Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 1352: Chapter 1351: The Fox’s Tail Finally Shows

Early the next morning, Fang Zheng and Yue Fei took a zeppelin back to the capital.

”Greetings, Your Majesty!”

Although he was quite upset, Yue Fei still had to perform the proper courtesies before the Emperor, while Fang Zheng merely nodded slightly toward the elder... He respected Yue Fei, but had little regard for the Emperor.

”Hehehe, no need for such formalities, both of you. Attendants, please provide them with seats.”

The old Emperor showed no reaction to Yue Fei and Fang Zheng’s demeanor, instead, he warmly asked them to sit. Once they were seated, the Emperor began to speak.

”I am aware of both your gallant efforts at the front lines. General Yue Fei is a model of devotion to the country, and the Immortal Master’s ability to decimate ten thousand Jin troops with a mere wave is truly inspiring. That is why I specially called you back, to express my gratitude.”

At this, the Emperor paused briefly before continuing.

”General Yue Fei, you must be quite fatigued from the journey. Rest for a few days first, and then we will hold a grand celebration to commemorate the defeat of the Jin forces. Hahaha...”

”Your Majesty.”

Upon hearing this, Yue Fei couldn’t hold back any longer; he hurriedly stood and bowed.

”Time is of the essence, Your Majesty. The total annihilation of the Jin People is within reach. Just grant me a few more months, and I can completely expel the Jin Army and reclaim our Song territory. We can celebrate then, for it would not be too late.”

”Hmm... General Yue makes a good point...”

Hearing this, the Emperor nodded, but then quickly shifted the conversation.

”However, the Jin Dynasty has sent envoys to negotiate with us. They are willing to cede land from Yan Mountain to Shangjing to make peace with the Song Dynasty... What do you think, General Yue?”

”Peace?!”

Upon hearing this, Yue Fei’s face immediately wrinkled with disapproval.

”Your Majesty, this was originally the territory of our Song Dynasty, merely occupied by the Jin. Even if they don’t return it, I could reclaim it within a month. This cannot be considered a concession!”

”Amitabha...”

Suddenly, a voice like a great bell sounded, and then the two saw an old monk in robes emerge from behind a screen. His demeanor was dignified, with a serene smile... he was the spitting image of that thief Fahai.

”General Yue, your valor is admirable, and I deeply respect it. However, it is the common folk who suffer when war reignites. Is it not better to bend the enemy to our will without battle? Such would benefit all sentient life, a boon to the common people...”

”You are...?”

”Hehe.”

Faced with Yue Fei’s inquiry, the old monk smiled slightly.

”I am Abbot Baozhi of Jinji Temple, an acquaintance of General Yue and the Immortal Master.”

”So it was you who introduced the Jin Dynasty envoy to the Emperor.”

It was then that Fang Zheng, previously silent, spoke up, lightly tapping his fingers on the table. A faint magical light vanished discreetly. Abbot Baozhi evidently noticed nothing as he folded his hands in a prayer gesture, chanting a Buddhist mantra once more.

”Indeed, as you led the Song Army north, the Jin People grew frightened and restless. Their envoys sought me out, and I could not bear to see the populace suffer further from the hardships of war, nor the heartbreak of families being torn apart and lives destroyed. Thus, here I am, imploring you to spare them for the sake of millions of living beings...”

Abbot Baozhi’s words were filled with compassion, swaying even Yue Fei. But Fang Zheng merely smirked coldly.

”Heh, sparing lives, how interesting. Master, your words are quite amusing. The Jin Army invaded the Song Dynasty, killing not just hundreds but millions of civilians. They oppressed and humiliated the Han People, seized their wives and daughters, plundered their properties, and forced them to shave their heads and become slaves, killing any who resisted. And now you speak to me of sparing lives... Let me ask you this, old monk: Where were you when the wives and daughters of the Song People were seized and humiliated by the Jin? Where were you when the Song People rose to protect their families and were slaughtered? Where were you when they were forced to shave their heads and become slaves?!”

With that, Fang Zheng slammed the table heavily.

”Did you ever go to the Jin Dynasty’s rulers and talk about mercy and reducing killings?!

”This...”

Facing Fang Zheng’s barrage of questions, Abbot Baozhi seemed slightly embarrassed but hurriedly folded his hands in prayer, chanting a Buddhist mantra again.

”Amitabha, if one repays harm with harm, when will it ever end? Why not lay down the butcher’s knife and turn back to the shore...”

”You should be telling this to the Jin Army and the unjustly killed civilians.”

Fang Zheng suddenly waved his hand, interrupting Baozhi’s words.

”Putting down the butcher’s knife and becoming a Buddha on the spot is your way, but in our culture, we believe in ’an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.’ Confucius once said: ’To repay grudges with kindness, how is that virtuous? Treat grievances directly and virtue with virtue.’ The Jin invaded the Song, killed its people, seized its lands, and we merely fight back. What is the offense in that? And you... a monk, you dare to come here and talk nonsense. Just as well, there’s something I’d like to ask you.”’

”Please, Immortal Master, go ahead.”

”Very well.”

Fang Zheng snorted softly, took a sip of tea, and began.

”Your Buddhism flourishes within the Song Dynasty, with abundant incense and offerings, much land and population, and even beautiful wives and concubines. But when the Jin Army moved south, invading the Song, where were your people? Did any of you enlist to fight and resist the Jin? Did you donate food and supplies to support the Song Army?”

”Amitabha...”

Hearing Fang Zheng’s inquiry, Abbot Baozhi folded his hands in prayer once more.

”Monks renounce worldly affairs...”

”Then why are you here babbling nonsense?”

”I came for the common people...”

”How very strange.”

But before Abbot Baozhi could finish speaking, Fang Zheng coldly interrupted again.

”Oh, when the Jin were slaughtering Han People, you hid away, chanting and playing with women. Now that we’re fighting back, you step out for the common folk... It’s quite curious, you eat, drink, wear, use, and live off the Song, yet whose side are you on?”

”Buddha is merciful and kind, I harbor no personal interest, everything is according to the will of the Buddha...”

”Spare me your nonsense.”

Fang Zheng couldn’t be bothered to hear the monk’s babble.

”I have one question for you: Do you love the Song Dynasty, or do you love the Buddha?”

”This...”

Confronted with Fang Zheng’s pointed question, Abbot Baozhi finally ran out of answers. This was a cunning tactic often used by internet trolls in later times, something he had never seen before.

But now...

”Amitabha...”

Abbot Baozhi folded his hands in prayer again.

”As a man apart from the world, I naturally follow Buddhist teachings.”

”But aren’t you a Song person too? Surely you were born of man and woman?”

”Monks are pure of heart and indifferent to worldly affairs...”

”Oh, I see.”

Upon hearing this, Fang Zheng nodded.

”So, after becoming a monk, you regard Buddha above everything, ignoring everyone else, even forsaking your ancestors, losing touch with your roots. Wonder why your father didn’t leave you on the wall.”

”......Amitabha...”

Abbot Baozhi didn’t understand Fang Zheng’s pointed remark, but he realized it wasn’t complimentary, so he merely chanted and remained silent.

”Immortal Master, please do not be upset.”

Seeing the atmosphere become tense, the old Emperor coughed softly.

”The past, after all, is past. Furthermore... you may not be aware, Immortal Master, but the Song Dynasty’s treasury is depleted, lacking additional funds and provisions. We are grateful for all you have done for the Song, but... since the Jin have sent envoys for peace, I have decided to accept.”

Upon hearing this, Yue Fei sighed deeply, saying no more. After all, he was just a general and couldn’t change the Emperor’s decision. Fang Zheng also nodded.

”Very well, since Your Majesty has spoken, I have nothing more to say.”

Hearing this, Abbot Baozhi broke into a smile, but Fang Zheng’s next words quickly froze it.

”Since the Song Dynasty has decided to stop here, then the subsequent war against the Jin will be fought by us alone.”