Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 561
On the sparse meadow, this cemetery is particularly dazzling.

Birth, old age, sickness and death are the principle of the cycle of all things in the world, which is not unusual at all.However, on these graves, there are only a few with grass growing, and the others are loess, which look young.

Cao Yong followed behind the big lama, walked into the tomb, looked at the large and small graves, and his heart was heavy.

The reason why there is no grass growing on the ground is that the land in many places has been turned over and the roots of the grass have been dug away.

There are many funeral ceremonies for the Mongolians, and burial is one of them. They also have the custom of burial together.On the nomadic grassland, they selected a slope facing the east and built family tombs here. In Mongolian, this is called "Houqide".

In their eyes, the mouth of the cemetery should face the rising direction of the sun, so that the dead can rise from sunset to sunrise like the sun.No matter how far away the nomads are, when a family member gets old, the Mongols will drive a carriage to their own tombs,
They also made a mark here to declare that this place is their "good virtue".Other Mongols look at it, and they won't build tombs nearby.

Today, without war, why are there so many new tombs?
In Cao Yong's mind, there appeared the heavy snow that he saw with his own eyes this spring.When he was in the capital, he heard people say that the snowstorm in the north was more serious.

Kangxi also ordered to transport grain to Mongolia and send people to teach fishing methods. At first Cao Yong thought it was funny.

He thought it was just for the Mongol princes to see, and the so-called "relief" money and rice from the court could help those downcast Mongols and Taijis solve the famine, so that the people of the Golden Family would not starve to death.Other Mongolian herdsmen, who would care about their lives.

When Cao Yong went outside the mouth in the first month, thinking of the possible famine in a few months, he once "pointed out" the chief steward of Jian Wangfu, talking about the "rich prospects" of the felt and sheepskin business.

His original intention of doing this was to hope that Prince Jian's Mansion would intervene in this matter, so that the herdsmen could exchange what they had in their hands for silver, so as to survive the famine.

In June and July, the grass grows in the fields and the eagles fly, and everything recovers, and it is no longer difficult to satisfy our hunger.

In the huge grassland, how many places can those royal merchants set foot in?
The great lama had already recited the "Diamond Sutra" in a low voice. It was a somewhat heavy scripture, but when he recited it in Mongolian, it made people feel more sentimental.

Not far from the tomb, there was a dilapidated yurt. The attendant of the great lama had gone to visit and brought over a gray-haired Mongolian man.

If you look at his hair, he seems to be five or sixty years old, but his face is not that old.

The man was wearing an old Mongolian robe, he was tall but frighteningly skinny.

The lines on his forehead seemed to be carved with a knife, and his eyes were a little dull. When he saw the monk's robe on the big lama's body, his face was half a smile, half a cry, half a cry.

Hearing only a "plop", the Mongolian man had already knelt in front of the great lama, with his palms up, performing the great salute of "throwing the five bodies on the ground".

Although this man may not know that the old lama in front of him is the highly respected "Hutuktu" on the grassland, he still performed the most solemn gift for Buddhists on the grassland.

The big lama showed compassion on his face, stretched out his hand, and called the man to get up.

The man stood up and looked at the convoy not far away, with a look of confusion on his face.

The big lama asked the man's name, then pointed to the tomb in front of him and asked why.

Hearing this, the man's face was full of despair and sadness.

His name is Bagen, and he is a descendant of this piece of "Houqide".

Among the new graves, some of his parents, wife and children are buried in them.There are seven members of the family, and now he is the only one left.The other six all died of starvation and disease due to the famine and plague caused by last year's blizzard.

The other graves are other descendants of this "Houqide", and he helped to bury many of them.

Although according to the custom, the person who died suddenly cannot be buried in "Houqide", but Bagen couldn't bear the soul of his relatives to be independent and become wandering spirits on the grassland, so he was buried here.

Livestock had already froze to death last winter, and there would be nothing to eat frozen meat by the beginning of this spring.Without horses and unable to migrate, they had to dig grass roots nearby to feed themselves.

I originally planned to stay until June or July, when the water and grass were fertile, and then migrate with the passing shepherds. I didn't expect that this "white disaster" would bring the death of grasslands, not only the death of livestock, but also the death of other animals.

Dead livestock can be made into jerky and used as dry food for herdsmen.After the death of other beasts, the corpses can only gradually rot.

In this way, the plague was rampant on the grassland.

After suffering from famine and plague, the Bagen family passed away one after another, and he was the only one left.

Bagen had already opened a grave for himself beside his parents' tomb, thinking that if he couldn't make it through, he could just sit there, which would save trouble.

Along with the narration, the man had already started to cry, and the desolation in his voice made people weep uncontrollably.

The great lama sighed inaudibly, and then said: "Everything is suffering, and this life is impermanent, but I hope for blessings in the next life. I still lack Shabinar (shepherd slave) by my side. Are you willing to follow me and listen to me?" Have you listened to the profound teachings of "Kanjur" and "Tanjur"?"

Hearing this, Ba Gen fell to his knees, prostrated himself in front of the great lama, and said with tears, "The forehead felt!"

This "front felt" means master in Mongolian. From the moment he knelt down, Ba Gen has changed from a free man to a shepherd slave of the great lama.

Cao Yong stood beside the big lama and looked at this scene, but he was a little surprised.

At first, I thought that the great lama was merciful and wanted to accept this man as an apprentice, but unexpectedly he accepted a slave who was willing to be driven by him.

Looking at the monks, attendants, and slaves accompanied by the great lama, Cao Yong's heart was a little heavy, but it was a little more funny.

This is the so-called "Supreme Dharma", in which the hierarchy is no less strict than that of the secular world.

His eyes swept across the cemetery in front of him, thinking how many people on this grassland had suffered from the snowstorm last winter, and his heart was heavy.

The "Bogda Khan" who made the Mongols fearful sent many people to the grasslands to teach fishing methods, but he didn't know how lucky the fish in the river are today...

If you want to come to Mongolia, the kings and guilds will give thanks for the money and food bestowed by the court. This leader is naturally "inheriting the grace of the Holy Lord", and no one died of famine due to famine.

Only in this way can the court's grace and Kangxi's "benevolence" be manifested...

After all, it is the benefit of occupying a large area and few people. The buns from Ba Gen's family are probably scattered all over the place, so they don't need to come into everyone's eyes.

But in a day or two, the atmosphere in this line of work eased up.

When stationed at sunset, although people can't be said to be singing and dancing, they are not as heavy as before.

There are only two changes, Cao Yong and the Great Lama.

Cao Yong was a little homesick. After seeing the vast grassland and the ruthless natural disasters, he began to feel homesick.

To be a spectator of history and to live his life peacefully, isn't that his previous pursuit?Today, the "sense of substitution" is getting stronger and stronger.

Sometimes, he can't help but feel guilty.

If I can think of "there will be a great epidemic after the great disaster", and then come up with a way to deal with it, will it make fewer people die in this world?

Every time I think of this, Cao Yong feels ridiculous again.Could it be that he is the almighty Buddha?Thinking of saving sentient beings?
Kings like Kangxi and eminent monks like the Great Lama all see and take care of different people because of their different interests.

On my own side, I accidentally stood on the clouds and looked down at all living beings. What a fraternity.

In the world of life, everyone should be responsible. What exactly is one's own responsibility?
This sense of guilt and sense of humor alternate rotation, making Cao Yong become a little confused.

The great lama was also silent before, but after discovering Cao Yong's confusion, he regained his spirit and began to preach "precepts, samadhi, and wisdom" in front of Cao Yong again.

"Awareness without confusion, righteousness without evil, purity without defilement", accomplishing the two bodies of the Buddha's body and dharma with the six perfections of blessing and wisdom, and breaking through the afflictions and obstacles of the three realms with the "right view of nonduality"...

The Mongolian scriptures of "dulu dulu" made Cao Yong's ears "buzz".

Even when he was dreaming, he dreamed that the big lama was talking about "consummation of merit and virtue" and "good retribution in the next life".

This bombardment made Cao Yong wake up from his confusion.

It's not that he disrespected the great lama and blasphemed Buddhism, but that whenever he heard the great lama say the three words "precepts, samadhi, and wisdom" in a serious manner, Cao Yong would think of the other three misinterpreted words very ignorantly.

Thinking of those three words, and looking at "precepts, samadhi, and wisdom", this slogan is just a slogan, and its rendering power has been reduced a lot.

I don't know if it's because he doesn't have deep roots in wisdom, or because he is cold and selfish by nature, but he finally put away his "compassionate heart" and calmly admired the scenery at the foot of Mount Hang'ai...

The big lama saw Cao Yong's changes in his eyes, and seemed to be aware of his firmness, and finally he was unwilling to talk about Buddha with Cao Yong.

Cao Yong just listened, and sometimes when he saw the big lama was too proud, he would show off what he heard from Qingliang Temple.

The great lama was dazed at first, but then, like an urchin enlightened, he asked about the details of Zen practice and compared it with the difference between the two practices of the Yellow Sect.

Although Cao Yong is not a monk, nor is he a layman, but he has been around the old lady since he was a child, and he can tell a thing or two about Zen practice in the years he went to the temple.

After hearing this, the great lama pondered deeply, and then compared the differences and pros and cons of the two methods of practice.

Speaking of these, Cao Yong is not interested in the Xianzong, which mainly focuses on the practice of "disciplines". What he pays most attention to is the "Double Cultivation of Esoteric Buddhism" with a somewhat mysterious color.

Although Lamaism says not to marry wives, not to kill, and not to drink alcohol, it does not abstain from sex and meat.

According to what Cao Yong's later generations know, the so-called "Double Cultivation of Esoteric Buddhism" refers to the practice of men and women, and it's about sex.

I don't know if it's because the great lama is old and frail, weak in heart, or something else. Most of the monks and boys around him take care of daily life, and there are servants and housekeepers who manage foreign affairs.

The other monks, some older ones, were in tents with young slave girls.

Because of this, He Shan and Shi Yun once talked about it in private. They said it was embarrassing, but they were also envious in their hearts.

After all, Cao Yong is young and energetic, and now counting the days, he is away from home for two months.

For other people, there are opportunities for Mongolian female slaves to entertain guests along the way.Cao Yong is by the side of the great lama, and he bears the imperial decree, and he still has scruples about the "military situation in the Northwest". This "angel" airs still needs to be maintained.

The southern foot of Hang'ai Mountain, without the desolation of the northern foot, has the most plump water and grass, and there are many Mongolian tribes living here.Among them, some Mongolian princes and princes in Taiji built mansions and settled down, and their living and eating habits were much Sinicized.

It wasn't until here that Cao Yong heard the news from the imperial court that many Khalkha soldiers were stationed here to prevent the soldiers of Cewang Allah Butan from going north to plunder.

In addition, in Shaanxi, thousands of green battalions were transferred to the front of the Heshuo army.

There was no logistical support for Tserwang Allah Butan, as long as they cut off the rear of the four raids, even if they didn't meet the enemy face to face, such a waste of time would still consume them to ask for surrender.

Thinking of this, even Cao Yong's mood eased a bit.

Among other things, Cao Song is still in front of the Northwest Army, and if the battle becomes fierce, no one can guarantee that the camp of the Chinese Army will be safe.

And Yongqing, I don't know if the transfer of troops has affected him or not.

These Mongolian princes and auspicious people treated the great lama and Cao Yong very courteously, they couldn't be more attentive.

As a result, Cao Yong sometimes had the illusion that it was not like going out on errands, but more like traveling with him.

"Eat, walk, and talk" by yourself.Bored, Cao Yong began to think about the "Double Cultivation of Esoteric Buddhism" of the great lama.

Thinking that Chuyu's body is not good, the practice of this Tantra is yoga, which has some fitness functions.

If you can learn this method, it is not a waste to follow this "living Buddha".

Cao Yong wanted to be beautiful, but he could only be disappointed after all.

According to the Great Lama, there are strict regulations in the Tantric precepts, one must not speak about the Tantric Dharma in front of those who are not the foundation of Tantric Buddhism, otherwise it will be a violation of the precepts.

In addition, it does not mean that one who has practiced Tantra can practice this "double practice" Tantra.

"Kalachakra" has strict and clear regulations: "Ordinary women cannot act like yogis, yogis cannot act like mahasiddhas, and mahasiddhas cannot act like Buddhas."

Cao Yong was disappointed after hearing this.

To be honest, if he really learned the method of "Double Cultivation of Esoteric Buddhism", then he really has the idea of ​​passing down the book under a pseudonym.

"A Dream of Red Mansions" also talks about "color", but it seems to outline the "color heart".

The gate of this noble mansion, the master's servants, the filth and obscenity under the cover of a dignified appearance.Who is it that the sister-in-law steals from the brother-in-law depends on the reader's own obscenity.This is the so-called "the prostitute sees the prostitute".

Thinking of this, Cao Yong felt a little uncomfortable.

Although he is only a novelist, the shadow of the Cao family is not absent in "Dream of Red Mansions".

A big family has a large population, so there will be more right and wrong.

It seems that after returning to the capital, he has to discuss with his father to rectify the inside and outside.The same goes for the cousins ​​of Erfang, after all, they are still young, so they should teach more, so as not to lose their hearts in the bustling capital...

There are also Tianyou and Hang Seng, who are also growing up, and they will be enlightened next year, and this education is the top priority.

A family is not afraid of the ups and downs of the outside world, and if it survives, there will always be times when the weather will clear up.What I am most afraid of is the erosion inside.

I have worked hard, I want the Cao family to suffer less wind and rain, but I can't let the family lose from the inside...

*
Capital, Cao Mansion, Study Room.

Cao Yin's face was livid, and Mr. Zhuang's expression was not very good-looking either.It has been two months since Cao Shuo's incident, and the two old fellows also did a second job, but they did not hide it after all.

Some of the things Cao Shuo pawned at the beginning were redeemed by the Cao family, while others were dead pawned, and the pawn shop had already sold them.

Among them, some are engraved with the Cao family or other signs that can prove their provenance, and they fall into the hands of people who know the goods, and they will naturally find clues.

When Zong Li took Cao Shuo to gamble, there were other disciples of Zhengbai Banner who went with him. These people didn't just keep their mouths shut if they could.

Therefore, since Cao Shuo's funeral, rumors have spread.

Cao Yin has already received a letter, and a censor has already written an account, impeaching him for "not being strict in housekeeping, and not teaching his nephew well".

After a while, Cao Yin sighed, the anger on his face faded, and he said to Mr. Zhuang: "I am obsessed, how can there be an impenetrable wall in this world? Some things can be hidden, but some things cannot be hidden. I'll just suffer, and I won't say anything else in my life. There have been eight rounds of impeachment, not ten times. This is getting more and more timid, and even this is taboo!"

Mr. Zhuang pondered for a while and said: "In the eyes of outsiders, both adults and young masters are gentle and kind people. Gentlemen deceive them, and those censors are just for the sake of fame. I can't afford to offend you who must pay for it. Naturally, I have to report to my lord." You have to work hard with such a good temper. My lord still needs to think of a way to avoid future troubles. Otherwise, this time it's my lord, and next time it's my lord's turn to keep it all."

Cao Yin nodded, and said: "Yes, how many times can I accompany you? I will have to bear it in the future. As a father, I am really ashamed..."

While the two were talking, the housekeeper Cao Zhong came to report that the carriages everywhere were ready, and the wives and grandmas got into the carriages. The wife asked people to ask if the trip could be made.

The garden in Haidian has been repaired, and the weather will soon be "sanfu". Chuyu has already gone there first, and has taken care of her mother-in-law's residence.

After discussing with Cao Yin, Li's family will go outside the city to escape the summer heat.For this, Mrs. Li made a special trip to Dongfu, thinking about bringing Mrs. Zhao Jia with her, and letting her relax.

Zhao Jia's illness has been cured, but he has no energy, impatient to move, so he politely declined Li's kindness.

In addition to Cao Yin, his wife and children, Mr. Zhuang's yard and Tian's mother and son also went with them.

Zijing was entrusted to the inner house here, and Cao Zhong, the chief housekeeper, looked after the front yard, and everything had been properly ordered.

Cao Yin took a special trip to ask for a day off at the household department to send his family out of the city to escape the summer heat...

There were many masters who went, and together with the maids and wives from various courtyards, they took a dozen or so carriages and walked out of the alley in a mighty manner.

Not long after the team left here, they heard the shouts of "drive", "drive", and several fast horses galloped up, stopping at the gate of Dongfu...

(End of this chapter)