Lu Bai knew about this department, no, Taoist Temple.
When he knew that there were sects of spiritual practice in this world, Lu Bai had always been curious about one thing. In this world, there were both Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. Not to mention Buddhism, which was very popular in the Northern Dynasties. Not to mention Confucianism, the eight major sects were almost
They all come from Confucianism, the imperial examinations in the Southern Dynasties, governing the country with filial piety, etc., are all taken from Confucianism. Although Confucianism is not there, it is actually everywhere.
And Taoism——
This is a bit mysterious. It is not among the eight major sects, but belongs to a small and unpopular sect.
Lu Bai has always been puzzled.
Finally, during the trip, when Gu Qinghuan told Lu Bai about the power in the capital, he mentioned Peach Blossom Temple and told Lu Bai about the decline of Taoism.
In fact, as early as when the Son of Heaven created this dynasty, Taoism flourished for a while, and together with Confucianism were the two major spiritual forces in this dynasty. According to legend, the Son of Heaven believed in Taoism and founded the dynasty with the help of Taoism.
He became the Fengtian Chengyun Emperor and completed the important task of broadcasting the favor and merits of the Heavenly Emperor as the Son of Heaven.
Taoism's contribution is indispensable, which has made Taoism's status rise. In the first one or two hundred years of this dynasty, it ranked first among all other religions. At one time, a Taoist sect was named the state religion, and the master of the temple was named the state teacher. This state religion was Peach Blossom Temple.
When Lu Bai first heard about Peach Blossom Temple, he thought it was strange. The name didn't sound like a Taoist name. However, there was a meaning to it. The most intuitive meaning was that Peach Blossom was regarded as the source of righteousness for heaven and earth in Taoist classics.
Flower. This is the reason why Taoist priests use peach wood swords to drive away ghosts and kill monsters.
The prosperity of Peach Blossom Temple allowed it to surpass many Taoist sects, and it almost became synonymous with Taoism at that time. It almost rubbed the current eight major sects into the ground, even the Buddhism of the Northern Dynasties——
When Buddhism arose, it happened to be when Taoism was at its peak. Several major disciples of Buddha at that time, and now the four monks who are regarded as their ancestors by Buddhist disciples in the Northern Dynasties, were together in Beimang Mountain with the master of Peach Blossom Temple, using the sky as a chessboard and the stars as chess pieces.
, sit and play chess.
They stirred up the wind and clouds with their fingers, thunder and lightning flashed while shouting, and it lasted for ninety-nine and eighty-one days. In the end, the master of Peach Blossom Temple left a peach blossom formation on the chessboard and left with a laugh. The four founders died because their Buddha hearts were damaged.
end.
These four founders of the Buddhist family were extremely talented and laid the foundation of the Buddhist family. However, even if they joined forces, they could not defeat the master of Peach Blossom Temple, which shows the prosperity of Peach Blossom Temple at that time.
As the saying goes, everything that flourishes must eventually decline. The defeat of the four founders of Buddhism by the Master of Peach Blossom Temple is still talked about today, but it also became the swan song of Taoism - after another thirty years of prosperity, Taoism fell into decline.
We have to start with the master of Peach Blossom Temple who defeated the four founders of the Buddhist family.
Shortly after defeating the four ancestors of the Buddhist sect, the Peach Blossom Temple master ascended to heaven in the daytime, and four immortals opened the heavenly gate to greet him. This became a legend and was named Peach Blossom Immortal. However, in the past fifty years, one of the eight great sects
The ancestor ascended, and the heavenly gate to welcome him had just opened. The first person to walk out from inside, passing by the ancestor, was not the Taoist boy and immortal who greeted the ancestor, but the peach blossom fairy.
"Peach--"
"Peach--"
The ancestors and Peach Blossom Fairy spoke in unison, and their voices echoed loudly in the sky.
However, the Peach Blossom Fairy didn't bother to say another word. He only saw his flying sword flying like a shooting star, reaching the horizon in an instant. Every time where the shadow fell, there were peach blossoms blooming. When everyone on the ground looked up, there was a faint glow.
You can also smell the fragrance of peach blossoms.
However, he ran away too fast, but it was not as fast as a flying knife.
This flying knife was originally engraved on the immortal gate, and it was usually a talisman. This was recorded in the books of various practicing sects on the road. People generally believed that it was a decoration.
However, after the Peach Blossom Fairy blinked and fled to the horizon, a knife appeared, and the sword flashed. When it reappeared, the knife had flashed past the Peach Blossom Fairy's waist, and the Peach Blossom Fairy was chopped into two pieces.
Falling in the sky, dyeing half of the sky red, turning noon into sunset.
The majestic Peach Blossom Fairy is still talked about by people even after fifty years of absence.
He actually died.
One stab and you'll die!
Through Gu Qinghuan's narration, Lu Bai could also feel the astonishment, astonishment and horror of the ordinary people who were watching the immortals ascend during the day.
All things on the earth were as silent as cicadas for a moment.
Let the drizzle of Peach Blossom Fairy's flesh and blood form a curtain like blood rain at the end of the field of vision.
Just as the sound of white clouds rolling around the sky and earth could be clearly heard, a fair and plump immortal walked out of the fairy gate and shouted: "Peach Blossom Fairy stole flat peaches. His crime cannot be forgiven. He escaped from the fairy world and his crime cannot be punished."
, this is a special killing spree to serve as a warning to those who come after you!"
After that, the fat and white immortal went back.
Then, the Taoist boy and the immortal came out of the door and welcomed the ignorant ancestor in. It was not until the immortal door was closed that everyone on the ground came to their senses and suddenly realized one thing: Peach Blossom Temple was going to suffer.
In fact, not only Peach Blossom Temple will suffer, but Taoism as a whole will suffer.
Ever since the Immortal Sect killed the Peach Blossom Fairy, the entire Taoist sect had declined, and Ascension was the first to bear the brunt. The Peach Blossom Temple, which was so famous for a while, had no one ascend in the next hundred years.
Correspondingly, the number of ascended immortals from the eight major sects increased significantly.
Then, when the Buddhist family rose and the imperial power declined, Peach Blossom Temple also went downhill, and the number of disciples practicing under the Taoist sect decreased sharply; because in the minds of the people, the Taoist sect lost the favor of the gods, the Taoist pilgrims, and the Taoist founders.
The number of believers also decreased sharply, accelerating the decline of Taoism.
However, as the saying goes, a skinny camel is bigger than a horse. Lu Bai felt that as a prosperous sect, even if the Taoist sect loses the favor of God, if it is just this, it will not decline to the point of not being able to join the eight major sects.
This is also true. The number of pilgrims and believers mentioned above has decreased. Although their muscles and bones are broken, it will not push Taoism into the abyss in an instant. The person who really pushes Taoism into the abyss is Taoism itself.
Strictly speaking, Taohuaguan, who is the leader in Taoism in the world, pushed Taoism back into the coffin - they split. The reason for the split is very simple. Taohuaguan understood the word Peach Blossom Fairy uttered when he escaped from the fairy gate.
It’s different. Some people understand it as “peach”, which means Peach Blossom Fairy, or stolen peaches, etc. However, Peach Blossom Fairy’s apprentices and grandchildren think that Peach Blossom Fairy means “escape”.
These two different understandings can be said to have very different meanings when extended, and they are very famous, but in the final analysis, one group does not believe in Peach Blossom Fairy, thinking that Peach Blossom Fairy is a thief, and has implicated the Taoist sect. These people all have resentment towards Peach Blossom Fairy
, want to stigmatize Peach Blossom Fairy, and then let the gods return to Peach Blossom Temple; the other group believes in Peach Blossom Fairy and thinks that his "escape" is very famous.
This is an issue that determines the character of Peach Blossom Fairy, and is related to her future promotion. The two factions quarreled over this, and even fought, and drew swords at each other if they disagreed. In the end, the two factions were no longer compatible, and Peach Blossom Fairy
His disciples left Peach Blossom Temple and established another mountain gate, named Peach Blossom Temple.
The Taoist Sect was already in decline, and the internal strife made it worse. The split completely put the nail in the coffin of Peach Blossom Temple. The Peach Blossom Temple, which was once in great prosperity, dragged the entire Taoist Sect to the bottom, and became an unconventional force in the current spiritual world.
The disciples of Peach Blossom Fairy established their own Peach Blossom Temple and never cared about worldly affairs.
Strangely, although Peach Blossom Temple's vitality was severely damaged and was no longer as good as before, it never quit the state religion, and successive temple masters were still appointed as national preceptors by the emperor.
Lu Bai didn't know why at the time, but now that the City God said this, could it be that the Imperial Preceptor has the right to canonize the City God, so he is still retained by the court for the time being?
Lu Bai was thoughtful and asked: "So, if I want to buy an official position after my death, I have to give money to the master of Peach Blossom Temple?"
"Yes!" The City God nodded, then shook his head, "No, what about giving money? I am an official who was admitted in a fair and upright manner."
"Yeah?"
Lu Bai didn't believe it. He just let it slip, "Then how can I act upright in front of an official?"
The city god became more energetic, and he clapped his fingers and said: "First of all, you must accumulate virtue and do good deeds and leave a good reputation in the county; secondly, someone must build an ancestral hall for you after your death, worship you, and give you incense; finally
If you are talented, let me tell you, being a city god also requires an exam, so go to the Peach Blossom Temple in the capital to take the exam."
Of course, the fourth most important point is to have money. If there is a lot of money, the previous conditions may not be conditions. However, the city god did not say anything about this, and only a fool told others that his official position was bought.
After listening to the three conditions mentioned by the City God, Lu Bai thought about it and found that he met the first two, but the third one was just not enough. He would have to work hard in the future.
Then again, "Why haven't I seen the City God in our corner?" Lu Bai asked.
Although Yancheng is a border town, it has all kinds of temples. It stands to reason that if there is a city god, he should have appeared during the last plague, and he would not be left to wipe his butt alone.
"Ahem, what -" The City God couldn't explain it for a while. After all, there are only a few people who are willing to use real money to buy an official position for a dead person, especially after becoming a City God, they will not be able to reincarnate in a short time.
There must be very few people willing to pay for it, which leads to a shortage of city gods.
In addition, the Peach Blossom Temple has weakened, and the power of the Taoist sect has also weakened, which means that the backing behind the City God is no longer good. This has also caused the City God to have no effective support for so many years even though he has nominal jurisdiction over many underworld affairs within the territory.
As a means of restraint, many ghosts did not buy the City God's face, and the City God became more and more in short supply.
In a nutshell, after the decline of Peach Blossom Temple, although the Imperial Master still had the right to appoint the City God, he could no longer control all the City God temples in the dynasty, not to mention that he even started a business of selling officials.
The City God waited for a long time, and finally found a lame reason, "All the city gods in the country must be appointed by the Peach Blossom Temple. It is reasonable for the Peach Blossom Temple to forget about it for a while, or can't find a suitable candidate for the city god in your city."
Lu Bai thought about it and realized it made sense.
Although he thinks the main reason is that there are many ghosts who cannot send money.
After finding out the identity of the other party, Lu Bai asked: "As a city god, what are you doing here?"
The City God spoke righteously: "Sir, someone accused the Jinyi guard here of committing evil and killing innocent people indiscriminately. He ordered his men to beat the mother of the suffering master to death. The suffering master brought the complaint to the City God's Temple. I came here to seize this guy's soul and go to question him!"
Lu Bai was surprised, this city god can do it.
However, "Why didn't you come before?" Lu Bai asked.
Could it be that he had just captured the Jinyi Guardsman and had irrefutable evidence, so he got the news and came here to share the credit? Or maybe he was on the side of the Jinyi Weishe and wanted to use this to get the soul of the Jinyi Guards.
Go. After he leaves, throw the soul of the Jinyi Guardsman into your body and resurrect him.
However, the answer is very simple, "I have never complained to the City God's Temple before," the City God said.
Lu Bai was surprised, "Why didn't anyone go to the City God's Temple to complain?"
This Jinyi guard has been doing evil for many days. If the Chenghuang Temple was really useful, someone should have complained to him long ago.
The City God smiled and said, "What, sir? As the official of the underworld, the City God only cares about the affairs of the underworld, so if the master of suffering wants to file a complaint, he must first be a ghost."
"Really?!" Lu Bai really didn't know this.
He guessed that Gu Qinghuan didn't know either. After all, the government had the most connections. This was a government in the underworld, so there was no telling what the hell was going on.
"Yes, sir, that's why I have been unable to take him. No, now that a victim has sued him, I have a legitimate and bright reason to lure his soul and try the case." City God said.
Lu Bai nodded and asked curiously: "The victim is Zhang Carpenter's wife?"
It must have been that after Zhang Carpenter's wife died, she turned into a ghost and complained to the City God's Temple full of grievances.
The City God was stunned for a moment, then nodded, "Yes, yes, it was Carpenter Zhang and his wife who sued the Jinyi Weishe people, so sir, this Jinyi Weishe people -"
Lu Bai shook his head, "You're late."
"What?" Cheng Huang was stunned.
"You are late. I have finished the trial of this case. The evidence is conclusive. I have imprisoned Jinyi Weishe, so - you can tell the victim that I will avenge her." Lu Bai said.
"No, this -" Cheng Huang was unwilling to accept it, "Sir, this case is within my jurisdiction, and it is my responsibility to handle it. How dare I bother you? Otherwise, I will take him away..."
Lu Bai refused, "I am the envoy of Nanzhen now. It is my duty to supervise and deal with Jinyiweisheren and other Jinyiwei scum. You should go back."
The City God thought for a while and said, "Sir, how about I take his soul away and wait for the case to be heard, then I will send him back and let you deal with it?"
Lu Bai would definitely not agree.
What if the city god lured the soul away and did not send the person back, leaving the Jinyi Guardsmen to die under the heavy protection of the Sky-Breaking Realm masters and many Jinyi Guards, how could Lu Bai deal with it?
Lu Bai wanted him to die, but that was above the river.
The river is turbulent, and there are countless monsters, some of whom have many ways to kill the people in Jinyi Weishe without anyone noticing.
The city god was anxious and begged again. Seeing that Lu Bai still refused to let go, he became angry and said, "Master Lu, I call you a master because we are officials in the same dynasty, not because you can really control me."
, I am an official of the Yin Division, handling the cases of the Yin Division, I must lure his soul to see the Lord of Misery today, I said so!" He said firmly.
"You can seduce him if you want. Tomorrow and night, you can do whatever you want. Today -" Lu Bai shook his head, "No."
"In that case, don't blame me -" The City God's eyes widened, he stared at Lu Bai, and spoke through gritted teeth.
"Don't blame you?"
Lu Bai took a sip of wine and used the Sky Breaker. Three afterimages appeared in front of the City God, while their true form was behind him, holding a ghost-expelling talisman in his hand.
"Don't blame me for disturbing you!"
The city god handed over his hand, turned around and walked away. A gust of wind came and went, and he quickly disappeared from sight.
"Well."
Lu Bai admired him, this city god was really a hero.