Chapter 690: Sin in the present, merit in the future
Chunyang Taoist Temple
In the alchemy room
Chunyang Taoist Temple came back and looked at the shattered alchemy furnace that was emitting billowing black smoke, sighed, and then wrote the formula on the paper.
He has failed countless times.
After writing down the recipe, Taoist Master Chunyang put down his pen and turned to look at Tianshuzi who came from the Taoist ancestral court and asked: "What are you doing here?"
Tianshuzi, who has reached middle age, bowed respectfully to Taoist Master Chunyang and said: "Uncle Chunyang is now the elder of our Taoist sect. This disciple is here today to invite my uncle to return to the ancestral court to take over the Taoist sect."
Taoist Master Chunyang shook his head and said: "This poor Taoist only knows some medical skills and alchemy. How can He De take over the Taoist sect?"
Tianshuzi said: "This is not the decision of the disciples, but the decision of the Taoist priests in the sect. Master Chunyang is highly respected, especially in the capital of Chu State, where his followers are widespread. How can he not afford it?"
Taoist Master Chunyang smiled and said: "Master has not yet realized his life-long wish to be a poor Taoist, so how can he leave just like that? There are also several senior brothers with high morals and respect in the Taoist sect who are still in the world and can take on important responsibilities."
Tianshuzi said: "Throughout the ages, how many ancestors have hoped to refine the golden elixir and seek immortality, but in the end they all ended in vain. Why is Uncle Chunyang so persistent?"
Taoist Master Chunyang waved his hand and said: "As people get older, they have persistence in their hearts. Sometimes success or failure is not that important anymore."
Tianshuzi said: "But... I heard that Uncle Chunyang gave the formula for every waste elixir to the Chu State court. Is it because of this that the Chu State court made firearms?"
Taoist Master Chunyang nodded and said, "Yes."
Tianshuzi said with complex eyes: "Uncle Chunyang, do you know how many people of the Zhou Kingdom were slaughtered by those firearms and the thunder that shook the sky? How many people of the world will be slaughtered in the future? Uncle Master! Why do you do such harming things?
What about Tianhe? Aren’t you afraid of becoming one of those eternal sinners?”
Taoist Master Chunyang sighed and said: "Tian Shuzi, it has been sixty years since the founding of the Chu State, but do you know how many years the world has been in chaos? When Pindao became a monk, the world was in chaos and the princes were rising together. At that time, rogue bandits were rampant and caused great harm.
The common people; the wars between the heroes destroyed the country. Even before the Three Kingdoms, they invaded and conquered each other, causing countless casualties every year. The Central Plains has not had peace for a long time."
Tianshuzi pursed his lips and said, "Uncle Chunyang means that he is tired of the strife in the world and thinks it's time for the world to be unified?"
Taoist Master Chunyang nodded and said: "Yes, the world is uncertain, how can the people live and work in peace and contentment?"
Tianshuzi said: "But many people will die?"
Taoist Master Chunyang said: "If the disputes in the Central Plains continue, more people will die in the world."
When Tianshuzi heard this, he felt deep admiration in his heart and said: "Master, I admire my uncle's realm."
Taoist Master Chunyang sighed and said, "Actually, this is not the fundamental reason why Pindao handed over the gunpowder formula to the imperial court."
"No?" Tianshuzi asked doubtfully, "What else could be the reason?"
Taoist Master Chunyang said: "Master accepted a disciple last year, Pindao."
Tianshuzi was surprised and said: "Accepting a disciple on behalf of a master? What ability does that person have that allows my uncle to accept a disciple on his behalf? Could it be said that the senior brother handed over the gunpowder formula because of him?"
Taoist Master Chunyang nodded and said: "Not bad."
Tianshuzi asked: "What exactly did he say to Uncle Chunyang?"
Taoist Master Chunyang said: "In addition to the Central Plains, there are also the grasslands to the north of Chu and Zhou, Tubo to the west of Zhao, and the Western Regions to the west of Zhou. What if they made gunpowder first?"
When Tianshuzi heard this, he suddenly felt a chill down his back and said: "With a sharp weapon in mind, the murderous intention arises!"
Taoist Master Chunyang nodded and said: "Yes, the three countries in the Central Plains all have their own enemies, especially the grasslands and Tubo in recent years. They are eager to attack our Central Plains. If we don't make firearms, others will. At that time, we in the Central Plains will have their own enemies."
How should I handle myself?”
Tianshuzi pursed his lips and said, "This junior brother of Uncle Chunyang is very far-sighted."
Taoist Master Chunyang nodded and said, "Junior brother Pindao once told Pindao that although my family members are not at home, they are within the country."
"Instead of waiting for the surrounding alien races to rise up and plot evil against us in the Central Plains, it is better to take a pre-emptive strike to avoid future troubles, expand the territory, establish a ten thousand-year foundation, and create unparalleled achievements."
Tianshuzi couldn't help but sigh when he heard this: "I didn't expect that my uncle's junior brother would have such great ambitions. I really want to meet another junior uncle in Anding County."
Taoist Master Chunyang smiled and said, "If you stay here for a few more days, you will see him. Although he is young, he has many views on the world that I cannot match. I have also benefited a lot from him."
Tianshuzi smiled and said: "Yes, according to what that uncle said, he doesn't look like a monk, but more like a majestic general."
Taoist Master Chunyang smiled kindly and said: "Although he is a layman, he is probably too lazy to be a general. However, I think he is right. Instead of waiting for the barbarian's firearms to fall on our heads, we should go to the Central Plains."
Hit them on the head with a firearm."
Tianshuzi smiled bitterly and said: "Our Taoist sect has always emphasized governance by doing nothing. Taoism is natural. If we act like this and deliberately conquer other tribes, isn't that uncle afraid of being entangled in karma?"
Taoist Master Chunyang said, "The poor Taoist asked him the same question at the beginning."
Tianshuzi heard this and asked, "How did that uncle answer?"
Taoist Master Chunyang said: "The sin lies in the present, but the merit lies in the future."
Tianshuzi continued with a wry smile: "It seems that the realm of the two uncles is difficult for the younger generation to reach in this life."
Taoist Master Chunyang stood up and said: "It's getting late now, so you'd better rest early and wait until tomorrow to take a good look at the scenery around the capital."
Tianshuzi luggage said: "Yes!"
Nightfall
Two burly masked men climbed down from the wall of Chunyang Taoist Temple. They were entrusted by the leader to steal the gunpowder formula. If they really couldn't steal the gunpowder formula, they could tie up the old man and steal it.
go back.
But... there are so many rooms, where can the old man live?
The two of them hid behind a rockery and looked around for a long time, but they couldn't figure out what was going on.
One of them asked in a low voice: "Which room does the old Taoist priest live in?"
Another person replied in a low voice: "I don't know, Agula and General Chengji didn't tell us when they came."
The former widened his eyes and said, "What should we do?"
The latter pursed his lips and said, "How about we look for each other one by one?"
The former said: "I heard from Agula that the old Taoist priest likes alchemy very much, so will his residence be very close to the alchemy room?"
At this moment, a voice came from behind them: "Well, not bad, very smart."