Chapter 920: Tsu Castle
The first three days of negotiations were conducted with utmost formality. Even if it was just a performance, it had to be convincing. Both sides clashed fiercely over irreconcilable issues such as the punishment of war criminals and the surrender of authority.
The Tenmon Sect insisted on the pardon of the royal family and the preservation of its status and power. Only if the Daoist Order conceded this point could the talks proceed further.
But the Daoist Sect would never yield. The true root of Fenglin’s upheaval lay not with the Tenmon Sect, not even with the insurgent ronin, but with the royal family itself. To secure lasting peace, their influence must be stripped away, their divine status reduced to mortality. Without getting rid of the source, even if the Tenmon Sect surrendered today, rebellion would surely rise again.
One must treat the root of the problem to cure a disease and not just its symptoms.
On the fourth day, Zhang Qihan summoned Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu for a private audience.
Zhang Qihan gestured for them to sit and activated a privacy barrier with a wave of his hand before speaking. “There are two days left of talks. Yet, I fear these two days will not yield any concrete results.”
Qi Xuansu replied, “That was always expected. We’re just here as a gesture of formality.”
Zhang Qihan shook his head. “That’s not my point. I’m talking about another matter. You two have come to Fenglin for the first time, but Deputy Mansion Master Li and I have been here for years. His duties as the Second Deputy allowed him to expand his circle, spanning not only the Chancellor’s Office but also the royal family, the Tenmon Sect, and even the Buddhist Sect. Speaking of the Buddhist Sect, do you know of Hinnyo from the Hongan-ji?”
Zhang Yuelu nodded. “I do. Honganji is the head temple of the Fenglin Buddhist Jodo Shinshu Sect. Kennyo was the first monk granted the title of Gon Sojo. Though he was a monk, he was considered one of the daimyos. Now, 13 generations later, his descendant Hinnyo still carries the title of Gon Sojo. When the Sage Commander arrived in Xiujing and summoned all ministers, Hinnyo excused himself with endless reasons and refused to appear.”
Zhang Qihan said grimly, “From what we have gathered, Hinnyo has long since cast his lot with the royal family and now stands as a pillar of the Sonno-joi faction.”
Zhang Yuelu frowned. “I have never understood. Why would Hinnyo support the Sonno-joi faction? He should know the Daoist Order’s strength and that there is no path forward in opposing us.”
Qi Xuansu answered in her stead. “There’s nothing strange about it. It’s because of Shinbutsu-shugo, the amalgamation of kami and buddhas.”