"On the contrary, if all the people turn to Buddhism, who will be left to engage in production?" Manbao did not forget why they opposed the proliferation of Buddhism and Taoism. She said, "Buddhist ordination does not require the payment of individual taxes, no contribution to levies, and no labor obligations. If all the people turn to Buddhism, who will guard the frontier? Who will repair the roads and waterways? What will happen to water conservancy?"
Bai Erlang said, "Even someone like me, who is not particularly good at studying, knows that historically, after the flourishing of Buddhist temples, dynasties faced many hardships."
This statement was quite incriminating, and Zhishen's expression turned serious. "You are being too biased, my three benefactors. Every time a Buddhist temple flourishes, isn't it precisely during the prime of a dynasty?"
Bai Shan said, "Extreme prosperity inevitably leads to decline, an eternal truth."
