Pingyang Fu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 355: Visiting Master Wuxin
Outside Jinling City,

Hanshan Temple, a thousand-year-old temple, is located at the junction of Jinling City and Suzhou City, on a beautiful green hill. When the temple was built, it was Hanshan Temple. Over time, the former Qingshan Temple was also called "Hanshan Temple" by the people along with the reputation of the temple. Hanshan, there is Hanshan Temple on Hanshan.

After several generations of imperial courts, it is still here, ringing the bell three times a day for years. There are warrior monks, elders, novice monks, and even the attached Xuan Tomb Panxiang Temple not far away. Ni.

When Emperor Wu succeeded to the throne, before leaving Jinling City, he made a special trip to Hanshan Temple and offered incense at Hanshan Temple. From then on, the incense in the temple flourished and there was an endless stream of pilgrims. The temple grew stronger, and the abbot of the temple became even more popular. Taking this opportunity, he purchased the land around Hanshan Temple on a large scale, making the temple self-sufficient. There were more disciples serving the Buddha. With a large number of people, he became famous all over the world.

now,

Hanshan Temple is even more famous far and near. As long as they are merchants or dignitaries coming to the south of the Yangtze River, they all visit Hanshan Temple outside Jinling City, burn incense and worship Buddha for peace of mind.

Coincidentally, after many pilgrims made their wishes, most of them were satisfied, and a very small number also prayed for peace, which all came true, so that the people spread the word more and more, and the incense became more and more prosperous.

In the Tibetan Scripture Pavilion,

The first interpreter, whose name is Wu Xin, has only one direct disciple named Wang Zijin. This person is Wang Yinghan’s only son who was raised in the outer room. He was sent to Buddhism since he was a child and was fostered under Wu Xin Master.

today,

At noon, Master Wuxin said to the disciples chanting sutras around him;
"Zi Jin, it's almost time. Go and knock the noon clock today."

"Yes, master, the disciple will go now."

Wang Zijin, who was wearing a monk's short jacket, stood up and bowed to his master after agreeing to it, and then respectfully left the Sutra Pavilion. After closing the door, he ran straight to the bell tower on the left side of the Main Hall and went up to the attic. , I saw a simple copper bell hanging in the center of the attic.

Wang Zijin stepped forward, hugged Chuangmu with all his strength, pulled him back, and hit him hard.
"when!"

The ancient bells immediately rang through the temple and spread out. People as far away as Jinling City could hear it. They looked at the sky unconsciously. When noon came, they put down their work and began to eat and rest.

Wang Zijin put down the knocking wood, got up and went down from the bell tower, and went to the temple's dining hall to prepare for dinner. Every time after ringing the bell, Wang Zijin was the first to run to the dining hall. Although they were all vegetarian, the food was still delicious and delicious. After eating, I would bring some vegetarian food back to my mentor. This was done every day for more than ten years without interruption.

But today, there are many pilgrims eating in the dining hall. At the next table is Zuo Zuo, the master of the hall, and several hall masters. In front of everyone is a big bowl of rice, but there are several plates of vegetables. It was all green vegetables, tofu, bean sprouts, radishes, etc., without any meaty taste. The host who took a few bites complained;

"Exceptor, this vegetarian meal has no taste at all, no wine, no meat, and little salt and no oil. You think these monks eat this every day and don't have a woman to play with. How miserable will their lives be."

"Who says it's not? Look at this. The soup can be seen at the bottom of the plate. The tofu is cooked directly without just adding oil. Where did you hire the cook?"

Another incense master took a big mouthful of rice, then took a sip of water and drank it. It felt like it would be difficult to swallow without water.

Zuo Feng, the protector of the Taiping Sect, picked up some green vegetables with his chopsticks, ate the rice in small bites, and tapped the edge of the bowl with his chopsticks.

"Okay, I won't be able to shut your mouths with food. It's good to have some. Don't forget what we came here to do."

When several people saw the protector scolding him, they couldn't help but shrink their heads. Then they lowered their heads to pick up their rice and murmured in a low voice,
"Exceptor, do you think we can see that Wang Zijin? The monk Zhike in front of us is talking about it. He doesn't even know where the baby is?"

"Dragon protector, could it be that Wang Yinghan remembered it wrong?"

The hall master and the incense master beside him said while eating, the monk in front was really slippery, the temple was really big and the monks had become spirits.

Seeing many disciples and pilgrims coming from the temple one after another, Zuo Feng's eyes were always paying attention to the surroundings. However, he had shaved his head, so they looked almost the same. You couldn't tell them apart.

"Eat first and ask when we get back. But I've never heard of the temple having Master Wuxin Chan's name. If you can't find it, just ask Abbot Xuanci."

A few people nodded in agreement and started eating without saying anything. They were still hungry after walking all the way. Wang Zijin, who was leading the table, heard a few people discussing the names of their father and master.

His eyes glanced over, and he saw that the man leading him had an extraordinary bearing, and the few people he brought with him were tall and thick-looking. At first glance, they were not good people. I wanted to ask what was going on, but many years of self-cultivation made me afraid to act rashly. I ate dinner in silence, and then called the master. After eating, we returned to the Sutra-Tiding Pavilion.

When I got to the attic, I put the food away and served it aside. I had something on my mind, so my hands were naturally not in a good position. I put the bowls and chopsticks several times but they couldn't be put together.
"Zi Jin, what are you hiding in your heart?"

Master Wuxin stood behind him and looked at Wang Zijin and asked.

"Master, I met a few people in the dining hall today. When I heard them talking about my father and master, I couldn't help but feel worried in my heart. That's why I was so panicked."

Wang Zijin knelt on the ground and told his master what he heard in the dining hall today. After hearing this, Master Wuxin sighed secretly. After all, he was in trouble. Behind the powerful salt merchant family of the Wang family was someone from the Dongwang Palace. , He has become more and more arrogant in his actions in recent years. It is only a matter of time before the court takes notice. It seems that the Wang family is in trouble.

"Amitabha, Zijin, you have escaped into Buddhism. The worldly affairs have long been like a passing cloud. Let's just let it happen for the time being."

"Yes, the disciple understands."

Seeing that his disciple was still obedient, he couldn't bear to let him recite sutras anymore, so he let him go back to rest, looked at the food on the table, and walked out of the Sutra Collection Pavilion.

After bypassing the monk's residence and the layman's grove, he arrived at the dining hall and entered the hall. The huge place was also occupied. Master Wu Xin glanced at it and immediately saw a few people with extraordinary temperament, or in other words, terrible blood. , hidden among the crowd, the interpreter came over and sat down without saying a word.The hall master saw this and cursed impatiently;
"Where are you bald donkey? I didn't see the grandpas eating."

Zuo Feng raised his right hand to stop the hall master from scolding him, and looked at the monk in front of him. He was wearing a gray cassock, and the monk's clothes were also patched. Unlike Hanshan Temple, the Zhike monks who entertained people all wore gold and silver, not to mention cassocks. He said that the agate and jade were inlaid on it, so sparkling that he wanted to rob it and take it back. He looked like a beggar.

"I dare to ask, this old monk, what do you mean by sitting there? Why don't you sit down if there are not so many empty seats?"

Zuo Feng saw the strangeness and asked aloud.

Master Wu Xin put his hands together and said the name of the Buddha.

"Amitabha, please be patient, all donors. Aren't some of you here looking for this poor monk all the time?"

"What, you are the Wuxin Explainer?"

Looking at the monk in front of him, how could Protector Zuo believe that this person was Master Wu Xin? In Hanshan Temple, there were no masters of the Wu Xin generation, but there were existences above the elders, and there was a Master who looked like he was begging. He didn't dare to believe.

"Amitabha is the poor monk. What do you donors have to do with the poor monk's disciples?"

Seeing that the monk didn't look like he was telling lies, several people looked at each other and couldn't make up their minds. Zuo Feng put down his bowls and chopsticks and stared at the monk in front of him carefully. Such a magnanimous monk was rare, compared with the monks in front who were full of bronze odor. Rather than calling him a profiteer, this old monk is in the style of an eminent monk. Let me ask,
"I've met the interpreter. We came from Yangzhou and are anxious to see the disciples. We have something urgent to tell you."

"What's the matter?"

Seeing that the old monk refused to let go, the hall master sitting beside him was furious.
"You monk, we came all the way from Yangzhou. Since we have something important and we need to inform the young master, just tell us where Wang Zijin is."

Master Wuxin said the Buddha's name again and remained silent. The hall master wanted to say more, but was stopped by Zuo Feng;

"Since the interpreter didn't say it, he must have some reasons. We can't force him, but we want to let the interpreter know that thousands of members of the Wang family in Yangzhou were all killed by Luo Yunhou's subordinates. No one in the family, old or young, was left alive. The head of the family, Wang Yinghan, was even beheaded, and his body was hung on the gate of Yangzhou City and exposed outside. What does the interpreter think?"

Master Wuxin's eyes suddenly opened, his eyes flashed, and he stared at the people in front of him.

"Amitabha, you are so good, donor, I dare to ask why the Wang family was executed? Is there a reason?"

Zuo Feng sneered and replied,

"Of course there is. The Wang family sent a daughter of their clan to poison and kill Lin Ruhai and his wife, the salt censor in the south of the Yangtze River. When this happened, Marquis Luo Yun became furious and killed his entire clan. Does the interpreter understand?"

Master Wuxin knew the laws of the imperial court and plotted against the imperial officials. He regarded them as treason and punished the whole clan. He couldn't help but secretly worry about his disciples. He calculated his age and secretly made up his mind. Today, he will give his disciples a chance to escape into Buddhism and give him an ultimatum. He has nothing to do with the Wang family anymore.

"Donor, there are no more members of the Wang family in the world. It would be better for the benefactors to go back early, Amitabha."

Master Wuxin said the Buddha's name, stood up and left. The remaining hall masters and incense masters were dumbfounded.

"Exceptor, what does this old bald donkey mean?"

"Yes, officer, he didn't say a word, he turned around and left. He was making fun of us. I'll catch him and beat him up."

"That's right, the old bald donkey obviously looks down on us."

"Okay, be quiet."

Seeing several of his confidants talking nonsense and looking angry, Zuo Feng immediately scolded them.

Instead, the corners of his face turned up, and he was indeed confused by concern. The incense master beside him immediately stood up and followed him. Who knew that the old monk was old, but his legs and feet were still nimble. He walked around in a circle and disappeared in the lay forest. , the incense owner looked around and couldn't tell, so he had to return.

inside the hall,

Protector Zuo asked him to continue eating.
"Okay, regardless of what the interpreter said, we can't help but worry if something happens to one of our disciples. It's just that we don't know whether the old monk will let Wang Zijin know or hide it. We will try to find a way to wait in the past few days to see if we can See, if you can’t make other plans.”

The hall masters were confused and did not understand what the protector said, so they couldn't help but ask;

"Commissioner, you must have thought of a way, otherwise we could sneak in at night,"

Before he finished speaking, the incense owner came back with a dejected look on his face.
"Executive officer, I lost you. That old monk is really evil. He was obviously following him, but he disappeared."

"That's right. If this person is really the Wuxin Explainer, we really can't find him. We can only wait here."

After Zuo Feng finished speaking, he ignored the others and continued to eat with chopsticks.

(End of this chapter)