Chapter 747: Whatever You Think Is Right

Facing the emperor's questioning, Supervisor Si Tian and Superintendent Sima Xiao did not dare to hide anything.

"Back to Your Majesty, Taoist Gao and his disciples are temporarily staying in Qingling Villa. Si Tianjian has arranged everything properly."

The joy on the emperor's face did not change, and he looked at the document in his hand. There were also descriptions of some mages on it.

I was so excited just now when I saw the words "alchemy" and so on. Now I will take a closer look, and some even say that they can "fly to the sky and escape from the earth", some say that they can make wind and rain, and some say that they can command ghosts and gods.

This made the emperor's heart surge with excitement. He felt that even if the Heavenly Master didn't come, it would be nothing. None of these people were any worse than the Heavenly Master!

"Have all arrangements been made for these mages?"

"Your Majesty, everything has been arranged, and some room has been reserved. Even if more mages come in the future, we can make arrangements for it. During this process, the ministers will also carefully observe and screen! Some of them will naturally be cheating. Will be kicked out and imprisoned!”

The emperor closed the document and nodded with satisfaction.

"Sima Aiqing is indeed a capable minister. It is really overkill to have to submit to the little Si Tianjian!"

Of course Sima Xiao was happy when he heard this, but more of it was pressure. Although the emperor's words sounded exciting, but if things were not done well, he might have no way out.

"Thank you for your compliment, Your Majesty. All I have in mind right now is the Dharma Appraisal Conference. I just want to share your Majesty's worries. I don't dare to have any other unnecessary thoughts!"

"good!"

The emperor nodded with satisfaction, clapped his hands and said.

"What if I want to see these mages?"

Sima Xiao glanced at the emperor, hesitated before continuing.

"I understand His Majesty's concern, but His Majesty, who is ninety-five years old and has a body of thousands of gold, is still not suitable to meet these magicians who have come to the capital immediately."

"Oh? Sima Aiqing, tell me in detail."

Sima Xiao is now extremely favored. Some ministers in the court believe that he is even more favored than Yu Ziye. This is indeed well-founded. He refuted the emperor's words, but the latter was still kind.

"Back to Your Majesty, these mages come from all over the world, and some even come from foreign countries. They are not from this dynasty. There are indeed many capable people among them, but they are also a mixed bag. However, Your Majesty is the emperor, and his words and deeds affect all people in the world, and even more Needless to say, His Majesty’s safety is in danger, so I think it’s best not to move lightly.”

Zhao Chaolin, the old eunuch in the royal study, couldn't help but speak now.

"Yes, yes, what Master Sima said is absolutely true."

The emperor frowned slightly, opened the document again and looked at it.

"What if I only see one or two of them? For example, Taoist Master Gao Hongqinggao, Master Liu, or the Three Saints of Xiaoshan. They are mediocre people, so it should be okay to meet them, right?"

"And if we don't see them now, we will see them sooner or later. I won't wait until the day of the New Year's Dharma appraisal to see these mages, right?"

Sima Xiao was a little embarrassed and glanced at Zhao Chaolin next to him, but the old eunuch obviously didn't want to speak at this moment.

During the Mingzong and Wuzong periods, because the emperor was wise enough, capable and even responsible eunuchs such as Zhang Liangxi and Liu Zhongquan emerged.

As for the current emperor, the eunuchs who serve him naturally have the highest priority of protecting him wisely.

After thinking about it, Sima Xiao still said.

"Although these Taoists don't know enough about palace etiquette, if Your Majesty insists on seeing them, I will naturally not dare to violate it. When Your Majesty wants to see them, I can send someone to tell them to enter the palace, but Your Majesty still has to give them some slack time. After all, many mages are tired from traveling.”

The smile returned to the emperor's face.

"Although I would like to meet you earlier, I shouldn't be too hasty. I think it will be tomorrow morning!"

Tomorrow morning? So fast?

Sima Xiao was slightly startled, but did not dare to refute, so he could only agree.

"Yes, I understand!"

The emperor was in a good mood now, and he felt as if gods and strangers were all being used by him. Suddenly he thought of something and spoke again.

"By the way, Sima Aiqing, how are you preparing for the Dharma Appraisal Conference? Does Si Tianjian have a charter?"

Sima Xiao's heart trembled and he spoke quickly.

"Back to Your Majesty, three venues have been preset, namely Lingyuan Temple, Tianxu Temple and the Jingshi Temple of Heaven. Based on the four principles of Neo-Confucianism, Magic, Sacrifice and Utility, the abilities of many mages are identified respectively. Under the four principles, there are detailed It is divided into twelve subjects, each of which is scrutinized by the Si Tianjian and the officials of the Ministry of Rites. Among them, sacrificial rituals are divided into mass sacrifices and individual sacrifices, and magic arts are divided into manifested methods and non-explicit ones."

Sima Xiao said a lot. Some emperors could understand it half-understanding, while others could not understand it at all. However, he did not need to understand everything. After listening, he probably already had an idea in his mind. As soon as he raised his hand, Sima Xiao stopped immediately. words.

"Sima Aiqing, it seems that these mages are assessed individually. It sounds more like an imperial examination. It is really thoughtful to be able to divide them into such details."

Sima Xiao said quickly.

"Weak ministers should not take it lightly at all times. Your Majesty is right. It is indeed very similar to the imperial examination. It is divided into categories and carefully distinguished, and the only ones who are not qualified will be eliminated!"

The emperor nodded with a smile on his face.

"However, talented people from all over the world gather in the capital. The so-called Dharma Appraisal Conference should also be enjoyed by the people. Since it is like an imperial examination, it cannot be just like liberal arts but not martial arts. How about adding some fighting skills as appropriate?"

Sima Xiao looked up at the emperor and hesitated but did not dare to refute directly.

"Of course what your Majesty said makes sense, but some mages put ethics and law first, and each has its own mysteries. Alchemy mages like Taoist Master Gao may have devoted their whole life to alchemy and are not good at fighting with others. "

"It is true that people like Taoist Gao naturally need special treatment. Refining alchemy does require concentration. Those mages with special abilities can also report to Si Tianjian and be excluded from the battle. They just need more strict screening."

As the emperor said something, he thought of something again, and the smile on his face became even bigger. Sima Xiao's back felt wet when he saw the emperor's smile. What else did the emperor think of?

Sure enough, the emperor said something shocking again.

"Let's do it this way. The Dharma Appraisal Conference will be a battle. Each Dharma master can choose whether to participate or not and explain the reasons. In addition to being screened by Si Tianjian, it will also be sent to me. If the reasons are really sufficient, then you can agree!"

Sima Xiao understood this.

The emperor seemed to say it tactfully, but in fact, you have to make your own decision. It doesn't matter whether the magic masters choose to fight or not. Si Tianjian's opinion is only a reference. The key is whether the emperor thinks you should fight or not.

"Okay, I know that Si Tianjian has a lot of things going on lately. The New Year is coming, and the Dharma Appraisal Conference cannot be postponed. Let's just settle it!"

The emperor had already made a conclusion, and Sima Xiao opened his mouth, but he did not dare to say anything after all. Many ministers had learned from the past few months, and so many people could not persuade the emperor. How dare Sima Xiao himself, so he could only bow down and lead the emperor. Life.

"I obey the decree!"

"Well, Aiqing, do you have anything else to do?"

Even if Sima Xiao could remember something, he would not dare to talk about it now. There was no need to "trouble" the emperor with some trivial matters.

"No, I still have many official duties to attend to, so I am resigning!"

The emperor nodded and looked at the tiredness on Sima Xiao's face, rarely becoming concerned.

"Sima Aiqing also needs to pay attention to his health, don't be exhausted, and don't forget to bring the mage into the palace tomorrow!"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I will definitely pay attention and dare not forget the imperial edict. I will take my leave first!"

"Well, go ahead!"

Sima Xiao bowed and saluted, took a few steps back with the salute, and then slowly exited the imperial study.

When they arrived outside the Imperial Study Room, it was already approaching dusk, and Sima Xiao once again felt that his inner shirt was damp. It was extremely cold when the cold wind blew outside on this cold day.

Looking at the afterglow of the setting sun, Sima Xiao laughed to himself. Everyone said that he was favored, but who knew that he was walking on thin ice?

Although Si Tianjian had a lot of things to do now, Sima Xiao still did not go back immediately when he left the palace. After much thought, he went to the official office of the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

Sima Xiao wanted to ask Yu Ziye for advice. Yu Ziye had contributed to the rules and regulations of the Dharma Appraisal Conference before, and he also wanted to talk to Master Yu about the emperor's attitude today.

Anyway, many ministers in the court did not look away from Sima Xiao, so they could only ask Master Yu.

At this moment, the officials of the Ministry of Personnel were about to leave the official office and return to the house one after another. Some got on the carriages and horses, and some entered the sedan chair. Sima Xiao originally thought that he did not want the officials of the Ministry of Personnel to see him. After all, he would not get a good look. .

But it was obvious that Sima Xiao was overly concerned. He was still a short distance away from the door of the official department, and he came on foot. The officials of the official department went their separate ways, and few people paid attention to the person who walked alone outside the official office. he.

But apparently one person is an exception.

Yu Ziye came out of the official office and glanced at the carriages and horses of his colleagues who were preparing to go home, but he immediately spotted Sima Xiao outside on the roadside, about ten feet away from the official department.

Without any hesitation, Yu Ziye walked directly in the direction of Sima Xiao. The latter also noticed the former and walked quickly.

"Master Sima, are you here to see Yu?"

Yu Ziye saluted first, and Sima Xiao quickly returned the salute.

"I'm here to see Mr. Yu. I just came out of the Imperial Study Room. There are some facts."

Yu Ziye raised his hand, looked in the direction of the official gate, and stretched his hand to the side.

"Master Sima, let's go over there. The time is right. Come to my place for a drink and let's talk while walking!"

"good!"

Both of them were regarded as favorites of the emperor in the eyes of court officials. They went to Yu Ziye's house in the same car. They had simple food and wine, which made Sima Xiao feel bitter.

After talking a lot, Sima Xiao did not dare to say a single shortcoming of the emperor, so he could only say helplessly.

"Alas, this Dharma Appraisal Conference is really difficult to hold. Although Your Majesty is a saint, he is still in the clouds and cannot see the suffering of all sentient beings like us."

Yu Ziye smiled and poured a glass of wine for Sima Xiao. He knew that with Sima Xiao's cautious temperament, this was tantamount to scolding her mother.

Although Yu Ziye's rank was much higher than that of Sima Xiao, the latter felt very relaxed in the presence of the former. In the past few months, Sima Xiao had not even interacted with Yu Ziye. It could only be said that they knew each other after meeting.

After getting close to each other, I realized that some of the criticisms in the court were unfair to Mr. Yu, but of course Sima Xiao only thought about them.

The two clinked another drink and drank it each. Yu Ziye was more of a listener today and said leisurely at this moment.

"Lord Sima, Yu knows that you are difficult to deal with, but as things have come to this, the emperor's will cannot be violated. Now everyone in the court regards you as a jester, or even a traitor who deceives the emperor. You have no way out."

Sima Xiao stared blankly at the empty wine glass.

"Yes, I, Sima Xiao, have no way out. I have offended the emperor. Even if the emperor does nothing to me, all the lords in the court can tear me to pieces."

Sima Xiao went to get the jug, but was held down by Yu Ziye. The former looked at the latter in shock, but saw the latter shaking his head.

"Lord Sima, you've had enough to drink. Don't miss the Emperor's business. Let's get together some other time!"

"Oh, that's true."

Yu Ziye personally escorted Sima Xiao out of the mansion. The latter was not drunk to begin with, so it naturally did not affect his own affairs.

For Yu Ziye, it was important to know that Sima Xiao was not a true flatterer. At the same time, he also understood Sima Xiao's difficulties, so he was willing to listen to Sima Xiao's suffering and willing to help, even if these things would inevitably be known by the emperor, and even now the emperor knew it.

About half an hour later, Qingling Mansion.

The old Taoist and a group of disciples received a special message from the Sitianjian that the emperor wanted to see them. This news undoubtedly made the Taoists excited and nervous.

There were also several other places that received the news, all of which were mages who arranged separate residences in the mansion.