Fu Shifeng

Chapter 59 A Predestined Relationship with the Buddha
Cheng Sanwu yawned, led the horse and walked slowly, when he was about to leave Pingkangfang, he suddenly heard a noise coming from the distance along the wall, and several thugs with sticks brushed past him.

"What happened?" Cheng Sanwu casually asked passers-by.

"I heard that two old men abducted a prostitute, and the madam sent thugs to chase her back." Passers-by shook their heads and smiled, obviously used to seeing similar situations.

Cheng Sanwu looked at the low houses along the wall, it was far less magnificent than Tianxiang Pavilion, the old man who came here to abduct people must not be a serious guy, right?

Ignoring such trivial matters, Cheng Sanwu returned to the Kungang Courtyard in Chongrenfang, just in time to see Su Wangting and Changqing preparing their horses.

"Old Cheng, you're back. I'm still thinking about whether to go to Pingkangfang to pick you up." Su Wangting looked up and down, a little puzzled, and said, "Huh? I thought you must have a happy face, why are you so listless?" ?”

"Oh, don't mention it!" Cheng Sanwu waved his hand, and was about to complain, but thought of Afu's threatening words, he swallowed the words again.

"What? Did the oiran lady in Xiangge look good that day?" Su Wangting asked jokingly.

"Good-looking is good-looking, but I can't afford to provoke you." Cheng Sanwu rubbed his belly: "Is there anything to eat? I'm starving to death."

"The back kitchen has prepared some, I'll go get them." Su Wangting walked away with a smile, and it was Chang Qing's turn to step forward, with a look of ecstasy on his face, and said in a strange way: "I guess Brother Cheng has experienced many battles, he should be a veteran of Huacong, Merry Ranger, even if the Huakui lady in Tianxiang Pavilion can make people's bones wither, Brother Cheng won't lose half his life in one night, right?"

Cheng Sanwu covered his face and sat down: "I've confessed, these women are more than a ghost."

Changqing was not surprised: "Don't even think about it. How can the brothel girls who can make a name for themselves in a place like Chang'an be ordinary people? Maybe they are relying on some big shots to flatter them with their sensuality. The most trivial means, I dare say, is to act as brokers between the various dignitaries."

"I don't know these details." Cheng Sanwu repeatedly shook his head, took out the Token of Youxian from his arms, and said fiercely: "When you pass the Daoist exam next year, I invite you to go to Tianxiang Pavilion, and you must get it back." place!"

"No." Changqing said with his hands behind his back.

"Why don't you go?" Cheng Sanwu said, "I've heard that after the opening of the Chang'an Imperial Examination, the first scholars will go to Pingkangfang to celebrate, and the Daoist Examination is similar."

"If I linger in brothels and indulge in sensuality, wouldn't this practice be in vain?" Chang Qing said seriously.

Cheng Sanwu laughed: "If indulging in sensuality will hinder Taoism, then this Taoism may really be in vain."

"You're a vulgar person, of course you don't understand!" Changqing snorted coldly, and then raised his head slightly to explain: "Although Taoism is not like Buddhism, which requires people to abandon their parents and wives and become a monk to practice, but indulging in the river of desire, after all, is to be punished." It involves the spirit. If you want to achieve something, you still have to stay outside and live in Linquan."

"I understand, I just want to hide in a ravine." Cheng Sanwu asked back: "Then why did you come to Chang'an?"

"I—" Changqing didn't expect the other party to ask such a question, so he had to pretend to be calm: "Of course I'm here for the Taoist examination. I have the Taoist books, so it will be convenient for me to walk in the future."

At this moment, Su Wangting came back, carrying a pot of steamed barley rice that was still warm, mixed with sliced ​​dried meat, and poured a spoonful of black bean sauce.

Cheng Sanwu took the rice bowl, took a few mouthfuls vigorously, with rice grains sticking to the corner of his mouth, he said to Changqing: "You said you were going to hide in a ravine, so why do you need Taoism? The government is so idle, Go to the mountains all day long to check your household registration?"

"Metaphor, metaphor! That's a metaphor, do you understand?!" Changqing became mad: "Staying outside is not about staying in the mountains and forests for a lifetime, but being able to enter and exit the world of mortals at will, and not be restrained by the dust net. If the Taoism is profound enough, of course you can ignore the eyes of the world, but there is no need to cause unnecessary troubles, I am in the same dust as the light, and follow the customs!"

"Bullshit!" Cheng Sanwu spat out rice grains, Changqing quickly hid aside, watched him pointing with a spoon, and said vaguely: "I think you just don't want to bear power, you want to be a high official!"

Su Wangting quickly persuaded him: "Old Cheng, you should eat delicious food, don't spray it everywhere! People are young and ambitious, unlike you, they just try to make things easy for a while."

Cheng Sanwu was said a word, shrugged and buried his head in eating.On the contrary, Changqing was overwhelmed by the truth and couldn't help but bow his head and reflect on himself.

Su Wangting took a look at Chang Qing, and with his knowledge of people, he could see that Chang Qing came to Chang'an to participate in the Daoist Examination. Repair people.

Cheng Sanwu finished a bowl of bibimbap in a blink of an eye, poured himself a bowl of water to rinse his mouth, and asked, "Are you going to meet the richest man in the world?"

"That's right, you come with me, Old Cheng." Su Wangting nodded.

"Let's go, I'll also go and see what kind of man the richest man is!" Cheng Sanwu had a hearty meal, his lethargy disappeared, and he immediately became excited.

……

Apart from Baibalifang, the most densely populated places in Chang'an are the East and West cities.Among them, most of the Western Markets were established by Hu merchants from the Western Regions. There were row upon row of mansions and shops, and the goods sold were aimed at the needs of ordinary people in the market.

And because it was close to the mansions of high-ranking officials and dignitaries in the northeast of Chang'an City, Dongshi naturally added a little bit of extravagance. In addition to wine shops that kept singers and dancers, there were also expensive businesses such as engraving books and weaving brocade.

The place where Su Wangting and Wang Yuanbao met was next to the release pool in the northeast corner of Dongshi.This place was originally a guest residence for officials who came to Beijing to report their duties. Wang Yuanbao thought that this place could communicate with officials from all over the world, so he built a Linshui Buddhist temple in the corner of Dongshi where every inch of land is expensive. The waterside pavilions are both exquisite and elegant. It is in line with the picky style of believing in Buddhism and nobles, so many officials and ladies come here to pay homage to Buddha and perform good deeds by the way.

Wang Yuanbao is also a believer in Buddhism, and most of his guests are located in the Jingshe of Jingyuan. The Buddhist nunneries inside and outside Chang'an, without exception, have all been enshrined by Wang Yuanbao. He got the nickname of "Scholar of Good Fortune".

When Su Wangting and his party came outside the Puji Temple, a monk took the initiative to go out to greet him after the announcement, and led the three of them straight into a separate meditation room in the temple. Think, there is a monk in black making tea next to him.

Looking up, he saw Su Wangting coming, with a white face and black beard, and a benevolent face Wang Yuanbao removed the scriptures, he was dressed in a beige cloth robe, stood up with a rosary in his hand, and said, "It is a sin for Master Su to come to Chang'an, and Yuanbao failed to greet him personally. "

Su Wangting hurriedly said: "Su is just a contemptuous person, and he dare not work hard for the layman Wang."

In Puji Temple, Wang Yuanbao could not be a master or the richest man, but could only be a layman. This person seemed easy-going, but no one dared to abandon the rules.

"This is Cheng Sanwu, and Su is able to accompany him personally." Su Wangting introduced the two accompanying people: "This one is Mr. Changqing, who is a disciple of Daguan Daoist in Songyue Fuzang Palace."

Hearing Daguan's name, Wang Yuanbao's eyes lit up, his eyes swept over, he quickly looked at Changqing, and said hello: "I heard that Daguan Daoist has been invited by His Majesty, and he will enter the palace to preach Taoism. It is my honor to meet with you today. The real person looks like a fairy."

When Su Wangting heard this, he acted as if nothing had happened on his face, but was extremely shocked in his heart.Master Daguan was summoned by the emperor for such an important matter, but Changqing didn't reveal it to him. Could it be that he still doesn't trust him?
Chang Qing clasped his hands and said, "Master felt that I lacked experience, so he specially ordered me to go down the mountain to see the people and increase my knowledge. I am currently walking with Su Zhangshi."

The tone of the words was flat, but a disciple of an immortal teacher who will be summoned by the emperor is naturally the most suitable person to make friends with. Such a person following Su Wangting will undoubtedly greatly increase his weight, and let Su Wangting speak confidently. Immediately remove a trace of doubt in his heart.

Wang Yuanbao is a person who has experienced great storms, even if he was surprised, it just flashed in his eyes, and immediately seated the three of them, and a young novice brought a futon.

"Su is not talented. There is one thing I want to enshrine to Puji Temple, but I am short-sighted and can't identify it. I am afraid that it will desecrate the Bodhisattva. I also ask Layman Wang to evaluate it for me." Su Wangting held the wooden box in his hand. A gift for Wang Yuanbao.

In a pure place like a Buddhist temple, there are eminent monks making tea next to them, the atmosphere is refined, talking about gift giving is really unpleasant, so Su Wangting made up such a reason, at least he can handle it on the scene.

Wang Yuanbao's expression was normal, he took the black porcelain teacup from the side, put it on the tip of his nose and sniffed it lightly, then smiled slowly and said: "Master Su has been running business in the Western Regions for many years, so it seems to be a rare treasure."

"In front of my Buddha, I dare not pretend to be a treasure." Su Wangting opened the wooden box, took out the satin package, and unwrapped it to reveal a bowl-shaped vessel, which looked like white jade, flawless and greasy, like a half-wheel Moonlight, looking down at a glance, I feel my heart is clear.

"This is... a big chime?" Wang Yuanbao recognized that it was a Buddhist object, and he tapped it with a wooden stick while chanting sutras to guide the rise and fall of the sutra rhymes.

However, the large chime used in Buddhist temples is usually made of copper, and jade is not easy to be struck, and the melodious echo of the wooden stick winding around the edge of the large chime can only be made of copper and iron.

"I don't know what's so good about this big chime?" With Wang Yuanbao's wealth, he has seen almost all the treasures and treasures in the world, even to the point of being bored, even the treasures in the imperial palace can't arouse much interest.

That's why when he built Puji Temple, there were few ornate decorations, and the emphasis was on elegance and simplicity.Just like a person who has eaten too many delicacies from mountains and seas, and then tastes green vegetables and tofu again, he will feel a great sense of joy.

"Su's Buddhist affiliation is shallow, so I invite Layman Wang to try it himself." Su Wangting handed the chime-beating wooden stick to the other party.

Wang Yuanbao didn't refuse either, picked up a sandalwood stick as thick as a thumb, and lightly knocked off the white jade chime.

With a melodious sound, the big chime itself burst into a round of white light.The soft light passed by, and the scene of the meditation room changed. Everyone found themselves on the calm water like a mirror.

Under the light of the moonlight, Wang Yuanbao felt that his pores were dilated, and his whole body seemed to be soaked in cold water.

At his age, it is very difficult for him to be soaked in cold water, otherwise he will be in danger of typhoid fever.But at this moment, the coolness soaked into the bones and joints. Wang Yuanbao still didn't feel the cold. On the contrary, his body became lighter. Roughness dissipates into nothingness, and the most energetic experience in youth is not as ethereal and liberating as it is at this moment.

The monks and laymen who were in the meditation room were all in the water and moon wonderland at this moment, no matter how well the tea-making monk cultivated himself, he couldn't help but change his color slightly.And Cheng Sanwu looked left and right, rarely shutting up.

A few days ago, Changqing knew that Su Wangting had this big white jade chime. This Buddhist artifact was not used to fight with people, but to help monks practice Buddhism and break through illusions by unfolding the scene of water and moon. It's not a good thing to be addicted to it.

However, in Changqing's eyes, Wang Yuanbao is nothing more than a sycophant of the Buddha. Even if he fasts and chants scriptures and makes sacrifices to the Buddha, and pretends to be devout and respectful to the Buddha, such a person cannot be sincere to the Buddha. It's for consolation.

But for this kind of person, it is really only the white jade chime that increases illusion to satisfy the appetite.It has to be said that Su Wangting was extremely accurate in seeing people, firmly grasped what Wang Yuanbao wanted, and gave gifts just right.

"The name of this white jade chime is difficult to find out. Legend has it that a group of heretics from Tianzhu stole it when they were fighting with Buddhism." Khotan King Fu Jixiong got it and was buried with him. Within a few years, the grave was dug up and stolen by thieves, causing a new round of repeated killings.

"Later, Su dreamed of a Bodhisattva standing on the water under the moon, and was guided by him, and finally found this white jade chime in a cave of thieves. Su felt that this thing was unusual, so he burned incense day and night and did not dare to neglect it. Before leaving the Western Regions, Su obtained the Bodhisattva's decree, saying that if this object is properly placed, it can promote Buddhism, so he brought it with him.

"It's just that Su is just an ordinary person. How dare he speak falsely to promote Buddhism? I don't know which temple to find for proper placement. Fortunately, I learned that Puji Temple was donated by the layman Wang. This place is adjacent to the release pool, and I have a blind date with the water. Su thought about it." I have no choice but to take the liberty of coming to visit, and I implore Layman Wang to take care of it.”

It can be said that this flattery was very well done, which made Wang Yuanbao very useful. Even though he had been in business for many years, he felt that Su Wangting's words might not be true, but he still chose to believe them.

As for Changqing and Cheng Sanwu, although there was no abnormal expression on their faces, they both felt that Su Wangting's words were mostly fictional.At least dreaming of a Bodhisattva is not related to Su Wangting's practical temperament.Moreover, this white jade chime is only made of materials, which is quite different from Tianzhu utensils.

"Such a treasure from the Buddhist sect, Mr. Su is willing to part with it?" Although Wang Yuanbao was tempted, he did not lose his mind.

"The Buddha has the great merit of cutting flesh and feeding eagles. Su, who has been a businessman in the Western Regions for many years, knows that he has lost his sins and virtues. He only asks to enshrine this white jade chime to eliminate some bad karma and avoid suffering after death." Su Wangting spoke earnestly.

Wang Yuanbao was greatly moved, and said again and again: "Okay, okay, Mr. Su and my Buddha are predestined, predestined!"

(End of this chapter)