Chapter 203.1
The Great Feng Dynasty?
Song Yufei frowned. Are you planning to make a move on Great Feng?
The Great Luo Emperor said unabashedly, Exactly! Our Great Luo is short on food, and we can only make up for it from other countries! We share a border with the Great Feng Dynasty. Great Feng has fought a battle with Great Xia and suffered a crushing defeat, with their national power greatly damaged. Now is the perfect opportunity to send troops!
But I heard that for some reason, the Great Feng Dynasty has had a severe shortfall in grain this year
I know that too!
The Great Luo Emperor nodded. But after all, they are a Dynasty. Even if there is a severe shortfall in grain, they should still be able to collect thirty to forty percent of the crop, and that will be enough!
Song Yufei still hesitated: But the Great Feng Dynasty is under the Buddhist Sects influence
The Great Luo Emperor retorted, Are you saying that your Taoist Sect is afraid of the Buddhist Sect?
Song Yufei shook her head: Of course not! Although this war seems to be just a conflict between two countries, it also involves the calculations and interest divisions of our two sects. Its a situation where pulling one hair affects the whole body, so we must be cautious! How about this, I will go and negotiate with the Buddhist Sect first, and you wait for my message!
The Great Luo Emperor nodded slightly.
He also knew that the war involved two major transcendental powers and could not be started lightly; there would inevitably be a trade-off and compromise of interests behind it.
However, he believed that in the end, the initiative would definitely be in his hands.
Because he was the chosen one by the Taoist Sect, with the full support of the entire sect behind him.
And the Great Feng Dynasty was merely a country under the Buddhist Sect.
It was clear who was more important and who would be the victor.
The Great Luo Emperor bowed his hands: I entrust this to you, fairy!
Three days later, Song Yufei returned with good news.
The war can be fought!
The Great Luo Emperor was overjoyed: Good!
But they have set a condition!
What condition?
Song Yufei said, We can only plunder food in this war. After the food is taken, we must return and not take the opportunity to seize territory! During this process, we must not harm the disciples of the Buddhist Sect, nor the Buddhist citizens!
Agreed, its a deal!
With the consent of the Taoist Sect and the tacit approval of the Buddhist Sect, the Great Luo Emperor immediately mobilized a million troops to attack the Great Feng Dynasty.
Due to the sudden deployment, Great Feng was completely unprepared, and the fortresses between the two countries were quickly breached.
The Great Luo army marched straight ahead, conquering cities and territories with astonishing speed.
This battle quickly caught the attention of the entire world.
Great Luo is attacking Great Feng? Why have these two nations suddenly started fighting?
I heard that Great Luo had a poor harvest and, to make up for the shortfall, they had no choice but to send troops to Great Feng to snatch some grain! After all, you pick the soft persimmons to squeeze!
But, behind these two countries stand the Taoist Sect and the Buddhist Sect, respectivelyboth are transcendent powers of this era! Could it be that theres a conflict brewing between these two great transcendent forces?
Yeah, I cant figure it out either; the situation seems quite delicate!
Lets just forget it; this isnt something ordinary folks can get involved in. We might as well just watch the drama unfold!
Everyone stood by as mere spectators, joining the ranks of the onlookers enjoying the spectacle.
However, in the imperial palace of the Great Feng Dynasty, the Great Feng Emperor was in a panic.
What should we do? Great Luo is preparing to attack us!
The Great Luo Dynasty, as an emerging power, had limited strength and hadnt been taken seriously by him.
But Great Luo had the backing of the Taoist Sect!
Knowing that his territory was already under the influence of the Buddhist Sect, the fact that the enemy dared to send troops clearly indicated they had the Taoist Sects blessing.
In other words, the Taoist Sect was prepared to fight him. What could he do?
He didnt even have a Grandmaster to defend against them.
Just then, an old monk dressed in a splendid kasaya entered.
Amitabha! This poor monk pays his respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be forever blessed!
The Great Feng Emperor, upon seeing the visitor, was overjoyed and hurriedly greeted him with courtesy: Master Jietan, youve finally arrived!
Master Jietan possessed peak Innate Imperial Qi cultivation and was also the fellow senior monk of Grandmaster Jie Chen. Highly respected within the Buddhist Sect, he was sent here to oversee the propagation of the Buddhist teachings in the Great Feng Dynasty.
Therefore, the Great Feng Emperor was very polite upon seeing him.
Your Majesty, for what matter have you summoned this poor monk? asked Master Jietan.
The Great Feng Emperor said anxiously, Master Jietan, the Great Luo Dynasty has sent troops to attack us, and they have the backing of the Taoist Sect. I am no match for them, and the situation is extremely dire! Does the Buddhist Sect have any strategies to counter this?
Master Jietan clasped his hands together: Amitabha! This is a worldly matter, and we the disciples of the Buddhist Sect have renounced worldly ties, embracing purity and few desires and do not involve ourselves in such affairs. Please forgive us, Your Majesty!
The Great Feng Emperor was inwardly cursing!
Talking about being monks with pure hearts and few desires
Either the silvers or the benefits youve sought are not few!
And now you say you dont meddle in worldly affairs
Havent you interfered with political matters enough?
A bunch of hypocrites feigning benevolence and righteousness, bah!
Although the Great Feng Emperor was very angry inside, he was in need of their help and had to speak politely: Master, you cant say that! Although you are monks who have cut off worldly concerns, the Buddha also said that monks should be compassionate, and saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda. You cant just stand by and watch someone else die!
Moreover, Buddhism is the state religion of our Great Feng. If I am gone, and Great Feng falls, how will you continue to develop the teachings and spread the Dharma? Master, wouldnt you agree?
Amitabha, Your Majesty speaks the truth! said Master Jietan.
The Great Feng Emperor felt a glimmer of hope.
But then he heard Master Jietan continue: Therefore, the Buddhist Sect has already discussed with the Taoist Sect. This battle may proceed, but it must not harm the Buddhas followers or seize any land! In this way, the Great Feng Dynasty can naturally be preserved. Amitabha!
The Great Feng Emperor became anxious: But Master, what about us? What about our court?
That is easy to handle!
Master Jietan revealed a compassionate smile, As long as Your Majesty and the court officials all convert to the Buddhist Sect, you will become the Buddhas disciples. Naturally, you will receive the Buddhas blessings and protection, Amitabha!
Great Feng Emperors eyes widened, his heart filled with towering rage!
How dare you, you sly old monk!
Youve been waiting for an opportunity to swallow us all along!
Ive already established Buddhism as the state religion, calling on all citizens to believe in Buddha, and yet its still not enough to satisfy your appetite!
You wont even spare me and the court officials!
If even he and the court officials become Buddhists, then who will have a say in Great Feng in the future?
Will it be his word that prevails or the Buddhist Sects?
Truly malicious intentions!
Suppressing his anger, Great Feng Emperor said with a displeased sweep of his sleeve, Master, I am unwell and need to return to the palace to rest. You may leave now!
Amitabha, this poor monk will take his leave! Master Jietan departed.
Naturally, the Great Feng Emperor was not willing to sit by idly and immediately summoned the nations troops to resist.
He also sought help from abroad, hoping for assistance from other countries.
Even Lin Beifan received a request from the Great Feng Emperor.
However, with two great transcendental forces involved in this war between nations, who would dare to intervene?
Thus, the Great Feng Emperors efforts were in vain.
Its somewhat like a grasshopper after autumn, struggling in its final moments.
***
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