Cheng Sanwu yawned profusely, leading his horse and walking slowly. When he was about to leave Pingkangfang, he suddenly heard a noise coming from the far side of the wall, and several thugs carrying sticks passed by him.
"What happened?" Cheng Sanwu asked a passerby casually.
"I heard that two old men kidnapped a prostitute, and the madam sent thugs to chase her back." Passers-by shook their heads and laughed, obviously used to seeing similar situations.
Cheng Sanwu looked at the low houses along the wall. They were far less magnificent than Tianxiang Pavilion. The old man who could come here to abduct people must not be a serious guy, right?
Ignoring such trivial matters, Cheng Sanwu returned to Kungang Courtyard in Chongrenfang, where he happened to see Su Wangting and Changqing preparing their horses.
"Lao Cheng, you're finally back. I'm still thinking about whether to pick you up at Pingkangfang." Su Wangting looked up and down and said with a hint of doubt, "Huh? I thought you must have a spring breeze on your face, why are you looking so listless?
?”
"Oh, don't mention it!" Cheng Sanwu waved his hand. He was about to complain, but thinking of Afu's threatening words, he swallowed it back.
"What? Did the courtesan in Xiang Pavilion look good that day?" Su Wangting asked jokingly.
"It looks good, but I can't afford to offend you." Cheng Sanwu rubbed his belly: "Is there anything to eat? I'm starving to death."
"I've prepared some in the kitchen, I'll go get it." Su Wangting walked away with a smile, and it was Changqing's turn to step forward, with a look on his face as if he was watching a good show, and said in a sinister manner: "I expected that Brother Cheng has experienced many battles and should be a veteran of flowers.
Romance Ranger, even if the court lady in Tianxiang Pavilion can make people's bones wither, Brother Cheng won't lose half his life in one night, right?"
Cheng Sanwu covered his face and sat down: "I finally admit my defeat. Each of these women is more evil than the last."
Chang Qing was not surprised: "Don't even think about it, how can the brothel girls who are famous in a place like Chang'an be ordinary people? Maybe they are backed by some big shots, and they are these brothel girls who flatter themselves with their sounds and looks.
With the most trivial means, I dare to guess that they are acting as brokers between various powerful people."
"How do I understand these nonsense?" Cheng Sanwu shook his head repeatedly, took out the Immortal Traveling Token from his arms, and said fiercely: "When you pass the Taoist examination next year, I invite you to go to Tianxiang Pavilion and be sure to find it.
The place!"
"I won't go." Changqing said with his hands behind his back.
"Why don't you go?" Cheng Sanwu said: "I have heard that after the Chang'an imperial examination is opened, all the scholars and scholars will come to Pingkangfang to celebrate. I think it will be the same for the Taoist examination."
"If I linger in brothels and indulge in sex, wouldn't my cultivation be in vain?" Chang Qing said seriously.
Cheng Sanwu laughed: "If being obsessed with sex will hinder your Taoism, then I'm afraid that your Taoism will be in vain."
"Of course you, a rough and common man, don't understand!" Changqing snorted coldly and raised his head slightly to explain: "Although Taoism is not like Buddhism, it requires people to abandon their parents and wives and become a monk. However, if you indulge in lust, you will eventually be killed.
It involves the spirit. If you want to achieve something, you still have to stay outside and live in the woods."
"I understand, you just want to hide in the ravines." Cheng Sanwu asked, "Then why did you come to Chang'an?"
"I -" Changqing didn't expect the other party to ask such a question, so she had to pretend to be calm: "Of course I'm here for a Taoist ceremony. I have a Taoist book, which will make it easier to walk in the future."
At this time, Su Wangting came back, carrying a pot of steamed wheat rice that was still warm, with thinly sliced meat jerky mixed in, and a spoonful of black bean sauce poured over it.
Cheng Sanwu took the rice bowl, took a few bites, with grains of rice stuck to the corner of his mouth, and said to Chang Qing: "You said you were going to huddle in the ravines, so why do you need Taoism? The government is so busy, Go to the mountains all day long to check household registration?"
"Metaphor, metaphor! That's a metaphor, do you understand?!" Chang Qing went crazy: "Being outside does not mean that you have to huddle in the mountains and forests all your life, but that you can go in and out of the mortal world at will, and not be restricted by the dust net. If the Taoism is profound enough, of course you can ignore the eyes of the world, but there is no need to cause unnecessary trouble. I am just like the light and the dust, and I live in turmoil and follow the customs!"
"Bullshit!" Cheng Sanwu spat out grains of rice as he spoke. Changqing hurriedly hid aside, watching him shaking the spoon and pointing, and said vaguely: "I think you just can't give up power and want to be a high official!"
Su Wangting hurriedly tried to persuade him: "Lao Cheng, just eat well and don't spray it everywhere! People grow up young and have ambitions, unlike you, who just want to be happy and happy for a while."
Cheng Sanwu was told something, and he shrugged his shoulders and ate hard. Changqing, on the other hand, was exposed and couldn't help but lower his head and reflect on himself.
Su Wangting glanced at Changqing. With his extensive knowledge of people, he could naturally tell that Changqing came to Chang'an to attend the Taoist ceremony. He must have wanted to use this as a stepping stone to his career. He had long-term intentions and was not the kind of Qing who retreated to the mountains and forests. People who cultivate.
Cheng Sanwu finished the bowl of mixed wheat rice in a blink of an eye, poured himself a bowl of water to rinse his mouth, and then asked: "Are you going to meet Wang Da, the richest man?"
"Yes, Lao Cheng, you are coming too." Su Wangting nodded.
"Let's go, I'll go and see what the richest man Wang Da is like!" Cheng Sanwu had a hearty meal, his depression disappeared, and he immediately became enthusiastic.
…
Apart from Baibalifang, the most densely populated areas in Chang'an are the East and West Markets. Among them, the West Market is mostly run by Hu merchants from the Western Regions. The shops are lined up in rows, and the goods sold are geared toward the needs of the common people.
And because it is close to the mansions of dignitaries and dignitaries in the northeast of Chang'an City, the East Market naturally adds a touch of nobility. In addition to restaurants that stock singers and dancers, there are also valuable businesses such as book engraving and brocade weaving.
The place where Su Wangting and Wang Yuanbao met was next to the Free Life Pond in the northeast corner of Dongshi City. This place was originally a guest residence for officials who came to Beijing to report on their duties. Wang Yuanbao saw that this place could communicate with officials from various places, so he moved to Dongshi where the land was so valuable. In the corner of the city, a Buddhist temple was built near the water. The waterside pavilions are both exquisite and elegant, which is very in line with the discerning style of Buddhist believers and nobles. Therefore, many officials and ladies came here to worship Buddha and perform good deeds of freeing lives.
Wang Yuanbao was also considered a Buddhist, and most of his guests were entertained at Zhuyuan Jingshe. Buddhist temples and nunneries in and around Chang'an were all worshiped by Wang Yuanbao without exception. His good name was naturally praised by monks and nuns, so there were many He was nicknamed "the layman who is good at making money".
When Su Wangting and his entourage arrived outside Puji Temple, after being notified, a monk took the initiative to go out to greet them, and led the three of them straight into a separate Zen room in the temple. The richest man, Wang Da, was sitting upright on a futon, turning the pages of scriptures, opening and closing his lips, and chanting silently. Nian, there is a black monk next to him making tea.
He raised his eyes and saw Su Wangting arriving, with a white face and black beard, and a kind face. Wang Yuanbao removed the scripture. He was dressed in an off-white cloth robe, holding a rosary in his hand and stood up, saying: "When Manager Su came to Chang'an, Yuanbao failed to greet him in person. It is really a sin. "
Su Wangting said quickly: "Su is just a despicable person and does not dare to work for the king."
In Puji Temple, Wang Yuanbao cannot be a master or the richest man, but can only be a layman. This man seems to have an easy-going demeanor, but no one dares to disregard the rules.
"This is Cheng Sanwu, who is accompanied by Su." Su Wangting introduced the two companions: "This is Mr. Changqing, a disciple of Daguan Zhenren in Songyue Fuzang Palace."
When he heard the name of Master Daguan, Wang Yuanbao's eyes lit up. He quickly looked at Changqing with his eyes, and said hello: "I heard that Master Daguan has been summoned by His Majesty and will go to the palace to preach Taoism. I have the honor to meet you today, which shows that
The real person is immortal and elegant."
When Su Wangting heard this, he looked calm on the face, but he was particularly shocked in his heart. Changqing didn't disclose such an important matter as Master Daguan being summoned by the emperor to him. Could it be that he still didn't trust himself?
Chang Qing cupped his hands and said: "Master felt that I lacked experience, so he specially ordered me to walk down the mountain to learn about people and increase my knowledge. I am currently walking with Manager Su."
These words were spoken in a plain tone. However, for an immortal master who will be summoned by the emperor, his disciples are naturally the most suitable people to associate with. Such a person following Su Wangting will undoubtedly add a lot of weight and give Su Wangting confidence to speak.
Immediately eliminate any doubt in his mind.
Wang Yuanbao was a man who had experienced great storms. Even if he was surprised, it was only a flash in his eyes. He immediately asked the three of them to sit down, and a young novice brought a futon.
"Su is not talented. He has something he wants to offer to Puji Temple, but he is short-sighted and cannot identify it. For fear of desecrating the Bodhisattva, he asked layman Wang to evaluate it on his behalf." Su Wangting held the wooden box in his hand, and naturally it contained a gift.
A gift for Wang Yuanbao.
In such a pure occasion as a Buddhist temple, with eminent monks making tea and making tea nearby, the atmosphere was unworldly. Talking about giving gifts was really a sight to behold, so Su Wangting came up with such a reason, at least he could cope with the situation.
Wang Yuanbao's expression remained as usual. He took the black porcelain teacup handed to him, put it on the tip of his nose and sniffed it. Then he smiled slowly and said: "Master Su has been doing business in the Western Regions for many years. I think this is an unparalleled treasure."
"In front of my Buddha, I dare not pretend to be a treasure." Su Wangting opened the wooden box and took out the silk and satin package. After unwrapping it, he revealed a vessel shaped like an alms bowl. It looked like it was made of white jade. It was flawless and shiny, like half a wheel.
Looking at the moonlight, one can feel that one's heart is clear.
"This is...a big chime?" Wang Yuanbao recognized this object as a Buddhist ritual object. When chanting sutras, he would hit it with a wooden stick to guide the rise and fall of the sutra's rhyme.
However, the large chimes used in Buddhist temples are usually made of copper, and jade cannot be struck. The melodious echo when the wooden stick circles the edge of the large chime can only be produced by copper and iron materials.
"I wonder what's so great about this big chime?" With Wang Yuanbao's wealth, he had seen almost all the goods and treasures in the world, even to the point of boredom. Even the treasures forbidden in the imperial palace could not arouse much interest.
This is why when he built Puji Temple, there were few ornate decorations, and the emphasis was on elegance and simplicity. Just like a person who has eaten too much delicacies from the mountains and seas, and then tastes green vegetables and tofu later, he will feel great joy.
"Su's relationship with Buddhism is shallow, so I would like to invite layman Wang to give it a try himself." Su Wangting handed the chime-beating stick to the other party.
Wang Yuanbao did not refuse. He picked up a sandalwood stick as thick as his thumb and gently knocked off the large white jade chime.
With a melodious sound, the large chime itself bloomed with a white light. The soft light passed by, and the scene in the Zen room changed. Everyone found themselves on the water as calm as a mirror, with a full moon half hanging in the night, and the brilliance shone everywhere.
.
When Wang Yuanbao was illuminated by the moonlight, he felt that his pores were dilated and his whole body seemed to be soaked in cold water.
At his age, it is difficult for him to be immersed in cold water, otherwise there is a risk of typhoid fever. But at this moment, the coolness penetrated into his bones and joints. Wang Yuanbao still did not feel cold. On the contrary, his body became lighter, and he felt like a heavenly being described in Buddhist scriptures.
, floating and flying, walking on water without falling, because the muscles and bones become weak with age, the roughness of the joints disappears, and the most energetic experience in youth is not as ethereal and liberating as this moment.
The monks and laymen who were in the Zen room were all surrounded by the wonders of the water and the moon. No matter how well-mannered the tea-making monk was, he couldn't help but change his color slightly. Cheng Sanwu, on the other hand, looked around, rarely keeping his mouth shut.
Changqing had learned a few days ago that Su Wangting had this large white jade chime. This Buddhist ritual object was not used to fight with others, but to help monks practice Buddhism and detect illusions by unfolding the water and moon scene.
Indulging in it is not a good thing.
However, in Changqing's eyes, Wang Yuanbao is nothing more than a disciple of the Buddha. Even if he fasts, chants sutras, makes useless offerings, and pretends to be devout in worshiping the Buddha, it is impossible for such a person to sincerely worship the Buddha. He will either fall into delusion, or
It's for comfort.
However, for this kind of person, it is really necessary to satisfy the appetite with illusory magical objects such as a large white jade chime. It must be said that Su Wangting is very accurate in judging people, firmly grasps what Wang Yuanbao wants, and gives just the right gifts.
"The name of this large white jade chime is hard to find out. Legend has it that it was stolen by a heretic sect from Tianzhu when they were fighting with Buddhism." Su Wangting explained: "This thing has been tossed around several times and wandered to the Western Regions. It was covered with dust for many years and was later stolen.
King Fucheng of Khotan got it and buried it with him. Within a few years, it was dug up and stolen by thieves, triggering a new round of repeated fighting.
"Later, Su dreamed of a Bodhisattva standing on the water under the moon. After receiving his guidance, he finally found this large white jade chime in a den of thieves. Su felt deeply that this object was extraordinary, so he burned incense and worshiped it day and night, and did not dare to neglect it.
Before leaving the Western Region, Su received a Bodhisattva's decree, saying that if this thing was properly placed, it could promote Buddhism, so he brought it with him.
"It's just that Su is just a layman. How dare he make false claims to promote Buddhism? I don't know which temple to find for proper placement. Fortunately, I learned that Puji Temple was donated by layman Wang. This place is adjacent to the release pond and is close to the water. Su thought about it
I have no choice but to take the liberty of coming to visit and ask the layman Wang to consult for me."
This flattery was extremely accurate and made Wang Yuanbao very useful. Even though his long years of business experience made him vaguely feel that Su Wangting's words may not be completely true, he still chose to believe it.
As for Chang Qing and Cheng Sanwu, although there were no strange expressions on their faces, they both felt that Su Wangting's words were mostly fiction. At least dreaming about Bodhisattva was not in line with Su Wangting's pragmatic character. Moreover, this white jade chime
The materials used alone are very different from the customs of Tianzhu utensils.
"How could Manager Su be willing to part with such a Buddhist treasure?" Although Wang Yuanbao was tempted, he did not lose his mind.
"Buddha has the great merit of cutting meat to feed eagles. Su has been doing business in the Western Regions for many years. He knows that his moral virtues are lacking, so he only wishes to worship this large white jade chime to eliminate some of his bad karma and avoid suffering after his death." Su Wangting spoke sincerely.
Wang Yuanbao was greatly moved and said repeatedly: "Okay, okay, Director Su and I are destined to be the Buddha, they are destined!"