Everyone was kneeling down all around, and there were signs that the situation was spreading outwards... To be fair, this feeling was a bit mysterious, and it made people feel a kind of false sense of satisfaction. In fact, Zhao Jiu had to use a lot of effort to pull his legs out before the kneeling vortex flipped out of the range of Yuetai, then turned to the side of Yuetai and slowly walked down.
Except for a few officials who were responsible for maintaining sacrificial ceremonies, most of the civil and military officials followed.
There is no other way. According to some stupid idea that came up with by someone, today does not count. For the next two days, all civil and military officials will have to stay with Emperor Zhao in the Yuetai camp and pray sincerely. They can only return with the Emperor after the three-day sacrificial ceremony is completely over.
Fortunately, the imperial cavalry has not returned, so there must be more space in the camp. In addition, the weather is clear and cool in autumn, so it might be a good idea to go out of the city to relax.
Without further ado, Emperor Zhao carefully walked through the group of bald heads, trying to ensure the balance of the twenty-four tassels on his head. The bald heads also knew the opportunity and turned around from the cushions on both sides and bowed their heads to maintain their respect for this man who was still recognized as the most authoritative person in the world.
However, Zhao Jiu, who was known as the supreme master in the world, suddenly stopped in front of a familiar fat bald man halfway through his journey, and then, without even turning around, he blurted out: "Fahe..."
"I will obey your order." The Shaolin Temple abbot Fahe, who looked like Maitreya Buddha, immediately bowed his head on the ground.
"I've been reading these days and heard someone say there's a Buddhist scripture with an interesting saying... It seems to be called "The Sutra of the King of Mercy and the Kingdom"?" Zhao Jiu still didn't turn his head to look at Fahe beside him. This wasn't because he was showing off, but because it was inconvenient for him to turn around in his outfit. In fact, at this moment, none of the twenty-four strings in front and behind his head were shaking. If it weren't for the clear and silent voice, others would probably have thought he was a puppet standing there. "Is there such a scripture?"
"To let your majesty know, of course there is." Fahe hurriedly said. "The full name of this sutra is called "The Prajnaparamita Sutra of the King of Mercy and the Protection of the Country". There are four versions. The most popular one is the translation by Master Bukong in the Tang Dynasty. Master Bukong Sanzang is one of the three great masters of the Kaiyuan period, and was born in the Lion Country of India..."
"I know where the Lion Country is, it's the big island southeast of India." Zhao Jiu interrupted him and continued to ask. "I'm asking you, there is a saying in the Benevolent King Sutra, which says that the Buddha himself said that as long as the king is a good king, that is, the so-called benevolent king, when the country is in danger, he will send out five powerful Vajra Bodhisattvas and five thousand great gods to protect the country... right?"
Hearing this, countless people among the civil and military officials behind Emperor Zhao sneered in their hearts. Lu Haowen, who was closest to the emperor, also felt a little embarrassed, because his family had been Buddhists for generations. On the other hand, there were so many other enlightened monks around Abbot Fahe, and they didn't seem to be at all surprised. Because although they could imagine what the emperor would ask next, there were advantages to keeping their heads down, didn't they?
Of course, the other monks could pretend to be ostriches, but Fahe could not. This great monk, who ascended to the throne of Shaolin Temple several years earlier than in history because of Emperor Zhao's care, did not dare to hesitate at all and directly said, "Let the emperor know that although the original text can still be discussed, the general idea is indeed like this."
"Then when the Jingkang Rebellion happened, why didn't five Bodhisattvas lead five thousand great gods to save the world?" Sure enough, Emperor Zhao asked this very question.
Fahe did not hesitate, still lying on the ground and facing each other: "That is because the two saints are rebellious, appointing six thieves, and the civil officials are at ease and the military officials are idle, and the people are living in misery. They are not among the benevolent kings."
This is a bold statement, but it is the only possible explanation.
But Zhao Jiu was still not satisfied and kept asking, "What about me? Am I a benevolent king? Or does this benevolent king refer only to the rulers of the sixteen kingdoms of India? Or does one have to be ordained as a Buddhist to be considered a benevolent king? Doesn't believing in Taoism count?"
Many monks who bowed their heads breathed a sigh of relief, but some became even more nervous, because combined with certain rumors about this official, the next answer might not be as simple as "If you convert to Buddhism, then this and that."
"So that your Majesty knows." Fahe suddenly raised his head, staring at the official's face that was neither happy nor angry, and then he spoke sternly beside the Yuetai. "Your Majesty received the mandate from heaven in times of crisis, ascended the throne, and fought against rebellion and violence with justice. Although he did not uphold the Three Treasures or receive the Five Precepts, he is undoubtedly the benevolent king!"
The monks around were lying on their stomachs, but their faces changed... How could this be justified?!
"Then why didn't I see the five Bodhisattvas and the five thousand great gods?" Zhao Jiu asked as a matter of course.
"Your Majesty, the five Bodhisattvas have already reincarnated to help you, and the five thousand great gods have also gathered under your majesty's dragon banner." Fahe answered proudly without hesitation. "The five generals of the imperial camp, Han, Yue, Li, Zhang, and Wu, are the reincarnations of the five powerful Vajra Bodhisattvas! Among the 200,000 royal troops in the imperial camp, five thousand of them are the reincarnations of the five thousand great gods..."
Emperor Zhao's face could not be seen from where he was, but judging from the twenty-four tassels and two hundred and eighty-eight white jade beads swaying in front and behind him, he must have been laughing...but no one knew whether he had expected this answer or what.
However, this did not stop the surrounding monks from looking at the Fahe River with a look of jealousy or disgust, nor did it stop the civil and military officials behind Emperor Zhao from looking at the host with a serious look.
No matter if he was trying to flatter or was in a moment of desperation, this monk was able to figure out the official's thoughts so well and said these words without changing his expression. He is already a big shot, and is definitely not as simple as the 'Junior Brother Fahai' who was laughed at in the previous White Snake incident.
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