Pawn Crossing the River

When the proceedings began, the assembly hall was still so full that they couldn't even sit down. Some people had to stand or wait outside the assembly hall. However, when the meeting ended, the meeting hall was already very empty, and most people had left, including some deputy palace masters in charge.

Qi Xuansu still looked at the others, tilted his head slightly, and approached Wuniang's direction: "I've finished speaking, does Master Qi Da have anything to add?"

Wu Niang said: "That's it."

After saying that, Wu Niang stood up and left the table, followed by Zhang Yuelu, Lin Yuanmiao and two first-grade spiritual officers.

Xiao Yin was still sitting stupidly, completely unaware of being Wu Niang's secretary, but Qi Xuansu patted her, and then he hurried to follow her.

Wu Niang also deliberately slowed down and waited patiently for Xiao Yin.

I'm afraid Qi Xuansu is really going to get it right. When these two women are together, they don't know who will serve whom.

Qi Xuansu sat still, and naturally Long Xiaobai, Lu Yujue and others also sat still.

It is difficult for the remaining Taoist officials to leave.

Strictly speaking, all Taoist priests in the Taoist government are under the control of the real person in charge of the government, and the real person in charge of the government is mainly in charge of the spiritual officials. Although the real person in charge has a higher status, Qi Xuansu is their immediate boss.

Qi Xuansu stood up slowly: "Second Chair Lu, I'll leave this to you. Chief Zhao, come here, I have something to tell you."

After that, Qi Xuansu walked out. Long Xiaobai originally wanted to follow Qi Xuansu, but Qi Xuansu signaled her to stay.

Zhao Jiaowu had no choice but to stand up and follow Qi Xuansu out with Yan Yongzhen, feeling full of anxiety.

However, Zhao Jiaowu soon realized that Qi Xuansu was not familiar with the Daxue Mountain Palace, so he walked a few steps quickly and walked in front to lead the way for Qi Xuansu.

Qi Xuansu said: "Have you not packed up Master Chen's belongings yet? Don't sign for the mortgage room yet, just find a reception room."

Zhao Jiaowu responded, changed direction, and led Qi Xuansu to a small reception room.

Qi Xuansu sat down first.

Yan Yongzhen naturally started to prepare tea - this type of reception room is very similar and is almost standard in every Taoist house. Although Yan Yongzhen came here for the first time, he was not unfamiliar with it.

Zhao Jiaowu stood aside carefully, wanting to help Yan Yongzhen prepare tea, but he couldn't leave Qi Xuansu here.

Qi Xuansu said: "Chief Zhao, why are you standing? Do you want me to talk to you with my head raised? Sit down, or sit down and talk."

Zhao Jiaowu sat down carefully, but he couldn't sit still still.

Logically speaking, as one of the troika of the Taoist government, the chief deputy palace master does not need to be so reserved in front of the real master, even if he is not as good as the real master. It's just that his family knew about his family affairs. After Chen Zhengxian's accident, Zhao Jiaowu was also one of the suspects, so he was half-guilty. The reason why he was not censored was because the Beichen Hall branch did not have the power, and how could any subordinates censor their superiors.

But Qi Xuansu obviously has this qualification and power, and it can even be reasonably believed that Qi Xuansu came with a mission. In this case, Zhao Jiaowu had to be careful and had to keep a low profile.

Yan Yongzhen brought two cups of tea and placed them on the coffee table next to them.

Qi Xuansu did not move, while Zhao Jiaowu stretched out his hand to help him.

Yan Yongzhen retreated to the side, inconspicuous, ready for orders at any time.

Qi Xuansu picked up the tea and took a sip: "Speaking of which, this is not the first time we have met."

Zhao Jiaowu hurriedly said: "I remember that last time Master Zhang and Master Zhang came together, as well as fellow Taoists from Tiangang Hall, taking a flying boat back to Yujing from Daxue Mountain Yaochi."

Qi Xuansu smiled and said: "Zhenren Zhang was the youngest deputy hall master at that time, and I was still a seventh-grade Taoist priest. If it weren't for Zhenren Zhang's order, maybe I would still be doing paperwork in Tiangang Hall. Of course, there is nothing wrong with Tiangang Hall. , but the world in charge can be broader for me.”

Zhao Jiaowu didn't know what to say.

Dianjiang, Dianjiang, why have we become a family? This is sending yourself out.

Rather than saying that he is a general, it is better to say that Master Zhang has a sharp eye. He can see at a glance that Master Qi is not a creature in the pond. He will turn into a dragon when encountering a storm. In today’s Taoist sect, how many female Taoist priests don’t envy Mr. Zhang? She has a noble birth, a happy marriage, and a bright future. Even if she cannot become a high priest, she still has a high chance of becoming the wife of a high priest, and she is the kind of wife who has real power.

So Zhao Jiaowu just laughed and didn't talk rashly.

Qi Xuansu didn't intend to reminisce about the past, so he changed the topic: "So many years have passed, and I have moved around. Chief Zhao has always been in the Western Region Taoist Palace, from the deputy palace master to the second deputy palace master, and then from the second deputy palace master. Now that I have arrived as the Chief Deputy Palace Master, I can say that I have a thorough understanding of the situation in the Western Region Dao Palace. I am new here, so I have to ask Chief Zhao for advice. What does Chief Zhao think of the current situation in the Western Region?"

Zhao Jiaowu straightened his sitting posture and replied seriously: "As for the issue of Buddhism, I think it is caused by two internal contradictions."

Qi Xuansu became interested: "Tell me more about it."

Zhao Jiaowu cleared his throat and said: "The so-called two internals and one internal refer to the internal contradictions within our Taoist sect. Some contradictions within the Taoist sect have given Buddhism an opportunity to take advantage of."

While speaking, Zhao Jiaowu had been observing Qi Xuansu's expression, and felt relieved when he saw Qi Xuansu nodding in approval.

The attitudes of Taoist leaders towards various issues in the Taoist sect vary from person to person. Some people dare to point out problems, such as Zhang Yuelu. Some people are very taboo about this. Even if everyone knows it well, they cannot put it on the table and whitewash it.

Now it seems that Qi Xuansu is still relatively open-minded.

This is undoubtedly an encouragement. Zhao Jiaowu continued: "The other internal refers to the internal Buddhism. I have been in the Western Regions for many years and have dealt with Buddhism a lot. Based on my understanding of Buddhism, I think that Buddhism hopes to seize the "major historical opportunity" of our Taoism being restricted by internal contradictions to reverse the decline of Buddhism in the past hundred years. Therefore, the radicals within Buddhism want to promote a series of reforms to make Buddhism great again, paving the way for the grand blueprint of the second Buddhist-Taoist dispute."

"Buddhism imitates Taoism's nine grades and twelve levels to reform, which is the beginning of this reform. However, to achieve such a key goal, the radicals of Buddhism need to seize an overwhelming advantage within Buddhism and suppress other opposing voices. This is the internal contradiction of Buddhism."

"To resolve this internal contradiction, the top leaders of Buddhism must be tough on the outside. Buddhism dare not be to The Holy Court will start a war, otherwise he will fall into the dilemma of being attacked by Taoism and the Holy Court. Therefore, the best solution for Buddhism is to rely on the Holy Court to fight against Taoism and transfer internal conflicts to Taoism. This is unified with the first contradiction I mentioned, forming a closed logic. "

"In the final analysis, facing internal difficulties and pressures, Buddhism tends to look for channels to solve problems from the outside. Some of our internal problems and contradictions have given Buddhism opportunities. There is no doubt that this is a risky move. If it fails externally, it will trigger the contradictions within Buddhism and make it fail without attacking. "

Qi Xuansu listened very seriously and nodded: "Listening to your words is better than reading ten years of books."

Qi Xuansu also had to admit that Zhao Jiaowu had a lot of insights on the issue of the Western Regions, and he saw it very clearly and could hit the nail on the head. This chief deputy palace master is really not a dry meal.

Zhao Jiaowu continued, "The huge size of Buddhism makes it difficult for us to completely solve the Buddhist problem. Buddhism is not like Nanyang. It lacks sufficient strategic value and economic value. To use a folk saying, a toad lying on the instep of the foot, it doesn't bite people, but it disgusts people."

"Since the third generation of the Grand Master, our focus has shifted to our own development and began to explore Nanyang. During the fourth generation of the Grand Master, we successively explored Posuozhou and Luosuozhou, and further deepened development and reform. After the fifth generation of the Grand Master, we paid more attention to overseas interests and began to support the South Continent and Xidaomen on a large scale."

"In this case, Our attitude towards Buddhism is to stop the enemy with our troops and cover the water with earth. We cannot let Buddhism affect our development strategy, and we cannot let a toad affect our established rhythm. For various provocative behaviors of Buddhism, we mainly try to resolve and prevent them, and we will never fight them. "

"To put it bluntly, Buddhism is not worth a big fight with Taoism now. Once the war starts, whether we win or lose, we will lose. And once we lose, it will be a big loss, which is unbearable. "

"Buddhism also saw this. The restraint of Taoism has instead boosted their arrogance. They are like barefoot and not afraid of wearing shoes. They are willing to fight with small gains. Big, and push forward. Finally, it has reached the point where it can no longer be tolerated, so this battle is inevitable. We must always fight, not only to hurt them, but also to completely shatter their great blueprint and make them recognize their correct position. "

Qi Xuansu said thoughtfully: "In your opinion, is the radical action of Buddhism this time a tacit agreement with the Holy Court?"

Zhao Jiaowu thought for a while and said: "This possibility cannot be ruled out. The Holy Court may not support Buddhism openly, but it is hard to say in private. So I think we can't act radically, let alone raise troops in anger. As the saying goes, don't underestimate the enemy because of the weight of the army, don't go against the majority because of your own opinion, Don't take arguments as a necessity. War is a major national event, a place of life and death, so we must be cautious and careful. "

Qi Xuansu nodded, stopped talking about this topic, and said, "The lesson of Chen Zhenren is profound."

Zhao Jiaowu said immediately, "Yes, this lesson is not only profound, but also painful. We must make a good summary, reflect seriously, review deeply, and make great efforts to rectify, so as to give a satisfactory explanation to the Zhenren Zhangfu and Jinque. "

Qi Xuansu said, "It's good to have such an idea. Stabilize the situation in the Daofu as soon as possible, and then prepare to welcome Jiang Da Zhenren. "

Zhao Jiaowu was a little surprised.

Qi Xuansu explained, "Jiang Da Zhenren is representing Jinque this time, representing the rotating Zhenren, which has a different meaning. After all, such a big thing has happened, Jinque can no longer fully trust our Daofu. "

Zhao Jiaowu said in a deep voice, "Please rest assured, Zhenren Zhangfu. "