Chapter 265 Lady of Wu

Chapter 265 Lady of Wu

Seven thousand three hundred and eighty rebel soldiers surrendered outside the city, and Yangzhou's internal and external troubles were eradicated. Du Min and Meng Qing, along with their available men, interrogated the surrendered soldiers day and night, copying down each person's name and official title.

Three days later, when a box of official documents was rushed to Luoyang, Governor Zheng was found by Commandant Xu and Du Li. He was covered in wounds and was carried into the Governor's Mansion.

After the doctor finished his examination, Du Min opened the door and invited Meng Qing in, saying, "Second sister-in-law, Lord Zheng has something to ask of you."

Meng Qing knew what was going on. During the interrogation of the surrendered soldiers, she learned that Zheng Chang, the Prefect of Runzhou, had colluded with rebels, killing the Prefect and his deputy, seizing control of the Prefect's office, and opening the city gates to welcome Li Jingye's army to occupy Runzhou. Prefect Zheng's arrival was unfortunate; by the time he reached Runzhou, the Prefect and his deputy had already been murdered. Fortunately, upon entering the city, he learned of the Prefect's death and Zheng Chang's rebellion. He feigned to surrender to Zheng Chang, intending to join him in the enemy's advance. He was lucky enough to escape Zheng Chang's imprisonment and even managed to take Zheng Chang's head. After Zheng Chang's death, he temporarily assumed the position of Prefect of Runzhou as the Provincial Governor, ordering the city gates to be closed and the soldiers and civilians to join forces against the enemy.

Unfortunately, there were also those in Runzhou who shared the same ill will as the rebels. Governor Zheng was attacked from both sides. With the help of the rebels, the city gates of Runzhou were breached in just one hour. After Runzhou was occupied, he disappeared.

Meng Qing came to the bedside and saw that Governor Zheng was about to get up. She quickly stopped him, saying, "Governor Zheng, you are injured. You should stay in bed and not get up."

Governor Zheng insisted on sitting up, saying, "The injury is nothing serious."

"Your collarbone is almost broken, and you're still okay?" Du Min interjected. "Where did you hide after you got injured?"

Governor Zheng gave a bitter smile. "You would never guess, and neither would I. It was the headmaster of the Runzhou Free School who saved me in the chaos and hid me in the school. I don't remember him anymore, but he remembers me. Back then, when I was representing the Empress Dowager to escort dozens of school heads from Chang'an to Luoyang to board the ship, he was one of them. I was able to survive this time thanks to the Empress Dowager and the Lady of the County."

“Good deeds bring good results. It’s all thanks to Lord Zheng’s kindness to a poor scholar who passed the imperial examination. He earned your respect, which is why he risked his life to save you when you were in trouble,” Meng Qing said.

Governor Zheng sighed, “I don’t know if I have sown any good seeds with the Lady of the County. I have a request, and I hope that the Lady of the County and Lord Du can plead for my Zheng family before the Empress Dowager. Zheng Chang colluded with rebels to murder the Governor of Runzhou and the Prefect of Runzhou. He deserves to die. I have also cut off his head to offer as a sacrifice to the city as a way of making amends. I hope that the Empress Dowager can spare the Zheng family members who are not related to him.”

"You should worry about yourself first. Protect yourself first." Du Min looked at him with disdain. "Have you sold yourself to the Zheng family of Xingyang? I advised you to turn your sword against your own people a long time ago, but you refused. Later, you were betrayed by your own people, and now they have caused a huge disaster. Why don't you take this opportunity to get rid of them? Why are you carrying this burden on your shoulders? Do you want to die?"

"My Zheng family of Xingyang has continued for more than two hundred years and has stood firm through eight dynasties. How can we fall today?" Governor Zheng had a strong sense of belief and responsibility for the continuation of his family line.

"I have a plan that might save the Zheng family, it just depends on whether Lord Zheng is willing to adopt it," Meng Qing said.

Governor Zheng immediately sat up straight. "Please speak, Lady Zheng."

"The Ruiguang Temple in Wuxian County is a thriving center of Buddhist worship, attracting many eminent monks. The abbot, Master Kongzhi, is particularly renowned for his profound understanding of Buddhism. When the rebels occupied Yangzhou and attacked Empress Wu, Master Kongzhi received a dream from the Buddha, who revealed that Empress Wu was the reincarnation of Maitreya, and that her existence in this world was to understand the three obstacles and four demons of the mortal realm, to comprehend the greed, anger, ignorance, and desire of humankind, so that she could break through ignorance and liberate all sentient beings." Meng Qing needed to find a strong advocate for the claim that "Empress Wu is the reincarnation of Maitreya Buddha." She could be the initiator, but not the leader; the matter was too popular, and she couldn't handle it.

"When I returned to Wu County to mobilize troops, the Military Advisor remained silent, and the Commandant of the Vanguard dared not send troops without imperial orders. Desperate, I received the support of the abbot of Ruiguang Temple and the eminent monk Huijue. They held a Dharma assembly proclaiming that Empress Wu was the reincarnation of Maitreya, and believers responded enthusiastically, gathering an army of 8,500 men for me. On the way to aid Yangzhou, the monks of Ruiguang Temple spread their teachings, gathering nearly 4,000 more men for our army." Meng Qing skillfully downplayed the seriousness of the matter. "Yesterday, Master Huijue wanted to resign. He planned to take the monks of the temple to Luoyang to worship Maitreya Buddha, but he was worried about being driven away by unknown forces..."

Governor Zheng understood, and his expression grew increasingly grave. Why did the Buddha appear in his dream? Why now, at the very moment when Meng Qing couldn't muster his troops? The abbot of Ruiguang Temple had the Buddha appear in his dream. He had every reason to believe that the Maitreya reincarnation theory was instigated by Meng Qing. She dared to start a fire, yet couldn't bear the scorching heat of the raging flames; she was passing him a hot potato. But he dared not refuse, nor could he bear to. If the Zheng family accepted this hot potato, they could immediately leap from Empress Wu's blade into her heart, becoming her darlings.

"You're plotting against me again!" Governor Zheng said through gritted teeth. "Lady, last time you advised me to sever ties with the powerful families. This time you're making my Zheng clan an enemy of the powerful clans and their royal families!"

"Don't be ungrateful. Without my second sister-in-law, your Zheng family would be buried with your uncle." Du Min mocked. "Can't you be more decisive? You're always looking ahead and behind, thinking three steps ahead before taking one. You can't even calculate things properly. Can't you just deal with whatever comes your way?"

Governor Zheng was so angry that his wounds almost burst open.

"Lord Zheng, please rest. Think it over carefully. Master Huijue won't be leaving until tomorrow." Meng Qing was certain that Governor Zheng would accept her suggestion.

Meng Qing left, and Du Min and Du Li followed him out. Governor Zheng had his attendants help him lie down. He closed his eyes and pondered quietly. He wasn't worried about anything else, but he was worried that Empress Wu would be purged by the Li imperial family. Empress Wu was nearly sixty years old, how many more years did she have left to live?

Think three steps ahead before taking one? Meet challenges head-on, and deal with whatever comes your way.

After pondering for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Governor Zheng made a decision: prioritize the present before considering the future.

"Someone, please invite the Lady of the County and Lord Du," Governor Zheng called out from his bed.

Meng Qing and Du Min hadn't gone far when they heard this and turned back.

"Thank you, Lady Zheng, for your life-saving grace. Since you're so kind, please write another letter for me and deliver it directly to the Empress Dowager. I, Zheng Yu, volunteer to lead the Zheng clan to serve the 'Mandate of Heaven,' and I implore the Empress Dowager to protect the Zheng clan. However, before I return to Luoyang, I request that the entire Zheng clan be imprisoned." Governor Zheng had learned his lesson. To prevent himself from becoming a villain in his family again, he preemptively positioned himself as a savior, effectively becoming the head of the Zheng clan.

Meng Qing immediately began writing letters. One letter explained the cause and effect of Maitreya's reincarnation, clearly highlighting her contributions. Another letter informed Master Konghui that she had been using his name to bully others, and asked him to deliver another letter to the palace, directly to Empress Dowager Wu.

After the letter was written and stamped with her and Governor Zheng's seals, Meng Qing sealed it with wax and immediately sent someone on horseback to deliver it to Luoyang.

After leaving the courtyard where Governor Zheng had stayed and rested, Meng Qing went to find Huijue without stopping. Master Kongzhi, upon learning of her arrival, also hurried over.

“We plan to head north the day after tomorrow. Senior brother, would you like to lead your followers to Luoyang to pay homage to… Master Kongzhi?” Meng Qing caught a glimpse of a figure entering out of the corner of her eye and looked over.

Master Kongzhi nodded, “Benefactor Meng, this old monk intends to lead his followers to Luoyang for pilgrimage.”

Meng Qing glanced at him and said, "Master Kongzhi, you are quite old..."

"Yes, I am getting old, but I have come to Yangzhou City from Wu County with you all." Master Kongzhi was afraid that his junior brother would steal the limelight from him after all his hard work.

“Alright, then please have Master Kongzhi accompany us to Luoyang.” Meng Qing was eager to have another useful helper, so that she would have a backup if Kong Hui misbehaved.

“Governor Zheng is also a Buddhist. He heard that Master Kongzhi received a dream from the Buddha and is willing to serve as a Buddhist to help those who are destined to be reincarnated as Maitreya overcome their tribulations. Once you arrive in Luoyang, if the masters have any insights or actions to take, they can contact him,” Meng Qing subtly hinted.

Huijue couldn't help but glance at her a few more times. Was she about to retire gracefully?

Meng Qing put his hands together and chanted Amitabha Buddha. He then said, "Governor Zheng will cover the travel expenses, food, clothing, and lodging for all Buddhists on this trip. Anyone who wishes to go to Luoyang for pilgrimage is welcome to come along. Please give me a specific number of people tomorrow so I can arrange the boats."

"Is my master really practicing at the White Horse Temple?" Huijue began to have doubts, worried that he had been tricked by Meng Qing.

“It’s absolutely true. My eldest son is a lay Buddhist under his name, learning feng shui and Buddhist temple architecture from him. He also participated in the construction of the Longmen Grottoes.” Meng Qing smiled. “Senior brother, you’ll be able to meet him in two months at the latest.”

Huijue temporarily set aside his doubts.

Meng Qing bowed to Master Kongzhi and left with light steps.

*

On the fifteenth day of the eleventh lunar month, Meng Qing and his party, along with two hundred monks and one thousand eight hundred Buddhist believers, boarded a ship and left Yangzhou.

On the third day of the first lunar month, more than 120 ships arrived in Luoyang. Before the ships even docked, people from the palace had already rushed to the ferry to welcome them.

"The Empress Dowager has issued an edict, inviting all eminent monks, lay Buddhists, and bodhisattvas to the palace for an audience."

More than two thousand people disembarked from the boats in a grand procession, their bodies reeking of the water, and stormed into the imperial city, attracting attention wherever they went.

This was a procession of monks, warriors, gentry, merchants, farmers, and scholars. The ashen-clad group seemed out of place in the brightly lit city of Luoyang, yet they walked openly and boldly onto the main street, across the Tianjin Bridge, through the Yingtian Gate, and into the imperial palace.

Meng Qing, Du Min, and Prefect Zheng walked at the front of the procession. At a distance, they heard three whistling sounds. Before the whistling had stopped, a chant began: "The Empress Dowager has arrived."

A group of rude people looked up and saw a figure dressed in monk's robes.

“Disciple pays respects to Maitreya Bodhisattva!” Master Kongzhi shouted.

Meng Qing looked back in surprise.

"Disciple greets Maitreya Bodhisattva—" The disordered voices rose and fell, then merged into a single, resounding voice: "Disciple greets Maitreya Bodhisattva—"

The Empress Dowager walked up to the group, smiled at Meng Qing, and said, "Please, Meng Qing, Du Qing, and Zheng Qing, leave the palace and return to your residences first. Today I will be having a Buddhist meeting with the eminent monks and bodhisattvas."

For the monks and Buddhist believers, the moment they were able to meet face-to-face with the Empress Dowager, it no longer mattered whether she was the reincarnation of Maitreya.

Meng Qing and the others acknowledged the imperial decree and left the palace first.

An hour later, an imperial decree was issued: Master Kongzhi, who had received a dream from the Buddha and had a deep affinity with Buddhism, was appointed as the abbot of Baima Temple to guide the monks in their practice; Master Huijue, whose Buddhist teachings were profound, was appointed as the lecturing master of Baima Temple to be responsible for opening ceremonies and giving lectures.

Other monks also received rewards, and most of them were sent to various states to serve as abbots, carrying funds for the repair of Buddhist temples.

As for Buddhist believers, the Ministry of Rites received them and took care of their food, clothing, lodging and transportation in Luoyang.

No sooner had Meng Qing and Du Min returned to their residence than the Minister of Rites arrived in a grand procession with two envoys, bearing the rewards bestowed by the Empress Dowager. The first thing they saw was a plaque inscribed with the five characters "Lady of Wu's Residence".

"Madam, the Empress Dowager, recognizing your merit in suppressing the rebellion and your strength in protecting the country, hereby bestows upon you the title of Lady of Wu, granting you a mansion in the Quanshanfang district, a thousand bolts of silk, and a fief of a thousand households."

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Author's note: See you tomorrow night! [heart emoji]