Rebirth of Zhu Di's son

Chapter 72 The Troubles over the Establishment of the Chu ([-])

early morning.

The weather was fine, the sky was blue and cloudless.

More than ten miles southwest of the imperial city, there is a solemn, majestic temple.

This temple was the place where the imperial court compiled the "History of the Yuan Dynasty" in the early years of Hongwu, but it was burned down in the 21st year of Hongwu. Fortunately, Zhu Yuanzhang had become a monk in Fengyang Huangjue Temple in his early years. After he ascended the throne, he could not help but have a lot of respect for the monks and temples. He took care of it, so he used internal funds to rebuild the temple and was given the title of "Tianjie Temple of Good Scholars", commonly known as "Tianjie Temple".

Tianjie Temple occupies a very large area, wide and deep, with 36 nunneries, a west pavilion, a bell tower, etc. It has the tranquility of natural mountains and forests, and the splendor of murals.

At this time, in a release pond in the backyard of the temple, a group of water turtles were fighting fiercely for food.

In the pavilion on the viewing platform by the pool, there was an old monk in black robe, nearly seven feet tall, standing with his hands behind his back, looking at the turtles in the lake with admiring eyes.

Next to the old monk, there is a mysterious man wearing a mask sitting in a wooden wheelchair.

But he turned to stare at the old monk and asked, "Daoyan Bald Donkey, how long are you going to imprison me for?"

The old monk in black robe is none other than Monk Dao Yan, the first counselor of Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty.

He heard the masked man's words, but did not respond. He just remained silent.

After Hongwu Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang founded the country, in order to manage the world's monks and Taoism, he established the Senglu Department under the Ministry of Rites to manage the world's monks and temples; he also established the Daolu Department to manage the world's Taoist temples.

The Daolu Department is located in Chaotian Palace, and the Senglu Department is located in Tianjie Temple.

The Seng Lu Division is a yamen of the sixth rank. It consists of the left and right good people, the left and right interpretation of teachings, the left and right lectures, and the left and right enlightenment.

Not long after Zhu Di took over the East Palace many years ago, Monk Daoyan was promoted to the rank of Monk Lu Si Zuo Shanshi, and he has been living in the backyard of Tianjie Temple ever since.

Because monk Daoyan often conspired with Zhu Di, the place where he lived was forbidden to ordinary people, so this courtyard was also called the forbidden courtyard by many monks.

"If I hadn't disguised my identity, lurked around the King of Jin, and plotted secretly. How could King Yan have taken advantage of the 'Blood Letter of All Peoples' case to find out the King of Jin who was plotting evil, and thus be recognized by Emperor Hongwu and move into the East Palace? If I hadn't changed my name After changing his surname, he went to Peiping to serve Prince Yan, traveled through mountains and rivers, and drew maps of mountains and rivers. How could Prince Yan display his talents in Liaodong and cultivate countless fertile fields?"

The mysterious man wearing a mask and sitting in a wheelchair is Taoist Qingxuan, a monk named Xuantong who served as a staff advisor to Zhu Gaoxu a few years ago.

"I did these things just to repay you for saving my life. I don't seek fame or fortune. I just want to go back to the mountains and forests. Isn't that okay? Why did you send people to Peking to break my legs and disfigure my appearance like this? Like a prisoner, he was secretly brought to the capital? Could it be that he wanted to protect the reputation of King Yan's benevolence and filial piety and wanted to kill someone and silence him? "

When Monk Dao Yan heard this, he just shook his head and remained silent.

"Although I am just one of the dozens of staff and advisors under Prince Yan, and I am not conspicuous, if I don't return for a long time after going out, it will definitely arouse suspicion. Since you don't want to kill me, I advise you to let me go back early! Otherwise! If the matter is revealed, you know the consequences of offending Prince Yan!"

Monk Daoyan remained silent and did not respond.

Taoist Qingxuan was furious and struggled to stand up, but was unable to stand upright because his legs were broken.

He had no choice but to raise his neck, stared at Monk Dao Yan, and asked: "If the master Tongxuan Hongdao had not regarded you as his own son and taught you his skills, how could you be where you are today? But now you bully your master and destroy your ancestors, What are you going to do if you break my junior brother's legs and imprison him in the back garden of this temple?"

The "Master Tongxuan Hongdao" as Taoist Qingxuan calls him is the master he shares with Monk Daoyan, the Taoist priest Xi Yingzhen of Lingying Palace who once received the title of "Master Tongxuan Mingsu Hongdao". "Junior brother's drawing of the mountains and rivers map of Liaodong region is also a merit for the country. For His Highness, King Yan, it is also a merit for supporting him. How can His Highness be detrimental to my junior brother? It is necessary to break your legs and ruin your appearance."

Monk Daoyan turned his head, looked at Taoist Qingxuan, and said helplessly: "You don't know something. To the outside world, you have encountered a ferocious beast on your way out to draw a map, and you were eaten by a ferocious beast."

Taoist Qingxuan was shocked. Under the mask, the scarred face showed a complicated expression.

Although he is a narrow-minded person and will retaliate for his anger, but now in his fifties, he is no longer the stupid young man who recklessly killed people to avenge his sister. He certainly understands the meaning of Monk Daoyan's words.

But the more this happened, the more strange he felt. During the time he was imprisoned in the temple, Monk Daoyan never mentioned this matter to him, but he said it now. Could it be that something big happened outside?
"Emperor Hongwu passed away on the eighth day of this month, and then His Royal Highness King Yan succeeded to the throne in front of his body according to the imperial edict, and the enthronement ceremony was officially held two days ago, that is, the throne of the emperor."

Monk Daoyan did not make Taoist Qingxuan uneasy for too long, but said bluntly.

After hearing this, Taoist Qingxuan suddenly realized.

No wonder Monk Daoyan wanted to disfigure his appearance, cut off his legs, and imprison him. It turned out that he was worried that he would reveal his past shameful deeds before King Zhu Di of Yan came to the throne, thereby ruining Monk Daoyan's efforts.

Now the King of Yan, Zhu Di, has ascended to the throne and issued an edict announcing his ascendance to the world, becoming the second emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

Then he, a man who once did dirty work, had no other option. He could either be killed and silenced, or live the rest of his life incognito.

"When the new emperor succeeds to the throne, he will definitely reward those who supported him in the past based on their merits. However, you have a special status and what you have done before are all shady things. Therefore, His Majesty cannot reward you openly."

"Prince Yan won't kill me?" Taoist Qingxuan asked doubtfully.

Monk Dao Yan said: "Your Majesty doesn't know you exist yet."

"What do you want?" Taoist Qingxuan asked again.

Monk Dao Yan said: "I am not a heartless person, so I have thought of a way out for you."

As soon as he finished speaking, he clapped his hands vigorously.

After a while, a guard in black attire led a tall red horse to the quiet and remote backyard.

Taoist Qingxuan was perked up when he saw the BMW, and he was immediately stunned. He was very sure that the red horse in front of him was the horse that had been accompanying him on his trek through mountains and rivers in the past.

After Chima saw Taoist Qingxuan, he neighed as if he had met an old friend.

Taoist Qingxuan is very fond of horses, especially as he gets older. After seeing the red horse, he was very excited. His face under the mask quickly turned red, and he wanted to fly over and hug the big horse.

Seeing that Taoist Qingxuan was moved, Monk Daoyan ordered the guard leading the horse: "No one is allowed to approach within a hundred steps of the forbidden courtyard, otherwise he will be killed on the spot."

After the guards were ordered to leave, Monk Daoyan looked solemn and said solemnly: "There are no more six ears here. I want to ask you something. If you can tell the truth, I will do my best to ensure that you appear in the world openly and justly." In the eyes!”

(End of this chapter)