The two entered the Tongtian River Water Palace and talked for about an hour.
After the negotiation was completed, we came out of the water.
"I am not unaware of Red Boy's character. The Bodhisattva made him a good boy and gave him good luck. But as a mother..."
Princess Iron Fan's clothes were disheveled and she was crying.
When she was in the Water Palace, she couldn't help wiping away tears when she talked about the emotional place and thought about her son so much that she even got her clothes messed up at that time.
Bai Gui gave some advice.
The two of them drove Xiangyun and arrived at the Purple Bamboo Forest in the South China Sea in less than a moment. With Bai Gui's help, Guanyin Bodhisattva gave Princess Iron Fan a blessing, and from now on she could see the Red Boy three times a year.
After Princess Iron Fan and Red Boy's mother and son met, they cried again.
"Thank you uncle for your help this time."
Hong Boy is not an ungrateful person. When he saw Princess Iron Fan and Bai Gui coming, he knew that his mother was asking for Bai Gui this time. His face lost the arrogance of the past, and he bowed respectfully.
The Good Fortune Boy... sounds pretty good, but in fact he is just a little god who works around Guanyin Bodhisattva. He is far from comparable to Bai Gui and other heavenly officials. Only after he entered Buddhism and became a little god did he know what he had done before.
What he did was ridiculous and he didn’t realize it.
"It's okay, please comfort your mother more. Last night, your mother..."
Bai Gui sighed.
In the nine-nine-eighty-one calamity, some calamities are set by gods and gods, and some calamities are caused by monsters seeking their own death. Red Boy's is the type who seeks his own death. With Hong Boy's temperament, it is unlikely that he would be willing to be the one who commits suicide.
Such a small job as a good-luck boy.
The mother and son cried again.
Bai Gui realized that time was almost up, so he excused himself and said, "I am going back to the East with the pilgrims. I will not accompany you, madam. Goodbye."
When he came this time, he couldn't save face and helped an old friend.
It's just a small favor that can be done casually, so there's no need to worry about it.
"I will arrive in Chang'an in a few days and pay my respects to Taoist Master Bai." Princess Iron Fan stepped forward with a blush on her face and tears on her cheeks, and said softly.
I came in a hurry this time and didn't prepare any gifts. Bai Gui's help is a favor and he will have to repay it in the future. At the same time, he also needs to prepare a generous gift to express his gratitude.
Bai Gui said "hmm" and waved his fly whisk.
In an instant, he disappeared into the purple bamboo forest in the South China Sea and arrived at Chenjiazhuang on the east bank of the Tongtian River in Hezhou, Xiniu.
Tang Monk and the others did not ask Bai Gui what he had done.
After Chen Qing served lunch, they saw that the scriptures had also been dried and dried. Everyone then said goodbye and set off again on their journey back to Chang'an of the Tang Dynasty.
…
After one day.
It was still spring in Chang'an, and they settled at Zhuque Gate.
"To report to my emperor, the monk who went to the Western Heaven to obtain Buddhist scriptures in the thirteenth year of Zhenguan has returned." Huangmen Shilang entered the palace, half-knelt on the ground, and shouted.
It is now the twenty-seventh year of Zhenguan, and fourteen years have passed since the Buddhist scripture study in the thirteenth year of Zhenguan. Li Shimin was stunned for a while, and then urged, "Let the emperor go to the palace."
What Tang Monk took during this trip was the Sutra of Immortality, which might extend his life.
"Father, don't be anxious, the Buddhist monks will come to the palace later." Standing next to Li Shimin's case was a handsome young man who stepped forward to persuade him.
"Pheasant slave, you are right."
Li Shimin was no longer in a hurry, straightened his clothes and sat down to wait.
This young man named "Pheasant Slave" is none other than Li Shimin's third son, King Li Zhi of the Jin Dynasty.
"To inform my emperor, in addition to the holy monks who collected scriptures, Duke Liu also returned to the court and came with the scripture collectors." Seeing that Li Shimin paid such attention, Huangmen Shilang changed his title and continued.
Monks are also complimentary, but holy monks are more complimentary.
"Liu Guo Gong?"
Li Shimin has gray hair on his temples and is aging. He is no longer as old as he used to be. He stood up and said: "Pheasant slave, back then your mother's illness could not be cured and she relied on Duke Liu to rule her. Now that Duke Liu has returned to the court, you will also
You should go outside the palace to greet him."
Those who seek scriptures may retrieve the Sutra of Immortality.
But no one can compare to Bai Gui, a serious heavenly god.
Therefore, the prince Li Zhi was asked to come out of the palace to greet Bai Gui in order to show respect for Bai Gui. Another point is that the king of Wei Li Tai and the prince Li Chengqian had a serious dispute over the heir. Although the prince Li Chengqian rebelled the year before last, he deposed Li Chengqian's prince.
He deposed him as a commoner, but when faced with Qingque, his second son who killed his brothers, he lost the favor of the past...
Bai Gui was once the chief clerk of the Wei Palace and the teacher of Wei King Li Tai. He wanted Jin King Li Zhi to succeed to the throne, so he had to be careful about Bai Gui. Even if Bai Gui did not participate in the fight for the heir, just because of Bai Gui's identity, it would
This will naturally give King Li Tai of Wei a lot of fans, so he must be on guard against it.
This time, Jin King Li Zhi was asked to go out to meet Bai Gui in person. The idea was to let Li Zhi show up in front of Bai Gui and get familiar with him. If possible, it is not impossible to go further.
"Liu Guo Gong?" Jin Wang Li Zhi said in shock.
The first time he met Bai Gui, he was playing in the Zhengdian Palace and accidentally bumped into Bai Gui. After that, Bai Gui was promoted to a god, but he rarely saw him. However, even if Bai Gui was not in Chang'an, Chang'an had
The rumors about Bai Gui have never stopped.
Because Bai Gui's status is too high, any slight move may affect the balance of the Chang'an court. Recently, with the overthrow of Prince Li Chengqian, his father Li Shimin did not canonize Wei Wang Li Tai as the crown prince. Many former princes
Members of a party... began to secretly seek refuge with him.
"Pheasant slave, go quickly, don't wait for Bai Qing."
Li Shimin urged.
When Li Zhi heard this, ecstasy flashed through his heart, but he remained calm. After bowing and saluting Li Shimin, he gracefully came out of the palace to greet him with the palace guard of honor.
He was not a man without authority. Although Li Shimin didn't say it clearly, he could detect some traces from it. For example, he was his father's true choice for the crown prince. Li Shimin did not go out to greet him personally, but instead asked him to greet him on his behalf.
, the purpose is self-explanatory.
Shaoqing, at the entrance of Zhuque.
Li Zhi got off his horse and glanced forward.
I saw only Tang Seng and his party of four people and one horse. Except for Tang Seng who looked like a human being, the other three looked like barbarians and monsters. But after all, they were princes, and they had maintained their tolerance and never made a sound in fear. He looked aside again
When I went there, I saw the familiar person in my memory, exactly the same as before, no change.
"Zhi... I have met Mr. Liu, a holy monk."
Li Zhi bowed his head and bowed.
After paying homage, he straightened up and smiled, "I would also like to invite Duke Liu and the holy monk to enter the palace. My father has already hosted a banquet in the palace and is waiting for me. I hope the two elders will not refuse."
One is an immortal god in heaven, and the other has returned from studying scriptures in the west. Regardless of Li Shimin's instructions, he will not offend easily.
"I wonder how Duke Liu returned to Chang'an with the holy monk."
The three of them walked side by side and entered the palace. After walking for a while, Li Zhi took the initiative to find a topic.
Even though the palace prohibits riding horses, the restrictions vary from person to person.
Although he knew that Bai Gui was unlikely to return to Chang'an for the matter of King Wei, it was still necessary to find out. Furthermore, the emperor was so angry that he bled thousands of miles away. Not to mention the immortals. Every move of the immortals was...
It is worth pondering carefully.
"Pindao was on duty in Heaven and went to Lingshan as a guest and met Master Xuanzang."
Bai Gui replied.
Li Zhi was a little shocked after hearing this.
How high is the official position of the Duke of Liuguo that he can actually go to Lingshan as a guest? If Bai Gui goes to a certain Bodhisattva or Arhat as a guest, he will not be surprised, but if he goes to Lingshan as a guest, the meaning is different.
….
"Gong Liu has not returned to the world for many years. The servants in the White Mansion were also very old and could go away... At the White Mansion in Shengyefang, my father would send people to clean the court every day. I will give Mr. Liu a few more coins as a gift.
The envoy’s maidservant can also serve Duke Liu’s daily needs in Chang’an.”
Li Zhi pulled him close and said.
Fourteen years may sound short, but that is for gods and gods. For mortals, if they are free from illness and disaster, most of their life spans are only about fifty or sixty years old. Fourteen years is too long. And
The White Mansion lost its master again. Bai Gui was not mean and did not sign the contract to sell himself to these people, so no matter how loyal a servant he is, he will gradually leave. Guarding an empty house does not count as being loyal. Bai Gui did not give in.
They forced them to stay.
"There's no need for that. A poor man can survive with just a basket of food and a cup of drink."
Bai Gui chuckled and rejected Li Zhi's proposal.
With his current status, the servants sent by King Li Zhi of Jin would not act recklessly no matter how much they were on guard. But after all, he was also the teacher of King Li Tai of Wei. Even if he helped Li Tai seize the throne without knowing it, he would not go to any extent on this matter.
It’s hard for Wei Wang Li Tai.
Li Zhi felt a little disappointed in his heart, but he still wore a smile, and after talking to Bai Gui for a few words, he did not show any dissatisfaction, showing his royal upbringing.
"Holy Monk, I wonder if the Holy Monk can obtain scriptures on immortality during his trip to Xitianling Mountain?" He changed the topic again and asked Tang Monk.
"The Buddha said that these scriptures are all essential for spiritual practice. As long as your majesty practices hard, you may be able to obtain them." Tang Monk clasped his hands together, recited the name of the living Buddha, and said.
"might have?"
Li Zhi was surprised.
"Those who are sincere can see the open road, and there are immortals and Buddhas who can guide them, but it is difficult for those who are impure."
Tang Seng explained.
Bai Gui was speechless after hearing this. This is the sophistry of Buddhism. In fact, it is not a big deal to say that these Buddhist scriptures are the key to spiritual practice, but only those who have a deep understanding of Buddhism can understand the way to become a Buddha. First of all,
Regardless of whether Li Shimin has this understanding or not, his longevity alone cannot sustain it.
And those who can become a Buddha, even if they only have one copy of the Diamond Sutra, they will see spiritual mountains everywhere they look.
In short, the scriptures Tang Monk sought were of no benefit to Li Shimin at all.
"What is an impure person and what is a sincere person?"
Li Zhi asked back.
He also vaguely sensed something was wrong.
"Your Highness, Prince Jin, your heart is not pure." Tang Monk smiled, pointed at the position of his heart, then closed his eyes and said nothing.
After he became a Buddha, he practiced Taoism and learned many miraculous things.
For example, he has a clear mind.
Of course, his psychic powers cannot detect gods like Bai Gui, and he can only listen to the voices of mortals. He can clearly hear the evil intentions of King Li Zhi of Jin at this moment.
So when he said that Li Zhi was an impure person, it was not unreasonable.
Li Zhi's heart is not pure.
"Holy monk, your heart is lonely and impure? Is that why it is difficult to practice the Sutra of Immortality?"
Li Zhi was surprised.
If his heart can be considered unclean, then who in the entire royal family can be called clean? It seems that the Immortality Sutra that his father, Emperor Li Shimin, has been praying for is just an empty joy.
"Your Highness, you are upset."
Tang Seng pointed at Li Zhi's heart again.
Li Zhi quickly meditated and did not dare to think wildly.
He hoped that Tang Monk could bring the real Sutra of Immortality and extend Li Shimin's life. After all, Li Shimin raised him with his own hands. But he also hoped that the Sutra of Immortality was fake... The throne was at his fingertips and he didn't want to add anything more.
variable.
From time to time, several people arrived at the Li Zheng Hall.
Empress Changsun personally arranged a vegetarian meal to entertain several people.
"Yu Di has traveled thousands of miles to finally obtain the true scripture. The last time I saw Yu Di was in the thirteenth year of Zhenguan. Now more than ten years have passed, and Yu Di..." When Li Shimin was about to be polite, he realized that
Tang Seng's appearance is not much different from before. He is the same as Bai Gui.
He exchanged a few simple greetings and asked urgent questions, the same as Li Zhi asked, whether there is a way to live forever.
Seeking true scriptures for the world is just an excuse.
Tang Seng also answered as before.
"It seems that I am also an unclean person." Li Shimin's face became a little uglier. He is now old, and the Dragon King of Jinghe that originally disturbed him has long since disappeared. When he heard that Tang Monk was back, he thought
The purpose is to see whether Tang Monk can obtain the true scripture and prolong his life.
But he was still an emperor after all, and even though he didn't like it in his heart, he didn't show it clearly. After praising Tang Monk for his merits, he let everyone eat.
"It's no wonder that Buddhism is anxious to choose sutra preachers..."
Seeing this, Bai Gui shook his head.
No matter how much Li Shimin is the Holy Emperor, there is no reason why he would die for Buddhism. Especially when Buddhism writes a blank check. Also, the longevity of a generation of emperors involves too much cause and effect, and even Buddhism will not change it without authorization.
Although it is possible, as a mortal, there is no need for them to expend such energy.
"Bai Qing, I'm on duty in heaven, but I don't know..."
After Li Shimin and Tang Seng finished talking, he looked at Bai Gui and paused, "I don't know how much life I have left. Bai Qing can speak frankly, but there is no need to be shy."
He knew that he was not going to die soon.
At this point, he could feel that his thinking was moving very slowly, and he would be out of breath taking just one step.
"His Majesty……"
Empress Changsun wept. She was much older than before, with slightly frosty hair on her temples. But she was well maintained and looked healthier than Li Shimin. "If Your Majesty dies, Guanyin will go with you."
"If Empress Changsun was alive, I wonder if Li Zhi would be so bold to go find Wu Jue?" Bai Gui suddenly thought of this. Of course, Wu Jue is now a monk in Ganye Temple and is not Li Shimin's concubine, so there is no need to worry about it.
This is it.
He shook off the distracting thoughts in his mind and muttered, "Your Majesty, longevity, I will watch Ziweixing... there are about twenty-three days left."
The longevity of human emperors is related to Ziweixing.
Ziweixing is the emperor star.
"Twenty-third?"
Hearing this, everyone in the palace was shocked.
Li Shimin also felt dizzy. He was on the verge of collapse, but it was Tian Khan who managed to hold on. "Thank you Bai Qing for informing me about this."
"I'm fine." Immediately afterwards, he scolded the palace maid who came to help him.