"I have studied it for a few days."

Li Shimin looked suspicious, whether it is Buddha or Tao, no one is something that others cannot understand thoroughly after spending their entire lives. How many days have you studied it? You have the nerve to say it! However, Li Shimin did not interrupt Li Mu. Li Shimin had become accustomed to him and inexplicable confidence. He ignored him and said, "Tell me quickly."

"Then I will express some superficial views." Li Mu cleared his throat and said, "If you want to know why there is such a difference, you must first understand what kind of thoughts Buddhism wants to advocate. My conclusion is that Buddhism emphasizes the exploration of the progress and enlightenment of human mind and morality. The purpose of their believers' practice is to transcend life and death and suffering, eliminate all troubles, obtain liberation of life, and reach a state of enlightenment."

"Therefore, people often experience suffering and see through the world and become monks. The seemingly great enlightenment is actually an act of escaping reality. This kind of escape is permeated through various Buddhist scriptures and classics, and is only beautified. For example, the practice of cultivating blessings in the next life is very typical. Who has seen the next life? Who knows what the next life looks like? The monk who says these words himself does not know. They cannot change this life, so they compromise with this life and cultivate the next life? It is just an excuse."

"At the same time, Buddhism emphasizes the cycle of cause and effect. Buddhism believes in the saying that "good will be rewarded, and evil will be rewarded." Therefore, they believe that those who cause war will one day suffer the consequences, so they do not need their help. As I just said, this is also a kind of escape. They do not have the ability to save troubled times, and they do not even want to try hard. I don't like this negative attitude very much. I think that no matter how small the possibility is, as long as it is a positive effort, I can try it. Miracles always exist. If I don't try, I will never know whether it can succeed."

"If in the prosperous times, since many emperors need Buddhist ideas to educate the people, monks will go down the mountain to become the norm. When Buddhism becomes a tool for emperors' rule and receives certain support from the court, there will naturally be more temples and monks. There will be more occasions that require them to appear, and there will be no need to escape. Naturally, they will go down the mountain."

Li Shimin nodded and said, "So what about Taoism?"

"The thoughts of Taoism are completely different from those of Buddhism. Taoism pursues "Tao", and the so-called "Tao" is the way to solve problems in the understanding of the ministers, such as "achieve the Tao and become an immortal", "severe life and death", "salvation of the world and save people", etc., each ability is not something that ordinary people can achieve. Therefore, if you want to obtain this ability, you must devote yourself to studying it."

"Taoist people mainly believe in Taishang Laojun. This person is a god who refines immortal pills in the sky. He can refine various immortal pills. According to legend, if you take one immortal pill, you can prolong your life for a hundred years. Peng Zu lived for eight hundred years because he ate eight immortal pills." Li Mu was just talking nonsense, but Yu Guang kept staring at Li Shimin's expression. When he heard the 'a immortal pills prolonged life for a hundred years', his eyes showed a desire, and his mouth slightly raised, and he continued: "In the prosperous era, the country is peaceful and the people are prosperous and strong, and the people live without worries. There are naturally many people who pursue immortality. However, there is no record or conclusion on the method of immortality, so he can only study it yourself."

"Whether it is to have the 'Tao' to solve the problem or to achieve the 'Eternal Life', no matter what the purpose is, there is one thing in common, that is, a quiet environment is needed, and the downtown city is naturally not their first choice. Therefore, in the prosperous times, Taoists often retreat to the mountains and forests and work hard to achieve their goals."

"When it comes to troubled times, it is a good time for Taoists to learn. For example, doctors like Doctor Sun, in troubled times, there must be more doctors than in prosperous times. The same is true for other ‘Tao’s’."

After hearing Li Mu's words, Li Shimin was not relieved of his doubts and frowned and asked, "According to what you said, there is no good or bad in this Buddhist path, but his ideas are different. For the emperor, Buddha is more prosperous than Taoism, why don't you like Buddha? On the contrary, when talking about it, do you highly recommend Taoism?"

"This is going to be a little deeper." Li Mu smiled and said, "Give an example, Your Majesty, I would like to ask Your Majesty, do you like to fight or live in the country?"

Li Shimin smiled and said, "Of course, he is a man who is fighting the country. If you sit in the country? It is not what I want to enjoy, and it is meaningless."

"I think so too." Li Mu nodded in agreement and said, "Your Majesty, life is important in experience. When encountering problems, solving problems, giving, and getting, this is the normal state of life. Everything is ready-made, so that's meaningless."

"This Buddhism is certainly a good tool for the emperor to rule the people, but it is just a means to fool the people. Your Majesty should understand one truth, that is, the people should not be deceived."

"Is Buddha a deception?"

"It's not necessarily a total deception, but it must be hypocritical."

Li Shimin frowned: "Where is hypocrisy?"

"I won't talk about the superficial examples, just say that I am merciful and cannot bear to kill."

"What's wrong with this?"

Li Mu smiled and said, "The Buddhist scriptures once recorded a small story to show the power of the Buddha. The Buddha once said that there are countless sentient beings in a bowl of water, and these sentient beings are a world. Therefore, there is a poem praising the Buddha, "A ladle of water, 48,000 insects, a flower, a world, a leaf, and a Bodhi. But I want to ask, does the Buddha drink water?"

Li Shimin frowned.

"My Buddha is compassionate and should not kill animals. And a can of water brings countless creatures. The Buddha drinks water, even if he kills, can he be considered a Buddha? Isn't this a contradiction?"

Li Shimin laughed and said, "You always have something to say. When it comes to quibbling, you are unparalleled in the world. However, Tao may not be good either, so why do you like it?"

"I am not very fond of Tao, I am just like the idea of ​​'Tao'," paused, and Li Mu said again: "Or spiritual."

"I have just talked for a long time, but I don't know if it is clearly stated. What I want to tell Your Majesty is that if you act according to Buddhist thoughts, you can better control the existing resources, but in fact you cannot create new value. Because Buddhist thoughts do not have the ability to solve problems in Taoism. Taoism is different. Taoism is the method of solving problems. Taoist priests constantly study various "Tao" and will make the "Tao" develop better and deeper. Just say that this medical skill has many records in historical books from ancient and modern times, and many Taoist priests are good doctors. Their Tao is this medical skill."

"I prefer Taoism because I am also such a person. I like people who encounter problems and face difficulties. I also like people who can solve problems. People who can study tirelessly in a field that they are good at, no matter in any field. This is also the reason why I used to be evil with Confucius and Wei Gongjiao, and later eased. They are all persistent people. If they are persistent for their ideals, there is nothing right or wrong."

"Now the Tang Dynasty is in chaos, and the people are far from talking about living and working in peace, and they are not yet at the time when they need to use Buddhism to educate the world. What is needed now is the "Tao" to solve problems, because it can be imagined that there will inevitably be many problems. I do not hope that there are all Taoists between the government and the people, but I hope that the government and the people can develop a kind of atmosphere, that is, when encountering problems, don't escape, face difficulties, as long as you keep trying and not afraid of failure, the problem will be solved one day. But if you have the idea of ​​escaping, dragging the problem again and again, and keeping it again and again, you will never make progress. The prosperous scene of the Tang Dynasty will be further and further, and you will never be able to see it."

Li Shimin looked at Li Mu with a sharp look and said, "Are you letting me and my dear words to stay away from the Buddha?"

Li Mu shook his head gently and said, "How dare I teach Your Majesty how to do things? I just want to give Your Majesty a suggestion. Whether it is Buddha or Tao, it is just a tool in the hands of the emperor. Tools are used, and you should not be burdened by it. Today, the temples below have reached the level of shaking the foundation of the country. If you want to implement the new policy, you must suppress the Buddha. This is like making a blackshot. When you need a sledgehammer, you should put on a sledgehammer, and when you need a small hammer, you should put on a small hammer. As long as you hit the thing out, the process will not be very important."

Li Shimin nodded: "I understand, but you still need to explain to the queen."

"I'll go now," Li Mu said, and was about to bow and leave. Suddenly, a voice came from the door: "No need, I've heard it."

Li Mu turned around to salute, and Empress Changsun helped him up and said, "Li Mu, I came here, not by raising troops to punish you. What you did was to make the country and country of the Tang Dynasty and to bear the bad reputation for Your Majesty. I came to thank you. I have heard most of the remarks you just now. Every word makes sense. You are so old that you can think about things so clearly, so you can really think of the word "genius."

"Empress Xie praised me."

Queen Changsun smiled and said, "As for the things in this palace, it's just a relief. I know that my illness may not be due to praying for blessings. I have committed it after praying for blessings, but I can't blame it. Zhinu and Jinyang, thanks to the imperial doctors in the Imperial Hospital, have little to do with Ci'en Temple. It's just that the public said that it's not convenient for the palace to explain, which has become their argument. You must remember in the future, and you must not be scruples about your identity, whether it's the uncle or the queen."

"This" Li Mu didn't know whether Empress Changsun's words were true or false, so he hurriedly bowed and said, "I'm afraid it's inappropriate, this is contrary to the way of the monarch and the minister."

"You are your Majesty's minister. It is the way to be a minister who is loyal to Your Majesty and fulfill your responsibilities to the Tang Dynasty."

Li Mu looked up at Empress Changsun and saw that she looked sincere and didn't seem to be talking sarcastic. He was really impressed in his heart. Otherwise, the historians in later generations praised Empress Wende of the Tang Dynasty, who was the most talented queen of ancient and modern times, could be enough to bear it with her reasonable spirit alone.

When Empress Changsun gave face, Li Mu also praised: "The Empress is virtuous and blessed by Your Majesty. In the future, Your Majesty will become the emperor of the ages. This half of the credit will probably be attributed to the Empress."

Empress Changsun smiled and said, "I came here specially, not to listen to your compliments. Go and do things quickly. I have some other things to talk about with Your Majesty."

"I'm leaving."

Li Mu saluted Li Shimin and Empress Changsun respectively, and followed Eunuch Gao out of the hall. Through the window, looking at Li Mu walking out, Li Shimin said angrily: "Did you hear that boy's words? I just recalled it. This is true to praise you, but it is also mocking me! What does this boy mean? His heart is punished!"

"Why should your Majesty care about these?" Empress Changsun looked at Li Shimin and said seriously: "I come here, in addition to comforting Li Mu, there is another thing I want to ask Your Majesty for you."

"What's the matter?"

"Please reprimand your elder brother."

"Super Ji?" Li Shimin was a little puzzled and said, "I heard from the high-ranking officials that I just stopped Li Mu for a while, but it is understandable that he is your brother, Zhinu and Jinyang's uncle. What's wrong with you and your children?"

"He shouldn't use this as a basis to threaten Li Mu. As I said just now, this is not the way to be a minister."

Li Shimin frowned and said a little annoyed: "A family, what do you always mention as a minister? Don't you feel tired?"

"Previous king and minister"

"Okay!" Li Shimin's tone became a little heavier, interrupting Empress Changsun's words, saying, "I know what you are worried about, but you also have to have confidence in me. Is it a decoration that will make the auxiliary machine family the dominant and the relatives seize power? No one can have no ambitions, and the auxiliary machine is the same, but I have confidence to suppress him."

"But……"

"I know, you mean that the auxiliary machine is a few years older than me. When I die in the sky, he will die long ago. Changsun Chong is a talented person, but with Li Mu here, he is destined to be unable to cause trouble."

"What about Li Mu? Who can suppress him?"

"So, the one who is most worried is Li Mu."

Li Mu could no longer see the shadow outside the window, so Li Shimin withdrew his gaze and turned around. He didn't know if it was because of the light, but his face looked a little gloomy.

Li Shimin took a few steps, came to the table, picked up his pen, and he wanted to write an imperial edict.

Flying white is outlined on rice paper, and every word is like a knife.

"I have thought that if no one can suppress Li Mu when I am burying the sky, then he will follow me to the tomb. The king, the ministers, the ministers, have a beginning and an end, is a good story."

Queen Changsun looked at Li Shimin in shock. At this moment, she felt that her husband was a little strange. The young general who used to rob a white silver armor and rode a horse to kill the enemy could not see any shadow. When did he become so cold-blooded and ruthless? Can you say such a natural and unreasonable thing in an understatement?

Empress Changsun tried hard to recall when Li Shimin became like this. She recalled before Li Mu came, before the war to destroy the Turks, and about that night when the bloody moon broke out...
Chapter completed!