Because of his age and knowledge, the emperor Li Yan did not have real power now, but he naturally read a lot of relevant information. He knew what the invasion of people from other places meant. When he heard the news brought back by Geng Chi and others, he hurriedly asked in the court meeting, and had no intention of keeping the secret.

"What about those Taoist people? What happened to them? Could it be that the entire army was wiped out?" After a change of thought, Li Yan noticed another aspect and couldn't help asking. This question was also the most concerned thing for all the civil and military officials in the court now.

"This... there is no clear news." Geng Chi hesitated slightly and responded.

Behind him, Lu Yang bowed and said, "We are close to Guanfeng Island when Japan is approaching, but then a sudden change begins. People from outside the world are coming, and there are many other demons in the world, forcing me to wait to return to the flight. If we go to investigate again later, it is already rare to get news."

It turned out that Geng Chi and Lu Yang, a few days ago, led a group of new soldiers to Guanfeng Island with the orders of the court. Later, the Mo family disciples arrived, and dark clouds and wild sand appeared one after another, covering the sea area around the island, which could not be contacted by people from the outside world and investigated.

Because of concerns that it would be affected, Geng Chi and others would return to the flight as soon as they planned to make a long-term plan.

However, this time I went back, I didn't wait for a turnaround. The sandstorm on the sea always spread, and even formed a barrier, as if an invisible wall, blocking people from outside into the sea. Therefore, the spies sent by the past went and went without going back, and it was difficult for specific information to be transmitted back.

After a long time, Geng Chi and others knew that it was not a big deal, so they contacted the court with the method of earth veins and discussed for a while. Then they left Lin Dingtian to take charge. Geng Chi and Lu Yang returned to the capital in a hurry and described the things they had experienced personally.

After listening to the descriptions of the two, the ministers in the hall frowned. Xu Jin simply said: "You must not take it lightly when people invade in the world. The changes in the world have not been long since passed, and the people's hearts have not been completely stable. If people in the world cause chaos, this matter will be difficult to deal with."

Originally, it was not convenient to directly discuss such matters. However, as the situation changed, all parties in the North Korea and China had already grasped the news, and then deliberately blocked it, they would have to backfire. Sometimes, the more blocked some things, the more they were, the more they were, the more they were full of wind and rain. Once all kinds of rumors started, they might eventually lead to worse situations.

It was because of fear of the changes in rumors, which were beyond the control. After discussion in the Political Affairs Hall, it was decided to take the matter directly to the court and send more spies to the place. Once it was determined that it was an invasion from heaven, the most urgent task was to determine the situation and then specify the response plan.

After Lu Yang finished speaking, the civil and military officials in the court started to talk in a low voice. For a moment, the hall was buzzing and no one stopped him. Soon a censor came forward and said, "Since we cannot confirm what is going on, it is not good to really think that it is an invasion of people from other places. What if those Taoist sects were ridiculous and knew that the court sent people over and deliberately made such a thing to confuse us, wouldn't it be a tragedy?"

"Yes, this time the Taoist sect gathered was very strange. You know, there were grudges between them, and it was easy to sit together. Why did they happen to gather together this time? What's more coincidental is that someone from outside the world picked up at this time and appeared at this time, and it happened to be seen by the people of our court. The traces of axe were too heavy."

"Yes, Master, you all the ministers, this matter cannot be urgent. We must make a long-term plan. Even if it is really an attack from outside, there will be a gate in front of them, so that they can consume each other. In this way, when both sides suffer losses, the court will come forward to clean up the mess."

Listening to a minister who expressed his judgment and thoughts, Li Yan nodded constantly, feeling that what he said made sense. Then his eyes fell and swept over the several priests in the front row. After pondering for a moment, he asked, "What do you have to say for the prime ministers? The situation is unclear now and we are about to work together."

"Your Majesty, Mr. Liu and others' words make sense, but the situation is not obvious now, so they are all speculations," said Qiu Yan, who replied, who took the lead and walked out of the ranks of ministers. "Because the news is not comprehensive enough, many speculations at this time can get a favorable situation for themselves, but the unfavorable part cannot be ignored."

As he said that, he glanced at several ministers who spoke out, and waited for his eyes to withdraw, and continued: "If it was really an invasion from outside the world, then the court would take the initiative to do this, because Darui was the orthodox Central China and the example of the world. Not only did he suppress the country and the country, but he would also lead the people, and he would also be under the control of the people. How could he let them fight to the death?"

"The Taoist sect is also a people?" Li Yan sat on the dragon seat, chewing this sentence, and a thought arose in his mind, "What Qiu Zaizhi meant is to issue a government order to that Taoist sect?" Because it was in the court, it was naturally inconvenient to call him "Master Qiu".

"That's true. When the Taoist Sect meets people outside the sky, the two sides have different positions. It is inevitable that close forces will be connected, and there will definitely be damage. No matter what position the Taoist Sect is for the court, when facing people outside the sky, the position is the same. They must protect the land of Donghua. At this time, if you sit in the mountain and watch the tiger fight, the Taoist Sect that can protect Donghua will also be damaged. Therefore, you cannot watch the fire across the river, but should provide certain support. Of course, these are based on the premise that the speculations of Sir Geng and Shangshu Lu are true."

After Qiu Yan said something, everyone in the court was immediately upset.

A general immediately shouted: "Marquis of Dingguo, what do you mean is to ask the court to support the Taoist sect? Isn't this putting the cart before the horse? The Taoist sect was born, and often occupied the mountains and became kings. Most of them did not pay taxes or served labor. They were worms in the dynasty. Relying on their kindness to hold people's minds hostage. If we don't attack them, we are already giving them face. How can we still support them?"

"Not bad!" Another civil servant came out, "Not to say anything else, these many Taoist sects often do not obey the king's teachings and do not think about the way of sages. The imperial court's decrees are not binding on them. I am afraid that if they really provide support, they will receive benefits, but if they do not work, they will even lead the disaster to the east! It is absolutely not advisable!"

The words of the civil and military officials also represent the consensus among the court.

Li Yan was also worried: "This is really hard to grasp. Even if you want to follow Qiu Xiang's words, it is hard to grasp."

"Your Majesty, everyone, this matter makes sense, but the communication between the court and the Taoist sect is not enough, and the two sides have not reached a balance point in interests." Qiu Yan was not influenced by everyone's words. Since he completely suppressed the aristocratic family and monopolized the power, he has no restraint in the court. Now he has simply spoken about interests.

Qiu Yan said, smiling slightly: "All the ministers in the court come from aristocratic families. Those aristocratic families are probably not under the power and united together. However, they are still in peace with the court and even interdependent. Although the Taoist sect is transcendent due to extraordinary reasons, they cannot be trusted easily, but this does not mean that both sides are hostile and do not have talent. I would like to invite the heads of many sects to gather in the capital to discuss the religious reform."

“Religion…reform?”

This sentence brought about a relatively unfamiliar term, but most of the ministers in the court were knowledgeable. After listening to it, they immediately understood that the meaning of "religion" represented by the sect and the sect. With the suffix of change and innovation, it was not difficult to understand.

But……

Li Yan frowned and asked subconsciously: "How to change..."

This is also the doubt of the civil and military officials of the court. This place of heretics is not so easy to govern, otherwise someone would have taken action long ago.

"Everything needs an opportunity, and this matter is undoubtedly an opportunity," Qiu Yan narrowed his eyes. "The Taoist sects and other sects are different from ordinary gangs. It is because they also have their own inheritance and have their own ideas, which will have an impact on the thoughts of those who come to the school. Therefore, they must be restrained in this regard, but they cannot be completely cut off and given certain preferential treatment. However, the specific treatment must be made from a long-term view, which is considered to be beneficial, but in contrast, this tax cannot be exempted..."

These words were not said impulsively by Qiu Yan, but were carefully considered.

In fact, Qiu Yan in the court at this time was not the true nature, but the portrait originated from Youzui. It was a painted skin, but it was full of humanity and humanistic links. It was immersed in humanity since its birth, so it could stand in the court.

"Although the Marquis of Dingguo said it well, I am afraid that it will not be implemented. After all, that sect may not be able to buy it, let alone let them accept these conditions. This move will definitely not work!" A court official immediately came out and denied Qiu Yan's proposal.

This is not an offense. On the surface, it is just a matter of facts, but Qiu Yan does not intend to discuss these things here, so he waved his hand and said, "Of course there are still some things worth discussing in it, so he doesn't have to worry too much about these. At the moment, it is important to summon those sects to come to Beijing and at the same time to figure out the situation on the island..."

Speaking of this, he bowed to the direction of the dragon chaise and said, "Your Majesty, you might as well leave this matter to me."

Half-believing and half-doubted, Li Yan still approved Qiu Yan's request, and others knew that this matter was just a cover. The emperor now has no real power, and all his power is in the Zhengshi Hall, and the Zhengshi Hall is the final say of Qiu Yan. Since he had an idea, how could others change it?

"It depends on how this Marquis of Dingguo can straighten things out."

After the court dispersed, Lu Su, the newly promoted minister of the Ministry of Rites, arrived at home and said this to his son who was asking about it. The matter of the court meeting had spread.

His son Lu Xiang frowned and said, "However, this sect involves huge interests. If we allow the Marquis of Dingguo to do it, our family's property can be..." (To be continued)

ps: Thanks to "wang_yuejia", "x-laws", "yueying Chenxin", "Qing Emperor", "Smile in the World", "Love to pick bones", and "Yuan Nie" for the monthly votes!
Chapter completed!