Xiao Rong remained quiet for two seconds before sitting up straight and looking at Qu Yunmei. “Your Majesty, please think this over. This approach has many advantages, and we don’t need to invite too many people, just one.”

 

Qu Yunmei paused, as if he had picked up on something from Xiao Rong’s words. He crossed his arms and leaned back slightly, then scrutinized Xiao Rong’s expression.

 

“So, you already have a candidate in mind.”

 

Xiao Rong thought this was a sign of Qu Yunmei softening and quickly put on a smile. “Yes, I wonder if Your Majesty has heard of the Buddha’s son, Mi Jing? Eight years ago, Mi Jing saw the suffering of living beings but was powerless due to his low status. Holding his scriptures, he could guide the dead but not the living. He bade farewell to his Masters and went to India alone to seek another way for the world’s people. His pilgrimage has ended, and before I came to find Your Majesty and the Northern Army, I heard he was already on his way back. According to the timeline, he will return to the Central Plains either this month at the earliest or next month at the latest.”

 

What he heard was nonsense. Mi Jing had left disheartened and hadn’t sent a single letter in eight years. If not for some merchants having seen him, people would have thought he was already dead.

Mi Jing was a prodigy in Buddhism. He received minor ordination at twelve and major ordination at sixteen, four years earlier than most monks, due to his exceptional skills. In teachings and debates, no one could defeat him, so an exception was made for him.

 

The Buddhist doctrine was to save all beings. From the day Mahayana Buddhism came, the Hinayana teachings had been replaced. Mi Jing was known as the Buddha’s son due to his extraordinary talent and steadfast character.

 

Ten years ago, when Mi Jing had just completed his major ordination and had yet to begin his compassionate work, the Huns people invaded. Emperor Guangjia fled with his favorite concubine, and the officials and their families followed. The people who could flee did so, and those who couldn’t were left to wait for death.

 

The Yanmen Pass was the first stop for the Huns invasion. The pass was bloodily ravaged, and it wasn’t the only place suffering. As the capital of the Yong dynasty, Changan became the primary target for the Huns people’s rage. At that time, Changan was awash in blood and flames, and the only relatively safe place was the Buddhist temples.

 

The Hun people, led by the Xianbei, who had long studied Central Plains culture, knew how important Buddhism and Daoism were to the Central Plains people. They issued a fake order not to kill monks or destroy temples.

 

Because of this order, Mi Jing sheltered twenty thousand people from Changan and withstood the pressure from the Huns invaders, never backing down. In an era when everyone only cared about their own survival, Mi Jing’s saintly light truly illuminated the entire Central Plains.

 

It could be said that even ten thousand monks together couldn’t inspire more trust from the people than Mi Jing did.

 

The people always remembered Mi Jing’s kindness, but Mi Jing himself became completely disoriented eight years ago.

 

Eight years ago, during the first year of the Kaiyun era, with Emperor Guangjia bedridden and Sun Renluan holding power, Qu Yunmei fled from Southern Yong, declaring himself General of Extermination and beginning his path of revenge. Shanshan secretly betrayed and the Rouran chose to withdraw. The Huns alliance was shattered, and the Xianbei Emperor’s dream of occupying the Central Plains also fell apart.

 

With no chance to control the land anymore, they stopped pretending to be righteous and began killing, robbing, and burning, destroying everything including temples and monasteries. Monks were killed without exception, and even the gold leaf on Buddha statues were scraped off and taken back to their own territories.

 

No one knew how Mi Jing survived this second massacre, but soon after, he moved south to Jiaozhou and, traveling with a caravan, went by sea to India.

 

He left by ship, but historical records show he returned.

 

Coincidentally, he retraced his ancestors’ steps, crossing the Western Regions, traversing the Kunlun Mountains and deserts, and finally entering the Central Plains through Dunhuang.

 

This means his route reached the north first. As long as Qu Yunmei sent people to guard the official roads, they would certainly catch this fat rabbit.

 

…

 

To Xiao Rong, this seemed like a heavenly opportunity. After Mi Jing returned, he chose to become the national teacher for the Young Emperor. Because of him, many people wept and wished to move to Jinling. If he was known, how could he be let go?

 

Xiao Rong looked at Qu Yunmei expectantly, but Qu Yunmei’s expression was growing colder.

 

Gao Xunzhi’s heart sank. He just stood up, but before he could speak to ease the situation, Qu Yunmei had already started.

 

“So, Master Xiao already had a plan in mind. Why bother asking me?”

 

Xiao Rong was taken aback and realized Qu Yunmei’s attitude was different from what he expected. Xiao Rong also stood up cautiously and looked at Qu Yunmei. “As an advisor, I am here to relieve Your Majesty’s worries. I only—”

 

Qu Yunmei, however, was impatient and cut him off: “I will say this once: no matter Buddhism or Daoism, there will be no such destabilizing influences in the Northern Army! Reciting a few sutras won’t make you seem divine. It might even seem like you’re possessed by demons! In battle, we rely on hands stained with blood, not on monks who don’t even dare to go out in summer!”

 

Xiao Rong: “…”

 

He tried to reason with Qu Yunmei. “Military matters are naturally decided by Your Majesty. However, inviting the Buddha’s son isn’t about winning or losing on the battlefield but securing the rear. It will ensure that Your Majesty’s every campaign is without concern. Have you considered how much grain and supplies will remain after defeating the Xianbei? The grain was seized during Your Majesty’s campaigns. Once the Xianbei are gone, who will we plunder from? Without the people working hard behind us, will the entire army have to live off the cold winds of the northwest?”

 

Qu Yunmei narrowed his eyes. “Are you blaming me for lacking ability?”

 

Xiao Rong bowed his head. “Not at all. I just want Your Majesty to see the long-term perspective.”

 

Qu Yunmei said, “Are you accusing me of being short-sighted?!”

 

Xiao Rong continued to lower his head, “The words may be harsh, but the logic is not.”

 

Gao Xunzhi: “…”

 

Impressive.

 

Qu Yunmei’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Xiao Rong! You’re incredibly bold!”

 

Xiao Rong took a deep breath and lifted his head, his expression was as unyielding as Qu Yunmei’s. “Forgive me, Your Majesty. I’m not the type of advisor who merely flatters. If Your Majesty insists on making a mistake, I must risk my life to advise you, even if it costs me my life.”

 

Qu Yunmei: “…”

 

Who said I wanted to kill you!

 

The two of them stared each other down, their hostility palpable. Qu Yunmei gritted his teeth and, though frustrated, managed to control his temper. “This matter is settled for today. Don’t bring up recruiting monks again!”

 

As he turned to leave, Xiao Rong quickly stepped forward. Gao Xunzhi was still between them, but Xiao Rong maneuvered adeptly around him without even brushing his clothing.

 

Gao Xunzhi, already bewildered, was even more so. “…”

 

What just happened? It was like a blur.

 

Xiao Rong blocked Qu Yunmei’s path. “Why?! I already said that inviting the Buddha’s son doesn’t mean he will stay in the army. We can build him a temple and let him preach every day. Isn’t it acceptable to give the people some peace?”

 

Qu Yunmei’s steps faltered, and he felt a surge of irritation. “Listening to scriptures won’t bring peace. Peace is fought for on the battlefield, and built from the blood of countless soldiers. For unstable hearts, listening to scriptures isn’t enough. What’s needed is to personally kill a few Hun people, using their blood to soothe years of suffering!”

 

Xiao Rong shouted angrily, “Not everyone is as wise and brave as you!”

 

Qu Yunmei said, “And so what! I—”

 

Wait, what did Xiao Rong just say?

 

Qu Yunmei froze as Xiao Rong continued to speak. “Some people are naturally timid, and some are naturally simple. Why force everyone to have a strong mind? Are those who lack it unworthy of living? Yes, there are many deceitful practitioners, but there are also truly compassionate individuals like the Buddha’s son! In chaotic times, who has an easy life? Who hasn’t lost a few loved ones? Even if it’s just a fictional better afterlife or a non-existent reunion after death, don’t you want to offer them that?”

 

Qu Yunmei: “…”

 

He stared blankly at Xiao Rong. Xiao Rong, having shouted so loudly now felt a sense of exhaustion. He paused, took a step back as if drained, and sighed softly. “The sparrow cannot understand the ambitions of the swan, and the swan cannot know the sparrow’s suffering. Your Majesty is the bravest man in the world, so you don’t need the adornments of Buddhism or Daoism. Little do you know, what you don’t need or dislike is precisely what the people can hold onto.”

 

After speaking, Xiao Rong sighed again, slightly turning his head as if unable to bear looking further. His profile, aligned with Qu Yunmei, revealed a sense of solitude and sorrow.

 

Moments later, Xiao Rong turned and left, without saying another word.

 

Qu Yunmei stood in place, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. No one knew what he was thinking. Suddenly, he looked at Gao Xunzhi and gruffly said, “I am not wrong!”

 

Gao Xunzhi was momentarily stunned and, like Xiao Rong, bowed his head in submission, remaining silent.

 

Seeing Gao Xunzhi’s response, Qu Yunmei spoke again, “I…”

 

He couldn’t continue. Finally, he angrily waved his sleeve and left.

 

Once the footsteps were no longer audible, Gao Xunzhi slowly lifted his head, put his hands behind his back, and, after a moment, nodded while gazing into the distance.

 

“Hmm, I have learned.”

 

Edited by: Antiope

 

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