Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Chapter 24 Taoist Heavenly Master
Jia Cong asked curiously, "Brother Liu, this person is so grand, who is he?"

Liu Bi smiled and said, “There is only one person in the world who can ride four horses, wear the imperial yellow robe, insert the talisman flag, and tattoo the Zhoutian Bagua, Yin Yang and Double Fish.

That is the Great Immortal Miaofa of the Zhengyi Sect, the one who is in charge of all Taoist affairs in the world, and the contemporary Heavenly Master Zhang Yuzhen. "

Jia Cong suddenly realized that the most respected family in the world was the Kong family of Qufu, Shandong. It was a true thousand-year-old family, and even the royal families of every dynasty could not compare to it.

As for Aixiu's surrender, that was a matter of later generations and will not be mentioned here.

If there is any other noble family in the world that can be compared with the Kong family, it must be the Zhang family, to which Zhang Daoling of the Eastern Han Dynasty passed down the Taoist tradition of Tianshi.

Jia Cong was surprised that Prince Jiashun was so arrogant.

This Nanxi Literary Gathering not only invited the contemporary literary master Liu Jing'an, but even the Zhang family's Heavenly Master.

But there was something he didn't know. The Nanxi Literary Society was originally a gathering for scholars to exchange ideas, and there was no reason to invite a Taoist leader to attend.

But Zhang Yuzhen was no ordinary Taoist leader. He had loved reading since childhood and was well versed in the teachings of various schools of thought, especially poetry and calligraphy.

Before he took over the position of Heavenly Master, he traveled around the world to study, his literary reputation spread far and wide, he was respected by the scholars, and was known as a Taoist scholar.

If he had not taken over the position of Heavenly Master, he would have become a great literary master like Liu Yanxiu. It would have been natural for such a person to complement each other when he participated in the Nanxi Literary Gathering.

It was also a coincidence that since the current emperor ascended the throne, Zhang Yuzhen would pray for the emperor every year before the end of the year. He happened to be in Shenjing during this period, otherwise Prince Jiashun would not have been able to invite him.

At this time, Liu Bi was still thinking about what he had just said, and asked again: "Brother Cong, which elder of your family brought you here? Let me greet him, so as not to be impolite."

Liu Bi was born into a noble family and had smooth success in the imperial examinations. He was usually a bit arrogant towards others, which was generally the attitude he used towards mediocre people.

When he meets someone who is more capable than him in some areas, he will become warm and approachable, with a bit of a chameleon personality. This is probably the peculiar temper cultivated by his literary and artistic family. He has broad vision and respects talent rather than power.

For example, everyone knows that Jia Cong is a bastard of the Rongguo Mansion. In a few years, he will be separated from the Rongguo Mansion and live separately. By then, the respectability of the Duke's Mansion will no longer be able to be maintained.

If it were someone from another power, the relationship would probably be dull, but Liu Bi admired Jia Cong's amazing calligraphy and his elegant personality, without any of the superficiality of a dandy from a wealthy family.

These are very much to his liking. Influenced by his grandfather since he was young, he has the ability to judge people and things. Jia Cong has such aura at such a young age. He will definitely be an extraordinary person in the future, which is enough for him to be treated with an open mind.

Jia Cong said: "No elder brought me here, I came here by myself."

He was also embarrassed to say that Prince Jiashun had personally written a letter inviting him to attend the literary gathering and asking him to serve as the gathering's recorder. This matter was a bit abrupt in itself, and it would seem like bragging if he said it, so it was better not to mention it.

Liu Bi exclaimed, "Why did you come here by yourself? Without the invitation to the literary gathering, you wouldn't even be able to enter the gate of Shuyun Villa."

He thought again, patted Jia Cong on the shoulder, and said angrily: "Well, you come with me when the time comes. We follow our grandfather, and no one can stop you. Now that you are here, you should broaden your horizons."

Liu Bi's voice unconsciously became a little louder, and Prince Jiashun and others who were chatting over there looked over.

Liu Yanxiu frowned. His grandson had a good character and talent. Although he was not outstanding in the Liu family for passing the imperial examination at the age of 20, it was okay. It was just that he was still young and his behavior was inevitably a little impetuous.

Zhou Changyan, who was standing behind Prince Jiashun, recognized Jia Cong at a glance. He hadn't seen him for more than ten days, and Jia Cong looked a little different than before, which surprised him a little.

He whispered a few words in Prince Jiashun's ear. Prince Jiashun turned around and looked at Jia Cong carefully. His expression was slightly moved and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He remembered that after Wang Dong came back, he told him the origin of the Heart Sutra and Jia Cong's embarrassing situation in the Jia Mansion.

Prince Jiashun smiled at Liu Yanxiu beside him and said, "Mr. Jing'an, do you remember the Heart Sutra we saw when you and I went to our father's banquet to pray for a new year a few days ago?"

Liu Yanxiu stroked his beard and replied, "Of course I remember. The Buddhist Heart Sutra is very profound, and the calligraphy is also ancient, simple and elegant. It has become the style of a sect and is very rare.

At that time, I wanted to ask the prince which master wrote the calligraphy, but I didn’t have the time. I have lived in Luocang Mountain for ten years, but I didn’t know there was such an outstanding calligrapher. "

Prince Jiashun smiled, looked towards where Liu Bi and Jia Cong were standing, and said, "The person who wrote is right in front of us."

Liu Yanxiu followed his gaze. He knew that Prince Jiashun was not talking about his grandson. When he saw Jia Cong beside Liu Bi, he was stunned. He collected his thoughts and asked, "Your Highness is saying that the Heart Sutra was written by that child. How is that possible? How old is he?"

Prince Jiashun said: "I didn't believe it at first, but Changyan saw the handwriting of the child, so he couldn't be wrong. The child is Jia Cong, the son of Jia She, the first-class general of Rongguo Mansion."

Liu Yanxiu was a great scholar of his generation. He was well-educated, knowledgeable, and aware that there were many talented people in the world.

But what Prince Jiashun said was really beyond common sense, and I was still a little skeptical.

He recalled that the retired emperor had held a banquet in Jinyang Palace to celebrate the New Year as it was approaching, and had invited these retired ministers and elders from the royal family to the palace for a drink and chat.

The Heart Sutra was hung in a prominent place in the hall. The old men present were all connoisseurs of value, and soon someone noticed this excellent piece of calligraphy.

Many people are full of praise for the exquisite and profound Buddhist scriptures and the unique style of calligraphy, and they all believe that the combination of the two is truly a masterpiece of nature.

Liu Yanxiu has been immersed in the literati circle for half his life. He has seen countless fine calligraphy works, but this is the first time he has seen such a font. He thinks it must have been created by the calligrapher himself.

He still clearly remembered the pride and joy in the eyes of the retired emperor at that time.

Later I learned that this calligraphy was presented by Prince Jiashun to the retired emperor.

The retired emperor, who had always been immersed in Buddhism and was fond of calligraphy, could not put down the calligraphy. In his joy, he rewarded Prince Jiashun with many rare ancient books.

Now, that amazing Heart Sutra was actually said to be written by this child. Liu Yanxiu was shocked beyond words.

"Bi'er, why are you still standing there? Bring that little brother over here to pay your respects to the prince and Zhang Tianshi."

Liu Bi was stunned when she heard this. It was fine if her grandfather asked her to go and pay respects to the elders, but why did he bring Jia Cong along?
When Jia Cong heard this, he was moved, but he did not show it on his face and followed Liu Bi.

At this time, Prince Jiashun, Liu Yanxiu, and Zhang Yuzhen all focused their attention on Jia Cong.

Liu Bi was born into a wealthy family and had seen a lot of the world, but he had rarely encountered a situation like today.

Whether it was the noble and talented Prince Jiashun, or Zhang Tianshi who held the reins of Taoism in the world, they were both great figures who supported the country at the time.

Especially that Zhang Tianshi, who was dressed in a dark blue wide-feather Taoist robe and a golden crown with seven-star lotus on his head. His bright eyes were so bright and deep that they seemed to make people dizzy.

The situation and atmosphere at the moment made the usually carefree Liu Bi feel inexplicably nervous, and a trace of embarrassment and depression appeared on his face.

However, Jia Cong, who was much younger than him, behaved calmly and steadily, which made Liu Yanxiu and others curious.

They saw Jia Cong standing tall, with black hair like ink. Although he was a little thin, his facial features were handsome and his eyes were clear and calm.

Wearing a bright red gorilla felt cloak, he was illuminated by the snow all over the ground, like a glowing red cloud, making him even more outstanding.

Even when facing the scrutiny of the crowd, he remained calm and not panicky. That kind of composure and expression is rarely seen in ordinary children.

Liu Yanxiu and Zhang Tianshi were secretly surprised and cheered. They thought that the Jia family, a noble family that was declining day by day, was still lucky enough to support such a young man.

"Junior Jia Cong greets the prince, Mr. Jing'an, and Zhang Tianshi."

Prince Jiashunqing said with a smile: "I really admire your calligraphy. Today I have seen the real person. It is rare for a young man to have your temperament and talent.

I hope you can do a good job as a recorder today and add color to the Nanxi Literary Society."

Jia Cong replied: "Your Majesty, you are overpraising me. Jia Cong will do his best to live up to your expectations."

Seeing that although he was no more than an old man, he responded steadily and clearly, and spoke modestly and unhurriedly, Liu Yanxiu smiled and nodded secretly.

However, the Heavenly Master Zhang Yuzhen standing by had a deep gaze as he looked at the noble Jia Cong. His empty right hand flickered and seemed to have understood something.

(End of this chapter)