Chapter 429 The Right to Interpret the Scriptures
The sound of early morning prayers floats in the sky of the capital city on the lake. It flies into the clouds in the rainy season and turns into the sound of thunder above the sky, singing the glory of the Lord God. In the magnificent temple, hundreds of priests chanted at the same time. The pleasant smoke from the burning incense surrounds the sacred fire and spreads up and down the pyramid. At this moment, the great temple pyramid in the divine smoke is like the snake mountain of the Lord God, and the capital city in the lake is the coming of the Kingdom of God!
Shulot gently sniffed the fragrance of the divine smoke, his whole body felt comfortable and his spirit was lifted. The incense in the Great Temple is made from a mixture of various spices, and a large amount is consumed every day.
He distinguished it carefully and found that the base was relatively cheap rosin, with the fragrance of the pine forest, which made people feel soothing. Then there is the red sandalwood called balsam bean, which is sweet and cool, making people feel sincerely happy. In the rich sweetness, there is also a hint of freshness and elegance, which is a calming agarwood. And after taking a deep breath, the last thing you notice is the rosewood incense hidden among the other fragrances. When burned alone, the fragrance of Dalbergia is not very strong. When burned together with other spices, it can make other fragrances more pure and beautiful.
The voices of prayer gradually subsided, but the lingering smoke of the gods lingered for a long time. Shulot watched the low-level priest approach the holy fire and continue to add bags of spices, and couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
"The spices used in one prayer alone are enough to make the kings of Europe jealous! Only the high priests serving the main god in the great temple can enjoy such luxury and solemnity. Even King Avite cannot compare with it."
After a while, the priests' morning prayers ended, and silence returned to the priests' hall. The high priest sat solemnly at the top, looked at Shulot below, and spoke in a deep voice.
"Praise the Lord God, He blesses God's servants! Priest Xiulote, how are the missionary affairs of the Huzhong Diocese going?"
"Praise the Lord God! Dear High Priest, the faith of the Lake Diocese is spreading very quickly. Every village in the north and central part of the diocese has erected a sign of the Lord God, and there are priests of the Lord God leading the believers. In the Patzcuaro Lake area, Tara The belief in the old god Sco has almost dissipated. Every year, Qincongcan City holds a grand ceremony for the main god. Tens of thousands of believers come from all directions to participate in prayers devoutly. Many believers burst into tears, feeling the light of the main god. "
Shulot smiled and answered confidently.
"In the south of the Lake Diocese, the priests of the Lord God have just begun to penetrate into the countryside. The traditional nobles who hindered the spread of the faith have been wiped out, and the Mark of the Lord God has been erected in all the towns. The chief priest of Kuramo City, Yitri, organized a team of religious judges, It is used to identify and deal with recalcitrant believers of the old gods, and the effect is quite remarkable."
"Well, there was a letter from Huzhong Diocese before, which focused on the Inquisition Team."
The high priest nodded. He pondered for a while and looked at the elders present in the high priest group.
"What do you think?"
"The Lake Texcoco area is the place where the Lord God has descended several times. The belief in the Lord God is extremely firm, and there is no need for religious inquisition yet."
The priests and elders of Yazar thought for a moment and then spoke first.
"But there are many remnants of the old god's faith in the city of Xilotepec in the north and in the land of the Jontal people in the southwest. Inquisition teams can be formed in these two places to capture and judge the stubborn old gods. Believer!"
Then, Elder Yazar looked at Shulot again and nodded slightly in greeting.
"In addition, the three northern Otomi countries have been converted to their main gods for a short time, so there must be many old gods remaining. Although the old gods of the Otomi people, the gods of day and night, are also among the subordinate gods, but the priests It is necessary to emphasize the supremacy and soleness of the Lord God. The three kingdoms of Otomi can also conduct religious inquisition!"
"Establishing a religious inquisition team in the three states of Otomi?"
Hearing this, Shulot raised his eyebrows.
The old nobles of the three Otomi countries control the tribal armed forces, and most of them are currently under the supervision of the kingdom. The old priest of Oort is highly respected and leads the Otomi priest group in the mountain city to convert to the main god. Although the priests of the old gods have converted to the new gods, the power of tradition will not fade so easily. The God of Day and Night still has unparalleled influence in the hearts of the Otomi people. The naturalization of the three northern states requires a long time and patience. If a harsh religious inquisition team is dispatched at this time, it may trigger a tribal rebellion.
Elder Yazar is a priest elder of the God of War lineage in the capital of the lake, and he has a tough style. When he was in the capital of Qinchongcan, Chief Priest Maweilo mentioned Elder Yazar, saying that he would always be the first to put forward opinions in the group of priests and elders, and would even sometimes refute the words of the high priest. But the envoy sent by his father to the Kingdom in the Lake brought a message saying that the son of Elder Yazar, the third-level priest Yareli, had a very close relationship with his father and they talked happily.
Silence fell in the main hall, and several priests and elders were thinking secretly. The high priest pondered for a while and looked at the elder priest Ugel.
"Priest Elder Wugel, what do you think?"
After four years of not seeing each other, Ugel's face has become rounder and his smile has become more kind. His eyes flashed slightly, and then he answered with a smile.
"In the city of Hilotepec in the north and the land of Jontar in the southwest, religious inquisition teams can be established to spread the glory of the Lord God and guide those lost people. As for the three Otomi states in the northwest, Or The chief priest of the special sect has been in charge of the land of Otomi for decades, so he is naturally capable of handling everything. I heard that his soul has become closer to the main god because he has been working hard all day long."
Shulot lowered his head and said nothing. The closer the soul is to the Lord God, it means that it is about to go to the Kingdom of God. After the death of the old priest of Ort, the independence of the Otomi priesthood will be gradually taken away. In fact, in Shulot's heart, he did not want to see the Ottomi priesthood become its own entity.
"Excellent! Priest and Elder Ugel, you have a profound understanding of the teachings of the Lord God. The Lord God controls the sun and thunder. He is both warm and kind, but also severe and decisive. The spread of religious affairs should also be like this!"
After hearing the satisfactory words, the high priest nodded and spoke decisively.
"Legal Decree: Set up a religious inquisition team in the city of Xilotepec and Qiongtar to handle civil religious affairs for a period of two years! After two years, we will make a decision whether to continue based on the religious situation in the two places."
"Praise the Lord God! May His glory be spread throughout the earth!"
Many high-ranking priests saluted at the same time, and this religious order was finalized. Soon, the flames of the Inquisition will be ignited in the peripheral parishes of the alliance, strengthening the spread of the faith of the Lord God.
After the ceremony, a priest hurriedly walked down the main temple with a decree. Afterwards, the hall returned to solemnity.
"Priest Xiulote, you reported to me the miracle in the sky in the Lake Diocese not long ago."
The high priest pondered for a while and spoke loudly.
"Now, in front of all the priests and elders, I can elaborate on this."
"Obey you!"
Shulot smiled, nodded to several priests and elders, and then spoke slowly.
"The Divine Enlightenment House in the Lake Diocese was inspired by the Lord God. The Divine Enlightenment Priests learned the natural principles of the Lord God and were able to use the power given by the Lord God to raise a huge rubber paper ball two hundred meters into the sky! Not long ago, The miracles in the sky of the Kingdom in the Lake come from the creation of God.”
"What! Up to the sky?"
"Giant rubber paper ball?"
"The natural principles of the Lord God?"
"Another creation of God's Enlightenment!"
The high-ranking priests spoke in low voices, and low discussions resounded in the hall. Several priests and elders looked at each other for a few times without speaking, just thinking secretly.
"Exactly!"
Shulot nodded solemnly. He thought for a moment and then explained simply.
"Dear priests of the chief gods, there is an eye-catching link in the Alliance's traditional ceremony to worship Tlaloc, the rain god. That is to take out the intestines of a jaguar or lynx, tie one end, blow on the other end, and then tie them all. . Then, use the holy fire to burn the intestines, and it will fly to the top of the temple."
Upon hearing this, the priests present nodded. This is a traditional ritual that demonstrates the rain god's control over the power of the wind. Sometimes the temple warriors are asked to shoot arrows to explode the air intestines in the air, imitating the sound of thunder. Ordinary people will be in awe of such a ceremony. However, as the main god has become more unique and supreme, the sacrificial process for subordinate rain gods has been greatly simplified, and such ceremonies have not been held for several years.
"The Lord God is supreme and powerful. He also controls the power of wind, and his power is far greater than that of the Rain God!"
Shulot paused to set the tone for the invention of the hot air balloon. In the eyes of the powerful theocratic priesthood, whether most new inventions are defined as blasphemous or miraculous is a matter of words. In fact, it doesn't matter what is invented. Who invented it and who controls it is what matters.
"So, relying on the power of the Lord God, the Lake District Divine Inspiration Institute created a rubber paper ball with a diameter of several meters, and it rose into the sky with the help of the power of the holy fire! The emblem of the Lord God was drawn on the paper ball that was lifted into the air to send messages to the children on the earth. People, proclaim the glory of the Lord God!”
The low discussion sounded again. Upon hearing this, the eyes of the priests and elders lit up. A flying fetish that can rise into the sky, symbolizing the Lord God! The religious value is naturally self-evident.
"Excellent! The chief priest of the Xiulote Sect has truly been inspired by the gods and spreads the glory of the Lord God!"
The round face of the priest and elder Ugel shook and he showed a kind smile.
"The Alliance's Divine Inspiration Institute needs to build such a flying divine object as soon as possible. It is best to use it in the New Year's Festival at the end of the year!"
Hearing this, several priests and elders present nodded and looked at Shulot. After Shulot left, the Alliance's Divine Enlightenment Institute was gradually marginalized and was assigned many manpower by the high-ranking priests. Now it has almost lost its research and development capabilities and turned into a craftsman camp focusing on manufacturing. Without strong guidance and supervision from the upper echelons of power, it would be difficult for institutions and systems that transcend the times to survive.
"Dear Elder Wugel, when I came east, I brought a new flying artifact to be used in the upcoming wedding ceremony. Now, the flying artifact is placed in the village on the north bank of the long embankment."
Shulot smiled gently.
"All the priests and elders can go and check it out. When the flight is successful during the ceremony, the divine object will stay in the Alliance's Divine Inspiration Station. The accompanying Divine Inspiration Priest will go to provide guidance, so that the craftsmen in the Divine Inspiration Station can master the manufacturing ability!" "
"Very good! Priest Xiulote, you did a great job!"
The high priest smiled slightly and looked calm. He was well prepared and announced to the elders of the priesthood.
"The Divine Enlightenment Institute of Huzhong Diocese is inspired by God, studies the teachings of the Lord God, and has the power of creation. It needs special treatment. Decree: The Divine Inspiration Institute of Huzhong Diocese focuses on the study of doctrine and creates divine objects that are beneficial to the priesthood. Divine power The exposition of doctrines by the university is not within the scope of the supervision of the High Priests, but it is also not within the scope of Kalmykak in the capital city of the lake! "
Hearing this, the elder priest Yazar was shocked and frowned. The meaning behind this decree is not just "the Divine Revelation Institute is free to act without supervision, and the Divine Power University can interpret the scriptures", but to grant the Lake Diocese the right to interpret the scriptures alone! Once this right is released, the status of the Lake Diocese will be greatly improved, and even to some extent, it can be on par with the Texcoco Diocese.
"Damn old guy! Even if the Lake Diocese is in charge of your grandson, there is no need to be so anxious, and even give him the right to interpret the scriptures!"
Yazar cursed in his heart, but he dared not say it out loud. He tilted his head slightly, looked at the high priest who was calm, and closed his mouth abruptly.
There was silence in the hall. The elder priests all lowered their heads and said nothing, even Uger, who was known for his amiability, did not speak.
"Dear elder priests, do you have any objections?"
The high priest looked around the hall, expressionless, and clenched the staff in his hand. He waited for a moment, but when he didn't get a reply, he calmly nodded and gave the order.
"The Lord God is witnessing! Since there is no objection, let's do it! Write down the decree, and all the elders will use the seal at the same time, and then hand it over to the Lake Parish!"
Under the gaze of the high priest, the senior priest in charge of recording wrote down the decree with trembling fingers and sweat on his back. Then, the high priest took the lead in using the jade seal, followed by the elder priest Uger. The decree was passed in turn, and all the elder priests had gloomy faces and stamped the jade seal. The situation was set, and the elder priest Yazar sighed and finally used the seal.
Afterwards, the decree was carefully packed and handed to Xiuluot.
The high priest looked at Xiuluot gently, with some emotion flashing in his eyes. He lowered his eyes slightly and announced expressionlessly.
"Praise the Lord! Chief Priest of the Shulot Sect, keep the decree. Be pious and self-disciplined. Keep it in mind at all times and do not act recklessly!"
"Praise the Lord! The Lord is my witness! I will keep in mind the Lord's teachings, obey the resolution of the High Priests, be self-disciplined, and worship devoutly!"
Shulot suppressed the shock in his heart. He lowered his head and answered respectfully, even though he had many puzzles in his heart.
He also understood that this decree represented an extremely important right to interpret the scriptures. Normally, the High Priests would never grant this right to a distant parish. Because that would be equivalent to cultivating a noble small church outside the Supreme Church.
After hearing Shulot's oath, the expressions of the priests and elders looked a little better. Uger nodded and said with a smile.
"Praise the Lord! Chief Priest of Xiuluot, from now on, you are one step closer to the glory of the Lord. We will stand together and serve the Supreme Lord!"
"Praise the Lord! Chief Priest of Xiuluot, may the glory of God shine on you, just as it shines on us!"
The priests and elders responded to the greetings one after another, most of them with a smile. Only the priest elder Yazar had a gloomy face and said nothing.
"Praise the Lord! All priest elders, the Lake Diocese will always obey the resolution of the High Priests Group and do our best to spread the faith of the Lord!"
Xiuluot responded respectfully one by one. From this moment on, as the chief priest of the Lake Diocese and the master of the right to interpret the scriptures, he has been on par with the priest elders of the capital in status, and even slightly exceeded.
The divine smoke rose from the jade incense burner, bringing a soothing breath. The formal audience and dialogue ended here, and the senior priests relaxed and began to talk and laugh. The high priest sat high on the throne, watching the scene calmly, with a smile on his face, but a look of vicissitudes in his eyes.
A moment later, a senior priest came hurriedly and reported to the hall. All the priests and elders were in silence.
"Respected high priest, Prince Tlacopan is here to see you!"