Fu Shifeng

Chapter 49
"Guest officials, please." A steward of the guest residence welcomed Cheng Sanwu and others into a secluded courtyard, and heard him say: "Our lord has ordered that if the head of Baochang Society Su arrives, we will arrange He came to live in this Kungang courtyard for a while. The courtyard is swept and cleaned every day, and the utensils are clean, please rest assured, Mr. Su."

Su Wangting cupped his hands and said, "Your mansion is busy. I would like to ask you, when will I be able to visit your master?"

"My master has been entertaining distinguished guests at the Gion Abode outside the city for the past few days. I'm afraid he won't be able to come back in a hurry, so please forgive me."

Su Wangting nodded slightly, noncommittal, and the manager of the guest residence bowed his hands and said goodbye: "If Director Su has no other orders, then the villain will step down first."

"Go slowly." Su Wangting sent the other party out, and then together with Cheng Sanwu, they moved the belongings carried by the camel horse into the Kungang courtyard. Cheng Sanwu entered the courtyard and looked around, amazed:

"Okay, old Su, I thought that when I came to Chang'an, I would have to share the guest room with others. I didn't expect there to be such a big courtyard."

"This mansion does not belong to me." Su Wangting explained: "It's not just the Kungang Courtyard. Since we entered Chongrenfang, most of the mansions and courtyards we saw along the way belonged to Mr. Wang Yuanbao."

"Didn't our Baochang Society occupy several Lifangs in Quzhi City back then?" Cheng Sanwu put down the goods and put his hands on his hips, as if a little unconvinced.

"How can Quzhi City be compared with Chang'an?" Su Wangting said with a smile: "Especially in the dozens of Lifangs in the northeast of Chang'an City, all of them live in relatives of the emperor and dignitaries. Money can buy it!"

"I've also heard about Wang Yuanbao." Changqing came to the courtyard, looked around, and talked eloquently: "Wang, Yang, Guo, and Ren are known as the four great men of Chang'an in this world. It can be an enemy country. Not only has close contacts with the dignitaries of the current dynasty, but also often invites celebrities from all over the world to compete for offerings.

"So that every year after the imperial examinations, the scribes will be invited to the homes of these wealthy people to cultivate contacts. Although the merchants in this dynasty are lowly, there are many legal prohibitions, but these rich people have long been no longer limited to trade in goods and goods. , but put the business in court and in the forbidden palace.”

Su Wangting sat on a big box, and said helplessly: "The business of this family is much bigger than mine. The ordinary shops that provide food and lodging for business travelers have long been out of their sight. Most of the foreign officials are not from wealthy families, and they don’t have private residences in Chang’an, so they can only rent guest residences.”

Changqing smiled subtly, and then said: "I understand, if you have a future in official career, you will receive preferential treatment from the four nobles. The rented residence is not only quiet and clean, but maybe it will be close to the residence of some important people, so that it is convenient for each other. This It is nothing more than a way for brokers to build bridges, not for immediate money, but for longer-term returns in the future."

"It's not easy to live in Chang'an. It's not easy to socialize in the officialdom, make contacts, or even get the latest news about the officialdom in Chang'an. Which one doesn't cost money?" Su Wangting scratched the loose hair bun.

"There are so many things wrong." Cheng Sanwu moved the last batch of goods into the courtyard: "Old Su, don't you want to see Mr. Lu? Why are you looking for this rich man?"

"Lu Xiangye wants to promulgate new policies and increase taxes in various places, so naturally he has to deal with these rich and powerful businessmen who travel all over the states and counties." Su Wangting said: "It's just that the rich and powerful Wang may not obediently obey Lu Xiangye The best way is to put a wedge in it."

Cheng Sanwu looked bewildered, but Changqing understood: "You want to take this opportunity to win a position under Wang Yuanbao, and help Prime Minister Lu carry out the New Deal by the way?"

"People, you have to find some work for yourself, so that you won't be abandoned." Su Wangting smiled.

Cheng Sanwu complained: "I thought, Lao Su, that when you returned to the Central Plains, you planned to enjoy your old age in peace."

"You don't have to fight with others, this is how you can enjoy your old age." Su Wangting said with a relaxed face, "And I have worked in the Western Regions for more than ten years, so I can't be expected to get an official position in front of Mr. Lu, right? To me In other words, it means continuing to do business.”

"Up to you." Cheng Sanwu wandered around in the Kungang courtyard, while Su Wangting opened a wooden box, and found a kit from it. Inside was a blue orb, about the size of a quail egg, and there seemed to be clouds in it. The water flows slowly.

"What is this?" Changqing asked curiously, as if sensing it.

"Changqing, try it?" Su Wangting smiled and handed out the blue orb. After Changqing took it, he held it in his palm, feeling a sense of enlightenment, and some trivial memories that he didn't pay attention to in the past emerged, and the arrangement was complete, as if There is a chest in front of him, and each drawer contains a complete memory, which can be opened and inspected at any time, without forgetting everything.

"This, this is..." Changqing couldn't help but raised his hand and gently pressed his forehead, he immediately knew that this was a rare magic weapon.

"This is called a record bead, and it was passed down from Tianzhu." Su Wangting said: "Buddhism originated from Tianzhu, and there are so many scriptures and scriptures, but they don't have paper there, but use bay leaves to copy scriptures, just like the Central Plains used bamboo slips a long time ago." note.

"But as the scriptures become more and more complicated, even if a monk can read all the scriptures, he may not be able to memorize them all. However, there are so many Buddhist scriptures in Tianzhu, so we can't hold the Buddha's feet and read the Beiye scriptures in public, right? That would be ridiculous. .

"That's why some eminent monks from India created this memory bead. Holding the bead in their hands, they can recall all the scriptures and texts they have read in the past. I also heard that some monks hold the bead to practice meditation, so as to understand the difference between clean and dirty, and the realm of Buddhism is greatly improved. promote."

"What a wisdom pearl is in my hands." Changqing snorted coldly: "Buddhism claims to be true, but when it comes to the truth, it is still impossible to hide."

Su Wangting took back the memory beads, but did not argue: "Actually, these memory beads can only help people recall what they have seen and heard in the past. It is said that in the early years of this dynasty, Master Sanzang went to Tianzhu to learn Buddhist scriptures. He sat on the lion seat and held an open meeting. Even with the help of precious beads, no one can beat Master Sanzang, so it can be seen that the memory beads themselves are by no means omnipotent."

"No matter how good people are, it's useless to have things." Cheng Sanwu came to the side and sneered.

"Old Cheng, do you want to try?" Su Wangting handed out the memory beads.

Cheng Sanwu waved his hands impatiently: "Take it away! I don't have anything to think about."

Su Wangting smiled and took the note beads back into the kit, and Chang Qing asked, "Are you going to give this to Prime Minister Lu?"

"That's right." Su Wangting seemed to think of something: "Changqing, do you have any opinions?"

"No." Changqing said as if nothing had happened, "Lu Xiang is in a high position and has a lot of thoughts. The memory beads must help him recall many small things that he has forgotten and neglected."

Su Wangting knew that Changqing's words were alluding to his own background experience, but he didn't point it out. He just packed his things silently and secretly prepared for the next action.

……

It was the Double Ninth Festival, and the autumn air was crisp, perfect for traveling.The streets of Chang'an are full of traffic, and the sons of aristocratic families pretending to be rangers, form friends and gangs, set up pony horses, decorated with carved saddles and colorful bridles, and go hunting out of the city in a hurry.

If it is inconvenient for noble ladies to ride horses, they often take mica carts.This kind of cart is decorated with mica and pulled by calves. The number may be two or four.The body of the car is wide and large, there are side-view cars with left and right windows, and there are also four-view cars that are open on all sides and shaped like pavilions.

Green oil curtains are hung on both sides of the carriage, which can be hung down to cover in case of wind and rain.A bell is hung from the roof of the car with Zhusi rope. When driving, the bell will be swayed. When pedestrians hear the sound, they will know to avoid it to avoid collision.

Some princes and aristocrats even went out to show off. They simply built a three-storey car, with giant wheels lined up, dozens of oxen pulled by them, guards on the left and right with halberds to escort them, tyrants in front of them waved whips to disperse pedestrians, and a large number of accompanying cars behind them. Horse servant.

The building car itself is decorated with colorful silks and flowers, and it contains dozens of singers. They set off from the prince's mansion, danced and played all the way, and went out to the suburbs.

"It's the first time I've seen this pomp and posture!"

Cheng Sanwu rode on the horseback, looking at the convoy marching on the street in the distance.Because the Caibo building car passed by, all the vehicles, horses and pedestrians on Cheng Sanwu's road were stopped and stopped, and they could only watch the convoy passing obediently.

"This little brother must be coming back to Chang'an for the first time, right?" At this time, a passer-by riding a horse smiled and greeted him.

Cheng Sanwu bowed with his arms crossed: "How did you find out, brother?"

"Hehehe, this kind of scene happens every so often in Chang'an, so it's not unusual." The passer-by stretched his neck and looked into the distance for a moment: "If I'm not mistaken, this should be King Qi's car, right?"

Changqing, who was on the other side of Cheng Sanwu, frowned slightly: "King Qi? I'm afraid that driving like this has violated the regulations? Didn't you say that Jing Zhaoyin has been checking for violations of driving regulations recently?"

The passer-by laughed and said: "Jing Zhaoyin dared to investigate King Qi only when he lost his mind. He is the fourth younger brother of His Majesty today. All officials and ministers will pay homage to him when they see him."

Changqing snorted coldly and didn't say much.Cheng Sanwu said with emotion: "This kind of ostentation, if you have enjoyed it before you die, it will be worth it in your life."

"Are you envious?" Changqing asked.

"Of course, who wouldn't be envious?" Cheng Sanwu patted his thigh: "How much money do you think I have to earn to live a life like this?"

Changqing's tone was displeased, and he said in a low voice: "You don't even think about it, how much money will be spent for this trip?"

Cheng Sanwu opened his mouth slightly, he couldn't argue with his eloquence, so he raised his shoulders as usual, curled his lips and remained silent.

After the mighty convoy had finished, the crowds returned to flow. Cheng Sanwu and Changqing walked slowly and arrived at Chongyefang on the west side of the middle section of Zhuque Avenue.

The imperial capital of Chang'an was originally built in the previous dynasty. It is located in the land of Qian Gua in Liugang, Longshou. The power of the gods and Buddhas stabilizes the earth veins, so that the power of the flying dragon in the sky will not turn into a dragon with regrets, so that the dynasty's luck will not last long.

It's a pity that the theory of luck did not protect the previous dynasty, and later, Xuandu Temple and Xingshan Temple were only used as government offices for the Great Xia court to manage monks and Taoists in the world and collect scriptures.

Xuandu Temple occupies a very large area in Chongyefang. There are not only palaces and pavilions, but also a large peach blossom forest, which is said to be hand-planted by Taoist priests in the temple.Every spring, the peach blossoms are in full bloom, and it looks like a red cloud in the eyes. It is one of the scenic spots in Chang'an, and it is a place for scholars in Chang'an to enjoy.

It's a pity that many flowers and leaves are withered now, and only the bare tree trunks and branches are left in the garden, and there is really not much scenery to be seen.

Changqing came here to deliver the recommendation letter of Zhonghuang Temple, and brought Cheng Sanwu with him by the way, explaining Xuandu Temple and Taoist stories to him along the way:

"...Since the Southern Dynasty Lu Tianshi surveyed the three caves, the Taoist scriptures and teachings were orderly, and they traveled all over the north and south, but there were more and more mistakes. , Compilation of prestige and regulations, scriptures and commentaries totaling [-] volumes, stored in Xuandu Temple.

"Because of this, the Xuandu Temple has become a holy place that cultivators all over the world yearn for. It can be roughly compared to the Chang'an Guozijian. If you can enter the Xuandu Temple to study the Taoism, not only the scriptures, pictures, and scriptures are complete, but also a group of high-ranking Taoists. This is much better than cultivating enlightenment alone in a lonely temple far away in the mountains."

"Really?" Cheng Sanwu took out a pack of beard cakes from his bosom and asked, "I originally thought that Taoist sects were all passed down alone in deep mountains and old forests."

"There are a lot of details here...can you stop eating!" Changqing rushed forward angrily, stretched out his hand to wrap the mustache, and stuffed it into Sanwu's arms.

"One bite, one bite!" Cheng Sanwu began to bargain.

"It's already here!" Changqing pointed to a large hall in front of him, and he suddenly admired Su Wangting. Cheng Sanwu's stupidity was unbearable, and Changqing wondered if he was a Dharma protector specially sent by heaven to sharpen his heart.

The two came to the hall, there were no statues of gods and gods here, instead it looked like a place where the directors of the government office worked, a tall and thin Taoist priest stepped forward and cupped his hands: "I don't know why you are here?"

"I want to go to the Daoist Examination next year, so I came here today to vote for the letter of recommendation, and my name is not listed." Changqing took out the letter, and the tall and thin Taoist glanced at it and said, "Please follow me."

"You wait here for a while." Changqing turned his head and said something to Cheng Sanwu, and then followed the tall and thin Taoist priest to the inner hall. There are many copybooks here, and there are more than one similar recommendation letters on the desk.

The tall and thin Taoist priest handed the recommendation letter to a young man. He looked about sixteen or seventeen years old, even younger than Changqing in appearance, but his demeanor looked mature.The purple robe and jade crown are at least the masters of Dongzhen Dharma.Changqing was slightly surprised, guessing that this purple-robed youth had a very high level of Taoism cultivation, and even reached the state of rejuvenation.

The purple-robed boy unpacked the recommended book and read it carefully, then raised his eyes to Changqing, and after looking up and down for a moment, he showed a somewhat surprised expression: "You are a disciple of Zhonghuang Temple? Fang Deyi can't do it with this level of cultivation. Can't compare."

"Fang Guanzhu is a junior master." Changqing cupped his hands and confessed: "The junior master is the Master Daguan of Songyue Fuzang Palace."

"It's him?" The purple-robed boy raised his eyebrows, his eyes were meaningful.

"I don't know this recommendation letter from junior..." Changqing hesitated.

"You have made a circle for no reason." The purple-robed boy said with a smile: "Your Majesty heard that Taoist Taoist is proficient in the mysteries of Yinfu, and recently sent an edict to ask him to go to Beijing to give a lecture. As a disciple of Taoist Taoist, you can only Based on this, if you want to be famous in Taoism, where do you have to fight with others to take the Taoist exam?"

(End of this chapter)