The 40th chapter: Clearing hidden dangers, Mu Zixu goes south to test martial arts with a soldier
Mu Zixu was ordered to be transferred to Jiangning Weaving, and set out for the south the next day, but he did not go very fast. After leaving Beijing, he went east to Tai'an, climbed Mount Tai to watch the sunrise, and then went to Jinan, where he stayed for a few days at the place where his elder Yu Chenglong was.
On the same day, Mingzhu and Suo'etu originally suspected that he had a secret order, but they no longer had any doubts after seeing him traveling around the mountains and rivers. After entering Jiangsu, Mu Zixu was uncharacteristically uncharacteristic, only eating at the post station and not following others.
, changed horses without changing people, traveled day and night, and arrived in Jiangning in just two days. After completing the delivery on the same day and appointing a clerk to temporarily take charge of the government affairs, he took a four-person carriage to see Wei Dongting. At this time, the sky was broken.
black.
"Zixu!" Wei Dongting and Mu Zixu were acquaintances for eight years and were in-laws. They always spoke straight to the point. Seeing Mu Zixu's mysterious behavior and strange expression, he smiled and said, "What are you doing? I saw you yesterday.
Di Bao, you are still in Zichuan, and you arrived today? You didn't even come with a letter - now that you have become such a high official, you are still so reckless!" Mu Zixu smiled and said: "Brother has wronged me this time, I -
"He looked at the people on the left and right, sipped tea, and said after a long time, "Brothers have been separated for so many days, and I am thinking about Mrs. Fengsheng and Sister-in-law Jianmei again. Do you think I can take it easy?" Wei Dongting has always been alert and steady, and knows things well.
The stakes were high, so he told his family: "Don't stay here to wait. It's rare for Mr. Mu to come. Please ask someone to set up a table in the Neem Pavilion to make it more elaborate. I want to have a few drinks with my in-laws!"
Seeing the senior followers exiting, Mu Zixu lowered his voice and said: "The emperor is scheduled to tour the south in April next year. Knowing that the situation here is complicated, he ordered his brothers to come and clear the road. There is a secret decree here, and you are the one sitting on the throne.
I'll help with it!"
"Oh!" Wei Dongting's eyes flashed wildly, he took Kangxi's secret letter, read it carefully, and then burned it on a candle. For some reason, his face turned pale, and he said after a while: "The emperor is indeed born wise.
Extraordinarily smart! I am a big success in Nanjing, and the officials here don’t know you. It’s most appropriate to give you the number one lawsuit in the world!” Mu Zixu smiled and said: “It’s all up to my brother to take charge, Zixu is still at your disposal.
If Ge Li really conspired with the third prince Zhu, I am afraid that the third master Suo will not be able to escape this disaster - I didn't expect that we would make meritorious deeds in Nanjing again!" Wei Dongting was noncommittal, and changed the topic and talked about his several investigations:
"The emperor's palaces were built in Nanjing. One is at Baishadu, one is at Linggu Temple, and the other is at Mochou Lake. The strange thing is that they are all very close to the temples. Linggu Temple is just that. The emperor is going to Xiaoling to pay tribute to Zhu Yuanzhang.
, it is reasonable to use it as a place to stay. Baishadu is so remote, how to protect it? Mochou Lake is separated from the city by the Qinhuai River in the north, and is surrounded by rivers in the southwest. The terrain is so low, in case something happens or something happens.
Flood, where is the master going? This is very strange..."
Mu Zixu listened quietly to Wei Dongting's introduction. He admired Wei Dongting's meticulousness and scheming. He also felt more and more that Ge Li had ulterior motives. After a long time, he said: "I live here with you. It seems that the most suspicious thing is Lake Mochou.
It is next to Pilu-in Temple. It has great scenery, many tourists, and looks very peaceful. If I really want to rebel, I will choose this place - I will go and have a look tomorrow."
"I have been there several times." Wei Dongting said thoughtfully. "I also suspected that he was setting up artillery bombardment on the top of Chan Mountain. I also went to the Jiangnan Artillery Manufacturing Bureau to check whether the red cannons on the existing forts were missing, but I
Without a military position, you can't go to the fort for verification without any excuse, which is the same as not checking - Piluyuan Zen Mountain has been closed for many years, if you really set up a cannon on it..." Wei Dongting shuddered, "So you have to try to enter.
Let’s go and have a look at Zen Mountain - I heard that Master Xingming will pass away again in three days, and there will be five of them in total. There will be many pilgrims at Pilu Temple tomorrow, and there may be some opportunities."
"What opportunity?" The laughter of Wei Dongting's wife Shi Jianmei came from the study, and then she opened the curtain and came in. She pursed her lips and said with a smile: "I heard that the eldest brother left Beijing and came to Jinling. The old lady seemed to be overjoyed.
As soon as I got here, I just talked about business - the banquet was already prepared, and the old lady was about to come over, but I persuaded her to stop her. They are all my own relatives, so what are you talking about? - Mei Xiang, why don't you go and clean up the west study room quickly?
, Master Mu lives there!”
Mu Zixu and Wei Dongting both stood up, smiled at each other, and followed Jianmei up to the Melia Pavilion.
Wei Dongting's private residence is in the Northeast Tiger Pass of Confucius Temple, not far from Mochou Lake. Early the next morning, Mu Zixu got up and felt that the weather was cold, so he put on a Ning silk jacket and walked swaying
Walk to Mochou Lake.
It was nearly October, the wind was blowing, and the Qinhuai River was clear and clear. Hotels and tea shops were lined up on the banks of Mochou Lake. There were tourists on the shore like ants, boats and boats criss-crossed in and out, boats were like weaving, and flutes and flutes were playing incessantly. It was so real.
It was a land of golden powder from the Six Dynasties, and it was a very beautiful scene. Mu Zixu walked around and looked carefully. On the other side, there was smoke and darkness, and a large building was covered in smoke. Yellow glazed tiles were faintly visible shining in the cold sun, and he knew that it was the newly built Forbidden Garden Palace.
- Along the willow embankment to Shengqi Tower, Mu Zixu saw several beggars gathering under the stone fence to drink. He suddenly remembered the scene twenty years ago when he and Wu Dan and several other brothers killed Wei Dongting's dog and cooked it for dinner. This was also the case.
My son has no restraints, but now that things have changed, he really feels like he is in another world.
"This poor Taoist is bowing his head!" Suddenly a voice came from behind. When Mu Zixu looked back, he saw an unkempt Taoist priest, covered in mud and mud, who was bowing and saluting. Mu Zixu knew that he was a beggar, so he nodded and smiled.
He took out half a tael of silver coins and handed it over, saying, "Take it to make wine and eat. Where does the Taoist priest live? His voice doesn't sound like the people here!" The Taoist priest laughed and said, "The poor Taoist dwells looking this way and that, wandering around.
It is a blessing for a layman to have a predestined relationship with Lao Tzu - Buddha Amitayus!" After saying that, he took the money and walked away.
Mu Zixu couldn't help but smile, and slowly turned to the Shengqi Building, where he saw a group of people making noises. A fat shopkeeper from an oil store was holding a scale beam in one hand, and twisting a middle-aged man's ear with the other and scolded: "Japan."
You mother-in-law, you bastard, dare to steal things in broad daylight!" The middle-aged man was not angry, and said with a playful smile: "You are not a beast, how can I be a bastard? What did you throw away to seek bad luck on me?" Oil cargo
The shopkeeper pointed his finger and said: "So many people are witnesses! The pound of fried pancake you just fried disappeared in the blink of an eye. But your mother had a copper mouth and an iron belly and swallowed it hot.
I'm not afraid of splitting your ribs!" The idle men around heard the shopkeeper's funny scolding and couldn't help bursting into laughter.
"Why are you laughing!" The middle-aged man rolled his bright eyes and stood up straight and said, "Do you want me to relieve my boredom? Weigh my whole body. If I weigh half a catty, even if I eat it,
I'm going to kill you!" The shopkeeper glared and cursed: "Damn you stinky bitch, you're a complete bastard!" He then slapped him with a slap in the face. Unexpectedly, the man didn't dodge in the face, but only heard "Pah!"
"With a sound, the shopkeeper just said "Ouch", and his wrist was immediately dislocated. He shook his head and frowned and just kneaded it. The man made a face, snatched the scale, handed it to someone who was looking at the excitement, and said: "Brother,
This shopkeeper is so unlucky, come and weigh me and see how much I weigh!"
Now there were more onlookers. Those in the front were staring blankly, while those in the back stretched out their necks and stood on tiptoes to hug each other. The adults were shouting and the children were shouting. It was really lively. When Mu Zixu saw this man with a special skill, he was about to leave, but
Stopped.
The excited man took a closer look at the scale in his hand and found nothing out of the ordinary. He blushed and said with a smile: "Since we must weigh it, let's do it!" Then he mentioned the scale system. The middle-aged man stepped in with one foot.
He held the scale, holding a rope with each hand, and said: "Lift it up!" The person holding the scale looked at his height, which was about 112 kilograms, and he lifted it up with all his strength -
Unexpectedly, the scale was so light that the scale beam was tilted so high that it swayed for a few times before it stabilized. When everyone stared at it, it was really less than eight taels! First there was a burst of surprised discussion, and then there was a round of applause and applause.
.
The man got off the scale, threw the scale back to the dumbfounded fat shopkeeper, and said with a smile: "Don't worry, I won't take your shop! I'm just using you to recruit a few gods of wealth, but you are so scared!" As he said, he will
He lifted up the corner of his robe and tucked it around his waist, and rolled his braid around his neck. When he reached the front of the building, he picked up a horse-mounting stone with a clanking sound, held it in one hand, placed it gently under the south eaves of Shengqi Tower, and stood there.
He went up, cupped his hands, and said: "I am a gentleman. When I was a child, I visited the Master in the mountains. I learned a lot of kung fu. I used martial arts to make friends and never met an opponent. If you are willing to have fun, you might as well have a showdown!" After that, he nodded.
, looking around, his expression was quite arrogant.
Only then did everyone realize that Yu Yishi was an entertainer. Looking at the dismounting stone, which weighed at least five hundred kilograms, they were all shocked. Dozens of copper coins had already been thrown over it.
"I didn't expect that Nanjing, a huge place where dragons and tigers roost, would be so disappointing!" Yu Yishi called for a half-day formation. Seeing that no one came out, he sighed, took out twelve large silver ingots from his arms and placed them on the stone.
He picked up the dozens of copper coins from the ground, stuck them with his thumb and forefinger, and said: "These are seventy Kangxi sons. I am stuck with these two fingers. Who can take them away?"
How about using the money as a gift for drinks?"
There was a commotion in the crowd, and a young man rolled up his sleeves and came in with a blushing face and said: "It's safe to take it! Give it a try!" He stretched out his hand and took it. Yu Yishi calmly put his hand on his hip and let the young man do it.
Pulling here and there, twisting and turning, the pile of money seemed to be solid, and could not be moved any further. Yu Yishi smiled, took off his belt with one hand and put it between his fingers, and said: "It can't be done by one person, but it can be done by several people.
This belt is passed through, and you can pull it with your hands. If I move one step, I will lose a coin!" "You worthless Shanghai guy! Get out! This money belongs to the poor men of Jinling!" The circle of people moved, and four people
The beggars who had just been drinking under the railing swarmed in, pushed past the young Shanghai man, and pulled up the straps, pulling one end of the belt on the other. They were all so tired that their faces were red and their eyes were wide open, and there was nothing they could do about it.
The crowd shouted "Okay!" Copper coins were scattered all over the place like raindrops. Yu Yishi laughed loudly and said: "I thought that there must be dragons and crouching tigers in the land of gold powder in the Six Dynasties, but it turns out they are all pustules! That's all. Where can I find them?
These donkeys and cows are showing up here!" Several beggars looked at each other and left in despair.
Mu Zixu was just watching the fun and had no intention of competing. Hearing Yu Yishi's arrogant tone, he couldn't help but get angry. He tied up his sleeves and was about to go on stage when he saw the dirty Taoist squeeze in first, holding the dog in one hand.
He picked up the leg bones and said vaguely: "A layman is a wealthy official, why bother fighting for these few taels of silver and let me, a Taoist priest, exchange it for some dog meat to eat!" After saying this, he went up crazily, squinted his eyes and looked at the scholar, and said with a smile.
"Good son, please show your respect to Master Qingfeng!" He took a bite of dog meat, split his hands and took the money.
The crowd immediately burst into an uproar, and while one scholar was stunned, Taoist Qingfeng picked up the twelve taels of silver, turned around and left with a smile. Yu Yishi said hurriedly: "It's not your skill to take it away from me when I'm not prepared!"
"You're so angry!" Qingfeng turned around and said with a smile, "I'll give you back this bunch of coins!" After saying that, he threw the stack of copper coins on the ground. When Mu Zixu looked at it, it had been crushed into a ball, and the five fingerprints on it were clearly visible.
The scholar knew that this Taoist priest was very powerful. He was startled and changed his smile. He bowed to the ground and said: "I am not talented in learning, so I bumped into the Immortal Master. Where is the Immortal Master Qingfeng stationed? How about asking Pilu Academy for a brief chat?"
?" Qingfeng turned to Mu Zixu, smiled, and said, "I am very lucky today. I have met rich benefactors one after another. I have been here for half a year. Isn't it time to become famous?" After saying that, he left. At this moment, Mu Zi's expression changed.
Xu felt very familiar, but when he thought about it carefully, he didn't know where he had met before.
Yu Yishi couldn't help being furious. He caught up with Qingfeng in a few steps and said, "Yu Yishi respectfully sends the dog Taoist priest..." He flew up and kicked Qingfeng on the butt. Qingfeng stumbled forward without looking back, saying in his mouth
"How can I accept your gift without any effort? Oh, I don't dare to take it seriously..." Yu Yishi's butt caught Yu Yishi's kick. Yu Yishi felt as if he was kicked on a stone pillar, and he was in pain all the way to his bones.
, snorted, and took a staggering step before he stood firm. Far away, I could still hear the wind blowing the gourd and the gourd in the west, muttering words: "The Tao can be Tao, but it is very Tao; the name can be named, but it is very famous... Those who love me will always love me."
What I love, those who hate me will always hate what I hate... Misfortunes come from blessings, blessings come from misfortunes, who knows the extremes? They are not righteous, and righteousness can become strange, and good people can become monsters, and people are obsessed with them.
Rigujiu...hahahaha..."
As Mu Zixu listened, he felt more and more familiar, but he couldn't think about it. Because the Taoist priest recited the words "the good will become a miracle, the good will become a monster", he suddenly remembered that he had to go to Pilu Courtyard, and didn't want to miss this place at Shengqi Tower.
After a long time, I hurriedly called for a boat to cross to the west of Mochou Lake. In the distance, I saw the turtle-backed hills connected to the Yangtze River, backed by the Stone City, with green trees and red walls, and the melodious ringing of the temple bells.
, quite thought-provoking - Pilu-in has arrived.
This is a large Zen monastery, covering an area of more than 2,000 acres. A large stage is built in an empty space in front of the steps. The broad mountain gate is hidden among dozens of old ginkgo trees. The first floor after entering the mountain gate is the Tianwang Hall.
After passing through the court and building, the third floor of the Buddha Hall on the second floor is well built. The six-foot-tall Sakyamuni sits in the middle, holding a flower and Samantabhadra. Avalokitesvara stands on both sides.
Pretending to be beautiful, the body is painted with water, gold, and powder, and the clothes and belt are vivid in the sky. The mural on the wall seems to have been painted not long ago, but it is the story of Mulian rescuing his mother. But there are treasure flags, tassels, square flags, cloud heads, orbs, and canopies.
, Jianfeng pointed wheel, hot fire wheel, fancao, Dapeng, peacock, pipa, magic pestle, Liuyun Tuo, multi-treasure vase, what else are there: green dragon, white tiger, red bird, Xuanwu, Bodhisattva, god general, immortal, tribute
The boy, the fourth-level meritorious service, Liujia reveals the truth... The walls are filled with gold and jade, giving people a strange, mysterious and depressing feeling. Mu Zixu was looking at it without interest, when he suddenly felt someone tapping him on the shoulder, and turned around
When he looked at it, it was Shi Jianmei standing behind with a smile, wearing a green sarong and a peasant woman's attire. How could she look like a first-class lady? Mu Zixu couldn't help but laugh: "She's my sister-in-law, I was shocked!"
"Because you first arrived in Jinling, your brother was afraid that Dao'er would be confused and he couldn't move away, so he asked me to come over and have a look." Jianmei said with a smile, "I've been here for almost half an hour, but you haven't been seen yet.
Son, I thought he was really right, but I was in a hurry when I saw you wandering around here!" Mu Zixu looked around casually, seeing that it was very noisy with people coming and going, so he nodded in understanding and said: "
I came all the way from outside the country to pay homage to the Living Buddha's death ceremony. I was so full of devotion that I lost my way. My brother and sister-in-law are worried!" After saying that, he gave up his hand and said, "Now that my sister-in-law is here, let's rejoice together.
"
Following the bustling flow of people, the two people went to the Great Compassion Hall at the back to worship the Buddha, and then walked into the back of Pilu Courtyard from the Baohua Gate on the east side of the hall. This place is located on a high hill, the wind is cold, and there are few tourists, but there is a large river flowing from the hillside.
The next bend is to the east. Lanruo Courtyard is full of weeds, and the wormwood sprouting out from the cracks in the bricks is as deep as a person's height. It is yellow and withered, and the scenery is very desolate. Looking to the back of the Zen Mountain, I can see a layer of dilapidated palaces.
The tall, gray turrets hissed in the cold wind.
"Your eldest brother and I have only been here before. There is a prohibition notice from the Governor's Mansion behind it, saying that it is a place where eminent monks practice cultivation and it is a dangerous building. No tourists are allowed to enter." Shi Jianmei said in a low voice, "That Yu you saw
A scholar lives in this courtyard. He said he is staying overnight, but he is probably guarding this threshold... Amitabha! Why is there such a strong incense and such a big temple with mass graves behind it?" Mu Zixu was surprised when she suddenly raised her head.
I changed the topic with my voice. I had seen a tall, leprosy-headed monk come out earlier, and I couldn't help but admire the fineness of appraising plum blossoms. I just replied casually: "Yeah, it's really weird."
"Two Tanyue," the guest monk came over and bowed with his palms to his chest. "Please step back. Behind you is the place where the Zen master of this temple sits in meditation facing the wall. Although it is dilapidated, it is a holy place. The abbot's decree is that no one is allowed to approach.
I beg for forgiveness." Mu Zixu hurriedly apologized and said with a smile: "My mother asked me to come south to fulfill my vow. I trekked four thousand miles from outside the pass just to pay homage to the living Buddha. How about asking the monk to be kind and convenient, and the believers will leave after just one visit?
"Tan Yue forgives me." The leprosy-headed monk closed his eyes and clasped his hands and said, "This is the decree of the law, and the young monk dare not disobey it - Amitabha!"
Mu Zixu pondered for a moment, then he saw Yu Yishi Daqian entering the temple, pushing open a dilapidated monk's room in Lanruo courtyard and entering. He pretended to ignore it, took out a banknote from his arms and said, "Your Majesty made a very pious vow. This
It’s a bank note from the Jinling Money Store exchanged for two thousand taels of silver. My family has worked hard all their lives to give it to me. Not to mention Monk Xingming, even I, Buddha Tathagata, should meet me!"
After donating such a large amount, the monk who knew the guest hesitated for a moment and said: "This little monk really can't be the master of this matter - since the donor has a great wish to give charity, please go ahead and serve tea in the Miaoxiang Huayuzhai..." After that, he
As soon as he gave up his hand, he led the way to the east. Entering the "Xianglin Gate", there is a row of monasteries, with a two-story attic in the middle. There is a gold and black plaque with four regular script characters "Miao Xiang Hua Yu" written on it.
The living room was very neat and tidy with bright windows. If it weren't for the picture of Bodhidharma crossing the river with a reed in the middle, it would be no different from a government office. The mangy monk poured tea for them and said: "This is our temple.
Abbot Abode, please wait a moment. The poor monk went to invite the great monk." After saying that, he stepped back and walked to the steps. He looked back as if hesitating and moved his lips, but didn't say anything. "Quickly."
Walked away.
The two of them were left in the room, looking at each other without saying a word. Shi Jianmei looked at the furnishings in the room up and down, left and right, and suddenly got up and went to the God's table to read the picture of Bodhidharma crossing the river with a reed.
He lifted it up and said: "Zixu, look!" Mu Zixu turned around and saw that there was a shrine behind him, which was nothing out of the ordinary, except that the god inside was neither a Buddha nor an immortal, but a beautiful young man with a folding fan as a jade flute on his chest and back.
It was really weird. Looking inside, there was a faint crack in the gilded back wall, which was obviously a secret door. Mu Zixu was startled at first, and then his eyes lit up: This was not the time when Prince Zhu San gathered a crowd in Beijing to rebel in the twelfth year of Kangxi's reign.
The enshrined "Great Immortal Zhong Sanlang"? (To be continued)