The towering peaks are hung with clouds, and the cliffs are as high as walls. In the autumn of Kongtong Mountain, the grass and trees are turning yellow. Looking from a distance, it looks like an immortal spreading a golden silk satin among the undulating mountains, with a touch of black and blue on the edge.
Add some lively color to this golden satin.
"It is indeed the most blessed place in Longliang. When you go here, your body and mind will naturally be open-minded and cheerful." Su Wangting looked into the distance and said: "Although I don't know Taoist Dharma, I feel that I will definitely benefit greatly from breathing, breathing, and practicing internal skills here.
"
"That's natural." Mr. Changqing said with a proud look: "Taoist cultivation is nothing more than refining qi to preserve the spirit. Throughout the ages, qi cultivators have preferred quiet mountains and forests. They can avoid the nuisance of the world and focus on oneness.
It is also convenient for collecting ginseng, fruits, mushrooms, and herbs to make elixirs. Kongtong Mountain is the holy land where ancient emperors sought immortality, with a mysterious atmosphere. My mentor Daguan Zhenren also practiced Taoism in Zhonghuang Temple."
"Sir, the Taoist teachings are profound. Coming to Zhonghuang Temple is like a cave in a fairy mountain." Su Wangting said.
Cheng Sanwu took a few deep breaths and asked: "I don't think there is any difference? It's not as good as the Tianchi that was previously occupied by An Quti."
"In terms of the vastness of the weather, Kongtong Mountain is indeed not as good as the Tianshan Mountains. But the Tianchi Lake is where the Tianshan Mountains are located, where the earth's energy gathers from thousands of miles away, and a black dragon is buried in it, giving birth to the dragon's energy. There are very few in the world that can compare with it.
." Mr. Changqing frowned slightly:
"But everything cannot be compared like this. The Western Regions, the Central Plains, Bashu, Jiangnan, and the mountains and rivers have different climates and cannot be generalized. Moreover, a Taoist sect has been passed down in a certain place for a long time, influenced by Qi and blessed by magic, and gradually formed its own pattern, and descendants have no
You must deliberately go far away to find another blessed place."
While everyone was talking, they had arrived at a small town. Looking to the north, they saw a Taoist temple built against the mountain. High up in the forest, you could vaguely see the eaves of the tower.
The Taoist temple at the foot of the mountain was full of incense, and there were many pedestrians in the town. They must have been believers from nearby villages and towns who came to offer incense and pray for blessings.
The power of Taoism in the Western Regions is shallow, and there are only a few Taoist temples, which are far less prosperous than Buddhism and Zoroastrianism. But when we return to the Central Plains, the number of Taoist temples has increased visibly.
According to the law in the early years of the Great Xia Dynasty, each state was limited to two Taoist temples. Without a decree, no additional temples were allowed. The imperial court would also dispatch dignitaries to manage the monks and Taoism, just like appointing local state and county officials.
However, as successive emperors believed in Buddhism and Taoism, the number of temples in various states in the world increased greatly, and many private constructions were built by the private sector. As long as they were not too ostentatious or excessive in shape, the government would not pursue them. They would just report them year by year and include them in the records of the Daolu Department.
Mr. Changqing looked at the Taoist temple with brick exterior walls, sparkling green tiles, and exquisite cornices and brackets. It was comparable to the palace of a prince, and he knew that it had already violated the regulations. Not to mention that it would cost a lot of money to build such a temple.
, then it’s impossible to make money all by relying on Taoist priests from Guanzhong to do things for people and apply talisman water, right?
But the others didn't seem to care. Afu got out of the carriage and strolled over, saying with a somewhat appreciative tone: "I heard that the Taoist priests from Zhonghuang Temple are good at playing the music of bells and drums. During religious ceremonies, they parade around with bells and drums.
If you hear the sound of bells and drums, all monsters and ghosts in the area will be split into pieces and unable to escape."
"Ringing bells and drums are just convenient methods that are exposed on the outside." Mr. Changqing said: "The real sound of bells and drums is not external but inside. It is the skill of tapping one's teeth to reflect and have a slight inner feeling. As the saying goes -
—'The evil is afraid of the sound of the heavenly bell, the ghosts and gods are frightened by the movement of the heavenly chime, the dragon and the snake are afraid of the vibration of the heavenly drum'. Cultivate to the deepest level, the five mountains will be destroyed by the roar, and the rivers and seas will stop flowing by breathing."
"You are so ridiculous." Cheng Sanwu couldn't help but retorted: "What about the Five Mountains and the Sea? If it was so powerful, why didn't Master Zhou just open his mouth and spray An Quti to death?"
Mr. Changqing didn't answer, and Su Wangting scolded him: "Old Cheng, if you don't understand, don't talk nonsense. Master Zhou Lian killed many demons when he was in the Western Regions and made great achievements. How can you be so offensive?"
Cheng Sanwu was about to explain when Mr. Changqing lowered his head and said: "If you are not as skilled as others, you will lose if you lose."
After saying this, Mr. Changqing led the carriage and walked silently to Zhonghuang Temple. Everyone could see that he was in a low mood, and it was difficult to say anything else.
The news of Zhou Lianshi's passing had already reached Zhonghuang Temple. This time Mr. Changqing returned with his support, and the Taoist priests from the temple made good preparations and carried the coffin to the back mountain.
Master Zhou Lian lived in Fangwai Mountain, not at home, so the funeral ceremony was naturally handled by Zhonghuang Temple.
According to the ritual of good and bad luck, after the Taoist passed away, his fellow practitioners offered incense, chanted sutras, and performed the Five Refining Methods of Resurrecting a Corpse in order to hope that the soul would go straight to the Nangong. Then, the Taoist's robes, talismans, seals, and scriptures were burned together.
The remains were put into a coffin and buried in a quiet and secret place in the mountains.
Master Zhou Lian entrusted the Twelve Taihuang Bells to Mr. Changqing before his death. In addition, his master Daguan Zhenren was originally from Zhonghuangguan, so it was natural that he would preside over the funeral.
In Taoist festivals, there is no complicated and lengthy funeral procession, and no other lay people are required to pay homage, so Cheng San and Wu and a few people just wandered around the Qianshan Taoist temple and enjoyed the autumn colors in the mountains.
"Miss Afu, do you really plan to let Lao Cheng enter the Ministry of Internal Affairs?"
Walking in the quiet courtyard covered with fallen leaves, Su Wangting and Afu started talking alone, wondering where Cheng Sanwu had gone crazy.
"You don't want to let him go?" Seeing Su Wangting hesitate to speak, Afu said calmly: "Or are you worried that I will murder him?"
"I don't dare." Su Wangting replied quickly.
"You say you don't dare, but in fact you are full of suspicion." Afu pointed out directly: "Are you worried that you will not be appointed by the Prime Minister in the future, so you want to find a future for Cheng Sanwu alone?"
"Yes." Su Wangting was not as arrogant as Cheng Sanwu, nor was he as arrogant and talented as Mr. Changqing. He was always cautious when facing Afu: "Old Cheng has a life case involved, and he needs to be pardoned by Prime Minister Lu.
.”
Afu actually heard the conversation between Su Wangting and Mr. Changqing that night, and already knew about Cheng Sanwu’s past, so she deliberately did not ask about it, but said: "Human life cases? Cheng Sanwu also killed many people in the Western Regions. Don’t talk about anything else.
, just for Wu Maocai’s case, the British public may not be able to easily expose it.”
"With all due respect, the British Lord is just using the topic to force Prime Minister Lu's power out of the Western Regions. I'm afraid he doesn't really care about Wu Maocai's life or death," Su Wangting said.
"If it is because of a crime that requires a pardon, then Prime Minister Lu is not the only one who can do it." Afu stood still and looked at an ancient cypress.
Su Wangting could see that Afu had a high status in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and her attitude towards Cheng Sanwu was not as cold as others. However, Su Wangting himself did not trust the Ministry of Internal Affairs very much. This was due to his awareness of being born under Prime Minister Lu's family and his lack of respect for eunuchs.
The disgust of officials who exercise power and act secretly.
Although he has been in the Western Regions for many years and is not aware of the specific overt and covert struggles in the court, the fact that His Majesty has allowed the Ministry of Internal Affairs to gain increasing power is clearly intended to check and balance the structure of the court.
Su Wangting knew very well how dangerous it was, and he didn't dare to get involved in it, let alone a reckless and upright person like Lao Cheng?
According to the original plan, Su Wangting planned to ask Prime Minister Lu to let Cheng Sanwu go to the land of Youyan in Hebei Province to fight with the Hu Qi who were causing nuisance on the border. On the one hand, he could accumulate military merit, and on the other hand, he could avoid the waves in the court.
Weird.
Most of the British Duke's old ministries served in Longyou in the Western Regions and could not reach the Youyan area. This way, Cheng Sanwu could be preserved and it was also suitable for his temperament.
But if Cheng Sanwu really enters the Ministry of Internal Affairs, he will inevitably be involved in all kinds of deep and dangerous conspiracies. With Old Cheng’s mind, I am afraid that he will really be manipulated by people like Afu at will. No matter how superb his martial arts, he can’t stop the conspiracy.
Calculating!
"The way you treat Cheng Sanwu is like a father and brother taking care of their children. Aren't you afraid that you will protect him too much and make him not know how to take care of himself?" Afu asked.
"Old Cheng... is not suitable for a peaceful world." Su Wangting spoke tactfully. He sometimes felt that Cheng Sanwu was almost as reckless as an untamed wild beast, and he would get into trouble as soon as his temperament came up.
"Do you think the world is peaceful now?" Afu changed the subject.
Su Wangting suddenly felt a chill running down his spine and his hair stood on end. He quickly lowered his head and held his hands in his hands: "Today, the Holy Emperor is ruling the world, and there are loyal ministers and good generals as his colleagues, as well as internal ministers and ministers to assist China and foreign countries. If this is not a peaceful world, what is a peaceful world?"
Afu was not very happy: "Don't you think it's too slick to say this?"
Su Wangting did not dare to refute, he just lowered his head and looked like he was ready to be slaughtered.
But Afu is not ignorant. She knows very well that the person who can influence Cheng Sanwu the most now is Su Wangting. Considering the great terror lurking in the depths of Cheng Sanwu, she should not push it too much.
"Let's do this, let's each take a step back." Afu said with a smile: "You let Cheng Sanwu make his own choice. If he is willing to come to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, you can't forcefully stop him based on past feelings."
"Okay." Su Wangting knew that he could only go so far.
As soon as the two of them finished chatting, they saw Cheng Sanwu jogging from a distance, carrying the hem of his clothes and seeming to be carrying something.
"Come on, come on, I just saw a pear tree with big pears on it." Cheng Sanwu looked excited and stuffed the pears he held into their arms: "I tasted one and found these big pears."
The pears are all ripe, but those Taoist priests didn't pick any of them, so I'm not polite."
Before Su Wangting had time to speak, an old Taoist priest rushed out from the corner and shouted: "Pear thief, don't run!"
Cheng Sanwu took a bite of the pear and shook his head at the two of them: "Run!"
Su Wangting lowered his head and glanced at the pears in his arms. Cheng Sanwu ran away like a whirlwind. He was about to cry but had no tears. When Afu next to him saw this, he immediately covered his mouth and laughed.
…
It was dark at night, and Mr. Changqing was walking alone on the mountain path.
Normally, it is difficult to travel on mountain roads at night because of the blindness, but for a young Taoist who has magical powers and can see at night as well as day, it is not difficult. But at this moment, tears blurred his vision, making his steps and body a little trance-like.
Just as Mr. Changqing was feeling depressed and suffering, he suddenly heard the sound of quick footsteps coming from the fork in the path, and a figure passed by in the wind, holding a wooden bucket filled with water in both hands.
"Cheng Sanwu? What are you doing?" Mr. Changqing saw the other party clearly and quickly called out.
"Who?" Cheng Sanwu stood still and turned around, then realized: "Oh, it's you."
"What are you doing carrying two barrels?" Mr. Changqing felt that Cheng Sanwu could bring him absurd and bizarre feelings at any time.
"Uh...I'm a little embarrassed." Cheng Sanwu suddenly became ashamed and evaded.
Seeing him like this, Mr. Changqing couldn't help but laugh out loud and wiped the tears from his eyes: "You just say it."
"I... saw a pear tree before, which was full of ripe pears. I couldn't help myself and picked a few." Cheng Sanwu hesitated: "I never wanted to be broken by the Taoist priests in the temple.
, Lao Su had to apologize to the person, saying that he was willing to pay for it. But the other person refused, saying that it was some kind of pear tree planted by the ancestor, and he insisted that I work hard labor for the Taoist temple for a year."
"So you're just here carrying buckets of water?" Mr. Changqing laughed loudly: "You are such a reckless man, you can actually do such sneaky things! Hahahahaha——"
Cheng Sanwu cried sadly: "Why don't you just eat a few of his pears? If it's really valuable, you might as well get a dog to keep an eye on it. Just plant it in the backyard, and others will pick it up as they pass by."
Mr. Changqing laughed heartily, and seemed to have laughed away the sadness and depression caused by the death of his elder. Finally, he took a long breath and simply sat on the steps of the mountain path to rest.
"Where did the pear tree come from in Zhonghuangguan? You were deceived!" Mr. Changqing raised his finger and pointed.
"Ah? How dare that bastard fool me?" Cheng Sanwu said angrily.
"Why don't you reflect on yourself?" Mr. Changqing laughed and scolded: "When you go to other people's homes as guests, do you know how to plunder them?"
"It's hard to say." Cheng Sanwu put down the bucket.
"Oh my God, Brother Fu has been able to endure a guy like you for ten years. No one else has such a kind heart." Mr. Changqing put his hand on his forehead: "You are supposed to do hard labor. You have no place to vent your energy, so you have to go everywhere.
Get into trouble."
Cheng Sanwu put his hands on his hips and said, "Oh, you're calling me 'Brother Fu'?"
Mr. Changqing shook his head and smiled bitterly: "The martial arts people and knight-errants in the Central Plains will not call you Lao Su Lao Su. They may even sing and greet each other when they meet. Those who know some elegant literature will have to sing before they show up to fight with others.
Recite the rhyme of a poem to express your thoughts and ideas."
Cheng Sanwu was stunned: "What, what? Singing, drinking and beating?"
"You don't even understand this?" Mr. Changqing couldn't help but wonder: "You have such profound martial arts skills that you don't even know this common sense?"
Cheng Sanwu scratched his beard: "I come from a small place, so I'm not so particular."
"No matter how small the place is, you still have to interact with people." Mr. Changqing observed the other person carefully: "I have never asked in the past, which sect do you study under?"
"I don't have any teachers, I'm just a wild fool, just fooling around." Cheng Sanwu said, "Just think of me as self-taught."
"Don't want to say it?" Mr. Changqing slapped his thigh and stood up: "Forget it, just do it slowly here."
"No!" Cheng Sanwu said quickly: "Didn't your master come from here? You can go back to your hometown now. Please help me to ask for a favor. I don't want to stay here and do hard labor."
A look of success appeared on Mr. Changqing's face: "Not everyone can afford this favor from me."
Cheng Sanwuyi patted his chest: "Okay, if you have any difficulties in the future, just come to me! Anyway, we both broke through the Protector's Mansion side by side, so what else is there to be afraid of?"
Mr. Changqing was slightly startled. Cheng Sanwu's forthright and bold attitude made him feel a little ashamed. The little tricks he played were not worth it in front of this reckless man.