The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 647 Taoist Girl
Duke Cai's Mansion.

Zhang Zhou's house is still packing things, also preparing for Zhang Zhou's trip. Although this is Zhang Zhou's other trip soon after returning to Beijing, the preparations for him at home are still very thorough, even though Zhang Zhou reiterates that there is no need to do so. There was a lot of stuff, but Jiang Pingyu still asked someone to pack several boxes of personal belongings for him.

"It's all like moving. I was just on a business trip, and I'll come back when I'm done." Zhang Zhou seemed to be a normal person, like a supervisor who only needed to watch others do the work.

Jiang Pingyu came out with a wooden box and presented it to Zhang Zhou, but Zhang Zhou was not asked to open it.

Jiang Pingyu said: "These are relatively valuable things, so they should be kept well. Let sister Mingshan keep them. When they are needed... they may not be needed, but they can be used when needed."

Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "You didn't prepare gold and silver for me, right?"

"No." Jiang Pingyu said, "Yes, I don't know what I will need after the master goes out, so I sorted it out first. There is no shortage of anything in the house, there is plenty everywhere, and I don't know what else I can do. Prepare."

Zhang Zhou smiled and motioned for Jiang Pingyu to sit next to him.

Jiang Pingyu did not sit down.

There were people moving boxes out at this end, and Liu Gui's voice came from the outer courtyard: "Sir, someone from the palace is here, saying they want to see you."

"I'll go out and take a look first." Zhang Zhou stood up.

He knew that the emperor arranged for Zhang Xuanqing to come to see him, but he didn't know who led the way.

……

……

When he arrived at the front yard, he saw Yang Peng at the head, and Yang Peng was also planning to go to Yongping Mansion with him.

"Greetings, sir." Yang Peng was extremely respectful to Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhou nodded, then turned his attention to a man wearing a Taoist robe behind Yang Peng, and said that this man was only about forty years old, but he seemed to have some immortal spirit and did not have a beard. But it can give people a feeling of being ethereal and semi-immortal.

Zhang Zhou felt that his magnanimity was pretty good, but closer to that of a scholar, but the person in front of him made people feel as if he could not eat the fireworks of this world.

A tall, handsome middle-aged man, that's probably what he meant.

"Zhang Xuanqing, a poor man, has met Cai Guogong." This man came forward to salute Zhang Zhou and greet him.

Yang Peng hurriedly introduced: "This is the great master Zhang. He came to see you, sir, by decree."

It is probably to express the priority relationship with Zhang Xuanqing. You can come to see him with the permission of the emperor, and you are here to see him. You must understand your status.

Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "It turns out to be Master Zhang, whose name I have admired for a long time. I have only scratched the surface of Taoism and am not proficient in it. If there is anything I don't understand, I may ask Yu You to teach me in the future."

"Mr. Cai Guo is too modest. I am a poor man who is seeking advice from you."

Zhang Xuanqing said, waving to the Taoist boy following him, and then someone presented him with the "meeting gift" he gave to Zhang Zhou.

But they were gifts from Taoists, such as whisks and peach wood swords, which were used for religious ceremonies. Some of them were kept in wooden boxes, but the lids were not closed. Probably to tell others that the gifts he gave to Zhang Zhou were not worth it. How much money, just to reflect the intentions of these things.

Mind is value.

"Please." Zhang Zhou greeted the two of them to the main hall.

……

……

When Zhang Xuanqing arrived at Cai Guogong's mansion, he seemed to be very curious about the surrounding buildings. He was probably also wondering in his heart what kind of Feng Shui could raise a Taoist master like Zhang Zhou.

After entering the hall and sitting down, Yang Peng smiled and said: "On the way here, the great master told our family that I have heard a lot about your deeds in the south, and he can tell you everything about the secrets of heaven and other things. It’s like a god descending to earth. There are many folk legends about it, so it’s no wonder that it attracts the attention of great people.”

Zhang Xuanqing hurriedly said: "My father-in-law is right. There are many rumors among the people. I thought they were just some rumors. But when I saw the relevant deeds from the imperial edict, I realized that the rumors were true. We have Duke Cai Guo in our dynasty." It can be said that God has blessed our dynasty. In addition to admiration, I also have admiration. "

Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "Master, you are so polite. I just learned a few superficial things. I can count on my fingers... Yes, I can count on my fingers. I really don't know how to do anything else."

Yang Peng said: "Sir, you are too humble. Who doesn't know your Taoist practice? Right in front of you is the Great Master of the Ming Dynasty. He wants to learn more from you. You can also give me some advice. In this way, you may be able to pass on the Immortal Dharma. Go down."

Obviously Yang Peng really wanted to establish his authority for Zhang Zhou.

As for Zhang Xuanqing, so what if he was the nominal head of Taoism in the Ming Dynasty?

In terms of political status, Zhang Xuanqing was completely incomparable to Zhang Zhou. Yang Peng knew very well that he was working for a minister who had the emperor's trust, not a Taoist priest.

Zhang Xuanqing also said hurriedly: "I am just asking for advice."

"If there is a chance in the future, I will definitely." Of course, Zhang Zhou would not discuss any Taoist knowledge with Zhang Xuanqing, who was educated in a major.

Isn't that just like playing tricks on the squad?
There is no basis for any calculation at all. As for the identity of a Taoist, it is just a cover.

He is now a Taoist priest in name only and has met a serious Taoist priest. His status is higher than that of this serious Taoist priest. Anyway, the power to perform or not lies with him. As long as he shirks the blame, Zhang Xuanqing cannot make him "reveal his true colors".

Zhang Zhou was also thinking in his mind.

You, Zhang Xuanqing, didn’t come to visit just to expose me, right?

Even if it is profitable for you, do you dare to do it?
Zhang Xuanqing said: "The poor Taoist wrote a Taoist scripture in handwriting, which involves the calculation of heavenly secrets and other matters, as well as fasting and rituals, rituals and other matters. I hope Cai Guogong can give more guidance. It is also to promote my Taoism in the Central Plains."

As he said this, Zhang Xuanqing took out what looked like a manuscript from his arms. It was not in the form of a classic, but a book with dozens of pages. He specially handed it to Yang Peng and asked Yang Peng to pass it on to Zhang Zhou.

Yang Peng looked somewhat dissatisfied and said: "Master, this matter was not mentioned when you came here. Please ask Cai Guogong to give you some advice. Isn't it... too abrupt? It's not appropriate to mention this matter now. It’s not appropriate to mention it in person here.”

Zhang Zhou smiled and waved his hands and said: "Eunuch Yang is serious. If we discuss it with each other, it is not impossible. But I am afraid that I will disappoint you, Mr. Zhang, because I can't make any suggestions about Taoism or anything like that." "If you don't mind, just leave the Taoist scriptures for now, and I'll study them carefully and ask someone to send them back to you."

"I hope you will give me some advice."

Zhang Xuanqing got up and this time he personally delivered it to Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhou took it and didn't open it directly.

Let him study Taoism? Are you afraid that you are looking for trouble?

Can metaphysical things really be solved by metaphysics? It’s better to talk about materialism.

Zhang Zhou said: "I will leave the capital in the afternoon. You two can see if...if there is nothing too important, you can sit down and talk in detail after I return to the capital." "Huh?"

Zhang Xuanqing obviously didn't expect that Zhang Zhou was so difficult to talk to, and he issued an eviction order so quickly.

Yang Peng laughed and said: "Sir, you are right. You have the emperor's orders, how can you delay important events? Master, you have seen people. If there is nothing important, let's move on first? Let's talk about our family. I will leave Beijing with Cai Guogong in the afternoon."

"This……"

Zhang Xuanqing obviously hasn't finished saying what he wants to say.

But now Zhang Zhou and Yang Peng are targeting him at the same time, obviously expecting that he may have some things that he wants to verify with Zhang Zhou, or he may want to get some "advice" from Zhang Zhou, or he may want to exchange for some political interests, etc.

This is also telling him clearly that you are a politician in name, but you have nothing to say with top civil servants. Even if the emperor gives you face and asks you to come to see Zhang Zhou, you have to be sensible, especially this kind of disguised extravagance. activity.

Now I ask Zhang Zhou to give you some guidance on Taoism. I’m not sure what excessive things you will propose in the next step.

"Pindao is also about to leave." Zhang Xuanqing stood up and said, "But Pindao has a daughter who has studied Taoism since she was a child. Although she is not proficient in it, she hopes to follow Cai Guogong and get some personal teachings and guidance. That’s her honor too.”

Zhang Zhou nodded with a smile and said, "Your Majesty mentioned this to me, so just follow what Your Majesty said."

"what?"

Zhang Xuanqing obviously didn't know what the emperor meant.

After all, Zhu Youtang also told Zhang Zhou that you should meet Zhang Xuanqing first. If you think it's good, then agree. If you think it's not good, then don't agree. The decision is yours.

Zhang Zhou only said that it was according to the emperor's wishes, but Zhang Xuanqing didn't know whether the emperor wanted the Zhang family in Longhu Mountain to get closer to Zhang Zhou, or whether it was better to keep a distance.

Yang Peng said with a smile: "I've seen him outside, but he's very smart. I want to learn your Taoism, sir, but I'm afraid I can't do it, but it shouldn't be a big deal if I serve tea and water on the side. But it's not Do you know... Do the ladies who come from Da Zhenren's house endure that kind of hardship?"

Zhang Xuanqing said: "Since I follow Cai Guogong, I should serve him as a teacher. I will never dare to violate the law of respecting teachers and respecting the Tao. If I can achieve something in the future, I will be grateful."

Yang Peng said with a smile: "Master, you have misunderstood. I have to ask you to send people to your house. They are not here to seek advice from a teacher. Besides, what can a yellow-haired girl learn? Can't you expect him to inherit Mr. Zhang's mantle? ? This threshold is not accessible to just anyone. Now Mr. Zhang only has one student in name, do you understand? "

Zhang Xuanqing quickly lowered his head and said: "Yes, I know, he is the crown prince of our dynasty."

"It's good to know." Yang Peng looked polite, but his ability to bully the weak and fear the strong was extraordinary. He said, "Since you know everything, you shouldn't make excessive requests. It's like the British government sending the boy to the house. I'm just here to do some errands, don't think I'm just here to do errands, that's all... Who in the capital doesn't want to send people here? This can only happen with His Majesty's permission."

Zhang Xuanqing said: "It is a blessing for a poor man to be blessed by the Holy One."

Yang Peng nodded and said: "What are you waiting for? Let someone call the child in and let the husband see if it is right. If it is not good, this will not happen. Go, go, go."

Yang Peng waved to a young eunuch following behind him, and the young eunuch hurriedly ran to the door.

……

……

Not long after, a girl of twelve or thirteen years old, who looked like a big girl but was just a girl at first glance, appeared in front of Zhang Zhou.

When Zhang Zhou saw this girl, the first thing he thought of was that the gene was quite powerful.

There are some similarities between the father and the daughter. It may be that Taoists are very particular about appearance. After all, they rely on their appearance to make a living. The father has a fairy-like appearance, and the daughter also seems to be a little bit out of the world.

Standing there, even if she is not a little fairy, from appearance to bearing, she is still top-notch.

Based on Zhang Zhou's experience of seeing so many women in the Ming Dynasty, the only ones who can compare with this woman's appearance are Wang Mingshan and Xiao Jangjin, and even Zhang Lushui, a woman who is said to be a beauty and a disaster, has to stand aside.

"Taoist girl sends greetings to Mr. Cai Guo." The girl had probably rehearsed the process of meeting Zhang Zhou. After coming in, she raised her hands to her eyebrows, then flicked her fly whisk back, and then made what looked like a Taoist etiquette.

He didn't kneel down, he just bowed low and showed respect.

Zhang Zhou smiled and nodded: "He is a fairy-like child."

Yang Peng smiled and said to Zhang Xuanqing: "Congratulations to the great master, it seems that your daughter can still get into Mr. Zhang's eyes. Since Mr. Zhang said that he has some fairy spirit, he may be able to acquire some knowledge in the future. It depends on her own luck. ”

"Yes." Zhang Xuanqing didn't know what to say.

Zhang Zhou said: "Since His Majesty asked her to follow me, if there is anything she can mention, I will mention it more. As for teaching, we should discuss it with each other, which is another matter. Let's talk about it first, I am not involved in receiving it. Disciple or something else, we will see how your Majesty arranges it after we return to Beijing."

Zhang Xuanqing said: "Sorry to trouble you."

"Yeah." Zhang Zhou nodded.

Yang Peng said hurriedly: "Sir, you are leaving after noon, right? The people in the Beijing camp have been transferred, and the Jinyiwei has also transferred people. Let's go together then, just over there at Deshengmen. Look... "

Zhang Zhou said: "After lunch, I will go there early."

"Okay." Yang Peng greeted Zhang Xuanqing with a smile, "Da Zhenren, do you think there is anything else you need to explain? Or should you hand the person over to our family first? Or if you and your daughter have anything else to say, you need to do it as soon as possible. . It may be time to say goodbye in the afternoon, so there’s no rush.”

Zhang Xuanqing could have left the person directly in Cai Guogong's mansion.

But in the current situation, he didn't know whether it was right to leave his daughter behind.

"Pindao really has to explain something to my little girl, and besides..."

At this moment, Zhang Zhou suddenly said: "Master Zhang, I heard that you have been very close to Zhijie Mansion. After arriving in Beijing, have you ever paid a visit?"

When Zhang Xuanqing heard this, he seemed to be less cautious than before. He nodded and said, "I have gone to see the Madam."

Mrs. Cheng Guotai Zhu Hu, also known as Zhu Feng's grandmother, was Zhang Xuanqing's old mother-in-law, but she was once. Zhu Feng's sister-in-law once married Zhang Xuanqing, but she died before giving birth to a child, but the two The relationship between the family has always been good.

Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "That's a lot of contact. By the way, when I go to Yongping Mansion this time, I will also meet Zhijie on the way. After I return to Beijing, I will sit down and drink tea with you. I wonder if I will reward you?"

Zhang Xuanqing hurriedly said: "It's Pindao's honor, but I don't know when Pindao will go back. I'm afraid... that I won't be able to make it."

"There will be a chance." Zhang Zhou smiled and glanced at Zhang Xuanqing's daughter again.

Zhang Xuanqing may have misunderstood the look in his eyes, and hurriedly said: "My son, stay with your husband, serve and study well, so that you can learn the methods of the immortal family. I will go first as my father, and you must listen to your husband's advice..."

(End of this chapter)