Chapter Thirty-Seven: There Are Wonderful Essays in the West
"Pheasant slave, I make Cheng Qian the crown prince. This is in compliance with Cheng's motto, 'If there is a direct descendant, there is no direct descendant.'
Li Shimin drank up the "ginseng wine" in his glass and glanced at Li Zhi again.
"Father, you are only in the middle stage of the innate realm now. If you drink too much of this medicinal wine, you will not be able to fully absorb the energy in it, and it will be harmful instead of beneficial."
It’s not that Li Zhi is stingy, can he still hide his father?
What's more, although Sun Simiao's "ginseng wine" is rare, it is not of much help to Li Zhi in his current state. On the contrary, it is just what Li Shimin uses.
"Innate realm? Hahaha - Pheasant slave, do you think that with your father's talent and perseverance, you really can't compare to Li Jing and others in terms of cultivation?"
Hearing Li Zhi say that he was only in the "innate realm", Li Shimin couldn't help but smile a little sadly. He reached up and took the wine gourd from Li Zhi's hand.
"Pheasant slave, before I sat in that position, I would think about it every day. Do you know how much it cost to sit in that position?"
Ignoring Li Zhi's dissuasion, Li Shimin poured himself a cup and drank. While drinking, he quickly activated his internal energy in an attempt to dissolve and absorb the medicinal power in the "ginseng wine" as quickly as possible.
"Father, since you have decided to let your eldest brother sit in that position, Pheasant Slave will never fight or rob you. I, the Tang Dynasty, can never do anything about the Xuanwu Sect—"
It was the first time that Li Zhi mentioned "Xuanwu Gate" in front of Li Shimin. It was also the first time in the past fifteen years that someone dared to mention the three taboo words "Xuanwu Gate" in front of Li Shimin.
"Hahaha, okay, okay. After all, he is a pheasant slave. My good son is not comparable to other ordinary people. I'm afraid your heart is not satisfied by the small throne of the Tang Dynasty, right?"
"However, my father still wants to tell you that once you become the emperor, you must practice the 'Emperor's Art', and the realm of 'Martial Arts and Spirituality' is the end of the 'Emperor's Art'. It will be difficult to make further progress in this life."
Li Shimin no longer used a cup, but drank directly from the mouth of the wine gourd.
If the wine is not intoxicating, everyone will become intoxicated. What’s more, this wine is really intoxicating!
"Emperor's Secret"?
This is the first time Li Zhi, who has lived in two lifetimes, has heard of this kind of exercise. Maybe only people who sit in that position have the opportunity to practice it.
But why is it that people who have practiced the "Emperor's Art" can only reach the limit of "Martial Arts and Spirituality"?
And why does the "Emperor's Technique", which is so "tasteless", have to be practiced by the emperor in the world?
Li Zhi was filled with questions, but unfortunately, no one could answer him.
Li Shimin had already fallen drunk in front of Li Zhi.
"Hey, what a good 'ginseng wine', what a pity -"
Li Zhi shook the wine gourd, but it was empty.
...
"Master Sun, how is our father?"
Li Zhi gently picked up the drunk Li Shimin and placed him in the courtyard chosen by Li Shimin. Although Li Zhi was also proficient in medical skills, he still called Sun Simiao and wanted to ask Sun Laodao for confirmation.
"Your Majesty, Prince Jin, please rest assured that your Majesty is fine now. It's just a pity for those 'ginseng wine'——"
Sun Simiao really felt a little sick. The "ginseng wine" was originally used to help him practice. At that time, he only drank one or two sips a day.
Li Shimin was lucky, he was only in the middle stage of congenital stage, but he dared to drink half a kilogram of it in one go.
Fortunately, Sun Simiao was there, and he controlled the unbridled internal force in Li Shimin's body in time, and sealed the energy that Li Shimin could not absorb for the time being within his Dantian.
"The energy is temporarily sealed in His Majesty's Dantian. If there is a chance in the future, let him slowly refine it."
…
There was nothing to say all night, and it was dawn the next day.
Li Shimin had a good sleep. When he woke up, he felt refreshed. The air in "Prince Jin's Mansion" was better.
Even if Li Shimin has not yet reached the realm of "martial arts and spirituality" and cannot actively absorb spiritual energy, he has benefited greatly from its nourishment.
"Pheasant slave, you don't have to go to court today. We'll have breakfast later. Would you like to accompany me to Huasheng Temple to have a look?"
"The Water and Land Conference has been held for the seventh day. Fang Xuanling and Wei Zheng have always been there to support it. It would be a bit rude for me not to show up."
While eating breakfast, Li Shimin asked Li Zhi.
Sure enough, what is supposed to come is finally coming. Is this the seventh day of the Land and Water Conference?
In Li Zhi's heart, there was a faint expectation.
He didn't know whether the other Li Zhi also went to Huasheng Temple in the original time and space where he didn't exist. However, since he came to the world of Journey to the West, how could he be willing to be a boring bystander?
After breakfast, Qin Huaiyu stayed in the "Prince Jin's Mansion" and continued to teach the three brothers "Five Animal Opera", while Sun Simiao was taking care of his medicine field.
Li Shimin, Qin Qiong and Li Zhi, all dressed in regular clothes, took Zhang Anan, the general manager of the palace, and an entourage, and the four of them rode horses and rushed to Huasheng Temple.
Huasheng Temple is located at the southern end of Chang'an City, behind the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. It belongs to "Jinchangfang" and is under the jurisdiction of Wannian County.
Going further south, you will reach "Qixiamen", which is not far from "Furong Garden".
The temple located in Chang'an City is not too large in area. In order to hold this water and land conference, the largest square in "Jinchangfang" was specially requisitioned as a lecture place for the conference.
The government officials from Wannian County were sent out early to maintain the security of the "Water and Land Conference".
After Qin Qiong was ordered by the emperor to take over the defense of Chang'an City, his title also changed to "General Longwuwei", commanding 30,000 Longwu troops to guard Chang'an.
However, in addition to guarding the various city gates of Chang'an, among the various buildings in Chang'an City, naturally the "Wuhou" were still the main ones, while Qin Qiong's Longwu Army was hidden in the dark.
The "Water and Land Conference" was on its seventh day, and there were still many people coming to watch. There were even many traders from inside and outside Chang'an City who started temporary small businesses in "Jinchangfang".
When the four of them, Li Shimin, arrived, it was already past midnight. In the bright spring season, there were actually many beautiful young girls in the crowd.
Looking forward, there are rows of old, middle and young monks sitting neatly in the cross-legged position. It is said that the number of monks participating in this "Water and Land Conference" has reached 1,200. How spectacular is the lineup?
On the high platform, there was a monk with a solemn and precious appearance, preaching the Dharma there.
The 1,200 monks listening to the lecture held their breath and concentrated for fear of missing the subtle points.
"Your Majesty, the person who lectures on the high platform is none other than Master Xuanzang. The subtle meaning of Buddhism was explained vividly by Master Xuanzang. I heard that after finishing the lecture every day, no one is willing to leave for a long time..."
Zhang Anan, who was following him, introduced in a low voice in Li Shimin's ear.
Thirteen-year-old Li Zhi has a higher level of cultivation than anyone else, but he has not yet grown up enough. Standing next to the other three, he looks like a half-grown child.
The dense crowd in front is still far away.
Of course, it would be effortless for these few people to squeeze to the front with force, but Li Shimin was unwilling to alarm the people, so he could only move forward slowly step by step.
When he reached a suitable position, Li Zhiyun picked up the "Breaking Golden Eyes" and took a look at the stage, and he was immediately happy.
This world is really small. Maybe there is some destiny in the world. The person who lectured on the stage, Master Xuanzang mentioned by Zhang Ananda, Li Zhi had actually met.
He was none other than the monk Li Zhi passed by the "Xueying Palace" Villa in Huashan during his trip to Henan last year and played chess with the Taoist priest there.
I saw that Xuanzang's mouth opened and closed, and there was a wonderful scripture spoken out, and all the monks were fascinated by it.
Although Li Zhi could hear every word clearly, he could not feel the charm of it at all. What is the use of this Buddhist scripture?
At this moment, someone suddenly sang loudly in the crowded crowd.
"Sell cassocks and tin sticks. The cassocks are five thousand taels and the tin sticks are two thousand taels. Those who know this treasure will not take any money. Those who do not know this treasure will not sell them for a lot of money -"
This loud shout caused a commotion in the crowd. With this commotion, two monks squeezed through the crowd and came to the front of the crowd of onlookers.
"Who is making a noise? Back off... back off——"
The commotion among the people naturally disturbed the Wannian County officials who maintained order.
The person who is in charge of the overall situation here today is the Attendant Wei Zheng. As a Confucian scholar, he did not want to come here. Unfortunately, it is his duty and it is difficult to disobey the imperial order.
"Don't scare the people. Go and bring the man selling cassocks here."
Wei Zheng and Fang Xuanling took turns guarding here every day. They both knew the reason for the "Water and Land Conference", so they naturally tried their best.
Sitting here all day was too much to do, so when he heard someone selling cassocks, the price seemed to be ridiculously high, which aroused Wei Zheng's interest.
Not long after, the yamen officer brought the man selling cassocks to Wei Zheng.
I saw these two people, both dressed as monks. The first one was slender, with white eyebrows, three locks of silver beard, wearing ragged clothes, barefoot and bald, but he was a leprosy-headed monk.
The man following behind him was younger, but he looked to be in his thirties or forties. He was tall, with a strong back and a strong back. He was holding a cassock in one hand and a tin staff in the other. He looked like a Buddhist Vajra.
"You two were just selling cassocks and tin sticks?"
Wei Zheng had countless people visiting him, so naturally he would not have any bad feelings towards the two monks because of their different looks.
"Yes, it is the old monk who is selling cassocks and tin staffs."
This scabby monk looks slovenly dressed, but he exudes an inexplicable sense of confidence?
"I don't know how much the cassock and tin staff cost?"
In fact, Wei Zheng had heard their quotation a long time ago, but he thought it was a bit incredible, so he asked again in person.
"Five thousand taels of cassock and two thousand taels of tin staff——"
This time Wei Zhengjiang heard it clearly. The scabby monk really made such an outrageous offer.
"I wonder what's so wonderful about your cassock, great monk, why do you dare to sell it at such a high price?"
Wei Zheng was not angry, nor did he ask anyone to expel the two monks. Instead, he asked without changing his expression.
"This cassock is draped with a strand of dragon to avoid the disaster of being swallowed by a big roc; with a strand of crane hanging on it, you can achieve the wonder of transcending the world and becoming a saint. But where you sit, there are thousands of gods paying homage; whenever you move, there are seven Buddhas with you."
"This cassock is made of ice silkworms, skilled craftsmen tumbled into threads, celestial beings woven it, and goddesses machined it. It has square clusters of embroidered seams, and pieces of brocade are piled up with each other."
"If a virtuous monk wears this cassock, he will not fall into perdition, hell, evil, evil, tigers or wolves."
...
"Hahaha, if it is true as the great monk said, then I will buy your cassock and tin staff——"
At this time, Li Shimin and four others also crowded over, and he immediately took a look at the cassock and tin staff in the hands of the sturdy monk.
Li Shimin asked for it, and even shouted "I". Wei Zheng naturally came over, bowed and saluted, and took Li Shimin and others into the temporary pavilion.
Qin Qiong and Zhang Anan followed closely, and when they saw each other's cassocks and tin staff, they also nodded secretly.
Several of them are knowledgeable people. Although they don't know whether this thing is really as magical as the leprous monk said, they can already conclude that it is a valuable treasure just by looking at its appearance.
Li Zhi did not look at the cassock and tin staff, but followed Li Shimin step by step, but his eyes were fixed on the leprous monk without blinking.
Even using his "Breaking Gold Eyes", he still couldn't see any flaws.
This is an ordinary monk with a leprosy head, whose skills at the early stage of "An Jin" are at best. There were at least many people like this in the Tang Dynasty, not to mention their ability to carry chariots.
The leper-headed monk heard that the visitor called himself "I" and saw that everyone was saluting him, so he naturally knew who had arrived.
"It turns out that His Majesty the Emperor of Tang Dynasty has arrived, and the people outside are being polite——"
The leprosy-headed monk asked a question, stood with one palm in front of his chest, lowered his head slightly, and recited: Amitabha.
As if he felt someone looking at him, he raised his eyes slightly and saw Li Zhi standing behind Li Shimin.
"Um?--"
The leprous monk was slightly startled.
"Great monk, since you have this treasure and quoted the price, I am also attracted by it, so I just bought it all."
"The 'Water and Land Conference' is being held here. Master Chen Xuanzang is an eminent monk. He has made great achievements in hosting the 'Water and Land Conference' this time. I will give these two things to Master Xuanzang."
"It's just that I came out of the palace in a hurry this time and didn't carry that much money with me. The great monk can come back to the palace with me to collect it."
At this time, Master Xuanzang on the high platform had been lecturing continuously for more than two hours, reciting the "Sutra of Resurrection and Saving Death" for a while, talking about the "Anbang Tianbao Seal Script", and proclaiming the "Scroll of Encouragement to Practice Gong" for a while.
.
"Xuancheng, would you like to have Master Xuanzang come over to see if he is satisfied with these two things?"
Li Shimin was so humble. If he wanted to give something to Chen Xuanzang, he would first ask if he liked it?
It seems that Buddhism has occupied a certain position in Li Shimin's heart?
The two monks selling cassocks and tin staffs stood motionless aside, looking at the monarchs and ministers of the Tang Dynasty.
Especially on the faces of Li Zhi and Qin Qiong, they stayed the longest, and the scabby monk's eyebrows also wrinkled even more.
"Amitabha, the poor monk Chen Xuanzang meets His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty——"
The yamen servant had already given a brief introduction halfway through, so even though Li Shimin was wearing regular clothes, Master Xuanzang could tell at a glance.
"Well, monk, you can only talk about Hinayana teachings, but can you talk about Mahayana?"
Before Li Shimin could reply, the mangy monk, who had been observing for a long time, asked abruptly.
"Master, all the monks in my eastern land teach the Hinayana teachings, but they don't know what the Mahayana teachings are like?"
Chen Xuanzang suddenly heard the "Mahayana teachings" and felt happy in his heart, but he did not show it on the surface. Instead, he bowed first and then asked the leprous monk for advice.
Li Shimin did not blame the mangy monk for grabbing the conversation. Instead, he happily looked at the two monks in front of him and asked.
"Your Hinayana teachings cannot save the dead, but can only lead them to earthliness and light. I have the Tripitaka of Mahayana Buddhism, which can transcend the dead and ascend to heaven, save people in trouble and escape suffering, cultivate the body of infinite life, and perform things that have no coming or going.
.”
After the leprosy-headed monk finished speaking, he bowed slightly towards the west.
"Master, I don't know Mahayana Buddhism. Where are you now?"
After hearing that Mahayana Buddhism had such a brilliant method, how could Chen Xuanzang, who had been worshiping Buddha since he was born, withstand such temptation?
"Amitabha, the old monk naturally knows where Mahayana Buddhism is, but the road is long and difficult, and it may not be accessible to ordinary people -"
The scabby monk burst out laughing, looked at Chen Xuanzang, and then at the emperors and ministers of the Tang Dynasty.
"Since the disciple already knows that there is Mahayana Buddhism in the world, he will get it back even if there are many difficulties. Please ask the master to give the disciple some guidance!"
Chen Xuanzang clasped his palms together, becoming more pious and respectful.
"You really want to get it?"
"Of course I want to go——"
"Okay, Mahayana Buddhism is in the west, where I, Buddha Tathagata, are a hundred and eighty thousand miles away from here..."