"That being the case. I think we're still ......," Richard said with a look of extreme disappointment. It was clear that it was a look of intent to give up.

Long Qing and the other ministers saw Richard like this. are all staring at Zhang Fan. Although they didn't know that it was because of religion that Richard was so desperate. But they all understand. Richard would be what he is now. It's all because of Zhang Fan. So now they are all looking at Zhang Fan. Tell him to hurry up and figure it out.

"It's just ......," he didn't wait for Richard to finish. Zhang Fan had already spoken again. "As Wechen just said. These things have been going on for hundreds of years. To know. Hundreds of years. It's going to change a lot of things. ”

Hearing Zhang Fan's words. Whether it's Longqing. Or the ministers below. Or Richard and Joanna. The expressions on his faces have changed. It's just that the person in front of him has a happy expression on his face. They all know it. Zhang Fan must have figured out a way to make Richard and Joanna change their minds. The two people in the back showed surprised expressions on their faces. But it didn't take long for the look of surprise to turn into one of joy. They understood. There must be a turnaround.

"The Earl means ......," said Richard, though with joy on his face. However, he still asked Zhang Fan with a questioning expression.

And Joanna on the side also looked at Zhang Fan with an expression full of hope and doubt. Waiting for his answer.

"That's what happened." Zhang Fan cleared his throat and said. "Let's take India. At that time, when their monks came to our Central Plains to build a temple. It was more than 1,500 years ago. And at the time of the Tang Dynasty. Master Xuanzang went there to seek the true scriptures more than 800 years ago. Inside for such a long time. The dynasties there are also constantly changing. Even it was invaded and enslaved by foreign tribes. But my Central Plains Dynasty has never planned to send troops there to do anything. ”

"Dare to ask the Earl. Here's why. After Richard listened to Zhang Fan's words. I asked him very puzzled. "Since the Earl has just said it. Buddhism that has been transmitted to your country from India now has a very large number of followers. And they have a very deep affection for the birthplace of their religion. But why. You are in their time of peril. But they never sent troops to help them. ”

"Huh. There's a reason for that. Zhang Fan smiled and said. The most important of these is: It involves ideas that are unique to Buddhism. ”

"Is it related to religious views?" Richard asked. As a Christian himself, he understands this kind of plot very well. It's just that he doesn't know what Buddhism is about. What kind of doctrine would make people willing to be attacked by war and not take up arms to resist? To know. In Europe. For the question of the Holy City of Jerusalem being occupied by the Islamic state. In less than two hundred years. There were six religious military operations led by the Roman Catholic See. It is known in history as the Sons of the Crusade.

But what Richard heard Zhang Fan say. In the face of war. Or even the aggression of a clan. But there was never help from outside forces who believed in the same religion. It seemed to him. It's a little inexplicable.

"Mr. Special Envoy is not wrong at all. It is precisely because of the unique religious nature of Buddhism and the teachings it advocates. That's what happened. Zhang Fan nodded and said.

Hearing Zhang Fan's words. Longqing and the ministers of the Ming Dynasty had already understood what Zhang Fan was going to say. The words show that Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang himself has been a monk. In addition, the Ming court was very strict with the management of Buddhism and monks. So none of these people listed here are believed to be followers of Buddhism. But each of them knows more or less about Buddhism.

Zhang Fan's words just came out just now. They could already guess what Zhang Fan was going to do with it. Although what Zhang Fan wants to say is not comprehensive in their opinion. There are many theories that are opposed to this in Buddhist teachings. But Zhang Fan just wants to pick up the important and useful points. Although it is not exhaustive. But it's not disrespectful to the Buddha. Therefore, no one would have any thoughts of blaming Zhang Fan in their hearts. On the contrary, there are many people who admire Zhang Fan a little in their hearts. Even at this time, Gao Gong has always been bent on impeaching Zhang Fan. Also had to be at this time. Look at Zhang Fan.

"This ...... I don't really understand it in my heart. I hope the Earl will explain it to the contemptible people. Richard asked Zhang Fan with an open face and a teachable face. Although he did want to figure out the reason for what Zhang Fan said. But that's not all he has on his mind. One more point. That is, now that there is some hope in front of him. So find out the doctrinal content of the religion that the people of that part of India believe in. In the future, it will inevitably bring great help to their aggression.

Zhang Fan. Even including these Ming courtiers in the list. I didn't expect Richard to think so far.

"People who believe in Buddhism. Most of them do good deeds all day long. The purpose is for four words. Comeuppance. Zhang Fan said.

"Cause and effect...... Retribution. Richard followed Zhang Fan with some hesitation to read out the word. But obviously. He had only just learned Chinese. I can't tell him the true meaning of these words.

"Yes. However, the Special Envoy has not yet understood the implications. It's better to ......," Zhang Fan said here. There was a pause. I looked around. Suddenly. Pointing to the high arch, he said to Richard. "Why don't you let this high-arched minister explain to Mr. Special Envoy."

Zhang Fan's words came out. Almost all the eyes of the people above the main hall turned to the high arch. And Gao Gong himself also looked a little surprised. looked at Zhang Fan. I don't know why. But it didn't take long for his confusion to turn into a smile of annoyance.

Zhang Fan really didn't hide too much harm in doing this. It's just that he was just a little revenge on him because Gao Gong was always thinking about finding an opportunity to impeach him before.

Merely. Few of the people present could understand Zhang Fan's thoughts. In the eyes of these people. Zhang Fan did this purely to take revenge on Gao Gong. Whether it's Longqing. The civil and military ministers of the Manchu Dynasty all thought so in their hearts. Of course. Zhang Juzheng and Xu Jie, who are familiar with Zhang Fan, can understand Zhang Fan's thoughts. However, neither of them was going to say anything about the matter. Anyway, it's nothing for Zhang Fan to do this. Harmless.

"This tall man is ......" Richard didn't know who Gao Gong was. But there is one thing he knows very well. After all, the position where Gao Gong stood was very close to Longqing. On this point. It's the same in both the East and the West. Only those who are in high positions and have more power in their hands. The closer you get to the emperor, the closer you get. And the high arch. It is undoubtedly the closest one to Longqing outside of Xu Steps above this hall. Although Richard did not know the identity of the high arch. But he also understood that Gao Gong must have been a person with a prominent position in the Ming Dynasty. Now. He was looking at Zhang Fan. so that he can introduce himself.

"Huh. Mr. Special Envoy. This tall arched man. But I'm a bachelor of the dynasty. He is also a cabinet minister. Zhang Fan said here. Suddenly stopped. He thought that at this time the West had an organization to exercise the power of the cabinet. But there is no such word. Surely Richard would not have understood. Therefore, Zhang Fan thought about it a little. Go on. "This cabinet. Let's take an analogy. It is the cardinal's office under the Vatican Pope. And the tall man is the cardinal with the highest status. ”

Zhang Fan said. Richard and Joanna suddenly realized. It's just that after a sudden realization. The eyes of the two of them looked at Gao Gong and became extremely respectful. The so-called cardinal that Zhang Fan just said was the supreme adviser to the Pope. It is the priesthood that exists second only to the status of the pope. Its job is to deal with confidential government affairs.

The two of them immediately understood. Gao Gong is the minister of the Ming Dynasty who is now under one person and above ten thousand people. How could he not be respectful to him?

"Prime Minister." Richard greeted with a bow to the high arch.

Although it was at the beginning of the establishment of the Ming Dynasty. The founding emperor Zhu Yuanzhang had already set the rules. There is no post of prime minister. Only a few auxiliary officers were set up. And when it came to the time of Zhu Di, the ancestor of Chengzu. But there was another minister on duty who was recruited into Wenyuan Pavilion. Responsible for assisting the emperor in governance. The Cabinet was formed. Although from start to finish. I never used the title of prime minister again. But several people in the cabinet also need to have a leader. Therefore, this cabinet chief assistant also came into being naturally.

Although the first assistant of the cabinet has long since lost the kind of one person under ten thousand people in the previous dynasty. The splendor of absolute real power second only to the emperor in his hands. But today's cabinet chief assistant is indeed in such a position. Although it is public, no one will call it that. But privately. Or in the hearts of the ministers. The position of the first assistant to the cabinet has long been equated with the term prime minister.

After the high arch was pushed out by Zhang Fan. Originally, I was very unhappy in my heart. But when he heard Richard call him by the word Prime Minister. The irrepressible sense of satisfaction in my heart exploded. There were still traces of annoyance on his face. It's all a happy face.

It's just that his appearance is in the eyes of the ministers. They all despised him greatly in their hearts.

"Hmm. Since Lord Zhang recommended the old man to come out. The old man explained to the envoy. What is 'karma'? Gao Gong smiled and said to Richard.