Xiao Tuyou and Empress Luo agreed to Rong Zhu's request to marry Rong Jian to Xiao Jian, and determined that on the sixteenth birthday of Xiao Jian next year, a wedding will be held in the holy capital for Xiao Jian and Rong Jian, and after the marriage, Xiao Jian will be sent to the state of Fushui County to be a vassal, and at that time, Rong Jian will accompany Xiao Jian as a new princess.

When the good news came, Xiaojia and Rongzhu felt very comfortable and relaxed.

At the same time, other good news came from the Holy Capital. The most powerful people in the holy capital, such as Tuyou, Empress Luo, Luo Yuanxuan, and Dou Ji, were also the most feared political enemies of Xiao Jia and Rongzhu, and for some reason, they all unanimously advocated treating the widow and heirs of Emperor Longwu well. At first, Xiao Jia and Rong Zhu thought that Xiao Tuyu and his cronies were playing some tricks, but there are more and more signs that all this is true, at least in the short term, this is all true, and Xiao Jia and Rong Zhu have no worries about their lives for the time being. This is an unexpected harvest that Xiaojia and Rongzhu never expected.

With such a surprising change and the comfortable measures in the holy capital, the mood of the harvest and the fusion is very good. So, I decided to take the opportunity to go to the White Holy See Bai Shang Palace, first, to explore on the spot, to explore the real situation and strength of this mysterious and powerful White Holy See, and second, to send Xiao Ze and Rong Tanu to the White Holy See for internship. This is because the situation is changing rapidly, and there is no need to worry about life at present, but it does not mean that there will never be. After all, he is a faction of Emperor Longwu, and after all, he is deeply feared by the current emperor. Xiao Jia and Rong Zhu felt that in case of a major catastrophic change one day, they should prepare in advance in order to leave roots and seedlings for the two families. Therefore, it is called apprenticeship, but it is actually a refuge.

However, traveling together with the county king and county guard of the same county is obviously very taboo under the new policy. Therefore, in the name of the king of Canaan and the county guard of Canaan, Xiaojia and Rongzhu jointly signed an upright and upright joint name, aiming to explore the true strength of the White Sect and prevent its tail from falling into strategic considerations and related arrangements. Among them, the concert also specially asked for instructions, asking the imperial court to send a powerful person as the emperor's envoy to the White Palace to pay homage. This detail was to dispel the suspicion of the imperial court, and in fact, it took the initiative to ask the emperor to send a messenger to monitor the visit.

After the recital was sent, the mood of the harvest and Rongzhu was very anxious. They were worried that if the emperor became suspicious because of this, it would be really self-defeating and add to the snake, and break the good situation that had just been created. If so, it would be stupid.

In the anxious waiting, the Holy Capital finally had an official reply. Unexpectedly, Tuyu indignantly agreed to the invitation of the harvest and the melting casting. The emperor also praised the far-sightedness and courage of the farmer.

What is even more unexpected is that the envoy sent by the imperial court is not a powerful person in the court, nor a member of the royal family, but a bishop of the Holy Metropolis, who has almost nothing to do with the government and politics. Bishop Tyrador arrived with the envoy of the decree.

What is also unexpected is that the imperial court actually issued a clear edict for this matter. The edict said that since the establishment of the White Sect, he has taught people to be kind and forbearing, frequently produced great virtues, and made meritorious contributions to education, and in order to show the sincerity of the new monarch, His Majesty the Emperor sent a minister extraordinary and plenipotentiary to visit the Holy See. Nominally, the king of Canaan, was the Minister Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, and was the chief envoy; Canaan Commander Shourong Zhu as deputy envoy; The Holy Metropolitan Bishop Shu Yan is the assistant. The edict also clearly stated that this visit is really the kindness and ambition of His Majesty the Emperor, and it must be "solemn" and "Xuanhe".

This time, the honor guard of Bai Shanggong is very impressive. One is the incomparably noble king of the Canaan county, the other is the county guard of the prestigious Canaan county, and the other is the special and respected bishop in the white religion second only to the Pope and the Apostolic See. The two supreme military and political leaders of the county, plus an envoy sent by the emperor from the holy capital. The three of them rode in three large sedan chairs, the front of the crops, the middle of the melting, and the last, surrounded by three hundred palace guards, two hundred county government soldiers, and one hundred priests of the White Upper Courtyard of the Holy Capital, as well as a number of chamberlains, palace maids, and family members, and the group set off with great momentum.

However, the most majestic is not the three of Xiaojia, Rongzhu, and Shuyan, but the little prince who rides a heavenly horse.

Pegasus is indeed a rare and exotic beast, and since it was ridden by Xiao Ze for the first time, it has been inseparable from Xiao Ze. Pegasus is extremely psychic, not only able to understand all of Tsuzawa's commands, but also able to automatically choose the fastest and smoothest path. Since he had a Pegasus, the most exciting thing is to ride the Pegasus to the school yard to gallop, the Pegasus is extremely fast, and the fastest war horse in the school field and stable cannot be compared to the Pegasus. And the Pegasus is very beautiful, because the family education is very strict, and the Celestial Horse is not allowed to swagger around, so the Celestial Horse has few opportunities to walk on the street, and only when the sacrifice is made, the Celestial Horse is allowed to ride the Celestial Horse to the Celestial Horse by exception. But it was this few times that he had become the brightest star in the city of Tairodo. Since then, everyone has been talking about Koshiko and his Pegasus. The people of Tai Rodo believe in the White Religion, and the Canaan Elk is the mount of the White Sect, so many people regard Xiao Ze as an angel, and there is an endless stream of people who come to pay tribute to Xiao Ze and Tianma every day. Xiao Ze was quite proud in his heart.

But Xiao Jia was very worried, such a swagger, in case the ill-intentioned people in the Holy Capital were to blame him, it would not be a joke. Therefore, after receiving a series of good news from the Holy Capital, he decided to immediately send Xiao Ze and Rong Tanu to the White Palace for apprenticeship.

While resting for dinner on the way, Xiao Jia asked, "Bishop Shuyan, what kind of sect rank system is your sect?" When I was in the Holy Capital before, I really didn't pay attention to it. I hope that the bishop will give him advice. ”

"Your Highness is gracious. There are seven levels of sect rank. The highest is the Pope, who is in charge of all the affairs of the Church, but generally does not care about trivial matters. The second level is the Pontifical, which acts like a vice-pope and is in charge of the day-to-day affairs of the Holy See and the Church. The third level is the cardinal, who serves in the Holy See, assists the Pope and the Pontifical See, and is in charge of a certain type of affairs. The fourth level is the bishop of the county, who is in charge of the affairs of the county. The fifth level is the priest, who is in charge of the affairs of a county or assists the bishop in a particular matter. The sixth level is the shepherd, who is in charge of a house or assists the priest in the affairs of a higher level. The seventh level is the vicarcity, which is the clerkship and the clergy. Some lay disciples are also called vicarers. ”

"Then it seems that Ze'er and Tanu will be called vicarships in the future?" Xiao Jia asked with a smile.

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Cardinals and bishops of the county are both bishops, so who has more authority than the cardinal and the bishop of the county?" Xiao Jia asked.

"It's going to be different from person to person, from thing to thing. Generally speaking, cardinals have higher authority, after all, they serve in the Holy See, and cardinals are generally older than county bishops, because most cardinals are selected from those county bishops who are senior, prestigious, and meritorious. But there is one exception, and that is the Holy Metropolitan. Although the Holy Metropolitan is similar to the bishop of the county and does not serve in the Holy See, the Holy Metropolitan is close to the imperial court and therefore has a slightly higher status than both cardinals and bishops of the county, and has always been regarded as the second highest position in the White Church after the Holy See. But this is not explicitly prescribed, just conventions and customs. ”

"Bishop Shu Yan can serve as a Holy Metropolitan at such a young age, how young and promising." Xiao Jia said.

"Don't dare, don't dare, it's still far away."

"You don't have to be humble. Your deeds and virtues are evident to all. When I was in the Holy Capital, I often heard about your good deeds, and it was good. Xiao Jia said. He is a person who has been the prince for thirteen years, and his tone naturally reveals a feeling and tone for the country and the people. Of course, although this tone sounded very cordial, it was also a condescending tone, and after a few bites, he asked, "Bishop Shuyan, may I ask, how does your religion guide and educate the believers?" ”

This is what Bishop Shuyan is most proud of, although his catechism is not high, he is very good at guiding and instructing the faithful. Shu Yan said: "Your Highness, the way we guide and educate our disciples also varies from person to person, some are more clever and smart, and some are inferior and blunt, but there is no law. The White Church has existed since ancient times, it has been thousands of years, the catechesis is very complicated, most of the clergy, including us bishops, almost no one can exhaust the reasoning, some old bishops, do not ask about trivial matters in the church, they have studied the catechesis all their lives, and what they have learned is only the tip of the iceberg. However, for those of us missionary clergy, there is only one purpose, and that is to persuade people to do good, to give up their desires, and to wait for the life to come. With this purpose, guidance and education are things that follow the trend and move according to people. ”

This is not what Xiao Jia wanted to ask, Xiao Jia continued: "Bishop Shuyan is good at cultivation, and the congregation of the Holy Capital is very united, I have heard that there seem to be some ways to help each other, which is very effective." When I was in the Holy Capital, I found that some things that the imperial court and the government could not do, as soon as the Holy Capital White Upper House issued an order, the congregants automatically obeyed and never disobeyed. It can be seen that the Tao of the bishop has been deepened. If every bishop of the county has such a cultivation as a bishop, then the great rule of the country is just around the corner, and the administration of the imperial court will be much easier. By the way, does every bishop of the county have such a high authority among the congregation? ”

This time he scratched the itch of Shuyan, and he laughed and said, "Your Highness has won the award." It is only a matter of simplifying the teachings as much as possible and guiding the congregation to the good. However, the guidance of most of the bishops of the county is not satisfactory. The gradual loss of the White Church over the years has a lot to do with the dereliction of duty of these bishops. I have heard that some bishops in their jurisdictions find it difficult to even raise enough rations for the clergy, let alone to develop the congregation and preach the catechesis. The reason why the White Sect can still be maintained is because of the accumulation of thousands of years. ”

"If Bishop Shuyan can become the pope, then the White Sect will definitely be able to shine and do more for the court and the people."

Shu Yan's heart is about to jump out.

Xiao Jia continued: "Meng Jieyu Niangniang and the King of Huanshui County are also very high, right? "The king of Huanshui County is Meng Jieyu's son Xiao Ke, whose teaching name is Qiu Xuzi.

Shu Yan said: "Meng Jieyu's status is supreme in the Holy Capital. Shu Yan can't be compared with Meng Jieyu Niangniang. Meng Jieyu Niangniang is a god and goddess, which is very incomparable. The study of the teachings of the King of the Water Counties has reached a very high level, and even His Holiness has greatly praised the cultivation of the King of the Water Counties. He often asked someone to send some unique scriptures from the Holy See to the king of Huanshui County. ”

Xiao Jia said: "It's hard to see that the king of Huanshui County has such a high level of cultivation at such a young age. It's a pity, the king of the county is now busy managing the county affairs, and it is estimated that there will be less time to study the teachings. ”

Shu Yan smiled: "It's not delayed." In the Holy Capital over the years, Shu Yan has had an experience that teaching affairs and government affairs are interconnected, and if the doctrinal understanding is deep, the teaching affairs are well managed, and the guidance of the congregation is smooth, then the governance of government affairs is not a problem. Especially the King of the Water Sect, with his prestige among the sect, it is estimated that in the Water Commandery, the White Sect members may be more obedient to him than to the Bishop of the Water Channel. Therefore, his administration in the water county will definitely be much smoother. In the same way, when government affairs are well understood, the teachings can be understood more deeply. "Bishop Shu Yan said very devotedly.

Xiao Jia and Rong Zhu inadvertently exchanged a look, and then said, "Bishop Shuyan is really a great master who is simple and understandable. I conclude that in the future, Bishop Shuyan will be the Pope of your Church. ”

Shu Yan's face was a little red, and he waved his hand and said, "How dare Shu Yan hope for the position of the Pope." Shu Yan only wanted to be able to do something for the congregation and the court in the Holy Capital, and he was already satisfied. ”

The purpose of the harvest has basically been achieved. Shu Yan is good at maneuvering between all parties, which he had heard of long ago when he was in the holy capital. It's just that he was the crown prince at that time, and he lived in the deep palace all the year round, or studied political affairs, and had no contact with Shuyan. Through this rare opportunity, he discovered a distant desire for power and a fervent desire for the office of pope. At the same time, he also learned more about the organizational structure and operating mechanism of the White Sect. The White Sect still has some secret secret methods, but only some high-level teaching positions can master them. And the lack of Shuyan in terms of teachings and secret methods is also a secret that almost everyone knows is not a secret. This is the shortcoming of Shuyan, so he doesn't bother to ask. asked, Shu Yan didn't understand, and embarrassed Shu Yan in vain, which was completely unnecessary.

Moreover, both the harvest and the casting decided to make good use of the bishop Shuyan.

"Your Majesty's special appointment of Bishop Shuyan to come to the Holy See this time shows that Your Majesty attaches great importance to the White Sect, and it also shows that Your Majesty attaches great importance to Bishop Shuyan." Xiao Jia said.

His Highness praised it. His Royal Highness said that this time His Majesty sent Shu Yan to the Holy See, mainly to take a look at the situation in the snow pool. Pope Xuanyang went to the northern realm of Xuanxiu. His Majesty was really worried about the drop in the water level of the snow pool and the darkening of the water quality, so he sent Shuyan to take a look. ”

Xiao Jia noticed that Shu Yan deliberately did not mention the Holy See. The Pontifical Position is the same as the Vice-Pontiff, Pope Xuanyang is not in the Holy See, the Pontifical See, in fact, is the Acting Pope. The hidden meaning in Shu Yan's words is that the emperor does not trust the Holy Throne, and second, his cultivation is higher than that of the Holy Throne.

"It's a strange thing. This time, we went to the White Palace of the Holy See, just in time to have a good look. It is a matter of national fortune and people's feelings, and it should not be taken lightly. Xiao Jia said.

"Your Highness is very true." Shu Yan said, "Your Majesty's new policy has just been implemented, and I am particularly concerned about the changes in public sentiment and public opinion. The change in the snow pool has already had a bad impact on the cultists. Your Majesty is very worried about this. ”

Xiao Jia frowned and said: "We, the courtiers who govern the county, must implement His Majesty's new policy well and make real achievements, so that the common people can get benefits." Only in this way can the bad effects of the snow pool mutation be counteracted. In addition, you are the most appreciated and respected bishop of the White Sect, and you are also the bishop with the highest prestige, and I hope that the Bishop Shuyan can also play the role of the White Sect and guide the congregation well. ”

"Your Highness's loyalty to the Lord, Shu Yan will definitely convey it to Your Majesty." Shu Yan said, then stroked his five locks of long hair with his hand, and said: "Shu Yan is only a matter for the Holy Capital Bishop, the Holy Capital Sect, Shu Yan will do his best and never disappoint the expectations of His Majesty and His Royal Highness." It's just that outside the Holy Capital, Shu Yan can't do anything. ”

Shu Yan saw that he wanted to use him to show his loyalty to His Majesty, so he readily agreed, but at the same time he also put forward his own demand, that is, he hoped to expand his role in the White Sect. He is now the Holy Metropolitan Bishop, the third person in the White Church, so his appeal is also very clear, that is, to be the Pontiff or the Pope. But Xiao Jia himself is currently just a sensitive former prince and king of Canaan, and his power and influence in speaking are really limited, if he speaks for Shu Yan, not only will it not have a positive effect, but it is likely to have a negative effect. So Xiao Jia couldn't make up his mind about what Shu Yan wanted to do for himself. But since Shu Yan has already said this, he can only answer the call, so he said: "I am very touched by Bishop Shu Yan's kindness to the well-being of the people of the world. If Bishop Shuyan can rise to the next level and dominate the congregation of the whole country, then the White Church will certainly be of greater help to the edification of the people and the practice of good government. That is truly the gospel of the people of the world. If I can do anything for Bishop Shuyan, please Bishop Shuyan though the words are, I will do my best. ”

This is close to a transaction. But at this point, there is really no other way. In fact, Shu Yan couldn't think of what Xiao Jia could do for himself for the time being, and what Fang just said was just because of his habit of acting and pursuing that there must be an echo of what he usually does, and his good deeds must be rewarded. Xiao Jia said it so clearly, which made Shu Yan quite surprised, but also quite gratified, he felt that Xiao Jia was a person who could be used. Although Xiao Jia is in a critical situation now and his identity is sensitive, after all, he is the king of Canaan and the county king of the seat of the White Sect, and one day, he will be able to use it. The most important thing is that Shu Yan thought of the strategy he and Meng Jieyu had discussed before, that is, to try to delay the emperor not to make the emperor's own son the crown prince for the time being, so as to buy time for their son Xiao Ke, considering that the emperor repeatedly told the world to retain the position of the crown prince of Xiao Jia, so it is the best choice for Shu Yan to temporarily maintain Xiao Jia, so he said: "Shu Yan thank you for your kindness." His Majesty has already issued an edict that His Royal Highness will resume his position as the crown prince after His Royal Highness recovers. In the future, His Royal Highness has a will, and Shu Yan will never give up. ”

This sentence doesn't sound inappropriate, because it involves the issue of the crown prince's position. But if you think about it carefully, these words are very appropriate, not only did not go against Your Majesty's will, but also showed your support for Xiao Jia, and also responded to the terms of the transaction proposed by Xiao Jia. Just such a fluttering sentence indicates that the deal between the two parties is reached. But what to trade and how to trade is a matter for later. At the moment, with this foundation, there is no longer any bond in the hearts of both parties. So, the group had a comfortable light meal together, and then hit the road.