"The minister has studied it for a few days."

Li Shimin looked suspicious, whether it is a Buddha or a Tao, which one is not someone who has spent his entire life and cannot understand it, and has studied it for a few days? You're embarrassed to say it! However, Li Shimin did not interrupt Li Mu, Li Shimin was used to his conceit and inexplicable self-confidence, so he ignored him and said, "Say it quickly." “

The minister made a small statement. Li Mu cleared his throat and said, "If you want to know why there is such a difference, you must first understand what kind of ideas Buddhism wants to advocate. He concluded that Buddhism is concerned with the search for the progress and enlightenment of the human mind and morality, and that the purpose of their practice is to transcend birth, death, and suffering, to cut off all afflictions, to attain liberation from life, and to reach a state of enlightenment. ”

Therefore, it is not uncommon for people to see through the red dust and become ordained after experiencing hardship. Behind the seemingly enlightened enlightenment, it is actually an act of escapism. This evasion runs through the various Buddhist scriptures, and it is only embellished. For example, such a thing as cultivating good fortune in the afterlife is very typical. Who has seen the afterlife? Who knows what the afterlife will be like? The monk who said these words, he himself did not know. They can't change this life, so they compromise with this life and cultivate the next life? It's just a pretext. ”

At the same time, Buddhism emphasizes the cycle of cause and effect, and Buddhism believes that "good is rewarded with good, and evil is rewarded with evil", which is why they believe that those who cause war will one day reap the consequences of their own trouble, so they do not need their help. As I said earlier, this is also an escape, they are not capable of saving the troubled times, and they don't even want to try. This kind of negative attitude is very disliked by the minister. Chen thought that no matter how small the possibility was, as long as it was a positive effort, it could be a try. Miracles always exist, and if you don't try, you never know if you can succeed. ”

And if, in the heyday, because many emperors needed Buddhist ideas to educate the people, then it became the norm for monks to go down the mountain. When Buddhism became a tool of imperial rule and received a certain amount of support from the imperial court, there were naturally more temples and more monks. There are many occasions where they are needed, and there is no need to run away from anything. Naturally, it will 'go down the mountain'. ”

Li Shimin nodded and said, "What about Taoism?" ”

"The idea of Taoism is very different from Buddhism. Taoism pursues the "Tao", and the so-called "Tao", in the understanding of the ministers, is the way to solve problems, such as 'becoming immortals', 'judging people's life and death', 'helping the world and saving people', etc., each ability is not something that mortals can achieve. Therefore, if you want to acquire this ability, you must devote yourself to it. ”

"The people of Taoism mainly believe in Taishang Laojun, this person is an immortal who refines the elixir in the sky, and can refine all kinds of elixir. Legend has it that if you take one elixir, you can prolong your life for a hundred years. In the past, Peng Zushou had 800 years of life, because he ate eight elixirs. Li Mu was blind to his words, but Yu Guang kept looking at Li Shimin's expression, seeing that when he heard 'a elixir to prolong life for a hundred years', the eagerness in his eyes appeared, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, and continued: "In the prosperous era, the country is peaceful and the people are safe, the country is rich and the people are strong, the people's lives are worry-free, and there are naturally many people who pursue immortality. However, the method of immortality is not recorded and conclusive, so you can only study it yourself. ”

"Whether it's to have the 'way' to solve problems, or to achieve the 'way of immortality'. Whatever the purpose, they all have one thing in common, that is, they need a quiet environment, and the city is naturally not their first choice. Therefore, in the prosperous times, Taoist priests often retreat to the mountains and forests and work hard to achieve their goals. ”

And when it comes to troubled times, it is a good time for Taoist priests to show what they have learned. For example, a doctor like Dr. Sun Shenyi, in troubled times, there must be more people who need doctors than in prosperous times. The same is true of the other 'Ways'. ”

After listening to Li Mu's words, Li Shimin did not solve the doubts in his heart, frowned and asked: "According to what you said, this Buddha is not good or bad, but the ideas are different. ”

"We're going to talk a little deeper." Li Mu smiled and said, "Let's give an example, Your Majesty, I would like to ask Your Majesty, are you a person who likes to fight the country, or a person who sits on the country?" ”

Li Shimin smiled and said: "Naturally, he is a person who fights the country, and he sits on the country?" Sitting back and enjoying it is not what I want, and it is not interesting. ”

"The minister thinks so too." Li Mu nodded in agreement and said, "Your Majesty, life is about experience. When encountering problems, solving problems, giving, and getting, this is the normal state of life. Everything is ready-made, then it doesn't make much sense. ”

"This Buddhism, of course, is a good tool for the emperor to rule the people, but it is only a means to fool the people. Your Majesty should understand a truth, that is, the people should not be deceived. ”

"Buddha, is it deception?"

"It doesn't have to be all deception, but there must be hypocrisy."

Li Shimin frowned: "Where is hypocrisy?" ”

"Let's not talk about superficial examples, let's just say that my Buddha is merciful and can't bear to kill."

"What's wrong with that?"

Li Mu smiled and said, "There was a small story recorded in the Buddhist scriptures to show the power of the Buddha. The Buddha once said that there are countless sentient beings in a bowl of water, and these svatures are a world. Therefore, there is a poem that praises the Buddha and says, a scoop of water, 48,000 insects. One flower is one world, one leaf is one Bodhi. But the minister wants to ask, did the Buddha drink water? ”

Li Shimin frowned.

"I am a Buddha with compassion and should not kill. And in a scoop of water, countless creatures are born. A Buddha drinking water, that is, killing, can a Buddha who kills a living being also considered a Buddha? Isn't that a contradiction? ”

Li Shimin laughed and said: "You always have something to say, in terms of the art of sophistry, you can be said to be unparalleled in the world." But not all the word is good, so why do you like it? ”

"The minister doesn't like the Tao as much as he wants, the minister just likes the idea of the 'Tao'," after a pause, Li Mu said again: "Or the spirit." ”

What the minister wants to tell His Majesty is that if you act according to Buddhist thoughts, you can better control the existing resources, but in fact, you can't create new value. Because Buddhist thought itself does not have the problem-solving ability of Taoism. Taoism is different, Taoism is the solution to problems. Taoist priests continue to study all kinds of 'Dao', which will make 'Dao' develop better and deeper. Let's just say that this medical skill, in ancient and modern history books, there are many records, and many Taoist priests are very good doctors. Their word is this medicine. ”

"Chen prefers Taoism because Chen is also such a person. Ministers like people who encounter problems and rise to the occasion. The minister also likes people who can solve problems. People who can work tirelessly in a field they are good at, no matter what field it is. This is also the reason why the minister was evil with Confucius and Wei before, and later eased. They are all persistent people, and if they are persistent for their own ideals, there is nothing right or wrong. ”

"Now that the Tang Dynasty is in ruins, the people are far from being able to live and work in peace and contentment, and it is not yet time to use Buddhism to educate the world. What is needed now is the 'way' to solve the problem, because it is conceivable that there will be many problems. The minister does not hope that between the government and the opposition, all are Taoists, but the minister hopes that between the government and the opposition, a kind of atmosphere can be cultivated, that is, when encountering problems, do not escape, face difficulties, as long as there is a continuous attempt, not afraid of failure, the problem can be solved one day. But if you have the idea of escaping, put off the problem again and again, and keep it and again, you will never make progress. The prosperous scene of the Tang Dynasty will drag on farther and farther, and even never be seen. ”

Li Shimin's eyes were like torches, staring at Li Mu, and said, "Are you letting me go to the Buddha in person?" ”

Li Mu shook his head lightly and said, "How dare the minister teach His Majesty how to do things, the minister just wants to give His Majesty a suggestion." Whether it is a Buddha or a Tao, it is just a tool in the hands of the emperor. Tools are meant to be used, not burdened by them. Today, the temple has reached the level of shaking the country's foundation. If the new policy is to be implemented, it must be suppressed. It's like striking iron, when you need a sledgehammer, you get a sledgehammer, and when you need a small hammer, you get a small hammer. As long as the thing is typed, the process is not very important. ”

Li Shimin bowed his head: "I understand, but on the queen's side, you still need to explain." ”

"The minister is going-" Li Mu said, and was about to salute and leave, when suddenly a voice came from the door: "No need, the concubine has already heard it." ”

Li Mu turned around and saluted, and Empress Eldest Sun helped him up and said, "Li Mu, come from this palace, but it's not Xingshi who asks for guilt." What you are doing is for the sake of the society of the Tang Dynasty and the infamy for Your Majesty, and this palace is here to thank you for coming. I've heard most of what you just said. Every word makes sense. At your age, you can think things so clearly, you really deserve the word 'genius'. ”

"Queen Xie praised it falsely."

Empress Eldest Sun smiled and said, "As for those things in this palace, it's just to solve your doubts. I know that the illness on my body has occurred from time to time, and it is not necessarily because of the blessing, and I have committed it after the blessing, but I cannot blame it. Zhinu and Jinyang, thanks to the imperial physician of the Tai Hospital, have little to do with the Temple of Mercy and Grace, but the people say so, and it is inconvenient for the palace to explain, but it has become their truth. You must also remember in the future, and you must not have any scruples for the sake of identity, whether it is Uncle Guo or me, the queen. ”

"This-" Li Mu didn't know whether Empress Changsun's words were true or false, so he hurriedly bowed down and said, "I'm afraid it's not appropriate, this is against the way of the monarch and the minister." ”

"You are Your Majesty's courtier, being loyal to Your Majesty and fulfilling your responsibilities for the Tang Dynasty is the way to be a minister."

Li Mu looked up at Empress Changsun and saw that her expression was sincere, not as if she was talking back, and he really admired it in his heart. If it weren't for the praise of later historians, Empress Wende of the Tang Dynasty can be called the first virtuous queen in ancient and modern times, and this reasonable strength alone is enough to afford it.

The eldest grandson queen gave face, and Li Mu did not hesitate to praise: "The queen is virtuous, and Your Majesty's blessing is also." In the coming day, His Majesty will become the first emperor of the ages, and I am afraid that half of the credit will be due to the queen. ”

Empress Eldest Sun smiled and said, "This palace came here on purpose, but not to listen to your compliments. You hurry up and get to work, this palace and Your Majesty, there are some other idle things to discuss. ”

"The minister retired."

Li Mu saluted Li Shimin and Empress Changsun respectively, and walked out of the hall with Gao Gonggong. Looking at Li Mu walking out through the window, Li Shimin said a little angrily: "Did you hear that kid's words?" I just came back to the senses, and this is a compliment to you, but it is also a sarcasm of me! What does this kid mean, his heart can be punished! ”

"Why should Your Majesty care about this?" Empress Eldest Sun looked at Li Shimin and said, "The concubine is here, in addition to comforting Li Mu, there is one more thing I want to ask Your Majesty." ”

"What?"

"Your Majesty, please ask for your brother."

"Auxiliary?" Li Shimin was a little inexplicable, and said: "I heard what Gao Gan said about the auxiliary machine, but it was just to stop Li Mu, but this is understandable, he is your brother, and he is also the uncle of the young slave and Jinyang, what's wrong with you and the child?" ”

"He shouldn't use this as a basis to blackmail Li Mu. Just like the concubine just said, this is not the way of a minister. ”

Li Shimin frowned, and said with some annoyance: "Family, what is the way to be a minister, aren't you tired?" ”

"The First Monarch—"

"That's it!" Li Shimin's tone was a little heavy, and he interrupted Empress Changsun's words and said, "I know what you're worried about, but you also have to have faith in me. Am I an ornament? can let the auxiliary machine family dominate and the relatives seize power? It's impossible for anyone to be without ambition, and the same is true for auxiliaries, but I'm confident that I can subdue him. ”

"But ......"

"I know, you mean. The auxiliary machine is a few years older than me, and by the time I die, he will die early. The eldest grandson Chong is a talent, but with Li Mu here, he is destined to not be able to set off the storm. ”

"What about Li Mu? Who can be subdued? ”

"So, the most worried person is Li Mu."

Li Mu's shadow could no longer be seen outside the window, and Li Shimin withdrew his gaze and turned around, I don't know if it was because of the light, his face looked a little gloomy.

Li Shimin walked a few steps, came to the table, picked up the pen, he wanted to write a holy decree.

Flying white is outlined on rice paper, and the words are like knives.

"I have thought about it, if no one can subdue Li Mu when I am buried in the sky, then he will follow me into the tomb. Monarchs and ministers, there is a beginning and an end, which can be regarded as a good story. ”

Empress Eldest Sun looked at Li Shimin in shock, and at this moment she felt that her husband was a little strange. In the past, the young general in white robe and silver armor, riding a horse to kill the enemy, could not see the slightest shadow. When did he become so cold-blooded and ruthless? Can you say such a thing that is not justified for granted?

Empress Eldest Sun struggled to recall when Li Shimin became like this. She thought back to before Li Mu came, before the Great War to Exterminate the Turks, and back to the night when the blood moon was in the sky......

Perhaps, people really change.