, "Guards! Seize this beast and throw it in the dungeon to reflect on its actions!"

The fierce guards immediately rushed into the palace and captured the prince.

However, the Crown Prince remained completely calm, showing no fear whatsoever: "Just you wait, the truth will eventually come to light."

"Take him away!" the lion-like monster roared.

The guards bowed and accepted the order, and soon dragged the crown prince away and threw him into the imperial prison.

Such news could not be kept secret any longer and soon reached the ears of the Empress. The Empress dared not hesitate and immediately came to see the Crown Prince to plead for him.

However, the lion-like monster was calculating the arrival time of Sun Wukong and the others, worried that the truth would be exposed in advance, and also feared that the prince would talk nonsense. How could it possibly release them?

"Your Majesty, please stop trying to persuade him. He has only himself to blame. If you continue to nag, I will send you to the imperial prison to keep him company!"