The Wang's Estate, outside the imperial city.
A beardless eunuch walked out of the palace gates, respectfully addressing the chubby monk who resembled the Maitreya Buddha, "Master Bu Tan."
"Please follow ."
The Southern Han had tens of thousands of eunuchs, and even using nas like Xiao Chunzi or Xiao Dezi couldn't exhaust the list; most of them used nas from before. This eunuch nad Liu Xi entered the palace as a young child, his skills already reaching the Innate Realm, currently serving as the head of the Eastern Depot and chief eunuch of Ceremonial Supervision.
Duncan couldn't clearly recall the system of eunuchs, but eunuchs were practically his servants; they were like a double-edged sword, mishandling them could backfire.
The most important thing now was peace under heaven, to end the prolonged warfare of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, institutional reforms could proceed slowly.
The monk Bu Tan was quite polite to the eunuch, laughing jovially, "I've heard there are countless delicacies within the imperial city of the Wang's Estate."
"I wonder if a humble monk might have such a fortune?"
He bore no discrimination against eunuchs; monks were figures without auspicious ons, and eunuchs were figures without the ability to discern ons, nearly the sa.
Monk Bu Tan was originally a rebellious figure, he patted his large belly, implying he was very much craving.
Upon hearing this, Liu Xi smiled, "Your Majesty has already ordered the Imperial Kitchen to prepare."
The two proceeded all the way to the side hall, where palace attendants were already preparing the feast. The delightful aroma reached Monk Bu Tan, making his fingers twitch and unable to resist saying, "This must be the rumored stir-fry?"
"Indeed, the scent is intoxicating, mouth-watering."
Stir-frying beca common during the Song Dynasty, but Duncan had advanced this tiline. There were rumors that Guangdong and Guangxi excelled in cooking, and the palace chefs frequently developed new recipes.
Soon, a beautiful palace maid led Monk Bu Tan into the hall.
He was fond of gourt food in his life, not beautiful won, he ignored the beautiful palace people passing by. Yet, due to his wide heart and fat body that resembled a figure of Buddha, many palace people would proactively salute him. Monk Bu Tan, with his chubby face, large ears, a gentle and compassionate deanor, always smiling, strongly resembled the Maitreya Buddha, effortlessly winning confidence.
"Your Majesty."
Monk Bu Tan gazed at Duncan ahead, clasped his palms, and bowed, "Never would I have thought that after our parting that day, upon eting again, Your Majesty would have achieved such an earth-shattering feat."
Duncan turned and waived the courtesy, smiling, "Master Bu Tan seems unchanged."
"Please take your seat."
Monk Bu Tan wasn't courteous. Upon sitting, he imdiately engaged in voracious eating, oil dripping down his chin, lifting imperial wine for a deep drink, exclaiming in joy, seemingly casting aside all matters.
Duncan wasn't in a hurry; Monk Bu Tan was different from others.
After three rounds of drinks.
Duncan kept silent, ensuring good wine and at were served, opposite to Monk Bu Tan growing sowhat restless, raising his head and asking, "Isn't Your Majesty curious as to why I'm here?"
Duncan faintly smiled, "rely so mundane matters, I wouldn't think."
"Does Master Bu Tan care?"
Upon hearing Duncan's words, Monk Bu Tan was taken aback, then laughed heartily, countering, "Does Your Majesty think I should care?"
Duncan smiled, "I think it's not important."
"What matters is whether Master Bu Tan cares."
Monk Bu Tan drank his cup dry, conjuring a Buddha-like smile, shaking his head, "I don't care."
"Back when Chai Rong wanted to abolish Buddhism, I couldn't even be bothered."
"As long as I am undisturbed in my tranquility."
"A humble monk has but two hobbies in this life; eating and sleeping."
Duncan, smiling, raised his cup, "Then why ask anything?"
"Drink! Finish!"
Master Bu Tan was not a prohibition monk; a prohibition monk might offer guidance, but Master Bu Tan would comprehend it himself.
The big-bellied monk smiled as he raised his glass seriously, "However, upon this visit."
"I indeed ca to ask Your Majesty two things."
Duncan replied with a calm deanor, "Then ask, Master."
He only had so friendship with these two people from Buddhism; as long as it isn't excessive, he'd consider it.
Monk Bu Tan began, "I heard my junior brother went to the Western Regions and caused quite a stir?"
"Was this direction given by Your Majesty?"
Duncan candidly nodded, "Yes."
"Master Bu Tan, with a single-minded intention of attaining the Arhat Fruit Position, what he achieved there might not suffice, so I pointed him to a place; should he succeed, even becoming a Buddha could be within reach."
Monk Bu Tan took it in, nodding, "Indeed."
"If the Western Regions could convert to the righteous path of Buddhism, it would indeed be a boundless rit."
"Yet his conduct was reckless."
"Central Plains' Buddhism beca troubleso."
Though it has nothing to do with , as long as Prohibition Monk remains fine.
Bu Tan's expression grew increasingly serious, his voice gloomy, "The second matter."
"I wish to ask what exactly does Your Majesty intend to do?"
Duncan gazed steadily at the person before him, calmly, "What do I intend to do? There are so many things I wish to do."
Monk Bu Tan pursued further, "Then there must be one thing Your Majesty desires most?"
Duncan serenely responded, "I desire peace under heaven, where the common people live and work happily."
"All beings suffer."
"Whatever I intend to do, I must do it well."
Monk Bu Tan stared at Duncan, nodding slowly, then asked, "Is that all?"
"I heard the Taoists seem to intend harm upon Your Majesty."
"Perhaps what Your Majesty plans is beyond just that?"
Saying so, he also pointed to the sky.
Upon hearing this, Duncan was montarily stunned, then laughed, "I want this sky never to obscure the vision of all beings!…"
"That answer."
"Is Master still satisfied?"
This ti it was Monk Bu Tan's turn to be stunned, his expression grew more solemn, speaking solemnly, "Does Your Majesty wish to punish the heavens?"
Sentence not served upon officials.
Such was mortal affairs.
Yet Duncan wished to punish the heavens, to judge all beings under the heavens, even those lofty celestial beings.
Duncan smiled silently.
Monk Bu Tan was indeed correct. He truly intended to punish the heavens.
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