Traveling through the early Tang Dynasty starts with hanging

Chapter 9

In the early morning, when the gates of the workshops in Chang’an City were opened, people’s hearts were surging, and there were endless noises. Residents in the vicinity of Yongyang Square and Heping Square heard the faint sound of bells.

Although today's sages respect the Tao and restrain the Buddha, Buddhism had an unimaginable influence at all levels of society in the hundreds of years before the world collapsed.

Da Zongchi Temple, which occupies half of Yongyang Square and most of Heping Square, was built by the order of Emperor Wen of the former Sui Dynasty. It was built by Yu Wenkai, a master craftsman who presided over the reconstruction of the capital of Luoyang. The magnificent pagoda is a momentary attraction.

By the early Tang Dynasty, Dazongchi Temple had grown into the first-class temple in Ancheng, and most of the monks who traveled from other places chose this place to place orders.

Amidst the faint sound of the Buddha's bell, Xuanzang, who was sitting cross-legged on the futon, slowly opened his eyes.

Growing up in Luoyang Jingtu Temple since childhood, he became a monk at the age of 11 and was able to read the "Lotus Sutra" and listen to the "Mahayana Theory". Three days later, he was promoted to explain to other masters. Everyone was amazed. Later, he traveled all over the world, looking for famous teachers, and when he returned to Chang'an with his brother, his reputation had already grown.

Xuanzang, long before he started the feat of opening up the world, was already a leader in the Buddhist world in Chang'an. Many eminent monks did not hesitate to publicly declare that this is a thousand-mile steed of Buddhism.

Such a person is naturally qualified to abolish the temples on behalf of the ten virtues, not to mention that because the two emperors of the former Sui Dynasty believed in Buddhism, there are many temples in Guanzhong.

Xuanzang frowned when a novice reported that someone wanted to see him. He had been obsessed with Buddhism since he was a child.

"Forget it, it's better to go west, it's better to go west..." Xuanzang murmured in his heart.

From yesterday to now, this idea has been circling in Xuanzang's mind. After traveling around the world for several years, and returning to Chang'an, he has even more doubts.

Until yesterday, Xuanzang suddenly woke up and went west to Tianzhu to solve the confusion.

Xuanzang in history made up his mind to go west to learn Buddhist scriptures after being encouraged by a Hu monk, but these thoughts had already been buried deep in his heart.

The novice added, "It's someone from Dongshan Temple."

Xuanzang immediately thought of the handsome young man yesterday, "Please come in."

In the small guest room, Li Shan stared at Xuanzang who bowed his head and said with a smile, "Seeing Zen Master's worried expression and unsmooth brows, my boy is here to relieve Zen Master's worries."

Now that he knew what this fish wanted, Li Shan naturally wouldn't let it get unhooked.

"Relief?" Xuanzang sighed without raising his head, "I went back to the city yesterday and heard that the Tang army was defeated in Hebei. King Huai'an and Li Shiji only escaped with their own bodies. Brothers Xue Wanjun and Xue Wanche were captured."

Li Shan was startled, Li Shiji was the later British Duke Li Ji, he remembered that "Zizhi Tongjian" had such an evaluation, Li Jing and Li Ji, how could the ancient Han, Bai, Wei, and Huo be able to match them.

He could be compared with Li Jing, Han Xin, Bai Qi, Wei Qing, and Huo Qubing, but he was defeated only by his body. Li Shan's throat moved, Liu Heitai was so fierce!
After being silent for a while, Li Shan said quietly: "As a result, the troops will become more and more insufficient, and it is imperative to abolish the temple. Only Dongshan Temple, once it is abolished, there will be hundreds of soldiers in the government."

"And Dongshan Temple is the first temple to be inspected. If the Zen master let it go lightly, I'm afraid the sage will be displeased. The sage already likes the Tao and hates the Buddha..."

"Young monk intends to resign today."

"Zen Master really wants to go west?"

Such a swift answer, even though it was a question, carried a sense of definite affirmation, Xuanzang finally raised his head, looked carefully at the young man in front of him, and sighed, "I have thought so cleverly, I think I fell into the trap of the benefactor yesterday. "

Li Shan seemed to have not heard, and then said: "Start from Chang'an and go west to Tianzhu, from Tianshui and Lanzhou, through Guazhou and Yumen Pass, and in the Western Regions, there are Gaochang and Agni countries, passing Suiyecheng, climbing Kush Mountain, thousands of miles of Gobi, vast grassland, the road is difficult and dangerous..."

It was about going west, Xuanzang listened attentively.

"Even if the countries allow Tongxing, they will not be captured by the Turks, nor will they encounter horse thieves and bandits, and it will be difficult to arrive in three to five years."

"What's more, the Turks now go south from time to time. If you come back someday and the saint orders you to describe the details of the tribes for military use, will you agree?"

"Once you go west, it is almost impossible to reach Tianzhu, and it is even more difficult to survive."

Xuanzang's expression did not waver at all.

"I have a solution." Li Shan didn't play charades, and said directly: "Yesterday was indeed a trick, but the scriptures did come from Tianzhu. My boy can let the Zen master arrive in Tianzhu safely, but please let the Zen master spare Dongshan Temple."

Seeing Xuanzang's suspicious expression, Li Shan smiled lightly and said, "There is absolutely no falsehood."

Xuanzang lowered his head, gritted his teeth secretly, and when he was about to speak, a little novice outside the door reported, "Mr. Du Xueshi from Kaiyang County is visiting."

Just as Xuanzang arrived at the door, there were already questions from outside.

"Dongshan Temple was inspected yesterday, and the Zen master and his presided over a discussion on Buddhism. I don't know what the result will be?"

The one who spoke was the young man who went with him yesterday, looking at Xuanzang who came out to meet him, he stood at the door and said with a smile: "However, the two verses I saw yesterday are very meaningful, presumably the abbot is also proficient in Buddhism. "

The middle-aged man who had been staying at Dongshan Temple with a dark face yesterday immediately retorted: "It has already been checked, and Dongshan Temple is occupied by villagers in Zhujiagou at the foot of the mountain. None of the monks understand Buddhism, and even the presiding officer has no certificate!"

The two argued endlessly, Xuanzang just listened silently, and Li Shan inside was a little restless... These two walked together yesterday, but listening to this argument, it seems that they have completely opposite attitudes towards the abolition of the temple. , which gave Li Shan an ominous premonition.

Xuanzang said slowly, "Dongshan Temple presides over Zen Master Wuchao, and there may be no guarantee, but bringing scriptures to the east will make great contributions to Buddhism and cannot be dismissed."

The young man showed joy on his face, and the middle-aged man was about to speak with a sullen face, but Xuanzang turned sideways, revealing a familiar figure in the room.

Li Shan secretly scolded the bald man for being so unkind, and saluted with a dry smile: "My boy is visiting Zen master today to inquire about this matter."

The young man laughed, pointed at Li Shan and scolded, "Offending Bachelor Du twice in two days, you are quite courageous."

Hearing the title "Du Xueshi", Li Shan tried his best to control his legs and feet, which were no longer in control, and lowered his head and remained silent.

Seeing this posture, the middle-aged man was only stunned for a moment, and immediately realized that he had the same judgment as that young man.

Xuanzang kept silent on his return trip yesterday, but now he gave a negative answer... Obviously, Xuanzang's decision must have something to do with this sudden appearance of the young man.

Xuanzang said softly: "The sage ordered to inspect the temples in Guanzhong, and those who didn't meet the requirements were abolished, and the monks were ordered to do so, but Dongshan Temple..."

The face of the middle-aged man brightened a little, and he cupped his hands and said, "Half a year ago in the Central Plains War, the army continued to go south, and it was difficult for the veterans in Guanzhong to recruit immediately. Now that Hebei is in chaos, the strength of the army is tight, and the Zen master should check it as soon as possible."

Although the first temple hit a nail, but if everything goes well, it's just a loss of face.

One pulled his face, the other smiled, and watched the two leave. Xuanzang and Li Shan sat down in the room again.

"That Bachelor Du is Tiance Mansion..." Li Shan's voice was a little hoarse. The term "Bachelor" in the Sui and Tang Dynasties was a servant of literature, but during the reign of Wude, he had to think of the Eighteen Scholars.

Xuanzang nodded slightly, "He is a Zhonglang in the Tiance Mansion, the head of the eighteen scholars of the Literature Museum, Du Ruhui from the Du family in the Jingzhao Mansion."

Li Shan swallowed, "The man from Kaiyang County?"

"Eastern Palace Procuratorate Prince Zuo Wei led, Jingzhao Mansion Webster Wei Ting, it is said that he was a close friend of the Prince when he was young."

Li Shan's eyes were glazed over, and if he got involved in this kind of thing, was he committing suicide?
What's even worse is that although others may not care, but he is actually standing on the side of the East Palace, leaving aside the thigh of Prince Qin's Mansion...

(End of this chapter)