Echoes of My Heart Throughout the Court

The old emperor was speechless for a long time.

What in the world is this?!

What kind of strange people are my ministers?!

Ever since Xu Yanmiao came to court, everyone’s behavior has become peculiar! First, it was a prince consort demanding to cane a princess to death, then a censor hiding in the deep mountains for days out of fear of his wife. The attendant of the crown prince, at the age of seventy-five, was still exchanging secret love letters—and even contracted a venereal disease!

And now, someone who enjoys watching his wives and concubines have affairs has come forward?! The old emperor couldn’t comprehend it. His pupils quaked with disbelief. The official revealed to have a penchant for cuckoldry stood frozen for a long time… a very long time.

Finally, he bowed to the emperor, retreated backward as if rewinding, and rejoined the ranks of officials. He raised his official tablet, his face serious, though faintly contemplative.

Huh? What just happened? Nothing, right? A colleague beside him nudged his arm: “You… do you really enjoy being cuckolded?”

Wow—

So, such people exist too!

The cuckoldry-loving official held his tablet aloft, tears streaming in the wind. What possessed you to jump out and admit it? Was it your turn to show off? Foolish “beep—”

The old emperor finally managed to speak after a long pause.

“You all…”

The loyal censor, teary-eyed, gazed at him. The Minister of War stared at him expectantly. The cuckoldry-loving official… well, he didn’t look at him.

However, many officials whose wives had visited Yulong Temple appeared particularly troubled, although they didn’t speak up. Their worried glances occasionally flicked toward the emperor.

The old emperor: …

“…Your Majesty…” Some officials whose wives sought entertainment at the temple spoke with trembling voices.

The old emperor: …

Why do I have to deal with this nonsense?!

Am I perhaps a strange kind of emperor? After enjoying the drama and excitement, the emptiness of it all surged in his heart.

The emperor swept his gaze across the useless officials below and suddenly remembered something: “Has Yulong Temple paid taxes? If they’re not a legitimate temple but rather a business selling pleasure, have they paid taxes?” 𐍂ά𐌽o͍฿ËŚ

The ministers: “?”

??

Your Majesty, isn’t your focus a bit off? The Minister of Revenue looked pained: “To answer Your Majesty, they have not.” The emperor’s face darkened: “They didn’t pay taxes, yet they run a secret brothel?! Still provide services? Still operate?”

The emperor, evidently struck where it hurt most, became much more animated: “Collect taxes! Make them pay back taxes! And order them to close! Such temples cannot exist in the Grand Xia!”

“And! Ji Sui!”

Ji Sui stepped forward and respectfully bowed.

“After the new year, you will take the position of Inspecting Censor and travel through the Nine Provinces to inspect and clean up the temples.” Xu Yanmiao recalled that Inspecting Censors were somewhat akin to modern anti-corruption investigators or disciplinary officials. Normally, there were dedicated Inspecting Censors, but if the emperor deemed a matter significant, he would appoint a trusted high-ranking official with the title to handle the task.

The old emperor’s speech grew faster and more impassioned.

“Anyone found falsifying monk certificates—execute them!”

Becoming a monk required a certificate issued by the court. Legitimate Buddhist temples could own property, which was exempt from taxes. As a result, many chose to become monks. The court tightly controlled the issuance of these certificates to prevent tax revenue from declining significantly.

“Any temple engaging in lewd acts, as in the case of Jingyan Temple during Emperor Gaozong’s reign, where women seeking children were led through underground passages to rooms where monks masqueraded as deities to assault them—execute those responsible for similar acts!”

Ji Sui: “Understood!”

“Where is the Minister of Rites?!”

“Here, Your Majesty.”

“For cases before the 32nd year of Tiantong, they are not to be pursued. From the 32nd year onward, all Buddhist and Daoist temples shall be limited to forty people in a prefecture, thirty in a district, and twenty in a county. No men under forty or women under fifty may become monks or nuns. The Ministry of Rites shall oversee this matter.”

The Minister of Rites: “Understood!”

“Resume testing of monks! Zen monks shall be examined on Zen principles! Preachers on key sutras! Yoga monks shall be tested on yoga practices! Only those who are proficient may remain monks; others shall be caned thirty times and returned to civilian life! Starting this year, inspections will occur every three years!”

“Understood!”

“Establish monk registries. These registries must record the birthplace, residence, rank, age, name, gender, temple of ordination, and date of tonsure for every monk. They must also note the names of their family members and preceptors. Every temple must record the number of halls and monk quarters, as well as their permanent properties.”

“These tasks shall be coordinated by the Ministry of Rites, the Monk Registry Office, and local monk supervisors.”

No one shall evade my taxes!

No one!

The Minister of Rites and the Left and Right Shanshi (heads of the Monk Registry Office) hurriedly bowed: “Understood!”

One order after another was issued, and the massive machinery of the imperial court began to move.

“As for Yulong Temple and its monks.”

Unlike his earlier casual tone, the old emperor spoke with great seriousness this time.

“Expel the monks, abolish the temple, and reduce the monks to commoners. Charge them with tax evasion, cane them fifty times, and confiscate half of their property for the state.”

The Minister of Revenue blurted out: “Your Majesty is wise!”

The Minister of Revenue made his stance clear: “This is exactly the correct judgment!”

Who cares about their immoral acts? All that matters is that even if we can’t recover all the money, charging them with tax evasion means half of it goes to the treasury!

Moreover, Yulong Temple was operating illegally—essentially without a license.

The Minister of Revenue’s eyes gleamed so brightly they were almost blinding. Illegal operation! That means double fines!

The old emperor continued: “For those with severe violations, they shall be made state courtesans and registered with the Imperial Music Bureau.” The loyal censor thought about his daughters at home but didn’t lose heart. He only asked, “What constitutes a severe violation?”

“Significant tax evasion.”

—Which referred to those who had the most patrons.

The censor’s eyes lit up, and with a louder voice and more fervent emotion than the Minister of Revenue, he exclaimed: “Your Majesty is wise!!!” Many officials’ eyes brightened with enthusiasm.

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