Victory in the debate, discussion of new policies.

As Fang Xuanling revealed more and more of the truth, the expressions of the heads of the Cui and Zheng families grew increasingly grim. The wealthy merchants standing behind them turned pale with fear. In reality, their social standing was hardly superior to that of ordinary people; their privileged lives were entirely the result of cunning and opportunism. Now, with Fang Xuanling exposing so many of their secrets at once, it was clear that if they lost this debate, they would surely face retribution.

The scholars behind Fang Xuanling and Wei Zheng were even more perceptive than the common folk, able to see deeply into the perils of unchecked religious expansion. Thus, they quickly joined in the censure of religion, further silencing the likes of the Cui family head and his allies. It was not long before the commoners who had initially supported the religious factions began to change their stance. More and more of them now sided with the imperial court.

Fang Xuanling and Wei Zheng exchanged a subtle glance, and a smile appeared on both of their faces—they knew victory in this debate was already within their grasp. As expected, not long after, the head of the Cui family fled in haste with his followers, offering only a cursory gesture of farewell, without even a perfunctory word.

Fang Xuanling and Wei Zheng merely smiled at this. They understood that this triumph was just the beginning; the Emperor would undoubtedly take further action. Seizing the opportunity, Fang Xuanling then addressed the crowd, speaking of the hardships currently facing the court and the disaster relief measures being implemented. With the people’s newfound understanding, their trust in the government grew noticeably after these announcements.

News of the debate’s outcome spread swiftly across the land as the examinees departed. Thus, a public opinion campaign originally launched by the religious factions soon turned decidedly against them. Those who had profited greatly by attaching themselves to religion did not think to retreat, but instead sought to unite temples nationwide in resistance against the court. Unfortunately for them, their thinking was overly subjective and failed to consider the sentiments within the religious community itself.

They assumed that the court’s actions would provoke great resentment among religious practitioners, and that with a little agitation, open opposition would be inevitable. However, for true religious devotees, the impact was minimal. First, temples still held vast tracts of land, providing ample sustenance. Furthermore, the various businesses operated by temples—moneylending, fortune-telling, ritual services, and apothecaries—remained untouched. While the court had instituted stricter controls over ordinations and levied significant taxes on them, these were negligible compared to their overall income. Thus, the clergy felt no existential threat, and had no incentive to oppose the government.

This explained why genuine religious practitioners had not involved themselves in the recent uproar—it was, from start to finish, the vested interests clustered around the temples who made the most noise. Not only did they fail to garner the support of the clergy, but they were also criticized for causing trouble for the temples. Seeing the temples unwilling to cooperate, these vested interests lost their nerve and gradually quieted down.

Yet just as public sentiment was shifting, Emperor Taizong had no intention of letting these individuals off lightly. Within the Hall of Supreme Harmony, a meeting on further religious reform was underway. In attendance were the three chancellors including Fang Xuanling, the ministers of Rites and Revenue, Crown Prince Li Chengqian, and Li Zhi—the very one who had first proposed religious reform to the Emperor.

None seemed surprised by the joint presence of Li Chengqian and Li Zhi; it appeared to have become accepted that Li Zhi would participate in affairs of state. The only one unsettled was Li Chengqian himself, who now saw Li Zhi and Li Tai as potential threats to his position.

Emperor Taizong, unconcerned by these undercurrents, began by commending Fang Xuanling and Wei Zheng’s performance in the debate. Then, smiling at those assembled, he said, “Now that public opinion favors the court, I intend to take this opportunity to further reform religion. What are your thoughts?”

Fang Xuanling hesitated before speaking. “Your Majesty, although the people are with us, the religious establishment is vast. If we act too aggressively, we may provoke their resistance.”

The others nodded in agreement. Emperor Taizong frowned. “Our empire’s population is not yet ten million, yet monks, nuns, and daoists already number over seventy thousand. If this is not curbed, it will not bode well for our dynasty.”

Wang Gui added, “Your Majesty, I believe that with people’s livelihoods not yet restored and disasters still frequent, religion at present offers comfort to the people’s spirits. Excessive suppression may not be wise.”

Again, the others nodded. Emperor Taizong replied, “The temple economy is thriving; many temples are now as grand as palaces. In time, all the wealth of the people may end up concentrated in their hands.”

Minister of Revenue Dai Zhou fully agreed. He added, “Though the court now taxes the temples, the revenue is far from enough to offset the loss in land taxes.”

Li Chengqian suggested, “Why not increase taxes on the temples to make up the court’s deficit?”

The Emperor replied, “Taxation must be just and lawful. To target temples alone might invite criticism.”

Dai Zhou said, “At present, only temple-held lands remain untaxed. We might take this opportunity to tax them.”

The Emperor said, “I have no objection. What do you all think?”

None spoke immediately; all were weighing the pros and cons. After a moment, Li Zhi was first to speak. “Father, I believe we should begin by targeting the great families and wealthy merchants who profit by attaching themselves to religion.”

The Emperor asked, “What do you mean by this?”

Li Zhi replied, “I think we should move gradually against the temples themselves, but first sever the ties of interest between the great families and the temples.”

“How would you do this?” the Emperor asked.

Li Zhi explained, “There are many so-called lay disciples in the temples—individuals whom the great families send under the pretense of ordination to avoid taxes.”

The others all agreed, for they too were aware of this practice.

Li Zhi then elaborated on his ideas for dealing with them. The original purpose of temples was to teach virtue, encourage goodness, and promote restraint from desire. Yet now, noble families and even officials have exploited the privileges of temples to evade both taxes and labor duties. Their method is to send family members to the temples as lay disciples in name only—they enjoy exemptions while freely marrying and raising families, reaping all the benefits of temple life without observing its rules.

Li Zhi’s proposal was to put an end to such abuses.