The great man will live forever

Chapter 271 Life is like chess

"Boom boom boom!"

The sound of the bells set off a prairie fire for a long time, and the smoke of the incense slowly rose.

"Cuckoo!"

Birds are chirping and apes are neighing.

There are thick trees, green mountains and gurgling streams here, forming a magnificent natural scenery.

Dense trees cover the mountains, and the mountains are lush and green, changing colors in different seasons. Against the backdrop of the blue sky and white clouds, the mountains are green and tall, and the scenery is like a fairyland.

White clouds are lingering, and Taoist temples are looming in the white clouds. The buildings of these Taoist temples are mainly yellow, with carved beams and painted roofs, and upturned eaves and corners, giving them an antique flavor.

There are often stone lions in front of Taoist temples, which look solemn and solemn.There are halls for worshiping gods inside the Taoist temple, and murals and sculptures decorate every corner of the Taoist temple.

In the Taoist temple, you can feel a peaceful atmosphere, as if time has slowed down here.

You can see many Taoist priests wearing neat and simple robes, often practicing in Taoist temples or mountains. They may meditate with their eyes closed, wield magical weapons, or practice martial arts, concentrating on practicing and studying Taoism.

"In the morning, I call to the stars, in the evening, I attract the gods, and in the evening, the gods and turtles unite with their virtues to bring thousands of ghosts. They stand in front of the altar and follow my instructions. It is forbidden to hear the magic turtle."

"The divine soldiers of the world, the essence of the Eight Diagrams, captured the divine generals, and sat down to comfort me. When I heard the mantra, I arrived quickly. I was able to understand all things. I will retaliate for everything. I must not disobey orders. I obey!"

……

Sometimes you will see Taoist priests holding charms and chanting words to ward off evil spirits.They focus on inner cultivation and pursue the integration with natural spiritual energy to improve their cultivation and achieve the state of unity of mind and body.

This is Maoshan, located in the southwest of Jiangsu Province, protruding between Jurong, Dantu, Jintan, Liyang, Lishui and Gaochun, with a slightly S-shaped trend.

It is about 90 kilometers long from north to south and 10 kilometers wide from east to west. The area is about 900 square kilometers and the total mountain area is about 450 square kilometers.

More than a hundred years ago, during the reign of Emperor Wu, a man founded the Maoshan Sect here.

"Mao Jun" in Volume 5 of Ge Hong's "Biography of Immortals" says: "Mao Jun, whose name is Ying and whose courtesy name is Shushen, is from Xianyang. His great-great-grandfather first became a Mongolian character. He studied Taoism in Huashan Mountain and became an elixir. He ascended to heaven on a red dragon. , that is, during the time of Qin Shihuang.

There is a nursery rhyme that says: "The immortal is born in Ying. He rides a dragon to heaven and ascends to Taiqing. Nowadays, Xuanzhou plays in Chicheng. After generations, I am in Ying. The emperor is like Lajiaping who has learned." '

When Qin Shihuang heard about it, he thought that his surname was in line with the prophecy and that he should be ascended to heaven, so he ordered that La be changed to "Jiaping". When Mao Jun was eighteen years old, he went to Hengshan to study Taoism. After twenty years of studying Taoism, he returned home with his parents still alive. When he saw this, he was angry and said: 'My son is unfilial and refuses to provide for me, but he pursues evil spirits and wanders around! He raised his stick to hit it. ’

You knelt down and thanked me... My father was so angry that he hit him with his stick. The stick broke into dozens of pieces. My father stopped in shock.

The father asked: "If you have attained the Tao, can you raise the dead?" ’ The king said: ‘If a dead person has committed so many crimes that he cannot be resurrected, he cannot be raised. If he suffers a short break, he can be raised. ’

"The Legend of Immortals" records the incident and says it is verified. Later, Mao Jun said goodbye to his parents and relatives, climbed into his carriage and left, and went to the south of the Yangtze River to rule in Juqu Mountain. "

Immediately, two more brothers came to Maoshan, so there were three Mao Zhenjun in Maoshan.

Rumor has it that Mao Ying, also known as Mao Ying, also known as Uncle Shen, abandoned his family when he was eighteen years old and went to Hengshan Mountain in the north to read Laozi and the Book of Changes. He took bait and practiced for six years. Later, he met the Queen Mother of the West and learned the Tao of Jade Pendant and Golden Dang, Tai Chi Xuan Zhen Sutra, he learned it and returned home at the age of forty-nine.

Zhongmao Lord Mao Gu, whose courtesy name was Ji Wei, was promoted as filial and honest during the reign of Emperor Jing of the Han Dynasty, and he moved to Wuwei Prefecture. San Maojun Mao Zhong, whose courtesy name was Sihe, moved to Luoyang during the reign of Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty, and later became the fifth chief minister and the prefect of Xihe.

After Mao Ying ascended to the throne, both brothers abandoned their official positions and returned home, seeking their elder brother in Dongshan. Mao Ying taught him the method of longevity and immortality. The two brothers practiced Taoism for three years. After admiring the Nine Transformations of Returning Alchemy, they also ascended to immortality...

At this time, in a quiet courtyard in Maoshan, sunlight shone through the treetops, illuminating a Go board. There were several Taoist priests sitting in the courtyard, playing chess between an old man and a young and handsome Taoist priest.

The old man was wearing a large Taoist robe and holding a magic weapon. He had the beauty of an immortal. His hair and beard were all white. He looked like he was about 70 years old. His face was full of wrinkles, showing the traces of time. His lowered eyes revealed vicissitudes of life and wisdom. .

He held the white chess piece in his hand, thinking deeply about each step, with a calm and confident smile on his face, as if he had learned everything about Go.

He plays the chess pieces calmly and orderly, and every move seems to be carefully planned, which makes people marvel at his experienced chess skills.

Opposite him is a young Taoist priest with hair as black as crow feathers, handsome features and high spirits. He sat upright on one side of the Go board, with a look of indifference to the vicissitudes of the world.

The young Taoist priest holds the jade black chess piece in his hand, sometimes staring at the chessboard, sometimes meditating for a long time, trying to find opportunities for breakthroughs.

He nodded and smiled from time to time, showing his admiration for the old man's skills and unyielding determination.

The two people's chess game ebbs and flows, forming a unique picture between the black and white games.

Every move of the old man seemed to be logical, and his wisdom in Go was brought to the fullest. The young Taoist priest sometimes thought hard, and sometimes launched an attack as if he had realized something, fully immersed in it.

Although the young Taoist priests worked hard, the old man's persistence and experience gradually gained the upper hand. The atmosphere on the field was like a quiet scholastic school, with a hint of dignity and solemnity.

To their left is the same Taoist priest, who looks about 30 years old, with gray hair, but has a young face. Youth and oldness seem to appear in him at the same time.

To their right is a beautiful Taoist nun, with a slender body and an elegant posture, as elegant as a plum blossom.

She seems to have deliberately cultivated contour lines, showing her perfect curves, and her angular facial features set off her noble temperament.

The eyebrows are clear and the eyes are beautiful, and the deep and clear eyes are like clear springs, exuding a breathtaking look. The young earlobes swayed slightly, like the tender green of spring buds, and the face was as white and charming as liquid milk, carrying a hint of mystery that made people fall in love with her.

Her dress was naturally simple, yet luxurious. She seemed to be surrounded by fairy spirit in a trance, glowing with a faint golden light in the sun, just like the lightness of the first blooming flowers in spring.

A red insect slowly crawled onto the Taoist nun's white hands. Without any fear, she gently stroked the insect...

These four people are Mao Ying, Mao Gu, Mao Zhong, and Zhao Lan.

We can also call them Gonggong, Zhu Rong, Chi You, and Zheng Dan. They are all time travellers, but many of them have been reincarnated for several lives.

"Raise!" Mao Ying placed the white chess piece and took out the surrounded black one from the chessboard.

"it's your turn."

Mao Gu looked at the chessboard, put down his struggle, and smiled bitterly, "Senior brother is still the best, I am willing to be inferior. For thousands of years, I have always been inferior to you in chess."

"Your mind is not as pure as your senior brother's. If you don't practice Taoism seriously, you will naturally not be as good as your senior brother. Life is like a chess game. You have no regrets about your moves. It is unpredictable. Flowers bloom and fall. There is only one game in your life."

Mao Zhong on the side spoke. He came to Maoshan later.

Mao Gu glanced at him and said, "Brother Chi You, that's someone else. We are naturally different. Don't you still understand? Do you want to be like Liu Han?"

Mao Zhong was stunned for a moment, "Chiyou, what an ancient name, Pangu, Nuwa, Fuxi, Shennong, Yandi, Huangdi, Chiyou, Xingtian, Dijun, Taiyi, Gonggong, Zhurong, Youchaoshi, Suirenshi, Taihao, Shaohao, Zhuanxu, Emperor Ku, Tang Yao, Kuafu, Hou Yi, Yu Shun, Xia Yu, the Duke of the East, the Queen Mother of the West...

Maybe you made it up, or it existed, or it died, it happened thousands of years ago, why bother to mention it again, now I am just Mao Zhong, a cultivator in Maoshan. "

Mao Gu or Zhu Rong smiled, "Cultivation of the Tao, what kind of Tao? The Tao is at your feet.

"Historical Records" records: "At the time of Xuanyuan, the Shennong family declined. The princes invaded and attacked each other, tyrannizing the people, but Shennong was unable to conquer them.

So Xuanyuan was accustomed to using fighting to conquer without enjoying it, and the princes and guests came to follow him. Chi You was the most violent and could not be defeated.

Emperor Yan wanted to invade the princes in Ling, and the princes returned to Xuanyuan. Xuanyuan cultivated virtues and mobilized troops, governed the five qi and the five arts, pacified all the people, and conquered the four directions. He taught bears, braves, and tigers to fight Emperor Yan in the wilderness of Banquan.

Fight three times and then get your ambition. Chi You made trouble without the emperor's order. So the Yellow Emperor conscripted the princes, fought with Chi You in the wilderness of Zhuolu, and then killed Chi You.

And the princes Xian respected Xuanyuan as the emperor, and replaced the Shennong clan as the Yellow Emperor. ’

But how did they know the inside story? You also tried to change history, but what was the outcome?

After coming to Maoshan for so many years, how has your Taoism been doing? "

Mao Zhong was silent, seeming to recall the past, the years thousands of years ago, as well as the pain and struggle.

At this time, Mao Ying, who was sitting upright, spoke up, "Okay, if you realize the past, you can't remonstrate, and you can catch up with those who have come. It's true that you're not far off the road, and you realize that today is right but yesterday was wrong. Let's talk about the current affairs."

Zhao Lan asked, "Guiguzi, where is the black jade unicorn?" Mao Gu said, "You still want to see the black jade unicorn, are you not afraid of him taking action?"

Zhao Lan said nonchalantly: "Just move. It's not like you can't beat him. If you die, you'll be reincarnated. It's not good if it's too boring. I won't practice Taoism peacefully. It's completely boring. I want to be a Taoist nun." That’s it.”

"Gui Guzi has always been elusive. Who knows where he is? Logically speaking, the black jade unicorn should have escaped. Is he still pretending to be Wang Mang and pretending to be killed?"

"Okay, let's ignore them. Now it seems that that brat Liu Han has awakened from his reincarnation and created the three-province-six-ministry system and the imperial examination system. He also made paper, which is much easier to use than Cai Lun's."

"I heard it was the prince who proposed it. It seems that the little guy is determined to be evil. Will he poison him again?"

Zhao Lan laughed, "Hahaha, don't be ridiculous. Old Chi You, is he so poisonous? He was careless back then, but it can't be done now. There are people in the palace who test the medicine, and they are much stricter than before. You want to poison him, do you think he is a fool?"

She laughed so hard that her branches trembled wildly, and something seemed to be jumping up and down on her chest. It was very attractive, but the three Taoist priests turned a blind eye.

"What should I do?"

"Take your time, but it won't change the overall situation. It will be fine if future generations of kings abolish him. The important thing is that he cannot be the emperor."

"With his ability, can Liu Yang beat him? If nothing else, he will succeed to the throne."

"That person is really Liu Han. Could it be the woman he was with back then?"

Mao Gu said and looked at Zhao Lan.

"You mean the one who first made elixirs? The one named Dong Cuihua?"

"Correct!"

"It's possible, but men are usually reincarnated as men and women as women. There are some changes, but not many."

"Could it be someone close to the prince?"

"I'll ask someone to check again."

"Is it possible that it's another first generation?"

"Where are there so many first generations?"

"Okay, what do you guys think we should do?"

Zhao Lan raised her hands in the altar and said that she would just fish, "Old man Gonggong, you are the smartest among them. You have an immortal spirit. Over the years of practicing Taoism, you seem to be able to see through life and death. If you have immortality medicine, you don't need it. Just think naturally. senescence.

Look at Zhu Rong, he is over 100 years old in this life, but he still looks 20 years old, walks like flying, and has no illness or disaster. Look at you, you are afraid that you need help to go up and down the mountain. What are you trying to do? "

Mao Ying, or Gonggong, is the old man with superb chess skills. Now he is over 70, and his health is not as good as before. He actually also took the longevity medicine, otherwise he would have died long ago, but he only took a little, and then did not take it. , it will naturally age.

He waved his hand and smiled, "My death is like a lamp extinguished, reincarnation blows and rekindles, and the death of the world is like my thoughts disappearing, and I will never return in this life. I just want to see the founding of the Eastern Han Dynasty. After reading it, it is enough. Naturally, it is not good to die. ?

Besides, if I don’t die, the Taoist priests in Maoshan will probably be suspicious and have other ideas. Even the emperor and the people around me will be suspicious. It’s better for you guys to just change your identity. Now in their eyes, you are all I’m a disciple…”

Mao Gu looked at the sea of ​​clouds in the distance and said with a half-smile: "It seems that we can only start with Liu Xiu and slowly lay out the plan. If there is no opponent, it will be too boring. No matter how he changes, I can correct it." , time is on our side.”

……

Time went by and came to the fifteenth year of Jianwu.

At a court meeting, Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu read a letter from Kai Xiao and Gongsun Shu to the ministers. After reading, Liu Xiu was still not satisfied and said: "What a wonderful literary talent, two great talents!"

It has to be said that both Wei Xiao and Gongsun Shu were civil servants in the past and were very talented and learned.

Wei Xiao was born in a wealthy family in Longyou. He was well versed in books and classics. He also served as an official of the Imperial Master Liu Xin. At that time, Liu Xin was a world-famous scholar. It was extraordinary to be an official under him.

Later, he became famous in troubled times for his true talents and knowledge. According to history books, he had considerable political means and military talents, and was a rare talent.

Looking back at Wei Xiao's development process, we find that he is indeed brave and resourceful, which makes people admire him.

Looking at Gongsun Shu again, he was also born in a family of officials. Under the care of his family, Gongsun Shu became the county magistrate in his early twenties. It can be said that his starting point was very high.

Moreover, Gongsun Shu also had high political literacy and outstanding talents. Seeing that he had a background and talent, the governor of Tianshui County directly asked him to manage five counties, and he managed them well. Therefore, Gongsun Shu's reputation spread throughout Shu and he was promoted to Shu. County governor.

Subsequently, he slowly developed, occupying Shu step by step, becoming king, and even emperor. He confronted Liu Xiu for more than ten years. His talent and ability cannot be ignored.

The reason why Liu Xiu praised the two of them so much was also to show off.

The subtext seems to be saying: "Look at these two people who are so talented, but I killed them both. Am I also very powerful?"

"Your Majesty Shengming."

Some people even boasted, "Your Majesty, with his holy virtue and spiritual power, the dragon and the phoenix, led the troops of Wan and Ye, wiped out the blood of Kunyang, drove the Wuguan for a long time, broke through the millions of soldiers, and destroyed the army of nine tigers. Thunder shakes the world, sweeps the world, eliminates chaos, punishes the unruly, and within a period of time, the sea is settled. Following the death of the great ancestor, the unparalleled cultivation of civil and military affairs, the country is restored, the flame spirit is more brilliant, the virtue is as good as before, and the merits are Nothing and two..."

"Yes, my father Shenwu, due to the turmoil of the time, the living people were almost wiped out, the ghosts and gods were wiped out, the coffins were left empty, the remains were abandoned, the fields were full of disgusting human flesh, the rivers and valleys were filled with human blood, and the disasters of Qin and Xiang were still there Not half, the contract has come and will not be recorded...

So the father held the Qian talisman, explained the treasures of the universe, put on the emperor's picture, and read the emperor's inscriptions. He was so angry that he responded like a cloud, struck Kunyang with his thunder, and shook the thunder with his anger.

Then he crossed the great river and crossed Beiyue. He was named Gaoyi and made his capital in He and Luo. The desolate village of the Hundred Kings of Shao, due to the cleansing of nature, the physical element was established, and it was built after the heaven. In line with the Tang Dynasty, inheriting the Han Dynasty, nurturing all living beings, restoring a strong world, having the same honors as in the past, and being as diligent as three or five..."

Liu Han also followed the boast, but it was for later generations, and he borrowed it. Anyway, bragging costs no money, just for the sake of happiness.

No matter who he is, no matter how wise and powerful he is, he usually likes to hear others flatter him. This is human nature and cannot be changed. As the old saying goes: "Thousands of people wear clothes, but horses cannot wear them."

Therefore, sycophants are welcomed by leaders wherever they go, not entirely because leaders like flatterers, but because all leaders value the attitude of their subordinates.

So when the leader arranges a task, no matter what your true thoughts are, your first reaction must be a positive response and obedience. Your attitude must be shown first, and then you can find an opportunity to report your difficulties to the leader.

In this way, the leader will believe that you really have difficulties instead of confronting him. If you have a good attitude, the leader will be willing to discuss it with you; if you have a bad attitude, the leader will punish you to death.

Anyway, it makes Liu Xiu happy and there is no loss, so Liu Han also follows the trend and flatters her.

Liu Xiu laughed loudly at first, and then said seriously: "Prince, have you learned how to flatter me?"

"My son, I speak from my heart."

"You, you..."

Everyone was in harmony. Just as Liu Xiu was intoxicated, Chief Situ and Zhongshu Ling Han Xin intervened: "The kings of subjugated countries are all talented, and Jie and Zhou are also talented."

Liu Xiu was stunned for a moment and then became furious. He couldn't help but think of all the excessive words and deeds of Han Xin in the past.

"Bold!"

"Your Majesty, I am proficient in classics. After some calculations, I learned that the Han Dynasty will definitely encounter a crop failure and starvation this year..." Han Xin pointed to the sky and the earth, speaking urgently.

"My big man is currently in good weather. Is Zhongshu Ling's calculation wrong?"

"Your Majesty, my calculation is absolutely correct. It is based on..."

"That's enough, go down!"

He severely reprimanded Han Xin, and everyone left unhappy. Liu Han looked at Han Xin's back and felt that this old guy was going to be fucked, and it was like slapping Liu Xiu in the face. This was too blunt.

(End of this chapter)