novelraw Chapter 747 - 727 Priest
Chapter 747 - 727 Priest
Lately, the previous dynasty has been extremely busy. Although there was prior discussion about how to arrange the living situation for Prince Jingbei’s entourage, the execution has encountered various challenges. Given the hostility between Beining and Beiman, occasional clashes are inevitable. Regarding matters concerning the Beiman, the Capital Governor dares not make arbitrary decisions. Either he must report them to the Cabinet or seek an audience with the Emperor. Xie Xun, already burdened with numerous affairs, has been unable to rest as reconstruction unfolds. For three consecutive days, he hasn’t returned to the palace to rest, choosing instead to stay in the front hall. Whenever he returns late at night, he avoids disturbing Fengyu, opting to sleep for two hours before rising for the morning court session.
Fengyu and Mrs. Fang have taken steps to implement the education process for the Beiman, with the academy being established beside the Imperial College. The Third Princess and Fourth Princess have mastered the Beining language fluently during this time and often accompany the princesses to attend lessons. The female population is under the guidance of Fengyu and Mrs. Fang, while the men are taught by individuals assigned by Xie Xun. At the same time, no interference was made with Beiman customs, nor were they forced to wear Beining attire. However, several princesses took a liking to the soft and elegant fabric of Beining garments, and after several days at the academy, they tried wearing Beining women’s dresses.
Women love beauty, whether they are Beiman or Beining. This year, the dressing styles of women in the Capital have undergone dramatic changes. Formerly, simple and graceful designs were considered beautiful. However, as Fengyu favored lavish gold, silver, and jewelry ornamentation, her extravagant style deeply influenced the women in the city. Ladies and young women entering the palace strive to dress lavishly, and commoners mimic Fengyu’s makeup and attire, resulting in Capital women now valuing opulence as beauty. At major floral banquets, women are adorned with glittering jewels.
During these few days in the Capital, the princesses in Prince Jingbei’s entourage observed the splendid attire of the women and quickly adapted by embracing the trend. Beiman, rich in jewelry and gemstones, easily embraced these styles, adorning themselves resplendently. Their enthusiasm for learning was unmistakable. With Fengyu’s steady and diplomatic nature, the academy maintained a harmonious atmosphere without quarrels.
Xie Jue and Fengyu tactfully suggested that many Beiman maidens were of suitable age for marriage. To help them quickly find belonging and recognition, while also exemplifying Beining’s principle of equal treatment, intermarriage would be an ideal solution.
Thus, the academy was deliberately built beside the Imperial College, with Fengyu and Mrs. Fang serving as intermediaries, regularly arranging events where Beiman maidens skilled in archery competed and interacted with Beining youth. If even one or two matches resulted in marriage, it would be a joyful occasion.
Xie Xun even teased that if the Third Princess, Fourth Princess, or others found someone to their liking, he would grant them marriages. As long as they didn’t take an interest in him, he’d be more than pleased to grant them face.
Xie Xun and Xie Jue originally thought that after Beiman’s submission, its settlement would lead to peace and stability. With Fengyu steadying the female matters internally and Xie Xun, Xie Jue, and Lin Helin maintaining order externally, although there were conflicts, they remained under control without escalating. No one anticipated that the Beiman Priest Court would propose constructing a palace to continue worshiping the Heavenly God and demand the same authority and status enjoyed by their priests in Beiman. This request sparked enormous turmoil within the court.
Both Yanyang during the previous dynasty and Beining today have always curtailed the growth of Daoist and Buddhist religions. Religious institutions and priests influencing imperial authority are strictly prohibited. This stance differs vastly from Beiman and Sannan.
Beiman reveres the Heavenly God, and the Priest Court originally served to worship Him. Over time, its influence grew, amassing followers and significantly swaying domestic governance and decisions made by successive Beiman Kings.
Sannan is similar; the Priest Court wields immense power akin to imperial authority.
Beining, however, adheres to the principle of unrivaled imperial power, firmly disallowing any organization’s influence from surpassing it. Whether openly or covertly, suppression ensues. Xiangguo Temple, once flourishing, was systematically stifled into decline.
Upon hearing the priests’ request, Xie Xun flatly rejected it on the spot. He declared that Beining has no such tradition and does not worship the Heavenly God. Whatever their status might be in Beiman is not his concern, but in Beining, they were a useless group who could never be granted any position or honor.
Expecting to be treated like in Beiman was nothing short of delusional.
Xie Jue and Fang Chuning, well-versed in Beiman’s intricacies, understood the formidable influence of the priestly lineage in Beiman and its potential threat. While Xie Xun rejected the High Priest’s request outright, Xie Jue and Fang Chuning summoned Dugu Jing and Prince Jingbei into the palace for negotiations.
Prince Jingbei said, "Before submission, the High Priest indeed proposed constructing a palace in Beining to worship the Heavenly God while retaining certain powers. However, this topic was not included in the submission agreement; hence His Majesty has every right to refuse. Nevertheless, we Beiman respect the Priest Court and worship the Heavenly God. If His Majesty agrees to construct a temple and allow the priests to reside there, giving us a place of worship, all Beiman people will surely feel gratitude toward His Majesty."
"Your Priest Court is essentially comparable to our Astronomical Observatory combined with Xiangguo Temple. Beining has always placed imperial politics above all else, and priestly interference in governance is outright unacceptable. If I were to approve the construction of a temple, it would merely serve as a place of worship, akin to Xiangguo Temple," Xie Xun said gravely.
Prince Jingbei looked somewhat troubled. This proposal differed greatly from the High Priest’s ambitions.
Exchanging glances, Xie Jue added, "Moreover, the Priest Court cannot allow Beining people to enter, spread Heavenly God teachings, recruit followers, or hold gatherings. If they agree to these terms, constructing the temple shouldn’t pose an issue."
Even Buddhism faced suppression in Beining, let alone a foreign Priest Court, which would undoubtedly be eradicated in its infancy.
Dugu Jing contemplated briefly before responding solemnly, "Although the Priest Court tends toward monopolistic control, they possess expertise in poisons and claim to interpret the Heavenly God’s will. Granting them modest authority could help maintain peace between our peoples."
Xie Xun’s anger flared, and before he could retort sarcastically, Fang Chuning calmly remarked with a smile, "Duke Wu’an, are you implying that if we refuse their requests and do not construct the temple, they might use their poisons to wreak havoc in Beining, thereby seizing control?"
His tone remained elegant, yet carried an icy undertone.
"You can think that if you wish; I won’t stop you," Dugu Jing shrugged dismissively, his attitude firm and utterly unconcerned about offending Xie Xun and Xie Jue.
Xie Xun sneered, "The Priest Court’s arrogance knows no bounds. There is something I fail to comprehend—despite Beiman’s formidable military force, why does it unconditionally obey the Priest Court? Every Beiman King has been the same. I may not fully understand your traditions and culture or the significance of the Heavenly God to you. But has the Priest Court put a spell on successive kings? Otherwise, with your armies numbering in the hundreds of thousands, crushing the Priest Court would be but a simple feat."
"Your Majesty, we Beiman deeply revere the Heavenly God and would never undermine the dignity of His temples," Prince Jingbei explained.
Xie Xun replied indifferently, "We also believe in Buddha, yet never have I heard of the abbot of Xiangguo Temple dictating state affairs. If the Priest Court has such lofty ambitions, do you know how I’d handle it? I would extinguish them entirely to avoid future troubles. Beining will never permit the Priest Court to expand unchecked. Incidentally, the Empress has suffered from poison before; I’ve been waiting for an excuse to act. Now they hand one over!"
Outrageous audacity!
Prince Jingbei and Dugu Jing’s expressions darkened. Fang Chuning, still smiling, remarked softly, "Prince Jingbei, Duke Wu’an, His Majesty’s words are true. If the Priest Court’s ambitions are genuinely this vast, Beining unquestionably cannot tolerate them. Let this be our stance—negotiation is not an option!"