Chapter 1640: The Smug First Prince! (2/2)
As he looked across to that dazzling and vast Great Buddhist Temple on the other side, as well as the vast crowd gathered in front of it, the First Prince finally and completely acknowledged the Ghost King.
His greatest worry had been his inability to obtain the support of the people. Without this foundation, he had always felt that his efforts to sit upon the throne had been missing something.
But now, things were different. As long as these great clans supported him, his position would be right and proper, as steady as Mount Tai.
The sun had just risen, and there was still a very long time until the time listed in the invitation cards would arrive. The First Prince's sense was right. As time passed, more and more commoners gathered at the base of the mountain, and the First Prince received more and more letters. Each reply made the expression on the First Prince's face even more dazzling.
”A wise man knows when to submit to fate! What does the opposition of the King of Foreign Lands matter? In the end, the great clans of the capital have chosen to stand with this prince. With the support of these clans, what can't this prince achieve?”
A gentle breeze swept across, and the First Prince felt refreshed.
Once the day was over, who in the capital would dare to be his enemy?!
”Pass on this prince's order! Inform all the representatives of the great clans and prepare for the opening ceremony!” the First Prince suddenly said.
”Yes, Your Highness!”
A guard rushed away.
The anticipated moment had finally come.
Bong!
With the resounding ring of a bell, the Great Buddhist Temple that the First Prince had financially backed was finally opening. As Buddhist chants filled the air, the countless commoners began to surge up the mountain.
”Amitabha!”
On the summit, nearly one hundred monks wearing golden kasayas stood in a row, a magnificent sight to behold.
For this opening ceremony, the First Prince had invited the head monks from various temples to join in the festivities.
Soon, the ceremony reached its most important phase.
”Gracious benefactors, thank you for coming to the opening ceremony for this temple. The merciful Buddha holds compassion for all living beings. The Buddhist texts say that to make offerings to the Buddha is to make offerings to all living things, and to sustain the Buddha is to sustain all life, a most meritorious deed. Thus, with the opening of this Buddhist temple, we request the support and offerings of the gracious benefactors. But as all beings are equal in the eyes of the Buddha, all offerings, no matter how big or small, are the same. Everyone can offer as much or as little as they are comfortable with.”
The genial abbot of the Great Buddhist Temple was an eminent monk who the First Prince had invited.
”This temple was only constructed with the assistance of the First Prince. His Highness has an esteemed and imperial status, but he holds a merciful and compassionate heart, truly a blessing for all peoples. Now, we invite the First Prince to say a few words!”
The abbot stepped backed and glanced at the nearby Li Ying.
The abbot had barely spoken when the mountain exploded with cheers.
”First Prince!”
”First Prince!”
”First Prince!”
The cheers resounded through the world.
As he saw the crowds cheer, the First Prince's heart swelled with joy.
He felt as though he wasn't standing at the peak of a mountain, but within the majestic Taiji Palace, receiving the respect and support of all his subjects.
”Everyone, as the abbot said, making offerings to the Buddha is the same as making offerings to all living beings. This prince supported the construction of this temple for the sake of my Great Tang, for the prosperity of all the people of the realm. This prince will take the lead and donate one hundred thousand strings of cash for the Buddhist temple to use.
”In addition, all the incense, oil, and money received in this ceremony will be used for charitable purposes, so that the Great Buddhist Temple can serve as a place of shelter for the orphans and widows of the area,” the First Prince loudly proclaimed.
Boom!
All the common folk of the capital cheered.
”The First Prince is truly a benevolent and kind person!”
”So the First Prince built this temple for the sake of the orphans and widows!”
”A kind and benevolent Prince is bound to be a kind and benevolent sovereign! That abbot was right! If the First Prince becomes the sovereign of the Great Tang, it will be a blessing to the people of the realm!”
All the commoners became excited at the First Prince's words.
Many of the spectators to this ceremony had come due to the First Prince's fame, and they had not expected to hear such words.
The cheering grew louder and louder, and as the First Prince took in their ardent cries and felt their sincere support, he grew even more energetic and joyful.
A single Buddhist temple had gotten him the support of the great clans and won the hearts of the people. There was no better deal in the entire world.
Bong!
With the banging of gongs, the ceremony began, and the representatives of the great clans began to come forward.
”The Li Clan of the capital donates eight thousand taels of gold to celebrate the opening of the Great Buddhist Temple!”
”The Duan Clan of the capital donates six thousand taels of gold to celebrate the opening of the Great Buddhist Temple!”
”The Zhang Clan of the capital donates three thousand taels of gold to celebrate the opening of the Great Buddhist Temple!”