vrcanaries Chapter 1326: Fear of National Destiny (164 million reward points plus additional content)
Chapter 1326: Fear of National Destiny (164 million reward points plus additional content)
Master Xingchen's clear eyes seemed to contain thousands of stars.
He lowered his eyes slightly, his voice ethereal and ethereal: "Your Majesty, last night at midnight, I was sitting in meditation in the Zen room, and suddenly I felt a surge of emotion in my heart, and it was difficult to concentrate."
"Opening the window to see the celestial phenomena, I saw the Purple Star, though shining brightly, ruling over all directions."
"However, to its side, in the constellation representing meritorious officials and ministers, a faint bloody aura lingers. Furthermore... its light is dimming, a sign of gradual annihilation."
"I'm afraid it will be detrimental to the country's destiny."
Nangong Xuanyu's eyes darkened instantly.
Li Changde and Zhan Weiran, who were standing by, also had a stern look on their faces and even breathed slower.
Everyone knew that although this young holy monk seldom told fortunes, whenever he did, his words always came true.
Especially since it concerns the destiny of the country, it is no joke!
Nangong Xuanyu leaned forward slightly, his tone more solemn than ever before, the imperial pressure unconsciously revealed: "Master, please speak in detail!"
Master Xingchen clasped his hands together, his eyes clear and unwavering, his voice still calm: "This is a sign that the bloodline of the meritorious official has been completely severed. It is not a good sign."
"Although the Duke of Zhenguo and the Duke of Dingguo have committed the heinous crime of treason and deserve death, their ancestors were, after all, meritorious officials who fought alongside Taizu and established the country."
"Hardness cannot last long, and softness cannot be maintained; a dragon in its arrogance will regret, but survival is the most important thing."
"The achievement of founding a nation and establishing its throne was the result of countless fortunes and bloodshed, including the favor of the ministers who served as loyal followers."
"If we exterminate all of their descendants, leaving no one alive, even if it is in accordance with the law, it would be too harsh and might damage the harmony of this destiny."
"Just as metal or stone that is too hard is prone to cracks, so too is the long-lasting tempering of a nation's destiny fraught with hidden flaws."
Master Xingchen spoke calmly, yet with a hint of reverence for the Way of Heaven: "The Way of Heaven is profound and profound, emphasizing the balance between life and death. Your Majesty's actions of purge are like thunderbolts from heaven, sweeping away the evil and evil. This is the righteous way."
"However, if we can preserve a wisp of kindness amidst this thundering force, leaving a glimmer of hope on the brink of a thousand-foot cliff... perhaps we can align ourselves with the principle of loving life, transforming hostility into peace. This will also contribute to the stability of the nation and the continuation of its blessings."
If these words came from any court official, Nangong Xuanyu would immediately suspect whether the other party was involved with the rebel party or was extremely pedantic.
But coming from the mouth of Master Xingchen, who never got involved in court affairs and was detached from worldly affairs, the weight of this statement was completely different.
Nangong Xuanyu frowned and fell into deep thought.
He stared sharply at Master Xingchen: "Master, do you mean... to let me spare Liu Shixiu's life?"
After all, the Zhenguogong Mansion had long since been reduced to ashes. The Liu family bloodline now only had this last scion left.
Because Zhou Yushi had been adopted into the Zhou family, he was naturally not considered a member of the Liu family.
Master Xingchen nodded slightly, but did not directly plead for Liu Shixiu. Instead, he changed the subject and first affirmed the emperor's actions: "Your Majesty has eradicated the rebels and cleaned up the government. This is truly a thunderous measure to protect the country and the people. I deeply admire you."
"Liu Shixiu's crimes are grave and he should be executed according to the law. This is the law of nature and there is no doubt about it."
"However... Your Majesty, do you know that the most severe punishment in the world is not physical death, but the death of the heart? The demise of the body cannot compare to the eternal imprisonment of the spirit and the constant repentance day and night."
"If Your Majesty could replace the slaughter of blood and swords with the teachings of benevolence and virtue, spare his life, and leave him to the chastisement and enlightenment of the Dharma, the people of the world would see not only Your Majesty's supreme majesty, but also a heart as vast as the ocean."
"Those who surrender will not be killed, the stubborn will be punished, and the benevolent will be transformed. This is the sign of a sage king. He will surely inspire all people and win their hearts!"
Master Xingchen spoke in a calm voice, each word clear: "A traitor who confesses his sins day and night before the ancient Buddha with a green lamp can serve as a far better warning to those with ulterior motives than a dead body."
"He will become a warning monument to Your Majesty's benevolence, allowing the world to see firsthand that those who oppose imperial power will ultimately end their lives in endless remorse. Wouldn't this be a better way to extinguish all undue ambitions than simple death?"
"Furthermore..."
Master Xingchen looked at Nangong Xuanyu and said compassionately, "After all, the ancestors of the Duke of Dingguo's Mansion had the merit of following the emperor, and many people remember their kindness. There are also many people who have received kindness from the Duke of Dingguo's Mansion."
"If Liu Shixiu were to convert to Buddhism, the ambitions and fantasies of all those hiding in the dark would be completely shattered."
"If he is executed, some of the remaining rebels might harbor the desire to be martyred, or continue to cause chaos in his name."
"Only a living leader who has completely submitted to Your Majesty and the Dharma can fundamentally undermine the fighting spirit of all remaining forces."
At this point, Master Xingchen bowed deeply and said, "I wish to take Liu Shixiu to the Vinaya Hall of Fatu Temple, to the deepest cave of asceticism, to be ordained as a monk. He will never leave the cave. Every day, he will be accompanied only by the green lamp, the ancient Buddha, and the scriptures."
"Your Majesty's trusted imperial guards and the monks within the temple can jointly guard the temple from outside, ensuring that no one is left out."
Finally, Master Xingchen's tone was filled with a hint of reminiscence, but without any pressure: "When the late emperor was alive, he often discussed Buddhism with me, saying, 'Killing is to protect life, and to eliminate karma is not to kill people.'"
“Sometimes, leaving a glimmer of hope is not about condoning, but about using greater wisdom to cut off bad karma.”
"Your Majesty is wise and powerful, and your thoughts far surpass those of this humble monk. You will make wise decisions."
He analyzed all the pros and cons clearly and proposed a plan of punishment and imprisonment that would be more beneficial to the emperor's reputation and the country's destiny.
In the end, the decision-making power was respectfully and calmly handed back to Nangong Xuanyu.
There was silence in the hall, and everyone's eyes were focused on the emperor, waiting for his decision.
Nangong Xuanyu's bony fingers subconsciously tapped lightly on the red sandalwood imperial desk, producing a dull, rhythmic sound, just like the balance in his heart, which was swinging up and down.
With Nangong Xuanyu's iron-blooded and ruthless character as an emperor, the most direct and safe way to deal with a rebel like Liu Shixiu is to eradicate the problem completely and prevent future troubles.
It’s all over now, no more worries.
However... Master Xingchen's words were like an invisible shackle, gently placed on the emperor's butcher knife that was about to be swung.
Nangong Xuanyu knew very well how great Master Xingchen's reputation was among the government and the people.
He is regarded as a living Buddha by countless people, and his every word and action is almost regarded as a guiding principle.
Master Xingchen's words today indicate that the hexagram is related to the nation's destiny. If he disregards this and insists on executing Liu Shixiu immediately...
Once the news gets out, it will cause an uproar among the people.
Those ignorant common people and literati would not understand his determination to purge the rebels, but would only see that the emperor was disrespectful to heaven and earth.
His reputation will be damaged.
What is even more troublesome is that if any natural disaster occurs in the territory of Da Zhou in the future.
Whether it is floods, droughts, locust plagues, or earthquakes and landslides, those who have ulterior motives or are extremely pedantic will immediately link the disaster with his "harmony of nature" behavior today and exaggerate it.