Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 660 Seeking Immortality
A few days ago, Chang'an was hit by heavy snow. It snowed endlessly, and the whole city was covered in white. However, the East Market and West Market in Chang'an were still open for business as usual, but there were fewer merchants than before.

The pedestrians on Zhuque Street hurried past, leaving behind footprints of varying depths on the snow. Some shops in the streets were still open, selling rice, Hu cakes, and cloth.

The situation in Chang'an was certainly not as good as it was during the Tianbao period, but it was also much better than many people imagined. At least it was not yet to the point where there were starving people everywhere and frozen corpses on the streets.

In fact, after Li Baochen led his troops into Chang'an, the situation in Guanzhong was much more stable than before. Large-scale burning, killing and looting did not happen at all.

In the eyes of many people, after Li Baochen entered Chang'an, he should have taken advantage of all the beauties in Chang'an, especially the young ones with status and position, who he would not let go.

Not to mention having ten women a day, at least changing one a day is natural.

However, except for the first month after arriving in Chang'an, when Li Baochen had sex with many young women from the Li royal family, he actually abstained from sex after that!

From being unable to live without women to never having anything to do with women at all.

Well, to sum it up more accurately, Li Baochen not only doesn't touch women, he doesn't even do other crappy things.

To put it simply, Marshal Baochen followed a "master" and began to learn the art of cultivating immortals.

There was a Taoist priest named Xing Hepu who came to the private residence of Marshal Baochen one day and talked with him all night. The two of them felt that they had met too late and got along very well.

Whenever Xing Hepu went out, he would carry a bamboo abacus with him to count. The abacus was six inches long and was said to be his "magic weapon".

If someone asked Xing Hepu to tell his fortune, he would spread out the abacus to form a hexagram, arranging it vertically and horizontally, and would often use hundreds of abacus, and would not stop until the abacus covered the entire bed. After the fortune telling, Xing Hepu would tell the person the result, then say goodbye and leave, saying he was going back to rest, and he would never eat or stay overnight at another person's house.

He was very accurate in arithmetic and fortune-telling and was very famous in Chang'an.

Some people say that Xing Hepu is no longer a mortal, and that he has lived for at least 200 years, but these are just hearsay and there is no real evidence. Xing Hepu himself has never admitted that he is a god.

But he does have some abilities in certain areas, even great abilities, which many people can prove.

It is unknown what Xing Hepu said to General Baochen, but it is possible that he showed some Taoist "immortal skills". So the next day, Li Baochen began to practice Taoism and handed over military affairs to his sons Li Weicheng, Li Weiyue and Li Weijian, asking them to take charge of their respective duties and listen to the assistance and advice of Li Shiyu.

Then, Marshal Baochen transformed himself into Master Baochen and came to Dongming Temple in Yankangfang, Chang'an to practice in order to seek the art of immortality!
This move shocked everyone in and outside Chang'an, but such an outrageous thing actually happened right before their eyes.

Why would a warlord and a powerful official not use his great power, not enjoy life, not experience the feeling of being "superior to others", but instead practice some illusory "immortal art"?

Many people did not understand why Li Baochen did this, including Li Shiyu. Many people came to persuade him not to be so willful.

However, Li Baochen's obsession with immortality seemed to be unstoppable even by ten bulls! No one could stop him!
However, his "inaction" did not have any negative impact on Chang'an. Because they realized that Li Baochen did not seem to be as arrogant and unreasonable as they imagined, the big families and powerful people in Guanzhong all showed their support for Li Wan's regime.

The Wei, Pei, Du, Xue, Liu, and Su families all sent their children to serve as officials in the government, and some even recommended themselves to Li Shiyu. After General Baochen "stopped doing things", the various government offices in Chang'an actually began to operate again.

It's just that the scale is much smaller than before.

Due to the large outflow of people to the outside of the Great Wall and the absence of war in Guanzhong this year, the food shortage in Chang'an was greatly alleviated this year. The population loss, especially the purge of several waves of large landlords, reduced the food shortage in Guanzhong a lot.

Therefore, Li Shiyu also issued a new "Equal Land Distribution Order", confiscating those "unowned lands" and returning them to the state, and distributing land to the able-bodied people. For a time, unowned lands were turned over everywhere in the areas around Chang'an.

By next year, Guanzhong will be able to recover a little. Not to mention restoring its former glory, at least self-sufficiency will not be a big problem. After all, more than 100,000 refugees left Chang'an! More land, fewer people, wouldn't there be fewer conflicts?

Early in the morning, Li Baochen, dressed in a Taoist robe, went from his residence to Dongming Temple to learn the "immortal method". During this period, Li Baochen had been asking Xing Hepu about the so-called immortal method, and the latter was also very generous, telling the knowledge of physiognomy, divination, and numerology that he had mastered to General Baochen, no, Master Baochen.

However, Li Baochen was a wooden-headed person and was most afraid of hearing these things. Although Xing Hepu explained it in detail, the other party really couldn't understand it, which was really unexpected.

"Master, do I really need to learn these divinations? You said before that if I don't seek the method of immortality, I will encounter a disaster next year and my life and death will be unpredictable. Is that true?"

Li Baochen humbly asked for advice.

When the two met for the first time, Xing Hepu told Li Baochen that if he did not become a Taoist, he would die soon.

Li Baochen believed it immediately.

Why do I say so? Because he had been playing with women in Chang'an City for a month, especially those from the Li royal family. Li Baochen would try out any young and beautiful ones.

Then he soon found that his body was becoming very weak and his legs were weak when he walked.

Those noble ladies from the royal family were beautiful, but when it came to bed, they were better at having fun than Li Baochen! Having sex with these women was not like robbing a commoner, but more like a whore meeting a strong man, and it was not certain who would pounce on whom!

Li Baochen believed Xing Hepu's words without a doubt. If he didn't give up, he would die in bed. Practicing Taoism and seeking immortality were obviously the best way to get out of his current state.

It's just that the cost is a bit high and the progress is a bit slow.

"Master, I have tried very hard to learn these...spells, but why can't I get the hang of it?"

Li Baochen touched the bun on his head and asked with a puzzled look. He really didn't understand why he had to learn these "boring" things. Wouldn't it be better if you just told me how to become an immortal?
“Birth, aging, sickness and death are predetermined, and they are the same in ancient and modern times.

The art of immortality is an art that goes against the will of heaven, how can it be achieved easily?

My method is called Peeping into the Sky.

If you want to live forever, you must first learn how to peer into the sky, find a glimpse of the secrets of heaven, and then grab it and use it for your own benefit.

Only in this way can you obtain the method of longevity. Work slowly and steadily, without competing with heaven. You can only win half a step over heaven."

Xing Hepu stroked the long beard on his chin and smiled. What he said made sense.

"Master is right."

Li Baochen wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and bowed to Xing Hepu guiltily.

Cultivate Taoism? He was a military commander who had killed countless people in the first half of his life. He had no idea how many innocent souls he had killed.

Is he worthy of practicing Taoism?
Of course not, but compared with the temptation of immortality, these are nothing.

Even if it means occupying a position by force, Li Baochen is determined to accomplish his mission of cultivating immortals at all costs.

"Today, I will continue to teach you the Book of Changes. The Book of Changes is the foundation of all divination studies and is a must-learn."

Xing Hepu said with a smile.

Li Baochen actually suspected whether Xing Hepu was a liar.

But Xing Hepu was indifferent to fame and wealth, and was unwilling to accept him as a disciple, calling him "fellow Taoist". Master Baochen didn't know what to say.

A liar who doesn't want to make anything from you and doesn't want any money, what's the point?

Li Baochen couldn't figure it out, and couldn't find any flaws, so he had to give up thinking and doubting. After all, nothing is more important than immortality. It can be seen that Xing Hepu is a real person. Li Baochen has always believed that he has "the destiny". Since he has the destiny, then... God arranged for him to learn the immortality technique, so it's not strange, right?
He was easily convinced by himself.

Xing Hepu had a talent for lecturing. He lectured on the Tao Te Ching and the Book of Changes together, interweaving them with each other, quoting from classics, and using actual cases to explain the principles.

The time passed quickly, and it was not until dark that Xing Hepu sent Li Baochen away on the grounds of "progress step by step and don't be greedy".

After Li Baochen left, Xing Hepu returned to his meditation room and found a cushion to sit cross-legged. After a while, an old Taoist priest in his sixties pushed the door open and walked in. He looked gentle and refined, and it was obvious that he came from a family of officials. Even though he was a Taoist priest, he still had a scholarly air.

He sat on the cushion opposite Xing Hepu, and the old Taoist asked calmly, "What's the situation?"

"Good."

Xing Hepu opened his eyes and replied casually, obviously not taking it too seriously. The old Taoist priest opposite was named Pei Zunqing, born in the Jingzhao Pei family, and had once been a member of the Ministry of Personnel. When Li Huaiguang led the Control Crane Army to wreak havoc in Chang'an, he took the opportunity to become a Taoist priest.

He has only been a Taoist priest for a few days, unlike Xing Hepu, who is younger than Pei Zunqing but is already an old charlatan.

The great hermit hides in the city, Pei Zunqing stayed in a Taoist temple in Chang'an.

"The emperor wants to get rid of Li Baochen, so I hope you will work harder."

Pei Zunqing laughed, but the smile was a little cold.

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"You, Yan Zhenqing, and Li Lu, do you think that as long as we get rid of Li Baochen, we can successfully occupy Chang'an and unify the world in the future?"

Xing Hepu had a sarcastic look on his face and his words were quite harsh.

Pei Zunqing seemed to have a clear mind. He waved his hand and said, "You are worrying too much, my friend. In the past, Chong'er returned to Jin and achieved hegemony. One day, the emperor will return to Chang'an and recreate the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty. Li Baochen is just a mere man. What virtue and ability does he have?"

A look of contempt appeared on Pei Zunqing's face. Obviously, he looked down on Li Baochen and didn't think this guy could do anything.

Seeing that Xing Hepu did not answer, Pei Zunqing seemed a little angry. He stared at Xing Hepu and argued, "As long as Li Baochen is obsessed with immortality, he will definitely not be able to control the situation in Chang'an City. Once the troops in Wuguan give up the pass, the troops in Jingxiang will be able to go through Lantian and march straight into Chang'an! By then, Li Baochen, who is no longer able to control the situation, what can he use to resist?"

"Is it?"

Xing Hepu curled his lips, obviously disdainful, and was too lazy to argue at all.

"Isn't it?"

Pei Zunqing glared at him and asked back.

"Li Baoyu of Hedong has established himself as the governor of Hedong. He is not under the control of Chang'an and will not listen to anyone's orders. The Shuofang army is waiting and watching. They will listen to whoever wins most of the world.

Fang Qing of Bianzhou is said to have already obtained the land south of Huai River and is currently conquering cities in western Zhejiang. Not to mention Hebei, which will not listen to Li Yu anyway.

I don't understand, where does your confidence come from?"

Xing Hepu spoke slowly, but every word he said hit Pei Zunqing's heart.

The old Taoist priest grabbed Xing Hepu's collar excitedly, and finally slowly let go. Although they controlled Xing Hepu's personal freedom, this Taoist priest was no ordinary person, he had a living person in his hands.

"Li Baochen will live longer than you."

Xing Hepu said with a smile, as if deliberately provoking him. Pei Zunqing had a bad temper and was from the Jingzhao Pei family, so he had no intention of verbally attacking Xing Hepu.

"Well, just wait and see."

Pei Zunqing left after saying something harsh.

He hurriedly left Yankangfang and came to Zhuque Street. Unexpectedly, just after walking a short distance, a horse galloped over from a distance. The rider on the horse drew his bow and shot an arrow, which directly pierced Pei Zunqing's throat! The latter fell to the ground, and it was unknown whether he was dead or alive.

What Xing Hepu said actually came true on the same day!
The rider dismounted and looked at Pei Zunqing's body, knowing that he was dead, so he blew a whistle. Several elite soldiers wearing leather armor and coats dragged Pei Zunqing's body away and cleaned up the blood on the ground, as if the assassination had never happened.

The rider handed his helmet to the soldier beside him, walked straight into Yankangfang, and came to the quiet room where Xing Hepu was.

"Master, everything has been dealt with."

The man who was speaking was Li Weijian, the third son of Li Baochen. He was a generous man, quite skilled in martial arts, and a general in the army.

"I have already calculated that General Li will definitely succeed."

Xing Hepu nodded calmly.

"Does the Immortal Master intend to leave Chang'an, or..."

Li Weijian asked hesitantly.

"It is true that Marshal Li has a connection with my Taoist sect and practices the art of immortality. I do not care about worldly affairs."

Xing Hepu seemed very honest and didn't seem like the type of person who would play tricks.

"Does the Immortal Master still live here?"

Li Weijian asked.

Xing Hepu nodded and said nothing.

"I understand. Li will take his leave then."

Li Weijian stood up and was about to leave, but then he turned around and asked doubtfully, "Is everything the Immortal Master said true?"

"That's natural."

Xing Hepu said with great certainty.

Li Weijian seemed to have no more questions to ask, and he immediately strode out of the quiet room.

Xing Hepu could not help but wipe the cold sweat from his neck. He was far from the calm and composed appearance he had just shown.

When the soldiers don't want to be reasonable, they really are unreasonable. Xing Hepu doesn't dare to gamble his life with Li Weijian.

"Li Mi, Li Mi, what do you want to do?"

Xing Hepu sighed and shook his head helplessly.

(End of this chapter)